End of the Spear

End of the Spear is now playing. I encourage you to go see this film. To find out more information, visit the website or click on the picture.

In the shop we are learning how to take apart engines. Hopefully, we will also learn how to put them back together, which I understand may also be of some importance in our chosen field. Nevertheless, while half of the class masters the fine art of disassembly, the other half is learning about accessories. Part of their class is to run an engine and see what the accessories do behind that big fan. That is...if they can get it to run. Some of the students seem to demonstrate more focus, attention and an overall awareness of the lab than others :)

Eventually, they did get it running, with Fran on the far left ever ready with the fire extinguisher in case things heat up. Unfortunately, there where some fuel feed problems and it would only run as long as someone kept pumping the primer. Back to the shop with that one.

Meanwhile, back at school...my lab partner Chris spends a moment pondering the finer points of cylinder number 3 in full protective gear. Always, one for fashion, he is sporting the new winter line of mechanic garb for engine overhaul. (In reality, it is off to work in just a few minutes)

The mountian was beautiful and you could see all the way into the valley. We had a wonderful time skiing and spending time with family.

Leslie and I took a mini vacation to Salt Lake City to spend some time with her grandparents and cousins. We spent one day in the mountains at Snowbird where leslie turned to the darkside and took up snowboarding. She did very well and was flying down the bunny slopes by lunch time.

This is a view of our Christmas Hangar party. Each table was decorated by a different family and it was a wonderful Potluck.