Sun N Fun

It's difficult to discuss an air show at an air show that doesn't resemble an air show! It's not that T-6's and L-39's are not exciting to watch, but they lack the punch of a well-rounded air show that combines the military and civilian jets. Besides, we do not have that design in our collection of tees! But, Sun N Fun is just that; there is that Floridian sun and a heck of a lot of fun, especially after a few brewskies.Folks come from all over to bask in the afterglow of an AOEPA reunion, or a test flight in a brand spanking new Piper. Conversations, too, are open and friendly; no hint of the doom and gloom of sequestration. Now, if only we'd get more sales ...

Back on 95 South!

You know, there's got to be a special place in Heaven for all of God's vendors!  First, we pack all of our freshly printed and embroidered designs, specific to each show, in plastic boxes.  Next, we line those "puppies" up on our loading dock, and Warren begins the fine task of geometrically loading the van.  That's when you can hear his melodious voice peal,  "Damn those overstuffed boxes!!!" After all of his prodding, coaxing, cussing, and kicking . . . We are packed and ready to go!

Now, my job as navigator is to not only put up with Warren's driving persona - he is the self-proclaimed Universal Monitor of ALL Drivers, and as such, finds it necessary to give detailed reviews of all motorists and their impending doom! - I must also be on the look-out for neighboring Cracker Barrels and Love's Gas Stations. . . Not to mention lowering the voice of our GPS which consistently and unceasingly says, "Recalculating!"

But I digress, 95 South, this trip, means Sun N Fun in Lakeland, Florida.  We are returning this year, despite our lackluster experience of last year, basically due to the relocation of our spot, and the VERY slim pickings of Air Shows, but that's another story (check our last blog).

At any rate, you will hear more about the actual Air Show later this week.  For now, Cracker Barrel is coming up at the next exit and I do not want to hear RECALCULATING again!

Welcome to the Year of Sequestration!

We have learned a new word this year: "Sequestration."  If we are not sure what it means, we sure are learning its effects!  For example:  No More US Jet Teams!  Gone are the eardrum breaking roars of the F/A-18's and the F-16's!  Gone are the crowds filled with unabashed shrieks of "OOOOOOHHHH's" and "NNNNOOOOOO's." Gone are those wonderful faces filled with the anticipation of viewing precision flying at its best - with eyes covered ( well, maybe not both!) for fear of watching near collision-like maneuvers.  The Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds are reasons why so many of our youth enlist and become tomorrow's heroes.   All for the sake of the budget!!!

We just returned from the first Air Show of the season:  the Valiant Air Command in Titusville, Florida.  Though relatively small, it generally features WWll aircraft and acts as a wonderful springboard for our show season.  This year, the Thunderbirds were headlined - it was to be their first and last show!  There were record-breaking crowds on all three days:  March 22, 23, 24, not to mention the over-booked motels, the long lines at the gas stations, and the overcrowded restaurants with a ten mile radius.  Talk about a local economic boom!  But, too expensive for our budget!

There is no doubt that there is wasteful spending, but . . . Welcome to the year of sequestration!