“Ode To A Jellyfish”
FROM CAP’N MERYL
Link to this week’s column at USAToday.com/travel:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/getline/2005-04-11-ask-the-captain_x.htm
“Ode To A Jellyfish”
Before I start this week’s update, I have a
special announcement to all my readers. A very
large percentage of the questions I get through my
website and through my“Ask The Captain” column at
USAToday.com have their roots in fear. In
addition, a great many people worldwide have
written to me regarding their anxiety, which
ranges from severe aviophobia to mild anxiety
about flying. Others have written expressing a
desire to hear me as a speaker.
To all of those ends I’ve decided to launch a
Teleseminar—a seminar by phone— for fearful or
just interested passengers. There will also be a
CD set of one of these Teleseminars. Buying the
CD set entitles you to attend one or more
Teleseminars at no extra charge. Likewise,
attending one or more Teleseminar entitles you to
a CD set. Once you attend the Teleseminar once,
you are always welcome back at no extra charge,
and there is also no extra charge for others in
your household to listen in.
I have only the first one scheduled at this time,
for Thursday, April 21 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time
(8:00 PM Eastern) but more date and time choices
will follow as my flying schedule permits. I’ll
be moving the times around on different dates to
allow flexibility among the different time zones.
Please see all the details at my new site:
www.flyingfearless.com.
Also, I want to let you know about a brand new
Album in my Photo Gallery called “Worldwide Air
Traffic Controllers.” A Shanwick Oceanic Control
Supervisor named Brian Pritchard and I have been
in contact for some time, so I asked for some
pictures of the controllers at work and have
posted two pictures of controllers and one of
Brian. Shanwick Oceanic is in Scotland and is
usually the first point of contact for us when we
fly from the U.S. to Europe. To go directly to
this new album click here:
http://www.fromthecockpit.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=16
And now, about this week, but let me start with my
second trip first, which was a little different
from the scheduled passenger routes we normally
fly as airline pilots. My copilot and I deadheaded
(flew as passengers) from Chicago to Atlanta,
where we switched over to a Delta Regional Jet to
Lafayette, Louisiana, where a driver picked us up
and drove us to a small airfield half an hour away
where we picked up a newly painted B-777 which we
then ferried to Denver. Sound like a long day?
Oh, yes. We could have made it to Europe in less
time.
Painting an airplane is actually part of the
maintenance of an airplane as it keeps the
corrosion down. If it sounds like a kick ferrying
a completely empty airplane—it is. The company
that painted the airplane provided us pilots not
only with a picnic lunch to enjoy on our way back
to Denver, but a gift box for each of us with some
Cajun goodies inside—locally made Tabasco sauce,
Jambalaya and Gumbo mixes and some other items.
My week started, however, with a trip to Kona, the
same Chicago-Maui-Kona-Chicago flight sequence I
flew last Christmas Eve. If you missed my Weekly
Update for that trip or want to review it, all my
Weekly Updates may be found at
www.fromthecockpit.com and clicking on the
“Blogger” button. The last update I wrote about
Kona is the one dated Dec. 2004.
These days, I have standing invitations in many of
the cities I fly to. It’s not that often I get to
accept due to the uncertainty of my schedule as a
reserve pilot, layover hours, etc.
This trip was different and I met up with a
delightful couple in Kona—-Tom and Judy Leone--who
treated me to a lovely dinner upon arrival in
Kona. They seemed to know everyone at our layover
hotel and the Sous-Chef, an old friend of theirs,
came over to greet them and even treated us to a
free appetizer.
We dined outside at the layover hotel with a
gorgeous sunset view. So thanks, Tom, Judy and
James the Sous-Chef! Look for their pictures in
the Hawaii Album along with that sunset:
http://www.fromthecockpit.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5
I also added some new shots of Maui to the Hawaii
album from the air along with pictures of my two
copilots. Our primary, flying copilot was Jim
Bair and our relief pilot was Joe Delene. Both
are former Navy aviators, had never met before,
and it turns out they live less than ten miles
away from each other in Wisconsin. They’re both
great guys and it made for some nice flying. You
may also find them in the Hawaii Album. The new
photos are mixed in with the old but are all dated
April 2005.
When I get to my hotel room after a long day, I
tend to jump in the shower and either go out or go
to sleep. I don’t often turn on the TV but I
should have on this occasion. Had I done so, I
might have been alerted to the fact that Hawaii
was experiencing an influx of jellyfish to the
extent that Hanama Bay (Island of Oahu) and some
other areas were closed to the public.
But no, off I went in the morning to my favorite
snorkeling spot. Maybe you can guess what
happened. In any case, the following poem should
enlighten you. You could say I got myself into a
“jellyfish jam,” if you’ll pardon the horrific
pun.
If you’d like to hear me read this original poem,
there is an audio link here:
www.fromthecockpit.com/jellyfish.htm
ODE TO A JELLYFISH
A jellyfish named Ernie
Was floating in the sea.
The day was dark and cloudy
He was bored as he could be.
The little fish who shared his cove
And sometimes stopped to play
Were all in school, but he would meet them
Later on that day.
For now he waited hopeful
That soon the tide would bring
Something that would make his day—
Something he could sting.
And then he saw her swimming
Not too far away.
“She’s just the thing I’m looking for
My quota for the day!”
His mom had taught him early
His goal in life was clear:
His tendrils could cause mischief
When swimmers came too near.
And so our friend named Ernie
Who was seemingly adrift
Was actually laughing to himself
About his “thoughtful” gift.
Our unsuspecting swimmer
Continued on her way.
She’d no idea that she’d been stung
‘Til later on that day.
“What on earth!” she cried
When she discovered she’d been had,
But a jellyfish named Ernie
Was very, very glad.
For jellyfish don’t get out much
There’s not a lot to do.
In fact the only fun they have
Is stinging me and you.
So Ernie, glad to know ya’
If we meet again some day,
I trust you’ll understand it
When I swim the other way.
Until Next Time,
Maintain Airpseed!
Cap’n Meryl
Link to this week’s column at USAToday.com/travel:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/getline/2005-04-11-ask-the-captain_x.htm
“Ode To A Jellyfish”
Before I start this week’s update, I have a
special announcement to all my readers. A very
large percentage of the questions I get through my
website and through my“Ask The Captain” column at
USAToday.com have their roots in fear. In
addition, a great many people worldwide have
written to me regarding their anxiety, which
ranges from severe aviophobia to mild anxiety
about flying. Others have written expressing a
desire to hear me as a speaker.
To all of those ends I’ve decided to launch a
Teleseminar—a seminar by phone— for fearful or
just interested passengers. There will also be a
CD set of one of these Teleseminars. Buying the
CD set entitles you to attend one or more
Teleseminars at no extra charge. Likewise,
attending one or more Teleseminar entitles you to
a CD set. Once you attend the Teleseminar once,
you are always welcome back at no extra charge,
and there is also no extra charge for others in
your household to listen in.
I have only the first one scheduled at this time,
for Thursday, April 21 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time
(8:00 PM Eastern) but more date and time choices
will follow as my flying schedule permits. I’ll
be moving the times around on different dates to
allow flexibility among the different time zones.
Please see all the details at my new site:
www.flyingfearless.com.
Also, I want to let you know about a brand new
Album in my Photo Gallery called “Worldwide Air
Traffic Controllers.” A Shanwick Oceanic Control
Supervisor named Brian Pritchard and I have been
in contact for some time, so I asked for some
pictures of the controllers at work and have
posted two pictures of controllers and one of
Brian. Shanwick Oceanic is in Scotland and is
usually the first point of contact for us when we
fly from the U.S. to Europe. To go directly to
this new album click here:
http://www.fromthecockpit.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=16
And now, about this week, but let me start with my
second trip first, which was a little different
from the scheduled passenger routes we normally
fly as airline pilots. My copilot and I deadheaded
(flew as passengers) from Chicago to Atlanta,
where we switched over to a Delta Regional Jet to
Lafayette, Louisiana, where a driver picked us up
and drove us to a small airfield half an hour away
where we picked up a newly painted B-777 which we
then ferried to Denver. Sound like a long day?
Oh, yes. We could have made it to Europe in less
time.
Painting an airplane is actually part of the
maintenance of an airplane as it keeps the
corrosion down. If it sounds like a kick ferrying
a completely empty airplane—it is. The company
that painted the airplane provided us pilots not
only with a picnic lunch to enjoy on our way back
to Denver, but a gift box for each of us with some
Cajun goodies inside—locally made Tabasco sauce,
Jambalaya and Gumbo mixes and some other items.
My week started, however, with a trip to Kona, the
same Chicago-Maui-Kona-Chicago flight sequence I
flew last Christmas Eve. If you missed my Weekly
Update for that trip or want to review it, all my
Weekly Updates may be found at
www.fromthecockpit.com and clicking on the
“Blogger” button. The last update I wrote about
Kona is the one dated Dec. 2004.
These days, I have standing invitations in many of
the cities I fly to. It’s not that often I get to
accept due to the uncertainty of my schedule as a
reserve pilot, layover hours, etc.
This trip was different and I met up with a
delightful couple in Kona—-Tom and Judy Leone--who
treated me to a lovely dinner upon arrival in
Kona. They seemed to know everyone at our layover
hotel and the Sous-Chef, an old friend of theirs,
came over to greet them and even treated us to a
free appetizer.
We dined outside at the layover hotel with a
gorgeous sunset view. So thanks, Tom, Judy and
James the Sous-Chef! Look for their pictures in
the Hawaii Album along with that sunset:
http://www.fromthecockpit.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5
I also added some new shots of Maui to the Hawaii
album from the air along with pictures of my two
copilots. Our primary, flying copilot was Jim
Bair and our relief pilot was Joe Delene. Both
are former Navy aviators, had never met before,
and it turns out they live less than ten miles
away from each other in Wisconsin. They’re both
great guys and it made for some nice flying. You
may also find them in the Hawaii Album. The new
photos are mixed in with the old but are all dated
April 2005.
When I get to my hotel room after a long day, I
tend to jump in the shower and either go out or go
to sleep. I don’t often turn on the TV but I
should have on this occasion. Had I done so, I
might have been alerted to the fact that Hawaii
was experiencing an influx of jellyfish to the
extent that Hanama Bay (Island of Oahu) and some
other areas were closed to the public.
But no, off I went in the morning to my favorite
snorkeling spot. Maybe you can guess what
happened. In any case, the following poem should
enlighten you. You could say I got myself into a
“jellyfish jam,” if you’ll pardon the horrific
pun.
If you’d like to hear me read this original poem,
there is an audio link here:
www.fromthecockpit.com/jellyfish.htm
ODE TO A JELLYFISH
A jellyfish named Ernie
Was floating in the sea.
The day was dark and cloudy
He was bored as he could be.
The little fish who shared his cove
And sometimes stopped to play
Were all in school, but he would meet them
Later on that day.
For now he waited hopeful
That soon the tide would bring
Something that would make his day—
Something he could sting.
And then he saw her swimming
Not too far away.
“She’s just the thing I’m looking for
My quota for the day!”
His mom had taught him early
His goal in life was clear:
His tendrils could cause mischief
When swimmers came too near.
And so our friend named Ernie
Who was seemingly adrift
Was actually laughing to himself
About his “thoughtful” gift.
Our unsuspecting swimmer
Continued on her way.
She’d no idea that she’d been stung
‘Til later on that day.
“What on earth!” she cried
When she discovered she’d been had,
But a jellyfish named Ernie
Was very, very glad.
For jellyfish don’t get out much
There’s not a lot to do.
In fact the only fun they have
Is stinging me and you.
So Ernie, glad to know ya’
If we meet again some day,
I trust you’ll understand it
When I swim the other way.
Until Next Time,
Maintain Airpseed!
Cap’n Meryl
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