On Friday, March 8, 2013 11:44:55 AM UTC-7, Bob Whelan wrote:
On 3/8/2013 10:20 AM, JS wrote:

It's great to see people explore places that others haven't tried.

Congratulations to Randy et al for flights that most of us wouldn't have

imagined possible. Wave, WHERE? Excellent! Jim



Dear Randy,



"What Jim said."



It's probably just me, but I sense a vague "loss of charm" from our sport with

the ubiquity of "electronic transparency" and the associated "public record

keeping" accompanying it. (Note: I'm NOT knocking ubiquitous information flow,

OLC or anything else. All I'm doing is suggesting that most things in life are

double-edged swords.)



From my perspective, "all the rest of us (soaring pilots)" first ought to be

mentally celebrating, while also grinning like a possum eating bumblebees, any

time one of the "brethren and sisteren" expands our mental horizons concerning

"the possibilities" inherent in the sky, our wonderful toys, and our selves.

Your recent flight is - probably for many - a touchstone for "flatland

possibilities". In my estimation, there are a LOT more such

not-yet-demonstrated soaring possibilities awaiting, mostly, successful

application of imagination.



I, personally, don't care HOW far you flew, so much as I do THAT you flew

when, where and how you did. Soaring achievement, for the most part, is

entirely personal, anyway. Officially, I almost have my Silver Badge.

Unofficially I have an adult lifetime of personal satisfaction and soaring

achievements I occasionally am blessed to share bits of with other soaring

friends. Bragging rights never have meant very much to me.



Thanks!



Abbienormally Yours,

Bob W.

Wait! I hear the bewitching tones of a violin calling.