Every year, as years before, coworkers must be breifed. In years past my control systems work flawlessly. I am so happy with the reliability.Operators who use my systems know that I am on vacation and are happy not to call me.But engineers, after being notified of a warning screen, erroniously think (as in blame) that it is acontrol problem. This is the same as shooting the bearer of bad news. Absolutely damn idiotes!These technical types do call me. Always because my controlsystems can not fix the problem. But in reality it is because THEY can not fix theproblem.
"A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing." -unknown
A control system would have to have two legs and two arms to fix ALL problems!
My control system only temporarily "patches around" problems and notifies of suchproblems. Weeks before leaving, I always strengthen maintenance in areas of weakness andfailure. One does all he can, and yet equipment will fail.
After posting a vacation notice, one must keep a low profile, work hard, and watch ones back. Stress comes from not knowing what humans will do, and having no control over it.
I sware there are two kinds of people: Workers and Noise Makers.Unfortunately, 90% of the world can only see and hear the Noise Makers. They are strange high profile animals.
But a small proportion of the population can see the Workers. Like me.I have seen it all my life in Mom and Dad.I have seen Dad go off to work in the rain, with snot running down out of his nose, and over his lip. And with a fever so bad that he could hardly walk straight.He never complained. Not ever. I watched Mom, year after year, wash clothes outside, and fix meals for nine kids. She never complained through out the years. Not once.Mom and Dad were of few words, but they did not need many to get the job done.
MEMO 2006
2006.02.24 Flying into Honalulu international,with a final distination of Maui...
2006 Over Maalaea
Maui All comercial airliners approach the valley and the airport fromthe Maalaea side on the southwest side.
2006.03 Maui The Hana air port is only big enough for small planes. Hana has a lot of pleasant rain as you can see on the strip.
I have never seen such a romantic calming runway.I guess it is because you expect an airport to be loud and confusing.This place is not! I guess because it is in paradise.Hana is beutiful.
2006.03.09 17:00 Maui While we were returning from Hana, a medical commuter plane crashed at Kahului.All three paramedics were killed. The plane crashed into a parking lot of new cars.I seen the smoke suddenly rise and eventually fill the sky.Fortunately it was after hours and the lot was vacant of more people. Linda and I did not want to be part of the problem, so we went home.
I returned the next morning and took this picture. Terrible.
2006.03 Maui All kinds of strange colors... And a strange mix of tragedy and color. I fail to reconcile it.
Our beach How does it end?
2006.03 Maui Sunset and the end of a life. Kihei Clamhole2 or 3
This is "our" beach. And is where a girl was attacked by a shark while we were here.She survived but had massive damage to her leg. She was in water only up to herwaist.
Also while we were on Maui (this trip) a man was attacked a couple of miles south of hereat Mckenna BigBeach. He did not survive. They only could recovered his torso. He was swimmingin deeper water. Also the time was 17:00 (dusk). He was killed near here onlya couple of days ago. The media is emphasizing how rare this is.
Just how on earth can tragic things happen in Paradise... During this trip we witnessed two shark attacks and a fatal plane crash,killing all aboard.
I control two broadcast stations: I control all logging. I control all technicaltransmissions. I control all transmitters.My microprocessors are at work everywhere.I have built a lifetime in "control". And I am used to being in control of stuff.
But this trip to Maui, has taught me something.The tragedies have instilled an indelible point: Bottom line: We control NOTHING!
