Friday, August 8, 2008

Name Dropper

Well I wasn't asked but thought I might as well put my two cents in, and besides I have been "fussed" for not posting for so long---hey LIFE happens.
I have a few encounters with the "famous" . Of course A. Tippin which Rich mentioned, I just couldn't talk to him, we had just finished eating Chinese food and no way was I going to speak to him with teeth full of rice and goodness knows what else plus I had almost walked right into him so that was almost as good as speaking. Next on the list was Jane Fonda, please dont' hold it againist me, it was a volunteer project I was working on with the local police dpt and she came to check it out. There was Prez and Mrs Carter, I was working on a Hab for Human Housing project down in Valdosta and for whatever reason they chose the house I was working in to help with. It was fun and interesting , they were quite humble and not afraid to get down and dirty, so dirty in fact at one point Mr Carter and I were painting in the same room and I happened to get my paint roller over his rear end, he was most gracious about it, of course I felt like a nimrod ! There was a soap opera guy that I met in Ocilla but for the life of me I can't remember his name, I know he's Greek if that helps..lol
I feel like there is more but am very sleepy and am giving up for the evening.

Famous Encounters

Hmmmm, well, my final reenlistment in the Air Force was performed by Gordon Fullerton.
Fullerton was the pilot on the eight-day STS-3 Space Shuttle orbital flight test mission March 22-30, 1982. Fullerton was commander of the STS-51F Spacelab 2 mission, launched on July 29, 1985. This mission, with the orbiter Challenger, was the first pallet-only Spacelab mission and the first to operate the Spacelab Instrument Pointing System (IPS).
Vickie and I also ran into Aaron Tippin in our Las Vegas hotel, but Vic was a bit timid about talking to him after we'd just eaten dinner including rice (she hadn't had time to brush her teeth). Of course, I met many of the Astronauts during my 5 years supporting the Space Shuttle. Ran into Chuck Yeager a few times there too.
One of the most interesting, which I'd forgotten, happened while I was stationed at Edwards AFB supporting the space shuttle. We got a call one afternoon that the folks in Hollywood wanted weather support for a new series called "Quantum Leap," the pilot of which was to be filmed on the base. After answering numerous weather questions and making 4 to 6 different types of forecasts per day, they got the series of shots they wanted done. One of the assistants called and invited the two forecasters involved over to the set for the wrapup buffet (or whatever it was). We ran almost right into Scott Bacula and were introduced, but he was busy, so we were told to order whatever we wanted to eat and just wander around. It was pretty cool.
The next day, Dean Stockwell and and another cast member came by the weather station to introduce themselves AND ask if I'd like to join the for a round of golf. Unfortunately, I was the duty forecaster that day and the space shuttle was getting ready to launch again, so I couldn't leave the station.
I can't say I've met them, but I watched Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and all of the golf stars play at the Tour Players Championship at Sawgrass (St. Augustine). I did get some cool autographs on my hat, but the most well known of them is Jerry Kelly, who is one of my favorites.