Wednesday, February 3 — In at 10:15 after errands including a haircut and beard trim. Very windy & chilly out; should have worn a coat instead of a jacket. Really ragged night last night, but a good start to the day despite the weather. As I was working on financial files I looked up and saw an executive-dressed-50-something deep into the room. I started to say hello and he turned around and headed for the door. I did learn he was flying the Cessna TTX that had just landed. I asked if I could give him a brochure and he put up his hand like he was waving away an untouchable on a street in Calcutta. Later I took a few pictures of the TTX in the very chilly wind through the fence. Resumed work on computer. Walked to terminal for a vending-machine-snacks lunch, continued focusing on computer, updating the new 2015 blog format. A fellow came in, and this fellow was sociable. His last name is Whitley; he flew F-4s and 16s with the 183d FW. We were having a fine conversation cut short when he explained he had come to renew his flying medical and the physician was ready to see him. THEN I noticed that the 183d Fighter Group insignia graphic, which for years has been on a shelf behind models near the door, was GONE! DAMN. The rest of the afternoon was spent looking for the graphic and not finding it. Called airport security that visited, Copied a picture of it — shared below — and posted news on internet. A picture of the stolen adhesive backed decal, the type applied to F-4s and F-16s of the 183d Fighter Group, Springfield is shared below. If you see this graphic for sale or trade anywhere, please let me know. I’d like to recover it. Then I HAD to leave to attend an Illinois Pilots Association dinner meeting. Didn’t mention the theft because the person I BELIEVE took it was there, and I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers. It would have hurt this museum more than benefited. I was still bothered coming back to the airport and briefly visiting the model club. Didn’t stay more than 15 minutes. Came back to office . Locked the door and put a sign in the window, also pictured below. This incident SOURS ME BEYOND WORDS! Left for home at 9:05, took a Melatonin pill and went right to bed. Still awoke a few hours after and lay awake about 20 minutes before getting back to sleep. Had no wine — all the wine is gone, and I BELIEVE I will never buy more wine — and no dinner because I had a fine dinner at the IPA meeting — and no peanut butter from a knife because in the interest of returning to a weight of below 200 lbs, I’ve vowed to eat no more peanut butter if it’s not between two slices of whole wheat bread. Had there been any hemlock in the house, I probably would have drunk ever damn drop!
Day rating: DOUBLE F!
Abe Lincoln's Air Force 