teddy_radiator | December Delights

Lots of things delighted me today. This photo is one of them:

Since the first time I heard it, I have always thought the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy was one of the most magical, almost mystical pieces of music ever written. Hearing it done this way gives it the most ethereal, floating quality. This must be how it sounds to real fairies.

We attended another Christmas get together this afternoon. I'm finding that I don't enjoy rich food the way I used to. Growing old is pidgeon droppings.

I had a delightful online convo with one of the theatre people today about the new Fantastic beasts trailer, which sequed into an in-depth discussion of HP and my views on Snape. It recalled to me the amazing conversations I had with a couple of guys Sunday night at W & T's party about HP and fandom and podcasts. In both these cases, it was wonderful talking openly about my views to people who truly got what I was talking about.

Also, this made me laugh out loud today. It's an oldie but a goodie:

After every flight, UPS pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet" which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight.

Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are actual maintenance complaints submitted by UPS pilots ("P") and solutions recorded ("S") by maintenance engineers:

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit
S: Something tightened in cockpit

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to: straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget