Truly, this is unbelievable...

The posting "Stunt News and unsolicited advice." has been up for a week.

No takers.

I give up.

But isn't there something wrong when the two biggest Stunt Shows of 2004 come to town and there is no one willing to cover it for Stunt News?

I honestly thought we could get this assignment taken care of in less than 30 minutes.

Like PTG, I like to learn something new every day. Today I have learned two things, the first being self-explanatory. The second is *now I truly do understand* why Tom Morris doesn't bother with trying to assign specific articles to PAMPA members.

Dan,

I dont understand why you dont pony up and take on the task yourself. You have a very vested intrest in stunt and seem to be some sort of a professional writter in the past. Get some vacation and make the trip.

If someone does do it will be on their time and their volunteer. So assigning things is kind of futile. Now if you want to add this to a job discription that is another thing. Like whoever takes on competitions is resposible for the Nats Coverage each year. That way they know going into that job that that will be a requirement.

>Dan,
>
>I dont understand why you dont pony up and take on the task
>yourself. You have a very vested intrest in stunt and seem
>to be some sort of a professional writter in the past. Get
>some vacation and make the trip.
>
>If someone does do it will be on their time and their
>volunteer. So assigning things is kind of futile. Now if
>you want to add this to a job discription that is another
>thing. Like whoever takes on competitions is resposible for
>the Nats Coverage each year. That way they know going into
>that job that that will be a requirement.

Doug,

As I have made exceedingly clear, I will not be at either the 2004 Nationals or the World Champs.

Editors of magazines assign certain articles to individuals all the time, it's part of the job, is certainly not an exercise in futility. Instead, it is a very necessary action to be taken. Of course those chosen can refuse; but that just means the editor must go looking for another person who will accept the assignment.

I may have made my point too obliquely, but in the past I have had a few PAMPA members mention to me lack of Stunt News coverage when it came to some events. In several cases which I recall distinctly it seemed as if there was the thought that Tom Morris should accept the responsibility for arranging coverage in advance of big events.

Should I ever hear that whine again, one and all can be assured I have now got a snappy and to-the-point retort to said whining and sniveling.

>I dont understand why you dont pony up and take on the task
>yourself.

We suggested it; he's got other plans for the time.
Adding "must attend every Nats" to a job description just ensures
that no one will take the job.

Dan, I think you overestimate:
a) how many people read this forum
b) how many people are going to the Nats and World Champs
c) how much people like to write
d) how much free time people think they will have

The intersection of all these sets may truly be 0, believe it or don't.

Dan, I think you overestimate:
a) how many people read this forum
b) how many people are going to the Nats and World Champs
c) how much people like to write
d) how much free time people think they will have

The intersection of all these sets may truly be 0, believe it or don't.

Preston

Alas, you are correct in points a) through d).

It's still real disappointing. Not enough to use one of those stupid round faces, you understand, the way Helmick does all the time 'cos he can't write worth a rat. But disappointing nonethless.

Dan

>Alas, you are correct in points a) through d).
>
>It's still real disappointing.

Nevertheless, it's a still a good idea.
I would seek beyond this forum (point a) for someone who
satisfies the other 3 requirements.

Dan,

Couple of things. First, I'd watch out ranking on Steve. He's bigger than you (well, maybe not around). Second, me, like many in this area, would probably volunteer in a second except that:

1) I don't write all that well (everything comes off like a clinical evaluation)
2) I won't be there except in spirit
3) Many like me don't feel qualified. I realize that this last point isn't necessarily a big deal, but there it is.

I plan on going to the Worlds. I think I might fly up for the weekend and then head home. No Nats for me this year, the wife wants an actual vacation, and I want a full year to practice.

If all goes well I will go and jot some stuff down and take a few pics.

HAY ASK DON MCCLAVE TO DO IT.
He's going? Right?
or Chris Cox
or Windy
or BOB HUNT
or "The Bear"
OR DAVE BROWN
or MR.C not Richie
or some one from the local news paper. Clue him or her in and you might get a good story...
HAY DAN...Bill Clinton got nothing to do...ask him!

Scott(got to go)Riese

...It's still real disappointing. Not enough to use one of those stupid round faces, you understand, the way Helmick does all the time 'cos he can't write worth a rat. But disappointing nonethless.
>
>Dan
>Dan

The origin of the smiley face was revealed in "Forrest Gump".

>We suggested it; he's got other plans for the time.
>Adding "must attend every Nats" to a job description just
>ensures
>that no one will take the job.

I guess I wasnt clear. What I meant when adding to the job would be getting the coverage. Not actually having ot be there but securing the fact that someone will write the article.

Kind of like Dan is doing with not much luck.

I wrote an Article about the Nats from my view, a couple of years ago. It turned out ok I think. However I was an Advanced pilot at the time and my writting showed that. The only real coverage I had at the time was the contest I was entered in. I had little coverage on the Open side of the show.

This year it is all in one so maybe getting it all in there will be an easier task if the writter ahppens to be a competitor.

I was thinking before Dan posted that I would wirte a piece on it but it would be more of a from "My Perspective" type deal. I dont know how well those pieces are accepted but I like writting them and it really helps on to really take note of all that is going on around them at the time of the event.

>I wrote an Article about the Nats from my view, a couple of
>years ago. It turned out ok I think.

Me too.

>I was thinking before Dan posted that I would wirte a piece
>on it but it would be more of a from "My Perspective" type
>deal. I dont know how well those pieces are accepted but I
>like writting them and it really helps on to really take
>note of all that is going on around them at the time of the
>event.

I think that'd be great. So many of us don't get to go
and really enjoy reading about it. I'd definitely recommend
writing from your own perspective. If a few people do this, we'll
get great coverage, from several perspectives.

I enjoyed 'Zilla's piece from 2002 (I think), including the tire chirps in the motel parking lot.

LAST EDITED ON Dec-04-03 AT 08:34 PM (CST)
 
Howard,

Maybe you could write it. You're an expansive guy.

>I enjoyed 'Zilla's piece from 2002 (I think), including the
>tire chirps in the motel parking lot.

That was really more for entertainment. I think it got the point across.

Covering any contest that you are involved in would be tough, since your perspective is skewed. I never mentioned Curt in that article (or Bill) because I never got to see them fly. I always seemed to be everywhere else.

I saw Curt fly on tape. He flew the best flight of the Top 5 flyoff IMHO. It was his first flight. Smokin...

Since i might be there at the WC's for fun only, it might make a good opportunity to see everything and report. We will have to see the schedule for next year first.

>This year it is all in one so maybe getting it all in there
>will be an easier task if the writter ahppens to be a
>competitor.

Remember the coverage we got of the 2002 world champs in Model Aviation from members of the US team. Since they are very involved with the event and rules they wrote as if all the readers were too. I remember several references to the "_____" rule without any explanation of it, or using only the FAI class to refer to the competition and never using the name. For someone who isn't active in world competition a lot of the coverage was just plain boring or meaningless.

Having an article written by someone who, like an advanced flier, knows the event enough to understand what is going on and can communicate this in a manner the average reader can understand I think would be a better choice. You all remember the teacher you had who really really knew the subject but couldn't communicate it to the class; having the competitor report on the contest could produce the same result.

If I new I was going to be able to attend would seriously consider authoring an article (provided I could find someone who can translate my stuff to english) but right now don't know.

I mainly use the smiley icon stuff for Dan, 'cause it makes him crazy. Everybody in the PNW should go to the WC and NATS, 'cept Nils, Dan and myself, to fly in, or report on, the WC and NATS. More cougar-kabobs for us. Dan, I actually might warn you, that cougar isn't likely to be on the menu this year, but one can always hope. Maybe you could swing through Pullman on the way down? Steve

Dan,

I sent you a personal E-mail. Did you get it?

It went to the address you have here when I click on the email tab.

Doug,

Stuff going to that address is rarely looked at, mainly as I don't control it.

The best and most reliable way to contact me is through the private service on this site.

As to some of the comments, I really enjoy Brett's reports exactly because he focuses on his experiences and those of several fliers with which he associates. That kind of report is terrific.

Part of the problem here is that I don't see a problem. Many of you have suffered through contest reports I have written, and it just seems so easy. Specifically, note taking. Nobody has *ever* seen me taking notes at *any* NW contest, even the annual NW Regionals. Well, the lone exception is writing down the results, although even here I have cheated and simply taken pictures of the completed score board, such an act made even easier today with the new cameras. (Caution: Do not ask Rush for help here unless you immediately check his work for quality and completeness.)

When home and within a day or so I beginning writing from memory, plugging in the results, maybe even make a note or two on the screen for the next session.

Were I to be at the World Champs or the Nationals, during dinner each evening I would probably scribble down a few things from the day, assisted by such characters as will actually have dinner with me. Other than some pictures, this would be the total extent of my efforts while in Muncie.

Once home it would all have to be assembled into an article, of course, but that's fairly easy for many of us.

Dan,

Do you remember the report written by PW of the Workd Champs in, where was it, Kiev maybe? Eastern Bloc country, anyway. It was a first person report and was very funny, tragic and really fun to read. The thing on having to buy components on the local black market to mix fuel because the local customs guys wouldn't let their fuel into the country was hysterical, though it probably wasn't much fun at the time. Maybe you could talk to Paul. That was a terrific article.

I love this sort of thing.

Yep, I remember PW's report on the happenings in Kiev. Terrific stuff.

I think we can assume Paul knows of this thread, if he wants to write something, it would of course be of great value.

But I intentionally left his name--and that of Ted Fancher--off the list as I expect all three of our guys to have as number one priority the best possible representation of the U.S., our team, themselves as individuals.

There is no room for cluttering up their efforts.

Now, if Paul or Ted or Bill gets home and feels the urge to jot down a few thoughts, we're all in bonus territory.

Hey, ya see where Helmick is gonna teach McClave and myself how to land the Xilch X properly? This really is a time of year for giving and caring.

Dan:
Due to concurrent health problems (Major Back Surgery) I don't know at this time if I will be there. If I am I would be happy to try my best at covering it. If I go I will fly to so that takes away from covering it. Just no way I cam Commit to it right now. I would also think that those who would like to won't commit to it 7 months in advance.
Larry

Yep, what Larry said..........

I'm wondering why everything is spinning around?