Braumeister Herrick...

Just kidding...kind of...I have always wanted to make mead, ever since 2003 when I first sampled my friend Grant's homemade batch. Wow, fermented honey has quite an effect. Anyway, Ashley Moreno from the Reserves has a husband who is a beekeeper in Beverly Hills, CA, so I bought a few gallons from him this summer. Well, it is quite sweet to begin with...I cant wait to taste the final product! (But I will have to, as the best results begin to appear between 6-12 months). Well, check back for updates on this.



In the meantime, Merry Christmas to everyone I know and love. And have a wonderful new year full of surprises and joy!

Cheers!
-JH

Job updates...

Defeating the purpose of an easy to update blog, I have slacked off with keeping this site up to date, but am now ALL caught up (see all the October posts, some of which have pictures from March!). The big reason in the delay was because I was waiting to see what happens next with my job.

I have accepted a position with my old company, which starts this week in Sierra Vista, AZ (3 hours south of Phoenix).

Currahee, part 1, "Hi-Oh Silver!" lol

Well if you have ever seen episode one of Band of Brothers, then you will recognize Currahee as a mountain in Toccoa, Georgia where the original members of the U.S. Army's newly formed Airborne corps were sent for training during early-mid WWII.

I had the opportunity to run the length ("three miles up, three miles down") of the Col. Robert Sink Memorial Trail when I went through Ft. Benning this March, after returning from Afghanistan. One helluva run, especially for an out of shape guy like me...but at least I made it.

A sign at the base of the trail:

Me at the bottom:

A coin given to me by the 506th PIR, Fort Campbell, KY, 2007:

Currahee, part 2, at the top

Currahee, part 3, on the way down...

The way down, good thing I had a flashlight:
Timing myself...what a confidence killer:

A memorial at the bottom:

low and mean, indeed...

Pics of my new flat black 11.5" billet shocks and rear brake caliper relocation (now hidden behind the exhaust), thanks to the guys at www.lowandmean.com, in Lake Havasu, AZ! The powdercoat job looks great and really cleans up the rear end! Thanks Chris!

Average JO-HN

Well, I took my bike to the VERY knowledgeable and friendly bike shop in Mesa, AZ called Average Joe's Motorcycles today...what a great time. I wanted a simple baseline dyno, and they were glad to work on a metric bike like mine, even tho they specialize in HDs. Here is the result: 55HP, 74Ft/Lbs. Not too bad with only new exhaust, K&N drop in, and a Cobra Fi2000R computer. Anyway, hats off to John (seen testing the bike) and Eric for such a great help!

Click on the video to watch it.

The video:

Dyno-sore

OK, OK, I can't let my bike have all the fun, so in the name of getting caught up, here are some pictures and video of my car on the dynamometer at Vivid Racing. While the HP/TQ numbers are no where near what I had hoped for, I am told a Mustang dyno is way more conservative than a DynoJet dyno. A heartbreaker of dyno namebrands if you will...haha!

Technical Sergeant Herrick...

Well after 6.5 years as a Staff Sergeant (E-5), I was able to sew on Technical Sergeant (E-6) as of 1OCT08! Thanks to all at the 4th Combat Camera Squadron who helped develop, endorse and submit my PEP (Promotion Enhancement Package) paperwork, which required a LOT of detailed writing. Aren't I glad I payed attention in English class!?

Milball, Foxnews, RNC, etc...

Well, let's see...I attended the 2008 Military Ball in St. Paul, MN...where coincidentally the RNC was being held. As such, I bumped into and met Sean Hannity of Fox News fame. It was great to get home and see many old faces. Pictures of the MN trip to come very soon! :)

Air Force Reserve ball, 2008

Here are some photos of myself and Kimberly, Christian and Susan, Josh and Jeanette, Dave and Jill, Captain Joel Loomis, Sarah the master hairstylist (didn't she do great on me!? lol), and the rest of the gang at the Air Force Reserve ball in St. Paul, Minnesota, September, 2008.

My nephew Garin ;)

Adam and Kat couldn't be happier! :)

the father of the POW/MIA movement

Pictures of Colonel Earl P. Hopper Sr's funeral from July, 2008.

August update...

A lot happening here in sunny AZ...there will be much more to report soon, but for now, here are some recent pictures of my baby (ahem, I mean, BIKE!)...

Herrick 08?

my fellow Airmen, making me proud...

Great video, displaying some of the things our military (Air Force Airmen, ahem!) go through on a daily basis, all around the world.

happy trails...

Me and my friend/fellow Reservist photographer Efren (above) recently went out to Joshua Tree National Forest (on the CA side) to shoot star trails. Google it to learn more. Better yet, try it for yourself sometime. In the meantime, here is my best one (needs improvement, but OK for a nearly first attempt). Cheers, and thank you, Efren.

Ben Avery shooting range...

Josh n I cruised out there and spent a few rounds on Memorial weekend. Largest outdoor shooting range in U.S. Josh is such a good shot with the AR, you will want to always remember to be VERY nice to him! jk

House hunter...

...maybe that is the name of some show on HGTV, but that is what I feel like lately. Actually, I have not seen as many houses as some friends who are also looking, but that is OK, as I am in no big hurry. Anyway, I still hope to buy this year, but am renting in the meantime. The one with the pool is where I am renting, and the other is a house close to what I am looking to buy.

"Is that you John Wayne?..."

Ok, ok...so you may not all remember him, but I do. Kevyn Major Howard had a significant role in Stanley Kubrick's 80s cult classic, Full Metal Jacket. Coincidentally, he played the role of "Rafterman", the combat photographer. Pretty cool, since that is what I do in the Reserves. Anyway, we recently met at AirFest '08, the big annual air show held at my base: March Air Reserve Base, Riverside, California.

Side note: Kevyn was there with his drag cars from Fueled by the Fallen, which is his great program meant to honor the service of Marines in OIF. The cars are all Chevy, and have the names of every KIA U.S. Marine on their sides.

One last picture of me in front of the Douglas Skyraider, named after the base my MIA uncle flew out of during Vietnam: Nakhon Phanom (aka "Naked Fanny") Royal Thai Air Force Base. We won't forget you Uncle Jim.

Move to AZ

As you all know, I moved to AZ earlier this spring. Here are some pics of my arrival in Arizona (thanks Marc for helping with the drive). My, my...Phoenix is beautiful from South Mountain! While I don't look happy in the border pic, I was just sick.

Meanie pt. 3

Current pics:

Pics of "old" rear fender:

Now have road trip gear (floorboards, windshield, etc.). LED/fender elim kit installed (see pic). Now just need my AZ vet plates. Arlen ness mirrors, aftermarket 3" flat black exhaust ( but I already have flat black exhaust you say...well, this rids me of the ugly and inconceivalbe-for-a-bike-catalytic-converter, AND gives a little more power since it is true 3"), cobra floorboards, cobra fi2000, etc. should be here soon...I cannot wait!! Anyone know a powdercoater who specializes in black?? jk lol

St. Thomas trip and pics...

In early April, I had a great 7 days in St. Thomas, seeing good friends and making new ones. What a great place to vacation when you already have a place to stay, etc. (thanks Jackie and Crista). I never did make it to the Cruzan Rum distillery on St. Croix...looks like I will have to go back one day. lol

Movie stars, the Carribean, and Phoenix, oh my

Lots of updating to do (with pictures), so stay tuned...

Meanie pt. 2

Pics to and at the dealership today...obviously I did not take delivery with today's weather! lol