A Side Note

My girlfriend is now my fiancée (The extra "e" makes it feminine in French right?...maybe not...it's been too long since French class). That's right. I didn't spend all my time since fall building R/C planes and router tables. My relationship with Julia has reached the point where we both know each other is "the one." We'll be married on September 25, 2004. You are probably wondering what will happen to the airplane project now that I'm getting married. The plan is to at least have it painted by the wedding. The plane is in a fragile state when it is covered but not yet painted. If the painting process goes well it will fly this year, perhaps even before the wedding. If it takes longer than expected to paint that may be all I get done this year. After all, the wedding is important. Fortunately, Julia is understanding of my need to continue working on the plane.

This picture was taken at the top of the Sears Tower just minutes after I proposed to Julia there. I had it all planned out. I would take her to the top at sunset and propose while sharing the magnificent nighttime view of Chicago from 1300 feet up. Well, it didn't quite work out that way. The weather was bad and the top half of the tower was in the clouds! I worried about whether or not to go ahead with the proposal with the weather not cooperating. I decided to stick with it, and we weren't the only couple going up in zero visibility. There were four other idiots with us who paid $15 to see the inside of a cloud as well.

Luckily, the perfect proposal was salvaged by the symbolism of the situation. You see, we feel like we are on cloud nine when we are together. Thus, it made perfect sense to propose to her amongst the clouds. It all worked out great. She said yes almost before the question was out of my mouth. She didn't see it coming either.

The Plane Completion Budget

Just kidding! There's still plenty of money left to finish the plane.