Maybe Drone Flying Is Not For Me...

 Maybe. Like many people, drones--the ones individuals fly, not the military--have fascinated me. My first drone was this little thing...I think it cost fifty bucks more than a decade ago. I had a blast with it. I flew it a lot and beat it up pretty good. Because it was cheap the batteries began to expand and without batteries, it's junk.

So, when I had some extra cash, I bought a better drone. This one flew great, I had more control (less crashes...) and, again, I loved flying it. The main problem is the camera. It did take video and still photos, but the still photos were okay, and the video was terrible. I guess you get what you pay for.

I sort of gave up on the hobby for a few years, then at a yard sale I found a cheap drone. I bought it, I got it home, and found it didn't have a way to charge the batteries. I went back and asked if I could just get (or buy...) the charging cord. He offered another drone package (charger included...) for half price. I thought, great. With two I can have one for parts when it breaks down. The deal was done. I took them both home.

I never got either of them to work. The one that worked best burned out a motor (saw actual smoke...) so I took them both apart, re-soldered two motors and put it all back together again.

Finally, everything looked like it was going to work.

Once again, I couldn't get it to fly. The video is my last attempt...two crashes.

I should have just saved up and bought a good drone, one that had a camera that gave me what I wanted. Now, I don't know if I even want to do it. Maybe it wasn't the drones, but the operator. I don't think so because I was able to get older, less technological drones to fly.

I don't know how this story will end...I only know how it's gone so far.

Crash and burn.

I Just Don't Live...In A Starbucks World

 It's not my world...

And it shows.

I was given a Starbucks Gift Card as a kind gesture at the last FanX event. Today, we finally used it. My wife and I stepped into one of the thousands of Starbucks across this amazing country and I ordered a hot chocolate. 

No coffee.

That's basically why I never visit Starbucks.

As they prepared my hot chocolate, I sat and took in the atmosphere. Of course, I've visited other Starbucks in the past. It felt the same in those businesses as well. There's a feeling you experience in a Starbucks, to an outsider, it's like being in a club or a fraternity/sorority. Maybe it's the smells...I don't know for sure. Something is different.

Because I'm not a regular, I didn't hear my name called (it might not have been...) when my drink was ready. We sat at our little table as I watched patron after patron who came in after us fetch their coffees and leave. I finally stood and saw my cup on the counter. I wondered if the workers thought I was dense as they saw us waiting for something ready to go. I'm sure they could tell I didn't belong.

I've often wondered if I drank coffee, would Starbucks be a regular stop for me? Would I feel at home inside their shop? I'm guessing, no. Not because it's not quality, but because of the price. I can't justify paying premium price for something like coffee. Then again, who really knows?

Don't know when I'll step foot in another Starbucks...

Maybe when I get another gift card.