Greetings Loyal Airmen. What with Ash Wednesday behind us, we are now into Lent and getting closer every day to the promise of Easter and Spring.  Amen.  A time of renewal in both body and spirit. We're going to kick off this week's Log Entry with a final tale from my recent trip to the giant New York Comic Con, and then get into a few other topics of hopeful interests.

                         
                                    Actor  William  Katt

William Katt is a talented movie and TV actor whose work we've enjoyed a great deal.  He came to fame back in 1979 when he played a young Sundance Kid opposite Tom Berenger's Butch Cassidy in the movie prequel, BUTCH AND SUNDANCE -THE EARLY YEARS.   He did several other films before landing his more famous role as teacher Ralph Hickey, in the popular television series, THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO which ran between 1981 and 1983.  In that show, he finds an alien suit, that when worn, gives him superpowers.  The trouble is, once he dons the suit, it will only work for him.  The government if befuddles and sends a tough FBI agent, played by Robert Culp, to manage Hickey's life as a superhero.  The show was tons of fun, never took itself seriously and endeared both Katt and Culp to a generation of comic book fans.

So, two weeks ago, Ye Old Airchief finds himself in the world's smallest men's room awaiting his turn at one of only three urinals in the micro-mini facility.  Which begs the question, why does the Jacob Javits Center, one of the largest convention venues in all the world, have the tiniest bathrooms?  Anyone who can solve that riddle deserves a medal.  But we digress.  So here I stand, awaiting our turn when another brave soul walks in behind us.  Turning to nod politely to this new fellow who now must share our frustration, I got a really nice surprise when I realized it was William Katt.  “You're William Katt,” I mumbled, still a bit dazed, and extended my hand. He smiled “Yes,” and we shook hands.  I no sooner told him I was a fan, when several other guys in line saw him and interrupted us.  Seems they had set up a signing for him and wanted to discuss.  To which he indicated they could wait for him outside, as he was in the men's room for a reason.   Then, as the line moved up, a small, white haired gentlemen came from around the corner making his exit and lo and behold it was Robert Culp.  Culp and Katt exchanged pleasant hellos, and Culp exited.

That was the extend of my meeting with William Katt, but then again, things like this happen at all time at comic conventions.  Not what you would label a highlight, but then again, meeting a favorite actor is still something to write in your Log about.

For almost a year now, artist Rob Davis and I have been selling our self-published horror graphic novel, THE DAUGHTER OF DRACULA.  (Cover above.) A heartfelt thanks to all of you that have purchased it to date, and a tip of the hat to those of you who have penned some various gracious reviews.  Still, one of our frustartions remained not being able to get the book out to a much larger audience.  (Yes, it is still available by going to our Air Fare page…so check it out there.)   A few months ago, we were approached by a brand new publishing outfit, Wild Wolf Entertainment, owned and managed by Sean Collins.  Sean asked if Wild Wolf could publish the book and help bring it to that wider market.  Agreements were made and very soon you will be able to find DAUGHTER OF DRACULA via this exciting new publisher.

By mid-march the book will be available via orders through all the major book chains.  Its numbers to do so are these.  IBSN 13:978-0-9823417-0-  and  ISBN 10: 0-9823417-0-9.    Rob and I want to thank Sean and Wild Wolf for their faith in our book and for taking us on.  We are truly grateful.  Oh, and do google Wild Wolf Entertainment while you're at it.  They have some very cool stuff planned.

Those of you who have followed this site for any period of time know there is nothing more important to me than my loving family.  Well, in the past few weeks there have been a couple of amazing events that have Ye Old Air Chief bubbling over.  The first being our youngest daughter, Heather, will soon be packing up and moving to Chicago, to begin a brand new life.  After getting he Masters in Finance, and having been with the same position for over ten years, she decided it was time for a new adventure, new chanllenges, and so made the decision to make this move.  Val and I are so proud of her and truly excited about what the future will bring for her in the Windy City.  We'll miss her greatly, but hey, that's why they invented planes, trains and automobiles.  If all goes well, especially a decent apartment etc., she should be on her way by mid-summer.  Being a sports fanastic, I'm betting the Cubs are about to get a new booster real soon.

The second whopping yahoo Fortier news is came just last week when our youngest son, Kevin, proposed to his long time girlfriend, Melanie.  She is an awesome young lady and all of us are so happy for both of them, and their cute-as-a-button bulldog, Zeke.  Kev says they hope to have the wedding in the Spring of 2010.   So, as always in life, changes continue.

                                 Kevin Youkalis  and Tim Wakefield

Of course there are things that stay constant, like the changing of the seasons, as we mentioned at the start of the Log.  And so with the coming of Spring, baball bats are crackign around the camps as the thirty big league clubs get into the full swing of Spring Training.  Down in Ft.Myers, FL, this past week, our beloved Red Sox got their exhibition season going with several games and we are very happy to see most of the 2008 team back again, although some a few new faces added.  And speaking of faces, Red Sox Nation has been abuzz in regards to First Baseman Kevin Youkalis' new facial hair.  Done ala the classic pulp villain, Fu Manchu, Youk was heard in a recent TV interview calling it the Youk-Manchu.  Ha.  He has also commented he would like all his teammates to adopt one.  Good luck with that one, Youk.  We're just happy to have you guys, and baseball, back.

And there you have it, Loyal Airmen, another week.  Wrapping up the New York experience, getting into Lent prayerfully and looking forward to warmer weather.  See you all in seven days.
Ron – Over & Out!