On New Year's Eve I had a thought of going to the field and doing an article of who was going to be the first club members flying at the field on New Year's Day. The next morning I woke up at 7AM, hurriedly took a shower, got dressed, grabbed my camera and headed out the door starting my drive up I-15.

Before getting into my car I had an omen. I looked at the sky and saw a jet high in the air with its con trail clearly visible. Right then and there I knew that 2012 was going to be a good year to go flying and made a resolution to start flying again as much as possible. It was a good sign seeing that jet airplane way high in the sky! As I passed Ontario Street on the I-15 I noticed that they weather was super clear. I could see the mountains as if I was standing at their base. There was not a cloud in the sky too. My second omen! I predict that we will have more flying days with gorgeous clear weather. As I exited 6th Street in Norco I stopped at Wendy's. After giving my order (not only did I understand the person on the other end of the speaker, they also understood me which was a good omen by itself) I turned on my radio. Almost immediately they announced the time as 7:47 AM. 747! Boeing 747! Another omen just like the first seeing the jet up in the sky. Hot damn. I am on a roll, well actually burrito. That's what I bought at Wendy's. This is the year of a major turn-around for me. What buying Wendy's burritos instead of Micky D McSauage/Egg Muffins? Who knows!

I couldn't wait to get to the field now but I didn't have an airplane, only my camera. Well I'll fix that the next time. Rather than take the turn-off at our entrance I turned into Hidden Valley Nature Center. I usually drive the service road that runs parallel to Arlington. As I approached the gate I noticed that it was closed and locked. What? You must be kidding me! Here I am the first one at the gate with no airplane. Do I go in? No! The honor of being the first to go through the gate needs to be someone with an airplane, so I waited. Suddenly a silver SUV made the turn off to our entrance but strangely enough they made u-turn heading back onto Arlington. I waited some more but enough is enough. I started my engine in my SUV and realized that I had another omen. I was driving my Honda Pilot. Yes, Pilot. Another airplane omen, driving a SUV named 'Pilot'. I got up to the gate, got out, unlocked the gate, and proceeded to drive the lonely road to the field. I pulled into the parking lot and walked a little then got back into my Pilot. After a few minutes George Mena pulled up in his SUV, and soon afterwards Danny Bronstein. It has started. Firsts on the First day of January 2012. So here they are:

• First to arrive: Ed Bialon
• First to open the gate: Ed Bialon
• First to set foot on the field: Ed Bialon
• First to be at the field without an airplane: Ed Bialon
• First to eat and drink at the field: Ed Bialon (A Wendy's Burrito and Iced Tea, no donuts.)
• First to be at the field with an airplane: George Mena. Second: Danny Bronstein. Third: Keith Mitchell.
• First to have flight problems on the runway: George Mena. (Bad battery connection.)
• First take-off and flight for 2012: Danny Bronstein.
• First to make a landing: George Mena.
• First not to use a spotter: George Mena. Second: Keith Mitchell. (Oops, I won't tell anyone.)
• First to have a nose landing and possible Dumb-Thumb: Keith Mitchell. (Luckily the wind blew and up-righted his airplane.)
• First to use the porta-potty: Keith Mitchell.
• First family at the field: The Lindstroms
• First 2012 board members at the field: Ed Bialon. Second: Gary Funkhouser.
• First kids at the field: James and Rory Lindstom
• First club member to take photos at the field: Ed Bialon
• First animals at the field: An unknown lady walking her three dogs, one of which was a vicious Chihuahua.
• First dog to do a #1 and #2: Gary Funkhouser's dog Mattie.
• First club member to leave the field and go out the gate: Ed Bialon

There you have it. The first day of the New Year, and all of the firsts that happened at the field when I was there. Also the good omens that happened to me! I think 2012 is going to be a Good Year. At least it was for me! Hope to see you at the field (more often this year) – flying (like me).