It worked for Batman.
It worked for Apollo and Starbuck.
James Bond did it, and so did Kirk, Spock, and Optimus Prime.
Even G.I. Joe and the fascist space lizards of V are going to give it a shot.
And now that all the cool kids are doing it, I figure it’s my turn, time to reboot my personal franchise, as it were.
Time for a new career … in a new place.
After a few months as a paradoxically busy layabout, I’m proud and exceptionally pleased to report that I have returned, with a distinct lack of kicking and no real screaming, to the ranks of the gainfully employed. Continuing my extraordinary run of good luck at building new jobs from the best bits of the old ones, I have accepted an extremely generous offer from the Experimental Aircraft Association as their new Online Community Manager. Thus, my wife and I will soon be heading to America’s heartland, more importantly known as the Mecca of sport aviation – Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Relocation will be bittersweet, naturally, though the Microsoft layoffs last January certainly have scattered some of my close friends and colleagues to the four winds already. Thankfully, things like email, Skype, Facebook, and my retired-United-pilot dad’s giveaway “companion passes” make the world a lot smaller than it used to be. I’ve been a proud EAA member for many years, and the opportunity to actually work for them is extremely exciting to say the least. I’ll be working alongside a number of friends I’ve made over the years, so immersed in the aviation world that I’ll go to work each day inside a building that’s actually located on two airports. (It’s tough to explain if you’ve never been.)
I’m eating a lot of cheese to try to build up an immunity, and honing my pronunciation of the phrase “Go Pack!” even though I have absolutely no idea what it actually means.
I’m also dreaming of great big skies and the rolling green hills of the countryside I’ve fallen in love with over my last dozen or so trips to the area. Not to mention enjoying four distinct seasons instead of the local two (grey and gorgeous), and the sheer number of aircraft I’m going to try to weasel myself into flying because that’s just who I am.
I’m expecting to have an EAA-specific blog up and running at some point, but I plan to keep this one around as well for the more personal bits of esoterica that need to find their way out to the Internet.
And should Microsoft decide to reboot that other franchise, the one that deserves it more than Knight Rider and The Bionic Woman combined, I’ll be first in line at GameStop. And happily reminding them that they’ve got friends at EAA.
See you at EAA AirVenture — July 27 – August 2, 2009!
Note: rumors that the part of Hal Bryan will be played by Katee Sackhoff, Dick Sargent or Barry Van Dyke are total fabrications.
Coincidental Floss 
This is fantastic Hal, I am very happy for you. Congratulations! I hope this doesn\’t mean you\’ll be stuck inside during Air Venture…I really think you should visit me and check out the P-12 in person before you go!
Congrats Hal! Such great news. And what a perfect fit! Looking forward to seeing you at Airventure for years to come. Hopefully I can talk you into a golf cart tour, and a trip to Berlin for burgers and curds.
Awesome, good for you Hal! As a descendent from a long line of Cheeseheads, Hal, I can teach you all about the "Go Packers". Although oftentimes we just say "Go Pack!", which some people misinterpret as "put yourself in a suitcase and go away". You will fit right in to the job, to EAA, and to the Land of Cheesheads, no doubt. I will definitely stop in to see you on my next visit back to see my many relatives in WI. I promise to give you little to no warning thus greatly reducing your chance of avoiding me.
Wow, great news Hal! I am very very happy for you! Yet another strong reason to visit the Airventure now! Congrats and good luck with the relocation.
Congrats Hal. Good luck and have fun. I think you\’ll be great!
So pleased for you career wise, so bummed for me personally. I look forward to hearing more updates, and hope someday to visit this strange and alien land to see you two.
Congratulations! Having lived for over four years in Appleton, I can state that it\’s a great place to reside. Here are some handy linguistic tips for you:Water Fountain=Bubbler"Hold on, I just need to get a drink from the bubbler."Traffic Light = Stop-and-go Light"You go down two stop-and-go lights and then make a right."Other things to note – Cheese curds are tasty.There are wonderful fish frys on fridays.Get a snow thrower, otherwise you\’ll get to spend a week laying on the floor after you throw your back out during the first heavy snowfall. Sturgeon season is fun.The physics of Lake Winnebago freezing enough that cars can drive on it can be overwhelming if you consider it too long. Oh, and if you like Dilly Bars, the Dairy Queen in Appleton has the most amazing selection you\’ll ever find.
Congrats Hal!!! And you\’ll have Taco John\’s any time you want (and remember not to go to that one restaurant by the water – I think we spent a week there that evening). 🙂
Congrats Paul! Welcome to Wisconsin.Gunner
Gosh, Hal. This is so perfect for you. Congratulations!
Congrats Hal.GO PACK GO.
Congratulations Hal .. I acnnot imagine better place for you !!! I hope you negotiated your own "Persoanl Golf cart" as part of your employment package. No more Motel Rooms during Oshkosh either !!!! …. You certainly "Landed" well for this one :)Geoff
HI Hal…Congrats on the new position. Appreciate all the commo in the last 11 months or so! I arrive Osh on Sun 26th (wx permitting) hope to see you then. JC
Hey Hal, my old pal…. 😉 (Whisky in post)Congratulations my friend… really glad to hear this news. As you can tell by this extremely late post, I have not been reading your blog… of for that matter anyones, so don\’t feel bad…. Its been quite a year over here in Ireland and I shall take the opportunity to tell you more about it over one of the more private social networking systems sometime soon! :)Hope its going well!All the best,Nick Whittome