By John Switala

Every once in a while I like to see how my football team is going. I know it’s unusual for a glider pilot to “endure” football, but some of us do. The frustration at the club has been the TV. Many TVs have been donated to the club. Many TVs. A lot of TVs. However, the donated TVs are usually donated because they have “outdone” their service in their original home. They are then given a new home at the GCV. They last for about 4 to 6 weeks. At which point they have leapt off the edge of consistency and into the realm of frustration. As it was with the last donation, so it will be for future donations. Thus endth the lesson.

Also, we do, on occasion, host services like the fire-fighters, be it pilots or crews changing over for their next shift. They use the clubhouse. They watch the TV. We also have a group of rats (term used to describe small humans, generally below hip height) and, strangely, they enjoy the distraction of some video entertainments while dad or mum is off flying around the skies.

It was time to bite the bullet and actually purchase a TV that worked and would work for a few years into the future. It was decided that a purchase be made. But who knows TVs well? Ahhh! Gerry Hogan!! He keeps everyone awake with his TV on at all hours, he must be an expert!

It took two weekends and much negotiation to convince Gerry NOT to buy a 50 inch plasma screen. We did have to agree with Gerry that a 50 inch plasma TV would look great and the picture would be fantastic. We could possibly make a mini theatrette and sell tickets. But, we should be using the TV for “emergencies only” so only a moderate size TV was all that was required.

It was with much relief that “Gerry’s TV” appeared two weeks ago and thankfully was of moderate size, just right for the room. Gerry negotiated a DVD player in the package so the “rats” can play their favourite movies.

Good work, good deal, thanks Gerry.

PS And thanks to the TV Gods for not enticing Gerry into that 50 inch job! He would have done it!! Really!!