Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Tupac on January 22, 2012, 11:24:48 PM
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I say that in the most positive light possible - I flew 720 miles fighting headwinds to help a little dog. Totally worth it. I went from New Braunfels to McAllen (the dog was down there) stopped for gas in boerne, and then headed to Lubbock. Its about 300 miles which is typically about as far as I like to go anyway, but the 50 knot headwind wasn't helping. I ended up asking to go in to San Angelo to top it off. Put 15 in at San Angelo and then when I got to Lubbock I put in 17 (36 usable) so I would have landed with less than the minimums for IFR which is totally illegal (and just stupid). It was the first time I had ever made an unscheduled fuel stop (the right choice IMO) and filled up on caffeine and let the dog take a dump. I'll post pictures tomorrow when I get on a real computer (I am at a holiday inn right now)
It was a great feeling getting that dog to a new loving family
edit: I flew 8 hours today and have been going since 7......I'm pooped
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IIRC here in Alaska bush pilots always top it off every chance they get. Totally different situations though.
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post deleted
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IIRC here in Alaska bush pilots always top it off every chance they get. Totally different situations though.
Different and the same all at once. :)
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Heading back home today. Gotta skeedaddle right quick before this cold front comes through. They have an AIRMET for turbulence again but atleast I will have a tailwind.
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Awesome !
It is never a bad idea to have enough fuel :D
Good job :aok
Get some sleep.
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ya know, if you were in a 150 you could have carried an extra 5 gal gas can in the cabin and once low enough to be concerned just land on a gravel road and add it to the tank, no one will know. :aok
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ya know, if you were in a 150 you could have carried an extra 5 gal gas can in the cabin and once low enough to be concerned just land on a gravel road and add it to the tank, no one will know. :aok
Seems safe.
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IIRC here in Alaska bush pilots always top it off every chance they get. Totally different situations though.
So, is that mostly to make certain they never run out... Or is it partly to minimize water condensing from the air into the fuel in a less then full tank?
Just curious.
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Back in New Braunfels. I was hoping the 50 knot headwind of yesterday would turn into a 50 knot tailwind but no such luck. It was about a 5 knot tailwind but I guess thats better than a 5 knot headwind. I've flown 11.2 hours and 1100 miles in the last 2 days
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Back in New Braunfels. I was hoping the 50 knot headwind of yesterday would turn into a 50 knot tailwind but no such luck. It was about a 5 knot tailwind but I guess thats better than a 5 knot headwind. I've flown 11.2 hours and 1100 miles in the last 2 days
:rock
Get some sleep
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I took off into 1/2 mile vis and 200' ceilings yesterday morning - this is what was on top
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/396264_2532372989134_1247804014_32024712_757996358_n.jpg)
I tried to put him to work helping me pull the airplane to the fuel pumps with all the excess energy he has
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401104_2462549086127_1324213226_31923000_313519648_n.jpg)
I took this one at my unscheduled fuel stop in San Angelo.
Checklist
1. Caffeine? check
2. Pop tarts? check?
3. very feminine dog? double check.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/397252_2541222890376_1247804014_32028380_801436204_n.jpg)
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That small they could have saved a bundle and mailed it. :P
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That small they could have saved a bundle and mailed it. :P
They don't pay anything, it's a free service. Even if they offer to pay for gas or something we cannot accept it.
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They don't pay anything, it's a free service. Even if they offer to pay for gas or something we cannot accept it.
I love animals but someone has to pay.
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you know those dollars you can't figure out where they went and the end of your fiscal year Shuff?
Well we didn't want to tell you but they're going for fuel to transport rescue dogs. You don't mind do you? :D
I take a little here, a little from someone else, and it adds up. :neener:
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I took off into 1/2 mile vis and 200' ceilings yesterday morning - this is what was on top
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/396264_2532372989134_1247804014_32024712_757996358_n.jpg)
I tried to put him to work helping me pull the airplane to the fuel pumps with all the excess energy he has
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401104_2462549086127_1324213226_31923000_313519648_n.jpg)
I took this one at my unscheduled fuel stop in San Angelo.
Checklist
1. Caffeine? check
2. Pop tarts? check?
3. very feminine dog? double check.
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/397252_2541222890376_1247804014_32028380_801436204_n.jpg)
Don't lie, you enjoyed every second of it... and I'm not talking about the flying. :aok Looked like a blast, and what better than to have one with a mission.
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They don't pay anything, it's a free service. Even if they offer to pay for gas or something we cannot accept it.
Is there anything to help supliment the fuel/maintenance costs? Other donations/funding? (A double-donation (IE: two-dollars for every one-dollar worth of gas) would be a no-no, but some gas money or at least a tuna sandwitch... that NEVER hurts.)
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Is there anything to help supliment the fuel/maintenance costs? Other donations/funding? (A double-donation (IE: two-dollars for every one-dollar worth of gas) would be a no-no, but some gas money or at least a tuna sandwitch... that NEVER hurts.)
No.
1.) Defeats the purpose of the flight being a donation.
2.) Flying for hire without an air carrier certificate is very much illegal.
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Is there anything to help supliment the fuel/maintenance costs? Other donations/funding? (A double-donation (IE: two-dollars for every one-dollar worth of gas) would be a no-no, but some gas money or at least a tuna sandwitch... that NEVER hurts.)
The guy in McAllen bought me a snack from the vending machine, but I cant take anything at all for use of the airplane. (and I wouldnt even if I could)
Heres all my flightaware tracks
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N1161F/history/20120122/1535Z/KBAZ/KMFE
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N1161F/history/20120122/1910Z/KMFE/5C1
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N1161F/history/20120122/2220Z/5C1/KLBB
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N1161F/history/20120123/0040Z/KSJT/KLBB
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N1161F/history/20120123/1715Z/KLBB/KBAZ
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McAllen actually has an Instrument approach that takes you over the border - I thought about asking to do it so I oculd say I was in Mexico but I decided against it
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Actually it looks like they have 3 that take you over the border - all for runway 31
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ok what is it im missing here?
You flew a dog 8 hours for free.... for what reason? Animal rescue charity or something?
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ok what is it im missing here?
You flew a dog 8 hours for free.... for what reason? Animal rescue charity or something?
http://pilotsnpaws.org/
That's the organization I fly for, Its a very worthy cause.
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So, is that mostly to make certain they never run out... Or is it partly to minimize water condensing from the air into the fuel in a less then full tank?
Just curious.
Mostly the first, seeing as Alaska is a VERY expansive area. I've not enough practical knowledge to offer anything on the second reason, but I'm sure Colmbo could clarify.
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Checklist
1.
2. 3. very feminine dog? double check.
:rofl
Just a darn nice thing your doing their Tupac....... Your a good egg Charlie Brown :aok
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ok what is it im missing here?
You flew a dog 8 hours for free.... for what reason? Animal rescue charity or something?
Because he's a good guy who did something selfless. Best possible 'reason' I can think of.
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Here's a few more pictures.
In between a couple of overcast layers
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/397894_2543122897875_1247804014_32029062_1821741975_n.jpg)
Somewhere in far south Texas
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/400360_2543123497890_1247804014_32029066_1838674729_n.jpg)
After I picked him up he wouldnt stop yapping so I went up to 12,000' and he got REALLY sleepy. It probably took all the strength he had to muster this dissaproving stare. He also had a couple of towels in the kennel that he squirreled away in the corner.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393996_2543123857899_1247804014_32029067_1271445211_n.jpg)
Cool picture of a wind farm
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407088_2543125497940_1247804014_32029074_1932622881_n.jpg)
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Well done, Tupac! :aok
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I got a stupid question. ok two questions.
why would you fly 700 miles to go help a dog?
wasnt there anybody closer than could help the dog? I mean seriously 700 miles with no animal lover nearby?
glad you are helping :salute but I am pretty sure all the money spent could've helped a lot more dogs that are closer. anyway, not criticizing but trying to understand why there wasnt help nearby.
semp
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Have you considered or are you already apart of Angel Flight or any similar organization?
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I got a stupid question. ok two questions.
why would you fly 700 miles to go help a dog?
wasnt there anybody closer than could help the dog? I mean seriously 700 miles with no animal lover nearby?
glad you are helping :salute but I am pretty sure all the money spent could've helped a lot more dogs that are closer. anyway, not criticizing but trying to understand why there wasnt help nearby. :aok
semp
Tupac, like many other pilots, obviously has the compassion, time, and money to contribute to this worthy cause because he cares, not to mention it's a great way build flying time. Tupac, I say go for it buddy! Well done!
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Incorrect.
A driven pilot will use any excuse to fly and go to great lengths to contrive a situation that requires him to fly.
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They don't have dogs where he was flying to. :D
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After I picked him up he wouldnt stop yapping so I went up to 12,000' and he got REALLY sleepy. It probably took all the strength he had to muster this dissaproving stare. He also had a couple of towels in the kennel that he squirreled away in the corner.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393996_2543123857899_1247804014_32029067_1271445211_n.jpg)
Shortly after this picture was taken, Rover died of hypoxia.
Just kidding, Tupac. Nice pics!
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Thanks guys :)
Have you considered or are you already apart of Angel Flight or any similar organization?
I've thought about it, but I need 75 more hours PIC before I can be PIC on their flights. I think I would still have fun as SIC (well not really SIC, just another rated pilot in a front seat) but I think I'm going to wait until I can do PIC.
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Incorrect.
A driven pilot will use any excuse to fly and go to great lengths to contrive a situation that requires him to fly.
First thing I thought after reading semp's post.
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I got a stupid question. ok two questions.
why would you fly 700 miles to go help a dog?
wasnt there anybody closer than could help the dog? I mean seriously 700 miles with no animal lover nearby?
glad you are helping :salute but I am pretty sure all the money spent could've helped a lot more dogs that are closer. anyway, not criticizing but trying to understand why there wasnt help nearby.
semp
I was the second one to respond to the transport request email, and originally I tried to find someone who would take him to San Antonio, but when the first pilot backed out I said I'd do the whole thing.
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Incorrect.
A driven pilot will use any excuse to fly and go to great lengths to contrive a situation that requires him to fly.
No, correct.
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I've thought about it, but I need 75 more hours PIC before I can be PIC on their flights. I think I would still have fun as SIC (well not really SIC, just another rated pilot in a front seat) but I think I'm going to wait until I can do PIC.
Does your plane have auto pilot? You'll also want some decent avionics if you plan on doing angel flights, IMO.
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Does your plane have auto pilot? You'll also want some decent avionics if you plan on doing angel flights, IMO.
I don't have an autopilot but this is my panel
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz138/dcwdavid/002.jpg?t=1318127291)
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I don't have an autopilot but this is my panel
(http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz138/dcwdavid/002.jpg?t=1318127291)
Nice panel, but you need to clean the windscreen...can't even see through it!!
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:lol
Taking the expression "flying under the hood" to a new level, eh Tupac? :P
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Nice panel, but you need to clean the windscreen...can't even see through it!!
:rofl
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Incorrect.
A driven pilot will use any excuse to fly and go to great lengths to contrive a situation that requires him to fly.
Yes! :aok
:lol
Taking the expression "flying under the hood" to a new level, eh Tupac? :P
So he can take naps and no one will notice DUH!
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Yes! :aok
So he can take naps and no one will notice DUH!
Why he needs auto-pilot!
We laugh, but I know of a guy who used to fly out of the local airport here that would actually take naps while flying. He actually had a job as a CFI, but was fired because he fell asleep during a lesson with a student (I'm not kidding, this is true). He died in a plane crash some years later. I believe he was flying a Beechcraft Baron. He crashed into the side of a hill. Many of the guys who knew him personally suspect he was sleeping in the cockpit.
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I knew of a guy with a Seneca 4 that would take off in IMC from an uncontrolled airport, turn on the autopilot, and go to sleep. He didnt have an instrument rating, and used an egg timer to wake himself up. He crashed and killed himself too.
Falling asleep while flying is one of my biggest fears. When your in the middle of nowhere and there isn't anyone talking on the radio and the plane is trimmed really well its easier to do than one would think. When I was between San Angelo and Lubbock I was talking with Ft Worth Center and the only other plane on the radio asked if anyone was there after about 30 minutes of silence. Center responded and said "I've only got 4 planes in my area" the other guy (not the one that called) said "Yeah, some of us are trying to get some sleep here!"
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Falling asleep while flying is one of my biggest fears.
I used to mess with the jumpers. There would always be one sitting on floor facing aft against the instrument panel -- we could see each others face. I would close my right eye and slump like I was sleeping letting my hand drop off the yoke. The left eye was open and I used gentle rudder pressure to stay wings level. Some of them "let me nap" for a while. One very attractive redhead hit me so hard it left a bruise. :t
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:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl
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Understood. And I wasn't asking like you'd be openly soliciting for donations, but for-say that you could accept a spare $20 for the gas pump or a $2 sandwitch (or $8 lunch, etc.). Makes sence that you can't take anything that would be of any monetary gain to your aircraft or its fuel/maintenance costs though.
http://pilotsnpaws.org/
That's the organization I fly for, Its a very worthy cause.
It's also a reasonable excuse/mission to quickly rack-up some cross-country flight hours, amirite? :aok
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Ty Tupac for what you are doing and a big :salute to you and all the pilots who dare to do that. If there is anything I can do to help out then PM me and I will do what I can.
LawnDart
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Here's a few more pictures.
In between a couple of overcast layers
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/397894_2543122897875_1247804014_32029062_1821741975_n.jpg)
Somewhere in far south Texas
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/400360_2543123497890_1247804014_32029066_1838674729_n.jpg)
After I picked him up he wouldnt stop yapping so I went up to 12,000' and he got REALLY sleepy. It probably took all the strength he had to muster this dissaproving stare. He also had a couple of towels in the kennel that he squirreled away in the corner.
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393996_2543123857899_1247804014_32029067_1271445211_n.jpg)
Cool picture of a wind farm
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407088_2543125497940_1247804014_32029074_1932622881_n.jpg)
:rofl brilliant. Did you have to ask ATC for the higher ceiling or was that the flight plan? (and if so, did they ask why so high/close to 14k?)
Incorrect.
A driven pilot will use any excuse to fly and go to great lengths to contrive a situation that requires him to fly.
You need an excuse? Does "it had to be" count?
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:rofl brilliant. Did you have to ask ATC for the higher ceiling or was that the flight plan? (and if so, did they ask why so high/close to 14k?)
I planned for 8k but the dog was still yapping so I asked for 12. I think the only reason they approved it was out of curiosity to see if a skyhawk could get that high. 10 probably would have worked, but his barking was so annoying that I made sure he would shut up. I carry oxygen with me most of the time but I forgot it yesterday, they never ask if you have it or not but it is implied that you have it if you ask for more than 14k. (atleast they never asked me. I asked for 16 once just to see if it would get up there.) Bush conversions claims 19,200' ceiling but I dont believe them.
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I planned for 8k but the dog was still yapping so I asked for 12. I think the only reason they approved it was out of curiosity to see if a skyhawk could get that high. 10 probably would have worked, but his barking was so annoying that I made sure he would shut up. I carry oxygen with me most of the time but I forgot it yesterday, they never ask if you have it or not but it is implied that you have it if you ask for more than 14k. (atleast they never asked me. I asked for 16 once just to see if it would get up there.) Bush conversions claims 19,200' ceiling but I dont believe them.
Gotta test that one out for us
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I planned for 8k but the dog was still yapping so I asked for 12. I think the only reason they approved it was out of curiosity to see if a skyhawk could get that high. 10 probably would have worked, but his barking was so annoying that I made sure he would shut up. I carry oxygen with me most of the time but I forgot it yesterday, they never ask if you have it or not but it is implied that you have it if you ask for more than 14k. (atleast they never asked me. I asked for 16 once just to see if it would get up there.) Bush conversions claims 19,200' ceiling but I dont believe them.
Sounds like a challenge to me. :aok But if you ever do seriously try it, do it smart (and with a co-pilot that weighs more than 7-pounds).
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I planned for 8k but the dog was still yapping so I asked for 12. I think the only reason they approved it was out of curiosity to see if a skyhawk could get that high. 10 probably would have worked, but his barking was so annoying that I made sure he would shut up. I carry oxygen with me most of the time but I forgot it yesterday, they never ask if you have it or not but it is implied that you have it if you ask for more than 14k. (atleast they never asked me. I asked for 16 once just to see if it would get up there.) Bush conversions claims 19,200' ceiling but I dont believe them.
I got my 182 to 15.5K with two jumpers on board -- not a real brisk climb up there. <G>
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And along the lines of yapping dogs -- one of the bomber co-pilots was an attractive young lady. On one long leg they had to go to 14K due to weather/terrain and were there for quite a while. After some time had passed the copilot needed to pee. She went all the way to the tail of the B-24, peeled her flightsuit down and pee'd in the restored and never used potty can in the tail --- much to the delight of the 4 guys sitting in the waist whom she didn't seem to notice. She denied it on the ground, quite probably was hypoxic due to time at alt and long walk to the tail (exertion). Something to think about --- we don't want to watch you pee.
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Controllers won't ask not are they responsible for carrying O2 or any other safety equipment. They'll clear you for things you're not approved for or that aren't even legal for you to do. That responsibility falls on your shoulders.
They'll keep you above the terrain, in theory. They'll also make a mistake and vector you right into a mountain for instance. It's happened. They'll clear you for flight out over the water without you having a raft. Not their job.
It's up to you to make sure the clearance they've issued is both legal and safe. You'll see that going over water but if you're a Texas flatlander TFRs might be a more appropriate example. ATC isn't responsible for keeping you out of one. They may and probably will try but the final responsibility is yours.
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I used to mess with the jumpers. There would always be one sitting on floor facing aft against the instrument panel -- we could see each others face. I would close my right eye and slump like I was sleeping letting my hand drop off the yoke. The left eye was open and I used gentle rudder pressure to stay wings level. Some of them "let me nap" for a while. One very attractive redhead hit me so hard it left a bruise. :t
I had an attractive redhead leave some serious bruises on me a few times as well. Totally different reasons though. Bite marks on the chest and claw marks on the back take a LONG time to heal. :devil