Experiences

What is an experience you would like to have, and don’t limit your imagination to reality. Would you like to appear on Survivor? Would you want to be invited to the White House? Would you like to climb a certain mountain? Swim with dolphins? Have a day without obligation to job, family, whatever? Soar like an eagle in a glider? Want me to stop making suggestions? OK, you got it! I'm outta here!

Well, I have had quite a few unique experiences. I have soared like an eagle in a glider. Belonged to a sailplane club back in the early 1960's, in fact.

Have had a couple of interesting helicopter rides. One, the VIP tour of Niagra Falls in a Bell jet helicopter and, two, a ride in a crop duster's Bell 'bubble' helicopter at the Minnesota State Fair. The pilot, of which, liked the way my wife screamed when he made it go up and down and turned on its side like a roller coaster. With me on the passenger side -- no door -- just a skimpy seat belt holding me in.

I've also flown in an ultralight aircraft and lots of private aircraft. Would have loved to attempted hang gliding.

I've cut a couple head of cows in practice while riding the Florida State Cutting Horse Champion. Wow! What a ride.

I've been chased my bulls while taking photos in (not just at) the rodeo arena and also in the woods and swamps of Florida while cow hunting with old Florida crackers.

I can work a bull whip. Want to hold a cigarette in your fingers while I cut it in two? And, I used to be a pretty good shot with a 22 using hand thrown 1 inch cube pieces of wood for targets.

One thing I haven't done that I'd like to: I would like to ride in a limo. Never have. But if I did, I'd probably ask to drive it.

Nicknames.....

What is your favorite pet name for someone, or that someone has for you. How did it get started?

My grandfather always called me "Butch" -- I assume because as a kid, I always had my hair cut short.

Then while I was starting out in the computer biz at RCA in West Palm Beach back in 1965, everyone started calling me "Tex" because I always dressed western. (Never lived in Texas in my life.)

Back then, the compture biz was pretty small, so no matter where I moved to or what employer I had, I'd always run into someone that knew me by "Tex", so it stuck for a long while. Even to KSC in 1980 and all of the time I was in France. In fact, to this day, all of my french wife's relatives and friends all call me "Tex."

My wife, Claudine, often gets called "Clo" by family (including me). The kids ended up with using shortened versions of their names. Brigitte goes by Bri; Catherine goes by Cathy.

About 1980, I started using just the initials "DC" because a) I was tired of Tex and b) no one has ever been able to spell or pronounce my given names of Darhl Caylor Stultz.

Of course, if someone yells loud enough that I can hear and understand them, I'll even respond to "HEY YOU!"