> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://there-might-be-cupcakes-podcast.ghost.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Episode 247: Smollop: The Falling Pilot - URL: https://there-might-be-cupcakes-podcast.ghost.io/episode-247-smollop/ - Published: 2017-03-26T22:31:46.000Z - Updated: 2025-02-03T15:56:04.000Z - Author: Carla Pettigrew - Tags: Newsletter, #Migrated-1738597973835, #Import 2025-02-03 15:53 > Once again, our hoses are inadequate for this job! > > –Gareth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6d/f5/6df583d7-3da2-455c-b104-e0c5ab8c796a/content/images/2025/02/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f225136bb-a91f-48d1-9ae8-66b5dcf392fb_173x250-jpeg.jpg) The military should have invented a meritorious award for “rode a tornado like an American Tall Tale”. Notice the caption on this picture of William Rankin? Well, I have decided to give y’all a present. There’s going to be a follow-up to this entry shortly; you’ll get an extra soundfile. I’m gonna read you a story about the *other* American who rode a tornado like a buckin’ bronco. But first, William Rankin: [The Man Who Rode the Thunder](http://amzn.to/2nXLTQ3) \* his autobiography–[click here to request its publication in Kindle format](https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/fiona/detail/request-kindle-edition/?ie=UTF8&a=B00158AIMQ&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&tag=bibliothera01-20&linkId=GTDIZZKGEYCRNVKR) [Rankin (and Herbert Nolan’s) story at Disciples of Flight](https://disciplesofflight.com/william-rankins-story/), a fascinating history of flight website–article by [Anders Clark](https://disciplesofflight.com/author/anders/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/6d/f5/6df583d7-3da2-455c-b104-e0c5ab8c796a/content/images/2025/02/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f39a0c45d-905d-4d0e-bd33-52842e64d935_450x376-jpeg.jpg) Do you understand this man jumped from space and spent forty minutes in a storm? I have punched myself in the face trying to pull up my blankets. his jump from the meterological POV: [weatherimagery.com](http://www.weatherimagery.com/blog/ejects-into-thunderstorm/) [comparison to stigmata? I have that.](http://www.catholic.org/saints/stigmata/stigmata%5Fthumbs.php) You’re welcome. (also a [fantabulous horror movie](http://www.amazon.com/Stigmata-Gabriel-Byrne/dp/B0033RT7RY/ref=as%5Fli%5Fbk%5Ftl/?tag=bibliothera01-20&linkId=a6c2f6386e563fdc7258c39880ad0983&linkCode=ktl)) the eyeballs. I have a visual for the eyeballs bulge. You’re welcome. Enjoy: new tag born from this episode: [popsie outie](http://theremightbecupcakes.com/tag/popsie-outie) oh, yeah, and that guy who did it on purpose for Red Bull (sans storm): Red Bull space skydive, 2012, Felix Bumgartner–[full footage at redbull.com with extra flight data](https://www.redbull.com/us-en/rare-10-minute-clip-of-the-historic-space-jump) “shoutout to the Radium Girls”–[episode 99, right this way](http://theremightbecupcakes.com/episode-99-smollop/) And here’s the inevitable moment where serendipity plus [my weird mind](http://www.thedollop.net/wp/tag/dont-let-carla-babysit) equals I make myself laugh again. Listening to this episode, I kept thinking that I knew there was a song titled [“Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”](http://amzn.to/2nXxLGz), and how appropriate is that? Made a note. Found it–U2\. Looked up the lyrics…and they are spookily accurate. It’s funny and eerie, my favorite mix of flavors: > I never thought you were a fool > > But darling, look at you > > You gotta stand up straight, carry your own weight > These tears are going nowhere, baby… > > And you are such a fool > To worry like you do > I know it’s tough, and you can never get enough > Of what you don’t really need now… my oh my > > You’ve got to get yourself together > You’ve got stuck in a moment and now you can’t get out of it > Oh love look at you now > You’ve got yourself stuck in a moment and now you can’t get out of it > > **I was unconscious, half asleep** > The water is warm till you discover how deep… > **I wasn’t jumping… for me it was a fall** > **It’s a long way down to nothing at all** I am suspecting these lyrics were inspired by Rankin. Bono, I see you. Band names from this episode: - PopsieOutie: first single “Danger Cloud Baby” - Forgotten Oxygen - Abandoned Herbert–think [Pink Floyd](http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Side-Moon-Explicit/dp/B019HKJTCI/ref=as%5Fli%5Fbk%5Ftl/?tag=bibliothera01-20&linkId=3bf9b65e2b3944d17f7da6be9ae5d9bb&linkCode=ktl): one-hit wonder “Suffocate in the Sky” - Symphony of Hammers: [Metallica](http://www.amazon.com/Metallica/dp/B00AH69ZN0/ref=as%5Fli%5Fbk%5Ftl/?tag=bibliothera01-20&linkId=73281869deed20bd39f28128ccbb922b&linkCode=ktl) cover band Cultural references from this episode: - [Top Gun](http://www.amazon.com/Top-Gun-Tom-Cruise/dp/B001K3K5MO/ref=as%5Fli%5Fbk%5Ftl/?tag=bibliothera01-20&linkId=3a99ef34367edecfe21a9077314856c0&linkCode=ktl): Goose and Maverick - [Studio 54](http://www.amazon.com/54-Directors-Cut-Ryan-Phillippe/dp/B00YOR9S12/ref=as%5Fli%5Fbk%5Ftl/?tag=bibliothera01-20&linkId=b9954c365af12ec435884b8752398c63&linkCode=ktl) - [The Hellmouth](http://www.amazon.com/Buffy-Demons-Hellmouth-Vampire-Slayer/dp/1783293381/ref=as%5Fli%5Fbk%5Ftl/?tag=bibliothera01-20&linkId=fee130ef705cd3db3c57e0119fb3af6a&linkCode=ktl)