Wednesday, January 28, 2015
29 Years
January 28, 1986 around 10:40 AM CST?
Do you know where you were? I do, the exact spot I was standing.
Working at the Michoud Assembly Facility supporting the Space Shuttle Program, It was a habit to go to the nearest television monitor and watch the launches. We all held our breath until the Shuttle was inserted into orbit, then returned to our desks to resume our work.
Launches were "textbook" by 1986, everyone knowing what came when the bird blasted off.
Here's a script of the communications between the astronauts and command center.
When the words "go with throttle up" everything for the Space Shuttle Program changed.
In this photo from Jan. 9, 1986, the Challenger crew takes a break during countdown training at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Left to right are Teacher-in-Space payload specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe; payload specialist Gregory Jarvis; and astronauts Judith A. Resnik, mission specialist; Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, mission commander; Ronald E. McNair, mission specialist; Mike J. Smith, pilot; and Ellison S. Onizuka, mission specialist.
Image Credit: NASA
The Program went through so many changes from January 1986 until September 1988, when the redesigned system launched again.
After we started launching again, I cringed every time the "go for throttle up" command was given, right down to the last launch in 2011.
The Space Shuttle Program history, with new programs gearing up for launches to Mars and beyond.
A huge thank you to ALL of us who were part of this awesome, exciting 30 year ride.
Do you know where you were? I do, the exact spot I was standing.
Working at the Michoud Assembly Facility supporting the Space Shuttle Program, It was a habit to go to the nearest television monitor and watch the launches. We all held our breath until the Shuttle was inserted into orbit, then returned to our desks to resume our work.
Launches were "textbook" by 1986, everyone knowing what came when the bird blasted off.
Here's a script of the communications between the astronauts and command center.
When the words "go with throttle up" everything for the Space Shuttle Program changed.
Image Credit: NASA
The Program went through so many changes from January 1986 until September 1988, when the redesigned system launched again.
After we started launching again, I cringed every time the "go for throttle up" command was given, right down to the last launch in 2011.
The Space Shuttle Program history, with new programs gearing up for launches to Mars and beyond.
A huge thank you to ALL of us who were part of this awesome, exciting 30 year ride.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Advice
I don't know how it happened, but I'm and elderly person at the age of 60. I agree with all of the advice from this video. All of you younger persons: please keep this in mind. At 60 it means a lot:
Resolution evokes good memories.
My New Years resolution is to walk my Deuce every day. (Deuce is a labrador).
Here's a picture of us at Dauphin Island
I've been doing great, only missed two days so far!
Our 2 mile trek takes us through the neighborhood where there is hardly any traffic and everyone waves to us. I've taken to carrying small dog bicuits with me to throw to the dogs along the route. Sort of like a puppy mardi gras parade.
As long as Deuce is mellow, this walk gives me time to think about things or think about nothing. It's very carthartic for me. There are certain areas that
remind me from my childhood:
This picture of pine needles on the side of the road brings me way back.
My cousins lived way back in the woods on a few acres on Hunt Road in Kingston, New Hampshire. It was such a wonderful place to be as a young child: plenty of land to explore, a fantastic swing in "the grove" and it was far away from the world. I'm sure it's a huge subdivision now, but back in the 1960's it was sooo wonderful. The smell of pine was everywhere! I will never forget our times there.
My first communion with my older brother and sister
I think that my New Years resolution was one I'll stick to.
I've been doing great, only missed two days so far!
Our 2 mile trek takes us through the neighborhood where there is hardly any traffic and everyone waves to us. I've taken to carrying small dog bicuits with me to throw to the dogs along the route. Sort of like a puppy mardi gras parade.
As long as Deuce is mellow, this walk gives me time to think about things or think about nothing. It's very carthartic for me. There are certain areas that
remind me from my childhood:
My cousins lived way back in the woods on a few acres on Hunt Road in Kingston, New Hampshire. It was such a wonderful place to be as a young child: plenty of land to explore, a fantastic swing in "the grove" and it was far away from the world. I'm sure it's a huge subdivision now, but back in the 1960's it was sooo wonderful. The smell of pine was everywhere! I will never forget our times there.
I think that my New Years resolution was one I'll stick to.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Finally
Vietnam veterans were stereotyped and demonized to such a great extent that even the widows of deceased servicemen received late-night harassing phone calls. It has been said by some that at no point in our country's history have our veterans been hurt more by our own countrymen than by the enemy. For many vets, the homecoming was often a powerful first encounter that made their adjustment to civilian society more difficult. This is the story of a Kentucky base that felt it was time to give these veterans the welcome home they never received. Produced, shot and edited by Dave Annarino.
From The Veterans' Site blog
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Good Parents
To all homophobics and racists, please stop watching now.
This is a video of two men in a relationship going through their daily lives with three young children.
I don't care about the conservative christian idiots who object to this, I love this video.
This is a video of two men in a relationship going through their daily lives with three young children.
I don't care about the conservative christian idiots who object to this, I love this video.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Friday, January 09, 2015
Wednesday, January 07, 2015
Tuesday, January 06, 2015
Sunday, January 04, 2015
RIP Stuart Scott
I never heard of Stuart Scott until today when I saw this video, which was shared along with a headline about his death - too early at age 49:
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