I thought about posting this in the other thread...

blueerica · 07-26-2005, 09:02 AM

... then I thought, "No, it doesn't exactly fit. It's a little more musing than egghead be able to contain."

Haha, I typed this s.o.b. up, and like a genius I managed to close the window. Brilliant, I tell you folks!

Nothing like a space launch in the morning! With Space Oddity, and Major Tom playing in my brain, I can't help but muse over space travel, and the daring and hope it takes for someone to hop into a shuttle and take off.

I'm 26. There was never a time that there wasn't space travel. Aside from TV clips and history class, I have no memory of such a thing, only the constant knowing that it has happened, and that there was never any other way. I distinctly remember thinking we'd be doing more of it, but there was never a moment that it wasn't possible in my mind. I still think it sucks to be a naysayer -- believing that it never happened. Isn't it nice to believe once in a while?

It was 1986, and I was 7. We were being scuttled down the hall to watch the launch of the Challenger, and the teachers were abuzz about the first teacher being launched into space. Shoulder to shoulder, I had a great seat in front of the class, near the television. My grandma would have probably told me that I was going to go blind being that close, but she wasn't there, and we had a lot of people to fit in that tiny classroom. Just like it was yesterday, I remember the launch, and how quickly it was all over. After a quickie internet search, I learned that it was only 73 seconds that went by before the explosion. I remember seeing the grown-ups cry. Everyone seemed confused, especially the smooshed 2nd graders, but maybe that's because I was one of them.

It was only 2 1/2 years ago that Discovery fell apart in the sky as it descended. I remember being fixed to the television with morbid curiosity, at work, at the gym, at home making dinner. Doesn't it all seem like just yesterday?

Saturday, I went to a screening of Breakfast at Tiffany's held in a local cemetery. Have to tell you folks, ain't nuthin' more bitchin' than watching movies with dead people in a location... with dead people. Before dark, I went walking around to some of the headstones, particularly one. As we were walking down with our picnic baskets, out of the corner of my eye, I swore I saw a space shuttle on a headstone. And I don't mean carved into it. I mean, like a statue on top of it. And it was. And it was rad. Read the epitaphs on the family site, and they were funny people. Best line was on the wife's epitaph: "Too bad... We had fun!"

Turns out, the patriarch of the family, Carl Bigsby was a graphic artist and involved in missle design back in it's early days. The days I only know from history class. Which reminded me that there was supposed to be a shuttle launch a week ago, and they were held back due to some fuel sensor problem, or something.

So, here I am. It's morning. Another shuttle launched. I cross my fingers for each one, in a sense. I wonder where they'll land... I hope it's at Edwards AFB. I like the sonic boom. Maybe there's something wrong with me, but maybe I just like it. Maybe I should shove a little Bowie into my CD deck for the drive to work.

Some people like Shark Week, and maybe I should just have another coffee.

DisneyDaniel · 07-26-2005, 09:16 AM

Ditto. Very nice sentiments.

€uroMeinke · 07-26-2005, 10:11 AM

There is something so delightfully optomistic about space travel - perhaps its a hold over from my youth where I was convinced I'd be an astronaut, commutting to work every day in my personal jet pack. But damn, it's great that we're back there again, looking deeper into the unknown.

Not Afraid · 07-26-2005, 11:05 AM

I was alive - and at church - for the first walk on the moon. No, we wern't reading the Bible, we were gathered around a small TV watching the miracle of space travel.

I was ironing my white shirt while watching TV before going to work. The Challenger was launched then disappeared. I was stunned beyond belief. I worked all day in a sort of fog. I couldn't believe there were people going out to eat, shopping, being happy.

Space Travel has been a part of my existance and one of life's huge fascinations and miracles. Tomorrowland was built on that dream and did a great job of capturing the magic. Tomorrowland is not the same, but it's nice to see the dream of space travel is still a reality.

Oh, and nice musings, Erica. The cemetery missile was simply amazing.

07-26-2005, 09:02 AM	#1
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	I thought about posting this in the other thread... ... then I thought, "No, it doesn't exactly fit. It's a little more musing than egghead be able to contain." Haha, I typed this s.o.b. up, and like a genius I managed to close the window. Brilliant, I tell you folks! Nothing like a space launch in the morning! With Space Oddity, and Major Tom playing in my brain, I can't help but muse over space travel, and the daring and hope it takes for someone to hop into a shuttle and take off. I'm 26. There was never a time that there wasn't space travel. Aside from TV clips and history class, I have no memory of such a thing, only the constant knowing that it has happened, and that there was never any other way. I distinctly remember thinking we'd be doing more of it, but there was never a moment that it wasn't possible in my mind. I still think it sucks to be a naysayer -- believing that it never happened. Isn't it nice to believe once in a while? It was 1986, and I was 7. We were being scuttled down the hall to watch the launch of the Challenger, and the teachers were abuzz about the first teacher being launched into space. Shoulder to shoulder, I had a great seat in front of the class, near the television. My grandma would have probably told me that I was going to go blind being that close, but she wasn't there, and we had a lot of people to fit in that tiny classroom. Just like it was yesterday, I remember the launch, and how quickly it was all over. After a quickie internet search, I learned that it was only 73 seconds that went by before the explosion. I remember seeing the grown-ups cry. Everyone seemed confused, especially the smooshed 2nd graders, but maybe that's because I was one of them. It was only 2 1/2 years ago that Discovery fell apart in the sky as it descended. I remember being fixed to the television with morbid curiosity, at work, at the gym, at home making dinner. Doesn't it all seem like just yesterday? Saturday, I went to a screening of Breakfast at Tiffany's held in a local cemetery. Have to tell you folks, ain't nuthin' more bitchin' than watching movies with dead people in a location... with dead people. Before dark, I went walking around to some of the headstones, particularly one. As we were walking down with our picnic baskets, out of the corner of my eye, I swore I saw a space shuttle on a headstone. And I don't mean carved into it. I mean, like a statue on top of it. And it was. And it was rad. Read the epitaphs on the family site, and they were funny people. Best line was on the wife's epitaph: "Too bad... We had fun!" Turns out, the patriarch of the family, Carl Bigsby was a graphic artist and involved in missle design back in it's early days. The days I only know from history class. Which reminded me that there was supposed to be a shuttle launch a week ago, and they were held back due to some fuel sensor problem, or something. So, here I am. It's morning. Another shuttle launched. I cross my fingers for each one, in a sense. I wonder where they'll land... I hope it's at Edwards AFB. I like the sonic boom. Maybe there's something wrong with me, but maybe I just like it. Maybe I should shove a little Bowie into my CD deck for the drive to work. Some people like Shark Week, and maybe I should just have another coffee. __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
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07-26-2005, 09:16 AM	#2
DisneyDaniel California Adventurer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 537	Ditto. Very nice sentiments. __________________ Yes, I do LOVE Disney California Adventure. Disneyland is not so bad either ;-)
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07-26-2005, 10:11 AM	#3
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	There is something so delightfully optomistic about space travel - perhaps its a hold over from my youth where I was convinced I'd be an astronaut, commutting to work every day in my personal jet pack. But damn, it's great that we're back there again, looking deeper into the unknown. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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07-26-2005, 11:05 AM	#4
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I was alive - and at church - for the first walk on the moon. No, we wern't reading the Bible, we were gathered around a small TV watching the miracle of space travel. I was ironing my white shirt while watching TV before going to work. The Challenger was launched then disappeared. I was stunned beyond belief. I worked all day in a sort of fog. I couldn't believe there were people going out to eat, shopping, being happy. Space Travel has been a part of my existance and one of life's huge fascinations and miracles. Tomorrowland was built on that dream and did a great job of capturing the magic. Tomorrowland is not the same, but it's nice to see the dream of space travel is still a reality. Oh, and nice musings, Erica. The cemetery missile was simply amazing.
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