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Hello Troops, It's Monday and we have another week off from school. I'll be at the Center off and on this week getting things ready for January and meeting with the staff as we plan our summer camp schedule. Yep, its time to start thinking about summer.
Here's hoping you all enjoyed your Christmas. If you got everything you asked for then the only thing I have to say is "You're Spoiled!". If you didn't then welcome to my world - the real world where people are used to disappointment, where people have to work for a living, toiling day and night so people like you CAN BE SPOILED.
Mind you, I'm not a complainer. I think I better described as a martyr.
OK, who am I kidding? I really had a good Christmas with family and friends.
Let's start this Monday with a few chuckles.
From the Imaginarium we have these two entries for your viewing pleasure. This is the best use of excessive snow I've ever seen. On the top you've got R2D2 and on the bottom you've got Jabba, the Hut. Wouldn't it be cool if these to homes were across the street from each other?
Now, from the "Cooking for the Holiday's" class I wouldn't have taken even if there was such a thing offered in Pleasant Grove, comes these cookies perfect for the Christmas Humbug like me. Clever is the only word for these and if you decide to bake them yourself I'd better get one, even if it means making an out of the way stop at the Space Center to deliver it.
Finally, this is the kind of soccer we played in South Dakota while I was growing up. None of this wimpy flat field soccer you folks play here in Utah. Oh, did I ever mention that we use to walk 15 miles, uphill in both directions, to school and back. Oh, and did I mention the log cabin I was raised in, complete with spaces between the logs for our shot guns to ward off Indian attacks?
If not, remind me the next time you have 2 or 3 hours and I'll be happy to share my recollections of growing up in the Dakotas.
If you have a minute, stop by and visit me at Cloverdale. I'm there this whole week, except for the brief visits to the Space Center. Today you'll get to meet a young man who suffers from a disfiguring apparel handicap. Such a pity for one so young.
Hello Troops, I'm off to the dentist. I'll expose these pearly whites (I wish) to xrays and my dentist's assistant, whom I believe learned how to clean teeth at an East German Labor Camp (yikes).
Thought I'd repost something I wrote a couple years ago.
Wish me luck, and enjoy your time with Charlie and Linus.
Mr. W.
Charlie Brown's Christmas Sorrow
Charlie Brown : “Will it ever stop snowing?” Linus: “You seem a little depressed today Charlie Brown. Although it isn’t unusual to find you depressed on any given morning, you would think a no school day paired with Christmas would be enough kindling to ignite some kind of holiday spirit.” Charlie Brown: “What are you talking about. Why don't you speak English? I swear I don’t understand half of what you say. Why can’t I have a friend that speaks my language?!” Linus: “Bad Day. Not Good. You Sad. You make me sad. You be happy soon?” Charlie Brown: “Good Grief”
(a pause in the conversation allows both boys to draw figures in the snow. Linus picks up the conversation trying to brighten Charlie's mood)
Linus: “Peppermint Patty is having her annual Peppermint Christmas party tonight. Will you be going? If so, will you be accompanied by your pleasant mood?” Charlie Brown: “I didn’t get an invitation. Did everybody get an invitation?” Linus: “I’m guessing they did. It looks like Snoopy has his."
(Snoopy is seen in the distance removing his leather jacket, aviator's cap and goggles. He enters his dog house and exits with an invitation in one hand and his Christmas dog collar in the other. He does a little dance and then, in a flash, is off down the street)
Charlie Brown: “Sigh” Linus: “Cheer up Charlie Brown. You can come with me. The invitation says you can come in Christmas costume. I wasn't going to dress up but I have an idea. I can wrap my blanket around my head and go as a shepherd. You can put your mom’s wool coat on and come as a sheep.” Charlie Brown: “Good Grief”
(There is another pause. Linus tries to catch snowflakes on his tongue. Charlie stares blankly ahead watching Lucy drag her 'Psychiatric Booth' out from the garage and out to the driveway).
Linus: “You know what you need. You need to see my sister Lucy. For a nickel she can get you felling right as rain. See, she is setting up her booth in the driveway. She’s expanding her practice. She offers online holiday help if you have the internet and a dime. I see she has mom’s cell phone. I gave her the idea to start a holiday crisis help line. Its Perfect for you Charlie Brown. Let’s go inside and give her a call.” Charlie: “She’s right there on the driveway. Why don’t I just go over and talk to her?” Linus: “You’ve never been one to keep abreast of modern technology have you?” Charlie Brown: “Sigh”
(Again, another pause. Linus pulls out Peppermint Patty's invitation to double check the party's starting time. He smells something - a smell everyone recognizes. He looks up to confirm his nose's conclusion).
Linus: “It’s working. She has her first holiday customer. You can tell its PigPen - she’s shrouded in dust. This is fantastic. She promised to share her holiday profits if I keep giving her ideas for business expansion. I want an iPhone for Christmas but I don't think Santa will spring for one this year. I’ve been a good boy but to get an iPhone requires the ability to walk on water. I don't think I've been that good. So.... my share of the psychiatric business's profit will be my standby plan to get one. ”
(Charlie Brown looks at Linus with a look of unbelief. He decides to redirect the conversation)
Charlie Brown: “I’m not going as a sheep. I'll just go. I'm sure she sent an invitation. It must have gotten lost in the mail.” Linus: “Yes, that must be it. Just like your invitation to the Halloween party. Your invitations are in good company with the millions of socks lost in dryers every year.” Charlie Brown: “Do you get paid a bonus by your sister to annoy me to the point where I need her help!?”
(Now Linus decides it is time to redirect the conversation to something else)
Linus: “Oh look, I think the snow is increasing in volume.” Charlie Brown: “I don’t think I’m going to make it through this vacation, even with your quack sister's help.”
(Linus grows perplexed. He has seen Charlie Brown depressed before but this depression seems to be different)
Linus: “What is it Charlie Brown! I’ve never seen you this bad. What’s this anchor on your holiday spirit?” Charlie Brown: “Do you really want to know. I mean honestly want to know?” Linus: “I’m your friend, and considering the way things are progressing, soon I’ll be your only friend. Listen Charlie Brown, I guarantee there is nothing so dreadful, awful, depressing or dark that the spirit of Christmas can’t brighten! Come on, throw it at me. I’ll use my Christmas Cheer and bat it out of the park!” Charlie Brown: “THE SPACE CENTER IS CLOSED UNTIL JANUARY 4TH! AAAAAAARRRRRUUUUUGGGG. OH THE HUMANITY.............” Linus: “Gulp” Charlie Brown: “Let’s see you bat that one ‘out of the park’. Oh yea.......now whose talking Mr. Christmas Cheer. Go on, take that to your sister and see it turn her to the bottle for holiday cheer.” Linus: “Sigh” Charlie Brown: “Double Sigh” Linus: “I take your Double Sigh and raise you two more sighs” Charlie Brown: “Good Grief.” Linus: “You got that right.”
Hello Troops, I was awoken this morning at 5:10 A.M. by my home's carbon monoxide alarm. There was no reason for panic. The air was good. The alarm sounded because we lost power. The detector makes a loud beep whenever the power goes out. The power came back on about 7:20 A.M. The house was cold and I dreaded to get up knowing what I had to face on the driveway and sidewalks. Yes, I hear many of you saying you had to do the same - shovel. It's one of those chores men do. We shovel.
I didn't know if our 10:00 A.M five hour Odyssey mission was coming in so I shoveled and then headed to the Space Center. Christine was there waiting. The group showed up right on time. This is our official last mission then of 2010. Christine was at the helm, assisted by Adam, Trevor H., Nathan M., and finally Jace. What's a mission without the sudden and unexpected arrival of Jace?
Isn't this so true of our fantastic maintenance folks? Thanks Kyle and Jon for your work!
Kyle Jones and Jon Parker were already at work when I arrived. They have the unseen job of cleaning up our basement shop and organizing our equipment. Its a nasty job that will take them a good two days to get things right.
On the bright side, they are hanging up the two new Magellan signs that have been sitting in one state or another for nearly two years. Jon just called to tell me they cracked the clear plastic shield over one of the large signs while they were drilling the holes for the metal brackets which hold the sign to the wall. I told him to hang the sign anyway (on the darkest wall of course). We will order another piece of plastic, but I've waited a long time for those signs and I'm going to get them!
It's 3:00 P.M. The Odyssey mission is just now done. We are done! It's time to put 2010 to bed. Let there be cheering and rejoicing throughout the Imaginarium. We can all grab our coats and rush through the streets to the Wonderland Station to catch the last trains to Reality.
"Attention, Attention, All non essential Imagineers are released from duty. Enjoy your holidays," the voice over the loud speaker just said. You don't have to tell me twice. I'm shutting this down and heading out. I'll post a few things on the way to the Station and perhaps again when I'm on the train.
End................... Time: 3:04 P.M. (IST) Imaginarium Standard Time.
Hello Troops, I'm standing outside the Center waiting for the trolley to the train station. I've got a few minutes so I'll write a few more things and post them. The Imagineers around me are pretty psyched about getting home for the holidays. We feel sorry for our comrades that work in the Ministry of Christmas Wonders. Their building is just across the street from where I'm standing. It's got a large Christmas tree made of lights running up two sides of the 20 story building.
The guy standing next to me just pointed to a couple of people looking at us from the fifth floor. They're both wearing Santa hats and looking rather glum, at least that's the impression I have from this distance. They're waving at us. I'll wave back.
I'm back. Poor chaps, but hey, someone has to provide all the imagination required for the Christmas holiday. That's why the Christmas Ministry has one of the tallest buildings in the Imaginarium. This ministry employs more people than the all the other ministries combined, well except for the people that work for the Ministry of the Undead. They deal with Halloween. They're a scary bunch of oddballs for sure.
The trolley is late. Someone said they're running twenty minutes behind schedule due to the holiday rush. I think I'll walk the four blocks to the Wonderland Station. Talk to you later....
End...........................
I'm back. Just saw something that made my blood run cold for a moment. I snapped a picture with my camera phone. Here it is:
Some kid somewhere is having a great time wiping out an imaginary town with his Star Wars toys. That's what I love about working here in the Imaginarium. We don't create the thoughts that fuel imagination. We just enhance them and add a bit magic so they become very real to the playing child, or the adult for that matter. Yes, it will be duck and cover once the kid starts to fire but hey, its the Imaginarium. No one gets hurt, we just make it seem real.
THE SHOOTING HAS STARTED. YES..... THERE GOES A FEW FLOORS RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF THE BUILDING HOUSING THE MINISTRY OF FANTASY. I'm not a fan. They can have their unicorns and fairies and all the rest. OK, I've got to make this look real. The blasters are pointing my direction. That means the player is looking right at me in his imagination. Don't laugh, but I'm going to have to run and scream just like they do in those Japanese Godzilla movies. All in a day's work. Signing off, its time to act.
End..............................
I'm back. I'm sitting on a wooden bench beside the track. The Wonderland Station is packed. It will be a dash for the train when it arrives. No one wants to wait for the next one. I saw a funny sign on the wall near the drinking fountain on Platform 2. It is next to a metal door marked "Staff Only".
Clever huh? Wait, that's the train. Everyone is surging forward. Gotta go........
End............................
I made it! Reality here I come. This train is equipped with monitors playing the latest creations from the Ministry of Advertising Science (MAS). They support the people in the real world that work in the Advertising business. The MAS is one of the largest professional Ministries in the Imaginarium. These guys take their jobs seriously knowing people's livelihoods rest on the work they do. My stop is coming up so I'll end this post with my favorite of the ones shown.
Enjoy and keep Imagining. We have families to feed and mortgages to pay.
Hello Troops, We're cocooned in marshmallow today in northern Utah. The sky is white and heavy. Its raining. I look at that as a blessing. Let it snow in the mountains and rain in the valleys. That is my definition of a perfect winter.
The Space Center officially closed for Christmas Vacation yesterday at 5:15 P.M. Jon Parker's voice was the last heard over one of our five microphones. His Voyager crew arrived 15 minutes late so, being full of Christmas cheer, Jon extended their mission an additional 15 minutes. We're like that at the Space Center. We bend backwards for our visitors, even at our own cost. We've a reputation to uphold. So, what happens at the Center over the next two weeks?
Maintenance comes first. Kyle has returned from BYU Idaho to spend one week doing maintenance projects in the ships.
I'll meet with the Flight and Set Directors to map out our summer camp schedule.
Summer missions will also be on our agenda.
Voyager Controls is something else I'll be working on with assistance from Emily and Jon. Our programmers are finishing up our new Cocoa controls for the Galileo. The Voyager is next.
Yesterday I made the decision not to convert the Voyager to iPads. We met for a couple hours with our Programming Guild listening to the pros and cons. In the end the cards weren't there for an all iPad ship. We will forge ahead with a new set of controls based on the Guild's Mercury Server. I want to thank Tod Hadley for attending. His input was valuable.
One good thing to come from the meeting is my desire to use iPads throughout the simulator for special activities and projects. The 2011 Voyager will be quite the ship when we finish with it.
In closing, I'd like to show you the pictures I took of the staff and volunteers that worked the last mission of the old Magellan before it was torn apart and the new Magellan built. The day after these pictures were taken construction on the new set began. A few months later, the new Magellan opened for the summer season.
Please forgive the photograph's resolution. They were taken with the Space Center's first digital camera. The faces are fuzzy but our old timers will recognized the staff and volunteers that worked that last mission.
Jackson Miller (Center)
One of the volunteers you'll see in these pictures passed away with cancer two years ago. Jackson loved the Space Center, and in his memory, his family sponsors a special yearly Space Center field trip for the Rowland Hall 5th graders.
Jackson was an awesome kid who worked whenever he could while he suffered through his cancer treatments. He worked his last mission about six months before he died. All his hair was gone, but his spirits were high.
Jackson, and the millions of people like him around the world, who face and fight deadly diseases are my true heroes.
And now, the Old Magellan's Last Mission....
For a quick chuckle, take a moment and go to the link below and watch this short Christmas video I posted on my Cloverdale Blog (The Village I created populated with the kind of people I understand). I think it would be cool if we made a video like this to advertise the Space Center - you know - old school. What do you think?
There is a rumor going around that we are going to build a simulator in Logan. So where is this simulator going to be located? One idea that has been proposed for our program is to convert the main computer lab at the school (Thomas Edison Charter School) into a part time simulator. The design would allow it to still function as a computer lab, but in the evenings, weekends, and summers it will be able to take students on adventures into space.
In order for the lab to be able to function as a simulator there are going to need to be some big changes. One of the biggest is the addition of a wall to separate the control room from the bridge. There will also be a new lighting system, audio equipment, and general aesthetic elements such as paint to help create the atmosphere of being in a star ship. Their are other elements we hope to add to the simulator as we generate funds from running flights, but these are the basics we believe are needed to get a ship up and running.
The controls of the ship are currently being developed as part of the Openstardrive.org project led by Allan Stewart and Dave Wall. The open source programs will be able to run on the computers currently being used at the school instead of having to buy new systems.We are very excited by this prospect and the amazing opportunity we have been given to work with them and the aide they are providing us.
Here are some images that show how the simulator might appear in the future. On the left is a possible layout for desks, but more importantly shows the additional wall. The others are images from inside the simulator and control room. We'd love to have the new desks, but most likely they are a little further down the road.
In order for us to make these changes to the lab as well as purchase the necessary equipment to run the simulator, it is going to take some funds. We need the skills to build a wall or the money to pay someone to do it, not forgetting the actual materials as well. With the increase of equipment we will also be running some new electrical outlets and the lighting system. If you know someone who can help us with these tasks please contact us. The great thing about this project is that our estimates are showing a very attainable fund raising goal. We'll keep you posted on our progress.
James Porter http://cachevalleysimulator.blogspot.com/2010/12/lab-conversion.html
Let the Space Center be the first to point out that Gravity Kills! Beware of its awesome power. Respect it and learn to coexist with one of nature's forces.
Most people get up every morning never thinking a silent killer lurks around them. One misstep, one slip, one sideways glance on a flight of stairs can lead to disaster. Gravity is no respecter of persons. It pulls on all of us equally.
As a Space Center Staff, we want to bring all of our reader's attention to this matter and urge you to "Think Gravity".
The "I COULDN'T RESIST" Department
May I present North Korea's Facebook page. This is another example of what happens when people hang up their brains, put on their sheep jackets and replace bravery, reason and logic with fear. The Germans did it, the Russians did it and the list of other examples would fill this post.
Will Americans ever find themselves in such a situation?
OK, your Civics lesson for today. America's Freedom is protected by:
Backed by... And finally, guaranteed by :) (some family's Christmas card. I love it)
Now if you'll bear with me for a moment while I climb up on my soap box. I'd like to say a few words about the three pictures above. And remember, these are my opinions only, and isn't it wonderful that I live in a country that guarantees my right to say them?
I spent nearly two months in Communist Russia, East Germany and Poland. I understand and know the game when I see it. I know what happens when the Cult of Personality overwhelms people. I understand all too well what happens when history is sanitized and sculpted to hide the truths certain people think would be distracting, thus taking their followers away from the their purpose - complete and blind obedience.
Always question. Always seek the truth. And beware of anyone that tells you such things are best left to those that understand. The hard truths are always the ones hidden the deepest.
How else is one to become a Time Lord like our hero, The Doctor, without studying? The Time Lords are looking for good people just like you. Imagine sailing the winds of Time. Imagine going to places like ancient Egypt or witness Rome in all its glory. What about a voyage to the ends of the universe or the end of time when the universe grows dark as the last star fades to black.
Your own personal Tardis awaits with sonic screwdriver in the top left drawer.
The Doctor needs good people like you. Study, Learn and Sail...........
Hello Troops, I received this email from Seth Jarvis, Director of Clark Planetarium, reminding everyone about the upcoming lunar eclipse. I thought I'd share it with you.
Mr. W.
If you’re awake between 11:30 PM Monday night (12/20) and about 3:30 AM Tuesday morning (12/21), and the sky is clear, step outside and have a gander at a celestial wonder.
The Moon will be passing through Earth’s shadow during those hours and you’ll be treated to the sight of a total lunar eclipse.
When the Moon enters Earth’s umbra (the portion of the shadow that covers 100% of the Moon, shown as the inner of the two circles in the attached jpeg images) the Moon will turn a dark blood-red. That’s caused by the sunlight on the opposite side of the world that filters through our atmosphere and refracts around Earth to escape past our planet to fall on the Moon, then reflect back to us.
The last time a total lunar eclipse was visible from the western U.S. was 2/20/08, and the next time you’ll be able to see this from Utah won’t be until 4/14/14.
Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies!
Seth Jarvis
Director, Clark Planetarium
Salt Lake City
A Tuesday Thought, Many of the things you fear in life are like this picture. They are big in name but not so bad once you face them.
Hello Troops, It's Monday. That means we all need a few smiles to fuel our emotional gas tank for the start of the week. Here are a few. We start at the top with the perfect gift for the techno's in your family.
I thought this was clever. Why not make several of these and spread them around your school to spread a bit of holiday cheer. See how many tabs are left by the end of the day. Let me know.
Are you watching the news? Students in England are rioting over governmental budget cuts meaning they will have to spend a little more on their university educations. Banish the thought!
Wow, these people living in Europe's semisocialist nations that have been feed with the silver spoon of state welfare are in for the shock of their lives when they see what personal responsibility feels like. All I've got to say is "Man Up", get off the streets, get a job and stop expecting the government to do everything for you. (My soap box moment for the day. Forgive me).
Finally a gift for that 'special' clean freak in your life.
I've finally found a flag for that empty flag pole near the school's south entrance. "Abandon all Hope All Ye Who Enter Here". After all, aren't we the headquarters of the dreaded Orion Pirates? Isn't Mad Dog seen here at least twice a week parading himself as a meek mild mannered employee of a school's district's technology department?
Have a Great Week and I'll see you in the Trenches.
Hello Troops, A few comments for a Sunday and then I'll shut the computer down and unplug from the matrix.
We had a good week at the Center. Of course, working with the finest students in Utah both as volunteers / staff and as attendees is what makes it a joy to come to work every day. Here are a few news worthy items:
The Center's programmers, led by Guild Master Matt Long, known to us at the Center as The Ever Fearless Master of Computations, spent a few hours last night after we all went home from the Overnight Camp installing and testing the new Cocoa controls for the Galileo. We hope to have the new controls running for our patrons in January.
I instructed the Programmers to investigate the use of IPad's to replace the Voyager's Bridge computers. The Voyager is due for a computer upgrade at the end of this school year and I seem to be feeling a yearning for IPads instead of the Mac Mini's we were planning to use. Call it a hunch, but I'm thinking the coolness factor of the Voyager would skyrocket with new chairs with IPads installed in the armrests. What do you think?
Congratulations to Dave Daymont for taking the trophy for Best Overnight Mission. The weekly award goes to the ship and Flight Director that receives the highest evaluations from the campers as written in their post camp surveys.
Emily Paxman was awarded the Plural Person of the Week Award at the Post Overnight Camp Meeting on Saturday. This highly coveted award goes to the person or persons classified as 'Plural' by our campers in their post camp surveys. One camper wrote of Emily, "Emily gets my first place vote. They were fantastic!". Emily, Emily and Emily all voiced appreciation for this young camper's nomination. They were proud to accept the honor.
The Quote of the Week
Our quote of the week goes to Alex Anderson, Set Director of the Phoenix.
Alex: "Mason, you almost got your Phoenix 2nd Chair Pass. There was one thing you didn't do that you need to do to get a pass. Mason: "What?" Alex: "This is going to sound a bit strange but I'll say it anyway and then explain."
This conversation was so interesting I stopped what I was doing at my desk to listen in.
Alex: "You didn't read my mind and do what I wanted you to do during the mission."
Yes my friends, we expect everyone that volunteers at the Space Center to have super human powers. Secretly, we are hoping to attract only Jedi Knights but they are very few and have full agenda's, leaving very little time for volunteering at the Space Center.
In Alex's defense, he did elaborate and explain what he meant, and in a way, it all made some sense. But regardless, Alex gave us the quote of the week. Thanks Alex.
A Few Sunday Sanitized Chuckles
This picture is for all our volunteers and staff that recently took the ACT test this weekend. Its another one of those hoops one must jump through to move ahead in life. Call me old fashioned, but requiring students to demonstrate they actually learned something in school is a good thing. I'm hoping you are all over the horror of the event and are recuperating well. Here's hoping all of you score well enough to get you where you want to go after high school. Warning, anyone found scoring below a 10 will be fired immediately. My worry isn't over your grades. My worry is your ability to walk, think and breath at the same time - all required to work at the Space Center.
OK, how cool is this? A sunset on Mars as the human eye would see it. Imagine an entire planet without one living thing on its surface to enjoy it. It's like Mars is challenging us to travel the ocean of space between us and conquer its harsh environment. Anyone out there think we are up to the challenge?
The good guys or the bad guys? Hmmmmm.......
And finally, I'd like to purchase several of these posters to put up and down the hallways of Central School. They will match that part of my Bridge Speech where I tell the children "You are always on camera. Big Brother IS watching you!"
Are we ready to get back into the trenches? Another week is starting and Ignorance is preparing another offensive.
I'm not sleeping. This unflattering photograph shows me mentally working on an equation to help Steven Hawking estimate the rate of a black hole's evaporation. I'm proud to say that I am one of the few math teachers that can do math in my head. I close my eyes to shut out unwanted distractions (as seen above). I always knew my pre-algebra would come in handy.
Hello Troops, Ever Vigilant, Ever Ready. The True Soldier at his post at 12:16 A.M. There isn't a thing that gets by me when I'm on duty at Camp.
The younglings are in bed. One of Mrs. Houston's charges is sitting on the bench in the lobby waiting to go home. She's had enough. The trauma of sleeping away from home is too much. As you see, I've grown quite accustomed to it. Now do not be mistaken. I'm not really sleeping. I'm on duty. Ever Vigilant, Ever Ready is my creed.
OK, problem solved. Email to England sent and I wish all a Goodnight, Mr. W.
Hello Troops, It's nearly 6:30 A.M. and time to get ready for my weekly field trip to Wallyworld (Walmart) to spend the Space Center's hard earned money on edibles and consumables for tonight's Overnight Camp.
The Walmartians know me well after years of shopping every Friday morning. We have our own body language. For example, I walk up to the bakery counter and clear my throat. They see me. I wave. They wave back. I nod. They nod back. I blink 7 times, walk 6 circles around my cart and tap my head 15 times. They mirror my signals showing me they understand. I turn away from the bakery with a thumbs up and proceed to the bananas knowing my bakery friends know I'll required 7 dozen donuts at 6:15 A.M. Saturday morning.
Another example of how the WalMartians and I understand each other is when I get to the cashier for check out. I smile. She smiles back. I touch the side of my nose. She taps her forehead with her left index finger while using her right index finger to enter the school district's tax exempt number into the register. You see, its all done without one spoken word. The Walmartians know me and I know them and their peculiar ways.
How about a chuckle or two from the Children's Section of the Imaginarium Public Library.
"Once upon a time on a planet far away there lived a simple bounty hunter doing the best he could to scratch out a simple existence for himself and his clones....."
"No matter how many times he tried, Capt. Kirk could never master the Vulcan greeting, until one day on the rocky planet of Gilgone. There, while stranded after a failed expedition......"
"Apollo Bear and Starbuck Bear listened while Adama Bear explained the danger they were facing from their Cylon bear creations. Starbuck Bear chewed on her cigar while doing all she could to keep from exploding in anger over the loss of her planet and her favorite honey tree."
"Rabbit Paul Atreides stood in the silence of Arrakis' night. The shifting sand beneath his paws was the first indication a sandworm was present. He took several steps back and waited...."
Later I'll be wishing you all a good night from my desk at the Center after we put 45 kids down for the night.
Hello Troops, Its Wednesday! Big groups today. We will crank up the Galileo and have double class sessions.
We had a great time with the kids from Bluffdale Elementary yesterday. Emily was overheard saying her captain in the Phoenix was so awesome she'd fly missions for him for free. Those of us who flight direct know how important it is to have a good captain to lead the crew.
A few things to get this Wednesday off to a good start.
I had to include this considering I teach one period of math everyday before the field trips arrive.
This made me smile. This store is where I'd like to buy my groceries. I'm thinking the store would be called something like "Edibles". Your thoughts?
And finally, a sobering thought. Look at the graph. Look how close we are to building computers with the same, if not greater, computing power than the human brain. Yes, Ghost in the Shell for sure. Will we reach a point in the next 50 years when start considering our powerful computers as new life forms?
Hello Troops, Congratulations Dave Daymont on winning the coveted and less recognized Most Improved Flight Director of the Year Award for 2010.
Dave is special in so many ways. Lovable, at a distance. Huggable (when smiling) and so approachable (except when he's eating. He has a tendency to think anyone coming too close is planning on taking his food. That brings out a side of Dave we don't like to see at the Space Center).
Be sure to congratulate Dave the next time you see him. Positive reinforcement is just what the Doctor ordered (literally. I consult with his therapist weekly).
From the Imaginarium we have these two entries for your viewing pleasure. This is the best use of excessive snow I've ever seen. On the top you've got R2D2 and on the bottom you've got Jabba, the Hut. Wouldn't it be cool if these to homes were across the street from each other?
Now, from the "Cooking for the Holiday's" class I wouldn't have taken even if there was such a thing offered in Pleasant Grove, comes these cookies perfect for the Christmas Humbug like me. Clever is the only word for these and if you decide to bake them yourself I'd better get one, even if it means making an out of the way stop at the Space Center to deliver it.
Finally, this is the kind of soccer we played in South Dakota while I was growing up. None of this wimpy flat field soccer you folks play here in Utah. Oh, did I ever mention that we use to walk 15 miles, uphill in both directions, to school and back. Oh, and did I mention the log cabin I was raised in, complete with spaces between the logs for our shot guns to ward off Indian attacks?
