The countdown is running. The Space Education Center reopens its doors in seven days for the 2011/2012 school year. Every day I stop by the Center to answer emails and phone calls. The Magellan is still in disarray. The school's custodian will reopen the school on Friday so we can get the upgrades finished and the ships ready for opening. I'm confident our maintenance team will have everything in tip top shape.
Maximilian Fredick Ding is the Imaginarium's Keeper of the Gears and Cogs. Maximilian uses this slow time of the year (while the Space Center is closed) to clean and polish the gears, sprockets and cogs that keep the Imaginarium's machinery running.
"You've no idea how reliant this institution is on the work I do," Maximilian said during his interview for this article. "Without properly functioning thing a mabobs," Maximilian pointed to the walls of gears, cogs and sockets behind him, "everything would grind to a halt. Then where would we be? Yes, answer that one." Maximilian spoke with pride.
The interview went longer than expected. Maximilian paused between each sentence to exercise his pipe.
I pointed to a large gear. "What does this one do?"
"That one runs the timing mechanism in the Whatsa Macallit. A very delicate machine."
"What does it do?" I asked.
Maximilian took a puff from his pipe, thought for a moment and adjusted his red coat. "I'm not at liberty to discuss the workings of our machines. What you can and can't know is up to those that live and work on the top floors." He pointed to the elevator and then upwards. I thanked him for his time. "Yes sir," he answered with a tip of his hat. He left me with the lingering smell of pipe tobacco.
Reading is important to anyone who takes imagination seriously. Wonderland's shops do everything they can to support and encourage reading. They profit because reading increases knowledge, imagination, and the overall sense of wonder and that leads to profits.
The Kendalwoods hope to capture that extra business between 6:00 and 7:00 A.M.
What many people in the world think of Americans. It's funny because we know there is some truth to it.
This will help you if you ever need to find me in a grocery store. I'll be the one camped in this lane. Look for the guy with the electric shopping cart, 44 ounce Gut Buster, machine gun and American Flag. Please keep all open flames away from my oxygen tank.
There is the long way to get to Jupiter (NASA's way) and the short way (the power of imagination).
A warning as you get ready to take math this year.
A sad commentary on modern times.
I'll check in again tomorrow.
Mr. Williamson
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