This Weekend at the Space Center

Hello Troops,
Wonderland Bakery, through its WalMart distribution Center in Lindon, is the official supplier of baked goods for the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center.  Every Friday Morning I can be found at WalMart perusing the Day Old Rack of baked goods near the Yogurt and Fancy Drinks isles at the back of the store.  I'm looking for a bargain.  Some say I'm "being cheap", while others consider my frugalness a sign that I'm a good steward with the Space Center's limited funds.  Regardless, the fact is irrefutable - a penny saved is a penny earned.  My mission at WalMart is to provide an inexpensive morsel of bread to the starving volunteers and staff at a reasonable cost.

Some items on the Day Old Rack look and smell their age, while others appear edible, despite the date on their Sell By Stickers.  Looking for mold is one thing a discerning Space Center Director does in his quest for passable, yet cheap staff sustenance.  Mold, while completely edible, tends to put the staff off.  They won't touch it meaning I've wasted a couple dollars (abhorrent).  The Space Center's staff and volunteers are also picky about eating rock hard rolls.  To avoid their complaints, I have a policy of squeezing a roll or two through the plastic bag to get an idea of the rolls' digestibility.  Rolls showing signs of rigamortis are disregarded.  Bags populated with pliable rolls are a real treasure and find their way into my shopping cart.

"Attention Shoppers, the Day Old Bakery Rack is out"

Shopping the Day Old Rack at WalMart can be dangerous, especially when the rack is first put out.  I'm good at muscling my way to the rack through the mob of old ladies hoping to stretch their Social Security dollars, students wanting cheap carbohydrates on limited budgets and moms looking for ultra cheap alternatives to baking.  With one had I grab everything that looks edible and put it in my cart. My other hand is used to keep others from snatching things before I've had a chance to look at them.  The Old Ducks do protest and some bite (I've many bruises to offer as testimony and a set of dentures that got stuck in my sweatshirt) but succeed they do not.  I am the Master of the Day and Lord of the Day Olds.  I use my cart as a battering ram to push my way out of the scrum once I have what I want.  I move quickly out of foods and set course for the calmer camping department.  I have a special place near camping cots where I review everything in my cart, looking for things to keep and things to disregard. The rejected items and shoved behind the propane stoves. 

My bags of wonderfully inexpensive and nearly tasteless rolls (made with bleached flour, cardboard and sawdust filler and yeast) are brought to the Space Center and kept near the Voyager Simulator's Staff Entrance.  The staff and volunteers know to go there when they are hungry.  On good days, when the camps are full, the sky is cloudless and I'm feeling oddly generous, I'll provide a bit of something to garnish the bread rolls.  Its a special treat to the staff for jobs well done.  This weekend I have a yellowish margarine like substance called "Wow, I Totally Thought This Was Butter".  It is a multipurpose, slightly salty gel, good for both rolls and lubing a car (WalMart's knock off of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter".

         
 Other News

Thursday of this week Megan Warner flew the Phoenix's first public mission using the new Cocoa controls.  The mission was staffed by Logan P. and Brooks H.  The Phoenix's old Revolution controls were no longer reliable and needed to be put to pasture.

"They worked very well," was Megan's assessment of the mission when I questioned her the following day.  "I'll never go back to the Revolution controls.  I'm converted, I've seen the light and know the path I must take!"

Megan has been assimilated into the Cocoa Collective.  Matt Long, our Programming Guild Master, is slowly but surely winning converts in his struggle against the archaic programming practices of the past.  He threatens to drag us into the 21st century, kicking and screaming if need be.

The Phoenix Control Room flight and 2nd chair computers displaying the Cocoa Phoenix interface.  The Phoenix is light years past cool with these controls.  We are on the edge of the unknown, a place were adjectives needed to describe this level of cool haven't been invented yet.

What, More News?

This is a rather poor picture of the Space Center's newest Galileo Flight Director.  Erin received her Flight Director's shirt from Stacy a couple week's ago.  That is old news.  This is the new news.  On Thursday, Erin flew her first solo mission with a paying group.  Stacy guaranteed me all would be well.  I went down to check on her.  She was in the ship instructing.  I took this picture.

Today Erin is running her first Galileo five hour mission.  I have to admire her bravery.  She just interrupted me at my desk, and with quivering voice, asked for an additional staff member!  Yes, you read that right - she interrupted me!  Can you believe the cheek of it!  Stacy trained her well.  Let's hope her moment of insanity wasn't noticed by other staff and volunteers.  My ordered and predicable world could be thrown into disarray if word gets out that I can be interrupted at my desk and peppered with requests.


Finally

This is Nabil on the receiving end of a Mr. Williamson handshake.  I decided to shake his hand on account of his having just received his Year of Service pin.  Nabil comes to us from the Provo School District.  You'll be pleased to know that Nabil can read and write reasonably well.  Those who have taken the time to actually talk to him tell me he is pretty good at mentally constructing and verbalizing complete sentences.

Thanks Nabil for giving us one year of fun times and good laughs!

50 Years Ago: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

X-15 #1 on the dry lakebed at Edwards AFB, CA.

Fifty years ago this last week, NASA was making advances in aviation and space, while still suffering mishaps on the way to landing a man on the Moon. To help engineers and scientists better understand how to use technology to pilot craft in the fringe regions of the upper atmosphere, NASA continued using the X-15 rocket plane program. On April 19, 1962, NASA pilot Joe Walker flew the X-15 number 3 craft for its 50th successful flight. The X-15 was lifted uigh by a B-52 "mothership" and released over the Edwards AFB desert lakebed. The mission for this flight was to test an emergency flight control system. Walker reached a speed of Mach 5.84 (that's about 3,920 mph!) and an altitude of 150,000 feet!

Joe Walker posing with the number 2 X-15.

Joe Walker was NASA's first pilot to fly the X-15, even though he was chosen second after Scott Crossfield. On his first flight on the X-15, he hadn't been really ready for the crushing G-Force acceleration, and when he was shoved back into his seat he blurted out, "Oh My God!" A flight controller, hearing the exclamation, jokingly responded, "Yes, you called?"

Not one to sit on its laurels, NASA proceeded with additional flights. The next day, April 20, 1962, NASA pilot Neil Armstrong flew the X-15 #3 on a mission to 207,000 feet high at a speed of Mach 5.33. We'll hear more from Neil Armstrong, of course.

X-15 #3 lands at Edwards AFB, shadowed by an F-104 chase plane.

Neil Armstrong posing with X-15 number 1.

On April 22, 1962, famous woman pilot Jacqueline Cochran flew a Lockheed Jetstar (AF designation: C-140) over the Atlantic ocean to become the first woman to fly a jet over the Atlantic ocean. The flight took off from New Orleans, LA. and landed at Hannover, Germany for a distance of 5,120 miles. The flight as a woman pilot qualified her for 49 world records.

Cochrane in cockpit, with Chuck Yeager (first to break the sound barrier) standing.

NASA Jetstar.

While aviation records were being made, on April 23, NASA tried to send the Ranger IV probe to the Moon. Launched from the Atlantic Missile Range, an Atlas-Agena blasted off with the Ranger IV on board and successfully entered Earth's orbit. NASA then configured the Agena-B booster for a trajectory to the Moon and activated the engine. Evidently, a failure occurred in the timer on board the Ranger IV payload and the vehicle lost both internal and ground control. With the spacecraft off course, NASA engineers calculated the Ranger IV would skim the edge of the Moon and eventually would crash onto the far side of the Moon. N experiments survived and no data was recorded.

Atlas-Agena B liftoff. The Atlas rocket is the same rocket NASA was now using for the Mercury launches.

The crash would occur on April 26th. THe Ranger IV spacecraft was very similar to Ranger III, and was designed to take several minutes of pictures before crashing into the surface of the Moon facing the Earth. Because of the faulty trajectory however, the crash onto the backside of the Moon prevented a line-of-sight radio transmission.

Ranger IV in the assembly room.

by Mark Daymont
Space Center Educator

A Message on Mountain Ridge JH's Production of Willy Wonka.

Hey this is Tori one of the volunteers at the space center, i am in Mountain Ridge Jr High production of Willy Wonka. I'm writing this to hopefully get you people who read the blog to come and see the production. You can buy tickets at Mountain Ridge in the finance office, or at the show before it starts. If you are planning on buying tickets to come to the show I suggest you be there early to get good seats. Tickets are only $4 for students, and $5 for adults, and $25 for a family pass. It is Apirl 26, 27,28 and 30 the show starts every night at 7:00 p.m. in the Mountain Ridge auditorium. It is an amazing production and I hope to see all of you there!

thanks, Tori

Shocking News from the Space Center (As one would expect. Since when has our news not been shocking?)

 

 Shocking News from the Space Education Center

Hello Troops,
Socking indeed.  This weekend things happened at the Space Center without your knowledge!  It is my duty as Space Center Director to report them.  We have an open door policy at the Space Center.   Our news is your news.  We hold nothing back - be it the good, the bad or the ugly.

So, hold on to your wig and give your false teeth an extra shove up because here comes the news.   

Her name is Lt. Smith.  Many of you know her as Metta from her former life as a meek, mild mannered Magellan and Voyager Supervisor and her current job as assistant warden for the girls during their overnight incarceration at a Space Center Camp.   Metta was recently made a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force!  We are talking about a real rank - a real military rank - not one of those phony Star Fleet ranks we pass around like tic tacs at the Space Center.  This rank comes with a salary, generously supplied by the American tax payer.  We are proud as punch for Metta.

 

Yes, Metta got her start at the Space Center and the sky is her limit.  We will follow her career with interest.


As if Metta's meteoric rise through the ranks isn't shocking enough, I must inform you of other Space Center promotions.   

Erin received a promotion from volunteer to Galileo Flight Director on Saturday.  Her Navy Blue FD Shirt was awarded by Galileo Set Director Stacy Carrol.

"Erin is unique and awesome," Stacy said during a press conference held for the world's press at the Space Center (This Troubadour reporter was the only reporter in attendance).   "She will make a fine Flight Director.  That I am sure."

"What about your other Flight Directors, like Ben and Christine.  How do they feel about sharing the microphone with this new kid on the block?"  I asked.  I could see the question took Stacy off guard.

"My flight directors WILL have no problem with Erin.  That I can guarentee," Stacy answered. "I run a tight ship.  I tell my staff what to think, what to say, what to read, what to write and what to wear.  There is no room for discent or unauthorized opinions on the Galileo."

"Is that a common practice at the Space Center?" I followed up.

"What happens in the other ships is of no consequence to us in the Galileo.  We operate on a higher plane."  Stacy stood to close the conference.  "I'll email your next questions with their answers to you, thus saving you the time to ask.  You are dismissed."  I took my pad and pencil and was escorted to the door by a black shirt volunteer with a grim young face.

"Get out while you can," he whispered as he opened the outside door and pushed me through.  "You'll thank me someday."

Congratulations Erin!  

 As if Erin's promotion wasn't shocking enough, I now give you Aliah, receiving her Voyager Pin.

Aliah was awarded her Voyager Pin by Voyager Flight Director Jon Parker in another solemn ceremony attended by the Overnight Camp staff on Saturday.  The seriousness of the occasion is seen in their faces.

Let it be understood that getting one's Voyager Pin is a testimony to one's ability to overcome obstacles so great, mere mortals have been known to break down and cry like babies.   Aliah gave a Herculean effort and beat the odds.  I was pleased for her and clapped enthusiastically.  There were others in the room not so enthusiastic.  They are the ones who bet against her in the pools and lost their money.  Sorry chaps, but that's what you get for betting against the dark horse. 

Congratulations Aliah!

What's that you ask?  Do I have any more shocking news?
Why yes I do.

 You are looking at the final survey totals for this weekend's overnight camp.  Remember, a perfect score in all surveyed catagories is 1.  The worst score is a 5.  Look at those scores!  Does "Wow!" escape your lips?  It did mine.

Josh won the day for the Odyssey.  He did well - but so did all the ships as seen above.  Congratulations to the staff and volunteers for a job well done!  The students from Cherry Hill Elementary and CASS (Provo School District's Gifted Unit) gave you the marks you deserved for giving the camp your best effort.


And Now For Something Completely Different.....

I always asked if I have a business card.  The answer is no. The reason is simple - I wouldn't know how to describe what I do for a living.  It's difficult to say "I fly a starship all day and blow up children" in a way your average politically correct American would understand in a word or two on a business card.
   
I'm happy to reveal a solution to my problem provided by Wile E. Coyote from the cartoon megahit The Road Runner.  May I present the artwork for my new business card.  

And now troops, moving along.....

And finally, who ever said there was nothing to be leaned from a gummy bear?

 

 Let's have another great week.

Mr. W.

The Things That Make Me Cringe

Hello Troops,
There are a few things in life I cringe to look at, the first being spiders.  Spending my career teaching in an Elementary School has placed me in several close encounters of the arachnid kind.

"Mr. Williamson, look what I brought for Show and Tell!"  Elmer says having cornered me outside at the school's crosswalk. Out from his Spiderman backpack comes a mayonnaise jar, home to a recently captured living breathing eight legged nightmare searching for an escape.  I look through clenched eyes, knowing the vision of what lives in the jar will stay with me through the night. It will be my monster under the bed.

I discovered the second thing I cringe to look at while working as a janitor in the Widtsoe Building at BYU.  I was the janitor responsible to clean the floor where the human cadavers were kept.

"You don't have to go in that room at first.  I'll clean that room for the rest of the week." My boss was kind enough to volunteer after seeing my reaction to the news that I had the cadaver room.  That week was a blessing.  Every day I'd stop outside the room, poke my head around the corner and look down at the floor.  By Wednesday I was able to follow the tile pattern up to the table where the body was kept.  By Thursday I was able to glance up quickly at the body and then look away.  By Friday I forced myself to look at the body for 5 seconds.  By Saturday I managed 15 seconds.  Fifteen seconds was enough.  Having a 15 second tolerance for that grizzly sight was sufficient to do the cleaning around the table.

Tonight I had to force myself out of my comfort zone and face my third demon.
 "Mr. Williamson, one of the boy's toilets is clogged."  The 6th grade boy spoke in a very matter of fact voice.  My stomach dropped.  My right eyelid started to twitch.  A cold sweat broke out over my face.

We got the boys to bed, then I went on a safari to find a plunger.  With plunger in hand I opened the boy's bathroom door.  I slowly walked to the stalls with the same hesitancy in step found in a death row inmate walking toward the gallow to keep his appointment with eternity.  I cringed with clenched eyes as I opened the first stall door.  A Reese's Peanut Butter Cup wrapper floated in the stool.  I fished it out and threw it away.  I almost let myself wonder why a 6th grader would put his wrapper in a stool when a trash can sat right outside the stall.  I knew such thoughts were pointless.  Since when did a 6th grade boy ever behave in a rational way?

I clenched my eyes and slowly opened the second stall.  The clog announced itself first in smell and then in appearance.  "Alien" is the only word I can find to describe the conglomeration of tissue, water and - well - you know, that I found in the porcelain bowl.  Any sane person would recoil back into the stall door, put his hand over his mouth and nose, shout "Gross!" and sprint to the nearest exit.  I did the recoil.  I did the hand over the mouth and nose.  I shouted "Gross!", but I didn't run.  I was responsible.  I had the plunger.  It was my job to restore balance to the Force.

I'm proud to say I accomplished the task.  The toilet flows free!

And now it is time for bed.  The campers are tucked in.  The staff are quiet and the clock shows 12:37 A.M.

Mr. W.  




       

  

Progress 47 up and away; Dragon gets ready

Progress 47 on its way to ISS

The unmanned Progress 47 mission blasted off this morning from its Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan. The cargo spacecraft carries two and a half tons of food, fuel and supplies to the ISS. Docking is scheduled for Sunday.

Meanwhile, SpaceX and NASA prepare for the expected April 30 launch of the Falcon rocket with the Dragon spacecraft. This significant launch will see if SpaceX can maintain its testing schedule, and successfully dock with the ISS as the first non-government spacecraft to do so.

 

Posted by Mark Daymont

Space Center Educator

Discovery on its Last Trip Across America

Flying past the VAB in Florida.

Yesterday the shuttle Discovery was carried by its Boeing 747 transporter from Florida to its new home in Washington, D.C. Millions of people across the eastern seaboard of America turned out to watch the giant pair soar low across the cities and towns for one last time together. Discovery's new home will be at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, where it will continue to be seen by millions of future visitors. While their trip in the air started from the 5-mile runway at Cape Canaveral, their adventure started days before in a delicate maneuver to attach the heavy shuttle to the back of the 747.

Discovery and the new Orion at Cape Canaveral.

Before the trip, the shuttle was made safe for viewing and certain parts removed for reuse or storage elsewhere. For example, the three main engines were removed and replaced with perfect replicas. For a short time, Discovery shared the same hangar as the Orion test Capsule, and in the picture above you can see the hand off from the old program to the future program. OK, maybe I'm still reaching.

Once the shuttle was ready, it was moved to the runway where it was hoisted by a giant gantry built just for this purpose. Usually, the shuttle is removed at this location after being flown to Florida from the Edwards AFB in case of a California desert landing. This time, the shuttle was gently hoisted up into the structure.

The hoist is readied for lifting.

Discovery's well-traveled nose.

Windows shuttered and all packaged up, Discovery was lifted up over 5 stories so the 747 would be able to drive underneath. Looking at Discovery's nose, you can still see the effects of the last re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere on its voyage home. I don't know if the Museum will leave it in that condition of restore it to a clean state. Eventually the 747 arrived and moved toward the gantry.

Cometh the Giant.

NASA has two giant 747 aircraft refitted to carry the shuttles. The first one was used in early experiments with USS Enterprise to test the orbiter's flying and landing capabilities. Bit of trivia: One of those Enterprise pilots testing the shuttle landings was astronaut Fred Haise, who survived the incredible Apollo 13 mission with Jim Lovell and Jack Swigert. For this trip, NASA pilots would do all the flying.

Steady... steady...

With the Jumbo Jet in place, the shuttle was gently lowered onto the adapters and secured for the voyage. Yesterday morning the pair lifted off the long runway at Kennedy Space Center. I can envision the highways covered with cars and people applauding and cheering their last view of this great shuttle flying through the air once again.

Last earthly docking of the space ship Discovery.

A more gentle liftoff.

Credit: Justin Ray/SpaceFlight Now

Read more about the shuttle and this trip :

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/120417/

On approach to Dulles International airport at Washington, D.C.

Credit: Clara Moskowitz/Space.com

Read her article on Space.com:

http://www.space.com/15313-shuttle-discovery-smithsonian-arrival-reaction.html

With the shuttle now safely on the ground, it will be towed to its new home at the museum, while we watch re-runs and videos of what once was.

Discovery in orbit with cargo bay doors open and robotic arm extended. Picture from the ISS.

NASA officials, Senator Leahy, and the crew of the 747 SCA

(Shuttle Carrier Aircraft)

By Mark Daymont
Space Center Educator

Two Sides To Every Coin, The Real Spring Break Story

The Space Center’s Maintenance Shed during Maintenance Week AKA spring break

A Testament of Grit and Determination
Written by Jon Parker
Directed by Jon Parker
Starring Jon Parker
Co Starring Megan Warner
And various minor mentions to others

The order was given and the call was made, the space center was closed thus began the week of maintenance. I Jon Parker went to all the the set directors and asked the question I hate most. “What needs to be fixed in your ship?” Some ships were more demanding then others. A list was made and the deadline set. I had to do everything I could in two and a half days. After that I would be disappearing never to be heard of again till the next week. The project seemed daunting however I knew the bigger things could be done with a small amount of ease...or so I thought…

Monday: 10:00
I arrived at the center and had not taken 14 steps into the building before I was working. The schools old benches needed to removed from the hall and put in to Discovery. So with one hand holding a bench and the other hand holding my “95 oz. Gut Buster” (as Mr. Williamson likes to call it) the order was given and so it was done.

10:35
The maintenance ladder that has been missing for sometime now was found in the north server closet. Long has been the feud between the Techs and the Maintenance workers. However an olive brach had been extended after getting all the Magellan computers upgraded. This olive branch allowed for the release of our greatly missed ladder as well as some classified equipment for the Techs. The ladder was tested to be sure it was not too badly beaten and was brought into the Voyager. The Projector mount needed to be installed as fast as possible in order to move on to other projects.

10:40
Despair. The area that the Projector needed to be put in has a metal stud followed by brick, followed by cinderblock and possible granite. This may make drilling impossible.

10:45
Debate. Roger The Janitor urged against the use of the new large projector mount, saying that the new mount could be easily removed from the wall by an accidental act of violence to the new mount.

10:50
The choice was made to not use the new mount and instead use the old mount but move it down in order to get it at a better angle of throw for our tactical screens.

11:30
Arrival at Home depot many of the following projects would require a lot of new equipment the estimated cost was over $150.

12:45
Success! The discovery of a drill bit of deadly cutting ability. This is known due to the fact that their was a picture of Wood, Metal, and Brick on the packaging. It is almost as if the drill bit had been made for exactly this task at hand.

3:30
More Debate. After much more thinking it was decided that we will still use the New Mount and get rid of the old one.

4:00
The old mount was removed and the new one installed. Now what remained were the various holes from the old mount that needed to be patched, sanded, and painted over. Then after that the long task of cleaning would only remain.

5:00
One Project Down, many more to go. The Odyssey’s Front Desk had been Plagued with a large hole at the front of the ship. Causing an ugly bleed of light from the front of the ship. The order was given for it to be fixed and so it was done. However before any of that could be done, Food had to be eaten. Then and only then could the work continue.

8:30
The Odyssey’s light bleeding problem was fixed. With the day over and only two things on the list done it was a very eventful day.

Tuesday 10:00
Arrival. The Phoenix and Discovery had big targets on their backs today. With the Phoenix needing supports for their panels changed, the new shelf being put in, and the rope lights being installed. This was going to be a long day. Not to mention a door getting hung in Discovery.

10:30
The shelf was cut and ready to paint. The task of painting was taken up by Megan. I did not argue with her for that job. As I had far too much to do already.

11:00
Another Journey to Home Depot was made for even more supplies. Estimated cost $30.

11:45
The Door in discovery would prove to be a pain but the order was given so it had to be done.

12:30
Success! The door was Hung with a little help from Megan. After which the quest for food was sought out.

1:30

The quest was a great success, however, their was no rest for the weary the work needed to continue. The shelf would be the Next thing to be done.

2:40
After a great deal of strange “acrobatic” movements, the shelf was installed and a decal was drawn on it to commemorate the great struggle it was to install it….or maybe just to make it look cool. You can decide.

2:45

Next thing On the list was the supports for the two panels at the front of the ship.

3:25
The Supports were done. Now for the most daunting task yet. Replacing the rope lights for the phoenix.
“Are you sure you want to take this on Jon?” Mr. Williamson asked.
“Do you challenge my HONOR?!?” I replied back.
“No Jon, I would never do that, I was wondering if you would like to wait for some help….”
“HELP? I don’t need help, I can do it myself”
“Very well, Good luck”
Mr. Williamson quickly made an exit out of the building in order to escape another confrontation with me.

3:30

The task began, and the floor was removed. The old rope lights were removed to make room for the new rope lighting.


4:25

Despair. The large metal panels on the two sides of the ship are impossible to remove from the ship due to the chairs that are welded in place. A makeshift Metal plate tent was made in order to access the rope lights. However their is not a lot of room to do anything as seen below.

6:15

Great despair. The Center’s Hammer drill named Mikita dies, its great liuthiuthm battery has died, and as we all know. With great power comes with a great recharge time. The spare drill was retrieved and put to work. The large downside to this drill is that it is about one and a half times as big and twice as heavy. How ever desperate times call for desperate measures.

6:25
Great success! The loss of the Mikita is softened by the new lights being plugged in. Their light shines through all the land and causes great rejoicing. A new sense hope and resolve is born.

7:00

Dinner Arrives. Pizza is given to all the others here out of the generosity of me. After dinner a call to Mr. Williamson is made.
“Leaving already? Mr. Williamson said
“Nope, we are here till the bitter end. The alarm comes on at 11 right?” I asked to be sure.
“...Yes...it does.” Mr. Williamson had a large sense of fear in his voice.
“Okay, we will be out by 10:45 then.”
“You better Jon.”
“Don’t worry we will clean up at 10:30 so we can be out at 10:45”
“Good idea, alrighty, See you tomorrow”

7:30 ~ 3 hours till deadline
Back to work. The rope lights were having trouble getting through the floor boards. The biggest problem we were having was getting the lights from under the operations station to the first officers station. I would describe the task as trying to thread a needle blindfolded while skydiving. One of our greatest problems was trying to avoid sitting on two land mines that were placed under the floor. Here you see megan getting dangerously close to them.

8:30 ~ 2.5 Hours till deadline.

The land mines were defused and removed from the area for safe use of a Jigsaw to make a hole larger so that we could hopefully breach the third wall out of the camp...I mean the Phoenix.

9:30 ~ 1 hour till deadline
Despair. Great. Great. Despair. The battery for the backup drill has died, and all hopes for getting the rope lights through the hole we cut.

9:45 ~ 45 Minutes till deadline.
Hope. The lights have made it across the bridge and there is hope once again.

10:00 ~ 30 Minutes till deadline.
GREAT SUCCESS!!!! It has been discovered that our educated guess was in fact a perfect guess. The new lights will end right where they need to without any pulling or prying.

10:33 ~ 12 Minutes till Deadline

The rope lights are finished and the ship is cleaned as fast as possible for the finishing touches tomorrow.

Wednesday 11:23
The ship is clean and new lights look amazing.

All the big projects and few small ones were done as fast as possible much to Mr. Williamson’s surprise. “Good job Jon” was herd all over the center as Mr. Williamson and Dave entered to look about at the wonders and transformations over the break. “How did you do it Jon? How do you do such a good job” Mr. Williamson asked. I simply replied. “The order was given, and so it was done.”