Troubadour Society Editor Reprimanded Over Two Space Center Weddings. An Apology Issued to the Couples. Mr. Williamson Stumbles and Stutters but Survives. From the Archives: Odyssey and Galileo's New Logos and Pins. Imaginarium Theater.

Dear Candy

The Troubadour's Society Editor Nearly Fired for Incompetence.

Dear Candy, editor of The Troubadour's Society Column, received a strongly worded reprimand yesterday from the blog's editorial staff for her failure to report on two of the year's biggest events.  A source close to Dear Candy texted that the award winning gossip was shaken to the core by the letter. "She is on her second box of chocolates. There's no way to console her after she opens her second box," the source reported. "We just have to let it play out."

Troubadour management released a statement explaining the need for the letter. 

Dear Candy failed to report on the marriages of Matt and Tabitha Ricks and Mason and Tawnia Edmondson.  Matt, Tabitha, and Mason are long time Space Center employees and listed on the Space Center's Staff Site as "Nearly Irreplaceable".  Only a few Space Center employees are classified as such. Such a gaffe on Dear Candy's part illustrates a serious lack of judgement and possibly an early sign of dementia. A medical examination may be required for her to remain The Troubadour's society editor: someone who is fluent in the trade of gossip and ciphering idle chit chat from reportable, reliable news.

The Troubadour apologizes to both couples for the error and wishes them the very best for the future.

And now the news Dear Candy failed to report......

Matt and Tabitha met and fell in love at the Space Center. Both started as volunteers years ago and worked their way up through the ranks to the "Nearly Irreplaceable" level.  Matt is a friend and supporter to both the CMSC and the Renaissance Space Academy. He is a programmer and the "go to" person when all else fails.  

Tabitha is the "all around" person at the Space Center. She works as a flight director in the Odyssey and a navigator in the Planetarium. In fact, I sure Tabitha has a hand in every Space Center program and event. I've come to know her as the person you want beside you when things go south.      

 

Mason proposed to Tawnia on the bridge of the Starship Voyager. He dropped to one knee as he was giving her a tour of the mothership of all Space EdVenture simulators. This proposal demonstrated his fondness and commitment to the program he has been a part of since high school.

Mason is studying computer science at UVU and works at the Space Center as a planetarium navigator, programmer, field trip educator, and flight director. The couple live in Pleasant Grove.  

Mr. Williamson Stumbles and Stutters His Way Through His First Planetarium Show. 

Well folks, I got through my almost solo flight as a Space Center Navigator yesterday. Thankfully I had Tabitha to my right whose kind background whispering helped me correct a factual error or two that slipped out while thinking of how to gracefully segway from one majestic planetarium scene to the next.

     

"The light from the sun takes 8 minutes to reach us, not 8 seconds," was the first corrective whisper heard over my right shoulder. Yes, every teacher of astronomy knows that, so why I said 8 seconds is a mystery. I blame old age. Some of her corrective whispers were to remind me which buttons to push and others were to tell me to stop double clicking the mouse.  There was one reminder I needed that I didn't get. I needed Tabitha to remind me to breath :) 

It's unnerving to display the wonders of the universe on the Space Center's majestic dome while trying to read a script while at the same time trying to adlib said script to avoid the impression that I was reading a script (did you get all of that?). Gratefully Tabitha was there to help and guide me along. 

One example of her professionalism was the time the computer froze up with the spiral of death.  I looked at Tabitha, pointed to the spinning wheel, scooted my chair back, and let her know that the error I must have cause with a careless mouse click was her's to solve.  She handled it like a pro by correcting the glitch while continuing a calm pleasant conversation with the audience. I'm sure they had no hint of the panic in the Crow's Nest. 

Lorraine Houston was there to brush up on her planetarium skills. She sat to my left. I'm grateful she kept her laughing under her breath and away from my ears.

Whether or not Tabitha wants to continue my training is debatable. I'm sure she will wear a helmet the next time I run a show with her. Perhaps I'll find training wheels on each side of the Crow's Nest desk as well. 

Mr. Williamson 

From the Archives.  Two Simulators Receive their New Logos and Pins

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009

Odyssey's New Pin

Hello Troops,
This is the new pin designed by Dave Daymont with input from several other staff that happened to be passing the computer when he revealed it to the universe. It arrived just in time for Honor's Night, held last Thursday. The package came from China. I got its tracking number from the Internet and had a semi enjoyable time watching it make the hop skip and jump from China to Hong Kong to Alaska to Seattle to Salt Lake and then finally Pleasant Grove. All in two days (and they say faster than light speed travel is impossible. NASA isn't consulting the right people. I say bring UPS on board. They'll show you how to get things delivered quickly. If NASA can get a probe to Mars in less than a years time UPS should be able to do it in a week. Remember, Brown can do it!)

Odyssey's Set Director is Emily Perry. She has a team of flight directors that do an excellent job keeping the Space Center's busiest simulator in tip top shape.

The Odyssey pin is available for sale in our small gift corner located in the Discover Room. Buy a pin and make Emily and her staff smile. Buy two pins and you get a hand shake and a two minute audience. Three pins and you've made friends for life!

Mr. Williamson

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2009

The New Galileo Pin!

Hello Troops,
As mentioned in an earlier post, the Space Center is revealing our new ship pins. A few posts earlier you saw the Odyssey's. Today I present THE GALILEO! (pretend you hear an orchestra going at full throttle, drums banging, cymbals clashing and fireworks exploding over head. You should duck. Have you ever been hit in the head with the shredded casing of a firework? I have. Stadium of Fire several years ago. I won't labor you with the details. I just wanted you to know why I suggested you duck)

Enough of the celebration. Now let's get down to details. This beautiful pin was designed by Stacy Carrol, Set Director of the Galileo. The stars were added by Dave Daymont. I provided support and enormous amounts of encouragement. I was there in spirit almost offering opinions on the design and very nearly giving my thoughts on the color scheme. I just wanted everyone to know how much of this pin could have been my own design had I taken the time to collaborate with Stacy.

This beautiful pin is on sale at the Space Center for $5.00. I can't imagine not owning one. Can you? Don't be the last on your block to buy a Galileo pin. Be with the 'in' crowd. Purchase your pin today.

Coming up next....... THE VOYAGER PIN. The excitement may be too much for our younger readers.

Mr. Williamson

Imaginarium Theater

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