It's Friday and the Simulators Miss Us.

Hello Troops,
Yes, I'm here working at the Center on a vacation Friday. I've no choice. We have the new Magellan plastic coming this morning. The days of cracked and broken black plastic covering the Magellan's computers are over!

I'm not use to working in silence.... The Voyager, Odyssey and Phoenix are dark. Forced air from the air ducts is the only sound I hear . The simulators miss us. They're not happy unless their walls are rumbling with mission sounds and the vibration of children's voices. They don't have long to wait. We hit the ground running on Monday.

I thought I'd start this post with the image above. It shows all the potential alien planets discovered by the Kepler Telescope as they pass in front of their host stars. The following is a more detailed explanation from Space.com.

A photo may be worth 1,000 words, but a new depiction of NASA's Kepler mission is worth 1,235 potential alien planets. Created by a devoted mission scientist, the image takes stock of the Kepler observatory's prolific planet-hunting results so far.

The illustration shows all of Kepler's candidate planets — which await confirmation by follow-up observations — crossing the face of their host stars. This provides scale, and it's also a nod to Kepler's planet-hunting strategy: The spacecraft detects alien worlds by measuring the telltale dips in a star's brightness that occur during these planetary "transits." [See the alien planet graphic]

The graphic is the brainchild of scientist Jason Rowe, who created it in an attempt convey Kepler's exoplanet discoveries to the masses in a clear, concise manner.

I'm convinced we are on the threshold of discovering life on another world. It is an exciting time to be alive.

I'm happy we've found a small part to play in the education and exploration of space here at the Space Center. I'm hoping all of you that have been to the Center will continue to further our dream of encouraging civilization to venture forward and outward into space through education and the wonder of imagination. I believe we should also support America's space initiatives on both the local and national level by encouraging schools to teach space science.

And now........ Let's step through Imagination's looking glass and see what there is to see.

And you thought your room was a mess? At least he doesn't have to waste his valuable time with a broom, brush or vacuum. Mind you, I'd keep a can of air freshener on hand for the day's new deliveries.

The Japanese really know how to provide mass shelter in the wake of disaster. You can give individuals and / or families much needed privacy cheaply and efficiently. This is another example of thinking outside the box.

This is for all of you that are Lord of the Rings fans.

Now why would anyone want to drive anything other than this? The coolness factor is off the scale (spoken by a true nerd). Of course there is the problem of finding a girl that would tolerate being picked up on a date in this.

The following is a lesson in Reverse Psychology It's only a few seconds long so watch and learn, watch and learn.......





And just in case you were wondering how I was going to spend the rest of my day...


Let's enjoy our last weekend off until July 1. Sobering isn't it?

Mr. Williamson

Bill Shuler "On the Road Again" Somewhere in Colorado

Bill Schuler
On America's Road

Spring Break and I am on the road again. This year my annual road trip takes me to Colorado. I had been meaning to do this state for a while but never got around to it, until now. This is the last destination I can get to easily by car, so next year I will have to fly. Haven’t decided yet but I have narrowed it down to Tennessee, where I served my mission, or New York/Washington, where the flights are cheap an I have family I haven’t seen in years.

Anyway, back to Colorado. Friday afternoon, after work I headed out of town. The weather was nasty rain, wind, and snow in the higher elevations. My destination for the night was Grand Junction Colorado, about 4 hours from home. I arrived and checked into my hovel at the KOA Campground. These are referred to a “Kozy Cabins”. They are log structures large enough to sleep 4. Additionally they have electric lights, heating and air conditioning. Showers and restrooms are in a central building. They are pretty comfortable and cost about half what a cheap hotel room goes for.

Next morning was pretty clear but still chilly. I drove east on Interstate 70 through the Rocky Mountains. This is one of the more scenic stretches of interstate highway around. About an hour out of Denver my truck starts dying. Losing power an dogging along. What could be wrong. Then I pass an elevation sign telling me I am at 11,100 feet above sea level! Descending the east face of the Rockies I stop at Golden Colorado, Home of the Colorado School of Mines, but best known as the home of Coors Beer brewery. The brewery complex itself is larger than the city of Golden itself. It is also home of the Colorado Railroad Museum, An excellent facility that gives a great historical perspective on the impact of railroads on america, particularly the late 19th and early 20th Century when parents routinely mailed their children parcel post because it was cheaper than a regular train ticket.

Stayed the night in a Motel 6, no KOA’s, and the next morning drove into downtown Denver to block out a city tour. I am going to be doing more tours of Colorado in the future so I figured it was time to nail down the tour. This takes a bit of doing. First you get a decent map then make a route passing all the sights you want to point out, then you drive it. This can be endlessly frustrating because trying to read sloppy writing while navigating city traffic is not good for your insurance rating. Inevitably, the route selected may need adjustment, this is hard to do while on the fly behind the wheel. Following this course of action usually leads me to use a significant number of words not considered socially acceptable.

If possible, what I like to do is what I like to do, is walk the route. From head high level you can make adjustments quickly without seriously endangering your or other people. This tack was really successful when I had to figure a way to get to Molly Brown’s house (look it up!). Denver like most large cities has gone to one way streets. This impacts a tours routing through a given area to see the sights and sometimes problems arise that don’t appear on a map.

Anyway after some adjustment I had what appeared to be a viable tour. I covered almost 10 miles of foot. Fortunately I am addicted to walking so the actual distance wasn’t that big of a deal, I usually walk that far daily for exercise. One thing that was different was the constant stopping and starting required when coming to intersections, that stop and start really fatigues you relative to a constant loose walk.

Once back in the truck I drove the route, and it came off perfectly without once getting lost, One run and I had it down. When I do this again in June I will be doing it in a 60 foot motorcoach, giving commentary to the passengers while giving subtle instructions to the driver on where to turn. No pressure!

That finished I had some fun for myself, I stopped by the Downtown Aquarium. Not one of your larger aquariums as aquariums go but laid out better than most. Fresh water exhibits outnumbered the salt water exhibits which was great, I have seen so much salt water stuff that I usually just walk past them. But the fresh water stuff was amazing because you don’t usually see them so well thought out. One even included a Sumatran Tiger!, Not Tiger fish, a Tiger, as in cat!

After my visit with the fishes I headed out of the big city. My destination for the next several nights is Colorado Springs, about 70 mines south of Denver. This morning I visited the US Air Force Academy. It was a beautiful clear, if cool day. The facility is very impressive and you can visit much of the campus. Only the lower quad is off limits to visitors. I arrived on monday to view the weekly parade ceremony. I participated in this ceremony 4 times while in Air Force basic training and once while on active duty during a change of command. Air Force Cadets do it once a week for 4 years! At first glance the whole thing seems rather silly given this sort of thing was dreamed up by the Romans. What use is it today. As one who has participated in this ceremony, it is to develop teamwork, confidence, pride, attention to detail, and snap an precision. It also looks really cool.

In the afternoon I spent my time wandering around Garden of the Gods park. The place looks like one big Star Trek set. Tomorrow I am going to hike down Pikes Peak. I would rather hike up it but there is no guarantee of the train meeting you once you get there and doing a round trip in a day isn’t fun, 13 miles is fine but 26 I would rather not do, not that I couldn’t, it just ain’t fun. Pray for me, If you never hear from me again, a bear must have gotten me.


City of Golden




Colorado School of Mines


Denver under a cloud

I do the same thing with my aquarium.

I dare you to say that on THIS side of the glass!

Air Force Cadets forming ranks.

Pass and review

Snap and Precision


Lunch Time!

Wednesday. It Can't Be

Hello Troops,
We are on the third day of our week long Spring Break. I'm at the Center getting caught up on this, that and the other. How many of you have been trapped in the bottomless pit of This,That and the Other? Just when you think you've got This conquered, That emerges from the murky depth. And when you're sure you've vanquished That, out from the ethereal vapors of the Endless Swamp forms The Other.

At least I'm working in peace. Absent are the endless explosions, character voices, music, alert klaxons and children shouting, screaming and cheering from the simulators surrounding me. In fact, the only people here today are Jon (working in the downstairs shop on some repair) and Alex (typing feverishly on a computer in the Phoenix Control Room). Alex is playing something with a fast electronic beat. I can't detect a melody so I'll be putting on my headphones in a moment to block out the sound (and the term sound is being used generously).

The Magellan is being fitted with new black plastic computer desk screens today. As many of you know, the black plastic screens covering the Magellan's computer stations are badly cracked, some sections have missing bits of plastic broken off.
Our campers have generously overlooked the blemishes but those days are behind us.
I found a new plastic company in Salt Lake that is good to work with and prompt in their deliveries.

Now, Let's take a detour from This, That and the Other and see what the Imaginarium has to offer......

A sidewalk sign outside a coffee shop. Again, it is clever and imaginative. The wording is simple and gets people's attention. If I drank coffee, this is a shop I'd frequent.

Where would you be to see this in your rear view mirror? Perhaps its the expressway on the Moon of Endor?

A perfect gate sign on a cemetery, wouldn't you agree? Come on, you've got to give it up to whoever imagined that.

Assignment, come up with a picture or essay that solves the modern day mystery of where that odd sock goes that never escapes the dryer. Only a student classically trained in the Imaginarium could produce this......

Oh, a warning to the wise, be careful to never stick your hand too far into the dryer. Your Sockaleer may want to enlarge its diet beyond cotton.

The chair waited until it's owner drove away, then using all the effort it could muster, struggled to free itself from the 49th street dumpster. Once free, it paused for a moment to get its bearings before shuffling down the alley in hopes of finding a new home where it could be loved and appreciated.

Yes...... Let's see if out little Junior Houdini can get out of this! The perfect tool for the babysitter that can't be bothered :)

And finally, look at this bottle found in a Japanese shop. Read the label. Are you curious? If so, then the imagineer who designed and wrote it did his or her job well.
I believe the bottle contains sake, a Japanese rice alcohol. That would explain the wording in its proper context :)


OK troops, you have a fantastic Wednesday!

Mr. W.