My NASA road trip 2010

I saw a SPACE SHIP over Madison last night!

2010-03-16T15:47:00.000-05:00

I did not expect to have such a fun evening last night. At work this (and next) week, we are doing what we call our 'spring outage'. In case I've never mentioned it, I work at a power plant right on the campus of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Being a power plant, (even though we don't run all the time) we can't just take apart our major equipment whenever we want. The people need the juice man, they neeeeeeed it. So, what we do is, usually twice a year (spring and fall), we have an "outage" where the powers that be, know we're not going to be available to run (or at least part of the plant isn't available). Anyway, we just started our spring outage on Sunday. For me, it means I'll be working a couple weekends, and longer days. Because of this I try to keep my 'non-work' commitments light. This is why I didn't expect to have such an eventful evening last night. There's a lot of back story to this one, so hang in there.

Last week, on Monday, I finally got off my ass and got to work on my (humble for this year) motorcycle projects. They mostly consisted of repair and refinement stuff. I replaced the stock starter with a heavy duty one. To do that I had to remove the oil tank. Since I had the tank off, I no longer had an excuse not to replace it with one that I bought at a swap meet (for $20) last year. The only reason I bought it was because the black paint (what else?) on the stock oil tank had started peeling off of it; badly, and that it was a great deal. Under the peeling paint was chrome. I'm no painter, but I can't fathom why the HD factory would simply paint a chrome oil tank. It seems destined to do what mine is doing, peel off. Maybe I'll finish peeling the paint off of it (and recover the cool "patent badge" emblem stuck on it) and sell it on Ebay. More likely, it'll get added to my ever growing collection of parts that used to be on my bike.

I also managed to replace the gasket on the top of the fuel tank, where the fuel pump (it's fuel injected) fits into the gas tank. Last year I had the mounting plate that the pump hangs off of modified so that I could install a different (cooler) dash board. When I re-installed it, I ignored the service manual's warning to replace all 10 screws, that hold it to the gas tank, with new ones. I also didn't replace the gasket. It was nice rubber and looked fine to me. Oops! Of course what happened was the first time I filled up the gas tank last year (for my club's annual Pizza Run in early May) gasoline started running out from under my nice new dashboard and all over my shiny scooter. Of course it happened right in front of everyone because it was the first time I leaned the bike over, onto it's kick stand, after filling up. (Embaaaraasssssinnnnng) I managed to siphon out enough gas so the level was below the leaky gasket and screws (when on the kick stand), but being the lazy ass I am, I didn't try to fix it until now. I simply never put more than two gallons of gas into it all summer. It wasn't that hard. with the purchase of my new car last spring, my poor motorcycle was severely neglected anyway. I'm hoping to ride more this year, but the allure of nice summer days with the top down in my Bimmer is still pretty strong. I think it may take a few years to come to a equilibrium.

I know that this post, so far, has not only nothing to do with a SPACE SHIP, but very little to do with last night. Sorry, but it's my blog and if you want to hear about the SPACE SHIP I watched flying over Madison, then you're just going to have to read the background story. Bear with me, it's not that bad. (Hint: you can skip to the bottom if you want, but what fun would that be, you big cheater)

Just as I finished tightening the ten NEW screws that hold that plate down my phone rang. It was Kimmy, a friend of mine who hangs out at a bar I go to sometimes, The Sundown, near where Hwy 51 crosses Milwaukee Ave. Kimmy, gleefully informs me that I they drew my number for the little lottery they do there on Mondays. It's one of those deals where each week (starting just after the previous drawing) you give them a buck and register for the weekly drawing, which is always at the same time and day (7:00pm Monday). Every person who's ever given them a buck, has a number (I think it may be limited to a certain number of numbers, but I'm not sure) You have the same number every week. For life, I guess. (I'm #21 because I happened to be there when they first started doing it). If you're 'signed in' (paid your buck) and you're actually present, you win the money and the pot goes back to zip.  If you're 'signed in', but not actually there, you get half of the pot, the other half carries over to next week.   And, if you're a putz, like me, who is not signed in, and not there, then you get nada. Not one penny. You do get a heaping load of grief from anyone who is there, and has your phone #, not to mention random people for a week or so. I told Kimmy over the phone, that I was on my way over and that I wasn't even gonna try and wash the smell of gasoline off my hands, AND that she was going to buy me a drink. You see, I had doused my hands in the gas inside of my fuel tank while trying to weasel the awkward fuel pump assembly into it. Since I really was at a good stopping point, I put my stuff away, hopped in the car and headed straight over to take my medicine. Of course, when I got there I was ribbed pretty well, but I got several drinks bought for me, which was a nice consolation prize. The worst of it was, OK get ready for it, this is the SECOND time I was "not present, and not signed in". Nice huh? This time the pot was just over $500, the last time I missed out, it was over a thousand bucks. Ouch! Of course, many people, including Patty, the attractive (and fellow BMW driver) manager of the place, reminded me of that fact. Like I would forget. Fortunately, I'm not currently in the financial difficulties a lot of people are, so I'm able to shake the 'loss' off pretty well. At least I got a nice story about it. And, Yes, I did stink up the place like gasoline. You'd think I'd learned my lesson, but last night, instead of going to the Sundown to have my number drawn again (It wasn't), I was again working on my bike, and then, later, watching a SPACE SHIP zoom over Madison's pretty skyline.

As I said, I didn't have any plans, to do anything at all after work yesterday, but it was such a beautiful day, I had the urge to finally get my bike running and on the road, for at least a test ride.

Last Sunday (two days ago), after working all day, I went straight to the garage and finished up getting the bike, mostly, put back together> I installed the new battery, filled the oil tank, etc..... Even though I've had the battery on a trickle charger since it arrived a month or two ago, it didn't have enough juice to start the bike up. At least, I hoped that's all the problem was. I was, at least, happy that the new starter seemed to function properly, but I'd be lying it I said I wasn't a little disappointed. There's a certain amount of pride that goes along with pressing the 'start' button after completing some work, and having the machine roar to life. I didn't get that. Bummer. Since I didn't have any jumper cables with me, I left. I wanted to get a good nights sleep, not only was I starting work an hour earlier than normal (outage hours), but the clocks were being sprung forward during my shrinking window of opportunity to sleep, shrinking it even more.

OK, we're finally up to yesterday, Monday. Again, after a long day of work, my plan was to simply go home and zone out in front of the tube. I coordinated, by email, with Lisa that she would hang out for a simple low key, no excitement evening of mindless TV. That plan changed before I even left work. Like I said, it was such a glorious springlike day, that I decided I had to try and get the bike running right after work. I emailed Lisa and told her to meet me at the garage, instead of my condo. I figured I better show her how to install the back seat (P-pad) onto the bike, if she doesn't want to sit on the fender. There was no time like the present. She agreed. Once I got there (with the top down on the bimmer. Hooray!) I took my jumper cables that I brought from home, and hooked them up. The bike started on the first crank. Like I said, Pride! I felt great. Not only was the bike running for the first time after working on it, but it was about to be ridden. On top of all that, it was helped to life by my other beloved vehicle, my BMW. Now that my bimmer's jumped the Harley, I think they're some sort of blood brothers. OK maybe not, but they're definitely not strangers anymore, they've got a bond. Right? I know, I know, I'll stop.

While I let the bike sit and idle, I installed a long overdue set of passenger foot pegs. I wasn't going to make Lisa put those on along with the token effort of putting on her own seat. The bike hasn't had any (official) place for a passenger's feet for quite a while now. When I first purchased the bike, I had a set of passenger floorboards installed by the dealer. After the feet they were bought for, left me, and town, I took them off. I eventually sold them (still the only thing I've ever sold on Ebay). Like a fool, back when I bought the bike, I didn't collect the original foot pegs that the dealer took off of it, so when I decided I better have someplace, other than around my waist, for passengers to put their footsies, I had to buy new ones. It's been an unbelievable hassle getting these foot pegs. You'd think it would be simple. If this post weren't already of epic length, I'd get into it, but I wont (your welcome). After installing them (the right one, is still not quite right, and I need to fiddle with it a little more) I finally got to take that much anticipated test ride. The sun was getting close to setting and was really low in the horizon.  I could feel the warmth of this first really nice day of the year starting to fade away as slipped on a pair of work gloves, put my beloved scoot into gear and headed for the nearby clubhouse on my test ride. Man, did it feel good! A few minutes at the clubhouse and I turned around to head back. Shortly after I got back and got my cycle situated back in the garage, a club brother of mine, Stench, showed up. I had offered, to him, my old battery. I'm pretty sure it still just fine (I just wanted a higher capacity one to go with my higher torque starter, which I need because of my higher compression motor, etc..), so when I overheard him say he was about to order a new one, I offered it to him. He's my brother after all. He and his "old lady" (I'm not terribly fond of that term, but it is what it is, and it's really not used disparagingly at all. Really) had been out riding around, enjoying the weather. I told him where it was, and that he could get it anytime, he just happened to show up when I was there. Nice, I like when things like that happen. While I was talking to him I got a call from Lisa for final directions to the garage. I accidentally gave her the wrong street name, which sent her on a little bit of a wild goose chase, for which I later made up for. I manged to navigate her in.  After showing her how to put the P-pad on, and both of us sitting on the non running bike, to test her seat and foot pegs out (with me making engine noises and pretending to be riding down a country road), we left. I had her follow me home to try and finally begin that relaxing night in.

Once at my place, the weather was so nice we ended up on my balcony just hanging out and talking. We were both soaking up the remnants of a really nice day. It was just starting to get dark (daylight savings time in effect and all). A few minutes earlier, as we drove toward my place, the sky was still fiery red and orange on the horizon from what must have been a stupendous sunset. We had a great view of the it, over Lake Mendota as we passed by James Madison park. If it were 15 or 30 minutes earlier, instead of turning on Basset St, to go home, I would have gone up to the parking spots, by Washburn Observatory on campus, to watch the sunset, but instead I just went home, saving that treat for another time.  I think it was about 7pm or so now. I happened to look up and pointed out that there were a couple stars out. We were watching the sky and I realized that one star had that familiar reddish tint to it. I told Lisa I think that it wasn't a star at all, but Mars, our neighbor. I went inside to find my nifty star chart to prove the fact but I couldn't find it. I thought I had left it inside of my stargazing book "Turn left at Orion", but it wasn't there. I'm sure when it turns up, I'll have a V8, "A-ha" moment. Until then, it's missing. I did manage to find my nifty green (532nm) laser pointer. This thing is so cool. You use it to point out stars to people, because unlike a regular laser pointer, with this one, you can see the beam. It's perfect for pointing out stars (or planets, or SPACE SHIPS). I also had a planetarium app on my iPhone, but for some reason it wouldn't load up. (I've since verified that I was right, and that was indeed Mars we were looking at.) Since I had the iPhone out, I decided to see if the International Space Station was due for a flyby, using one of my favorite apps "GoSatWatch". Remarkably, according to my app, the ISS was due to be visible from here in less than an hour (at 8:17). I asked Lisa if she'd ever seen a space ship fly by before, and like most taxpayers, she hadn't. I then asked if she wanted to go see it. She said, sure. I grabbed my camera, my remote release, and my tiny little tripod and we left for a nice walk out to the bike path next to John Nolan Ave. After walking around, looking for the best place to view it (according to "GoSatWatch" it was going to break the horizon to the Northwest, get as high as about 1/3 of the distance between the horizon and straight up, and then disappear in the Northeast. Once we found a place to watch from, I set up my camera on the rocks along the thawing lake. I tried to frame the shot to get the capitol building, the sky where the ISS would be, and the Monona terrace all in the view. In hindsight, I somehow cut the Monona terrace in half, but other than that I got what I wanted. I tried taking a few practice shots, to get the camera settings correct. This was going to be a long, long, exposure. On the order of maybe two minutes (the entire flyby was to be 3 minutes, but my field of view was smaller than that). After about four practice shots, and about a dozen queries of "how much more time" to Lisa, who was holding my iPhone, and I think, starting to doubt she'd see anything at all, I made my final adjustments and watched the sky as cars, joggers, walkers, and bicyclists rode by, unaware that a SPACE SHIP was about to fly right over Madison,s pretty skyline. Then, just after 8:17 pm, I saw it and pointed it out to Lisa. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten my nifty green laser, but she soon saw it too. There's a certain feeling of power that comes from standing  on the edge of a lake, and with nothing more than a gizmo, much smaller than a Star Trek tricorder, be able to confidently tell someone that something that looks exactly like a star, but moves across the sky, is going to appear. And then it does. I'm not sure, but I think she was a little impressed. Once the SPACE SHIP passed by the light pole that was just outside of my camera's field of view, I triggered open the shutter. The aperture was set to a little f-stop of 18. And I waited, probably with my jaw open until that moving star went past Monona Terrace, at which point I released the shutter, closing it after having had it open for a total of ninety two seconds. Here's the photo. It's not perfect, but if you look carefully, along the top of the frame you can see a line that arcs across it. That's the International Space station, A SPACE SHIP, as it flies at 17,500 miles per hour over the mid west, including Madison, Wisconsin. Living inside of that little line of light are five people. The crew of Expedition 22. How cool is that!

Bye Bye Blogger (and an apology to Miss Snips)

2010-03-15T16:05:00.002-05:00

I've had a Blogger account for almost a decade. Granted I didn't use it too much until recently, which is why it was a real bummer when I got a message from them a few weeks ago that they would no longer be supporting (or doing) FTP uploading to privately owned domains (like richyaeger.com). They have some sort of work around that would enable it to feel the same for you (the consumer of my blogging) but I like the idea that MY stuff, is on MY server. It took a long time to cultivate that feeling of ownership of my little piece of cyberspace (is that word still used), so I don't want my blog living on someone Else's servers, just yet.

I've decided to try out WordPress. It seems like it's very nice with the quick look I've given it. I have no idea how I'm going to relocate all of my past stuff to the new blog. If I have to cut and paste, one entry at a time, I guess that's what I'll do, but I have a feeling that someone who bleeds php, html, and more, may have ginned up some sort of migration tool. I'll let my fingers to the walking (Google should buy that marketing gimmick).

I was hoping to get the initial set up on my server done quickly, apparently WordPress is known for that, but my new mySQL database that I set up with my host is still listed as "pending" even though it's been a couple hours (they say it MAY take up to A hour).

Oh my! I just got an email telling me I got a comment on a previous post. Hooray! Let's see what it is..........

............It was one of the Peach Pies. She liked the blog.....and corrected me. Apparently Miss Ginger Snaps is really Miss Ginger Snips (as in the sound the shears of a professional hair stylist makes). Although thinking of the word "snap" makes me recall that at one point, the other day, around the traditional Schwaklakk cluster of tables we all "snapped" our approval (mockingly) of something that was just too cool to clap for. I think maybe it was the poster for some performer.

Please accept my humble apologies Miss Ginger Snips. If I ever decide to bend to societies unrelenting pressure to get a haircut, (I haven't been near shears, clippers, or even my dad's Flowbee (yes it's true) in at least 3 years now), I will put my browny locks in your delicate, yet powerful, hands. Hopefully on stage, with you in your, yet undesigned, sexy hairstylist burlesque costume........Oh my........sorry, I got a little carried away there. Anyway, sorry Miss Ginger Snips.

Now I can't just go back to rambling on about SQL databases and FTP uploads. It seemed so interesting (and shiny) just a few minutes ago.

Thanks for the comment (and the content of it) Miss Kitty. You guys (and by that I mean gals) rock!

I'm out!

Schwaklakk!

2010-03-14T15:53:00.002-05:00

How did the time get away from me. It seems that I'd barely gotten the soap out from underneath my fingernails when, BAM!, here it was again. That's right, yesterday was SCHWAKLAKK! For those of you too lazy to follow a link to find out what it is, I'll oblige you. Schwaklakk is an invented holiday in which the only main purpose is to carve bars of Ivory soap into whatever thing (or idea if you're artsy shmartsy) your heart desires. From what I gather it used to be a family thing, but it's slowly grown into a 'almost' event.

It's ironic that my very previous post was about the Peach Pies, because it was my two favorite pies who invited me to this wholesome celebration, last year, my first time. Way back then, I had just gotten my beloved iPhone and through the use of Google and iTunes, I copied a bunch of images of things I though could be readily carved from a bar of soap onto my phone. I had photos of bath tubs, my ugly 'contour' chair (which I hope to introduce you all too someday), beds, and a bunch of artsy sculptures. I ultimately decided to try and copy one of the sculptures. A sexy bronze (I think) semi abstract depiction of a woman sitting on the ground with her head resting on her knees. Take a look at the original that I hoped to copy.

I figured it was challenging, but doable. As I got there before the others, I got started right away. The people who organized it had all the soap you could ever want, and a bunch of fancy artist tools, in addition to tons and tons of toothpicks, to use for carving. One cool thing I disovered pretty quick, was that the screen of an iPhone is almost exactly the same size as a bar of Ivory Soap. so I simply placed a piece of paper over my screen, and traced it out (I never claimed to be original). Then, on the advice of the lady in charge, I transfered the image onto my soap by poking holes through the paper, along my tracing lines. It worked just as advertised. My goal was to get the profile carved out, and then work on getting the right thicknesses done. Unfortunately, I had another appointment (I, for the life of me, cannot remember what, but I think I was going to Chicago for something), plus this was now several hours later and there had been lots of fun conversation with my friends and some new aquaintences. I got the profile pretty much done, which was a fine stopping point. So, that was it for 2009 Schwaklakk for me. Here's a couple photos of my soap carving from last year.

Obviously, I didn't finish it, but I's still very proud of it.n (except for the fact that I broke the stupid base while working on it) As a matter of fact, I conscider Schwaklakk 2009 to be some sort of an artistic awakening for me. Since then, I've felt myself becoming more creative. Maybe some special day, I'll use it to wash with, until then it's sitting smack in the middle of my fireplace's mantle.

Ever since last year I've been torn about whether to bring that one back to the next Schwaklakk, to try and finish it, or to simply leave it the way it is. I'ts actually a little embarrasing how much I rolled that thought around in my head. Ultimately I decided to leave it as is, and to do something different this year.

I'd already decided to go (obviously) again this year, but it was still really nice to be asked, by the same people who introduced me to it, if I were going agin. They're such a good group of free spirits. So much fun. I told them "hell ya", I'm glad that they're doing it agian too, I was secretly concerned that they wouldn't be going this year. I don't know why, maybe because I see similarities between them and myself. I know I could easily have seen something new, shiny and interesting, and followed that particular rabbit wherever it led me (I just saw Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland last week). But that didn't happen, for them or me, so all was well in the world.

Not only were Kati (she carved a very nice owl, in relief) and Aaron (he made a fun moustache) already there when I showed up, but they, especially Aaron, were hung over from the previous night's festivities. They were in attendence (and Kati performed) at "FILTH II", an erotic, boundry pushing art show held at the Inferno (where else). I missed it last year, and had planned on going this year but decided, as I drove past commercial ave, that I needed a good night of sleep instead, so I flaked out on it. Foxy Veronica's Peach pies were performing again too. From what I hear, it was quite the event, with lots, and lots of shots consumed. I felt kind of bad to have missed out, but at least I felt well rested while feeling bad. Right?

Also there again this year was Megan (she carved a butt plug). I gather she's in their group of close friends. I don't think she's a Peach Pie, but she's in that scene in some way. Last year I couldn't get a read on her (beyond being cute), she came across as kind of cold (to me). I remeber thinking that she may just be having a bad day. I like for people to like me, and she seemed indiferent (at best). This year, I think I must have been right about her having a bad day, because she was a hoot. A genuine pleasue. She definately seemed to thaw to me, and we've even become eachothers Schwaklakk nemesiss (what's the plural of nemesis?), even to the point that, while I pronounce it propperly, she (being my Shwaklakk nemesis) prounounces it Nem-eh-sigh. (Trust me, this is more funny than it reads). She brought her boyfriend with her. I can't recall his name, but he was a cool guy (he carved a bunny rabbit), and was great with the movie quotes and other fun banter that made our table the one you would want to be at. I just now realized that I forgot to ask him about the vintage 35mm camera he had with him. I really like the simple, non ergomatic design of those things. I think it was a old Lieca, but I'm not sure.

These people are great fun to hang out with, really fun. I can't imagine "really" partying with them, I don't know if I could hang, or for how long. It was a table full of independent, but like, minded folk. For me, it was a rare treat that I savored. I like that I can relate, and get along with all sorts of people, I really think it's my strong suit. These people are some of the best I've met.

The conversaton was fun, varied, and interesting. All while carving soap, which for me, because I am not much for talking without having something to say, is perfect. It allows you to simply carve away while the conversation may be somewhere in which I have nothing to add. Fine, just carve on. Incidentally, that didn't happen often. Topics ranged from: possble new porn genres, including CPAP mask porn, and Single Penetration (SP) porn. Or, the use of the term 'Al dente" (as in pasta) as a description of a state of male arousal (Unfortunately, I just checked, and it's already in the Urban dictionary, so we didn't coin a phrase). I recall a discussion about a newpaper advice column that dealt with the uncomfortable nature of forgeting peoples names (which I am horrible at), WAY past the point where you should know them. And countless other things.

These are the kind of people who would be fun to have over for a dinner party of some sort. Maybe, I'll think about doing that. It could be a great success!

Alright, back to the soap carving. This year I decided to use another image from the ones I collected last year. In fact, I'm pretty sure the piece I used as my model must be by the same artist (If you know who it is, please let me know. Really.) This is the image that I traced from my iPhone this year:

(actually,not that exact image, the one I traced was a front facing image of the same sculpture).

Here's some photos of this one being worked on. Again, I didn't quite finish it. I had to leave (after over four hours there) to meet Lisa. She was at some suburban event at a friend of hers, where there were a handful of people that she wanted to meet me (or, for me to meet). I suppose it was convenient that they were all in the same place. but now I'm sure I'll have problems identifying who is who (much less their spouses etc...) Oh well, at least I'm honest and upfront about the fact that I'm bad about remembering names. From there, we went to my place to make homemade soft pretzels (now that I know how). I'd already done the mise en place, so I knew it would be easy, and fun. Boy was it fun. Anyway, As you can see, I definately got farther on this year's sculpture, than last years bar. It's already on my mantle with the other one, although it wasn't that big of a hit with Lisas' friends, or their suburban, poker playing hubbies. I was seriously tempted to leave my soap with with the Schwaklakk organizers. They have quite the amazing collection of carved soap from over the years. They were all on display on the stage (did I mention this took place at the High Noon Saloon ?). It was hillarious to see people pointing out their previous sculptures. I, being my selfish self, just couldn't bear to let mine go. Maybe next year, I'll both finish one, and leave it behind, hopefully to inspire future Schwaklakkians, or to be discovered as a masterpiece (maybe)

I took a couple group shots of our whole table of carvers, but none of them turned out, too bad, they were fun shots with everyone holding up their creations.

Oh my Gosh, I just realized I completly left out my other favorite Peach Pie. The lovely Ralphie (that's a different story) who I've already introduced to you, as Moxie Rhodes (she carved a chess piece, a Bishop, I think). She, also was drinking some hair of the dog yesterday. Apparently everyone is in agreement that there were WAY too many shots taken last night.

Jeesh, I also almost forgot to mention that the adorable new (to me) Peach Pie, whom I neglected to introduce myself to the other night at the Inferno, Miss Ginger Snap, was there. I'm drawing a blank on what she carved out of her bar of soap. I must have been distracted, plus, she was way on the other end of the group of tables we had clumped together. I feel much better now, because Immediately, when I saw her, I rectified my crudeness from the other day and politely introduced myself. I love having the chance to recitfy the little things. I was glad to have a chance to get to know her a teeny bit. Like all these women, she is very comfertable in her skin. She seems pretty cool.

OK, I hope to see you all out there for Shwaklakk 2011.

Foxy Veronica's Peach Pies

2010-03-12T11:20:00.003-06:00

Last night, in an unusual late night out (on a work night) I schlepped myself over to Madison's local freakfest for some entertainment from some of my favorite people. No, I'm not speaking of Madison's watered down, and declawed Halloween. I'm talking about the Inferno. I went to watch Foxy Veronica's Peach Pies. They're a local burlesque troop I've become a great fan of.

Quite a while ago I met two of them (Kitty LaRue, and Moxie Rhodes) at the Frequency. Back then I didn't have a clue I'd get to see both of them (and their friends) in garters, corsets, pasties, fishnets, and things I have no idea what they're called (but I like 'em). I only thought they were another in a long line of cool and interesting people I've managed to meet while hanging out there. These women are the embodiment of empowered. Not in a man hater, old school feminist, sort of way, but in the true sense of the word. When they are performing, they are in utter control of their selves. Not to mention downright sexy. Did I mention they're sexy? Sexy, and sexy too!

The last time I saw this particular dyanmic duo, was down at my clubhouse. They stopped in one night while I was playing bartender there. As usual they were having a gay old time, and brought some irreverent attitude into the joint. Often the place can get stuffy with a lot of posing and 'acting cool'. I affectionately call these two professionally teasers, my "Cool mine Canaries", because they seem to be willing to push to the ultimate limit, for cool's sake. If they're involved, chances are, it's something cool. (IMO). Also at the house this particular night, were a handful of 1% club members (Google it). My club usually has as little to do with that kind of crowd, but occasionally, they show up, and we try to be cordial. They operate in a entire different world than my club does. They're all serious, while we're more fun loving with a side of serious. As I was getting ready to leave (I had plans for later that morning, and it was probably around 2 or 3 am anyway) I noticed that my perky pals were being chatted up by a pod of the 1% crew. They're big girls (I mean all grown up, you know), but before I left, I still took a moment or two to discreetly explain the broad differences between my sort of club, and their type of club. Very often, people think a biker is a biker, is a biker. That is simply not the case. One of my pair of vaudvillian vixens happens to be married to a chum of mine (who was absent this evening), I felt it was the neighborly thing to do. Plus that chum, also happens to be a bartender that takes very fine care of me, and I'd hate to damage that relationship, by sending his spouse into a possibly dangerous situation w/o any warning.

OK, Back to last night. So, when I walked into the Inferno and sidled up to the bar to try and get a nice beverage among the uber cool crowd there, I hear a scream of "ZigZag" from none other than the effervescent Kitty LaRue. I barely had time to turn when she was in my arms and quickly remembering her intoxicating personality, I had her lifted into the air giving her a huge hug like we hadn't seen each other in years. Just as quick she wiggled from my grasp and disappeared onto the dance floor. For a moment I thought, 'That's it" but then I saw her gesturing franticly in my direction. I followed her eyes to see that she was gesturing to me, for her bosom buddy, Moxie Rhodes. Moxie, the pixie like waif, with a near perfect tush, may have the most expressive, yet adorable, face in all humanity. She conveyed a super clear message as soon as Miss Kitty LaRue managed to aim her friends eyes on me. In maybe less time than it took the punk band that was playing to hit the next beat, her face lit up with recognition, surprise, happiness, and a little gratitude. All of it aimed at me. I was flattered. Now both of them came scurrying over trying to tell my jet turbine weary ears, things I couldn't hear. I have to admit, I was soaking it up. Two smoking hot peach pies were treating me like a celebrity, and in front of all the super cool , coolios hanging around, seemingly afraid to show happiness, for fear that it would contradict their cool factor. blah! . My over inflated ego couldn't help but to grow one more size right there. It was blissful. On top of that, my chum, spouse of the Peach pie, was there, and he bought my tasty beverage for me. What a guy, and what a catch he has. The good thing is, he knows it.

After a few minutes of me nodding, or shaking my head as seemed appropriate, the ladies realized that I couldn't hear squat, so they pulled me back, away from the very loud punk band, toward the back of the club. They had a tale they needed to tell. They went on to tell me how they ended up leaving my clubhouse with the 1%ers and going to hang with them, at their place. I'm not going to go into what they told me went on (nothing bad) because I told them that they could probably write about it and sell it, it's that good a story. I also told them that they probably would get some unwanted attention from that club, if they did that. Needles to say, the girls, true to themselves (god bless 'em) seemed to (unknowingly?) walk a pretty dangerous line with the serious boys. Not only that, but apparently they went back again, days later, to recover a forgotten coat.

I still can't decide how much of their actions they knew were needling, and how much was genuine innocence, but they seemed to get out of it just fine, and with a great tale, not to tell too much.

Of course, the whole time I'm listening to their adventures with the underworld, I'm blissfully aware that I'm sitting in the back of an alternative club with, at times, up to maybe five super attractive burlesque performers, and for some reason, they're interested in telling me there stories. I was soaking it up. I love hearing stories. I so often am the one telling them, it's great to be on the listening side, and they were good stories too.

There was another Peach Pie there, that I hadn't yet met. She sat primly and quietly nearby, while listening to the funny stories from her troop sisters. In hindsight, I feel bad that I didn't introduce myself during this little BS session, but there was a lot of BS flying about. But now, after seeing her amazingly spellbinding performance of a young lady dancing (maybe at home?), I'm worried I may only see the sexy character, and not her. Dratz! She goes by the name Ginger Snap (correction: as you can read in the comment from Kitty, below. The lovely Ginger is a Snip, not a Snap. Got it. Good.), and she's adorable. I hope she's as cool as her partners in tease. Judging by a little facebook stalking, I think so. I can't wait to find out her story.

All the women that I've met so far, who do this burlesque thing, in addition to being extreme extroverts, seem to have somewhat mundane, or even normal, day jobs. I like that my interactions with them is in kind of in the half way point between their stage persona's, and their 'regular' lives (although I've seen hardily none of their regular lives). I've always like my ability to move among different "worlds", and I think I get on well with these ladies, because they also inhabit different worlds. It makes me curious, if the darling Ginger Snap, will always be Ginger to me because that's how I first saw her? Hmmmmm. We'll see, I guess.

The performance itself was, as advertised, sexy (especially the belly dancers, and Ms. Snap) and hilarious. There were cops, pigtails, belly dancing, light bondage, some great Samba dancing (which made me wonder as it was going on, how many other folks in that club had ever heard that music on Copacabana beach in Rio, like me), and even a history lesson. Unfortunately, for me, there is also a male (barely) member of the troop now, complete in high heels and pantyhose. Not to knock him, he's just doing like the girls, and doing what feels good to him, but it ain't my scene, for his bit, I had a drink at the bar. Oh well, it can't all be perfect, right.

I highly recommend seeing a show, or even trying it out. It must do wonders for self esteem.

I only wish I had photos to put up......but I'm working on that. These girls love to be photographed.

Bring Google's Fiber to Madison Wisconsin

2010-03-08T12:46:00.000-06:00

I've been filling out the Google "nominate your town for Google's High speed fiber". (AS YOU SHOULD TOO) While doing that, I came across the field in their questionnaire for a link to "supporting material". I figured that I better provide some of that to help ensure that my adopted home town of Madison Wisconsin gets this game changing technology, and that when it does, I can say I helped to get it. Plus it may also get someone else to read my blog (Hi Google employee-- go ahead and read a couple of my posts while you're here, you may like them).

I've already posted about my idea for a Googe fiber mascot on the FB page Bring Google fiber to Madison Wisconsin! I want Madison to have a "Google bird" (think cross between road runner (fast) and Big-Birdish (fun) ,instead of yellow, it would be colored like the Google logo. I haven't decided if it should speak or not yet. We'll see. Join the FB group, and do the survey for Google, the eggheads will, hopefully, want to see some enthusiasm. In my opinion, Dane county is perfect for not only Google fiber, but for Googleplex II, but that's a campaign for the future.

Madison is perfect for this project, not just because we want it for ourself, which we do, but because Madison is the perfect place to us as a "test bed" for a technology like this. We have all the characteristics of a metropolis sized city (the good and some of the challenges), without the scale. Madison is truly a small city, instead of a big town. All within a very defined geographic area is a downtown area which is as urban as any, sub-urban areas, and rural areas. Madison is perfect for this for many reasons

Geographically
Technologically (Home of a prestigious State university & a Google office)
Metaphysically (did I mention the Dali Lama is coming here soon)
Chronologically (proven early adopter of technology with our wi-fi)
Governmentally (our mayor is fully onboard to get Google fiber)
Infrastructurally (just the right combination of old and new neighborhoods to accurately asses the difficulty of scaling service up for the rest of the world)
Emotionally (Everyone I've talked to (who knows about it) is extremely excited, because they too know that Madison is the perfect place for it.

I hope to imbed some sort of funny video here, in order to garner more attention for Madison's bid, but we'll see how things go, before I start sewing a "Google bird" costume for myself.

NON renegade radio

2010-03-02T15:31:00.001-06:00

Thursday this week (March 4 2010) at 7:00pm I'll be doing my radio show, all about the road trip. Tune into WORT 89.9fm, or listen online at http://www.wort-fm.org/ . If you miss it, I'm sure I'll post it here, but you can also get it from WORT's archive page. I think they stay on there for like two months.

I just wrote out a real nice Facebook Event invite. It's called "A live radio show, all about my NASA road trip of a lifetime." Search for it, and get onboard. How else do I know if you're out there?

I build a Picasa photo album. I have a link to the photos on my homepage http://www.richyaeger.com/ but I'm going to put a slide show in here. It's most of my favorite photos from the trip (except the ones I cant find). Tell me what you think.

20 February 2010 --- Winter Fest

2010-02-27T17:22:00.001-06:00

Alright. I'm trying a piece of technology from Picasa. It generates a snipet of html that should embed a slide show into this page. I think I'll add a few of my favorite pics as regular link by itself, but I took a lot of photos, and I liked a lot of the ones I took. You can always click on the slideshow to go to the Picasa albumn.

My day started pretty early for a Saturday. My plan was to go the winter farmers market. I got up and headed toward the capitol square. I met my neighbor outside my building and had a nice chat about my recent trip to watch the Shuttle. She was out walking her dog, just like a lot of people I saw that day.

I walked to the Monona terrace. Once there, I quickly figured out that the farmers market wasn't held there anymore. It moved to the Madison senior center a few years ago. Darn memory! What was going on a the convention center however, was some sort of gay pride conference. After snapping a few shots of some of the characters there, I made my exit.

I stopped by the Winter Fest, where the organizers had trucked in snow and coated the entire capitol square with it, making a cross country ski track, right there. It was early but after walking around for a while I saw that a race was starting. It was the High School kids racing. There were teams from all over the state present. Like I said, most of my photos from there are in the slide show, but I'm going to put a few in here, cuz I like 'em a lot.

After the race, I asked a group of racers, how it went. Guess which one didn't do well.

Then I asked, who did better than they expected. Now that's happy!

Like I said, the dogs were definitely out that day.

There's apparently even a Madison Winter Festival mascot. I was originally thinking that there was a resemblence to the Sexual harrasment Panda,

but then I overheard a passerby say "I love your beer, man", and it hit me, it's the Hamms beer mascot. Kind of fitting, but unintended, I'm sure.

Later, when walking down State street, I took more photos. I like this one of a group of girls eating pizza in the front window of Ians Pizza. I think they may even be eating the famous mac-n-cheese pizza.

I watched the skiers and snowboarders grinding down the rail on MLK street. I even got a neat photo of a guy taking a photo (I don't know why I like those so much)

And just a few feet closer to Monona Terrace was the sled hill for the kids. So cute. I really liked the way the line formed, going up the hill.

There was also an ice sculptor there. I got a bunch of photos of him doing his thing, look in the slide show, but this one I like. There's a strange resemblence, I think.

As I was walking by Teddywedgers, I pointed out the store and asked Lisa if she'd ever had a "Pasty" from there (or anywhere), when I noticed this hand written sign.

I spent many mornings BS-ing with Myles as we waited for his first batch of Pasties of the day to come out of the oven. You see, his shop, Teddywedgers, opens at 6:30, and I have to be at work by 7. It was always pretty tight, time wise, for me. My on-time status for work was often determined by when the first batch of pasties were put in the oven. I'd show up and stand outside, trying to look pitiful and cold until Myles would unlock the door and let me inside while we waited together for that first batch. The smell is great. We would talk about traveling, and the places we've been, or where he was planning on going. He was a good man, and like me, he liked to tell stories. Unfortunately for me, I came a little too close to being late for work, too many times. While I enjoyed talking with Myles, and I really loved eating those delicious pastys, I had to stop going by on a regular basis. I would occasionally get a pasty if I were driving to work (thus negating the time issue), but my desire to cut out food that I don't make myself (on a regular basis)It was a bit of a shock to see that sign. RIP Myles.

OK, here's the slide show, with the rest (of the decent ones)

a bit behind

2010-02-27T15:48:00.006-06:00

OK, OK, OK I know I said I was going to spend my day off studiously writing awesome blog entries that you all could read and thus re-experience my fun Saturday from last week, with me. Uh...I didn't do that. Nope, I ended up (after my 7p-8p shift at WORT) going to the Frequency, and while I was there I somehow got on the topic of the Live Rocky Horror show. So...I decided to go to it. It was the opening show on Thursday night (10p). Unfortunately I had my car, so Instead of just walking over to the Orpheum, I had to drive (which was nice) and park over there(which wasn't as nice). Eventually I found a good spot (actually, I got the rockstar spot by by the triangle market on the corner of State, Henry, and Johnson), it was 30 min only parking, but I decided to risk it (no ticket later, thank you).

I got my ticket, a medium popcorn, and waded into the sea of freaks (but my kind of freaks) to pick out a seat. I got a decent seat, in the front 1/3 of the theater, the farthest left seat of the right hand section. I had a open row in front of me, so I didn't have to constantly get up to allow people by, not that I mind doing it, but it's nice to not have to.

The show started promptly at ten, but only after the cast members mingled about in the audience for a while. Some of 'em were obviously soaking up the attention, some were playing their part, and some were chatting with, I assume, friends and relatives. One even grabbed a hold of my pony tail from behind. I told her that "it doesn't come off, no matter how hard she pulls" She responded with a sultry, "ya, but do you want me to try", then she disapeared (without trying). I'm not sure which of the cast it was, but it wasn't one of the overtly queer (is that an OK term to use? I don't want to offend) , male dancers (not that there's anything wrong with that) , It was one of the girls. I'm 99% sure of it.

Once. the show started I was immediately transported back to high school, where I'd been introduced to Rocky Horror, or at least the soundtrack. Between the band (named: Sweaty Nut Sack) and the performers, they did it, IMO, to perfection. Exactly like I remember the soundtrack. The audience was involved, and having fun, the performers nailed it, and I had a blast. They were given a well deserved standing ovation after the show, and I think almost everyone, including me, did the Time Warp again!

As much as I wished I had my T1i with me, I had to settle for a couple crappy iPhone pics. There horrible, but I'm gonna put one or two up anyway. Here you go:

Just a note. I've spent hours today trying to bone up on using Picasa, and getting my photos into it, so there may be some problems with these, it's my first try at using Picasa, bear with me. It doesn't seem as simple as Photobucket (for getting links embedded), but other than that it seems pretty good. We'll see. I'm a Googleite. I could probably better survive a major blackout before surviving a major Google outage. Don't fail me Google.

OK, I won't make you suffer with more awful photos.

After the show. I zipped back over the Frequency and hung out with Darwin, Jess, Liz, Nate, and (as always seems to be the case, for me, there) a new, interesting friend. This one with a cool name (that I can't quite remember, but it starts with "ch" and ends with a type of cat). I hung out 'till bar time giving rave reviews of Rocky Horror, and talking about all sorts of stuff. A great place.

Here's a few photos I took of the place a couple days ago. I like 'em.

This is Darwin, thank him when you see him.

These are long exposures. I'm still learning how to get good shots, so you're gonna see a lot of blurry stuff for a while, I bet.

Darwin, on the move, while a band plays in the back, and one patron is on a laptop, and another on a smart phone.

The Frequency back bar, notice my telegraph, and the rock'm sock'm robots, and also the cool "rain" lamp, with the naked lady.

Anyway, I got home, slept in, and instead of writing all about the previous weekend, I lived this one. I went over to the day care center, that Lisa runs, and as promised, I took photos of her charges, for her. I had a good time. It's really fun to play with kids that age, especially the ones she has with 'special needs'. I've got some good photos, but I'm not gonna post them until I find out if it's kosher, or not. Later that night I took her to the midnight show of Rocky Horror. Alright, even I admit that I may have ODed on the Rocky. I'm definitely don't need to go again for 20 to 30 years, so watch out 2040 revival, a seventy year old me may be there, but still not in drag.

Tonight, Lisa and I are going to the Madison Symphony Orchestra to hear Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. and another piece that I recognized when I listened to a clip, but I can't remember what it is.

But tomorrow, I AM going to write all about my wonderful February 20th, the first day with my new camera. Until then, sorry, and thanks.

My new Canon T1i

2010-02-25T15:30:00.000-06:00

Whew! I thought the radio thing was going to be the most interesting thing that happened to me for a while, but boy when stuff goes on, it really goes on. I'm sure I'll have a drought of stories soon enough. That's kind of the way I roll. Hot and heavy for a while, then laid back and chill for a while. I think it got into my blood back when I was doing start-ups of power plants for General Electric. It works for me pretty well.

Last Friday was pretty low key for me. Fridays are usually reserved for my club meetings, and that's what I did last Friday. The clubs "Anti Valentines day" wopatuli party was the following night, so there wasn't a whole lot going on after the meeting, which was a long one, so I ended up at home, watching the dummy box, and loving it.

The only exception to the boring Friday was that I got a call from American appliances, and was told that my new camera had arrived. That's right. after blogging about how much I had enjoyed rediscovering SLR photography (and especially in digital form) I ran out, after talking with a couple workmates about their new cameras, and bought my own. I choses a Canon T1i, after doing a good amount of internet research.

I used to be a Minolta guy, but apparently they didn't do so well in the switch to digital, and they're pretty much defunct. Also the cameras I borrowed from my wonderful sister were both Canons. (I have to force myself not to type two "n" in Canon. I wonder why my brain thinks there should be two?) Anyway, when I bought it, they had the extra lens (55-250 Image stabilized) in stock, along with the UV filter, a spare battery, a too small case that will ultimately be used for something else, a 8 Gig SD memory card, and a smile from the nice saleslady, all in stock. Everything except the camera. I had to wait.

I hate waiting. Or, I hate waiting for something, once I've decided to pull the trigger on it. I think it's my upbringing in the 70s and 80s, you know, the "me" thing. I couldn't even charge the spare battery I had. But, as a very welcome bonus, I got time. I had time to download the owners manual from Canon.com and read though it. I actually got through the entire thing. Of course, I'm sure I only absorbed about 3 or 4 % of what my eyes passed over, but trust me, that's probably more than most people. This camera has a LOT of features. A WHOLE LOT. I love it! I get a kick out of things where it's impossible to "know it all", where there's always room to learn more. I find that I like to learn about a lot of different things. Usually I take my knowledge level in the things I get interested in, to the point where I can comfortably converse (while it's current, or if I've refreshed) with an expert in whatever field we're talking about, and not (I hope) look like total dufus, but also not be threatening with my level of knowledge. Does that make sense? Even with several days available to me, I was only able to skim through the main camera manual. I didn't even touch (OK well I peeked) the other manuals. There's manuals for a few different software packages that come with the camera, in addition to some others I have no idea what they are. In all I think I downloaded 6 or 7 different *.pdf files from Canon.com .

After work on Friday, but before the club meeting, I drove out to the East side, American furniture and appliance, and picked up my new toy. I ran right home, and got the battery charger plugged in and my serial numbers for the camera and the two lenses officially registered online. Hooray!

After the club meeting I went home (to my beloved idiot box) and to my freshly charged T1i battery for my new soul stealer. Now, I knew that I was going to have an epically long day on Saturday, so I only took a few photos before turning in for the night. Also in my giddiness, I apparently set the date wrong in the camera settings, so if you look at the EXIF data, I had date wrong for a while. Oops.

Here's the first photo ever taken with my new chunky black cyclops friend. I almost deleted it. but that file name: "IMG_0001.jpg" (so pure) just wouldn't allow me to do it. I think it may be a touch of OCD. Anyway, the more I look at the photo, the more I like it. My face (or part of it) is actually in very good focus and doesn't seem to have any blurring due to the two second exposure, and while the background is insane blurry (from movement) I can identify everything in it. Here it is. What do you think?

Like I said, the following day, Saturday, February 20th 2010, was all lined up to be a amazingly full day. Allow me to include you in on my plans for that day. It may actually have been the fullest day of my life. I was about to be on the move for almost 24 hours, with only an hour break, on the couch. But with my T1i, two batteries, two lenses, and 16 Gig worth of storage media, I was set to document it pretty completely. It was quite a day!

There were three main events for the day, that I was committed to go to. The first was the annual Wonders of Physics show (which I'll describe fully in it's own entry). That was on campus, in Grainger hall, at one pm. The second was a dinner date with my friend Lisa, along with her sister and some other friends. We were to meet at Fridays, at around five thirty for dinner, to be followed by an episode of Duck Soup Cinema (which I will also describe fully in a entry to follow) at the Capitol theater in the Overture center. The final event that I had committed to attend on this busy winter weekend day, was the club's party that I mentioned before (this one I may discuss a little, but you'll have to get an invite for next year to know what goes on there;).

In addition to those major events. I also wanted to go to the winter farmers market, and watch various events at Madison's winter festival. I also wanted to meet up with Lisa at some point during the day to share it with her.

I think I'll make a separate blog entry for each of these different events. I've already uploaded the lowered resolution copies (800x600) of some of my photos to my photobucket site, where I'll keep them until I become famous and need more space and bandwidth.

I hope to do a bunch of writing tomorrow, because even though I thought I used up all of my 2009 vacation, I apparently still have one more day. Since '09 vacation can only be used until the end of February, tomorrow is the only possible day to use it. As I see no need to donate a days pay to my company (even though I like them) I'll be taking the day off. Maybe I'll finally get my NASA souvenirs off of my dining room table, and do something with them. Ever since Lisa said that my place is like a museum, with all my trinkets and memories displayed around, I cant help noticing it myself. I also have laundry to do, and maybe I'll make some Cinnamon rolls as I re-watched that episode of Good Eats (remind me to make a post about my drive to Chicago to go to his book signing)

Stay tuned for tales and images (mostly images) from the twentieth of February Two thousand ten.

Renegade Radio

2010-02-19T11:35:00.002-06:00

Well, for a Thursday, I had a pretty full one. After a day at the salt mines (jk, I love my job), I had a meeting with a good Realtor who was referred to my by Will, the owner (I think) of Terry's car Care. I was in there whining to him (while picking up my car from having the snow tires put back on) about how I love living in a condo, with no grass to mow, or snow to shovel, etc..., but that I hate not having a garage. Not a garage to park my car, I've got that, a nice underground, heated, and pretty secure one at that. What I meant, was a workshop type of garage. This winter, is actually the first one in four years in which I'm not doing a major motorcycle project in borrowed space (Thanks Harpo, Thanks Dumpling). I'd really like to have some shop space of my own, that I can afford, to do those kind of things. Over the last few years I've actually contacted realtors and explained my situation. I asked them to look for detached, heated garages or old small commercial buildings that I might be able to rent, or even buy. Of course, back when I first started doing that, the housing market was booming and I couldn't get anyone to give me the time of day, much less exert real effort to help to find, for me, what I'm looking for. Plus, it's kind of a pipe dream anyway, so I let the idea lay dormant. But after crying on Will's shoulder about my troubles, he told me that his realtor mentioned that the old Scooter Therapy building (Ingersol and East Washington) was up for sale, and it may be what I'm looking for. I asked him to have his guy give me a call, which they did. I got a call, and a email, from Ben on the same day.

Right after work, yesterday, I met with Ben and Joe (the property owner) to check out the property. It's a pretty cool old building, very plain, and probably a bit too much space for me, not to mention the roof is in need of repair. The building is simply walls and a roof on a slab. Probably about 90'x40'. It's obviously been enlarged at some point, doubling the size. The front half of it must date back to the '20s or '30s, while the back part could have been added on in the '60s or '70s. I think I'll pass on this one, but I wouldn't be surprised if I regret it years from now. If had had lots of money, I would probably buy it.

The fact that I met a realtor who seems to 'get' what I'm looking for makes me consider the meeting a success. He actually seems interested in finding me a place, and I can rest easy knowing that in the back of his head, he's on the lookout for the kind of quirky old shop type thing I'm looking for. I trust him.

After talking with, Joe, the building owner, about some club brothers of mine, that he knows, I zipped over to the other side of the Capitol, and into my neighborhood to drop off the car, and walk over to WORT ( I live very closeto it) to act as a substitute for a fellow engineer. I'd agreed to sub for the news block that day (5pm to 7pm) because his son, who is apparently the only base player in his 8th grade class, was performing somewhere. I'm already scheduled to engineer on every Thursday from 7pm to 8pm, for either PNM or Health Writers (they alternate every week) or Radio Literature, anyway; so it didn't really keep me from doing anything (except watching the dummy box), it just made the day more full.

I got there just moments after 5pm, when the hour long BBC news starts. I told them I would probably be late because of my meeting, so someone else had gotten that show started. There's really nothing to do during that hour, which is one of the things I like about it. I actually get to sit back and listen to the BBC news. Listening to it reminds me of some of my travels abroad, when, sometimes, the BBC was the only thing broadcast in a language I could understand. The BBC is followed by Free Speech Radio News (FSRN) that plays from 6pm to 6:30. It's not my kind of show, but 'mine is not to question why....' . Next is the locally produced news show called In Our Backyard (IOBY). This is my favorite show to engineer for. It's real radio news, with live reporters, in studio interviews, telephone interviews, audio clips to play, music to manage, etc... It's exactly what I imagined engineering would be like, the first time I thought about volunteering at WORT. Yesterday was especially fun, because I was subbing for the normal Thursday engineer. You see, each weekday has it's own team, led by that day's producer. Each day has a distinctly different "feel" to it. My normal day, Tuesday, is produced by Stacy Robinson (formerly produced by Molly, before she became the News facilitator). The continually changing crew of journalists and myself, on Tuesdays has a very professional feel to it. There is always a "post mortum' after each show to discuss how it went...what's coming up for the following week...etc.. Also, for some reason, Tuesday seems to be loaded with women. Attractive, smart, and funny, and interesting women. I'm a gentleman, so there won't be any problems from me, but it is not unnoticed at all. On Tuesday I almost always have a completed script in my hand (or on the computer) at least a few minutes before the start of the show. Things are done nicely . Now Thursdays' IOBY has a completely different vibe. I think of if as 'Surfer Thursdays'. The content of the show is top notch, but the production of it is definitely seat of the pants, and casual. I usually get to witness the ending of the show because at that time, I'm on deck to engineer the following hour of radio, so I kind of know how they do things: No script for the engineer; good communication between the hosts and the booth; and a very relaxed and chilled out atmosphere. I remember on one of my first visits to the station, I watched the normal Thursday engineer (who is like 16 or 17 years old) and was amazed at how well he did the job, seemingly as an afterthought. That kid is going places.

One days show is not better or worse than any other, just different, which is awesome. I've also engineered on Mondays, which is a whole different thing again. Again, great content, but I think the word that describes it best (for me) is frazzled. However the producer on Mondays, JoAnne Powers, really knows her stuff, and is plugged into Madison.  The other days of the week are, for now, a mystery to me, but I have no doubt that they are just as unique and specaial as the others.

So, after chillaxing through IOBY, at 7pm, I stepped back into my own shoes to engineer for the Perpetual Notion (with a "N") Machine. The show that got my foot in the door (other than being a phone answerer during a pledge drive) at WORT. That's a whole different story (which I think I talked about in a previous post). PNM was pretty straight forward and mostly pre-recorded, with a short intro from the host at the begining, and a short transition to a news segment. I played the audio clip of the shuttle launch for the crew in the studio, while the pre-recorded piece was playing. I can't get enough of sharing that, I think most people are humoring my when they listen. I can't always tell.

At 7:30 pm, after finishing with PNM (the next airing, BTW, on March 4 2010 will produced by ME) I was surprised to see that the folks from the Radio Literature show weren't milling about, ready to do their show, like they usually are. Even with live guests, they often choose to do their show from the studio I am in (Combo B), instead of the middle studio (Middle studio), where shows that don't engineer for themself (talk) are usually done from. I like it like that with Radio Lit. It makes it fun to listen to the various authors or performers that they interview, without looking though the glass into the Middle studio.  Occasionally, they have a pre-recorded show for me to play.  In the past when that was the case, someone had always (until now) e-mailed me, to let me know where, on the vast tangle of networked computers at the station, the audio file for the show is located. Or, occasionally, where the cassette tape with the show recoreded onto it, is stashed away. This time, I assumed they were going to be doing a live show, as I hadn't caught wind of any hint that anything else would take place. I was wrong. It turns out there was a pre recorded show, and that it was stored in a pretty conspicuous location that I should have easily found. I'm sure it was my subconscious that helped me to not see it when, in the few moments before the show was supposed to start, I looked for a obvious file to play after I realized there was no one to do the show live. So, instead of playing their show......

I went renegade. Instead of playing one of the emergency shows that I know exist, and where they are, I just turned on the mike, did a station ID, and kept talking. Here's an edited ( for brevity) version of what I did and said on the air. Listen to it, I think it's awesome. Who ever gets a chance to do that. If you want to listen to the whole show (and you should), please go to WORT's    archive page and look for the "Radio Literature" show for Thursday Feb 18th in the grid. Then you can choose to either download it to listen to using your favorite player, or you can choose to listen on line (which I can never get to work).

While on the WORT website, don't forget to bookmark the page and if you like anything you see or hear, why not make a donation. You can do it right on line. OR, you can wait for the episode of PNM (to be) produced by yours truly, that will have something to do with the launch, and my journey to wittiness it, of Space shuttle Endeavour last week. Why wait to donate? Because that show, on March 4 @ 7:00pm Central time, will be on the air during WORT's Winter Pledge drive. This station is a genuine community radio station, and has real bills to pay. Also there is genuine desire to "prove" the value of each individual show, by using on of the only tangible measuring stick available.....donations received during a pledge drive. Of course that's more true of the music shows, but I'm sure it's monitored for the news shows also. It seems kind of 'bad' but rest assured, quality news programming, unmolested by monetary concerns, comes first, but the station would be nuts to ignore it. Trust me WORT needs your $$$. The fridge just died, the recent (wonderful) upgrades to the news room, in the basement, still need to be paid for (I think), and it's very easy to take for granted, the cost of the satellite feed of BBC etc..etc.. etc.. You get the idea. Please donate!

Finally, I want to give my sincere apologies to Rusty Russell, who's finely produced show I stole a few minutes of; his guest Pilar Melero, who's reading of her piece "The Harp and the Bees" from her book, is worth listening to; and also I s'pose I need to apologize to Molly Stenz, WORT's news facilitator, who I think was genuinely perturbed with me, although I hope this 'mea-culpa' helps her to get over it.   Sorry Molly :) I will say, again, that I really didn't think there was a pre recorded show for that day, even if it was my subconscious that made me not see it. I would never do that. However, opening the mike and talking myself, instead of playing a re-run, emergency, show just to fill the time slot, is a whole different ethical situation. One in which I don't feel too badly about going renegade.

Listen to my Renegade Radio broadcast

IOBY

2010-02-17T06:38:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I actually used some of the audio I had acquired from bunches of interviews and the launch itself to quickly produce a short segment for the local news show I engineer for at WORT F: IOBY (In our Backyard). Along with a sweet Dutch volunteer journalist (and one of the hosts) Yvonne, who wrote the copy, I managed to cut a few of those audio segments in to a 'audio postcard' of the launch. My main goal was to play the entire minute of audio of the launch itself. I did, and I think it worked. The recording I made, is a darn good one of the intensity of the sound during the launch. I think it really captured it. The cheering people helps too. If anyone wants to hear it, it's available for the next two months on WORT's archive page. It's labeled : "In our Backyard - Tuesday" with the date: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 6:30 pm. I've already downloaded it, so, at least on my computer (and the Google cloud, where I'll email it to myself), it will live forever. My segment starts just after 22 minutes into the show. Give it a listen.

Considering I have probably an hour or more total of recorded interviews and other audio, and I wasn't really planning of doing anything for yesterdays show, I think it ultimately came out pretty good. Unfortunately, Yvonne and I were doing that while I was supposed to be engineering for the preceding shows (BBC news, and FSRN). Both of those shows are pre recorded, so there really isn't a lot to do. I usually follow along with the production of the live show (IOBY) by pre reading the script, test playing all of the audio files (as they are finalized), and do other things, like verifying telephone #s for phone interviews, etc.... I'm usually very organized because there's nothing else to do. This time I was out of time. Of course it wasn't until seconds before the show was actually starting that I finally saved my audio segment. I hadn't even looked at the script, or opened any of the show's other audio files, not to mention that I didn't even get a chance to hear Yvonne's copy for my piece. Of course I paid for the lack of preparation. In the very first news segment, the audio file went crazy, skipping, and stuttering. I, in a near panic, tried to stop and start it (probably more than I should have) before Stacy, the show's producer, finally said to scrap it. I feel bad for all the people who had to listen to that awful sound. On the bright side, cutting the rest of that story, put the show right on time, even after a late start and Ryan (the real astronomy guy from the UW) didn't get his segment chopped up, as happens too often.

I had a bunch of prints made of some of my photos using Walgreen's online service. I used them before to have the photos of my club initiation day ride made up, before the club meeting that night. I thought they came out pretty good. Here's a few of them. If you're all geek, and don't have a wild side, you can skip them.

Anyway, I used them again. I even ordered a t-shirt with one of my launch photos on it. Some of my car photos came out pretty nice. I may even enter them into the BMW Oktoberfest photo contest this august, right here in Wisconsin, at Road America in Elkhart Lake.

Oops, I'm out of time. Time to get on the old bicycle and pedal my butt to work.

New Blog

2010-02-15T19:19:00.000-06:00

I think I know what my next blog (or this one, renamed) is going to be about. My newest 'thing' or obsession. Photography! Man, I'll tell you, after this trip, and looking over the photos I took, I am "IN". Something is awake in me. Everywhere I look now, I see photos waiting to be taken. Like souls, if you believe that myth ;) . I'm going to put up here the photos from the snow train ride Saturday. I'll let them tell the story.

It was a fun day, with pleasant company.

HOME

2010-02-13T09:01:00.002-06:00

I'm home. I've actually been home a full day (in just a few minutes). I ended up rolling into Madison just before six am. I still cannot believe how perfect everything went. Even my arrival. Several hours before exiting off of the beltline onto John Nolan Ave., I set this super loud countdown timer alarm for something like four hours and 28 minutes. It was an estimate I made having just woken up from a nap in a I-55 rest stop, just outside of St. Louis, for fun. I'd even forgoten about it. It went off exactly as I got into the exit only lane for John Nolan, at first I thought it was my radar detector. Now that's a good estimation (envision me patting myself on the back).

Anyway, I had, while driving, formed a plan when I realized that I would be getting into town around six am. Here's how it went (the plan, AND reality, because reality ended up matching the plan perfectly): first, I'd go home and unload everything from the car, quickly. (OK now bear with me, I'm going to try and add a bunch of photos to this (not links) so there may be some overkill, but I need overkill to learn stuff. I'm also experimenting with resolution and file size, so there's going to be some disparities there too. Deal with it)

Then, it being 6am on a Friday, I'd go to Mickey's Dair Bar for breakfast. I'd buy a paper, for the super quiz.

Once firmy entrenched on a stool, I'd tell my story to whoever wants to listen (except for Peo and Sadie, they 'have' to listen). The usual suspects were present: The owner Peo was, as always cooking. But, as is our tradition, he came out from the kitchen to collect the sports section of the paper I brought in. I don't read it anyway.

Of course, Sadie is in that photo too, but as she never stops moving, she's a blur as usual. I did manage to get her to stand still for a second.

Also there, as always, was John, the Professor Emeritus, with whom, I have the best conversations in the morning.

It turned out that the guy behind him, eating,

works at one of the UW's heating plants that we (my work) deal with all the time. He knows the names of all of our control operators, because they communicate about steam flows and things like that all the time. I, as a maintinence guy, blissfully do not have to deal too much with people on my job, just machines, wire, ones and zeros.

After a hearty breakfast, it still being before 7am, and with me possesing the knowlege that sunrise in Madison today, will occur just before 7am (I used my iPhone to check sunrise time while I was still driving, hours ago) my plan was to go over to Olin Park, on lake Monona to get some nice sunrise pictures, to go with the ones I took in Florida, a week ago, on the beach in Daytona. Boy, I'll tell you ; what a difference a week, and 1500 miles, makes (I accidentaly deleted the good photos that I took on Daytona beach using the nice SLR camera, but I still have some from the point and shoot, somewhere, I think. That was before I got organized with my photos)

As I left Mickey's, I realized that in my zeal to unload the car, I unloaded the other camera (with the long lens) and also the tripod. So, like a demon, I raced across town, keenly aware of the reddish glow coming from the East. I was sure I was going to miss the sun coming up. I got to my place, ran in, had to wait for the stinkin' slow elevator, grabbed the camera and tripod, and hauled ass over to John Nolan again, this time headed away from the isthmus, toward Olin Park. I figured I'd get a pretty good view of the sunrise from there. I was so concerned about missing the sunrise, I even tried to take a photo from my moving car, just in case I missed the whole sunrise, I wanted something. I didn't even check the settings. In hindsight, the camera was not in "easy" mode, or even in autofocus. Not one of the shots from the car were in focus, but it was moot anyway because I made it to the park before the direct rays of yesterdays sun did
.

I even managed to not crash while getting there, on the ice covered access road, because of the horribly ill advised summer tires on any snow at all.

I parked on the boat ramp,

and got some, I think, OK shots of a pretty nice, fiery sunrise.

I suppose that one of me isn't too vain.

After that, I went home, opened up some of the packages that had been delivered while I was gone. Including a big fat check from the refinance of my home. That and another check that has been sitting around waiting to get sent in (I still bank with a California bank that doesn't have branches in this state, so I have to mail in checks). Also waiting for me, was the power cord for my GPS that would have come in very handy, had I gotten it before leaving. My GPS log data is still trapped in the GPS, but I'll have time now to fiddle with it, and recover it. Hopefully. So, before heading over to my freinds at Terry's car care, I wired the cord up to a cigaraette lighter plug (that I bought at a truck stop outside of Mobile, AL) in order to test it out on the short trip to Terry's (that way I can say I had it working ON the trip, not after it, because the trip isn't over untill I have my snow tires back on the car, and the last tank of gas put into it.

It worked fine.

After that, I dropped of the car and chatted with the gang at Terry's. Such good people there. Then I walked home, via State St. and the Capitol Square.

Where I slept for quite a while. When I got up, it was Terry's calling to see if I was going to pick up my car before they closed. See, aren't they cool? I went and picked up my car, drove out towards the C.C.Rider clubhouse, as there was a meeting happening in a little while, and filled up the gas tank one last time to conclude the trip of a lifetime.

Total miles traveled (via odometer): 3568

Total gallons of gas purchased: 173 gallons

Number of fill ups: 16

Amount paid for gas: $517.77 (much cheaper than airfare and a week of rental car)

Average mpg: 20.6 ( My car CAN sip fuel, it's just not as fun to do it)

Nights not in my bed at home: 9

Nights sleeping in the car: 1

Nights in hotels: 4

Nights in my tent 4

Photos taken: a little shy of 4 Gigabytes worth.

I'm sure there are other stats I can come up with, but you get the idea.

This has to have been the best road trip EVER! Thank you everybody! I love you all!

I plan to add posts to here as I get time to recall and write down what happened. My first goal is to make a timeline of every day so that I don't forget anything. Once I have that, I'll simply write what happened. I hope you all read it, and let me know what you think.

For today. I'm taking a special lady for a ride on a snow train in North Freedom,WI, then later tonight I'll be at the CD release party for the new Droids Attack album. It's at, where eles, The Frequency.

Bye, for now.

Last 100

2010-02-12T04:42:00.002-06:00

I'm down to the last hundred miles of this trip. Unles I fall asleep,
or have a, all too common, texting accident, this trip will go down as
the best week ever! Really!
I saved the mix CD that me ex Nik, made me years ago, for last. She
made it for me while I was working on the island of Crete, in the
Agean / Mediteranian. (tiny dancer, trk 6, is blasting). The mix is so
burnt into me that when any of the selectins from it happen to come on the
radio, my mind expects the next track from the mix to play. When
it doesn't I always smile to myself. It's kind of like when a song from
"Rock Band" comes on, I immediately know it.

Thanks Nicole.

Sent from my iPhone dang-it!

the Big Easy

2010-02-11T16:57:00.000-06:00

Well the SDO on it's Atlas didn't launch (yesterday). to make a long story short (since I have to outrun a snowstorm) Yesterday was a scrub, I decided to gamble against a launch today (I was wrong, it went up fine) and leave for New Orleans. (Crap, I honestly just now, realized that I completely forgot my whole reason for coming here.) The reason I came here was to see the WWII museum, but after hanging out in the French Quarter 'til 3 or 4, I got on the road (and the cuausway) to get a head start out of town. Mostly to get ahead of the possible snow storm they have predicted for today, but also to find cheaper accomodations. Oh well, gives me a perfect excuse to return. I think I like it here.

Anyway since it's way past the time I wanted to leave I'm just going to post a few of the photos I took last night

Crap, Freezing rain, I'll post photos later. Gotta go

OK I'm back. I'm about 50 miles south of Memphis. I stopped at a gas station to catch a nap. all the long nights and strange schedules are starting to catch up.The last thing I need is to have an accident. I'm going to put up those photos now.

Classic Frech Quarter building

I love tha barkers (is that what they're called)

a cool cowboy

keys in a antique store windown

Petit soldiers in a store called Le Petit soldier (or somthing like that)

A drunk who knows how to work tourists

I couldn't help but to editorialize about Bourbon st. A drunk asian college aged kid saw me taking the photo and went on and on and on about how cool an idea it was. I tried to get him to pose in the backbground but he was smart, and realized he was making an ass of himself.

a very cool access cover. There are lots and lots of differnt covers, but this was tohe coolest I saw. I thought about stealing it (ortrying)

SDO sunrise

2010-02-10T07:22:00.001-06:00

In think it's fitting that since I decided to stick around to watch the launch of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) that I got some nice photos of the sunrise on the day it's supposed to (but not looking good cuz of the wind).

I had already packed up my campsite, so I got a room at a little motel on the water. It has a great view of the space complex, I could really imagine having a good time watching a launch from here. It's the Riverside in (I'll add a link, if they have one, later). You would not believe the amount of people at the campground who made good natured remarks about fiting all of my stuff into my little bimmer. I do have quite a bit of stuff, and I'm aquiring more every day. I told them the Navy ways are long lasting. You should see the seriously high dollar RVs these folks have. I should've taken some photos. There was one row in the campground that didn't have one single RV that looked cheaper than $200,000.

Anyway, I want to post these photos before I checkout. The hotel reminds me of the kind of places my family stayed on our family vacation to Florida back toward the begining of the shuttle era. There were heat lamps in the bathroom, but unfortunately, no MagicFingers.

this one reminded me of the AT&T adverts, ans since I'm using their air card unethically, this is my compensation

a reply to a differnt chapter

2010-02-08T22:49:00.000-06:00

I got two emails today from a guy who is, apparently, still doing what I did for several years. Traveling around the world, starting up new, small but quick (relatively) to construct power plants that use a Land based versoin of an aircraft gas turbine engine. The first email was chain letter, with some pretty hot naked ladies. Obviously my former colleauge is concerned about the curse should he have not sent it along to five friends. I usually don't mind getting the occassional one, like this one, as long as I don't get a bunch a day, everyday. Anyway in his search of email addresses he came across mine, and decided to send it to me. Thanks Kurt, I will risk the curse, but that doesn't mean you cant send me one of those every few years. I think naked women look good. the Greeks and the Romans got it. Thank you more for the second email asking if my email was still active, It shows I'm remembered. Anyway I started writing a reply, and it started turning into one of my long posts or stories. I think it paints a picture. Someone in the NASA press center, early today, told me that I have done a lot, for someone my age. I guess when I compare to some people that's true. but like my friend Kurt, there's more of us out there. Here's my reply to him. (I'll fix the link if it didn't survive the cut and past:

Rich Yaeger to Kurt

show details 9:34 PM (1 hour ago)

Yep I'm working for Madison Gas & Electric, in Madison WI. I work at two LM-6000 site (dual fuel but other than that, no options. The hot gas goes to two HRSGs with no stack diverters. The steam goes both (or either) to a GE steamer, and/or the University, which is the host, and part owner of the plant. To them, we also provide 20,000# capacity for chilled water, that's done with four York Titan chillers. We also have a 2 MW black start, Devicenet controlled MCCs (no hardwired) and two smaller chillers to provide inlet cooling. I've been there for about almost 6 years now. Man, time flies. It's gravy, mostly! Leaves me free to have a life, and boy do I. Who's still in the game.

I just sent stome m6b files to a guy named Inch Loon, who's apparently a new Randy Castro. He seemed cool.

Eventually I searched out excitement. I joined a local motorcycle club. All sorts of excitement there. I also started volunteering at a local, community radio station as an engineer (board operator) Branching out a little from that, last year, I interviewed an astronaut for a show I help with. The experience of dealing (very easily) with the NASA press people made me decide to try and get press credentials for a space shuttle launch. So I did it. That's why I'm in Florida, instead of Wisconsin. I drove down here in my new car. I just watched, as a member of the accredited press, the launch of the space shuttle. I was right there. I even have (it's still mine) a desk in the press center.The main one, not the annex. Boy, does it pay to be nice, and simply ask for what you want. I even took a few photos (although my time lapse of th whole launch was no good), but one of them ( that I thought was out of focus(the orbiter is)) a new colleague asked if she could use it, and she did, at , and I'm happy she did. Check it out. She links to my blog in there, so check that out too. I don't think my life in startups has gotten in there yet. Although after reading her's mine should be written out with crayolas. I feel like a clodding dufus, but it's the ideas that I think are good, the wrirting and formatting will come with practice, maybe. In fact, I think I'm going to post this entire email to my blog. I'll take out your contact info (and change your names, If you tell me to, let me know), so check it out.

Get this, I shit you not, within a couple daysI told a story about Tom Xxxxxxx, to a interesting journallist/executive from National Geographic. THE National Geographic. It was about Equator. It was about the time I was playing blackjack in the hotel Oro Verde, in Guayaquil. ln their basement casino (in the original email to Kurt I fogot to finish this little story, I'll finish it here, because it's funny. (I'm thinking I may have told it to somone else, not Ms NatGeo, who I kind of dig, and hope to say goodby to tomorrow before I leave) So, there I am, playing blackjack in this nice litte casino, enjoying myslef for a day or two while an aricraft is chartered to take me into the jungls, where a oil company is in need of electricity. It's way, way out there in the wild. Anyway all of a sudden I hear a voice say, in an indignant voice "Whadya mean your out o' beer". Without another thought I identified the voice as my former colleague Tom, immediately, and went to help out. You see, Tom can really drink him some beer. In hindsight it's easy to see that he could run this moderately sized hotel (but in an area where the indiginous people don't often drink beer. I guess my unconcious mind worked it's magic there.

You see, getting out of the field was not a death leap into boredom like everyone is afraid of. I just don't get paid as much. But I do good. For instance, right now I am keyboarding this email to you from a plastic picnic table, in spot, OF3 of the Cape Canaveral KOA campground near the Kennedy space center. I'm doing it on a little netbook that wouldn't even function as a decent paperweight during start ups. But at 300 bucks and an air card (which luckily has a 15 day cancellation period. Good thing, it's acting funny ;]

What are you and Tom up to. Startups for the meatball still? I do miss it.

Singapore huh? Cool? Where at In a still earlier chapter of my life, my ship pulled into ?Singapore. As a matter of fact, my second tattoo is from there. Some Chinese characters that were supposed to be my name. I never knew until Ron Blouu's (sp) wife, read them off of my arm, while we were out skiing on Ron's boat. They said my name phonetically. something like "Lee Chard" She read it, unprompted by me. (this netbook bugs me that it doesn't have a [end] key, and either the table (most likely) or the netbook is warped. Oh well. Someone should write a program that plays that nice "ding" my Manual typewriter makes when it's time to reset the carriage. The people in the f.)

Hope you have time to read this all. Sorry for the long reply. It's mostly to get some good stuff onto my blog, and when writing this reply, I liked the way if felt to write it.

Rich

P.S. be carefull of them Singapore girls. ( didn't think you'd ever leave Brasil)

- Hide quoted text -

On Mon, Feb 8, 2010 at 7:07 PM, Kurt xxxxxxx wrote:

Rich,

Is this still a good address for you? I am in Singapore working with Tom Xxxxxxxx and just ran across the address.

Kurt

Ok that was his second email, to me, and my reply to him.

My best

2010-02-08T08:31:00.002-06:00

Unfortunately, my best shot was the one I took from my iPhone.
Fortunately, I love it! Another shot of mine is used in a colleges post.. Check it out. As a sign of respect, I'm not even going to post that photo here, on my own blog, so you HAVE to go there.

Another try

2010-02-08T03:51:00.000-06:00

OK, I've convinced myself that the scrub yesterday was a good thing. The only negative that I can think of, was that I didn't get to go down to Miami to hang out in the Superbowl atmosphere. What I did get, was a practice run. And some valuble experience as to how things go here. Plus I get another night of sitting at my Press center seat, while a buch of people, probably much more deserving, wonder how a long haired biker type guy managed to score a seat among the elite of the media. I've come to the realization that I will never fully appreciate how truly special this opportuity is.

The fact that I have absolutely no responsibility whatsoever, to anyone, for anything is a feeling of utter freedom. I suppose that this blog is the only thing I feel resopsible to, and that's cool.

We're in the 9 minute hold right now. I was starting to get bummed because the clouds had appeard again. The same thing that hosed up last night's shot. It's pretty chilly out there and I'm wearing a hoodie sweatshirt under a fleece coat. I was talking with the techs for HDNet who were setting up their camera right next to mine. I told them that I probably chose the spot because of watching that angle on their channel. They're cool guys . They invited me up to their big satelite trailer where they have all the NASA feeds coming in, in addition to their own.

OK time to go outsite. The 9 minute hold is off and it looks like it's gonna happen. TIme to go outside.

Ooops.I forgot to publish this before going out, so it's going to be out of order.

Liftoff

2010-02-08T03:30:00.001-06:00

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone dang-it!

Dratz!

2010-02-07T03:44:00.000-06:00

SCRUB!!!

Sent from my iPhone dang-it!

Ten minutes left

2010-02-07T02:53:00.000-06:00

We're in the final hold, at ten minutes (if it goes) I'm going outside in case there's a weather miracle. It's still 30% GO. I'm moving outside.

Ten minutes left

2010-02-07T02:45:00.001-06:00

final ten minutes (if it goes) I'm going outside in case there's a weather miracle. It's still 30% GO.

It's the future!

2010-02-07T02:09:00.009-06:00

Shoot!, I can't believe I fogot to post this. I'm doing it now. Although, now I have an update. Since I first wrote this, but forgot to post, I reieved a thank you email from the Aeanas Family.

And I'm in it. I made it. I was born in nineteen seventy. My life was about as high tech as a middle class kid's life could get. My dad worked for IBM, so we had a PC around (PCjr at first) before a lot of folks. Even to this day, Dad is way ahead of me computer wise. I'm the only personn, of my generation, who's father is more knowledgable about computers than his offspring. with the exception of my friend Ed. Ed's family had a camcorder. This was back when you had to carry two suitcases along with the camera. One was the VCR (which was also new) The other piece of luggage was the battery. It was HEAVY, man was it heavy. (I'm a little bit high right now, so shhhhh)

Evan, is my camping neighbor. His daughter is going to be ten in three months. Like an idiot I introduced myself to someone in his group. I practically Yelled! "I got media accreditation", wait, not it wap probably more like this!! " I GOT MEDIA ACREDITATION", I immediately realized (which is not the normal case) that I was being a tool, and embarrassed, I went back to my awesome campsite. (Update: it's like an hour later) Evan, and the guy I first introduced myself to came back. Knowing I have the internet, makes me like the village Shahman. Well, maybe not quite, but I hope it makes my campsite a meeting place. (once or twice).

OK, I'm in overload,. my communication may only be in photos for a bit. Maybe short posts. I just had a eureka! couple of hours (I'm slow like that) with Kara's EOS cameras. I've been photographing my campsite, myself and, the best; the Arenas family. The allowed me to take a couple extremely long exposure photographs, My report with them had me befriended and trusted to line them up like models. But I am true in my heart, and that shows through. I think. I'm still a little high (sorry Mom). It's now an occasional thing. Not that there's anything wrong with it! (I just slipped on my Joker gloves (for cold temperature keyboarding). There's named after Joker, my club brother who gave me the idea. Any typos? I'm not even gonna look to see. Too bad.

I was going to post this now, but I think I'm going to wait to do that until after I can add the photo of the Arenas family. This photo may be my first original thing. But I see I'm capable. It's almost ten pm now....

...

...

Memory media problems, still working on it....it's 10:13

....

Just got a reply from Garmin tech support, with a fix. I didn't burden you with the problem that I havenot been able to download any of my GPS track (these things aren't perfect yet, but I like things a little difficult.The person who told me what to do is obviously a coder of some sort because he gave me the most perfect instrucions to delete a bunch of files,I've ever had. Bravo Zulu Flo! (look that one up). time is 22:30. Will shower soon.

.Memory media problems resolving.

OK I'm at the press center at my desk (Seat 28) I got everything packed up and I've calmed down. Its.2:45 am and the countdown just went below 1 hour, but the mood is that weather is going to scrub it. It's only 30% Go. (which isn't good)

Here are some photos

That's my hand.

This is my campsite.

The Arenas family. The little one moved a little.

And now for the best one. I just took this at my nest where I hope to get the long exposure shot

T minus 34:34 right now. I'm moving outside. Wish me luck

...

Getting here

2010-02-06T02:20:00.001-06:00

Well, It's near midnight, I'm a little bit inebriated and destined to be awful sleepy. I couldn't have imagined a better road trip than this one. Highway 129 is spectacular. It may very well be the best road I've ever driven. Even excluding the incredibly windy Tail of the Dragon, it is awesome. I've driven many windy roads before, all over the world, that was nothing new. What was new, was later on (from my previous post), there are several miles of very windy, fun roads where there are two lanes in the same direction in an area where there would be zero chance to pass safely without relying on luck. Three lanes total. Two going one way, and one going the other. It was incredible. At one point I was stuck behind this alcohol distribution delivery truck. A big one. This guy probably has driven this road every day for years, and it showed. He was hauling ass. Me, I had the equipment advantage. I could tell that when I got behind him, that he was showing off how well he threw that giant truck around those curves. It was impressive. But when, all of a sudden, there was another lane, that I mentioned, I took my vastly superior vehicle and blasted past him. I really pushed it, and within two or three curves, I was long gone, and out of his sight. I was screaming along. Later, when there were no longer those great three lanes, and I was, again, stuck behind someone else, Mr. beverage distributor meandered up behind me. I showed him that I respected his amazing driving skills with a thumbs up, stuck out my window. I was happy when his thumb, stuck out of his window, saluted me back. Now I knew it wasn't in my head.

At one point along hwy 129 there's a high school. I can only imagine the quality of bad ass drivers that, at some point, called that school theirs. From the look of things, there's no way for the students to get there, other than, I guess, the bus, or to drive their own cars. I didn't see any other roads, just 129. There was a full parking lot.

I guess I timed it perfect, as soon as I ran out of 129, and got onto I-985, heading into Atlanta, the rain started. A big thank you to the weather geeks at NOAA. I planned my trip using their graphical forecasts. They were dead on. When I last looked at them, it was showing rain moving in from the west. It showed it hitting the GSMNP in the afternoon, and that's what happened. Once I got back on the interstate, it was back to the old grind of knocking out miles. I stopped to eat at a bad knock off of the Waffle house, which are a institution down here. This place was called a Huddle House. and I had the worlds worst cheese sticks, and a club sandwitch that cut the crap out of the roof of my mouth.

I drove around Atlanta and then, instead of taking the slightly shorter route down I-75, I got on I-16 and headed toward Savannah. I've always thought of that City as the 'classy' south. You know, with really looooooong vowels, lots of sweet tea, and southern belles everywhere. Plus I figured I'd take a quick jaunt across the border, and be able to say I've "been there".

This trip, for me, is allowing me to fill in a few of slots in my "places I've been" map, and trust me, there are not many empty spots. I am pretty well traveled. The 'South', of the USA, is one area I just havn't gotten to, as an adult. When I was a kid, we did take the stereotypical family vacation to Disney. Of course we did it in the big ol' station wagon with me miserable due to motion sickness. I'm a believer that if you, for any reason, are inside some sort of geographical boundary, even if it is just for a quick bit, 'been there', is 'been there', no matter how long you stick around. At least, in my view that's the case. Now, in my list (yes I actually have a list that I made on request once), I differentiate between, the different types of "been there's". There's the most basic 'been there" which usually means you drove through (flying over does not count, you must be in physical contact with the earth's surface, but being on a waterway does count (but only on your list of waterways that you've been on ). The next step up is "stopped for gas" or "had layover". After that it pretty much is based on how long you were there; What your were there for; Whether you were paying to be there, or were being paid to be there; If you had a place to live, in which you were no ones guest (i.e. an apartment of your own); etc...So, if taking a slightly longer route to get to my destination, to be able to say, forever, that I've been to South Caralina (if even for just a few minutes) is the price I have to pay, then it's worth paying.

So after passing though Savannah and getting onto tried and true I-95, southbound, my plan was to get a hotel in Jacksonville, and have a good nights rest in a bed, because I would be sleeping in my tent for the next several days. While driving toward Jacksonville I was still feeling pretty fresh so I figured instead of flopping at some trucker dive along the Interstate, I would go ahead and go out to the coast, then follow A1A south until I found a motel that fit my bill. That's exactly what I did. I went out Atlantic Ave, toward the coast. It was nice to be on a long wide avenue that seems to go on forever. Living in Madison, I sometimes forget what small city it is. There were quite a few tuner/performance/custom cars out to be seen along a part of that stretch. I think my 'one' represented pretty well, except for the 1200 miles of road filth. I have to give these Florida drivers credit (which not many people do), there were almost none of the asshole driving attitudes and dumb/dangerous moves that kept me driving pickups and motorcycles until I finally left that state. The drivers here had class. We'll see if that continues to be the case if I go down to Miami to 'experience' the Superbowl vibe, after the launch (kow) on Sunday.

After driving down A1A for a while I finally found the perfect motel, The motel Anastasia, in St.Augustine. I had checked in, squeezed my car into a snug parking spot, unloaded all my stealable stuff into the room, and was making a final trip to the car for something, when I heard a few young guys, who were apparently staying at The Anastasia also, talking about going to the bar across the street. The seed was set. Even though I had all my electronics ready to go through the ritual of charging, and transferring files, I decided I would get the charging underway on what I could, and go get me a nice Jack and water across the street.

Walking across the street I see there's a Harley parked in front of the place which can be either a good sign or a bad sign. Then I notice the name of the place is The British Pub. Again a bar in the good old USA calling itself a "pub" can also be either a good sign, or a bad one. Then I walk in and the place is almost deserted with the exception of the three young guys from my motel, a cute blond, with tattoos, wearing camouflage shorts, and maybe one or two others. I go up to the rail and in a clear and well enunciated voice, I order my drink, a Jack (Daniels) and water (sin gas), to which the barkeep, in a familiar English accent, say "Beer and wine only" I'm sure the man saw my face deflate as the anticipation of a refreshing beverage, of my choosing, evaporated in a moment. After I regained my composure, I asked for whatever he recommends from what they have on tap. I did this mostly because I am not normally a beer drinker (trust me that can be tough living in Wisconsin), but also, maybe a little bit, to see if the guy behind the bar would (this being "The British Pub") draw me the thickest, chewiest, most lumpy, bitter, and prone to induce the growing of hair where I do not want it,    beer I'd ever had. Or would he size me up, and make an honest recommendation based on what he felt I might enjoy. The beer he drew for me was good, in fact, I ended up having several. He got my respect for that, even if his bar doesn't have a good American, Tennessee whiskey hidden back there somewhere (hmmmm I think I may plan a stop on my trip home to a certain distillery).

I started taking a good look around the ~~bar~~ pub, and noticed a bunch of stuff with St. George's cross on it. Now, never having been to England (Well, I've 'been there', but it was just a layover) someone might wonder why I have, pined on my club vest, just below a blood stained depiction of the city of Madison's flag, a tiny representation of that red cross on a white background, which is the St. Georges cross. I couldn't help myself but to go back across the street and don my rags to show the bartender that pin and tell him how I came to be in possession of it, and how somewere in the English midlands, there were a handful of bikers wearing a patch depicting the flag of the City of Madison, Wisconsin.   To this, he replied that he too, was from the midlands and as if it were proof of the fact, he lifted the sleeve on his right arm and showed me an aged tattoo which meant squat to me. He explained that it had something to do with a football club (soccer), apparently from the English midlands. Now, I have about as much interest in most sports, as I have an in beer, that is to say it's minimal. That said, you can guess that my interest in the happenings of English football is as near to naught as possible. With the exception of a pretty good movie I watched recently, about an American becoming involved in hooliganism, I am utterly clueless about the world of football (soccer). Anyway, I figure this is probably my one chance to get in on some hooliganism of my own.

So, I ask Dave (that's the bartender/owner's name) if I could take a photo of it. He says sure. So, I took one, and on the spot, send it, via Facebook, to my mate in jolly old.., asking him if he recognizes it. Well later (the next day) (I'm actually finishing this post tonight (5 Feb 2010), which I started last night, when this happened, on 4 Feb.) I get a FB reply telling me that the photo shows the emblem of the Leicester city football club.who's wikipedia entry is quite a bit longer than many small countries. I love that the English love their traditions, I love tradition too. Also in that FB reply, I've was asked "Who has that tattoo then.", to that, I say to my brother (who should be reading these words, if he followed the link I sent). It's Dave, owner of The British Pub, St. Augustine Florida, United States of America, (across from the Anastasia motel. If on one of your trips across the pond, you decide to go to Daytona's bike week, I suggest that you ride the couple miles up the beach, and buy the man a pint! Unless, of course, The Foxes (I learned that on Wikipedia) are the enemy. In that case, you don't have to buy him that pint, but give him a break otherwise, he was good to me. He runs a great pub. It's a pitty I only had one night to hang out there. He even gave me a nice interview about watching space shuttle launches from there, a hundred miles away from Cape Canaveral.

Whew! that's quite a little story, huh? I still have more to write about that Thursday, but it's now about 2 am and I have to be at the NASA press center at 6:30 to catch the bus to the launch pad for the rollback of the RSS. My campground, is not too far away, plus since I'm going to be at the press center from midnight tomorrow, until a hour or two after the launch (kow), I suppose switchin over to night shift mode isn't a bad idea. I can nap in my tent tomorrow after the rollback. More likely I'll try an get caught up to the present on this blog.

Shoot, I still have a more stuff to write about yesterday (Thursday) still.

There's Maggie, the cute, young, tattooed girl with fibromyalgia, the new job, and a pill swiping mom. She was also the subject of an interview about watching shuttle launches. When I told her she's going to end up in my blog, she wanted the URL for it, so I hope she reads this. (Hi Maggie)   She said she was a writer, and as I am feeling the need for either some validation, or the hard truth about my lack of talent. Not that it would make me stop, I like writing down my experiences too much to stop just because I may not be good at it. I don't stop singing in the car, and I KNOW I'm no good at that, but I still do it. So, I wrote down www.richyaeger.com for her (she asked). In fact, I'm finding that as this blog progresses, I find myself talking about it more, and people ask for the address. Heck I can think of three people, just today (Friday), who asked for it. I imagine if I break out the manual typewriter in the press center tomorrow, I may give it out a few more times.

Later on, after Maggie left, the place really started jumping. It filled up with some cool people, and some talented singers, singing karaoke. One of these good singers was a woman (I never got her name) who I also interviewed about watching shuttle launches. I didn't know she was a great singer when I interviewed her though. she sang a mix of Janice Joplin songs, but not my favorite (to sing in the car), Bobby McGee. Also, a friend of Ms. no name really caught my attention with her rendition of a blast from the past "99 Red Balloons", Not only did she sing it perfectly (to my untrained ears) but she 'performed' it. She had kind of a Pat Benitar look to her, with the red top and black skirt, she was wearing (and very confident in them) some high, high heels, on top of that she was totaly rocking the tamborine. Now, it may have been the four or five pints I'd had, that I feel bad that I had to tear myself away and get a little sleep. (king of like now). I did stop by before leaving to tell them both how well I thought they sounded.

OK, off to my tent now (no this post is not written on my iPhone, I broke down today and bought an "air card", but that's a whole 'nother story.

DAYTONA

2010-02-05T08:48:00.001-06:00

Just a quick one here. While driving through Daytona, after driving on
the beach fo sunrise, I noticed the on the gps that I was going right
by the speedway. I figured I'd get a photo in front of th sign. Being
the lucky sob that I am, people just kept waving me through until I
was going through the tiunnel to the infield. Even then the guys at
the gate waved me right through. Now get this, the place is packed.
Not with redneck race fans, but with all the race teams. They're doing
inspections. I have crazy access! Right now, I'm sitting at the
Budweiser bistro, eating a delicious California turkey wrap. Im the
only one here. (ill add photos later) I've already attended a meeting
of local track operators,and scored a cool jacket. I told you I like
free stuff. I talked my way into the media center, hoping to score
more freebies, by they had squat. I never once lied. I wish I knew
more about NASCAR, cuz then I'd know how cool this is. I 'know' thi is
cool, but there's probably a gazillion super fans yjat woul make
better use of the access i scored. I think I'm gonna miss the media
briefing at NASA today. Well time to get the second half of this wrap,
wrapped up, and get out of here. I still have to finish my post that
I started last night, but didn't finish. Later...

Sent from my iPhone dang-it!

Robbinsville, NC

2010-02-04T08:36:00.000-06:00

I'm in a McDonalds in the closest thing US129, inside the GSMNP, has
to a metropolis, Robbinsville. Man, am i geeing some stares. Thats
ok, i can give em right back. If i had a whe day, i could make
friends for life with most of 'em. The accents are thiiiiick here. The
town is just to the south of the TOTD, which was an incredible drive.

I had absolutely perfect conditions. It was above freezing, and on
the Dragon itself I didn't see one other car! Not even going the other
way! Awesome. The one and only time I went to Sturgis, for the ralley,
I was nothing bit frustrated with the jam packed roads. Heck the radar
detector never even beeped, clicked, buzzed or nothing.

The only crummy thing to happen was that the battery in my zumo gps
died, so I won't have the 'track' from it. The only way I have to
charge it, is by plugging it into my laptop. Unfortunately the laptop
doesn't work unless plugged into the wall. I didnt do tha because i
didnt stay with my navy pal, or even in a hotel. I napped for a couple
hours in the, tiny, back of my car. I have another hardwire cable
coming ( ironically I just got the email that it has shipped) I knew I
wouldn't have it before I left. In anticipation, I tried to conseve
power by shutting it off, but not enough. Oh well, no one seems as
interested in my saved tracks, as I am anyway. I'm going to ask around
here and see I u can find a shop that may have a mini USB charge cable.

Ok, got to go, lots of fun roads ahead.

Sent from my iPhone dang-it!

On the road

2010-02-04T00:40:00.001-06:00

OK I understand that doing this is both stupid and dangerous, so this
will be short. I'm on I-75S Between Lexington KY and Knoxville TN.
the drive has been great so far. Listened to a entire Droids Attack
album. Was rolling well over 130 ar one point during "The Lord".
After that it was pure shuffle ( Metalica's whiskey in a jar is on
now). I feel great! May drive to GSMNP and nap til dawn. Then drive
lik mad. The sky's been clear all night, I watched Orion walk across
the sky.

Sent from my iPhone dang-it!

Departure day

2010-02-03T09:25:00.003-06:00

I have almost everything done (kow) and ready to go. I got a lot of stuff done yesterday. My car is packed, AND it has fresh synthetic oil in it's belly. I picked up my DCI from the post office, although I know the original plan was to install it before leaving, The combination of wanting to get a good nights sleep, and thinking about how interesting and memorable it would be to install it somewhere in the midst of my road trip, if an opportunity should arise.

In a previous post, I mentioned that in order to try and get a cool time lapse photo of the launch, and that I had contacted the author of a great on line guide, Stan Jirman, about doing just that. Stan has been incredibly helpful. Check out Stan Jirman's travelogue of his trip to watch STS-93, back in 1999, and see his great time lapse photo of the launch. THAT, is what I want. I won't get as nice of an arc though, because I'll be at the press site which views the launch from a different angle. At first my hopes of getting a cool image, Like Stan's, of the launch were almost dashed when I found I didn't have some of the proper equipment. Apparently I needed a Neutral Density filter (whatever that is), and a remote bulb release. Of course, I didn't have either, and this was just yesterday, I was leaving in a day. Luckily after a phone call to Madison's downtown (on the square) "The Camera Company" , and pleasant conversation with the knowledgeable guy there, Jim, It turned out that things were going my way. He had everything that I needed.

So after work, and before returning the BMW 328 convertible that my dealership had given me as a loaner while they serviced my baby (that I dropped off on my lunch break), I went and picked up the needed camera accessories at The Camera Co. So, I should be good to go. Jim, even was nice enough to go over the camera settings with me, as I don't really know what I'm doing.

I have to say, that although I like the rag top on my one series, watching the retractable hard top operate is like watching kinetic art. It is an amazing bit of engineering. It's really pleasant to watch that top go up and down. Of course, the power, compared to mine, was minuscule. Knowing that the 3 series loaner was no shabby car, yet it still felt (relatively) like a dog, put a big smile on my face.

After informing my shuttle photography guru that I'd gotten the filter and cable release, He showered me with more advice and tips. I really think that I have a good chance to get a good image. Wish me luck, and watch for it.

I also emailed myself a packing list. Here it is (don't laugh)

Packing list:

iPhone
iPhone !
iPhone !!
iPhone charger
Passport
STS-130 documents folder
Clothes
Toiletries
Maps
GPS
Radar detector (investigate legality along route)
Protection
Spices
Snacks
Camera #1 kit (Kara's old EOS)
Camera #2 kit (Kara's new EOS)
Camera #3 (My point & shoot digital)
~~Camera #4 (My NY Sony video) if I can get it working~~
Tripods
Weighting method for big tripod
ND filter and remote bulb release.
Proper transfer cables and charging gizmos for all cameras
Laptop, it's power cord, and case.
USB Memory.
Power strip
Typewriter :)
Typing paper
Road music.
Tent and various camping supplies.
Credit cards.
List of emergency contacts
Emergency air compressor thing
Car cleaning gear (selected Zaino, tire brush, towels)
Cash
Winning personality and charm
Hair ties
Picnic gear
Portable radio
Portable scanner
Excedrin
Me
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Hat
Rags
Rags
Alarm clock
Flashlight
Electrical tape
Blue tape
Binoculars
Laundry bag
Garbage bags
Zip lock bags
Little tool kit (install DCI at NASA?)
Books
Zoom audio recorder from WORT
Notepads
Pens, highlighters, Sharpie
Sleeping clothes: warm and cool
Thermos
Star chart
Juggling clubs
Juggling balls
Cord or string
Camp chair

I can't think of ever using a packing list before, but I'll tell you, I see it's value. I (even now) am thinking of things to add to it just from reading over it again. Pretty handy. Of course I give all the credit to my iPhone. My ability to access my G mail and my G calendar from it, have lowered the discomfort of being organized to levels that are finally acceptable to my internal laziness. Hooray for the iPhone, it's made this whole trip doable.

I also downloaded and installed the latest version of Garmin's map source software. I created my routes (downward only, I still don't know how I'll be coming home) and loaded them into my Zumo 450. The one I really wanted to get right, is the one going through the Tail of the Dragon, and a lot of the Great Smokey mountain national park. I'm starting to get a little concerned about driving though there with summer tires on the car. I've been trying to get a human on the telephone to ask them about the specific route I have planned, and if I can expect ANY snow or ice on Thursday, the day I plan to drive through. I suppose I should look at a route that doesn't go that way. I'm hoping for the best, but I don't want to get stupid and drive where I shouldn't, without the proper tires.

I still have a few things on the "to do before leaving" list (this ones in my head, for the next few seconds until I write it down here). They are:

Pick up the emergency air compressor thingy , and the tire pressure gage, that I left behind at Terry's, when I picked up the car the other day.
Pick up a package from RAM mount, that should have the stuff to suction cup my GPS to my windshield, and also a suction cup iPhone holder, at FedEx. Hold on, let me check the status...... .....OK it's being held for pickup, just like I asked. Alright.
Get all the suction cups working.
Do something that I can't think of now, but I'm sure I'll remember about 500 miles outside of Madison.

OK, I guess that's it until I hole up somewhere in the south. Maybe I'll make a quick post from the road, but otherwise, I hope to make it to Louisville, KY, or maybe even Knoxville, TN sometime pretty late tonight. But if I get too tired, anywhere is fine, it is a LONG drive.

Groundhog day!

2010-02-02T09:44:00.006-06:00

Holy bejesus. What a day to have just, yesterday, put my new high performance 'summer only' tires, and shiny, brand new, wheels on my car. I hope they'll do OK on the interstates, which should be clear of snow by tomorrow (I hope). I'll tell you though, I have gobs of newfound respect for my Blizzaks, which are on the shelf now at Terry's. New respect; because these Yokohamas' have zero traction in ANY accumulated snow. ZIP! I would have been the focus of many evil thoughts and gestures, had I been on the roads just a handful of minutes later, when all the UW people pour into the campus area. Luckily there was almost no traffic when I was playing the fool. I had my hazzard lights on, and even the smallest inclines bogged down the traction control, I had to turn it completely off, which left me inching along. I know these tires are not supposed to function in snow, but holy cow, what a drastic difference. I'll never take tires for granted again. Ever!

here's a photo I took with my iPhone, and uploaded to my Facebook page this morning. (no I will not be your FB Friend, I only friend (v) people that I know "in the Real world"). I then saved the file to this machine to try and post my first photo on this blog. Here goes:

That wasn't so hard, just a new photobucket account, and a new album there, just for this blog. In case you missed the travels of this photo here it is in brief: iPhone-->Facebook-->laptop-->new Photobucket album--> being linked to my blog.

Isn't the internet cool! I remember connecting via SLIP/PPP from my first (owned by me) PC. It was a Comptrade 486/66 DX2 machine with a CD-rom drive, a built in 14.4 modem, and maybe 4 megabytes of ram. You do not want to know what this, then broke, sailor paid for it. There's no link to that company because, apparently, they're now defunct. I think I may still have the advertisement, somewhere, that I ripped out of a Computer Shopper magazine. (the old school one, when it was Giant) I first got on the internet with it, from a hotel room that me, and my shipmates, were staying in while the berthing areas of my ship were being renovated, or something.

Usually for something like that the Navy would put us on a "berthing barge" (it's as appealing as it sounds), but for some reason we scored big time, and lived in that hotel for several weeks, maybe even a month. Imagine, living on a padded shelf, in the bowels of a war ship on a Monday, and then on Tuesday you were in a real bed that someone else was paid to make for you, and playing roller hockey in the parking lot. Man, that was luxury. Luxury and good times. I remeber, even before getting on the "internet" there, I would log onto Wildcat BBSs. I bet people still use them too. Why does this feel like a "war" story. Moving on...

This morning I ate at Mickeys Dairy Bar, a infamous restaurant just across the street from Camp Randall, where I used to eat breakfast almost every day. (I had to stop that nonsense when I nearly surpassed 300 pounds last summer). The place is the best, filled with great people. The cook, owner, and head bottle washer is a Thai immigrant named Peo (sp?). He calls me "The Rich Kid" which was a name given to me by another morning regular there. John. John is a Professor Emeritus of mechanical engineering, and a very interesting old guy. John and I do the Super Quiz (along with anyone else within earshot) whenever I happen to show up (John supplies the quarters to buy the paper, but I have to go get it).

I try very hard to limit my visits to once or so a month now. It's hard to describe the warm feeling I get when walking into that place. (sometimes after riding my bicycle through freakin' cold and miserable conditions to get there). It feels like home. I know that may sound weird, but it's coming from a guy who used to live out of hotel rooms for months on end. Also, always there, is Sadie the waitress. She, until recently was an avid western dancer (the kind with the poofy dresses). She may be the best waitress EVER! The snow plow crews and Camp Randall workers are also around, along with various construction workers, etc... On the weekends the college crowd owns the place, but on early weekday mornings, it's Madison's finest. On Fridays, there's another engineer ( of the civil flavor), along with a real life, IronMan completing, mountain hiking Judge (of what I'm not sure, I try to avoid talking about politics, so I never asked), who show up. I can't count the amount of times I've almost been late to work on Fridays because of the great conversations that erupt across the breakfast counter. It feels like a time machine, in both decor and attitude at that place. It's one of my favorite things about Madison.

Beware though, Mickey's doesn't have their own website (which is why all my links to it go to different and fun review, or articles about the place), and they don't take money that isn't either green or metal (titanium does not count). That means, no credit cards. Fortunately, now, the (almost) new hotel, in limbo next door, has put in a ATM right there next door (some Wisconsinites still call them Tyme machines, which always gets a smile from me). With that thing in place, washing dishes for Peo, may not be as common as it used to be (just kidding).

Now, as far as that hotel is concerned: It's currently on hold, due to funding issues. This place is going to be a $$$ money machine when someone gets it finished. I suggest to anyone with that kind of scratch, to buy it and give me a finders fee for this tip, and the occasional room, gratis.)

One fun thing of note that happened at Mickey's this morning (beyond the fact that my slick tires actually propelled my car over the hill and through the light when turning left onto Monroe, from Regent to get there) was that I was able to explain the concept of the Uncanny Valley (as best, and flawed as I was capable) to John. This topic came up after I suggested he see Avatar. I even drew a graph (not perfectly, I now know, though) on the newspaper with todays Super Quiz. I kept it.

At lunch today, as I said, I'm going to pick up my Burger Motorsports, DCI, and then drop the car off at Zimbrick BMW, my dealership here in Madison. I'm so pleased that things are coming together (kow).

Photographic complications

2010-02-02T00:02:00.003-06:00

Well, I got some more preparations complete for my trip. My car now has cool new wheels, and tires on it. I felt compelled to explain why I was putting them on to the guys at the shop, considering snow is forecast for tonight. That's alright, I like explaining it. Almost everyone I mention my trip to, I end up giving my web address to.them to hopefully follow along. Hi guys. I hope you all enjoy reading about this stuff as much as I'm enjoying writing about it, much less doing it. Especially the crew at Terry's Car Care, they're the best

(The break between the last paragraph, and the next one, was a few hours. I got an email from my big sis saying I could borrow her camera. The catch was, I had to drive over and get it right then (my catch, not hers), So I did. Of course, she, now being a reader of my blog, gave me the 20 questions about my date last Sunday (info is from my other blog). I stuck around and chatted for a while. Then, since I was out anyway, I stopped by The Frequency for a beverage).

I dropped my car off at the shop early this morning, and then later, I had my new wheels and summer tires on it when I picked it up after work. I rode in, on my bike, all out of breath and while I paid and warmed up, I ended up chatting with the gang there, about this trip, for a while. They are some very nice folks there, I trust them with my ride. Of course, it's inevitable that as soon as I went for a drive (to get the camera) It started snowing, so I drove real careful, that rubber is hard.

I also had a notice that the USPS had tried to deliver a package. I'm confident it;s the Dual cone filter, from Burger Motorsports. I'll try and grab it during lunch tomorrow. I'm not completely sure if I'll be able to make time to install it (and my new chip) before I leave. I'll bring a minimal tool kit along, and maybe do it down south if I don't install it here. I am a little concerned that I won't get a few other goodies I ordered for this trip. Nothing dire, but I still hop they show up. My GPS already has a RAM mount designed for motorcycle handlebars. I ordered the necessary parts to suction cup it to my windshield. I also ordered a suction cup mount for my beloved iPhone, mainly to free up the cup holder.

Lunch is gonna be busy tomorrow. In addition to going to the post office, I also am dropping my baby home at the dealership for her first service. I told a great service manager there my situation, and he made room for me. That my friends, is service. Thank goodness, because tomorrow is really the only day left to do it. Thanks Mike.

I also tried doing some research on the taking of good quality photos of a night launch. I'm lucky enough to have a hand-me-down Digital SLR camera. A Cannon EOS. It's my sister's older digital SLR, she got a newer one. I found a great resource online to tell me all about it. It's a little heavy on the photo geek speak, but I hope some of the info will sink in if I read it over and over. Sometimes that works. His photos and detailed travelogues are great. I was even able to make contact with him, and upping my confidence level, about getting some good photos. He does, however, recommend, for a first and only launch, not taking photos, and just enjoying the experience. I don't think I'll be able to do that. I want a photo (even a bad on) to memorialize the moment, but I'll keep an open mind. Thanks Stan.

I also heard back from the creator of another amazing FAQ. It is Ozzie's Space Launch Viewing FAQ Page
at http://spacelaunchinfo.com/ . That page is my main resource, so I sent him an email explaining my road trip. His response was great. It makes me realize what a special thing I'm about to experience and that maybe I'm even more lucky than I though, which is amazing by itself. Plus, he has the coolest telephone # ever. Thanks Ozzie.

My basic goals for tomorrow are to get packed, and load the car. And actually plan a route down there. It's not looking good for me to create a route in MapSource, the mapping software for my GPS. Maybe I'll be able to do just the part in the Smokey mountains, if any. Heck, the rest of it is all interstate. I could probably write the directions there on a matchbook cover. I'm still hoping to stay with an old Navy buddy my first day out, but that's in serious question because of scheduling conflicts, and the fact that I forgot to email him to tell him that I'm leaving on Wednesday, instead of Thursday. So there may be hope for a warm bed (or couch) in Louisville.

Anyone with a bed to share, now's the time to fess up. By 'share", of course I mean let me use it by myself to sleep on. Not any other way, you pervs.

Promotion

2010-01-31T19:32:00.005-06:00

I just re-read my last post. (Hell, If no one else is going to comment on what I write, I might as well.). (thanks Dragon) I've decided to to try and promote my blog a little. After all, my original blog, Rich's Rants, has been around since 2001, with postings evenly distributed *over that whole time (but not a lot).. That's got to make me one of blogging's original bandwagoneers. I don't claim to be an innovator, not yet at least. But I've got some history, and a decade in Internet years is like 50 dog years. I figure might have all sorts of blespect coming my way. Or maybe not. I guess that's fine too ,it's just not as appealing an option.

Anyway, the purpose of this blog, other than someplace for me to write what I'm thinking, is to generate some scratch. You know, moolah! I hope somebody besides me, finds my life interesting.. So, please don't forget to check out the cool and awesome products being advertised here. The eggheads at Google 'know' what you are into. I say give your Franklins to advertisers seen here, instead of your head shrink. Why? Because those eggheads (and their cousins over at TIVO) know what you 'really' want. Probably better than you do yourself, and definitely better than that night school, head shrinker your health insurance company is willing to pay for. So, please try to un-train your eyes from ignoring the ads on this here blog,. I've got them set for text only now, so they shouldn't be to imposing. I don't know how to teach you to do that, I can barely do it myself, so I can't really expect you to, can I, but try, OK? You have my permission to never read this again if this blog ever has gaudy or irritating ads on it. I'm not saying to buy crappy products or anything you don't need. Ever! But try and give the google gods their due repsect. (is it scary that my spell check calls out google, for not being capitalized, and TIVO isn't even in the dictionary? Hmmmm....), and keep an open mind. Hopefully, if my audience is as cool as I think they should be, the advertisements on here should all be for good stuff, that you probably want to check out. (I guess I'll have to intentionally misspell the names of things I don't like). The only ad I've noticed myself, so far, was an add for winter tires. Probably because I talked about the Blizzaks on my car, which happens to be a BMW One series. See what I mean. Make comments, I'm sure they get higher weighting (If not, Call me Google, I can join your think tank. Can your algorithms identify, by context, if the comment is pro product, or con product). See that. I just linked to Google themself (kind of like speaking the name of the....). Maybe They'll spend some of their ad money here. Why not, I'll spend Google's money as well as I do anyone else's. (there's another idea google. Beat apple in coming out with your own currency. This post is timestamped so I want roalties on each Gdollar transferred, in payment for the idea.) And remember, I love free stuff... Oh ya, don't forget to link to my site, I guess that helps a lot too, plus more people get to read.

By the way I had to agree not ask or encourage you to click on any of the ads here for the purpose of making me money. I don't want it like that, and I don't want anyone doing that. (but thanks). Clicking on anything is up to you, but I'm not going to pretend to ignore it either. I'm not going to put in links myself to anything I'm not FOR, for now. Apparently this is how people make money today, shy not me. I've got stories.

If I'm breaking any Grules I hope (ahem) that the powers that be will contact me, to inform me of my err.

P.S. I have never completed a college course, so don't rag on my bad grammar. Helpful suggestions or benevolent advice is fine. Even constructive criticism. No mean spirited stuff though. OK?

Networking

2010-01-31T08:26:00.000-06:00

No, this post is not about Ethernet cabling and the merits of using the T568A or B standards for RJ-45 connectors. Thank God! It's about connecting with people, hopefully with mutually beneficial results.

One thing that I've kind of discovered for myself, is that people are willing to help someone as long as they can be confident the person they are helping is worthy of it. That they will not be somehow encumbered. And that there may be some benefit to themselves. I think that's why the bums with the good stories, do pretty well (for bums). People see that they have some talent and are using what they got. It makes sense. Nobody likes a leech. People have built up defenses to keep from getting bilked., scammed, or screwed. The easiest way to keep people from taking advantage, is to charge them. This works, and many people make their living off of it (it's called the service industry). Unfortunately it excludes the folk, like me, who prefer not to pay (money) for stuff. We say things like: "The best things in life are free." in order to justify our cheapness. I get a kick out of getting value for free. Or if not really "free" then at least for no monetary investment. It's so true that "money is not everything", at least, after a point. You should see me at trade shows, or conventions, county fairs, or anywhere there are people who want to give out free stuff. I love going to Madison's annual Dairy Expo. You would not believe the amount of freebies those sperm wranglers give out, not to mention all the free cheese!!

What does this have to do with my going to see the shuttle launch? Well, not much I guess. I just sent an email to Ozzie (Robert Osband). This guy has created a great FAQ. The Space Launch Viewing FAQ
(and more I'm sure) about viewing a shuttle launch. It's been such a good resource to me, that I plan on copying the text of it into a note in my iPhone, so I'll have all that rich and chocolaty information on hand, even if I loose all connectivity.

Every time, over the last several years, when the idea of going down to experience a launch would pop back into my head, the way things in my head do, his FAQ would always be on the top of the Google results. I was reading through his FAQ again this morning and realized that a great deal of the information in my head, is there because he felt fit to write it down and share it with anyone who looks. Thanks Ozzie! Anyway, I figured, who better to give me some advice on how to manage my trip down his way, than the guy who write the FAQ. I'm nervous about the fact that I haven't made (and do not plan to) any hotel reservations for this trip. I think that it will help me to keep it spontaneous. I really love the idea that for over a entire week, the only place that I HAVE to be, is the press area, near the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center at 4:39 A.M. on Superbowl Sunday 2010. Other than that, my plans are wide open. (except meeting up with my Navy buddy in Louisville, possibly visiting a club brother in Florida somewhere, seeing the D-Day museum in New Orleans (not the one I've already been to, and have a t-shirt from, in Virginia), driving the Tail of the Dragon, and maybe making it back by Thursday so I can see some burlesque friends perform.) So remember, not everybody that is looking to get something for nothing, really has nothing to offer, it's just not always the green.

P.S. not that anyone reads this, but if you do, and have a bed, near the Kennedy Space Center, that is unoccupied, and wouldn't mind a biker looking, space geek, journalist in a hot BMW on a long road trip, to occupy it for a night or two, let me know.

Vehicle prep

2010-01-30T08:53:00.002-06:00

I leave next week. I'm very excited. I like telling people about it and seeing them get excited too. Especially eople who could care less about the manned space program. At my motorcycle club (MC) meeting last night, I told the club what I was doing. Other than a bunch of 'gay' jokes because of a poorly worded description of something, this group of rough and tumble bikers were a little bit captivated, and curious too. Mostly I think they were happy for a brother to be doing something he really wants to do. Of course, the ribbing was good of the good natured sort, not mean spirited. These men are my brothers, my family. I do love finding other people who can admit to being a bit of a space geek, like me. I found a few in my club, cool!

I'm under prepared for this trip, I know that. It's an aspect of this trip that I'm enjoying (and dreading). The spontaneity of it is what makes it fun. I like the fact that I leave in just a few days, and I still don't even know for sure what states I'll be driving through. I like keeping the plot simple: Me and my car are in Madison. The space shuttle is going (kow) to launch very early in the morning on Superbowl Sunday. All I need to do, is to negate that difference. The shuttle is not coming to Madison, so the only option is for me to go there. Other than that, I just have rough ideas, that's what's making it fun. We'll see how it goes, I guess.

I'm finding that going on a 3000 mile road trip in the middle of winter, having never done it before, requires some vehicle prep. The newest member of my vehicle stable (in addition to my Giant bicycle, and My highly modified Harley Davidson 2005 FLSTSCI motorcycle) is a 2008 BMW 135i. I'm almost ashamed of how much I love that car. I never thought I would find a car that gives me the same feeling I get from riding a motorcycle. This one is as close as possible, and it's very close. I'm not so fond of the class stigma those kidney grills put onto me, from both directions. I kind of wish it wasn't as recognizable as a; fancy, la-tee-da, yuppie, rich people kind of car. That's not why I got it, but if that comes with it, oh well. Oh ya, it's a convertible too! It just seems like the next natural step, after my last German car. My last car was a Volkswagen Jetta (turbo 1.8). I really liked that car. It was the car I bought after spending significant time working overseas, where all I drove were small cars. Back then, I found myself back in Bakersfield California, (where I lived for 7 years) driving around in my giant Dodge Ram that I had leased . Back when I leased it (huge mistake), I actually needed a truck for transporting the occasional jet engine tooling, or parts, but when my job role switched from field service to installation and start-up, I had no need for it. I stuck out the lease and then, upon advice from a very smart guy, downsized to the Jetta. The little car with the zip, thanks to it's turbo, was great, I miss it. Even my sister in law liked driving it. She got to drive it because my brother let me store the car with them, in Chicago, after I sold my house in California, but hadn't gotten a new home yet, because I was working in Europe, and living out of hotels there. It was useful and sporty. Fun to drive, and dependable. With the exception of the clutch once getting damaged, because I drove through a giant puddle and immediately parked it, it never gave me a single problem. I've got nothing against big vehicles because of their environmental impact. I don't know why some people think that. In fact I feel a little bit of pity for those nuts who demonize SUVs and big trucks. They're obviously people in search of an 'enemy', not my kind of people, that's for sure. Anyway, I needed to get my BMW prepped for the road trip. This being a modern car, oil changes are not done on a standard schedule, the on board computer monitors the stuff and tells you when to bring the car in for service. According to my car, it's not yet ready for an oil change (it'll be it's first one). This, possibly the most important, issue has been neglected by me so far. I sent one message to my local dealership asking about getting the oil change done a little early (on their dime, as the car came with no cost maintenance for 4 years), but it went mostly unanswered. For some reason I'm hesitant to ask them. They are great, but I still have that strange feeling of not belonging to the elite BMW family around that place, and I think that's a good thing. What was it W.C. Fields said....? Oh well, I guess I'll just have to settle for people thinking of me as the biker with the hot BMW. I get it from both sides. Not that it's true, but sometimes I get the feeling that my biker, and even work, friends think I'm 'putting on airs' because of the car, and that the folks at BMW think I don't quite fit into their demographics. It's true, I don't fit into boxes very well. I'm me, and I'm unique! I don't much care though, because I love that car! I do care what other people think, people that say they don't are liars or sociopaths. But I only care to a point. Now that I wrote this I think I'll go to the dealership this weekend (If I can make time), and see what I can get done. After all the car still has the same oil some German in Leipzig, Germany put into it in June of 2008, when it was built there. That was well over ten thousand miles ago. I don't think it's unreasonable to want it changed before a 3000+ mile road trip. Right? But I guess changing it isn't really the issue, money is the other. I could pay to have it changed, many people do, but I don't want to. I want to get them to do the FREE service early. That might take some talking. I'll keep you updated

Anyway, the oil change is the last of my vehicle prep. Another hurdle I had to overcome was the wheels and tires. The original tires are long gone. I chewed them up in WAY too few miles. I couldn't help it. I did a couple autocrosses and generally drove the car hard. I was not gentle with the factory runflats. I knew that those tires would not be going back onto the car next spring. In fact, back around Thanksgiving '09, the day before I dropped the car off at Terry's car care to have my new winter tires (Blizzak LM-25s from the TireRack.com) installed, I went out into the UW's (the University of Wisconsin, where the power plant I work at is located) lot 60 and demolished the little remaining tread by doing some very childish, yet amazingly fun stuff (burnouts, donuts, drifting, etc...). They put my new winter tires onto the same wheels that came with the car. When I bought the car I knew I would need two sets of tires. A summer set, and a winter set. So, I bought a second set of wheels along with the car. As of yesterday those wheels are now mounted with my new summer tires (Yokohama S drive) and waiting at Terry's for me to have them swapped out, just before I leave. In order to accomplish that I had to move my schedule for buying new summer tires up by a few months. I wasn't going to get them until spring. The only possible hold up was that when I dropped off the boxes with my new wheels, at Terry's, I decided I wanted to take a look at them and opened a box. Uh oh! the wheels in the box were not the ones I ordered. I ordered the type 182s in black. The wheels in the box were type 216s in silver (I found out later thanks to realOEM.com). In the end, after much thought. I decided I liked the ones they gave me, better than the ones I ordered. Fate, I guess. Whew.... ok, nuff said about tires and wheels, other than I hope switching to summer tires for this road trip doesn't end up being a mistake. I'd hate to slide off a road or something just because I wanted to save my precious winter tread.

As far as other prep to the car, it mostly involved getting my electronics up to date. After getting more tickets than I care to think about in the last year, in my new hot rod, I bought a radar detector. It's the escort 9500ix. It's a good one with GPS and lots of bells and whistles. It's easy to configure using a computer. It's update-able via the Internet, and I've got it all up to date now. I also got the cable to hard wire power to it from my car, so I don't have to use the stretchy cord to the cigarette lighter. Unfortunately, I won't have enough time to install that before I go (I think). I also updated the maps on my GPS. It's the Garmin zumo 450. It's made for motorcycles (which I got more than my fair share of grief for having it, as a former head Road Captain for my MC. One guy even started calling me "GPS" until I set him straight.), but other than being a bit clunky (it's made for being outside) it'll work just fine in the car. I have some new RAM mount stuff on order that will let me stick it to my windshield and use it. I'm hoping to make some time to create a route for my drive through the Great Smokey Mountains and the Tail of the Dragon. Like the 9500ix, I also have a power cable coming so I can hard wire it to the car, someday. I also have some performance stuff on it's way for the car. I'm hoping (and planning for Tuesday night) to install it before I leave. That is the Dual cone intake from Burger Motorsports. My car is slightly modified already. I have their JuiceBox3 (pinout version) installed in my little kroutmobile. How could I not get that thing. It gives you gobs more horsepower for just a few hundred bucks (thank God I have a good job (kow)). I had to do it, how else would have I been able to shred those tires. Well, apparently the mod bug is taking hold in me, because now I bought that intake. I also bought a chip burner from them. This tool allows me to keep the JB3 up to date with the most current maps and upgrades. That already arrived, and I've already burned the chip that comes with it with the latest version (1.41beta) of Terry's (as in Terry Burger of Burger motorsports) product. All I'll have to do now, is when I'm under the hood anyway to install the DCI, is to dig my way into the ECU, pop open the JB3, and stick in the new chip. Easy breezy lemon squeezy. I have to say thank you to Terry, at Burger MS, he went out of his way to get send me the DCI. I got an email saying that they were currently out of stock, and that they were waiting on some to show up. I told him about my upcoming road trip, and he made an extra effort to get them sent out to me as soon as they had them. I should have the parts on Monday. Thanks Terry. Next step in my mod journey (but not for quite a while) will be new downpipes that let the turbos breathe a little easier. Yes I said turboS, as in plural. My bimmer has two of em.....damn I love that car. One of the best things about it now, is that I own it outright. I just (yesterday) refinanced my mortgage and added the car into it. It's all mine. I hate debt. Now if I could just get the snobs and elitists at BMWCCA to allow open (convertible) cars to participate in their driver events, I may get a little closer to happiness. Especially since this year's Oktoberfest is at Road America, very near me, this August.

Alright. I guess that pretty much covers (maybe a little too much) my vehicle preparations for this trip. My main concern is if having summer tires is the right choice. I guess we'll all find out together. Just a little quicker for me.

Go fever

2010-01-27T15:14:00.002-06:00

OK, NASA just concluded their press conference. The launch is ON! What launch? you say. Well the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour for mission STS-130 which will bring the Tranquility node (node 3), along with my favorite module, The Cupola, up to the International Space Station. I waited to start this blog until NASA made the launch date official, which is exactly what they did by making that announcement. For quite a while now, I've been anticipating and planning for my trip to 'cover' it's launch for WORT 89.9 FM, the community radio station that I volunteer at . My plans are starting to come together and I will be blogging all about it on this blog. Hopefully they will culminate with the,on-time, launch on Super bowl Sunday at 4:39 a.m. EST. Followed by more posts about my return home. This launch will be the last night time launch of a space shuttle EVER. Hooray for witnessing history!

OK, since this is my first post in this blog, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rich, I'm a power plant worker living in Madison Wisconsin. I'm 39 years old and am a bit of a space geek. That's not all I am though. I'm lots of things, which I'm sure I'll get into eventually. I'm not what you imagine. Not at all. I've been wanting to see a space shuttle launch, in person, for a long long time. In elementary school, I remember my teacher rolling in a television set into our classroom, so that we could watch the first shuttle blast off. How cool that was. Over the last couple of years I've tried a few times to get tickets to view the launch from the causeway (the closest point you can buy a ticket for). Unfortunately they sell out within the same day they are put up for sale and I've haven't managed to get one yet. I don't think that they are exceptionally hard to get, I just never did. Mostly my fault.

A little over a year ago I started volunteering to engineer (operating the studio sound board) for a few hours, a couple days a week, at WORT 89.9FM. I also joined a collective of people who produce a science themed show ( The Perpetual Notion Machine.) for broadcast there. Throwing myself to the wolves I, with zero radio or production experience, volunteered to produce a upcoming show. It was in preparation for that show that I had to deal with NASA. You see, I wanted to wow the people in the collective, in addition to myself, so I decided to try and get myself an interview with an astronaut. I went through their on line interview request system and a few days later I was recording a phone interview with Don Pettit, astronaut. I was pretty giddy. I was actually having a conversation with a guy who lived (for a significant time) in space. A real spaceman! After editing the interview down It turned into, what I felt was, a pretty nice show. The couple people that heard it, told me it was good. Of course I have an mp3 of it for posterity. After doing that, the idea popped into my head that I may be able to go see a shuttle launch, as a member of the media, which I guess I now was. So I went back to NASA's web site again, this time to apply for media accreditation for STS-130. There were some hoops to jump through to make it happen, but in the end I got em. I am now a accredited space journalist, I guess. Thanks to some very nice people at NASA, who I guess don't get many personable emails, I have, waiting for me in the press center, my own chair (with a desk, I think), access to power, but no Internet access. That mess, will be a whole different post, but I'm hoping some bigshot news org may let me glom onto their wi-fi. Keep your fingers crossed, or all my posts are going to be from my iPhone (which is actually pretty capable).

Now, here's the really fun part about my trip. It's not just a trip to Florida...It's a ROAD trip to Florida. I'm taking a entire week of vacation, plus the previous Thursday and Friday, to drive my hot little car all the way from, sub-zero, cold Madison Wisconsin, down to hopefully sunny Florida. I've even got plans to meet up with a past shipmate, and maybe even a current club brother. But that's stuff for other posts. Wish me luck.