NASA WTF?

NASA is famously smart. Admittedly, when they do make a mistake it can be rather spectacular and attract a huge amount of attention ('Need Another Seven Astronauts' ring any bells?). Still, Bruce Willis reckons they have whole rooms full of guys 'just thinking shit up', and I am not about to try and argue with him. So what the HELL is with putting not just one, but two guys in red shirts for the clearly Trek-inspired ISS Expedition 21 mission promotion poster? You cannot tell me that NASA of all places is bereft of Trekkies. Look at the front red-shirt’s face, he certainly knows that he is likely to burst into flames or be sucked into vacuum at any moment (and without getting any hot alien-love first). That face knows fear.

So I have to wonder, did the guys in red lose a bet, or has NASA recently taken out a very large insurance policy on the ISS?

A glimpse of the future...

Seriously. I saw this and simply knew that this exact scene will be part of my future.

Its a bit like inverted like deja vu.

Whats it all about?

Having concluded writing up the big weekend in Brisbane I figure I should give people an idea as to where this project goes from here. I see this blog covering a few main areas:

• The big move to Ottawa and life in Canada over the next two years;
• Wider developments within the family;
• My personal interests in international politics and security issues;
• My personal interest in games, mostly miniatures and PC; and,
• Whatever else may strike my interest.


I admit it’s a bit eclectic. There are probably very few people will be interested in all my posts, but you can’t say I didn’t warn you. In fairness, I should also admit right up front that there are likely to be a number of lengthy dry-patches between updates. For example, once the PC is packed up for the move it will be roughly two months before I get it back. All I can say is that I will try, but don’t be too worried or surprised if it all goes quiet for awhile.

Sunset

Day three started late, thank God. A leisurely breakfast heavy on grease and coffee was enjoyed on George St before applying our combined mad tetrus skills to fit Paul, Nick Bart and myself plus associated luggage into the Getz before fleeing to the airport. It was a close thing. Between the need to refuel the rental and Paul’s desire to see the Kingsford Smith memorial we barely made it to the gate in time. Seriously, they were calling our names over the PA and we were the last people to board.

And that was it. I received a relatively soft return to reality. The house was empty and quiet, until it wasn’t. Big hugs ensued from Jane and the shorties.

A couple of reflections on the weekend…

Brisbane is my road not taken. I didn’t leave because I don’t like Brisbane. I left because it was that time of life where I got an offer for bigger and better things that could simply not be had by staying in Brisbane. As a result, for me Brisbane exists in a moment of splendid isolation, unsullied by the more mundane aspects of my life over the last many years. I have never changed a dirty nappy in Brisbane, argued with my wife in Brisbane or hated my (current and far more real) job in Brisbane. Obviously if I had stayed reality would have tarred Brisbane just as it has Canberra. But I left, so Brisbane remains impossibly shiny in my 20/20 hindsight and so long as I only make brief visits filled with good fun and mates it will stay that way.

I didn’t even come close to seeing everyone I would have liked or catching up with everyone I saw. I probably could have been there for twice as long and still not been satisfied. So trust me folks, if I didn’t get to see you, I am sorry. If I saw you and we didn’t really get a chance to talk, I am sorry. And if we had a chance to talk, I really wish it had been for longer.

There are a lot of people up there that I miss. That isn’t going to change anytime soon. Facebook, blogs online gaming, etc all of these things are nice, but its not even close to a lazy afternoon on Caxton St with beers and laughs flowing freely.

Take care all, I very much hope to see you again in 2012.