Todd at work...

Here is a picture of me at the end of my shift for the recent Soyuz Docking to the International Space Station. The docking took place Friday night (10/15/04). I'm in my group's backroom position.



More words to come later...i'm going to bed for now.

Amazing...

Simply Amazing...Tonight's Astros game was quite possibly the best game I've ever seen, live or otherwise. Both teams were nearly perfect. Both starting pitchers -- Texas boys, I might add -- were amazing. Woody Williams and Brandon Backe both threw a one hitter. Backe lasted through 8 innings with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. Williams lasted 7 innings with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. Both pitchers were superb!!! Lidge finished off the top of the ninth in 1-2-3 fashion.

Astros have taken the series lead 3-2 with the game 6 in St. Louis to come Wednesday. One more win, and the Astros will be attending their first World Series!!! It is still unknown who will be attending the World Series as the Boston Red Sox have made the American League Series a little more interesting winning the last two games to bring the series to 3-2 with the Yankees needing one more to advance.

What an amazing year for the Astros...simply amazing!!!

ASTROS HISTORY!!!!!

Tonight the Astros have done what they haven't been able to do in their 43 year existence--advance past the first round playoffs. Seven times previously, they have been thwarted by their opponent. The Astros beat the Braves in game 5 of the National League Division Series . The Astros are now going to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Champion Series starting on Wednesday. Man, what a trip it's been. I may have expressed some doubt several posts ago, but doubt it no more. The Astros are here to stay. It's been a great year for them. And next year may be just as promising.

Excitement will be in the air tomorrow; the Astros will be the talk of the town. It's one day's rest and then off to face the Cards...who in the last two series have fallen to the Astros.

History has been made...and will continue to be made with each win. It will be a National League Central team and an American League East team in the World Series this year...but who will it be??

National League Wild Card Winners

That's right, the Astros have won the 2004 NL Wild Card spot for the race to the World Series! The Astros destiny was in their own hands this afternoon. A win against Colorado would seal the deal that lets them shoot for a World Series title. And the Astros did just that. Another way in would have to rely on the Dodgers beating the Giants today, which they didn't do--they didn't have to... they already were Western Division champs. The Astros next task is to prepare for the first series in the post season...the first series has been somewhat of an achilles heel for the Astros...7 appearances, 0 advances. This time, I think the Astros have a very good chance of advancing, so good in fact, I'm posting here my prediction. I think the Astros have enough momentum to propel them into the World Series. They have had strong pitching, clutch defense, clutch hitting, mixed with a little bit o good luck. It is their time...their time to shine. Most have counted them out...even I had my doubts once saying "their chances of advancing, though not impossible, are improbable." A 36-10 run at the end is what it took to push on to the playoffs. Whatever the outcome, you can bet that the Astros fans will be there in force. So, tune in Wednesday as the playoffs begin. Go Astros!!

I am recovering from a late summer cold/soar throat. So, i've been out of it the last two and a half days...I do have plans of posting something interesting here in the next few days that i just haven't been able to get posted...so stay tuned. Ok, it might not be that interesting, but i will get it posted--this serves as my reminder.