Road Shoe Enigma

Ok...hopefully, the title of this post has you intrigued. What the hell do you mean by road shoe enigma?

Well, you know, from time to time, you'll be traveling down the road and off to the side of the road there will be a shoe. A single solitary shoe. And they are almost always sneakers or flip flops...every now and then you'll find a boot. Most people will just ignore it and continue along their way without giving it a thought. Now, i'm not like most people, so there are many questions that start running through my mind. I know, from time to time i exert precious brain cell power on useless stuff.

Why the hell is there only one shoe on the road? what happened such that only one shoe would be left behind? Is there some poor schmuck hobbling down the road like the hunchback of notre dame? I mean, really, what happened?... Did someone say, i don't like my right shoe, i think i'll toss it out the window. Or was it some poorly orchestrated prank...hehe, when billy wakes up, he's gonna wish he stayed awake. Oh wait, i think i've got it (my personal fave) someone was struck by a vehicle...blew em right out of their shoe! The clean up crew decided to leave the shoe there as a reminder for those to not play in the street. Perhaps someone was riding in the passenger seat with their foot hanging out window--and poof...there goes the shoe. It's just a shoe, no need to go back for it...
Well, whatever the case, next time you see a solitary shoe on the side of the road, ask yourself, is todd really all that crazy?

Now, on to the two shoe enigma -- The pair of sneakers tied together and hanging from a powerline. This is perhaps even stranger than the solitary shoe. Now, i can only surmise that this is the root of an evil joke. Billy's a bitch and i'll get back at 'em...i'll toss his shoes on the powerline and watch him cry as he hopelessly makes attempts at jumping for his prize kicks. But, lets imagine for a moment that this wasn't the case. What the hell was this shoeless person thinking? Those Nike swooshes look like wings...i bet these things can fly!? Crazy i tell you. The power line guys must have a closet somewhere full of shoes. Next time you see a pair of sneaks hanging from the powerlines, ask yourself, is todd all that crazy...??

Sad News...Mr. Furley has passed away...

The actor who played Mr. Furley on Three's Company has passed away. Don Knotts was probably more well known as Barney Fife, but to me he'll always be Mr. Furley. I used to watch Three's Company all the time...as often as i could. Sometimes, when i see it on late at night, i'll sit down and watch a show or two.



We're gonna miss you Mr. Furley...

First Brush with Celebrity

One of the perks of working in the control center is, from time to time, persons of celebrity status wander through. Former presidents, movie stars, musicians and other notables come to see what we are doing in the manned space flight business.

Last night, two members of the band Coldplay came in to say hello to the crew on board the ISS.


The guy on the left, Will Champion -- the drummer, and the third guy, Jonny Buckland -- Lead guitar were our visitors last night. They asked some intelligent questions and were a nice bunch of blokes.

Unfortunately, they didn't come around the room. So, there were no pictures or autographs. But to cap off my first solo shift, i enjoyed my first celebrity encounter.

Czech chances at Gold smashed...

The Czech Men's Hockey team will try for a bronze medal after losing to Sweden today. Had they won the game today, they would've advanced for a shot a the gold with a guarantee for the silver. But alas, Sweden was just a lot better today.

THe good news is that once Olympic hockey is over, NHL resumes. I'm hoping the Czech's skate away with the Bronze.

Canada just won the Men's Curling Gold...with Finland taking silver. USA took the bronze.

Here is the list of medal winners by country.

Curling....what?

I'm sure most of you have been watching they 2006 Winter Olympics. You may have stumbled across something called Curling. Wonder what the hell it is? Click here for the Curling Basics.

It's an interesting sport. Heather and I started watching it back in 2002. I'm not sure i know all the rules yet...

I still have my eye on the Czech Republic Men's Hockey team. I haven't been able to watch much Olympic hockey, but you can bet i'll be cheering for the Czechs to dominate. At the very least, they'll be playing for a Bronze medal. The semi-finals start on the 24th. A win on that day, guarantees a silver medal.

I've also missed most of the speed sports. Just not enough time to watch it all...and there is no point in TiVo-ing the events, cause i'll never have the time to sit down and watch through something i already know the outcome to. Alas...that's the way it goes.

Have you been enjoying the Olympics?

Flying Solo

Having been a pilot for better than 14 years, I'm no stranger when it comes to flying solo. Unfortunately, time and money has been the one-two punch that keeps me from flying these days. I've taken on a new form of flying--my job.

This week is my first shift flying the International Space Station solo. After hundreds (perhaps thousands) of hours of training, the government trusts me with a multi-billion dollar vehicle and for the time being, the lives of 2 men. Luckily the only problem i encountered last night was a computer crash. Easily recoverable. As I stated in my last post, the onset of the grey hairs started with Debbie's tests...now, i know it continues with my job. It can be stressful. As of right now, there are only 10 (Tarik, are you number 11?) certified people in the world to do my job. I am the 18th ADCO to get certified since Flight 5A. Sometimes you have to take a step back and take a look from a higher view...it's an amazing job, and i'm proud to be a part of it.

You might be able to see me at work...tune into NASA TV (if you have it) and when they show the International Space Station Control Room, i'll be the bloke at the front left of the room...

Debbie, this one's for you...

Today, in the cold, gloomy Houston weather, Heather and I met an old friend for lunch. No, Debbie, "old" does not refer to your age. For those of you who do not know debbie, let me give you the short story.

Debbie was one of my college professors in the Aero department. My very first class with Debbie was Numerical Methods in the Spring of '97. After enduring that painful class, I decided once wasn't enough (actually it wasn't my decision). So, another round of Numerical Methods...

I must break now and describe Debbie's style of teaching. Imagine this 15 foot whiteboard...clean and pristine when the class starts. Now, as Debbie rolls in (if you had an 8am class, this would be around 8:09) you could hear a collective crack as everyone cracks their knuckles in preparation for the 51 minutes of intense speed writing. The lecture begins and 15 minutes later, you are tearing up with a severe cramp in your hand. (You know, i'm slightly exaggerating) She didn't even slow down when she was injured in a small firey incident. Her bandaged hand seem to move faster...perhaps it was the medication? Then came the homework, usually lots of it. Oh, and the tests were hard. I think this is where my hair started to turn grey...

So, Numerical Methods X 2, Propulsion, and a Rockets class...Four times the pain and pleasure. Let's face it, she was nice to look at. Let me rephrase that...she is nice to look at! You still have it debbie!

And, if four classes weren't enough, i decided to work for her one summer.

Somewhere in that span of time we transitioned from student/teacher to friends. I'm not sure when that happened, but i'm glad it happened.

Now, Heather and Debbie were introduced at one of Debbie's Pool Parties. I can't remember which one, but I know there was some wine and some dancing involved. (What was it, Big Country?) Ever since then, we've been friends.

Alas, I went west, debbie went east and heather stayed put. We all met again at our wedding. Debbie graced us with her presence (thanks for that!).

So, it was good to see debbie again. Since I know you read this from time to time, i hope you enjoyed my story. Enjoy the next few pictures...



Me and a couple of fine ladies!



Here's that wild shirt that you spoke of today. Thought you might like to see it!
Hope you had fun in the Houston area...perhaps next time you could stay a little longer...

Happy VD!!!

No, not venereal disease...but Valentine's Day. Yes, it's that time of year when one must spend loads of money on a nice dinner and flowers. Luckily, Heather is not that kind of girl (getting upset if i don't bring her flowers or we don't go to a nice dinner). As long as I don't forget the day, i'm okay. That's one of the things i love about her...While she is one that appreciates flowers, it's not required.
Perhaps I'll get her flowers tomorrow? why not? I've never been one to completely conform to normalcy or expectancy. Sometime I do follow the path...but not today...

How was your VD?

First LTS gig a success...

Last night's Less Than Serious show was a success. The joint wasn't packed, but I think LTS made a few more fans. They guys looked like they had lots of fun. Now if Finding Reason could get that original stuff off the ground, maybe one day we'll hit the bar circuit!

Be on the lookout for future flyers about their next gig. I can tell you that a gig is scheduled for March 18 at Ronnie's Ice House in Dickinson. I'm sure we'll be there. Perhaps you will be too?

Less Than Serious hits it big...

...well, they are playing their first paying gig! If you are around Galveston on saturday, come check them out. Here's a flyer:

Grammy Results

If you are a music fan, you might be interested in the results to the Grammy's. You can find them here. I usually don't agree with the results of such award shows...it seems the best and most talented get overlooked by the one's who make the most noise in the tabloids. Ahhh....but that's the way these things work. Sometimes, the deserving do win...


I've started The da Vinci Code last night. I should have it completed before the movie comes out. So far so good...

The Man Who Fell to Earth...

I just finished reading The Man Who Fell to Earth by Walter Tevis. This was an interesting read. It's a science fiction book about a man who comes to earth with hopes of transporting his kind to earth. His home planet was destroyed by war and weapons...and resources are scarce. This alien studied to be a human for years...and he lives among the humans. Unfortunately, things don't go his way...

A movie was made from this book and David Bowie plays the alien being. I haven't seen the movie yet, but we'll be watching it soon (assuming heather doesn't want to read the book first)

So, if you want a quick and interesting read ... go pick up the book and enjoy it...

MySpace

Well, i've decided to start my own MySpace link. Take a look at it...it's not finished yet, but i'll add to it soon. Yeah, that's all i need is another website to manage.
Link is on the right ---->

Whatever happened...

...to really good Super Bowl commercials? It seems the last few years, including tonight, the commercials that run during the Super Bowl have been rather drab and disappointing. It used to be the one thing that non-football watchers would watch the Super Bowl for...great and clever commercials that would intice the watcher into thinking they need that product, and are more likely to buy it if the commercial will capture their memories with a rememberable 30 second spot. Sometimes the commercial is more memorable than the product being sold. In tonight's ads, only 3 or 4 were memorable and these were marginally memorable. I probably would've forgotten them had i not written them down. I think the best commerical of the night is a tie between the Fedex cavemen and the Sprint defense weapon. There were 7 Budweiser commercials, with at least another 4 beer commercials. Well...that's about all i have to say about tonight's commercials.

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for winning Super Bowl XL.

I've added a link to the Finding Reason MySpace page. MySpace is a network of people around the world that gets larger everyday. We're hoping to get some more internet exposure. Perhaps we'll have another song or two posted on there in the near future.

I did some routine maintenance on the cruiser today. I cleaned the K&N filter. This is an easy task, but takes you off the road until the filter is cleaned. I figured today was the best day since I could just stay at home an watch the game. I also wasted a can of Dr. Pepper cleaning my battery terminals. I didn't have any baking soda around the house, so i had to go the cola route. Cleaned those terminals right up.

The Winter Olympics are around the corner...i'm getting TIVO ready for those early morning hockey games and curling matches...what olympic event are you gonna watch?

Space is Unforgiving...

Last night's Russian EVA was an interesting one to say the least. As you all know from yesterday's post, the most interesting activity of last night's EVA was the SuitSat jettison.

For those of you who didn't see the video of the jettison, it was truly a bizarre and surreal experience. From the video footage, you could see three astronauts moving about...and then one of them started to slowly tumble out into space. This would've been a terrible incident had there been a human in that suit. But the contents of the suit were a ham radio, a few batteries, some sensors, and some old clothes. Space is a harsh and unforgiving environment. The SuitSat (or Ivan Ivanovich, or Mr. Smith) stopped transmitting its signal about 3 hours after jettison. Speculation is that the batteries got too cold in the unforgiving vacuum of space where temperatures vary wildly from -250 degrees F in the shade to over +250 degrees F in the sun.

Until the suit re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, a lifeless human looking body will tumble through space...

Remember...In Space, No one can hear you scream...

SuitSat

Tonight, at work, I'll be supporting a Russian EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity). But this EVA is a little different than others. Tonight the ISS crew will literaly chunck overboard a used Russian Space Suit, or SuitSat. Inside the space suit is a ham radio with a preprogrammed message. The neat part of it is, you can hear the message. All you need is a ham radio or a police scanner. Of course you also need for the satellite to pass overhead. Go here to see when you'll have a chance to hear it.

Now, the batteries could die before you get a chance to hear it. But this is a neat little satellite. So, if you have NASA TV, i'm sure you'll be able to see some of the EVA.

Six More....

It appears that Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow this morning. The old adage is that we'll have six more weeks of winter. I don't mind. I like the cooler weather. I'm not exactly ready to turn on the airconditioner yet.
What is your seasonal preference?

Drive Time...

Here's a little poll that i'm taking. What is your drive time to work? This morning...as I was rolling into work at 4am I managed to clock my travel time...Now this would be considered the best that I can achieve without breaking any laws. I live 7 miles from work and it took me 12 minutes to travel that. At 4am, there is no traffic and i was able to make every light except 2. Now, if I were to hit every green light on the way to work, i might be able to shave off 1 or 2 minutes.

On a heavy traffic day, it takes me anywhere from 25 minutes to 45 minutes to get to work.

Hope you have a pleasant drive to and from work!