I'M GETTING MARRIED!!

I set this up to post at 'go time'.

I'M GETTING MARRIED.



Never thought I would say that again and never thought I could ever be this happy. We don't have much in the way of material stuff (except for some pretty cool wedding gifts that we've gotten) but we are the happiest and most real couple that I know.

Right now my toes are in the sand and I am committing myself to the manfolk for the rest of his life (statistically speaking).

Time?

I seriously have none. 36 or so hours until I'm on a plane out of here. Still have a bunch of little stuff to take care of and need to pack (oh yeah that). In the meantime I'm working up until the last minute because I don't want to use all of my vacation for the year. After the wedding I'll only have a few cherished days left to make it to next January.

So you get a picture instead of a blog post with any real content to it.

The Shuttle Finale

STS 135 is scheduled to depart earth today. The last shuttle mission.

And the government doesn't seem to have a fully executable system to replace it (or support the International Space Station).

30 years of history. The program is nearly as old as I am. When we went to visit NASA in May it was extremely humbling and enlightening to see all that the shuttle program has brought to the United States (and I'm not just talking about freeze dried ice cream)and the world. Challenger... Columbia... still remember where I was and the impact of those tragedies (part of why flight safety has interested me since I was a tot). Space flight and the moon landing, through disaster and good times, have repeatedly brought the country together.

During our visit we talked to the folks that have dedicated their lives to this program -- they are devastated, but were still completely focused on the mission. STS 134 was up at that time and we saw them doing final training for STS 135 -- its just a wonder what will happen to the thousands that work on this program (laid off) and the resources that have been put into it. Just the training facilities and manpower alone are astounding.

What can I say... I'll watch, and cheer and hope above all that we don't give up on space exploration and all of the passion, wonder and possibilities that it brings.

Cheers to the end of an era and those who have made it possible.

Shoepolish and the dead

I have mentioned previously how I feel about ceremonies surrounding death. Like I said - throw me a big party.

For the love of everything holy, whatever you do, do NOT shoe polish my name and RIP on the back of your car. What kind of memorial is that?? Rear car windows are now to be known as graffiti places for: Billy Joe's sweet 16, raunchy messages on someone's wedding get away car, and a memorial statement (Tater Smith 1934-2011).

Saw one on the back of a car on the way to work today and wanted to pull over and ask the driver if that is how he would want to be remembered - his name and dates shoe polished on the back of someone's 1989 faded red Honda.

Because I don't have time...

to blog anything else at the moment. Please to enjoy Redneck Paintball Duckhunt.