See you in Heaven

Since the end of the world begins tomorrow (how long is it supposed to last?), I'll just sign off and tell you all that I hope to see you in Heaven sometime after tomorrow. I'm going to try to finish remodeling my master bedroom/bathroom at home, because if it's left half done when on judgement day, how embarrassing would that be? And I don't want sloth to count against me at the pearly gates.

When did space travel become nostalgic?

Watch the second-to-last shuttle mission and remember. Remember watching it on television in 1981 when all three networks carried it live. Then watch today on YouTube because none of the 200+ available television channels bother to carry a launch live any more.

Exercise Your Right to Vote

In any given election, I find that a vote for the oldest candidate is usually the best choice.

The older someone is when elected to office, the shorter amount of time they are likely to stay in that office.

Career politicians need to be relegated to the history books.

Go Mavericks!

And stay classy, Los Angeles

Freedom 7

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the first American, Alan Shepard, to leave the earth's atmosphere and return safely. It was the start of the United States dominating the rest of the world in space exploration for decades, even to this day.

How much money has been spent and what is our return on the dollars spent in going into outer space? I don't know that good hard numbers can ever be reached on the return of the investment.

I love space exploration. I still remember the first space shuttle going into orbit and returning. I was a kid and I was fascinated. But looking at NASA objectively, we really haven't traveled all that far. To the moon and back is the limit of longest distance traveled. When compared to the vastness of the universe, or even our won solar system, that's not very far. The above picture shows that the first trip into space was not even a full trip around the globe. How much money was spent to travel such a short distance and discover so little?

But, on the flip side, how much have we actually gained from our desire to explore? Tang comes to mind, along with huge advances in technology, communication, scientific understanding, and countless other areas. Thankfully, we have learned that launching robots to Mars is more cost effective and safe that sending humans there. Keep the research and exploration going, but keep the cost in check. Is it time to privatize space travel? A good Libertarian would say yes, and if it's worth doing, the private sector will do it. But remember, it may not be a good thing to have non-government companies launching things into orbit and crashing back to the surface. Likewise, government regulation of the industry might out-cost letting the government just keep doing it themselves.

Hitting the High Spots

• Brandon scored a 30 on his ACT composite score. He's smart. He doesn't really comprehend the value of being smart. This is evident in his grades and the effort he puts into his school work.
• When the bible mentions not wasting the things God gives us, I think intellect is included. I should have better understood that when I was younger.
• Kristi ran her first half-marathon yesterday. The weather (storm threat) made it a miserable run. At mile 11, the police had them huddle under a bridge for 30 minutes waiting for a hail storm that never happened.
• I have no desire to run 13.1 miles, but I'm impressed that she did it.
• Osama bin Laden is dead. I have little or no reaction. I guess I'm glad he's dead, as much as I can be glad when anyone dies. But yesterday I knew he was the main enemy, and today I'm not sure who all wants to kill us.
• Two weeks until I'm the dad of a college graduate. My kids have officially begun to accomplish things in life that I never did.
• And Bradley received his college education almost free of charge. He will owe less than $5,000 in student loans upon graduation from a private university. Do not tell me you can't afford college. He should finish his Master's degree still solvent.
• It's raining and in the 40's today, May 2. Crazy.
• I started to type about my crazy travel schedule for the next six weeks, but then realized there's no point in advertising when my house will be vacant.
• Puppies at weaning age become very messy. Still cute, but very messy.