Required reading...

The pain of Columbia's loss has dimmed over what has been nearly a decade. I remember I cried when the news of the Orbiter's loss was confirmed.

I had worked with Rick Husband and William McCool briefly (and separately) some years before they flew that ill-fated STS-107 mission. I don't remember what my assignment with them was, at the time, but I clearly remember noting their (to me) memorable surnames as introductions were made.

That's why it was particularly riveting for me to read a blog post by Wayne Hale (a NASA veteran who sat in the Flight Director's chair during 40 missions), titled How We Nearly Lost Discovery (during the "Return to Flight" after Columbia, no less!).

You have to love space technology.

Cheers...

Feeling the strain...

Translation today felt a little more like those heady days late last month when there was time for almost nothing else. I've still got quite a bit left on the plate (although that includes about 10,000 source words left of the item due early in May, which I would really like to invoice this April).

Still, I took some time out to volunteer at the animal shelter. It's something of a rejuvinator, and as usual, everyone made out on the deal in virtually all other respects. Too, I'm also learning a little about the sobering, not-so-fluffy side of life (and death) that's part of shelter management.

Cheers...