Shuttle!

In case you haven't been paying attention to the latest space news like I have, the Space Shuttle Discovery is set to launch on July 1st, I'm not sure what exact time. As a strong supporter of space exploration and travel, I'm glad to see NASA getting it's manned space program back on the right path.

The plans are to have the shuttle fly until 2010, and then by 2014, have a new vehicle ready to make the next leap back to the Moon, by about 2017 or so. Very doable, from what I've been reading, as long as the budgetary support is there.

I've always wanted to go see a shuttle launch. I don't know if I'll be able to do that, but if not, maybe I'll be able to see a launch of people to the Moon, which would be just as interesting...

In more Mike and Sue related news, packing continues apace. I've packed away some old family photos I had on display here, and have boxed up a good amount of my clothing. I'm leaving some stuff out, obviously, to wear for the next few weeks. Also, some of the clothes I'm leaving out I'll carry in a suitcase, to have for my first week of work in the new job. I don't expect it would take long to unpack clothes, but I'd rather not have to be rushed with digging for clothes when our stuff arrives.

Work here is steady, but not overly hectic. I'm speaking of my actual Community Director job, not the work of packing up! I'm trying to prep a bunch of stuff for the next person to come along to this job here in East Wheelock, and tomorrow, I'll be organizing my staff room, which is a bit of a mess right now. I have no other real appointments tomorrow, so it'll be a good way to spend the day.

Today, I got a package in the mail of some cheese/meat mix from Hickory Farms, from Ruth, the former AA for our office. She's from England originally, and lived in Australia for quite some time before coming to NH. Last year, she moved back with her family to Australia, but we've stayed in touch, and it was really nice to get that from her. She also e-mailed me the song/dance audio for "Puttin' On The Ritz" from Young Frankenstein, as we used to joke about that quite a bit during her time here... The comedy never stops!

NP: Mike Keneally - Manhattan

Thunder!

Crazy intense thunderstorms today, right in the 4-5pm block! I tried to get some photos of lightning in action, but I was never pointed in the right direction. It actually interrupted the farewell gathering for the Dean of the College here, which was too bad, but the event moved inside with no real trouble.

Tonight, Sue and I went to dinner with my/our friends Theresa and Thor, who I know from my BC days. Theresa was a freshman when I was a senior, and we were connected through the CCE, the murder mystery group we were both a part of. They have a condo in the Queeche area, just about a 20 minute drive from Hanover, so when they're up here, it's good to get together.

We went to Molly's, a local restaurant, which I'm sure I've mentioned here before as just a good, solid place to eat. We met at 6:30pm, and ended up staying till about 9:15, which was fun. I enjoy hanging out with T&T, as does Sue. Hopefully they'll be able to find their way down to the NYC area when we're there. Theresa mentioned to me that she just saw Lou and his wife (Hello Lou and Sania!) a few weeks ago while she was in NYC (although I may have the timeframe wrong, don't hold me to it!).

Updates on ending up here at Dartmouth: My last day of work will now be June 30th. I wanted to work till the 5th, but I guess it doesn't make sense to keep me in the new fiscal year, when I'd only be working for 5 days. Ah well...

Movers will be picking up our stuff on the 6th, and delivering it to Jersey City on the 9th. I then start work on the 10th. A whirlwind few days, to be sure... I feel good about the packing we've done already, so we'll just have to keep the pace going.

NP: Jeff Buckley - Yeh Jo Halka Saroor Hae - 1993 07/08

Boxes!

Here are photos I promised the other day, of our packing, and of our helping we did for my departing colleague...

Ah, guys and trucks... We like to try to all play jigsaw man, and put everything in the truck perfectly. Sometimes it works, and here, it actually did. This is also what I call a "back of head" shot, as everyone is not looking at the camera. CD Brian is in blue, CD Fouad in maroon, Wilson, partner of CD Dan in green, and CD Krista is in white. She's the one who's leaving, although Fu and her will be living together down in Amherst in a few weeks. He's leaving too. *sniff*

CD Dan and my wonderful Sue, both avoiding work... Of course, there's no photos of me avoiding work, as I had the camera...

Here's Sue, plotting her next packing move, with some boxes in the foreground, and even the tip of my foot/sneaker in the frame...

And again, the wonderful Sue, with an empty bottle of a Romanian dish detergent, called Fart. Can someone please explain to me why this is funny?

NP: The Who - Baba O'Riley (30 June 1989)