Saturday, May 24, 2008

Tim's 3-week trip begins!

Its been a while since we gave an actual update, so there may be some retroactive postings going up to fill in the gaps between... whenever and now. :-) Between the podcast, other website updates, and Twitter, sometimes I just don't feel like writing another thing! Thankfully, I have gotten some requests for updates so I know people read the blog and are interested. I'll be sure we post here more frequently!

This weekend I am in Las Vegas for a couple of Zero G flights. It is always great to see the ZG crew and hang out together! This weekend is super-cool because I got to fly from Orlando on the same flight as my friend Paul. Last night we had dinner with friends at the Bootlegger Bistro, a classic LAs Vegas eatery complete with lounge singer! This morning I'm are going out to scout locations for Paul's bachelor party in July. (Yes, Jen and Paul's fiance are both coming too!).

On Sunday I fly out to Washington DC for ISDC 2008, the annual National Space Society conference. This is especially important as our local NSS chapter is hosting ISDC 2009 in Orlando! I'll get to learn a LOT about how this conference runs (what comes up at the last minute, people's expectations, etc). Most of Wednesday will be spent talking to Congressional staffers about space issues. On Wed night, Jen will arrive!!! She's slated to be doing volunteer work at the conference.

Jen will head back home on Sunday after ISDC while I will head out to Ocean City, MD on the following Monday. I'm working as the Director of Volunteers & Training for the Ocean City Air Show June 10 & 11. On June 12, I'll finally head back home!!

I'm looking forward to this adventure, and to getting back home to see Jen & the cats at the end. Now, off to explore Vegas!

Friday, May 09, 2008

Interview live from SPACE on the Colbert Report!

On Thursday night, astronaut Garrett Reisman was a guest on the popular comedy/news show the Colbert Report on Comedy Central. Garrett was broadcast LIVE into the taping earlier in the week via a video hookup through Mission Control in Houston.

Stephen started the interview by showing Garrett wearing his signature "Wrist Strong" bracelet in a NASA photograph! The crowd LOVED Garrett and went wild when he admitted to being part of the "Colbert Nation" fan club--and suggested they expand it to be the Colbert Universe.

Stephen and Garrett had a long talk and touched on a wide variety of topics--including the new Constellation program! Garrett even did some neat tricks for the show like flipping around inside the international space station. Soon you will be able to check out clips from the show online.

Kudos to NASA for allowing the interview to happen! With the immense popularity of the Colbert Report and the GREAT performance by Garrett, this may do more to get people interested in space than any other single interview in the last few years. Thanks, Garrett!!