~ Favorite screen captures
from the 02/2008 Atlantis Mission

* * *

"The Earth is just too small and fragile a basket for the human race to keep all its eggs in."
~ Robert Heinlein

"Use the force, Luke."
~ Obi-Wan Kenobi

* * *

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
(Space shuttle, rogue satellite, eclipse -- oh, my!)

I've been awake since 3:30 a.m. Why, you ask? To watch NASA's coverage of the shuttle landing, of course. Besides, who really needs more than 2-1/2 hours of sleep?

I've spent the last couple of weeks tuned into NASA TV as an enthusiastic, if earthbound, "mission crasher". The crew members of the Atlantis Orbiter and the International Space Station may not have noticed me, but I was peeking over their gravity-free shoulders at every possible opportunity. (Honestly, if the Internet had been available during my childhood, my inquisitive brain would have exploded from too much input!)

This morning, at about 8:08 a.m., the shuttle made a picture-perfect landing at the Kennedy Space Center. So, I wave a fond goodbye to this particular sci-not-fi interlude, but the Endeavor launches very soon. And, I still have tonight's lunar eclipse to look forward to!

At least I thought I did. For some reason, though we haven't had significant rain here since last summer, the clouds have rolled over San Antonio. Barring a meteorological miracle, I'll be deprived of the last full lunar eclipse until the year 2010. ~ Sigh.~ Guess I'll have to get some sleep, instead. What a concept!

There's still a chance the government will let me tag along as they try to shoot down the disaster movie-inspired Spy Satellite of Potential Doom. I'm sure there's some way I could contribute to that not-so-Top-Secret mission!

Or, maybe not . . .

* * *

If I Hang It, They Will Come. Maybe.

I've been invited to take part in a month-long gallery exhibit in celebration of Women's History Month. (I'll post details, later -- about the show, not about Women's History Month.)

I'm not quite in "panic mode" yet, but I am busy, busy. So, I'm off to cry for a speedy replacement of the gorgeous, but unfortunately scratched, print I received this morning.

I'm thinking I need an entire team to help me get ready for this show. Hey, I wonder if the Atlantis Shuttle Crew have made any plans yet?

* * *

On a personal note --

Dear NASA,

Thanks for "virtually" making one of my childhood dreams come true. I'm certain a space walk really would be as cool as I imagine!

Sincerely,
~ W. J. St. Christopher

P. S. Would you please turn on your 'Super Secret Weather-Controlling Machine' so I can see tonight's eclipse? I promise not to tell anyone else that it exists. Trust me.

* * *

Final Words

ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz . . .

~ Breathing Underwater

* * *

"If a little dreaming is dangerous, the cure for it is not to dream less, but to dream more,
To dream all the time.

~ Marcel Proust (1871-1922), French novelist

* * *

We Creatures Of Dreams . . .

Recently, I've been dreaming of water, and barely a night goes by without at least one watery dream.

A few nights ago, I completed "Breathing Underwater" -- a digital, stylized view of my dreamy waterworld. Sans fish. I really don't care for fish.

Well, except for whale sharks -- which would take up way too much of the picture.

And, maybe, those brilliantly-colored, salt water babies that I see in some aquariums. You know, the ones that look like fish jewelry.

On third thought, I'm also strangely fond of the freaky, deep water, eerily-translucent thingies from the PBS documentaries . . .

* * *

The Continuing "Timo's" Exhibit Saga

Since September, 2006, I've been lucky enough to keep a rotating art exhibit at Timo's Coffeehouse -- one of San Antonio's top rated establishments.

In a perfect world, I'd hang out there, daily, to gorge on their delectable variety of teas (I'm not a coffee drinker) and to unapologetically stuff myself with the incredible offerings of photo-perfect pastries, salads, and entrees. (I could barely keep my eyes off yesterday's display of rich, fudgy-looking brownies!) Of course, I refrain, as my slipping into a diabetic coma would likely stress the staff and generally disrupt business.

Instead, yesterday, I spent a few very pleasant hours at Timo's removing some pieces, which had been hanging for several months, and installing these 9 framed pieces:



I always have a blast there -- meeting and chatting with interesting, real world people, listening to good music, and having a chance to talk about my work to an enthusiastically supportive audience -- all very different from my usual solitary days at the computer.

So, a nod and my thanks to all the fine folks at:

Timo's Coffeehouse
2021 San Pedro
San Antonio, TX 78212
Phone: 210-733-8049

Customer's reviews


* * *

On a personal note --

Dear email spammers and scammers,

I am not in the market for discount Viagra or codeine.
I am not looking to borrow money or refinance my home.
I am not shopping for a nubile, Russian bride.
I will never pay even one cent to claim the $10,000,000 dollars you're holding for me.
I have no need of a penile implant. Really.

Just so you know.

Sincerely,
~ W. J. St. Christopher

* * *

Final Words

A hearty "Welcome!" to Art166's recent crop of first-time visitors! Hope you'll stop by again; your comments are certainly enjoyed and appreciated.