Space Shuttle Endeavour Moffett Field Flyover

This morning, I waited for quite some time to catch a once-in-the-lifetime glimpse of the beautiful Space Shuttle Endeavour. The crowd at Moffett Field was unbelievable and people young and old were reminiscing about our various space endeavors.

The time came and went when she was scheduled to do her flyover, but before long people began to point towards the sky. Then, all of a sudden, she popped out from behind Hangar One. Your heart cannot help but swell with pride when you see her.

Here are a few photos I took this morning.

i'm not afraid

For though from out our bourn of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crost the bar.

-Lord Alfred Tennyson

Lt. Col. Mark "Kojak" Reents, NATO Air Training Command Afghanistan adviser delivers the eulogy for the fallen nine.

At approximately 1025 hours on 27 April 2011 nine U.S. troops were killed by a "veteran Afghan military pilot" in Kabul.

It's one of those things you dread hearing about when you have a loved one downrange. "The 'Stan" is how they often refer to it. Every day you check the news feeds scanning, re-scanning and waiting for your daily "I'm good" email.

Then it comes.

"Just wanted to let you know that there was an incident on my base here in Afghanistan ... several people were injured. I'm ok. I'll be in touch. Love you!"

You wait.

Reports start to come in.
Nine Americans Methodically Killed
Shootout at Kabul
Afghan pilot kills 9 U.S. trainers

hello, helsinki...

Tulips at the Klaus K Hotel, Helsinki, Finland.

I recently had the pleasure of going to Helsinki. Wait. Let me start over. Recently, I was invited to go to Helsinki. Where? Helsinki. As in Finlandia. As in, "I can see Russia from my house." Or the hotel room in my case.

Here were a few takeaways from my trip I wanted to share with you. Random thoughts and observations from my three days in this beautiful city...

Helsinki is far away. Like far away. I left California in the afternoon and got there in the evening. The NEXT day.

When you tell people you're going to Helsinki, they will say, "WHERE?" Followed by, "WHY?"

The weather there is in Celsius, so while -4 degrees seems really cold, it's like going to Tahoe Minneapolis.

Finnish people speak English. And very well.

Umlauts are all over the place.

i love android

Anyone who knows me knows my love for all things Android. While the rest of the world is punching away at their iPhones demanding Siri hang up their phone calls, I am lovingly cradling my Ice Cream Sandwich. Oh, how I love thee, my Android!

Here, in the form of a few photos, is my favorite lil green guy. Enjoy!

People sometimes question my sanity. Fools.

lego upgrades launches!

Captain Rex.

And so it begins. Monkey has decided to launch his own site called Lego Upgrades. It's all about his custom lego designs. Should be interesting. I'm not sure how long this will last, but let me tell you, he is already obsessed and asking far too many questions!

As part of his new endeavor, which he also wants to turn into some sort of e-commerce front, there are a few requirements.
1. All photos must be taken by him.
2. He must write his own posts.
3. He has still has to do his homework.

What I love about this idea is that it encourages him to share something he's passionate about AND it helps with his reading and writing. Plus, I can relate to it. While I may not know anything about Count Dookoo (who?!) and clones, I do know a lil something about blogs.

Do your kids have a site? If so, link to them here so we can follow and tell us about 'em!