Considering Lunar Vacation - Page 2

KaiYeves · #31 (**permalink**) 29-December-2007, 07:42 PM

Just returned from a brief excursion to the hotel's SkyDome. Seeing the Earth hovering in the sky is really so amazing. For so many years, all humanity was contained in a space one can cover with a finger! I spent today at a recreation complex- man, basketball sure changes when you can jump six times as high!
I talked to Andromeda and the next trip to FO is the day after tomorrow, so I can spend a little time at Disney tomorrow if I take the fast shuttle.

man on the moon · #32 (**permalink**) 01-January-2008, 02:23 AM

Me jealous you gets to go!

My parents went once--dad wanted to surprise my mom for their anniversary. They have pictures of some of the stuff mentioned, but I haven't seen the Apollo landing sites mentioned yet. You can rent a rover and guide just like an Earth side safari to see your choice of landing site(s). The best part is, my dad got a picture taken hanging by wires from a sort of frame they take along. The gimmick is that "Now you too can look like an Astro-not of moon hoax fame!" They'll digitally manipulate the photo to add stars, wires, multiple shadows...you name it, they can add it. Plus it's cool to just see where the first astronauts did their thing so many years ago. Kinda like seeing Plymouth Rock for Americans.

The price is pretty intimidating unless you get a group to go. Check the announcement boards around town--in particular try the Hostel Lunar Nights as hostel goers tend to be more "for" the ad-hoc group adventures than many ritzier tourists. Enjoy whatever it is, and take some pictures for us to prove you are there!

Disclaimer: to satisfy everyone: this is a joke! I think we went to the Moon!

KaiYeves · #33 (**permalink**) 01-January-2008, 03:38 AM

Posting from FO, and it is, as expected, Totally Sputnik!
Not being able to see Earth or recieve direct communications is a little disquieting, though. Even this post will have to go through several way-stations.
I'm going to check out the SETI facilities nearby tomorrow. Andromeda says that Jill Tartar's visiting. Wouldn't it be absolute zero if I could meet her?

KaiYeves · #34 (**permalink**) 02-January-2008, 08:56 PM

Got Ms. Tartar's autograph, score! I'm sure the SETI researchers will succeed soon, but it didn't happen while I was there. The view of Mars from FO is splendid. I'll be back on the Nearside tomorrow, and I might be able to squeeze in a quick tour of the landing sites before comming home. I think this is the greatest vacation ever!

jamestox · #35 (**permalink**) 08-January-2008, 03:04 PM

I know it's a bit late to ask this, KaiYeves, but did you happen to meet Dr. Amber Hastings (of Hastings P/2085(G) fame) at F.O. on your trip? She's F.O.'s Intra-System Specialist. Jerry says she's really sharp and reviewed some specs for a new sensor he's designing for them - she gave him the fifty-selene tour the first time he visited F.O. (I think Jerry may be kinda stuck on her - she being a tall blonde Lunarian. That would also explain the four other non-business trips (wink)). At 180 cm, I'm guessing she would've been difficult to miss.

KaiYeves · #36 (**permalink**) 08-January-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

I know it's a bit late to ask this, KaiYeves, but did you happen to meet Dr. Amber Hastings (of Hastings P/2085(G) fame) at F.O. on your trip? She's F.O.'s Intra-System Specialist. Jerry says she's really sharp and reviewed some specs for a new sensor he's designing for them - she gave him the fifty-selene tour the first time he visited F.O.

Oh, so that's what that PM about the story meant!
No, didn't meet any Dr. Hastings, sorry. 'Nice lady named Arroway helped when I got lost at the SETI facility. (I love "shared universe" fiction!)

Just got back from Tranquility. So amazing to see the very spot where we humans took our first steps on another world!
I'm going to a performance tonight, some actobats who are experts at 1/6 gravity stunts. Tomorrow, Moon Town, O.S.!

KaiYeves · #37 (**permalink**) 12-January-2008, 08:11 PM

Tomorrow, my flight back to Mir 2 leaves. I guess that means I won't see the Messenger photos until Tuesday, but I'll definitely fork over my QUIDs to visit the Planetary site and check them out.
I feel like a changed person for having spent this time on the moon. I've realized the vastness of the Universe and, conversely, how small and fragile the Earth is.
I'll like being home, of course, but I almost don't want to. I feel the explorer's spirit. From FO, Mars looked so big and bright. Now that we're gone this far, it would be a crime to turn back.

ravens_cry · #38 (**permalink**) 13-January-2008, 09:09 AM

I am applying for a workers permit. I am not the least claustrophobic, so even the darkest lunar caves should be fine for me. As a chef I can work anywhere in the world, including the moon, I mean, we all got to eat. I only have a week to find a job, even if I do get the permit, so here's hoping. No time for all the touristy stuff, though I hope to get a chance to visit Tranquility. All fingers, toes, and even eyes, crossed. I here that they are thinking of opening a hotel on Mars. They say it is going to be called the "Red Thunder"

KaiYeves · #39 (**permalink**) 27-January-2008, 07:31 PM

Say, these posts could be strung together to make a good kids book.
Travelog From The Moon, maybe.

publiusr · #40 (**permalink**) 28-January-2008, 09:28 PM

They revoked my Visa as the last moment.

KaiYeves · #41 (**permalink**) 29-January-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

They revoked my Visa as the last moment.

That stinks.

jamestox · #42 (**permalink**) 30-January-2008, 06:48 PM

Great idea, KaiYeves!

KaiYeves · #43 (**permalink**) 09-February-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Great idea, KaiYeves!

What year in the future should we set it? I don't think younger kids would understand the whole "this is the present day in an alternate reality" thing.

Noclevername · #44 (**permalink**) 09-February-2008, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiYeves

What year in the future should we set it? I don't think younger kids would understand the whole "this is the present day in an alternate reality" thing.

Given the rate at which we're moving now, at least 50 or 60 years in the future, if not more.

ravens_cry · #45 (**permalink**) 10-February-2008, 08:13 AM

I think we should set it in the Now (just a different Now), if we keep setting these wonderful things in the future, they will always seem remote and far off. Inaccessible. But if we set it in a now and say this is what we COULD have had, it just may encourage more kids to work in the relevant fields so we get there all the faster. We keep pushing the dates in sci-fi further and further ahead, instead of asking ourselves "Why couldn't we have done that by now, if we had really made an effort then?" Kennedy gave America 8 years to get to the moon, and they met his challenge. Would they have gone if he gave them 20?

KaiYeves · #46 (**permalink**) 10-February-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

I think we should set it in the Now (just a different Now), if we keep setting these wonderful things in the future, they will always seem remote and far off.

I'm just saying the really little kids might not understand that. I had trouble at age eight with the whole "Star Wars is a long time ago" thing.

ravens_cry · #47 (**permalink**) 10-February-2008, 06:06 PM

When I was eight, we had the children's Britannica encyclopedias. There was a few articles on astronauts and spaceships and space stations. I recently found some of the books at a local thrift store, and I relies now, the space ships while practical looking, where way in advance of anything we have now. They showed dozens of astronauts working on a gigantic space station, they showed a thriving moon base. They where awe inspiring. And they seemed so close, so real.
We also had some children's encyclopaedias from the mid 60's. They were also mind blowing. Whoever edited them loved space, or knew kids who loved space. With lots of pretty pictures , and a supervising amount of information on things like thrust and specific impulse, they showed a future that never was. They had articles about Nova, Orion, Electra. It also talked about the things that where happening at that time, like Luna, Ranger, and Mariner. Most importantly, it dreamed, and I dreamed that dream as well. I saw these things, and I looked at the might of the space shuttle, which seemed so cool, and still is. But it paled compared to the great dream.
So don't say it's a kids book, they won't understand things like that. Was it not said "Any book is a children's book if they can read it"? If a child can not grasp the idea of other Now's, it is unlikely the adult of the child will either. I still find Star Wars mind blowing "If its a really, long time ago, how come they got spaceships? Why don't we got spaceships?" would be my petulant line of questioning. Heres an idea for the opening.
"These stories are based on a Future from the Past. When we write about the Future, we like to put in some far away year. But the Future year after year becomes the Now. The year may be Now, but this Future is not. But we writers really wish it was. That is why we wrote these stories."

KaiYeves · #48 (**permalink**) 10-February-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

"These stories are based on a Future from the Past. When we write about the Future, we like to put in some far away year. But the Future year after year becomes the Now. The year may be Now, but this Future is not. But we writers really wish it was. That is why we wrote these stories."

That is a great line!
I think maybe we could not mention the year, only say "Man, the 21st century is great." or something like that, but your idea is much better.
And, I understand Star Wars now, I just didn't then.

ravens_cry · #49 (**permalink**) 11-February-2008, 03:03 AM

I think I can only take one universe filled with gobbledegook, breaking its own rules, and things not making sense.

And since I am a Trekkie, I already got one!

Noclevername · #50 (**permalink**) 11-February-2008, 09:43 PM

Let's just not say when it is. No reason to confuse the kids (or frustrate the adults).