May 18, 2015

Just Another Day at the Office

If you know me, you know that I don't like to call people.  My amazing wife gets stuck with that duty a lot.  I don't mind talking on the phone, I just don't like to actually call someone, especially someone I don't know.  So today I had to call and talk with two different astronauts.  They were both amazingly nice and wanted to help with the show, but couldn't because of scheduling conflicts.  So even thought it was out of my comfort zone, it was pretty cool to talk to them both.

On the way home from work today, I was driving along and I heard a helicopter.  Not a big occurrence here but it sounded really low.  So I looked out my window and saw not one, not two, but three Marine helicopters.  Yup, the President flew right over me today.  He always flies in a formation of three.

And, last but not least I was home over the weekend for Bryce's music program.  He gets his musical ability from his Mommy and his stage presence from his Mommy also.  I think the gets the goofy gene from me, and it is strong in him.

Started out good.
Dude, why ain't you singin'?
Wow, look at the ceiling! 
Looks good, but they weren't doing the chicken dance.
How many more songs are there?
Oooh, look something over there.
And a cute picture of Sadie!

May 9, 2015

Thank a Veteran

Today there was a big WWII event at the Udvar-Hazy Center.  There were supposed to be several vintage airplanes flying in as well as a bunch of veterans.  We went out to film some interviews with these heroes.  I was able to talk to several but the last two were amazing.

I'm not sure if they knew each other before today or not, but ran into each other as they were walking in.  They had served in the same company.  The interview became more of a conversation between long lost friends.  When I would ask a question they would both say the other should answer.  They had both served in the infantry in Europe.  One had been under heavy artillery fire, while the other said the V1 missiles were scary because you could hear them coming but the V2's were scarier because you couldn't hear them coming until they hit.  Both had gone to college on the GI bill, one becoming a lawyer and the other getting a Doctorate in science.  Talk about two amazing guys.  When the interview was done and they walked off, I turned around to watch them walk back to their families.  They walked away embracing each other, two long lost friends reunited.

May 8, 2015

WWII Flyover

Today was one of those days where it still amazes me they are paying me to do this job.  In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of VE Day, there was a flyover with WWII vintage aircraft over the National Mall.  There were over 50 planes, including a B-29 Bomber, the last one that is still flying.  Not only did I get to watch it, but I got to watch it from the roof of the Air and Space Museum.  Other than a scary ladder, it was amazing.  We filmed segments for several upcoming shows.  I am continue to be amazed at how awesome our crew is.  It is because of them we got such great pictures and video today.  Below are a few pictures that were taken today.













May 5, 2015

Paolo Nespoli

Today I got a chance to hang out with Italian Astronaut Paolo Nespoli.  He was awesome!  He filmed segments for three upcoming shows as well as a couple of different teasers and a show open.  Yup, still hasn't soaked in that I get to hang out with astronauts as part of my job.
Yes, he was fixing my mic!
Normal group picture
Dorky group picture (Beth's idea)
Russian group picture - he pointed out that one of his Russian crew mates never smiled for pictures so we took one like that.

May 3, 2015

Flight 93 Memorial

I went home over the weekend to get my car to help with the apartment hunt.  Over the last two days I've been driving the 16+ hours back to DC.  Today as I was driving I saw a small sign for the Flight 93 Memorial.  It was only about 20 miles out of the way so I decided to go.  It is really powerful.  Below are a few pictures I took.

The visitors center is still under construction.  The memorial itself is done.  It is a long granite wall that takes you to a white wall with the names of the passengers and crew.  The white wall follows the path of the flight.  In the field beyond the wall is a large boulder that marks the front edge of the crash site.






May 2, 2015

Stuff You Don't See Everyday

Here are a couple thing I've seen in the last two days that seemed a little out of the ordinary. 

Ketchup for dogs. 

A limo pulling a trailer