Why, Hello Roller Coaster

Posted in Uncategorized on November 20th, 2009 by jwadley – Be the first to comment

We meet again, emotions.

In the past, you have tempted me with your cheerful hand-painted sign, your smiling logo. Your sickeningly sweet, cotton-candy-flavored promises lured me in. I did not notice the steep incline, the plunging drop. I chose not to look at the corkscrew track with its violent, banking turns.
I did not realize how telling it was that I had to pull myself up to a minimum height. I did not give a second thought to the tight harness, the cutting belts.
I climbed in willingly, believing the marketing campaign when its posters assured me of “fun” and “laughter”. I buckled the strap and gave an extra pull before giving a big thumbs-up to the attendant.
Then, it all went wrong. Every turn was a slap. Every sudden stop a knife. The click-click of the chain pulling me up the hill was the mocking caw of impending pain; the steep descent a savage fall into despair and fear.
And it was all a surprise. I didn’t see it coming. I had my eyes pinched closed and every moment was a fresh shock, a new violation.
I was battered. Beaten. Crushed. My vulnerable spirit was broken, unable to withstand that unexpected force.
That is how it has been.
But this time, things are different.
Now, I recognize you. I see you and label you honestly. I read the fine print. I choose to face you. I embrace you.
This time, I will be the victor. You will not take me by surprise with your force, your confusing twists and turns. I have my eyes open, ready to brace the whipping wind and the stings that come with it. I will feel all of it, the good and bad, the excitement and fear, the fun and the fury.
This time, I will not be pulled, unwilling.
This time, I will ride.

NASA Tweetup Photos

Posted in Fame, Geek, NASA Tweetup, Sexy, Space, Travel, Twitter on November 18th, 2009 by jwadley – Be the first to comment

I’ve had a couple of requests for photographic evidence of my attendance at the Tweetup, and rather than argue about why you need proof, I’ll just chalk it up to you wanting to see more pics of me. :-)

So, here you are – a few of my favorite photos from the NASA Tweetup. See? It actually happened!


Fangirl, Taking Off

Posted in Uncategorized on November 18th, 2009 by jwadley – Be the first to comment

I’m famous!

Well, maybe I’m not famous, per se.
But my tweet is famous!
The Wall Street Journal (along with other news sources) had this story from the Associated Press, on Monday’s launch of the Atlantis Space Shuttle (STS-129). A bit more than halfway through the article came this reference to the NASA Tweetup:

NASA officials were pleased with the seemingly perfect launch, but the Twittering invitees were downright ecstatic. They were among the first to sign up online last month for the opportunity to see a launch up close, and filed Twitter updates practically nonstop.

“Never been more proud to be a geeky, dorky, intelligent space fangirl!!” one wrote a few hours before liftoff.

Wow, aside from there being an awful lot of adjectives in there, that seems like a pretty cute tweet! Enthusiastic, proud of our space program, self-identifying as a geek and a dork, not to mention intelligent. Using the colloquial term fangirl, which everyone knows can only be used by someone effortlessly hip, who is well versed in new media.
I’m sure you can’t imagine what adorable Tweeter could possibly have typed those priceless less-than-140 characters, right? Wait, you guessed? Really? Way to steal my moment, people. Okay, yes, it was me! Little ‘ole me! I tweeted the tweet that summed up the whole experience for old media.
Though, now that you mention it, no one really knows it was my tweet. The Associated Press didn’t credit the tweet. So, unless you were following the Twitter stream, you probably wouldn’t know. But I’m stating it here, with proof, for posterity, and, well, because it is so cool! Here it is, my actual tweet, tweeted by me on the twitterrific Twitter:

Never been more proud to be a geeky, dorky, intelligent space fangirl!! #nasatweetup

11:49 AM Nov 16th from Echofonhttp://twitter.com/JSWadley/status/5769466780

Wow! That seems so moving, such a perfect sum-up of a momentary emotion. In fact, it makes me realize that, really, many of my tweets were deserving of national press. They are important, vital inoculations of information in teeny, tiny doses. And, just for your reading pleasure and continued education, I provide them for you. You may thank me by calling me a cheeky strumpet.

Look how close we are to the VAB!! #nasatweetuphttp://twitpic.com/pr42q9:19 AM Nov 16th from Echofon
Why yes, that is me. AT THE COUNTDOWN CLOCK!! Geeky Vanna! #nasatweetup http://twitpic.com/pr6gx9:45 AM Nov 16th from Echofon
Articulate geeks FTW! Just got interviewed! ;-) #nasatweetup11:55 AM Nov 16th from Echofon
Checking out actual samples of the heat shield tiles. The ceramic glass coating is like an eggshell! #nasatweetuphttp://twitpic.com/prlsw12:09 PM Nov 16th from Echofon
Can you believe the size of these nuts? They split in half to release the shuttle during launch. #nasatweetuphttp://twitpic.com/prm9812:13 PM Nov 16th from Echofon
@gfitz: We’re in a fancy #twent, with tables & ac, not on stands. & lots with laptops. Here’s a look. #nasatweetuphttp://twitpic.com/prqej12:48 PM Nov 16th from Echofon
Who’s this cute astronaut? ;-) #nasatweetuphttp://twitpic.com/prv1a1:26 PM Nov 16th from Echofon
Stopping to think for a minute. Taking it all in. This experience is so humbling, an honor that I will never forget.#nasatweetup2:16 PM Nov 16th from Echofon
Standing where I am, I can see the clock 30 feet from me, and have a perfect view of the launch pad. #nasatweetup2:24 PM Nov 16th from Echofon
This is the shot you get when you’re crying too hard to take press the button. #nasatweetup http://twitpic.com/ps5w52:49 PM Nov 16th from Echofon
Found my words: Beautiful. Amazing. A blast-off of science and human ingenuity and bravery and tenacity and love, yes love! #nasatweetup2:54 PM Nov 16th from Echofon
A final thought – focus on the powerfully positive experience we’ve shared and the future for NASA is bright! #nasatweetup4:00 PM Nov 16th from Echofon

Thoughts on the Tweetup from the Tired

Posted in Uncategorized on November 17th, 2009 by jwadley – Be the first to comment

I have the words, but it is difficult to put them together in a way the accurately describes today.

Amazing. Humbling. Inspirational. Exciting. Overwhelming. Emotional.
I didn’t really know what to expect from the NASA Tweetup for STS-129. Having few expectations made it easy for NASA to completely impress me. And they did that. And then some. They treated us with such respect, and gave us a VIP experience I never expected. They answered endless questions, provided dozens of speakers, and seemed sincerely interested in our participation.
I didn’t expect to meet such amazing people. I met almost 100 space fans, scientists and new media gurus. And every person was fascinating, intelligent, entertaining, sincere and kind. I now have dozens of new Twitter friends from all over, and each one makes me smile.
I didn’t expect to learn so much. Although I am a big fan of the space shuttle and of NASA’s programs, I am not a scientist or space blogger. I was nervous that my limited knowledge would be an embarrassing detriment. It wasn’t. And I learned so much about the shuttle and the space program, I now feel like a much more deserving ambassador.
I didn’t expect my emotional response. I knew that I would probably cry when Atlantis went up, but I didn’t realize that many things would bring tears. Watching the big clock count down, and the shuttle go up, was an intimate, personal, experience, and I got to share in the emotion with everyone there, and everyone following us on Twitter.
And, I didn’t expect to be so exhausted after two days. I can barely keep my eyes open, and scenes from the day keep replaying in my head. I’m taking myself to bed to dream big dreams.

An Explosion of Geeky Goodness!

Posted in Uncategorized on November 16th, 2009 by jwadley – Be the first to comment

In an appalling lack of original thought after more than 12 hours of NASA excitement, I bring you today’s blog post – some of my favorite tweets of the day.

Now I just need to post a link to this on Twitter and the social communication convergence will be complete. ;-)
Here’s to all of the fantastic geeky people I met today! See you tomorrow for the launch of STS-129!



I’m here at Kennedy Space Center!! Can’t control the goosebumps! :-D #nasatweetup

Just met @starstryder!! Squee!! So much geeky awesomeness in one room!! #nasatweetup

#nasatweetup they are using big words “to let you know we’re rocket scientists” ooh dessicant plug.

#nasatweetup I am learning so much I think my brain is leaking. What’s my name again? What was that about a beer keg?

#nasatweetup Oh, he said orbital manuvering system. Sexy.

#nasatweetup People, repeat after me. Space is sexy!!

#nasatweetup Astronauts apparently put on skits. I love these people. :-D

#nasatweetup More men than women here, but I’m at an all SpaceFanGirl table!

#nasatweetup Should I have @Astro_Mike autograph my breasts? For #boobiewed breast cancer research!

#nasatweetup Have met so many fascinating people! So many walks of life love NASA and Space!! (Remember, space is sexy!!)

#nasatweetup This is an explosion of geeky goodness. :-)

Little me, big rocket. (thanks for photo @FyreHyde)#nasatweetup http://twitpic.com/pnk9d

OMG driving out toward launch pad. Just saw where we’ll be tomorrow. Insane geekgasm! #nasatweetup
What’s that? Oh yeah, it’s the SPACE SHUTTLE people!!!! Oh, and some hot chick who wanted in the pic. #nasatweetup http://twitpic.com/pnv9c

NASA Tweetup Nerves

Posted in Uncategorized on November 15th, 2009 by jwadley – Be the first to comment

I feel like I’m in that dream. You know, the one where you are on the school bus, or giving a speech, or thumping the melons at the grocery store, when you realize you’re absolutely naked?

I am feeling that kind of nervousness and embarrassment about tomorrow’s NASA Tweetup.
Do you think there will be a test?!
Maybe, when we get there to register, they’ll give us a test to make we know our space stuff. Everyone will breeze through, muttering memorized equations and talking about the mass of various chemicals when in a semi-gaseous state. Jeepers, I don’t even feel confident imagining the test questions – I’m already failing!
Maybe they’ll let me down easily, then snicker behind my back. Maybe they’ve never met someone who couldn’t describe the current atmospheric conditions in ten words or less, or who didn’t know the velocity needed to exit the Earth’s atmosphere without some major cramming and a cheat sheet.
Maybe they’ll kindly show me the way to the snack bar, shake their heads sadly and murmur “Tsk, tsk. Such a shame. Bet she just came for the Astronaut Ice Cream!”
I was a Liberal Arts major, people! My Sex Roles in Modern Society class did not prepare me for playful scientific banter with people like Dr. Pamela Gay! (Aka Star Stryder, an astronomer filled with such awesomesauce, I cannot even speak her name aloud.)
But, maybe everything will be fine. Maybe they have a special section of the Tweetup for the less deserving, charity cases. Maybe they’ll provide us with coloring sheets (Decorate your own Space Shuttle!) and study materials (Counting Backward from 10 to 1, a Beginner’s Guide).
For the record, though, and for posterity before I potentially humiliate myself, I just love NASA. I love the space program. I love the Space Shuttle. I love the Kennedy Space Center. I love astronauts and astronomers. I get goosebumps every single time a Shuttle or rocket lifts off, and just hearing the chatter on the NASA TV station raises my heart rate.
And, it’s in my blood! That’s right! In 1974, my father and mother brought a group of students from the New York Institute for the Blind to the Kennedy Space Center. The students, and my parents, got a very special tour of the Space Center, during which the blind students were able to actually touch some of the artifacts and exhibits. They even got to drive the Lunar Roving Vehicle (yes! the actual moon buggy!) And guess what? I was THERE! In the womb! Already predisposed to love NASA and to reach for the stars!
As my Papa always said:
“What’s our motto, Jenny?”
“If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It!”
Let’s just hope I don’t have one of those naked dreams tonight. I would hate to do that.

How I Became A Shameless Flirt

Posted in Uncategorized on November 14th, 2009 by jwadley – Be the first to comment

OK, I’m half kidding. I’m not really a shameless flirt. Well, not most of the time, anyway. There are certainly times when my darling husband would disagree, but most of the time I’m flirting with him anyway, so….

I think I got off topic there. Let’s see, how does this go? Oh, that’s right….
*****************
Once upon a time, there was Girl. Girl was kind, smart, and maybe a little too desperate to find true love, but she did have an unhealthy obsession with fairy tales, so that’s to be expected. Girl meets guy in middle school and has a friend. Girl falls in love with guy in high school and has a boyfriend. Girl marries guy in college, and has a husband. Girl never learned to flirt, but Girl doesn’t really need to flirt, after all, she’s very happily married. Still, she is somewhat disappointed that she never got to experience this particular rite of passage.
Girl becomes Woman. Woman becomes Mother. Girl is no longer Girl, but Earth Mother. Breastfeeding, Sling-Wearing, Earth Mother. Earth Mother has no need to flirt. All is well.
After several years, Earth Mother is tired. Earth Mother becomes Woman, still Mother but so much more. Woman begins to feel a stirring in her bones. To her astonishment, Woman starts to become Girl. Girl wants to play and flirt! Woman tries to reason with Girl, saying, “Your time has passed. Wear brown and black clothes. Wear sensible shoes. You have no need to flirt.”
Girl laughs. Girl’s eyes sparkle. Girl puts on short red plaid skirt, polka-dotted panties, sexy bra, low-cut shirt and shoes that mock the word sensible. Girl tosses her long pigtails and skips to the door, singing merrily as she goes, “Silly woman, come with me and we’ll learn how to flirt!”
And that’s how this smart, accomplished, nurturing Woman became a giddy, fun-loving Girl, and yes, a shameless flirt.

What Did You DO Today?

Posted in Uncategorized on November 13th, 2009 by jwadley – Be the first to comment

As homeschoolers, we often hear that question. Actually, stay-at-home moms in general hear that question a great deal, in my experience, but that’s another post. (And no, we’re NOT EATING BON-BONS! Jeez!)

Sometimes, well-meaning family members or friends will ask this question of me, or even of my kids. I should say, most of the time they are well-meaning, but sometimes they are just looking for dirt with which to smear.
Sometimes, my husband will ask this question of me, and the kids, depending on what category of hurricane has apparently come through the house.
Most of the time, though, I ask this question of myself.
I’ve mentioned that we are eclectic unschoolers. We use some structured teaching methods, sure. And even some curricula. But the way we go about school is mostly child-led. That means some days, we do nothing at all that is obviously “schoolwork”. And other days, we spend hours on one particular subject, learning all we can about one topic. (Mummies getting their brains pulled out through the nose was a good solid four hours of fun.)
When we’ve had several “no schoolwork” days in a row, I start to get a little nervous. Maybe that’s my public-school education talking, but going a while without busywork makes me feel like I’m slacking in some way.
Which brings us to today.
Today brought us the most glorious weather this humid, hot state has seen in months. It was cold (for Florida), with a light, misty rain that would have been snow in another state. The rain felt like cold, tiny kisses. It was marvelous.
The kids reacted to this cool weather by immediately demanding to go outside and play. :-) Max in jeans and a too-small firefighter jacket. Emma in old-fashioned pajamas with a sweater on top and no shoes. (Yes, that’s right. I let my kid out in the cold weather with no shoes. This is still Florida, people.)
They ran and laughed and had fun on the swings until we were cold enough to come inside. Then we opened the windows in the house and took turns putting our cold hands onto each other’s backs.
What else did we do? We talked about continents, and countries and states. We laughed about a country being called Greenland, when it is icy and snowy. (Marketing at work, kids!) We learned about Digraphs from a cool poster Max picked out at the teacher store.
We read books. A lot of books. Some awesome (How I Became a Pirate and Diary of a Worm), some that could be lost forever, in my opinion (Walter and whatever farting situation he’s gotten himself into this time).
We played games. We played. Period.
And when Max said
“Hey Mommy! It’s so cold! Let’s make soup and popcorn and cuddle on the couch with a blanket and watch a Christmas movie!”

I said,

“Sounds like a fantastic idea!”

And then I remembered, again, why I love homeschooling. And I kept remembering all day… even through the 142nd viewing of Home Alone.

NASA Tweetup FTW!

Posted in Uncategorized on November 12th, 2009 by jwadley – Be the first to comment

It is all thanks to my husband!

10… As I recently complained, my dear, darling husband convinced me to join the Twitter revolution.
9… Intrigued, I started following some of the same geeky people and groups that he follows.
8… I started following NASA, because, hey, it’s awesome! And, that’s geeky goodness for the whole family. And, we live close enough to actually see the space shuttle go up in the sky.
7… Husband told me about a nifty thing called the NASA Tweetup.
6… Husband explained what a “meetup” was, then I made the intellectual leap to figure out what a tweetup was all about.
5… Husband and I got online, at our respective computers, at exactly the right time, and typed furiously to try to be one of the few chosen NASA twitter followers to be honored with a spot at the tweetup.
4… We were both placed on the waiting list.
3… We were resigned, and disappointed.
2… About a week ago, I received an email informing me that A SPOT HAD OPENED UP FOR ME!
1… I am going to the NASA Tweetup!! It is THIS Sunday and Monday! Woot!
All systems are go for launch! I am ready for ignition! I can’t wait to liftoff! And, also, I am ready to use any and all space program puns to bring you this Homeschooling Mom’s experience!
Be advised: I am a lower-level geek. I do not have the EXP to report on this stuff from a scientific perspective. I am *just* a space-loving fangirl mom who has an awesome opportunity to experience, observe and report. Don’t expect a technical discussion, people. Do expect some humor, and more than a few embarrassing moments for yours truly.
And in that vein, would someone please tell me what to wear? All my scientist lab coats are at the cleaner’s! :-)
And P.S. Thanks sweetie! This is all thanks to you!

Need. Sleep.

Posted in Uncategorized on November 11th, 2009 by jwadley – Be the first to comment

I love posting to this blog. I truly do. But tonight, this crap is all you get. Why? Because Emma woke up crying from the growing pains in her legs.

Between the stress and the screaming, I’m beat. I’ll have more fun tomorrow, I promise!

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »