We Still Choose To Go

Taking a short break from reporting on weather and virtual worlds:

Tomorrow is Yuri's Night, the anniversary of the first human spaceflight, and of the first space flight of the Shuttle. Forty-seven years ago, a Soviet cosmonaut took mankind's first step toward the final frontier. Twenty-seven years ago, the American space program began our first experiment with reusable spacecraft. On April 12th we celebrate a milestone which will stand as long as we reach for the stars.

There are Yuri's Night parties in Richmond, DC, and the Raleigh area, and more all over the world - even in Second Life! The Yuri's Night website has plenty of information about the celebrations, including a chance to win a ride on G-Force One, a plane that performs weightless simulation flights.

Our space exploration efforts have faltered in recent years, but mankind hasn't given up; whether it be aboard an Orion capsule, a Soyuz spacecraft, or a Rutan spaceplane, a steadily-increasing number of us will have the chance to see the world from above, and dip their toes in the vast sea of stars that awaits the human race.

EDIT: jameshroberts correctly points out that our robotic exploration efforts are remarkably successful; it's just the manned side which has faltered somewhat.

Parthenogenesis is an Athenian Prog Rock band

Back on the fandom front, I finished watching the Series 4 premiere of Doctor Who last night. I have to say I was enormously pleased. I have learned to stop worrying about the comic-book science of the new show, and was able to focus on the acting and writing, which satisfied me fine.

David Tennant's mentioned that his favorite Doctor was the Fifth, and his version shares a certain tendency to be swept along helplessly by events. It's no coincidence that his catch phrase is "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry." as he observes another loss he could not prevent. The Tenth Doctor rose above that in this story, and I hope he'll continue to do so in this year's plots.

The Doctor's at his best when he's facing down a villain and stating, sociably, "I'd advise you not to be fooled by your first impressions of me. You're hurting innocent sentients here, and I'm going to ask you nicely, once, to stop." Tennant nailed that note this episode. ( spoilers approaching )

So, good start. I hope this series goes well, since I'm told that Series 5 won't be released until 2010.

Brief updates

• 16:17 A Sherlock Holmes story by the staff writers at "Lost": tinyurl.com/2nq86b - heh. #

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