To the moon!

I'm no lover of Google. But they know how to create buzz, and that's why I liked this announcement so much. Turns out they're offering $20 million to the first team to "successfully land a privately funded craft on the lunar surface and survive long enough to complete the mission goals of roaming about the lunar surface for at least 500 meters and sending a defined data package, called a “Mooncast”, back to Earth."

I've not read extensively on private space travel, but I know that it's terribly difficult to even get a privately built spacecraft out of orbit let alone on the moon. And I can't imagine that the $20 million would even begin to recoup the costs of doing this.So why do I love it?

Because I think Google knows this, and therefore knows that they will not have to pay this out. But yet they get the buzz and recognition for dreaming of something so cool as being the first to beam a mooncast. Plus, this will likely tie to some other product they're selling in a really cool way. They're seen as a revolutionary company, willing to do or try anything as long as it pushes the bounds of what's comfortable. They're not willing to be categorized as a search company, or a software company. They're just smart, and ballsy, and cutting-edge.

So good for them.

Feel better about yourself

My friend Jen shared this site with some celeb photoshopping. Crazy. But should make us all realize that our perceptions can be influenced by the media machine. And that we all look a little better than we think we do.

Take a peek here. You'll giggle.

Bad Wolf...and the power of words

Sometimes words resonate with me in ways that they don't to ordinary people. I don't know why, but I think it's because my Mom loves words, and I think it's one of the gifts she gave me. Anyway, I know Melanie thinks I'm an odd one, but the writing in Dr. Who is really outstanding. Last night I re-watched Bad Wolf and The Parting Ways - great episodes, and such great writing. Here are my favorite lines, with my favorite favorite lines bolded, for you're reading pleasure. They are great here, and even better when delivered by Rose.

The Doctor: What have you done? Rose Tyler: I looked into the TARDIS and the TARDIS looked into me. The Doctor: You looked into the time vortex, Rose, nobody is supposed to see that! Emperor Dalek: This is the abomination! Dalek: Exterminate! [Dalek shoots at her with its laser, but Rose lifts up her hand and stops it, reversing it back into the Dalek, the Doctor looks on in surprise] Rose Tyler: I am the Bad Wolf. I create myself. I take the words... [Rose lifts her hand and takes the words from the Bad Wolf Corporation sign] Rose Tyler: ...I scatter them, in time and space. [the words float off away from them] Rose Tyler: A message, to lead myself here. The Doctor: Rose, you've got to stop this, you've got to stop this now! You've the entire vortex running through you're head, you're gonna burn! Rose Tyler: I want you safe, my Doctor. Protected from the false God. Emperor Dalek: You cannot hurt me, I am immortal. Rose Tyler: You are tiny. I can see the whole of time and space, every single atom of your existence, and I divide them. [Rose lifts her hand again, the Dalek that tried to shoot her disappears in an explosion of golden dust] Rose Tyler: Everything must come to dust. All things, everything dies.

Ordinary things matter

This Labor Day weekend reminded me of how special "ordinary" things can be. Today I played Chutes and Ladders and Candy Land with Abby. The loser had to do a funky dance. Sitting there in the family room, playing board games with my little girl is a seemingly simple, mundane thing. But I'm so glad I was able to do it, and what a funky dance I did. She said, "you're funny Dad". So really I'm the winner.

I've also got a new little buddy - Maddie really loves spending time with me, and I her. She cracks me up with the funny, totally independent things she does. Tonight all of us - Mel, Me, Abby, Maddie, and Grandma all played hide-and-go-seek. And Maddie totally ate it up! After she was found she would say "again, again". And she was literally screaming at the top of her lungs, expressing as only an 18 month old can, how totally fun and exciting a game of hide/seek can be. Or how wonderful a uncooked, raw corn cob can be (she almost ate the whole thing). Small, simple things. But wonderful, amazing everday occurances that make life sweet.