The most asked question on NASA tours! VIDEO!

One of the most asked questions on tours of NASA is of course...how does one eliminate. And you have known me long enough now to know that something like this is, excuse the pun, a golden opportunity. The positional trainer alone is priceless....Don't go into the light! takes on a whole new meaning!

Comments From Wesley Parish on his story

Wesley Parish just wrote me with some follow up info on his short story - A Man, A Plan, A Shattered World, that I thought was fascinating, so I thought I would share it with you

• Just some points you can pass on to any of your callers who ask about the story:
• 
  
• The title is derived from a book called "Man with a Shattered World" by the Russian neurospychologist A.R. Luria, and indeed the central "bits" of the story - the rifle bullet in the brain, the messed up memory, the man trying to survive in spite of it all - are derived from that book. The guy in the book is an inspiration. He's getting better, in spite of his messed-up life - he can piece together memories that prevent him from believing fake memories, he can remember the videos of the attack; he's just in despair and doesn't see it. And it's based on a dream I had. so I thought I'd inflict it on the world, and I'm delighted that other people have enjoyed it. Wesley Parish
  

Jupiter Looses a Belt?!

Tim Sayell was noticing that there was a lot of activity in Yahoo about the planet Jupiter. Looking up what was causing all the furor he came across a really interesting article.

It seems that Jupiter is losing some of it's stripes!

Here is what the article says.

• A giant cloud belt in the southern half of Jupiter has apparently disappeared according to new photos of the planet taken by amateur astronomers.
• The new Jupiter photos, taken May 9 by Australian astronomer Anthony Wesley, reveal that the huge reddish band of clouds that make up the planet's Southern Equatorial Belt has faded from view.

Read complete CSM article here

review: Tails of Wonder & Imagination

Tails of Wonder & Imagination
Edit by Ellen Datlow
from Night Shade Books

Do you think of yourself as a cat fancier? Do stories about cats or with cats as the main character garner more than just a little interest? Well have I got a book for you! Tails of Wonder edited by Ellen Datlow has collected some of the finest “cat” stories I have seen to date. Now I am not talking about the cutesy puss in boots tales (no pun intended) either. Some of the most heart wrenching and frightening stories are contained within the covers, by some of the most esteemed authors in the field today. Stephen King, George R.R. Martin and Mary A. Turrizllo to name a few. Mary's story you might remember from an earlier BMU program, is Pride which tells the story of a long dead sabre tooth tiger brought back through regressive dna (I know, I am mangling the science) and the horrifying effect that the big cat has on modern society. Or the absolutely indescribable Cat Skin by Kelly Link and one of my favorites in the book Healing Benjamin by Dennis Danvers is absolutely heart breaking.

Forty two stories in all with a fine intro by Ellen gives enough selection than anyone is likely to find several well worth the cost of the volume. I thought I would be wanting at the end knowing that most of the stories would be classified as fantasy, but I had no problem getting to the end and often a lot of trouble just putting it down.

This would be one that I would suggest you checking out no matter what your main story venue is. I think even the most hardened amongst us can warm to this collection.

Review: Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2

Directed by Jon Favreau

Starring Robert Downey Jr. Gwyneth Paltrow Don Cheadle Mickey Rourke Scarlett Johansson

Sam Rockwell Samuel L. Jackson

Iron Man 2 is of course the continuing antics of Tony Stark as he plays with his flying body armor bearing the name of said movie – aptly portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. Here again we have the obligatory high speed flybys, the face of the pilot being lit by all sorts of flight information. Shooting smashing and blowing things up galore. And of course fight scenes where suits flail on one another over and over. The point being is that there is little departure from the first Iron Man. The suit is a bit spiffier and the old adage in movies is that if one is good than lots is better, and there a no surprises here in that department. I can say initially that if you liked the first you will certainly like the second. What's more I can clearly see that Downey should never be lacking for a role because he is Stark in every self indulgent pore.

My complaint might be that there is even less of a nod to science and research than the last. If Stark need a particle accelerator why he just builds one in his living room! Yep, physics certainly takes a back seat.

My favorite part just may have been the walkons by Sam Jackson as Fury that I wouldn't mind seeing that plot string drawn out more!

But lets be honest. Iron Man 2 like the first is above all else a straight ahead action adventure film. No ambiguity at all. Good guys no matter their faults are good and the bad no matter the extenuating circumstances. Conspicuous consumption, two fisted drinking and everyone gets the shit kicked out of them! Out and out wish fulfillment.

Again, if you really liked the first movie, you are not going to be disappointed here and if you just go in for action movies, you will still not be left wanting. Good mindless entertainment at its best. And that is where I would give it a go watch it recommendation.

Thanks to FlagShip Cinemas for their considerations