Hop, Skip, and a Jump

You're probably wondering about the title of this post. Well, keep wondering a little longer.

Ever been an air traffic controller? Me neither. But I've used this wonderful online simulator. Some days, it feels like I'm an air traffic controller for the radar of my life. Mostly when my job and personal life get really hectic and I need to coordinate fourteen random things that are happening at once. "Air Canada one-twenty-two, descent three thousand." lol

The Tour de France is well on its way. This race is so difficult that most of the riders focus on finishing the race, rather than placing first. Only the elite can dream of covering the 3,400 km in the shortest time. The effect this race had on me is amazing, and I'm still elated. A few days ago I managed to maintain an average speed of 30 km/h over a circuit route for the first time! I have a long way to go before I reach the speeds of the professionals. On similar routes, they can achieve an average speed of over 50 km/h!

In some ways I feel sorry for those cyclists, though. As much as I like cycling on the side, I couldn't enjoy it in the amounts they handle it. It seems to be their life. I have to wonder, "What about playing tennis, or swimming, or watching fireworks with friends, or driving to work in the morning, or falling in love with summer, or, or, or." The list stretches on. So I'll cheer them on and not envy them even a little.

I finished Rilla of Ingleside recently. It seems different from many of L. M. Montgomery's books. This one is far from idealistic. It takes place during World War I, and nothing could be less perfect. Yet it captures my imagination. I am so glad I don't have to face the fear and worry that these brave people had to face every day on the home front.

Did you know that William Stephenson was an introvert? Maybe you don't know him by that name. He was also called Little Bill and Intrepid. During World War II this Canadian was one of the most important Allied intelligence commanders. I've only read about two chapters into one of his biographies, but I can tell already.

And now back to the title. I had all these unconnected thoughts. So instead of carefully organizing them, I let them lump together. Happy leaping!

From out our bourne of Time and Space

Please open this image larger by clicking on it.

Imagine yourself in this position, lying here for awhile and watching Earth spin by. You could watch the clouds and the beautiful blue as you'd never done before. Mind you, hang on to something or you might find yourself floating across the room!

On the other hand, think of the effort needed to obtain this position. A multi-year degree in one of the sciences and years of experience, or years of involvement in aviation and probably some time in the military. Only then would you begin to qualify. Through rigorous physical activity you would be sent, along with hours upon hours of training for your special part in a space mission. And then, in a few days or maybe months, it would be over. The exhilaration of a rocket liftoff, the weightlessness of space, and the reentry back into the world you were made for.

I've been reading about STS-107, better known as the Columbia disaster, where a damaged Space Shuttle orbiter broke apart during reentry, killing all seven astronauts. I was young, but I remember the incident distinctly. Now I look back and imagine the horror of being trapped in a burning spaceship, flying nineteen times faster than the speed of sound, 200,000 feet above the protection of earth. What a horribly helpless feeling...

And that brings me to another thought. In the unfathomable light years of discovered universe, through millions of galaxies holding billions of stars, there is only a single heavenly body that nurtures life. Its name is Earth, and at the moment, you're resting in her protective embrace.

Post title from "Crossing the Bar" by Alfred Tennyson