Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Hey Houston...?

Well, here's another glorious first for America's space program. A trench coat. Seriously, a trench coat? Were a pair of Groucho Marx eyebrow glasses and a monster mask from the set of Scooby Doo not available?

And-- outstanding mugshot, Lisa. That's practically Nolte-level. Well played.

Used to be the '60's Mercury astronauts couldn't afford to permit the slightest crack in their marriages to show, to the point where one of the Seven had to move back in with his estranged wife for appearance's sake. But NASA 2007: Wigs and BB guns. And a trench coat.

The hotel where she parked her car, btw, is about three quarters of a mile from the Blonde Bachelorette Pad, Central Swamp Edition. I know exactly where it is. Right by the Cracker Barrel. I imagine this will now be a point of advertisement for the LaQuinta Inn, Orlando Airport North location. ("Complimentary Breakfast, Free Wi-Fi, Reduced Rate for Pending Leno Punchlines.")

Several have been mystified why Astronaut Nowak wore diapers during her (charming, I'm sure) hurtle from Houston to Orlando. I have no idea how this whole love pentagon got started, but I do know where Nowak got the Depends idea: Her employer. The astronauts are diapered during liftoff since they spend so much time in the pressure suits, strapped to their couches. And after the mission, they fluid-load before landing to compensate for the fact that the human body, in orbit, mistakenly considers itself water-logged and so doesn't concern itself with a whole lot of retention. (I find this awesome. Next PMS cycle, I'm heading for the launchpad.) The water helps keep the crew from feeling lightheaded when they re-experience full gravity. Basically, if you're trying to line up the orbiter for landing going 200+ miles an hour with no second chances and half a gallon of water seeking an exit strategy, you don't want to be all, "Dude, we need to find a gas station." Sorry to ruin the whole Right Stuff mystique and all, but-- yeah. Diapered.

I'm also gratified to know that the parking security forces at the Orlando International Airport are useful for slightly more than frantic whistle-blowing at Mini Coopers that linger longer than .0000004 seconds at the passenger pickup exit.

at least she's used to orange jumpsuits and enclosed spaces (tm Dave Barry reader) at: mb@blondechampagne.com

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Couldn't we have spared Barbaro and sent this crazy bat to the glue factory instead?

Josh The Pilot said...

I concur, Mike, but hey, easy on the personal satellite title. I'M her satellite. You can be an asteroid belt or something like that. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Y'know, I read this story when I got up this morning, and knew it would be The National Story to lead all national stories today at work, and couldn't wait to get home from work because I suspected one Blonde Champagne would have offered her own Floridian take on the whole debacle.

I even suspected you would fully explain the adult-diapers thing. Thank you for meeting my expectations. ;-)

John Burzynski said...

She looks like she is on meth...

Ophelia said...

I agree with NotoriousMac...I just couldn't wait for MB's take on this spectacle

Anonymous said...

JTP: Deal.

Anonymous said...

What a shame! It would have made awesome reality tv to have this wacky girl among the crew for the first mission to Mars!

Big Brother: Cosmic Edition.

Imagine if every week they decided to kick someone out of the spaceship ;-)

Anonymous said...

I would have been very terribly disappointed had you not commented on this. Finally, back in “dry” mode. Nicely done indeed!

Anonymous said...

Have I been wet, literailly speaking?

Jenib said...

john b-she does remind me of one of those women on the faces of meth web page: http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/DrugIssue/MethResources/faces/index.html

Anonymous said...

I think he just meant your 'dry' sense of humor, which is what we love!

Anonymous said...

*Ahem* We being my hubby and I, not the 'royal we' or any delusions of granduer. Yep, all my delusions are about other things. ;)

Anonymous said...

"Dry" as in "don't worry it's a wit" as the lead in to Blonde Champange used to say.

Anonymous said...

Oh, yeah, I get what you're saying there, but what I'm asking (and answer me honestly, please, cause I really want to know) is do you feel this "dry quality" has been missing lately-- because I haven't had the opportunity to post as much, or because when I do, the quality isn't what you might want? Seriously, tell me, because if I'm losing the fastball, I want to know.

Craig said...

I think it's romantic.

Anonymous said...

MB- Your posts are just as dry, witty, thought provoking, pee your pants funny, self-effacing, and poignant as ever.

B-sides, I like your new occaisional co-author. You are definately still @ the top of your game.

Anonymous said...

aw, thanks :)

Anonymous said...

I believe you still have the "stuff" on your fastball. With all that is going on in your life it's not fair to yourself to expect to be pitching everyday. Your good writing and wry wit still engages readers such as myself.
- Dry Meter

Josh The Pilot said...

Thank tamar and anon! I'm glad you enjoy my relief pitching. :)

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