In the World

I have discovered a word that can turn anyone in a screaming, red-faced, quivering mass of fury, be it a 50-something grandmother, a 22 year-old college graduate, or a 4 year-old.

That word is “No”.

And I should really learn to use it more often. And stick to it when I do.

I’ve discovered that, at heart, I’m a really flexible, easy-going person. I go with the flow, often to my detriment. Even when I know I should be saying “no”, I say “yes” because it’s “easier”. Unfortunately, that “easier” keeps coming back to bite me.

In fact, I had a coworker warn me today about this very thing. And did I listen? Of course not. And there’s going to be an “I told you so” in there for me somewhere. And I’m going to deserve it, because my “yes” has already come back to bite me in the ass.

So maybe I should start applying the same rules I’ve learned about saying “no” to my kid:

1. Say “no”.

2. If they yell, say “no” again, in the same tone.

3. If they yell a third time, explain why the answer is still “no”.

4. If they yell a fourth time (or, as in the case of my little girl, starts trying to hit me), the answer is still “no”, somebody goes in for a time-out or a spanking (or possibly bedtime), and the matter is closed.

I foresee wailing and the gnashing of teeth the next time I say “no”, because I’m going to start taking the good advice I get, and stick to it.

Sometimes I hate self-examination.

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NASA is being awfully ambitious this spring.

In case you don’t know, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (you know, the folks who managed to beat the Soviets to the Moon more than a generation ago) is under a deadline to get the next generation of manned space exploration under way.

This means retiring the existing “bricks with wings” by 2010 (under the current plan). NASA is nowhere near having anything else ready to fly, so they’re fast-tracking shuttle launches to try and get as much done as they can in the time they have left.

I’m taking my daughter to DisneyWorld in May, specifically to coincide with the launch week of Shuttle missions STS-125 and STS-127. In a first for NASA, Atlantis and Endeavour are both scheduled for launch the week of May 10. meaning we’re going to two-thirds of Earth’s manned spacecraft fleet (not counting the Daedalus-class ships, of course, or the F-309 squadrons). I’ve always wanted to see a shuttle launch, and now I’ll have the chance to see two in the same week.

I think, though, that NASA may be putting two birds in the air at the same time for a different reason. But that’s just me. Given NASA’s recent track record, I’m not sure they’ll be able to pull it off. But I wish them the best in trying.

Still, I’m looking forward to it. The Space Shuttle is the most advanced space vehicle we have (which, admittedly, is kinda sad), and it’ll be nice to see them in action.

At least until we get around to building real starships, that is.

My wife, daughter, and I (and possibly my brother and some friends) are going to Tekkoshocon in the beginning of April.

Tekkoshocon is an anime convention. What’s “anime”? In the United States, anime is the generic term given to cartoons from Japan. They are generally stylistically different from American cartoons, and not limited to children’s entertainment. The convention part is where a bunch of fans get together to watch anime, hear talks on anime-related subjects, meet voice actors, and optionally dress up like their favorite characters. It is pretty cool.

If you’re going to be near the Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh on Saturday, April 4, you should stop by and look for the little kid dressed up as a cabbit. Tenchi Masaki (me possibly in costume) won’t be far away.

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