Good news ... Bad news ...

Today was a day of mixed highs and lows... Here goes the summary.

Bad News: The launch was scrubbed. See Scrub #1 below for the explanation...

Good News: I might have a chance to be command certified (meaning I've completed the training required to be eligible to perform commanding tasks to the Station) by the end of next week. This doesn't mean I actually get to command - that won't happen until I get through my complete system certification - but I'm another step closer.

Bad News: The launch for tomorrow was scrubbed. See Scrub #2. Maybe Friday?

Good News: We won our first softball game!!

Bad News: We lost our second.

Good News: I was hitting like a champ in the home run derby after the games!

Bad News: One of the guys got nailed in the head with a line drive in the home run derby.

Good News: No concussion and he doesn't need stitches!

Bad News: I almost hit a deer on the way out of the field.

Good News: I stopped in time and missed him!

Bad News: In stopping abruptly my cell phone slid forward from underneath my seat to be miraculously "found". ... yup. That's right. 3 days after I paid uber-dollars to replace it. Gotta love the timing.

Good News: I don't have to spend an additional $25 on a new sim card for the phone?

*sigh* It seems petty to complain after all of the shockers that have happened to family and friends, but we'll focus on the positives for now: Launch on Friday (fingers crossed people!), no expensive damage to a head, no damage to the car, and a few extra dollars saved on replacing a "lost" phone. All in a days work, I suppose.

Scrub #2 ...

Two down, one to go. This is not looking pretty.

Scrub #1 ...

Well, with only three possible launch days we've scrubbed on day #1. Apparently they are having fuel cell problems that require troubleshooting. Details here, but here's hoping that we can launch tomorrow!

Some friendly advice ...

... when at the softball field: go ahead and leave your cell phone in the car. I made the mistake of taking mine with me and I've been trying to replace it ever since. So if you've been attempting to call me - fear not! I am not ignoring you. I am simply disconnected from the world. Hopefully I will get a replacement sometime very soon (Tuesday? Maybe?) but it should be in the mail.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present ... MY NEW TOY!
Yup. Decided to go all "high tech" and stuff. I figured since I was paying for it anyways, what the hey. Might as well get something I like! I learned my lesson, though, and phone replacement insurance is now being added to my plan.

Are you ready for some football!!

Have I mentioned lately that I'm excited about the start of the football season? Temperatures are dropping, grills are getting hot, and the men of winter are ready to bang it out for another season. Hooray!! Only one more week of preseason madness then let the real games begin!

The highlight of last night's games: Denver won (of course), Raiders lost (yippee!), and Cutler is looking better and better.

Cutler making waves...

Next up for the weekend: CU is looking to beat Montana State for a quick start at home. If only I could watch the games here ...

Most exciting thing to look forward to: LAUNCH! Complete change of pace, but we're looking to launch the next space shuttle mission on September 6th. I don't have anything to do with the shuttle directly, but you can read all about the mission here. It's going to be exciting with a lot of power reconfiguration and activities. I'll be working crazy hours while they are in the air, but I'll try to keep things up to date!

Atlantis on the pad