Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett

Two 70s icons checked out today. Farrah Fawcett, sex symbol and actress, succumbed to cancer this morning at the age of 62. Before anyone could properly mourn her, news came that Michael Jackson had also died – heart attack at the age of 52.

Around 1979, these two among the most famous celebrities ever. Farrah as a pinup and Charlie’s Angels actress, and Michael for his never-ending string of hit singles. When I was ten it seemed that every boy on the block had a Farrah poster and a Michael Jackson album.

It seems that when your childhood icons pass away a little part of you goes with them.

Kodachrome

Kodachrome will be no more. Check out some reminiscences, the Kodachrome Project and Kodak’s Kodachrome Sildeshow.

Kodachrome (YouTube)
Paul Simon

When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school
It’s a wonder I can think at all
And though my lack of education hasn’t hurt me none
I can read the writing on the wall

Kodachrome
You give us those nice bright colors
You give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah!
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
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Moon missions

NASA launched the first lunar mission in over a decade last week. The LRO and LCROSS shared the same rocket launch of June 18th to begin their missions of mapping and probing the moon in support of future lunar missions. Though their missions began the same way, each will end quite differently. LRO go into lunar orbit, producing high-resolution maps for use as potential landing spots. LCROSS will have a more abrupt finish: slamming kamikaze-style into a dark lunar crater in hopes of kicking up signs of water ice.

The missions are due to reach the moon tomorrow morning at 5:43 AM EDT. If you’d like to follow along, you can check out NASA’s moon mission blog.

Neda

I watched the disturbing video today of the young Iranian student named Neda Agha Soltan being shot dead and it made me very angry. I know that many Iranians must feel the same way.

With Ayatollah Khamenei determined to stand by this election the stakes in Iran have now risen considerably. I don’t see the forces that have swept Iran this week being easily put back in the bottle. Every student in the streets of Tehran can identify with Neda, and it must now be perfectly clear to them the price they might pay if they wish to succeed.

Freedom can be theirs. The question is: how badly do they want it?

Father’s Day weekend

Wow. All of this in one weekend.

  • Friday evening: Seaboard Music featured a bluegrass band. We kept the kids up past 10 PM: a rarity for us.
  • Saturday morning/afternoon: I spend 5 hours at the Raleigh CAC retreat while the kids attend a birthday party. We later all meet up for a few hours of swimming at Ridge Road Pool.
  • Saturday evening: The family visits our neighbor’s house for their annual neighborhood party. Dozens and dozens of neighbors are there, and another bluegrass band. The kids make new friends but quickly wear out and Kelly takes them home. I visit some more before walking home around 10 PM.
  • Sunday morning/afternoon: Father’s Day! A family bike ride on the greenway, followed by lunch. We then make the trip across town to visit my parents. My aunt is visiting this week so we chatted a bit and showed off the kids.
  • Sunday evening: I grill chicken for dinner. We watch more of my Planet Earth DVDs and tuck the kids into bed.

Now its time for me to relax as this has been a high-energy weekend. Sure beats being bored!

First tomato of the season

Today we enjoyed our first home-grown tomato of the season! I was surprised to water the plants this morning and find a ripe tomato there but there it was. It was actually already on the plant when I got it from the Executive Mansion by way of an Oakwood neighbor, so at least some of the home in the home-grown part is the governor’s home.

As per family tradition, we sliced it up so that each family member got a piece and enjoyed it with dinner. Now I already can’t wait for more!

Hot

It’s pretty dang hot today, with high humidity and temperatures that could top 100 degrees.

Makes me wish I had that drought flag to fly.