slingstone

Too late, unfortunately.

I read somewhere that so much of the Saturn V development wasn’t documented properly, or the documentation has been lost, that it’s hard to easily build that system anymore. In that sense, I guess, we’ve forgotten how to do it. Obviously, the math and physics are still understood, so it should be as simple as designing a rocket of equal or greater capacity, and it appears we have.

Apparently, the Artemis I mission already put an unmanned mission with the Orion spacecraft through to orbit the moon and return safely to the Earth. They’re planning a crewed flyby in 2025 and Artemis III is projected to land sometime later this decade.

It’s a crime I didn’t know that before looking things up about the Saturn V.

I understand thalassophobia. The deep is scary. Funny thing is, though, I can handle being on a ship or flying over water, even though I think about how far down it might be.

Grey aliens. Yep, I know they’re almost certainly not real. They freak me the frack out. It’s undoubtedly all the UFO stuff I read as a kid about abductions and such. A very petite friend once threatened to dress up as one in a realistic costume to scare me in the night. I begged her not to for her personal safety: I’m certain I would not react in a safe or rational way.

Being alone at night creeps me out because of this. Driving alone in a remote, low population locale? Horrifying.

Nevertheless, I still read up on stories and other media about the paranormal. Why am I like this? No idea.

It hasn’t ruined my life or anything. I’ve spent time alone far away from people, when I had to. I can go places at night. It’s just something that creeps into my mind sometimes. I function as a grown ass man, but I still get the creeps about it when I’m alone. I don’t know that I’ll ever completely shake it.

I think a lot of people might be interested in your story right now.

We need to organize an underground railroad for LGBTQ+, minorities, and dissidents now.

As long as I tense my jaw, I guess, but it’s kinda awkward for me. I kinda have to pop my jaw down and hold it. I feel I’m making a silly face when I do it, so I’m not holding it long.

Wait a minute. If I hold my jaw right, I do get a very short rumbling apart from my breath. Is that what you guys mean?

I can’t block my nose in that way. I tried when your comment came in, but I can’t conceive of how to do it.

With the ear popping thing, I just hear the rushing of my breath. I can see how you might be able to hear your heart. I might be making this up in my head, but I feel like maybe I could hear it when I was younger.

I do this thing where I pop my ears (like when pressure changes from altitude) and then it’s like I’m hearing my breathing inside of my sinuses or something. When I breathe this way, it effectively blocks conversations I don’t want to overhear. Do other people do this, or am I odd?

Well, crap. I really want to go somewhere far from the global conflicts that might arise in the future but still live in a relatively modern and developed country. New Zealand seemed like it would be a desirable destination, but if it’s on the same trajectory as the US, UK, and Canada, I guess it wouldn’t be an upgrade.

I really want to be as far from likely military (particularly nuclear) targets as possible. I feel like we’re on the precipice of something truly awful.

I’ve struggled similarly over the years and had my ups and downs. One thing that has helped me is remembering that my feelings are subjective, and not necessarily reflective of reality. My view of the world is often skewed, whether by brain chemistry, various biases, or the influence of others, so I have to seek out what’s actually true in any given situation. It helps me; I hope it will help you, at least a little.

Honestly, in my experience, things get better when I exert control over what I can. I’d tell you to control what you can and go easy with the rest. Try to do better every day, really try consciously, and the struggle itself will be rewarding.

I’m rooting for you. If there is a Creator, and I believe there is, he’s rooting for you, too.

Their breakfast burritos are good, cheap, and a great value for your money. Use their app, and you can get free stuff regularly, too.

EDIT: I’m talking about their lowest tier breakfast burritos. The higher levels are not worth it.

On those funky Coke machines in some restaurants, there was an option to get Raspberry Coke Zero for a long time. I grew to love it. Now it looks like they’re taking it away in most places.

I used to love the lore of Steve Jackson Games a lot more than the actual games for this very reason.

I’m just continuing the bit (badly, admittedly, since I didn’t get the exact quote right). That’s the next thing the character says, more or less, though. In case you don’t realize, all this stuff about the moon being made of spare ribs is a bit from Saturday Night Live.

And wash it down with a tall, cool Budweiser.

It’s a good stick. Not as good as the one I saw on the Internet recently that had a nearly perfect guard and hilt like a sword, but still pretty awesome.

For the people that want to ban sticks here: please don’t take away my joy!