2011, a saturday
JPL Open House! Got there around 11am and skipped the long lines for the things I saw the last time. Saw the microdevices laboratory cleanrooms, the area where they do some testing of the Mars rovers in a Mars-ish environment, the giant environmental simulator vacuum chamber and the video about JPL’s missions in the solar system that was very moving. Maybe I was over-emotional after the stressful day I had yesterday, but I was near tears probably three times during that movie (ok, maybe more); it felt so good to have my current life plan validated. The strong feelings brought up by being at JPL, seeing those images of other planets and moons, and hearing people talk about what they’ve accomplished at JPL, confirmed that I am on the right path. Added my name to a long list of signatures to be printed on a silicon chip (one micron high!) and sent into space with Curiosity/MSL! Ate a ‘burrito’ (it was terrible but I’d been walking for hours and was hungry) and listened to the Q&A at the Mars Exploration Rovers area for awhile before heading home. Processed my photos and videos from the day, then finished up my calculus homework. Now for a light dinner (or maybe just dessert) and a review of the calculus notes before something mindless or my PopSci.
2010, a friday
packed and drove to san francisco. had an incredibly pleasant drive – the mountains of the angeles national forest were exploding with wildflowers and the fruit trees were full of little fruits. met up with eric in the afternoon and went to the ramp for nachos and drinks. had excellent pizza and meatballs at goat hill pizza and specialty’s cookies for dessert! watched ‘the big lebowski’ (first time since i’ve lived in LA).