Speaking, Sharing, and Remembering
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Considering most of my work is taking place in one room in my house, it feels remarkable how busy and wide-ranging it can be. For example, this week alone brought some very varied experiences.
I was asked this week to co-moderate a wonderful panel of five space museums from around the world — we talked about their great artifacts, and how they are dealing with the changes globally with the pandemic. I loved the overwhelmingly positive feel of the museums rising to the challenge, and the support of the audience to get them through this tough time. Heartwarming.
The next day, I’d been invited to join an international National Geographic partnership talk series. I gave a talk about the very first astronauts - who they were, why they were chosen, and what they did.
Higher Orbits asked me to speak as part of their “Ask an Expert” series. As everyone else featured is a world-class scientist or engineer – and I am not – I thought it would be fun to talk about how not excelling at something when you are in high school doesn’t mean you can’t find a productive way to participate in that field. I would have liked to hear that when I was a teenager, I know.
Next up, I’m part of a writers’ panel co-hosted by the North Alabama Society for Technical Communication and the Huntsville Alabama L5 Society, where I am joining a bunch of my favorite space history authors – that is always a pleasure.
And then this weekend – the official farewell to our friend, astronaut Al Worden. A disadvantage of this pandemic – not being able to gather in person for a celebration of life – has been turned into a positive. People from around the world will be able to gather online and remember this remarkable individual. I was honored to be asked to speak. I encourage you to sign up for the link information here – or just show up at the posted day and time, and there should be a link to watch live (or afterward).
Lastly - if you want an excuse to hit me in the face with a pie, there’s a fundraiser out there to help a place I volunteer at every week.
Thank you, and stay safe.