Why the Moon?

Check out this presentation from Nick Skytland at NASA. I think this is the best way to explain to folks why we're going back to the moon.

Don't worry, it's 101 slides but it goes by fast ;)

Why the Moon?

View more OpenOffice presentations from Nick Skytland.

Blast from the past

The internet is a great time machine.  I'm chuckling over some of posts about 15 years ago on the old Usenet news groups.  It looks like Google has indexed the posts.

From July 1994:

"Hi all, 

I've got varoius forms last year for a co-op application to KSC (SF-171   
(?) and other forms).  I still have them so can I still use those for a   
formal "full-time" application into KSC? 

How can I get an application to KSC, Houston, and other NASA locations? 
I'd want to apply for a mechanical engineering position. 

I hear that NASA may be hiring again!  Of course, what are the odds they'd   
hire someone fresh out of college? "

Keep in mind this was before widespread use of websites.  I actually had to get those NASA applications by snail mail.  Here's this really cheery reply by another poster on the group:

"I don't mean to discourage you, but a couple of co-ops who graduated from 
our school last year had to continue working as co-ops for about six months 
after graduation, until NASA hired them as full civil servants. 

According to the NASA FY'95 budget briefing earlier this year, NASA's 
civil service workforce will be cut from about 24,700 in FY'93 to 21,000 
in FY'99. "

So be careful what goes on the internet.  You'll never know what you'll find decades from now ;)

The future?

I want one of these when they come out!  (see video below)

Moving Forward

I'm writing this on the last day of my unemployment.  If you're a follower of this blog (and who isn't :P ) then you know from my last post what happened.  It's been almost three weeks, and I've been busier looking for a job than when I was working AT a job. ;)

I can't tell you enough how social networking played an important role.  It's really amazing.  Here's the breakdown:

• LinkedIn: I changed my status and updated my work experience.  The same day I was getting e-mails from people in my network about opportunities.  LinkedIn provided a majority of my leads.  It's also a great place to do research on prospective employers.  If you use LinkedIn (and I strongly suggest you do) then build your network up and get people to write recommendations of you (and you can also return the favor).  It's amazing who is on there.  Click here to see my profile.
  
  
• Facebook: Friends and family saw my status update and reached out to help me.  I made contacts at companies I never thought I would make.  Facebook friends also provided encouragement and support.
  
  
• Twitter: Through direct messages and status updates I was able to make contacts with industry experts, friends, and others who provided me with valuable information and opportunities.  I also made Twitter part of my day by sending out short messages of what I was reading, what I was interested in, etc.  This kept me "out in front" so when I contacted friends (or vice versa) we could refer to a previous status update. 
  
  
• This blog: Obviously this blog helped to explain my situation.

If you find yourself in the same situation I'm in I hope you'll use social networking to get you going again. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me (on any of the social networking sites).

Hurricanes and Economies

I lost my job on Friday.  Actually, everyone at the company lost their jobs.  I've never been in such a situation where a company had just closed its door so quickly.  Apparently funds were gone and all the talks of buyout vaporized.

All of this seems like a big category 4 or 5 hurricane.  I live in Florida and one thing I've learned to do is prepare for hurricanes.  I've experienced hurricanes first hand so I know how important it is to be prepared.  When a hurricane is moving over you it feels like it's never going to end.  The eye passes over and there's a short period of clam and then the wind starts up again.  After the hurricane passes there is blue sky and cool, dry air to enjoy.  

This economy is alot like a hurricane.  I don't get to decide when a hurricane comes over my house.  I didn't have any say in this economy turning so sour either.  All we can do is prepare and get through it.

If you've prepared ahead it makes the experience somewhat bearable.  If you haven't prepared then each day "without power" can be nerve wracking.  Thankfully we've prepared, but I know others are caught by surprise and are going through the toughest "winds" now.  It's times like this when you realize what's really important (like health, faith, friends, and family).  

I'm very thankful for those who have already reached out with ideas and leads.  It's time to put all this Web 2.0 networking to work and see what's out there.  I'm actually really excited about the possibilities.  

...and if you (or someone you know) is interested in hiring someone for a sales, technical, management, and/or marketing position please contact me.  Not only am I looking for a job, but I really want to help all my former co-workers get into good jobs.  I've known most of these guys for a long time so we've become almost like family.  

You can get my e-mail address by clicking on this link.  If you're on Facebook or Twitter just send me a direct message.  My Facebook friends also have access to my cell phone number.  

I wonder where we'll (former co-workers) celebrate Festivus this year ;)

(it's an inside joke)

We will get through this together.