An Astronaut Story

King of the Tigers · Posted: Feb 02, 2003 2:43 am Post subject: An Astronaut Story

I just wanted to express some feelings about astronauts.....
Since as early as i can remember I've wanted to be an astronaut (and still do.) Hence, astronauts are my heroes. My uncle lives in a ritzy neigborhood next to an astronaut and I was dropping of my cousin one night from wakeboarding and the astronaut was out getting his mail. I couldn't resist so I went over, introduced myself, and simply asked him what it had been like to be an astronaut. His name is Bill McGregor and he was a shuttle pilot and is now retired. He didn't at all have an ego and was totally great about me asking questions and even invited me to come over to his house so we could talk more. I invited him wakeboarding and he ended up coming a few weeks later.
At the lake he was even cooler. He was hilarious even though a lot of his jokes were about slalom skiing being better than wakeboarding. He brought his son too who was also a great person. We talked about the beauracracy of Nasa and the government, spaceflight, and just whatever. Oh, and he was a dang good wakeboarder for his first try. While I wasn't gaga, needless to say I was definitely thrilled. I got the chance to do my favorite things in the whole world with one of my heroes. And there was really something "celestial" about him. Almost like he knew something none of us knew.
Anyway I'm not telling this story to brag but because it seems like a pertinent time to share a happy memory of an astronaut.

heliboy911 · Guest

Hmmm sounds made up Laughing

j/k

Aubs · Motorboat Queen Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9167

king ~ it appears that u & i have the same dream buddy...

Chukee_R · Posted: Feb 02, 2003 8:03 am Post subject:

King, I've wanted to be an astronaut for as long as I can remember too.

JHrod · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3144

i was just thinkin of something really cool------hooking up a rope in space,strapping on a board , and proceeding to slide a rail on a satellite going like 25000 mph Shocked

matt 4 · Posted: Feb 02, 2003 9:21 am Post subject:

i dont know about you, but i always wanted to be eather a figherfighter or a catipiller. what ever came first

ohsix · Posted: Feb 02, 2003 10:27 am Post subject:

One of my good friends from elementary school always wanted to be an astronaut. He went to space camp every summer and all he ever talked about was being an astronaut. Our 9th grade year he grew to over 6ft. 2in. tall and that is the maximum for astronauts. He was really dissapointed.

JHrod · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3144

i know of a shady surgeon down here that can set him up with a bone reduction---take 2 inchs outta his shins and he'll be floating around the shuttle in no time Wink

ohsix · Posted: Feb 02, 2003 10:34 am Post subject:

He's like 6'8" now so he would have to take like 6" out. He plays basketball for Bobby Knight now so i guess he's not totally screwed.

JHrod · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3144

damn i don't know if he can take out 6" that would be a challenge Wink

Aubs · Motorboat Queen Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9167

wes ~ i went to space camp one summer and now i teach 'space camp' up here at the science museum near me. its great...

King of the Tigers · Posted: Feb 03, 2003 3:35 pm Post subject:

Hey Aubs, Make sure you get in so we can wakeboard in Houston.

Aubs · Motorboat Queen Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9167

gottcha. boardin in florida is great too!! im going to RTS in june for a week - im ssssooo stoked

Sean · Newbie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 25 City: SF Bay Area

When I was younger, one of my favorite movies was the 1996 Lea Thompson movie "Space Camp". It's been a while since I've seen it!

Aubs · Motorboat Queen Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9167

sean ~ hahaha. i've never seen that movie...

ohsix · Posted: Feb 04, 2003 3:08 pm Post subject:

aubs- what is RPT?

Aubs · Motorboat Queen Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9167

wes - what? RTS = ride the spot. i dunno where u saw RPT in my post...

ohsix · Posted: Feb 04, 2003 9:19 pm Post subject:

sorry aubs. mI isdexlic

King of the Tigers · Posted: Feb 04, 2003 9:58 pm Post subject:

Wes, It's pretty funny that you jumped on me in the other post for writing stomachy. (i mean that as a good ribbing) Does anyone remember D.A.R.R.Y.L. ? Who cares that that kid was half robot or whatever, he could fly the SR-71 without a pressure suit!

Aubs · Motorboat Queen Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9167

its aight wes - i 4give u...