Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted 02-27-2009 04:37 PM
quote:Originally posted by GACspaceguy: Here is Jackie and myself, sure glad the "do not touch" sign applies only to the spacecraft!
In that photo - are you and Jackie standing in front of your newest exhibit for the home museum?
Tim
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 2476 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 02-27-2009 07:20 PM
Tim, you figured it out! Can't wait to see the look on Carlos Santos face when we ask him to build that model! But if anyone could do it justice, he could.
But getting back on topic, one more point about Spacefest that sets it apart. It's the opportunity to see so much space art in one place. We have one of Mike Collins' water color paintings in the home museum and we spoke to him about it. It is a painting of a F104 Starfighter jet in the clouds. We asked him what the insperation for it was and in his down to earth style said, that he liked the aircraft, he flew the aircraft and he had a model of the aircraft which helped in getting the proportions right for the art. Simple as that.
Also, we sat at the table of Alan Bean at the banquet. We were looking at two of his prints "The Fantasy" or "Heavenly Reflections" earlier that day. We were able to talk about it with Alan Bean at the dinner and he helped us make up our minds. We went with Fantasy as that is one of the prints he still owns for himself, it is on his business card and let's face it, it's signed by all three of the crew so we got a crew completion as a bonus. Speaking of the banquet, we sat not only with Alan Bean but also with a number of folks that had interesting professions in spaceflight and aviation. How interesting it was to be having space/aviation discussions with Alan Bean as part of the group. The banquet was wonderful and we picked up a copy of "The Fantasy" the next day. So yes Tim, we have an addition to our home museum but not "Gumdrop".
Rizz Member
Posts: 1208 From: Upcountry, Maui, Hawaii Registered: Mar 2002
posted 02-27-2009 11:04 PM
quote:Originally posted by Spacefest: No one's mentioned the weather during SPACEFEST, which was perfect, despite a week of rain prior.
We were up in the San Bernardino Mts snowboarding in blizzard conditions that Monday, and had to take an alternate route back down due to heavy snow that caused an avalanche on Highway 18 just hours after we had made it up to the Big Bear area.
Yes, the weather was perfect at this years Spacefest, very different from the 114 degree 'dry heat' of Arizona in the summer :O
Whizzospace Member
Posts: 110 From: San Antonio, TX Registered: Jan 2006
posted 02-28-2009 04:26 AM
quote:Originally posted by Rizz: Yes, the weather was perfect at this years Spacefest, very different from the 114 degree 'dry heat' of Arizona in the summer.
All who attended Spacefest 2007 are obligated to use this cliche.
I'll show up for 2011 if it's anywhere warmer than central Europe.
mensax Member
Posts: 861 From: Virginia Registered: Apr 2002
posted 02-28-2009 12:31 PM
It was a great, great, time.
I do want to thank Kim and Sally for putting this event together for us. I'm looking forward to the next gathering... but... it will be hard to top this one.
It was great to see all my old friends (you know who you are), and meet many new ones. All of the astronauts were a pleasure to speak to. And, having lunch with Gene Cernan and dinner with Michael Collins, gave me memories that I will never forget.
Without a doubt to me the most surprising aspect of the show was Pat Collins... what a kind and charming lady she is! Michael Collins not only got to fly on Apollo 11, but found a tremendous lifelong treasure of a wife.
Rather than overload Robert's message boards with photos, I went ahead and posted some of my favorite moments at the top of my collection website. Take a look if you care to...
Noah
stsmithva Member
Posts: 1933 From: Fairfax, VA, USA Registered: Feb 2007
posted 02-28-2009 01:45 PM
Those are some great photos of some amazing items, Noah. What's the deal with that Apollo 12 coin? I can maybe understand a mistake like that in, oh, a quickly-typed cS post. But isn't that the kind of thing to double-check before you CAST A COIN?!??!? (Everyone, you'll just have to click to see.)
I wanted to say some things about some photos posted earlier:
Rizz, that shot of your son with Cernan, the lunar surface-flown page, and the detailed moonpan is WONDERFUL. I know it would be pretty big, but a framed display of the pan on top, the page underneath that, and then the photo on the side would be the best combinations of attractive space photo, historical artifact, provenance in written and photographic form, and sentimental value I've ever seen.
4allmankind, that is indeed a great shot of McDivitt with his old CM. We can't read his mind, but he must be doing some interesting reflecting.
GACSpaceguy, thanks for the interesting photo of Aldrin and Collins together.
Steve
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 02-28-2009 01:54 PM
Super pictures Noah. Thanks for posting them on your site.
Regards, Rick
FFrench Member
Posts: 3161 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
posted 02-28-2009 07:55 PM
quote:Originally posted by KSCartist: In that photo - are you and Jackie standing in front of your newest exhibit for the home museum?
No, here at the museum we meticulously count all of our flown spacecraft at the end of the day, and we don't appear to be missing one...
ilbasso Member
Posts: 1522 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Feb 2006
posted 03-01-2009 12:05 AM
I'm experiencing time shifts and culture shock. Last Saturday I was talking to men who had walked on the Moon, and this Saturday I was thrown a few thousand years into the past in Cairo! It was hard enough to come back from Spacefest to home, but I had to leave two days later to come here to teach a class. This ain't San Diego! Could I have fallen through a wormhole?
Richard Easton Member
Posts: 175 From: Winnetka, IL USA Registered: Jun 2006
posted 03-01-2009 06:07 AM
Noah,
That’s a funny story about Gordon, Bean and Chaiken.
Richard
andrewcli Member
Posts: 328 From: La Jolla, CA, USA Registered: Jul 2007
posted 03-01-2009 01:22 PM
Jonathan, great picture of you. It looks like that you are searching for the Chapiai.
Hey Kim, care to share your thoughts on how Spacefest went?
Andrew
bruce Member
Posts: 916 From: Fort Mill, SC, USA Registered: Aug 2000
posted 03-03-2009 07:53 PM
I'm glad everyone had a "blast" (yeah, I know ...) at Spacefest. However, I was surprised to see photos on this thread of both Paul McCartney & Boris Yeltsin signing what appeared to be books authored by Francis French and Colin Burgess - most curious!
Best, Bruce
FFrench Member
Posts: 3161 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
posted 03-03-2009 08:18 PM
quote:Originally posted by bruce: I was surprised to see photos on this thread of both Paul McCartney & Boris Yeltsin signing what appeared to be books authored by Francis French and Colin Burgess - most curious!
Those darn imposters...
David Bryant Member
Posts: 986 From: Norfolk UK Registered: Feb 2005
posted 03-04-2009 12:31 AM
I'm impressed! You even found a left-handed guitar! (But not a bottle of vodka for Boris!)
ColinBurgess Member
Posts: 2031 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
posted 03-04-2009 02:15 AM
Is wodka - just in Tequila bottle!
David Bryant Member
Posts: 986 From: Norfolk UK Registered: Feb 2005
posted 03-04-2009 05:33 AM
Огорченно. Водочка: да! Я должен угадать!
spaceman1953 Member
Posts: 953 From: South Bend, IN Registered: Apr 2002
posted 03-04-2009 07:13 PM
God Bless and thanks to all of you who have freely posted your recollections and photographs of this event.
You make it REAL for those many of us who were "nowhere near the place".
Sincerely,
Gene Bella
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 03-05-2009 03:58 AM
Great, I'll need to drink a bottle of vodka now to purge that image from my head!
Bill Hunt Member
Posts: 399 From: Irvine, CA Registered: Oct 2002
posted 03-05-2009 03:08 PM
Wish I could have joined you. Sounds like it was a great time!
------------------ Bill Hunt
PaulGEC New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 03-05-2009 04:24 PM
Spacefest was awesome!!! First my wife and I arrived for the "Moonwalker" golf tournament on Thursday. We were so fortunatly to be teamed up with Gene Cernan (and it was just the three of us for 6 hours). Gene was so gracious through out...and answered all our questions. He ended up signing the score card and putting a funny comment about how much the 6 hours with my wife overshadowed the time with me. Gene flirted with my wife over the whole weekend (I think he kissed her more than me). We got some great photos on the golf course. I was fortunate to get closest to the pin (I beat out Jim McDivitt). I won a cool Moonwalker trophy (which Jim took a picture with me holding, and later signed the card saying "To Paul....you Turkey"). We ended up loosing by only 2 strokes to Charlie Duke's team (he later told me they had a guy who could drive it 300 yards). The reception after was great.
The following day we met and got the autographs of all 6 moon walkers (what was cool is it was one from each Apollo mission). Then Friday night we went to the SD museum where they were celebrating the 40 anniversary of Apollo 9. We were able to get pictures with most of the astronauts (including Buzz). I think the fact there was an open bar helped. We did the photo with the Apollo 9 crew (I was holding my wife in my arms in front of the crew). Jim gave us a hard time jokingly due to loosing to me in golf.
Finally, I was able to reconnect with Vance Brand. I grew up in Nassau Bay during the moonshot years and we lived behind Vance. We chatted quit a bit and we exchanged contact information so he could meet up with my parents (they have already set up a time to meet up).
So thanks soo much to Sally and Kim. It was a trip my wife and I will always cherish!!!
Paul
ColinBurgess Member
Posts: 2031 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
posted 03-06-2009 06:52 PM
Setting aside the frivolity above, I thought I would add my own few words on the recent SpaceFest event. This, I must say, was one quality show, with much credit going to Kim and Sally Poor and their team for a mighty effort in not only putting SpaceFest and its ancillary programs together, but for the incredibly smooth way in which it ran over the four days.
As a guest speaker and book signer in partnership with my old mate Francis French, we were more aware of the operation behind the scenes and if there were any administrative blemishes then they seemed to have been resolved with very little drama, and this also reflects great credit on Kim and Sally and their working team.
It was enormous fun meeting a whole host of space followers, collectSPACE members and guest speakers over the three days we attended, and the level of enthusiasm was always high among those prowling the floors. As well as seeing some old chums again such as Michael Cassutt, Leon, Larry and others, it was simply marvellous to finally meet people such as Leslie, who, while sometimes looking quite harried while attending Mike Collin's signing table, was one of the most pleasant and amiable people you'd want to meet.
The one thing that I noticed above many others was the complete accessibility of the astronauts and other guest signers. One might have expected them to cloister together while "off-duty" away from the signing tables, but at the different functions it was wonderful to see them mingling so freely with guests who could hardly believe their good fortune. I know that I was able to have some great chats with many of them, and they all seemed greatly at ease, very friendly and accommodating with information.
The film "Live From the Moon" was very expertly hosted and presented by Mark Gray, whom I finally met for the first time, and I was astonished to see enhanced footage that I hadn't seen for some decades. Do make sure you don't miss this superb film when it is released. The banquet was great fun, although the keynote speaker did provoke some criticism with his views, but the highlights for me were the hilarious "book" presentation to Dick Gordon, the autograph presentation made to a very surprised Robert Pearlman on behalf of some collectSPACE devotees, and an all-too-brief address by Andrew Chaikin. Then of course the following day there was Robert Pearlman's marvellous talk towards the end of the SpaceFest event, which gave an enthusiastic audience some information on what's just around the corner in human spaceflight activity, followed by a giveaway of some marvellous souvenirs.
It is going to be exceedingly difficult to top this event, and despite some rumblings elsewhere about astronaut fees, I would love to see Kim and Sally put together a similar event next year. It was truly a memorable few days for me, and I returned to Australia with many fond recollections of a particularly wonderful event.
Colin
ilbasso Member
Posts: 1522 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Feb 2006
posted 03-07-2009 09:18 PM
I just saw the jpg of the group shot of me and my wife with all the astronauts from Saturday night's dinner. Someone suggested that I send the picture around to get all the astros to sign it. It's just not practical, given the expense and the fact that some of the astros (like Mike Collins) don't sign through the mail.
My wife had a great idea: Maybe we should do a Bizarro-world collectSpace version of the picture, and just have her and me sign it!
Spacefest Member
Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
posted 03-08-2009 06:17 PM
Not all the photos have Mike in them, but in most, he would be doing something impish.
Another astronaut scowled at the camera for most of the session, finally storming out with a few words for me. Sorry to those that were left in line.
Kim
ilbasso Member
Posts: 1522 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Feb 2006
posted 03-09-2009 04:20 AM
Thanks for the clarification. I almost didn't recognize Mike because of the face he was making. And the 'scowler' was certainly scowling! Glad it wasn't something I said to tick him off! I had turned to Aldrin (next to me on my left) just prior to the photo and asked him, "What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?"
Spacefest Member
Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
posted 03-09-2009 03:14 PM
To those waiting on the astronaut photo:
Thanks for your patience. The photos are 8x12 and we had to order custom mailers. We're told they'll be done Thursday (12th.)
Mike Collins is in most with his left hand in his jacket, hiding his drink. In a few, he's wearing Pat's scarf as a ridiculously oversized ascot.
Kim
Andy McCulley Member
Posts: 245 From: Lansdale, PA Registered: Jul 2001
posted 03-09-2009 03:25 PM
Kim, can you post one of the photos?
space4u Member
Posts: 323 From: Cleveland, OH USA Registered: Aug 2006
posted 03-09-2009 03:57 PM
On NASA-TV's this week at NASA, there's a few minutes on Spacefest in SanDiego noting the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 and that astronauts Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin, Charlie Duke and Scott Carpenter were at the event. --Marcy
ilbasso Member
Posts: 1522 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Feb 2006
posted 03-09-2009 07:27 PM
Here's the copy I got via jpg - it has all the astronauts except Bruce McCandless, who was running late.
Back row: Alan Bean, Hank Hartsfield, Vance Brand, Jack Lousma, Dave Scott, Jim McDivitt, Rusty Schweickart, Mike Collins, Rick Searfoss, Charlie Walker. Front row: Scott Carpenter, Gene Cernan, Ed Mitchell, Jane Ward, Jonathan Ward, Buzz Aldrin, Charlie Duke, Dick Gordon.
It's not often I get to be the youngest guy in a group photo any more!
Spacefest Member
Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
posted 03-09-2009 08:09 PM
quote:Originally posted by space4u: On NASA-TV's this week at NASA, there's a few minutes on Spacefest in San Diego
There was a NASA convention of biogeochemists going on at the same time, but they kept a very low profile - Congress is watching them to make sure they don't spend too much on conventions.
Kim
AJ Member
Posts: 511 From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States Registered: Feb 2009
posted 03-13-2009 12:16 AM
Kim: thanks for the update on the photo... I was starting to get a little worried! I actually chatted with Mike Collins in line at the bar and he was hilarious. Then I hyperventilated.
Everyone has made such wonderful, insightful comments about our glorious weekend that I don't think I can add much. However, I simply want to say thank you to Kim and Sally and hello to everyone who was there, whether I chatted with you or not. Everyone was friendly and in a wonderful mood. It was so much fun to be around such a happy, excited group of people who all have a great common interest.
Spacefest Member
Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
posted 03-15-2009 03:12 PM
The NASA video is pretty hard to find but Here it is; edited for brevity, bandwidth and focus. It was evidently shot Friday. See if you see yourself or anyone you know:
The astronaut-banquet pix will go out tomorrow (3/16).
Oh - and we've sold out of MED and XXL Golf shirts.
posted 03-17-2009 02:10 AM
At :15 you can barely see me at the far left with my arms folded for about three seconds!
Should I contact NASA or You Tube about my royalty check?
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 2476 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 03-17-2009 05:28 AM
Rob, let us know how that works out for you as that is myself and my wife Jackie on the right side of that clip, in line for McDivitt. We are the ones in our black collectSPACE shirts so I guess Robert gets a cut as well.
ilbasso Member
Posts: 1522 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Feb 2006
posted 03-17-2009 08:43 AM
Yeah, my right arm and hand are in the frame and a lunar map of mine being unrolled at 0:11 to 0:12 into the video. Maybe my royalty check will pay for what it cost me to get that item signed!
Spacefest Member
Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
posted 03-17-2009 01:52 PM
Let me remind everyone, that NASA photography is public domain. LOL
Kim
Spacefest Member
Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
posted 03-18-2009 11:31 PM
Gene and Charlie register for golf tourney.
Spacefest Member
Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
posted 03-19-2009 08:01 PM
I can finally look back on it now and smile. Despite all the behind-the-scenes problems, we pulled it off again. Thanks to all who mailed, emailed, called and posted. It's nice have your hard work acknowledged in universally glowing plaudits.
Thanks to our section leaders Al Hallonquist, Mike Joner, Tom Manenti, and Veronica Zabala, and all the volunteers and Novaspace staff who helped out.
Attendance wasn't as expected, perhaps 1000, (the economy in CA became worst in the US after we booked) but those that came were treated to a helluva show. I just received some 1500 photos from our photographers, Mark & Tom Usciak. Albert's video is next. I'll post all of them on Flickr.com soon, but here are a few favorites:
Click to see larger image
Collins (wearing Pat's scarf) & Carpenter
Bean and the reception's loudest tie
VIP reception held in the SD A&S Museum's rotunda
Another view of the rotunda
Spacefest Member
Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
posted 03-19-2009 08:08 PM
White and blonde
Gumdrop
Together again
HOW much??
Spacefest Member
Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
posted 03-19-2009 08:16 PM
Bruce McCandless
Gene Cernan advises Mike Collins
Jim McDivitt
Keir Dullea, Mark Usciak, Gary Lockwood
Spacefest Member
Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
posted 03-19-2009 08:21 PM
Back part of the line for Mike Collins
Scott Carpenter
Who needs Neil?
Ray Holt, Pat Collins at the taco bar (poolside luncheon)
posted 02-27-2009 04:37 PM
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