Space Monkeys

Fun NPR article about the 50-year anniversary of the first successful space monkeys flight: Miss Baker and Able successfully experienced nine minutes of weightlessness before returning safe. Sad to read about the previous animals (monkeys and dogs) who didn't survive the trip. The two successful monkeys would get "100 to 150 letters a day from schoolchildren;" one of the monkeys had 300 mourners at her funeral. I've had the silly, sweet pleasure of seeing both the grave of Miss Baker in Huntsville (where people leave bananas) and Able's stuffed body at the Air and Space Museum. Yes, I've been to space camp---TWICE. Thanks, Girl Scouts and gifted class at school! Mark is soooo jealous.

You go, monkeys!

Tweenbots

Here's an article, video, and set of pictures to make your Monday brighter. Really, this will make you feel better about the world (even if only for a few minutes). A woman built a small robot that looks like a cereal box with training wheels and set it loose in NYC. She conceived it as an experiment in human relationships to space, technology, community, and the interactions/relationships among the three. Here's her description of the robots:

Tweenbots are human-dependent robots that navigate the city with the help of pedestrians they encounter. Rolling at a constant speed, in a straight line, Tweenbots have a destination displayed on a flag, and rely on people they meet to read this flag and to aim them in the right direction to reach their goal.

Watch people react to the robot and help it get on the right path, get unstuck from cracks in the pavement, and move toward its goal. Thanks to Leslie W for this delightful find.

Back on Twitter

So after my Twitter post from a few weeks back, I signed back up and found that a LOT more of my friends have joined in the last four months, so I'm going to give to a go yet again. I'm on there as LeslieCaro right now (though I may change that--apparently choice of Twitter name is a big deal). Follow me and I'll follow you! I also would be grateful for anyone who is a Twitter pro and can offer me a cultural introduction to it...

Christopher Walken on Twitter

I've been having some back and forth discussion with friends about Twitter. The general consensus is that none of us have gotten hooked yet like so many others across the world. It seems burdensome to keep up with all the updates and to remember to update (particularly when we're already trying to maintain our email, Facebook, blogs, etc.). I had an account for a few months but deleted it when I realized I never used it. Maybe I didn't give it enough of a shot, but until more friends of mine get into it, I'll pass on keeping up with Kim Kardashian's activities.

One reason I'm glad for Twitter, however, is Christopher Walken's page. Thanks to Joe for alerting me to it. You don't have to have an account to read his updates---just click the link. He. Is. Hysterical. Some of my favorites tweets (yes, I said that word):

You know that Andy Dick and how he seemed funny until we noticed that he wasn't? You'll tell me when it's time to stop, right?

"Secretary of Ironic Scarves." I don't know if Obama read my letter but I hope so. Ashton Kutcher deserves this. So does California.

There's a kid on a Pogo stick in front of my house. It's nearly midnight so let's assume he's been drinking. This should end well for him.

Someone commended me for being "approachable." Okay. The truth is that I'm easily distracted and don't notice people touching me right away.

If you use Twitter or have thoughts on it, I'd love to hear them.