From the Desk of Ian Rubin

So, I’m finishing this up on my iPhone because it seems somebody figured I ought to be here in Nevada when they replace the engines on the Terra Nova. Quite a sight, but really, I trust these guys enough to know that they aren’t going to screw up something on a billion dollar space shuttle. At any rate, it seems there was some undetected damage done on STS-2V, and while not severe enough to… You know, blow it up or something, everyone decided it was best to go ahead and replace the engines. Actually, let me rephrase that.
Boz (that’d be Boston Low, one of the best Shuttle commanders in history) pretty much came up to me and said that he really didn’t feel safe flying it as it was… And that’s saying something, considering the man landed a crippled orbiter on Easter-freaking-Island. I’m with him all the way, though. I’m not putting a soul on one of these babies if we’re not sure it’s working right. Challenger and Columbia taught us the stupidity of lax safety concerns and “How bad can THAT be?” while Endeavour taught us not to let our gaurd down. Seems Terra Nova’s already producing results and it hasn’t even left the pad yet. (Neither has Endeavour, now that I think of it.)

Okay, where was I? Sorry, had to run some errands, though there’s no delay on here… Anyway, I’m sitting in Alexander’s now at the Hilton, eating really good potato soup. Fractal’s across the table munching on a Caesar salad, which looks pretty darn tasty, honestly. We’re just waiting for a meeting with a few people to discuss a potential addition to the International Space Station, if not a completely new station. Seems being a centibillionaire has it’s perks, among them being only the second person to claim that title, after Bill Gates. (Gotta call him, come to think of it. We haven’t spoken in a while.) Beside the point. I’d have to bring this up with the International Council on Friday, though. Not that I want to abandon the ISS, by any means. I just think we have the resources to make it better or at the very least a bit roomier. Took a trip up a few years back with the Russians. It’s… Spartan. Only thing I can think of to describe it. Now, I’m not looking at a hotel or anything, but a larger permanent facility could be a good move… Though Fractal’s bringing up a good point to the Japanese fox sitting near me…
What about the moon?

Great. Just great. I finally caved an got a blog… Twitter, and a blog… next thing I need is a Facebook and I can join the legions of other CEO’s with million dollar salaries posting about what they did a few minutes ago. I didn’t even WANT this thing, but the Bot talked me into it… said something about keeping tabs on us organics or some random something or other. With all the absurdities in the Tavern, it’s hard to discern details sometimes. Evidently the bot’s not so keen on this… “organic”. Didn’t even come up with a more creative title. “Ian’s Blog?” I mean, really! I only put my name on a few things… aerospace companies, planes I like… Something like “From the Desk of I-”… damn it, that uses my name in it. Oh well, I’ll worry about that later.

Trouble with this is I just lost a bet I made with someone. Toby LaCombe, a guy who was working with me on the Terra Nova, said that I wouldn’t last a year before I’d cave and start blogging away on the multitouch desk in my office. I took him up on that… said I’d strut around the terminals at Lafayette Intercontinental Airport in just my fur if I got one… well, looks like I’d better get ready for some indecent exposure suits. Not like I had a choice though, what with FoxBot conjuring up tentacles out of thin air!

Anyway, what to blog about? Well, admittedly the top counts.
Oh, right! Speaking of the Terra Nova, she’s flying back to Nevada on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. Seems there was a problem with one of the main engines that could have led to failure on launch. Harry and I all but forced the International Council to postpone the launch; I don’t think either of us wants anything like the fiasco with the Endeavour… NASA’s never letting me near the thing again. Looks like its back to simulators, flights with Pan American and dinner with the wife when I’m ever back home in Magnolia Bend. Not that I’m complaining, the launch is weeks away anyway.

(P.S. – Screw you, Toby. I’m NOT doing it! You can’t make me!)