Emailing Space
The other night I sent an email to space. No, not to the void where many documents mysteriously disappear at most inopportune times. To the International Space Station.
Astronauts are really cool. I thought that when I was 10 and I still do at 42. Beer is a great communal beverage. Our Saint Arnold community is diverse and includes quite a few astronauts (by quite a few, I mean there are only about 400 people who have ever been in space, and I have met at least 7 here at the brewery - this doesn't include the people that just seem to be in outer space.) It becomes apparent upon meeting astronauts that they are not just chosen for their intelligence and dexterity. You cannot end up with such a personable, down-to-earth group of people by accident. Which returns us to the fact that astronauts are really cool.
The first astronaut I met here turned out to be not only a fan of the beer but was also (OK, now follow along) taking Russian classes from the sister of the Russian priest in Pskov who painted our St. Arnold icon. Ah, a small world.
Now this same astronaut is in space where he will be for a few more months. I have been thoroughly enjoying his blog about this expedition, relating in a very personal way the experiences of being prepped and then shot into space. Soon he will be visited by the Space Shuttle Discovery, which will also be carrying a St. Arnold Army member. I wonder if he'll be bringing the beer? Probably not.
I wish them all Godspeed and look forward to sharing a beer with them soon! Cool.
If you are curious, here is the email I sent him: Download file