Monday, February 25, 2008

Rocket Man

The key is to bring kids. Kids who are old enough to run long distances across wide fields and find their way back. Young enough not to care about being cool, but mature enough to know when to duck and cover when there is a launchpad mishap...

It is a complete act, made better with cold beer and attention to detail. It is self expression. It is visceral anticipation. It is the act of launching a small piece of your soul into the endless blue sky.

It is, of course, model rocketry, and I'm getting the urge.

It's been several years since I last launched a souped-up wrapping paper tube into space, but I still have all of the gear. I have nose cones and parachutes. I have balsa sheets and model paint. The X-Acto knives are still sharp, and the launch pad remains sturdy.

Tail fins, nose fins, and high-pressure low-grade dry fuel engines. Sizes B and C for the stubby ones or the skinny ones. D and E for the long girthy monsters...

I have a taste for it.

Sometimes, I hanker for scaled rail road. Sometimes, I am lured to sea by RC sail craft. This summer, though, I think may return to orbit...

The craft table is large, and the beer is cold. Just sayin...

10 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:10 AM

    Ohhhhh Ryan and I have piles of stuff. And he has three boys ages 7-13.

    Just saying.

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  2. Anonymous7:16 AM

    This sounds like a thinly veiled metaphor for sexual frustration.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous8:12 AM

    Is that a rocket in your pocket?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous9:02 AM

    You have to invite us all to your rocket launch.

    Make a day of it. BBQ and watch Brian either make a fool of himself with the rocket or actually see one take off. Just sayin'....

    Also, there's an excellend hobby store by Target in Wilsonville. They have all you'll need.

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  5. Hmmm... I do see the makings of a saturday rocket day... early morning rocket assembly, early afternoon launches, late afternoon BBQ...

    Throw in a Lounge theme for good measure.

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  6. All I can say is - you throw some meat on the grill for some slow roasting...
    An afternoon of rocket propellant fumes mixing slowly with cigar smoke and the aroma of pork, brown sugar, jack daniels and mustard....

    Not a bad way to spend an afternoon...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous11:13 AM

    ...and stripper cheerleaders to make sure the launches go ok...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous11:17 AM

    Damn I come up with good ideas sometimes

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  9. Its not fair - I want to come to rocket day..

    How about having rocket day in Wales?

    You'd obviously have to avoid the sheep...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like you've got your fair share of "kids" expressing interest in your comments section...

    ReplyDelete

Be compelling.

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