Attempt numero dos? There was an attempt numero uno? heh...
Yeah, it's all about being open to experience and trying to grab them when they arise. Unfortunately, with doing two degrees at university and dealing with having a family all at once I find that I "hermit" far too much and am missing out on many opportunities (for companionship and fun times with friends if nothing else).
Hadfield was a true trooper and stayed on stage after the dinner for hours just allowing people to say hi and shake his hand (and take photos, etc.). When they say you need incredible endurance to be an astronaut, I think it's more for when you're back on Earth doing social engagements than the actual "being in space" part ;).
The guy who came on to wrap up the dinner and speeches after dinner had known Hadfield for twenty years and had kept in touch through it all. He said (to paraphrase, I don't remember exactly), "Chris is a true hero, but moreso he's an exceptional person operating in exceptional situations with amazing ability. But when you talk with Chris, you do not feel diminished by his accomplishments, nor does he attempt to render himself ordinary, but he raises each and every one of us to his level, we all become exceptional through sharing with him". Heh, I got misty-eyed even writing that... that's the power of Chris Hadfield: he demonstrates that we don't need to knock others down to bring ourselves up and maintain a position of authority and power, but we can use individual accomplishment to make us all a little more accomplished just for paying attention and caring that someone did well.
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branchandroot
Re: attempt numero dos
Date: 2013-10-20 05:37 pm (UTC)Yeah, it's all about being open to experience and trying to grab them when they arise. Unfortunately, with doing two degrees at university and dealing with having a family all at once I find that I "hermit" far too much and am missing out on many opportunities (for companionship and fun times with friends if nothing else).
Hadfield was a true trooper and stayed on stage after the dinner for hours just allowing people to say hi and shake his hand (and take photos, etc.). When they say you need incredible endurance to be an astronaut, I think it's more for when you're back on Earth doing social engagements than the actual "being in space" part ;).
The guy who came on to wrap up the dinner and speeches after dinner had known Hadfield for twenty years and had kept in touch through it all. He said (to paraphrase, I don't remember exactly), "Chris is a true hero, but moreso he's an exceptional person operating in exceptional situations with amazing ability. But when you talk with Chris, you do not feel diminished by his accomplishments, nor does he attempt to render himself ordinary, but he raises each and every one of us to his level, we all become exceptional through sharing with him". Heh, I got misty-eyed even writing that... that's the power of Chris Hadfield: he demonstrates that we don't need to knock others down to bring ourselves up and maintain a position of authority and power, but we can use individual accomplishment to make us all a little more accomplished just for paying attention and caring that someone did well.