Phoenix, Say Cheese

i am not the first to make this observation, nor the last but it is so amazing to this space geek that i had to share. this photo is from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter OF the Phoenix Lander on its final descent gently cradled under its open parachute.
why am i so amazed? a few reasons, first, this image is from ANOTHER planet. second, this image was taken BY a robot orbiting aforementioned OTHER planet, OF another robot descending towards yet again aforementioned OTHER planet. third, this image of a robot taken by another robot on another planet, is SO far away that it takes anywhere from 5-22 MINUTES (depending on earth's orbital location relative to mar's) for a radio signal to reach it. that is just plain amazing.


P.S. this is yet one more example of what i mean when i say "hey, if we can put robots on mars then we can solve...(fill in the blank with any problem we face)"

Summer is the PERFECT time to snowboard

so summer hasn't even officially started and the teasers for fall's snowboard dvd's are already poppin' up. get you some here at the official site, (or watch my crappy blogger version below). this is from Mack Dawg's new "DOUBLE DECADE". MDP always ups the ante, and yes it makes me want to snowboard right NOW.