I need to get into the ex-astronaut biz

So, I've got a part in a movie shooting in Orlando this weekend. It's a cool set to begin with, and well organized. The property, which is on the outskirts of Kissimmee in the sticks, is owned by former Astronaut Story Musgrave. If you don't know him, trust me, space is afraid of HIM.

He drove up in this today:

But these were also hanging about:

And some other cool shots from the set:

We're blowing this up:

And, Finally... my favorite shot of all...

I'll posts more when I can. I'm trying to twitter regular updates to twitter.com/JGPasterjak with pix and whatnot.

Tomorrow is more time in front of the camera, but it'll be air conditioned. Yay.

jg

There are downsides to the astronaut biz too:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7226705

Shawn

I drive half way across the country to kill someone with a hammer, I'm going to at least stop and use the restroom and stretch my legs.

jg

Can someone please come up with a funny caption for pic #5?

Cool stuff btw, JG

Cool. What's the movie, JG? Or is that all hush-hush at this stage?

JG Pasterjak wrote: So, I've got a part in a movie shooting in Orlando this weekend. It's a cool set to begin with, and well organized. The property, which is on the outskirts of Kissimmee in the sticks, is owned by former Astronaut Story Musgrave. If you don't know him, trust me, space is afraid of HIM.

You ain't kidding.

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/musgrave.html

Joined during Gemini, didn't get to fly until Shuttle. I remember that first Hubble repair flight...dropping tools & bolts on Earth is one thing, dropping them on orbit is another. He didn't miss a step. Buzz Aldrin would be proud.

JG Pasterjak wrote: I drive half way across the country to kill someone with a hammer, I'm going to at least stop and use the restroom and stretch my legs. jg

That's why you're not an astronaut. She was very focused on her mission.

Luke wrote: Cool. What's the movie, JG? Or is that all hush-hush at this stage?

It's a "mockumentary" type deal about a horribly dysfunctional film crew making a movie in the sticks of Florida. The whole "movie within a movie" thing is starting to blow everyone's mind. The actors playing grips keep getting yelled at for not having stuff ready for shooting, and a visitor to the set tried to give a headshot to the "fake" director.

jg

Someone finally found the german engineer responsible for the electrical problems in early E chassis Beemers, and politely told him what they thought of his design. The poor german never saw it coming

Aw, you took a picture of the craft services table just for me, didn't you? Thanks. (And is that doughnuts being served with chips? Sweet.)

Margie

I saw Jim Lovel at Oshkosh a year or two ago. Awesome, but I felt bad for him. At the end, he was whisked quicklyaway due to "space nerds" apparent attempts at mobbing him. I almost thought I heard "Lovel has left the building." Wish he could just roam around an enjoy the fly-in like the rest of us.

Appleseed wrote: I saw Jim Lovel at Oshkosh a year or two ago. Awesome, but I felt bad for him. At the end, he was whisked quicklyaway due to "space nerds" apparent attempts at mobbing him. I almost thought I herd "Lovel has left the building." Wish he could just roam around an enjoy the fly-in like the rest of us.

When I get my pilot's license (and maybe a plane) I think I want to go out there for that big event they do every year. Maybe I'll build one. An old neighbor of mine did that. It takes a lot of time, but it's worth it. I guess after he built the Cobra there was nowhere to go but up.

No plane? No problem. You should come anyway. It rules. I'm only 30, and I haven't missed one since 95.

I've met Story before, and he is not only my favorite Astronaut, he is also my hero.

Ask him about videotaping re-entry. Hes got a story that will BLOW YOUR FACE OFF.

+1 for the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. I'm lucky that I only live 1/2 down the highway from it and have gone multiple times. The F-22 Raptor flew over and was doing some sweet manuvers but the craziest thing was the C-17 that was doing some awesome banking and hard pulling take off.

Marjorie Suddard wrote: Aw, you took a picture of the craft services table just for me, didn't you? Thanks. (And is that doughnuts being served with chips? Sweet.) Margie

Craft services is only half the fun. "Crafty" is the table that's there all day with snacks and nibbles and drinks. The real loves comes from "catering." They fire up the grill first thing in the morning and start cooking the actual meals. Had some damn fine plates of meat from that guy.

jg

I have Joe Engle's sig in my log book. X-15 driver and the Shuttle commander. My jaw dropped when this man, who's flown 12,400 hours in155 different planes, asked me what kind of planes I've flown. Super, super nice guy with a smile that could melt ice.

After the JB Weld on his military surplus turbo failed, Friedgreencorrado began to reconsider whether or not he'd make the $2009 Challenge on time...