Yes, THE AARP (THAT ONE)

Last week I spent about 4 nights in Orlando, working at the NASA exhibit at the AARP conference. Yes, THE AARP conference. Mom came with me, since our hotel was right on Universal Studios property (Loew’s Portofino Bay) and we got to come and go through the park. I’m really lucky to be able to be sent on work trips where I get to talk about NASA all day and then in the off time, ride roller coasters! We had a blast, and even went to the Halloween night at Universal, where they convert parts of the park to Haunted Houses, and there are creepy, scary creatures chasing you all over the park. Oh, and beer or shots sold on every corner. Definitely a different park during Halloween nights.

 

The NASA exhibit itself was fun, if not super tiring. Painful feet, a sore voice, and a new perspective on how AARP members feel about NASA just about sums it all up. Three days straight of all day answering questions, and Thursday I hadn’t even realized that it was Oct 1. New start of the fiscal year, accompanied by layoffs at JSC and KSC related to the space shuttle retirement. I didn’t know it until the first person walked up to me and asked me about it. He was from the KSC area. In fact, look, I was in Orlando and as it turns out, I was surrounded by KSC-lovers and retirees.

 

What a year to pick to have the AARP conference in Orlando (it varies every year).

 

I tried to duck as many political questions I could (I had no idea how many people in this age group hate the Russians…how COULD WE rely on the Russian vehicles to get our people up and down on ISS when shuttle retires?! HOW COULD WE?! Never mind we’ve been doing it for the last 10 years anyway, especially when our shuttle fleet was grounded for 2 years after the Columbia accident.). Still, some people were happy and enthused, while others cranky about that. GO AMERICA! I have a feeling I got a pretty fair sampling of this voting demographics’ feelings on NASA. They’re mixed and they’re strong, either way.

 

Mom and I had a great trip and when I got back home, I didn’t know what to expect from Anna. A hug would have been nice. Or even, HI MOMMY! I’VE MISSED YOU NOW WHAT DID YOU GET ME?! Instead I got: I don’t WANT you to be home, mommy!

 

She gets to sleep in my bed with Daddy when I’m gone. She gets to party hard, visit friends, and keep a non-schedule. She gets to refuse hair brushing (though teeth brushing is still mandatory from what I understand) and I’m not sure about the meals, although I understand she went to a Chinese restaurant with L and her family on Friday night. All bonus side effects of Paul’s crazy busy schedule. I’m just minimally fun for her.

 

Trust me, I don’t take offense by this. The fact that she’s not missing me terribly actually helps relieve some of my travel guilt. So I’m good. Also I don’t mind being the consistent, routine-driven mommy. She’s a lucky kid she can have the experience of both.

 

Of course, she DID come around just a little while later, ESPECIALLY when she saw all the goodies mom and I brought her back. She’s back to spontaneous “I LOVE YOU,” had no problem back into her own bed last night, and overall just fine. I asked her why she doesn’t like to talk to me on the phone when I’m gone and she said, “Because I think it’s funny!”

 

This being said, I can’t wait till she’s old enough to take with me.