COOL: The average person can now fly to outer-space

I thought this was a cool story we did today on the News at News 4 in Buffalo.

Trip to space may be possible on Virgin Galactic
http://www.wivb.com/Global/story.asp?S=8748749

Here is the text from the story:

“MOJAVE, CALIF. (WIVB) – - It’s the next step for civilians who are looking to explore the final frontier: Billionaire Richard Branson and his partner unveiled the White Knight Two today. Branson’s partner, Burt Rutan, designed the first private manned rocket to reach space in 2004. Now their Virgin Galactic project aims to give others the chance to enjoy that same trip.

With great fanfare the pair unveiled the White Knight Two. It’s billed as the first all-carbon composite aircraft. This aircraft – dubbed “the mothership” – is a four engine jet with room between its twin fuselages. That’s where Spaceship Two will be mounted. The concept is that the mothership will carry the spaceship 50,000 feet into the air, then the aircraft will separate and Spaceship Two will fire its hybrid rockets, climbing about 62 miles above Earth. Branson says the mothership will carry two pilots and six guests. The guests will then move into the Spaceship for launch.

“I’m going up myself and I’m sure my stomach’s going to turn. My children, my parents are going up, so of course there’s going to be an element of nervousness, but it’ll be, I think, the journey of a lifetime. It’ll be, I expect, the one thing in my life that I’ll remember above everything else,” said Sir Richard Branson, the chairmen of the Virgin Group.

There are still some big hurdles before tourists can be whisked into space. White Knight Two has to undergo a rigorous testing program and the companion spacecraft must still be finished. So far there’s no definite timetable on when that will happen. If you’re interested in this space adventure, you’ll need $200,000 for your ticket.”

Video b-roll from Virgin Galactic

Welch Allyn here I come!!!

I’ve finally landed a great job in the general public relations field. I have accepted a position at Welch Allyn (http://www.welchallyn.com/). I will be joining their marketing communications office as a Marketing Specialist/Web Administrator.

July…

Well, it has been over a month since I posted to my own blog. Things have been pretty busy and hecktic since I last wrote. I don’t know where the time goes.

I spent most of the month really concentrating on relaxing and looking for a new job. For my birthday (July 4), I went camping with my best-friends from Buffalo., NY. We had a lot of fun just chillin’ for the weekend. I’m sure most of my friends saw the four albums of photos that I posted on Facebook.

Since then, I have been working and looking for a new job. I know I really like my position at News 4 (WIVB) in Buffalo, NY, but I need a change and a move with greater responsibilities. When I find a new job, I will definately miss everyone that I work with and being in the news grind on a daily basis. But, I know a move would be good for me both personally and professionally. Let’s hope I find something soon.

Until then, I will continue to just chill. Thameena, my friend, and I have been going to the gym everyday together. We are both doing so well and like it at the BAC Downtown. Plus, there are a lot of hot men there to make us want to work harder. It is great!!! I have already lost 10 pounds and 1″ off my waistline. Hopefully, that is a start to many more to say goodbye.