I’m just thinking today on a few things. Mostly just concepts and ideas. I was enjoying some ideas in my head of some things. Space has always held a singular appeal to me. Mostly because of the unknown and how the universe works and looks. It’s been something that frankly has held an interest for many people, even in a time of economic uncertainty, political discord, and diplomatic upheaval.

I have been trying to figure out a good way to build up this page with more then just blog posts and updates on my other site. I’m thinking of things in general and trying to divert myself from the crushing depression of unemployment with the old dreams. The desires of a young man who left home and entered the world on his own twelve years ago. I’ll never be a politician, or anything of that nature, but I always liked the idea of being more then I am now. To put it another way, during my life I have set foot on four continents, even if I only lived on three of them. I drove across the United States southern states maybe three or four times. If I won the lotto, I’d probably by an RV and just spend my life driving all over the United States and Canada. Maybe even go as far as traveling the whole world just to see it.

Lets be honest, most people, no matter the country will never go far from the town they grew up in. It’s the way of the world that, even in countries or states or counties that we are most comfortable in the places we started in. I have moved back to the area of Texas I spent the first part of my life. Frankly I’m more comfortable here then I have been in a long time. When I lived in Nashville I had my own place, and it was nice… but it wasn’t what I would call comfortable.

I’ve also found myself more interested in artistic ventures of late. It might just be because of one of the classes I’m taking, but I’ve been thinking of grabbing canvas and brush and trying my hand again. Or a camera to catch some images of the bluebonnets in bloom. On some of the hills I drive by there are so many, that from a distance it’s as if deep blue has been air brushed along the hill sides. Things like these were what I loved as I grew, and frankly I think I’m starting to rediscover several things about myself.

I looked at NASA and saw an image of Centaurus A and was moved again. I loved this image and frankly I wish I could do more about space. I need to purchase a telescope and get out and just view the universe I think.

Centaurus A All Prettied Up in Infrared and X-Rays

I look at this and find myself wondering more and more about possibilities. What could possibly happen if we decided to go back to the Moon, or onwards to Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and her many moons. There are plenty of places within 12.5 light-years of our Star System that might be interesting to go see. Granted, with current technology it would take nearly a century to get to any of them. But it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t think about it, dream it, and be inspired by it. There isn’t a lot to inspire us these days. We get reality tv shows that focus just on survival or other things that really don’t matter. We get politicians that toss around the blame and hatred towards the other side more then they actually try to truly govern or lead us.

President Bush wanted to try to get us back to the Moon. President Obama not only killed it, but gutted the space program. We no longer have a manned space capability. This is not something we can afford not to have or improve on. We need to try new things, give up our preconceived notions and NIMBY attitudes.

Maybe I’m being naive. maybe I don’t understand a ton of what is really important. But I look at the world and I see us giving up dream after dream and I see us trying to strip out as much wonder as possible and I can’t help but wonder if it even matters at this point. But I keep dreaming.

I suppose the best thing to do is to just write it out. Dream my ideas, put them to form, and bring them here into some concept areas. It is the duty of dreamers and creators to inspire the public. To give them something more to strive for then just the next paycheck. It’s our duty to give people hope for the future, beyond just subsistence. You may be asking why, I say why not. Let it be what we dream that defines us, and what we accomplish that inspires us. Let us believe in life beyond our solar system, in magic within our own shores, in the spirit of adventure that drives the Human soul.Take the time at night to go out and look at the stars and to wonder. Look at a work of art and see it as you see it. Watch the flowers and the trees and ask what secrets they must know.

That’s all I got right now, Laters.

C.W. Smith