I’m a big proponent of getting outside of your life and exploring things simply because they interest you. I think it’s particularly vital for those of us who toil in the sewers of political discourse to have other enthusiasms, which is at least partly why I went on a NASA Tweetup over Thanksgiving, to see the launch of the Mars rover, Curiosity. It was a great experience — met some fantastic people, spent a few days exploring the Kennedy Space Center and surrounding wildlife refuge, and saw a rocket launch. As I heard someone say, it was like a field trip for grownups! Many more photos below the fold.
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(Astronaut Doug Wheelock poses with Pearl Jam astronaut art.)

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(our Tweetup group photo -- click to enlarge)