Two. Words:

Cowboy Astronomer!

But before I get to that, I have to say that keeping up with the comments on my school blog has prevented me from posting here in a timely manner! In previous years, the blog has died off after a month or two of school. But if I keep showing it to the students on the nifty LCD projector that dangles like a constellation from my classroom ceiling, perhaps I can keep them interested in it this year.

Speaking of constellations (yeah, that was a bit of an awkward transition), tonight I had the pleasure of attending the Cowboy Astronomer presentation at the CSN Planetarium. I'm actually hoping someone approaches me trying to sell me an Entertainment Book so that I can get the coupon to see more shows. It was awesome and hilarious and unsatisfying all at the same time.

First of all, the planetarium is tiny. Which is good, since including the three of us, there were 8 people who went to see the presentation. That's a shame. It starts with a little cartoon pickup truck driving into a dark landscape. Then a voice with a thick drawl starts telling the story of how the narrator became a Cowboy Astronomer. He points out the Big Dipper and Polaris, the only two stars I think I'll ever be able to positively identify. He talks about Orion and Sirius and mentions stories that various cultures throughout history have attributed to the Pleiades.

Somewhere near the end, before you hear the little blue door of the cartoon pickup slam shut and see it drive away, the Cowboy Astronomer advises: "Make friends with the Universe." Is there any better advice than that? I think not.

A wonderful time was had by all, which was necessary. And it never hurts to be reminded that, "all you have to do is go outside...and look up."