I left Endicott before 6AM on my way to Ithica to pick up Diane. On the way there I heard that today marks the 50th anniversary of John Glenn’s historic orbital space ride.

He wasnt the first guy in space.. but he was the first human to circle the earth three times in space.. It makes me happy to see him still alive and kicking at the 50th commemoration of this . I grew up in the afterglow of that event Glenn was a hero to me and my generation. So much so, I learned this morning, that NASA wouldnt let him fly again lest they lose such an important figurehead. In effect.. his success grounded him… Something to meditate on, I suppose..

Since I was driving by myself in the predawn hours, my mind also wandered ot another important Orbit.. in 1979 I was an exchange student in Vienna Austria. I was teaching English at the Gymnasium IV on Graffstarhemebergasse (right opposite the Bozendorfer piano factory). At the time I was totally hooked on Orbit gum.. not only that..for reasons I cant remember, I refused to through away any of the labels.. For that the kids, and my school friends branded me Orbit. in fact.. my freinds in Gymnasium IV form VI-A still call me that..

They gave me this goblet to remember them by.. and I certainly do remember them

I often wonder where those kids are these days. Im hoping that our painstaking translation of Pink Floyd songs from English to German and back has helped them all in their careers…

Heres to us all keeping our orbits stable !
nite all, nite sam
-me