A Few Questions and (possibly) A Few Answers

Q: Are you for real? A: Indeed. I am 100% real.

Q: What do you really do? A: Sell space travel supplies.

Q: Oh come on. That's ridiculous. A: That wasn't a question.

Q: Fine...aren't you part a secret organization or something? A: You must be referring to 826 Seattle

Monday, December 19, 2011

How to avert a holiday crisis

With the holidays imminently close, does your face flush and do your hands get clammy when you have no idea what gift to get for folks on your gift list? Hopefully this only happens in this specific instance, otherwise I suggest seeking medical attention. Allow me to impart to you some highly prized gift suggestions for those “never know what to get them” people on your list.

The Self-Assigned Navigator who never asks directions but never gets lost: Been There, Done That set -- a Map of the Known Universe and a set of Solar System cards to send home with tales of rollicking adventure.

The Closeted Astronaut who has yet to admit that space travel is the most awesomest thing ever: Will I Make a Good Space Traveller? poster -- the answer is, “Of Course”, but it doesn’t hurt to be reassured of how stellar you are.

The Chief Engineer-In-Training who would just as soon build their own holiday gifts: the Little Helper -- because who couldn't use an extra set of alligator clips and a magnifying glass?  Think about it.

The Star of the Show who never gets a break because everyone wants to talk to them: Cherry-Scented Diversion Deployment System -- sometimes a good defense begins with a pleasant smelling distraction.

The Onboard Computer who argues wikipedia is not a primary source: Comparative Measuring Device -- because truth is relative until it isn’t.

The Celestial Dreamer who has tons of great ideas but can never remember them: Metallic Brain Stimulator -- also good for those who have no intention of feeling like they are in over their heads.

The Star Gazer who looks to the skies and sees themselves exploring the far reaches of the galazy: “Sic Itur Ad Astra” t-shirt -- where “Thus, one will go to the stars” is more a life mission than mere words.

Last but not least, the person who has everything: Certainty -- conveniently contained and ready for use should answers be questioned or the future be predicted.

Of course, you are free to decide which gift is right for the crew of your starship and the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. has a great deal more than what I’ve included here. You can also fly by the store and see what you can only obtain once you’re AFK ("away from keyboard", but you already knew that) like terrra forming supplies and games and activities that will help you while away the time in between exploring and discovering. Tell ‘em the captain sent you.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Order Deadlines for Christmas, 2011

We may rely on relativistic-speed rockets and teleporters for interstellar travel, but we rely on the United States Postal Service for delivery of packages. To assure that your space traveling necessities arrive in time for Christmas, please have your orders in by the following dates:

DOMESTIC
  • Via Priority Mail – Deadline has passed
  • Via Express Mail – Deadline has passed
* As of Sunday, 12/18, The USPS is recommending Express Service for guaranteed Christmas delivery. We believe chances are good that shipping via Priority will still get your order to you in time. 
    INTERNATIONAL
    • Via Cheapest Mail Service – Deadline has passed
    • Via Priority Mail Service – Deadline has passed
    • Via Express Mail Service (Central and South America, Africa) – Deadline has passed
    • Via Express Mail Service (Europe, Australia, Mexico, Middle East) – Deadline has passed
    • Via Express Mail Service (Canada) – Deadline has passed
    Thank you all!
    - The Captain

    Monday, December 5, 2011

    New Website in Time for the Holidays!

    Captain’s Log: Stardate 12.05.2011

    It’s here! So sleek! So modern! So navigable! It could be lovely enough to rival Saturn’s majestic rings or the atmospheric bands on Jupiter! You don’t know? I suppose with the onset of the holiday season anything that isn’t bedecked, bedazzled, or beglittered can be easily missed. Allow me to explode your mind... We are launching a new website for the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co.! Whatever your interstellar travel need and wherever you are on Earth (international shipping available!), we can help you gear up for any and all adventures.

    Books to pass the time during long-term space travel!
    Stylish t-shirts for the fashion conscious cosmonaut!
    A Map of the Known Universe because in space, no one can give you directions!
    And more things you don’t even know you need!

    Being a seasoned space traveller has taught me a thing or five, the most important of which is, “A lack of preparation is a prescription for mishaps.” I don’t like the taste of medicine and “mishaps” sounds disgusting so I make sure I’m fully stocked in “preparation”. You can never have too much “preparation”, fellow travellers, just like you can never be too careful or never inflate too many gaseous containment units.

    Check out our new Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. website and get packing for your next stellar journey!

    Friday, December 2, 2011

    Shop for a Good Cause Friday, Dec. 9th

    Travel Announcement: Stardate 12.01.11 

    Join the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. Friday, December 9, between 6pm and 9pm for “Shop for a Good Cause Day.”

    With over 400 items to choose from, you will undoubtedly find something for everyone on your list. Maybe a copy of The Stars, A New Way To See Them (the seminal stargazing guide for young astrologers from H.A. Ray, the creator of Curious George) for your nephew? A stylish new tee-shirt for your fashion conscious teen? A Mars globe for your father who has everything?

    We’ll have tasty holiday vittles and beverages, hourly specials, give-a-ways, and free gift wrapping by the Youth Advisory Board (gift wrapping by teens is always a gamble, but also part of the fun). After loading up, check out the neighborhood’s  monthly Art Up art walk.

    The best part? As always, 100% of the store’s profits benefit 826 Seattle. Spend your holiday money wisely by supporting a local business and a local non-profit. The kids’ll thank you!

    Thursday, November 24, 2011

    Holidays Abound!

    Captain’s Log: Stardate 11.24.2011

    Spending so much time away from Earth, traveling among the stars, makes terrestrial holidays all that more poignant.  The best part of every holiday season is the time-tested traditions (nog, turkey, family). One of my favorite traditions is skating the rings of Saturn.  Not actual skating (obviously) but a thrilling EVA close to the discs of spinning dust and rocks. My robot assistant, PAL, in his concern for our safety, covers his ocular receptors the closer we get. When those rings are too close to ignore, brilliant and shining, his ocular receptors can’t open wide enough.

    Another favorite holiday tradition? Ice fishing on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. Earth-bound planetary scientists only just discovered a lake under the ice. I dare say, they only heard about it now? I’ve been visiting that lake for years!  I don’t catch anything worth keeping, but it is a serene place (even when the occasional methane storm threatens to rip the camping pod apart).

    Let’s not forget the light show on Venus!  The lightening!  The volcanoes!  If it weren’t for its deadly sulphurous atmosphere and constant volcanic activity, I’d be partying on Venus for every holiday.  Which reminds me...

    Since I’ll be next door, dancing to Venus’ volcanic beat, I think I’ll stop by the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. for some supplies as well as tokens of appreciation to give to my intrepid crew.  They work tirelessly to see our safe passage through our interstellar travels.  Well done.  Now let’s grab some grub and enjoy this holiday season!

    Monday, November 7, 2011

    The stars are blowin' in!

    I just got word from a friend who was observing the Pinwheel Galaxy that there was a star that had just gone supernova!  Not just “nova”, mind you.  SUPERNOVA!  Before PAL, my robot assistant, could lecture me on how supernovae are formed, I swiveled the viewing dome to get a look at it myself.

    The supernova is called SN 2011fe.  That’s not exactly the kind of name that inspires tales of thrilling adventure.  Perhaps it can be named Zwicky after Fritz Zwicky, the astronomer who gave collapsing stars their super name.  Astronomers have declared this supernova to be the brightest one recorded by terrestrial-bound instrumentation in 20 Earth years.  How quaint.  If only they could take a gander at it from my safe vantage point out near the edge of the Milky Way.  What a brilliant sight indeed!  

    Ah, the stars!  I am reminded of a motto that has stayed with me since my cadet days at Interstellar Flight Academy, “Sic itur ad astra” or “Thus one goes to the stars”.  Yes, I knew I was captain material early on and I had the t-shirt to prove it.  Not just any t-shirt, mind you, but one obtained from the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co.  There was no doubt about my destiny.  I mean, seriously, what part of “interstellar space travel” is not awesome? 

    Saturday, May 7, 2011

    We recently received the  very kind note on our electronic mailbox. How could we not share it?

    Hello Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co.!

    I'm getting in touch with you guys because I think I may have found myself in a business/storefront form today. When I started my undergraduate journey at the University of Florida in the fall of 2005, I initially decided that astronomy was going to be my preferred route and final destination in life. I have a huge love for the great wide unknown. The grandness of it all is so compelling that, in my humble opinion, it's baffling to think anyone wouldn't want to study it's persistent mystery. Eight classes into my future in astronomy, there wasn't a single assignment that I didn't think was the hardest thing I ever had to do. The math was getting way over my head, the concepts were becoming more and more complex, and I eventually decided that my future in astronomy was probably safer in the hands of casual reading, BBC documentaries, and kitschy sci-fi flicks. I then decided to make the obvious transition to becoming a graphic designer instead. I still, however, worked (and work) space themes into my projects/pieces whenever it's possible. I wrote my senior art history research paper on science fiction magazine cover art from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, I made a board game in my junior year (when my classmates and I were all young pup designers) about "making the planets align" in order to conquer the universe... it's on my website to this day. All this being said, you can only imagine the kid-in-a-candy-store reaction I had when I stumbled across Greenwood Space Travel Supply. I was in my room laughing and bouncing up and down at how wonderfully creative, and well designed the items were. I'm now on both email lists, and you can expect to be soon sending an order to me out in Austin, TX. Keep up all the killer work.

    Your friend,
    Robbie

    Terraforming starts at home.

    As any well-versed space jockey will tell you: “A lack of preparation is a prescription for mishaps.” This is exactly why it’s important to start planning for the winter holidays in July (or even better, in May). One can never start too soon--particularly when it comes to the most important decoration: the Holiday/Christmas Tree.

    Of course I had to pop the top on one of Dr. Darwin’s Breath of Life ® Christmas Tree kits. Everything you need, including sweet sweet Terra Firma, is provided on one compact can. It sure makes hauling seedlings to un-terraformed moons a cinch.

    Our little buddies have recently begun to sprout, and I’m excited to watch them grow over the summer and into autumn.





    These Norway Spruce are an exciting bunch. They can grow up to three feet in a year,  so--fingers crossed--they will make it through the harsh Greenwood summer and be ready for decorating and present-sheltering come December.

    If you’re interested in taking a gander at the little seedlings, they’ll be on display in the Greenwood Space Travel Supply store until they begin to crowd their little home. I’m letting the plantletts take root here Because earth’s gravity is far more hospitable to plants than outer-space. I’ll also be checking in periodically to make sure my assistant isn’t neglecting them, so maybe I’ll get to say, “Hello!” to some of my adoring fans.



    Also available, in the same convenient kits: tomatos, pansies, basil, celery and more. 

    Tuesday, March 15, 2011

    GSTS takes to the streets!

    It may have been a dismal day in Greenwood this past Saturday, but spirits were high when we took to the streets at 2pm. With a loud explosion of cheers, we marched to protest the 2006 IAU decision to redefine “planet”, thus removing Pluto from the planetary pantheon. Over 30 protesters participated, chanting “Hey hey, ho ho, the IAU has got to go” and “Damn it, Janet – Pluto is a planet.”



    At 2:15, we invaded the aptly named Neptune Coffee for our rally. We celebrated our littlest celestial neighbor with the help of special guests Alan Boyle (msnbc.com science editor) and Jackie Giuliano (president of Seattle’s Center for Lifelong Learning and former Educational Outreach Manager for NASA's Pluto Express project). Passions ran high. 


    We even had a counter-protester.  His protestations were no match for our cheers of triumph!


    For a full recap of the day's events, take a gander at the Seattle PI's Big Blog report.

    See you next year!

    Thursday, January 27, 2011

    GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR VALENTINE

    Even if you are dashing about, light-years from Earth, you have no excuse not to think of your beloved on Valentine's Day. Luckily, the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. is here to help:

    Sure, he may be seven feet tall owing to the effects of lower gravity, but your Mars-born boyfriend is your Valentine nonetheless. Show him how much you appreciate his origins with a MARS! poster (designed by Jacob Covey).


    Is your girlfriend 850 degrees of total smoking hotness? Nothing says “Babe, you’re my Venus,” like a Venus Tee Shirt.


    And finally, our number one gift for newlyweds: a bottle of Certainty.