No Trepidation with Proper Preparation!

Every intrepid interstellar explorer knows the importance of being adequately prepared for the long haul that is space travel. Show the adventurer in your life that you are hip to the demands of boldly going into the far reaches of the galaxy.

With over 400 items to mix-and-match, build the perfect kit or gift bag for the pilot, engineer, scientist, writer, or dreamer on your list!

Build a useful kit for the space voyager:
- a "travel essentials" kit with this, this, and definitely this
- an only-for-hilarious-emergencies kit because using this with this will help you laugh off the panic
- a finally-time-to-finish-that-novel kit where the passing light years will fly by with the help of this and a notebook... or five

Equip the on-site-planetarist:
- terra forming supplies like Matchstick Gardens or Plants-in-a-Can
- decorations for that “touch of Earth” like this or this
- stylish clothing for the photos they'll be sending back -- look stellar wearing this, this, or this

 Inspire the space-dreamers:
- books to prep you for the rigors of space travel
- posters to keep that inspiration coming - try this, study this, and set your coordinates with this
- travel games to master before attempting them in zero-gravity - with magnet and Velcro technology!

There's free rocket ship parking on the roof of Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co.! Be sure to fly by before your next voyage of discovery!

Stop to Shop, Stay to Play!

As we careen through the infinitude of space with only our trusty ship to protect us from the crushing vacuum of the interstellar void, I fondly remember heart-warming holiday traditions that specialized in hot beverages, open fires, and unabashed sentimentality (figuratively "heart-warming," of course).

What better way to launch into the holiday season than attending Shop For A Good Cause! Make a pit stop at the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. on Friday, Dec 14, from 6p to 9p for food (1), festivities (2), and free gift wrapping (3)!

1. Astronaut-designed astronaut food prepared by our own 826 Seattle volunteers! Bagged and sealed for freshness. Paired with a tall glass of Tang. Get a taste of space starting at 6p.
2. Nothing shows "unabashed sentimentality" than singing carols. Take to the streets (rocket ships are often too loud) with 826 Seattle's Songwriting club as they get unabashed all over the neighborhood with original, non-denominational carols at 7p.
3. Let the bold leaders of the Youth Advisory Board prepare the defense shield for your gifts and keepsakes. They fear not scissors nor paper cuts when it comes to protecting your gifts from loved ones.

Bonus event! 
... because you can't have too much to celebrate!

Did I mention that 100% of all proceeds directly benefit 826 Seattle whose free workshops and programs benefit Earth children?

The fall Chapbook Workshop celebrates the publication of their newest chapbook on the same night! Join these young writers and their families in the "Fall Features Showcase" as they take hold of their freshly bound book and take hold of the mic to read selections of their work. Open mic starts at 6:15pm. Grab a seat to hear the voices of the next generation.

Little is the new Big!

There is a crispness in the air, a chill at the edge of a breeze, a golden tone that has draped the neighborhood... what would this time of year look like if the Earth’s axis was not at a 23.4° tilt? Amazing how a little thing like that can be such a huge influence on seasons on my home planet.

Of course, there are no seasons in space, but think of all the little things that make space amazing: leptons, quarks, bosons, atoms... all adding up to EVERYTHING IN THE UNIVERSE! So. Much. Universe.

Sorry. Where was I? Oh yes, the little things. While scientists continue to work on exploring the influence of subatomic particles, we can marvel at the ones that exist right under our noses. Take a close look at something. Get closer. Closer. And now your nose is in the dirt or covered in dust or way too close to something that could jump in your eye. Your favorite eye.

Hmm... How can people see little things as big things without losing optical capability? … I’ve got it! A BIGGIFIER!

Place the Biggifier above the object you want to examine and stand back! It’s HUGE! Look at the detail! Ponder the intricacy! Marvel at the complexity! For such a teeny, tiny thing? Are you SEEING this? I can’t take my eyes off it. Simply amazing, no? Yes.

In your intrepid travels, you will come across a galaxy of little things that can so easily go unnoticed... especially without a PORTABLE BIGGIFIER. Same biggification. Smaller Biggifier. The tool of exploration and discovery is right there in your pocket!

While you’re looking at your world through a new lens (literally!), you might notice the denizens of your world looking at you. Like that guy behind the laptop! Or the lady with the latte! Fret not, fellow space traveler. Adorn your abdomen with the new Captain McGillicuddy t-shirt and you will never want for style or conversation.

Stand back for new news!

PAL!  PAL!  Where is that robot assistant of mine?  I'd been working on a letter to my dear mother when my wood-and-graphite writing tool broke.  No matter how hard I pushed the writing tool onto the sheet of white cellulose, no mark could be made.  Argh!  Where's PAL and the laser beam he uses to refashion my writing tool into a useable one again?

Sharpening more than pencils

What a minute?  What's this?  Aha!  I don't need PAL's fancy-dancy laser.  I've got Brahe's Nose Pencil Sharpener and it doesn't need any batteries or external power to work.  AND a new order of noses just arrived at the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. from Tycho Brahe's actual descendants.  Tycho Brahe spotted a supernova in 1572 that tore the lid off of the idea of an unchanging sky.  Before that he was in a duel that nearly tore off his nose.  Let that be a lesson to everyone: science is awesome and dueling is dumb.

Be there or be a giant ball of gas

Galavanting galaxies!  I almost forgot!  If you're going to be on Earth on Sunday, March 4, stop by the Fremont Sunday Market because folks from the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. are going to be there!  Stock up on some necessities for your next trip into the cosmos.

One more thing!  Are you writing this down?  It's super important.  Don't worry, I'll wait.  Ready?  Be sure to join us for Pluto Day on March 10th!  Make signs at 12pm, march at 1pm, and rally at Neptune Coffee at 1:15pm.  Pluto pride forever!

And a thanks to YOU!

There's so much happening... including a SALE in anticipation of Pluto Day.  Starting Mon 2/27 through the month of March, get 10% off all Pluto and Moon gear: shirts, books, posters, and more!  Mention this promotion at the store to get your discount.  Can't make it in-person?  Go through the online store with discount code: CHARON for your 10% discount.

Pluto Day on March 10th!

I still can’t believe it. What utter nonsense! Who’s in charge? Pluto is still not classified as a planet in our solar system? Surely, someone would have realized this atrocious mistake years ago and brought Pluto back into the planetary pantheon. No one? Why not?

That’s it! Pluto deserves better. I'm not going to let the International Astronomical Union cast off Pluto like so much stellar radiation unleashed to the edges of the universe. Pluto is awesome whether it’s called a planet or not. Pluto, I sing for thee!

In fact, the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. is having a Pluto Day march and rally to whip the citizens of Earth into a dwarf-planet-friendly frenzy! Join the celebration and show the galaxy that even though Pluto is small, it’s a big deal!

When: Saturday, March 10 at 12pm
What: 12pm sign making workshop / 1pm march / 1:15pm rally
Where: start at Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. (8414 Greenwood Ave N) / rally at Neptune Coffee (8415 Greenwood Ave N)
Who: YOU!

The festivities begin with a sign making workshop at 12pm. Bring your wit, your cleverness, and your love for Pluto because slogans on signs are the best way to proclaim Pluto! If you have signs, bring them! The times may be different but the message remains the same. Sometimes, signs alone are not enough to effectively convey how much Pluto means to me so I have to get a little more creative, more in-your-face. Do you have a costume that perfectly captures Pluto’s grace and mystery? Wear it! Prizes will be awarded to the best signs and the best costumes.

The march hits the streets at 1pm followed by a rally at Neptune Coffee at 1:15pm. I will not be able to attend as I’m just beyond Saturn on my way to a hot air balloon festival on Jupiter. In my stead, there will be astronomy and Pluto experts at the rally to answer questions and astound you with facts about Pluto and our solar system. Walk, talk, chant, and chortle with us as we declare to the galaxy “Pluto belongs!”

A Captain's Job

One of the most important duties of a captain on an interstellar voyage is keeping track of the time.  Scoff if you think that's funny but with time being relative, it is imperative to be acutely aware of your frame of reference or you'll end up older than your dear aunt Sally and how awkward would that be?  I'll tell you.  Really, really awkward.

Since I miss Earth an awful lot and was born there, I set my clock to Earth-time.  Even though I'm not often home for birthdays and holidays, I still celebrate them with my robot assistant PAL.  He consults our Lunar Calendar and decorates the ship accordingly.  I never plan a party without him.  Did you know that PAL's literally a dancing machine?  His favorite move is the Twist.

The best way to keep all those parties straight is to write it down and not lose that tiny slip of cellulose that I swear was right on the navigation console.   Good thing I don't lose my Space Pens as easily.  No space traveler should ever find themselves without a reliable communication device.  You never know when you'll have to sign autographs for future cosmonauts.

Holidays and parties don't happen everyday, however, because even though PAL is a dancing machine, he's not a party machine.  I'm hoping he gets a party upgrade soon.  Until then, we keep the crew sharp by running exercise drills and employing Mostly Harmless Training Devices.   No one's getting hurt on my watch.

Yessiree.  Lots to do as the captain.  Keeping the time, filling the time, finding the time, and biding my time.  It's a wonder how it all gets done but I have great time doing it.  Phew!  I think it's getting close to my favorite event: nap time... right after we swing by the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. to pick up more party supplies.

Speaking of parties, save the date for the PLUTO DAY march and rally!

• Saturday March 10th at 12pm
• Meet at the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. (8414 Greenwood Ave N)
• We'll make signs, chant for Pluto and the other dwarf planets, and rally at Neptune coffee

More info is coming so stay tuned!  To tide you over, here's a sneak peek at a new Pluto t-shirt design, complete with moons!

Lunar Calendars for 2012!

Hot off the presses!  The new Lunar Calendar for 2012!  What better way to track the passage of time than by the elegant waxing and waning of our own satellite? 

• Follow your favorite phases from crescent to quarter to half!
• Know when you can bathe in the cool reflected light of the full moon!
• Plan on having all manner of uncommon events happen on the blue moon!
• Tired of the old moon?  A new moon's on the way! 

Fly by the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. to pick up your Lunar Calendar before the next solar revolution!

Making Time for Space

Seated comfortably in my quarters, I like to sit back in my overstuffed captain’s chair and give myself a moment to let my mind wander the vastness of the universe.  As you sip your latte and glance around at your fellow humans staring too intensely into brightly lit screens (yes, that's what you look like too), consider your place in the galaxy.  Heavy thoughts, I know, but not so heavy as to affect your gravitational field, so go ahead and ponder.  PAL, my robot assistant chides me for taking overly long breaks from my captain's duties, but, dude, that vastness is pretty darn big.  If I'm going to wrap my mind around the universe, it's going to take some time... lots and lots of time.

Ah, space.  So much to discover and explore!  To the next generation of intersteller travelers, look to the coming year as your time to become an adventurer, a scientist, and a dreamer with thoughts so enormous only an infinite universe can contain it all!

But don't keep it to yourself, soon-to-be-astronaut.  Write it down!  How else would anyone know of your wondrous feats of derring-do?  Just ask PAL.  His exact words to me were, "I don't want to hear it!"  I understood immediately.  Obviously, he thought my tales were too amazing for his audio receptors alone.

As Earth continues along a new revolution, we only need to look to the stars to see that our future is not as far off as we think.  With a well supplied rocket ship equipped with food, water, oxygen, and tons of books and games, I think the adventures are about to begin.  I look forward to it and hope you will join me.  Don't forget to write.