Royal Wedding

I did not see the wedding but I know a lot of people that did. 

Whether you tried to avoid, watch every minute or throw a party for this event this was a happy occation that shut England down.  What a momentous occasion for Will and Kate!  And a few billion of their friends thanks to television and internet coverage.

Prince William and Catherine Middleton sealed their wedding vows with a traditional kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace Friday as people in London and around the world roared their approval. I too found myself caught up in the euphoria.

The short peck — and a slightly longer smooch a couple of minutes later — followed a glittering service at Westminster Abbey in which the prince and the newly created Duchess of Cambridge were pronounced husband and wife.

The kisses were followed by a traditional fly-by of vintage and modern planes from Britain's Royal Air Force.  I couldn’t even afford doves at my wedding but I’m not jealous.

About two hours later, the couple surprised crowds gathered outside the palace by emerging in a blue convertible Aston Martin and driving around for a few minutes. The car was decorated with a multicolored ribbon across the hood and dragged what appeared to be tin cans, a traditional British touch. 

William said "I will" in a clear confident voice, when asked if he would "love, comfort, honor and keep" Middleton, 29. She appeared slightly emotional as she repeated her vows.  The prince was spotted winking at his new bride — the first "commoner" to marry a prince in close proximity to the throne in more than 350 years — after they exchanged vows. 

My well wishes are with the new bride and groom and may they live their “Happily Ever After!”

How long Before a Space Hotel?

With NASA's shuttle Program
coming to an end and commercial activity growing  Maybe Port Canaveral and Orlando can be pre and post stays just as Cruises! 

As the space tourism race ramps up, how long will it be before this becomes mainstream?  The international Space Holiday Inn and Suites was buzzed today by the Virgin Galactic.  If you think hotel rates are high what do you think the rates up there will be?  As airlines continue to crack down on what you luggage weighs you don’t have to worry about that because up there it weighs nothing!  Of course I hope you like the look of a space suit because that’s what you’ll be wearing the whole trip.

The notion of an ordinary person taking a trip beyond Earth’s atmosphere is no longer the stuff of science fiction.  Several already have gone, and hundreds more have paid for trips that could begin as soon as next year.  Even as NASA’s shuttle program is drawing to a close – it’s next to last launch is scheduled for Friday, when the shuttle Endeavour is to begin a two-week mission to the International Space Station (soon to be a Homewood… maybe) – private companies are soliciting passengers for commercial trips to space. 

Ten years ago businessman Dennis Tito became the first private person to pay to fly in space on April 28, 2001, doling out $20 million to travel on the Soyuz, a Russian rocket, to the International Space Station.  Now space travel is beginning to mirror the airline industry, with its own travel agents, carriers and hubs.

Ok so if you use the same calculations to figure out the cost and also bringing down the cost of the flight due to others sharing the experience (approximately 12 others) you are looking at $1.6 million for a weeks vacation in the sky.  Don’t worry your meals are included in that… hope you like Tang.