Rocket Boys

Don't tell me that man doesn't belong out there. Man belongs wherever he wants to go -- and he'll do plenty well when he gets there.
-- Wernher von Braun

Sunday, February 21, 1999

Saturday, Jack had to go in and work for part of the day, so after eating Cinnabon(s) for breakfast at the local grocery store, we parted. I went to my office, but I did not get any work done, beyond installing the latest build on my test machine. I did some writing, then drove to a local shopping mall and looked at the used books. At a second mall I walked blocks and blocks, from one end of the development to the other. I finally succumbed to my candle craving, and bought a small glass votive candle holder and five assorted-scent candles. This purchase was made at Bed, Bath, and Beyond -- my first visit! That store is certainly impressive. Towels, candles, sheets, tchotkes piled high, with aisle after aisle of stuff and more stuff.

Jack and I rendezvoused back at his house. He'd given me an extra key for the day, so I could let myself in. While I waited for him, I read my book (by Carla Kelley; Diane is reading her, too!) and tried to get my new candle lit. I couldn't figure out how the lighter was supposed to work, which Jack found very amusing when he got back. I use a lighter at home that's intended for fireplaces or lanterns, with a long neck on it. I don't think I've ever used a normal lighter, so I didn't know that I should place my thumb directly on the little wheel. That puts my fingers far too close to the flame!

Jack wanted to see October Sky. I hadn't heard much about it, so I was dubious to neutral, but I said OK. Where should we eat beforehand? Taco del Mar, of course! I encouraged this. I knew that the Taco del Mar is closed on Sunday, so Saturday would be his only chance to eat there this weekend. We were amused by the gossip among the teenage boys who were working there; they had a guest appearance by a boy who worked at the juice smoothie place across the parking lot.

The movie was great! It really surpassed any expectations I had for it. It's about some boys from a West Virginia coalmining town who are inspired to take up rocketry by the Sputnik launch in 1957. A great cast! Good writing, too. I think Jack should take his daughters to it.

We went back to the used bookstore after the movie, since Jack has an urge to find the early Anne McCaffrey books in hardback, I think because she has a new one out. We wandered around. Jack didn't want to get the books on parenting teenagers that I pointed out, so I bought one and left it by his bedside today, without saying a word about it. I also got some good CDs and a few other random books.

Then -- ice cream! I'm glad we decided to go to Baskin-Robbins instead of Dairy Queen; there are so many more choices. I treated Jack to a hot fudge sundae, and I had a two-scoop waffle cone: "Love Potion 31" which was white chocolate with rasperry ribbon and small raspberry-filled chocolates, and peanut butter-chocolate. I don't know if I'm just a slower eater than Jack, or if I'm talking more while he is eating, which would slow me down, but he's often done first when we are eating. (What's that you are saying? that I might be eating more than he is? Impossible!) We took turns on what to listen to on the car radio. Jack was very excited by Stevie Ray Vaughn, then I asked to switch to "The Swing Years and Beyond."

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Well, despite my brave words in Friday's entry, which was written Saturday noontime, I went the rest of Saturday without referring to what Jack had said at dinner. I just didn't feel the right moment. But I couldn't continue to be such a wuss indefinitely, so I brought it up this morning. Jack revealed that he had already read it, the weasel! which surprised me. I don't mind him reading here at all, but I didn't know that he'd read that entry from work on Saturday.

He repeated that he loves me, which is good to hear, since I love him, which I said.

But I wonder if the words, "that's one of the reasons I love her," just slipped out by accident. The rest of what he said gave me that feeling, that he hadn't intended to say such a thing at that particular moment Friday night. So I think I ended the conversation, changed the subject, gave him a hug and kiss, and went to take a shower.

We spent the rest of the day quietly, both of us reading on the couch. Jack kept saying that there was work he should be doing, but I don't want to be in the position of prodding him to go do it! I just said, "If you want to not-work, I think that's fine! But don't follow up by regretting the work you didn't do!" and the next time he started that trope, I tickled him, which he hates. (Shades of Yoda: "Do or not do!")

So, of course, this whole love thing was on my mind for the rest of the day. Several hours later Jack even asked me, out of nowhere, "are you mad at me?" which I wasn't. He didn't say what made him ask that, though, and I don't think I was acting pissed off, because I wasn't angry at all. But he probably did see some difference in my mood.

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After I came home (and Jack took off to pick up his daughter A--- after her nine-day absence) I caught up on some journal-reading, then went to a new-to-me dance thing.

My friend Greg, a student at the University of Washington, has been doing a swing dance practice in a small hall in one of the dorms on campus. I'd done some web research to figure out where the building was (Hansee Hall is 3-N on this map). I like the old buildings (styled to look like even older mock-gothic), all stone and leaded glass. One has to tap on the window of the room, and someone inside runs around to let you in.

It was a small group, around twelve people at the most. I had fun, and danced with some new people.

When Greg started to teach a short, informal lesson (the "break" part of the Shim-Sham), I piped up and asked if he weren't leaving out a beat in the pattern he was doing. I've taken two shim-sham workshops, one from Jen and Chris, and one at the Savoy friday night practice, and I still am about at 80% success level, I'd say! So I was a bit taken aback when he asked me to come up and demonstrate for the class, over and over. I hope people figured out what I was doing!

The physical exercise, music, and sociability of dancing always leaves me feeling good.