The Adventures of Captain Imperfecto : Frogs in Space

Monday, August 20, 2012

Frogs in Space

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August 20th, 2012

3…2…1…

“We have ignition and the space flight is on its way, as it clears the tower, heading towards space and into the stars on an historic journey.”

The g-force throws us back 10x our normal weight, as we are sling shot through the sky by the thrust from the solid rocket boosters . The vibrations from the sheer power is rattling through us so violently that I can barely keep my eyes on the controls to make sure the system is functioning. I have to look three panels over before I can zero in on the one I need. There’s nothing but blue sky out front as we leave our smoke trail behind, to settle among the spectators that ventured out to watch our flight.

The adrenaline is coursing through my veins, even though my body feels as flat as a sheet of paper. The mighty force is pushing down on me with all the pressure of a vice, squeezing every once of DNA out of me.

My arteries begin to constrict, choking off my blood supply to vital areas of my body. I feel light headed and the outer areas of my peripheral vision begin to blacken, darkening my field of vision as the constriction narrows in my view. The pressure is intense and I head to a blackout. I feel my space suit fill with air forcing my blood flow from one area and supplying the much needed organs with blood so that I may sustain conscientiousness.

The rocket cuts through the sky wrecking havoc on any air pockets that dare to stand in its way. The space craft rocks and rolls, as it ascends into space. The blue gives way to the darkness of space while we continue our rise towards the stars. The ship begins to slow, but my body still moves forward and gives my stomach a queasy feeling.

We made it! We are in space and what a glorious sight before me. I unbuckle my seat belt and allow my body to ride the gravity free atmosphere where I begin to do somersaults like a kid. All the training in the world doesn’t prepare for this moment. What a feeling to be light on your toes when all your life you have gravity pulling you down. I could stay…

“Daddy,” a voice cries out in my headset.

Here all day and become mesmerized…

“Daddy,” there it is again. As if God himself is reaching out to me.

My concentration breaks. I look down at my son who is pulling on my shirt. He reaches up his hands and hands me a plastic frog.

“Ribbit,” he says.

“Where did you get that frog Nico,” I asked.

“Ribbit daddy,” he says with a smile.

“Did you pay for that buddy?” I ask.

I take the frog out of his hands and notice the price tag is still on it. Holding the frog in my hand I stare back at the mural of the space shuttle taking off. “Man I love the science museum,” I say out loud while turning my head to look over my shoulder, where I perched Christopher, my youngest son, for our space flight.

“Okay, lets go back to the souvenir shop,” I said missing my chance to travel in space.

We walk into the store that is tucked nicely within the museum and I seek out the line so i can pay for the reptile. My sons run about the store playing with the other items that they sell.

From granite rocks, to ant farms and bugs, candy and games, science experiments and rockets…rockets!

“Look guys!” I shout, “rockets!”

They both weren’t interested. They were more excited about the plastic amphibians in a large clear bowl that is occupying their time while they fish their hands inside pulling the plastic creatures out, throwing the ones they didn’t like on the floor or maybe they thought they were setting them free.

“Two dollars and sixty four cents sir,” the cashier said with pleasure.

“Oh and I’ll take that rocket behind the counter too,” I said politely.

“This one,” she said grabbing a rather cheap looking one.

“Umm no, I think my kids, those two standing right over there,” I point, “ would love that one right there. The one that says Rocket 4-1S Built to Fly High in the Sky. Be your own Astronaut,” I said with giddiness.

“OK, yes they will like this one,” she replied. While raising her eye brows and tilting her head a little. An indication that she was on to me and she knew full well what kid is getting that.

“Let’s go home guys,” I said.

I walked out the door towards the main entrance that will guide us to the parking lot and the gray minivan awaiting its departure.

The boys and I walked to the car. I held their hands as we crossed the not so busy road to the van. I strapped them in their car seats.

Covering my mouth, “Okay NASA we’re ready for lift off,” I said in my best radio voice. “Roger, that Nissan Quest 1,” talking to myself as my sons look at me not sure what to make of all this.

3…2…1…

“Lift off!” I shout

I press the gas pedal as we drive off at mach speed 5 miles per hour.

“NASA thank you for the training,” I announce. I peer through the review mirror at my boys, who in return are staring out the windows.

We begin the journey to the sanctity of our house.

“Um Houston we seem to have a problem,” I announce again. My boys are still oblivious to my rocket humor as they continue to stare out the window.

I reach into the Science Museum bag and fiddle about the contents inside grabbing a toy from the inside.

“NASA, there’s frogs in space," I yell.

My boys turn their heads towards me and begin to giggle.

“Ahhh,” I shout, “frogs in space! Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!”

My boys laugh out of control. I throw the frogs about the cabin of the van screaming.

“FROGS!” I shout.