Native Texan, Male, married with 2 daughter (both adults)(both married) Soon to be a grandparent. DEVOUT UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FAN. Up until Sept.11,2001 I considered myself a political agnostic. (couldn’t of cared less) That event opened my eyes and turned on something inside of me I’ve never experienced before.

Columbia disaster:

On the morning of the disaster, we were headed to a funeral of a relative. We stopped to fill the tank and the kids and Wife went into the store to grab some snacks.
I was looking toward the north when I saw several shiny objects going across the sky from generally west to east. Mentioned it to the family when they returned to the car and didn’t think too much about it after that. (the kids insisted on listening to music on the radio)

We arrived at the funeral site and I noticed several shuttle shaped balloons over the grave. (turns out the guy was a NASA buff)

Later, at the wake, my Wife’s Uncle came up to me and asked if I’d heard about Columbia. Suddenly it all became a lot more clear. I had seen Columbia’s re-entry.

There’s no way they could of survived and there have been few days in my life as weird as that one.

Variation of Styx Mr Roboto. Domo arigato, Mr. Baracko, Mata ah-oo hima de Domo arigato, Mr. Baracko, Himitsu wo shiri tai You’re wondering who I am-machine or mannequin With parts made in Japan, I am the modren man I’ve got a secret I’ve been hiding under my skin My heart is human, my blood is boiling, my brain I.B.M. So if you see me acting strangely, don’t be surprised I’m just a man who needed someone, and somewhere to hide To keep me alive-just keep me alive Somewhere to hide to keep me alive I’m not a robot without emotions-I’m not what you see I’ve come to help you with your problems, so we can be free I’m not a hero, I’m not a saviour, forget what you know I’m just a man whose circumstances went beyond his control Beyond my control-we all need control I need control-we all need control I am the modren man, who hides behind a mask So no one else can see my true identity Domo arigato, Mr. Baracko, domo...domo Domo arigato, Mr. Baracko, domo...domo Domo arigato, Mr. Baracko, domo...domo Thank you very much, Mr. Baracko For doing the jobs that nobody wants to And thank you very much, Mr. Baracko For helping me escape just when I needed to Thank you-thank you, thank you I want to thank you, please, thank you The problem’s plain to see: too much technology Machines to save our lives. Machines dehumanize. The time has come at last To throw away this mask So everyone can see My true identity... I’m Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy!