Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Daniel Barry!

Daniel Barry, born December 30, 1953 in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a veteran of three space shuttle flights. 

His first flight was aboard Endeavour (STS-72) as mission specialist in January 1996.  He conducted a spacewalk with fellow astronaut Leroy Chiao.

His second flight was aboard Discovery (STS-96) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in May-June 1999.  He conducted an EVA with fellow astronaut Tamara Jernigan.

HIs third and final flight was aboard Discovery (STS-105) as mission specialist to the International Space Station.  He conducted two EVAs with fellow astronaut Patrick Forrester. 

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Steven Smith!

Steven Smith, born December 30, 1958 in Phoenix, Arizona, is a veteran of four space shuttle flights and seven space walks.

His first mission was aboard Endeavour (STS-68) as mission specialist in September-October 1994.  He spent just over 11 days in space.

His second mission was aboard Discovery (STS-82) in February 1997 as mission specialist.  It was the second servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.  Smith conducted three EVAs with fellow astronaut Mark Lee.

His third mission was on Discovery (STS-103) as mission specialist in December 1999 to service the Hubble Space Telescope again.  He conducted two EVAs with fellow astronaut John Grunsfield.

Smith's fourth and final mission was aboard Atlantis (STS-110) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in April 2002.  He conducted two more EVAs with fellow astronaut Rex Walheim,

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Evgeny Tarelkin!

Cosmonaut Evgeny Tarelkin, born December 29, 1974, went into space aboard Soyuz TMA-06M to the International Space Station.  He was part of the crew for Expeditions 33 and 34.  He stayed in space for over 143 days.

Congratulations Christina Koch, longest space flight by a female!

Back in October, Christina Koch made history by participating in the first all-female spacewalk with fellow astronaut Jessica Meir.  She made history again today by setting the record for the longest space flight by a woman for 289 days, breaking the record set earlier by Peggy Whitson. 

"The Hindenberg" released 1975

With an all-star cast, The Hindenberg was released on December 25, 1975.  It is a fictionalized version of the final days of the Hindenberg, a huge airship which blew up upon landing in New Jersey, May 6, 1937.  It starred George C. Scott, Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning and Rene Aberjonois. 

The Hindenberg won two Special Achievement Academy Awards for sound effects and visual effects.  It was nominated for three more Oscars.

Although a box office success, it was not critically acclaimed.

"The Aristocats" released 1970

Disney's animated film The Aristocats was released December 24, 1970 to positive reviews.  It was also well-received in Europe.  It was the most popular "general release" in Britain for 1971 and the most popular film in France and Germany for 1971.

Eva Gabor voiced the main character Duchess.  Brother Richard and Robert Sherman composed several songs for the movie but only Scales and Arpeggios was included.  The soundtrack features more jazzy sound than previous movies.

Happy birthday, Dyna Girl!

Judy Strangis, known to us 70's kids as Dyna Girl, was born December 23, 1949 in Los Angeles, California.  She starred with Diedre Hall as the female superhero duo Electro Woman and Dyna Girl, a cheesey but entertaining Saturday morning show. 

Strangis also appeared in episodes of the Twilight Zone, Bewitched, and the A-Team.  She stopped work in front of the camera after someone began stalking her.  She focused on doing voice-overs.


st

Juan, cai monkey, sent into space by Argentina 1969

On December 23, 1969, Argentina sent Juan, a cai monkey native to a region of the country, into space.  The rocket ascended to 82 km and he was recovered successfully.  On February 1, 1970, a female cai monkey was sent to a higher altitude but she was lost when the parachutes failed to open.

"Cutthroat Island" released 1995

Okay, I know it wasn't a milestone in movie-making, but it certainly is nowhere near the worst movie I've ever seen.  I really enjoyed Cutthroat Island, released December 22, 1995 with Geena Davis, Matthew Modine and Frank Langella.  It was exciting and fun.  And I'm not just saying that because I like pirate movies, but not all pirate movies are as entertaining as this one was.

Still, it was one of the biggest box-office bombs of all time.  Problems making the movie were rampant and it sounds as it if was a miracle the film was even completed. 

But I love it!

Star Trek episode 'Wolf in The Fold' airs 1967

Wolf in the Fold, the fourteenth episode of Season 2 of Star Trek (TOS) first aired December 22, 1967.  Written by Robert Bloch (author of Psycho), the episode focuses on Engineer Montgomery Scott (Scotty) being accused of brutally stabbing three women to death. It reads as a spooky whodunit, unusual for a science fiction series, but it's one of my favorites.

Wolf in the Fold did stir up a lot of controversy, by its depiction of women as the victims, the killer's hatred of women and the misogynistic tone of the script.  Most notably criticized is Spock's line that "women are more easily and more deeply terrified, generating more sheer horror than the male of the species."

It has also been pointed out that the psycho-tricorder is a "ridiculous invention-of-the-week".  I have to concede this point since it is the only episode that involves such a gadget and we didn't even get to see it work.

But it also features the crew on a planet being subjected to their laws, something we don't normally see.

Dr. McCoy has some great one-liners.  He once states he has a drug that could "tranquilize an active volcano".  Later someone asks him what would happen if the evil entity entered a tranquilized body, McCoy says it would probably "take up knitting, but nothing more harmful than that."

"9 to 5" released 1980

The comedy classic 9 to 5, starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, was released December 19, 1980.  Dolly Parton wrote and recorded the title song which was nominated for an Academy Award.  The song won two Grammys: Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.

It is listed as #74 on AFI's 100 Funniest Movies.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" released 2015

The long-awaited Star Wars sequel to Revenge of the Jedi, The Force Awakens was released December 18, 2015.  It was met with positive reviews and fans loved it.  The Force Awakens was nominated for 5 Academy Awards and won 8 Saturn Awards: Best Science Fiction Film, Best Writing, Best Actor for Harrison Ford, Best Supporting Actor, Best Music for John Williams, Best Editing, Best Make-up, and Best Special Effects.

It reunited Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, and Mark Hamill, as well as Ford.

"A Christmas Carol" with George C. Scott, airs 1984

One of the best adaptions of this story, A Christmas Carol aired December 17, 1984 starring George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge.  It was stylish and creepy, giving the story by Charles Dickens a whole new feel.  It had an all-star cast with David Warner and Susannah York as Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cratchit. 

George C. Scott got a Primetime Emmy nomination for his performance.

"The Dark Crystal" released 1982

Jim Henson's and Frank Oz's visual masterpiece, The Dark Crystal, was released December 17, 1982.  Although it got mixed reviews at first, it has since gained a cult-like following.  The Dark Crystal had groundbreaking animatronics

It received a Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for Best Fantasy Film.

A prequel has been produced and airing on Netflix.

"Godzilla vs Biollante" released 1989

Godzilla vs Biollante, the seventeenth movie in the G-Man's franchise, was released in Japan December 16, 1989.  In this entry, Godzilla has to battle a mutated rosebush, which has been modified by an infusion of Godzilla's cells. 

In 2014, Godzilla vs Biollante was voted the best Godzilla film by a panel of fans and judges, although it did poorly at the box office.  Megumi Odaka reprises her role as telepath Miki Saegusa. 

Happy birthday, astronaut Catherine Coleman!

Catherine "Cady" Coleman, born December 14, 1960 in Charleston, South Carolina, has been into space three times.  She received a B.S. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a PhD in polymer science and engineering from University of Massachusetts.

Her first trip into space was aboard Columbia (STS-73) as mission specialist in October-November 1995. 

Her second trip was aboard Columbia (STS-93) as mission specialist in July 1999.  The main objective of this mission was the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.

Her third and final flight was aboard Soyuz TMA-20 launched in December 2010 to the International Space Station. She was part of Expeditions 26 and 27.  She returned to Earth in May 2011.

Gordo, squirrel monkey, launched 1958

Gordo, a squirrel monkey was launched by the US Army December 13, 1958.  His rocket reached an altitude of 500 km, but a "mechanical error" prevented the parachutes from opening upon re-entry.  The rocket crashed into the south Atlantic Ocean and Gordo's body was never found.

Happy birthday, UAE astronaut Hazza al-Mansouri!

Hazza Al Mansouri, born December 13, 1983 in the United Arab Emirates, is the first astronaut from that country.  He went into space aboard Soyuz MS-15 on September 25, 2019 to the International Space Station.  He returned 8 days later on Soyuz MS-12.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Kenneth Ham!

Kenneth Ham, born December 12, 1964 in Plainfield, New Jersey, is a veteran of two space shuttle missions.

His first flight was aboard Discovery (STS-124) as pilot in May-June 2008 to the International Space Station.  The flight delivered the Japanese Experiment Module, a pressurized section that is the largest module of the space station.

His second flight was aboard Atlantis (STS-132) as commander in May 2010 to the ISS. It was the penultimate flight of Atlantis.

"Godzilla 2000" released 1999

Godzilla made his 23rd appearance in a Toho Company film in Godzilla 2000, released in Japan December 11, 1999.  Toho had not planned to make another Godzilla movie until 2004, the 50th anniversary of the first film, but after the travesty of the Roland Emmerich/Matthew Broderick remake in 1998, they decided to go ahead.

The G-Man reappears just as an alien spacecraft is hovering over Tokyo.  Although Japanese military throw all their might against him, Godzilla comes to their rescue and saves the day.

The X-Files episode "Eve" airs 1993

One of the creepier episodes of the X-Files, Eve, aired December 10, 1993.  It was more psychological thriller than anything.  I like actress Harriet Harris, who is extremely versatile, playing a hilariously psychotic agent on the television show Frasier to a psycho on the X-Files. 

Mulder and Scully are called to investigate to identical murders that happened at the exact same time, but on different coasts.  While investigating, they realize the two victims each had a daughter and the girls are identical.  Things get stranger from there, and takes the concept of "evil twin" to a new level.

David Duchovny starred as Mulder and Gillian Anderson as Scully.

Hall & Oates' "Out Of Touch" reaches #1 1984

Out of Touch, the single recorded by Daryl Hall and John Oates from their twelfth studio album Big Bam Boom, reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 December 8, 1984.  The song also reached #1 on the Billboard Dance Club songs.

"2010" released 1984

2010, the movie adaption of Arthur C. Clarke's sequel to 2001: A Space Odyssey, was released December 7, 1984.  The subtitle for 2010 was "The Year We Make Contact".  It starred Roy Scheider, Dame Helen Mirren and John Lithgow.  Keir Dullea reprised his role as David Bowman from 2001.   Douglas Rains reprised his role as the voice of the HAL 9000 computer.

The movie is about a joint venture between the Soviet Union and the United States on a journey to Jupiter.  They find a huge monolith, like the ones in 2001, orbiting Jupiter.

It was nominated for 5 Oscars.  It won a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.

The Secrets of Isis episode "Scuba Duba" airs 1975

Although often campy, The Secrets of Isis, Saturday morning television show, always had a message for us youngsters.  Episode 14 of Season 1, Scuba Duba, aired December 6, 1975.  In this episode, a student of Rick Mason's decides that following safety protocols for scuba diving aren't for him. In the climax, he takes a dive by himself and ends up trapped underwater with his air running out.  Isis comes to the rescue.

Happy birthday, JAXA Astronaut Norishige Kanai!

Dr. Norishige Kanai, born December 5, 1976 in Tokyo, Japan, went into space aboard Soyuz MS-07 to the International Space Station in December 2015.  He was part of the crews for Expeditions 54 and 55.  In July 2015, he participated as an aquanaut in the Aquarius underwater laboratory as part of the NEEMO 20 crew.

Hayabusa 2, spacecraft to asteroid Ryugu, launched 2014

Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the Hayabusa 2 spacecraft to the near-Earth asteroid 162173 Ryugu December 3, 2014.  It rendezvoused with the asteroid in June 2018 and ejected two rovers to the surface in September 2018. It departed Ryugu in November 2019 and expected to return to Earth with samples in late 2020.

Columbia (STS-35) launched 1990

STS-35 crew

Front row (L-R): Guy Gardner, Vance Brand, John Lounge

Back row (L-R): Robert Parker, Ronald Parise, Jeffrey Hoffman, Samuel Durrance

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-35), launched December 2, 1990, was devoted to astronomical observations.  Its crew consisted of Commander Vance Brand, Pilot Guy Gardner, Jeffrey Hoffman, John Lounge, Robert Parker, Samuel Durrance, and Ronald Parise.

They returned to Earth December 11.

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Konstantin Kozeyev!

Konstantin Kozeyev, born December 1, 1967 in the former Soviet Union, went into space aboard Soyuz TM-33 in October 2001 as a flight engineer to the International Space Station.  He spent almost 10 days on the station before returning to Earth aboard Soyuz TM-32.

Roger Staubach is awarded the Heisman Trophy 1963

The greatest quarterback ever, Roger "Roger the Dodger" Staubach was awarded the Heisman Trophy on November 26, 1963. It was his junior year at Navy and after graduation, he did a four-year tour in Vietnam.  When he returned he signed with the Dallas Cowboys and became quarterback extraordinaire!

Happy birthday, astronaut Ricky Arnold!

Richard "Ricky" Arnold, born November 26, 1963 just down the road from here in Cheverly, Maryland, has been in space twice.  He attended Frostburg State University in Maryland, getting a degree in accounting and then completed teacher certification there.  He got a Master's Degree from the University of Maryland in 1992.

His first flight was aboard Discovery (STS-119) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in March 2009.  He conducted two EVAs during the mission with fellow astronauts Steven Swanson and Joe Acaba.

His second mission was aboard Soyuz MS-08, launched in March 2018 to the International Space Station as part of the crew of Expedition 55 with fellow astronauts Oleg Artemyev and Andrew Feustel.  They spent over 196 days in space, returning to Earth in October 2018.

German astronaut Reinhard Furrer born 1940

Reinhard Furrer, born November 25, 1940 in an area of Germany which is now Austria, went into space aboard the space shuttle Challenger (STS-61-A) as a payload specialist in October-November 1985. 

He was killed in a plane crash during an air show in Berlin when the pilot lost control of the plane in 1995.

Soyuz TMA 15M launched 2014

Soyuz TMA-15M crew (L-R): Anton Shkaplerov, Samantha Cristoforetti, Terry Virts

Mission patch

Soyuz TMA-15M, launched November 23, 2014, carried the crew of Expedition 42 to the International Space Station.  The crew consisted of Commander Anton Shkaplerov (Roscosmos), Samantha Cristoforetti (ESA) and Terry Virts (NASA).

They returned to Earth in June 2015 after almost 200 days in space.

Discovery (STS-33) launched 1989

STS-33 crew

Front row (L-R): Kathryn Thornton, Frederick Gregory, Story Musgrave

Back row (L-R): Manley Carter, John Blaha

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-33), launched November 22, 1989, carried a payload for the Department of Defense into space.  Its crew consisted of Commander Frederick Gregory, Pilot John Blaha, Manley Carter, Story Musgrave and Kathryn Thornton.

David Griggs was training to be pilot on this mission but was killed while flying a vintage WWII aircraft.

They deployed a single satellite, suspected to eavesdrop on communist countries.  They returned to Earth November 28.

"Star Trek Generations" released 1994

The movie that bridged the gap between the original Star Trek series and the Next Generation premiered November 18, 1994.  In Star Trek Generations, Captain Picard must join up with Captain Kirk to stop a madman (Malcolm McDowell) from destroying planets to gain immortality. 

Star Trek Generations got mixed reviews but it was a box-office success!

Spock, Bones, Uhura and Sulu did not appear in this movie.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut John-David F. Bartoe!

John-David Bartoe, born November 17, 1944 in Abington, Pennsylvania, has spent almost 8 days in space.  He flew aboard Challenger (STS-51-F) as a payload specialist in July-August 1985.

"Arnold" released 1973

Horror-comedy movie Arnold, from director Georg Fenady, was released November 16, 1973.  It starts with the recently deceased Lord Arnold Dwellyn getting married to his fiance Karen, played by Stella Stevens.  Arnold knows his family is greedy and after his money so he sets deadly traps for them all over his estate.

It also starred Roddy McDowall and Elsa Lanchester.  It was nominated for a Saturn Award (Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror) for best horror film in 1975 but lost to The Exorcist.

Star Trek episode "The Tholian Web" airs 1968

The ninth episode of the third season of Star Trek (TOS), The Tholian Web, aired November 15, 1968.  The crew of the Enterprise finds another Constitution-class spaceship, Defiant, which had been presumed lost.  It appears to be in flux between two universes.  Captain Kirk is assumed to be dead when he is aboard the Defiant when it finally disappears.  Before they can wait for an opportunity to rescue him, they are attacked by a Tholian ship.  They return fire and disable it, but a second ship appears and the two being to weave an energy web around the Enterprise.  Spock has to also deal with a growing epidemic of violence aboard.

The Tholian Web is one of three episodes that does not have a single guest star.  It is one of the few episodes to star all of the second and third season regulars: Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, Chekov and Chapel.  An uncredited Barbara Babcock provided the voice of the Tholian commander Loskene.

The Tholian Web was nominated for an Emmy for special effects.  SyFy ranked it as one of the top ten essential episodes of the original series.  The Hollywood Reporter ranked it as the 75th best episodes of all the Star Trek franchise television shows (prior to Star Trek: Discovery), but not the movies.

Happy birthday, astronaut T.J. Creamer!

Timothy "TJ" Creamer, born November 15, 1959 in Huachuca City, Arizona, has spent 163 days aboard the International Space Station.  He went into space aboard Soyuz TMA-17, launched in December 2009.  He participated in Expeditions 22 and 23.  He returned to Earth in June 2010.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Kenneth Bowersox!

Kenneth Bowersox, born November 14, 1956 in Portsmouth, Virginia, is a veteran of five space shuttle missions. 

His first trip into space was aboard Columbia (STS-50) as pilot in June-July 1992.  The mission carried the first US Microgravity Laboratory into space.

His second trip was aboard Endeavour (STS-61) as pilot in December 1993.  It was the mission that corrected the Hubble Space Telescope's "spherical aberration".

His third trip was aboard Columbia (STS-73) as commander in October-November 1995.  He became the youngest person ever to command a space shuttle at 38 years, 11 months old.

His fourth trip was aboard Discovery (STS-82) as commander in February 1997.  It was the second mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

His fifth and final mission was aboard Endeavour (STS-113) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in November 2002.  He served as commander for Expedition 6 with fellow astronaut Donald Pettit and Nikolai Budarin (Roscosmos).  They returned to Earth in May 2003 aboard Soyuz TMA-1.

"Absolutely Fabulous" premieres 1992

Controversial and hilarious British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous aired its first episode Fashion November 12, 1992.  Jennifer Saunders wrote and starred in the series as Edina Monsoon.  Joanna Lumley played her best friend Patsy Stone.  The show followed their completely hedonistic lifestyles and their misadventures. 

Saunders expanded a sketch from her comedy show French and Saunders with Dawn French.

Happy birthday, Rom!

Actor Max Grodenchik, born November 12, 1952 in Queens, New York, is best known as Quark's goofy but brilliant brother Rom on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.  Grodenchik actually auditioned for the role of Quark, but lost to Armin Shimerman.  He also appeared twice in different roles on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Soyuz TM-33 launched 2001

Soyuz TM-33 crew (L-R): Konstantin Kozeyev, Viktor Afansayev, Claudie Haignere

Mission patch

Soyuz TM-33, launched October 21, 2001, carried a new crew and supplies to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted of Commander Viktor Afansayev (Roscosmos), Claudie Haignere (ESA) and Konstantin Kozeyev (Roscosmos).  The crew returned to Earth on October 31 on Soyuz TM-32. 

Soyuz TM-33 returned to Earth on May 5, 2002 with Commander Yuri Gidzenko (Roscosmos), Roberto Vittori (ESA) and Mark Shuttleworth, a space tourist from South Africa.

I could not find a video of the launch.

Herb Alpert's "Rise" reaches #1 1979

Herb Alpert's Rise, a single released from his solo album Rise, reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 October 20, 1979.  It remained there for two weeks.  It spent one week as #1 on the Adult Contemporary Charts, peaked at #4 on the R&B charts and #17 on the disco charts. 

It won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Disaster" airs 1991

Another of my favorite episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation series Disaster aired October 19, 1991.  After the Enterprise hits a quantum filament, the ship is incapacitated, isolating the crew.  Troi, Miles O'Brien and Ensign Ro are trapped on the bridge.  Picard is trapped in a turbolift with three children and his child-skills are put to the test.  Riker, Data, Worf and Keiko O'Brien are stuck in Ten Forward.  In a hilarious break from the drama, Keiko goes into labor and Worf has to deliver the baby.

Félicette, first cat in space, 1963

Felicette, the first cat in space, blasted off October 18, 1963 from France's launch pad in Algeria.  Her flight lasted 13 minutes and she experienced five minutes of weightlessness.  She was recovered safely, but two months later, Felicette was euthanized so scientists could examine her brain.

"RED" released 2010

RED, released October 15, 2010, is one of the best action-comedies ever filmed.  It starred Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich and Morgan Freeman.  Mary Stuart Masterston, Karl Urban, Ernest Borgnine, Brian Cox and Richard Dreyfus finished out the ensemble cast.

Bruce Willis plays a retired CIA agent (RED = Retired Extremely Dangerous), living quietly when he realizes that someone is trying to kill him. He contacts his old team to find out why he is being targeted. 

Helen Mirren won the Alliance of Women Film Journalists for Actress Defying Age and Ageism for her work in RED.