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[stargazer]

I just thought I would jump in and say Hello. I hope everyone is doing good. Things here are going great. Working with the girl scouts setting up Astronomy Nights. Will also be doing something with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Looking foward to many night with the scopes. Weather is getting really nice here, besides the coyote's calling at night its very peaceful. I hope you guys can make it down for a star party. And YES EVERYONE is invited.

I dont know if anyone is mad at me for haveing the skies I have but this was not done to piss anyone off. We had been looking for better skies for some time. I have always said you are all WELCOME here. I am going to plan a star party for April/May as a welcome to new home. I will post details IF you want them.

I havent posted much because it seems like everyone is pissed at me. I still am asteroid hunting and working on certs. Still doing my ALPO stuff. So nothing has changed except my location.

Will write more later

B

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Becks,

I don't know if anyone is mad at me for having the skies I have but this was not done to piss anyone off. I haven't posted much because it seems like everyone is pissed at me

Glad to see you are still deep in astronomy and continuing in sharing it with others like you always have... We need some fresh new pics of your activities and life in the country.

But let's chat a bit about your, (What I think) are misplaced sentiments...

What's the origin of this feeling? Who in their right mind would every be mad at anyone for dark skies? That would be the same ridiculous self-centered opinion as me saying that those stranded out in the boonies are mad at me for living in a vibrant and exciting city, with a magnificent skyline and grand opportunities. Total nonsense and asinine! I am grateful that I have a connection with someone who does have a dark sky and that I can share in comfort...

Who's pissed at you, or at anyone else here? No one that I can discern. I figure if anyone is that shallow and petty to think such moronic thoughts about anyone - deserves to be left alone in the dark with their scope...and not really welcomed here at the Chicago Astronomer. Professional therapy is recommended and there are plenty of other places to enjoy the life of a curmudgeon and judgmental sourpuss...but not here.

Now...who's jealous of your homemade Dob, your skill and love of the night skies? Certainly not me nor anyone I associate with, nor have I ever heard any disparaging comments about you being a woman in the field either. My best views of M45 were thru your scope and I anticipate many more views, and the session only enhanced my astronomical experience. The Chicago Astronomer in fact has many women active in amateur astronomy of varying skills and quite active at the Adler Planetarium as well...and I don't think any female has ever felt prejudiced against.

Now, I do not tolerate the pompous and egotistical individual who look down at anybody in any field, but especially in astronomy. (See my Negative attitudes in Astronomy Post: astronomer.proboards23.com/index.cgi?board=Soapbox&action=display&thread=1091384548 ) .

Bragging about their own accomplishments, attempting to impress others and doing so very poorly is quite sad. It's so evident that a poor self-esteem issue is going on here, and the only way to feel superior in their pathetic mind is to be braggadocios and water down others. Ho-hum....NEXT!

I don't need them, stay away from them and when I do encounter them - (Too often)...I just say "That's nice" and walk away. Too much negativity around in an area that should encourage mutual interests and sharing of equipment, knowledge and friendship.

Now, do I think you are jealous of the Chicago Astronomers invited to a special previewing "Magnificent Desolation" and "Roving Mars" at the IMAX? Or envious of our members who have sophisticated and expensive equipment? Or at the success and popularity of the Chicago Astronomer? Gee...I certainly hope not....and I don't think you are. But I know there are rather small and myopic people that are...and have expressed it in their own bitter way. Screw 'em I say and are quite inconsequential in my endevours!...

We are here to share our love of astronomy and take every opportunity to sneak in a session with an astro pal or to anxiously put a new piece of equipment thru it's paces with the group and online. We all are enriched when one does good.

Let's be blunt....get over it.

So now...let's see some of those pics and hear some of those observation sessions...

[stargazer]

Hi Joe,

To answer your questions No I am not jealous of the Chicago people getting to see the two movies. I wont drive into the city.
As for my scope I know no one is mad about that. We went through that a long time ago.

I thought people were pissed at me cause when I did post about the sky here you were the ONLY one who said anything. So I quit writting for a while. As for where I am getting these feelings from, all you guys say something from up north and get plenty of reply's and then theres me down here, I posted how nice it was to see something I didnt see from Chicago and no one answered me. To me that seems like they are pissed. Yes Joe you answered me but with short answers. I have said of a Star Party here for EVERYONE and no one has asked even just where I am at. I have a nice field here just perfect for Star Parties. As a matter of fact we are going to hold regular parties here for everyone to come to.( Just like Astrofest.) Plans are in the works for that. I wanted to give you guys in the big city a chance to come down to clear skies and a nice horizon not cloudy or murkey skies with a bunch of building around to block the view.

In case your wondering the avaitar was taken a couple weeks ago. That is my christmas present from BIll. A 3 yo Quarter Horse Gelding ( he was a stallion until he was fixed) that I get to train. If you come down here I will show him to you. He is currently accross the road but will make it over here sometime this year once his stall is built. I didnt want to brag about him but seeing that he is up there I figured I will tell you about him.



I am working with the girl scouts to help bring more girls into the wonderful hobby of Astronomy. I will continue to not only teach CJ but anyone else who wants to learn. Right now there is some thousand girls alone I will be helping.

As for my life in the country I am really loving it. On the weekends Bill goes Coyote Hunting. We have plenty of wildlife on the property. Deers come by all the time. I have seen a 12 point buck or two around here close to the house shortly after we moved in. It is very peaceful at night. The neighbors are far away that they could have a party and we wouldnt hear it. I think the nearest neighbor is 1/4 mile away. The creek is finally full of water. YEA!!!!!! Last night BIl and I were outside listening to the Coyotes sing and I was watching the stars. Saturn was just outside the back door. The Milky Way was right there.

I havent had the scopes out much as were gathering wood for the fire place. But do expect to have them out soon. Will report what I see and Ill get some pics in here for you guys to see.

I hear you guys are due for a big snow fall this coming weekend. I hope its not to bad. Will write soon.

B

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Expecting replies to all posts can be a set up for disappointments. All we can do is put them out and see if anyone is interested in it. And if not, that's ok. Just the posting of our interests is cool.

More than often than not, people just like to read about the subject matter, and not reply. I do that quite often on other forums, chat's and groups, but it doesn't mean I am not interested in what is said.

I started this forum as a place for me to post subjects that I found intriguing, but I was lucky enough to have regular posters who found the same.

Don't take it personal, but keep plugging.

I can't say I havent ever heard a coyote howl...must send shivers up and down the spine! It would be a nice field trip for the Chicago Astronomers to Venture to Barry Illinois and set up shop for a night.

And...from an old discussion we had some time ago...
I still say the Shuttle needs to be retired as it has not advanced manned space travel exploration, but kept us in a parked orbit for much too long. Repair the Hubble on the next STS and bring on the next generation of CEV.

[Rocketman]

>>>All we can do is put them out and see if anyone is interested in it. And if not, that's ok. Just the posting of our interests is cool.

True, but.. it's much nicer to have someone other than yourself replying Joe.

Star party this, star party that is not at all in my interest. Hell I don't even have time to watch satellites anymore, just too tired.

I've moved on to other places where people share my interests.

Becky, I do understand. I felt the same way several months ago (in retrospect I was obviously over enthusiastic) about a challenge to spot a GEO stationary satellite. No one even replied, that did piss me off. Made me feel like, well satellites are boring, we don't care.

I was sore about it for awhile, but I got over it. Point in case now is, I don't need anyone to waste five minutes of their time to confirm anything for me, my Dob is superb.

PS: Joe, you really should remove the satellite threads. I'm serious, they're old, and blah

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Joe, you really should remove the satellite threads

Are you kidding? It's one of the most popular boards on this site with 1,053 views so far and 100 replies!!

Ironic that some feel that no one shares the enthusiasm of the original poster and add to the thread, but yet...the same individuals do not reply to the other posters content...and some one else feels slighted.

Got to go both ways...

[Kalvis]

Dear Becky, Joe, Grady & all you other posters and lurkers:

All of us have egos, quirks and at least some form of neurosis or paranoia. That's what makes us human. Those who don't lug around excessive quantities of these things are people whom we usually refer to as nice and enjoyable. Those whose plates overflow with such idiosyncrasies are people whom we call weird, interesting, "quite-a-character" or (in extreme cases) any of a number of unmentionable profanities.

We "posters" truly love to read the replies to our messages. It pumps us up! It is proof that we have moved someone to writing a response, and that what we say matters to at least them. God bless Joe for being the master replier and encourager. And hurray for the other active participants in the wide number of discussions going on at the Chicago Astronomer.

However, I have to agree with Joe and am speaking up for all the lurkers out there. I am often one of them and know that we are the silent majority. Take a look at how the Number of Views is vastly greater than Number of Replies on any post or any topic. Sorry if we seldom post replies, but we do read, absorb, think about, digest and appreciate a great deal of what is posted on this forum. Please don't be discouraged and begin to imagine that we don't care or -- even worse -- hold some kind of grudge. I don't believe that is the case at all. My guess is that our being shy or insecure or hurried has much more to do with it than you "power posters" imagine it does. So keep posting your messages. And for the silent lurkers: c'mon and pick a topic. Post a reply or a new message on whatever astronomical interests you have. We'll all be glad you did.

Kalvis

[stargazer]

Hi All

To listen to the Coyote's howl is neat. When Im out at night looking at the Stars it is relaxing. Just Mother Nature reminding us about life around us. The biggest problem you have to worry about is how you keep your food at night when your camping.

Rocketman I wanted to post to your sats but was in the middle of the move, IE looking for this place plus packing. Im sorry I havent sent you any quetions on the antena;s been busier then flies on Horse S**T. I do have some for you as we are looking to set something up here.

As for the field trip down here. If you look on a map of Ill, look for Quincy (west central Ill) I am close to that. Liberty is even closer. We are 4 miles from any pavemant. Our road is gravel. as for the skies here- there is 360 horizon, stars all the way down. Parts of constellations you cant see from Chicago. Faint fuzzes naked eye just everywhere. I REALLY hope you guys come down for the weekend. I will show you Laramie, and a wonderfull sky.

Here is the observing field. the Observatory will be in the center near the house. This is looking from the road back.







B

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Kalvis,

An excellent and eloquent expression.

You too cool... #Thumbsup#


Becks,

Now...who's mowing that parcel of land I see there?

It will be nice to lay on the field and enjoy the Milky Way band stretching across the sky.

[stargazer]

Joe thats only a 20 acre field. just one of 4. As to who mows it we do. We just got a large tractor to not only mow the ifeld but to plant and harvest the fields.

Im looking for the rest of the pics for you guys.

It is fun to lay in the field and stargaze. An experience you wont forget expecially if the coyote's are howling.

B

[atomant]

Hi Becky,

Can't wait for the weather to get better for starwatching. With Mother Nature being so fickle, it is very hard to plan a trip too far in advance. If the forecast for a weekend looks good, I'd like to pull an impromptu trip to visit. Let me know the best way to contact you.

Looking forward to seeing galaxies and other DSOs.

Take care,

bill

[stargazer]

Bill

sent you a PM. Hope to hear from you soon.

B