Happy Yuri's Night!

How's this for important holiday's you never knew existed: every April 12 since 1962 motley crews of like-minded space cadets around the world get together to turn machine-filled labs and aeronautical test bays into party halls to celebrate the first space shot of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in 1961. Known as Cosmonautics Day in Russia the celebration has spilled across borders and oceans to reach America in 2001 and a huge event is now held every year down at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View. Alas, it was $50 for entry this year and I just don't have that kind of cash--nor anywhere to crash in the area--but my spirit is with them and I continue to watch the circling skies...

--Matt