A massive storm sweeping over the NASA complex on the evening before a launch. I was supposed to be going over to the actual launch pad as night was falling to get a shot, but this storm started to roll in, upsetting those plans. The big structure you see on the other side of the flag is the Vehicle Assembly Building, and that blue structure you see to the left is the famous countdown clock you always see in front of the press area before the launch. Right as I was taking this, an official lady from NASA ran into the field warning me that this was now a "Level 2 lightning alert!" I happen to be standing by another NASA Tweetup invitee, Levar Burton. He asked, "Is that like a Level 3 diagnostic?" Greatness. He was a really cool guy.
My first interaction with him was almost very very awkward, but I learned a lot that day. He was sitting down, CLEARLY on his phone and reading something. I kind of awkwardly walked up to him to say hello. He looked at me, then down at his phone, and then he immediately put down his phone and jumped up to say hello! I introduced myself and said I was a fan, etc etc... gods he could not have been sweeter.
Cape Canaveral, Florida
