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05/28/2008: "Oh, Sh!t ..."

Maybe we're a little spoiled here in the 21st century, but we've reached a point as a society where there are certain things we just take for granted: cheap gas (oops), plentiful food, working plumbing. As a homeowner, I've had my share of experiences when that latter item goes away. You probably know the drill: rise satisfied from the throne, notice that your prize hasn't gone away as it should, play unsuccessfully with the snake, make the call, write the check. Voila' - you have plumbing. But imagine life if it weren't quite that easy - and now imagine you're circling the planet 200 miles in space.

That's the dilemma currently facing the crew of the International Space Station. Billions and billions of dollars, but apparently no one can produce a decent toilet. As I write this, the three-man (fortunately) crew is trying to jury rig a solution to the balky Russian toilet - the only on currently on the station. Apparently, it's still good to go for solids, but liquids are problematic - and in zero gravity, that's really a problem!

Fortunately, the shuttle Discovery is scheduled to liftoff this weekend, with the assigned task of delivering the Japanese Kibo laboratory module. As you might imagine knowing our press, that mission doesn't get off the back page. But a broken shitter? That's Page One news, baby! They're following breathlessly the progress made by a NASA employee currently travelling from Russia to the Cape with the replacement part - in a diplomatic pouch, no less. They'll make room for it in one of the lockers (maybe they can leave the Buzz Lightyear product placement ... er, educational oppportunity ... behind. Nah ... ain't gonna happen.