Roger Balettie
25 random things that define me.
Austinite
1
My parents moved to Austin when I was 4. Even though I was born out-of-state, I consider myself not only a Texan, but an Austinite. I graduated from both high school (Crockett – class of 1981) and college (The University of Texas at Austin – Aerospace Engineering class of 1985) here in Austin. It is home. I can’t really see ever living anywhere else. My parents, grandparents, and my sister (and her family) live here.
Longhorn
2
I bleed orange. I have been a Longhorns fan since I can possibly remember and always will be. I have season tickets for football and love tailgating before home games.
(hmmm)
3
My first job was at Baskin-Robbins when I was 15. That location (Stassney and South First) is still there. The owner (who seemed like he was 120 years old at the time) always used to snarl and tell us that we could have exactly "one scoop per day for free… but nothing more!" Yeah. Right. How’d that work out for you Gramps?
Old car
4
My first car was a 1951 Ford that my Dad bought from a farmer who was selling it on the side of the road - it was my 15th birthday present. We spent the next year completely rebuilding the engine and transmission. I learned more about cars in that year than the sum total of all of the other years in my life. I learned to drive a standard with a "three-on-the-tree" transmission! Sadly... that 1951 Ford didn't make it to my 17th birthday. I learned the hard way that 1951 Fords burn oil like an Arab Sheik on an egomaniacal party binge. Engine = dead. Car = junk. My Dad = sad. :(
Cool car
5
My next car was a 1972 Olds Cutlass Supreme with a paint job that was *identical* to the car in the old "Starsky and Hutch" TV series. It was cool... at the time. ;)
Black car
6
Every car I've owned since I graduated from college has been black. Period. I won't consider any other color than black. If a car I look at doesn't appeal to me in black, I quit considering it and move on.
Acolyte
7
I was an acolyte (altar boy) at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Austin for 7 years.
Soccer fan
8
I played varsity soccer in high school... was pretty decent until the last couple of games in my Senior year when I received a cheap shot to the back of the head. It caused a hairline fracture on one of my vertebrae and put me out of playing for not only the rest of my Senior season, but another 13 years until I played for an over-30 team for awhile. The person who "cheap-shotted" me is a local Austin radio personality, and no... I won't tell you who he is. ;)
Oooh... secrets!
9
There are a number of things about me that will never make any public list. <snicker>
Husband
10
I love my wife... she understands me better than anyone else in the world. She's beautiful, kind, generous, and fun to be around! She has one of the toughest jobs in the world and makes it look easy. Everyone who knows her, loves her. She can make me laugh at myself, without making me feel bad about it... and vice versa! :D
Father
11
My son is the most amazing young man I've ever come across. If he weren't my son, I would want to be his friend anyway. His future in music is bright, and I can't wait to see his life unfold before him. He will be an incredible Music Educator at whatever level he decides to teach.
Step-father
12
My step-daughter is the most loving, caring, and beautiful young woman I know. Her passion for horses and her skills at rodeo events are really impressive. I, for one, have been to more rodeos than I ever thought I would have... and I enjoyed them far more than I ever thought I would have... ;)
Pierced?
13
I have no piercings, but I have a freckle on my left earlobe that looks like it is pierced. Thank God it’s on my left ear!
Astrophile
14
I was 5 in 1969 (you do the math) during the Apollo 11 Moon landings. I have pictures of me in my silver astronaut suit (and helmet!) that prove my career with NASA was pre-ordained.
Dedicated
15
I started work at NASA immediately after graduating from The University of Texas. It was 3 weeks and 2 days before the Challenger Accident (STS-51L). That incident, and the time period afterwards being a part of the Return to Flight, made an indelible impact on my life and how I look at things. The Flight Controller’s Creed, posted in the Mission Control Center (MCC) has a line that reminds us that to "always be aware that suddenly and unexpectedly we may find ourselves in a role where our performance has ultimate consequences."
FDO
16
I worked for 12 years at the Johnson Space Center as a Flight Dynamics Officer (FDO, pronounced "fido"). The FDO is a Flight Control position in the Mission Control Center responsible for everything to do with Shuttle trajectories (basically - "where is it?", "where is it going?", and "how do we get it there?"). I loved being a FDO. I worked some amazing Space Shuttle missions during my time at NASA. I still look back on those days with pride, a sense of accomplishment, and a bit of a "wish I was still there" feeling. My "gosh I’m great" wall is filled with pictures and other space-related memorabilia.
Ramjet?
17
"Ramjet" has been a nickname of mine for years and was my FDO "callsign" in the MCC. The genesis of that is from the "Roger Ramjet" 1960s-era cartoon series.
Computers
18
I build my own computers. I love the feeling of creation, and the money saved to get higher-end components is a bonus!
Photography/Videography
19
I am an amateur photographer and videographer. You’ve probably seen some of my photo work, but I also make my own videos (mostly of family and/or vacation times). Sadly, I am several *years* behind in my videos, as my kids’ last two years of high school were EXTREMELY busy. I plan on getting back into this very soon. If I could make the same amount of money doing photography and/or videography that I make now… I would do that in a heartbeat. Sadly… that’s not the case. ;)
Travels
20
I *love* traveling abroad. I’ve been to England, Italy, Germany, Hawaii, and numerous other parts of the USA and the world. I wish I had the time and money to travel around the world. As much as I love Austin (see above) and the USA in general (see below), I could live in England and be quite happy.
Chihuahuas
21
I have owned 2 Chihuahuas for the past 13 years. Deal with it.
Coy
22
My wife has the gayest Maltese ever put on the face of the Earth. Seriously. This white fluffy dog sings Broadway show tunes and watches the Bravo network. He was the star of "Brokeback Maltese".
Conservative
23
I am both socially and fiscally conservative. However, I no longer claim the Republican Party as my political affiliation… I am an old-school Reagan Conservative.
Professional
24
I really enjoy and take pride in what I do professionally. While I am not a member of the military, I believe that I am contributing to the effort and making things easier/safer for our guys "at the tip of the spear".
Patriot
25
I am exceedingly patriotic. I believe that the United States of America is the greatest country on the face of the planet. God Bless the USA.
