Evidence of too much sugar and late-night musings.

[cosmolinguist]

[To avoid confusion, perhaps I should say that I wrote this last night; I'm just posting it now. I haven't heard any news today and don't know if the situation has changed or not, though.]

The British (well, okay, the ESA; I guess I might just think of it as British because I hear about it on the BBC) people are surprisingly calm and optimistic about their Beagle 2. It was supposed to have landed on Mars Christmas morning, but they haven't heard anything from it since then. They say it probably landed safely and that a million and one small things could have gone wrong but they still expect to hear from it.

I hope they do. Not just because I want to know more things about Mars, but also because I can't help thinking about the investment--in time, money, emotion, labor, and intellect--that the thing represents, and it would be a shame for all of that to have been expended in vain.

One of the men said this is like sending a love letter, because after you do it you have to sit around nervously waiting for a response. So of course immediately I imagined an envelope sealed with a heart sticker, sailing off between planets (Earth, Mars, and letter are all slightly cartoonish in this image, of course). I wondered what it would say.

Dear Mars,

I like you. I think you're cute. Even though the channels are not canals, you are still alluring. Even though the face on Mars was an optical illusion, I don't mind.

I want to know more about you--I feel as if I'm just getting to know you, even though we've grown up next door to each other. I want to know what you're made of and what you were like in the past. I have water and heat and atmosphere and life, do you? Did you ever? I love your mystery, but I would love to know your secrets too. I'll tell you mine. That's how love works.

You got so close to me earlier this year; you wouldn't believe the excitement that caused ...

I love your ferrous oxide, your Olympus Mons--largest volcano in the solar system, and don't think I didn't notice--your sandstorms and ice caps and seasonal variations in both. I love your two little moons--they arouse no fear or panic in me. I love you.

Earth

I hope it goes well for the ESA. I'd hate for their love to go unrequited, especially due to a mere fault in the postal service.

Comments

[angel-thane.livejournal.com]

You're a bleeping genius Holly.

Of course, one answer for why their so composed, is because the Beagle cost something like 50 times less than any comparable US Mars lander.

[cosmolinguist]

Thanks for making me smile.

I also heard that you told acromonkee about this and that it dragged her over to LJ when she hadn't planned to check it, but apparently she liked it so much she had to IM me and lavish praise upon me; she gave you credit for this. You guys are so nice to me. :-)

[angel-thane.livejournal.com]

Hey, its my pleasure. When you're good, you're good, and that was good.

I'm just calling them as I see them... (now my latest entry.. blah.)

[acromonkee.livejournal.com]

Dammit. I was already fond of you and now I think I just might have to write you a love letter. You're dizzyingly adorable. :) Have fun sitting around with la famille!

[salaryman.livejournal.com]

I've been on pins and needles about the Beagle 2, too.

I kept sneaking away on X-mas to see if there was any news and what there was was all "wait and see," which is the hardest.

your love letter is hilarious.

thanks

s

[agiyosiha.livejournal.com]

What an adorable entry.

[cosmolinguist]

That's the second time in one day that something I did was called "adorable." It's quite a novelty for me. Thanks for the experience. :-)

[ex-odious406.livejournal.com]

hah. <3 the 'Love Letter'. Poor, love sick Earth.

[kratkrat.livejournal.com]

That whole post was genius, but the love letter was truly inspired. Send it to NASA, the ESA, and any other space site you can find. They'll love it!

[cosmolinguist]

What a nice thing to say ... such a thing had never occurred to me, but apparently I don't find it as amazing as the people who are leaving comments here. :-D

[rocketeddy.livejournal.com]

Well I certainly liked it, so I just sent it to a friend of mine on the Mars Express team. :)

[cosmolinguist]

Oh my god, that's amazing! I was 21 when I wrote this; I'd never have imagined it'd reach such lofty heights :) Thank you.