The mirror settled into place gently and the crane was silent for a moment while we torque the restraining plates into place.  I removed the pin from the lifting plate and it moved up and out of sight gently revealing the gold coated JWST Primary Mirror Segment we were loading into the environment shipping container. 
It was the last one.

JWST is a scientific inspiration.  It is the most incredible and complex, optical instrument we can feasibly put into space with the technology we have today.   It will capture the most detailed …

Flames engulfed my sister’s house as my mom stood in the street and watched.  A propane tank exploded in their motor home, and a fire truck raced up the street.  Ten other housed burned, and in a few minutes a happy neighborhood became an explosion-ridden firestorm soon-to-be-wasteland… 
The supports for the temple fell to the right, toppling each other one after another like a row of dominoes.  As each fell a heatwave and mini fireball was released.  We watched, some full of tears, some full of smiles, as dreams, fears, hopes, …

Public speaking can be scary!  We had over 1350 attendees for Ignite Boulder 11, and speaking in front of that many people is a trip!  Watching the video of my presentation, barely a trace of nervousness shows through. I felt happy, and full of goofy fun and confidence. 
I had just spent the day teaching Swiftwater Rescue to Sheriff Deputies with Boulder Emergency Squad, and was already buzzing from that.  By the time I got on stage I was absolutely bouncing with energy.  Part of this comes from being the focus …

There are 3 posts that I should write to do Ignite Boulder 5 justice: from a speaker’s perspective, from a viewer’s perspective, and from an organizer’s perspective.  However, this is not going to happen.  I leave for Spain tomorrow, and so I write the words that flow on the page.
 
 
I read over something I wrote after Ignite Boulder 4 three months ago and this caught my eye:
 
“I want to leave Ignite Boulder Five with my mind flying high, soaring on the intensity and passion of what I’ve just experienced.  You all …

Ignite (verb)-
1. to arouse or excite feelings and passions.
2. To set fire to.
 
14 fast-paced presentations.    
                          
                               20 slides.   
                          
                                               15 seconds per slide.
Every presentation is pre-selected by the audience for it’s hard-hitting passion, entertainment, and meaning.  The goal?  to ignite the audience! (no not set fire to you literal SOB…). 
July 2nd, Boulder Theater.  Come see what has inspired cities around the world, and Boulder 4 times already.  A growing community of agile-minded people get together to share ideas and motivate each other through a synergetic evening of fun.
Whatever level of involvement you …