Originally, I was supposed to have written about the space shuttle launch on location at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The article would have been part of a series of pieces I'd been working on for Wired News for the past four months.

But then the launch got delayed and so my photographer and I came home.

Eventually, the launch was rescheduled for today, and I was supposed to have watched it live on NASA TV and written about it from the office. It wouldn't have been an ideal scenario, but it would have been something.

But then, yesterday, Wired News laid off its writing staff.

So instead, I watched the launch on the Today Show (because the online version of NASA TV was bogged down). Matt and Katie chatted for a couple minutes about the problems that NASA has been having and then went on to a segment where they patted themselves on the back for arranging to get a scholarship for a young amputee. This was followed by an interview with an actress who's appearing in a new movie about online dating.

As of an hour-and-a-half after the launch, the Wired News page that advertises my series of launch-related articles still claims that NASA may attempt to launch the shuttle on Tuesday, July 26. Stay tuned for further updates.

Right. Good luck. I'm going to go make myself a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats.

hey d.j.

O, Florida,

I have let go of my anger over what you did to America in 2000. I have stopped shaking my head over what you did to those medical students.

I have even learned to get past my annoyance with the toll boths that you've conveniently placed. every. two. miles.

But there's just no excuse for what you call radio out here.

I mean, really -- Axle F is on your regular playlist? Seriously?