Page 25 - MidWeek - Feb 10, 2021

If I had $55 million, I’m not sure what I’d do with it. But I know what I wouldn’t do with it. I wouldn’t spend it to float around in space.
But once you’re shot into space, what do you do up there? It’s not like you can check in at the space station and go out for a round of golf. Although, maybe you could beam down lasers to start forest fires in California.
Alice Inoue
FEBRUARY 10, 2021 MIDWEEK 25
PATERNITY WARD D. L. Stewart
A Pricey, Far-out Flight To Boredom
Once you’re shot into space, what do you do up there? It’s not like you can check in at the space station and go out for a round of golf.
Admittedly, knowing how to not spend $55 million is an easy call for me; my 401(k) is doing well lately, but not THAT well. Maybe I should speak with my financial adviser about that.
When ‘Selfishness’ Isn’t So Selfish
It cited three customers who are paying $55 million each for an eight-day stay at the Interna- tional Space Station. A billionaire who’s chartering a SpaceX ship for a three- or four-day trip into
If I’m going to float, I’d rather do it in a swimming pool at the nearest Ritz-Carlton.
There are, I suppose, some bragging rights. It would be a kick to yawn in the face of some guy who’s trying to impress you by boasting about his trip to the Mal- dives. But not a $55 million kick.
hile it’s true that not every- thing is about you, it’s also
W
true that not everything is
But according to a recent arti- cle in The New York Times, space may soon be littered with floating millionaires.
space. Customers paying $35,000 a night to stay at the space station. I’ve flown in a variety of air- craft, including a helicopter, a stunt biplane and the Goodyear blimp. At an air show in Dayton, I even suited up for a flight with the Canadian Snowbirds flight team. But after I was strapped into my seat for that one and the pilot was outlining the emergency opera- tions, including how to activate the shark repellent in the event we landed in water, word came down from the tower that the flight had been scrubbed. I don’t know why. I’m still trying to figure out why
we were packing shark repellent to fly over Ohio.
about others. If you operate by thinking that your needs are second to others, you mess up the “even exchange of energy” that must exist for any relationship to feel good.
“A new era is opening in space- craft where anyone — at least anyone with tens of millions of dollars — can buy a rocket ride to see Earth from a couple of hun- dred miles up,” the story reported.
So, it’s not a fear of flying that’s keeping me grounded. It’s a fear of boredom. After the initial rush of blasting off, floating in space doesn’t sound all that exciting to me; I barely survived a four-day cruise on a ship in the Mediter- ranean. And that had unlimited free beer.
So, while I admire the adven- turous spirit of the people who will be floating above us and hope they remember to take lots of self- ies, I won’t be joining them.
Don’t confuse selfishness with mak- ing choices that are right for you, espe- cially if you tend to feel “bad” when you do something for yourself. The more you live your life according to what is best for you, the more joyful you be- come. Your happiness is the greatest possible gift to the universe, and when your heart is at peace, it blesses every- one and everything it touches.
YWCA O‘ahu aims to empower Hawaii’s women of all ages and from all walks of life with opportunities to develop job skills, holistic wellness, professional advancement and personal success.
www.ywcaoahu.org
Public service of
alice@yourhappinessu.com
DIAMOND COMPANY
98-1005 Moanalua Rd. #522 (Above Longs)
Pearlridge Shopping Center - Makai
Let OUR guys be YOUR guys!
$100 OFF
Any Sentricon System or Annual Pest Control System
Offer expires 2/28/2021. Please mention ad for discount.
808.784.2847 | WWW.PTHLIFE.COM LIC #PC01471
OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Vinyl Flooring As Low As $1.79 sf
IN STOCK NOW
• Vinyl Flooring • Tile
• Shower Doors
For questions or products, please email sales@hdcflooringstore.com
• Shower Panels • Solid Wood
Flooring
• Mosaic Glass
FLOORING & STONE
Mon-Sat 8-5pm • Sun Closed
1095 Dillingham Blvd. #F3 Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
808.888.8338
hcflooringstone.com
SUPER SALE OF THE WEEK
VALENTINES SPECIALS
DIA .50 CT ROUND SOLITARE 14K $950
DIA .60 TW WEDDING SET Heart Shape $699
12 MONTH INTEREST FREE FINANCING AVAILABLE
*on approved credit
Baby Jade Bracelet
Green, Black or Multicolor
Original $10 - $30
LIMIT 10
LIQUIDATION PRICE
$4
each
Ê