Red Rover

You’re on Mars. Isn’t it lovely?

~ Marvin the Martian (in Bugs Bunny’s Bustin’ Out All Over)

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus.

~ John Gray

I could really use a Mars bar right now.

~ Barb

We can’t let this week go by without reporting the fact that the Mars rover, Curiosity, has landed (sadly, on the Red Planet’s only cat).

This one-ton rambling research machine is something right out of a sci-fi thriller – it runs on a chunk of plutonium and comes equipped with a … wait for it… wait for it…

rock-vaporizing laser!

No lie.

It is piloted by drivers in electronic 3-D goggles who sit in a darkened room full of computer screens. They push buttons to maneuver the machine throughout its mission.

Yes, Gamers, all that Wii practice will eventually pay off – there are real jobs out in the real world waiting just for you.

Now word has it that rover drivers tend to get a bit attached to their machine. In fact, they are rumored to anthropomorphize it a bit. Who can blame them? They spend A LOT of hours keeping it safe from wheel-sucking soil, cliffs, and Martians.

And here’s the thing – Curiosity’s drivers are already feeling that rover love. In fact, they’ve nicknamed “him” George…

as in, Curious George from the children’s book by Hans Augusto and Margret Rey.

How cool is that?

Out of this world cool, I’m telling you.

PROMPT: Ever since 1897’s publication of The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, Martians have been great fuel for fiction writers. So, be out of this world cool today and get your sci-fi game on for the Red Planet. Guys, you shouldn’t have any trouble with this one.