MONTHS of going [r] [r] [r] [r] nearly non-stop have finally paid off! I can roll an [r] and am DISPROPORTIONALLY HAPPY ABOUT THIS. Next step: sustaining it.

Orion (non)launch glossary:

• “hold”: the rocket’s still on the ground
• “range issue”: there’s a boat in the way
• “wind violation”: it’s a bit windy
• “fill-and-drain valves will be cycled open and closed”: we’re pushing all the buttons to see if that makes the rocket go
• “scrub”: same time tomorrow then!

Noticed an English pronunciation habit: I say “the” as [ði] (thee) when the word afterwards starts with a vowel, and [ðə] (thuh) when the next word starts with a consonant.