10.30 in the morning. karl switches on npr. an expert is talking about the tech specs of the shuttle. it strikes me as a bit strange that i don't hear car talk, but figure that this space flight program has replaced it. then they say it. the columbia "appears" to have broken up over the texas sky. later, they drop "appears." "presumed dead" becomes just "dead." when i finally turn on the tv, to see the pictures, i am surprised by how beautiful the pieces look, sparkling brilliant white against the cloudless blue sky.