Mars? Like Soon????

Elon Musk presents his Mars colonization concept (Courtesy Dave Mosher/Business Insider)

Have been reading up on Elon Musk's thoughts on how we can start colonizing Mars by 2024. SAY WHAAAAT?????? That's eight years away! I'd still be alive!

Which raises this question: would I go? Even Elon Musk admits that there is a "high chance of death." So I guess a better question is: am I prepared to die for the privilege of standing on another planet?

Well... yes. By 2024 my daughter will be almost out of college (Hopefully. I don't want to be still spending my Mars ticket money on her tuition....) and I'll be getting on a bit anyway. The dogs will no longer be with us and the cat won't care. Which just leaves... the wife. I can't see that conversation going well, can you? Of course, 2024 is still a ways away. By my calculation, that leaves at least 2,922 separate opportunities to leave the toilet seat up. Hmmmmm. If I play my cards right, she might pay me to go to Mars.