---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm fairly certain that, at this very…"
description: "\"“I'm fairly certain that, at this very minute, the [Mars Polar Lander] is floating somewhere around the Neptune feeling tired and cranky and looking fo..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb9/celia-rivenbark-15261_bunch_i-m-fairly-certain-that-at-this-very-min_1449298.jpg"
---

#  I'm fairly certain that, at this very minute, the \[Mars…

![“I'm fairly certain that, at this very minute, the &#91;Mars Polar Lander&#93; is floating somewhere around the Neptune feeling tired and cranky and looking for a Holiday Inn. Of course, you'd have to have a heart of titanium not to feel a twinge of sadness while watching those dejected NASA scientiest…” quote by Celia Rivenbark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb9/celia-rivenbark-15261_bunch_i-m-fairly-certain-that-at-this-very-min_1449298.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb9/celia-rivenbark-15261_bunch_i-m-fairly-certain-that-at-this-very-min_1449298.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb9/celia-rivenbark-15261_bunch_i-m-fairly-certain-that-at-this-very-min_1449298.jpg)

> ““I'm fairly certain that, at this very minute, the \[Mars Polar Lander\] is floating somewhere around the Neptune feeling tired and cranky and looking for a Holiday Inn. Of course, you'd have to have a heart of titanium not to feel a twinge of sadness while watching those dejected NASA scientiest waiting by the phone like the class wallflower on prom week. On the other hand, it was kind of fun to watch a bunch of men waiting by the phone and seeing how they feel when someone promises they'll call and then YOU NEVER HEAR FROM HIM AGAIN.””

[Celia Rivenbark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celia-rivenbark/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Waiting for a response can feel endless, mixing hope, frustration, and humor.

**In simple terms:** Waiting for a call can be painful yet funny.

Key Takeaway

Manage expectations and find humor.

Themes

patience communication humor

Mood

wry lighthearted

Type

observational humorous

When to use this quote

- job interviews
- dating
- customer service
- technical support

Key Concepts

anticipation disappointment social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- What expectations do you set when waiting?
- How can humor help cope?

A Different Perspective

Not all delays are humorous; some cause real distress.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Cranky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cranky/) [Feeling Tired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling-tired/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holiday/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Inns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inns/) [Mars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mars/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [NASA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nasa/) [Neptune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neptune/) [Phones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phones/) [Prom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prom/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Sadness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sadness/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/week/)

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