where's that pesky space station?

I'm glad to hear that Sharipov and Chiao won't go hungry, that's for sure. But I was wondering if the Space Station would look different last night - brighter, I mean, since that's all I'd be able to discern. The moon was a little too full and the fly-over maximum elevation was a little too low for me to see it at all. Still, I was out walking around the yard and at the edge of the woods with my night vision monocular, having myself a wonderful time. Before coming inside I looked at the sky to the west and saw a very faint but very distinct satellite that I likely would never have been able to spot even on the darkest of dark nights. The scope reveals thousands more stars than I can ever hope to see from this populated location.

I am thoroughly geeked. Thanks, hobbitt! You always know how to make me exquisitely happy, even without presents.