Sir Arthur C. Clark turned 90 last weekend and has some very specific birthday wishes.
Science-fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke listed three wishes on his 90th birthday: for the world to embrace cleaner energy resources, for a lasting peace in his adopted home, Sri Lanka, and for evidence of extraterrestrial beings.
"I have always believed that we are not alone in this universe," Clarke said in a speech to a small gathering of scientists, astronauts and government officials Sunday in Colombo where he lives.
Humans are waiting until extraterrestrial beings "call us or give us a sign," he said. "We have no way of guessing when this might happen. I hope sooner rather than later."
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"Sometimes I am asked how I would like to be remembered," Clarke said. "I have had a diverse career as a writer, underwater explorer and space promoter. Of all these I would like to be remembered as a writer."
Clarke had a very cool birthday celebration: he cut a cake that said "Happy Birthday Sir Arthur", while Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse, visiting astronauts and scientists sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Then
Russian astronaut Alexei Leonov (who was the first human to walk in space) gave him a medal from the Federation of Cosmonauts of Russia.
