Woohoo! I won the STAR TREK Easter Egg Sweepstakes, and they are sending me an official Phaser prop from the film!
I guess seeing it 3 times opening week (twice in IMAX) helped! It is the best Star Trek film yet, so I'm very excited to win! It's also fun that this "ties" together my two favorite Sci-Fi universes...
Here are some photos!
I saw the premiere of Star Trek last night. In short, absolutely stunning - especially in IMAX format! The special effects, sound effects, and soundtrack were awe-inducing.
Fellow Trekker Bill Petro has an excellent review here.
SPOILER ALERT:
There were quite a few nods to the original series and the movies that I loved, including the creature from Ceti Alpha (ST:II), the Orion girl, Captain Pike, the Phase Cannons (loose tie to Enterprise), Sulu's swordfighting...
I was hoping there would be a little tie-in with the Star Trek: Enterprise show (perhaps having Archer or Trip mentioned), especially since it was a prequel too. Perhaps the explanation of the altered timeline negates that whole series... I REALLY liked the use of Captain Pike in this film, so I'm OK with this approach. It might also have been fun to have Number One or Dr. Boyce in there (can't remember if the latter was killed in the attack...).
Complaints? Only a few: The Uhura relationship. It just didn't feel right to me. Also, since they got a Russian for Chekov, I was hoping they'd also get an actual Scot for Scotty. The englishman they got was OK, but still not quite what I'd hoped.
Bones almost stole the show. He was hilarious and absolutely in character. Spock and Kirk were also very well played.
In all, a very welcome re-start to the franchise. One I hope will continue to boldly go...
One of my good friends sent me a link to Star Trek motivational posters. Very funny!
You could come up with a whole series of these things, with classics from Star Wars, Star Trek (each series), Battlestar Galactica (new and classic), Buck Rogers, Doctor Who, and more!
Here's a first attempt with my favorite character:
Categories: Sci-Fi
The new song from Weird Al, "White and Nerdy", just cracks me up! I'm afraid it does fit me pretty well, though I've changed a few of the lyrics below (marked in bold) to more closely align with me:
They see me mowin'... my front lawn
I know they're all thinkin' I'm so white & nerdy
Think I'm just too white & nerdy
Think I'm just too white & nerdy
Can't ya see I'm white & nerdy?
Look at me, I'm white & nerdy
I wanna roll with... the gangstas
But so far they all think I'm too white and nerdy
Think I'm just too white & nerdy
Think I'm just too white & nerdy
I'm just too white & nerdy
Really, really white & nerdy
Outstanding grad there at CSU
Got skills, I'm a champion at CCG, too
MC Escher, that's my favorite MC
Keep your 40, I'll just have an Earl Grey tea
My rims never spin - to the contrary
You'll find that they're quite stationary
All of my action figures are cherry
Got DocBook and DITA in my library
My blog page is all totally pimped out
Got people beggin' for my blogroll spaces
Yo, I know pi to a dozen places
Ain't got no grills, but I used to wear braces
I order all of my sandwiches with mayonnaise
I'm a whiz at Bejeweled, I could play for days
Once you see my sweet moves, you're gonna stay amazed
My fingers movin' so fast, I'll set the place ablaze
There's no killer app I haven't run
At structured markup, well, I'm a Top Gun
Do vector calculus just for fun
I ain't got a gat but I got a soldering gun
"Airwolf" is my favorite theme song
I could sure kick your butt in a game of Atari Pong
I'll ace any trivia quiz you bring on
I'm fluent in XSL as well as Klingon
Here's the part I sing on...
They see me building... my Legos
I know in my heart they think I'm white & nerdy
Think I'm just too white & nerdy
Think I'm just too white & nerdy
Can't ya see I'm white & nerdy?
Look at me, I'm white & nerdy
I'd like to build with... the gangstas
Although it's apparent I'm too white and nerdy
Think I'm just too white & nerdy
Think I'm just too white & nerdy
I'm just too white & nerdy
How'd I get so white & nerdy?
I've been browsin', inspectin'
X-Men comics, you know I collect 'em
If it's Sci-Fi, you know I must get 'em
My ergonomic keyboard never leaves me bored
Shoppin' online for deals on some writable media
I edit Wikipedia
I memorized "Holy Grail" really well
I can recite it right now and have you ROTFLOL
I got a business doin' web sites
When my friends need some code, who do they call?
I do HTML for 'em all
Even made a home page for my mom
Yo, I got myself a Boba jetpack
They were havin' a sale down at the TRU shack
Spend my nights with my family
More bricks, we're Legomaniacs
I'm nerdy in the extreme and whiter than sour cream
I was in Knowledge Bowl and Choir and even the chess team
Only question I ever thought was hard
Was, do I like Kirk or do I like Picard?
Spend money on LOTR, and Trek and Star Wars
Got NASA on my underwear
They see me strollin'... they laughin'
And rollin' their eyes 'cause I'm so white & nerdy
Just because I'm white & nerdy
Just because I'm white & nerdy
All because I'm white & nerdy
Holy cow, I'm white & nerdy
I wanna bowl with... the gangstas
But oh well, it's obvious I'm white and nerdy
Think I'm just too white & nerdy
Think I'm just too white & nerdy
I'm just too white & nerdy
Look at me, I'm white & nerdy
Categories: General
The new G4 network has come out with some interesting new shows. Slightly amusing is Bonzai, but the best is Star Trek 2.0!
I found out about it from an ad on MeeVee (who says internet ads don't work?). The show plays uncut classic Trek episodes, but also provides a ticker for the "Spock Market"
Basically, you sign up for a free account where they start you with 100000 Federation credits to "invest". There are a variety of "stocks" you can buy, and based on the episodes that air and other random news events, the value of those stocks change.
For my starting portfolio, here's what I got for my 100000 credits:
I figured this would give me a pretty balanced portfolio. We'll see how this Enterprise works out...
You can give it a try at: http://www.g4tv.com/startrek20/spockmarket.aspx
UPDATE (4/26): My current net worth is 24,293,485 FDR!
The latest issue of Wired magazine brought Star Trek: The New Voyages (http://www.newvoyages.com/) to my attention. I used to be quite in touch with Trek, even through Star Trek: Enterprise, but since Paramount cancelled what I considered to be a quality show, my interest has waned.
I grew up on ST:TOS (Star Trek: The Original Series to the uninitiated...). My mom and I used to watch all of the classic episodes after I got home from school. Mr. Spock was actually my favorite, followed closely by Scotty (hence my blogname). I have tons of the novels, engineering guides, and various props. Sure, the effects are limited, but the best science fiction encourages the imagination, and is not merely about futuristic special effects.
Along with ST:TOS, I've loved The Time Machine, The Day The Earth Stood Still, The Forbidden Planet, War of the Worlds and other classic sci-fi shows and movies because of the science and imagination involved. In fact, I'm rather disappointed with the remakes because the focus is more on CGI effects, than story.
The New Voyages brings back that focus on story. It's a labor of love, and not a greedy $$-generator that Paramount has turned into. The producers are pouring their personal money into the project, and because they are using the characters and designs with permission, they are not allowed to make a red-cent on it. The episodes are freely distributed on the internet, as zip or torrent files, too!
I was able to get at least one episode downloaded, and am quite pleased with the production. Most fan films are parodies (like the one my friends and I made in high school, entitled "Star Wrek: The Home Video" or the popular "In the Pirkhinning"), but the New Voyages is earnestly finishing the 5-year voyage of the Enterprise, which was cancelled by NBC after its third season.
Check it out!
Categories: Sci-Fi
Today we mourn the loss of another member of the Original Crew of the Starship Enterprise. James "Scotty" Doohan lost his battle with Alzheimers at the age of 85. It would be quite appropriate to accompany this blog entry with the playing/listening of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.
Thankfully, James Doohan was awarded his Hollywood star last year in his final public appearance.
I always liked the episodes and scenes where Scotty wears his kilt. ("Is There No Truth in Beauty?", "The Savage Curtain"). I also liked his crossover to Star Trek:The Next Generation in "Relics".
Scotty's ashes will be launched into space via the same private launch service that carried Roddenberry's remains into orbit after his 1991 death. That's the way I want to go, too(or in a Photon torpedo casing like Mr. Spock)!
Scotty's Engineering Log will continue to bring you the latest news in Space and Sci-Fi in James Doohan's honor. Farewell, Mr. Scott.
See also: Sci-Fi
The circle is now complete. I saw Episode III last night with my best friends, Cam and Don, my lovely bride at THE place to see Star Wars in Colorado: The Continental Theater.
We got there at about 3pm, and were 40th or so in line (by 6pm, the line for our 7pm show stretched from the front door all the way to the end of the parking lot!). I brought my laptop, with the latest IMPS: Relentless chapter and a podcast from theforce.net. Cam brought Star Wars: Trivial Pursuit, with companion DVDs. Thankfully, since my laptop has a DVD drive, we were able to play the full version while waiting in line! It was very fun, with Cam playing Obi-Wan, Don playing Yoda, and myself as Vader. In the end, Yoda triumphed.
I was disappointed to not see very many people dressed in costume, but I chickened out of wearing a Vader costume, myself... Actually, my friends and I went to Star Trek V in costume as Klingons back in high school, and it was a painful experience (more from itchy makeup than anything), and hard to enjoy the movie. OK, Star Trek V in itself is a painful experience to watch itself, so you can imagine our pain...
So, what did I think of Episode III? Perhaps it's best to give you my preference list:
My biggest disappointment: I can't take my boys, who also love Star Wars. The majority of the film, though dark, I think they could handle. There are two scenes, however, that are extended far longer than a simple "cover your eyes" can handle. These scenes include the Windu vs. Palpatine battle, and the immolation (burning)of Vader, which are both 5 to 10 minute scenes.
The opening sequence, and actually the whole first half of the film is in a word: AWESOME!
I don't want to give away too many spoilers, but my favorite characters are the clone pilots, the Kashykk troopers, and Commander Cody. I was so glad to see Temuera Morrison get so much screen time!
The Star Destroyers are incredible, too. The opening sequence is by far my favorite part of the movie.
So what do we have to look forward to, now that Star Wars is complete? We had prepped by watching Episodes I and II last week, and now I plan to watch Episodes IV-VI!
I am also looking forward to the new Star Wars: Battlefront II game coming out this fall, which will feature many Episode III locations as well as X-wing vs. Tie Fighters!
There is also rumor of a TV show that will be going into production soon, though I think it will be computer animated, not live action. Perhaps it will be a mix, but we will see...
See also: Sci-Fi
Today is the day. The official opening day of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
My best friend Jason got to see it last night in Arizona, but I haven't heard his review yet. From everything else I've read, it will be awesome. And I'm seeing it today!
I do NOT encourage Wookie Hooky (or space opera-related sick day). Instead, do what I did: work extra hours during the week, and make arrangements with your manager!
This has been a big month of closure for Sci-Fi fans: the last of the Star Wars movies, and the last episode of Star Trek:Enterprise
I love them both, so I find these articles very interesting:
Live long and prosper, and may the force be with you!
See also: Sci-Fi
!= 
Thankfully it's not the Genesis Device from Star Trek II and III or we'd all be protomatter...
The Genesis project gave new meaning to the name "Dugway Proving Ground" in Utah, as it "dug way" down into the Proving Ground after its two parachutes failed to open during re-entry today. The full report can be found at: http://www.space.com/news/genesis_captured_040908.html
At $260 million, it is disappointing to be sure. Too bad the shuttle fleet is still down, or they could've inserted it into a retrieval orbit for one of the shuttles to grab, without risking the chute failure...
See also: Space
I've been a member of Bill Petro's mailing list since I worked with him at SunSoft in Colorado Springs. His history articles are always interesting and informative.
Today's post is the History Of Star Trek. Very interesting read.
In other news, Slashdot reported on a new Star Trek MMORPG today. Wonder how similar it will be to Star Wars Galaxies? I'd like to play, but I only do PS2 now. I couldn't keep financing the PC upgrades...
I started watching "The Day the Earth Stood Still" last night. That's got to be one of my favorite Sci-Fi's of all time. I can't wait for Destroy All Humans! to be released. The soundtrack is supposed to be similar to Bernard Herrmann's themes.
BTW, if you ever go to Disneyworld, make sure you eat at the Sci-Fi Diner in MGM, near Star Tours. I've been there twice now, and it's always a treat!
See also: Sci-Fi
Mr. Spock was one of my favorite Sci-Fi characters growing up, but I've always held a special place in my heart for Scotty on Star Trek.
He was highly technical, and Scottish to boot! I always liked the episodes and scenes where he wears his kilt. ("Is There No Truth in Beauty?", "The Savage Curtain"). I also liked his crossover to Star Trek:The Next Generation in "Relics".
Today, James Doohan gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Stars. Doohan will receive his star in front of the Hollywood Entertainment Museum at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard at 10:30 a.m. Congratulations, James!
Here are a few links featuring James "Scotty" Doohan:
See also: Sci-Fi
I've known Cam since 3rd grade, and I swear I continue to miss his birthday every year. Our birthdays are so close, and we have celebrated so many together, that I don't know why I continue to mess up the date. His birthday is on the 26th, but I always think it's on the 28th.
I would also have to echo my comments from an earlier post: a friend is "someone who knows all about you and likes you just same."
Cam has been the generous host of the Annual Talisman Tournament, which is a favorite time of year for all of my friends and I.
We also did a student film in high school, called "Star Wreck", which you can guess is a parody of Star Trek. I'll have to dig up some pictures from that one for a future post...
Cam and his wife just found out they are expecting, too! Congratulations! (hope you wanted me to tell the whole world)
Happy Birthday, my friend!
See also: General
I was fortunate to catch the Star Trek Science exhibit in 1994 at the Denver Museum of Natural History. There were many great interactive exhibits on sensors, tricorders, the ship computer, warp drive and more! Unfortunately, I do not think the exhibit is travelling any more.
However, it looks like we've finally achieved another product of Star Trek Science: Transparent Aluminum! Prominently featured in Star Trek: The Voyage Home, transparent aluminum was widely used to make the windows in the Starships in Kirk's era, and to make the holding tanks to transport humpback whales to the 24th century!
The real science is pretty interesting. Check out the article here: http://physicsweb.org/article/news/8/8/9.
Here are some other interesting links about Star Trek Science:
See also: Sci-Fi
Trek Today reported that Academy Award-winning composer Jerry Goldsmith passed away at age 75 yesterday.
Among Goldsmith's Star Trek scores are Star Trek: The Motion Picture, whose title theme he adapted for Star Trek: The Next Generation; the music for Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, First Contact, Insurrection and Nemesis; and themes used most recently in the Star Trek: The Experience show Borg Invasion 4D.
He also did the music for Planet of the Apes, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Total Recall, and more. I'm a huge fan of all of those films.
Too bad he didn't get a chance to re-write the theme song for Enterprise...
See also: Sci-Fi
According to Trek Today:
Star Trek: Enterprise officially moves to Fridays on August 6th with a rerun of the episode "Hatchery." ... No fall season premiere date has yet been announced.
That's great news. Hopefully the show will benefit from the better timeslot.I've been a huge fan of the show, except for that stupid theme song. I love the visuals, but the song needs to be re-done for the new season. PLEASE!
Also for your DVR, Stargate: Atlantis premiers this Friday!
I grew up on Star Trek, ever since my mom let me watch the show when it started in syndication. You can tell from my blog title that I'm a Trekker and a geek.
My favorite series in order are:
Granted, I never really got into DS9 or Voyager. I thought Babylon 5 had a much more compelling storyline, so I'm a huge B5 fan.
On the topic of favorite SciFi shows, I wish the SciFi channel would rerun:
I'm hoping for the Battlestar series on DVD for my birthday, but I've already pre-ordered the Star Wars Trilogy, so that might have to wait.
In other Sci-Fi DVD news, I got The Day The Earth Stood Still/One Million Years B.C. in a two-pack from Costco yesterday for $13!
And on the gaming front, keep scanning for Destroy All Humans! coming on PS2 soon. It's supposed to have a soundtrack similar to Bernard Herrmann's (The Day the Earth Stood Still)
See also: Sci-Fi