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 the key aspects of motorcycle safety is VISIBILITY. If you've been reading my blog, you know I recently completed the Basic Rider Course (certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation) from Thunder Mountain Harley in Loveland, CO. After taking this course, I have a keen understanding of the need for safe riding skills and proper riding attire.
After I got my motorcycle endorsement on my license, I bought a Scorpion EXO400 full-face helmet so I could begin test riding bikes and figure out which bike to buy. I wanted to make sure I would be visible to other motorists, but also wanted to demonstrate my affinity for Star Wars!
Above is the result. Compared to Boba Fett's helmet, I think I'll be much more visible! For Fett, visibility would be bad, but for a motorcyclist, visibility is paramount.
First, I picked out a pattern thanks to the Boba Fett Fan Club. Next, I found some high reflectivity tape (though a 6x6 sheet would have been easier). I lined up the tape on the back of a printout of the logo, and then used an Exacto knife to trace the paper pattern onto the tape. I carefully cut the design out with scissors and laid out the pieces.
I placed the pattern on my helmet first, to make sure it fit (should probably have done this first!), and then carefully placed the tape on the helmet, lining up each piece to minimize error.
This just goes to show, you can still make a visible statement while being safe! You don't have to just put on boring squares of tape to be visible. Pick out a pattern and make a statement! I also chose the helmet, because it will be the highest location for motorist headlights to see. Because of the large (and skull-like) pattern, I think I can guarantee that I'll be noticed!
For more information on reflective tape and safety through visibility, see:
Impressive. Most impressive.
Connor faced Darth Maul in The Trials and successfully completed his training at the Jedi Training Academy!
I wanted to be able to create a calendar of all my Star Wars motivators, and had 11 completed. I needed one more, and realized I had not created any entries for my favorite character, Jango Fett. Although this is the most sad part of the film for me, I thought this was a very poignant statement and tribute. It's also a little humorous, in that what Jango really left behind was his head...
The question is still quite valid: What will you leave behind?
I thought I might see these guys when I was in New York, but not in Colorado!
My family and I were driving home after lunch yesterday and saw a very unique Subaru Outback: it had hoses, beacon lights, dish and Ghostbuster logos everywhere! I found a few pictures on the 'net, and it's exactly what we saw: http://www.myspace.com/coghostbusters.
The guy driving looked a lot like Dan Akroyd, too! I'm still not sure if it is just a fan car, part of a fan film, or if these guys really do try to chase down paranormal activity...
Still, it made me want to listen to Ray Parker, Jr. for some reason... :-)
I can't beleive Star Tours is twenty years old today! My first trip to Disneyland was when I was in 7th grade, and I remember waiting in line 2 hour to ride Star Tours. It is still as amazing today, as when I climbed aboard those many years ago.
Since then, I've been to DisneyWorld three times and returned to Disneyland with my family for the 50th anniversary celebration. I've been on Star Tours many times with my kids, and we all still love it!
My favorite is probably still at MGM in DisneyWorld because of the huge Endor forest and AT-AT outside.
There is a website set up to celebrate Star Tours. Check it out at: http://www.swstartours.net.
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
I found out about Delicious Library from Rich Burridge.
I don't even have an iSight camera, but was still able to manually enter the ISBN or UPC code. The app automatically switched context of which code you need to enter, depending on whether you were adding a book, CD, Movie (DVD or VHS), or video game!
There is a separate app that will export your iTunes to Delicious Library, called DeliciTunes.
This would be a great way to track your inventory for insurance reporting purposes. I could even see applying this to other kinds of items, such as Star Wars figures, that might still be MIB (Mint In Box) that you could scan the barcode and track! It would be nice if this app was configurable to add other types of collections, defaulting to UPC code, so you could track collections like this.
UPDATE: There's a cool easter egg! When you add a Star Wars title to your collection, after the app reads the title to you, a few seconds later, a deep whisper says "I am your father!". Nice touch! It would be cool if it also said "He's dead, Jim" or even better, "She 'canna take much more, Captain!" when you add Star Trek titles. :-)
UPDATE: Woohoo! I hooked up my Sony Handycam DCR-HC30 via firewire, and now I can use the barcode scanner! SWEET app!
Categories: General
When we were invited to go to DisneyWorld with some friends, we didn't realize it would be during two of the Star Wars Weekends at MGM! Here's a cool Sandtrooper that was on patrol on Mickey Avenue...
Categories: Sci-Fi
StarWars.com and LucasArts have released the trailer for the new Star Wars Lego II video game! You can view it at: http://download.lucasarts.com/legoswii_480.mov
The original Star Wars Lego game is a ton of fun, and my kids and I played the game together for hours! The controls are simple enough that kids can actually play, and it's entertaining for both Star Wars and Lego fans.
Check it out!
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!
My wife and I were pleasantly surprised to see the Sci-Fi Channel carrying Doctor Who! We've been looking for a new show, as Battlestar is getting a little too dark, and we can't seem to stay on top of Stargate (time-commitment, as opposed to not understanding plotlines). The show will be part of Sci-Fi Fridays.
My friend Cam first introduced me to Doctor Who through the boardgame (Doctor Who: The Game of Time and Space) and also the TV series starring Tom Baker.
I'd lost touch with Doctor Who, since I also liked classic Buck Rogers, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek, Star Trek:The Next Generation, and more...
When I saw the series promo on Sci-Fi, I thought it was new! Turns out after research on Wikipedia, that the series being broadcast is from 2005, starring Christopher Eccleston. There is already a new Doctor, David Tennant.
From the two episodes we saw this past Friday, starring Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper, we are very excited to watch!
Categories: Sci-Fi
The sequel to the incredible Lego Star Wars game is still in development, but they've finally released some details: http://pc.ign.com/articles/687/687344p1.html
My kids and I absolutely loved the first game, so we are eagerly anticipating the sequel release this fall!
Categories: Lego
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
It's amazing the way our minds can associate objects in reality with fantasy. For example, look at the proof of Imperial invasion in our solar system:
Tie Fighter?
Death Star?
So, who's going to build a wedge-shaped spacecraft that looks amazingly like a Star Destroyer to complete this little Imperial fantasy? :-)
For the real stories, please see: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/multimedia/pia05423.html
and
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap051116.html
Categories: Space
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
