| Stardate 62051.1: My take on Star Trek - The Anti-Nemesis |
[May. 11th, 2009|10:57 am] |
So this last weekend was the opening of the new Star Trek movie by JJ Abrams. This one is just called 'Star Trek'. Not Star Trek XI or Star Trek: Insert Sub-Name Here, just Star Trek. As president of the Ogden/Layton area Star Trek fan club I was able to make arrangement with the Megaplex 13 at The Junction to promote the movie. The USS Ticonderoga, the USS Retributor and the Seventh Fleet were very well represented over the weekend (we sold quite a few autographs for Mountain-Con as well). The Ticonderoga was giving away a Deluxe Edition of the Star Trek Scene It game as a prize drawing. We collected a ton of survey responses with many leads on possible new recruits. The USS Ticonderoga will be pulling a name at random to be the winner at the monthly meeting on Wednesday May 13 at 7:00pm. This is held at the Weber County Library-Main Branch (25th and Jefferson) in the basement classroom. I can't wait to see how many new people show up. We've already had quite a few RSVPs.
( Spoiler filled review after the cut ) |
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| Stardate 62050.2: Yes he's still alive |
[May. 2nd, 2009|06:33 am] |
Yes I know I haven't posted in a while. I do admit that I post random thoughts on Twitter, but I can only do so much with 140 characters. I have no plans to drop my LiveJournal account. Here are some basic updates without going into a ton of detail (wow almost like Twitter except this is open to everyone). I'm going to get the negative stuff first because I want to end on a positive note.
Colds:
Erica and Aurora are fighting spring colds. These suck even more for me because there is very little I can do about it. I'm trying to make them comfortable and get them things they need. We skipped our D&D game last night because we didn't want to pass the cold onto anyone else. Oh and before any one asks, no it's not H1N1 (overblown by the media as Swine Flu).
Dell Schanze:
How can we miss you if you don't leave?
Government:
Just as I feared, Obama's crew is scaring me just as much as Bush's crew. Sure Obama may not be as inept as Bush was. But Obama is just naive enough that he's being manipulated by cronies just as bad as Bush was (via his ineptitude). I'm happy that Cheney and Rumsfield are no longer in my government. Now if we can just get rid of Pelosi, Reed, the Clintons, Emanuel (shudder), Napolitano and Biden, I'd be just as happy.
Explain to me how having only two political parties that feed from the same money trough makes my country better? Tell me once more why depending upon government makes my country better? (what ever happened to personal responsibility?) Tell me why our government is willing to spend, spend, spend (I'm looking at both Republicans and Democrats) but not willing to enforce the laws that are already on the books?
I really fear for my country and I fear for my children in this country.
Mountain-Con:
OK some good and some bad. But I really want the BS to be over with because that's not what I signed up for. I signed up to help local volunteers put together a multi-interest convention that would be fun. I did not sign up to listen to egos.
Facebook:
Someone tell the Facebook owners that they don't need to turn into Twitter. I see the services as two different functions. Just because one becomes extremely popular (hey that's what the internet is for, to deliver the next big thing that someone created in their garage) doesn't mean that you have to change what made Facebook a useful communications/entertainment tool.
Utah Jazz:
Wow they ended on a whimper. I guess it wouldn't be so bad if they hadn't lost to the Los Angeles Egos..errr..Fakers..er..Lakers. It will be interesting to see how this summer shapes up with all of the contracts that are up this year. Someone told me that the Houston Rockets finally won a playoff series in quite some time. I responded with "Yea because they finally discovered that they don't want to play Utah any more in the playoffs." Since the Jazz are out I'll be happy if anyone other than the Fakers win the title. But I'd like to see Cleveland get a shot in the spotlight.
No Rocky Mountain Review this year. The economy and the Las Vegas tournament are to blame. That's too bad as I enjoyed following it in the past.
Website:
My primary website is down since I changed ISPs. Since I have to re-upload the page, I may make some changes to it.
Starfest 2009:
Once we finally made it to Denver (Frakking snow) we had fun. It was good to get out of the state for a while and see old friends. I also had my picture taken in a life sized Tardis, a Back to the Future Deloran and met some new friends. I can't wait to go back next year.
Employment:
I've really been enjoying my new job. The last job had six months of nothing for me to do. Not something that gave me a lot of confidence. According to friends I still talk to over there, I was right to get out when I could. It has gone from bad to worse. My new job has me busy and appreciated. I've already been told about several promotional opportunities that I may be able to take advantage of.
Home Phone:
Erica and I signed up for a home phone. We are not getting rid of our cell phones, but we decided that we needed to have a home phone as well. We feel the kids don't need cell phones yet (probably not until they are 16) but they needed a phone to use when we are gone or the cell phones are charging. Instead of posting it here, I'll give it out to people who need it if you contact me.
Real Salt Lake:
The bulk of the games are on local TV which makes me happy. So far Real have been playing very well. No Utah Blaze (the AFL shut down this season) so this is the only major sports team for Utah this summer.
Star Trek:
I cannot wait for the new movie. The Megaplex 13 at the Junction in Ogden has been very open to our ideas for promoting the movie and the USS Ticonderoga. I've been seeing a TON of promotional materials (oh man I've got to eat at Burger King?) and new merchandise (dang lack of $$$). If you want to come have fun with us we will be at The Junction on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with our friends from the USS Retributor. Let me know if you can come down.
More posts soon. |
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| Stardate 62020.1: Things you don't want to hear during surgery. |
[Feb. 1st, 2009|02:00 pm] |
Better save that. We'll need it for the autopsy.
Wait a minute, if this is his spleen, then what's that?
Hand me that... uh... that uh... thingie
Oh no! I just lost my Rolex.
Oops! Hey, has anyone ever survived 500 ml of this stuff before?
There go the lights again...
Ya' know...there's big money in kidneys...and this guy's got two of 'em.
Everybody stand back! I lost my contact lens!
What's this doing here?
Well folks, this will be an experiment for all of us.
Sterile, shcmerle. The floor's clean, right?
Don't worry. I think it is sharp enough. |
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| Stardate 62123.1: New Years Eve plans and resolutions |
[Dec. 31st, 2008|11:05 am] |
I haven't been able to post lately. Not having regular internet access will put a cramp in your style if you are a cyberpagan.
In 10 hours 2008 will be in the books for me. In 5 hours I will be participating in a party with Star Trek friends and family at the home of Frank Buck in Layton (anyone want to go?) Bring your own meat BBQ and fireworks galore will be available. We've been holding this New Years Eve party for the past eight years because we still want to get together with our Star Trek family over the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be spent with our regular families (as they should be) but we still want to gather as a Star Trek family and wish each other a Happy New Year. We've done the renewal scrolls in the past (as seen on Deep Space Nine). I may do one personally if we don't do one in a group tonight. We've invited the fleet for the first time to join us so we may have a larger turnout than expected.
The old cliche that always pops up is the good old New Years Resolution. I think that New Years is a good time to reflect what is happening in your life and see if a new start is needed anywhere. Most people reach for a resolution that they will abandon by the second week of January. Usually it has something to do with loosing weight, quitting smoking or something else.
For 2009 I am going to make a resolution and it won't be major or grand. It will be simple. I will write something every day. This will be a minimum of 50 words. It could be part of a story, an article, the Trek sourcebooks I've been wanting to do, what ever. I'm going to do a simple writing project to get me in the habit of writing.
For everyone out there, I hope that 2008 didn't suck as bad as most people thought it did. IMHO I thought that 2007 was worse personally, but I understand that a lot of things were bad for 2008. Let 2009 be better than the past two years and take the steps needed to help make it that way. Even if it's just mental.
Happy New Year everyone. |
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| Stardate 62120.6: Fark.com holiday greeting for the win |
[Dec. 6th, 2008|10:41 pm] |
Found this on fark.com and had to share. It wouldn't be so funny if things hadn't become so PC in this day and age.
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally-conscious, socially-responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.
I also wish you a fiscally-successful, personally-fulfilling and medically-uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make this country great. Not to imply that either England or Europe are necessarily greater than any other country or culture. And without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishes.
By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher.
This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher. |
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| Stardate 62111.7: James Bond (semi-spoilerish) and Trek trailers |
[Nov. 17th, 2008|11:49 am] |
Erica and I had a date night so we took the opportunity to go see the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace. As with previous James Bond movies, the title came from Ian Fleming. It was the title of a short story in Fleming's James Bond short story book "For your eyes only." As with previous title uses, elements of the short story were not used in the movie.
Quantum of Solace picks up right where Casino Royale left off. So I would highly recommend re-watching that movie before staring QoS. If you had any doubt if this was an action flick, that was disproven in the first minutes of the movie. James Bond having to take a lot of matters into his own hands reminded me of License to Kill and Die Another Day. I also enjoyed the Goldfinger tribute when one of the Bond Girls is killed and left for Bond to find.
I liked how Bond flushed out the members of Quantum at their secret meeting. It sounds like the type of scenario that a role-player would have used to trick the bad guys into tipping their hand. I felt sorry for Felix Lighter and the predicament that he had found himself in. But then again life is never black and white as this movie had a lot of shades of gray in it.
One of the things that I dislike in a movie is when it becomes predictable. We get to see this lovely futuristic hotel with a very fancy lobby out in the desert. The first thought I had when I saw the lobby was "I can't wait to see this thing blow up" Heheheheh. I was not disappointed, but I was glad that this was the only predictable moment in the film.
The opening credits was more Bond like than Casino. The final scene (fans will know what I mean when they see it) at the end of the movie shows the final transformation to the debonair international spy we know and love.
One of the things I loved about Casino and QoS was how this reboot set up the beginning of James Bond. We get to see how a blunt instrument turns into the stylish operative we expect when we hear "Bond...James Bond" coming from the mouth of our hero.
Go see this movie if you have enjoyed the James Bond franchise. I will be buying QoS on DVD when it comes out. And for those who wonder about any hidden scenes at the end of the credits, QoS did not provide any so you can leave when you want too.
On an interesting note, I loved how the seats at the Junction were set up. Erica and I were able to cuddle while watching the movie (like we were sitting on a couch at home).
On the Star Trek trailer: When it started, I didn't even know we were watching the trailer for the new Trek movie. Not until you heard the actor state "James Tiberius Kirk" was any clue provided that this was the first scenes we would see. I highly recommend that you see the trailer on the big screen as it fit much better with all of the action sequences shown. I really believe that this restart (much like the James Bond restarts) will bring a lot of new fans into the franchise. |
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| Stardate 62111.2: Bad Carl, he hasn't updated in a while. |
[Nov. 12th, 2008|09:12 am] |
Ok here's a quick update on various topics. Yea I know, I need to post more.
Books, Books, Books:
Last Friday the North Davis library had a book sale. Erica and I headed down with Aurora. I didn't think I'd find anything (thinking that a book sale would be the older books the library wanted to get rid of.) Boy was I wrong. Turns out the library receives all sorts of book donations. Many of these books are already in their system. So instead of marking them up for the library, they just put them off to the side and sell them at a book sale. We picked up almost 80 books for $20. Bargains like this is one of the things I live for. Aurora found a lot of books in the Animorphs series. Erica picked up some fantasy and Tony Hillerman (sp?) books. I was able to fill in a lot of missing books in my Star Trek collection (a lot of TNG, DS9, Voyager, Section 31, Titan, New Era, etc.) as well as a few Dune novels. About 50 of the books were Star Trek. I hadn't been able to pick most of them up new since I couldn't justify the cost. (However I make an except for Vanguard and encyclopedia type books) I have books on my shelf that I need to read before I buy new books.
I'm about 60% of the way through the first Star Trek Titan book. I'll post a review on the Virtual Bookshelf application found in Facebook. I'm 50/50 on the book so far. I'm still trying to complete my goal of having read every single Star Trek novel (other than the abomination known as the Star Trek/X-Men crossover).
I'm also chipping away at reading all of the Dune novels as well, but I need to break them up between other books so I don't get overwhelmed. I've just finished the first two books in the Machine Crusade series.
Christmas Music:
Can we have a law that no Christmas Music can be played on the radio and in stores until AFTER Thanksgiving. It upsets us that enjoy Turkey Day. I wonder if I can set up one of the many protests I keep seeing on TV.
Work:
As a rule, I generally don't talk about work much on my livejournal. Why run the risk that I may accidentally post something confidential. Besides if I constantly posted about work, the Captain's Readyroom would be very boring to read. However I will say that the last couple of months have been very rough for me, however I'm seeing a light at the end of the tunnel on recent issues. I will be busy very soon. Busy is good. Busy makes me feel appreciated. And in this economy, I'm very happy that I'm still employed.
David Tennant announces he is leaving Doctor Who:
I've already posted my thoughts about this on StolenDroids.com You can read the full report here: http://www.stolendroids.com/television/reaction-to-david-tennant-leaving-doctor-who
Apparently my sister-in-law was really upset about this announcement. Luckily we will have several Doctor Who specials with David for 2009 and 2010. The new season of Doctor Who will probably air in the fall of 2010 with a new Doctor at the Tardis controls.
Gas Prices:
They keep dropping. Wow I didn't know the bubble was this far overinflated when it was getting ready to burst. I may actually buy from inside the convenience stores again. Right now Flying J is the only store I'll buy from the inside since they still offer free air.
James Bond:
Can't wait to see the new James Bond movie. The fact that the new Star Trek trailer will be attached to it is a bonus.
Utah Jazz:
6-1 so far (and most of that was without Darrin Williams). I wonder how far the Jazz will go this year. Aurora and I had a chance to see the last Pre-Season game when I had won Tickets off of Facebook (thanks David Locke). I hope to be able to see some future games as well.
Well I know there is more I should post, but I also need to catch up on a StolenDroids.com article. So I'll post more later. |
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| Stardate 62110.5: 2008 Election Response |
[Nov. 5th, 2008|08:57 am] |
US Presidential Election:
I'm not certain what to think. I'm glad that McCain is not the president, but I don't have any faith in Obama either. I fear for my country.
I was shocked that McCain/Palin only got 65% of the votes in a very red state.
Utah US House District One Election:
The incumbent Rob Bishop won. I will be campaigning against him if he runs again.
Utah Governor Election:
No surprise that Huntsman was re-elected. I'm a little shocked that 22,000+ people voted for Dell Schanze. I wonder who he will blame for another EPIC FAIL on his part.
Utah Constitutional Amendments:
Amendment E was the only one I was worried about. Apparently so was everyone else. It failed.
A request for the political parties and the media:
Please for the love of god, don't start the 2010/2012 Campaigns now. The 2008 run started as the 2006 election results came in. We need a long break from the slime of politics. |
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| Do these points about Obama/News/Finanical Crisis stick? |
[Nov. 2nd, 2008|01:53 am] |
Ok so I see this posting on facebook. It is written by SF Author Orson Scott Card who describes himself as a Moynihan Democrat (because he hates how racist the Republicans can be sometimes).
He posted some points about how the 2008 credit crisis leading to the $700 Billion bailout was caused by Democrats Senator Christopher Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank (and how the Democrats also blocked any attempts to fix the issue four years ago). His biggest concern is how the media has not jumped on this as much as they have when it comes to Republican faults since it would show Obama in a bad light.
He titled it: "Would the Last Honest Reporter Please Turn On the Lights?" It is an open letter to every local paper in America.
My problem. It's WAY after midnight and I've just finished a marathon of watching Cloverfield and all of the documentaries off of the DVD we rented. My brain is not functioning fully and I've got to get some sleep.
( Read article from Orson Scott Card behind the cut )
Are there any honest news agencies out there any more? No wonder people are voting the way they are if they don't have all of the facts provided to them.
I have not always agreed with OSC's articles in the past. I'm also no Republican supporter (hell I've already voted and my conscience would not allow me to vote for McCain, Obama or any incumbent currently getting fat in Washington). Do these points stack up? |
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| Stardate 62102.3: Jokes for everyone |
[Oct. 23rd, 2008|10:41 am] |
Just to prove this blog hasn't become too serious, here are some jokes.
How do you sink a submarine full of blondes? Knock on the door.
Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to?
What do you call a chicken that crosses the road rolls in dirt and comes back? A dirty double crosser.
I earn a seven-figure salary. Unfortunately, there's a decimal point involved.
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Politicians and diapers need to be changed... for the same reason.
A careful study of economics usually reveals that the best time to buy anything is last year.
We'd all like to vote for the best person but they are never a candidate.
Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.
I am proud to pay taxes... but, I could be just as proud for half of the money.
How many frat guys does it take to change a light bulb? 11 - One to hold the light bulb, and 10 to drink until the room spins.
If a cow laughed, would milk come out her nose?
A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. At work, I have a work station. |
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| Stardate 62100.7: Research on US Congressional District 1 candidates |
[Oct. 7th, 2008|07:45 pm] |
Erica and I sent off our voter registrations forms (we had to let the state know that we had moved). So we will be placing our mark upon our government this November.
The state of Utah sent out a Voter Information Pamphlet to provide details on state candidates and issues. You can see it online here: http://elections.utah.gov/VIP.2008.pdf
Using some of the information in this guide, I sent off a list of questions to various candidates running for US Congressional District 1 in Utah. I treated it like a job interview and tried to make the questions as neutral as possible so I didn't get answers the candidates thought I wanted to hear.
( See the questions behind the cut: )
I couldn't resist with the Libertarian party candidate. I had to ask him what he thought of Dell Schanze (it scares me that I know how to spell the last name without looking it up) running for Govenor on the Libertarian ticket.
I'm going to be very interested to see who responds and what their answers may be. |
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| Stardate 62100.6: Love this cartoon |
[Oct. 6th, 2008|09:25 am] |
I saw this and had to share it.
Remember, voting out the incumbents will help our future. You can vote for anyone that is running for office. Do research and make an informed decision for the sake of our country. |
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| Stardate 62100.1: Vote no for any incumbent |
[Oct. 1st, 2008|08:47 am] |
I've had more than enough. I'm tired of the politics, I'm tired of the bickering, I'm tired of the two major parties trying to take care of their own instead of doing what is good for the country.
If you are currently a member of congress or if you hold a national position that I can vote for, you will not be getting my vote. If you are not up for re-election now, then I will not vote for you when your time comes up.
To quote Queen Amidala from Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace: "If this body is not capable of action, I suggest new leadership is needed."
Both Obama and McCain do not have my vote. Neither one is the leader I'm looking for. I have zero faith in the house or the senate. I have zero faith in the Republicans or the Democrats.
I may be one person, but I will be very loud with my displeasure over the current system and multiple messes that our government has gotten us into. I'm not interested in who did what right and who did something wrong. If you are part of the system that got us into this mess, if you didn't do more before now, then you are part of the problem and I will campaign to get you removed.
For the sake of our children, vote out any incumbent. Screen those who want to work for us in government very carefully and research EVERYTHING about the candidate (not just the D and the R). Only if we are diligent can we prevent this from happening again. |
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