Conan/Caprica

Ok, Conan is gone. And through this, both Jay and Conan behaved well, even if their fans and other late night TV talk show hosts didn't.

On Conan's final show, I learned two things. One: Conan is a good guy. He got choked up talking about what NBC did for him. he didn't really talk about what NBC did TO him. So kudos for that.

And two: I realize that I like Wil Ferrel in movies, and NOT on ANY talk show. OMG... I wonder if Wil can do something that isn't some character. Its like always being "on." He's being somebody he isn't when no one is asking him to do it! And those characters I don't particualrly care for. Take Rich Little. You could ask him to do an impression and then another and another. But I liked Rich when he was joking around as himself, before he would drop into an act. Ferrel, I wonder about. And then he tried to remake "Land of the Lost," one of my personal child hood favorites. Bomb.

Sigh.

Now Caprica. I have a friend that's a Battlestar Galactica hard corps fan. And there is nothing wrong with that. He explained to me the mini-series and then gave me the series on dvd. and yes, I enjoyed them, even though I still love the original. This was different enough from the original that there really is no comparison. Now, about Caprica. Its like watching Titanic. You know whats going to happen... I guess its just the how are they going to get there is the rub. BUT, I had a problem with the terrorist group. You know, the one who is preaching that there is only 1 God. Instead of all the others. Some might say that's it just a show, some may say that they are taking liberties and look at all the dead in the name of Christianity. I don't know... I just found that unsettling. But then I have only been a Christian all my life, a Mason, signed an honor code that had God first and try to be a good person. I don't put others down for what they believe in, and actually like the American Indian Shamanism, and also believe in Karma. I have friends that are wiccan and many others. I don't want to strap explosives on myself and blow them or anyone up for religion. I will fight and die for what I believe in, but not that way.

Yes, I am still writing...

Its just been Star Trek. But lately I have been running out of steam, and, like any story or game, I have to wait on others. So...

Lets see, we could talk about Jay and Conan. I feel bad for Jay as hes coming out people's kicking dog. People love to mis-quote especially when it feeds other peoples opinions. In any case, I do believe that Jay was the right person to helm The Tonight Show vs Dave. Dave is good and has his own comedy and fans as does Conan. But each is different and not quite was the Tonight Show was with Johnny Carson. Notice that when Carson did his show, it was 90 minutes. They cut Jay to 60. And then with his prime time.... sigh. I just think Johnny should come down and kick NBC execs in the ass.

And Jimmy Fallon, who I like; I think he starts every night with an Obama update. I love The Roots. Any band with a tuba player is OK by me. As for Jimmy Kimmel, he should just go back to the Man's Show.

Looks Can Be Deceiving & Avatar

It may look like that I haven't been writing... wrong. I have been, just on my Star Trek PBeM. One of the Achievement Awards you can get is for posting daily. And so far I have not missed a day in over 2 weeks. So, there.

The next thing is Avatar. Palmer drug me out to have lunch with him and then see Avatar. He has seen it six times now. I was less than thrilled, but as Palmer had seen it and been on discussion boards about it, I did go in with an open mind. OMG. As I left the theater, he had said they were already in the works for two more sequels. I told him that it was ok NOT to call me when he goes to see them. This has got to be one of the worst movies of all times, IN MY OPINION not in all the other movie goers, but mine.

But to be fair, it looks GREAT. Beautiful. Its should win awards for that, and technically accurate, etc. But for story.... please.

I am so tired of humans getting beat up by the natives. Yeah. It was Pocahontas, Dances With Wolves, American Samurai, Ferngulley, Dune, Star Wars and World War II all wrapped up into one. Add a book that Palmer was telling me about that had eerie similarities and that was the movie.

If I could give a negative rating to a movie I would. I will pass on this movie.

Alabama

I had forgotten how good Alabama's music was. They did it right, they went out on top. I was sorry to see them go, but so glad they gave us so much good music, and for me the memories I have associated with their songs.

I heard one that I don't think I had heard in years and a verse stuck out and I thought: that's me right now!

Here it is:

Well I'm too young to live like I'm over the hill
And too old to be wild and free


That's the way I feel... so I need to do something about that.

Dollhouse

Ok Whedon, what, are you going the Abrams school of 'How To Screw Up A Franchise?' If I was any of your "regulars" I'd be pissed. Ok, killing Saunders was an interesting twist, as is the whole Boyd is Rossum. But, unless this was what you had on from the beginning...I seriously doubt it.

I don't know a lot, but the one thing I do know, is how to tell a story. All those years playing role play games... and this one feels like you threw the last season together as you forgot about your gaming sessions and the characters started doing things you weren't prepared for,

And now we know the world is going to end in 10 years. Yaaaah.

Maybe DH is cancelled so you didn't really care. I mean with Firefly, you didn't get the chance to screw with that, and it ended on a good note. Granted the note at the time was unknown that it was going to be the last note.

And Buffy, Angel, etc. After you started getting too wacky you lost me. I don't know if I grew up, but I think it is the Executioner syndrome. Whats that you say. Well let me explain.

For those who don't know, there is a series called The Executioner. Back in the 70s it was a series of books about a Viet Nam war vet who comes home to bury his family after his family is killed by the father and then the father kills himself. Because of the Mafia. Don Pendelton wrote 38 books (39 if you include the War Book which most people forgot about and its hard to find) and then he stopped. He knew that you can only go after the bad guys so long, loose friends, lovers, etc. Well people clam mered for more. So Mack Bolan was brought back, as were some of the special teams that he had developed; Phoenix Force and Able Team. Those series had a shorter run. About 50-75 each. But Bolan, then Col Phoenix, then Bolan... it was Communism, and every other bad guys out there. Then terrorists. But its the same thing. Good guy vs Bad guys. And trust me, I am a Bolan fanatic. But after money got tight I had to refrain from buying them. I stopped when they hit 300. Yeah there are over 300+ series in Bolan, and that doesn't include Super Bolans and then those other 2 off shoots. Sometimes its good to end on a high note instead of churning out a crap product. And Whedon, while you had some interesting things, and I liked how you explained why Echo as so important, the serum. Again, you had something great and you didn't know what to do with it. I think all series writers and creators should learn how to role play and get feed back from their players. Then they might understand what a good story line is. And how to end it. So far I have found dam few. As, I am sure, you start have to please the "Masters." Meaning, make more money. Not necessary a good story line, just whatever sells. Even in my better days I didn't believe that and still don't. You have a good product, people will buy. You have a crap product, people won't. Simple. Whedon, you had a good product with the Dollhouse. And then you didn't. Too bad. It would have been a heck of a role play game. But then, there are plenty out there now that I am sure GMs are already modifying to do that. You had no new spaceships like Firefly, no undead stuff like Buffy/Angel. And look at Twilight. Its sappier than either one of yours and look how they are clamoring. Bet you wish you could have a piece of THAT pie.
Good luck Josh. lets see what your next product will be.

TGIF

Well its Friday, the weekend before classes start back up and my roommates are back, and as college students are want to do, they are having a party. While I know I am welcome, there is little that I have in common. I can remember when I was that age, the silly things I would do... usually to try and impress women, or to just do fun.

But I have tried, and I am not that age. I would rather watch a movie or TV, and wish I had someone to do that with, but I have enjoy my own company. Like I talk back to the monitor about something I saw. Like from the series Mercy.

I found a great schematic for a house on line. It was simple and would have everything I would need. Simple. Then I saw another one that was bigger. I liked the looks of it too. But... the old me would want that bigger one. The me now... I won't say the new me as I am not new, just prioritizing what is important. In any case, the first plans I saw was simple... you walked in, there was a large storage room to your left. A little further on and there was the bathroom to the left and the master and only bedroom to the right; then it opened into the kitchen, dinning and living room. Simple. Clean. A nice log cabin plan. I would probably make the living room area larger to fit a fireplace, TV and lots of space for books. Probably the same in the bedroom. Higher ceilings maybe, but basically that's it. There were doors that lead to a deck. It was great. Dave Berry asked me what my dream was, what I wanted. Ok, that's what I would want.. on some land, away from people. I would have to have a garage... maybe that could attached via the storage room. And there I would also have a dog and cat rescue. Who knows, maybe even horses. Of course satellite surround sound, and all the toys I have missed out on. As while I love to travel,and have done so, in this day and age, I have found home and hearth more appealing. Unless I am with someone. The old adage of doing something with someone you care about makes it twice the fun is true. And on the walls, that didn't have windows I want pictures. Pictures of me on my travels. With my friends. I have always been behind the camera. I am only afraid that when I die, there won't be a photographic montage of the things I have done, the people I have known and where I have been. It seems that a lot of the times when I try and tell people I get the feeling that they don't believe me. Also, I guess in this case, this is the one thing I have always loved about seeing pictures at other people's homes: it shows them doing something. Since I left Kemper, I don't know if I have DONE anything. In a small part that's also why I want to volunteer with the Red Cross. I want to help and be able to say I helped with that. For no other reason but for me. And I want to help out at a Children's Hospital. I know there I can help. I guess I just want to be more useful and a better person. Some might say that I am trying to balance the scales or pave my way to Heaven. Nope. I have always said that I don't think I'll make it to the top... close maybe... but I would rather be in Valhalla, with men and women that wore the uniform. But, I know I would probably be just with the wanna bes, and that would be heart breaking. If Hawk is there and Holmes... I could take it. Maybe get weekend permits to see Dad and Mom and Grandma. I am sure that Blakefield, McCain, Chief... Patton, the Duke, etc are on the top. Would love to talk with them. But who knows. I think am tainted enough I feel... not to go down to the fire, but not good enough to go all the way. Who knows.

How I Met Your Mother, Trek and oh yeah, Haiti

I am tired of this dog and pony, bait and switch, how long can we keep dangling this carrot of his "future wife" in front of us. Granted, when we do get around to seeing her and he goes out with her, might start the beginning of the end of HIMYM, but guess what, I AM READY FOR IT! If they don't do something, they are just re-hashing old plots. The characters are now stereotyped. So GET ON WITH IT. I used to love it. As I am firmly convinced that Barney is Dan Fielding's love child. And if you don't know who Dan Fielding is, shame on you. (Night Court)

Trek. I know, I am like a bulldog who can't let it go, but it is a big deal discussion in my online Trek writing group. I was paging through a graphic novel I have called Debt of Honor. They did it write. They combed through the previous Treks and used them to do a great story. Its too bad that people who have never done any kind of Trek things in the past think they can do it better than those who have been doing better and longer than they have been alive. UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!

And now Haiti. It's a shame, it's terrible. Human death toll. But if someone compares this to Katrina and Busch again I am going to scream. Katrina was terrible, and yet there were a lot of people clamoring for Govt help. And they were told that the hurricane was coming. and yet the flooding in Iowa and the cold and snow and terrible things that happen in the upper north US, nothing. They didn't ask nor were they offered help. Why? No Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. Hmmmmm... Interesting huh. and I rediscovered a site on line that I had forgotten how good it was: http://www.machosauceproductions.com/
Macho Sauce! After having the resident democrat be like a typical democrat, as in debating verses just shouting down an opinion, I needed a shot of sanity. The left doesn't like facts when they don't help them. Not saying the right is any better when you get to the rabid ones. Luckily there are few and far between. I know rabid ones on the left, I work with one, and I have a dear friend who I have known for over 32 years that makes Rush look like a democrat. Luckily there are enough between the two that it balances out.

I hope Haiti can recover and who knows, maybe this will help the people bring themselves out of the poverty and terrible conditions they are in. As a person who believes in God and trusts in Him, all I can say is, it is a terrible thing, but why would God allow this to happen. God, while being the ultimate GM, rolls dice like everyone else. And sometimes they come up critical failures. The HOW WE HANDLE things is the important thing. God gave us free will. Hopefully that means that the people helping the Haiti will also help them gain a foothold in the 21st century world, market, economy, life style, etc. Not a HAND OUT but a HAND UP. The Haitians are proud people, as anyone in a small country would be. As small countries have a tendency to be beaten up by the larger ones. So lets help them out and give them the tools, AFTER the disaster relief is over to help them, so this tragedy won't happen again.

All my prayers go to the survivors and to the families of those affected.

Already Talking About a Trek 2

Man if it wasn't bad enough, there is already a 'tentative release date' for Trek 2. and the talk was how about a Khan sequel. All I can say is that I am glad to see other comment that they are not thrilled with this new movie either.

Ok, this is short, as that's all I can rant about as I have already done it.

The weather is actually up to 40 degrees, melting snow. So we shall see.

Carol Burnett & The Muppets

Two of my all time favorite shows! I LOVED Carol Burnett and Company. Their show was great without being x or even r rated. And to see Tim Conway and Harvey Koreman break each other up.... OMG. I hope they release the series on dvd and not just a few episodes. There were so many stars, so many skits that people liked for different reasons. In fact I found a skit where they parodied Star Trek. At least Carol was in it... I think it was a later Burnett show, but still, Carol has it. Her and Lucille Ball were the Queens! And to watch Tim Conway tell the elephant story.... I could watch that again and again. Thank you You-Tube.

And that brings me to The Muppets. Again, love them. And their movies! Who can forget John Denver singing on their show. Ah, those were the days.

Would love to have all of them again to watch and re-watch again and again.

Trek (again?)

I guess I am just in that cycle right now. But every time I hear the opening theme from the original series, I still get goose bumps. Watching "Trials and Tribulations" on You-Tube, that's the DS-9 back to the past episode, where they use 'Forrest Gump" technology to put the DS-9 people in shots with the originals.

And as I have said before and say again, Kirk rules. And it should have stayed 'where no man has gone before' and that is in no way a slap against women, but its mankind...

In any case, beam me up. I will try and have something better to blog on later.

A-Team Movie

Ok, lets say I was a little resistance to this as The A-Team was part of my childhood and the crew was great. They had the right combination. Also, I am tired of Hollywood remaking the classics... although I would like to see them re-make Porkey;s, but I digress.

I want to see this movie. And Cooper is Face Man. And I want to see who Murdock is. AND having an Abraham tank drop and then open fire with the top fifty against a drone... come on. Although I could tell it was CGI. But it looks like they did it right. They had the same intro and THAT was important... although they did change the Soldiers of Fortune bit. Anyway, it looks fun, and I think George Perpard would be happy with it. But I still love the original guys. But I do think this looks like its gonna be fun. Now watch me watch it and be disappointed.

J.J. Abrams

Ok, I could go into the whole 'Abrams must die' bit, but not going to do it. Abrams just needs to stay away from Star Trek. Let him play with Lost, which has gone down hill; Mission: Impossible which is good for him... action pack, no plot. I wished he had kept "What About Brian" going as it was twisted and tangled. And of course Fringe, which is also twisted and tangled. Armageddon was great. So hes not bad. He just needs to let Star Trek go. He says hes into Trek and things like that's, except he forgets there are people out here who follow Trek and have been following Trek since TOS (The Original Series) and I wish he would STAY THE HELL AWAY! I am in one main Trek organization, Starfleet International and I have started writing again on line in Trek PBeM groups. And this new movie has got people up in arms. And to see that he has a Trek sequel planned... OMG. Bryan may not be around for my secret Santa to give me that movie on dvd, as I really, really doubt I will pay to watch it, if this last one is indication. As I have said, I probably will watch it, but not going pay for it.

J.J. stay with Fringe. Love that. Bring back What About Brian. Play with Lost and Mission: Impossible. Just stay the hell away from Trek.

Yeah, I just let everyone know how much I love Trek, but don't care. What you did has screwed up so much, you have no idea.

God

I have always said that I don't need to born again as they got it right the first time. I believe that. In the aspect that I have never lost faith with God. Wondered what He was doing and why. But never lost the faith that there was one or that He had a plan for me.

Micahel Ian Black was on Mercy as a very religious man who died and was brought back. He was upset that he didn't get the whole bright light at the end of the tunnel. It eventually works out when his wife tells him shes pregnant.

I thought, I don't worry about that. Faith is trust. I do.

God, Country, Home, School

I got out my alumni book last night and made some calls to Old Friends who I haven't talked with in a while. Some I hadn't talked with in months; others years...like 32years.And yet, it didn't matter. For those who never had a bond like that, you can't understand. The military does.

Just watched The Kingdom. Very good movie... too bad for ole' Kyle Chandler at the beginning of the movie. Thought Jason Bateman was gonna get it too, but he survived. And I knew, I KNEW the filmmaker was going to do that bit at the end, with the grandkid, and what he said AND as the fade out shot. Good movie, but that kinda pissed me off. Makes sense as I can see that happening, and I guess that's why I am pissed. I want movies to 'suspend disbelief.' If I want real I can watch the new or read a newspaper.

Also, never made it to church this week, BUT talked God and spiritual stuff with David Berry. I consider that my religious teaching for the week, as it wasn't on the light side, but the heavy.

Cupid

Just saw another good TV show that I liked on Hulu called "Cupid." And I was thinking, that would be neat, to be Cupid. We all want that. So if I could do anything or be anything I would be Santa Claus first, then Cupid. And while wanting to be people, I don't think I'd want to be Moses, but at times I have felt like him, so that would be in there also.

I just hate they take off neat shows like that. They are the 'feel good' ones I liked. Also I saw the show with Kelsey Grammar "Back to You." Was much better than his latest "Hank." At least BTY lasted longer than Hank-Hank only had 8 shows and I think the other had 12 or 13; and it had Fred Willard. I looked him up on IMDB, my goodness, he has been around and done a lot and he is still as funny now as he has been any other time.

Not Ready For Prime Time Players

I was watching some recent SNL on Hulu, and I noticed something. As they introduced all the cast members, there were A LOT of them. And I thought back to the originals. The first cast members were Second City alumni Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and Gilda Radner and National Lampoon "Lemmings" alumnus Chevy Chase (whose trademark became his usual falls and opening spiel that cued the show's opening), Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, and Garrett Morris. And I thought, they had these few. They didn't try to make Chevy Chase LOOK like Ford, no. He just ACTED liked him. Notice I said, ACTED. Something that I think a lot of the alum of SNL didn't do. Not all, just a lot of them! Hell I couldn't tell you who has been on SNL over its 35 yr run. I just know who was there first. The ground breakers, and they were.

I am always reminded by the tape-Best of Belushi. At the end he was the last to be alive, and he was one of the first to go. Irony I know, and Belushi is loving that. I was also looking over the bio for John Belushi and I can not help but still get teary eyed thinking about him. Dam he was funny. I guess I cry as much for him as I do the time I remember seeing him. I just wonder how he would have translated to this time. Not well I think if he fellow SNLers of the time are any indication. In some ways, those who go out, on top, never are seen as fallen. I mean they live sometimes tragic and 'flash in the pan' lives. And while it is tragic, I just wonder. I mean look at Chevy Chase now, in that, IMO, horrid, insipid comedy "Community." Jane Curtin did some more stuff as did Aykroyd, and there will always be hard core "Animal House" and "Blues Brothers" fan, and yeah, count me as one of them! But for the most part, they have faded. A lot from time, but also for the 'times they are a-changin.' Like old soldiers: I don't know if John wanted to go out they way he did. But I also think he wouldn't want to waste away on a porch playing checkers either. I always like to think when they go like John did, that God wanted someone with him to give him a good laugh. And the Lord knows that Belushi could do that.

I hope SNL keeps going. I just wish they would get some more quality than quantity actors/actresses. I know Jamie Foxx has kinda gotten out of the slap stick comedy and has even tackled serious stuff. But, he was also a ground breaker, along with all the Wayen brothers. There are people out there that deserve the rich awards they get. Thank goodness for them, and I hope all are remembered as favorably as I remember Belushi, Aykroyd, Chase, Radner, Morris, Curtain and Newman.

R.I.P. John and Gilda. And all those we have lost from other SNL's. Phil, Chris, etc. Don't cry as they would want us to laugh for them. God Bless.

Stop And Smell The Roses

For some, that's the reason they want to slow down. Well I used to be that person; and you know, after a few minutes I got tired of smelling the roses. What I didn't get tired of was taking my 1979 Buick Skyhawk with the Roadhawk package and going between the farm and Kemper. I remember looking over and seeing things as a blur. Like a movie. Like Smokey and The Bandit. There is a saying that I know I will mangle: but it goes something like this: once a man has lived as a matador, its very hard to do anything else.

I think Beck and Wilkey are similar as they are still living as matadors. Others have slowed down. And that's great for them. All my friends that I know deserve happiness. Just don't try and re-write history or remember things differently now. Don't tell your kids to do one thing or say you never did, when I KNOW dam well you did.

As I said, I hate hypocrites, and I do try not to be one. Neither should you.

Also, as I write this I wonder, how much should I share? Am I afraid of putting it all out there. I don't know. I am not posting pictures of drunken debauchery (thank God there were no cell phones with cameras in my college days). But I also never did alot of stupid things. Did I do stupid things? Yes. Am I lucky to be alive in some cases? Yes. All in all, so far, (knock wood) I have had an interesting life. I remember saying something about it being a good day to die when I was at Kemper, wayyy before it became a Klingon saying. I remember I was between K barracks and A barracks. I don't remember the time of year, probably spring time, right when it was getting hot. It was a beautiful day, clear. A little hot, but not bad. And I remember commenting about the day being a good day to die. It was.

And no, not having any suicidal thoughts or anything like that. I was referring to the aspect that if you had to die, that day would have been good. Referring more to dying in combat. Also, at that time, never thought about death as something bad to look forward too with the coming of age. We were young, we were Kemper. We were going to live forever, or die trying.

And by remembering those times and those men and women, we do live forever until the last of us dies and takes those memories with them.

Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.

Jonah Hex & True Grit

NO. No, No, No, No! I am so sick of Hollywood screwing with my comic book heros. And now they are screwing with the Duke.

I know that Jonah Hex was not as known as the big "S." and that could either be Superman or Spiderman. Still...after "avatar" (I am NOT going capitalize that) I wonder what message they (Follywood) will try and ram down our throats.

And now I see they are remaking True Grit with Beau Bridges as Rooster. PLEAZZZZZZZZE. I am still trying to swallow that they are remaking "The A-Team."

So far the only really good remake is Battlestar Galactica. Another good remake is The Night Stalker, and trust me...I didn't like it the first time, but after watching on SciFi channel (Not whatever they are calling it now) I really enjoyed it and wish it had continued. An honorable mention to Knight Rider.

Of course, all the good ones that don't have messages, seem not to make it. I guess Follywood could peddle their crap, so people wouldn't back their movies. Am I getting cynical in my old age... maybe. At least about movies. If I was only paying 3bucks for a movie, MAYBE. But now they are $10! Sorry, in this case I will either wait for the rental or wait and see them on line, free.

Trek & Jouneyman

All I can say is: Thank God for Hulu.

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed and cringed at Journeyman. A unwilling time traveller. Love time traveller. Anyway, I am so glad that Hulu has it-but don't know for how long. And he works for a newspaper, so how Nigh Stalker-ish is that. Not to mention that I do also, and love the parallel.

As for Trek-here is another comment about the latest Trek movie: if the Romulan could go back into time and blow up Vulcan, and Romulus and Remus are still around, why didn't he just tell the Romulans when and where and get that device there earlier so as to prevent their destruction. I know, I know.. wouldn't make for a good movie. Still....we have enough plot holes as it is.

And I have a fever blister on the back of my tongue.. and it sucks... So i fell off my New Year's resolution as I had a 2nd Coke. It cools and helps it. Water doesn't last as long as the cola does. So strike one on my New Year's resolution. But since I didn't have one yesterday, maybe it could count towards that?

Star Trek post

I have joined the Obsidian Fleet, which is a Star Trek PBeM, (Play By Electronic Mail) meaning that you have a character and you write what happens. I am enjoying it as it has helped me get beyond my writer's block. I am going to post the beginning of a story that I am posting aboard the USS Rook (I am Caruso)


Caruso and Hemingway made their way over to a table in The Forecastle, the comfortable lounge of the USS Rook that already held three other officers. Hemingway made brief introductions as they sat down and ordered something to drink.

Looking at the faces of his new ship mates, Caruso thought, ‘God, they seem to get younger all the time.’

His coffee arrived and the group looked at him.

“Don’t you drink?” Asked Hemingway.

Smelling the thick aroma, “Oh I do. It’s just been a while since I had a good cup of coffee. That was one of the things I have missed for the last couple of weeks.” Adding cream and sweetener, he took a sip and sighed.

“So why did you join Starfleet?”

As he sat with this group of officers, Caruso thought that question was SOP to be asked of anyone new joining any ship, anywhere. Taking another sip of coffee, he yawned and thought, ‘Why did everyone always seem to want to know your back story?’

“Well,” he drawled. “I wanted to see the stars. You know; travel to exotic and distant planets, meet exciting and unusual people…”

“And kill them.” This was finished by someone coming up to the table.

Caruso just shook his head, he couldn't’t believe it. Out of all the ships, stations, and planet installations; out of all the places someone could be assigned, it was almost an unwritten guarantee that you were going to end up serving alongside someone you never wanted to see again.

“Hello Ray. Been along time.”

The big man in a security officer’s uniform placed his hands on an empty chair and leaned towards him. Lt. Ray Kennedy looked at Caruso like he was dead and just didn’t know it yet.

“I heard you transferred aboard and I thought to myself ‘how lucky could I be?’”

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

Leaning down so he was only three feet from Caruso, he gripped the back of the chair so hard you could hear the wood start to crack, “One day you are gonna look at death…when you’ve killed too much even for his liking. And on that day you will see my face.”

About that time the Lt. Cmdr. Thomas came over, “Everything going ok over here?”

Straightening up, “Fine sir.” Ray answered. “Just saying ‘Hello’ to an old friend.” And with that he walked away.

The XO watched him leave, then flashed an annoyed look at Caruso before moving back to the bar.

“Friend of yours?” Someone asked as Caruso watched Ray’s back retreating through the door of the lounge.

Sighing, Caruso downed his coffee even though it burned his throat, “The funny thing is; he was a friend. My best friend at one time.”

“What happened? You kill his dog?”

“No,” Caruso said and knew that coffee wasn’t going to do it now, “I killed his daughter.”

I Wish I Had Said This

I found this quote on a Blake's Seven web site, and I couldn't have said it better my self when it comes to movies like the new Star Trek or Avatar.

IMO, these films "discard good story telling for over blown visual effects."

Look at the original Star Trek and Blake's 7; even the old Dr. Who. These had stories. And any detractors to my statement: they just MADE a NEW Star Trek movie and there is a NEW Doctor. The ideas of those stories have survived. Too bad the actual stories and ideas didn't. It just proves that today's movie goers like shiny things and have no concept of a story.

New Year - New Resolutions

Happy New Year!

Here are my 2010 New Year's resolutions:

Write everyday
Go to church once a week
No more than 1 soda a day

According to the post count on here I had 164 for the year of 2009. Of course that doesn't take into the things I wrote that I didn't post or the multiple posts I made on the same day. Still, I started strong last year. And I tried to give up soda for 1 year. I made it to March. Which isn't bad. Also, I really cut back on my soda intake, so it helpped. Thats why I am saying a soda day. Not that I have to drink a soda a day, but limiting it to 1. When I am at my part time job I have been drinking sweet tea. And I try to drink water when I am at home. So we shall see.

Also, I will post what I am writing on here also. I am writing on a couple of Star Trek PBeM sites, so I will post what I post there on here. I must say that has helped my writer's block.

I wish I had more to say-you know, something profound or something that would get me the ability to just write and get paid for it. I always wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember.

In closing, its 19 degrees now at 3:11 pm in Columbia, Missouri. Mizzou lost to Navy yesterday 35 to 13. I have great friends.