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.”
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, January 1, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tom Cruise
Rarely any more do I like or even think about Tom Cruise. I remember him when he was in the movie "Taps" (for obvious reasons.) Then of course in Top Gun and the Color of Money. Rain Man was ok, but after that, I have a hard time thinking of anything that I have liked him in. Mission: Impossible he was ok in, but they screwed with the people-of course I can put that off as perhaps "Mr. Phelps" was just the name-like the Dread Pirate Roberts. Anyway, I digress.
I saw a pre-view for an upcoming movie that he is and I must say, I do want to see it. And I think this is the part that he was made to play. An action hero/comedy. I mean come on... Cruise is comedic action at best so what better foil. Here is the description:
An action-comedy centered on a fugitive couple (Cruise and Diaz) on a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure where nothing and no one – even themselves – are what they seem. Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth vs. trust.
Its called Knight and Day. And I do want to see it, so much I will probably spring the money to see it in the theater I just hope I am not disappointed.
I saw a pre-view for an upcoming movie that he is and I must say, I do want to see it. And I think this is the part that he was made to play. An action hero/comedy. I mean come on... Cruise is comedic action at best so what better foil. Here is the description:
An action-comedy centered on a fugitive couple (Cruise and Diaz) on a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure where nothing and no one – even themselves – are what they seem. Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth vs. trust.
Its called Knight and Day. And I do want to see it, so much I will probably spring the money to see it in the theater I just hope I am not disappointed.
Blake's 7
I accidentally found B7 when I was in college looking for Dr. Who. I had never seen Dr Who at the time and someone told me it was on cable from a TV station out of St Louis on Saturday nite, late. So as I was flipping around the stations, I found the BBC trademark 'look,' heard the accents and figured I was watching Dr. Who. I liked what I was watching. Little did I realize it was B7.
Luckily I had a friend in St. L and she recorded all the episodes for me (she was B7 fanatic also) and when I would go to Cons I would look for merchandise. Even to the point of having buttons made with quotes from there (sorry Red Shirt Society, but the quote: I'm not expendable, I'm not stupid and I'm not going, was on B7 long before you got a hold of it.
And I like many B7 fans do not take what happened at the end as the final word. Just like many of us, we have our own ideas.
I can't explain what B7 was to anyone not really familiar. Needless to say it was the BBC's answer to Star Trek in the 80's. The Federation was not the good guys, and in some ways it was similar to Star Wars in that rebels were the heroes.
I loved this show. The stories, characters and lines, were well done.
"Teleport now Orac."
Luckily I had a friend in St. L and she recorded all the episodes for me (she was B7 fanatic also) and when I would go to Cons I would look for merchandise. Even to the point of having buttons made with quotes from there (sorry Red Shirt Society, but the quote: I'm not expendable, I'm not stupid and I'm not going, was on B7 long before you got a hold of it.
And I like many B7 fans do not take what happened at the end as the final word. Just like many of us, we have our own ideas.
I can't explain what B7 was to anyone not really familiar. Needless to say it was the BBC's answer to Star Trek in the 80's. The Federation was not the good guys, and in some ways it was similar to Star Wars in that rebels were the heroes.
I loved this show. The stories, characters and lines, were well done.
"Teleport now Orac."
Day 361 - Oral Roberts & Robert G. Heft
Oral Roberts passed away in 2009. I just wanted to make sure people remember that he passed in 2009 verse those who will only remember Michael Jackson. Hey, I will give Michael his due. He was a musician, dancer, and a person in trouble with the law for many things.
But Oral Roberts was man who brought God to millions of people. He established learning centers and medical centers. Were they perfect? No. But even though Roberts' lifestyle, unorthodox fund-raising techniques, and the expanse of his organizations raised criticism and controversy, there was no credible evidence of malfeasance while he was in charge. He did not have sex-and-money scandals like some other televangelists. And he was not named among the six prosperity teachers in the financial investigations launched by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) in 2007. Was he perfect? I am sure not. But compared to many others he was the one who helped them accept God. As I prayed at the Christmas eve services where I was at, my thoughts were not on music or some pop icon. But of times past where I felt at peace-and at those times I thought I knew God. So compared to some pop icon who many thought of as a god or someone who spent all their life trying to bring God to others; I'll go with Oral Roberts.
Another person that I would bet money that most people have never heard of, and who also passed away in 2009 was Robert G. Heft. He is credited with designing and sewing the first 50-star American flag. he was 67.
Heft made the flag in 1958 as part of a high school project. He spent more than 12 hours sewing the design. President Eisenhower chose Heft's design to replace the 48 star flag.
Think about that. Someone submitted a design and the president choose it to replace the old one, as we need a new one. And it was. How simple was that? And how elegant. Now a days that would never happen. Both political parties would HAVE to be involved and it would take years. Scandals would rock the committees, bribes for consideration and then where would it be made; probably in China.
And yet there was a time that one American man designed the flag that flies from our flag poles. And there was a time when the president made the decision and it was not second guessed or had that he had to jump through hopes to get it done.
While I don't know the mess that something like that would cause to day, I would like us to take time to remember someone who made an impact almost 52 years ago. Thank you. Mr. Heft.
God bless Oral Roberts and Robert Heft.
But Oral Roberts was man who brought God to millions of people. He established learning centers and medical centers. Were they perfect? No. But even though Roberts' lifestyle, unorthodox fund-raising techniques, and the expanse of his organizations raised criticism and controversy, there was no credible evidence of malfeasance while he was in charge. He did not have sex-and-money scandals like some other televangelists. And he was not named among the six prosperity teachers in the financial investigations launched by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) in 2007. Was he perfect? I am sure not. But compared to many others he was the one who helped them accept God. As I prayed at the Christmas eve services where I was at, my thoughts were not on music or some pop icon. But of times past where I felt at peace-and at those times I thought I knew God. So compared to some pop icon who many thought of as a god or someone who spent all their life trying to bring God to others; I'll go with Oral Roberts.
Another person that I would bet money that most people have never heard of, and who also passed away in 2009 was Robert G. Heft. He is credited with designing and sewing the first 50-star American flag. he was 67.
Heft made the flag in 1958 as part of a high school project. He spent more than 12 hours sewing the design. President Eisenhower chose Heft's design to replace the 48 star flag.
Think about that. Someone submitted a design and the president choose it to replace the old one, as we need a new one. And it was. How simple was that? And how elegant. Now a days that would never happen. Both political parties would HAVE to be involved and it would take years. Scandals would rock the committees, bribes for consideration and then where would it be made; probably in China.
And yet there was a time that one American man designed the flag that flies from our flag poles. And there was a time when the president made the decision and it was not second guessed or had that he had to jump through hopes to get it done.
While I don't know the mess that something like that would cause to day, I would like us to take time to remember someone who made an impact almost 52 years ago. Thank you. Mr. Heft.
God bless Oral Roberts and Robert Heft.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Day 357 - Dollhouse Has Jumped the Shark or has Failed, or whatever, IMO
As one who does like Josh Whedon, (Firefly!) and the Dollhouse had great promise. And the first season or so was great. But as the story has unfolded, it has gone... where no man has gone before. It doesn't know what it is I think. Emprinting people is great; as then you can have episodes like in the beginning, with the FBI Profiler. Then the sex thing got in the way. Then conspiracy. Then the intro to Ballard. Alpha was great as he was the one pulling the strings-and of course someone from Firefly, and then more and more guest stars like them. But now... Echo is the Shuper Soldier.. after a while its no fun watching someone who can do everything. It was good when she could be anyone from a computer program. And I was going to get used to her switching from one personae to another. But all this talk about freeing the dolls. Unless I missed something, these people are volunteers, who knew what they were getting into.
To me that's like saying I want to free the people in the US Army. They knew what they were getting into to. (Gee, did I just sound like Obama?) But I mean it as; they are a group of people, doing something they volunteered for. They don't need to be freed. Why is Echo getting her panties in an uproar? Have they kidnapped anyone and forced them...not that I have seen.. yet. But the big bad cooperation is up to no good.
Ok, this is one of the reason that Lost, lost me. I tried watching Heroes, even with the cute cheerleader... nope. And Flash Forward... left me in pause. I don't know if Whedon is doing this on purpose or what. Firefly was great and then Fox cancelled it. Space, Above and Beyond was also great. Why do people screw with things? They brought back FF as a movie and of course had to kill some of the characters. What, SAAB was sensationalizing war? Better to have military heroes than the Hollywood rock stars, talking mouths hypocrites and steroid popping, womanizing athletes. Unless any of those people lay down their lives for people they don't know, I don't want to hear it. In old Hollywood, you had actors who joined the military and fought with honor. Now adays, there are a few who served, but you don't hear about them as they don't want to be ostracised by the rest of the left wing of Follywood. The only way I can express my displeasure with those people is NOT to see any movie like that. My $10 won't go into their pocket. And while it may not make a different, at least I feel better.
So, in closing to Josh...bring back the old Dollhouse-this conspiracy is getting a bit much. If the corporation truly wanted to protect itself, it would just eliminate those problem people. And if it has that much power, with houses all over and politicians and govt officials in their pocket, do they (Echo & Co.) think they can free their house? Better to try and use their house for good within the system than make an enemy, especially when you have Alpha out there. The British bitch... IF she has gone over to the dark side, which, unless she gets off on pain has, should have been eliminated. But of course, better the devil you know. I don't see why they just didn't take her, brain wipe her and program her to help. If she was drunk, she wouldn't know the difference. And since she was obviously NOT on their side; sorry. I am loosing interest in the Dollhouse fast. And I would like to know what happened to the doctor. She just took off, and no one seems that upset. Wow. Talk about double standards. She was an Active AND a member of the Dollhouse staff and no one has tried to find her. Hmmmm. Plot hole.
So instead of being part of those who watch it on network/cable/satellite... I will just watch it on Hulu. Don't know if Hulu tracks how many times its accessed, but I can live with that.
To me that's like saying I want to free the people in the US Army. They knew what they were getting into to. (Gee, did I just sound like Obama?) But I mean it as; they are a group of people, doing something they volunteered for. They don't need to be freed. Why is Echo getting her panties in an uproar? Have they kidnapped anyone and forced them...not that I have seen.. yet. But the big bad cooperation is up to no good.
Ok, this is one of the reason that Lost, lost me. I tried watching Heroes, even with the cute cheerleader... nope. And Flash Forward... left me in pause. I don't know if Whedon is doing this on purpose or what. Firefly was great and then Fox cancelled it. Space, Above and Beyond was also great. Why do people screw with things? They brought back FF as a movie and of course had to kill some of the characters. What, SAAB was sensationalizing war? Better to have military heroes than the Hollywood rock stars, talking mouths hypocrites and steroid popping, womanizing athletes. Unless any of those people lay down their lives for people they don't know, I don't want to hear it. In old Hollywood, you had actors who joined the military and fought with honor. Now adays, there are a few who served, but you don't hear about them as they don't want to be ostracised by the rest of the left wing of Follywood. The only way I can express my displeasure with those people is NOT to see any movie like that. My $10 won't go into their pocket. And while it may not make a different, at least I feel better.
So, in closing to Josh...bring back the old Dollhouse-this conspiracy is getting a bit much. If the corporation truly wanted to protect itself, it would just eliminate those problem people. And if it has that much power, with houses all over and politicians and govt officials in their pocket, do they (Echo & Co.) think they can free their house? Better to try and use their house for good within the system than make an enemy, especially when you have Alpha out there. The British bitch... IF she has gone over to the dark side, which, unless she gets off on pain has, should have been eliminated. But of course, better the devil you know. I don't see why they just didn't take her, brain wipe her and program her to help. If she was drunk, she wouldn't know the difference. And since she was obviously NOT on their side; sorry. I am loosing interest in the Dollhouse fast. And I would like to know what happened to the doctor. She just took off, and no one seems that upset. Wow. Talk about double standards. She was an Active AND a member of the Dollhouse staff and no one has tried to find her. Hmmmm. Plot hole.
So instead of being part of those who watch it on network/cable/satellite... I will just watch it on Hulu. Don't know if Hulu tracks how many times its accessed, but I can live with that.
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