Where Science and Imagination Meets Brats of All Ages

If there was one thing that Celebration IV was missing (besides the orginal cast) it was PROPS! I turn into a four year old at the sight of any cool scaled models, and I was really looking forward to seeing the original ILM props at CIV. Apparently, they forgot to bring them.

To their credit, there was a small room with a smattering of concept art, various versions of Vader's lightbright chestplate and a few random costumes. The highlight of the room was a voting booth that allowed you to cast your vote as to what color Han Solo's parka was in The Empire Strikes Back.

Next to the voting booth was the parka. I think the results may come back somewhat skewed.

Luckily, there's an exhibit touring the nation that brings the props to the fans. It's called Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. In my case, the tour has a scheduled stop about five miles from where I work. Fort Worth isn't the biggest city in this part of the nation by a long shot, which is why I live here, so I was pleasantly surprised that the tour made a stop here.

The exhibit was fantastic. It had the Tantive IV, the Millenium Falcon, the X-Wing, and every other prop you could hope to see. Check out my pics to see more.

Celebration IV

WOW!!!!

I've just returned from the biggest Star Wars geek-fest EVER! Celebration IV in Los Angeles. It was fantastic. Check out my pics here.

Five days of Star Wars is enough to overwhelm even the strongest Sci-Fi constitution, but I endured, and I WANT MORE!!! I was fortunate enough to meet Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Don Bies, Lorne Peterson, Jay Laga'aia, Seth Greene, Seth McFarland, and so many more.

CIV was nothing like I expected. I thought the participants were all going to be the ubergeek type and the event to be disorganized and difficult to navigate. The folks at GenCon (although not the friendliest people) were very organized and efficient and the fans were a BLAST!

My favorite part of the event was the part I thought I'd like the least. That would be the Q&A panels for the celebrities (like Carrie Fisher). The actors were all very funny and personable. They answered even the most absurd questions, and were a genuine treat to see and meet. I only wish I could have made it to more of the panels, but I had to choose between Droid Building 101 and Carrie Fisher. (Don't tell the droid builders, but there's really no contest.)

I even got to see some exclusive footage as well as props from the upcoming Robot Chicken Star Wars Special as well as the Family Guy Star Wars Special.

My only lament is that I didn't get the exclusive I wanted (Yoda and R2 Maquette). For three days in a row, Gentle Giant sold out of them WHILE I was standing in line. After that, I decided EBay would have to do (even if it means paying twice what the damn thing's worth.) Oh well, such is life

A Wicked Evening

After six months of eager anticipation, battling 75 mph winds and torrential downpours, I can say with confidence that I've seen one of the best musicals ever written. It was lively, witty, and filled with irony. From the opening act (which was delayed due to lightning strikes that took out the power) to the closing act (which was further delayed due to more power failures) I was hooked. The music was fantastic and storyline very well written. I'd highly recommend anyone (young, old, guy, girl, etc) to see it.

Typical of my life, the comedy started long before the play began. In keeping with tradition, there were a number of near catastrophes including a storm of biblical proportions and an unplanned detour (in other words, we went the wrong way). Even so, it was fun, and made the night even more memorable.

It started with me having a bad day at work (I'm quite certain all my adventures start out this way.) I was late getting home, and therefore late leaving for dinner. There was a Tornado Warning on the radio for a nearby county, quite fitting given that we were going to see a muscial based on the Wizard of Oz. I payed the warning no attention, and rushed to get home so I could change and we could head to dinner. We ate at a nearby restaurant, and halfway through the meal the sky darkened, and the monsoon began. The rain didn't fall so much as it streaked at a near horizontal tragectory.

After we finished eating, we decided to sit the storm out. We still had two hours before the show, but the weather report wasn't promising. Then, lightning struck, and the power went out. Fortunatley, we'd already paid for dinner, so we were free to go. Unfortunately, we had only one umbrella the size of a postage stamp between us. I ran headlong into the rain toward the car assuming Johnny would press the button to unlock the door from the safety of his umbrella as he casually strolled along behind me. He claims he tried repeatedly, but I still don't believe him.

The drive to Dallas was equally exciting. Lightning streaked across the sky as we passed overturned vehicles too large to escape the gale force winds in excess of 75 mph. Ditches were filled beyond capacity, and water was collecting on the roads. Although a bit trite, we laughed when we passed a mobile home which had been blown off of a trailer and was resting on the side of the road. There were no ruby red slippers to be found.

We took a bit of a detour getting to the play (we went the wrong way) and ended up getting to the play later than we would have liked. Adding insult to injury, we had to park in Outer Mongolia and walk in the rain to the performance hall. Johnny went to find our seats, and I went to find a bathroom. It just so happened that the nearest one involved descending a flight of stairs. Normally, this isn't too terribly inconvenient. However, on my way back up the stairs, lightning struck and the the power went out. I fell face first barely catching myself in the dark. The people behind me got a good laugh when the lights came back on a few seconds later.

I rushed back to my seat only to find out that the power outtage had caused the audio equipment to reboot, delaying the show. You heard it right folks, they had to Reboot Oz.

At this point, I was ready to go home. I was wet, irritated, and in a bit of a bad mood. I'm glad I kept my mouth shut and my desire to flee to myself. The show finally went on, albeit a bit later than expected. There were a few more power outtages spurring a few more Oz Reboots, which only added to the comedy of the performance.

It was a fantastic show, and I highly recommend anyone to go see it.

April Snooze

Well, April was fun...

There was a hail storm that destroyed my roof. That's gonna cost a bundle. Insurance will cover most of it, but the deductable is nearly $2000. Geez...

Then there was the hole in my roof left by the hail storm. It started raining outside, and I noticed it was also raining inside, right into my tub fortunately.

I also got a letter from my mortgage company. It's time for my interest rate to adjust, so I have to refinance to avoid that. There's another few thousand dollars.

So, I'm gonna be poor for a while, which is no fun, and rather inconvenient since I have a vacation planned at the end of the month.

Oh well...better luck next year.

Bodyworlds

As a follow up to my previous Bodyworlds post, I thought I'd share a story with you written by Johnny who accompanied me to the event.

What to say about Bodyworlds? It was certainly a fascinating and intriguing exhibit. I had heard little about it when I saw that it was coming to Dallas. I was barely prepared for the magnitude of the displays. You have certain expectations going into an exhibit that features real human bodies. I had expected the exhibits to be locked up in glass cases and for there to be an odor about the place.

There was no such odor and the exhibits were placed right out in the open where you could get a close look (and even touch them) though no one did. The elaborate displays were unexpectedly pleasing to the eye and very tastefully done, preserving the dignity these people once felt.

Some exhibits were in glass cases, these usually consisted of internal organs displayed individually throughout the exhibit. Some organs were displayed as normal healthy organs, while others were in various stages of disease and illness. I must admit, looking at the organs with severe cancers or disease was a bit unsettling. I had to take a breather every so often, it became somewhat overwhelming.

The highlight of the adventure came when we arrived in the reproductive system displays. Various reproductive organs were proudly displayed in glass cabinets. Rob decided to bypass the feminine organs. Out of some morbid curiosity, I suppose, I ventured over to the "fruits" of femininity. While glancing into the case I noticed a young boy about the age of 11 or 12 glaring at one of the organs with a puzzled look on his face. He inched closer with increasing bewilderment. I noticed he was looking directly at the display of a woman's vagina (separated from a body, of course). He turned to his mother maintaining his confusion and said, "Mom, what is that? (pointing) An old man's ear?" The mother gently leaned down with a somewhat amused expression and whispered into her son's ear. While I couldn't hear what she said, the child's reaction confirmed my suspicions. His eyes approached the size of dinner plates and exclaimed, "EEEEWWWW!!!"

It was at that point I could contain my laughter no longer. I sped out of the room in search of Rob to share what I had just witnessed. The exhibit as a whole was fascinating, entertaining, informative, and breathtaking. I applaud those people who gave their bodies willingly to further the knowledge of humanity. I will have to admit, however, it will be a long time before I am able to refer to a woman's vagina as anything other than an old man's ear!

R2-D2 and the Shiny Dome

Even the Post Office is getting in on the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars. On March 28, the U.S. Postal Service will preview the design of a commemorative stamp based on the Star Wars movies. I guess I'm actually going to have to buy stamps.

At any rate, it makes for a good photo opportunity. I think I identify most with the little astromech. After all, we both have lots of gadgets, a shiny dome, and our best friends are gay.

The Gym...20 pounds later

I've had a gym membership for several years. My attendence record has been a bit spotty (to say the least.) For a while, I'd go in the morning before work to use the cardio equipment, but that was doing little to improve my physique (at the time, I weighed about 150 pounds.) This past October, I decided to hire a personal trainer. It cost a small fortune, but I was determined to bulk up. Here it is, five months later, and I've managed to put on over 20 pounds (most of which I hope is muscle.) Granted, with the money I've spent on the trainer, the supplements, the shakes, the soy milk, and the gym fees, I could have bought a new car, but I'm pleased with the results.

My goal is 190 pounds. Currently, I'm at 174, up 21 pounds from where I started. I'm eating 4,000 calories a day and going to the gym five times a week. My trainer tells me that we'll cut that back to 1,800 calories a day for a while here pretty soon, which will cause me to lose some of the mass I've gained, but will help me to develop more definition. Then, the cycle starts over. I figure in a few years, I'll be over 200 if I keep it up.

For anyone considering a trainer, I have to say that having one motivates you to go to the gym. I know I have an appointment at certain times, so I'm compelled to go since my trainer's income is dependant on my attendence. That might sound silly, but it works for me. Also, the trainer knows far more about this than I do, so he shows me which exercises are most effective, and smacks me in the head when I do them incorrectly.

So, if you wanna bulk up and get smacked in the head, GO FOR IT!

64 days and counting...

Only 64 days until Celebration IV...do you have your tickets?

I can't tell you how excited I am about about going to Celebration IV. We spent the entire day last Saturday planning out the trip. I'm really not sure what to expect from Celebration IV, other that a bunch of cool stuff and actors. All I know is that I'm going, and I'm going to have a BLAST!

The week after Celebration, we're going to MGM Orlando for Star Wars Weekends and Gay Day Orlando. I'm going to be so sick of Star Wars by the time I get back....YEAH RIGHT!!!!

Sci-fi Expo 2007

Well, another Sci-fi Expo has come and gone. It was great. We saw many of our favorite stars, including Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, and Walter Koenig. Johnny's huge into Star Trek, so meeting Walter Koenig and getting his autograph was a real treat for him. I bought some cool stuff while I was there. I went a little nuts and spent too much money (no surprise there.) Check out what I bought over on my Star Wars blog.

While we were there, we found out about a concert that the Dallas Symphony is putting on featuring Star Trek music and John de Lancie (AKA "Q"). I bought tickets from the DSO booth and can't wait for the show. I saw on Robert Picardo's website that he may be there too. I'm all excited!

Samsung A707

I've had my new Cingular SYNC (Samsung A707) for a few days now, and I LOVE it. I didn't think I would. It's not as small as my previous phone, but it's packed with features. The last time I bought a phone was three years ago. At the time, your only choice was size and color. The A707 is a Napster compatible MP3 player/cell phone combo with more bells and whistles than I've figured out how to use. My favorite useless feature is the MusicID application that names the artist and song of any music, regardless of where the music is coming from. If the phone can "hear" it, it can "Name That Tune."

Why computers are better than people

It's been 3 years since I last bought a cell phone. I'm one of those strange people who don't want to carry around a phone the size of an encylopeia around, so three years ago I bought the Samsung-s307, the smallest color screen phone I could find. I LOVE this phone, except for one small detail...the speaker in the earpiece isn't very loud and I'm deaf. Not a particularly good combination.

So, this past weekend I decided I wanted a new phone.

I'll preface the story with a disclaimer. I HAVE HORRIBLE LUCK WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE. I am very conscious of the fact that customer service folks aren't the problem. However, when they are rude, unknowledgable, or simply dumb-as-a-stump, I become frustrated. I get even more frustrated when the customer service process is as severely broken as Cingular's is.

I began my quest for a new cell phone online. I am a Napster subscriber, and Cingular has three phones compatible with the service. The first is the Blackjack (way too big), the second is the 3125 (way too expensive), and the third is the SYNC (AKA the Samsung a707). I wanted to see the 3125 and SYNC side by side in action to figure out which one I wanted. I called around, and apparently, the 3125 is discontinued. So, I found a store that had both, called ahead to make sure someone was willing to actually take them out of the box and show them to me. (At Hawk Electronics, the display phones are hunks of plastic that do not funciton). Jonathan, an employee of Hawk, was cordial on the phone and encouraged me to come on down and try them out.

When I arrived (20 minutes later) Jonathan had left for the day, and I was left with a hispanic woman with an attitude. I don't recall her name, but she was obviously a kept woman forced into the workplace by an overachieving husband. She rolled her eyes and clicked her tounge when I asked to see the phones. She'd only bring out one phone at a time, and then wouldn't turn them on for me. After putting up with the attitude for 10 minutes or so, I left angry and without a phone.

Later, I found out that in order to get the $100 rebate on the 3125 (which is the only way it became affordable) you had to sign up for a $40 a month data plan. That made absolutely no sense to me since I wouldn't be using the phone for a data device. So, I was left with the SYNC.

The next day, I went to a Cingular Wireless store that had the SYNC. I walked in and was asked to sign in on the list. I was the only person in the store, and there were five Cingular employees mulling about aimlessly and there were no other names on the list. Against all logic, I signed in on the list. The person behind the counter walked around, crossed my name off, and asked, "How can I help you?" I knew I was in for a treat.

I said, "I want to buy the Samsung A707." She responded with a puzzled look. I repeated my request following it with, "you do sell phones here, correct?" She smiled and asked for my account information and typed it into a computer. She looked at my account information for a short time and the quoted me the price for the phone, $119. I asked her why it was more expensive in the store than the $99 price advertised online. She didn't know but said that if I upgraded my plan and paid $20 more a month, she could bring the phone down to $99. At that point, I had enough. I left the store, again angry with no phone.

On my way back home, I called 611 from my Cingular handset to speak with an online customer service representative to buy the phone, well, over the phone. They were closed. I wanted to throw my phone out the window into oncoming traffic.

I saw a T-Mobile store on my way home and considered switching service, but decided against it. Instead, I went home, got online, and within 5 minutes ordered the phone and printed a receipt. I hopped on EBay, bought some accessories, and 15 minutes later was relaxing on the couch.

If you know me, you know I hate people. In general, people are stupid and lazy. My experience with Chiquita Bonita Barbi and the Cingular Marketing Geniuses only reinforce my views.

Moral of the story: computers are better the people

Concert in the Gardens

I'm looking forward to Concert in the Gardens again this year. Last year was my first experience, and it was FANTASTIC! The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra performed theme music from several science fiction movies, Star Wars being one of them, including a fireworks finale. The FWSO and FWBG sites only promise that more information is coming in May 2007. Dates have been announced, but that's about it.

Weekend fun

For a long time, I was kinda mopey about the whole Dustin thing. That wasn't very fair to me or to the new guy I've been seeing (his name's Johnny.) So, I decided to force myself out of my funk and start enjoying life again. Over the past few weekends, I've made an effort to go do something that didn't involve a computer or a television. While that doesn't sounds very difficult for a normal human being, I find it extrordinarily difficult for some reason. After a week of working and going to the gym, I just want to sit on my butt all weekend.

I recently read an article on Body Worlds and really wanted to go see it. So, I did. Johnny and I made it a day long affair. It's been a LONG time since I went to Fair Park, so we got there early and toured the Museum's that hosted Body Worlds. For lunch, we ate at Zaguan over in the gayborhood in Dallas. We still had some time to kill before Body Worlds, so we also toured the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park. I must say, I wasn't impressed by anything in Fair Park. The museum wasn't at all impressive, and the aquarium was in pretty bad shape. However, Body Worlds was AWESOME. The exhibits were incredible. There was no glass between you and most of the cadavers. If you've ever wanted to see what the body looks like without skin and fat, this is the place to go. I will warn you, there's lots of...visible reproductive organs.

A few weeks later, I flew to Chicago and spent the weekend with a good friend, Nadine. We did a LOT of eating (I highly recommend Adobo Grill) and also joined her family at the Shedd Aquarium. That was awesome. My favorite part about the aquarium was the Beluga Caviar stand. All you can eat, $19.95. Seriously though, the Shedd Aquarium was incredible. If you're in Chicago and enjoy aquariums, I highly recommend you go to this one.

I wanted to do more in Chicago, but my trip was cut short due to high winds in Texas and ice in Chicago. My flight was cancelled, and the airports were packed. I stood in line for hours to get a boarding pass, and ended up having to fly back though LaGuardia. It took me over 14 hours from the time I got the O'Hare until I got home in Dallas. They lost my luggage, and I had to sit beside a woman with an unhappy baby. Miserable doesn't begin to describe my experience. The only thing that saved me was that I met Peter Mayhew, the 7'3" Englishman who played Chewbacca in Star Wars. I sat in the same row as him on the flight from LaGuardia to DFW. Come to find out, Wookies prefer Bacardi.

Last weekend, we went to see Corteo, a Cirque du Soliel show. It was awesome. I've been to a few Cirque shows, but none where they spoke English. To top it off, it was funny! The main character is a clown who dreams about his funeral. He was quite witty. One of my favorite parts was the very small woman (~3 feet tall) who was suspended by balloons and bounced around the audience.

The stage for Corteo was very small. When I first saw it, I thought I was going to be disappointed. I really didn't think they'd be able to put on an impressive show in such a small area. Boy was I wrong! GO SEE THIS SHOW!

Well, this weekend is the SciFiExpo in Plano. It's an annual event that draws quite a crowd. There's quite a few opportunities for autographs and Q&A panels, if you're into that sort of stuff. Generally, I just stick to the shopping experiences. I've found some GREAT deals on Star Wars merchandise there. It's like EBay, but you can haggle and there's no shipping.

Whew...that's a lot of Weekend fun. Now, I just have to finish my deck.

Long time, no see...

It's been a while since I last posted in my blog. Many things have changed in the six months or so since I posted something. The biggest change is that Dustin moved out. That was tough. He took the dogs, so it was just me for a while. Living alone has its perks, but it gets lonely. Fortunately, I had my XBox, my PVR, and BitTorrent. Surprisingly, even that left me wanting. So, I decided to start dating again. I'll admit, I started dating way too soon, but I thought I was ready for it. Fortunately, I met a guy who's very patient. As luck would have it, he's also a huge scifi fan (just like me.) Things are looking up. :-)