Star Trek 50th Anniversary

Today is the 50th anniversary of the first time Start Trek ever aired. I haven't been a Trekkie long, but I've definitely crossed a line somewhere along the way into fanaticism. I wrote about Trek before a time or two, and if you've read them you know all about it, with one exception. Drumroll, please... I got a new tattoo! 

Don't mind me, I stand on chairs for weird leg photos

You may recognize that design from Captain Kirk's mug in Start Trek Beyond. I've been trying to find a licensed version of that mug to buy, but I don't think there is one. I don't like the idea of buying a knockoff of something fairly priced (but if you can find me a high quality Louis Vuitton knockoff, hit up that comment box!). Since I can't find a real one, I'm looking for a good reproduction of that mug. I've seen a lot of them pop up but the cup itself is usually the wrong shape. If you make a good one or know who does, make sure to comment below. 

The real reason I've called you here today, though, is because I'd love to find out who actually designed that image in the first place. Please pass this along to anyone you can think of, who might know or even if you think they'd know who to ask. I want to let the artist know how much I love it. If it was my design, I'd love to see it inked onto someone. Thanks, pals. I'd really appreciate it!

Saturday Spotlight: Star Trek: Timelines

Remember a while back when I said I wanted to learn some stuff about RPGs?  And then remember when I didn't?  So my friend Autumn suggested that I find some online but I messed up somehow.  I did find an app called Star Trek: Timelines which I guess I mistook for that but when I figured out what it was it still looked fun, so I got it.  It's free to download and free to play but I guess it's way less frustrating if you buy Dilithuim.  That stuff apparently makes it way better, but since I'm really inexperienced I just don't know how much fun I COULD be having, so it's fine free for me.  I spend kind of a lot of time playing it and my kids actually love it too.  They used to become heartbroken when I'd try to sneak off and play without them.  They each have an old iPhone that doesn't have any service, so when I got tired of hearing them over my shoulder yelling, "play Picard, Mama!" for every mission, I put it on The Villain's phone so they could play it on there.  The Bookworm's phone was too old, so if you have a really old iPhone look out for that.  Mine's an Android so no problems there.

The Villain playing Staw Fwack on his own stinkin' phone!

The thing that's fun about it is that it mixes the timelines all up together and you could have a crew including Kirk, Picard and Sisko together.  Of course, that wouldn't be the most effective combination of skills for most missions but you could totally do it.  The frustrating part is that I'm completely new to the whole gaming universe so I don't know what anything means or how to figure out the things that I need to know to advance and all of the advice and tips online are super general about how to get started and what all the different features of the game ARE and not how to use them in the most effective ways.  Like, you'll find articles and videos that tell you how to earn and use training for your guys, but not why the yellow number won't just DISAPPEAR ALREADY! when you're done training or why you can't train anymore after a certain point.  That kind of thing.  I eventually figure things out but if I could just ask someone it would be more fun for me.  There is a message board but it's too quick for me and mostly social.  I don't dig it.  Gone and got too old, I guess. 

Oh, well.  It's still really super fun.  I love it and I recommend you try it, too.  I heard that company, Disruptor Beam, actually started with a similar game for Game of Thrones and I'm really excited to try that one.  Wish me luck!  And follow Star Trek: Timelines on Twitter for more news and stuff.  And OH MY GOSH, HOW COULD I FORGET?!?! It's voiced by John deLancie, who played Q on TNG!!!

Quantum Leap

Okay guys, I know.  More sci-fi.  But seriously, you've got to just get used to it.  It won't stop here.  One theme you might notice recurring is time travel.  I absolutely love the idea of people experiencing life in a time period not their own.  I imagine taking people into the future to see how famous they become (yes, I do sob every single time I watch Vincent and The Doctor) or taking the Hilton sisters to live alongside the Bronte sisters.  My favorite time travel story is a television series, Quantum Leap.  I watch it on Netflix and still love it, and as a kid seeing the hippies and the Motown stars was so fun!  Plus I totally believed that by now we'd all be dressing like Al and using strange neon plastic information calculators.  Actually, we do have palm-sized computers but they don't look like Al's, that's for sure!

Nice shirt, Al.  What, no double necktie this week?

Sam and Al were the perfect team.  Sam Beckett was played by Scott Bakula, whose fame followed him to Star Trek: Enterprise (you know I'm a Trekkie) and NCIS: New Orleans, which is actually devastatingly free of any science fiction at all.  Al Calavicci was played by Dean Stockwell, who has over 200 acting credits on IMDB, starting in 1945 and including this gem from 1948:

 

In case you're trying to math, his 80th birthday is coming up this Saturday! Definitely sending a card. 

So, do you like time travel?  Or do you prefer space travel?  If you know of any good shows or books set in different times that you'd like to recommend, I'd love to give them a shot.  Drop it into the comment box below.  I'd appreciate it.

Star Trek

About two years ago I went to my first con.  When I checked to see who the speakers were, I found that the biggest name was John de Lancie, who played Q on Star Trek: The Next Generation and turned out to be just lovely.  I had seen the new Star Trek movies and enjoyed them, but I hadn't ever seen any of the shows and I'm pretty sure all I remember of the original movies is... Sea World.  Something about Sea World.  Is that even right?

At any rate, before the con I took to Netflix to see what was up with de Lancie's Star Trek.  And would you like to know what's up with TNG? IT'S AWESOME, THAT'S WHAT.  From the very beginning I loved Brent Spiner as Data and by the last episode I was really sad to see the show and my time with Michael Dorn as Worf coming to an end.  Of course, I liked all of the other characters too.  LeVar Burton is amazing in every project he touches, and if you're not following Wil Wheaton's blog (at http://wilwheaton.net/) get over there.  I really love how he writes, and his book, Just A Geek, will not disappoint. But most importantly, let me tell you a little bit about Brent Spiner.  The man played an android expertly, and with so much more heart than you'd expect.  Even the points designed to show you that he can't feel will give you all the feels.  There were also a lot of opportunities for Brent Spiner to play different characters on the show and he nails it every single time.  He's just supremely talented.

If you haven't watched the show and don't plan to, you can go study acting by heading over to Netflix and looking up Episode 17 of Season 7, called Masks. That's an education, right there.  Brent Spiner could've gotten an Emmy from me on the spot if I was in charge of anything.  Go look it up, I'll wait.  And in the meantime, if you have anything else you've seen him in that you enjoyed, or if you just have anything to mention about TNG, leave it as always in the comments section below.  Thanks for dropping in this week, and don't forget to subscribe and tell your friends!  

And now my car proudly proclaims my Trekkie status.


***EDIT*** Here's where you can get your own decal or license plate.
https://m.facebook.com/JPOriginalsBowTies/
They're personalized; just email and tell her what you want. Prices are very reasonable.