2005...Dread Pirate Ken...and Cap't. Jessica.

2004...the dreaded Man-dusa...

2004...Halloween dogs....Emma, Vagabond, and, Leon. Clearly they are not happy...

2004...Robin Hood and the Maid Marian. Dashing figures if you ask me...

2004...Dr. Myers...and King Arthur (think Monty Python).

As promised...a photo of me in costume from two years ago. Jess and I went to a pirate-themed party on Saturday that was a lot of fun. There was a wrecked ship, cannons exploding, planks to walk, and an open bar. As soon as I get some photos from the event I will post them.

Jessica...rockin out at a Halloween party a few years back...

Sorry

The spam comments are becoming annoying...so I have activated the "word verification" security feature to inhibit the spam comments. Sorry for any inconvenience. I do enjoy your comments, so keep them coming.

Fall color...

Halloween 2003. Beware the mummy....

Great news!!!

My friends Rich and Jen had a baby boy on Monday, October 24.

Reports indicate all is well. Everyone is healthy and accounted for.

So I downloaded the new version of Picasa, the software that lets me post photos to this blog. Well...the new version crashed repeatedly after install. After som searching I found the odld version and re-installed. Works fine now. Guess I'll skip a revision on Picasa and see if they fix some things. Not sure why it's crashing...and with free software I don't expect customer support of bug-fixes. Anyway...that's the big reason for not posting any photos over the past couple of days.

I've decided to raid the photo vaults and post some old Halloween photos over the next week or so...

It's time for some Halloween photos...This is just about the scariest clown you'll ever see. The kind of clown that will do unspeakable things that would make Pennywise blush.

Part 2 as promised...still have that glazed look and the transportation is even more fuel-efficient.

My buddy Garret placed my head on this stylin' ride after we talked about the merits of fuel-efficient transportation. I made the mistake of mentioning Vespas. Tomorrow you'll see an even better photo...and oddly I'll have exactly the same expression....

Serenity Now

Title of this post says it all. Skip it if you have not seen the movie Serenity. However...MunkeeGirl requested my thoughts...

I liked it. I hope you do as well. Please go see it. Fun, fresh, witty, action-packed, thoughtful...I plan to see it again. Did it re-invent sci-fi? No. Was it fun? Yes. Did it have a larger message? Yes, several actually.

I'd like to say it's accessible for the masses but I just don't see it crossing over (this comment is buttressed by the poor box office take this past weekend) unless some massive word of mouth takes place. And I sense most of that bit of marketing is tapped out.

The origin of the Reavers actually made some sense (though where they got the cool tech is left to your imagination). It played into this rather nice sci-fi concept; something that you don't actually see in supposed sci-fi movies. Sure Star Wars is fun...but there's actually very little sci-fi to it. In my mind sci-fi is about ideas and metaphors...things that get you thinking. Rockets and space don't equal sci-fi. So the movie's depictions of genetics tampering, purity, conspiracy, and governmental control (influence) over the media all resonate with today's world.

The ending worked itself out a little too convienently with a lot of little pieces falling right into place (thank goodness for old war wounds Kill Bill-like heroines). Still, the Operative was an interesting character. Seems to have been influenced in development by the precursor in the form of Jubal Early. I'm also happy that the character is written (and played) seriously...never falling into a caricature of evil like so many Bond villans.

All the cast did well. Of course I would have lobbied for more Kaylee...but she had a few shining moments. I think Zoe was the character (aside from Book) that was slighted the most. Jane was clearly written to overshadow Zoe. It's a shame really...Jane is fun...but I'd take Zoe over him if I were picking teams.

Would it have been too difficult to bring Badger or Niska into the mix? Or would that have been too confusing? And I do realize that Badger is based on a different planet. Nice to see that the Alliance also has a healthy fear of the Reavers...but where were the cool (and rather huge) command carriers?

Slashdot posted a link to a review of Serenity by Orson Scott Card of Ender's Game fame. He rated it very high for what it's worth. Now...full disclosure...I have not read any OSC...but I trust my friends that like him...though after reading this review (and he has some very good points) I think he's something of a nut. Am I wrong and making a snap judgement?

Anyway...