W_L

Someone give grandpa ash his med, he's giving 80's fashion advice... the horror I miss a lot of things including classic quarter arcades, they kept escalating in price as i got older until everything cost $1.00! What kid can afford to spend their youth in one of those places anymore if they still exist? Most of them are gone now

My nanopet is still alive and will eat your furbies for lunch I miss all those thing.

As I said I am a huge fan and I just finished the latest Typhon Pact Mini-series novel, Brinksmanship : Spoiler Alert! To begin this series review, I must first tell you a bit on what happened after the Dominion War. Gene Roddenberry's United Federation of Planets is no longer as naive or idealistic as it once was. The Universe after the war has become a very hostile and unstable place. With the Borg invasion about a year ago, the entire balance of power has unraveled throughout the galaxy. The series is politics and action heavy, like a sci-fi version of Tom Clancey's novels. Intrigue, massive warships, strategic bases, and spy games abound everywhere. You don't need Section 31, even Starfleet Intelligence is acting like them now, it's gotten that bad. The smaller races and non-aligned powers are becoming proxies for this cold war between the big powers. Here's some key points from the novels: First, the biggest and saddest spoiler, Andoria has seceeded from the United Federation of Planets and reformed into the Andorian Empire aka back to the era of 22nd century Enterprise politics due political instability and social unrest over their social systems and structures. This storyline makes me and I think other readers think about the political divisions we see forming within our own nations and reflect the issues soundly on whether common good or freedom should hold paramount within any society. Second, the title issue of the miniseries, the "Typhon Pact" has been formed. They are a coalition of anti-Federation/Klingon species that are sowing discord within the Federation and other allied worlds. Basically, they are what Star Trek could reflectively describe as the old Communist bloc, right down to the issue of a divided Romulan Empire (Yes, part of their state has also seceded and formed a new government). Third, the Federation is losing its spirit for exploration, instead they are turning far more towards internal security and military build up. Part of this can be a commentary on the US after World War II and during the Cold War or even after 9/11, despite idealism and beliefs in freedom, the US could not escape the bitter realities of the world. One of my favorite areas of Star Trek is the social commentary, there was no way to create an ideal universe anymore after those shocks of the Dominion War and Borg Invasion. This part of Star Trek history is far darker than Gene Roddenberry would have ever allowed if he were alive today, but it is a truthful reflection on our world. The Federation fears subversion, fears conquest, and fears the unknown, sadly. Despite what some trekkies will say about the turn in events, I think it is tragically the right note to move in. No nation after major wars and an ongoing cold war could ever be innocent as they once were. However, this mini-series shows us why fans love this universe, the characters despite their flaws and despite the knowledge of the evils inherent in nature, strive to be better. Exploration may be held back, but the human heart cannot be held back. Some trivia and notes: Jean Luc Picard has married Beverely and now have a son named Rene, after his dead nephew from Star Trek Generations Worf is now Commander and XO of the USS Enterprise serving under Captain Picard, who has refused an admiral promotion (Kirk's words are still active today) Riker is now Captain of the USS Titan Benjamin Sisko is back, but he's very depressed, because the Prophets have basically told him that his job is done and shut the wormhole off. He has not purpose anymore and only his command keeps him tied down. Kira is now a Bajoran priest, she's no longer in the military anymore and chose to return to Bajor seeking peace Garak is the Cardassian Ambassador to the United Federation of Planets, much to the chargin of UFP president Nanietta Bacco, who thinks he's a "cold hearted" asshole. (Yes, Garak really is bisexual,) Ezri Dax is now a captain and broke up with Bashir, she also has her own series, weird to think as she is not my favorite character

Don't worry, Seven is dating an emotionally scarred alien psychologist, who probably would be the Star Trek equivalent of Monk. As for Chakotay and Janeway, you really need to read the Destiny Storyline on the Borg Invasion with the emotional underpinnings between them. PS: if you think that shipping is scary, Jean Luc Picard has married Beverely Crusher and they have a son named Rene

Outside of politics and other interest, one thing that might surprise people partially is that I am an avid follower of Star Trek novels, especially the re-launch titles for Deep Space Nine, Generation, and Voyager. They are considered Canon based on Star Trek timeline after the Dominion War and Voyager's return from the Deltar Quadrant. Yes, I freely admit to be a gay trekkie. While I do know there are Star Trek fans here on GA, I do not know if there are as many novel fans. Sorry if I bore the normal readers with my Trek review, but it felt right that I should review an interesting novel SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!! Anyway, here's my review of The Eternal Tide, Star Trek Voyager Relaunch novel. Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars: An interesting and evocative novel that on some level makes fun of Star Trek Voyager's contrivances, but it also shows something Star Trek has for the last 50 years been giving us, a commentary on the human condition. For those following the novels, you know the Borg are gone. Yes, completely, utterly, and never to be seen again, gone. However, to achieve this lasting victory of the Borg, 63 Billion people and thousands of worlds were destroyed in the process (Read the books, it's really sad and the Borg had grown to epic proportions). Among those lost was Admiral Kathyrn Janeway. She was assimilated by the Borg and became their new Queen, but she eventually made the ultimate sacrifice. Well, Janeway is coming back with the help from Q Junior, and....Kes. However, this is not just a deus ex machina plot to bring back a character from the dead, i.e Search for Spock. No there's a lot of metaphysics in this story about eternity, creation, and destruction. It also asks some interesting questions about the universe and our place in the greater design of events. First, if someone's death matters such as Janeway's sacrifice to eliminate the Borg, does it make sense to bring her back from the death? I love the Author, questioning herself within her own plot here. Truly masterful stroke of genius in writing, because as a reader, I also hold doubt that you should bring back the dead, especially a heroic sacrifice. She's not only convincing me, but herself that one person's life is worth bringing back against the fate of billion others. Second, Do immortal beings like Q Continuum deserve to be immortal for eternity or should they accept their own "death"? I am not sure if Gene Roddenberry ever fully formed out his idea of higher beings, but the futility of immortality is really interesting. An immortal by its name cannot die, but nothing can live forever as energy must reach a certain entropy and cease. Third, Can destruction sow the seeds for renewal and creation? A major point in this story is borrowed from Hindu mythology about the destruction and recreation of the Universe. The Q Continuum are the ultimate creators of the universe, life forms with the gift of infinite creativity through manipulating energy/matter. However, their opposite is the powerful Omega Continuum, which is the ultimate end based on energy constant. However, at the end of the Novel, the two join as one to create a balance of nature between growth and death. Intellectually, this is fundamental metaphysics. I think the Author did a great job, writing about sacrifice, hope, creation, and destruction. She has also left Janeway, though alive, with a dangerous new foe in Q, John De Lancie's Q, because for all his power, Q has been touched by humanity as well and holds strong notes of vengeance for the loss of his son. It will be interesting to see how Q will look in the future novels. As for everyone else, Voyager is back in the Delta Quadrant with a fleet of warships from the Federation, they are not merely seeking out New Worlds, but expanding into the Quadrant with Slipstream technology. There are new alien powers taking advantage of the Borg power vacuum to become territorial and dominant, along with some poignant issues from the past. Captain Chakotay (Yes, he was promoted to Captain of Voyager before Janeway died) has finally realized that his one true love was and always will be, Janeway. The shippers for Chakotay/Janeway can rest at peace, 7 of 9 is not the blond homewrecker Some notable trek trivia and RIPs: Amanda Rogers from Star Trek Next Generation, who was a Q born of two humans, formerly Q, seemingly died in this novel due to Omega Continuum. Captain Eden, also seemingly died after it was revealed she's a higher being Q Junior, the son of Q and female Q from Star Trek Voyager is also dead Plus about 800 men and women aboard 4 federation star ships. Some other notes and Timeline: This is set right before the Venttan Crisis of Star Trek Typhon Pact: Brinksmanship, another novel that I finished, it felt like a Science fiction retelling of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Star Trek Universe at this point and time is engaged in a bitter Cold War with the Federation, Ferengi, Cardassian, and Klingon allied under the Khitomer Accords versus the Typhon Pact allies of the Romulans, Breen, Tzenkethi, and Holy Order. Here's a short version, after the Dominion War and Borg War, many powers were severely weakened and sought allies and formed new power blocs to counter the growing influence of the Federation, who defeated the Borg. This is what happened in World War II as the US grew in influence, the Soviet Union aka Romulans in Star Trek grew to counter. Even in an advanced society such as Star Trek, power and influence do not get thrown out due to advanced technology. It merely grows with it. I love these novels and know their history, politics, and cultures very well, so if anyone wants to chat or speculate on the future of the Star Trek Universe please feel free. __________________________ Okay, I've geek this blog enough, but I warned you guys I can be extremely geeky. .

I was watching the same thing. You and I must have the same affiliate. I also watched their Nova special after on animal empathy. It is so fascinating that animals can form strong relationships even when reproduction is 0%. I am not stumping for bestiality, but it shows that relationship are far more complex than being a dump for genetic material or sexual interaction. As I said, I am a proud supporter of pbs It also helps that i live half a mile from Boston headquarters.

Well outside of politics, I also have an interest in zoology and animals I know for a fact dogs and cats can be friends. However, I didn't realize that they could be so close, even to the point where it's kind of like a couple. I find all this stuff extremely fascinating. It also highlights an additional point that sexuality and relationship are not dead set in animals or human beings.

Seriously, I feel like I just got the golden ticket. It's not the best job in the world, but it is at least paying me a fair salary based on my ability, education, and licensing. I''ll get a signing bonus, a staff of three people, and an annual increase based on corporate operations. However, it's better than working for next to nothing, getting promoted and taking on responsibilities that belong to others, and never getting any respect. My position will be just a senior level accountant, but I don't care. It's better than being a controller with no control over your own money. I have had to deal with a lot of crap over the last few months as my blog could show by the incessant messes that senior management has gotten this company into. They are going to kill this business by being frivolous and insane with money management. Part of me feels bad for those people I am leaving behind to deal with their messes, but I am also relieved to get out with my shirt. Am I a sell out for going corporate? Probably yes, but non-profit is a dying concept with antiquated people, who are far too liberal and too ignorant of financial measures to survive. Health care cannot be a zero-sum game.

Happy Birthday Lacey, Hope You find joy on this day!

Kc is right a description creates a visual. Details would help, i.e. If its a road trip by a middle age guy trying to find himself after coming out to his family, a shirtless guy's back with his car staring at the horizon of a rising sun would be cool. Or, a writer trapped in struggle with his fictional world, you could be more conceptual with brilliant colors and effects that reflect imagination. I am not an artist and I am blind in one eye so take this with a grain of salt.

The crews have fixed internet and power in my neighborhood and i see the sun. I think Boston is thru with sandy. She was a big bitchy storm, but like bitchy relatives, she's gone. My best wishes for New York and you other guys south of us.

I just got back power, but main cable/internet is still out in my part of Boston.

Thanks, I was preparing with my disaster prep thread after the earthquake scare. To add to Jame's words, if you are on the colder end of Hurricane Sandy expect some very heavy snow (Yes, you heard it, parts of PA, North eastern TN, and West Virginia will get hammered by 1-2 feet.) Snow is not the same as a hurricane, if you do not have good insulation, it will be very bad and I hope you folks over there had early winter prep. Same rules apply, plus some extra ones. If your vehicles are not winterized, don't attempt to move about, you might get into or cause accidents without the ability to get help. This is a Frankenstorm, Boston and New York are facing the warm side with hurricane winds and rain, the other side will face tremendous snow and winds. Stay safe and hope everyone makes it out.

Let's see, where I've been: China (was born there) Hong Kong (lived there briefly) United States, primarily Massachusetts for 20 years, (I've been to New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, New York up to Buffalo and Syracuse, New York City , Michigan, Illinois, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida, Nevada, and California) Canada Mexico, on the border between Cali Germany Belgium Netherlands Luxemburg France, German region of Strasborg/Alsace Places I want to go to: Texas, so I can say I've been and hit Banger with a cowboy hat Paris, on my honeymoon Prague, for the music and culture Vienna, for the food and drinks Madrid, for the bulls and the horned male cows London, so I can knell down at the altar of JK Rowling and get into arguments with half the country and finally Dublin, so I can forget all the stuff in a haze of Guinness and vomit

Tell them to go through radiation treatment, then you will get your wish cyhort .

I like warehouse 13, but its no Eureka As for night gallery and outer limits, I love both shows. My favorite of the scifi horror anthologies though is the new outer limits "The Appeal" is my favorite episode bringing the entire metaverse into focus. Science makes mistakes, but it is our greatest hope for future that allows us to go from inner most fantasy to the outer limits of our imagination. Rod sterling deserve credit for being the father of the genre with twilight zone, but is dated for me.

Looks like Boston will survive, it's going to strike New Jersey. Spent the last few days preparing, I'm prepared now, I got medicine, food stores, water, and several different types of flashlights. All I am missing is a weapon and then I can turn into a survivalist like James Oh well, I'll have to wait for the next plague to strike. PS: I am betting someone will call this God's punishment against homosexuals again (wink wink), but I think God like everyone else is just getting tired of "Jersey Shore" and wants to make sure MTV does not even dare to make a sequel (Snooki does not need more press) . Please note, not a religious issue or comment, just an observation that nature is offended by MTV

Well, we survived an earthquake before, now we need to survive Franken Storm, so all we have left is Famine, pestilence, blood in rivers, and maybe the death of all the first born Cel, can I double up with you? I promise to not use too much of the comforter and I can do your taxes

Well "the day after tomorrow", the northeast will get hit by a super storm. We are not only getting hit by a hurricane, but an arctic front is also coming down. How the hell can you prepare for both things happening at once? (Please note, I was making an allusion to the movie day after tomorrow as a joke.) This is messed up, but how does a person prepare against a potentially rapid change between weather from traditional late fall cold front weather and summer hurricane.

Awesome, all power to phas...lasers !

This show looks interesting: a rip off of "Falling Skies" and "Alien Nation" though They stole the hand held camera work from Falling Skies and the idea of Alien immigrants from "Alien Nation". It's a cute bastard child though, so I will give it a chance for the 1st season. This show is new for Sy-Fy, so I hope they don't fuck it up. I love Battlestar Galactica and knowing their writers are here is interesting. PS: "No one has ever done anything like this on TV series before" is bullshit quote. I hope he does some fact checking, because they are retreading the area that "Alien Nation" already passed. (PS: the reason why I know that 90's series is due to re-runs on sci-fi and it was one of the 1st sci-fi shows to be open about sexuality and gender roles with a lot of gay/bisexual aliens and their females as leaders in their society.)

Too expensive to produce even a half decent TV show. I didn't realize that Jericho or Falling Skies was that expensive to produce (I should have known about Falling Skies, since Steven Speilberg was Exec Prod, but still). I miss when Sci-Fi had great original series. Does anyone remember their version of the Wizard of Oz? Brilliant The mini-series Taken was amazing and spellbinding tracking of alternative history (my childhood fascination with UFO paid off in that series as I knew almost every fact they added from Roswell to the LSD based government conspiracies ) The Three Stargate series were good The new Battlestar Galactica was hell a lot better than the old Mormons in Space crap (no offense to Mormons ). I loved the metaphysical storyline for Baltar, the human issues of the characters, and the cold calculating schemes of the machines, Cylons. James, seriously, I hope you reverse your opinion one day. I was never a Farscape fan and hated Andromeda on Sci-fi channel. I will not even start on the problems of Earth Final Conflict final season on Sci-Fi, my favorite Gene Roddenberry show and original Concept behind NBC's classic "V". I've been with Sci-fi for almost a decade, I grew up on them, but the crap now on is worse than the late night re-airing of Ed Wood's Plan 9 from Outer Space, known as the "worst thing ever made into film" and I'd probably rated lower than crap. If Sci-Fi could give a new space based science fiction story, I'd pay for premium. If they can't come up with one, call JMS, creator of Babylon 5, or Manny Coto, creator of Odyssey, as we could use more exploration into those sci-fi series. If they want to work on budget series, then call up Ron Moore again to finish Caprica or hell hire JJ Abrams, who can do a cheap version of Lost/Alias. If all else fails, come to me and I'll pitch them a dozen sci-fi stories that I never even published on GA like "The End of Species" about an international space station, which inexplicably gets thrown back 64 million years to discover that earth was devoid of higher mammalian life and was facing complete ecological destruction due to the dinosaur extinction event. They will find that not all the Dinosaurs died out, but a few had develop advanced technology of their own comparable to our 20th century atomic era, but they pulled the trigger. From these beginnings, mankind will be the predestination paradox of all predestination paradoxes as the last Dinosaur species die out and they inadvertently genetically altered a mammal species, which begins to change eventually becoming Homo Sapians. These humans will eventually instill fundamental ideas into human instinct to protect mankind from dying out like the Dinosaurs, Higher level reasoning concepts like hope, love, and mercy would be used. There will be a fun twist at the end as the scientists' descendants create one final safeguard and overseer of development for their forebears' changes aka evolution into humans, a techno-biological entity known as God. (Metaphysically, it makes such a huge twist, humans from the future made God, who helps make humans in the Present, so who created who? Too bad it's not a gay story theme and I wrote it in high school, so it is pretty crappy, but better than most of Sci-Fi's offering.) Wouldn't that be better than Ghost Hunters?

To borrow a quote from an old US civil war movie: "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!"

Didn't know Asam was into that What are you interested in joann? There are a lot of genre specific content on the web.

Does anyone know if there's still a chance to get AC 3 (Assassin's Creed 3) at the beginning of November or before Christmas/Winter solstice December 21st End of the world ? I've noticed this several times for games that I buy and how they seem to get stuck on back order, because certain companies did not put enough inventory in, but still allowed people to pre-order online. Anyone else got the same problem? Any solutions?