Category: Media

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Star Wars Post

At Toys R Us, I inadvertently got a free Star Wars Rebels poster with a qualifying purchase over $20.

Cashier: Would you like the free Star Wars poster?
Me: … yes, please.

***

At Gator Games, I was checking out the new Star Wars Destiny dice game, and while checking online what would be needed to start getting into the game, I realized that I didn’t need yet ANOTHER Star Wars game from Fantasy Flight Games that I would not be playing.

So instead of picking up a couple of starter packs, I picked up the Alliance Smuggler miniature playing piece for Imperial Assault.  I’m designating that figure as my character in-game, based on my Star Wars The Old Republic character, Jayke Skykiller.

***

At home I pulled out the Imperial Assault game, and simple rummaged through the figures while adding the Alliance Smuggler mini and cards to the game.  I may pick up Princess Leia and Lando Calrissian, just to have the Original Trilogy heroes in the game.

I then pulled out the X-Wing Miniatures Game, along with a couple of larger ship minis that i had picked up almost a year ago.  After trying to fit everything (ships, cards, tokens, etc.) into the two core boxes that I had picked up, I finally opened the third core set (The Force Awakens edition) that I picked up on clearance from Target and was able to fit everything over the three boxes.

***

After the AFC playoff game, I started up this week’s episode of Star Wars Rebels. Quite a surprise (or not?) to see yet another Ralph McQuarrie design make it onto the show, this time a ‘protocol’ droid that looked a lot like the early concept art for C-3PO.

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Rebels > Clone Wars

The Clone Wars takes place between movies II and III, with characters from both films, so for many of the episodes, you knew that Anakin/Obi-Wan/Padme/any named Jedi were NEVER in danger since they survive to be in that next movie (Revenge of the Sith).  The Trooper-centric episodes were the best ones, IMHO.

Rebels takes an all new cast of characters who interact with characters from the next movie, but we still don’t know the fate of these characters on the series, except for Hera and Chopper (as of Rogue One).  They could all be gone by the time of Episode IV.

Your thoughts?

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Repost: Podcasting

It’ll happen. Soon. Maybe. I had a taste of it Friday night.

My friend Michelle invited me to Digital Nerdage podcast’s Best of 2016 recap show. I had thought that I’d be a ‘call-in’ guest (long time listener, first time caller), answering a question or have a take on something, much like a sportstalk radio show, but as the show started, I was introduced as a new friend of the show by the host, Pat.

We covered a few topics that I could see myself talking about on my own podcast, when/if that ever gets off the ground. All told I think we were talking for a little over 90 minutes, which will probably edited down to 60 minutes or so.

My concern right now is whether or not I have the technical side of this nailed down. I have some research to do in that respect. Luckily Kindle Unlimited has a few freebies that I downloaded to read up on podcasting.

I’ll post a link as soon as the podcast gets posted.

In the meantime, I’ll be going about my usual blogging here, with the goal of posting every day in 2017.

#blog365

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Repost: Friday Randomness

This is the longest I’ve gone without a calendar hanging up in my office, or at home. That’s what I get for ordering them online, instead of picking them up from the calendar shop at the mall.

* * *

Still trying to figure out what to do with the microphones.

Yes, plural.

Podcasting is the leading choice, I just have to figure out what the content will be. It would probably be something monthly, as I don’t think I’d have time to do a weekly thing.

Or I can just use them to talk to people online.

* * *

At lunch I thought about how often and for whom I would post another of those “The 50s” entries like the one from yesterday. First of I want to say that you shouldn’t feel offended/insulted if I don’t have enough material to write something on your 50th. I may simply had forgotten, or hadn’t had time to come up with something interesting. That’s on me, not you.

* * *

Vlogging.

Never did keep up with that. I should, in case I never get the podcast thing off the ground.

* * *

Not sure why I’m so jazzed about wanting to play role-playing games again, as in pencil-and-paper, face-to-face, not online.

* * *

6 days into the new year, and no table top sports games played. I need to fix that. Soon. Tonight.

I also need to get off my butt and start up the lunchtime D&D campaign again. It’s ONLY been a YEAR since I was supposed to come up with something. Ah well.

* * *

And then there’s my camera and photography. I bought a new lens to experiment with static close up shots of stuff, and I haven’t really done anything in regards to that.

Gotta change that.

* * *

For the first time in years, neither football team that I follow are in the playoffs.

My weekends are free and clear. Though I’ll probably end up watching the Super Bowl.

* * *

Pizza and cupcakes. Those are my only requirements so far for my birthday.

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Repost: Quick Comic Review: Justice League vs. Suicide Squad

I didn’t expect to like this series as much as I do.

I’ve been a fan of both teams, I just haven’t followed Suicide Squad since the ’80s, to be honest. I haven’t even seen the latest movie.

So far (through JL #12 on the checklist) it’s been a pretty good story, with an unexpected villain. I won’t spoil it for those who want to read the trade paperback when it comes out.

3 out of 4 stars, so far. Go check it out!

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So long, Princess…

There’s not a lot I can add to all the online tributes and stories about Carrie Fisher.  She was Hollywood royalty, as an actress, and became so much more since becoming that space princess in 1977.

Author.  Writer. (there’s a difference, really) Mental health spokesperson.  Script doctor.

She was very open about her addictions, and of her bipolar disorder.  She share that part of her life with us, as much as she shared everything else.  Warts and all, so to speak.

As much as I loved her portrayal of Princess Leia, my favorite roles of hers other than rebel leader were as the jilted bride in The Blues Brothers, and as Meg Ryan’s friend Marie in When Harry Met Sally.

And the therapist in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.

And the nun in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

I was glad that Nels and I got to see her at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in 2015.  Hers was the most entertaining panel of all the ones we attended.

She was going to be a guest at Silicon Valley Comic Con in 2017, and I was thinking of getting a photo op with her, like the Christopher Lloyd photo op that I did last April.

I only got to say that it was an honor to meet him, to which he replied, ‘Likewise!’

I had hoped to thank her for all that she had done, and she’d reply with some clever, witty quote from her that I could share.

Alas.

Rest in Peace, Carrie Fisher.  Thanks for all you’ve done.

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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

I loved it.

It was all that I was expecting from a non-Saga Star Wars movie.  Hell, this is the kind of Star Wars movie that I would have made, if I were as talented as Gareth Edwards or J.J. Abrams.

It hit all the right buttons with me, from the characters to the effects, to even the cameos, which surprised me in a couple of spots.

There were some scenes in the trailer that were obviously cut from the film, possibly for dialogue, or some other reason.

Also, I was so focused on the second paragraph of the original Star 
Wars‘ opening crawl, that it never dawned on me that the first paragraph would happen as well.  Go read it and you’ll see what I mean.

I do recommend the book Catalyst by James Luceno, if only to give some background to stuff that maybe should have been mentioned in some sort of opening crawl (spoiler: there is none for Rogue One).  Do you know what a Kyber crystal is in the Star Wars universe?

My favorite of the films is still the original.

But if I were to rank them?

  1. The Empire Strikes Back
  2. A New Hope
  3. Rogue One
  4. The Force Awakens
  5. Return of the Jedi
  6. Revenge of the Sith
  7. The Phantom Menace
  8. Attack of the Clones

Two big thumbs up from me.  Go see it!