Sunday, December 30, 2012

A new Star Trek TV series in the Works: Star Trek: Captain Worf


Worf, son of Mogh; is now a Captain in Starfleet and he will be getting his own starship and a TV series to chronicle his adventures - or so it seems.

Quoting Michael Dorn:  “I had come up with the idea because I love [Worf] and I think he’s a character that hasn’t been fully developed and hasn’t been fully realized. Once I started thinking about it, it became obvious to me that I wanted to at least put it out there, which I have, and the response has been pretty amazing. We’ve been contacted by different individuals–I can’t say who and all that–about wanting to come on board and be part of this. ” end quote.

At the end of Star Trek:  Deep Space Nine, Worf became a ambassador to the Klingon homeworld of Qo'noS.

STCW (Star Trek:  Captain Worf) still has not gain approval yet.  But here's hoping that it does!

___
Ref.
1. Screenrant.com. "Michael Dorn Confirms He’s Working on a ‘Star Trek: Captain Worf’ TV Series" by Sandy Schaefer. ( http://screenrant.com/star-trek-captain-worf-tv-show-michael-dorn/?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_30196 ).
2. image captured off the internet.

Theo Spark: Just How Awful will 2013 Be?

Theo Spark: Just How Awful will 2013 Be?: By Alan Caruba Pundits and experts of every description love to predict and pontificate. That they are often famously wrong doesn’t g...

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

RR: Advanced 3-D Printing Technology on the Verge of M...

RR: Advanced 3-D Printing Technology on the Verge of M...: HaveBlue 3D-printed AR-15 S eems  the progs are  at it again , not actually accomplishing anything you could call 'progress' re. gun v...

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas 2012 From Within The Bunker


For those of us who live on the South Plains of West Texas, we awoke to a winter storm with a dusting of snow and wind chills down in the single digits.  The view out of my window presents a gloomy day.  I know when it comes time to venture forth from the bunker, I will have a very hard time getting the old pickup started.

This morning I decided to make a post of what I got for this Christmas and in the process write about what I am thankful for.

The greatest gift this year was keeping my land when I was facing foreclosure.  I once again have a job although it is a part time one.  In 2013, I hope that it can grow into a new full time job or another job entirely if it pays more.

I am also thankful for my friends this year.  I am not married, and I have no children to call my own.  I do have a little 3 year-old lady and her younger brother who have adopted me and I so do look forward to seeing their bright smiling faces every chance I  have. I have taken to calling them my "pretend grandchildren."

My extended family/friends last night have the tradition of opening their gifts on Christmas Eve.  They are large family with lots of young kids (including my pretend grandchildren) to scream and rip open gifts and shred the wrapping all over the place.  And everyone had a great time.  I was able to gave gifts to the kids this year and all of them appeared to like them.  

I myself was surprised by two gifts that I received in turn.  The adults did a not so Secret-Santa with one another this year.  The first gift was totally unexpected.  As a 53-year old man, I never had a BB rifle ever in my life.  But now, I have a Daisy 1938 Red Ryder spring air BB rifle to claim as my own.

This year, its BB rifles or pistols for all of us to play with.  Last year, it was the RC tanks and the year before that, RC helicopters.  Although I must add here, some of the kids got a newer generation of RC helicopters. I think we adults will be getting some for ourselves in the new year when we can afford to spend money again.

The other gift was most thoughtful.  Since I am a big Star Trek fan, they found me a tan T-shirt that had a cut-away view of the original U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701.  Image comes off of the Haynes manual and is what is shown on the front of my new T-shirt.

On a more mundane level were the gifts that I gave to myself.  A new CD player and two James Bond movie soundtracks to go with it.  The latest movie called "Skyfall" and the other was a chance discovery: "The Man With The Golden Gun."  

And for the kid in me, I purchased a 1/18th scale toy helicopter from the World Peacekeeper action figure line, also known as PTE (Power Team Elite).  It is modeled after the Chinese Zhi-9 (Z-9) army utility helicopter, which is a license-built version of the Aérospatiale AS-365N Dauphin II.  Aérospatiale is now know as Eurocopter.  The version released in the US doesn't have the PRC decal sheet, and it is also missing the missile launch tubes which is a bummer for me.  This will go along with the same scale UH-60 Blackhawk and UH-1 Huey gunship helicopters that I have in my collection.  The Huey comes from a different toy company, but is of the same scale.

___
Ref.
1.  Image off of the internet after generic search for a Daisy 1938 Red Ryder spring air BB rifle
2.  U.S.S. Enterprise cutaway view image ( http://scifanatic.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/images/merchandise/haynes-1701.jpg ).

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Across the Joeverse: USS FLAGG 2.0


Across the Joeverse: USS FLAGG 2.0: The GI JOE USS FLAGG is the largest playset known to all toys.  Its simplicity and excessive 1980s style all in one fell swoop.

I have found myself thinking about G.I. Joe action figures and play sets this Christmas season.  I used to have the original USS Flagg carrier back in the 1980s.  I ended up giving it away to a friend's young son since I was moving and had no place to store such a huge set.

I still focus mainly on the 1/6th scale stuff, but a friend has started to do some test filming using Power Team Elite action figures and vehicles.  I let him used my UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for one of his filming tests and I liked the result.  I even have purchased from Big Lots this date, the Chinese Zhi-9 (Z-9) army utility helicopter (it is a license-built version of the Aérospatiale (now Eurocopter) AS 365N Dauphin II.

While sitting at the local MacDonalds to use their free Wi-Fi, I decided to do some websearches on various items including on the above mentioned USS Flagg.  On the Joeverse blog, I found his August 13, 2011 entry and linked that posting to here.

The next step (for me that is), is to carry this sickness to the next level and make it a FULLY functional (boat) model that can be radio control or let someone ride on their back under a quick release flight deck - under manual control.

And just for the record, a model of the USS Nimitiz would be about 65 feet in length.

___
Ref.
1.  Across the Joeverse blog.  August 13, 2011. ( http://acrossthejoeverse.blogspot.com/2011/08/uss-flagg-20.html ).  image from that site.
2.  image of Power Team Elite toys such as the Zhi-9/AS 365N Dauphin II (hobbyshop.webs.com).

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

RR: A Dark Tale from Gun-Controlled Canada for 'Progre...


RR: A Dark Tale from Gun-Controlled Canada for 'Progre...: Of course in the wake of the Newtown school-shooting massacre, we need to be ' more like Canada ', and obviously the Framers never envisio...


(Note:  image copied from Reaganite Republican Resistance blog).

Saturday, December 15, 2012

US NAVY JEEP: Raiders of the Lost Ark Diary surfaces

US NAVY JEEP: Raiders of the Lost Ark Diary surfaces: I guess they need to find out where Indiana Jones has been as the diary looks like Indy has been up to his old tricks.

Theo Spark: Meanwhile, at an elementary school in Israel.........

Theo Spark: Meanwhile, at an elementary school in Israel.........: While the demagogues seize upon another convenient 'excuse' to pursue their agenda, it's worth considering that the Israeli's handle things ...

space1970: The Interplanetary U.F.O. Mystery Ship


space1970: The Interplanetary U.F.O. Mystery Ship:

I think I still have this glow in the dark model in storage somewhere.  Now I just have to find it again.  I have seen the newer releases on the shelves of Hastings this fall.

Death Star petition on White House website succeeds - Washington Times

Death Star petition on White House website succeeds - Washington Times

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Doug Ross @ Journal: President Obama Commemorates Pearl Harbor Annivers...



Doug Ross @ Journal: President Obama Commemorates Pearl Harbor Annivers...: Well, this is certainly out of character . On the 71st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Obama commemorated the somber ...


Images taken from the article link posted above.  I just like the bottom image showing the sunken Arizona and the memorial above it.  Top picture shows our (re)elected President Barrack H. Obama.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Susan Katz Keating: Just Another Day in the War Zone, Packing G.I. Joe...

Susan Katz Keating: Just Another Day in the War Zone, Packing G.I. Joe...: I have no idea what this li'l soldier is saying, but he appears to be using sign language. Any ideas what's on his hands - um, mind? A flash...

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Reaganite Republican: STARVE THE BEAST: How to GO GALT and Avoid Paying ...

Reaganite Republican: STARVE THE BEAST: How to GO GALT and Avoid Paying ...: If the  Obammunists are  planning on building their paradise  with  my wallet,  they're in for some disappointment... go galt

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Reviews from R'lyeh: Star Wars IV

Reviews from R'lyeh: Star Wars IV: When it comes to licenses, the roleplaying hobby has a holy trinity – The Lord of the Rings , Star Trek , and Star Wars . In almost forty...

Monday, September 10, 2012

Titan Books - The Return of Matt Helm


Titan Books - The Return of Matt Helm


On a whem, I decided to drop by one of my favorite websites:  The Matt Helm Dossier.  Low and behold, there was a update notice right under the title.  Dated June 24, 2012.  "Titan Books announced today that beginning in 2013, they will reissue the original Matt Helm® spy thrillers written by Donald Hamilton."  And then I clicked on the link (Like you can too!).

I'm doing my Happy Dance with this news!

It's about time that Donald Hamilton is reconized by a new generation.

Quoting from the article: “These novels were among the best spy thrillers ever published,” said Nick Landau, Publisher of Titan Books and CEO of the Titan Publishing Group.  “We’re thrilled to partner with the estate of Donald Hamilton, enabling us to bring them back into print and show readers what they’ve been missing all these years.”

I'm old enough to think that Dean Martin is the one and only Matt Helm even though he played the character as a joke.  Then again, the scripts were written that way.  The only thing the script writers bother to barrow from the novels were the titles of the books and apply the characters in a more laughable way.

___
Ref.
1. The Matt Helm Dossier. (http://www.matthelmbooks.com/intro.html).image of Matt Helm from website.
2. Titanbooks.com. (http://titanbooks.com/blog/return-matt-helm/).

Monday, August 27, 2012

No-Cussing on the Battlefield Anymore?

Ok, as a reader of Susan's blog, there are some posts that just 'slap' me in the face with the outrageous question coming to my mind:  what ELSE is President Obama and his goons going to do to our military?!

Thank god I am a fan of the TV series "Battlestar Galactica."  (Both versions I should say).  They use a "F" word that the FCC does not censor, but means exactly like what that primary four-letter "F" word suppose to mean.  So, as to the 'suggestion' that our troops avoid cussing while out on the battlefield - I say "FRACK That!"

Click on the link below to read the article.

Susan Katz Keating: Combat is Now a No-Cuss Zone?:

Saturday, August 18, 2012

CRUCIFIXION Is Back in Style

Reaganite Republican: The Fruits of Leading-From-Behind: CRUCIFIXION Bac...: The Koran ,   Sura 5:33 -  ' The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main f...

And the rest of the world is suppose to respect them and their religious views, but ours get us nailed to a cross?  I predict in the next two years there will indeed be camps to exterminate non-Muslims who do not bow down to Shariah law!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Bloviating Zeppelin: What has Mr Obama done?

Bloviating Zeppelin: What has Mr Obama done?  A good reference piece put together by BZ.  Read it and save it for election day this year.  For that EXTRA bit of motivation you need to get to the polling booth.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Battleship Texas Reopens!


I never have any luck with trying to visit this vessel.  Its always close whenever I went down to the Houston area.  In fact, I stopped trying decades ago to even visit it.  But, in the back of my mind, I still wanted to visit the battleship U.S.S. Texas.  In high school, I actually was able to tour the guided missile cruiser U.S.S. Texas that paid a port call to Galveston, Texas, in 1978.

Then in June of this year came reports of new leaks.

The battleship U.S.S. Texas now has a new patch on her hull to stop a leak that threaten the 100-year old vessel.  The ship was now reopened to visitors.

Ship manager Andy Smith said the following:  "Our emergency is controlled," he said in an email. "Now we have time to evaluate and develop an intermediate plan."  Long term solutions will have to be addressed soon.

The leak was found on June 9th and 1,000 gallons per minute pumped into the vessel from the leak.


___
Ref.
1.  Houston Chron.com. "" by Allan Turner.  June 22, 2012. ( http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Battleship-Texas-to-reopen-Saturday-after-repairs-3655303.php ). images from same article. Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle / © 2011 Houston Chronicle.
2. images of USS Texas ( http://www.mapseeing.com/2008/04/uss-texas-battleship/ )

Friday, May 25, 2012

USS Vella Gulf in China

China Defense Blog: USS Vella Gulf in China


On closer inspection, you will see a 'large' head sticking up from the bridge of the cruiser.  This is a very neat large scale model ship.

This picture comes from the original article over on China Defense Blog.  I just wished that there were more details to go along with the pictures that are located on that website.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

U.S. Presidents As Seen Through the Secret Service

Reaganite Republican: U.S. Presidents As Seen Through the (Well-Informed...: If those Ray-Bans could only talk...

And once you read this article, you will see the Presidents who had TRUE class and not behaving as little boys.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

JEEPS, AND More JEEPS



My friend Ricky is into collecting automobiles and over the past six weeks, he has been getting into Jeeps.  It started off with a 1975-76 CJ-7 before the Jeep line was taken over by Chrysler.  Plan is to have it painted up like a US Army jeep from the 1970s.

Then I happened to be over at his shop three weeks ago and spotted a ad in the Thrifty Nickle newspaper, and I pointed it out to Ricky.  Someone was wanting to sell their two Jeeps and I showed him the add.  Ricky called and found out that they were indeed Army surplus.  One was even in the Korean War.

An hour and a half later, Ricky, his wife Karen, and yours truely was on the road down to Post, Texas, to visit this treasure find.

The seller had had a stroke and decided to sell off his dream vehicles.  One Jeep was in a garage with its engine out on a table.  The other Jeep - referred to as the "Parts Jeep." was in his old shop on the other side of town from away from the first Jeep.

Needless to say, my friend purchased both Jeeps for the most amazing, incredible price of $500.00!  That was the price the old man purchased them for back in 1965 when he bought both Jeeps from the Lubbock Surplus shop that was operational back then.

This was on Thursday.  Friday, another trip down to Post - this time with a trailer, and the "Project Jeep" was loaded up.  Saturday, the final trip down to Post to get the "Parts Jeep."

Ricky's grandsons have laid claim to these jeeps and are now referred to by their "owners" names or nicknames.  Since both are under age 18, I will only give out their nicknames in this posting.  "Project Jeep" is now "Mr. Nick's" or "Nickko's" Jeep.  The engine for his Jeep has now been clean and new head gaskets put on, and needs a replacement starter.  The Jeep itself was taken to the sandblaster this past week and was picked up and returned to Ricky's place yesterday.  Ricky is planning on shooting a primer coat and maybe even some new/old stock Olive Drab Green paint he purchased off the internet last week.

The other Jeep is now known as "Z-Man's Jeep."  This was the so-called Parts Jeep.  But the engine was still in place and with about an hours' worth of work  the evening we brought this Jeep back up to Lubbock, it was running - but with a lot of smoke.  In the two weeks since this Jeep has been brought back to life, the smoke has almost disappeared.

The reader has to remember that both of these Jeeps have not run since 1965 when they were purchased from the surplus house.

"Z-man's Jeep" is an original Willys Jeep with that name stamped into the hood and windshield frame. Which by the way, Ricky had that windshield frame all repaired in a weeks time.  And using the seat frames from "Mr. Nick's" Jeep, he was able to create new passenger and driver seats for "Z-man's Jeep."

Ricky plans on restoring all three of these Jeeps.  Evening rides in the CJ-7 with ALL the grandkids. Both grandsons and Ricky's granddaughter have all begun to learn how to drive the CJ-7 Jeep in his backyard where there is the dirt racing track for Radio Control trucks, the battlefield for RC tanks, and the runway for our RC model airplanes.

The YouTube video link below "" shows a 1945 Jeep CJ verses a new year (2012) Jeep Wrangler.  That 1945 model shown is just "too perfect" for Ricky.  That vehicle looks like it never left the factory, seen combat, etc.  His retorations will not go that far.



The pictures with this posting were taken by me.  From top to bottom.  Top picture shows Ricky's CJ-7 and Z-Man's Jeep parked in front of Ricky's shop.  The next picture down shows "Mr. Nick's" Jeep at the sandblaster's.  Next picture down shows the now sandblasted Jeep on the trailer when it was brought back to Ricky's Auto Repair shop.  Next picture shows "Mr. Nick's" Jeep inside the west bay of Ricky's shop.  Final picture shows Ricky's craftsmanship of the replacement seats for Z-Man's Jeep.  The back plate for the driver's seat still needs to be welded into place.

Now if only I can have a (full scale) Jeep of my own to play with.  I have lots of 1/6th scale Jeeps in storage with my G.I. Joes.


UPDATE May 20, 2012:  Mr Nick's Jeep has now been painted and it looks GOOD!  I brought over some of my 1/6th scale Jeeps to photograph them with their full scale counterparts.  They were rolled out of the garage into the slightly overcast daylight today and I place my Jeeps on the hoods of the real ones.  Below left we see my 1/6th scale Jeep on the hood of the M38 that was painted overnight (aka Mr. Nick's Jeep).










UPDATE: July 8, 2012:  Today was the first chance that I got to drive the jeep we refer to as "Mr. Nick's Jeep."  And thanks to my friend Howard L, they now have a old military trailer to tow behind that jeep now.  Howard and I go back ten years or so when I got into the RC model airplane hobby and that is how we met.

Taking a pressure washer to it, the name "Ben Hur" came out in white letters on the tailgate.  Eventually, this trailer will be clean up and re-painted to match the jeep force that we somehow are building by accident.

As for the M38 itself, Ricky has constructed the canvas top bows and the fittings that go along with it.  Ricky was able to purchase from someone a new/old stock canvas top for the jeep and now we ride around in it protected from the West Texas sun. There have been donations of 5 gallon fuel tanks that will also be correctly painted at some future date.

And along with ALL of that, Ricky found some great deals for pup tents and his grand kids demonstrate here.









___
Ref.
1. YouTube Videos of Jeeps ( http://www.youtube.com/topic/0tJ3ZTFUBxI/jeep-cj ).
2. YouTube Videos of Jeeps "Jeep Evolution: 1945 Jeep CJ vs. 2012 Jeep Wrangler" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoCxunMgVfw&feature=topics ).

Thursday, May 10, 2012

The World Will Go On after The Mayan Calendar Ends It's Current Cycle


In Guatemala, there was a discovery of Mayan art painted on the walls of a dwelling that pre-dates the other Mayan calendars by centuries according to archaeologists.

Dr. William Saturno in 2005 discovered the oldest known Mayan murals in San Bartolo.  At the time, he was with the University of New Hampshire.  He is now with Boston University.  A follow up by one of his students in 2010 lead to the new discovery.

The most important of the findings made was of the astronomical tables.  Quote: Perhaps most intriguing among the finds were several finds related to astronomical tables, including four long numbers on the east wall that represent a cycle lasting up to 2.5 million days.


The east wall is mostly covered by tabulations of black symbols or "glyphs" that map out various astronomical cycles: that of Mars and Venus and the lunar eclipses. end quote.

The Mayan numbering system for dates is a very complex one Dr. Saturno points out.  Quote:  The Mayan numbering system for dates is a complex one in base-18 and base-20 numbers that, in modern-day terms, would "turn over" at the end of 2012. end quote.

The BIG, heartbreaking news of this article for those looking forward to doomsday is this:  The Maya predicted the world will go on for another 7,000 years.

Here's looking at you on December 22nd, 2012!


___
Ref.
1. BBC. "Mayan art and calendar at Xultun stun archaeologists" May 10, 2012. ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18018343 ). image by W. Saturno/D.Stuart published with online article.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Quarter Scale RC Spitfire Crosses The English Channel



Thanet Life: Cross Channel Visitor:


Working from a public wi-fi at my local Hastings bookshop, I had some problems loading up this interesting news article about model radio control airplanes I found.  It featured a 1/4 scale Flying Legends Spitfire.  Quoting a post found on RCU:  Mike Booth was the pilot. This has been done before, but Mike was the first person to actual control the model from start up, in Calais, to shut down at Manston, Kent. end quote.

Neil Hutch flew with Simon Moores in a Cessna 172 and Mike and Stweart Clifford flew the Spitfire from a Eurostar light general aviation aircraft.  That Eurostar pilot was Chris Trow.

Mr. Moores's blog has a YouTube link to the video of the cross channel flight.  What I loved about this is story is that this is something I would loved to have taken part in here in Texas.

When I joined Wings Miniature Aircraft Society back in 1997/1998, one of the stories that the old hands told me about was the RC cross country flying they used to do.  The pilot would sit in the back of a pickup truck and spotter/pit crew would ride in back with pilot.  Driver also has a spotter riding shotgun to help with the spotting duties.

In 15 years, I've never had the chance to do something like this!  I can only hope it can still be done as long as we stay away from active airports while doing the cross country flight.  Also, that the Department of Homeland Security doesn't say no also.


__
Ref.
1. birchington.blogspot.co.uk. "Cross Channel Visitor" by Simon Moores. May 4, 2012.  (http://birchington.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/cross-channel-visitor.html). images from this blog.
2. RCUniverse forum posting. "Model Spitfire Crosses English Channel" by Neil Hutch. May 7, 2012. (http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11071178/tm.htm).

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

New Obama slogan has long ties to Marxism, socialism

New Obama slogan has long ties to Marxism, socialism

No S**t Comrade!  Its also a Hitler Youth Marching tune as well!  Obama's campaign finally screwed up on something.  The more air and internet time this gets, the more likely they will have to change it.  Here's to them having a deaf ear and not changing it at all. And that Mitt Romney will win the election this November.

___
Ref.
1. The Gateway Pundit.com.  "Obama’s New Campaign Slogan “Forward!” Is a Hitler Youth Marching Tune (Video)" by Jim Hoft. April 30, 2012.(http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/04/obamas-new-campaign-slogan-forward-is-a-nazi-marching-tune-video/).

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Nissan's GI Joe Kicked Ken's Butt TV Ads


I'm starting to get the 1/6th scale itch again.  I still have my Charlie Chan project that I need to finish.  Only thing that I've done to him since my last post about that figure project was the fact that I finally got around to painting the 'Oddjob' bowler hat white today.  I still need to paint Charlie's eyes and get him some decent shoes to "finish" that project.

But, surfing the web using MacDonalds free wi-fi today, I came across Patches of Pride word press blog and their April 5, 2012 posting about the famous Nissan Ads that showed G.I. Joe getting it on with a Barbie clone and leaving ole Ken clone in the dust. The reference section below has the Patches of Pride link to this article.

This was Nissan's "Enjoy the Ride" promotion and the two ads where done in tradional stop motion animation style.  Quote:  New York Daily News, Advertising Age executive Scott Donaton was quoted as saying, “The Nissan ad is like a minimovie, and it’s probably better than most of the programs on TV.” end quote.

Those mini-movies were created by Rob Siltanen, of the TBWA Chiat/Day agency in Venice, California.  Quoting him:  “Nissan said, ‘Let’s do something different, let’s break the rules,’ To a creative person, that’s as close to nirvana as it gets.” end quote.

The first mini-movie featured the new 300ZX sportscar and that took 11 weeks to film.  And the song "You Really Got Me" from Van Halen was just right.  The G.I. Joe like figure coems to life in the boy's bedroom and he jumps down to get into the Nissan 300ZX and goes roaring off to visit the girl's bedroom.  The non-Barbie was wearing a tennis outfit and her boyfirend "Tad" is dismay to see his girlfriend dump him for Joe driving the sportscar.  Then the Nissan logo comes up.



The second mini-movie commercial featured Nissan's Pathfinder and had the KISS song, "Calling Dr. Love." I don't ever remember seeing this particular ad before.



In the Daily News article, the author writes that the production company used 8-inch plastic doll figures, not the 12" G.I. Joe figures. So, the ad maybe was made with 8" inch Mego figures or it could have been the 12" inch ones from Hasbro and Mattel.

Despite the appeal of the commercials, Mattel objected to Ken being treated the way he was and the Nissan "Enjoy the Ride" ad campaign was suspended.  And I also didn't realized until I wrote this post that my last Charlie Chan update was back in 2009!


___
Ref.
1. Patches of Pride (wordpress blog). "REMEMBERING NISSAN’S GIJOE VS KEN TV ADS (1996)" (http://patchesofpride.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/remembering-nissans-gijoe-vs-ken-tv-ads-1996/).
2. NY Daily News. "A Car Ad That Floors Viewers Nissan's New Doll-driven Commercial Is Superb Tv, And It's Been Getting As Much Attention As Any Show Out There" BY ROBERT DOMINGUEZ. October 29, 1996.  (http://articles.nydailynews.com/1996-10-29/entertainment/18019934_1_nissan-ad-nissan-logo-nissan-spot).
3. Flash Force 255 Bunker.  Charlie Chan update (http://flash255bunker.blogspot.com/2009/12/charlie-chan-update.html).

Monday, April 9, 2012

Three Science Fiction Books to Read




A recent archaeological discovery was made in my garage last week.  A box containing some books that I knew I still had (i.e. had not thrown away when my house was foreclosed and reprocessed).  Most of these books were of my books about aircraft and aviation history such as B-25 Walk Around, or P-51 Mustang Walk Around series.  Great pictures of the subject aircraft and color paintings of some aircraft in their squadron markings.

But packed away in this box where three of my favorite science fiction novels - based upon sci-fi role playing games (or RPGs for short). Two are official product tie-ins.  The third is a kinda, sorta thing.  Below is the listing of the three novels that I enjoyed reading over and over again.

1. The Sword and the Dagger by Ardath Mahhar.

2. Not in Our Stars by Jefferson P. Swycaffer.

3. Renegade's Honor by William H. Keith, Jr.

It should be noted that William H. Keith, Jr. penned the first Battletech novel (Decision at Thunder Rift), that turned into a trilogy; and also wrote Renegade's Honor for FASA Renegade Legion series. The  "middle" book on my list here is based somewhat on the Traveller game system.  Some of the concepts and terms used in Traveller are used in Swycaffer's writings.

But of these three re-discovered books on mine, I still love reading The Sword and the Dagger by Ardath Mahhar.  In fact, as I write this blog entry, it is this book that I have started re-reading again.  Of the three, I have to say I think it is my favorite.  First published in April 1987 (25 years ago now!), the tale that Ms Ardath Mahhar weaves is amazing.  The inner workings of the ruling houses of the Inner Sphere and politics on a galactic scale where handle very well.  In reading her online bio about this book, I came across a reference where William H. Keith, Jr., came in to help her on the small scale combat tactics writing.

 But this book stands alone (I think) of all the other Battletech novels that came after hers.  She 'nailed' the characters of Ardan Sortec and Hanse 'The Fox' Davion.

The basic plot for this novel is this - Ardan Sortek discovers a plot to replace Hanse Davion, who is the First Prince of the Federated Suns, with a double under the control of Maximilian Liao, Chancellor of the rival Capellan Confederation. It is this novel that sets in place the conditions that will lead to the Fourth Succession War that will start when Hanse Davion weds his betroth - Melissa Steiner.

I was so in love with this story that I re-read the book at least 13 times while learning how to write a movie script (by adapting her story).  Now if only I can re-discover the location of this script of mine, I would be happy again.  I wrote it out in long hand first and then transcribed to typewritten pages.  Finally, I re, re-transcribed it onto computer.  I know I have it, just trying to find it again after basically 20 years of storage is another matter.

Ardath Mahhar recently passed away (February 20, 1930 - February 1, 2012).

Next comes Not in Our Stars by Jefferson P. Swycaffer.  The plot for it is as follows: The story is set in what is known as the Concordat, an interstellar empire that is both aged and wide-spread. On one of its flanks lies a section of space called the Outreach, once loyal to the Concordat, but now taken over by raiders and in open rebellion as a result.  As an aside, this is the Traveller Game setting as The Third Imperium and the Spinward Marches.

Admiral Michael Devon is a hero of the Sonallan War, but for all the wrong reasons. He disobeyed orders and flaunts authority, but in the process; Devon manages to win victories after victories.

And this has gone to his head.  Out in the Outreach when Devon's new mission begins to get hints of a conspiracy within the Concordat itself, Devon launches a offensive against his superiors.

Like in Traveller, you have Jump Space.  Typically it takes a week in Jump Space to get to the next star system.  Communications is by courier (no Faster Than Light subspace comm system like in Star Trek).

The novel is not great fiction, but if you are running a Traveller game, then it is a wonderful source book.  Characters are a bit cardboard like.  In later novels in his Concordat universe, Swycaffer is better with his writing skills.  But in this novel, I enjoyed reading the combat and strategy that is the background for this novel.

Finally, we have William H. Keith, Jr's Renegade's Honor.  For pure space combat thrills and chills, this is a wonderful book to read.  While dealing with another game 'universe' instead of the Battletech game universe, one can see how improved Keith has become over his first FASA tie-in novel; Decision at Thunder Rift.  And this novel, like Ardath Mahhar's novel The Sword and the Dagger; should be converted to the big screen!  Since the re-imaged Battlestar Galactica has shown the way for future "space combat", I would love to see Renegade's Honor done in the same manner.



Monday, April 2, 2012

A Good April Fool's Article for Action Figures!


GI-JET/TAFs.  Get a load of this new acronym! I picked this up off of a post from a fellow Flash Force member (Thanks Tom).

One just has to use the link below in the Ref section to discover this joke.  But for those of you who will not read the entire article (too bad, its funny.  But that is your lost); below is what it means...  And the use of a OLD G.I. Joe Adventure Team yellow helicopter to illustrate the article is priceless.

GI-Joe Entry Team / Tactical Action Figures


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1. Policeone.com. "Newest SWAT UAVs to feature JETs" by Doug Wyllie. April 1, 2012. ( http://www.policeone.com/bizarre/articles/3499130-Newest-SWAT-UAVs-to-feature-JETs/ ).

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Reaganite Republican: Big Sis Monitoring Your Tweets/FB Posts When You U...

Reaganite Republican: Big Sis Monitoring Your Tweets/FB Posts When You U...: Hot words/terms on the Department of Homeland Security online social media watch-list can get you monitored...

Monday, February 27, 2012

Susan Katz Keating: Draft Allen West for President. Now.

Susan Katz Keating: Draft Allen West for President. Now.: Allen West, I want YOU for Commander in Chief This is what I want to hear. This is how you handle it. This is what you do. Rep. Allen...

Friday, February 24, 2012

Reaganite Republican: Gingrich Poised for ANOTHER Comeback?

Reaganite Republican: Gingrich Poised for ANOTHER Comeback?: Focus on issues has Newt returning to form in the role of Republican elder statesman...

Thursday, February 2, 2012

New Volkswagen Star Wars Theme Commercial Airs





There I was on this laptop computer with Jay Leno playing on the TV in the background.  Then they go to commercial break and all of a sudden - I start hearing dog barks.

Dogs barking in a particular way... A Star Wars theme song.

Then towards the end of the commercial, there is this greyhound dog who is wearing a AT-AT walker costume (i.e. Imperial Walker from "The Empire Strikes Back.")  Then you see a white screen and then the VW logo.

This is the latest entry of Volkswagen Star Wars theme Super Bowl Ad teasers.  Last year, VW scored big with the little kid that was dressed up as Darth Vader.

Want to host a Superbowl party and need a really SPECIAL invite? A invite to the (Dark)Bark side of the Force. Check out the special little ditty Volkswagen has produced for your enjoyment.

By the way, here is a breakdown of the dogs and what characters that they represent.  Back row, left to right: C3PO, Obiwan Kenobi, Stormtrooper. Middle row, left to right: R2D2, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Darth Vader.  Bottome Row, left to right: Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Wicket W. Warrick (Ewok).

Of course, if entire video is not visible on this blog, just click on it and view it on YouTube.

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Ref.
1. jalopnik.com. "Watch 12 Cute Dogs Bark The Star Wars Imperial March In VW’s Super Bowl Ad Teaser" by Matt Hardigree.  January 18, 2012. ( http://jalopnik.com/5877381/these-are-12-cute-dogs-barking-the-star-wars-imperial-march ).
2. web.vw.com. Ad intro video. ( http://web.vw.com/star-wars-invite/ ).

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Reaganite Republican: Biggest Small Navy in the World . . .

Reaganite Republican: Biggest Small Navy in the World . . .




Images taken from same article.  Amazing work and I must salute this guy!


Monday, January 16, 2012

Star Fleet Battles Artwork I Once Did




 

I was wanting to get some artwork published by ADB/SFB but they never purchased any of my ink artworks back in the early 1980s.  Back then, I was a college student who loved wargames and role-playing games.  Be it AD&D, Traveller, or Star Fleet Battles.

I recently uncovered some of these artworks and had a friend scan them for me and they have now been uploaded to my Deviant Art gallery.  See the links blow.  On that website, I go by the handle of "Darth-Deviant."

These efforts were first done in light pencil, then I went back over the lines with ink.

Then movies like Star Wars came out followed by on tv such programs like Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers.  It was a great time to be a fan of science fiction space opera.



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Ref.
1. Deviantart.com.  "Shuttlecraft Under Attack" by Darth-Deviant (aka shanksow, aka Don W. Shanks) 1983. ( http://darth-deviant.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4mm753 ).
2. Deviantart.com.  "Star Fleet Battles Alien Warships" by Darth-Deviant ( http://darth-deviant.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4mm7hb )
3. Deviantart.com.  "Star Fleet Battles Landing Party" by Darth-Deviant ( http://darth-deviant.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4mm6tw )

Monday, January 9, 2012

Reaganite Republican: Respectfully Urging TEA Party Republicans to Unite...

Reaganite Republican: Respectfully Urging TEA Party Republicans to Unite...: Ron Paul will never win the nomination... neither will Santorum . It's Newt Gingrich ... or say 'hello' to President Romney...

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Michele Bachmann Dropping Out?



Michele Bachmann cancels South Carolina trip. In addition, Texas Governor Rick Perry is also cancelling his South Carolina and returning to Texas to reassess his future.







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Ref.
1. ( http://www2.counton2.com/news/2012/jan/04/michell-bachmann-cancels-south-carolina-trip-ar-2980345/ ).
2. ( http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57351778-503544/rick-perry-reassessing-campaign/?tag=breakingnews ).