We have an independent video shop (i.e., not Blockbuster or Hollywood Video) down the street from my house. They have a marquee board out front that you can see from the street. On one side they advertise monthly specials and that sort of thing. On the other side, they offer free rentals based on your name: "Free rental if your name is Tony" and that sort of thing.
Well, they've had a couple of good ones recently. About a month ago, they had this one:
"Free rental if your name is Luke or Leah".
Then, a couple of weeks ago it read:
"Free rental if your name is Bruce or Wayne".
I thought this was pretty funny, and I hope they continue the trend. I hope to see one like this soon:
"Free rental if your name is Reed or Richard".
Or maybe:
"Free rental if your name is Ben, Sue, or Johnny".
Local businesses are fantastic!
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Comic Update
Like Curtis, I’ve become increasingly dismayed with the quality of what passes as recent comic book fare. Of the comics I read regularly, there are few that evoke much in the way of excitement. Here’s my current reading list and a few thoughts.
Marvel Comics
I’m not sure what’s going on at Marvel, but most of the titles I read are pure drivel.
Avengers. Curtis summed this up nicely. The new Avengers have very little appeal. Bring back the old guard. Leave Wolverine in the X-titles, please.
Iron Man. Since the relaunch almost a year ago, only three issues have been published. The truth of the matter is that nobody really knows when the next issue will be released. A regular monthly title that publishes every two, three or four months has definite problems. Oh, and the storyline is mediocre at best. Don’t even get me started on Orson Scott Card’s Ultimate Iron Man. Absolute crap.
Thunderbolts. A decent title. I like the whole supervillains searching for redemption theme of this book. Taking second string players--e.g. Radioactive Man, The Beetle, SpeedDemon, Blizzard, Atlas--and breathing life into their stale characterizations works for me. It also helps that Kurt Busiek, one of my favorite comic writers, is involved with this title.
The Young Avengers. The YA show some promise. Let’s hope the Marvel powers-that-be don’t screw it up.
DC Comics
While I’m generally more pleased with my DC titles, I’m still not thrilled.
Green Lantern. What can I say about what was once my favorite title? Not a whole lot, I’m afraid. Unlike Curtis, I’m not thrilled with the return of Hal Jordan. In fact, I think Hal’s return is indicative of the unimaginative state of comic book writing. Yet another fallen hero back from the dead? ::sighs:: Been there, done that. I loved reading the Silver Age adventures of Hal Jordan. I also liked his fall from grace during Emerald Twilight. Real heroes are flawed individuals; they make mistakes, sometimes tragic ones. Hal’s return is nothing more than a big cop out, a do over. As a long-time GL fan, I’ll continue to read the comic but find myself ambivalent about the current direction. I’m far more excited about Green Lantern Corps: Recharge, which features Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, and Kilowog, then the flagship title.
JLA. The recent Crime Syndicate story arc was very mediocre. The cross universe storylines don’t do much for me.
JSA. I’ve been indifferent toward this title for several months. The only reason I continue to read it is Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern. If you aren’t intimately familiar with the long and storied history of the Justice Society of America, a group that’s been around since the 1940s, you’ll miss much of what’s going on. Sadly, I’m not up-to-date on the 60 year history of this group. Still, there's enough good writing to maintain my interest.
The Outsiders. The current battle with Brainiac/Lex Luthor plot is good, traditional comic fare.
Teen Titans. Always fun. The Dr. Light story arc was terrific. I’ve always liked the whole superkids in training gig (the original New Mutants was one of my favorite comics). Rob Liefeld is doing the art for a couple upcoming issues. As one message board poster stated: it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues.
Dark Horse
All the Star Wars comics remain some of my most anticipated reads of the month. I’m looking forward to the post-Revenge of the Sith stories in Star Wars: Republic.
Marvel Comics
I’m not sure what’s going on at Marvel, but most of the titles I read are pure drivel.
Avengers. Curtis summed this up nicely. The new Avengers have very little appeal. Bring back the old guard. Leave Wolverine in the X-titles, please.
Iron Man. Since the relaunch almost a year ago, only three issues have been published. The truth of the matter is that nobody really knows when the next issue will be released. A regular monthly title that publishes every two, three or four months has definite problems. Oh, and the storyline is mediocre at best. Don’t even get me started on Orson Scott Card’s Ultimate Iron Man. Absolute crap.
Thunderbolts. A decent title. I like the whole supervillains searching for redemption theme of this book. Taking second string players--e.g. Radioactive Man, The Beetle, SpeedDemon, Blizzard, Atlas--and breathing life into their stale characterizations works for me. It also helps that Kurt Busiek, one of my favorite comic writers, is involved with this title.
The Young Avengers. The YA show some promise. Let’s hope the Marvel powers-that-be don’t screw it up.
DC Comics
While I’m generally more pleased with my DC titles, I’m still not thrilled.
Green Lantern. What can I say about what was once my favorite title? Not a whole lot, I’m afraid. Unlike Curtis, I’m not thrilled with the return of Hal Jordan. In fact, I think Hal’s return is indicative of the unimaginative state of comic book writing. Yet another fallen hero back from the dead? ::sighs:: Been there, done that. I loved reading the Silver Age adventures of Hal Jordan. I also liked his fall from grace during Emerald Twilight. Real heroes are flawed individuals; they make mistakes, sometimes tragic ones. Hal’s return is nothing more than a big cop out, a do over. As a long-time GL fan, I’ll continue to read the comic but find myself ambivalent about the current direction. I’m far more excited about Green Lantern Corps: Recharge, which features Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, and Kilowog, then the flagship title.
JLA. The recent Crime Syndicate story arc was very mediocre. The cross universe storylines don’t do much for me.
JSA. I’ve been indifferent toward this title for several months. The only reason I continue to read it is Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern. If you aren’t intimately familiar with the long and storied history of the Justice Society of America, a group that’s been around since the 1940s, you’ll miss much of what’s going on. Sadly, I’m not up-to-date on the 60 year history of this group. Still, there's enough good writing to maintain my interest.
The Outsiders. The current battle with Brainiac/Lex Luthor plot is good, traditional comic fare.
Teen Titans. Always fun. The Dr. Light story arc was terrific. I’ve always liked the whole superkids in training gig (the original New Mutants was one of my favorite comics). Rob Liefeld is doing the art for a couple upcoming issues. As one message board poster stated: it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues. it’s only two issues.
Dark Horse
All the Star Wars comics remain some of my most anticipated reads of the month. I’m looking forward to the post-Revenge of the Sith stories in Star Wars: Republic.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Destiny—It's What You Make Of It
Opportunity, resources, and mood finally converged this afternoon. After nearly a month of encouragement from practically everyone I know, I finally made my way to the theater and saw Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Here is the obligatory blog entry.
Regular readers of this forum and of my personal blog have seen me say some unkind things about The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, mostly concerning the writing and the dialogue. The current movie is not entirely free of such issues; this is generally known. My biggest problem with the first two episodes, however, had to do with the storytelling.
I went into these first two movies hoping to see a story about a good man and a great warrior who falls from grace. I didn't get that. In E1, Anakin was just this kid with big dreams, a few unusual talents, and a hangup for a girl that was clearly out of his league, but not much else. In E2, he had become neither a good man nor a great warrior, but a defiant, spoiled teenager who thought he was smarter than everyone else. Based on these experiences, it was no surprise to me that he became Darth Vader. There was no fall, per se, because he had never attained a lofty place from which to fall.
Revenge of the Sith changed that for me. It gave me a reason to care about Anakin. It gave me a reason to sympathize with him and to feel sorry for what he ultimately became. It made his fall a tragedy rather than an inevitability.
It short, it did for me what I had hoped the first two episodes would do.
To me, this movie is about choices. Anakin finds himself in some very difficult situations, most of which are ultimately of his own making. He has several key decisions to make—and in almost every case, he makes the worst possible choice. Of course, he has help. Emperor Palpatine is at his elbow in almost every moment of decision, giving encouragement that leads him carefully down the road to the Dark Side.
The biggest problem Anakin faces is that he keeps falling victim to Wizard's First Rule: People will believe any lie if they want it to be true, or if they're afraid that it might be true. Palpatine knows just which lies to tell, and his timing is impeccable. That's not surprising; he's been subtly moving Anakin in this direction for years. And this brings up another concept, that of the incremental lie. It's hard to get most people to swallow a big lie all at once, but if you start with smaller lies and work your way up, it becomes almost frighteningly easy.
Each of Palpatine's lies leads Anakin into a choice that binds him more closely to his erstwhile master. Still, I could see—and wanted to see—a way out for him. And then came the confrontation between Palpatine and Mace Windu. The choice was unambiguous, as simply drawn as possible. Sith or Jedi. From the moment that Anakin chose to side with Darth Sidious, knowing full well what he was, his destiny was sealed. There was no going back.
Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski is fond of saying, "The monster never sees a monster in the mirror." In his confused state, Anakin sincerely felt that he was doing what was right, what was best—for the Republic, for Padmé, and for the Chancellor, but ultimately for himself. Only when he's lost everything does he realize the state he's placed himself in. He sees what his choices have led him to, and there's nothing he can do about it. And I felt sorry for him.
This was what I was hoping for from this movie. Let it be known that henceforth, I will complain no more about the shortcomings of the Star Wars franchise. I am content.
Regular readers of this forum and of my personal blog have seen me say some unkind things about The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, mostly concerning the writing and the dialogue. The current movie is not entirely free of such issues; this is generally known. My biggest problem with the first two episodes, however, had to do with the storytelling.
I went into these first two movies hoping to see a story about a good man and a great warrior who falls from grace. I didn't get that. In E1, Anakin was just this kid with big dreams, a few unusual talents, and a hangup for a girl that was clearly out of his league, but not much else. In E2, he had become neither a good man nor a great warrior, but a defiant, spoiled teenager who thought he was smarter than everyone else. Based on these experiences, it was no surprise to me that he became Darth Vader. There was no fall, per se, because he had never attained a lofty place from which to fall.
Revenge of the Sith changed that for me. It gave me a reason to care about Anakin. It gave me a reason to sympathize with him and to feel sorry for what he ultimately became. It made his fall a tragedy rather than an inevitability.
It short, it did for me what I had hoped the first two episodes would do.
To me, this movie is about choices. Anakin finds himself in some very difficult situations, most of which are ultimately of his own making. He has several key decisions to make—and in almost every case, he makes the worst possible choice. Of course, he has help. Emperor Palpatine is at his elbow in almost every moment of decision, giving encouragement that leads him carefully down the road to the Dark Side.
The biggest problem Anakin faces is that he keeps falling victim to Wizard's First Rule: People will believe any lie if they want it to be true, or if they're afraid that it might be true. Palpatine knows just which lies to tell, and his timing is impeccable. That's not surprising; he's been subtly moving Anakin in this direction for years. And this brings up another concept, that of the incremental lie. It's hard to get most people to swallow a big lie all at once, but if you start with smaller lies and work your way up, it becomes almost frighteningly easy.
Each of Palpatine's lies leads Anakin into a choice that binds him more closely to his erstwhile master. Still, I could see—and wanted to see—a way out for him. And then came the confrontation between Palpatine and Mace Windu. The choice was unambiguous, as simply drawn as possible. Sith or Jedi. From the moment that Anakin chose to side with Darth Sidious, knowing full well what he was, his destiny was sealed. There was no going back.
Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski is fond of saying, "The monster never sees a monster in the mirror." In his confused state, Anakin sincerely felt that he was doing what was right, what was best—for the Republic, for Padmé, and for the Chancellor, but ultimately for himself. Only when he's lost everything does he realize the state he's placed himself in. He sees what his choices have led him to, and there's nothing he can do about it. And I felt sorry for him.
This was what I was hoping for from this movie. Let it be known that henceforth, I will complain no more about the shortcomings of the Star Wars franchise. I am content.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Kiddie Books
Over the past weekend, I saw Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. While I haven't read any of the books, I enjoyed the movie, as did my two young (11 and 5) nieces. The eleven-year-old has already read the first three books in the series—approximately what is covered in the movie. My mother, a newly-retired middle school teacher, has also read some of them, mostly because she's seen some of her students reading them. This made me think about some of the books I'd read when I was young(er), and some of the books I'd like my kids (if any) to read one day.
I should state at the outset that it is entirely possible—probable, even—that my kids will grow up to be geeks. Like their father. Don't get me wrong, I'm not intending to dictate to them everything they'll read, watch, listen to, etc. But I want them to be exposed to some of the finer and/or more esoteric things in life: Poe and Shakespeare and Douglas Adams and Beethoven and Hovhaness and Vangelis and the Beatles and Glenn Miller and Star Wars and Star Trek and Babylon 5 and chemistry sets and model rockets and plush bacteria and role playing games and all other manner of geeky things. If they grow up reading car magazines and listening to the flavor-of-the-week boy bands, it won't be because they don't know anything different.
(Okay, I'll step off my soapbox now.)
Anyway, here are some of the books (series of books, mostly) that I'd like my children to read some day.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
» The Hobbit
» The Fellowship of the Ring
» The Two Towers
» The Return of the King
I agree with the sentiments expressed by Peter Jackson and others. I hope that the recent success of the LOTR movies has helped to remove the stigma from Fantasy literature—moved it out of the 'kiddie pool' and into the realm of a legitimate literary form. But whether or not that actually happens, I will do my best to see that my children read these books. A working knowledge of LOTR is essential for any geek-to-be. Without it, one would not know why a Champions villain would be named Grond, or why prog-rock bands would give themselves names like Illuvatar and Marillion, or why describing Micro$oft with the phrase "One OS to rule them all" is funny.
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
» Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
» Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
» Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
» Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
» Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
» Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
This series is wonderful. The writing is insightful and sometimes poignant. Harry goes through all those struggles we geeks—and teenagers in general—have had to go through ourselves. Alienation, disappointment, anger, loss, regret, achievement, friendship, pride, rivalry, awkwardness, infatuation, and puberty are all examined in the lives of Harry and his classmates, sometimes in painful detail. Despite the fantastic setting, every child (and adult) who reads these books will see elements of his or her own life in the lives of the characters. Maybe that's why they've sold so well.
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
» The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
» Prince Caspian
» The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
» The Silver Chair
» The Horse and His Boy
» The Magician's Nephew
» The Last Battle
This series works well on two different levels. For younger, less experienced readers, these books tell stories about how the brave and good-hearted overcome the forces of evil, sometimes only with great difficulty. More mature readers will discover much more complexity. There are lessons on sacrifice, endurance, dedication, and faith. Metaphors for the divine abound—which, I suppose, is why Lewis wrote the series in the first place.
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
» The Golden Compass
» The Subtle Knife
» The Amber Spyglass
Admittedly, this is for older, more advanced readers. The heroes of the books, Lyra and Will, are presented as 11 years old or so, but most children will probably need to be 3-5 years older than that to understand and appreciate the intricate and ever-evolving story of the series. Lyra and Will are much more complex than most characters in children's or adolescent fantasy. They have their flaws, but they are heroic and determined in the face of monumental trials and opposition. There are lessons for young and old alike about loyalty, dedication, optimism, and trust.
The Mancer Series by Don Callander
» Pyromancer
» Aquamancer
» Geomancer
» Aeromancer
This series is just fun to read. The writing and characterizations are not as complex or as well developed as most of the other books on this list, but they don't need to be. Douglas Brightglade, the most central character, originally applies for the position of magician's apprentice only as alternative to becoming a cook. He proves to have the necessary talents for magic, including a large Bump of Curiosity. With his master and their friends, they protect World from dangers great and small. He learns, among other things, that those with extraordinary talents have an obligation to get involved with their communities—not to lead or to rule, but to render the kind of assistance that only they can. That's a lesson I want my kids to learn.
Two books from Robin McKinley
» Beauty : A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast
» The Blue Sword
If I have any daughters, I will make certain they read these two books. Both feature strong female characters. Both tell coming-of-age stories, and both leading characters demonstrate remarkable wisdom, endurance, and compassion. And, lest we forget that this is fantasy, both women end up with a prince—but neither by virtue of having been rescued by him.
The Tennis Shoes Adventure Series by Chris Heimerdinger
» Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites
» Gadiantons and the Silver Sword
» The Feathered Serpent (Parts One and Two)
» The Sacred Quest
» The Lost Scrolls
» The Golden Crown
» Warriors of Cumorah
» The Tower of Thunder
This is a great translational fantasy series for Latter-day Saints (and others too, I suppose). It follows the story of a family over several decades and their adventures in the scriptural past. The storytelling is good, and the research behind the stories appears sound. The tone of the narrative is sincere—sometimes lighthearted and happy, sometimes grave yet hopeful, sometimes sarcastic. It's both entertaining and spiritual, and an easy read.
I'm sure there are others that I've forgotten. These should make for a good start, though. Now all I need are a few kids!
I should state at the outset that it is entirely possible—probable, even—that my kids will grow up to be geeks. Like their father. Don't get me wrong, I'm not intending to dictate to them everything they'll read, watch, listen to, etc. But I want them to be exposed to some of the finer and/or more esoteric things in life: Poe and Shakespeare and Douglas Adams and Beethoven and Hovhaness and Vangelis and the Beatles and Glenn Miller and Star Wars and Star Trek and Babylon 5 and chemistry sets and model rockets and plush bacteria and role playing games and all other manner of geeky things. If they grow up reading car magazines and listening to the flavor-of-the-week boy bands, it won't be because they don't know anything different.
(Okay, I'll step off my soapbox now.)
Anyway, here are some of the books (series of books, mostly) that I'd like my children to read some day.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
» The Hobbit
» The Fellowship of the Ring
» The Two Towers
» The Return of the King
I agree with the sentiments expressed by Peter Jackson and others. I hope that the recent success of the LOTR movies has helped to remove the stigma from Fantasy literature—moved it out of the 'kiddie pool' and into the realm of a legitimate literary form. But whether or not that actually happens, I will do my best to see that my children read these books. A working knowledge of LOTR is essential for any geek-to-be. Without it, one would not know why a Champions villain would be named Grond, or why prog-rock bands would give themselves names like Illuvatar and Marillion, or why describing Micro$oft with the phrase "One OS to rule them all" is funny.
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
» Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
» Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
» Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
» Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
» Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
» Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
This series is wonderful. The writing is insightful and sometimes poignant. Harry goes through all those struggles we geeks—and teenagers in general—have had to go through ourselves. Alienation, disappointment, anger, loss, regret, achievement, friendship, pride, rivalry, awkwardness, infatuation, and puberty are all examined in the lives of Harry and his classmates, sometimes in painful detail. Despite the fantastic setting, every child (and adult) who reads these books will see elements of his or her own life in the lives of the characters. Maybe that's why they've sold so well.
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
» The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
» Prince Caspian
» The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
» The Silver Chair
» The Horse and His Boy
» The Magician's Nephew
» The Last Battle
This series works well on two different levels. For younger, less experienced readers, these books tell stories about how the brave and good-hearted overcome the forces of evil, sometimes only with great difficulty. More mature readers will discover much more complexity. There are lessons on sacrifice, endurance, dedication, and faith. Metaphors for the divine abound—which, I suppose, is why Lewis wrote the series in the first place.
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
» The Golden Compass
» The Subtle Knife
» The Amber Spyglass
Admittedly, this is for older, more advanced readers. The heroes of the books, Lyra and Will, are presented as 11 years old or so, but most children will probably need to be 3-5 years older than that to understand and appreciate the intricate and ever-evolving story of the series. Lyra and Will are much more complex than most characters in children's or adolescent fantasy. They have their flaws, but they are heroic and determined in the face of monumental trials and opposition. There are lessons for young and old alike about loyalty, dedication, optimism, and trust.
The Mancer Series by Don Callander
» Pyromancer
» Aquamancer
» Geomancer
» Aeromancer
This series is just fun to read. The writing and characterizations are not as complex or as well developed as most of the other books on this list, but they don't need to be. Douglas Brightglade, the most central character, originally applies for the position of magician's apprentice only as alternative to becoming a cook. He proves to have the necessary talents for magic, including a large Bump of Curiosity. With his master and their friends, they protect World from dangers great and small. He learns, among other things, that those with extraordinary talents have an obligation to get involved with their communities—not to lead or to rule, but to render the kind of assistance that only they can. That's a lesson I want my kids to learn.
Two books from Robin McKinley
» Beauty : A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast
» The Blue Sword
If I have any daughters, I will make certain they read these two books. Both feature strong female characters. Both tell coming-of-age stories, and both leading characters demonstrate remarkable wisdom, endurance, and compassion. And, lest we forget that this is fantasy, both women end up with a prince—but neither by virtue of having been rescued by him.
The Tennis Shoes Adventure Series by Chris Heimerdinger
» Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites
» Gadiantons and the Silver Sword
» The Feathered Serpent (Parts One and Two)
» The Sacred Quest
» The Lost Scrolls
» The Golden Crown
» Warriors of Cumorah
» The Tower of Thunder
This is a great translational fantasy series for Latter-day Saints (and others too, I suppose). It follows the story of a family over several decades and their adventures in the scriptural past. The storytelling is good, and the research behind the stories appears sound. The tone of the narrative is sincere—sometimes lighthearted and happy, sometimes grave yet hopeful, sometimes sarcastic. It's both entertaining and spiritual, and an easy read.
I'm sure there are others that I've forgotten. These should make for a good start, though. Now all I need are a few kids!
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Starcraft Rules!
My name is Derek and I'm a computer gamer. Yes, I'll admit I typically spend around 10 hours a week, usually late at night, running around a virtual world eliminating the enemy. What probably makes me different than most computer gamers, however, is the limited number of games I actually play. I rarely play, for example, single player adventures. I load the game and go directly to online multiplayer mode. I also don't play any old game that comes around. I've never played Doom, Half-Life, Diablo, or Quake. When it comes to the Star Wars universe, I've played just about everything: Jedi Outcast, Jedi Academy, and Battlefronts stand out as my favorites (multiplayer, of course).
Despite my obession with virtual Star Wars reality, there's one game on which I've logged more hours than all other games combined: Starcraft. Years ago--we're talking the summer of 1998, I think--I was at the top of my game. My gaming partner and I, he always played Terran and I always played Protoss, competed in tournaments and managed to do quite well. Over time, the game lost some of its luster and eventually found its way to my Computer Software box.
This week, I dusted off Starcraft/Starcraft: Broodwars and gave it another play. You know something, this game is still damn fun to play! While I've been retuning my skills against the computer (I'm dreadfully slow), I know it's only a matter of time before I venture back to the Battlenet realm. There's nothing quite as satisfying as watching legions of fully upgraded zealots and dragoons march across Big Game Hunter, annihilating opposing Terran, Zerg, and Protoss forces. I've never been one to worry about the more technologically advanced units in the upper branches of the tech tree. Keep it simple, maintain an advantage in numbers, and overwhelm the enemy. A lightning reaver strike on the enemy's supply lines can prove devastating: no crystals or gas equals no new units. A strike behind enemy lines also proves effective for drawing forces away from perimeter defenses.
Tactics aside, the games still plays suprisingly well. Even after all these years, the biologically oriented Zerg still creep me out a little. Yuck.
Despite my obession with virtual Star Wars reality, there's one game on which I've logged more hours than all other games combined: Starcraft. Years ago--we're talking the summer of 1998, I think--I was at the top of my game. My gaming partner and I, he always played Terran and I always played Protoss, competed in tournaments and managed to do quite well. Over time, the game lost some of its luster and eventually found its way to my Computer Software box.
This week, I dusted off Starcraft/Starcraft: Broodwars and gave it another play. You know something, this game is still damn fun to play! While I've been retuning my skills against the computer (I'm dreadfully slow), I know it's only a matter of time before I venture back to the Battlenet realm. There's nothing quite as satisfying as watching legions of fully upgraded zealots and dragoons march across Big Game Hunter, annihilating opposing Terran, Zerg, and Protoss forces. I've never been one to worry about the more technologically advanced units in the upper branches of the tech tree. Keep it simple, maintain an advantage in numbers, and overwhelm the enemy. A lightning reaver strike on the enemy's supply lines can prove devastating: no crystals or gas equals no new units. A strike behind enemy lines also proves effective for drawing forces away from perimeter defenses.
Tactics aside, the games still plays suprisingly well. Even after all these years, the biologically oriented Zerg still creep me out a little. Yuck.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?
Good choices, all. Now here are mine.
Best Ship (large)
Winner: Enterprise NCC-1707-D (ST:TNG)
This baby's got it all: speed, power, excellent recreational facilities, and the best tech in the fleet. Whether you're stopping a Borg invasion or boldly going where no one has gone before, this is the way to go.
Runner Up: Heart of Gold (Hitchhiker's Guide)
If you can do the math, this ship can do anything, including making a really great cup of tea (eventually).
Best Ship (small)
Winner: Millennium Falcon (Star Wars)
She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts. And it's the only ship to play a significant role in the destruction of both Death Stars.
Runner Up: Serenity (Firefly)
Just the thing for the adventurous entrepreneur: fast, maneuverable, inexpensive to operate, and easy to maintain. A ship like this will be with you 'til the day you die.
Best Weapon (ranged)
Winner: Wookie Bowcaster (Star Wars)
Okay, it hasn't got the fastest rate of fire, but it's accurate and cool-looking!
Runner Up: Battle Staff (Stargate)
Devastatingly effective and easy to operate—just point and shoot.
Best Weapon (hand-to-hand)
Winner: Minbari Fighting Pike (Babylon 5)
Simple, effective, and easily concealed, it's absolutely dazzling in the hands of someone who really knows how to use it.
Runner Up: Lightsaber (Star Wars)
Just this sight of this thing is awe-inspiring. An elegant weapon, from a more civilized time.
Best Tool
Winner: Sonic Screwdriver (Doctor Who)
It comes in handy for bypassing locked doors and other such nuisances. Security override? We don't need no stinking security override.
Runner Up: Tricorder (Star Trek)
We have instruments of the $500,000+ variety in my department that do only the merest fraction of what a tricorder can do. I would have loved to have one for my Analytical Chemistry labs.
Best Exotic Device
Winner: Tardis (Doctor Who)
It's hard for me to imagine something more useful than a functional time machine. Plus, if you're a pack rat, there's an infinite amount of storage space inside.
Runner Up: Alien Healing Device (Babylon 5)
This would be a boon to every hospital around, were it not for the rather unfortunate side effects....
Best Ship (large)
Winner: Enterprise NCC-1707-D (ST:TNG)
This baby's got it all: speed, power, excellent recreational facilities, and the best tech in the fleet. Whether you're stopping a Borg invasion or boldly going where no one has gone before, this is the way to go.
Runner Up: Heart of Gold (Hitchhiker's Guide)
If you can do the math, this ship can do anything, including making a really great cup of tea (eventually).
Best Ship (small)
Winner: Millennium Falcon (Star Wars)
She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts. And it's the only ship to play a significant role in the destruction of both Death Stars.
Runner Up: Serenity (Firefly)
Just the thing for the adventurous entrepreneur: fast, maneuverable, inexpensive to operate, and easy to maintain. A ship like this will be with you 'til the day you die.
Best Weapon (ranged)
Winner: Wookie Bowcaster (Star Wars)
Okay, it hasn't got the fastest rate of fire, but it's accurate and cool-looking!
Runner Up: Battle Staff (Stargate)
Devastatingly effective and easy to operate—just point and shoot.
Best Weapon (hand-to-hand)
Winner: Minbari Fighting Pike (Babylon 5)
Simple, effective, and easily concealed, it's absolutely dazzling in the hands of someone who really knows how to use it.
Runner Up: Lightsaber (Star Wars)
Just this sight of this thing is awe-inspiring. An elegant weapon, from a more civilized time.
Best Tool
Winner: Sonic Screwdriver (Doctor Who)
It comes in handy for bypassing locked doors and other such nuisances. Security override? We don't need no stinking security override.
Runner Up: Tricorder (Star Trek)
We have instruments of the $500,000+ variety in my department that do only the merest fraction of what a tricorder can do. I would have loved to have one for my Analytical Chemistry labs.
Best Exotic Device
Winner: Tardis (Doctor Who)
It's hard for me to imagine something more useful than a functional time machine. Plus, if you're a pack rat, there's an infinite amount of storage space inside.
Runner Up: Alien Healing Device (Babylon 5)
This would be a boon to every hospital around, were it not for the rather unfortunate side effects....
Saturday, June 04, 2005
My Tech Toys
Best Ship (Large)
Akira Class starship. Sleek, aesthetically pleasing, and armed to the teeth. Visually, Star Trek's phasers and photon torpedoes have always had a certain appeal for me.
HM: Imperial Star Destoyer.
Best Ship (Small)
Serenity from Firefly. The small cargo ship has the most character of almost any ship in science fiction. You've got to love a ship's mess that includes a huge wooden table around which crew and passengers enjoy communal meals.
HM: X-wing.
HM: Colonial Viper.
Best Weapon (Ranged)
A Green Lantern power ring. Technically speaking, the GL ring is a technological device directed by the will of the weilder and powered by the Oan Central Battery. Versatile and stylish. Need a laser? Got it. Need a net? Ditto. Want to overwhelm your enemy with a flock of birds? No problem. It's all about the ring.
HM: Phaser rifle from Star Trek.
Best Weapon (Hand-to-hand).
Like my esteemed colleague, I have to go with the elegant weapon of the Jedi Knights: the lightsaber.
HM: Batleth. It slices and dices the old-fashioned way!
Best Tool
Iron Man armor. Sensors, transportation, defensive shielding, and offensive weapons? It's the Swiss Army Knife of science fiction.
HM: Dr. Who's sonic screwdriver.
Best Exotic Device.
The Orgasmatron from Woody Allen's, The Sleeper. Wait, that's an erotic device . . .
Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet. Incredible strength (check out the image of Robby lifting a lead monolith), immense intelligence, and the ability to manufacture any substance known to humanity. Don't leave home without him!
HM: A Stargate.
HM: Any of the Yuuzhan Vong biotechnology from the Star Wars Expanded Universe series.
Akira Class starship. Sleek, aesthetically pleasing, and armed to the teeth. Visually, Star Trek's phasers and photon torpedoes have always had a certain appeal for me.
HM: Imperial Star Destoyer.
Best Ship (Small)
Serenity from Firefly. The small cargo ship has the most character of almost any ship in science fiction. You've got to love a ship's mess that includes a huge wooden table around which crew and passengers enjoy communal meals.
HM: X-wing.
HM: Colonial Viper.
Best Weapon (Ranged)
A Green Lantern power ring. Technically speaking, the GL ring is a technological device directed by the will of the weilder and powered by the Oan Central Battery. Versatile and stylish. Need a laser? Got it. Need a net? Ditto. Want to overwhelm your enemy with a flock of birds? No problem. It's all about the ring.
HM: Phaser rifle from Star Trek.
Best Weapon (Hand-to-hand).
Like my esteemed colleague, I have to go with the elegant weapon of the Jedi Knights: the lightsaber.
HM: Batleth. It slices and dices the old-fashioned way!
Best Tool
Iron Man armor. Sensors, transportation, defensive shielding, and offensive weapons? It's the Swiss Army Knife of science fiction.
HM: Dr. Who's sonic screwdriver.
Best Exotic Device.
The Orgasmatron from Woody Allen's, The Sleeper. Wait, that's an erotic device . . .
Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet. Incredible strength (check out the image of Robby lifting a lead monolith), immense intelligence, and the ability to manufacture any substance known to humanity. Don't leave home without him!
HM: A Stargate.
HM: Any of the Yuuzhan Vong biotechnology from the Star Wars Expanded Universe series.
Friday, June 03, 2005
Tech Toys
Okay, it's about time for another gathering of opinions regarding sci-fi. Today's topic: the wonderful machines the future has to offer.
Your mission is to nominate a winner and an honorable mention from the field of science fiction in each of the following categories:
» Best Ship (large)
» Best Ship (small)
» Best Weapon (ranged)
» Best Weapon (hand-to-hand)
» Best Tool
» Best Exotic Device
As usual, try to include as many different series /franchises as possible, and be descriptive. Also as usual, I will post mine last. Have fun!
Your mission is to nominate a winner and an honorable mention from the field of science fiction in each of the following categories:
» Best Ship (large)
» Best Ship (small)
» Best Weapon (ranged)
» Best Weapon (hand-to-hand)
» Best Tool
» Best Exotic Device
As usual, try to include as many different series /franchises as possible, and be descriptive. Also as usual, I will post mine last. Have fun!
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