Geek Themed Spaces

What kid doesn’t want to decorate their bedroom in the theme of their choosing?  When I was a young'un I papered one wall of my bedroom with the Sunday comics.  I painstakingly removed the comic strips from the newspaper, prepped the wall and used wallpaper paste to permanently attach the funnies to the wall.  I had understanding parents.

In high school my chemistry instructor informed the class his son had taken six of his LPs, painted them gold and made himself transporter pads.

But I think I found the ultimate geek.  The other day I came across a story about Tony Alleyne who resides in a one room apartment in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England.  He has converted his apartment into a replica of the bridge of Star Trek’s Starship Voyager.  He estimates that he spent about $150K.  Unfortunately for him, his ex-wife owns the apartment and she wants to sell it.  But it is awesome nonetheless!

The following are five themed living spaces that I found intriguing.

1.   Tony Alleyne’s Voyager apartment

2.  The ULTIMATE Star Wars Themed Home.

Collector Cho Woong has turned his apartment into a Star Wars shrine.  He has an impressive collection of Star Wars memorabilia in every room of his abode; even the bathroom.

3.   Jules’ Undersea Lodge

Key Largo, Florida is the home of the Jules’ Undersea Lodge.  Located at the Key Largo Undersea Park, this hotel affords guests the opportunity to eat, sleep and live underwater in hotel-like comfort.

4.   Star Wars Tours in Tunisia

Visit the place that was Luke Skywalker’s home, Tatooine.  When the Star Wars filmmakers finished filming, they left all manner of Star Wars memorabilia, including Skywalker’s home.

5.   World’s First Hobbit Motel

Think the Hobbits had it made?  There’s a Hobbit motel in Waitomo, New Zealand.  Each unit has a shower, kitchen and can accommodate 6 people.

So what do you think, ready to redecorate?

Don't Blame Paula Deen

Obesity has been covered ad nauseum.  According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) statistics from 2007 – 2008, 33.9% of adults over the age of 20 in the United States are obese.  One third of Americans are overweight!  One third of Americans are at risk for various health issues including but not limited to:  heart disease, sleep apnea, liver issues and Type 2 Diabetes.

On Tuesday, 1/17/12, Paula Deen revealed she’s had diabetes for three years.  What a freaking shocker!  You might be asking, “What does this have to do with science fiction?”  My answer – I'm going to watch "Wall-E" again and get back to you.  I heard and read about MS. Deen’s confession and then followed the resultant fallout and I thought to myself, “DUH!” and I had to get my thoughts regarding this on paper, so to speak.

Most accounts I’ve seen and read have crucified her.  C’mon, really?  Is anyone that surprised?  Seriously, look at the way she cooks.  She’s been dubbed the Queen of Butter (though to be fair many seem to share this title).

Over the past week, I’ve heard numerous times she shouldn’t have been promoting her recipes when she knew they were potentially unhealthy.  In the words of an iconic television character from the 70s, “Shut … up … you.”

And I don’t care that she’s struck an endorsement deal with a drug company for a diabetes drug.  In my mind, the two (drug endorsement and chastised for unhealthy recipes) are separate issues.

If you duplicate her recipes, then you are fully aware of each and every ingredient you shove down your gullet.  You’d have to have been living under a rock for your entire life to NOT know the health risks of continually consuming food such as this.

To place the blame on Paula Deen is inane.  That would be similar to me striking a kitchen match, holding it until it burns down to my fingers and complaining because the Diamond Match people didn’t warn me that I could burn myself if I hung on to the match too long.  Jeez.

I think Paula Deen is the latest scapegoat in the war against obesity.  For example, have you checked out the price of food in the organic aisle at the local supermarket?  It seems as if the price of “healthy” foods has outpaced the price of processed foods.  It’s no wonder Americans are fat, we have to live within a budget.

That’s my rant.  What do you think?  Is Deen culpable?  Should she be taken to task for creating a multitude of unhealthy recipes?

Leaders in Space No More

The Chinese plan to establish a moon base.  This isn’t news; they’ve had a space program since 1956 and they put people into space in 2003.  In 2000 elements within the Chinese scientific community began to develop a plan for a manned lunar base.  At that time, the effort was unfunded by the Chinese government but the groundwork was being laid.

On October 24, 2007, Chang'e-1, China’s first lunar probe was launched.  Its 16 month mission ended on March 1, 2009.  This was followed by Chang'e-2, launched October 1, 2010.  It orbited the moon, collected data and left and established an orbit at the Lagrangian point L2. 

They plan to send a rover to the moon in 2013 and to bring back samples in 2017 with the goal of a lunar base in 2025.  Even former NASA administrator, Michael Griffin seemed to believe in the Chinese space program.  In January, 2009, he was of the opinion that there was a chance the Chinese could attempt a manned lunar orbit by 2015.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not upset the Chinese are planning it; I’m peeved that we seemed to have fallen behind.  It’s seems as if we planned poorly.  We’ve dumped our shuttle fleet into the crapper without a replacement.  We have plans for a next generation of spacecraft but Lockheed Martin’s Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) probably won’t be ready for a manned test until 2016.  That’s a span of five years from the time Atlantis ended the shuttle era.

And how do we get to the International Space Station now that there are no more shuttle flights?  We pay the Russians a ton of scratch.  We have a huge investment in space and we can’t even get there on our own.  Think about it.  That’s tantamount to me deciding to sell the car I use to get to work every day because I’m planning to buy a new one and then hope I can bum a ride to work for the next five years.

Somehow I don’t think this is what John F. Kennedy had in mind when he challenged the nation to strive for the moon on September 12, 1962 at Rice Stadium.  I feel as if we’re allowing ourselves to become second-class citizens in regards to space.

That’s what irks me; not that another sovereignty is planning moon missions.

In his address at Rice Stadium JFK said, “And no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in the race for space.”  It would seem we no longer desire to be a leader but rather a follower.

We’re losing our edge.  Maybe it’s a sign of the times ahead?  I hope not but I wonder sometimes. Is anyone else of the belief that the U.S. is following rather than leading?  If so, do you have a theory why?

Review of Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

SPOILER ALERT!!!!

Inheritance is the fourth installment of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance cycle.  The series follows a 16 year-old boy (Eragon) as he transforms from simple farmer to mighty Dragon Rider and joins  allegiance with the Varden to overthrow the Empire ruled by the tyrant, Galbatorix.

Inheritance opens as the Varden’s forces, comprised of Humans, Elves, Urgals (orge-like creatures), and Werecats (feline-like beings that can assume human form) march toward a final confrontation with the seemingly invincible Galbatorix, his powerful dragon, Shruikan, and his vast army.  The Varden’s leader, Nasuada, is captured by a Galbatorix raiding party.  Eragon reluctantly assumes the mantle of leadership.  Events progress, Galbatorix is defeated and Eragon sails off into the sunset; literally, he boards a ship and sails away.

I have a couple issues with book four.  In two places, Paolini took the easy way out with problem resolution for major plot points that were disseminated over course of the four books.

First issue: 

Paolini has created an ancient language for his magical world.  The books are rife with instances of ancient language usage.  In Paolini’s world, everybody and everything has a true name in the ancient language; that name, if known, allows a practitioner of magic to exert control over that person or thing.

Galbatorix has divined the true name of the ancient language.  With this knowledge, he can control all spell casters.  When the time arrives to reveal the true name, all Paolini could come up with was “The Word.”  Come on!  In six years and four books, he couldn’t come up with something more creative?  Why bother creating an entire language if the reveal is in English?

Second issue: 

In the first book, Solembum, a Werecat, relays to Eragon a cryptic message containing two pieces of advice.  The first states where Eragon can find a vital weapon (which he finds in book three, Brisingr).  The second tells Eragon to find the Rock of Kuthian and speak his name to open the Vault of Souls only when times are bleakest.

After Nasuada’s capture, Eragon summons Solembum.  He cajoles and badgers but Solembum cannot expand on his second piece of advice.  All Solembum can say is the answer must be in the book Domia abr Wyrda.  When all seems lost, Solembum enters a trancelike state and tells Eragon what chapter, page and passage of the book to peruse.  Just like that, Eragon discovers the clue that leads him to the means of defeating Galbatorix.

Come on!  Paolini needed to get this information into Eragon’s mitts and this is how he chose to do it.  Eragon presses Solembum, he spaces out and presto, problem solved!  It seems way too easy a solution for a linchpin event.  Again, six years, four books, yet this is what he came up with.  Nothing should ever come easy to the hero.  Overcoming adversity is what differentiates heroes from the ordinary.

Don’t get me wrong, the Inheritance cycle  was an enjoyable read.  For the most part, I think Paolini has weaved an interesting tale (similarities to Star Wars notwithstanding) and built a fascinating world, which is why I felt let down with his easy outs.  I would look forward to reading further exploits of Eragon if Paolini decided to rebuild the Dragon Riders or write a prequel to the Inheritance cycle.

Maybe I’m being too critical, but these two things really stuck in my craw.  What do you think, overly critical or justified?

Movies to Watch in 2012

There are reports that attendance at movie theaters in 2011 was at its worst in years. There are theories as to why, such as cost or availability of movies on DVD and services like Netflix. I have a theory of my own. Don’t turn out crap! People would be willing to spend money on a decent product. In many cases (Transformers: Dark of the Moon) it seems like many movie makers are more interested in glitz over substance, big action over story.

Turn out a good product – people will come.

This week I present the 2012 movie releases I most look forward to viewing. I originally intended the list to be a top 10 but there are not 10 on my radar. These are the 9 movies I’d like to see before the ball drops on 2012.

1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; release date is 12/14/12. Peter Jackson is the director and here’s hoping he maintains the same high quality he exhibited in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I’ve read J.R.R. Tolkien’s, The Hobbit numerous times. I will read it again before December. What can I say? I’m a fan. Tolkien has created a world that I lose myself in every time I read the series. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the release I most anticipate.

2. The Hunger Games; release date is 3/23/12. The Hunger Games is based on a book of the same name by Suzanne Collins. It is the first book in The Hunger Games trilogy. Thus far I’ve only read the first book of the set but it was an easy, enjoyable read. Suzanne Collins has created a world where the masses are kept in check through fear and hunger.

3. The Avengers; release date is 5/4/12. The Avengers brings together some of Marvel Comics favorites (Iron Man, Captain America, Hawkeye, Thor, Black Widow and Nick Fury) in this flick.

4. John Carter of Mars; release date is 3/9/12. John Carter is the creation of Edgar Rice Burroughs. I became familiar with John Carter when I was a kid via DC Comics. I’m curious to see how director Andrew Stanton brings this character to the big screen.

5. Men In Black 3; release date is 5/25/12. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back for the third installment. It’s been ten years since Men in Black II.

6. The Amazing Spider-Man; release date is 7/3/12. Andrew Garfield replaces Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spiderman.

7. The Dark Knight Rises; release date is 7/20/12. Christian Bale is back as Batman/Bruce Wayne. This tale takes place eight years after the events of The Dark Knight.

8. Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters; release date is 3/2/12. This just looks interesting. It’s supposed to take place 15 years after Hansel and Gretel had their run-in with the wicked witch. The brother/sister duo has become witch hunters.

9. Dark Shadows; release date is 5/11/12. This movie is based on the soap opera-like series about a vampire, Barnabas Collins, which ran from 1966 to 1971. I was a wee lad but I remember getting home from school and watching the creepy goings on of the Collins’ clan. Can Johnny Depp pull off Barnabas?

That’s it; my top 9. It’s subjective to be sure. Did I miss any? Let me know.