LA here I come! (I would make an excellent failed script-writer/waitress)

I've heard they haven't even finished the script for the next instalment of the re-boot franchise, so here are some ideas for Abrams and his team:


Lost in Translation -> Lost in Klingon translation


The alternate universe where Kirk is, uh, a forest ranger!



The crew goes back in time and accidentally cause the extinction of dinosaurs, possibly involving dilithium. Thereby, obviously, saving mankind cause, you know, if the dinosarus were still around THEY WOULD HAVE EATEN US ALL.

Here I got confused with the Stargate universe. I was all, like, dude, we accidentally flew through New York and people saw us and now we have to reveal the - oh, right. People know. They probably don't fly this close to ground though. I'm sure there's some spin on the Hudson river incident possible here.

You're welcome, J.J. Just get Quinto back onto the big screen, 'kay?

Hypothesis: disproven

So I love my class, I really do (love my life also, incidentally, of which my class is a big part). Full of awesome, sweet, funny, interesting people. Even most of the people who keep to themselves are turning out to be lovely people. Some are crazy (love them too). I get out-geeked constanstly in the tech and programming arena, however.

And this is big.

None of them are sci-fi geeks. If premise 1 is programmer/tech geek and premise 2 is love of sci-fi, than this is a Venn diagram without an intersection. It's just so bizarre. I thought they didn't let you into programming courses without basic knowledge of some kind of space drama? I have to explain to people the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek.

Wrong. So wrong.

Also, t'is a bit sad. I still have no IRL people to squeal over sci-fi with. What will it take??

Warning!! Detailed discussions of themes that may be considered emo

So, last Friday one of the dreams I've had for oh about four months or so finally, FINALLY came true - Tokio Hotel live. My biggest hope for the concert was that Bill, who according to the CDs have a range with Mariah Carey-esque aspirations, would not suck too badly IRL. I've learned the hard way not to expect the same vocal prowess live as from recorded mediums (OK, I never saw Backstreet Boys live but they sang live on Söndagsöppet when I was about 11 or so and gosh was I horrified - I can still remember the disappointment like it was yesterday).
My second hope was that recent pictures of Bill were mainly PR-smokescreens for his fabulous new hairstyle which would look nothing like anything he's been sporting recently.

Was proved wrong Big Time on both accounts. Horrible, horrible oversized back-slick. I mean, I suppose I could accept it if he wanted to move away from the manga/porcupine/mohawk look I fell in love with as he's had it for quite some time. But this was NOT hot.
On the other hand, it turns out he can actually sing. Like, live. Very well. He hardly wrote down any songs, only one or two songs with incredibly high notes, both of which were not suited for standing still and singing, but required jumping around. Completely understandable. I was impressed.

Another cool thing about the concert was the fact that their set was like a tribute to the Star Trek movie First Contact, with a giant round Borg cube being the focal point. I actually read in one review that the 30m high steel construction should actually resemble the Death Star - but as Bill was dressed up as the Borg queen (...) I refute that statement. This has nothing to do with my aversion to Star Wars, obviously, but is rather the logical conclusion (live long and prosper). The projection in the background featured futuristic cityscapes which could have been borrowed straight from the SGA CGI library. Yes yes so their latest CD is on the futuristic theme but I didn't know that when I got hooked on Monsoon last October so it all pleased my little sci-fi heart to no end.

A fairly big disappointment for which I was prepared was the fact that the manager/band/tour planner was obviously not aware that as German is a very common second language-choice in school here, many Swedish fans prefer the songs in their original language. I base this not only on my own views but on the girl behind me who even though she was substantially younger than me (or shall I say, in the demographic group of 13-18yr olds that 99,5% of the audience belonged to) and may not even have had time to take any German in school exclaimed to her mother that she wouldn't know the lyrics in English. This meant that the high-pitched screaming was by far louder than the sing-along bits, which may be a curse for all bands who publish bilingually (with a target audience who squeals).
Anyway, this may have been a blessing to my dignity as I couldn't always sing along... But it was dark, and I don't know anyone in Gothenburg anyway and oh it would have been so much better in German! An additional minus with the English is the fact that Bill is not a competent English-speaker = practically non-existent between-song-chatter. I mean, this didn't bother me much but that's like the only direct communication line you'll ever have with the star as a fan, so it's a shame it was stilted.

Apparently to the reviewers the pyrotechnics were basic but they must be rather blasé I guess - I don't go to a lot of concerts so I thought it was pretty awesome. Two soundguys got to step into big seats of tech hoisted to the ceiling with wires - that was also awesome (made me briefly rethink career, was very Matrix-inspired).

To summarize, I'm thinking of removing myself from the FB group worshipping Bill's hair, but I'm actually a bigger fan of Bill as a person and as a singer than ever. So there. In indulging in one of my other big interests folk music I hang out with the age demographic 55+ so shouldn't this emo-activity put me somewhere in the middle, close to something normal?

Yeah, maybe not.

Let's talk strategy

Happy New Year! Despite being not-so-happy about being back at work already I have a good feeling about this year. For instance, I have a new dating strategy. I am going to wear this t-shirt to the gym:

Sorry. I only date Trekkies. by slave2moonlight
See more Trekkies T-Shirts

Failproof.

A study in human pettiness

So. It's lovely for Planet Earth that Obama is dropping by Hopenhagen this week. Endorsement, bla bla bla. Personally I'm already dreading the day. Last time he stopped by it took 3,5h to get home. This time it's not even a Friday.

That's pettiness for you!!

In other news, today I ordered a math book. Like, I paid for it, so that I can study maths. For no particular reason but my own enjoyment. I've gotten this sad idea in my head that if I'd ever gotten some encouragement in maths I would have been much better at it. I recall it being quite fun at times. So I'm thinking that taking a crack at some C-level math on my own is either going to shatter this silly illusion or confirm my hypothesis that I'm some kind of dormant genius (or, at least, someone who could potentially actually do something for a living involving thinking in a science that is not entirely soft).

Also, xmas cheer levels rising steadily. Bought a CD this weekend that you can kind of sing along to. So if my math career goes bust I might follow up on the equally realistic notion that I'm actually a world-class soprano in the making.

Seriously, someone needs to get a life

Today is a struggle. Pondering, pondering, pondering. Life seems to lack purpose and direction. If anyone has any tips on how to stop thinking about these things, I welcome them (not organized forms of religions or anything illegal though).

I blame the subject of a recent post. One thing I have found which separates fantasy from sci-fi is that sci-fi tends to be dystopian to an alarmingly high degree. I don't nesseccarily mean that they all have unhappy endings, but they're certainly not Hollywood happy-endings. Someone gets revenge, or the girl, or the order of things is restored/justice is upheld (even though this may involve death of whole species, or main characters, or fairly depressing conclusions on mankind (and other kinds)). But certainly society is usually dystopian: corporations rule, police are usually the bad guys, there is in general no respect between human beings, the world is polluted and/or in ruins, etc etc. So when you leave a sci-fi novel, modern day life seems - not so bad. Police can usually be trusted, corporations can still successfully be sued on occasion when behaving badly, some people do have respect for other beings, only a few species are extinct etc etc. Your life is your own to spend as you like, huzzah!

Fantasy, on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like. Happy endings. Justice means justice for individuals, not just, the world. The evil get what is coming to them. Everything is possible not by means of technology (to which there is always some limit), but by magic (which is also independant of monetary values). Climate - not an issue. Colours are brighter. Everyone has a purpose. The poor but of noble hearts get their reward, if not in money, then in happiness and contentment with this purpose (although quite often it is glory and wealth as well).

So returning to the real world is suddenly not so fun. Why would you want to live in a world without magic if you have to? Seriously, I have renewed understanding for teenagers who spend 18h a day in WoW or people who spend their weekends with roleplay events. Why would you read the news about terrorism and plague and war and work, work, work to sustaince this existance when you can hide in a world of magic? As long as you have something in 'reality' which is of intrinsic value, like family, or a purpose, love of any kind, etc, then returning is obvious. But if you don't? I can see why you would want to stay and hide.

Ehm, so. Maybe I should just turn this into a sci-fi blog? But I don't really like restricting myself that way.

On another important note, it is once again time for that incredibly important bi-yearly decision: is it time to leave the tinted moisturizer behind for foundation, or am I still not pale enough?
I tested yesterday and decided to give it another week or so (the same goes for the important 'Is it time to wear boots yet?' Q).

A confession

Also, with previous post, it is probaby time for me to admit that I have, despite certain resistance on my part, been dragged down into the swamp that is Fantasy.

I've always tried to limit my intake of dragons and warlocks to the 3 staples: LOTR, HP, and Discworld. You cannot call yourself a nerd if you haven't at least tried to read all of them and loved at least two. Or something (there's probably a proper rule for this somewhere, on a forum).

Recently when I was on holiday I reluctantly brought along the first instalment in the Tales of the Otori - one of these lengthy tales that go on and on and you can buy however so many books (or, at least 4, I think). My friend J, not aware of the disctinct scope of my literary nerdiness (hello! I'm a cyberpunk girl, I want it dark!! apocalypse now please! no bloody magic) gave it to me for my birthday. She was also going on the trip. *cough*

But I loved it. L-O-V-E-D it. I'm buying the next one. And probably the next one.

And now I'm bloody well addicted to Merlin. And Paul Gross (aka Due South mountie Benton Fraser) is going to star in the new version of the Witches of Eastwick, so I have to watch that show. Despite my sister owning pretty much every season of Charmed, I've managed to resist the lure of witch-centered shows - until now!!

I can see that this is just the beginning. It's going to escalate. One day in the not distant future I might find myself reading Terry bloody Brooks.

Yes, I know his name. You cannot borrow Sci-Fi/speculative fiction at the library without having to also browse Fantasy, as for whatever bloody reason these two sub-genres are often inappropriately catalogued together. Oh well. Might save me some time now.

Sigh.

Trek-SPOILER ALERT

So. Bloody marvellous. Not much of a plot, but bloody marvellous!! Lots of character development, skin-prickling and hair-raising sweeps over ships and explosions, and dude...

Spock and Uhura, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g, wohoo!!

I don't recall that from the show though, no idea what's gonna happen to it... Spock was amazing, from the woolly shirts at the beginning (I mean, I don't even *get it* but it was adorable) to the emotional explosions and the infallible logic and boy, did sparks fly between him and the Lt.
The "Pretty-boy goes after Pretty-girl who chooses The Dork scenario" - always a hit with your nerd crowd. Even though in these Hollywood productions the geek is usually equally good-looking to the obvious pretty-boy - a fact the production team sometimes tries to conceal with a pair of glasses, with hilarious, and hot (but never successful) results.

Anyway, I think I may have to see it again. The plot was, as one friend claimed, quite recycled from Trek-dom and not much to hang in the Christmas tree, so to speak, but I just want to gawk some more at the pretty glossy ships and people. Oh, so pretty!!

Lame bits: Winona Ryder's old-woman-makeup - just use an actor with the appropriate age for heaven's sakes!! That worked just fine with the old male Vulcans!! Blah (nothing against Winona, just the principle). Also, though I know it fit with the plot, the whole Captain-sacrifices-life-for-ship/crew while his beautiful wife gives birth and just has time to name their baby - eeeh. Just a tad corny (and by tad I mean quite a lot). Oh, and I don't think it was believable for Spock to abandon Kirk to die. So unless we're supposed to assume he didn't (somehow, premonition, who knows) I didn't think that was very good.
Also, Eric Bana's not-at-all-scary arch enemy look (and the fact that he did it to avenge his dead wife............). So much love all around!! Very fuzzy indeed. But nice!

Yey.

So, Friday!! A is coming into town tonight, spending the whole day tomorrow with J and then meeting up with P and H for Indian food followed by - Schlager!! I made some lchf-friendly desserts yesterday for the big night - nut clusters made with dark chocolate and white chocolate swirls. I need to work on my skills though, the white swirls really just look like - globs. Not terribly attractive actually. But they taste nice! And then going to Öland on Tuesday so oh, busy days!

Trek-alert

A woman obsessed!! That's how you could descibe me these days. I'm doing something as radical as going to the cinema in the middle of the week, on my own, because I just can't wait any longer!! I didn't have time this weekend and the next three weekends are fully booked as well, so mid-week it is!
I've also been spending a lot of time futilely looking for a place to buy this in Europe - shipping time is two to sex weeks from this US site!! There are a few other ones I could imagine getting but not all of them are available in Sweden and a lot of the ones found in the UK are sold out. They didn't anticipate the Trek-mania!!

As with all fans of a non-mass market media product, I'm a little bit suspicious because of how well the movie's doing. Does this mean that the movie is not very Trek or that the rest of the world has seen sense?

I suspect the former. OR, it could be that most movie reviewers who have made it as far as actually getting a job reviewing movies for the masses tend to fall into the nerdish category. That doesn't explain ticket sales though, anti-Trekkiness runs quite deep with some people. It might be a little bit of everything. It probably helps that the young crew is quite hot (see earlier craze about author's willingness to spend mucho dolares to plaster Spock's cheekbones all over my walls, despite social repercussions). Apparently it's fast-paced but with not so much plot. Oh well.
I can't think of any reviews that would make me *not* see it.

Watch this space.

of ants and men...

Wow, this week has pretty much flown by. Highlight of the week: finding out that it's now 95% certain I get to go to Amsterdam for training in July, woohoo!! To add to the splendor it's apparently for a whole week and, in total five of us are going from the office hopefully making it a rather merry event. There will be 39 of us from offices all over Europe, so hopefully I'll get to meet up with some chums from my London days, and of course hopefully get to know other cool colleagues. When I switched role from research to DQ I gave up hope of ever getting sent on any trip on the company's tab so I'm thoroughly excited.
Also, me and my manager had two sessions getting introduced to the new database for data migration purposes, and as I had only a few but mostly negative expectations I was pleasantly surprised. Some functionalities are the same, some are gone, and there are some new ones which will most likely affect a lot of work processes, hopefully for the better. All in all it was inspiring. Data migration is very interesting (for geeks like me), and it's fun to be able to have some impact, however small.

The bummer part of this week is the ants: we suddenly have rather a lot of them, in the kitchen. I reported it Wednesday, have been on the phone all morning as no action so far and someone was supposed to call me back from the exterminator place today but lo behold! the phone has been silent all day (I know, because I've carried it with me everywhere - which has only resulted in me having to dash back to the toilet where I've forgotten it twice).

After last week's total and utter looser-weekend I have a party to go to tomorrow through my social butterfly J. If I manage to avoid getting trashed and the unavoidable consequences of memory loss and severe hangover (see previous post 'the curious incident of the salmon chop') I'm hooking up with A on Sunday to play (the violin). That'll make it the first time I've played with anyone since eh, 2004? (not counting the utterly disastrous attempts with V in final year at uni - I don't know what the heck that was about but our violin's were not compatible).

Right. I think I'm gonna sneak off just a few minutes early in a couple of minutes so toodles!! Wishing you all a pleasant weekend with lots of sunshine!!