Not a Leap Year

We saw the new Die Hard movie last Friday, “A Good Day to Die Hard.” It wasn’t terrible—the action sequences were good and the concept was there—but compared to the last movie it was disappointing, largely because (for me) the dialogue was very stilted and cliché, focusing more on the one-liners than advancing the plot or anything. Plus it didn’t really give John McClane the “nobody else is here to do this” kind of role that the character is really known for… I ended up thinking the movie is begging for a fan fiction rewrite that could really tighten things up and make it 100% better. Or a Phantom Edit-style recut.

Of course, you always have to wonder about (yet another) sequel…

Earlier this month I set up my old Commodore 64 computer system for the kids to see, just for grins. Basically their computer desk in the office has been empty since the (older) Sony Vaio all-in-one system started dying (the integrated LCD monitor light was starting to burn out, which is a huge pain) so I figured, why not? I have to say, it is amusing as hell to see that old system set up again—but other than that first day we were playing around with it, it hasn’t been turned on.

Lots of beer things are happening, too: we’re planning this second year of Central Oregon Beer Week and that has been taking up a lot of time. Maybe I’ll do some “behind the scenes” type posts for that at some point. Suffice to say, there are a lot of good ideas floating around but trying to nail down details like sponsorship packages is a chore. Hopefully we’ll have that dialed in very, very soon and can get down to the fun stuff of drinking beer! Or at least planning out events where we get to drink beer.

Incidentally, Central Oregon Beer Week is taking place from May 20 through 27 this year—the week leading into Memorial Day Weekend. It’s going to be awesome.

Sherlock Holmes

At some point back I’d picked up an older hardcover copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes, and since I’ve found myself watching (and enjoying) the series “Elementary” on TV (no, I’ve missed BBC’s “Sherlock” thus far but I’m quite sure I would love it)—as well as thoroughly enjoying the Robert Downey Jr. “Sherlock Holmes” movies where he plays Sherlock as basically autistically dysfunctional—I decided I needed to properly read the original stories. (I had previously only ever read two or three at most.)

They are as enjoyable as you’d expect, and I have to say, I can quite see where the “modern” interpretation of Holmes comes from: he’s (mostly) able to function in society, but Sir Arthur Conan Doyle pretty well nails the combination of bipolar/manic depressive behavior combined with the savant-level of genius that’s borderline dysfuntional. And he’s a cocaine addict. (Which I knew.)

It’s good stuff, but I have to adjust my mental model to account for the fact that (in the early stories, at least) both Holmes and Watson are no older than their early 30s. Which, to my mind, makes the Downey Jr. Sherlock movies actually… pretty true to form.

Ringing out 2012

I hope everyone has had a good year; for my part I think 2012 was pretty darn good overall. Obviously if you’ve been following this particular blog for the past year (or more) then you’ll note that I haven’t posted much (once a month, on average); a big part of the reason for that is the amount of time and effort I’ve been putting into my beer blog and Bend blog, both of which I’m very proud of, though it does tend to detract from my personal ramblings here (not to mention actual work getting in the way…!).

At any rate, one of my goals is to get more writing done in the year(s) to come, so hopefully I’ll buckle down to include this blog in that goal.

In the meantime, happy New Year everyone! Let’s toast 2012 tonight and ring in 2013 with fanfare!

The big four-oh

So today—which as I write this, is nearly over—is my birthday, and most people know it was a momentous one: 40.

That’s right, one of the Big Ones. (From 30 onward they all get counted in tens, of course.) What’s funny is I’ve been mentally rounding my age up the past few months anyway, so there’s really not much adjustment now that it’s official. And no, I don’t “feel old.”

But it was a very good birthday, with friends and family and beer and good times. Oh and a cigar and a whiskey or two.

And the Mayans didn’t mess it up, either. But now, technically, we’re in the new cycle of their Long Count Calendar (day 2, actually, since it ended on the 21st), which combined with my 40th birthday seems awfully momentous somehow. That could be a good theme for my next 40 years…

Next up: Christmas!

Star Wars + Disney

Obviously it’s not news anymore that Disney bought the Star Wars franchise—or more specifically, Lucasfilm—but all the speculation about the announced new Star Wars movies (starting in 2015) is interesting, if amusing. I’m not particularly worried either way about this new trilogy of Episodes VII, VIII and IX, but I do wonder a bit at what tack they are going to take with them. After all, it’s been nigh on 30 years since the original cast were last on screen together, and while we would all love to see such an official reunion, it could be painful to watch.

Plus, it’s not like there hasn’t already been stories told that take place after Return of the Jedi—that’s what the Star Wars Expanded Universe is all about, really—and much of it is already considered pretty official. Two post-ROTJ series of stories that post immediately to mind—starring the characters from the Original Trilogy—are Dark Horse Comics’ Dark Empire series and Timothy Zahn’s novels. In a lot of ways either one could be considered Episodes 7-9.

And then on a completely irrelevant tangent, consider the possibilities of blending Star Wars with the other Disney properties. The Avengers vs. the Empire anyone?

Robopocalypse

RobopocalypseI recently read the novel Robopocalypse, a science fiction-y thriller about the, er, robot apocalypse—the uprising of robots and technology and the attempt to wipe out humanity, and overall I quite enjoyed it: a good “popcorn” book that entertaining and mostly plausible if you don’t think about it too hard. Definitely movie fodder, and I see that Steven Spielberg is indeed attached to direct the movie that’s coming out next year.

From a storytelling standpoint, it’s structured in much the same way as World War Z: a history of the robot apocalypse, from various records and recollections, from the initial incidents through the finale of the war. This is a good, logical and easy-reading structure to adopt and as a result reads pretty quickly. And, it’s good at building suspense: even though the conceit is you’re reading a history—something that’s already happened and resolved otherwise you wouldn’t be reading it—you’ll keep turning the page to see what will happen next and how it all comes together.

The main quibble I have is the presence of a couple of “deus ex machina” (heh) plot threads that become key elements in the climax and resolution (one of which has a bit of a Matrix quality to it). Yes, I know it’s set in the (near) future and it’s sci-fi, but really that makes this type of thing even more jarring if you think too hard about it.

Otherwise it’s a good read, and of course there’s enough wiggle room to allow for a sequel. Because really, you can’t get enough robot apocalypse!

Further reading in case you’re interested.

The most epic spam email ever

So I got this spam a little while back, and I couldn’t resist sharing. Here, in its entirety:

December 21, 2012:
Mayan Galactic Alignment
Once in 26,000 years

Celebrate the end of the Mayan Calendar,
the Sun aligning with the center of the Galaxy,
and the 2012 Winter Solstice.

Greetings ,

The “2012 Mayan Galactic Alignment” celebrates an astronomical event that happens once every 26,000 years.

Join me on a spectacular Cruise and Seminar-At-Sea to the sacred Mayan sites of the Yucatan, where we will gather in grand ceremonies and rituals that close a 5000-year era of darkness, and open a new eon of light – the ascension of humanity.

This is “the place to be on Dec. 21, 2012.”

The Carnival Triumph takes us to Chichen Itza and Cozumel, where we will honor this Time with ritual and ceremony, participate in seminars and healing while at Sea, and celebrate on a world class cruise ship.

On December 21, 2012, the Great Long Count Cycle, which began in 3114 BC, will end. The Fourth World will pass, and the “World of the Fifth Sun” will be born.

Now add your momentum to the vibrational energy that culminates in the peak spiritual event of the Millennium – the Winter Solstice, at the incredibly auspicious hour of 11:11 a.m. Universal Time on December 21, 2012. At that time, on that date, everything we know will change. We will enter a new world – a world of Ascension.

Learn more at http://www.mayancruise2012.com

Now hear a F’REE Teleseminar with speakers who will be on the cruise:

http://www.mayanteleseminar.com

Where will you be on Dec. 21, 2012 ?
We know where we will be – At this once-in-a-lifetime event !

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Workshops on the seminar-at-sea, as amazing speakers, such as Fred Alan Wolf, expert Mayan scholars, and enlightened spiritual leaders awaken our consciousness!

- Nightly Skywatch with Richard C. Hoagland, as we view the Galactic Algnment, a once-in-26,000-year event!

- Awesome Rituals, Initiations, and Fire Ceremonies at Mayan temples with Mayan Elders Hunbatz Men and Tomasa Lissell as we prepare to enter the “World of the Fifth Sun.”

- The Sun aligning with Hunab K’u, the Center of the Galaxy, in a spectacular Solstice light transmission and telescope array.

- The precise moment, 11:11 AM GMT, the end of the Mayan Long Count Calendar Cycle, witnessed in a Skywatch and Inner Journey to the Galactic Center, and with prayers, meditations, and light transmissions from the Ascended Masters.

- Visits to Chichen Itza and other pyramids and temples.

- Visit to San Gervasio, home of Ixchel, the Mayan Fertility Goddess, on Cozumel, and swim with her dolphins.

- Celebration of the Ascension of Humanity into a higher vibration with music, dance, food, and entertainment on a world class cruise ship.

- Honoring the date December 21, 2012, when the next cycle of human evolution begins, with transformative initiatory rituals by Mayan Elders, and meditation led by Babaji and other ascended beings.

This date is, by far, the epic metaphysical event of our lifetime.
And it comes once every 26,000 years!

Space is Very Limited. Learn More and Register Now at http://www.mayancruise2012.com

Be a part of this vital process, as you contribute your spiritual energy to this keystone event. This gathering can transform the planet at a time when transformation is essential.

You are called to be a part of this planetary ascension of consciousness, at this time, in this place!

Space is Very Limited!
Learn More and Register Now at http://www.mayancruise2012.com
Mention my name when you register.

“This is not a cruise. This is a Spiritual Experience. This is a spiritual awakening that will transform your life. You will pass from an age of darkness into an age of light. Your life will be blessed, and you will never be the same.”
–The Immortal Babaji

Mayan Apocalypse cruise. It’s hard to beat that.