tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13394249466826879362024-02-06T22:04:28.608-05:00The Bitter Trolley ConductorBitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-11073750047415026482014-12-26T20:30:00.002-05:002014-12-26T20:38:05.109-05:00The Conductor writes some poetry<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jolan'tru, and welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley. Since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the Bitter Trolley underway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I apologize as the Trolley has not been running for some time, and I cannot give a specific reason other than I would start typing, and then just crumple up the paper, as it were, thinking, no one cares what I have to say. But I have decided I will start posting again because if nothing else, it helps to just put some thoughts out there. A lot has happened since the last trip and maybe I’ll recap it, but not this trip. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I figured I would get back in the swing of things by posting a poem I wrote. Yeah, the Conductor writes poetry. Now, I am not saying it's any good...and it is taken me a bit of pushing myself to post it because, you know, fear of intense mocking. But fuck it, why not? So here is the first post as the Trolley gets back on the tracks and starts running again.</span></div>
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<u><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Coldness</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Acting a part in a minimal play<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Your character with no life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">It’s always the same<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">You feel with all senses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">You cry with false tears<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Exposing to the open world<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">All those so-called fears<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">For the dreams became too real<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Sweat poured from my face<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The touch of your hand I still feel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">With coldness inside<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">I break from the past<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">A love now carries on<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Love that could not last<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">The night air forces howls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Cold air slaps my face<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">All senses are soon numb<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">From my inner coldness</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large; line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Well, we are approaching the station, as always, thanks for reading. And as always, thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels. Jolan'tru.</span></div>
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</span></span></span>Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-19790421256891316552012-08-30T20:41:00.002-04:002012-08-31T09:00:52.855-04:00Kelly Meding's Trance mesmerizes<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trance-Kelly-Meding/dp/1451620926/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346372966&sr=1-1&keywords=trance"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Trance </i></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">by Kelly Meding</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jolan Tru, and welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley. Since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the Bitter Trolley underway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes it’s true the Trolley has not been running for some time, and for that I apologize. A lot has happened and maybe I’ll recap it, but not this trip. As faithful BT riders know I read a lot of <i>Star Trek</i> novels, not only because of my love of the series, but to support the authors I have come to know and call friends and discuss them on The G and T Show (which you can download at <a href="http://www.gandtshow.com/">www.gandtshow.com</a> or listen to live 9 a.m. East Coast time, Sunday mornings at <a href="http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms">www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms</a>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I recently stepped into a new world and read <i>Trance</i> by Kelly Meding, and I couldn’t be any happier that I did. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileL7-TUthRgw6v6PqQek8EAfNL1NQO5JR3wBS1XpEGSppTPWH4DDTkCF7lXmHv30VdJzbxFUNsjBsZfTQ3hqbOyPXQg6nAggrCWqXAQ4AlU3bVv5FMr0cwnEeXTXKVMYDy47pZX_o2GyZ/s1600/119047171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileL7-TUthRgw6v6PqQek8EAfNL1NQO5JR3wBS1XpEGSppTPWH4DDTkCF7lXmHv30VdJzbxFUNsjBsZfTQ3hqbOyPXQg6nAggrCWqXAQ4AlU3bVv5FMr0cwnEeXTXKVMYDy47pZX_o2GyZ/s1600/119047171.JPG" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Trance</i> is set in a Los Angeles devastated by the Meta War 15 years earlier. “What’s the Meta War?”you ask. It was the war fought between the Ranger Corps and the Banes, superheroes and supervillians. <i>Trance</i> begins during the War’s final hours as 10-year-old Teresa “Trance” West and a group of preteens flee through the battlefield that is New York City, when the Metas suddenly lose their powers. Moving forward 15 years Teresa is stuck moving from one dead-end job to another when her powers reappear as mysteriously as they vanished. But there’s a catch, her abilities are completely transformed and more powerful than ever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Trance journeys to Los Angeles hoping to track down any surviving Rangers, discover why her powers were restored and who is trying to kill the surviving Rangers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meding’s urban fantasy/superhero world is a gritty, desolate and passionate place filled with action, suspense and characters that spring to life off the page. She writes in the first person, taking us into Trance’s head, heart and pain. The deeper into the book I got the more I fell in love with Trance. She is reeling from years of anger, depression and abandonment which give her a snarky attitude and mouth to match. I loved it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the enjoyable aspects of Meding’s writing is her characters are not two-dimensional cutouts, but come across as real people. Real people with powers that fans of <i>X-Men </i>or <i>Alphas</i> will enjoy, and some of the best code-names I can remember. I was picturing different actors as the characters as I read Trance, and that, for me, is a huge positive. Meding’s dialogue is smart, and there were several occasions I found myself laughing out loud at the banter in the book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Writing exciting and realistic action scenes is something Meding has a definite talent for, and on more than one occasion I had to slow myself down as I was caught up in the action. Meding also has a talent for writing sexy scenes, scenes that fit organically in the plot and don’t ever feel forced.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another huge plus in <i>Trance</i> is that no one is safe; Meding has no problem creating situations where I put the book (or Kindle, I was reading in both formats) down, looking at the ceiling trying to absorb what just happened. This is a testament to the world she created and how much I cared about what was happening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So if you are looking for a book with a different take on the superhero genre, I highly recommend <i>Trance</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As always, thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels.</span><br />
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Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-80710746807681939722011-11-07T14:02:00.000-05:002011-11-07T14:02:18.571-05:00Geek and geek! What is geek?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Jolan Tru, and welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley. Since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the Bitter Trolley underway.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s been almost two months exactly since the Bitter Trolley took its last run, and in that time there’s been a lot I have wanted to comment on, but just have not had the spark, the gusto, if you will, to actually put pen to paper (AHHHAHAHAHAHA I’m so old!) and share my nonsense with the world. Today I read a wonderful post from my Twitter and STLV friend @ernie_five, <strong><em>Geek Closet: From Squalor to Spaceship: Wherein I question my status as a geek </em></strong></span><a href="http://geek-closet.blogspot.com/2011/11/wherein-i-question-my-status-as-geek.html"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://geek-closet.blogspot.com/2011/11/wherein-i-question-my-status-as-geek.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">, and he’s inspired me to share something I have been thinking about.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I have proclaimed my geekdom to the world, and am proud of it. I said it before and will say it again: I like who I am, I am so happy with the people I associate with in my geek life, and, while my coming out of the geek closet cost me in some major ways, I know <em>“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.”</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But I have been doing some geek self-appraisal lately and asking myself just what kind of geek I am, and how deep does it run for me? Maybe some of you riding the Bitter Trolley are rolling your eyes or shaking your head, but hey, these are the thoughts I have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So how do they relate to Ernie’s blog and the spark he gave me? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Well, Ernie says, <em>“Inside the subway train, and in borderline crisis mode, I seriously doubted my geek credentials: I don't go out to see all of the latest comic book movies, I'm not familiar with names of the recent major scribes and artists, don't recognize anime characters, and, if I were pressed, I couldn't spout out credible Treknobabble if universes were in jeopardy.”</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(<strong>SQUIRREL!</strong> I love the word “Treknobabble” he uses there, and indeed, I am replacing “technobabble” with it from now one. Thanks Ernie!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There is so much there I recognized right away. While I have seen the <em>Iron Man</em> films, <em>Thor</em> and <em>Captain America</em>, and am waiting for <em>The Avengers</em>, I see few comic book films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I look at sites like <a href="http://tor.com/">Tor.com</a> or <a href="http://io9.com/">IO9.com</a>, I rarely recognize names of sci-fi or horror authors, and to be honest, my geek reading is mainly in the Trek lit universe. I couldn’t tell you the names of any anime characters – except the crew from <em>Star Blazers</em> – and honestly, have only played one MMO or MMORPG, <em>Star Trek Online</em>. Even that is being tested because of all the changes and destruction of the Star Trek universe going on, but that is a whole other rant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(For an excellent read on what is going on with STO, read <a href="http://blackbootedblogger.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html">These Bootz Were Made for Bloggin'</a> by TerilynnS </span><a href="http://blackbootedblogger.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://blackbootedblogger.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But here is what I am a geek about: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Star Trek (TV, film and lit)</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Battlestar Galactica</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Firefly</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Walking Dead</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Big Bang Theory</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Being Human</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms">The G and T Show</a> (every Sunday morning, 9 a.m. EST </span><a href="http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">) [@SundayGandT, Sunday G and T on Facebook, #SundayGandT]</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms">Impressions of Sound</a> (9 p.m. EST every Wed. </span><a href="http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">) [#ImpressionsofSound]</span></div></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(Ok, I am co-host and host of the last two, but damn it I am working in a cheap plug where I can!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">That’s just a few things. So does the fact that I am only geeked about a small amount of Geekdom lesson my geek cred? Maybe. It always strikes me as funny when fellow geeks are stunned I have not watched and love (insert show here), but they have never seen something I love and go on about. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But here is where the family bond is strong: we tell the other what it is we love and maybe even get the other interested in watching or reading it, and then compare thoughts. Rarely is it lacking civility and humor, and even if we don’t agree we can still find things we can nitpick together. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So while I share Ernie’s angst about my geek credentials, I realize that it’s ok to not have to love everything geek. We all have our niche and what makes the community special is, <strong>THAT’S OK. </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So Ernie, and any other geeks who have been navel gazing recently, I guess what this is all about is just one geek saying to another, it’s ok. Love what you love and love it with passion. I know the Bitter Trolley will always be glad you are riding with us, and it is that diversity and universe spanning difference among us that makes us all the better.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I hope this hastily written and totally stream of consciousness rambling made any sense to you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, we are approaching the station, as always, thanks for reading. And as always, thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels. Jolan Tru.</span></span>Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-39771701828534725722011-09-08T12:23:00.001-04:002011-09-09T12:59:05.718-04:00Happy 45th Birthday Star Trek!<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley, and since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the Bitter Trolley underway.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">I am sorry it has been so long since the Trolley has been in service. It seems life has a way of moving forward and sometimes I have to force myself to pull the handle overhead and slow down, but here we are again on another ride. So hello! Guten Tag! </span><span style="color: #414141; font-family: 'MS Mincho'; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">もし もし</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #414141; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho';">! Привет!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">Today is Sept. 8, 2011 – it is also the 45th anniversary of the airing of the first <strong><em>Star Trek</em></strong> episode, <em>“The Man Trap.”</em> That day in 1966 changed not only televised sci-fi, but was the start of not only what is now known as a classic TV show, inspiring five other series bearing the name <strong><em>“Star Trek”</em></strong> and 11 feature films, as well as countless novels, fan written stories and productions, video games, etc.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuizx6KgYL5vvhtIPLzPHOoN76rbA-EFzxBJUo5olikFP6MZznwVyiKAeq7-Djl7QZI_sbdfLQE6lmtlxQBlOizCt_7dIjKvspFTV3XYyhwl1EPhkBSgtIHrLuWz0hVzCbDyQpE7Sd-gT/s320/Star_Trek_Cast.jpg" width="320px" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">It’s funny, Trekkies are such an easy target for people to make fun of, but I have to say, I am so proud to be one. We all share a love of the series, and I dare say no other television series has engendered that kind of love. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">I had the great fortune and honor of attending the Star Trek Las Vegas Convention, and it was such an amazing experience being with 15,000 others and we all share the same passion. I said to my dear friend and <strong><a href="http://www.gandtshow.com/">G and T Show</a></strong> co-host Teri (and he wonderful husband Allen, a new BFF </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> ) that for all the acclaim and media talk when <strong><em>ER</em></strong> was a huge hit, or the West Wing, I don’t see conventions for those shows bringing people from around the world.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">Why does <strong><em>Star Trek</em></strong> have such longevity and inspire such devotion? I am no PhD, but I think it’s simple. Good stories. It is just that simple. Yes, there are moral and social messages throughout Trek, it’s a staple of the show, but if the writing sucked (and let’s not kid ourselves fellow Trekkies, there have been some stinkers that make Steve Martin’s rebooted <em>Pink Panther</em> look like <em>Raging Bull</em>) the show would not have captured our imagination.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">As a fan I have met so many amazing people, and if I started to name them I know two things: </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">1 – I could go on forever talking about my friends and how much they mean to me, and:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">2 – I know I would leave someone out unintentionally and then feel like a Ceti Alpha eel, so I won’t do that. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">Instead I will thank all the writers who got behind a typewriter/keyboard, all the interns and those who worked on a set, in the art and production departments, the actors, the unsung PAs...and most importantly, the late Gene Roddenberry for the journey they took us on.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">Ok, I am going to break the vow I made in the paragraph above and give a distinct shout out. If there was no Star Trek, then there would not be a <strong><a href="http://www.gandtshow.com/">G and T Show</a></strong>, and I would not have the absolute pleasure of knowing my co-host Teri. So yeah, I am calling one person out, but I think you understand.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">This Bitter Trolley ride is a short one, but I just wanted to say hello, and wish <strong><em>Star Trek</em></strong> a happy 45th birthday. I hope you all LLAP!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">A reminder and shameless plug: if you haven’t tuned in during the live broadcast of <a href="http://www.gandtshow.com/">The G and T Show</a> on Sunday mornings (and because I am a shameless plug whore, that’s at 9 a.m. EST/6 a.m. PST/1400 GMT) – well, what are you waiting for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can find it at: </span><a href="http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also hear our older shows at: </span><a href="http://www.gandtshow.com/"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">www.gandtshow.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> and also find our link to our iTunes archive.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, we are approaching the station, as always, thanks for reading. And as always, thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels. Jolan Tru.</span></span></div>Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-38278811080708855152011-06-30T14:03:00.001-04:002011-06-30T22:09:01.248-04:00My Geek Life, It Just Gets Better<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley, and since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the Bitter Trolley underway.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Jolan Tru Trolley Riders! It has been a hectic and sometimes frustrating last few weeks, and about to get even busier! But want to know something? I wouldn’t want my life to go any way but where it has been headed at the moment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Let me start with a shameless plug: if you haven’t tuned in during the live broadcast of <strong><em>The G and T Show</em></strong> on Sunday mornings (and because I am a shameless plug whore, that’s at 9 a.m. EST/6 a.m. PST/1400 GMT) – well, what are you waiting for? You can find it at: </span><a href="http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You can find the archived shows on: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMo7VXxfpLA&feature=youtu.be"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMo7VXxfpLA&feature=youtu.be</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Terilynn and I have had some really spirited discussions, and even when we are agreeing with one another we know the people in the chat room will have points of view to get us fired up! And for those who have been tuning in, I cannot thank you near enough. We love doing the show, but knowing there are so many that have made it “appointment listening” – I just cannot find the words to express my thanks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A final quick aside about <strong><em>The G and T Show</em></strong> (and you can follow us on Twitter: @SundayGandT and find us on Facebook: Sunday G and T Show) – I am truly blessed to have a lady who not only is one of the most fun people I have known, but her sense of humor, her incredible knowledge on so many things and her willingness to speak up about her convictions on topics as varied as the rainbow, make her the perfect foil to my idiocy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Yes, I love Teri to the end of time, and just wanted to say publicly: Thank you for being in my life and making me work harder in the pursuit of my passions. You are the best. *Hugglez*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It has also been a productive time for me in my fanfic writing (and once again, thanks to Teri for kicking me in the fourth point of contact and encouraging me and spurring me on). I have had a few short stories put up on the <em>Star Trek Online</em> forums, and actually sat down and started writing the grand Star Trek opus I have wanted to write for years. It is so frustrating, but also a great feeling of accomplishment when I get through another section of the book. I just need to make myself sit down and actually write a whole lot more.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Speaking of <em>Star Trek Online</em> (STO in shorthand for those who don’t play), my journey with the Caspian Division continues, and one thing that always makes me laugh out loud is the irreverence of this group. We can be in the middle of a brutal and overwhelming battle with the Borg, but turn around and sure enough a fleet member is dancing on a platform or in the middle of a firefight. I love it. The open willingness of the core fleet members to share tips and help others improve their characters is always something that has me shaking my head in sincere admiration for the quality of people we have. It is a joy to know these people. Oh, and the conversations going on in Vent as we are fighting to save the universe….we really could have our own reality show.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">On a non-Trek note, I have really been enjoying the Syfy airing of <em>Star Blazers</em>. I’ll have more to say about that later.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">If you enjoy Trek fan productions, I implore you to watch <span style="color: blue;"><em><strong>Star Trek: Reunion</strong></em></span>, and marvel at the hard work, dedication and sheer joy the creators put into it. <em><strong><span style="color: blue;">Star Trek: Reunion</span></strong></em> is a fan-made <em>Star Trek Online m</em>achinima (look it up because I’m not explain it) that you have to see to believe. You can view the first episode, "The Gathering Storm," at: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BONOjubY48&feature=youtu.be&a"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BONOjubY48&feature=youtu.be&a</span></a><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Major props, kudos and a heartfelt, “HUZZAH!” to Oliver V. Smith and so many others for this gem of Trek fanfic. Amazing job to all of you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Before we reach our final destination, let me say how utterly and completely excited I am that a week from now I will be in Baltimore for Shore Leave 33. I am looking forward to seeing some old friends, and meeting others I have talked to online in person for the first time. I’ll be broadcasting <strong><em>The G and T Show</em></strong> live from the convention, and several Trek authors have already agreed to appear, either live, or sit down to tape an interview for later airing. How frakking cool is that? I mean really!!!!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I will blog from Shore Leave, so I hope you check in for that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Then, a month later, I am….*taking a deep breath to calm down*…<span style="color: yellow;">GOING TO VEGAS BABY!</span> Going for Star Trek Las Vegas Convention!!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Am I excited? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Really? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Are Vulcan women just too damn sexy??? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And again, Teri and I will do a live show from the Rio in Vegas. That’s 6 a.m. in Vegas, so if you want to hear two very tired; possibly still drinking Trek fans on the air, that’ll be the show for you. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I cannot tell you how wonderful my life has been on a personal level since I met so many of you, since I decided to accept my geek. I am in your debt for the kindness, love and support you show daily. So many of you mean so much to me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A final note: T’Pring – I miss you. <u>A lot</u>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, we are approaching the station, as always, thanks for reading. And as always, thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels. Jolan Tru.</span></span></div>Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-83231155669268327202011-06-10T22:32:00.003-04:002011-06-11T18:40:28.893-04:00The G&T Show - Trek lit on the air!<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley, and since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the Bitter Trolley underway.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3YnWGEMESUIEdk0uy8PYJGYFsQUjNOngFBWWdzD-NmHY44g4vc2Q-3QCcwSqG_JALhJ8KxiazhSptJrSaICwFf6ayvXuAprvKOmvQo1Hd19NdCrFqNIEQw8psUWAxQCUc1UstiCqt8vM/s1600/Press+release.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3YnWGEMESUIEdk0uy8PYJGYFsQUjNOngFBWWdzD-NmHY44g4vc2Q-3QCcwSqG_JALhJ8KxiazhSptJrSaICwFf6ayvXuAprvKOmvQo1Hd19NdCrFqNIEQw8psUWAxQCUc1UstiCqt8vM/s320/Press+release.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<b>G&T Press Release</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trek Lit and Sci-Fi Fans…Exciting News!<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cerberus Films, the studio responsible for the upcoming “Star Trek: Reunion,” proudly announced today a fun new way to begin your Sunday mornings. Start the day with a new internet TV broadcast — The G&T Show — going live at 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT), Sunday, June 19, 2011, at http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms with a duo that will keep you entertained and wanting more. [Bios and schedule included at end of release.]<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each week, hear the latest Trek Lit and Sci-Fi news and hear interviews with Trek lit and comic book authors. If you are a fan of Star Trek, science fiction and discussions of events around our world, and beyond, tune in for this provocative, entertaining and seat-of-your-pants talk show.<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For more information about The G&T show contact: film@cerberusfilms.co.uk and stay tuned to the twitter accounts of @Cerberusfilms, @TerilynnS and @Gettysburg7 for up to date news on this exciting new show.</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Gettysburg7 (Nick Minecci)</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Co-host, The G&T Show Nick is a self-described “sci-fi loving geek” and avid fan fiction writer. He has a blog devoted to the joys of Star Trek and the pride of being a geek, http://www.bittertrolley.blogspot.com , and can be counted on to cite some obscure bit of minutia or make a bizarre film reference at any time. He is also an avid Star Trek Online player, and is known for his deep affection for Commander Christine Vale of the Star Trek novels.</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">TeriLynnS (Terilynn Shull)</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Co-host, The G&T Show Terry is a general Star Trek Columnist for AirlockAlpha.com and contributing Star Trek Online columnist for SubspaceCommunique.com. She also co-hosts the Star Trek Online and Foundry-focused production - PodcastUGC. Terry is an avid hobby and fan fiction author, and an official publication reader. Terry is known around the Star Trek fan community for her love of beards and boots.</span>"</span></b></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is truly a pleasure to see you again Trolley riders, I have been remiss in my blogging, and hope you aren’t too upset at the delay. But today we are rolling down the tracks again, and I have great news to share. As you can see, I am involved in a new adventure – I am co-host of “The G&T Show” – an internet radio show focusing on the world of Star Trek, with an emphasis on the novels.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My co-host is one of the most wonderful ladies it has been my pleasure to have grace my life, Terri Lynn Shull. Teri and I share a mutual love of Trek lit, and Trek itself, as well as comics and film. We also are as opposite as two people can be when it comes to so many topics I cannot begin to explain, but never once in a debate or conversation with her have I ever ended the day remotely mad or upset with her, and I can dare say, the same is true for her.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That is what makes us teaming for this venture such a great fit, we are alike and different, and we share a mutual love and respect that the audience will hear. So here is where you come in Trolley riders! Tune in! As you listen, play the G&T home game…every time Teri or I snort with laughter, take a drink. Keep a tally of any double entendrie you hear, see how many obscure film references you can identify!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Join our family and enjoy Sunday mornings with two people who will make you laugh, entertain you, and maybe even bring you some views on Trek lit, Trek in general and sci-fi that you hadn’t thought of. I KNOW that when we have our discussion about the <i>Star Trek – Deep Space Nine</i> finale many of you will be scratching your head and saying, “Oh wow. Hadn’t thought of that!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Some more good news, we will have the ability to take calls from listeners, interact and really get some good talk going.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would totally be remiss if I did not thank young Oliver V. Smith, known by those of us on Twitter as @cerberusfilms, without whom this would not be possible. He is not only one of the most mature and dynamic young people I have ever met, but I am convinced he will be a ruler of the entertainment world one day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So at 9 a.m. EST June 19, boot up, log on, and share breakfast with Teri and me. I think it will be a wonderful Sunday morning addiction for you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading. And as always, thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels.</span></div>Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-76427487695474660582011-03-29T13:51:00.006-04:002011-03-29T16:55:49.243-04:00Accepting the geek – Part IV: The queens of geek<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley, and since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the Bitter Trolley underway.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>As I mentioned in <em>“Accepting the geek – Part I”</em> - </strong></span><a href="http://bittertrolley.blogspot.com/2011/03/accepting-geek-part-i.html"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>http://bittertrolley.blogspot.com/2011/03/accepting-geek-part-i.html</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong> -it was a long trip for me to accept who I am, a geek. I say it proudly, and without reservation, and if anyone has issues with the person I am, then too bad for them. I like the person I have finally discovered I am, and I have made some amazing friends in this process of realization.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>That’s what I want to talk about today, some of the people I’ve met as I’ve opened myself to accepting my geek. In particular, the women I have come to know. The geek women.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>I will be up front and admit, like many, when I would think of geeks I had the image we’ve been fed by popular media for years, the nerdy, out-of-shape lonely guy living in his parent’s basement. If a woman is portrayed as a geek, she’s either fat or painfully thin, again with the glasses and so shut off from reality it’s scary.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Well guess what. Geek women are some of the smartest, sassiest, most quick-witted and beautiful women in the world. It’s interesting that if I hadn’t relented and finally got a Twitter account, I would never have known about the universe of geek women out there, and my life would be a lot duller than it is now. </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>One of the things I tell people that ask about Twitter is that with Facebook you can keep in contact with friends in a general way, but with Twitter you can expand your knowledge and meet people for whatever niche you choose. I was so lucky that early on in my Twitter journey I met a really wonderful lady named Terry, and we became friends quickly. Through her I started meeting scores of others who love sci-fi as much as I do, and in many cases more, many of them women. My world became richer and my intellect constantly challenged by these women, and I love that.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>These are not the overall wearing types pop culture purveyors like to present (yeah, I did that on purpose LOL) – not even close. These are professional, educated and very intelligent women (and intelligent is so sexy) who can discuss how women are portrayed in sci-fi, then switch to nitpicks of episodes and explain the science of their argument then discuss their gaming adventures in the blink of an eye. Then say, “Sorry, gotta go, about to go for a 10-mile mountain bike ride.”</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">As I stated in an earlier ride on the Bitter Trolley, I am an avid </span></strong><a href="http://www.startrekonline.com/"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Star Trek Online</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;"> player, and the amount of women players astounds me. Sure there are guys that make women characters, but being able to hook into Ventrilo and talk to the other players, there are some stunning ladies (intellectually as well as physically) playing the game.</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>So what I have to wonder is why do so many of those who decide to present women like this do so? Are they scared of smart women, confident women and women that are not afraid to tell you what they are thinking?</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>It’s funny, when the amazing Jeri Ryan was cast as Seven of Nine, so many people derided it as a casting stunt, and the joke flew about geeks having their pin up girl. The truth is, if you have ever heard her talk, if you follow her on Twitter or read her writings, Jeri Ryan should be a role model for young women, and the fact she’s drop-dead gorgeous, well, that’s just a bonus for the geeks out here.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>I have some coworkers that were discussing MTV’s 16 and Pregnant, but when they heard about a debate I was having with my geek women friends about the Star Trek Deep Space Nine finale <em>“What You leave Behind”</em> – they thought that was so odd. Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still love the episode, but some things were pointed out to me about the ending no man ever had ever said to me. I like that. Oh, but it’s set in space, it <em>must</em> be silly. But real housewives shows aren't. Uh huh.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>So who are the queens of geek? It's simple, it's not some actress or writer, it is the everyday woman out there who enjoys the adventure, the learning and the fun of sci-fi/fantasy/gaming. It's the women I am lucky to meet every day.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>In the end it all boils down to one thing for me, geek women are the best of us, and I could not be more privileged and proud that I know them, and they accept and love me for who I am. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>It is truly the geek man that is lucky, because geek women are more than a pretty face, they have the brains to keep us interested.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>If you choose to make fun, to belittle or to tell us, “Get a life!” then you don’t get it. We have one, and it’s damn good.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Thanks for reading. And as always, thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels.</strong></span><br />
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</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Oh, before you leave the Trolley, check out the following blogs by some wonderful geek women, it's worth the time:</span></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<a href="http://scifichick.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://scifichick.com/</span></a><br />
<a href="http://blackbootedblogger.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://blackbootedblogger.blogspot.com/</span></a>Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-58999268962376138512011-03-18T13:18:00.005-04:002011-03-22T01:13:51.456-04:00Accepting the geek – Part III: Trek in print<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley, and since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the Bitter Trolley underway.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I mentioned in a previous post, it was the discovery of the <em>Gateways</em> series while in Iraq that reignited my geek, so I thought it would be a good time to talk a little Trek lit. I know there is a lot more than just Trek out there for geek reading (and I have to just throw in, The novel <em>"Batman – No Man’s Land"</em> was fantastic), but for my pleasure reading I read Trek. Nothing against other sci-fi series, I just don’t have time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">I liked the <em>Gateways</em> series well enough, but I was lost in some of it because I had never read Trek lit, so <em>Gateways</em> really was a gateway for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In order to understand what I was reading I jumped on <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a> to start ordering other books, as well as the DVDs of every season of every Trek series. <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a> is truly one of my best friends when deployed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhaYJ2NB_oK_iUNNSoSEq_8RoTvJ0mYA8Fc5mvJO6Risuendc4VNpvsSl9qG_R32bfdl0tFRMx3uRZXCTQNFxFGxJqGbdpd0tUo_NPckLJvSD52fK43g_kAQecoc7BaZl-TUSFGmej7SP/s1600/48b640a7e724b2f4_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhaYJ2NB_oK_iUNNSoSEq_8RoTvJ0mYA8Fc5mvJO6Risuendc4VNpvsSl9qG_R32bfdl0tFRMx3uRZXCTQNFxFGxJqGbdpd0tUo_NPckLJvSD52fK43g_kAQecoc7BaZl-TUSFGmej7SP/s1600/48b640a7e724b2f4_thumb.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another major factor in my discovering Trek in print was author and really great guy, David Mack. When I went to <a href="http://startrek.com/">StarTrek.com</a> and asked on the message board if anyone could help me find the <em>Gateways</em> novels I didn’t have, not only was Dave kind enough to send me the missing ones, but he sent a ton of sci-fi and fantasy novels, helping me build quite the library in our office. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As I was reading the <em>Gateways</em> series I was confused when I read <em>“Cold Wars”</em> by Peter David. I had never heard of Captain Mackenzie Calhoun of the U.S.S. Excalibur or the <em>New Frontier</em> series, so it truly was a “Huh???” moment for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Within a month I had ordered all the <em>New Frontier</em> novels and was on my way. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnoUT65XQAGbl5_btyG8NvwN8AZ_FIWGPtkm3pKTq_qH3dur9bfXR15VBNxI488iEH9SnDJSV-iXK5wQgLbAfds4eO2OGctACzKmcoEti2AEMcg5_mmwQ8u-70p4vz_RQqYbfeKLYCEU0/s1600/60-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnoUT65XQAGbl5_btyG8NvwN8AZ_FIWGPtkm3pKTq_qH3dur9bfXR15VBNxI488iEH9SnDJSV-iXK5wQgLbAfds4eO2OGctACzKmcoEti2AEMcg5_mmwQ8u-70p4vz_RQqYbfeKLYCEU0/s320/60-6.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">It became a daily ritual that when I left the embassy for my ride to work, then again at dinner, and during down times, I was reading the novels and loving it, now getting deeper into the novel universe and enjoying heading into the unknown.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I returned to the States my reading slacked off, there was just no time with the daily grind of reintegrating, starting a new job, seeing my children, etc. I would get a book occasionally, but not with the passion I had overseas. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I deployed again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">This deployment I took Greg Cox’s two volume <em>“The Eugenics Wars: The Rise and Fall of Khan Noonien Singh”</em> and <em>“To Reign in Hell: The Exile of Khan Noonien Singh,” </em>and really enjoyed the ride. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabDaN3GNtzaAipVWPYxHmVJkewNLE29X4M-QGFdjkIAEuN8Lptt8XfIYr82Wn6aTtWHa6Q84oysbutFxBauP5HDD-O_EETrKeLQIw93l1qr0sd9h2uRu2PFV3QPLh6DBc7p53A_dg9p4K/s1600/khan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabDaN3GNtzaAipVWPYxHmVJkewNLE29X4M-QGFdjkIAEuN8Lptt8XfIYr82Wn6aTtWHa6Q84oysbutFxBauP5HDD-O_EETrKeLQIw93l1qr0sd9h2uRu2PFV3QPLh6DBc7p53A_dg9p4K/s320/khan1.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFfShUO68Ou1DQjTm_YfMZ_XCozFVaJvb7iVRTCJ38P4zd4kw_tHB-hMlIVUT3NSm9BREf4JFtlH3TAhvrVcEwG0hkU4zYpI99T3LP2wxVDwWU_YOB98GHE3sK5gSl0qmsKxVkDh4OT1I/s1600/n29991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFfShUO68Ou1DQjTm_YfMZ_XCozFVaJvb7iVRTCJ38P4zd4kw_tHB-hMlIVUT3NSm9BREf4JFtlH3TAhvrVcEwG0hkU4zYpI99T3LP2wxVDwWU_YOB98GHE3sK5gSl0qmsKxVkDh4OT1I/s320/n29991.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNen_5W8kgn_OnFjVR1cN8jq1Yjw0cDMJDjFvJZzjYUTlJPGMhqOyTCtIRdYMxDzttCTTVWbieKKqpE71PRBZUyiBiecrTiICUHtodDwOaJFBTBGfqFyAc_-O8Nwl4_62lutClh8IpUlbZ/s1600/n96061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNen_5W8kgn_OnFjVR1cN8jq1Yjw0cDMJDjFvJZzjYUTlJPGMhqOyTCtIRdYMxDzttCTTVWbieKKqpE71PRBZUyiBiecrTiICUHtodDwOaJFBTBGfqFyAc_-O8Nwl4_62lutClh8IpUlbZ/s320/n96061.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">I followed that with the <em>TNG</em> series <em>“A Time To”</em> series. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAXuwqouNMbGCqrDVulJk22D8Ccv3UZeJun7FvSVGhXNapUkh0SmIGSSTeJ_OpqApwcrAwcTh01otXsqCSZ2MQSaeD8r_zCCf6C39NfUWm0ZQsoBCjuLzFzYCCK1-Tz8XP4YPL3pz0eR5/s1600/A_Time_to_Be_Born_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAXuwqouNMbGCqrDVulJk22D8Ccv3UZeJun7FvSVGhXNapUkh0SmIGSSTeJ_OpqApwcrAwcTh01otXsqCSZ2MQSaeD8r_zCCf6C39NfUWm0ZQsoBCjuLzFzYCCK1-Tz8XP4YPL3pz0eR5/s320/A_Time_to_Be_Born_cover.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Truthfully, I had started the series in my 2004-2005 deployment, but wasn’t grabbed by it, and then got hooked on <em>New Frontier.</em> When I started reading it again in 2007 it did grab me, and the series got better with each book. When I finished the series it depressed me. It had been a long ride and well worth the trip.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then it happened. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">For Christmas I got some books that not only sucked me in, I read each in about two-three days, and when I was done I was so excited that my roommate, who laughed at my geekdom, was almost tempted to read the books. (He didn’t.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The event was David Mack’s <em>"Destiny"</em> trilogy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNvH7yNER4GUfgxB_clEkT9c1HCKSLmVnRAeiKbSidO0xLX-AHCOrwtn2n1MeXOrJQgt7l4Ga3pGI8MO40okhJMS3uNx885TcNkm4i9GQJW7BxqBs8XchnSOqO_-QpU4j0v7hj-xZDmd5/s1600/Destiny1front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNvH7yNER4GUfgxB_clEkT9c1HCKSLmVnRAeiKbSidO0xLX-AHCOrwtn2n1MeXOrJQgt7l4Ga3pGI8MO40okhJMS3uNx885TcNkm4i9GQJW7BxqBs8XchnSOqO_-QpU4j0v7hj-xZDmd5/s320/Destiny1front.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXhnDnGBYnpg6abiwZJ_PBLxPeQVZA8sfOIfip5D1nPjyq_29Ebjr5LLY-FEB4PeMKzmZnnbS5zU8WWxdApcNtK77FziLUSYtsfoD4mGtx7iHbTrJ9jxP8FGBvhC3d4TdqrtZmRm36Fsl/s1600/Destiny2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXhnDnGBYnpg6abiwZJ_PBLxPeQVZA8sfOIfip5D1nPjyq_29Ebjr5LLY-FEB4PeMKzmZnnbS5zU8WWxdApcNtK77FziLUSYtsfoD4mGtx7iHbTrJ9jxP8FGBvhC3d4TdqrtZmRm36Fsl/s320/Destiny2.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdLwG0lvvTLQLn3by5dUY44m742Be3YPWwP9Ezx8gQHmpbcMh_5jq5K3lf0G7QP5ha4_6NUpNT5dtNcBLDubL2Uq0BQL1oUOSgsGrF6XCXefisSrG77uWFWGC92w27shGG_EX2vVhow67/s1600/Destiny3front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdLwG0lvvTLQLn3by5dUY44m742Be3YPWwP9Ezx8gQHmpbcMh_5jq5K3lf0G7QP5ha4_6NUpNT5dtNcBLDubL2Uq0BQL1oUOSgsGrF6XCXefisSrG77uWFWGC92w27shGG_EX2vVhow67/s320/Destiny3front.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you’ve read it, you already know. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I really don’t have to say anything. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">From the first sentence it pulls you in you and doesn’t let go. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And unlike some reviews I have seen that say Ezri Dax has been “Mary Sued,” I love the new, confident and authoritative Ezri. Sure, she has private doubts, but this is a great direction for the character, who is a Dax after all. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The suspense, action and tragedy in <em>Destiny</em> are thick, and the sheer scope of the trilogy across time and distance is breathtaking. I could gush for days.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">I snapped up the post-<em>Destiny</em> novels as soon as they hit the shelves, and there wasn’t a bad book in the bunch. In the course of the last 18 months or so I have become huge fans of Dayton Ward, Kevin Dilmore, Keith R. A. DeCandido and Kirsten Beyer. (More about her in a bit.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not an exaggeration to say if it has their name on it, I am spending the money.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Which leads me to talk about two other print Trek adventures that have me racing at warp 9.9 (hey, not warp 10, then I turn into a salamander and wind up fathering Janeway’s tadpoles!) to the nearest bookseller.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">I read the <em>Voyager "Homecoming"</em> novels by Christie Golden and liked them. They gave us the homecoming that we deserved after seven years in the Delta Quadrant and were so cheaply ripped off from getting in the series finale <em>“Endgame.”</em> Ms. Golden did it in a really nice way, and I still recommend these books to people.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">But when I read <em>“Star Trek Voyager: Full Circle”</em> and <em>“Star Trek Voyager: Unworthy”</em> by Kirsten Beyer…I literally cheered at one point. <strong><em>THIS</em></strong> is what <em>Voyager</em> should be. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgVX_9twnl_FKr4ryeSCFEspmzLamj9UgWg8qZ6s9lV0BaFp96zoP_uKsHeiZ7TCATRV96p86Ezyupl0HbdV98JeqtN2B0h8UcCYvL2YCMWI0YmLby46SVV3Z3wmR6R14XD3gm4vdgGq8/s1600/VOY_FullCircle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgVX_9twnl_FKr4ryeSCFEspmzLamj9UgWg8qZ6s9lV0BaFp96zoP_uKsHeiZ7TCATRV96p86Ezyupl0HbdV98JeqtN2B0h8UcCYvL2YCMWI0YmLby46SVV3Z3wmR6R14XD3gm4vdgGq8/s320/VOY_FullCircle.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVdDSvH5AycZ42cbcvaWpdCQ93Hf_0IIx_ml0O3zZkxkGa-TUgCWSeQQY0DJxNdHJQPTjhVsYgao-_rQlpsMFc5NfSwJZuoSc9a_qYxF7JnIOIEuilzQLjxSti_XspjyMxHFMIuz6xUUJ/s1600/UNWORTHY_01-t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVdDSvH5AycZ42cbcvaWpdCQ93Hf_0IIx_ml0O3zZkxkGa-TUgCWSeQQY0DJxNdHJQPTjhVsYgao-_rQlpsMFc5NfSwJZuoSc9a_qYxF7JnIOIEuilzQLjxSti_XspjyMxHFMIuz6xUUJ/s320/UNWORTHY_01-t.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ms. Beyer made the crew of <em>Voyager</em> alive, she brought them forward in stories where the people mattered, they were a team (and not just a captain, her humanity project and a hologram) and they breathed. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I cannot say enough good about these two books, and I am anxiously awaiting her newest <em>Voyager</em> novel, <em>“Children of the Storm.”</em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and for the <em>“I will never buy another Star Trek novel until Janeway is brought back”</em> crowd – it’s your loss. That’s all I’m gonna say about that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, I would be not only remiss, but should serve time on Rura Penthe if I don’t discuss the <em>“Star Trek: Vanguard”</em> series.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2isHTXbzQ9g3ImU36SLRh91qYMUyIRvBdQqfSwViHu-WVvMJIKOwEdqMsIKnlNGcmJbMBD0PiZWYRFE6ObkYDIPKnr6_CZ-ZK0AWcS9w3dRjqj3e2OVJfQTMNUHvF9a8Q8mnswmYPAOEB/s1600/1416507744-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2isHTXbzQ9g3ImU36SLRh91qYMUyIRvBdQqfSwViHu-WVvMJIKOwEdqMsIKnlNGcmJbMBD0PiZWYRFE6ObkYDIPKnr6_CZ-ZK0AWcS9w3dRjqj3e2OVJfQTMNUHvF9a8Q8mnswmYPAOEB/s320/1416507744-big.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Vanguard</em> is a TOS-era series set on Starbase 47 <em><strong><span style="font-size: small;">*wink*</span></strong></em> also known as Vanguard, a new station built to support Starfleet operations near an interstellar expanse called The Taurus Reach.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first novel, <em>“Harbinger,”</em> was written by David Mack, and the cast of characters he and then-editor Marco Palmieri came up with is spectacular. I loved the cameo by Kirk and the Enterprise crew in <em>“Harbinger,”</em> and the little things that Trek fans will agonize over, like the changes in TOS uniforms between <em>"Where No Man Has Gone Before"</em> and <em>"The Man Trap"</em> commented on by the characters. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">But more importantly, the original characters in the series are tragic, fun, maddening, intense…I could go on. For a really good read about the Vanguard series read: <strong><em>“Star Trek: Vanguard – A Breath of Fresh Trek Air”</em></strong> by a truly wonderful lady, Terry Lynn Shull, at: </span><a href="http://blackbootedblogger.blogspot.com/2011/03/star-trek-vanguard-breath-of-fresh-trek.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://blackbootedblogger.blogspot.com/2011/03/star-trek-vanguard-breath-of-fresh-trek.html</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the really fun things about the Vanguard series is David Mack alternates with Dayton Ward and Kevin Dilmore in writing the books, and the authors are constantly trying to one-up each other, ending each novel with a cliffhanger so heavy you know they have to be beating their heads against the desk yelling, “You bastard! How am I gonna get this resolved????”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are a Trek fan and haven’t read <em>Vanguard</em>, you are truly missing a great experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">A final thought about the Trek printed universe. I’ve had the extraordinary luck to get to know some of the authors, emailing, chatting on Twitter and sitting and sharing adult beverages together, and if there is a nicer group of people, I don’t know where they are. I won’t say more about David Mack, I have been told I say too many nice things about him. :-) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">But in the last year I have had the real pleasure of getting to know Dayton Ward, and he truly is one of the really fun and good people, and Kevin Dilmore and he make a great Abbott and Costello team when talking to them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marco Palmieri blew me away with his sincerity, warmth and genuine interest in what we were discussing. Funny story, I was talking to him about Ms. Beyer’s <em>Voyager</em> novels and gushing about them, he looked at me and pointed to the woman standing next to me and said, “Have you met Kirsten, she wrote those books.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">She was so kind, and she seemed blown away that I was reading her novels in Baghdad. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, I just want to say that when talking to Keith R.A. DeCandido I was just awed by his energy, wit and general niceness. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe part of my love for the Trek novels is that the people who write these adventures are the biggest fans out there, they love the Trek universe and want to take us on a ride that they are enjoying as much as anyone.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whatever it is, this is a geek who cannot wait for the next installment of our continuing mission they take us on. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading. And as always, thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels.</span></div>Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-22827795948101424042011-03-10T21:19:00.001-05:002011-03-10T21:21:12.791-05:00Accepting the geek – Part II: The Dividing Line<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley, and since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the BT underway.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Sorry it has been so long since my last post, I had Army Reserve drill last weekend and that tends to eat a lot of time. I know it’s no excuse; there is never a good excuse, only the truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And my first duty here is to the truth.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><em><strong>"The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth, whether it's scientific truth or historical truth or personal truth! It is the guiding principle on which Starfleet is based! And if you can't find it within yourself to stand up and tell the truth about what happened, you don't deserve to wear that uniform!"</strong></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Sorry, I channeled Jean-Luc Picard from one of my top five favorite TNG episodes. It happens.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>So, last time we met here in the dining car explained how I came to embrace and accept the geek I am, and that I am not only happy with the person I am, but I have met some truly amazing people who share the same passions and humor.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>But there was a polarizing event less than two years ago, and for the geek community there is still a divide that can run deep and sometimes lead to actual yelling. I saw it. When I’ve seen it I have to admit, it’s kind of made me sad to see. </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What was the Fort Sumter of Trek? The 2009 release of JJ Abrams <em>“Star Trek.”</em></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWXxhgKG-vqD_szwJWmOUiosaCOM1GjwsthLI3sswBIvwqWnOQ6igJJbkzbXz9ybIeOPWQWeTbEV6JboUnf-dB-vuHLUolphx3MPRHbSSBeIrfhmk1q8yQ7TL-NM5kysz1joiJzs605bP/s1600/star-trek-movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWXxhgKG-vqD_szwJWmOUiosaCOM1GjwsthLI3sswBIvwqWnOQ6igJJbkzbXz9ybIeOPWQWeTbEV6JboUnf-dB-vuHLUolphx3MPRHbSSBeIrfhmk1q8yQ7TL-NM5kysz1joiJzs605bP/s320/star-trek-movie.jpg" width="216" /></strong></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Because the story evolves in an alternate timeline from the Kirk, Spock and McCoy we grew up with (Shatner, Nimoy and Kelley), some fans call it nuTrek. Others call is “Abramsverse.” But one thing many agree upon calling it is…well, there are a lot of less than flattering words they use. I am not in that group, and I have taken some heat for it. But let me explain where I’m coming from, and then we can discuss.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>I first heard about nuTrek while in Iraq, when I saw the teaser trailer on Trekmovie.com. I was SO excited, the Soldiers I was with can attest that I became obsessed with checking out about the film. See I have bad luck with movies and deployment. </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>See, <em>“Batman Begins”</em> and <em>“The Dark Knight”</em> both were released while I was in Iraq, so was <em>“Star Wars – Revenge of the Sith.”</em> Ok, so the last one didn’t break me up too much, but still….</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Finally after 24 months I was headed home and nuTrek was opening in theaters THE NEXT DAY! I made plans to see it (by myself…my wife has zero interest in sci-fi and made it a point to explain to me how very little she wanted to sit in a theater for a Star Trek movie) and was through the roof.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>The movie started. I was not bothered by lens flares. I really liked the look of the film in fact. One of the big things I was worried about was would I be so jet-lagged after flying home 8,000 miles that even if this thing was <em>“The Godfather”</em> in Star Trek form, I’d fall asleep. It was not even close to happening.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>After I left the theater I went home, my wife asked how it was. I had to think about it and said the most honest thing I could, “I don’t know.”</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>See, I liked a lot about the film, truly. There were things I didn’t like. Then there were things I just wish…weren’t. I mean, destroying Vulcan???? </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>REALLY???? </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>(And if that’s a spoiler for you, I am so not saying sorry. It’s been on DVD for how long now?) </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>But in keeping with IDIC, I accepted the film and was happy it was out. I know that for some, me saying that is like saying to them that Superman is a pussy, and I’d rather have….Aquaman…help me fight crime. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Superman is such a tool...I mean, look at this:</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTBn6SyzUDGasMc69eOAWxfGFFaSZAKgv1GYwNbdLHQtJcOZ5-nrSDo_QNfpIwZXfskeFnVTavl8xWFLSEdfgHvZQn4YAC-yZ7dxQQw53p5rm_HlVcC5dZZxxSBboIth8MkCZs5CwOjmO/s1600/1027_4_115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTBn6SyzUDGasMc69eOAWxfGFFaSZAKgv1GYwNbdLHQtJcOZ5-nrSDo_QNfpIwZXfskeFnVTavl8xWFLSEdfgHvZQn4YAC-yZ7dxQQw53p5rm_HlVcC5dZZxxSBboIth8MkCZs5CwOjmO/s400/1027_4_115.jpg" width="271" /></strong></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Enough said about that.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>But back to the topic: Why? Why the outright open hostility some show towards nuTrek? I get picking the story, or some of the set designs. But we’re talking hard core MSNBC toward Ronald Reagan fans hatred I have seen.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>I get it, by rebooting and having beloved, classic characters (and yes, I do have a blog planned how Star Trek is the modern mythology) played by new actors and changing the back-story, it shakes some people’s worlds. I get that. But the thing is – none of it is real anyway, so maybe I am being a heretic saying this, but I am along to enjoy stories that make me think and bring me some escape.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>I have talked to people who literally could not say a good thing about nuTrek. That’s silly, and if I may, a tad hardheaded. </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Here are five things about nuTrek I enjoyed:</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>5 – It was a Trek that was filmed for the BIG screen. People can have issues with lens flares and such, but this was a Trek deserving of the theater experience. I mean really, was “Insurrection” anything more than a TNG episode an hour longer? </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>4 – The music was amazing, and when the classic theme hit at the end (and I loved that, as if the nuCrew had earned it), I got goose bumps.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>3 – The “origin” story. Look, maybe it’s not what I would have written, or you. But it IS the story of how the “original” crew met, something fans wanted for years. I admire them for tackling it.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>2 - Chris Pine was outstanding in the role of James T. Kirk. He didn’t do a Shatner, he made it his own. Plus, let’s face it, he has the look.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>1 – Not only was Capt. Christopher Pike in the film, but Bruce Greenwood owned ever scene he was in. He had a depth and charisma rarely seen in any Trek.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Now, five things I didn’t care for so much:</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>5 – Scotty as comic relief really bugged me. A lot. I am a Simon Pegg mark, and really felt let down by this characterization.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>4 – The engine room. I think that says enough about that.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>3 – Nero. That was not the epic villain we needed. We needed a Khan. Hell, I would have settled for a Harry Mudd.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>2 – Spock/Uhura romance. Look, I am not opposed to it, it just….came out of nowhere. And if anything in the film deserved at least a sentence of explanation, this was it.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>1 – Vulcan destroyed. Vulcan. Destroyed. <span style="color: #cc0000;">VULCAN. DESTROYED!</span> No matter how many times I say or write it, I get mad.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>So I admit, there’s some big problems with the film. But for long-time Trekkies (or Trekkers, no diff to me) to bash the film is short sighted, and does not take into account something nuTrek opens for us. </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>The future. </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Yeah, ironic huh? </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>See, we grew up in a world with just TOS (TAS was so no easy to find) and the books. Then there was TNG, changing everything. </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Then the flood hit, we had DS9 (the most underappreciated Trek, and the best), Voyager (UGH in so many ways) and Enterprise (sadly, once they got their shit together it was cancelled). We had the TOS films, the TNG films…I think Rick Berman was right, we reached saturation.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Then we had a break and nuTrek came out. And you know what I noticed last year at my visit to Shore Leave? A lot of young people, teens and younger, wearing nuTrek uniforms while talking about the film and excited to learn more about Trek. They are excited about Star Trek! So what if it’s not the Trek we grew up with? </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>This is THEIRS. THEY are joining the family! Isn’t that a wonderful thing? </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Look, I know nuTrek isn’t for everyone, I get it. But we have to look forward to get the next generation (no pun intended) to look back. Isn’t that what it’s about, passing this wonderful gift of Trek on to future generations? </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Am I being naive? </strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>I look forward to hearing thoughts on this topic.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><strong>Oh, if it is kind of disjointed I apologize, I am medicated at the moment and also working with a really crappy keyboard that has jumped all over the place while typing.</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Thanks for reading. And as always, thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels.</strong></span>Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-51618564067995378242011-03-01T01:45:00.002-05:002015-09-15T18:15:08.934-04:00A late night note about Star Trek Online<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley, and since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the BT underway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I just got done playing the latest weekely episode, this one title "Coliseum," and I just wanted to say to Cryptic - THUMBS UP! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll post more later on the game and how it's made my nights better, but these weeklies are getting better and better. Keep up the great work!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BJ_-XBckywjVXPNqzzfcIsiIm3wKOnrhiklDVg6A1RA5gXYRI0J1CmiVr757dLlluBiIFlPT2NbEYE5yuHqy5DYRlxvILAqTD6ROeqk7IkVosbULhA1aO3cWqfK0lJq8TJAR0gEQlOQ5/s1600/Uprgaded+USS+Gettysburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BJ_-XBckywjVXPNqzzfcIsiIm3wKOnrhiklDVg6A1RA5gXYRI0J1CmiVr757dLlluBiIFlPT2NbEYE5yuHqy5DYRlxvILAqTD6ROeqk7IkVosbULhA1aO3cWqfK0lJq8TJAR0gEQlOQ5/s400/Uprgaded+USS+Gettysburg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The USS Gettysburg, NCC-91863-D on patrol</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">your future travels.</span> </span></span>Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-63261741005100301442011-02-28T12:20:00.000-05:002011-02-28T12:20:08.470-05:00What’s a Bitter Trolley and why am I the conductor?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley, and since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the BT underway.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>“So what is the Bitter Trolley?”</em> you may be asking. (Then again you may not be asking, but I am going to speak for you in this case as way of introduction to this entry. No hard feelings I hope.)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Bitter Trolley dates back to 2003, when my life had just taken a severe hit, and then I had the greatest high I’ve known, other than the days my children were born. In Aug. 2003 my ex wife and I split, it was her decision and I tried to keep it from happening, but there was no saving the marriage. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In Oct. of the same year I met someone, and she was, well, in a word, amazing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">She was younger than me, a lot, but one of the wisest, funniest and most amazing people I knew then, now or will know.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I was at her apartment, and she asked a question, and when I gave my reply she looked at me, laughing her amazing laugh and said, “Whoa! Whoa! Back the Bitter Trolley out of the station there!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I laughed and said something to the effect, “Me? Bitter?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Oh hell yes, you bitter!” was her reply.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">See, it seems I can be quite acerbic and snarky. But I think that only happens when the situation warrants such measures. This, truthfully, is about every 10 minutes in my world.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So from that day forward if I was in a mood, she would tell me the Bitter Trolley was leaving the station, and that I was the conductor. The time I was with her was really the best time of my life as far as understanding love and being happy and committed to someone. I loved her deeply and truly from my heart and soul.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Then I came home from Iraq on leave, and it ended. The worst 14 days of my life. I returned to Iraq for the rest of my tour, but I will admit, the Bitter Trolley was running in Iraq. I got home from that 15 months and resumed life, rebuilding and trying to make sense of what I thought I knew.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But in those dark days, even after it ended between us (again, not my choice and something that still tears me up to this day) I always thought of her and the Bitter Trolley when I found myself in a bad mood.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Well a few months ago something really odd/funny/bizarre happened. I was on Twitter, hadn’t been on long, and someone started tweeting me – mocking me and asking me some really odd questions. As I tried to figure out who this person was (even after looking at the profile, I still did not know who the mystery person could be) I finally asked. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It was <strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">HER</span></strong>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Five years after I last heard from her, five years of missing her and thinking about her, there she was, contacting me again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Now maybe you are picturing the run through the field, her dressed in white, me in something slimming so I look good, meeting in the field and embracing, me twirling her around as the love theme form Titanic played.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Uh, no.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">See, for five years I’d referred to her as “she who shall remain nameless” and did everything I could (quite unsuccessfully) to not think of her. I was hurt. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Angry. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Sad. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And yeah, bitter.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But realizing some things that had happened since we last spoke, I had to make a decision right then and there (RIGHT NOW!) – am I going to ignore her now and forever or was I going to respond and see what she wanted and talk to her?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We wound up tweeting until about 3 a.m. We talked long, and openly, we talked on the phone the next day, we laughed, cried and opened our hearts to all that had happened in the last half decade.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And in the first minutes of our first phone conversation in five years she replied to something I said with, “Wow, the Bitter Trolley is still in service I see!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I laughed so hard it was amazing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We not only speak now, but are also good friends again, and I care for her as much as ever, even with the knowledge that we won't spend the rest of our lives together. I accept it, sadly, but I do. Better to have her in my life than not, I am a better person for it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So I am the Bitter Trolley Conductor because of a very special woman, who will always, no matter what, have a very special place in my heart and soul. I don’t think it gets any better than that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you’re still on the Trolley, thanks for reading this installment. Next time I’m gonna talk about the relative merits of superhero bedding, and why some are way more interesting than others. I kid, I kid.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">your future travels.</span></span>Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1339424946682687936.post-67104335447373803072011-02-23T13:46:00.000-05:002011-02-24T00:32:42.176-05:00The Bitter Trolley's first run<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley, and since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the BT underway.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Well, here it is my first blog post. I planned to start this adventure by explaining why it’s called the Bitter Trolley Conductor, and giving a kind of sketch as to who I am in the hopes that if anyone is reading this they have an understanding of what makes me tick.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But you know what? I can’t really explain what makes me tick when every day I become less sure of that myself. But that is a whole other entry…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So what am I going to start this great adventure (or is it misadventure?) sharing my opinions and thoughts on? How about starting with the turmoil, uprisings and demonstrations in the Middle East? Actually, lately it is Africa, so I’ll amend to say the Arab nations.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I admit that I was riveted to what was happening in Egypt, I found the Al Jazeera English stream and could not turn it off. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>*Standing on soapbox*</strong> Oh, and hey, cable companies and DirecTV and Dish…if you can carry some of the video flotsam you do, how about carrying Al Jazeera English? What, not enough channels? Bunk. And if cable companies can pay hundreds of millions to carry Lakers games how about something informative? Or are you just afraid people will see how HORRIBLE CNN, FNC, MSNBC, etc. are at really covering world events? <strong>*Getting off soapbox*</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Now it is Libya in flames, in some places literally. What the hell does this all mean? The smoke is still in the air in Egypt and now Gaddafi is bombing his own people. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Will we see the rise of more Islamic Republics, like Iran in 1979? (The first time world events had me glued to the TV.) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Or will something in a representative democracy mold emerge, or something like Turkey? It’s all exciting, scary and mind boggling. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I truly believe that freedom is such a powerful thing, that even after decades of oppression, be it political, religious, or a combination of both, the crowd will rise and demand what our Founders called <em>“self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”</em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">That doesn’t mean I think they need to base their freedom on the U.S. model. I just want them to be free. I have seen too much suffering and horror to not.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So what does it all mean, the outburst of demonstrations and uprisings? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I am not going to act like I know in any way. I’m not like the pundits and talking heads that get on TV and the radio, or write for a paper, and act like they have some deep insight and reading of the minds of others. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But I do wonder about some things and have opinions. (It is a blog after all!) Some of them may upset readers. (LOL Look at my arrogance, thinking anyone is reading this!) I hope if you disagree we can discuss. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Here is one thing I wonder: how much of these uprisings now are influenced by our actions in Iraq? Yeah, people can say we should never have invaded and dethroned one of the worst dictators of the 20<sup>th</sup> Century, a sentiment I politely disagree with. But that’s based on several tours there and one I feel stronger about every day. But seeing a brutal thug overthrown, and after years of what basically was power struggles decades old (and aided by outside agitators) Iraq has a government elected by the people. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s a FAR from perfect government, it has far too much corruption and other issues, but it is still better than a government of rape rooms, secret police and the draining of marsh land as political reprisal that condemns farmers to having nothing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Maybe the people are seeing that it CAN be done? I am just throwing this out there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Well, I have bored you enough. I promise it won’t all be political or world events. I will be talking about books I am reading, TV I love, sci fi greatness, how Batman is so superior to Superman it’s not even funny and a host of other world shattering topics. I just hope if you are reading this now you will do so again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels.</span></div>Bitter Trolley Conductorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16967934852303292674noreply@blogger.com1