Thursday, November 28, 2013

Doctor Who: Revisiting the Revisting

Note: I'm going to contune to use classic Doctor numbering.  click here for an excellent explanation why that is the proper choice.

As we close in on the final month of the momentous Fiftieth Anniversary year of Doctor Who, all of the "Doctors Revisited" specials have aired.  I had already planned to look at their choices compared to mine for each incarnation at this time. However, I got bonus material this past weekend.

The "Day of the Doctor" was all about revisiting.

And, yes, I love the round things too!

Therefore today will not only recap each Doctor's chosen and re-aired adventure, but great moments in revisiting from the Anniversary Special as well.

Before continuing, I'd like to apologize to every Doctor Who fan in the United Kingdom on behalf of my country, the United States. I don't know where they find the people to host BBC America Doctor Who events, but they need to search a little harder and find some who are aware of ANY aspect of the classic series.  One of the only mentions it got (aside from multiple "wouldn't it be cool if"s referencing things the classic series did years ago) was the woman who seemed amazed and full of scoffing that people she knew actually listed Tom Baker or Sylvester McCoy as their favorite Doctor.   Whovians across the pond, sorry for my countrymen's lack of connection to historical significance.

Monday, November 25, 2013

New Who Views: Young Doctors and Love or Romantic Moments

With the passing of the Fiftieth Anniversary, this week’s peek into my rather deranged head had to be about Doctor Who.  However, if I start talking about “The Day of The Doctor”, I will quickly disintegrate into a pile of incoherent squees and cheers, benefiting no one.

There’s something magical about having first heavily gotten into the show around the time of “The Five Doctors” 20th Anniversary special, and being able to share the 50th Anniversary special with my family when the franchise is at least as much fun as it was thirty years ago, and probably healthier.

One totally groovy thought before I continue:  when the time of the 100th Anniversary Doctor Who in home holographic special, complete with smellio and fondlevision, comes around – Matt Smith will be about the same age that Tom Baker is now!

Comparing the anniversaries is a good starting point for today’s post.

Yes, I’m actually starting now, sorry for the loss of nerdly control there.


Monday, November 18, 2013

Jeff's Books to open your mind: Stranger in a Strange Land

Robert Heinlein’s 1961 novel was ground breaking, pioneering in science fiction, and filled with social and psychological concepts about religion, politics and all levels of human interaction.


And I honestly don’t care if anyone reads it or not.


Thursday, November 14, 2013

Thor: the Dark and Awesome World

First, to get the review out of the way:


It was awesome, go see it!

Yes, I'm over using awesome again.  I know, big shock.
Why was it awesome?

Two reasons, for two sets of viewers
Three if you count my sister as her own group.
(Yes, there is more shirtless Thor.)

No spoilers – I don’t count stuff in the trailers as spoilers.


Monday, November 11, 2013

Disney World 2013 Planning: Phase 5 - All Systems Go

August 20, 2013: T-13
Thor to appear in Disneyland Innoventions, just like the Stark Expo did last year. Seriously, Disney, you’re killing me here.  Work harder on getting Marvel out of Universal in Florida.

The Magic Bands come, but we have more Pass Plus troubles.  After losing the link for a while, having the login not work, and confusing which deals apply how long before the trip we think we missed the window for pre-ordering PhotoPass Plus. We plot out the second day of FastPass Plus, which once again works things around non-existent, and non-constant, meal times.  Tragedy appears to strike as we start on the third day and see “Ariel’s Grotto” listed as closed for refurbishment the whole time we’re there.  This corresponds with nothing listed anywhere else. We barely notice Space Mountain is closed for much of our visit while trying to console our daughter, who missed her favorite princess in Mermaid form last trip as well.  Rosa makes the second call to Happy Disney People caused by FastPass Plus and learns the Grotto isn’t on any refurbishing list, what we’re seeing is likely an error. 

Thursday, November 7, 2013

I'm Always the Last to Know



At a random meeting one day, the Director of Quality Assurance said my name came up in a recent meeting in one of the other divisions.  They were trying to devise a test fixture similar to the ones we used, and he had given the engineer tasked with the action item my contact information.

I took in the data, said no problem, and went back to what I thought was my usual work life.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Disney World 2013 Planning: Phase 4 - Deeper Details


July 26, 2013: T-38
Received an e-mail from the Happy Disney People reminding us to plan all the stuff we’ve already planned.  It’s still nice to hear from them!

Found Anabelle’s list of pressed Disney pennies. This will come in very handy in case we can’t remember which ones she has. The list will be placed in the little bag of shiny pennies and quarters, which we inevitably forget any time we go someplace with penny pressing machines.  I should probably save it on my phone too.