Monday

First off, an update on this whole PayPal thing.  Turns out, like any other business, you merely need to threaten to take your business elsewhere to get attention.  After sending them a couple of emails about the issue I was having, including the afore-mentioned threat, I got a call from them yesterday.  Now, I didn't answer, since the call came from Nebraska, and I know absolutely no one who lives there.  But, they followed up with a personal email explaining the situation.  Basically, you can't have more than one PayPal account linked to a bank account.  And since my wife has already linked hers to our bank for D20 Girls, my account couldn't be connected.  Long story short, the money will get transferred somehow.  But I am still done using PayPal for this kind of stuff.

Anyways, it's Monday, coffee is still being imbibed, and work has a few tasks that need to be cleaned up.  Oh, and I forgot my effing flash drive at home again!  So, no working on current projects.  But, that won't stop me.  I have some ideas that I might start exploring.  Plus, I have an essay due on Sunday.  But those are fairly easy at this point.  I just need to discuss a topic for less than five pages.  Seems like a lot of latitude, but I have personal standards (I try to write at least four pages, regardless).

Today happens to be Kate Mulgrew's birthday.  For those new to this blog, I count myself among that minority of Trekkies that loves Voyager.  It's a close second behind TOS, in my book.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love all of them (with the exception of Enterprise, as I never watched it).  And I have mentioned it a time or two here.  But for some reason, Voyager really struck a chord with me, more so than TNG or DS9.  I think I just really liked the characters.  And the idea that they were just out there all alone, with no Starfleet to back them up.

So, now my brain is in Star Trek mode.  A friend and I were discussing his misguided dislike for Voyager when he mentioned that he would like to see a show that focuses on the Klingons in a post TNG era, where they are trying to re-establish the Klingon Empire, and get out from under the Federation's influence.  A show about honor and the rebuilding past glory.  I think that would be brilliant!  Good idea, Andre.

Other than that, not much is going on.  My new ebook will be delayed until near the end of this month, as I have to wait for one of the stories to get out from under the KDP Select program.  Which is fine, as it gives me more time to do some revisions, and to figure out a cover image.  I am kind of particular about those.  I don't want any of my books ending up on those blogs and sites that make fun of crappy book covers.

Ah, Monday...

Star Trekkin’ Across the Universe!

Despite spending about four hours last night playing Star Wars: The Old Republic (very fun game, and more immersive than any other MMO, in my experience), I find myself unexpectedly in a Star Trek mood today. This happens a lot. It usually only takes a glimpse of something Star Trek-related, and my brain is off and running. I think today it was an ad for StarTrek.com.

Anyways, I got to thinking about my favorite parts of Star Trek; shows, characters, ships, quotes, etc. So, here are some of my favorites in a few different categories. No doubt a lot of this will get me hazed to no end by my Trekkie (and Trekker) friends. But, as always, I likes what I likes. Sue me.

*Note: None of my list includes anything from Enterprise. For some reason, that show never caught on with me, and I don’t think I ever watched more than a couple of full episodes. I’m not saying that it was bad show, I’m just saying that I never watched it, and therefore can’t comment on it.

Favorite Captain: James T. Kirk

This was actually a tough one. Each of the Captains has brought something new and different to that chair. Even some of the peripheral Captains are pretty damn cool (Captain Sulu of the Excelsior, anyone?). But, when it all comes down to it, it was Kirk’s rogue attitude, his penchant for thumbing his nose at regulations to get the job done, and his loyalty to his crew and friends that made him an amazing character, and the greatest Starship Captain to grace the screen. He is iconic, and sets the standard that all of the rest must measure themselves by. I thought Chris Pine NAILED the character perfectly, but I will always be a Shatner-fan.

Favorite Series: Voyager

This is where the booing, hissing, and eye-rolling occur. But what can I say? Star Trek meets Lost in Space is a pretty cool concept. Add to that a neat ship, some great and memorable characters (Janeway is my second favorite Captain), and the best uses of the Holodeck to date. Voyager tread new ground, while still holding true to the original spirit of Star Trek. More so than any other show, IMHO.

Favorite Ship: Constitution-refit

It may be nostalgia, since my love of Trek began with the TOS-era movies, but this ship still gets me excited for Trek. It has the sleek lines and flowing style that I like, without excessive details (like the Enterprise-D's windows). It’s not a huge ship, but it can hold its own against just about anything in the Galaxy. All-in-all, though I like many other ships in the Trek-verse, this one is the one that I always enjoy looking at the most.

Favorite Supporting Character: Ensign Kim

This was a REALLY tough choice. Tougher than the Captain. There are so many great characters. Even if I were to narrow it down to just Voyager, it would still be a tough choice. But I always liked Kim, because I could relate to him more than anyone else. He was young, naïve, wet-behind-the-ears, and yet had a lot of common sense, intelligence, and ingenuity. Plus, he had a holodeck program of Beowulf. You just don’t get any cooler than that!

Favorite Quotes:
All my favorite quotes come from the TOS-era movies. And usually involve Bones. He always seemed to have the best lines.

Kirk: *Giving the Vulcan hand sign* How many fingers do I have up?
McCoy: That’s not very damn funny.
- Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Kirk: Spock, where the hell's the power you promised?
Spock: One damn minute, Admiral.
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

McCoy: My God, man. Drilling holes in his head isn't the answer.
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

General Chang: I am constant as the northern star!
McCoy: I'd give real money if he'd shut up.
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

So, what are your favorite Star Trek elements?