Ramblings regarding my journey through the Cosmos…
In less than 90 mins I’ll be on 11 days leave… 🙂
I plan to get the external woodwork finished, at least one xbox game finished, spend at least one day doing nothing but eating and sex (not necessarily mutually exclusive) and enjoy several day trips. What else can I say…
Today was a hard day at work! I spent the day driving to Geelong & Lorne for the day’s work. Fuck my days can be hard… 😉
It’s been a good week since I got back to BAU ata work, Transition now behind me! It could be quite intersting politically at work soon, but that might get documented in a later post.
So a good week has been had, and to top it off, I managed to pickup Star Trek the Original Series: Season 2 on Blue-Ray. This is undoubtedly my favourite season and Amok Time is probably my all time favourite STOS episode.
Furbag is a touch put out because I’ve moved her food bowl etc to the bathroom rather than the Study. It’s somewhat amusing to watch a cat so usually in control deal with the confusion. There’s no doubt the senility has yet to set in, so all will be well in her world soon again, however I’m sure I’ll pay though soon.
Normally resist such items, but today I walked out with a Blueant Bluetooth Headset and a Car kit for the iPhone. Both items combined came in under $150 so I don’t feel too criminal. One for home one for the car. I’d have forgotten to take the headset with me in the car most times I suspect, hence the two. The other benefit is I can take one or the other on the road with me when I’m in the car for several hours for work. Much easier.
Last few weeks have been flat out at work, and it seems that all I’ve had the interest in (outside of the usual sex, sex, and more sex), is watching video and playing games. However, that said, there’s been at least one “achievement”: I finished F.E.A.R. 2 on the xbox 360! Just 2 more games to finish and I can buy another one.
On another front, I discovered a fascinating show: Fringe. Probably a bit behind the times with this one, compared to some others, but it’s definitely got me hooked, in much the same way that Dexter entrapped me. It’s a pleasant surprise to see John Noble in a role again. I’m not sure why I don’t come across him in roles, other than Denethor (LoTR). He’s really very talented and a joy to watch. He literally radiates the emotive and psychological essence of a role. He absolutely cracked me up with the following couple of lines:
Walter: “This man’s been shot in the head!”
Peter: “Is that a problem?”
Walter: “Of course it’s a problem!”
I’ve also been trying (and I DO mean trying) to watch Dollhouse by Jos Whedon. Normally I’m a big fan of Jos, but I’m struggling with this one. I cursed the executives that instigated the demise of Firefly. But I’m not sure I’d be so indignant about this one. I’ve watched 3 episodes so far, and I confess to wishing each episode to end upon reaching halfway through. The more I see her in action, and I like to watch her in action as she’s quite attractive, the more I am convinced that Eliza Dushku is less than acceptably talented as an actor. She just plays (I suspect anyway) Eliza Dushku! Every character I see her play is Faith all over again. So, short of the “eye candy” factor, the interest has got tired quickly, and the overall story is unlikely to have time to grab me: if I get to episode 6, I’ll be surprised. The concept has merit, but it’s lacking the character interaction and “chemistry” of his other creations. Perhaps he needs to move on from his stable of actors for lead roles and seek a new range of ingredients and create a new meal. This one lacks flavour.
It’s fair to say I’ve had a fairly flat out week at work, and not enjoyed it very much having still been somewhat ill with a cold from last week. But I confess to genuine surprise, very enjoyable surprise I might add, when I happened upon TOS in JB HiFi tonight! Yes I’m an unabashed fan of TOS, and happily embraced the DVD version of 2004.
I can’t say what a shock it was to find out tonight that Star Trek: The Original Series was now out on Blue-Ray! I suppose I should have been more conscious of the impending release given that it’s “Logical” they would think the premiere of a movie returning to the franchise’s roots a perfect time to “milk” the fans yet again.
I admit to being severely remiss in not having known this was up for release, but I have always been happy with the 2004 DVD version. In 2007 I was sorely tempted to invest in HD-DVD and purchase TOS again then. However the $200 price tag held me back: thankfully. It was the only thing at the time that could have tipped me over the line at that point when I was 99% prepared to wait and see which High Definition format was going to win the war. That battle has now passed and to the Victor has gone the spoils…
Now that the next direction is clear, further choices ensue. But on that I’ve already ranted, so I won’t repeat that here.
I have to say that this is DEFINITELY the best presentation of ANY of the Star Trek series to date. Most who have been privy to any of my discussions re. Star Trek on DVD are familiar with my general disappointment in the quality of such sets: EXCEPT TOS. There is no doubt the quality of work put into TOS shines through when given some effort to make the most of the medium. TOS is DEFINITELY the most colourful and sharp of any of the series even though the technology of the day (for TOS) is now significantly inferior to that of later series.
I’ve constantly been disappointed with such choices such as that of format (obviously a production choice) including 4:3 vs Widescreen, and colour schemes. Clearly, those fundamental choices are subject to perceived consumer technology lifespans, market etc as well as Artistic choices. Others, such as a consumer product in the form of prerecorded mediums viz. tape, DVD and the like, are choices made later.
Despite my “devotion” to Star Trek, I’ve often been harshly critical of the Franchise that is Star Trek, and my perceived exploitation of fans as mindless instinct driven consumers. In this instance however, I want to say: FUCKING WELL DONE AND THANKYOU!
Having watched the first 4 episodes, I will say the following: Picture Quality is marvellous, Sound Quality equally so, and the extras Bountiful and “Nutritious”. I’ve seen the movie pack for sale as well, although I’m not buying that one until I see the quality via rental. I hope that the same effort has been put into remastering the first six films, but there my lack of faith takes over and I will wait: my Star Trek “Fandom” does know bounds. It seems that TOS is the only one of the “Pentalogy” that can truly be counted on to make the most of modern mediums. What a paradox!
Yesterday Afternoon I was advised that apparently my six month probation was passed, and they thought they should tell me. They didn’t want me wondering about such things in the current climate and going to find another job! Nice to hear. Let’s just say I’m still very happy with the gift of the Cosmos on that one.