Firefly!

I've been watching the DVD's of the 1st (and alas, only) season of the TV show "Firefly," thanks to a birthday gift from Mr. Paik. We were talking about this show over Christmas, at home in NJ, and it came up that I hadn't actually ever seen it. I didn't really actively avoid it, but there are times when I avoid the 1st season of science fiction television shows, as it generally takes a season or so to work the kinks out of a good show.

I won't bother summarizing the story of Firefly. If you're interested, I'm sure there are plenty of websites out there giving you all the information you need or want. Sue and I have watched the first 2 discs as of now, and out of those 7 episodes, they've all been pretty solid. There was one that was not as good as the others (where the Doctor character was kidnapped, along with his sister, by a town needing a doctor), but even that one wasn't horrible, there just wasn't that much special or interesting about it.

It was definitely a show ended before it's time, but really, what do you expect with an unknown like Joss Whedon at the helm? I mean, why would you give someone with an unproven track record time to actually develop characters, plot, and an audience. I mean, it's totally reasonable that Fox would not want to pour good money after bad? It's just like that show Arrested Development. Why bother with quality?

(For the sarcasm impaired, please refer to that last paragraph.)

I do have to say, I think I can add the "What, we're married!?!?" cliche to the list of SF plots that every science fiction show, by law, has to do. Fortunately, most pull it off with an interesting twist, but everyone has to do it...

Did Firefly ever have Space Nazis? Or is that just the Alliance?

NP: Steve Howe - Double Rondo

Sunny!

Is it as sunny and nice where you all are in the world? We're having temps in the high 50's/low 60's here. It's like an early spring. Groovy stuff...

It's been a fairly normal day here, nothing too exciting to write about. So, I end quickly!

NP: Peter Gabriel - Fourteen Black Paintings

Winner!

I'm glad to see my work idea has provoked such discussion. See the post below, and enjoy! I'll be posting my consultation rates soon.

I took the Jeopardy! online contestant test tonight, 50 trivia questions. I think I did well, but we'll see how it develops, if I get a contact from them. We shall see. Unfortunately, my mom couldn't get on the website, so she wasn't able to do it. I would have liked to see if she got the same questions (I'm 99% sure they would have been identical), and also to see if there were any that I just missed. Out of the 50, I think I got between 40-45 right, but I'm not sure, of course.

I had my first full staff meeting of the term tonight. I always enjoy staff meetings, my staff cracks me up in many ways. They work well, although sometimes I'd like a bit more conversation happening. I'll try to think of ways to develop more opportunities for people to contribute.

I'm still working on my old tape conversion. I did a lot of Yes tapes, and got down to my last 5 or so, and decided I needed a change, so now I'm working on the MP3 conversion of some of my Genesis tapes. That pile was almost as large as my Yes tapes, so if I knock this down a bit, it'll help reduce the overall volume of tapes I need to convert. It's one of those things I just have to keep plugging away at. Fortunately, I can read a book, or watch a bit of television while doing it.

Tomorrow morning, I have to go out and get some muffins and other snacks for our staff meeting, as we're doing our birthday celebrations for myself, CD Daniel, and Michele, our Admin Assistant. It's always good to snack a bit during these meetings.

Cheers!

Mike

Idea!

I've been looking for ways of making lots of money, but not really doing any true "work." I think I've stumbled upon the answer, finally!

I will be a Dating Consultant.

I've been talking to one of my friends, lets call him Joe, who has been re-entering the dating world. I get to hear about the women he has been meeting, or not, as the case may be, and with my world reknown experience with "the ladies," as we call them, I think I've given him some sage advice for his meetings and communications with his contactees.

But I'm not a one sex guy! I have also talked to single female friends about their experiences, and have also been the wise dispenser of sagacity on that front also. I'm a double threat, I believe the "kids" are calling it nowadays.

So, look out world, I'm starting my true calling with a vengance.

NP: David Sylvian - Home

Indy! Part 3

This is the 3rd, and probably last part of this update on my travels. I'll confirm if it's the last at the end of this post. If it is, we'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow, and I'm sure you can all barely wait!

When I came back to my room, after the first day of the conference, I found my toiletries put nicely on this towel by the cleaning staff. Thank you, Indy Marriott!

Blurry picture of me on the 2nd day (Sunday) of the conference. I looked snazzy, trust me...

Two of my Dartmouth co-workers, outside of the Dartmouth social on Monday evening. A good time was had by all...

Snowy Tuesday morning. There was about 2 inches, perhaps, on the ground. I guess the Indinapolis natives went a bit buggy over this, but up here in NH, 2 inches would be nothing!

Here's a photo of the main conference area, on Tuesday morning. Quite barren, isn't it?

This row of tables is where prospective job candidates would go to set up interviews with employers. Groovy stuff...

This is the area where candidates could sit down, take a load off, write thank you notes to employers, or do whatever they need to do to stay on top of their interview game. I like to think of it as "Where Hope Goes To Die."

Sadness is an empty candidate mailbox. Here's mine, empty. But no worries, I wasn't expecting any messages at this point of the conference. Really!

Here's the actual interview area. Employers sit on one side of the table, the candidate on the other, and there you have it! Again, being the last interview day, there's a lot of nothing happening here. It's not as bad as it looks, as a candidate, you're usually able to tune out any other conversations pretty well.

And Wednesday, on the way home! I got to sit by an engine! Yay! Surprisingly, it wasn't any louder than other places I've sat on planes.

Looking out the next window up. Goodbye, Indy! I hardly knew ya, but you seemed like an okay place.

In the air between Detroit and Manchester. Can you spot the UFO?

My flying needs. A book, a drink, and a cup. I'm a simple man.

So, that's all my photos. The conference overall was a good time. I got to interview for some possible future positions, and we'll see how that develops over the next month or two. I got to reconnect with some old grad school friends, hung out with co-workers outside of work (always fun), got to attend some decent sessions (and one or two that weren't so great), and did a session of my own (on living in residence halls as a professional when you're married or partnered) which someone told me was the best session they had attended at the conference.

Of course, I didn't ask how many other sessions the person had attended.

So, unless there are any questions from you all, my loyal readers, this will probably be the last chapter of the Indy saga. Unless Harrison Ford comes back for a 4th movie...

NP: Queen, It's Late