Long time, no post

[exatron]

It's been a while since I posted here. Work was bad for a while, including severely restricting internet access, and I haven't had much to talk about, nor the time to do any real cooking, but things seem to be better now.

Guess I'll kick things off with a backlog of comic reviews.

Gargoyles #4

I'm not sure how much to say about this issue since I don't want to spoil the big things for fellow Gargoyles fans, but I'll do my best. The issue kicks off with a trio of trick-or-treaters, dressed as Jackal, Hyena, and Goliath, reaching the doorstep of Jeffrey Robbins' home, where Hudson is handing out the goodies. After the kids leave, Hudson and Jeffrey have a brief, but insightful conversation about masks.

Back at Xanatos' Halloween festivities, Margot is chastising Brendan for being "the biggest cliche of the season", and uses Broaway, Lex, and Angela as an example of putting a new twist on one. We're then treated to Elisa, dressed as Princess Jasmine, introducing a guest she brough, which displeases Angela enough for her to pull Elisa away for some girl talk

Now, we get some quick cuts between the fight in the Labyrinth, courtesy of the guest at the end of last issue, Goliath & Elisa both meeting guests they didn't expect, and Angela flirting Brooklyn into putting on his costume. We also learn that Xanatos is missing his own party for a masquerade at the White House, and another Illuminati meeting.

Back to the fight scene again. Fang has his turn against the visitor, who was prepared for Talon, but doesn't fare too well. (I can think of a few people who won't mind since we get a nice look at his massive, stripey frame as a result.) Maggie is badly injured during the fighting, and the guest gets away, saying that the party is his next stop.

Finally, we get Goliath and Elisa having another chat in the castle when the Labyrinth's guest arrives, hoping for a fight. Owen interferes in his usual way, and a potentially nasty situation is diffused, until the guest resorts to one last trick

Overall, I liked the fight scene and that the story is progressing. At first, I thought the artist's linework was too thick for the action, but it looked much better on subsequent readings. I think I'm also having trouble adjusting to the length of an issue. To me, it feels like it's about half of an episode per issue, so I keep expecting more.

Star Trek: Klingons: Blood Will Tell #2

We rejoin the unnamed grandfather and granddaughter as they discuss guile, espionage, and Gralmek, a dishonored relative. Gralmek was a Mach Ghott (Small fish in Klingon), which isn't a source of dishonor in itself. He was just small and week.

Gralmek tried to make up for his small stature, and eventually accepted a covert mission to give the empire an advantage without violating the Organian peace treaty. Preparation involves a horrific scene where Gralmek is altered to look like a human, which he doesn't learn is permanent until afterwards.

After months of training to adopt human customs (including a nice use of font sizes to illustrate the Klingon tendency to shout), Gralmek is finally ready for his mission to Sherman's planet. The mission starts off differently from what the empire wanted since Gralmek felt that Mr. Darvin had the right to look his killer in the eyes, but things quickly settle in to the story we all know.

As "The Trouble With Tribbles" is summarized, we're treated to Gralmek's logs, and get to see him poison the quadrotriticale, hoping that his mission earns him a statue in the great hall.

Gralmek's logs come to an end just as his treachery is revealed, and the narration switches back to the Klingon grandfather. We get some really good lines here, including "All hail Gralmek of the Klingon Empire. Defeated by vermin." After that, Gralmek's fate is basically pulled from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Trials and Tribble-ations".

We then return to the grandfather and granddaughter, who discuss his decision and how Gralmek's tale may show that humans and Klingons have some things in common. Then, we get a big "the end".

This issue wasn't too bad. Gralmek's description of human customs totally fits the Klingon worldview, and his narration shows some interesting things that Klingons have in common with humans. I was a bit surprised to see that this story is over. I thought it was a six issue miniseries. Oh well, maybe they're doing some sort of anthology series.

Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Space Between #5

Finally, we get to the plot that ties all of the issues together. I admit I haven't been able to get issue #1 yet, but it's still pleasant to see things move forward with this mini.

This time around, we're treated to smart-ass kidWesley Crusher at the weekly poker game, where he does really well, and soon find out why. He created a holodeck program of everyone accepting him to help deal with his mother being away.

Thankfully, we quickly get to the actual mission, set during season 2, the Enterprise was sent to investigate unexplained crop failures on an important farming colony. Interestingly, one of the crops mentioned is quadrotriticale.

While the away team is gathering information, including that the soil minerals are breaking down, Wesley is having a grass-is-always-greener with some of the colony's children. It seems they yearn for life outside the colony, and hope the crops keep failing. They're also smart enough to build a still out of an old Romula missile.

Back on the Enterprise, Dr. Pulaski, who is only heard over the comm system, complains about Data interrupting her research for his own. I like that she doesn't treat Data with kid gloves, like the rest of the cast, but it also shows why she only lasted a season. She can be very rude and abrasive, which doesn't pair well with being a foil for one of the show's most popular characters.

Eventually, we learn that the failed crops were contaminated with chroniton particles. Picard confronts Hommun, one of the farmers, who admits to using the chroniton particles to speed up crop growth. Wesley, who connected a few dots the adults missed, has his own confrontation with the children. It seems they sabotaged their parents' plans with the chroniton particles, and have to be convinced to confess. And by convinced, I mean Wesley gave one of the kids a black eye.

Jumping five years into the future, Picard wakes up in the middle of the night and puts the pieces of the previous issues together. Someone is using Federation records to produce weapons.

Woohoo! We finally get a plot out of this, and it sounds like it has potential. I think I have a better handle on what they're doing with the series, too.

Ultimate X-Men #82

Nightcrawler finally meets the Morlocks, who expect war between humans and mutants, and are making the necessary preparations. Meanwhile Jean and Scott argue about whether Toad should be sent on recruiting missions. (Jean's right, but for the wrong reasons) and Bishop begins creating a replacement for the X-Men.

Ultimate Callisto actually has some Morlock-like features… or acne. Either way, it's nice to see her abnormal appearance is more than just an eyepatch..

The Morlocks are naturally suspicious when Nightcrawler metions that he used to be with the X-Men, and he's starting to regret leaivng. Any happiness Nightralwer might have had is short-lived, though. Toad show up, offering a place at Xavier's school, which the Morlocks interpret as being infiltrated.

Bishop's new team is an interesting mix. Storm, Pyro (Still liking his burn victim design), and potentially Dazzler, who's a bit of a drunk right now.

It's the start of a story arc, so there isn't much plot to comment on. The characters feel close to where they should be. Iceman gets a nice whine about how they used to have a jet. And the cover, featuring a nicely-drawn and colored Nightcrawler, has a background for once.

The gym has been going fairly well. My weight is around 145 lbs. at ~15% bodyfat, the first slowly going up and the second slowly dropping. I'm now doing three days of lifting (chest & biceps, legs & shoulders, and back & triceps) followed by two days of rest. My biggest boundaries seem to be 55lb dumbells and eating enough. Eating quickly has never been easy for me, so it's hard to get enough food and prevent the day from becoming one long meal.

I picked up a few of the Transformers movie toys after seeing them on display. Wreckage looks like he got the Megatron buckethead while Bumblebee is kind of loose and floppy. I also got a Robot Heroes two pack because it contained something cuter than Chibi Cody- Chibi Ravage. That also meant buying a version of Mr. "The broomstick up his tailpipe has a broomstick up his tailpipe", but it was worth it.

Movie Starscream, which I haven't bought yet, makes me pine for the classic Seeker design. Speaking of Classic Seekers, it looks like I won't be getting a full set of them since Thundercracker, Thrust, and Dirge are Botcon exclusives.

For those who haven't heard, the movie's themesong has been released. It's kind of weird. The thing starts out like it will be an update of the season 1 theme, but turns into a weird rap thing. Some good came of it, though, since I also came across this, even if it only makes sense if you've heard the themesong.

I'm also thinking of bringing gifts to AC for friends and roommates. My plan is to give stuff from Michigan, like Vernors ginger ale and Sander's hot fudge.

Comments

[mapdark.livejournal.com]

We should ALL bring something from our city ..


On my side it's kinda hard .. I can't really bring smoked meat
or poutine since they'Re not exactly preservable :P

I guess I could bring fairmount bagels ^^;
and natural mapple syrup..

and I dunno .. tourist info in case anyone comes ^^

[exatron.livejournal.com]

I know the feeling. There are a few things I can't bring, like Stroh's-brand ice cream, authentic Mackinac Island fudge, and a bad attitude.

Real maple syrup is one of my food weaknesses. I ♥ the stuff.

[zookee.livejournal.com]

We should ALL bring something from our city ..

I totally agree. I'll bring the whiskey! :D

[mapdark.livejournal.com]

Dude .. I don't think you can bring alcohol into the states ..

:P

Better not take chances..

[zookee.livejournal.com]

Er... it's called Duty Free! Look it up! :P

[kylet.livejournal.com]

Glad to get a gym update, it's good to know SOME folks are still at it. Wait, so you're doing 3 on, 2 off? Interesting. I think I'd disintegrate x.x
Huh, eating is the easy part for me. It's so boring it's a habit now, I barely notice doing it ;-)

KITTY!

I got Wreckage and Bonecrusher (Barricade, Brawl and Bumblebee were sold out, and I'm holding out for repaint Jazz). It's interesting how, despite the different aesthetic, there's a lot of the same "feel" as Classics in the engineering.

I would've liked Classics Thrust, but yeah, not worth $$$$$ for the whole set.

Heh. I can't think of anything totally regional to LA that anyone hasn't seen, or would want o.0

[exatron.livejournal.com]

Three on, two off is easier than you'd think. My only troubles so far are having no good reference for when I should add more weight, and getting chores done when I'm at the gym on both Saturday and Sunday.

Boredom while eating is what gives me trouble since I end up trying, and failing, to multitask.

I can't remember if I said out loud that Ravage was cute, but it would explain the weird look a woman gave me in the store.

Bumblebee is a pain. It took forever for me to get his chest panel folded down, and just as long to put him back in vehicle mode without random bits popping out of place. The toys are more blocky and sturdier than what the movie models would suggest. I think it's because the designers knew they'd have to make some adjustments so the things can transform and handle play.

Thundercracker was the one I wanted. It would have been so nice to have a complete set of the original trio.

Let me guess, stuffing hot, unemployed, aspiring actors into your luggage didn't go over well with airport security the last time you tried.

[kylet.livejournal.com]

So no more trainer? Yeah, I think that's the main issue, I work best with a completely regular schedule.

Multitask while eating?
See, that's the other thing. If your food is boring, you don't linger. I basically get it over with really quickly and move on ;-)

"KAWAIIIIIIII!"

Yeah, I've heard his auto transform can be funky; maybe I'll just wait for the 2008 one. I think the designers just said "AhhahahhaNO!" when they saw the movie models.

Dude! Why didn't you say so earlier XD I'm not big on Goth Bumblebee or Dirge, but I wouldn't have minded Darkwing (Dreadwind? I forget which). We coulda split a package!

People say that. My parents say they have seen celebrities in restaurants more than a handful times (apparently we just went to a place where they previously saw Callista Flockhart), but I saw more at my last job than I ever have in public. Then again, I might just be oblivious ^ ^;;;

[exatron.livejournal.com]

The three days on, two off was the trainers idea. I only see him once a week now. My understanding is that you have to change up the schedule occasionally because your body gets used to it after a while.

Theoretically, it usually turns into watching TV or browsing the web while my food gets cold.

Waiting for 2008 'Bee may be a good idea. The Deluxe version's autotransform has a button that makes me wonder what sort of kid is strong enough to press the button.

It didn't occur to me. When I saw that they were convention exclusives, I filed them away under "Cannot Get."

Most celebrities try to be inconspicuous in public, especially now that cellphones have embedded cameras.

Callista Flockhart in a restaurant? I thought she gave up eating.

[kylet.livejournal.com]

He DOES keep changing the schedule, he throws in some semi-cardio stuff and rearranges the timing of the muscle group focus. And trust me, as sore as I get there's no way I can POSSIBLY be getting used to it XD

Duly noted, I'm waiting now for 08. I actually just got Brawl and Barricade, and wasn't thrilled by them...

We'll talk next year around Botcon then :-)

They seemed to be pretty blase' about that, although admittedly my parents don't often see HUGE stars. I think she said Ms Flockhart did focus a lot on keeping her menu up at first.
That I'm not sure, she was supposedly with her stepchildren so maybe she was feeding them ;-)

[exatron.livejournal.com]

Good. There are two other things I've learned along the way. Sometimes, you'll hit plateaus where you get stronger, but not bigger. The other thing is that measuring bodyfat with the electrolysis method can be touchy- missing a glass of water or eating at the wrong time can make the numbers skyrocket.

I just got Swindle and Jazz. So far, Swindle is the best I've bought. Jazz isn't too bad, but his hands, claws really, are a bit weird. Don't think I'll be getting Scorponock since he's reminiscent of the worst designs from Beast Machines. (Let's stand it on edge and call that the robot mode.) The whole line would have been better off without the autotransform stuff.

Okely dokely.

Feeding them? To what?

[zookee.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear the gym is going well. I can't imagine not being able to eat enough - I'm like a machine. I said to a friend the other day that I'm a slow eater, and she said "Are you fucking joking? You're disgusting - you barely even chew!" XD

Getting serious about the whole gifts from home - I think it's a great idea! I don't know what I could bring, though, so I'll have to have a think on that. There's always chocolate, for a start. Oh, and I <3 Ginger ale! :D

[exatron.livejournal.com]

He eats like a pig!

Nah, pigs tend to chew. I'd say he eats more like a duck. - Frank Grimes & Lenny Lenford

People who haven't grown up around Vernors say it's an acquired taste. It's a highly carbonated drink with an unusual, pungent ginger/vanilla flavor you don't find in most ginger ales.

[kylet.livejournal.com]

I can't say having E coli makes the best of judgmental states of mind, but I tried Vernors then and it seemed just fine to me.

[exatron.livejournal.com]

You're the fist non-Michigander I've heard give that opinion.

Let me guess, you went for the Vernors because of its status as a folk remedy for an upset stomach. From my own experience, it's one of the few things that still tastes good when you're sick.

[kylet.livejournal.com]

Actually, people recommended ginger ale at that time and it was the only non-can one I saw in the store...I think it was afterwards that you confirmed it was a good brand :-)

[exatron.livejournal.com]

To me, it's the only brand of ginger ale. Everything else seems tasteless by comparison.

[zookee.livejournal.com]

I was thinking of that as I typed the above. I love our quotiness!

Well I'll just have to find out for myself then, won't I? :D