Friday, December 21, 2012
Make 'em laugh... or at least shake their heads in disapproval
It is with great pleasure that I can announce that after many years of development, the first webisode in my sketch comedy series "And Several Butchers' Aprons" is complete!
Sure it is only one episode, but with the others not far away, I am happy to tick this one off my list :)
STATUS: 5/40 = 12.5%
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Can't believe this didn't make the list!
I think it's safe to say that I am a geek - between wanting a deLorean/TARDIS and hoping to stay at the Sidi Driss Hotel in Tunisia, there isn't much in geekdom that I am not a fan of. That said, I have never been so big of a fan to own a Starfleet uniform, speak Klingon or to cosplay as The Doctor... but that was before I had heard of the 501st. I forget when and where I first found out about the 501st, all I know it was years ago and I remember thinking "that would be cool - if only I had a costume"
The best thing about the 501st is that it's not just about nerds getting together to complain about the screen accuracy of each other's 'uniforms' - they do a lot of charity work which I think is great. Even still, actually join gin them seemed a tad bit extreme as I wouldn't say I was that big of a Star Wars fan. Don't get me wrong, when I was in primary school, I breathed Star Wars - my best friend and I used to quiz each other on dialogue from the films. Once the 1990's came around, my enthusiasm for the original trilogy began to diminish. By the time the Special Editions were hitting cinemas, I reached a point where I couldn't be bothered seeing them on the big screen.
With the 3 disappointing prequels came one major plus - my enthusiasm for Star Wars had been rekindled. Suddenly everyone was a Star Wars fan despite hating what George Lucas had dished up. I think he has been unfairly picked on to the point where he has been bullied out of making movies. And now, with Disney now owning LucasFilm and promising a new trilogy of films to be released, I am once again excited about the franchise. Even so, I still wouldn't consider myself a big enough nerd to buy a costume. As such, when I came to make up my 40 Before 40 list, owning a Star Wars costume didn't cross my mind.
Less than a month ago, my wife and I welcomed our son into the world. Unfortunately he has some medical issues which required him to spend a week in the NICU nursery. The staff there were fantastic and made as feel like it was our second home. So when I saw on TV that the local 501st had raised a lot of money for the children's hospital, I felt so proud of them. So much so that I want to get a costume and join them.
The obvious question is just which costume do I want to own and wear. Watching the local garrison of the 501st I couldn't help but notice the huge number of stormtroopers. I mean if I was at a gathering with them, I would forget who was under which helmet! Not wanting to blend into anonymity, I have decided that the costume for me is the biker scout.
Featured in "Return Of The Jedi", the biker scouts are seen running around on the forest moon of Endor, being out smarted by ewoks... sigh. Their obvious stupidity aside (seriously, wearing bright white in the jungle?) I have always like the look of their uniform over that of the puffy checked stormtroopers.
So with a costume choice made, it is now time to actually purchase it. Not wanting to rush into it, I have started by buying the gloves for the huge price of $19.95 - settle down there big spender! Never the less, it is official - I am on the road to becoming a biker scout!
Featured in "Return Of The Jedi", the biker scouts are seen running around on the forest moon of Endor, being out smarted by ewoks... sigh. Their obvious stupidity aside (seriously, wearing bright white in the jungle?) I have always like the look of their uniform over that of the puffy checked stormtroopers.
So with a costume choice made, it is now time to actually purchase it. Not wanting to rush into it, I have started by buying the gloves for the huge price of $19.95 - settle down there big spender! Never the less, it is official - I am on the road to becoming a biker scout!
Monday, September 17, 2012
Christmas Wish List
With Christmas just around the corner and with several other people already talking about what they would like to get, I thought I may as well start my own Christmas wish list.
When I first saw The Daddy Saddle I couldn't help but giggle, but once I got past that initial reaction, I thought that this would actually be kind of cool. I have no idea if this is a hoax or a real item, or how much they are worth, but if they aren't too expensive, this would be a good one for either me or Squishy :)
The Frontline DVD Boxset would be great as this is a classic Australian TV series that satirises TV news - it is funny because it is so true! I enjoyed the show when I first watched it but since having now worked in that industry, I believe that the funniness level will be higher than ever! It would also be good because it would mean I get to cross number 28 of my 40 list - two birds with one DVD boxset...
These vintage Star Wars Blueprints are only $6 on eBay (plus postage) and would be a great, nopt only because it is a vintage collectable, but because I have a fascination with blueprints and science fiction design. Plus, Squishy loves all things robot orientated and droid blueprints would be just what I need to build a full scale (inert) R2-D2!
UPDATE: RECEIVED FOR CHRISTMAS 2012
I have always wanted a remote controlled Dalek and not just to terrorise the cat! These are super cool and fit in nicely with Squishy's robot themed nursery - yes, I know that Daleks aren't robots, but try telling that to Lesterton! Of course any other Doctor Who robot-esque item would be cool (think K-9), and there are numerous Doctor Who DVDs out there that I would love to fill in a couple of gaps in my collection, but you would need to check which ones those are. Otherwise really cool Doctor Who merchandise would be great, but it has to be really awesome - I have enough coffee cups!
I would really love a working super 8 camera like the Canon 1014 so I can film on actual film, as apposed to digitally. Sure, some might say that the 1014 XLS is a better camera as far as function goes, but as far as nice looking pieces of equipment go, I think the XLS looks like an ugly black plastic box. I have a couple of super 8 cameras already but I can't get them working (a wiring problem perhaps). However, if someone is looking at this list and has a bit more money that they want to splash my way, then a nice 16mm Bolex would be fantastic... although I have no idea where I would find 16mm film...
A lot of people don't like giving gift vouchers because they think it can be interpreted as "I couldn't be bothered thinking of what to get you so I just got you a voucher" but I interpret it as "I don't want to get you a lame present like glow in the dark stickers so here is a voucher for you to get yourself something you really want". Amazon is probably the best place but I would be just as happy with either Collins Booksellers or JB Hifi. I don't think Think Geek do vouchers... but if they did, I would be getting this quality item!
Are there other things that I would like... probably but I can't think of them off the top of my head... I know how difficult it can be trying to think of the perfect gift for someone, so I hope that this list has helped anyone who is trying to find something for the geek who has everything.
When I first saw The Daddy Saddle I couldn't help but giggle, but once I got past that initial reaction, I thought that this would actually be kind of cool. I have no idea if this is a hoax or a real item, or how much they are worth, but if they aren't too expensive, this would be a good one for either me or Squishy :)
The Frontline DVD Boxset would be great as this is a classic Australian TV series that satirises TV news - it is funny because it is so true! I enjoyed the show when I first watched it but since having now worked in that industry, I believe that the funniness level will be higher than ever! It would also be good because it would mean I get to cross number 28 of my 40 list - two birds with one DVD boxset...
These vintage Star Wars Blueprints are only $6 on eBay (plus postage) and would be a great, nopt only because it is a vintage collectable, but because I have a fascination with blueprints and science fiction design. Plus, Squishy loves all things robot orientated and droid blueprints would be just what I need to build a full scale (inert) R2-D2!UPDATE: RECEIVED FOR CHRISTMAS 2012
I have always wanted a remote controlled Dalek and not just to terrorise the cat! These are super cool and fit in nicely with Squishy's robot themed nursery - yes, I know that Daleks aren't robots, but try telling that to Lesterton! Of course any other Doctor Who robot-esque item would be cool (think K-9), and there are numerous Doctor Who DVDs out there that I would love to fill in a couple of gaps in my collection, but you would need to check which ones those are. Otherwise really cool Doctor Who merchandise would be great, but it has to be really awesome - I have enough coffee cups!
I would really love a working super 8 camera like the Canon 1014 so I can film on actual film, as apposed to digitally. Sure, some might say that the 1014 XLS is a better camera as far as function goes, but as far as nice looking pieces of equipment go, I think the XLS looks like an ugly black plastic box. I have a couple of super 8 cameras already but I can't get them working (a wiring problem perhaps). However, if someone is looking at this list and has a bit more money that they want to splash my way, then a nice 16mm Bolex would be fantastic... although I have no idea where I would find 16mm film...
A lot of people don't like giving gift vouchers because they think it can be interpreted as "I couldn't be bothered thinking of what to get you so I just got you a voucher" but I interpret it as "I don't want to get you a lame present like glow in the dark stickers so here is a voucher for you to get yourself something you really want". Amazon is probably the best place but I would be just as happy with either Collins Booksellers or JB Hifi. I don't think Think Geek do vouchers... but if they did, I would be getting this quality item!
Are there other things that I would like... probably but I can't think of them off the top of my head... I know how difficult it can be trying to think of the perfect gift for someone, so I hope that this list has helped anyone who is trying to find something for the geek who has everything.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Back on task...
With the road trip posts out of the way, lets get back on task and start working on the 40 before 40.
6. Work with a "wow" celebrity
Last week I kind of got to work with Australian legend Brian Brown (as well as his wife Rachel Ward and his daughter Matilda). While I got to work with him, he would have no memory of working with me and so I guess I need to expand this goal to include working with a big name celebrity that is internationally known and have them remember the experience. That said, if I don't get to achieve this goal any other way, then this will count! :)
7. Make a sketch comedy series
I have been working heaps lately so the editing on this has slowed down a bit but hopefully we will get back in to it very very soon. At the very least I am going to try and get another preview sketch online. Don't know which one though... too many good ones to pick between...
Last week I kind of got to work with Australian legend Brian Brown (as well as his wife Rachel Ward and his daughter Matilda). While I got to work with him, he would have no memory of working with me and so I guess I need to expand this goal to include working with a big name celebrity that is internationally known and have them remember the experience. That said, if I don't get to achieve this goal any other way, then this will count! :)
7. Make a sketch comedy seriesI have been working heaps lately so the editing on this has slowed down a bit but hopefully we will get back in to it very very soon. At the very least I am going to try and get another preview sketch online. Don't know which one though... too many good ones to pick between...
USA road trip complete
Obviously we made it back to Australia safe and sound and with a rather straight forward final leg of flight back to Perth. It was such a fun trip and one we will remember for a long long time. We enjoyed it so much that we seriously considered relocating to the States on a permanent basis, looking into houses for sale and how we could legally immigrate there. Basically without a million dollars or a US based company prepared to offer one of us work, it just wasn't going to happen. I guess we will just have to go back there for another holiday one day...
I had set the goal as part of my 40 before 40 to keep this blog up to date and I think posting every entry from the road trip kind of qualifies but I still have another 5 years to cross of everything else off my list and keep this blog up to date in the process.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
USA Day 67 - Auckland International Airport
Total States Visited: 47
Where Are We Sleeping Tonight: Perth, Western Australia On the plane trip from LA I managed to spend a lot of the time watching the inflight entertainment system - Suckerpunch, Morning Glory, Unstopable, Toast, Rio, the entire first season of Episodes. I did manage to squeeze in some sleep though... somewhere...
In Auckland we had to go through another baggage scan to enter the departure lounge, despite having gone through one in LA before boarding. They found our bottle of maple strip that I had forgotten about and LA somehow missed! Good to see LAX security are doing their job so well! I so don't see the point of the 100ml law - it is stupid and clear doesn't work, and as Penn & Teller mentioned in their show, will not stop terrorists from doing something destructive. Much like Clare being stopped from entering the club in Chicago, the purpose of the law has been forgotten and now innocent people are being unfairly punished. I wish there was a way that I could get my point across to people who matter, namely those people who have the power to change those laws. Hopefully I will have calmed down by the time we board the plane for our 7 hour flight to Perth!
We had Burger king for lunch (at 9am) and Clare said the drink straws were funny because they are skinny. Ihad to point out that they are normal sized straws and that we had sadly become accustomed to the large sized gulping straws we got everywhere in the USA. What an effect 2 months of total emersion in the American culture has had.
Where Are We Sleeping Tonight: Perth, Western Australia On the plane trip from LA I managed to spend a lot of the time watching the inflight entertainment system - Suckerpunch, Morning Glory, Unstopable, Toast, Rio, the entire first season of Episodes. I did manage to squeeze in some sleep though... somewhere...
In Auckland we had to go through another baggage scan to enter the departure lounge, despite having gone through one in LA before boarding. They found our bottle of maple strip that I had forgotten about and LA somehow missed! Good to see LAX security are doing their job so well! I so don't see the point of the 100ml law - it is stupid and clear doesn't work, and as Penn & Teller mentioned in their show, will not stop terrorists from doing something destructive. Much like Clare being stopped from entering the club in Chicago, the purpose of the law has been forgotten and now innocent people are being unfairly punished. I wish there was a way that I could get my point across to people who matter, namely those people who have the power to change those laws. Hopefully I will have calmed down by the time we board the plane for our 7 hour flight to Perth!
We had Burger king for lunch (at 9am) and Clare said the drink straws were funny because they are skinny. Ihad to point out that they are normal sized straws and that we had sadly become accustomed to the large sized gulping straws we got everywhere in the USA. What an effect 2 months of total emersion in the American culture has had.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
USA Day 66 - somewhere in the Twilight Zone
Total States Visited: 47
Where Are We Sleeping Tonight: Nowhere! As we flew West, crossing over the International date-line means we totally missed out on having a 21st of August... I know we technically had two days of the 17th of June, so it all works out even in the end.
Where Are We Sleeping Tonight: Nowhere! As we flew West, crossing over the International date-line means we totally missed out on having a 21st of August... I know we technically had two days of the 17th of June, so it all works out even in the end.
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