I can't believe I'm leaving for Otakon tomorrow. I totally don't feel ready and I'm taking Neil with me. He's a new staffer helping out in the Photo suite.

As usual my precon jitters will settle soon. Here's hoping I can at least get a good night sleep tonight.

Just last weekend Video Games LIVE! finally stopped in Pittsburgh. I almost missed the show despite a few people telling me about it in advance. Many thanks to my coworker Beth for telling me about an ad she heard on the radio about a video game music concert soon.

I hadn't been to Heinz Hall in AGES. I was totally getting lost in the building and wished I had arrived sooner to explore more. I ran into many people I know which isn't really a shocker, yet when I'm not expecting to see someone it's still a surprise.

The show itself was great. A wide variety of music. I was even stunned... Halo has plot?! *cough* *giggle*

I really hope the show comes back again next year!

ps: Post Gazette review

Over 4th of July weekend I was quite busy attending weddings. One for my cousin Cyndi and the other for my FFXI friend kamalloy. I got really lucky. The weddings were not on the same day, but were in the same region. I was able to stay with my family and not have to worry about arrangements for the other wedding.

( My cousin Cyndi got married )

( My long time FFXI buddy got married )

Congratulations again to everyone!

And if you are curious... click a bag!

I'm hoping one of you has some familiarity with Visual Basic and writing macros for MS Office products.

( the issue )

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

I was wasting time on youtube and stumbled on a "how to" video Lady Gaga Poker Face Bow Hair. I was inspired enough to try it out.

more Hair Bow pictures

I'm not sure how often I'll use this special style, but I'm excited that I was able to do it at all.

This is an FYI post

http://cstspittsburgh.webs.com/

Saturday, August 1 at the Ross Community Center
Doors open 6pm, movie begins 9:30pm - and lots going on in between!
$10 suggested donation to enter. Buy your tickets here.

( schedule )

I had a great time this weekend attending weddings, visiting family, meeting new family and connecting with friends. Pictures will be up soon. For now I will tease you with a little treat. My father and his brother singing Washington, an official song of Washington, D.C. at my cousin's wedding reception. This song is quite special since they learned it in elementary school, yet still remember most of it today.



Additional information on official songs for D.C.

At this year's Can't Stop the Serenity there will be a Live Character auction. I volunteered to be River. Here's what I've pulled together.

( River Tam cosplay )

Pittsburgh's Can't Stop the Serenity
Saturday, August 1st
Doors open at 6pm, Film at 9:30pm full schedule
$10 admission purchase here
http://cstspittsburgh.webs.com/

One of the best controllers Nintendo ever made was the Wavebird Wireless Controller. The only trouble with it is that it's two pieces, the controller and the receiver that plugs into the console. When I moved in August I packed the receivers in "a safe place" since they were small and loose. I was unable to find them for the whole time I was living in Crafton. With a gathering pending at my place and a desire to play Pac-Man Vs., I renewed my hunt yet again for the elusive receivers.

I've dumped open I don't know how many bags and boxes of important papers and things over the last few weeks. I even started pricing receivers online. I called Nintendo too, but they no longer make Wavebirds thus can not supply the part. I had given up hope and resumed setting up my consoles. It was then I came across a Nintendo Gamecube box that had a few things rattling in it, so I opened it up.

Eureka!!!! THE RECEIVERS!!! And some memory cards too. Finally finally finally!

David Tennant will be at San Diego Comic Con

I wish I could afford to go. T_T

Dad and I traveled up to the Detroit area the other weekend. On the way we made a stop at the Detroit Science Center because they are currently hosting Star Trek: The Exhibition.


more photos

This was an amazing exhibit. Photos were not allowed in the exhibit itself, but you can pic up some photos on The Original Series bridge, or by The Guardian of Forever. You can even be "beamed" in the transporter room. My favorite part of the whole exhibit was the number of costumes. It was so awesome to see them up close because I saw details that can't be seen on TV. Uhura's uniform for example has all these beautiful curved seams on the front. An Original Series Klingon Officer uniform has a swatch of bubble wrap on the belt buckle. BUBBLE WRAP! Hahahahahahaha. Very very cool stuff.

There were some other really awesome exhibits at the science center, particularly the Space program stuff like an Apollo Training Module and a number of scaled rockets.

The main event of our trip was my cousin Matt's graduation from high school. Isn't he handsome!


more pics

Congratulations and best of luck as you move on to college.

I will never understand why construction people are allowed to start jackhammering at 6 AM.

I am so disappointed. First ten minutes were amazing. Total control. One goal and the team transformed. It's been a train wreck ever since. Even poor Fleury was pulled. While my hopes are high for a win on Tuesday at home to force game 7, my hopes for the Pens winning the cup are very low.

Series tied!

Two more to go boys you can do it! Win that cup at home!

I went to see Pixar's UP on Sunday with my father. I thought Pixar peaked with Wall-E; I was wrong. I got so much more than I had expected. For the first time in a long time the trailer told a fraction of the story. The narrative at the beginning gives this film so much more depth than the trailer implies.

By crazy random happenstance I stumbled over to Megatokyo and found that Dom wrote about UP. He had written down almost exactly what I was thinking.

( if you've seen the film click here... )

UP is an amazing film. Go see it. But be forewarned, you might want to take some tissues with you.

PENS WIN! 4-2

Let's keep at it boys!

I've been watching a few Japanese films lately and they have a very common theme. Characters are destined for something or destined to never be together because they are from waring ninja villages.

What is it in the culture of Japan that makes destiny such a huge theme?

Any insight would be most appreciated.

I was heading out of the kitchen at work yesterday and the main receptionist was heading in. She asked "You you be interested in these?" and held up two free passes to see Terminator Salvation. HELL YEAH! I didn't say that but my enthusiasm was high and I received the tickets.

The following is spoiler free. I loved it! It was a great combination of what makes Terminator films awesome. Machines, war, terminators and John Connor. There were a few new things that make you question what happened in the time line and a whole lot of fun thinking.

The sound in the theater was up so high that I could feel the helicopter in my belly. I felt like it was just over there. Very well done.

I look forward to seeing this again.

Does anyone else remember these shows? I watched them when I was a kid. Not sure if they were on PBS or another network.

The Girl from Tomorrow
Some semi bratty girl from the future with a headband thing called a transducer that helps focus telekinetics. I remembered a few tidbits about the show and Neil helped me to remember it's title.

Spellbinder
Some kids find a passage to a parallel world where science is used like magic particularly suits that allow electricity to be channeled and thrown. I don't remember much more.

Many thanks to the internet and youtube for bringing these cheesy Australian show back.

Last week I posted my concerns regarding a number of shows that were on the chopping block. I am VERY happy to spread the good news...

Castle renewed!

Fox announces 2009-2010 schedule
Bones, Dollhouse, Fringe, House (no surprise) AND Lie to Me were renewed. I am quite sad that Terminator is canceled. But a HUGE YAY for Dollhouse!!!!

CHUCK RENEWED!!!!!!

Oh and other random good news: Fox renews Bones for 5th AND 6th season