Helm's Deep

There are a few that come to mind, with one of them being a show that you and I both mutually enjoy quite a bit.

• Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV)
  Ever since the team at CBS/Paramount started their restoration of the series to full HD for Blu-ray release, going back to the original footage, original models, and original VFX plates, it’s been amazing to see how truly groundbreaking and beautiful the effects were, and how much we the viewers at home were missing out on due to poor tape transfers and lossy compression upon broadcast.
• 2001: A Space Odyssey (film)
  There are very few special-effects heavy films from the ’70s and ’80s that stand up to how seamless modern visual effects look, save for the Star Wars Trilogy and some of Spielberg’s films.  The reason 2001 stands so tall is not only how seamless and realistic the effects are, but the fact that it laid the groundwork, and even set the bar, for all sci-fi films to come.  Think about it: this film was released in 1968.  I challenge you to watch it side-by-side with Star Wars:  A New Hope, a film that was released 9 years later, and see much of a difference.
• Farscape (TV)
  There is one thing the Jim Henson Company does better than anyone else: make us believe that a creature or alien made of foam and fabric is actually a living, breathing thing.  Not only that, we find ourselves caring deeply for these characters, whether it be loving them or/and hating them.  Add to the fact that the rest of the visual effects on the show being top-notch, the world of Farscape feels as real as our own.  Great stuff.

There are some others, but those 3 in particular stand out to me.

Nothing that you should really know, save for the fact that there are some differences in film adaption that aren’t in the book, which isn’t surprising. I just recently re-read it, as I hadn’t in years, and one of the things that surprised me was that this was a “children’s book” when it was released, but dealt with some pretty mature themes. Mind you, I read it for the first time when I was in 5th or 6th grade. I know that I enjoyed it, but wonder how much of it went over my head.

And no chastisement from me.  I’m still very behind on some things that I bet many people assume I’ve already read or seen (the Enders Game series, Game of Thrones, etc.).

Ok, I’m gonna have to probably go with homemade pizza ala Helm’s Deep, served with homemade garlic breadsticks and mozzarella cheese sticks.  Then probably some sort of rich chocolate dessert. And wine.  

As for what you can bring from NY: you can start with Dr. Baffled and TLOTH, Section9, evangotlib + family, gnomesweetgnome & yellowonesdontstop, and a bevy of other amazing NY-based Tumblrererers.

As for songs I always sing along to: ANYTHING by Prince.

By the way, I don’t like hypotheticals and think you should start making your way out here immediately. =)

Hmm, we’re getting a little personal here, aren’t we Doctor?

Let’s just say…deep enough.

Favorite dwarf: Bombur -  He’s my spirit animal

Favorite Gandalf moment: Probably when he’s trying to comfort Pippin in Minas Tirith as Sauron’s forces are overwhelming the city. His genuine compassion shows through so clearly in that moment.

Pippin: I didn’t think it would end this way.
Gandalf: End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path… One that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass… And then you see it.
Pippin: What? Gandalf?… See what?
Gandalf: White shores… and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
Pippin: [smiling] Well, that isn’t so bad.
Gandalf: [softly] No… No it isn’t.

Favorite “I-need-to-relax-and-think-of-nothing” movie: I’d have to go with Shawn of the Dead.

Favorite Doctor: 10. I really enjoyed his story arc. But, I have to admit, I’m REALLY enjoying 11 as well.

Favorite Whovian villain: The Silence. Scary as hell.

Favorite Whovian companion: Toss up between Donna Noble and the Rory/Amy combo.

Favorite Star Trek Captain: Picard

Favorite game: This is a pretty broad question. Video game? Board game? RPG?  I’m gonna give you current faves here (like in the last few years, because my brain can’t go back that far right now:

• Video Game :: I’m still really enjoying Fallout 3 and all the add-ons. It’s just a really enjoyable game.  I am also still playing the massive massiveness that is Skyrim.
• Board Game :: I’ll always have a soft spot for Risk, since it’s a game I’ve played since I was in high school.
• RPG :: Same as above, I’m a sucker for nostalgia - Dungeons & Dragons.

Favorite thing about being a daddy of three lovely girls: Take a look at the pictures on my Tumblr. Those say it all.

You know what’s so great about this question, and in turn, says a great deal about my parents? I spent the past several minutes thinking about this, and honestly could not come up with one thing.

I really can’t say enough about my Mom and Dad. They are just quality people. They were always available to talk, always open and willing to help, and are that way to this day.  I am truly blessed to have them.

If it keeps me accountable to you? YES! I need to get off my ass and get this weight off. We have an elliptical. We have weights (dumbells, etc.).  We have a Kinect with Your Shape Fitness, Kinect Sports, etc. I have no excuse. I just need to discipline myself to actually DO SOMETHING daily. And that would definitely help.

And…I just made this public….but that’s not a bad thing.

In 2013, I need to get serious about my health and my weight. It’s time. Keep me accountable, Tumblr. It’s on.

Yes, we hit a midnight showing.

Which, in hindsight, with 3 small children who, no matter what you do, have a substantial impact on your sleep patterns, might not have been the wisest of ideas.

Regardless, it was so much fun. There’s something about the energy at midnight showings of “event” movies that can’t be replicated. It was so much fun to see all the people in costume, the excitement on everyone’s faces, the anticipation waiting with 400 other people just as excited as you are to head back to Middle Earth.  It was a lot of fun.

Next year, we will most likely do two things differently:

• Hire a sitter to actually take the girls overnight as opposed to have them stay with us and just watch them while we were gone.
• Ensure that both of us have the next day off. We’re getting old, and 3 hours of sleep just doesn’t cut it anymore.

I’ll have more on the actual movie later. Lots of thoughts on it running through my head.