Your Guide To Getting Through Season 1 of Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation was my favourite show as a kid/teenager.  I watched the show, read the novels, got posters, toys, models... everything short of dressing up like a Klingon and learning the language.  I watched the spin-off and saw the movies several times.  I still think the Season 3 finale is the best cliffhanger in television history.

And now the entire series is up on Netflix Canada.  Excuse me while I call in sick for the next week.

But to be honest, the series didn't really hit its stride until the third season, in my opinion.  So, if you want to give the show a go but want to skim over the first 2 seasons while still getting a good base for the series later on, I've chosen a dozen episodes from Season 1 that you should watch to get a good feel for the start of the series: Six are must-watch and six are should-watch.

I'll keep the descriptions spoiler-free, in case you have never seen anything to do with TNG.  But I'll say that I've chosen these episodes because they either have important character development or introduce something that is important later in the series.

Episode 1: Encounter At Farpoint. Must Watch.  The series premier.

Episode 6: Where No One Has Gone Before. Must Watch.  Introduces "The Traveller".

Episode 9: The Battle. Should Watch. Explores what Captain Picard did before the Enterprise.

Episode 10: Hide and Q. Must Watch. Any episode with Q is entertaining.

Episode 11: Haven. Should Watch. Introduces Lwaxana Troi.

Episode 12: The Big Goodbye. Should Watch. Entertaining Holodeck episode.

Episode 13: Datalore. Must Watch. Introduces Lore.

Episode 15: 11001001. Should Watch. Another good holodeck episode.

Episode 19: Coming of Age. Should Watch. A good episode that deals with Starfleet as a whole.

Episode 20: Heart of Glory. Should Watch.  Explores the nature of the relations with the Klingons.

Episode 23: Skin of Evil. Must Watch. Important main character development.

Episode 25: Conspiracy. Must Watch. Kind of out of character episode. Quite graphic for its day. As the title suggests, it deals with a conspiracy at Starfleet.

Happy Trekking.  I might look through Season 2 and do the same thing.  But once you get to Season 3, you're into the good stuff.

It's November!

Hi Patrick!

5 Minutes, Just 5 Minutes

For some reason last night, this commercial popped into my head. I felt like sharing.
 

So I Had A Visit From A Neighbour

So, there I was, watching tv, playing video games or on the computer downstairs when I thought I heard the very faint doorbell for my side door. Now it was later in the evening, maybe 8pm or so,and since I don't get unannounced visitors... ever, I was baffled as to who it could have been. To skip ahead in the story a bit, it turns out it was someone from down the street who was out for a walk and they just wanted to know who treated my asphalt driveway. No big deal.

Now let's go back to right after I heard the doorbell ring a couple times and the subsequent knock (they were persistent). Never before had I hoped so much that there was a pair of pants ready to wear sitting in my laundry room.

Get In Game Shape

I handed in my curling registration form today. I thought it was a good time to start to get ready for the season by not setting back the curler's stereotype by 10 years.

Did I Ever Tell You About The Time...? Jeep Edition

This episode in my life has been sticking in my head lately. I'm not sure exactly why. Maybe it's because I've been thinking of buying a car lately. Whatever the reason...

Did I ever tell you about the time a couple week after I bought my Jeep back in 2005 when I got a flyer placed on my windshield when I was shopping at the grocery store.  I was advertising the local KW Jeep Club and inviting me out to join them.  I didn't really think much of it at the time, as I figured they just saw a Jeep and put the flyer on the windshield.  But as time went on some things just stand out as strange about that whole incident to me.

I have never gotten the flyer on my Jeep since that day.  Not in the same Zehrs parking lot, or any other parking lot I had been to in town.  If the club was putting the flyers on local Jeeps to get some new members, doesn't probability suggest that I would have gotten more?  And why only after I had just gotten the Jeep?  Do they keep track of Jeeps that they put their flyers on?  Do they coordinate that information between members, so another member doesn't flyer the same Jeep?  Did the dealership tip off the club that a new Jeep owner was in town?

It has always seemed strange that I only ever got one flyer and only right after I bought it.

That Garage Aroma

Remember the time I complained that my garage smelled like an ashtray? Well as of this weekend, the smell is back, unfortunately. I'm going to have to get some air fresheners again.

On a totally unrelated note: I hosted a poker game in my garage on Sunday. Only Dan, Amanda and myself, so I'm pretty sure it didn't count.

A Brief History of Toast

Judging by the questions/comments/requests that I've been getting, I'm actually starting to believe that relative to most you, I'm a pretty good cook.

Anyway, back by unpopular demand and because I'm having fun with them, here's another video.

 

This Might Be Getting Out Of Hand

Here's a treat for you, my loyal blog readers. Early access to my latest cooking video! The facebook riff-raff will have to wait.

I'm glad I finally got this one done. Since I now only eat food that I've prepared in front of a camera, I was getting hungry.

Cooking Is Hard

I enjoyed making the video about burgers yesterday so much, I figured I'd do the same with my lunch today. With enough of these, soon your skills in the kitchen will be almost as good as mine. 

Make Your Own Hamburger Night

I declared today to be "National Make Your Own Hamburger Night" and then declared my house an independent nation.  Now, I don't make no fancy burgers.  Basic ingredients are usually ground beef and heat.  But I got a little nutty tonight and added a few extras and I also decided to document it.

Ingredients for tonight's burger: 1.4 kg of ground beef, 1 non-expired egg and garlic powder.  Mix them all together by hand and make a nice looking patty.

Divide into however many burgers you want.  I did 3.  Flatten, then barbecue.  It's important that the burger gets thoroughly cooked, but not burnt.  So, I suggest a longer cooking time at a lower temperature.  Also, important when barbecuing any meat... diamond grill marks.

Looks like this burger can join the diamond club. <>

Then, melt some cheese, toast a bun and add your favourite toppings.  Easy!  Even for me.

Yeah, I also make it into a video.  My goal was to keep in under 2 minutes, as everyone's attention span (including mine) is really short when it comes to internet videos... but I could barely keep it under 7.  Enjoy anyway.

One thing I learned that after using Windows Live Movie Maker for the first time, it's nowhere near as good as iMovie.  I'm no lover of Apple and it stings a bit to say that, but it's so very true.

Update: Mutant Plant Cut Down To Size

So, it turns out that the giant stalk is part of the rhubarb plant after all.  Upon advice from people who use terms like "gone to seed", I have cut the flowering stem off.

Giant Mutant Plants (tm) still have a long way to go for world domination if they can't defend themselves from scissors.

Creepy Giant Plants

I'm trying to figure out exactly what's going on in my garden.  I don't know what's been planted and what's a weed.  There's a patch of rhubarb in the corner of one garden behind a house... no big deal.  But today I notice this GIANT stalk shooting out of the middle of it.  It must be growing fast because the last time I looked there a few days ago, there was no such stalk.

So, I'm just throwing this out there: What the crap is this?  Is it a normal part of a rhubarb plant or (more likely) an alien lifeform looking to conquer us via our most unsuspecting living organisms... plants.

That and I find creepy giant plants to be creepy as hell.

World Conquest Across The World

The following is an example of technology at its finest.

This morning I played a game of Risk with two friends. No big deal, right? Did I mention that my friends were in Halifax and Japan, while I sat on my couch in Kitchener? After a week or so of figuring it out, thanks to an innocuous photo I posted on Facebook, Sean, Joe and I played Risk Factions over Xbox Live. Using the world map and classic rules, we were able to squeeze out 2 matches while it was morning here and nearly midnight for Sean. It worked so well, that we may make this a regular occasion. I love technology today.

Oh yeah... and Sean won the first game and Joe the other. But that's not important.

Round 1 Playoff Predictions

After seeing Dan's predictions he posted on Facebook (what, is your blog no longer good enough?), it reminded me to post my own.  Because apparently I still care enough.  So there's that.

In the East, New York over Ottawa in 5 - For a team that was predicted by many to finish dead last, Ottawa has done surprising well for themselves. I'd like to see them surprise more and move onto the second round, but these predictions aren't who I want to win, it's who I think will win.  The Rangers are just too good this year.

Boston over Washington in 4 - Because Washington is just terrible this year.

New Jersey over Florida in 6 - Just because you're the 3rd seed doesn't mean you only got there by winning the southeast division. You're the smartest kid on the short bus.

Philadelphia over Pittsburgh in 7 - This series is going to be all kinds of awesome.

In the West, Los Angeles over Vancouver in 7 - Because of a hot goaltender. Although I kind of want to see Vancouver make it to the second round just to be beat by the Blackhawks.

St. Louis over San Jose in 5 - Because where did the Blues come from this season?

Chicago over Phoenix in 7 - Followed by the Coyotes booking plane tickets to Quebec City for next season.

Detroit over Nashville in 6 - Because, flip a coin?  I have no insight into this series, but... it's Nashville, come on.

Free Movie Network!

I decided to engage in a bit of cord shaving today, reducing my cable TV package from the VIP to Digital Plus (and thus saving about $15 per month).  The only channels I'll really miss are Sportnet One and The Score, but those alone aren't worth $15.  I got no hassle from the guy on the phone, and in fact he ended up offering me a free trial to the Movie Network for 2 months (which I asked to be automatically disabled after the trial, but I'll be sure to check on that). So, that's pretty sweet.  Not that I tend to sit down and watch a bunch of movies, but it's perfect timing for being able to watch the second season of Game of Thrones. You know... legitimately.

One day I'll cord cut, but live streaming of sports has to improve. Have you seen the quality of the Hockey Night In Canada stream? Atrocious! On the other hand, the TSN stream of curling is quite good quality (which will be the last bit of praise I'll be giving TSN).

I'll gladly pay for the things I want to watch.  But I won't pay for the things I don't watch just because of an arbitrary bundle for much longer.

More IME Too?

First it was Big Wreck coming out with a great new song and album, and now I just found today that I Mother Earth has also regrouped and released a new song, "We Got The Love". I'm listening to it for the first time on the band's website as I type this. I'm loving what I'm hearing. Also, my self of 10 years ago is loving this resurgence of some of my favourite band.

John Carter

I went to see the movie "John Carter" tonight with Patrick. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It should do better at the box office than it ultimately will, but that's because it's a textbook example of terrible marketing. I barely knew about the movie and it's supposed to be Disney's huge blockbuster franchise to replace "Pirates of the Caribbean". But with a name as generic as "John Carter", it's not surprising that it has eluded public conscienceness. Apparently some brilliant marketing people thought that if they kept the original title "John Carter of Mars" it would scare off the female demographic.

Interestingly enough, it's based off a novel written back in 1917 called "A Princess of Mars". You can tell that elements of it have inspired many science-fiction works since then.

It was a large series of novels, so I would suspect that the idea was that there would definitely be sequels. Hopefully they can make enough money to continue the series... and hopefully without the dedication to the memory of Steve Jobs at the end. What was that about?

What If I Went Viral?

This question has been bugging me today. What if, either intentionally or (more likely) unintentionally, something I did on the internet went viral and thousands of people started looking me up online. What would people find? Would I like what they found? How much would be my own fault?

I was thinking this after seeing a video that went viral of an American father punishing his teenager by posting a video reply to a Facebook rant about her parents she had done. It didn't take long for people to find his own Facebook page and phone number, etc. While most people were supportive of the father in comments, there were a few people who called the police and child services thinking he was going to harm his kid. He got so many phone calls, he just turned off his phone. He ended up saying if people who knew him wanted to get a hold of him, they knew his email address.

Not that this is particularly unique. Viral videos and posts happen all the time. Basically everyone who's had a Tosh.0 Web Redemption unexpectedly found themselves in the spotlight for something they didn't intend to have thousands (or millions) of people see.

If people were to try and dig up info on me, the most obvious source would be this blog. It's not private and anyone who finds it can read everything. The only people who visit are friends and family, for the most part, and I write my posts expecting that to be my audience. I've been careful not to share things like my address and phone number, but I do recall posting what my personal email address is (after buying my awesome domain). There's other sources of me out there like Twitter (which again is not private), Google + (which no one uses, so no worries there) and the big one... Facebook.

I've been pretty careful to make sure my privacy settings for everything on Facebook are "Friends Only" and that the barest minimum is shared publicly. But every time they change their layout, I find myself having to go through everything again, just to be sure. This latest change to "Timelines" is making it difficult for me to share exactly how I want to share. But I digress.

Anyway, this has motivated me to start going through my online presence and make sure it's "presentable". Just in case the worst (or best) thing happens.

Paying To Watch Commercials

I went to see the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity (AKA the commercial awards) tonight at the Princess Cinema. blah blah blah, here are some of my favourites:

Some we are familiar with here in Canada like Chrysler's "Born of Fire", Heineken's "The Entrance", Nike's "Write The Future", Old Spice's "Questions", and FedEx's "Change".

Some that weren't aired here (or that I just had never seen) that stuck in my mind were Logitech Revue's "Kevin Bacon Fan", H2OH! "Braids", Brandhouse's "Love To Meet You", Carlton Draught's "Slo Mo", and Coca-Cola's "Choir".

Enjoy.