RackstrawConcepts!

11:48 pm - Happy 7/1

The first half of the year ended yesterday.

Good time to reinvigorate those New Years resolutions and whatnot. Ask yourself how they're going. If you're off the wagon for anything, set a new goal and try again.

I remember mine, of course.

06:54 pm - Can Pause the Serenity?

Everyone was in high spirits as ever at Can't Stop the Serenity, last night. I think Dr. Noe's Mal costume won something.

Unfortunately, the DVD froze up just at the scene when they watch the recording about Miranda and what the Alliance was trying to cover up. The technical problem was repaired but we missed seeing most of that particular, crucial monologue. The legion of fans filling the theatre dutifully filled in the viewers who had never seen the movie before; an estimated three people.

One of them was a friend from SF who was largely unfamiliar with JW. She remarked on how dissimilar the two features (Serenity and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog) were, apparently finding them to be an odd pairing. I explained the relationship (didn't ask if she'd noticed Nathan Fillion as captains in both) and she became slightly agog. "Those were by the same writer?"

04:35 pm - Last Sequel I Saw.

I like some level of believability in movies.

I like economy.

I like a sci-fi that takes itself seriously.

I like faithfulness to the source material in an adaptation.

The Transformers movies deliver none of the above. The new one worked for me a bit better than the first (perhaps because I was able to brace myself) but still seemed to have failings on every level. Many of the human civilians at least take a break from being walking jokes but there remain too many Farrelly Brothers style antics and too much of Michael Bay trying to hammer an old property into his customary style.

In developing the first film, I'd bet money someone made a conscious decision to merge the love story from Spider-Man with the anti-alien war story from Independence Day. Combining that with the dozen, or so, other arguable rips put me on high alert for other out-of-place similarities to older films in the new sequel.

At least I can say very few jumped out at me. There were only the stories of Megatron and Optimus ringing somewhat of Magneto and Xavier in X2. And the scene where the woman is desperately saying "I love you" to revive her unconscious-or-dead mate while other characters are yammering on about something called "the matrix?" Yeah...

I propose a measure on the ballot to give Michael Bay something that fits more with his style to work on while Zack Snyder reboots Transformers.

12:54 pm - Graveyard Humor

The mad groundskeeper at a cemetary realized he had run out of plots to sell. As a solution, he contrived to dig up a tract of graves that were all over 200 years old. Since no one visited those graves, it seemed like no one would be the wiser.

But what to do with the exhumed contents of the graves? Cleverly, the groundskeeper stacked up all the coffins and advertised them as free to anyone who could haul them away.

On the day of the big event, a passing sheriff noticed an unusual amount of foot traffic at the graveyard. He politely asked one man in the process of carting off a remarkably well-preserved, long pine box if he'd mind explaining what was going on. The law enforcer found the story interesting and opened the box. Both men were horrified to discover the remnants of a rotting corpse still inside!

The groundskeeper had actually neglected to dispose of the decrepit remains! Everyone was getting cadavers already included with their free coffins!

Disgusted, the lawman found his way to the front of the line and crossed his arms authoritatively. The groundskeeper immediately realized the game was up and asked how he'd been found out.

Quote the sheriff: "All these people spending their Saturday at a cemetary? It's a DEAD GIVEAWAY!"

02:54 am - Wednesday Night Movies

Poll #1420411 Tonight's Movie Options
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Which movie might you see tonight?

06:58 pm - My Name Is Kahn

Looks like the need's more urgent for that movie thing, this weekend. I note the ethnic preferences aren't there anymore. I'd do it but my tomorrow's already booked.

Beau Bonneau Casting is seeking last minute availability for
adults 18 and over to portray a movie extra in the film My
Name is Khan, tomorrow Saturday, 6/20 in Novato.

Rates/Hours: These are day time shoots; however we never know the exact start time or location until the afternoon or evening before each shoot day. Film shoots are long, typically 10 - 12 hours. Saying you are available means all day without conflict, from very early morning to late night hours. You must have your own reliable transportation to get yourself to and from the shoot.

( Read the rest... )

11:57 am - Card Use Incentives

For years, I've been transferring money to Pay-Pal before spending it. Then I'd use my Pay-Pal debit card as a MasterCard and collect a 1.5% refund credit they give on each purchase.

The advantages were always more obvious on large purchases. When I got my $1000 computer in 2005 or so, I got about $15 back. When I bought my car, Toyota accepted $2000 of the price by credit card so I got $30 back.

This has always worked nicely but I've noticed there's no such refund credited on my recent payments. I guess they stopped doing the %1.5 rewards program. That means there's little point in my keeping funds in Pay-Pal for the time being.

I can go for the incentive on my WaMu (becoming Chase) card but it doesn't seem as rational. They have the picks-up-the-tab thing. They randomly choose a MasterCard payment out of thousands and make that one purchase free to whomever conducted it.

I also have an ING credit & debit card but I don't remember offhand if they have any kind of reward system for using it. Will look that up.

Can anyone recommend a card that does something for the card-holder on each transaction? Note that I don't want to apply for a credit card. I'd like another debit MasterCard or Visa.

Alternatively, does anyone know of a good community to post this question?

11:55 am - Wednesday Night Movies

If anyone's interested, remember the 1955 movie To Catch A Thief will enjoy a free, outdoor screening tonight at the Historic District on Post Street in downtown SJ. Show-time is "dusk." Last week, a band played before the show started.

Chairs are usually provided at these things but bringing your own portable furniture or picnic gear is recommended.

12:00 pm - Casting Call

In case anyone knows anyone who fits the bill:

You are receiving this Beau Bonneau Casting notice for outreach purposes for East Indian, Pakistani, Middle Eastern, African, Africa American, and Latino adults for a current project. Read thoroughly for details and please forward if you have friends or family that may fit the types needed! If you fit the description and have already submitted through www.sfcasting.com do not submit again; you are already in consideration. No phone calls to the office will be accepted. Do not reply; this is an unattended mailbox.

Beau Bonneau Casting is casting paid extras 18 years old and over for the film My Name is Khan, directed by Karan Johar.

We have an immediate need for extras available this weekend for one or more days June 20-22. Scenes being filmed involve people of all ethnic backgrounds coming together in support of the title character Khan, who is a spokesperson for peace and tolerance.

( Read the Rest )

11:30 am - To Travel Again

Had a bit of an old-man-or-butterfly moment, this morning. I Checked into the hotel and found my room.

There was a lot of traffic in the hall. While I lingered, holding the door open, a girl came up and seemed surprised to see me. She thought it was her room. I helped her figure out that she belonged in the next one over.

She walked off and I went in. Room seemed cozy, maybe rustic. Room had a lot of brown, finished wood.

More noticeably, about four of the girl's family members had come into the room behind my back and settled right in. Perhaps they took me for a door man since I had been standing there with it open. I very calmly pointed out that they had all gotten the incorrect room number.

About then, I discovered I was in bed, in the dark, and had been dreaming. Before getting up to assess my surroundings, it crossed my mind that I could not be sure where I was; in the hotel or at home.

06:26 pm - Twitts

Kelly Rackstraw is now following me on Twitter!

I have no information on the subject besides that.

If I poke around on the settings with that page enough, will it become obvious how to make my Twitter updates automatically forward to facebook and lj?

01:32 pm - Fourth of July Horizons

It's less than a month until Fourth of July arrives. This year's being on a Saturday, it's sure to be a world of fun.

Traditionally, we do it at Seabright Beach. Last year, however, security was a might tight. It was safer and saner but put a bit of a damper on the fun.

Poll #1412502 ID4 Beach Poll
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Which beach should we have this year's Fourth of July party at?

06:48 am - Nice Feeling!

Woke up after a full night's sleep to discover that whatever cold I had seems to be over. Symptoms had popped up unexpectedly Friday morning.

Timing could have been better but could also have been a lot worse. Must have picked it up Thursday; the one day of this week I went out somewhere. (But don't these viruses take longer than that to manifest? I don't know.) Of course, it had to wait until I had plans both professional and social. Then again, I did get to have plenty of bed rest for one of the two days.

Then, this morning, symptoms seem to have faded. Only after-effects remain.

And it's nice to see the morning sun, once in a while.

03:09 pm - Solutions

I once read a book purporting that every major, solvable problem in the world has already been solved somewhere else in the world.

One wonders; if this optimistic idea is true, could the same thing apply to the average lj-user's overpopulated friends page? Could one simply take a clear look at all one's blogging friends evident needs and then put them all in touch with one another and then just watch?

Simply put, is the solution as simple as communicating with your friends?

12:21 am - Midnight Thoughts

Wonder how long my walk takes.

Wonder how many circles I can count on the way.

The Transformers definitely look better in the new movie.

Should blog more about the events of each day.

Hey! Cara stopped Mike's snoring!

Do I need to change one of my statuses in Facebook?

David Hyde Pearce would make the perfect Alfred Pennyworth.

I'll figure myself out yet.

03:08 pm - Anglaj Biblioj

For some reason, the only books I've read twice are British books.

08:57 am - Line From the Movie "Memento"

Okay, so what am I doing?

02:24 pm - CSTS 2009

When ladycrim took me to the Can't Stop the Serenity event last year, I thought I'd been to the last one. This because elite told me something about the Browncoats losing some screening rights.

Well, I'm happy as can be to learn that I was wrong about that. It turns out elite was talking about the rights to Firefly, the TV show. Serenity, the movie, is under a different distributor. Can't Stop the Serenity is coming up June 30th in SF! As a bonus, they will also feature Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog during this screening event.

I still know plenty of science fiction enthusiasts for whom Firefly has slipped through the cracks. This show comes highly recommended so be sure to pick up the DVD and watch through the 14-episode run. Then come to the movie and see how it all ends!

11:05 am - A Con Comparison

May also post this in the BayCon community.

Doubletree was the original Enterprise.

That hotel in San Mateo was the captured Klingon vessel they hastily rechristened the HMS Bounty.

Hyatt is the Enterprise A.

12:41 pm - Bay Con Is On...

...in a day and change.

All things considered, I'm looking forward to it.

The Good
Thanx, in large part, to freyaschild, I'm on staff, this year.

Been trying to pull my weight, as it were, during the prep period. Been composing content and researching restaurants.

My department is newsletter. HQ is adjacent to the internet lounge. I'll also be roving and reporting under the direction of Meredith, the department head.

Going to enjoy getting to know my roommates and writing up some memorable moments as they pass. =)

The Sad
Dealing with a difficult situation which I ought not go into detail about. As a related consequence, some bad gossip has spread about me in the con circuit and I don't know how far.

I do appreciate, however, that it hasn't gotten around too much; just more than it should have. I'm also aware of one person who's heard things due to a need to know. That I understand and am okay with.

However, I feel I have to avoid and/or distrust a handful of you who probably don't deserve it. If you don't know what this is about and I skip a chance to start a conversation with you, please don't take it personally.

In fact, if you wish to say hello to me at con, please do. I'm probably up for hanging out and can use a little reassurance.

And again, thank you to anyone who's heard things but not passed judgment.

The Other
Just a reminder: I don't lie.