Nerdgasim

I got my nerd on in a big way today. I took the day off to go see Star Trek Into Darkness. I went with my dad and son to the 12:30 pm show. AND IT WAS AWESOME!!! Even better than the first J. J. Abrams Star Trek.

I love the way Abrams weaves bits of the Trek that we know and love into his updated and tweaked version of what we know and love. I've hear people make statements like: "That is not Star Trek." They are mad at the changes that have been made to the characters and cannon of the series, and I respect that. I personally love the update. I guess my thought is, the original series are still intact and haven't been messed with. If you don't like the new stuff, the original is still there and completely valid.

I look forward to what Abrams has in store for the Star Wars franchise. I know some people are worried about what he may change in the Star Wars universe. Me... I'm just pretty excited that their probably won't be another Jar Jar Binks.


Go see Star Trek Into Darkness. I think you'll like it.


-Red
www.jeffjake.com

Ready to see Star Trek Into Darkness

Well, in just at 16 1/2 hours, I will be watching Star Trek Into Darkness. I have waited less than patiently for this film for months now. And of course J. J. Abrams has been VERY tight lipped about certain details of the film. Namely who the bad guy is. Speculation has been rampant and there are basically two camps. He's Mitchell or Khan. 

I personally am pulling for him to be Khan. Interestingly enough, the iMDB is now showing him listed as Khan. (A few month back it listed him as Khan/Mitchell) However, I'm not 100% sure this isn't just a ruse by Abrams to foil us movie nuts. I did see a blurb today that listed him as something completely different, like John Harrison or something generic like that. 

What's really killing me is that when I got home from work today and mentioned to my wife that I realized that the show did in fact open on the 15th and not the 17th, (I was trying to talk her into going tonight.. LOL) she informs me that she is aware of WHO the bad guy is and knows the ENTIRE plot of the movie from reading it online today! Then she starts teasing me about how she knows. But worst of all... she starts to pester me about allowing her to tell me what she knows. So far I have resisted her attempts to thwart my desire to be surprised tomorrow when I see the film.

So no spoilers here... Just one excited nerd... ready to see some kick butt Star Trek action!

See you at the movies!

-Red

www.jeffjake.com

The Countdown Begins

By now if you have read any of my blogs you'll know a couple of things about me. One, I like history. Two, I like weird stuff. And three, I'm a nerd. So It should be now surprise to you that I've started my countdown to Star Trek Into Darkness. Of ALL the movies that are coming out this summer, I've anticipated this one the most!

I've been a Trek fan since I was a little kid. I've watched every episode of every Star Trek TV series and I've watched every movie. I've even been to a few Star Trek conventions. (No I didn't dress up.) I know some people really didn't like the way J.J. Abrams messed with the Trek mojo in his first movie. I admit, at first I was stunned to say the least. It's not often you see a movie that wipes 40 years of TV and movie cannon in two hours. So yeah, I was a bit shocked at first. But, after getting over my initial shock, I saw the possibilities.... And I liked what I saw. Now in just a few days, we get to see where the rabbit hole leads this time. I'm ready, how about you?


Are you going to see the next Trek? Tell us about it, leave a comment below.

-Red
www.jeffjake.com

Warp Factor Two Mr. Sulu

Star Trek is one of my favorite sci-fi shows of all time. To say that I'm ready for the upcoming Star Trek Into Darkness would be an understatement. One of the coolest parts of the show is the warp drive technology. How cool would it be to travel across the galaxy in a few weeks.

At several times through the show they travel at various warp speeds. During a few episodes the ships traveled as fast as warp 14.1, however, in later shows a warp 10 cap was placed on ships. Someone who has a whole lot math knowledge came up with an equation to determine how fast warp really was. Here is the equation that they came up with....

v = w³c

V= VELOCITY     W= WARP FACTOR      C= SPEED OF LIGHT 

So based on this equation, warp 1 is the speed of light, warp 2 is 8 times the speed of light, warp 3 is

27 times the speed of light and so on. What they decided was that warp 10 was so fast, the ship would

essentially be everywhere at the same time. Hence the reason in later shows the ship could not exceed

warp 10.

Here is a nifty chart that I found.....

See you on the other side of the galaxy.

-Red

www.jeffjake.com

Pluto's Planetary Predicament

Now I don't know about you, but when I was in school and we studied our solar system, Pluto was a planet. I'm not sure what Pluto did to have its planetary status revoked, but I would say it was a significant transgression. (must of made fun of Uranus)

Whatever Pluto did, it cost its planetary status and on August, 24th 2006 was downgraded to a "Dwarf Planet". Personally I don't think that is politically correct. I think they should use the term "Little Planet".

Anyway, while its status is still debated to this day, it does have several moons. (I would think this would be a clear indicator that it is a PLANET, but who am I) Five at this point, Charon, Nix, Hydra, and two unnamed bodies discovered in 2011 and 2012.

A recent contest was started to name the two newly discovered moons. William Shatner, Star Trek's Captain Kirk, proposed to name the two moons Vulcan and Romulus. Romulus was kicked out, however, Vulcan was allowed on the ballet. Despite some scientific naysayers, Vulcan came out on top with 174,062 votes. No other recommendation came close or even broke 100,000 votes. Second place went to Cerberus with 99,432 votes.

Now it's not official... Apparently some high and mighty scientist have the final say... But it's my hope they stick with the popular vote. So all you Trekies and Trekkers out there, keep your fingers crossed.

Live long and prosper.

-Red
www.jeffjake.com
www.facebook.com/jeffreyrjake
Twitter @MortisG187
Email: author@jeffjake.com

Be sure to check out Jeff's book, Assassin's Retribution.

Vger (Any Star Trek Fans Out There?)

In the movie Star Trek The Motion Picture, one of Earth's probes returns home. In its time away from Earth the Voyager 6 craft had become much more than what it was when it left our solar system. An interesting concept to say the least.

What go me thinking about Voyager, was an app for the iPhone that my good friend Blaine showed me this weekend. It was a NASA app that gave you all kinds of information on current and older programs. While browsing the various items the app had to offer, I came across the Voyager 1 & 2 status. To my surprise both craft are still providing information to NASA scientist.

Both craft were launched in 1977 and visited Jupiter and Saturn. Voyager 2 continued on to visit Uranus and Neptune. Here are some of the images that these spunky little craft sent back to Earth.

As of March 2012 - Here is the status of both Voyager craft:

Voyager 1 was at a distance of 17.9 billion kilometers (119.9 AU) from the Sun.

Voyager 2 was at a distance of 14.7 billion kilometers (98.3 AU).

Voyager 1 is escaping the solar system at a speed of about 3.6 AU per year.
Voyager 2 is escaping the solar system at a speed of about 3.3 AU per year.

There are currently five science investigation teams participating in the Interstellar Mission. They are:

1. Magnetic field investigation
2. Low energy charged particle investigation
3. Cosmic ray investigation
4. Plasma Investigation (Voyager 2 only)
5. Plasma wave investigation

Five instruments onboard the Voyagers directly support the five science investigations. The five instruments are:

1. Magnetic field instrument (MAG)
2. Low energy charged particle instrument (LECP)
3. Cosmic ray instrument (CRS)
4. Plasma instrument (PLS)
5. Plasma wave instrument (PWS)

One other instrument is collecting data but does not have official science investigation associated with it:

6. Ultraviolet spectrometer subsystem (UVS), Voyager 1 only

Makes you wonder if Start Trek The Motion Picture could actually happen... Pffft... Whatever.


-Red
www.jeffjake.com
www.facebook.com/jeffreyrjake
Twitter @MortisG187

Contact Jeff by email at author@jeffjake.com

Star Trek Replicator - Science Fiction OR Science Reality

I don't know about you, but I've always liked the idea of having a replicator just like Star Trek. Just walk up to the wall and tell it what you want. "Computer, I want a Big Mac, fries, and a coke." AND BING... there it is.

Well, we may not be to the point where we can replicate food.... BUT.... we are to the point where we can replicate objects. Even objects with moving parts. I give you the following link to see for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ-aWFYT_SU

I can't wait to see the refinements to this process over the next few years. I bet the print cartridge is pricey!

-Red

www.jeffjake.com

www.facebook.com/jeffreyrjake

Twitter @MortisG187

Contact Jeff at author@jeffjake.com

Into the Belly of the Beast

Captain's Log, Stardate 2012.8.12

Today we are taking a hazardous away mission to the overrun city of Evansville. Myself and my First Officer will be attempting to locate various item's needed for the fast approaching nuptials of our ships counselor, Alyssa. It is also our intention to make contact with a significant trader in goods to obtain a special set of protective pants for our Chief of Security, Matthew. If all goes well, we will also make a stop at the B.B. depot for possible replacement parts of various electronics that are needed.

The besieged city doesn't allow phasers, kinetic weapons, lightsabers, broadswords, nuclear devices, thermal detonators, ninjas, grenades, disruptors, phased plasma rifles, Uzis, or any other form of weaponry to be carried on ones person. So, my First Officer and I will be stocking the shuttle craft with extra supplies for the possibility of congested ports and routes of travel. We are taking only our wits and our hand to hand fighting skills with us. This mission is a priority and we must not fail. I've left the ship in the hands of Security Chief Matthew and his security team, Missy and Daishi. Back up for them is available from the Starship Conrad and Battlecruiser Norton. They can both be on scene and ready for combat within minutes.

This is a dangerous mission that we are embarking on. However, I refuse to consider that this will be my last log entry. The city will be overrun, that  much is certain. But, I'm taking the finest officer in the fleet with me, and we will survive.

Captains Log, Out.


Enjoy the holiday season and be careful while you shop and drive. Traffic is going to be crazy and it will take forever to get places in towns, stores, and restaurants. Just know that in advance, give yourself plenty of time, and relax.


Today's characters were played by:
Captain - Jeff
First Officer - Jeff's wife
Ships Counselor - Jeff's daughter
Chief of security - Jeff's son
Security team - Dog 1 and Dog 2


Be sure to follow Jeff's blog daily. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and his web site.

www.jeffjake.com
www.facebook.com/jeffreyrjake
Twitter @MortisG187

Have a great day.



Captain's Log, Stardate 2012.8.12 20:54 Supplemental

We were successful in our mission today. As expected the area was overrun by hostile entities. With expert negotiating and with some hand to had combat, my First Officer and I were able to complete all of the mission objectives and return to our ship with only minor scrapes and bruises.

It's my hope that any one going planet side over the next few weeks take appropriate precautions. The environment is a hostile one and should not be taken lightly.

Captains supplemental log, out.

GEEKING OUT! Star Trek Teaser Trailer Released

With a yawn and stretch this morning, I rolled over and grabbed my iPhone to see what was happening on Facebook and Twitter. As I scrolled down Facebook, I stopped in my tracks. Was I reading it right? Yes I was, the teaser trailer for next years Star Trek Into Darkness had been released. Now fully awake, I tapped the link. As a side note, let me just say that I HATE BUFFERING! Sorry. Any way, I proceeded to watch the trailer four times in a row. (Yes... I know... I'm a bit obsessive about my Star Trek). And yes.. I did GEEK OUT over what I was seeing.

It's a lot to take in. The clip isn't much more than a minute long, but it sure brings up a few questions. Some of the questions that I have -

1. So is this bad guy the legendary Khan? I've heard and read articles both ways.. Yes he is... No he's not. Whoever he is.. he sure seems to have some "abilities"

2. Is that the enterprise crashing on the planet at the end?

and last

3. Who is the blond? Yeoman Rand maybe?


So, what are your thoughts on the trailer? Are you ready to see the movie? As for myself, May 17th is already marked on the calendar.


-Red


Well look at what I found! It looks like the Japan trailer has 8 to 10 seconds more content than the U.S. version. Here is the link:

http://whateverblog.dallasnews.com/2012/12/star-trek-into-darkness-japanese-trailer-has-a-few-precious-extra-seconds-of-footage.html/

Interesting Fact - Castles

I ran across an interesting fact this morning regarding castles. Here is what I found:

Spiral staircases in medieval castles are running clockwise.  This is because all knights used to be right-handed.  When the intruding army would climb the stairs they would not be able to use their right hand which was holding the sword because of the difficulties of climbing the stairs.  Left-handed knights would have had no troubles, except left-handed people could never become knights because it was assumed that they were descendants of the devil.

It amazes me that such thought was given even to the stairs. I mean really, who thinks of that kind of stuff. I suppose that's why I'm not an engineer. If such thought was given to the stairs, I can only imagine what they came up with for the heavy duty defenses. Human ingenuity is amazing to me. Given enough time and resources, we could be really scary.

As it stands, we are well on our way to some very Star Trek type breakthroughs. Check out this article:

http://www.space.com/17628-warp-drive-possible-interstellar-spaceflight.html

So what futuristic invention would you like to see in your lifetime?

The geek in me wants a light saber. The adult would like to see medical breakthroughs that save lives.

Don't be shy, tell us what your dream tech would be.


-Red