Whedon Discusses Bringing Back Firefly

In this article (link here) courtesy of Blastr.com, Joss Whedon discusses how he could bring back Firefly.  Unfortunately, it sounds like his remarks were tongue and cheek and not realistic.

Sorry folks.

The Guild

If you haven't been introducedto "the guild" yet, issomething every gamer and nerd like me should make sure to check out.

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/season-1-episode-1-wake-up-call/y0qa87vk?from=sharepermalink-facebook&src=CPPlayer%3ashare%3afacebook%3auuids

Basically, it's a web-series about agroup of MMO gamers who meet in real life.

Interesting Book

I saw this book review online, and this book looks intriguing.  the book is called "Break Out" and is written by Nina Craft, and the review was written by Jorce Lamb of USA Today (link here).

if you get a chance, check out this review and pick up a copy of the book if it looks interesting.

The People vs. George Lucas

This article on Big Hollywood talks about george Lucas, and how he views fans as the reason he stopped making Star Wars movies.  Interesting, there is no chance fans hated episodes I and II so much because they sucked!!!

Mesaah thinks George screwed up when he made Jar Jar Binks!!!

Read the full article here (link here).

"The Philosophy of Joss Whedon" Book available

I just read an article on examiner.com (link here) mentioning a new book that is now out called The Philosophy of Joss Whedon.  A initial look appears to be very promising, and I would encourage everyone to check it out.

The book is available through the Kentucky Press (link to buy book here).

Since a lot of Joss' works are sources of inspiration for me and the things I write, I am definitely looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of this.

"Focused on the philosophical musings evoked by Whedon and company's rich televisual, filmic, web, and comic book texts, the collection proves simultaneously accessible and substantive, while also confirming and extending a substantial body of work by the community of Whedon scholars. Most commendably, the authors' manage to teach readers-students, professors, and fans-just as much about Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Sartre, and Nietzsche as about Malcolm Reynolds, the spaceship Serenity, Cordelia Chase, Billy/Dr. Horrible, and Caroline Farrell/Echo."

Info on Firefly MMO---Still a Possibility

MTV.com on January 5 reported that the studio that was making the Firefly MMO has closed its doors. Full article here

Multiverse Studios was also making a Buffy MMO, but has been unable to operate profitably.

Fortunately, later that same day VG24/7.com reported that a new group, called Multiverse Foundation, has bought the source-code and is working on securing the rights for a Firefly MMO as their first MMO.  Full article here

If they get this game to market, I will definitely sign up right away, as I would love the opportunity to explore the verse' with River, Mal, Kaylee, Jayne, Wash, Zoe, Simon, Book, Inara, Patience, Badger, and all the other character from Firefly as NPCs.

A Portait of Sabina

I've decided to have Sabina return for book 2, and have increased her role and significance.

In my series, as in life, their are overt enemies, and less direct antagonists.  Sabina of course is the later.  In the first book, she starts as a nuisance, a pest who Miles contends with because she is a paying passenger.  She consistently demonstrates her wealth, along with her lazy, spoiled nature.  She also demonstrates her view that she is one of society's elite, better than commoners like Miles.  Later on, we learn that she has a past, one that has led to the placement of a bounty on her head, apparently by her husband.  We also see a very manipulative side to her come out on a few occasions.

Sabina's role is critical, adding tension to the story, along with twists and turns in the plot.

My inspiration for Sabina is drawn from a few individuals I have encountered during my life, people who really did act in ways that are similar to Sabina

In book 2, we'll explore more of her background.  Her return will be under unusual circumstances.  We'll see that there is a deadly side to her, as well as a softer side.

Reading E-books Without Buying an Kindle, Nook, or E-Reader

Whether it's my book or another fine work, reading an electronic version of a book is quickly becoming common.  Ebooks are significantly cheaper that print versions, and take up less space in the physical world.

If you read often, paying $89-$250 for an electronic book reader may be a good investment.  If, on the other hand, you only read occasionally, or if money is tight (the United States any many other parts of the world are still in a recession), buying an electronic device may not be a good option.

Fortunately, you can read ebooks without an electronic reader, and here's some ways how:

• Barnes and Noble (BN.com) offers free software that allows you to read Nook-books from your Ipad, Iphone, Android, PC, or Mac.  Visit http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/free-nook-apps/ for more details.
• Amazon.com offers offers free software that lets you read Kindle books from your Ipad, Iphone, Blackberry, Android, PC, Mac, or Windows Phone 7.  http://www.amazon.com/
• Smashwords offers the ability to download books to your PC in PDF or HTML format.  Visit www.smashwords.com for more details.

All of these options make ebook a more attractive option that a regular book. 

Still, for your favorite books sometimes having a physical copy is irreplaceable.

Got'ta toot my own horn

I got this e-mail today from a friend of mine, Rachel, who read my book:

David, I read your book and I loved it! I want more!!! Awesome job buddy!!! You are crazy talented and I can't wait for the next episode!

It was a big boost to read that.  Thanks Rachel.

 

14 Epic Tech Failures

This link is to an article that reviews 14 techie products that were epic failures.  Fun to read.


http://mashable.com/2011/09/29/tech-fails-infographic/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+(Mashable)

Excerpt from "A Whisper in Space"

I've allowed a blogger to post a short excerpt from my book, A Whisper in Space.  For the posting, click here (excerpt here).

It's a great way to get into the book a little bit.

 

Zombieland Survival Rules

Here are the official rules for survival in zombieland:

1. Cardio
2. Double Tap
3. Beware of Bathrooms
4. Wear Seatbelts
6. Cast Iron Skillet
7. Travel Light
8. Get a KickAss Partner
12. Bounty Paper Towels
15. Bowling Ball
17. Don't be a Hero (Ammended to "Be a Hero")
18. Limber Up
21 Avoid Strip Clubs
22. When in Doubt, Know Your Way Out
29. Buddy System
31. Check the Back Seat
32. Enjoy the Little Things
33. Swiss Army Knife
34. Clean Socks
48. Hygeine
49. Always have backup

This list is a compilation of all rules in the movie, as well as promotional pieces.  There was a deleted scene that had rule number 2 as "Ziploc Bags."

View the full info on Zombieland rules here.

Lucas in Love---Hilarious Star Wars Parody

This parody is about George Lucas struggling to write his screen play until he finds the right inspiration.

Watch the movie here

Chad Vader, Day Shift Manager

In case you have never seen this before, this is a parody video about Darth Vader's brother, Chad.  Chad Vader has all the same powers as Darth Vader, but instead of being a Sith Lord, he is the day shift manager at a local grocery store.  Click here to enjoy episode 1.

Jack Black Lord of the Rings Parody

This is absolutely hilarious, Jack Black doing a Lord of the Rings Parody for the MTV movie awards.  Click Here for the youtube video.

Star Wars Crawl

I have created a Star Wars Crawl for the marketing blurb for my book, thanks to the crawl creator on Starwars.com.

To see the crawl for my book, click here (Star Wars Crawl).

I Have a Bad Feeling About This

I saw this on a site called Wookiepedia (click here), a wiki website for everything Star Wars, and thought it was cute. 

I may even add this line to future books in my series.

• Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

"I have a bad feeling about this."

―As Obi-Wan Kenobi's first line at the beginning when Kenobi talks to Qui-Gon Jinn onboard Saak'ak^[src]

• Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

"I've got a bad feeling about this."

―Anakin Skywalker at Geonosis in the arena, in reference to the approaching execution beasts^[src]

• Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

"Oh, I have a bad feeling about this."

―Obi-Wan Kenobi talking to Anakin Skywalker as their starfighters approach a large, closing blast door on Invisible Hand^[src]

• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

"I have a very bad feeling about this."

―Luke Skywalker, when the Millennium Falcon approaches the Death Star^[src]

"I've got a bad feeling about this."

―Han Solo, before the walls of the trash compactor start to close in^[src]

• Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

"I have a bad feeling about this."

―Princess Leia, while inside the belly of the space slug, just before the mynocks appear^[src]

• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

"Artoo, I have a bad feeling about this."

―C-3PO, when entering Jabba the Hutt's palace^[src]

"I have a really bad feeling about this."

―Han Solo, after the Ewoks capture the strike team^[src]

18 Things You Didn't Know About Firefly

I found this on a website called Geek System, a list of 18 interesting facts about the firefly TV series.

Firefly Theme Song

I thought I would post the lyrics to the theme song for Firefly, as they too were an inspiration for my book. 

Written by: Joss Whedon
Performed by: Sonny Rhodes

Take my love, take my land
Take me where I cannot stand
I don't care, I'm still free
You can't take the sky from me

Take me out to the black
Tell them I ain't comin' back
Burn the land and boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me

There's no place I can be
Since I found Serenity
But you can't take the sky from me...

The Geo-politics of "Whisper in Space"

Whisper in Space takes place in our galaxy, about 200 or so years in the future.  Mankind has expanded into space, and just in time, as global war has engulfed the galaxy.

NOE
A large group of Nations, jealous of the prosperity that has been achieved by the Americans and Chinese, have banded together.  Their goals was to form one world government, so that all would share in the prosperity, and they eventually came to call this government the Nation of Earth ("NOE").  The NOE has driven the Americans and Chinese off of earth, and now controls half the galaxy. Their goal is to take over the entire galaxy, and unite everyone under their rule.  Unfortunately for them, their war against the Chinese and Americans has reached a stalemate.

Chinese
The Chinese have worked hard to remain the toughest adversary for the NOE.  During their expansion into the galaxy and subsequent flight from earth, the Chinese government expanded the freedom of their people, as they simply became too big to maintain the level of control they had once had.  They are now for all intensive purposes the largest beacon of freedom and liberty in the whole galaxy.

United States
The United States has been pushed to a small corner of the galaxy, where they hold on to a small cluster of planets.  Through the development and use of superior technology, they have been able to set up a strong defense grid, and economically remain a powerhouse where capitalism prospers.  The United States is allied with China out of necessity.

Mujees
The Mujahideen is the last remaining islamic extremist organization, united together in their effort to reclaim their holy land from the NOE.  They operate as lawless brigands, raiding towns and stealing what they please, like the pirates of old, while hoping to eventual gather up enough resources to be able to return to earth and drive the infidels out of their holy land.