Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Danger, Will Robinson

***WINNER ALERT!!*** - Congrats to jellybelly82158, who's won a copy of Sara Creasy's SONG OF SCARABAEUS!  Jellybelly, send your mailing info to booksthatgobump@gmail.com, and thanks to everyone who commented!  Sci-fi rules!!

Sara Creasy can't be with us today - so in her honor I am doing a sci-fi blog.

I have been a sci-fi geek for as long as I can remember. Lost in Space, Land of the Giants, The Time Tunnel were all favourite viewing when I was a kid.

I remember going to Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope when it was originally screened in our small town and being totally blown away. I sat in my seat – popcorn and jaffas  forgotten while this whole new world of space travel opened up before me. From the very first scrolling yellow writing to the final scene – I was glued to my seat. And how I counted down the sleeps a few years later when the Empire Strikes Back came to town. OMG. This was awesomeness at its greatest.

I was totally addicted to the original Battlestar Galactica – what can I say but Apollo and Starbuck – swoon. And who can forget Buck Rogers or the original series of V. Lizards walking around in human clothing and when Diana swallowed a guinea pig whole – that was amazing.

Now I never was never really a Star Trek girl - Captain James T Kirk seemed like an egotistical . . . who went down to a planet each week to fight the nasty beastie even though he was supposed to be running the ship – plus being a child of Star Wars, the effects seemed lame. And then came along Captain Picard– the thinking geek’s action hero – and the Next Generation. That was a Trek I could enjoy – even if sometimes Captain Picard did go down to the planet and fight the nasty beastie when he was supposed to be running the ship. I could forgive him. He was Captain Picard.

Since then I have enjoyed so much more sci-fi TV shows and movies: shows like the X-files; Babylon 5; the Re-imaging of Battlestar Galactica; and of course the new V to name just a few. I loves me some good sci-fi especially a good laser gun fight. Though I think my all time favourite is and always will be Firefly.

BTW - I will not mention the Phantom Menace, Return of the Sith and whatever the other one was called. Nope. I will not mention them. Lips sealed. Humming starts now.


So come on geek girls and guys – stand up and be proud.

Okay - we have a copy of Sara's book SONG OF SCARABAEUS up for grabs - to be in the draw post a comment and tell us if you love sci-fi and are you a Captain Kirk or a Captain Picard kind of geek.

40 comments:

Nicole said...

I love Sci Fi, I didn't always, but I've come to really appreciate it! :) I'm more of a Captain Kirk kinda girl.

Anonymous said...

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a huge Star Wars nerd. And when I was younger I had a crush on Luke Skywalker (LOL). Yep.

And a few weeks ago, my step-daughter called me and asked if I had a record player. I do happen to have one that my hubby bought for me. So I'm like "Yeah, why?" She's like "Because I just found a Star Wars Original Soundtrack on record, do you want it?"

HECK YEAH! Just something cool about guys in spaceships!

Rebekah Purdy

Terri Garey said...

FIREFLY was genius - I still can't believe it was cancelled! :-(

I'll be honest when I say I like my Kirk and eat it, too, because I love BOTH Kirk and Picard! They had totally different personality types - Kirk was an "in your face, balls to the wall" kind of hero, while Picard was quiet, clever and deeply intense. I wouldn't want to pit myself against them whether I was Klingon, Romulan or Borg!

Great post, Tracey!

Claire Dawn said...

I loved Star Trek: TNG. Growing up, I had a theory that each generation was defined by it's Star Trek.

(Man, it would suck to be the Deep Space Nine generation!)

Tanya said...

I am absolutely a sci-fi girl. Love Sliders and Roswell. I am always on the Syfy channel (though I don't like that they changed the logo). I grew up with Star Trek, but I'm definately a Captain Picard fan. I also really enjoyed the re-boot Star Trek movie.

tetewa said...

I enjoyed the older sci-fi! I remember when I was younger I couldn't wait to caome home from school and watch Lost in Space! tWarner419@aol.com

Blodeuedd said...

I looove it! It started with Star Wars and moved on from that. But I am not a Trekkie kind if girl, too much space. I like Firefly, Farscape and Stargate

nymfaux said...

My heart fluttered when you said Captain Picard...and beat a little faster when you said Firefly.

I'm definitely a Captain Picard kind of girl (with a little Archer thrown in)...I liked Captain Kirk better as Denny Crane ;)

When Star Wars was re-released, I made my parents watch the originals with me, and then we all watched them in the theater together.

I loved the DollHouse and was sad when it was canceled so soon--They don't give shows a chance anymore!

4400 and Dead Zone just kind of fizzled out--I like summer season shows, but there's so much more time between those seasons as oppose to regular season shows.

My current fave is Eureka!--Starting soon; can't wait!!!

I love those shows, but for some reason seem to watch a lot more sci-fi than read it--Wonder why? Anyway, would love a chance to read Song of a Scarabaeus! Thanks!

Barbara E. said...

I love SciFi - in movies, television or books - it's all fantastic. I'm a Captain Picard fan all the way - though I watched lots of episodes of Star Trek with Captain Kirk, and the movies too. Next Generation was my fav of the Star Trek series although I watched them all.
Since I love romance, I tend to read more SciFi romance than straight SciFi, but I read anything SciFi that strikes my fancy as well.

Erin said...

Well my husband has gotten into loving Stargate SG-1 and the new Stargate Universe. Im also working on watching the Farscape series. He bought both series on dvd and we're slowly working our way through them, lol. Id have to say Captain Kirk.

catslady said...

I grew up reading Edgar Allen Poe and went on the Stephen King so I love scifi/horror - tv shows and movies too. I've watched them all. I'm actually a Kirk and a Picard kind of geek lol.

catslady5(at)aol.com

throuthehaze said...

I love sci-fi but I am more into Star Wars...not so much Star Trek.
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Sara Creasy said...

Thank you Tracey for filling in for me. I have a 3-week-old baby who despite her tiny size is managing to attract all my time and energy at the moment.

I love all the shows you mentioned, with Firefly being my absolute favorite. Maybe that show suffered from being aired on a major network, which demands impossible ratings, instead of a smaller network that would have better suited its inevitable cult status.

Patricia Lynne said...

Captain Picard all the way! (he is the reason I like American Dad, he does one of the voices!) lol
Sci-fi is the best, if you put vampires in sci-fi (and I'm sure there's a few out there but I haven't found them) I would have a joygasm!
Would Hitchhiker's Guide to the Gallexy be considered sci-fi? lol Dr. Who, I'd definitely call that sci-fi. David Tennant is the best Doctor EVER!
There's so much and it's so vast and fun, you can create pretty much anything.
Oh and yeah, Firefly rocks (for those of you who haven't seen it, go see it. they need to bring it back!)
enough of my senseless rambling for now! ^^::

heidi330 said...

Both....
I love Sci Fi and both Captain's. I was lucky enough to see both series and I still love the movies...
Heidi

heidijohnjeff AT verizon DOT net

Sharon S. said...

Love my Si-Fi TV!! Firefly was awesome! Does anyone remember the Outer Limits? "Do not adjust your TV..." We always watch the SY-FY channel made for TV movies. It is kind of like Science Theater 3000 in our den . Not much of a Star Trek person, but Picard would be my Captain of choice;) I was an Apollo girl too.

Good luck with the baby Sara! Been there, done that, not doing it again .

don't enter me in the contest cause I already bought her book:)

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Wow -- I am so with you! You brought back a lot of memories -- the original Battlestar Galactica, and I forgot all about Buck Rogers!

But don't forget all the BBC science fiction classics: Doctor Who, of course, but did you also watch Blake's 7?

Cathy M said...

Loved Firefly and all the SG I series, even currently watching Stargate Universe. Even hung in there with the first season of Caprica (though not a huge fan).


caity_mack at yahoo dot com

Sullivan McPig said...

I'm not a Kirk or Picard geek, but a Holographic Doctor from Voyager geek I must confess. He's the coolest Star Trek character ever!
That being said: I'm a Star Wars geek all the way! I even own the Star Wars roleplaying game and some Star wars action figures.

CrystalGB said...

I love sci-fi. Watch the SCYFY channel often. I am a Captain Picard girl. Loved that series. I also liked the Stargate series.

Nicole Murphy said...

I'll never forget how I felt the first time I saw Star Wars. It felt so big to me - for the first time in my life had a sensation of a story being beyond the world I knew, beyond anything anyone knew. And this from a girl who grew up hiding behind her dad's beanbag and sneaking peaks at Doctor Who :)

Love sci fi - to watch, not so much into the reading. Yes, Firefly is all that is good and wonderful about the world. Am having issues getting into the new Battlestar Galactica and am trying to work out why - it should work for me, but it isn't. I'll keep trying.

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

I had no choice but to become a sci-fi geek. My mother and most of her family LOVE it. I'd have to say, however, I'm more of a Picard geek. He was more interested in the Federation and less on the alien women. ;) I think tho, I love DS9 more than I did Star Trek. More interesting stories.

Jackie Uhrmacher said...

It depends on the Sci-Fi, really. Aliens? LOVE IT! Star Wars? Not so much. I'm a Kirk fan, but that's because of the new movie. I know, I know, I'm horrible, don't judge! I'm swayed by pretty men and awesome CG effects. It's a weakness. : )

k_sunshine1977 said...

oh, i love sci-fi...have since i was a kid. even in high school when 90210 and melrose place was the thing kids in my class were watching, i was glued to the tv for doctor who, red dwarf, blake's 7, and star trek, though i admit i've enjoyed ds9 out of all the star treks - it has the grittiest stories to me. firefly, twilight zone, the outer limits, stargate, and even the lexx (cheesy but fun)...though i've noticed lately that i watch sci-fi more than read it. must rectify that....:)

k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

Lauren said...

I'm definitely a sci-fi fan. Grew up watching and playing with the action figures of Star Wars. I think when I was getting into my higher teen years I started leaning more to the fantasy side of things like Lord of the Rings. I will always love sci-fi though.

Tracey O'Hara said...

Omg - can't believe I forgot Blake's 7 and the Aussie made Farscape. And Dr. Who - I only watched an episode the other night. Thank all for coming out of the geek closet with me - and join me in wishing Sara well with her new bub!

Helen Lowe said...

Firefly, Star Wars, Bab-5: you're definitely singing my song.

But I think my all time fav SF film might be Blade Runner with Harrison Ford. Although Gattuca also gets some serious kudos.

And I'm enjoying Stargate Universe right now.

jellybelly82158 said...

I love Sci-Fi. I was crazy about both Capt Kirk and Capt Picard. I loved all the Star Trek shows. I loved the X- files. I thought Mulder was the best. I like the original 3 Star Wars better than the last 3. I thought Sliders was good and now I am hooked on Fringe.

TracyW said...

I love Sci-Fi. As a kid I watched both versions of Star Trek.

Gabby said...

A while back I used to always watch the sci-fi channel especially on Saturday nights, I don't do that much anymore though. I still do like the occasional sci-fi movie.

I never watched any of the original stark trek shows, my dad got me hooked on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek Voyager, so yeah I'm a Captain Picard kind of geek, I love Patrick Stewart anyway, I just appreciate him more when he's running a starship! Heh heh.

Kimberly B. said...

What a fun posting! I am a science fiction fan, especially Dr. Who, although I like Star Trek as well. I prefer Picard to Kirk, although I do enjoy the Kirk/Spock/Bones triumvirate a lot.
Thanks for the great giveaway!

heatwave16 said...

I am a total geek. :) I love Star Wars vs. Star Trek. However, you have to go with Captain Kirk...he's the man. I loved the new movie last summer.

JenM said...

I know it's kind of cheesy, but I'm a Captain Kirk gal. I'm old enough that all that was available when I was a kid was the original show. TNG didn't come around until I was already grown up.

And yes, I saw the original Star Wars on the day it premiered. At the time, I was a teenager and a total SciFi fan girl. I'd seen a movie review on The Today Show a few days previous and bugged my parents until they agreed to take me.

Crystal @ RBtWBC said...

Awesome post! I LOVE Star Wars. I remember watching it over and over again as a kid on VHS. And even now when it comes on TV I have to stop what I'm doing and watch them. My fave is Return of the Jedi because I loved the ewoks. Does anyone remember their own movie they had?
Not a big Star Trek fan though I thought the new movie was good.
Please don't enter me in the contest, I already won SONG OF SCARABAEUS. Thanks! Just had to share my love of Star Wars. And I can't end it without Han Solo, LOVE HIM! Met Harrison Ford once while working at Disney and he is just as amazing in person!
Ooo...and @Tanya loved Roswell too! And Sliders - @jellybelly82158
And congrads on the new baby Sara, baby girls are so much fun!

nymfaux said...

@Crystal--totally LOVED the Ewoks movie!!!!

Kimberly Derting said...

I was a total SciFi geek even as a little girl. I wanted to BE Princess Leia, marry Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica, and be as bad-ass as Sigourney Weaver in Alien! (Boy, if you can't guess what decade I grew up in...)

Love the post!!! Thanks for bringing back all those great memories.

GB said...

Oh, jaffas at the movies... A perennial favourite!

I am more of a trekkie than a Star Wars fan, but that's not to downplay how much my brain was blown away in Episode 4 - the ship flying over your head after the scrolling text still gives me chills and I nearly wee myself whenever Darth Vader finds 'your lack of faith disturbing'. Skywalker was a crybaby but I have so much love for Han Solo. I blame him for my high standards in men - he set the bar for me when I was just a wee thing and I won't lower it for anyone!

Picard was the MAN, but I love Kirk for the cheese factor, especially these days when William Shatner just keeps taking the mickey out of himself.

My favourite Trek series was by far Voyager. A female captain, who drinks coffee unsullied and uses phaser rifles! She could be fierce!

Firefly, Battlestar Galactica (re-imagined), Farscape, Firefly, Serenity, Alien/s, Firefly, X-Files, Firefly... Love them all.

Have I mentioned yet my love for Firefly? :)

Jessica @ a GREAT read said...

I guess I'm not really a sci-fi gal. Space isn't my thing really. Spaceballs is probably my fave space movie. That counts right? ;)

Cassay said...

the only sci fi i have read was The Host by Stephenie Meyer and i wasnt too impressed by it. But i am totally open minded for readign Sci Fi

Im and Captian Kirk girl loved the orginal series - couldnt get into the others and loved the newest movie

Heather M. said...

I love sci-fi. Though I find that I am very picky about what I like. And I'm a big Picard fan. He's a cutie. :)