Sovak

Cadet S Connor has passed all requirements and is hereby graduated from the Saturday Midnight Academy, Star Date 0505.01.

Congratulations, Ensign Connor.

Congratulations, Mr GromVik. May you both live long and prosper.

The entire season was ... how shall I put this … intriguing. I was extremely disappointed, at first, that they mucked around with the characters, and almost refused to watch any more.

I understand the need for drama, and the need to make the characters interesting, but I think they went a little far, in some cases.

Adama and his son, Apollo, are about the only ones that they left alone (i.e. character’s were the same as they were in the original series).

Baltar, I found to be an interesting twist on the villain. The old series just made him evil, and somewhat stupid. The new Baltar is a genious, and has some interesting motivation behind his traitorism.

Colonel Tye, they made an overbearing, rude, alcoholic White guy. The character, is more interesting, I must admit, but I saw no reason to change his race.

Starbuck? Well, let’s see… same personality as the old one, but in a girl’s body. And secretly in love with Apllo? No wonder Starbuck and Apollo were so chummy in the original!

Boomer! Let’s change him to a girl too! And make her Asian instead of Black. And, oh yes, let’s make her a Cylon as well!

The Chief, the President, the President’s assistant, and Helo, I find to be intriguing characters, and may have existed on the original. If they did, they were completely forgettable characters and are now, at least, memorable.

The Cylons? Well, now we have some indication what makes them tick (no pun intended). It always makes good drama to give insight into the reason why the villains think the way they do. And, hey! As long as we’re making changes, let’s make them totally gorgeous, as well!

That all being said, I was completely mesmerized at the directorial style, and the entire “feel” of the production by the end of the first episode, and have watched it closely, since. I caught a rerun of the only episode I missed, last week, and was pleasantly surprised to see that they had cast the actor who played the original Apollo in it!

I do hope that non-science fiction aficionados will take notice of the show, and that the network dweebs, the likes of whom cancelled Enterprise, will not write this off as another flash-in-the-pan sci-fi show.

I’m definitely looking forward to next season.

== ROSTER ==

Command:

Commanding Officer (CO) ----- STSF Sovak

Academy Executive Officer ---- Joe_Manning

Executive Officer (XO) ----- STSF LoAmi

Bridge Crew:

Helm/Ops Manager (HOPS) ----- Mr_Smith

Tactical Officer (TAC) -------- Cadet_Munro

Security:

Chief Security Officer (CSEC) - Ens._Pinner_Chase

Asst Security Officer (ASEC1) -- CDT_Stegfa

Asst Security Officer (ASEC2) -- OPEN

Engineering:

Chief Engineering Officer (CENG) -- admtlara

Asst Engineering Officer (AENG1) -- Kaizer_911

Asst Engineering Officer (AENG2) -- OPEN

Science:

Chief Science Officer (CSCI) --- OPEN

Asst Science Officer (ASCI1) --- OPEN

Asst Science Officer (ASCI2) --- OPEN

Medical:

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) --- Cdt_S._Connor

Asst Medical Officer (AMO1) ---- Joe_Manning

Asst Medical Officer (AMO2) ---- OPEN

Special Guest Villian (SGV) -- TAehjea

=/\= =/\= ACADEMY BRIEF, Star Date 050402 =/\= =/\=

The Intrepid Class USS Pursuit is ordered to a secret mission. She is going into the Neutral Zone to install a covert mining station. If the Romulans discover us there, it could mean trouble, so we have been fitted with an experimental cloaking device for this mission.

=/\= =/\= END BRIEFING =/\= =/\=

This is a fun little instruction adherence test I put together. Though I did write the test, the idea is not mine. I remember a similar one given back in high school (Yes, A9, we had to carve the answers on our stone tablets) and thought it might be fun for any of you to take.

Remember, you only have 5 minutes from the time you start.

To be done correctly(or at all) it should be printed out, as much of it includes drawing circles, lines, boxes, etc. Just copy and paste it to your favorite word processor, print out several, and hand them out at your next get-together, to see how people fare in following instructions.

******************************************************************

The following is a comprehensive test of individual instruction adherence. This test is timed, and must be completed in either blue or black ink. Pencil or other color inks are not acceptable. If you do not have a blue or black ink pen, you may raise your hand, and inform your instructor, now, and it will be provided. Individual results will be graded and tabulated at the end of the allotted period. Please do not copy from your neighbor and read everything before you begin. You have 5 minutes to complete as much of the test as you can. Most will not be able to complete it in that amount of time, but the percentage of completion will be tabulated into the comprehensive scores, so please follow each instruction in order, without skipping any. If you misunderstand a question, perform the instruction to the best of your understanding. The instructor will not explain any of the instructions.

1. Print your full name at the top left hand corner of this page.

2. Underline your last name.

3. Circle the number of the second instruction

4. Underline the fifth word of the first instruction.

5. Draw a rectangular square around instructions two through five.

6. Cross out the third word of the fourth instruction by drawing a horizontal line through the word.

7. Place an “X” to the right of the number of any instruction, above, that does not have a period at the end.

8. Draw a horizontally elongated oval around the number of this instruction.

9. Draw a vertically elongated oval around the number of this instruction.

10. Underline the first line of the fourth instruction after the instruction indicated in number seven.

11. Place an “X” through the last word of the second previous instruction.

12. Skip the next four instructions.

13. Draw a large circle around all the text on the page.

14. Draw an “X” through the circle.

15. Place a box around the opening paragraph.

16. Draw an “X” through the box.

17. Place a box around the opening paragraph.

18. Draw an “X” through the box.

19. Bisect the lower triangle created by the above instruction.

20. Label the right angles of the triangles created in the above instruction by placing the number 90 by the angle.

21. Draw a line above the first skipped instruction.

22. Circle the last skipped instruction.

23. Draw a vertical line to the left of the numbers, starting with the first repeated instruction, and ending with the last repeated instruction.

24. Put a box around the word “box” anywhere it appears on this sheet.

25. Draw a circle around the word “circle” anywhere it appears on this sheet.

26. Draw a line under the word “line” anywhere it appears on this sheet.

27. Draw an inverted triangle around your name above.

28. Draw an arrow pointing to the number of the thirteenth executed instruction.

29. Circle the two ovals, collectively.

30. Execute only the first instruction above, and turn in your paper.

The one in the picture is the son of the man showing the picture

Correct.

I like to solve it like an algebraic equation:

This man's father = my father's son

My father's son (since I have no brothers and sisters) = me

This man's father = me

(hey, I *WAS* young once, y'know?)

You know... back when TV's had stone knobs, and an actual rabbit for an antennae.

A man shows a picture to you, and quotes the following poem:

This man's father is my father's son

Brothers and Sisters have I none.

What relation to the man is the pictured person?

(A fairly easy one, but it has sparked some lively debates for me when I have used it. I have to admit that writing it down makes it seem pretty simple. It sounds better when told aurally.)

Just what did Ned see?

What Ned could have seen was condensation (water) dripping from the exhaust system, showing the car to recently have been started, and not fully warmed up. A car that had been running at high speed for 40 minutes would have a clear exhaust.

Since he jumps three feet up each time, 28 will get him to the top.

Correct.

On the 27th jump he would be at the 27 foot mark. Jump up 3 feet, and since he is at the top, he will not slide back.

Here is one of my favorites:

A frog is sitting at the bottom of a 30 foot well. The well is old and the walls are slick and moldy. He decides he will try to escape his predicament so he gathers his strength and jumps up as high on the side of the well as he can, however, because of the slick purchase, he slides back down a distance before he can stop. From that place he makes another mighty leap, but with the same results.

Each time he jumps up he jumps three feet, but then slides back down two. From that point he jumps another three feet, but slides back two.

He gains a foot each time, so how many jumps will it take him to escape the well?

There is no trick in wording or hidden meanings in this logic problem. The most often assumed answer of this problem, 30 feet, is, of course, wrong.

== STSF Academy: ROSTER for 3-12-05 ==

Commaning Officer (CO) ----- Sovak

Executive Officer (XO) ----- Lo'Ami

Operations Manager (OPS) ------- Aaron

Tactical Officer (TAC) -------- Riker

Navigation Officer (HELM) ------ EJPilot

Chief Security Officer (CSEC) -- Munro

Asst Security Officer (ASEC1) -- T'Lara

Chief Engineer (CENG) -- Yanksfan

Asst Science Officer (ASCI1) -- Jas

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) --- Keli Aragon

Asst Medical Officer (AMO1) --- Sasbas

=/\= =/\= ACADEMY BRIEF, Star Date 050313 =/\= =/\= The Intrepid Class USS Pursuit is ordered to respond to a distress call at the Kontagia Colony. It seems an unknown virus had broken out there, and the colony is threatened with thier very survival. =/\= =/\= END BRIEFING =/\= =/\=

Two ships, trying to escape the colony we stopped and quarentined. One had to be stopped forcebly. The XO, Engineering and Security teams are on that ship getting it prepared to come back to orbit.

Meanwhile the MED and SCI departments have devised a cure, and are ready to test it, but just as they prepare to beam down, the teams working on the cure suddenly begin getting the onset of the symptoms.

Tune in next week and join in the fun, as we try to save the crew, the AT, and the colonists... before we all die of the virus, ourselves.

=/\= =/\= ACADEMY BRIEF, Star Date 050306 =/\= =/\= The Intrepid class USS Pursuit is ordered to a routine mapping patrol in Sector 27. Sounds like another boring assignment. Right? =/\= =/\= END BRIEFING =/\= =/\=

== STSF Academy: ROSTER for 3-5-05 ==

Commaning Officer (CO) ----- Sovak

Executive Officer (XO) ----- Tachyon

Operations Manager (OPS) ------- Chase

Tactical Officer (TAC) -------- Aaron

Chief Security Officer (CSEC) -- Zephrah

Asst Security Officer (ASEC1) -- Unthak

Chief Engineer (CENG) -- Lo'Ami

Asst Engineer (AENG1) -- Commander

Chief Science Officer (CSCI) -- T'Lara

Asst Science Officer (ASCI1) -- Jas

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) --- Sasbas

The Pursuit entered the sector and encountered an unknown partical field which played havok with power systems and shields.

Second of two parter:

=/\= =/\= ACADEMY BRIEF, Star Date 050227 =/\= =/\= The Intrepid class USS Pursuit is in orbit around a planet with a Federation Colony that has reported the onset of a sudden unexplained Ice Age. The Away Team has beamed down to the colony to help the survivors, while the Pursuit looks for ways to remedy the planetary axis shift that caused the problem. =/\= =/\= END BRIEFING =/\= =/\=

== STSF Academy: ROSTER for 2-26-05 ==

Commaning Officer (CO) ----- Sovak

Executive Officer (XO) ----- Lo'Ami

Operations Manager (OPS) ------- Tachyon

Tactical Officer (TAC) -------- Kansas

Navigation Officer (HELM) ------ Nathan

Chief Security Officer (CSEC) -- Munro

Asst Security Officer (ASEC1) -- Knight

Chief Engineer (CENG) -- Yanksfan

Asst Engineer (AENG1) -- Cougar

Chief Science Officer (CSCI) -- Aaron

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) --- Vatric

Asst Medical Officer (AMO1) ---- Jas

Asst Medical Officer (AMO2) ---- Taker

The Pursuit saved the day by applying a subspace field to the planet. At least enough of it to attempt to right the axis shift that was causing the cold. A little earthquake or two, and a burnt out engine or two later, all is well! :P

=/\= =/\= ACADEMY BRIEF, Star Date 050220 =/\= =/\= The Intrepid class USS Pursuit is in orbit around a planet with a Federation Colony that has reported the onset of a sudden unexplained Ice Age. The Away Team has beamed down to the colony to help the survivors, while the Pursuit looks for ways to remedy the planetary axis shift that caused the problem. =/\= =/\= END BRIEFING =/\= =/\=

(Actually, this is next week's brief, as we did not have time to finish the plot! We had a full roster, though, and lots of fun. Looking forward to next week!)

Mission CO: Sovak

Mission XO: LtCdr Loami

=/\= Bridge =/\=

Tactical <TAC> Ltjg_Dustin_Marks

Helm <HELM> Cdt_CJ

Operations <OPS> OPS

.=/\= Security Department =/\=

Chief Security Officer: <CSEC> Mid_Jaylen_Falco

AsstSecurity Officer:<ASEC1>MShp_Vatric

Asst. Security Officer: <ASEC2>Cadet_jaxs

=/\= Engineering Department =/\=

Chief Engineering <CENG> Ens._Kanas_Jones

Asst. Engineer: <AENG1>Cdt_Nathan_Dow

=/\= Science Department =/\=

Chief Science Officer <CSCI> Aaron_westler

Asst. Science Officer: <ASCI1>Cdt_Zephrah (Promoted to CSCI when ours left)

=/\= Medical Department =/\=

Chief Medic Officer <CMO> Joe Manning

Asst. Medical Officer: <AMO1> Jas_McCellan

Asst. Medical Officer: <AMO2>Dr Sasbas

Asst. Medical Officer: <AMO3>Dr Taker

=/\=End Roster=/\=

commanding Officer (CO) ---Admiral Sovak

Operations Manager (OPS) ------- FileCoder

Tactical Officer (TAC) -------- T'Lara

Navigation Officer (HELM) ------ Cadet Semaj

Chief Science Officer (CSCI) -- Nova

Asst Science Officer (ASCI1) -- Avani

Asst Science Officer (ASCI2) --- Dudett

Special Guest Venue (SGV) --- Van Roy

=/\= =/\= ACADEMY BRIEF, Star Date 041219 =/\= =/\=

The Intrepid class USS Pursuit will be assisting a Federation Science team in testing an experiment in Helium ignition to revitalize dying suns.

=/\= =/\= END BRIEFING =/\= =/\=

Unfortunately, the experiment ended in disaster, tonight, when the PURSUIT was forced to flee an exploding sun, with the deflector burned out. The effect of the exploding ship was quite beautiful to behold, however. Of course the crew, being in the vessel at the time, was not in a position to enjoy it.

May you have a satisfactory celibration of your respective mother's terminitation of gestation.

Later in the film, it shows this one kid in his bedroom, with all kinds of Galaxy Quest memorabilia, and Tim Allen contacts him for help? Yep, thats how my bedroom once looked, decorated in post modern retro Trek :lol:

 

Used to look? Uh... mine has looked like that for the last 15 years. Although, actually it is my den, now. My wife made me move all my Trek stuff out of the bedroom... which is OK. I have so much stuff now, that it fills my den and I'd never have room for a bed.

As to the Galaxy Quest movie, I must disagree with those who hate the movie because it is too cheesy. The cheese made the film, in my opinion. If you feel that way, you may be taking your science fiction WAY too seriously. The scenes that depicted the sci fi convention nailed it. I've been to too many, and seen the fans. (though it may be somewhat hypocritical of me, a major Star Trek geek, to point fingers at the ones who are geekier than me) ::shrugs:: Ah well. If we can't laugh at ourselves, then we DO take all this too seriously!

May you have an adequate anniversary celebration of the day your Mother's gestation period terminated.

I guess Bill Gates should have developed Fortran!

(the link will be active with the new Excalibur simulation shortly)

:lol:

I still see the Qob/Lakota, Grom. How soon will the new one be there?

=/\= =/\= ACADEMY BRIEF, Star Date 041205 =/\= =/\=

The Intrepid class USS Pursuit has been ordered to help a Federation Colony in the Skarlet system with an outbreak of some kind of rare fever.

=/\= =/\= END BRIEFING =/\= =/\=

Commaning Officer (CO) ----- Sovak

Executive Officer (XO) ----- Daryus

Operations Manager (OPS) ------- Aaron Westler

Tactical Officer (TAC) -------- EJ Pilot

Navigation Officer (HELM) ------ Gloer55

Chief Security Officer (CSEC) -- regayov

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) --- Kansas Jones

Asst Medical Officer (AMO1) ---- Adm T'Lara

Asst Medical Officer (AMO2) ---- Startrekdudett

We cured the patients, but killed the doctors? :lol:

Actually, I have used my own state's motto quite often, in confrontational instances.

"I'm from Missouri. You'll have to show me."

Have an enjoyable celebration of the anniversary of your birth, my friend. And may you have many more. \\// LLAP

But in the spirit of adventure, I love to try new things. If someone tells me it's great... Well, it won't hurt me much to give it a shot. I might like it, I might hate it. The fact that I'm still walking the planet and have new things to try is the coolest thing.

And this is the true Spirit of Trek. The ability to look beyond our own predjudices and explore the possibilities, whether it be music, culinary arts, or anything other cultures offer.

What a wonderful vison to embrace!