Have Phaser, Will Travel

Tin Tin and Jack in Penrith

2012-01-28T23:29:00.003+11:00

Doing the rounds of Facebook last week was this parody cover mock-up of a "Tin Tin" comic:While the scene is almost-instantly recognised as The 'Riff for all manner of iconic reasons, there still seemed to be something missing. It occurred to me today: the image needed a few inappropriate palm trees!As you can see, the Red Rooster takeaway food store, depicted in the joke cover, is a more generic

Star Blecch from MAD TV

2012-01-18T17:56:00.003+11:00

Cool! Continuing MAD's tradition of satirising all the Trek films, only animated! This is the MAD parody of JJ Abrams' 2009 version of "Star Trek". Thanks Youtube, and Robert Bruns for the heads-up.Star Blecch

Chameleon roses!

2012-01-17T11:40:00.004+11:00

But this plant didn't always look like this!

Sunny side up!

2012-01-16T13:41:00.005+11:00

Egghead is in da house!Eggs-actly! Eggs-ellent! My favourite "Batman" villain has always been Egghead. He was original to the 1960s television series, played by the irrepressible Vincent Price. When I started reading the "Batman" comics, though, I was disappointed to realise that neither Egghead nor King Tut (Victor Buono) - both "arch villains" (alongside the Riddler, the Joker, Catwoman and the

Get set for "The Set"

2012-01-07T10:37:00.005+11:00

Found this book in Dymocks' city store yesterday, recognised it as 70s Aussie culture gold, started reading the introduction - and immediately thought Andrew Mercado needs to see this! And suddenly realised I was reading Andrew's own introduction! Well done to Roger Ward, Hazel Phillips and Andrew! This is an exciting publication! This only-recently published novel (2011) was the basis of the

96 in Ozploitation (volume 4)

2012-01-06T23:24:00.008+11:00

Been looking for "Number 96: The Movie" on DVD but unable to find the double disc collector's edition? Umbrella Entertainment has now re-released Disc 1 (ie. not the docos) as part of "Ozploitation Volume 4". Included in the six-disc set are "Alvin Purple", "Alvin Rides Again", "Stork", "BMX Bandits", "Dark Age" and the short film, "Three Old Friends". $39, great value, from JB Hi-Fi. (Note that

Moving out meerkats

2012-01-05T15:40:00.007+11:00

The Christmas tree comes down for Epiphany tomorrow, so the meerkats have packed away their Santa hats and moved outside.This Christmas season's two ornaments were:Christmas ornaments for 2011: a Hallmark "Where the wild things are" depiction of Max and the great sea monster (a cameo character disappointingly omitted from the recent motion picture) - an eBay "Buy it now" purchase, because I can't

Spud Trek

2012-01-03T17:44:00.001+11:00

The best Star Trek Christmas gifts are the ones you buy for yourself: Mrs Potato Head as Uhura; Mr Potato Head as Mr Spock, Captain Kirk AND Kor the Klingon.Today is a good day to get mashed?

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:10:00.003+11:00

This blog entry will self-destruct in ten seconds...

2011-12-28T09:53:00.004+11:00

I headed off to the cinema last night, originally hoping for a convenient screening of "Puss in Boots" in 3D, but ended up choosing to see "Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol", the fourth in Tom Cruise's revitalisation/reimagining of the 60s TV show (and 80s remake).I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had quite liked the first one (1996), but I hated that they recast the Peter Graves role, even though

New Number 96 DVD cover art!

2011-12-27T08:57:00.004+11:00

Next March, you can celebrate the 40th anniversary of Australia's classic TV soap opera, "Number 96", with a new boxed set of DVDs, presented by Andrew Mercado and released through Umbrella Entertainment. It's already up for pre-order at JB Hi-Fi. (Not a bad way to secure your copy, as not too many sets made their way to shop shelves last time.)As you can see from the above proposed cover art,

'Tis the season to be meerkat!

2011-12-25T08:31:00.000+11:00

Christmas meerkatsUpdate:Who can resist adding to a meerkat family, especially when they are at bargain prices?

Memories of Christmases past

2011-12-24T15:14:00.004+11:00

I realised a few nights ago, distracting my numb state of mind by resolving to put up the Christmas tree this year, just how many of the decorations were given to me by my mother.Now, she knew of my annual purchase of two Christmas ornaments for my tree - which I may spend months looking for, then date them - but some years she'd slip an extra ornament or two into my Christmas gift, so the tree

Beware aliens bearing gifts!

2011-12-22T07:20:00.006+11:00

Ambassador Shras of Andor meets Kang and Kodos. The other Kang and Kodos.Or indeed, Smurfs!

John H Lee Memorial Award 2012

2011-12-19T21:22:00.001+11:00

Dear IanRE: John H Lee Memorial Award 2012On behalf of SLA NSW [formerly ASLA (NSW)], we are delighted to announce that you have been selected as the recipient of the John H Lee Memorial Award for 2012. This is a joint Charles Sturt University (School of Information Science)/School Library Association of New South Wales Award presented to an individual or team of educators who is/are able to

ALF's Christmas wish

2011-12-19T07:43:00.003+11:00

Dear Santa, I have been good. For Christmas I would like a kitty. Love ALF (2011).

Welcome to the family, Teena!

2011-12-14T13:51:00.007+11:00

My Teena Terror "Kooky Spooky" eBay purchase (lower left of the above image) turned up recently, replacing the custom Teena I'd made earlier this year, but wasn't happy with. Teena came without her original, reversible sign accessory (a heart shape with "Love"/"Fun" written on it), but I'd already made a customized one. I had to coerce a US penpal to do the transaction for me; fewer and fewer

Christmas 2011 approaches!

2011-12-12T22:33:00.006+11:00

I put the Christmas tree up. Decorating it was quite carthartic after the eventful weekend. Even though I collect and date two new ornaments for the tree each year, I realised how many extra ornaments I have, tucked into my Christmas gift by my Mum.Of course, last year, it was impossible to put up a tree when the lounge room was full of dog cage!Christmas 2011Closeup on my customised Spock angel

Vale Margaret McLean

2011-12-11T08:27:00.006+11:00

Eastern Australia hosted a rare lunar eclipse in the wee hours of this morning. As much as you might think this only a spectacular natural phenomenon, it also marked my Mum's departure from Earth.Watch out Sto'Vo'Kor - and Dad - here comes another proud and confident warrior.Mum passed away peacefully not long after midnight. How amazing that the heavens gave her a beautiful lunar eclipse as her

#amjudging

2011-12-09T10:00:00.001+11:00

It's the annual school talent quest. I am judging.As they tweet on Twitter, #amjudging.

Andorian interlopers, 1983

2011-12-06T21:33:00.006+11:00

"Return of the Jedi" Australian premiereHaha, I recall the Andorians got a few nasty glances from the "Star Wars" fans for intruding on their gala premiere! Yay Therin and Tharrah of Andor!20th Century Fox video of "Return of The Jedi" fans when the film premiered in 1983 in Sydney. Previously, some of this footage accompanied an amusing review by Di Morrisey and Kerri-Anne Kennerley on TV's "

Trekking in 3D?

2011-11-30T06:40:00.004+11:00

Paramount's goal with the forthcoming "Star Trek" movie sequel from JJ Abrams is said to be, "... to finally attract more filmgoers overseas since the franchise had never done $100M international before." The US release date is set as May 17, 2013. In 3D!I have no problem with 3D, and fully expected it for this one. We want ST to be successful and popular, and most recent successful, popular

Hip hopping into the festive season

2011-11-27T13:23:00.003+11:00

Year 4 of an annual tradition.

How does this Smurf smell?

2011-11-22T22:20:00.001+11:00

How does this Smurf smell? Terrible!(Remember the stuffed Smurfs I photographed recently, whose noses were sewn on upside down? Well, on the weekend, I bought a blue plastic toadstool containing a little toy Smurf - and he emerged from the container with NO NOSE.)

Trash Santa

2011-11-18T22:26:00.002+11:00

Seen today in Penriff, outside the bottle shop. "OMG, they trashed Santa!" (He found a Claus in his contract.)Look familiar?

150

2011-11-05T19:58:00.001+11:00

My contribution to Arncliffe Public School's 150th anniversary book:"My first year at Arncliffe Public School, 1964, was spent in the quaint sandstone building (now the staffroom) that straddled the infants and primary school playgrounds. Sometimes, when it rains, I can almost recall the smell of damp, wooden verandah, plastic raincoats, warm fingerpaint, and school milk in 1/3 pint glass bottles

Loyalty and truth

2011-11-02T19:07:00.001+11:00

My old school, Arncliffe Public School, is turning 150 on Saturday. I'm Class of 1970, and was school captain - and very excited to be going back to check it out. I've tempted two of my former teachers to go, and hoping to catch up with old classmates. Was also asked to contribute a double page of memoir for the souvenir book. The pic is me in 1966, standing in front of "The Gully" that ran

Blueppers

2011-11-01T18:54:00.003+11:00

A Smurf nose all. Is it just me, or did someone at the toy factory sew those Smurf noses on upside down?I know the central figure is supposed to be Astrogirl, but the packaging logo reads "Astroboy". Presumably, there are other figures in the series of "Astroboy" toys and they all have the one series logo. But he looks so cute in the pink skirt.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T18:23:00.003+11:00

Australia doesn't really embrace Halloween all that much, but it always pays to have a stash of candy at the front door on Halloween night, just in case any trick or treaters pass by. Most years, I don't get any visitors - so I have to eat the evidence.Shucks.Twisties' Bag of Ghosts!Just in time for Halloween 2011, these crunchy and "spookily flavoured" snacks (above), from the makers of regular

Seahorse on the wall!

2011-10-30T20:20:00.003+11:00

After many, many months, the seahorse mural is finally completed and grouted to the wall of the shower recess.Originally traced from a 3D carved wooden seahorse my parents once brought back for me from a Pacific Island cruise, the eyes and bubbles are glass hemispherical "stones". When the white background started looking too stark, seaweed strands and a school of fish were added.For a time, I

Winnahs!

2011-10-29T10:06:00.000+11:00

My table went jungle theme for the second annual trivia night!Pith on or pith off?Recycled materials maketh the hat.Our team managed to retain our crown as trivia champs. We did tie with another table, but they had poached our sport and music expert from last year. A fun night!

Not-so-Magic Art Reproducer

2011-10-28T07:32:00.002+11:00

Mmmm, after seeing these ads in US comics over many, many years, it finally turned up in our local Magnamail mail order catalogue. My mother agreed to order me one for my birthday (I was about 14 - 1972?), and the result was very underwhelming, especially the tiny box it arrived in! While it appears to be a large, commercial overhead projector (only just starting to become popular in schools in

Jack in Nowra

2011-10-23T07:41:00.000+11:00

Speed limit = walking pace only, Shared roadway, Don't forget your hat. ;)

Rapture replay?

2011-10-21T07:46:00.001+11:00

Who woulda thought I'd be able to reuse this pic (first posted: 21st May, 2011).Post-Rapture posterShould I pre-empt myself and repost this one as well?

Here comes an aeroplane... er, starship!

2011-10-20T21:22:00.000+11:00

"Star Trek" Enterprise Light-Up Feeding System from ThinkGeek

Nostalgia news!

2011-10-16T19:07:00.009+11:00

1969 Halloween toy advertisement in Tri City Herald, Oct 20, p85.This daily newspaper, based in Kennewick, Washington, USA, carried a very cool Halloween promotion way back in 1969. Notice the discounted listings for several glow-in-the-dark phenomena: a Green Ghost Game for $US 6.66, Daddy Booregard representing the Kooky Spookys finger puppets at 87 cents, and Glo-Juice varnish for 77 cents a

Who am I?

2011-10-15T13:08:00.003+11:00

I went to the Dept of Main Roads today, armed with my birth certificate, several utility bills, Medicare and VISA cards - and forked over $50 - so I can finally prove who I am for the next five years, especially when sending parcels overseas at the post office. Unless you drive in Australia, you're a non entity. Even a passport isn't "valid ID" because it has no street address on it. So now I

What possum?

2011-10-13T23:25:00.000+11:00

Hush from "Possum magic" (left); and Hush turns invisible (right).Hush the baby possum from "Possum magic", a children's picture book by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas. He stays visible only by regular intake of "people food" such as Vegemite sandwiches, pavlova and lamingtons.

Obsessed, Vault, Rules: three new Star Trek book purchases

2011-10-07T22:04:00.001+11:00

A big haul of Star Trek books this week, thanks to Galaxy Bookshop:The "Star Trek Vault: 40 Years from the Archives" (Abrams) is by Scott Tipton, and follows the trend set by previous Marvel, DC and Star Wars vault collections. I've only had a chance to skim the fairly meaty, 126pp, contents (will Tipton throw up any factoids I don't already know?) but if you're interested to learn what

Geeks and magnets stick together!

2011-10-04T11:59:00.004+11:00

A parcel van turned up this morning with my brand new "Star Trek" Mix 'n' Match Magnetic Adventure Set from Ata-Boy Inc, via the ThinkGeek mail order website. Similar to the old Colorforms sets of the 60s, only using magnetic material, the reversible background allows Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Kor the Klingon ("Errand of Mercy") or the Gorn Captain ("Arena") to play out scenes on the Enterprise bridge

Youtube flashback! Number 96 in Best of Aussie Dramas

2011-09-29T01:01:00.003+10:00

Another Ian-chatting-about-"Number 96" Youtube find:Ian inserted into the famous "Number 96" bomb episode's split-screen shot.THE BEST OF AUSSIE DRAMAS (November 2002)Presented by Kate Ritchie of Home and Away. Contained numerous clips of Number 96, with sound byte comments from John Orcsik, Elaine Lee, Jeff Kevin, Lorrae Desmond, Vince Sorrenti and Number 96 historian, Ian McLean. Seven

Youtube flashback! Tonight Live salutes Number 96

2011-09-28T01:50:00.004+10:00

Another "Number 96" Youtube find:Photo © 1993 Artist Services. Thanks Fiona Vizard.TONIGHT LIVE WITH STEVE VIZARD. (20/7/1993)Hosted by Steve Vizard. Featured flashback footage and live interviews with Elaine Lee, Jeff Kevin, Steve Bedwell and Number 96 historian, Ian McLean. Comedian Vince Sorrenti conducted a tour of Moncur Flats, at 83 Moncur Street, Woollahra, the actual location of the

Darren Gray interviews Andrew Mercado & Ian McLean

2011-09-27T15:17:00.010+10:00

"Darren Gray Down Under" on CTV1, 1995.Wow, what a surprise to find this interview about Aussie TV soap opera, Number 96, on Youtube today! CTV1 was a community access television station out of Redfern, in inner-suburban Sydney. The producer at CTV1 was Joy Hruby. I've never had my own copy of this interview on video (thanks to Australia Post x two attempts), and yet here it is on Youtube! While

Finally, more Number 96 DVDs are coming!

2011-09-26T16:35:00.010+10:00

Thanks to my ol' pal, Andrew Mercado, there is news of another boxed set of 32 "Number 96" episodes to celebrate the upcoming 40th anniversary of the show next year. Thanks Umbrella Entertainment and Andrew!Due to space constraints on the DVD, Andrew has hand-picked the most important sixteen episodes from the 21 episodes from the b/w era that remain in existence. He promises nothing important

Famous Faces mug

2011-09-25T21:46:00.000+10:00

I missed my chance to pick up the dog calendar for 2011 that featured the Spock caricature on its cover last year (I held out for a reduced price as the year raced towards December, but they quickly sold out). There were twelve hilarious images but only the "Star Trek" one excited me. Today, in a Berry gift store, I found several of the canine calendar images... as ceramic mugs - and cheaper than

Have umbrella, will travel

2011-08-21T23:16:00.000+10:00

Guess where I was tonight?

Paverpol dragon

2011-08-20T23:13:00.000+10:00

A Paverpol dragon from "Lynette's Creations", a stall at Gerringong Markets. Paverpol is a waterproof glue-like substance, and Lynette Mathein soaks various fabrics in it, draping pieces over metal armatures to create fantasy creatures.

We want you at Starfleet Academy!

2011-08-10T23:29:00.004+10:00

Corroney cover: IDW Star Trek (ongoing) #2 - alternate cover.Very cool Starfleet "recruitment poster" cover by Joe Corroney! News at Trekmovie.com

30-Day Photo Challenge: finale

2011-08-05T17:31:00.006+10:00

DAY 30I spotted a cute little dragon at our Pedlars' Fair today! A great finale to my 30-Day Photo Challenge. The slideshow of all 30 images is HERE.Leftover Pedlars' Pennies go into the prize draw.The library snowman finds a friend!

Cookie and jester

2011-08-04T23:43:00.001+10:00

DAY 29Love the juxtaposition of Cookie Monster cookie jar and a jester Toby jug. Mmm, good timing, too. My last "30 Day Challenge" pic tomorrow - falls on our annual Pedlars' Fair day at school.

Platypus crossing

2011-08-03T23:46:00.001+10:00

DAY 28Warning! Platypus crossing. If toll owing, put it on his bill.

Crescent moon

2011-08-02T19:03:00.000+10:00

DAY 27I love how the tree seems to have made space for the crescent moon to snuggle in close.

Jack's ponto

2011-08-01T23:13:00.003+10:00

DAY 26I am currently reading "I am Jack" by Susanne Gervay to all of Stage 2 and 3. Here's my newly-made prop: Jack's "ponto", from the novel. (Jack has managed to graft an onion to a potato to invent a new vegetable, which he calls a "ponto").

One world, many stories

2011-07-31T18:31:00.003+10:00

DAY 25My new $4 bargain store world globe, in preparation for Australian Children's Book Week 2011 and the theme, "One world, many stories". The globe is quite small; those books are miniatures. The shop also had smaller globes for $2 and a similar size in a different, sturdy base for $8.

Treat time

2011-07-30T12:57:00.001+10:00

DAY 24Saturday morning Kong treat makes Jack a contented boy.

Ouchie

2011-07-29T22:03:00.002+10:00

DAY 23Oh no! My Tasmanian Devil puppet has the dreaded facial cancer!Just another day of photographing images around school (the students are creating slideshows on Photo Peach)...

Big mail day

2011-07-28T23:07:00.010+10:00

DAY 22My retro "Frankenstein Jr" money box arrived in the mail today. Finally, he has been reunited with... "The Impossibles". Anyone too young to have watched 60s television may be underwhelmed.Ah, just found this on Youtube. Too funny:"Mission: Impossibles""Holy catchphrases!"Also in the box today was a retro Mego Captain Christopher Pike and...the long-awaited Salt Vampire ("The Man Trap").

CBD

2011-07-27T23:25:00.002+10:00

DAY 21Thanks so much to Sue Tuckett and Graham "Garfield" Barnard for the kind invitation to preview "Captain America: The First Avenger" tonight at the Paramount Pictures theatrette. I wasn't expecting it to be in 3D in such an intimate venue. Excellent film - and great to see some friends from decades ago, such as Craig Walker and Quentin Saville!

Toy Porn 2!

2011-07-26T22:48:00.007+10:00

DAY 20 coincided with opening night of "Toy Porn 2" exhibition at NG Art Gallery. Claudia Chan Shaw introduces the art of Nick Stathopoulos.Thunderbird 1 by Nick Stathopoulos.Batman and Robby the Robot by Nick Stathopoulos.Tin Tin paintings by Nick Stathopoulos.What a great night. Thanks, Nick, fo the invitation. Nick's beautiful Archibald-entry portrait of illustrator Shaun Tan (above) was in

Sunset

2011-07-25T18:59:00.001+10:00

DAY 19Good timing for a pic on my way home.

Being Jack

2011-07-24T20:51:00.002+10:00

DAY 18Jack, trying to be on his best behaviour, at my Mum's place. He still has the evidence of his shaved tummy (ultrasound) and back (lumbar puncture) from late last year. The hair just doesn't want to grow back. Cortisone does that to dogs. Sigh.

Pretty!

2011-07-23T18:07:00.000+10:00

DAY 17These purple flowers photograph like butterflies!

Bark

2011-07-22T18:30:00.001+10:00

DAY 16I passed this massive tree trunk walking home this afternoon. It's hard to juggle a bag, an iPhone and an open umbrella at the same time.

Wet, wet, wet

2011-07-21T22:14:00.002+10:00

DAY 15Halfway point! A little magic on a gloomy, wet night. Lights from my pool through a glass candle-holder.

Enter the brain

2011-07-20T18:33:00.002+10:00

DAY 14Our school library recently had a visit from a brain, official adjudicator for the Stage 2 students' presentations on "What is the most important human body part (apart from the brain)?"

Where do the children play?

2011-07-19T17:37:00.001+10:00

DAY 13The school playground equipment, about to get its first workout in two weeks.

Somewhere over a rainbow

2011-07-18T17:01:00.003+10:00

DAY 12First day back at work. Spent the whole day looking for "30 Day Challenge" photographic subjects - no luck, no inspiration, walked dejectedly out the gate this afternoon, and lo: a rainbow revealed itself, becoming all the brighter as I spent time choosing how to frame it in the iPhone's viewer.

Pass it on!

2011-07-17T13:03:00.002+10:00

When the last NASA space shuttle lands this month, everyone wear Ape suits. Quick, pass it on.

Sunday brunch!

2011-07-17T12:43:00.001+10:00

DAY 11At Mash Cafe, Glenbrook. Poached eggs Barcelona, with roasted capsicum, chorizo sausage, hash brown and sour dough toast. And a dash of paprika.

Sydney Tower

2011-07-16T20:52:00.002+10:00

DAY 10Sydney Tower over Centrepoint, now a Westfield shopping centre.

Max sets sail

2011-07-15T09:36:00.001+10:00

DAY 9My latest eBay purchase just arrived on the front step. Max sets sail ("Where the wild things are") in a delightful Hallmark Christmas ornament, just in time for Midwinter Christmas - and Book Week. Sadly, this wild thing - a favourite from my own childhood - was missing from the recent live action film. I really expected him to at least make a cameo appearance.

Seen in Penriff

2011-07-14T14:35:00.001+10:00

DAY 8Ah, good ol' Penrith: an old church on the horizon, completely overshadowed by a cyclist with no helmet, riding on the wrong side of the road, and the newly renamed hairdressers, now specialising in... head-lice control.

Tough lips

2011-07-13T10:55:00.003+10:00

DAY 7Cycad: Proof that the dinosaurs had very tough lips.

Variegated leaf geranium

2011-07-12T09:59:00.001+10:00

DAY 6Somehow, this geranium has avoided being devoured by snails this year.

All the better to see you with

2011-07-11T14:39:00.001+10:00

DAY 5Jimi the gargoyle, who guards my garden. The glass eyes were my own customization, thanks to a little outdoor quick-set putty.

Seagulls are aliens

2011-07-10T21:08:00.002+10:00

DAY 4Spotted these fascinating seagulls at Shellharbour, south of Sydney. One was attracted by a falling, tiny, crumb of sausage roll - and soon there were hundreds. Once the fuss was over, they were gone again.

Chess master/busker

2011-07-09T20:10:00.003+10:00

DAY 3Spotted today at the QVB in the CBD. The chequerboard hat really makes it, I reckon!

Brrrrr!

2011-07-08T09:15:00.001+10:00

DAY 2First frost in Penrith today! It was still zero degrees at 7.30am. Brrrrr.What I loved about my original "365 Photos project" was the anticipation of finding a daily pic. It kept the senses tuned all day, flitting in and out my head, seeing potential subjects everywhere. Some days I'd forget until almost midnight - I ended up with about ten shots of the dog looking startled, wondering if it

30 day challenge

2011-07-07T18:54:00.005+10:00

"Try something new for 30 days", Matt CuttsMy NSW Department of Education and Communities colleagues on Maang have decided to embrace the advice of Matt Cutts in his TED talk, "Try something new for 30 days" (above).First up is the Photo Challenge (click for the cumulative slideshow). For the next 30 days, we take a photo a day and post it under the dedicated thread for the

A book on the porch is worth three in the hand

2011-07-06T14:47:00.003+10:00

Ah! The postman just delivered my Amazon-bought hardcover copy of "Starfleet Academy: The Gemini Agent". It was a delight to hold a new "Star Trek" book in my hands which has cover art that I don't recall ever seeing online first. (It was a mere neutral rectangle when I pre-ordered it.) Nice cover! Green background. Chekov, Kirk and a dark-haired woman with pointed ears. Uhura on the back cover."

Customs

2011-07-05T17:58:00.003+10:00

Playmates' 9" "Star Trek" figures: Mirror Universe Marlena Moreau (TOS), with a Lokai (made from a painted "Lost in Space" Major Don West figure in Bele's customised costume) and "Deep Space Nine"'s Ezri Dax (made from a Marlena figure - hair removed, new hair sculpted in putty) and wearing a "First Contact" Geordi LaForge uniform (inner collar dyed teal).Ezri Dax

Penrith powder

2011-07-04T23:57:00.002+10:00

Here's what Jack found on his walk around the block this evening:Welcome to Penriff.

A bird in the crown is worth two in the hand

2011-07-03T23:44:00.002+10:00

This seagull was attracting lots of attention today as it stomped around inside the crown of the Queen Victoria statue outside the QVB in the CBD.

It was a dark and foggy night...

2011-06-29T23:18:00.001+10:00

Walking back home from seeing the animated movie, "Cars 2", last night, Penrith was becoming blanketed in an eerie fog.By the way, the best things about "Cars 2" were the hilarious "Toy Story" vacation short that ran before the movie (Barbie and Ken are such dorks), and the closing credits. Not a good sign for "Cars 2".

Vale Max

2011-06-20T23:05:00.001+10:00

I had my "Magic Circle Club" photograph professionallyframed, along with Max Bartlett's autograph!Dammit. I just tried to send Max Bartlett ("Magic Circle Club") an email update and it bounced back. I've just Googled him and uncovered the headline of a "Herald-Sun" obituary, so it seems Max passed away in July 2010, not too long after Tedd Dunn (Fredd Bear).As a fan, one tries not to be too much

Winter Magic Festival 2011

2011-06-18T21:15:00.006+10:00

Steam Train at Katoomba Railway StationA dragon leads a group from Katoomba Public School (pic courtesy of Maxine)Bad bunny in the street paradeA busker with his two puppetsWolf in Grandma's clothesShop window white spidersAnd my souvenir of the day:Argon the dragon, bought from Rod and Eryn of www.weefolkgardenart.com

Star Trot x 2

2011-06-17T23:36:00.002+10:00

I'd seen "The Paul Hogan Show" version of "Star Trot", but this TV parody of "Star Trek" with the same name from the much earlier "Mavis Bramston Show" - another iconic Australian satirical sketch comedy series - and featuring Johnny Lockwood, later of "Number 96" fame. Very cool Youtube find!Note that the captain calls one female officer "Number One", so it also drew from "The Menagerie" ("The

Up to 3 hours free man parking

2011-06-13T22:07:00.001+10:00

Spotted at Westfield Plaza, Penrith, today: Man Lounge - Park your man here. Rest area for bored men. Up to 3 hours free man parking.

ALF gains a chair, meets a dog

2011-06-12T22:54:00.000+10:00

This silvery spaceship chair is a repaint of a dolls' wooden high chair I found on the kerb a few days ago. Note the new green and red buttons on the throttles and gears. A perfect chair for...... my Mum's ALF doll, which used to sit an a rather substandard stool in her spare room.ALF (Alien Life Form) meets Jack.

Double spike!

2011-06-11T22:37:00.000+10:00

This year, the grass tree has developed a new spike - while last year's is still in the centre. Normally, it has only spiked every second year.

A taste of Jam Sandwich

2011-06-04T18:32:00.011+10:00

In 1983, I renewed my acquaintance with ABC-TV director, Virginia Lumsden, who had overseen an episode of "Mr Squiggle and Friends" I did in January 1980."Jam Sandwich" was a children's afternoon magazine show, quite similar to "Simon Townsend's Wonder World". The night they featured science fiction media fan clubs: including Astrex (the NSW Star Trek Fan Club) and the Australasian Doctor Who

Into the Vault

2011-05-26T07:38:00.002+10:00

According to Trek Today, new "Star Trek" books will include:The Star Trek Vault (Abrams – October 2011). Charting the first 40 years of Star Trek, Star Trek Vault is the ultimate treasure trove of Star Trek imagery and memorabilia, sure to appeal to both the casual and die-hard fan. Author Scott Tipton has written numerous Star Trek comics. His award-winning website, comics101.com, was named one

Star Trek: The Animated Series music

2011-05-23T19:21:00.002+10:00

Star Trek TAS music! Art by Kail.Woah, spooky. I was only thinking today that I wished Arex and M'ress were in that famous TAS cast publicity shot you see around. And yay, M'ress without her sometime-black koala nose - but with her black collar.

Post-Rapture signage

2011-05-22T23:36:00.002+10:00

Post-Rapture poster

Rapt

2011-05-21T10:55:00.001+10:00

Hellova stupid time to buy new shoes, but at least the "Star Trek" novel had a time travel theme (21st May, 2011).

The Gruffalo goes to The Joan

2011-05-14T17:13:00.000+10:00

My school's latest adventure, captured as a Photo Peach slideshow!

On finding Abigail

2011-04-25T13:52:00.010+10:00

A few weeks ago, one of Australia's "current affairs" programs, "Today Tonight", tracked down the now-elusive Australian icon, Abigail (aka "Number 96"'s first Bev Houghton), who had holed herself up in a disused country church building after being flooded out in Victoria's share of 2011: The Year of Natural Disasters.Mmmmm. None of these reports by the TV tabloid shows ("Today Tonight" and

DIY Easter, BYO Allen key

2011-04-24T08:11:00.001+10:00

Have a great Easter!

I am Wheaton!

2011-04-22T09:37:00.001+10:00

Twice this month, when I've checked my bag at Galaxy Bookshop's front counter, and received my check token, I've been... Wil Wheaton!

Invasion of the dodos

2011-04-21T14:18:00.004+10:00

It might be extinct as a species, but there's certainly no shortage of dodos here this week! Above is a 2D scan of my Nimslo 3D shot, taken in January 1984, of a real dodo skeleton in the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. I finally got around to scanning it. My newer scanner has difficulty interpreting the lenticular laminate on my 3D photos, but the old