Sunday, December 7, 2008

CHUY DAH Dec. 2008

It’s December already? Kahless' hand! Didn’t we just have Halloween or something?

First of all, my personal thanks to everyone who came to the Reunion Information dinner last month. Not only did we make a great presentation (as if there was any doubt), but it couldn’t have gone any better.

This coming Saturday will be the Doomslayer’s annual Christmas party! This year’s party will be held at Hot Rod City in New Philadelphia at 2 pm, and it’s about a quater mile or less past the Eagle Truck Stop near the Rt. 250 exit. Don’t forget that there’s a gift exchange ($5 limit). I hope to see everyone there!

Finally, from my family to everyone reading this — may you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 13: Doomslayer Christmas Party at Hot Rod City — 2 pm.
December 14: Fleet Mom’s Birthday
December 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

CHUY DAH Nov. 2008

First of all, yes, I know this is late. Those of you who know what I’ve had going on in the last 10 days or more, you understand why. Not making excuses, mind you, just explaining.

Okay, enough said.

It’s Veteran’s Day as I write this, and allow me to say a personal “Thank you” to the veterans of our own crew; of course I speak of our Commanding Officer and our Chief of Security. Gentlemen, speaking for all of us, I thank you for your service, and raise a tankard of bloodwine in your honor!

Our recent Away Team mission back to Amish country was a success, and I think we’ve made some new friends in a couple of stores — especially the one that Chief Engineer Bastian relieved of most of its fudge…

Keep in mind that on November 29th, we will be holding a very important meeting - this will be a Camp Dover Reunion informational meeting (NOT a planning meeting, because most of the vital planning has already been done), and will be held at The Manor resteraunt in Strasburg at 2 pm. This is where we’ll present what we have in mind for the 2009 Reunion to everyone. I’m not going to make this mandatory, but I will say that it’s important to see all of Doomslayer there.

Next month’s Christmas party will be held at the Hot Rod City resteraunt in New Philadelphia, and I’d like to have a head count to give them befor we show up en masse, so if you’re coming to the party, RSVP me no later then Decemeber 8th. [Keep in mind that the standard gift exchange parameters will be in effect -- non-gender specific gifts, no more then $5 in value.]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Nov. 11th: Veterans Day (remember those who fought for us and who are fighting now)
Nov. 27th: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Nov. 29th: CDPC 2009 Reunion Informational Meeting — The Manor Resteraunt in Strasburg at 2 pm.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Want to read some free scripts?

you’re a fan of Dr. Who (and if you’re not, you oughta be), you need to go to this link: www.thewriterstale.com/scr.html.

Why? you ask.

The BBC has posted 6 shooting scripts from the 4th season of Dr. Who that you can download and read in PDF form for — absolutely FREE. That’s right, no cost, free, gratis, won’t cost a thing.

Three of the scripts are the episodes that made up the incredible season finale: Turn Left, The Stolen Earth, and Journey’s End.
INTRODUCTION: Remember how I said last time to write the date down because I had managed to get the newsletter out early — and it may not happen again for awhile? Well…guess what? Part of my lateness is due to the intense storms we had in the sector and the damages it wreaked in the area, including wide-spread power losses…and the other part was my playing catch-up after the power came back.

MEDICAL UPDATE PT. 2: Where to start…alright, as I posted in an update, the Chancellor’s oldest daughter is still recovering from her kidney transplant at the Federation’s primary medical facility on Terra. There were two teams working on her and her stepsister (who was the donor — “thank Kahless for their mother’s genetics”, the Chancellor told me), and the transplant went off like clockwork. The doctors will be monitoring her for some time to insure against organ rejection (a major risk, regardless of genetics, no matter what), and as of this newsletter, I don’t know if she’s gone home yet or not. Evidently the karma transfer worked…

SCHEDULE CHANGE (or No, your calendar’s not screwed up): You’re probably wondering just when the October meeting will be, since we didn’t have it on the 1st Saturday of this month. Due to some scheduling conflicts, the October General Meeting will be on October 12th at the Dover McDonald’s (next to I-77) at 2 pm. We’ll be discussing the current status of the reunion planning, plans for the last 2 months of the year, and general ship business.

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IS A RANT: If you’ve read the IKEF and/or Camp Dover boards, you may have read an item about KAG coming to MarCon and criticizing IKEF members for “not dressing like proper Klingons.” I mentioned this item in last month’s letter, but I’d like to talk about it in a little more detail, if you’ll allow me. It seems there are some “purists” out there that like to judge (read “look down upon”) other members by how “Klingon” they look — in other words, if you didn’t look like you just stepped off the set of Deep Space Nine or The Next Generation, you weren’t a “true” Klingon.

I’m going to say it right here and call that line of thinking for what it is: it’s nothing but pure, unadulterated, USDA prime BULLCRAP. This kind of elitism is the sort of thing that sours people on fandom.

That’s right, I said it, and I‘ll stand by it.

I’ve always told you all the truth, and I’ll do it again right here; your uniform is just that - it’s yours, no one else‘s. If it makes you feel like a Klingon, if it brings out the warrior in your soul, then it’s just as good as anyone else‘s. As long as you like what you wear, if you think you look like a prime badass in it, then Kahless bless ya, my friend, you‘re a warrior of the Empire. Period, end of sentence.

EVENT CHANGE: This is October, and in past years, the crew has taken the cadets to the New Towne Mall’s Trick or Treat Night. This year, I won’t be attending with my niece, and I’m leaving the event to the individual families; this will not be a ship event. My reason for this is a personal one, and if you want to know why, email me privately and I’ll explain it to you.

NEW MEMBER: I’d like to welcome aboard Doomslayer’s newest member and Senior Pilot of our 1st long-range shuttle in the Pennsylvania sector, Lt. jg. vaqtIq akhtai-K’Tarra.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 7th: Tyler’s Birthday (Dragonwolf’s son)
October 8th: Qianna “Pookie” Makhleod’s birthday
October 12th: Doomslayer General Meeting at McDonalds — 2 pm
October 18th: Capt. K’Dot Kali’s birthday
October 31st: HAPPY HALLOWEEN! (Get out there and scare someone today!)

Saturday, September 13, 2008

UPDATE FROM THE CHANCELLOR

TO ALL CREW:
I received a communication from the Chancellor Thursday night - he told me that the transplant went perfectly, both of his daughters are doing well (the donor and the recipient), and he expects to return sometime today or early tomorrow. More details will be forthcoming.

Friday, August 29, 2008

CHUY DAH Sept 2008

As I walk the passages of the ship, I notice one thing — it’s quiet…it’s too quiet…and that can only mean one thing: the cadets are back at the Imperial Academy!

FROM THE XO’S CHAIR: Alright, you’re probably noticing one thing right off the bat; this edition of CHUY DAH is early! That’s right, I’m actually a step ahead of things for once, so make this date down…for it may not happen again.

GOOD KARMA NEEDED: The Chancellor has informed me this week that he will be traveling to Virginia starting September 6th, and is not entirely sure exactly when he’ll be returning. His daughter, Honey, is undergoing a kidney transplant on September 10th. I’m sure he can use all the good karma he can get, so be sure to keep him and the entire family in your thoughts and prayers during that time.

ON THIS MONTH’S MEETING: We’re altering the “Movie and Dinner” night scheduled for this month (at my home) to a “Movie and Pizza” night; be sure to bring money for the pizza order, and if you feel like bringing a snack to share, feel free to do so. I will be supplying drinks, ice, and tableware. The movies of choice will be CUTTHROAT ISLAND and PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: DEAD MAN‘S CHEST. As for the PIRATES movie, we will be giving it the Mystery Science Theater 3000 treatment…so, be ready to have fun with it.

THE GAUNTLET HAS BEEN THROWN DOWN: If you’re on the IKEF and Camp Dover Klingons Yahoo boards (and if you’re not, you should be), you may have heard about what’s happening at Marcon 44 in May of ‘09:

The Klingon Assault Group (KAG) is planning on using next year’s Marcon 2009 for their 20th anniversary since IndyCon has officially folded. And that’s fine. The more the merrier is usually the rule at most conventions. But see, here’s the problem. The scuttlebutt has it that KAG feels the need to show other fandom groups how to be Real Klingons. That somehow by not being in uniform for their own events other groups do not represent the Klingon Empire with Honor. If the scuttlebutt is true then KAG has managed to turn the clock back to the early 90s, where you were questioned as to your commitment to Klingon fandom if you didn’t look like you just stepped off the set of The Next Generation. KAG seems to have forgotten one thing — being Klingon isn’t simply just a fashion statement, it’s a way of living, a way of carrying yourself. Honor isn’t in the uniform, it’s in the soul.

FOUND IN EMAIL RE: MYLEFTFOOTLOOSE CHALLENGE: I received the following email from MyLeftFootloose.com:
WOW. That is an impressive amount of work and cleverness wrapped up in that package. Incredible! Did it make the parents laugh?I’ve hesitated to post more-than-two-movie combinations up to now, but I’ve collected a small number of good ones. As soon as I have a vision for how to introduce them I’ll be including this one at the top of that list. I will try to remember to write to you when it’s published.Thank you for remembering us and for plugging us on your site!

Jane

I don’t think they’ll be forgetting us anytime soon…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sept. 1st: HAPPY LABOR DAY!
Sept. 6th: Doomslayer Movie and Pizza Night at Adm. Konnor’s house — 4 pm.
Sept. 6th: Chancellor Klaad leaves for VA
Sept. 11th: Patriot Day (remember those brave warriors who went ahead of us on that fateful morning in NYC, DC, and PA)
Sept. 22nd: 1st day of Autumn

Friday, August 8, 2008

CHUY DAH August 2008

Okay…I know this is late…you don’t have to tell me, I know.

I seriously wanted to get this out on schedule, but as the saying goes, “Want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans…”

This one’s going to be short…

DOOMSLAYER’S SUMMER PICNIC: AFTERMATH
To begin with, I’d like to thank everyone who came to my house for the Doomslayer’s picnic this past Saturday. A good time was had by all, and I’ve never played as big a game of Monopoly as we did that night…congratulations to Autumn Daley, the winner of the game!
Since next month’s meeting is scheduled to be a Movie and Dinner Night, I’d like to suggest a little modification to the “Dinner” part: if everyone could bring a few dollars with them, maybe we’ll just order out for pizza. We should also decide on the movies — and by the way, we no longer have our VCR, so all movies need to be DVDs.

REUNION UPDATE
As far as the planning for the Reunion goes, we’re proceeding along at the right pace. By the end of the year, I’d like to have the guest badges designed and ready for production, and the program booklet formatted and ready for publishing. I’ve heard the theme for the reunion may be “50’s Sci-Fi”, so perhaps that may play a part in the badge designs.

MY LEFT FOOTLOOSE CONTEST: AND THE WINNER IS…

Capt. K’Dot wins the contest with the folowing entry:
Annie Oakley of Green Gables and the King (Kong) of Siam
Genre: Musical, Biography, Drama, Action, Adventure, Romance, Fantasy

Annie is a spunky young orphan girl who lives in terrible orphanage run by the mean Miss Hannigan. Her wretched situation changes overnight when she is mistakenly chosen to spend a short time at the residence of the wealthy munitions industrialist and farmer, Matthew Cuthbert and his sister Marilla, who were expecting a boy to help with their farm work. However, they accept Annie, who quickly endears herself to them and to all who work on the farm. As a young adult, Annie is tutored in showmanship by Toby Walker (who she’s had a crush on since she was a child) and Annie is hired for Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. But when Annie wins top billing, professional rivalry conflicts with their growing personal attachment, leading to a misunderstanding and the end of their budding relationship. Annie leaves the show and is recruited by the bold and successful filmmaker Carl Denham to star in his new film. They travel by ship with a large crew and Denham’s friend Jack Driscoll to an unknown island to shoot the movie. The local natives worship a huge gorilla called Kong and they abduct Annie to offer her in a sacrifice to Kong. Jack Driscoll (who has fallen in love with her during the course of the voyage), Carl Denham (who wants to capture Kong and exhibit him as the 8th wonder of the world) and part of the crew hike into the jungle and try to rescue Annie. Kong falls in love with Annie and gets captured and haulled back to New York. In the middle of his unveiling, King Kong escapes, bringing panic to the Big Apple where his is shot atop the Empire State Building and falls to his death. Depressed and rudderless Annie accepts the job of teaching the royal children of Siam. On her arrival in Bangkok, culture clash is immediate. The king respects Annie for standing up to him, though this appalls his courtiers. In due course, she becomes the king’s confidant and diplomatic advisor; their relationship endures until his death.
Below are the plot tag lines from IMDB
Annie (1982) = A young orphan girls adventures in finding a family that will take her.
Annie Oakley (1935) = The sharpshooting star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show lives again to thrill you in a drama of fighting men and red romance!
Anne of Green Gables (1934) = Anne Shirley, an orphan, is adopted by farmer Matthew Cuthbert and his sister Marilla, who were expecting a boy to help with their farm work…
King Kong (1933) = A film crew goes to a tropical island for an exotic location shoot and discovers a colossal giant gorilla who takes a shine to their female blonde star.
Anna and the King of Siam (1946) = In 1862, a young Englishwoman becomes royal tutor in Siam and befriends the King.
There will be a 2-liter beverage of her choice waiting for her at the Septemeber meeting. Congratulations!


CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 11th: Cadet T’Lisien’s birthday
September 1st: LABOR DAY
September 6th: Doomslayer “Movie & Pizza” Night at Adm. Konnor’s house