What is On Jeffs' Mind

Yesterday, I had the day off from work. I had to work extra hours this week, so it worked out well, as I was able to do something I was not able to do nearly 13 years ago.

I was able to go and see Star Wars Episode 1 the Phantom Menace on opening day. This time around, it was in 3D. When it originally came out, I could not go opening day, as at the time I was busy at work, and a few other things happening that did not allow me to go first day. Being a big Star Wars fan, that always ate at me a little bit, so I have corrected that

I went with my Dad and two nephews, and had a good time. Epsiode 1 is what it is, and I know that a lot of people really dislike this movie. I will admit, that if I rank all the Star Wars movies, this one would be at the bottom of my list, as it can get a bit slow at times, and doesn’t have the best pacing. But to me, the movie does really setup what the Star Wars universe was, on a greater scale then the Original Trilogy ever did. I am a big Star Wars fan as stated, so I like to do the “Deep Dive” so to say into the who Star Wars universe. This movie gives a person plenty to get into, like myself, who wants to be immersed into that universe. I am really looking forward to the other movies coming out. The 3D in the movie was alright, I don’t think it will ever be a showcase 3D, but it was well applied in my opinion, and added some depth to the scenes. I guess maybe in the end, the 3D was more just a vehicle to get Star Wars back onto the big screen. I am amazed, that a movie that a lot of people pan, that 13 years after the fact, it still can get released into the theatre again. There are plenty of Academy Award winning movies that would not be able to be released 13 years after the fact, even some of the big blockbusters from the past few years, could not even get released again.

When I got home, I had something cool waiting for me at the Post Office. The next in the series of Star Wars Kubricks was released. I had ordered this set a few weeks ago, and had been anticipating it for some time. It was Deluxe series 4, which included 6 figures and a build up figure of the Probe Droid. I think what got me the most excited, was the vintage style figures they released. In the last series they released a Vintage Style Obi-Wan, and now they released 3 more. A Vintage Vader, Princess Leia and Tie Fighter Pilot. Also they released a R2-D2, Captain Antilles and Imperial Dignitary. So this morning I opened then up and assembled my Probe Droid. So now I have to find some space on my shelf for them. I am thinking I might separate my vintage style figures from the rest. I also included my 3D glasses in the picture from the movie yesterday.

Tags: Captain Antilles, Darth Vader, Imperial Dignitary, Princess Leia, Probe Droid, R2-D2, Star Wars Episode 1, Star Wars Kubricks, The Phantom Menace, Tie Fighter Pilot

This weekend was a first for me for 2011. I went to my first movie for the year. I have to admit I am a bit surprised I have not gone to a movie since last year, but it took me 5 months into the year to go. On Saturday Tao tao and I went and saw Thor over at West Edmonton Mall, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. For me, it is a bit odd that it has taken so long to see a movie in the theatre, as the last one I saw was Tron Legacy just before Christmas.  I used to go every week to see a movie, and sometimes multiple times, but I guess I have really slowed down. There are probably a few reason. The first is probably the most obvious, there has not been any movies that I have wanted to see, or maybe more correctly enough to see in the movie theatre. The second is probably the cost, as to see a movie at the theatre is expensive, and the 3D movies even more so. Another reason is maybe since I am getting older, the excitement of going to the theatre to see a movie is not a great as it was a few years ago. Probably the last reason, is that I am married now, and we go to movies we both like, so that cuts out some of them, as either I don’t want to see them (Horror) or Tao tao does not want to see (Comedies). I guess for me, I really don’t want to make someone go see a movie they might not want to see. When I was single, I used to see all different types of movies, as more often then not, I would go by myself. But now it is the two of us who go, so we have to agree on the movie. The last movie that Tao tao saw without me was a Resident Evil movie, she really wanted to go, but that was not a movie I had any interest in seeing. I went to see Tron without Tao tao, but that was more of the late night viewing, before that, I think the last movie I saw on my own was the last Trailer Park Boys movie.

I really liked Thor, thought it was excellent. I have to admit I don’t know much about Thor at all, so I went to the movie without really knowing much more then he was a Comic Book Superhero. I have to say I really liked the blend of Viking/Norse mythology and a Sci-Fi element, it felt very unique to me. The story I really liked as well, in that it happened it two different worlds. On Thor’s home world of Asgard there was a war between his people and another group called the Frost Giants. Then on Earth, which Thor was sent to, they followed his story there and his encounter with S.H.E.I.L.D. I have to say the visuals of Thor’s home world were stunning, the effects were great. I also thought the actor Chris Hemsworth did an awesome job as Thor, especially with the transformation from a arrogant character to one with humility and compassion. I saw this movie in 3D, and happy I did, as originally I was thinking of seeing it in 2D. I thought the way they did the 3D was great, and I was very impressed, as in the past, other 3D movies I was not really excited about the technology. I have to admit, I spent some time at the start of the movie making sure to position the glasses on my face so that the screen looked the best, and that may have made the difference. I wear glasses, and I was thinking that I may have had the 3D glasses sitting to close to my face in the past, so it sort of nullified the 3D effect, and maybe made the screen look a bit blurry, but this time, the visuals looked awesome. I was so impressed with this movie, that I am thinking of maybe searching out some Thor comics to read more.

Sunday morning I went to a local toy show called the Pop Culture fair. It is a smaller show then the Edmonton Collectible Toy and Comic show that I sell at, but still look forward to going. I did not really have anything that I was really looking for, and was going more so out of interest for my side business of toy reselling. I wanted to get an idea of what other people were selling things for, so I sort of knew what I could resell things for, and what I should be paying for things. It was good to have a look at the tables, and found myself looking more closely at the tables and what people were selling. I also got a chance to talk with a few people I know. I had a good chat with my friend Ryan from Red 5 Collectibles, and learned a few things from him that I was not aware of. Also I was able to pickup a Anakin Skywalker as Darth Vader figure that I had been looking for. I don’t collect many action figures anymore, but I wanted to get the Anakin with Darth Vader on the card in the throw back to the vintage packaging. I had looked around for a few shows, and was happy Ryan had one, also it was not even punched, so when I got home I had to find a Star Case for it, since I did not want to hang it up since it was not punched. I also picked up a few items that I feel I can resell, so it was a good show.

Also this weekend Tao tao and I watched the season finale of Fringe, and I have to say wow. I am so happy that it is coming back for another season, as there is so much more to tell. The way they left it, I really have no idea where they are going with the story. This season was a wild ride, with some really cool episodes. I think the one that stands out the most for me, was the episode where half of it was animated, as it was so unique. I wish the ratings were stronger for Fringe, as I would like to know that there could be many more years of it, but I am guessing we will be lucky to get 4.

Tags: Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader, Fringe, Pop Culture Fair, Ryan from Red 5 Collectibles, Tao tao, Thor

I realized it has been a few weeks since I have posted anything on my site. I guess all I can say is that I have been busy, I thought it would have been with moving, but unfortunately more with work.

The plan of mine was after I was done with my oncall schedule, that I would focus on getting ready for moving. I had done a bit of that, but so far, not as much as I would have liked. Unfortunately it seems like there is a lot going on at work, which in turn I have had to spend time working after hours. It seems every summer, people like to start up projects, that push into summer. I guess that frustrates me, as staffing is already short, and to me it just seems unfair for people to start up projects which mean that people have to work extra hours through the summer months. I just look at the suit tie people who start these up, and then ask for updates, and then jet away on their holidays, leaving others to meet their time-lines. With covering for holidays of others, and this added work, it makes what is supposed to be a great season, ultimately a miserable one.

Last summer I carried some anger, from both work and outside of work, and at the end, I felt I really missed out on the season. I am worrying I might fall into that mindset again, and I really don’t want to. It will be a busy summer, and I really don’t have time to brood about things. The past few weeks at work has been challenging, and at time it has gotten the better of me, but I have to stamp that out, and focus on the next few months. Work is there between 8 and 5, but after that, I don’t feel I am obligated to it, I have informed my management that I have other priorities. I may have let things creep in this week, but going forward, life after 5 is about different things. I informed who I needed to inform, and really is up to me to follow through with what is my priority right now, which is moving, and ultimately enjoying summer for the next few months. I can change me, as what is around me, I cant really, and some of those things I cant do anything about it regardless.

Last night I met up with a friend of mine, Dale, and he had the new series of Star Wars Kubricks. I had been looking forward to the series,and they look great. Dale also gave me a good price on the chase Commander Gree Kubrick, as I have a minor focus on the character after getting the Helmet a few years ago. The series was based on Episode 3 of Star Wars. They had Anakin, Darth Sideous, Clone Trooper, Darth Vader, Tarful and General Grievous. My only real complaint is the distribution of these. I get a box of these, and have extras, but in the past, they used to have at least 2 or each figure, except for 2. Now 3 of the 6 figures you only get one, and the others you get multiples. The break down for my box was 1 Anakin, 1 Darth Sideous, 1 Tarful, 2 General Grievous, 3 Darth Vader and 4 Clones. It might be that they have Clones in the set, as the last series was similar in breakdown, with a lot of Clones. I guess for me, I only really just like one of each, and before, the way they are distributed, there was more flexibility with the set. I guess I am getting an extra Clone instead of possibly an extra Anakin, Darth Sideous or Tarful. I am hoping if future series that they go back to maybe a more traditional distribution, as other series have had troopers, but never over filled with them. But regardless, I am excited about having these, and adding them to my others.

Tags: Anakin, Commander Gree, Dale, Darth Sideous, Darth Vader, Ep3 Clone Trooper, General Grievous, Star Wars Kubricks, Tarful, work

This weekend I did not much, past sit in my house for most of it. A bit cold outside, and some things have come up, which will probably make me stick close to home for the next few months. But I digress, this weekend there were a couple of races on TV. On Saturday evening I watched the IRL race from Texas. I will be honest it is not a race that I look forward to, given the high banks, the full throttle racing and the complete Nascar bias by the track administration does more then enough to turn me off. Anyways, I watched it, the few Champ car drivers left in the series were pretty much uncompetitive, highlighted by a second lap accident of Graham Rahal. The race ended with Helio Castroneves winning the race. On Sunday was the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix. Brawn GP continues their dominance of the season, with Jensen Button grabbing another Victory. This race was tough on the past World Champions as all 3 of them in the field could not get into the points. I guess my biggest complaint about both races was team orders, this is where teams dictate how their cars are to race ( or more correctly not race) In the IRL race, I was upset that Ryan Briscoe who was dominant for a good part of the race, ended up coming in second after a suspect yellow flag from the IRL, and then what I felt was favoritism on the part of his own team in terms of Castroneves. After the last pit stops, Castroneves got the front spot based off of where his pit stall was located. Team orders over the radio was for both drivers to not race, and put distance between them and team Target. Well by the time they had made some distance, Briscoe’s chance was pretty much gone, and I am sure he was told to just hold his spot. In the F1 race, not for the win, but for second place, the two Redbull drivers were told not to race as well. After some bad pit strategy, Sebastian Vettel was behind his team mate Mark Webber, at the end of the race, Vettel was coming on, but got the order that Webber was faster and to preserve the car. It was obvious to me that Vettel looked like he had something, but told to back off. I guess I felt frustrated, as in both instances, the faster driver was told to not challenge. I guess the IRL one really upset me the most, but it would be nice to go back to the days when people raced each other regardless of team. I understand not taking team mates out, but it really does take whatever excitement might be in the race, out.

This morning a friend of mine Dale, sent me an email about the next series of Star Wars Kubricks. This series will be based off of Episode III Revenge of the Sith. The series will include Anakin, Tarful, General Grievous, Darth Vader and a Episode 3 Clone Trooper. The chases are Tion Medden, Commander Gree and 4 arm version of General Grievous. Normally I don’t go for the chases, but this time, I really want a Commander Gree, to go with some of the other Gree items I have. It looks pretty cool, all the figures look cool, so I am excited for this to arrive. Dale said they should arrive in the next few weeks, and I am hoping the Canadian Dollar will keep strong.

Tags: Anakin, Commander Gree, Darth Vader, Formula 1, General Grievous, IndyCar, Star Wars Kubricks