Author: grasshopper

SGS: Fictional Fathers

Posted on June 21, 2020 by grasshopper in Geeky Sunday, High Castle

Today is Father’s Day in the US. This is your reminder to call your dads 😉

June 21st – Father Figures

As it’s Father’s Day today, we’re celebrating the father figures in our fandoms. The good, the bad and the downright bonkers ones.

Who is your favourite fictional dad?

This should come as no surprise to anyone. Can I get a drum roll, please?

John Smith from The Man in the High Castle.

He loved his children and was willing to do anything to protect them. He was active in their lives, and can I just mention a certain scene in Season 4 where I always burst out laughing?

Jennifer has a male friend over and puts on an “illegal” record. Loud music permeates through the apartment as the two start dancing. Her sister Amy runs out of her room, and the two girls start screaming at each other. The friend follows them into the hallway, and the front door opens to reveal Smith walking into the apartment in the midst of the chaos.

Who is your favourite evil dad?

John Smith. Yes, he is evil.

Who is your favourite father figure/mentor?

Captain Sisko from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

I have always thought of him as a father figure. The bond between him and his son Jake was strong and unique. Sisko was always there for him. He always had something intelligent to say when Jake had questions (the scene where Jake says the Bajoran religion is stupid comes to mind. Sisko explains why they worship the prophets so that he can understand where Bajorans coming from).

Who is your favourite unconventional father/mentor?

Haymitch – is a father figure (in a way) to Peeta and Katniss. He’s ill tempered and brash, but he cares about them and does what he can within that dystopian world to ensure at least one of them survives.

What is your favourite child/father scene?

The scene in High Castle Season 2 where Smith takes Thomas to the lake with intentions of euthanizing him (sickening, I know). Thomas starts talking about normal worries and woes of teenage life, and the camera zooms in on Smith. You can see him make the decision to protect his son with the sudden, determined intensity in his posture. He wants his son to experience those teenage problems, teenage love, and life itself.

What is your favourite quote from a fandom about fathers/by a father?

I don’t have a favorite quote, but I do have a favorite episode based around a son’s love for his father (and vise versa).

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Visitor

I confess that it honestly took me forever to watch this episode because I knew I’d become a basket case, overwhelmed with emotion. When I finally watched it, I was glad I did. I know I’ll need a tissue box if I explain it, so I’m linking wikipedia’s synopsis.

I just got teary eyed trying to find a good screencap!

SGS: Captains

Posted on June 14, 2020 by grasshopper in Geeky Sunday, News

Be Kind & Code

There’s still a few days left to get your awesome t-shirt! It’s for a great cause!

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It’s time for another Seriously Geeky Sunday brought to you by the creative Heather at geeking-by.net

June 14th – Captain, My Captain

It’s Captain Picard’s birthday in two days and so today is dedicated to all the iconic captains in your life.

Who was the captain of your childhood?

I am an 80s child, so it goes without saying that it was Captain Planet! Captain Planet was serious business in the neighborhood for us kids. We’d pick a power, make tokens out of grass, leaves, and twigs, and fight evil! I think I always picked wind or water, but my memory fails me–however, I still remember the song!

Captain Planet, he’s a hero!
Gonna take pollution down to zero!

When you think about captains who is the first one to come to mind?

Picard, thanks to a certain friend of mine 😉

Who is your favourite fictional captain?

Does Bester count? I mean he is the commander of the Black Omegas….Okay, I’ll pick an official captain. Since I can’t decide which Star Trek captain is my favorite (they have so many good qualities in different ways), I’ll go with another show.

Camina Drummer, Tycho Station’s Belter head of security who later becomes captain of the OPAS Behemoth. She’s fierce, but she is loyal to those who deserve it. She doesn’t take crap from anyone.

As a side note, I want to say that I love the chaotic dynamic between her and Klaes Ashford!

Who is your favourite crew?

Hands down, DS9 Seasons 1 – 6 with Sisko, Kira, Jadzia Dax, Odo, O’Brien, Bashir, and Worf! The TNG crew comes to a close second in my book! They cared so much about each other and were like family.

What is your favourite ship?

The Rocinante from The Expanse – she is badass, highly maneuverable, and did I mention badass? I realize these are completely shallow reasons 😉

The last fandom you experienced has suddenly been cast at sea/into outer space. Who is the captain and who are their crewmates?

I’ve read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and am now working my way through rereading the original Hunger Games trilogy, so here is my Hunger Games crew!

Captain: Haymitch
First Officer: Peeta
Chief of Security: Katniss
Science Officer: Dr. Gaul (as long as she follows Federation law and does no harm). She’s highly intelligent and a capable scientist.
Doctor: Prim
Chief Engineer: Plutarch Heavensbee (what I said for Dr. Gaul goes for him too).
Helm/Pilot: Gale
Counselor: Tigris (from the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)
Chief Administrative Officer: Effie

And because I’ve done something like this for The Man in the High Castle in the past, here is some old crossover fanart:

SGS: Warriors

Posted on June 7, 2020 by grasshopper in Geeky Sunday, News

Before I dive into today’s Seriously Geeky Sunday prompt, I want to share a good cause!

Be Kind & Code

Let’s help empower African-American girls to become tomorrow’s programmers!

If you can’t participate, that’s okay! You can help out by sharing this fundraiser on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

June 7th – Warriors

On June 6th 1944 the Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy the start of a pivotal attack that was pivotal in ending World War II. Every story has monumental battles and warriors who fight for what they believe in and that’s what this week is all about.

What is the most pivotal fictional battle you can think of?

The Battle of the Pelennor Fields and the Battle of the Morannon from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. These are pivotal battles not because of their splendor on screen or in the books, but because of all the little things at play which turn the tide, most notably Frodo making it to Mount Doom where the ring is destroyed and Éowyn disguising herself as a man and killing Witch-King of Angmar.

Who is your favourite warrior?

Katniss Everdeen – I am rereading the Hunger Games trilogy, so she is fresh on my mind, but she has always been my favorite warrior type character ever since the books came out! She’s resourceful, smart, is badass with a bow, and has heart. As I said in my last post, I’ve held onto my Mockingjay necklace & pin all these years and still wear them!

Runners up include Juliana Crain and Bell Mallory!

Is there a fictional warrior caste do you admire?

The Minbari warrior caste from Babylon 5. What’s there not to love about spikes and black leather? 😉 On a serious note, I’ve always admired their stoic appearances and ability to get the upper hand. They don’t mask who they are under false pretenses.

The same goes for the Jem’Hadar from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

What is your favourite quote about battles?

 WAR IS PEACE
 FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
 IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
 ― George Orwell

If you could join a fictional fighting organisation what would it be?

Does the Psi Corps count? Because obviously I pick the Psi Corps, ha ha! Okay, okay, I’ll pick a fighting organization. I have to go with The Jedi Order. This dates back to when I was a child. I wanted to be Luke Skywalker so bad that I begged my dad for a “light sword,” and he made me one out of thick pieces of cardboard. I think I was the happiest 5 year old on the planet when he gave it to me!

I’ve always been fascinated by their powers, robes, and, of course, light sabers.

You’re able to learn one battle ability or spell for a day; what would it be?

Hands down, the ability to cast a Dragon Slave like Lina Inverse!

SGS: What makes you smile

Posted on May 31, 2020 by grasshopper in Geeky Sunday, News

Before I dive into today’s post, I want to remind everyone that, in times of tragedy, we must do something to try to make the world a better place instead of remaining silent.

Use whatever talents and abilities you have
Use what is available to you to make a difference
Always be kind

In memory of George Floyd

In memory of George Floyd, I’m donating the proceeds from everything in the Know Your Rights section of my Etsy store to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp.

You can also donate directly to Know Your Rights Camp.

Due to COVID-19, my access to the post office is none at the moment; I have to use flat rate priority shipping envelopes/pouches, so there is an $8 fee for shipping (included in the price).

31st – What makes you smile?

It’s time for another Seriously Geeky Sunday brought to you by the creative Heather at geeking-by.net!

What TV shows do you love?

The Man in the High Castle, and that should come as no surprise to anyone, ha ha!
Star Trek: Deep Space 9 and The Next Generation
The Orville: Give this show a chance. Ignore the trailer that was initially released for Season 1. The show has the perfect mixture of comedy and 90s era Star Trek! I can’t wait for the next season. Hulu is often bundled with other things for free, if you’re worried about paying a fee 😉
Babylon 5
Bosch
The Expanse
The Grand Tour

What are your favourite movie genres?

Science Fiction, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, and Fantasy

What do you like to read?

I just finished The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (I enjoyed it; it did its job of allowing me to escape reality for a little while!). I’m about to reread the original Hunger Games trilogy because I want to discover every last way the prequel ties into it.

I also enjoy alternate history novels like take a wild guess 😉 The Man in the High Castle.

What about games?

I haven’t had much time to delve into any video games lately, but I’ve enjoyed Star Trek Online and Guild Wars (1 & 2) in the past.

What geeky thing made you smile this week?

Finishing the Hunger Games prequel, breaking out my mockingjay necklace and wearing it again (I’m going to wear it today as a matter of fact!), and finishing a Loki drawing.

What quote always makes you smile?

We all have flaws, all of us. It makes us who we are.
Juliana Crain

SGS: Geek Pride!

Posted on May 24, 2020 by grasshopper in Alfred Bester, Geeky Sunday

It’s time for another Seriously Geeky Sunday brought to you by the creative Heather at geeking-by.net! I had so much fun with this one!

24th – Geek Pride

Tomorrow is Geek Pride Day and today’s questions are all about what being a geek means to you.

What is your Geek origin story? (How did you become a geek?)

I thought long and hard about this one, and it goes all the way back to high school. One of my friends was an avid manga/anime fan and introduced me to it.Her backpack was always full of manga, which she always let us borrow. I remember slipping manga inside my textbooks and reading them during class, ha ha!

Once we were hooked, she introduced us to Sailor Moon, and let my origin story begin! We gave each other nicknames and also a sailor scout. The nickname has stuck with me to this day!

Mishi

That’s right! That’s where my nickname came from. I feel like I’ve had it my entire life at this point!

My sailor scout was Sailor Neptune because of my wavy hair.

It all started from there. My inner geek had been unleashed, and there was no turning back!

What does being a geek mean to you?

EVERYTHING!

You should see my office/art studio! On one wall, we have Babylon 5 Psi Corps posters (including two autographed pieces from the man himself, Walter Koenig!), on one shelf is a family of tribbles, and on the wall to my left are sketches of Rufus Sewell as a Targaryen.

In the cabinet directly across from me is filled with Star Trek action figures and other various articles of geekdom. Downstairs, as you all know, is Club High Castle, my blog’s namesake. The club is filled with things I’ve made, painted, and collected over the past 5 years.

How do you express your geeky side?

In my art and how I dress (I feel like dressing in my retro style is a geekness all of its own).

What are some of your favourite geeky websites and places to shop? Before Think Geek was bought out, Think Geek

Amazon – Action figures, geeky attire–you name it!
Etsy – You can find almost anything on there because there are many talented artisans on that site! It’s where I got my Loki vest.
Unique Vintage – Not your typical geek aesthetic, but I want to say dressing the way I do is geeky in a fun, retro sort of way. My life-hack with Unique Vintage is to favorite something and wait for it to go on sale and then wait to buy it on sale because they sometimes email you coupon codes. I like to rack up the savings, ha ha!

Who are some of your favourite geeky celebrities?

I don’t follow celebrities’ personal lives, so I have no idea! I’ll have to name a few based on the characters they play and things they’ve said or done on stage.

Stephen Colbert – Mentions Lord of the Rings on his show a lot.
Tom Hiddleston – Made that badass appearance in full Loki costume AS Loki at Comic Con one year.
Dwight Schrute (I realize this is a character, but he’s realistic, so he’s on this list!).
Walter Koenig – has the biggest collection of Chekov action figures on the planet, and he is just awesome. I mean he played Bester! I’ve seen photos of him in a Psi Corps hat!

Who are some of your favourite geeky bloggers?

Everyone who joins in on the Seriously Geeky Sunday fun! I mean it! This has been so much fun discovering blogs and meeting people! I can’t wait to start reading everyone’s geek origin stories!