Author: grasshopper

SGS: Looking Back at 2020

Posted on December 28, 2020 by grasshopper in Babylon 5, Geeky Sunday, Psi Corps

What a year this was! If you asked me one year ago how I thought 2020 would go, I’d have never predicted the burning dumpster that is actually 2020. And on that note, I can’t believe we are on the final Sunday of the year.

This week’s Seriously Geeky Sundays prompt is a fitting way to end the year, but keep your eyes peeled because I’ll be doing something special later this week!

I’ll be posting the Inaugural Grasshopper Awards: personal awards of fun for my favorite things I’ve stumbled upon this year!

27th December – 2020 in Fandoms

It’s the final SGS of the year and let’s be honest, 2020 has been awful. Our fandoms have gotten us through a lot this year and we’re here to celebrate them (and shame them) this week.

Which fandom was the highlight of your year?

The final season of Mr. Robot on Amazon Prime – As sad as I am to see the show end, I felt that they did an excellent job of wrapping things up, not to mention that BOMB of a twist! I think that was my favorite thing about the finale! I won’t post spoilers for those who have yet to watch the awesomeness that is Mr. Robot.

2. The NFL (lol!) There is something calming about putting a game of football on and letting it play in the background. I threw myself into it this year (I am literally typing this in a Jimmy G jersey and a George Kittle hoodie). I wore my 49ers beanie when I went out today and my 49ers apron when I was baking! It’s fun to fully immerse yourself into something like that because you can take a break from the ills of the world.

Which one surprised you the most?

Space Force on Netflix – I ended up laughing way more than I thought I would and loving the silliness of it all. It was a much needed break from the burning dumpster we’re all currently in.

Did you revisit an old fandom?

Babylon 5 – Namely my favorite black clad telepaths, Psi Cops. I drew a hell of a lot of Psi Corps fanart this year (when I looked back at my art, I was kind of surprised by *just* how much I revisited Babylon 5 and the Psi Corps).

What was the best new release of this year for you?

This is not going to surprise anyone. I mean, I dressed as a genderbent character from it for Halloween, ha ha!

The Boys – Season 2! Beyond the gore, the season explored important themes by weaving them into the story. We weren’t beat over the head with them, but instead experienced them through the characters. I am looking forward to Season 3!

What fandom was the biggest let down?

1. Netflix canceling Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. That show was so good. I hope Amazon picks it up (I mean all of the sets, props, and puppets must be stored somewhere…).

2. The injuries that plagued the 49ers at the beginning of the NFL season. I had such high hopes that we’d see another Big Game appearance this year, but…2020 reared its ugly head and took a fat-

You get the drift!

3. I’m not going to name this one, but I feel it’s worth mentioning to make a point. I tried liking it, really, I did! I even wrote little reviews to try to force myself to like it because it seems to be taboo to feel otherwise (there is a huge difference from casually not being into something and actively hating on it and harassing people every chance you get). I miss the days where you could have civil discussions, and disagreeing with someone wasn’t seen as being the enemy. There is a “You’re either with 100% of my opinions or you’re a horrible person” mentality now. I write this in hopes that there are others out there who feel the same way about this trend.

Who were your favourite characters of 2020?

Homelander – That magnificent bastard
Starlight
Queen Maeve
Kimiko
The Black Noir
A – Train – At this point, I just need to say almost everyone on the Boys, lol!
Elliot (Mr. Robot) – I relate to the hoodie wearing anxiety ridden introvert!

Seriously Secret Santa

Posted on December 13, 2020 by grasshopper in Geeky Sunday, High Castle

Today’s post is part of a Seriously Geeky Sundays secret Santa prompt exchange where we came up with 6 questions tailored to the person we got. Here are the questions I received; let’s dive right in!

1. Which fictional character’s wardrobe are you raiding for the Christmas party (just pretend we can have parties this year, haha!)?

It will always be the fabulous Helen Smith from The Man in the High Castle…in normal years, that is! I have been slowly adapting my wardrobe to be similar to hers since 2016. I would wear this beautiful red dress from Season 1. It is the perfect Christmas party dress!

2. Spending Christmas away from home can be fun, but what about really far away? Pick a fictional location in outer space (a planet, space ship, space station etc) to spend Christmas Day.

Deep Space Nine.

Just think of all the shenanigans I’d get up to with Dax, Kira, Quark, and Bashir! And of course Weyoun and Dukat would crash the party. Weyoun would be fascinated by the Christmas treats and gifts, and I can see Sisko dressing as Santa to give everyone presents (he would make an awesome Santa Claus). Dukat would pull some crazy stunt, forcing everyone into a hilarious adventure in order to restore things back to normal.

3. Sometimes it is nice to put your feet up and not worry about cooking. But which fictional character would you choose to cook Christmas dinner for you and would you invite them to your dinner after they have cooked it?

Captain Sisko and Helen Smith would be my cooking duo. They are happy to be invited to my Deep Space Nine Holiday Special. After Sisko prepares his dishes, he sneaks away to change into his Santa costume as Helen covers for him. She is in on the surprise and heads to the Christmas bar to grab a glass of sparkling cider from Quark. He tries to charge her for it, but Dax slaps him on the head. Helen smiles and takes her drink.

4. Are there any Christmas films you watch every year and do you have a favourite?

I’m afraid there aren’t any I watch every year as an adult. When I was a kid, it was Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I looked forward to visiting my dad every December and sitting in front of the TV to watch it year after year.

5. You’ve been bombarded with invites to New Year’s Eve parties by lots of different alien races. Which alien race will you choose to spend New Year’s with?

The Vorta (and Jem’Hadar) — The Founders instruct the Vorta to learn more about the Federation and its holidays, so they decide to throw an NYE bash, but they need my help. They have no idea how to plan it or what to do.

I invite them to Deep Space Nine, and laugh as their large, lavender eyes widen in that unique curiosity only the Vorta display. They tilt their heads as I show them the party decorations.

“It’s so shiny,” Weyoun says as he picks up a streamer. Keeven lifts up a glittery Happy New Year crown and promptly puts it on. He smirks.

6. You’ve been commissioned to design a set of Christmas cards for a fandom. Which fandom do you hope has commissioned you and what design ideas do you have?

The Man in the High Castle (to be commissioned something for them is one of my DREAMS). I made some cards set in their world:

A Very Wintery Sunday

Posted on December 6, 2020 by grasshopper in Geeky Sunday

Pack your bags, Grasshoppers! We’re taking a trip to the icy tundra that is the Antarctic. This week’s Seriously Geeky Sundays takes us to the edge of the world, the snowy unknown! Edge in the poetic sense of the world, and it pains me to have to clarify such an obvious metaphor, but there has been a resurfacing of Flat Earthers as of late.

6th December – Around the World in 8 Sundays – Winter Wonderland / Antarctica

There’s only one way to celebrate the coldest part of the world and that’s at Christmas. This week we’re combining Around the World in 8 Sundays with a celebration of all things wintery and christmassy in pop culture.

What is your favourite winter themed fandom?

Game of Thrones. I’ve always loved the first scene, especially the eerie snow forest. It was such a good opening because it was creepy, and it wouldn’t have been that way had it not taken place in a cold, wintery setting.

One of my all time favorite scenes in the show is when Daenerys flies her dragons across the wall to rescue Jon Snow. I am sorry but dragons flying in snow, roaring with their flames = BADASS.

Which ice/winter character do you like the most?

Last night I had a dream where I was in The Seven. I was a female version of Homelander (who tolerated me), but I also had the ability to wield and create ice the same way Elsa from Frozen does. Needless to say, it was a fun dream! Okay, now on to the actual question itself!

My favorite is everyone’s favorite MCU Frost Giant, Loki!

What is your favourite Christmas themed moment in a fandom?

You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!

There have been many incarnations of Santa over the years; which has been your favourite?

Kris Kringle from Miracle on 34th Street (1947). He was just so kind and fatherly!

Which winter themed creature is your favourite?

Thranduil’s elk. Just look at that majestic creature. Could you imagine riding into battle on him?

Queen Grasshopper rushes into battle, her arm raised as she ignites an icy spell. Shards of ice fall from the sky, penetrating the ranks of the orc army below.

If you could move to any snowy fictional place, which one would it be?

This is a tough one for me because I am a Summer Girl. I wouldn’t mind if it was 80 degrees all year round. If I had to pick a wintery place, it would have to be Hoelbrak in the Shiverpeak mountains from Guild Wars 2. I love their homesteads, and their fireplaces look so cozy and inviting–and much to my dismay, any screenshots I took are most likely on the remains of another hard drive.

Remembering this makes me want to play again, but I know it would take hours of endless updates (it’s been a long time!). I’m the type of person who gets annoyed when things get too hard or grindy, so I’ll make a million alts until they reach the same part of the game. I’m a bad MMOer, ha ha!

Around the World in 8 Sundays – The Americas

Posted on November 29, 2020 by grasshopper in Geeky Sunday, High Castle

Its our third trip here at Seriously Geeky Sundays! Today’s trip takes us to my world, the Americas!

Around the World in 8 Sundays – North America

Week three of our Around the World in 8 Sundays (a multi-week theme taking us around the world) takes us to North America as the United States celebrates Thanksgiving this week.

Who is your favourite Northern American character?

You know who I’m going to say. I’ll give you one guess….

What is your favourite film set in North America?

This is a tough one. There are so many I love and enjoy. It is hard to pick just one. I even looked at our collection of DvDs to try to make up my mind which one I like best! I’ll name a few favorites: Apollo 13, Our Tarantino collection, Thor, and The Avengers.

North American history features frequently in pop culture, which part do you feel is overdone and which do you wish was covered more?

I have a similar answer to @winstolf’s. And can I just say thank you, Winstolf, for the well thought out answer mixed with kindness? Thank you!

As much as I love reading and watching anything involving WWII, I am tired of how they portray soldiers as picture perfect cutouts with demi-god levels of aptitude and skill. And then there are the pointless love stories which always seem to be between two flawless people. They hardly ever have a strand of hair out of place, even in war zones, and are about as interesting as watching paint dry.

As for what I’d like to see more of, WWI. We need more WWI movies. I feel like it is often skipped over in favor of what will sell (WWII). I’d also like to see more alternate histories/realities like The Man in the High Castle and Handmaid’s Tale. I am a sucker for those!

North America tends to be seen as mainly just the US and Canada, which other countries do you recognize in fandoms?

There are a ton of great movies filmed in Mexico. My favorite would have to be Kill Bill: volumes 1 & 2. I am a huge Tarantino fan. His movies are fantastic! When I heard that he’d be directing the next Star Trek, I was elated. He knows how to make a good film. However, I don’t know if they’ll ever actually make the movie now because that was several years ago.

Although Hollywood is at the center of the entertainment industry, the Canadian entertainment industry is blooming. What is your favourite Canadian production?

Does The Man in the High Castle count? It was mostly filmed in Vancouver/Canada.

In 2019, I was in Vancouver for work and had the opportunity to walk to Smith’s headquarters. I still have the hand written directions and map I drew (I was not taking chances, ha ha!).

Broadway musicals are a national treasure in the US; do you like musicals?

I have never been a fan of musicals. Broadway is a national treasure to those who can afford it, and please don’t hate me for saying so! I mean no offense 😉 It’s just how I feel.

The only musical I have any interest in watching is Hamilton, and it would have to be live (I cannot sit still for a musical at home. The second someone starts belting out a tune, I’m done, ha ha!). With that being said, I enjoy certain songs from musicals as songs.

Gratitude and Content Creators

Posted on November 26, 2020 by grasshopper in Geeky Sunday

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving for those of us celebrating it in the U.S! Today’s rendition of Seriously Geeky Sundays, I mean Seriously Geeky Thanksgiving will focus on gratitude. 2020 is the year to be thankful for the little things (I’m always grateful, but this year more so than most).

22nd November – Small Screen Views

The small screen, the telly, the idiot box; the television has had many names and gone through many changes since 1926. Today we’re focusing on our small screen habits.

Do you watch much television?

As I sit here mentally going through my daily routine, I realized I don’t watch much TV day-to-day. With that being said, if I am painting or drawing, I’ll put something from YouTube on in the background. Yesterday’s YouTube adventure was NASA TV. The days before that were Everyday Astronaut’s live stream of Chang’e 5 Lunar launch (China) and NASASpaceflight‘s stream of SpaceX’s Starship static test fire (hmm…I’m starting to think there is a theme here).

Let’s give a shout out to the YouTube creators out there for providing hours upon hours of free entertainment and tutorials with a special appreciation for creators like Everyday Astronaut and NASASpaceflight for their hard work in providing coverage of rocket launches and all things SpaceX.

What genres do you like to watch?

I love shows that open up possibilities, shows that force the mind to wrap itself around different ways of seeing things, and shows that explore humanity at its core. The genres I tend to favor are science fiction, alternate history, and some fantasy (I am extremely picky with fantasy).

Everyone involved in my favorite shows have forever captivated me (and in some cases changed me for the better), and I will always be grateful for that.

What shows are you watching at the moment?

Turn on Netflix. It is so good! If you want a dramatic adventure show set during the Revolutionary War, Turn. Watch it for the side characters, not for Abe (sorry, but he’s the only character I don’t like. Simcoe and Rodgers are characters I love to hate, ha ha!).

Is there any TV shows that you like to rewatch?

The Man in the High Castle, of course!

I am always in the mood for a random episode of Star Trek (DS9, TNG, TOS episodes). It’s one of the things I love about episodic shows. You can just jump in and watch whatever episode you feel like it!

Do you watch TV shows live or stream?

I stream for the most part. The only thing I watch live is NFL games. As a matter of fact, I’m watching Thanksgiving football at this very moment!

What TV shows are you looking forward to the most?

Season 3 of The Boys!