OMG it's BSG @ EMP

Could this week get any more exciting?  From seeing Alan Wilder at the Triple Door to spotting Dave Matthews shopping for pet food to a weekend-long visit from my cousin Angela to the Battlestar Galactica Exhibition in Seattle--Woot!   The EMP/SFM is hosting this world premiere event that opened this weekend.  To kick things off, they had the creators of the original BSG and the re-imagined version as well as some of the notable actors on hand to celebrate and be on panels Saturday.  Since I never got to see them during the shows run at any of the comic cons or events, I felt this was my time to indulge.  It also coincided with Ken being out of town and Angela visiting.  But she offered to watch Sidney while I attended with Shannon who, I did not know until very recently, had seen the entire series and liked it.  Also accompanying us: Flat Stanley.

Overall, it's a great exhibit and such fun to see the props/costumes up close.  They also have several video stations set up rolling interviews of the creators and the actors about various topics regarding the series.  It gives a nice overview and pays homage to both series.  The panel was fun and while Bill Adama is a man of few words, Edward Olmos is not.  He did most of the talking.  But that's cool, he's quite accomplished.  I did get to ask a question of the panel which was "now that you worked on such an amazing project like BSG, how did/does it affect your future projects/work."  Kate Vernon admitted that sometimes, you just gotta pay the bills but at least they all had this amazing experience.  I tend to agree that there are moments in life where you know what you're doing won't be matched by another similar experience ever again.  I can only think of one other production of the caliber of the re-imagined BSG and that is the Lord of the Rings movies.

Something that bugged the s**t out of me during the panel was the presumptuous questions and behavior by some of the attendees.  This one guy started out his question with "I think I speak for everyone here..."  Dude, you don't speak for me so stop acting like you do.  You're in a room of 190 people (most of them you don't know) so just ask your question.  Second, hysterical girl who raised her hand with oh, oh, oh--like she's the teacher's pet answering history questions in 3rd grade. Then when she was called on she made a big production of wanting to ask two questions.  Lady, calm yourself.  Ask your *brief* questions and be seated.  I mean, yes, I was wearing a Frakking Magical Unicorn T-shirt but I know the rules.  Anyway, enjoy the pics from the new camera that excels in working under strained light conditions.  So say we all.

Flat Stanley went with us to the BSG Exhibition

Re-imagined BSG Galactica Model

Mark II Viper from Re-imagined BSG

The Red Dress

We saw people actually walking around in these suits...

David Bowie says to wear the eye patch.  

Starbuck's Dog Tags

Live Cylon Raider

In front of Apollo's Mark VII Viper

Back end of the Mark VII and a wide shot of part of the exhibit

Muffett the Daggett (robot dog) from the original BSG

Michael Hogan, Kate Vernon, Edward James Olmos, Richard Hatch

Ron Moore (writer/producer), Michael Hogan

At Home, At the Library and a word about Cameras

(Also on Sidney's Page)

These shots were taken with our new camera.  As a now die-hard point-and-shoot fan, I upgraded to the Powershot S95 which has the body and convenience of a small point-and-shoot but the adjustability and improved optics of a DSLR.  Things have come a long way for cameras since I began shooting in high school.  I used my dad's old Pentax (could hammer nails with it or drop it off a 2-story building) SLR with screw in lenses and film.  In those days, you had no idea if the film wound properly or if you metered right until it was all over.  

I know that I might get better photos with a true DLSR (and some good lenses) but as a participant and "first responder" in the daily life of Sidney, I can't have a bulky piece of equipment.  I've seen a few moms get spectacular photos of their children with good DSLR cameras but I honestly think for many people, it's more equipment than they need or can handle.   I get a little indignant when people think they need such a fancy piece of equipment for close-quarters, documentary-style, still-on-duty mom photography when a good point and shoot will more than suffice.  I have been very surprised by some of the pictures I've been able to take, many on this blog, where I've pushed the camera and taken some decent shots.  Now I hope to keep pushing with this camera to get the crispness and depth of field I've been missing.  

With these I was just starting to mess around with how the camera deals with dim lighting and multi-light sources.

Sidney shows off her many bows.

I call her bows "pretty hair" in an effort to persuade her to not pull them out.

Stacking cups are delicious.

Hanging out at the library.

Do you have a Rewards Card?

Tuesday I was in All The Best Pet Care on Market Street looking at kittens with Sidney and getting some cat treats.  We were one of two or three other customer groups in the store at the time.  As I'm ringing out, I spot a man on the far side of the store who looked like he just got out of bed and hadn't shaved for a few days.  And yet he looked oddly familiar...

I continued with my transaction as the woman who accompanied the gentleman was ringing out at the register next to me.  The salespeople were acting a little squirrelly.  I kept staring at bed head dude.

"Do you have a rewards card?" the cashier next to me asks the woman.
"Yes," she answered.
"What name would it be under?" the giddy cashier asked.
"Ashley Harper?" she offered.
"Hmm, not finding it.  Could it be under another name?" the cashier asked leadingly.

Oh I think, that guy looks just like Dave---

"How about Matthews?" Ashley offers.
"And first name would be?" the excited cashier asks.
"David--Dave," Ashley says exasperated and the cashier can't help but look a little proud of herself.  I stop staring at him and roll Sidney out the door.

Oh damn.  I even had my camera with me but notice my restraint.

Alan Wilder / Recoil / Favorite (Ex-)Depeche Moder @ The Triple Door

OMG, OMG, OMG

So we go to the Triple Door (Dinner & a Show venue where you sit down the entire time) to see my favorite former Depeche Mode keyboardist & arranger "play" his newer solo material. First thing to note is that there were two open Macs on a table, a huge screen behind them and no real musical instruments anywhere to be seen. But that doesn't matter. Electronic music is the current that runs through my soul and this show blew my mind. I felt a little sorry for Alan and his musical partner in crime because I think they are used to traditional music venues where everybody stands/dances and there is a frenetic energy that is generated which gives back to the performers. But in this venue, we'd clap, scream and raise our hands at song transitions then go back to eating our Seven Flavor Beef and Snow Peas. It was probably not optimum but it was SO intimate.

I loved being able to see the whole time and not having to get up on tip-toes like I usually have to do at a normal concert. From our seat we could see Alan's facial expressions so well and then--AND THEN--for the encore he motioned for people to stand up. People politely started doing that and then some even had the gall to walk to the front of the stage and (gasp) dance. I was one of them. I started at the back about 20 feet back and 4 rows of people deep. During Personal Jesus, I worked my way forward and danced at the stage like a teenager----and Alan almost touched my hand! I can die happy now. Great show. I was very pleasantly surprised and Ken was enjoying it too. So rad.

Oh and I didn't take any pictures because 1) I only had my crappy Android phone camera 2) I took cues from Ken and was fully in the moment, and oh, 3) I also got a signed program which has better pics than I could ever take. (Alan signed it before I bought it so I didn't get to talk to him.)