Eppu – Page 73 – Co-Geeking

How Easy It Is to Be Wrong about Early History on the Internet

September 14, 2015September 13, 2015Eppu1 Comment

Or: Some History behind Ostrich Riding, Part 1 of 7

Background: I ran into two historical images from California with ostriches used as transportation. That got me wondering about the history of ostrich riding. And that lead me down quite a rabbit hole.

I’ve divided my findings into separate posts (find them with the ostrich riding tag). Warning: serious early history and language nerdery ahead in Serious Academic Voice.

TL;DR – Tracing ostrich riding to a 3rd century BCE tomb find from Egypt is rubbish, but the concept is, indeed, ancient.

Below is the long story.

Continue reading →

Doctor Who Season 9 Kickoff Event in Theaters

September 10, 2015May 20, 2018Eppu

…aaand there’s more Doctor Who season 9 news I seem to have missed! Fathom Events has put together a 3d-showing of the two-part season 8 ender just in time before Doctor Who season 9 airs on BBC America (starting September 19th).

Doctor Who: Dark Water/Death in Heaven Trailer by Fathom Events

According to the Mashable article on the season kickoff event,

“BBC Worldwide and Fathom Events will broadcast a 3D version of Season 8’s two-part finale, ‘Dark Water’/’Death in Heaven,’ in approximately 700 movie theaters across the U.S. on Sept. 15 and 16. The screenings will also feature a special prequel scene for Doctor Who‘s Season 9 premiere (ambiguously titled ‘The Doctor’s Meditation’) and an exclusive interview with the Doctor and his companion themselves, Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman.”

File 770 reports that the exclusive interview is hosted by Wil Wheaton.

We went to see “The Day of the Doctor” event two years ago and it was great fun. As opposed to “The Day of the Doctor” event, though, this one doesn’t show a completely new story, but packages two already-aired episodes (that have been out on disc for a long time too) with two extra clips. Even the added gimmick of 3d is a repeat from “The Day” showing. While I (literally!) applaud celebrating the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special new story and movie event, this one smacks of a badly-disguised money grab. I’ll pass.

In the Seen on Screen occasional feature, we discuss movies and television shows of interest.

Doctor Who Season 9 Trailer

September 9, 2015September 9, 2015Eppu

Aah, I can’t believe I missed this: the official Doctor Who season 9 trailer has been out for two months!

Official Doctor Who Season 9 Trailer by BBC America

First jumble of thoughts: Production values look amazing! I don’t like this angry Doctor. What’s with Capaldi’s hair? Is that a dalek city? That’s definitely Missy. Electric guitar? Whoa – the Doctor wearing wedding bands – did I miss something? Yay, Maisie Williams!

Apart from that, I wish Moffat would either write only or produce only. When he tries to do both, the quality suffers. The episodes Moffat wrote for the seasons produced by Julie Gardner and Russel T. Davies were brilliant. Since then, he’s been mediocre at best.

Hey, look! We found a thing on the internet! We thought it was cool, and wanted to share it with you.

A Couple of Minions in the Metro

September 8, 2015September 4, 2015Eppu

A few months old now, but so great: this cosplaying dad on the way to the movies with his son, both decked out as Minions, deserves a hooray:

Such an easy look to put together: overalls, yellow t-shirt and bag, plus commercially available Minions goggles that won’t break the bank. Making memories doesn’t have to involve grand gestures!

In Making Stuff occasional feature, we share fun arts and crafts done by us and our fellow geeks and nerds.

A Star Trek Spin Pumps It Up

September 4, 2015August 31, 2015Eppu

I seem to be in a Star Trek frame of mind. Having just finished (re)watching all of TNG, I guess that’s to be expected. Here’s a new spin on “Pump Up the Volume” by MARRS á la every Star Trek franchise:

Star Trek Pump up the Volume MARRS by Vernon Wilmer Video. Found via Tor.com.

I’ve certainly been bobbing my head and tapping my foot to this!

Hey, look! We found a thing on the internet! We thought it was cool, and wanted to share it with you.

Fan-Made Doctor Strange Credits Sequence

August 28, 2015August 28, 2015Eppu

Alex Silver (of This Is Productions) made a charmingly comic-like Doctor Strange credits sequence that’s definitely worth seeing:

Doctor Strange Title Sequence from This Is Productions on Vimeo.

Found via Collider.

The actual dose of the Doctor is still a ways away – according to IMDB, the release date is November 04, 2016. I know next to nothing about the character nor the work of screenwriter Jon Spaihts or director Scott Derrickson, but I’ve enjoyed the work of confirmed actors Benedict Cumberbatch plus Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mads Mikkelsen (in negotiations). It remains to be seen how the movie will tie to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Hey, look! We found a thing on the internet! We thought it was cool, and wanted to share it with you.

Back to School with a Harry Potter Theme

August 26, 2015August 25, 2015Eppu4 Comments

Reddit user 86thdj shared their wife’s classroom, which she decorated with a Harry Potter theme. And it’s magical!

Reddit User 86thdj Imgur Potter Classroom1 — Reddit User 86thdj on Imgur

Reddit User 86thdj Imgur Potter Classroom2 — Reddit User 86thdj on Imgur

Reddit User 86thdj Imgur Potter Classroom3 — Reddit User 86thdj on Imgur

Reddit User 86thdj Imgur Potter Classroom4 — Reddit User 86thdj on Imgur

Make sure you see the rest of the photos on Imgur.

I just love the 9 ¾ door and the flying envelopes – very low effort but big impact. And that’s not all – first of all, every student will get their Hogwarts letter, and, later in the year, the kids will be quizzed and sorted into houses. The discussion on Reddit also touches on the kind of teaching that this room is meant for, so it should be helpful for other teachers.

Looks like it will be a lot of fun both for the teacher and the kids! I can’t but echo one of the commenters – “So awesome!! Keep being amazing!!”

In Making Stuff occasional feature, we share fun arts and crafts done by us and our fellow geeks and nerds.

Hugh Jackman to Play Odysseus?

August 25, 2015August 22, 2015Eppu1 Comment

Hugh Jackman might play the eponymous protagonist in the forthcoming Odyssey movie.

According to The Wrap,

“[…] Jackman doesn’t have a deal in place yet but has had multiple conversations with the filmmaking team about playing Odysseus, the hero of the film who embarks on a long voyage home following the conclusion of the Trojan War.”

I rather like Jackman’s work, and it also turns out he has actual Greek ancestry which is nice. (Too bad that Chris Sarandon, who also is of Greek issue, is too old now; he’d make a wonderful Dread Pirate Roberts Odysseus.)

Image: Hugh Jackman on Twitter

Hey, look! We found a thing on the internet! We thought it was cool, and wanted to share it with you.

OMG OMG OMG OMG – Worldcon 2017 in Helsinki!

August 22, 2015August 22, 2015Eppu

The biiiig thing in the SFF fandom this year has been the Hugo kerfuffle. Erik and I have followed and talked about it, but engaged more with the 2017 Worldcon campaign. Helsinki in 2017 is one of four bids, competing with D.C., Montreal, and Nippon.

I haven’t been involved with Worldcons before, but the prospect of a major international con in Finland, during our centennial of independence to boot, was just too good to pass. As a Finn and a part of the Finnish fandom, I know Finns put together smooth, professional, kick-ass events.

Site selection for the 2017 con was decided by voting among this year’s Worldcon members. Voting closed last night. Aaaaaand we won!

Congratulations @helsinkiin2017 – wins 2017 Worldcon outright with 52% 1st ballot. Results unofficial until Sat 10 AM #WSFSBM #Sasquan

— Kevin Standlee 💉x6 (@KevinStandlee) August 22, 2015

#Sasquan 2017 Site Selection: @helsinkiin2017 1363; @DCin17 878; Montreal 228; @Nippon_in_2017 120; Rest write-ins/oddballs

— Kevin Standlee 💉x6 (@KevinStandlee) August 22, 2015

Kermit flail!

At this writing, the results are still unofficial, but as they are undisputed, it’s pretty much a given that we’ll have a Finnish Worldcon.

I’m so, so happy for my compatriots and co-geeks, and thankful to everyone who voted and spread the word. We did it! Suurkiitos!

Disclaimer: I’m a supporter of the bid, and also sewed a bunch of items bearing the bid logo for the bid to give away. More at my business blog and Flickr.

Kermit flail image: Via Walker—Bait on Tumblr.