My sci-fi background!

Hi everyone! This week we will be warping back into my own past and exploring my sci-fi background, my own little Memory Alpha if you will! This is to give you a sense of where my love of sci-fi comes from as it continues to grow, with my journey still continuing today.This is in the form of TV shows and movies I have seen. So without further ado lets get stuck in!

Star Wars.

My first taste of sci-fi as a kid when I was nine years old is owed to Star Wars. More specifically Episode 1: The Phatom Menace.

Movie advertisement for Star Wards Episode I: The Phantom Menace. 

I went to see it with my father and loved it, for all the colours and the sense of wonder it gave out with Anakin Skywalker as a boy going out into the world on an adventure. It appealed to my sense of enjoyment in life as a child of going out to the park and having fun with friends playing all sorts of different games and starting my own adventures.

Since then I have watched all the Star War movies, but the Phantom Menace was my first glimpse into the world of science fiction. Little did I realize at that time how much of an impact sci-fi would have on my life. It was the beginning of my journey so to speak! But one particular sci-fi movie made the biggest impact and was the first turning point in my life of growing up.

Independence Day.

I have viewed a few sci-fi movies in my time like Star Wars, but Independence Day is the movie that I remember and have watched the most over the years.

I first saw this back when I was a teenager of about thirteen or fourteen. This was a time where I was beginning to really find my place in the world and understand a movie beyond the picture with the colours and explosions. It's a movie that made me feel more safe and secure in an increasingly chaotic world.

With it's obvious, but wonderful messages about uniting together and seeing past our differences to face a threat (in this case aliens) and great fun roles models that helped save the world.

Left to right Will Smith, Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum 

They including Steven Hiller (Will Smith), David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) President Whitmore (Bill Pullman) and Russel Casse (Randy Quaid).

Randy Quaid.

They made me feel safe and at times of strife in my life was an important reminder that despite all our differences, we all need each other to get through challenges in life, facing them with friends and family at our side.

This was also the first time I came into contact with Star Trek (though I didn't know it at the time) through the excellent Brent Spiner who played Dr Okun!

Brent Spiner (Dr. Okun)

As you know he played Data back in The Next Generation TV series, which had finished two years before, He who would go on to become a favorite character and inspiring role model for me.

This of course leads me onto the biggest influence (and still continues to be) in my sci-fi journey, Star Trek!

Star Trek

The first sci-fi TV show I got into through Simon and my father Chas was of course Star Trek, specifically The Next Generation with the movies and then the TV show followed by Voyager to start off with!

This has had the largest influence in shaping who I am today and how I tried to look at the world with a more objective eye with doing things I had never considered before including blogging and podcasting! Star Trek in essence is the exploration of one-self and how we can evolve to become a better human being!

The franchise also became the benchmark that led me to delve into other Science Fiction shows, the next being a franchise as popular and even longer running than Star Trek, and of course that is Doctor Who!

Doctor Who.

My first glimpse into Doctor Who, which formed my interest in it are those wonderful nemesis of the Doctors! I am of course talking about the Daleks!

A Dalek!

I loved them from the way they looked to how they talked and said "Exterminate!" No, please don't exterminate me! I just like the way you guys say it and...anyway.

Soon after Simon encouraged me to delve myself into Doctor Who from the Christopher Eccleston/Billie Piper era, straight through to Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman!

Christopher Eccleston (The Doctor) and Billie Piper (Rose) Season 1  

   

Peter Calpadi (The Doctor) and Jenna Coleman (Clara) Season 8 

I have watched most of the Doctor Who episodes from these two Doctors and David Tenant. But I still have most of the Matt Smith episode to watch (Seasons 5-7). What I love about Doctor Who is the notion of the Doctor living for so many centuries and traveling around in the TARDIS (A really cool way to travel!) and helping others from different periods of time. whether far in the past or million of years into our future!

It gave so much scope and possibility with all the different people and species the Doctor and his Companion encountered from all walks of time, which made the universe so open ended!

Battlestar Galatica.

For me Battlestar Galatica (2004-2009) was the antithesis of Star Trek, whereas for the most part humans have achieved evolving and enlightenment and had found their place among the stars. BSG was humanity struggling to pick up the pieces after using machines (the Cylons) to enrich their lives. It backfired as they developed an intelligence and started a war against the humans for making them their slaves (like the Terminator franchise). Humanity was trying to find it place in the world by trying to find Earth, so they could begin again.

The Cast of Battlestar Galatica.  

I loved watching BSG on Netflix for all on offering a edgier, more conflict aspect to the world in which human may inhabit in future. But like Star Trek it showed that we as all humans do make mistakes and have to continue to learn from them. Through struggles and times of strife whether with others or ourselves we all want to leave a lasting legacy in the world and learn what it truly means to be human.

V

I have currently only watched the first season of what would only turn out to be two season series, which I think has been underrated. V had a lot of promise with an interesting premise of like Independence Day, aliens appearing on Earth, but making their “intentions” known of wanting to contact a new species and get to know and help them, whilst really infiltrating and planning to destroy human kind.

Interstellar.

Movie advertisement poster

This was a sci-fi movie that I saw last year and like Star Trek gave a wonderful message of hope with humans having the potential to achieve with the characteristics they have. 

Guardians of the Galaxy

The cast of Guardians of the Galaxy

This wonderfully fun, bizarre movie features a group of criminals who become unlikely heroes. I went to see this last year and had a whale of a time. With being not just it being a great summer blockbuster movie, it also has that great simple message, that some of us have it in us to change for the better for the wrongs we commit. It is possible for those who lose their way to come back again and make a difference for their past mistakes.

So that it's Treksters with my sci-fi background. I hope you enjoyed reading and gained some insight into what the world sci-fi has done for me, until next time...

This is Jamie from the Engage Podcast warping off into the unknown! Punch it!    

       

Simon: My science fiction background!



Hi guys
In the hopes of giving you a better understanding of who you're listening to, I thought I would help giving you an idea where my love for science fiction grew from!
It means that I will have to travel back in time, which has the risk of crossing into my own timeline (let's just hope I don't contaminate it!).
I know I've already used this trick before in the Convention Guide Post...but I thought it works quite well last time!

As you can imagine, I'm going to make a few changes to the formula...so instead of traveling in the Tardis (sorry Doctor Who fans) I'm going to be using the Enterprise-E (my favourite star ship) traversing through time via the Slingshot effect!!!



As some of you may be aware I had a quite turbulent childhood. Because during that period in my life I was being bullied at Primary school and my parents were getting divorced.

Which drew me towards science fiction and the positive morals, messages and meanings (thank you Mission Log Podcast) it has!

I think the first place I would take the ship back to is around 1993-1995 where...

my first encounter with science fiction starts! Although it's with a set shows originally produced in the 1960's...I am of course talking about Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Stingray!



These three shows were repeated in the early nineties paving the way for my love of the genre!

Trivia: My favourite Thunderbirds craft is Thunderbird 2!

With they're bright colours and they're wonderfully simple filming techniques interested me straight away! I think the fantastic craft they use (in particular Thunderbird 2) formed the foundation for my love of starships and their design!

Moving forward a few years to 1997, where I got to see...Star Wars! As in his ultimate wisdom (which is debatable!) George Lucas decided to remaster and re-release Episodes IV through VI in a Special Edition box set (which we owned). My love for starships and their design grew once again...when my Mum bought me multiple Galoob Action Fleet starships, which I imagined 'flying' them home in my hand! Along with those I also managed to get The Death Star Playset. To my knowledge they are all still in our loft!!!

 Trivia: My favourite Star Wars character is R2-D2!

Moving towards the noughties to around 1998. This is when the science fiction genre started to make an impact on an young impressionable Simon Cordell, as this is when I saw my first Star Trek: The Next Generation. I watched it every Wednesday night on BBC2 at 6pm, this lead me to buying Star Trek video's (which are still in our loft).
Around this time I also caught glimpses of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine on Thursday nights and Voyager on the Sunday nights.

Three years go by and we are introduced to  a new form of Star Trek, in the form of Enterprise! Not on the friendly Aunty Beeb (BBC) this time...but to Channel 4 where it ran modestly until the season four finale in 2006.

Trivia: Don't bring up "These are the voyages..." with Jamie, as it doesn't exist to him!

Trivia: Phil's favourite character is Marvin the robot!

Then another few years pass...until 2005 when The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was released in the cinema's. To me and Phil, this was something we had to see!
As both of our Dad's had heard the radio plays when they were younger, and encouraged us to see it. So I think we went and saw it in the cinema  (I can't remember...Phil?) and loved it!

We loved it so much, that we bought The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Trilogy of Four: A Trilogy in Four Parts, and then travelled up to London in order to visit the Science Museum's exhibition on the film.

2005 was also the year that  I was formally introduced to another British science fiction classic Doctor Who.


Trivia: The Tenth Doctor is my favourite!

It's not until 2006 when my love for Star Trek is rekindled, after painstakingly introducing Jamie to the Star Trek franchise! This took quite a while as Jamie had his own preconceptions about science fiction. Once that happened Though his subsequent discovery and enjoyment of the series meant that I could relive the thrill of exploring the franchise for the first time!
As I was initiating a new Trekkie I thought it was about time I reviewed some of my old preconceptions about Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Voyager. So we (me and Mum) started to buy the DVD box set's to both, which I watched from start to finish. This is where my 1998 conceptions evaporated.

Three years later (2009) a new form of Star Trek is revealed with Star Trek '09 (or if you prefer Star Trek XI). The first of the Abramsverse films, when I saw the film (3 times in total) I was always struck by the drastic changes made in the film. To point that I was just speechless, due to all the thoughts running around my head surrounding all the implications from the film!

The other amazing thing to come from this film is the fact that I managed to finally introduce Phil to the Star Trek franchise through by this film and playing Star Trek Online! Once again I felt the thrill of discovery coming from Phil!

A year (2010) goes by and another science fiction series arrives, this time it's the remake of V! A very overlooked series, which is well worth a watch...although I have got to admit that I've only seen the first season. Apart from that, I'm really glad I can add another 'string to my science fiction bow'!

2011 is when I finally got to see a series I was longing to get many hands on...I am of course talking about the remake of Battlestar Galactica.
Which (unlike the V remake) is a series that is not overlooked. if you haven't seen this series then definitely check it out, as you won't regret it at all!!!

Another twelve month's passes by, landing us in 2012. This the year that I finally saw the Remastered Star Trek: The Original Series Season three and Star Trek: The Animated Series.
Just like everyone else I assumed that season three was a lost cause...but watching it, and then hearing what morals, messages and meanings John Champion and Ken Ray got out of them. I don't think it deserves the reputation it has been given over the years!
The same is said about The Animated Series, as everyone think's it isn't part of cannon...but why not? It's got as much right to be a part of cannon as any other show! Well worth a watch, even if you only see it once!
This was also the year that the three of us attended Destination Star Trek London, which was absolutely amazing! It is hopes that at some point in time you'll be able to hear our 'practise' episode covering the event!!!

Going back to last year (2013) the big event that occurred in the Abramsverse was Star Trek Into Darkness, which...again I saw 3 times in total! This was the first Star Trek film I'd seen in the cinema with Phil and Jamie making it quite a big event for us. We were able to see it the second day of release, making us very excitable!
Just like Destination Star Trek London 2012, we recorded an episode giving our thoughts on the film. Which we hope you'll be able to hear sometime in the near future!

What can I say about 2014...well it's been quite a year!
In February I went alone to Destination Star Trek Germany in Frankfurt, which was absolutely awesome and amazing! If you were unfortunate not to go, then you missed out big time!!!

Met up with the lovely Trekkie Girls (hi girls!) while I was there, and ended up 'briefly' on stage at the Trek Radio's Transmitting Trek: Taking Entertainment to the Final Frontier talk on the Sunday. Once I got home we recorded an episode giving my opinions on the convention. Which we hope you'll be able sometime soon!

Last month we also attended Destination Star Trek 3, where we hosted our Borg Fan Panel (see The Engage Podcast at DST3 part 1) with the aid of our first 'Honouree' member of the podcast Neil Green (hi Neil!).

On the same day we also launched podcast, by covering all three days of the event...again will an episode giving our thoughts and feelings on the convention (see The Engage Podcast at DST3 part 2).

I hope you found this blog post interesting!
This is Simon from The Engage Podcast signing out!



The Engage Podcast's guide to conventions!

Hi guys
With DST3 days away, I thought it was a good idea to write down some useful tips for attending a convention!
Before I start, you maybe wondering "why is Simon in a position to give me advice on attending cons?"

In order to answer your question, I need to make use of The Doctor's TARDIS. Because I'm going to need to use a bit of time travel to explain it!

I think a good place to take the TARDIS back to first...would be between 2003-2005 (ish!).
As around that time, I attended quite a few small conventions with my Mum and Godfather, but they really aren't worth mentioning!

The second place the TARDIS would land, is 2010 where I attended London Film and Comic Con at Earls Court 2. This time I went with Jamie and his Dad...although we only went for a day so I didn't gleam much advice from that event either!

It's not until 2012 where me, Jamie and Phil attended our first Destination Star Trek event. Where my wealth of convention knowledge is formed. As we spend two enjoyable days up there covering the event!

Pop back into the TARDIS for one final trip. To February of this year, where I ventured over to Frankfurt for DSTG on my one man Away Team. This time I was able to envelop myself into the convention whole heartedly, making it possible to attend the convention for the full three days!

OK enough about me! Time for some convention tips!!!

Tip #1-Book early to avoid disappointment!

 

Depending on whether it is a convention abroad or in your home country, make sure you book your convention ticket (and additions) at your earliest opportunity. As this is quite an important part of your convention I would spend a lot of time researching what ticket you want.

Here are something's to think about for your convention ticket: 

• Price-fit your ticket around your budget...you will need money left over to enjoy the convention!
• Perks- does it have extra's you really want like Reserved Priority talk seating and exclusive content!
• 'Happiness'- I know this one sounds bonkers...but buy a ticket that will make you feel happy and comfortable while your at the convention. As if you pick the wrong ticket, you won't enjoy the experience as much!

 

 

This also goes for hotel rooms, as you don't want to be stuck in the expensive position of traveling to and from the convention everyday! 

Just like the convention ticket, I would recommend doing extensive research.

Here are something's to consider while choosing your convention hotel: 

• Distance from convention centre- make sure it's staggering distance away from the convention!
• Price- fit the hotel around your budget...and don't just book the first hotel you see!
• Parking- check the hotel has free parking...as you might be able to leave the car there, without spending money on expensive convention centre parking charges!
• Food- make sure your hotel has a restaurant or café...just encase you get a bit hungry after a busy day wandering around the convention! 

 Tip #2- Plan...but don't plan so you avoid disappointment...again!

 

This is another tip that sounds absolutely bonkers...organise your days at the event 'loosely'. As when your at a convention, you get in the mind-set that you have to see and do everything the convention offers. But in reality, you can't do it!!!

SO don't plan your convention days down to the minute...as trust me it will fall apart within ten minutes of you entering the convention!

My recommendation is to sort the events you want to see into different groups like:

The booked group- which are events you've already paid to see or do.

The quite like to see or do group- events your interesting in seeing or doing...if I get there in time!

 

I would also recommend buying all your (known) autograph/photo-shoot covers and autograph pictures on the day before the convention or if that's not possible the first day. As Then you can just put the picture into the cover straight away without having to worry about it getting damaged!

 

 Tip #3-Budget

Before the convention your going to give yourself a budget to live on in those hectic few days. From experience I would imagine that would be a pretty big sum. Although though my experiences, I've always found that you always spend a lot less than you anticipate.

So I would recommend that you budget high, spend low! This way you will feel a sense of achievement, when you discover you didn't spend the entirety of your budget!!!







 

Tip #4- Be sensible

At the convention your going to do an awful lot of walking, so it is in your best interest to wear sensible footwear! As by the end of day one (whenever that it) your going to feel very tired, and your feet are going hurt...a lot!!!

Like I say they are going to be extremely long days, so make sure you rest every now and then during the convention. As your body won't be able to keep up with everything your 'trying' to do.

Your body will also need plenty of sleep before each day of the convention. Listen to your body when this happens!!! 

Try to make time to do simple obvious things like having something to eat or going to the toilet...as the adrenaline makes you forget all about these important things. If you miss them then you could end up getting dehydrated making you faint. This unfortunately could make it possible for you to miss all the exciting things you want to do!

 

I think that's everything, enjoy the event and I hope you find this advice helpful for your convention expedition!

This is Simon from The Engage Podcast signing out!

Want to be an intergalactic bartender...but don't know how?!

Hi everyone
Have you ever seen a drink in a Science Fiction programme which you've always said to yourself "I'd love to try that drink sometime!".
Well your in luck as I've stumbled across a very interesting website that can tell you where you can get recipes to make that prized 'tipple' you've always longed for!!!

But if you'd rather get the recipes in a book then I would recommend that you buy yourself a book called The Intergalactic Bartender!

Jamie found out at Destination Star Trek London 2012 from a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine talk hosted by Casey Briggs (Damar) that the Cardassian drink Kanar was actually made from sugar-free maple syrup!
So if you've got any maple syrup lying around at home then pour a shot of that and you're already on your way to drinking like a Science Fiction character!!!

Klingon Blood Wine- Star Trek

This drink is typically served warm on the Klingon home world (Qo'noS or Kronos) with traditional Klingon food including Gagh, Pipius Claw and Rokeg Blood Pie. I must warn you than when drink Blood Wine you are likely to get drunk pretty easily! As it has double the potency as whisky!!!



Slurm- Futurama

The highly addictive soft drink from the animated show Futurama. In the show Fry gets so addicted to drinking it, that the crew end up winning a golden ticket to go and see the factory where it's produced...and yes it is a homage to Charlie and the chocolate factory! For all those interested the episode is called "Fry and the Slurm Factory" Season 2 Episode 4.


Romulan Ale- Star Trek

Another potent drink from Star Trek here, this time from the Romulan Empire! As the Federation and Romulan Empire are in an 'uneasy peace' the Federation end up banning Romulan Ale from their borders... so you know it's got to be good!
I think Phil and Jamie are going to 'try' to get me drunk from it at Destination Star Trek London 2014!


Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Ah...we're finally up to Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster! The effect of drinking it has been described as "having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon, wrapped round a large gold brick".
At least you'll be able to pay for the medical care you'll need after being hit by it, with the proceeds from selling the gold brick!!!


Mudder's Milk (Non-Alcoholic)- Firefly

A drink from the city of Canton on the Higgins' Moon where mud is the major export! This drink is said to have "all the protein, vitamins and carbs of your grandma's best turkey dinner". For the alcoholic version add "15 percent alcohol".




Moloko Plus- The Clockwork Orange

The illegal drink is sold at The Korova Milk Bar. For all those that don't speak Russian korova means cow. In The Clockwork Orange bar's rely on milk with 'special ingredients' like drugs (such as Moloko Plus).


Vitex Health Drink- Doctor Who

Vitex Health Drink is created in a parallel universe Earth by the father of former companion Rose Tyler. In Rose's universe her father (Pete) was killed...whereas in the parallel universe he is still alive. In the parallel universe he has become extremely successful making him a millionaire. For all those interested the episodes are called "Rise of the Cybermen" and "The Age of Steel" Season 2 Episode 5-6.




Ambrosa/Ambrosia- Battlestar Galactica television series

A drink produced in prison labour camps, and distilled for a hundred years. The drink is also mentioned in Greek mythology, because it was said to be the food of the Olympian gods, made out of nectar, conferring immortality on those who ate it. If you want to drink like a god then this is the drink for you!!!



If you want to find out more information please visit:
http://www.thegeektwins.com/2012/08/how-to-make-eight-fake-sci-fi-drinks.html#.U7YWRcIg_cs

And if you would like to purchase The Intergalactic Bartender book then please visit:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Star-Trek-THE-INTERGALACTIC-BARTENDER-Boldly-Go-/350432155807?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519762589f