BSG Direct to DVD Movie?

From the folks at GEEKMONTHLY.com

Despite declining ratings for Battlestar Galactica on SciFi Channel, nearly universal critical acclaim along with robust DVD sales have led Universal Home Video to consider greenlighting a Battlestar Galactica direct-to-video telefilm, which will presumably air on The SciFi Channel, after debuting on home video, sources tell Geek. If it goes forward, the two hour telefilm will shoot in March during the series hiatus and prior to the commencement of production on the series fourth season in June. While there is no story for the telefilm at present, plans are afoot to come up with a screenplay that doesn’t step on existing continuity for the series, but utilizes most of its existing sets. There is also speculation the telefilm will somehow tie into the mythology for the Galactica spin-off series, Caprica, which has not been officially greenlit by SciFi Channel.

For the rest of this story please go HERE!

I don't know what's worse; the fact that I care about this at all, or the fact that I know about GEEKMONTHLY.

Combat Artist

I have mentioned Kristopher Battles before, but he is back in Iraq and producing and posting his artwork with the Marines out in western Iraq. Go to Sketchpad Warrior and check his stuff out.

Photo Friday on a Saturday

It's Saturday morning where I am...Saddam's dead...and I happened upon a post by Skye that intrigued me. She has a link to PhotoFriday a website that features photgraphy...

Each week Photo Friday posts a photo assignment. Your mission is the creative interpretation of the week's theme. When you're done, post the picture you took to your website and submit your link to Photo Friday

So if you're into photography, and really who isn't these days? Head on over and check it out.

For those who are new to this site since I deployed...I like to play with the camera a little myself. Unfortunately the FUN POLICE have a thing about posting too much information...which is more than understandable to an extent. But as usual Uncle Sugar goes way overboard with it, due mainly to the idiots who spoil it for everyone.

So here is my submission for this week and every week because this pretty much sums up what we do every day all day every day till we come home....



Don't worry I took this two years ago and it in no way shape of form reveals anything about our mission other than we fly sometimes when the sun is rising or setting. For you Photo gear-heads I used a Nikon D2X and a 28-200 zoom lens to take that photo.


Sorry we weren't there to find that IED for you SPC Salzman we try our damnedest...but we never seem to find enough of them. Hang in there man...Get well soon!

Random Stuff...

At the end of the year people tend to assess where they have been and where they are going...this is going to be sorta like that, only not so much. This is a round up of stuff I have found interesting or funny or odd lately and haven't really seen the need to write about it till now.

AT LEAST ITS NOT RAINING!
I never thought I'd find a place with weather as strange as my home state of Texas...but here in this wonderful place they call Iraq (that I've now been blessed to have visited twice) they have Tejas beat hands down. The other night while I was flying it was raining mud (I imagine that the locust are not too far behind...don't know what I mean go back and read your Bible. :)) Just two months ago the temperature was well over 100F...today's low is expected to be in the twenties. I can say however that Iraq doesn't have "Blue Northers" and that's a good thing...although I can say that is pretty awesome to witness. But at least it's not snowing...yet.

BABE ON A T-SHIRT
I am hear to tell you that I can barely tread water, I don't surf, never have and never will...but a company called Local Motion Hawaii produces some of the best graphics I have ever seen. Whomever is their house artist was born just a little too late...if he/she had been around during the heyday of the pin-up he/she would have been in great demand. The artwork is awesome...and for those who don't want a Bikini clad woman on their beach wear they have other stuff as well. Great art, great shirts! Stickers too!

A BIG THANK YOU...
To the folks at Oakley and Surefire for making such great stuff. I don't think I could survive without my Oakley sunglasses (half wires...military model), although I don't think I will ever forgive them for discontinuing making the original "Frogskins"...you bastards! My Surefire "Aviator" is on its second trip to the sand box and has got to be the best flashlight I've ever owned. In a pinch it can be used to start small fires...damn that thing gets hot if you leave it on...and it goes through batteries like John Candy eating doughnuts...but other than that it's great. I'd say more, but I guess I've already given them my thanks by giving them more than a few of my hard earned bucks...thanks you greedy bastards! :) Ain't capitalism wonderful?


QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Overheard in the BN TOC: "Can we orient the omni-directional antenna more towards Baghdad?"

Girl Friday, 29 DEC 06....Guaranteed 100% Cylon Free

Playboy model Regan Yun has yet to take down the Christmas decorations, she's a bad, bad girl...have a great weekend and a Happy New Year.

Silent Night

00:00:01 25 DEC 06
Merry Christmas from Camp Taji, Iraq.

Just For BSG Fans...

The Captain Lee Adama 12" Action Figure is available to order HERE!

With the revival of the popular series, Battlestar Galactica on the Sci-Fi Channel, fans of the show can definitely appreciate this Captain Lee "Apollo" Adama 12-inch action figure! Bearing great resemblance to the actor who plays Captain Lee Adama, Jamie Bamber, this action figure is makes a perfect addition to any Battlestar Galactica fan's collection.

No word yet on if they will have the "ripped" and the "fat bastard" variant versions. This is surely good news for Skye as she can get a little BSG decoration for her desk soon.

Also no word yet on if they will have female Cylon night light/dolls that glow in the dark.

Girl Friday, 22 DEC 06

On the last Friday before Christmas, Playmate Lani Todd stops by to provide some holiday cheer.



Merry Christmas!

YOU TELL THEM I'M COMING...

So run, you cur... RUN! Tell all the other curs the law's comin'. You tell 'em I'M coming... and hell's coming with me, you hear?...



Hell's coming with me! (as long as we meet the requirements of current ROE)

Battlestar Galactica...In the Future We Will Only Do It Missionary Style

Just for Skye at Midnight Blue I am re-posting this piece (now with extra goodness) I wrote back in FEB when I first discovered the "NEW" Battlestar. Be advised for those not familiar with the show...I have some "SPOILERS" in there...

At the advice of some friends I have begun watching the new Battlestar Galactica that shows on the SF channel on Fridays.

I picked up Season 1 and Season 2.0 on DVD and after watching them some things have sprung to mind. Now I'm sure there are those out there who will say (quite understandably) that I am devoting too much thought to what is after all a TV show. I on the other hand respond that people who call themselves professionals (the TV writers) shouldn't be so sloppy or maybe lazy. Anyway here ya' go.

First of all for those not familiar with the new BG, the cylons come not only in the traditional metal robot form, but they have also learned how to make themselves female and hot(see pictures below). There are also male Cylons but to be honest who really gives a rip about them.



During the first episode of season 1 the blond Cylon (Number 6) has sex with one of the main characters (who sells out his own race by the way)...while this is happening we see the blond Cylon (El Numero 6) from behind and her spine is glowing red. Later in the season, the young lady named Boomer (played by Grace Park) has sex with one of her space pilot buddies...while this is happening we view Boomer from behind and her spine is glowing red...which of course lets us all know without a doubt that she's a Cylon.

This made me wonder, I guess they never do it doggie style or if they do the Cylon kills them right after like a praying mantis. Also I suppose they don't turn out the lights during sex. If they did you'd hear this in Boomer's bedroom or in the ships broom closet as the case may be;

"Hey honey, where's that light coming from?"

"What light?"

"There's a red light coming from somewhere."

"Must be the smoke detector."

"No wait, I've found it...it's coming from your spine. You must have swallowed my Surefire(TM) Flashlight or something because nothing human...wait a minute!"

(Sound of splintering bones)

You'd think with all that technology they be able to hide that whole glowing thing...but then I guess we're too stupid to figure out how to tell the machines from the humans without the glowing spine...and then I guess it just happens during sex, which presents an interesting conundrum.

The other thing I've noticed...it's pointed out at the beginning of every episode that there are about 50,000 human beings left in the entire universe. SO with that in mind how is it when the "President" has a press conference there are easily 20-30 reporters there. How many reporters do fifty thousand people need? I guess when the rescue ships picked up everyone that was left, weaselly reporters took seats that should have been for I don't know doctors, engineers or anyone who actually produces something useful. Yeah there are 20-30 reporters just hanging around but when the Captain of the Galactica gets shot...the only doctor is on another ship and unavailable.

Come on writers you're getting paid a living wage and you can't do any better than that?

Actually, I enjoy the show...at least till they started using obvious Iraq references that were supposed to make me "THINK". OUCH...it hurts when I do that...STOP IT, GALACTICA PEOPLE! I am supposed to be stupid and otherwise unemployable...that's why I joined the Army in the first place. Just give us what we want...more Cylon sex!

So there you go...

Girl Friday, 15 DEC

Hello, welcome to the weekend! Today's "Girl Friday" is Katcha Novak, a Euro Playboy Playmate who is stopping by to wish everyone a great weekend and a happy start to your holiday season.

A Question For The Group

If you haven't seen this video please view it.



Then tell me why it is alright for "Larry the Cable Guy" to make fun of white rednecks, Carlos Mencia to make fun of Latinos but it is deemed unacceptable by some to find this presentation humorous.

Maybe you don't find it funny...but does that make it racist? If this is out of bounds, does Dave Chapelle go too far? Did Richard Prior? How about Bill Cosby?

This doesn't have a great deal to do with my current situation in life other than someone I know got a talking to because they were watching this video...and laughing. Its interesting the things that people choose to get upset about when there is a war going on.

A Better Man Than Most...

I heard about these actions in a briefing the day this action occured. I'm glad this soldiers actions are being told to all now. If this doesn't warrant the Medal of Honor I don't know what does...

From CENTCOM

Hero sacrifices himself saving fellow Soldiers

Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq - Private First Class Ross A.
McGinnis packed only 136 pounds into his 6-foot frame, but few have ever
matched his inner strength.

McGinnis sacrificed himself in an act of supreme bravery on
Dec. 4, belying his status as the youngest Soldier in Company C, 1st
Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat
Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

The 19-year-old amateur mechanic from Knox, Pa., who enjoyed
poker and loud music, likely saved the lives of four Soldiers riding
with him on a mission in Baghdad.

McGinnis was manning the gunner's hatch when an insurgent tossed
a grenade from above. It flew past McGinnis and down through the hatch
before lodging near the radio.

His platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Cedric Thomas of Longview, Texas,
recalled what happened next.

"Pfc. McGinnis yelled 'Grenade...It's in the truck,'" Thomas
said. "I looked out of the corner of my eye as I was crouching down and
I saw him pin it down."

McGinnis did so even though he could have escaped.

"He had time to jump out of the truck," Thomas said. "He
chose not to."

Thomas remembered McGinnis talking about how he would
respond in such a situation. McGinnis said then he didn't know how he
would act, but when the time came, he delivered.

"He gave his life to save his crew and his platoon sergeant," Thomas
said. "He's a hero. He's a professional. He was just an awesome guy."

Three of the Soldiers with McGinnis who were wounded that day have
returned to duty, while a fourth is recovering in Germany.

For saving the lives of his friends and giving up his own in the
process, McGinnis earned the Silver Star, posthumously. His unit paid
their final respects in a somber ceremony here Dec. 11.

McGinnis was born June 14, 1987, and joined the Army right
after graduating high school in 2005. He had been in the Army 18 months
and made his mark even before his heroic deed.

"He was a good kid," said C Company's senior enlisted
Soldier, 1st Sgt. Kenneth J. Hendrix. "He had just gotten approved for a
waiver to be promoted to specialist."



He also appeared on the Nov. 30 cover of Stars & Stripes, manning his
turret.

Besides his military accomplishments, McGinnis leaves his
friends and family with memories of a fun-loving, loyal man.

Private First Class Brennan Beck, a 1-26 infantryman from
Lodi, Calif., said McGinnis made others feel better.

"He would go into a room and when he left, everyone was
laughing," Beck said. "He did impersonations of others in the company.
He was quick-witted, just hilarious. He loved making people laugh. He
was a comedian through and through."



While having a witty side, McGinnis took his job seriously.



"He was not a garrison Soldier. He hated it back in
garrison," Beck said. "He loved it here in Iraq. He loved being a
gunner. It was a thrill, he loved everything about it. He was one our
best Soldiers. He did a great job."

Beck has memories of talking all night with McGinnis about
where they wanted their lives to go, and said McGinnis always remembered
his friends.

"When I had my appendix removed, he was the only one who
visited me in the hospital," Beck said. "That meant a lot."

Another 1-26 infantryman, Private First ClassMichael Blair
of Klamath Falls, Ore., recalled that McGinnis helped him when he
arrived at Ledward Barracks in Schweinfurt, Germany.

"When I first came to the unit...he was there and took me in
and showed me around," Blair said. "He was real easy to talk to. You
could tell him anything. He was a funny guy. He was always making
somebody laugh."

McGinnis' final heroic act came as no surprise to Blair.

"He was that kind of person," Blair said. "He would rather
take it himself than have his buddies go down."

The brigade's senior noncommissioned officer, Command Sgt.
Maj. William Johnson, also had high praise for McGinnis.

"Anytime when you get a Soldier to do something like that -
to give his life to protect his fellow Soldiers - that's what heroes are
made of," Johnson said.

It also demonstrates, Johnson continued, that the 'MySpace
Generation' has what it takes to carry on the Army's proud traditions.

"Some think Soldiers who come in today are all about
themselves," Johnson said. "I see it differently."

The Silver Star has already been approved for McGinnis'
actions Dec.4, and will be awarded posthumously.

Christmas Comes to the FOB

The scene on my street in the worlds most exclusive trailer park today...We're going to have the "Happ...Happ...Happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny F@#king Kaye!"



It looks much more festive at night when all the lights are on...the neighbors down the street really put on a show...folks come from all across town just to see the nativity scene they've put up, it's totally awesome. Cars are lined up around the block just to see it. I hope we win the best decorated trailer award!

The Armed Forces Bowl

I recieved the following form the Texas Veterans Land Board via e-mail today...SPREAD THE WORD!
(If you are a vet and you live in Texas and you haven't checked out the Veterans Land Board you owe it to yourself to check it out...God Bless Texas!)

I want to let you know about a very special event. To honor Texas veterans, as well
as our active duty, reserve and national guard personnel, the organizers of the
former Fort Worth Bowl college football game have changed the name to the Bell
Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. The sole purpose of this change is to express
gratitude to all men and women who have proudly worn -- and who continue to wear --
the uniform of all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

I am inviting you to join with a host of veterans Saturday night, December 23rd, at
7:00 p.m. for a Star-Spangled Tribute at the Amon G. Carter Stadium on the campus of
Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to all of the patriotic
overtones of the bowl game and its surrounding events, each military branch will
shine alone in the spotlight for one quarter, and YOU will be asked to stand to
receive a well-deserved round of applause when the song signifying your branch of
service is played. Additionally, there will be military flyovers and displays of
military hardware on hand. The game will be televised on ESPN.

As a Vietnam veteran, I know how important it is for all of us to let our active
duty, reserve and national guard personnel know that we are behind them 100 percent.
I hope you will feel an obligation to be in attendance on December 23rd to say
"thanks" to our men and women currently serving, while at the same time receiving
the accolades that YOU so richly deserve.

As an incentive to attend this very special event, the bowl organizers are offering
a 50% discount on tickets to veterans and their families (up to four total tickets).
That is only $20 for a ticket to see a major college bowl game plus all of the
patriotic color and pageantry conducted before, during, and after the game. As an
added incentive, a generous portion of the ticket revenue will go to the Children of
Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund.

Please come say thanks...and come be thanked! For more information, you can contact
the Armed Forces Bowl at 817-810-0012 or visit www.armedforcesbowl.com, and they
will assign the best seats available to you. Please come join us at the in Fort
Worth at the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Saturday, December 23rd at 7:00 p.m.

See you at the game,
JERRY PATTERSON
Chairman, Texas Veterans Land Board

Girl Friday, 8 DEC 06

C


For those who have asked, no there won't be any Man Friday...at least while I'm in charge here. Besides I can assure you that you really don't want to see pictures of me or most of the people I work with.

If you want some man pictures...Skye at the blog Midnight Blue regularly entertains her readers with shots of the hunks from Battlestar Galactica, as well as pithy comments about current events.

Anyway...back to the task at hand!

Playmate Carmella DeCesare stops by to warm things up on a cold December day! Have a nice weekend we will thinking about you over here!

The Human Response

Once some of you finish reading this post you will say to yourself...does he ever do anything but go to the chow hall? Yes, I do, but the fun police won't let me write about it right now.

One of those human psychology types should come over to any FOB in Iraq and do a study. It's basically one of human nature and it's pretty damned funny to watch.

Imagine if you will, it's dinner time. The DFAC is full of soldiers "enjoying" their evening meal. In walks contractor X, who happens to be female, who also is dressed in civilian attire. Nothing flashy, nothing special, jeans and a blouse. As contractor X walks through the chow hall all male heads turn as if a wave is passing through the building. Many of us have remarked that contractor X isn't even "all that". Back in the states she wouldn't even warrant a remark if she passed you in a restaraunt...but in Iraq people are breaking their necks to turn and look.

Now it may be puzzling to some and to be honest I don't know or fully understand why this is but the chow hall also has quite a few female soldiers...none provoke that response. Are we so conditioned to accept the female soldier as just another soldier that we just ignore their sex? Judging from some unit's pregnancy rates, I guess not. After some thought I feel it's probably that she (contractor X) reminds us all of a little bit of home and that is what we all crave to get a look at.







That and men are just horn dogs.