My Firefly...

As many of you know, my 18th birthday was a week ago on Wednesday, October 4th. Among some of the wonderful gifts I recieved, which included Linkin Park Meteora, The Smashing Pumpkin's Greatest Hits, a new computer screen (a flat screen!), clothes, and many other things that I can't recall at this moment, I was lucky enough to get the full season of Firefly on DVD.

For some of you who don't know exactly what Firefly is (yes, if your thinking about Serenity the movie, you're on the right path), here's a brief over view courtesy of Wiklipedia...because I'm too lazy to type it out myself:

"Firefly is an American science fiction television program that premiered in the United States and Canada on September 20, 2002. It presents a science fiction narrative in a naturalistic future setting modeled after traditional Western movie motifs. It was conceived by writer/director Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, who served as executive producer with Tim Minear.

Firefly was broadcast on the FOX network but was cancelled after only eleven of the fourteen produced episodes were aired. It won an Emmy in 2003 for "Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series." Strong sales of the series' DVD collection and an unprecedented fan support campaign led Whedon and Universal Pictures to produce a film based on the series, titled Serenity after the fictional spacecraft featured in the show.

The series is set in 2517 AD and deals with the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a Firefly-class spaceship. It features an ensemble cast of nine regular members who wound up on Serenity for various reasons (Joss Whedon describes this as 'nine people looking into the blackness of space and seeing nine different things'). The show explores what happens to people who fought on the losing side of a civil war, as well as the pioneer/frontier culture that exists on the fringes of their star system. To add a twist, it is a future where the only two surviving superpowers are the United States and China (which formed the Alliance), so it is rife with cultural fusion. According to Whedon, nothing has changed in the future: there are more people with greater technology, but they still have the same problems politically, morally and ethically."

Okay, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a total and utter Sci-fi nut! Especially when it comes to Firefly...it's like an old western film meets space! It totally rocks!

Anyways, one of the reasons it's so great is the wonderful characters Whedon has developed, you just can't get enough of them.

The Cast (once again courtesy of Wikipedia) :
"Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds, played by Nathan Fillion, is Serenity's captain and former Independent sergeant in the pivotal Battle of Serenity Valley." He really makes the show...and Nathan says that he's a Lutheran...you kind of just have to see it to understand.

"Zoë Alleyne Washburne, played by Gina Torres, is second-in-command onboard Serenity, loyal wartime friend of Captain Reynolds, and wife to Wash." I found it great that they actually have a married couple...so few shows do that now adays.

"Hoban "Wash" Washburne, played by Alan Tudyk, is Serenity's gifted pilot and Zoë's somewhat timid husband." OMGosh Wash rocks! He really is a guy that you just can't help but love. After getting to know him in Firefly it makes Serenity that much more devastating.

"Inara Serra, played by Morena Baccarin, is a Companion, which is the 26th century equivalent of a courtesan or geisha. Like her Renaissance counterparts, Inara enjoys high social standing." Okay, this is the only character I really don't like...if you didn't understand what all that meant, then let me paraphrase for you: She's a prostitute. Yeah, I know...not so good...but, hey, all shows have got to have somethin' wrong with them.

"Jayne Cobb, played by Adam Baldwin, is the hired muscle. He joined the crew for mercenary reasons, is often the "main gun" for jobs and is someone that can be depended on in a fight. He is a "lummox" but thinks he is the smartest guy in space. As Whedon states several times, he is the person that will ask the questions that no one else wants to talk about." And does he ever ask those questions...and let me tell you, he's the one character that's hard to figure out...just when you think you know what he's going to do he goes and throws you for a loop. It annoys me to no end.

"Kaywinnit Lee "Kaylee" Frye, played by Jewel Staite, is the ship's mechanic. In the episode "Out of Gas", it is established that she has no formal training, but keeps Serenityrunning with an intuitive gift for the workings of mechanical equipment. A carefree and bubbly young woman, Kaylee has a crush on Dr. Simon Tam. Kaylee's character is the soul of the ship: According to creator Joss Whedon, if Kaylee believes something, it is true." I think that's really it about her...couldn't have said it better myself.

"Dr. Simon Tam, played by Sean Maher, is a medical researcher and trauma surgeon of the first caliber (top 3% in his class at a top core planet institution), who is on the run after breaking his sister River out of a government research facility. His bumbling attempts at a relationship with Kaylee are a recurring subplot throughout the series, and at every turn he seems to find a way to unwittingly foil his own romantic desires. His life is defined by caring for his sister." Once again, enough said.

"River Tam, played by Summer Glau, was smuggled onto the ship by her brother. River is a child prodigy of unparalleled genius, but she was experimented upon at the hands of Alliance doctors, leaving her delusional and erratic. Her personal journey of self-discovery is a running theme throughout the series and the movie. River's forgotten and/or repressed memories reveal themselves to her over time and are often brought back to her by sights and sounds that refresh her memory, or current, pressing needs. Over time, she also regains control over physical as well as mental abilities (training?) momentarily lost to her." Did you know the actress was actually a ballet dancer! Of course, I find that cool ;-)

"Derrial Book, played by Ron Glass, is a "Shepherd", which is the equivalent of a reverend, minister or pastor." Know this character is also a total different...and totally more than meets the eye. I actually like him because it's one of the few times that anyone with a "Pastoral" status is portrayed as a likeable character.

Anyways...now that I've bored you with all these details, you should really go out and rent the series. Although, I don't recommend it for younger audiences...it does have some Adult content. Also, you should really see Serenity too, if you haven't already had the pleasure of watching that wonderful film.

Top Gun

Yesterday has got to have been one of the funnest days I've had since the start of the school year, because I had the wonderful chance to go to the Alliance Air Show. Every year the local Joint Reserve Naval Air base puts on a air show. This year they combined it with the Alliance Airport's air show and gave everyone a chance to come out and see all the airplanes for free (if you don't count the 10 dollar fee for parking). Luckily, since my dad got some special armbands from his work, we where allowed to sit in the Lockheed section, which had a tent for shade in the morning and plenty of chairs. It was also positioned right in the middle of all the action, so we got a great view.

The air show had some of the coolest airplanes on display, including a American Airlines jet, World War I and II planes, different military transport and bombing planes, an F-15, F-18, MiG-15, and a couple F-16s (the planes my dad works on). They also had a really cool air acrobatic act, including the Bulldog...which was soooooo totally cool.

The Air show also included a F-15, which was amazing to watch...now let me tell you, nothing compares to the sound and the feel of one of those planes taking off (all though my mom does say the plane she used to work on in the Air Force where much louder). The ground shakes and you can just feel your heart pounding as the plane rumbles down the runway. You might think I'm crazy for thinking that was fun, but trust me, you have to experience it for yourself before you judge.

Also they had a F-18 fly, which is actually a naval aircraft since they are designed to land on aircraft carriers. It was quite neat because they showcased a one of the first naval airplanes along with the F-18, as a tribute to all those who served in the navy.

After that, they had a reenactment of Pearl Harbor, including planes of that era and mock bombs. It was quite touching to remember all those men and women who served and fought for the protection of our country. Did you know that, due to the lack of training, the average pilot did not live through more than two weeks of air battles. I found that an amazing and heart wrenching little fact.

Probably my second favorite part of the day was watching the F-16 from Lockheed Martin take to the air in all its glory. I have to say it made the F-15 and 18 look like nothing. It has some of the best maneuverability out of any of our modern planes. Boy, is it one cool fighter jet. I know the JSF is supposed to be the next top of the line plane...but I think I'll always love the F-16 and think of it as the best. The Air Force also had a special memorial flight, which included the F-16, F-15, and an older air force plane...it was quite amazing to think of how far this country has come in avionics.

But, probably the highlight and best part of the show was when the Thunderbirds took to the air. If you have no clue what the Thunderbirds are...then your missing out on an amazing airforce tradition. The Thunderbirds are the most elite group of pilots, flying the coolest Top Gun jet in the world, the F-16 Fighting Falcon (or the Viper as the pilots like to call it). The skill and pride of this US military tradition was moving, and inspiring. Most of the pictures up on this post are of the Thunderbirds taking to the air and performing some of the coolest flying stunts, including the bomb burst which is probably one of their most well known moves. (If you want the Thunderbirds history in a easier version and more cool pictures go here.)

Overall, I loved the Air Show and can't wait to go back next year. I now have a weirdly uneven sunburn, but it was well worth it! I'll just have to remember to wear more sunblock next year... ;-)