In the past month, Janice and I have started exploring our new neighborhood in Waltham, Massachusetts, and I’ve gone out to lunch a few times with co-workers.
I still miss the inclusive menus, unpretentious cooking, and all-hours convenience of the diners and delis in metropolitan New York. We occasionally ate breakfast or brunch at Fresco Café in Needham, and there is a Friendly’s near our new apartment. I’ve been to Wilson’s Diner, and I look forward to eventually checking out In a Pickle and Arcadia in downtown Waltham.
On a related note, since there is no Chipotle nearby, I’ll be checking out the various Latin American eateries on Waltham’s Moody Street for tasty, filling, and cheap burritos. Ixtapa Mexican Cantina in Lexington, Mass., is similar to Acapulco’s in quality, and I saw that there is a Border Café near the Burlington Mall. I found that the drinks at Margarita’s were better than the food.
Speaking of steak, we’ve celebrated many birthdays at Fuji in Needham, and I’ll have to look for another sushi/hibachi place. I tried to go to Takara Sushi in Newton with some co-workers last week, but we ended up at Bread & Chocolate instead. Speaking of cafés, in addition to the ubiquitous Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbuck’s, I’ll have to try Panera and Café on the Common.
I’ll also have to find a decent Chinese restaurant, hopefully one that delivers. There is no shortage of promising Indian restaurants in the area, including Waltham India Market, which has a small food court in its basement. I’ve enjoyed “fusion” Asian cuisine at Tom Can Cook, Elephant Walk, and Ponzu (I ate at the last of these yesterday with Beruk A.).
Speaking of dairy, I look forward to stopping by Lizzy’s Ice Cream as the weather gets warmer. Every town in New England has an ice cream parlor. I prefer gelato, sherbet, or frozen yogurt, however, because of my lactose intolerance. Janice and I will also have to find a decent bakery. So much to eat, so little time!
On Sunday, 25 March 2012, Janice and I attended an open house at Guard Up! in Burlington, Massachusetts. The staff was friendly and helpful, and we enjoyed the martial arts demonstrations.
The Nerf battles, role-playing, and stage combat were popular among youngsters, so I talked to an instructor about European historical combat training. I’ve been interested in swordplay for years and own several blades and wooden practice weapons, but I’m not especially familiar with the German longsword, short sword and buckler, or other fighting styles.
The kendo demonstration was impressive, but that Japanese form would probably require more energy and discipline than I would enjoy. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the fencing. I donned some protective gear and learned the most basic moves. I managed to work up a sweat, and I won in my sparring matches, albeit against an instructor who was going easy on me. The more formal classes have clear benchmarks on individual progress.
On the other hand, I’m not sure how interested I am in long-term competition. All the typical restraints or excuses apply — I’m starting in middle age, am out of shape, and am concerned about the time and expense. I also wonder how much contact there is in the historical weapons classes. I dabbled in the Society for Creative Anachronism back in college, but found myself a better archer than duelist.
-“Syzygy” [Brian W.]-Trinoid (trilateral amphibious alien) xenologist with an organic laboratory and a pet cat named “Mr. Sniffles”
-“Tela” [Sara F.]-female Tharian (winged gargoyle-like alien) escapee with boyfriend Kedar from the Encegulans, engineer
-“Chris McKee/Agent Prometheus” [Josh C.]-male Terran cyborg human sniper working for eugenicists at Black Box Security Co.
-“Aughest-vor…” [Jason E.R.]-male human from the Lemuria orbital city, onetime dilettante, solar-sail racer, pilot
-“Lt. Kevin Reese” [Bruce K.]-male Terran cyborg human, burned-out officer and explorer in the Interplanetary Patrol
-“Scoop Chang” [Rich C.G.]-male Jovian “near-human,” interstellar reporter kidnapped by the Olvar; psi interested in First Contacts
-“Tariq Asrad Saladin” [Beruk A./absent]-male Terran “near-human,” seeker of enlightenment and investigator met aboard the Ma’ari ship Cyan Horizon
-“Gombo Shisel” [Rich L./absent]-male Mongolian/Martian human, former horse rancher and wilderness survival expert
-“Dr. Bucket” [Non-Player Character]-United Earth Authority astromech robot assigned to the Blackbird
>>From the logs of Chris McKee/Agent Prometheus, 22 to 25 November 2194 A.D./C.E. or 0 Terran Galactic Era: About 40 light-years from Earth, the crew of the Blackbird encountered Encegulan slavers and a dangerous Zurmiz Krott probe while searching for a missing Kharvamid agent and access to a Precursor jump gate.
Back at the Regatta Hotel, our adventuring party conducted research into the Zurmiz Krott, a biomechanical monster with a bulbous body and three legs that inspired cannibalistic madness in people in Sector 6, the orbital habitat also known as “the Growing.”
Syzygy planned to meet again with fellow Trinoid scientist Selenium [Josh/N.P.C.], who, like Tela, wanted to study the xenoid’s (alien robot’s) remains. Tela and her Tharian boyfriend Kedar also hoped to get more advanced equipment while avoiding the slug-like Encegulans.
I can’t believe that Scoop Chang asked Aughest for firearms training. Of all the humans in our crew, Interplanetary Patrolman Lt. Kevin Reese, I as a Black Box agent, and probably even troubleshooter Tariq Asrad Saladin have more experience. I hope the journalist comes to his senses before he or the playboy gets hurt. Aughest, Scoop, and Tariq also checked the news, but we were fortunately not identified.
Kevin inquired about other humans at Oasis Station and wasn’t happy when he heard that Encegulans might have captured more. He contacted Nylca of clan Firehoof [Brian/N.P.C.] and asked to meet the Gustrall (orange-furred, antlered, flightless raptor) mercenary as soon as possible.
According to Oasis Station’s archives and the Olvar Star League database on the Blackbird, the Zarkonian Imperium had attacked various civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy’s Orion Arm thousands of years ago (in Terran time). About a century ago, the crustaceans reportedly resumed their incursions.
However, this time, the Zarkonians are moving more slowly, using more subtlety and making alliances. I’m convinced that something happened since the last time they expanded in this direction. Are they overextended? Have their goals changed? I’m still looking into it.
Syzygy searched for similar outbreaks of violence that might indicate Zurmiz Krott. Not surprisingly, diplomat Plorb [Beruk/N.P.C.] confirmed that some Aquarian (amphibious humanoid) colonies had experienced similar problems.
We verified that Hannah Nydari [Sara/N.P.C.], the Olvar (mammal-like arboreal alien) tourist whom Lt. Reese had rescued from the riot, was the Kharvamid Alliance spy we had been looking for. Only Scoop recognized her costume and plasma sword from an archaic Terran serial, and I have my doubts about the competence of her handlers.
We decided to again split up, with Aughest-vor, Syzygy, and Scoop (with camera robot EVE) publicly going to the solar-sail race. Tariq would keep watch on Kedar, Dr. Bucket, Mr. Sniffles, and Hannah on the Blackbird and coordinate our communications.
Kevin, Tela, and I planned to meet again with Nylca and other extraterrestrials to gain access to a contested Precursorjump gate….
><Translated from the Galactic Standard Linguacodes> Hello all, and welcome to the Swift Course Regatta! I’m Kgut, and this is Mtos. We’ll be your announcers for this race, and here are our racers:
-T’chlk Tcha [Rich/N.P.C.] is an Aquarian piloting the Heart of the Ocean, a vessel that resembles a blue fish, with solar sailsshaped like fins.
-Next up, we have Prada Deville [Sara/N.P.C.], the wealthy Gustrall owner/racer of the Crusher, a bright pink model with tailfins.
-By the Maker, what is that? Well, Mtos, according to the record, that’s Blurb [Brian/N.P.C.]. The slimy, multi-eyed Encegulan is flying an Olvar craft called the Eron. For those just listening to this broadcast, it’s a gray, spiky vehicle with a red star on it. Hey, Kgut, wasn’t there an Olvar pilot? Think the thing inside ate him? Well, Mtos, if that’s the case, let’s hope he likes spectators more than announcers!
-Look, it’s Lok-t’sha [Josh/N.P.C.], and he’s driving a spherical, web-covered racer! Mtos, did you know that the [spider-like] Nolath built that ship himself? Yes, I did, Kgut — he actually has a dedicated following among the gearheads in the crowd.
–Aughest-vor is the most interesting racer. He’s a member of a species that has just made First Contact with galactic societies, a “hooman” I believe it’s pronounced. He’ll be flying the Island of the Moon, a craft from his home system. It looks a bit like some sort of winged beast; it’s mostly sails, primitive gears, and rigging.
-We saved the best for last, folks! Kerenar [Bruce/N.P.C.] is the Ru’ulok [heavy-gravity reptilian] driver of the “Punisher,” a sleek, black powerhouse with white stenciling. He’s a seven-time winner of the regatta.
><The audio cuts to people cheering for a moment.>
Mtos, I heard that Kerenar will be selling virtual reality goggles with recordings of his run, thanks to his megacorp and Trade Guild sponsors. That’s right, Kgut, with exclusive views from his cockpit — get them after the race. And they’re off!
Just outside our observation lounge here in Sector 11, Aughest-vor flips his craft over and waves at Kerenar. There goes Kerenar, rolling the “Punisher” over and showing Aughest his tail pipe.
Prada fires off her glitter guns, giving her a little boost. The crowd loves that; you can hear them cheering. The Heart of the Ocean waves its fins, and Lok-t’sha extends his scull’s arms to get more sunlight. Blurb gets the Eron off to a jerky start.
They’re spiraling around Sector 12, “the Merging,” to the first obstacle. Pieces of metal extend out from the command station’s rim, blocking out the sun, so the contestants will have to coast on inertia. How old-fashioned!
Aughest-vor does well, using a so-called hypersolar burst [installed by engineer Tela] to slide to the edge of the course, but he’s joined by Kerenar, who’s also taking the outside hoping to catch some scant rays where the shade is least. What’s this? T’chlk T’cha has apparently grappled the “Punisher,” hoping to go forward. It looks like Blurb has pulled ahead.
What’s the next obstacle, Mtos? Well, Kgut, it’s an area mined with spheres that spray corrosive organic compounds. Whoa! Sorry to whoever bet on Blurb — he just crashed full-force into one of the mines. That’s right, Mtos, next time, try betting on a horror from beyond space and time that can drive. It looks like everyone else got out OK, if a little worse for wear.
And now, a brief message from our sponsors, providers of VR entertainment gear….
Welcome back. The solar skiffs are “threading the needle” through the crystalline spires of the “Shining Sisters,” Sector 1 of Oasis Station. The Island of the Moon has taken the lead, but Prada Deville isn’t far behind in the Crusher.
Lok-t’sha and Blurb are neck and neck, if either species had necks. Kerenar is still trying to shake T’chlk T’cha’s Heart of the Ocean. Our camera drones are showing the solar sailors nearing Zone 3, “the Hunting Lodge.”
What’s up next, Mtox? I believe it’s the Kutalrin, or robot sharks, Kgut. What about the lasers? No, those have been banned since an incident during the previous race. It looks like the Aquarian craft is flying right into a swarm of Kutalrin, and the crowd goes wild. Our condolences to T’chlk T’cha’s next of kin.
We’re at the final challenge, folks — inertial dampening force fields around “the Skies Below,” or Sector 9. Here comes Lok-t’sha, and ooh, right into the field. By the makers, Blurb has crashed the Eron right into the Nolath’s racer! I hope that both of them have insurance. Well, I hope that the Encegulan isn’t hungry!
While the Crusher also appears to be stuck amid monofilament tangles, the Island of the Moon and the “Punisher” are approaching … and Kerenar is our winner! <End station transmission, resume Agent Prometheus’ journal.>
Loser Aughest-vor had hoped for Boobulon or Olvar cheerleaders, but he had to accept Tela and Hannah as escorts back to our luxury suite after exchanging words with Kerenar. Kevin may think that this Ru’ulok is a “swell guy,” but my trigger finger was itchy.
Lt. Reese and I went to meet Nylca at the “Privateer’s Perch,” a dive bar in the xenoid-run “Rusted Link,” or Sector 10. We again negotiated for access to the faster-than-light jump gate, whose location wasn’t publicly known and which was being guarded because of contesting claims.
The fierce Gustrall had acquired a security pass key and said that Serenar, a scientist and Kerenar’s kinsman, and Turvel Dosk [Rich/N.P.C.], a Cestolar (literal-minded, badger-like alien) smuggler, had helped her. Nylca said she could get us close to the Precursor artifact, which we hoped to use to warn Earth of the Zarkonians.
We have other associates who may prove useful, but they’re not necessarily trustworthy. Ibor vos Talshun [Rich/N.P.C.], another Cestolar pilot, offered to help us. Kzp’trn [Jason/N.P.C.], a Nethian (insectoid) mechanic who had been searching for an “isoquantum fracture compensator,” was also at the “Privateer’s Perch.”
We were just finishing our drinks when Dr. Bucket radioed us — there had been an explosion in T’chlk T’cha’s rooms back in the Regatta Hotel. We met the rest of our crew at “the Swift Course,” and Lt. Reese got us permission to examine the area.
Initial forensics indicated that the blast was no accident, and even though the Aquarian racer had been killed by the Kutalrin, someone was sending his sponsor, Plorb, a message. The emissary’s whereabouts are unknown, so we’re going to search for him while Syzygy goes to meet Selenium. After that, we’re off to the jump gate….
Thanks, Brian, for hosting, and thanks, Josh, for your notes! I hope that everyone enjoyed our first “Vortex” session since Janice’s and my — and Josh & Sara’s — moves. The next Team 1game will be on Monday, 2 April 2012.
I recently screened Disney’s John Carter with Josh C. & Sara F. I saw the sword-and-planet movie again later with Janice, who was at a technical writing conference in Memphis this past week. She has also been busy with extra shifts as a volunteer at the Dedham animal shelter. All of us enjoyed the adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Barsoom” stories.
The movie is framed with scenes of a young Burroughs, played by Spy Kids‘ Daryl Sabara, being summoned to the estate of his late uncle, a world traveler and former Confederate cavalryman. Taylor Kitsch, from Friday Night Lights and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, is the eponymous Capt. Carter, who finds himself mysteriously transported from late 1860s Arizona to an inhabited Mars.
On the desert world, Carter encounters tribes of Tharks, four-armed green men, led by the honorable Tars Tharkas (voice and motion capture of Willem Defoe). Despite his initial reluctance to become involved in another civil war, Carter is soon entangled in the conflict between the city-states of Zodanga and Helium, both of which are populated by humanlike “red” Martians.
After meeting the beautiful scientist and princess Deja Thoris (played by X-Men Origins‘ Lynn Collins), Carter decides to fight Sab Than (Dominic West), the Jeddak (chieftan) of Zodanga, and Thern mystic Matai Shang (Mark Strong). He’s aided by Sola (Samantha Morton), the compassionate daughter of Tars Tharkas, and doglike calot Woola.
If this plot seems familiar, it’s because Burroughs created the template for the “planetaryromance,” which led to a century of space operas from Flash Gordon,Buck Rogers, and even Superman to Dune, Star Trek, and Star Wars to Stargate, Farscape, and Avatar. The lost but brave Earth man, the spunky princess and sidekicks, the honorable alien warriors, and the mystic duels have become clichés, but John Carter shows us the vitality of their source.
The actors seem to be enjoying themselves with the interplanetary swashbuckling. The script by Michael Chabon takes itself seriously, but not too seriously, with humor similar to that found in the original Star Wars or another pulp revival, The Mummy. I’m currently reading Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay for former co-worker Ken G.‘s “Escapists” book club.
Even in this age of computer-enhanced visuals, the Tharks’ facial expressions, the fleet-footed Woola and fierce white apes, the crawling city of Zodanga, and the steampunk airships were all impressively designed and rendered. The aliens interacted smoothly with the human actors. Despite the daunting amount of exposition required for such a movie, I thought that director Andrew Stanton, who also directed Pixar’s Wall-E, did a decent job of pacing.
The grand vistas include the rough-and-tumble frontier of the American west, the windswept deserts of Mars, the rain-soaked streets of New York, and soaring structures and ancient ruins of Barsoom. The soundtrack also evokes a lost age of adventure, although it’s not as memorable as the works of John Williams.
I’d give John Carter, which is rated PG-13 for violence, an 8.5 out of 10, four out of five stars, or an A-. Many critics have gleefully pointed out that Disney’s adaptation is somehow subject to the “curse of the Mars movies” and gotten less-than-stellar box office. However, I and other fans feel that many of their criticisms are unfair and typical of mainstream prejudice against genre entertainment.
The Secret World of Arrietty follows a 14-year-old girl who is a member of a diminutive family of “Borrowers” living beneath the country home of modern humans. Arrietty’s adventures are both charming and perilous, as she has bittersweet interactions with a human boy named Sean.
The U.S. English voice cast includes Amy Pohler and Carol Burnett, but the celebrity casting isn’t distracting. The movie may not be as action-packed or high-concept as other Miyazaki films, but it’s still entertaining and a nice antidote to the recent overload of loud, computer-animated flicks. Overall, I’d give The Secret World of Arrietty, which is rated G, 7.5 or 8 out of 10, four out of five stars, and a B+/A-.
In other animation, Janice and I recently watched our DVD of Azur and Asmar: the Princes’ Quest, which follows two boys from their childhood in medieval France to the deserts in search of a fairy princess. Like Sita Sings the Blues, my first impression of the flat computer animation was that it was crude, but the detail and style grew on me as the characters and story developed.
I thought the movie did a nice job of depicting the conflict and synergy of European, North African, Arabian, and Persian styles and folklore. I’d give Azur and Asmar an 8 out of 10, four out of five stars, and an A-.
One final item (for now) of news: Sadly, Jean Giraud, also known as Moebius — borrowed from the mathematician — died last week. I discovered his art years ago in Metal Hurlant/Heavy Metal magazine. As with the recently deceased RobertMcCall and Ralph McQuarrie, Moebius shaped generations of science fiction and fantasy creators and fans. Examples of Moebius’ influence include the distinctive looks of Alien, Blade Runner, Dune, The Fifth Element, Heavy Metal, Tron, and Willow. All of these artists will be missed, but their visions live on!
Gene's Worlds 