XXXV. Oh Beeb, What Have You Done?

Today is the first day that Doctor Who is absent from NetFlix and Hulu, and fans are just insanely mad. I can understand. The BBC said that they have plans for a 'NetFlix' like service in the near future and I am sure that Doctor Who is one of their big hopes to get subscribers, much like CBS is hoping for the new Star Trek.

NOW in doing this I do not understand one thing, they have BBC America, which shows the New Who almost every day, but we find less and less BBC programs on that channel, a waste to even call it BBC. Star Trek: the Next Generation is a fine show, but it ain't the Beeb. They do not need a pay service to show their library of programs, they have a source to do that now on cable and satellite.

So if they do a 'NetFlix' service will they make their vast library of programs available to a hungry US market that loves British TV? Will we have programs that we hear of but have never seen, or seen very little of? Programs like Blake's 7, Moonbase 3, Steptoe and Son, Z-Cars and Man About the House are just the start of a list that could be available to us Yanks so that we can understand what the fuss about these shows are about. Will it make available surviving episodes of series that disappeared because of the 'Great BBC Purge', shows like A for Andromeda and Sherlock Holmes?

Yes, yes, I do understand that the Beeb is under attack and is in fear of having most of its funding cut from the government, so a pay service is a nice way to garner income. I would think that in some ways BBC America would help in that area, but cable is a nasty market. So if they do go forward with this plan (and yes, this does excite me) they must make available content that would make it worthwhile and accessible to most streaming devices like AppleTV, Ruku and game consoles plus have it at an affordable price. 

So lets see what you have Beeb, it will be very interesting to see what the future has in store for us. Please do not disappoint.

Eirik Farwanderer

1 February, 2016 Anno Domini

XXXIV. The Wrath of Trek!

I have opened a Pandora's Box upon my household. I believe in showing new things to my daughters to expand their interests and do so whenever I can. Both girls wish to call themselves 'geek's' like me, so it was time to work on that.

Audrey (my step-daughter) was introduced and force fed Star Wars (no pun intended) by her father. He demanded that she would LOVE Star Wars no matter what, and she does. She is a Star Wars geek to the Nth degree. But whenever she tries to get too big for her britches and impose that she is the number one geekess in the household she gets slammed down by me, first generation Star Wars geek that has many more years of immersion under his Orson Welles sized belt. 

Kaitlyn tries to be a geek. She should be better at it with myself and her mother guiding her geekiness. But she lags quite a bit. She tries to embrace Star Wars but is still struggling. Her main love is the 'Warrior' series of cat books and I say good for her.

Both of these little darling have been lukewarm on Star Trek. I can understand why, they really did not have the proper Star Trek to build a love on. The several series of Trek started to really lack as time went on. Star Trek: The Next Generation was milk-toast, metrosexual, techno-babble, can't we just get along poo do. Roddenberry abandoned so much of what the original was about to pass an unreal message that all we have to do is talk and everyone will love us. That only works if the other people holding a phaser to you wants to talk. 

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine started out rather good, then in some sort of unimaginative, unneeded desperation went out and started to copy Babylon 5. I guess there was Space Station Envy going on, and for me as BOTH a Star Trek and Babylon 5 fan it kinda turned me off.

I won't even go into what drove me crazy about Star Trek: Voyager, a show that had the best pilot of the whole franchise and then just went into the wormhole right away.

Star Trek: Enterprise was that last gasp to bring back fans to the fold, and it fail. It was done by a team (like the other before mentioned) that really seemed to have a level of contempt for the original series .

And that is the problem: The team that drove Star Trek those many years just did not seem to understand what the original was about and did not even feel they had to. Hungry fans did not care, they were getting NEW Trek. I know, I was there and one of them. But Trek drifted away and now our kids just do not understand what this is all about, that is until you give them the best example of what Star Trek is about.

If there was one thing, ONE thing, that made me a die hard Star Trek fan it was 'The Wrath of Khan'. I was a lukewarm fan that really did not fully get it. Star Trek was not really on TV in my area at the time and 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' just made my mind numb. But when I saw 'The Wrath of Khan' it blew my mind. I understood what it was about and fell in love with these people. It was personal and deep. I hungered for Star Trek like I hungered for Star Wars, and it opened the window for me to enjoy other science-fiction that was out there. It is in my humble opinion the best Star Trek film hands down. 

So remembering the impact this movie had on me I decided to do to my daughters what was done to me. I sat them down and showed them 'Space Seed', the episode that introduces Khan to us, then I showed them 'The Wrath of Khan'. As was done to me, it was done to them. Their minds were blown away and now they starve for more of this drug 'Star Trek'. It was one of those small, proud moments of being a father, sharing something I loved with my kids and having them grab on and enjoy also. With that I hope more doors are opened up in their imagination and development that they grow with desire to experience this wonderful getaway called 'science-fiction'.

Eirik Farwanderer

14 May, 2012 Anno Domini

XXXIII. Oh My Giddy Aunt...

It was 25 years ago today that one of the great Doctors passed away. I remember the news like it was yesterday and could not believe it. I had met him about a half year before at the Armory in Minneapolis and found him a wonderful, gentle man. He took time with his fans, even making a personal effort to hear and answer a mentally handicapped lad's question personally during a public Q&A. His eyes alive and a spring in his step. That was why the news hit so hard when I heard - He seemed immortal.

About half his work on Doctor Who is lost, gone, destroyed. Missing are his gems that kept English kids hiding behind their couches with a giggle as he faced the greatest evils of the universe with impish glee. You could tell there was more to his character then his outward clownish image showed.

He had the hard job of taking over for the original, the one people saw from the beginning. Hard shoes to fill, so he threw them away and brought his own. He cut his own image and made the role his own. There was no looking back anymore, just heading forward. Week after week like a pied piper children and adults tuned in to see what new adventures he faced with a gleam in his eye.

When it was time for him to leave he was the one with the big shoes to fill and, like him, the one to follow threw them away to bring his own. Both were good friends and it showed when they appeared together for the tenth anniversary of the show, then again for the twentieth. He made one last appearance on the show about two years before his passing with another actor that had the role and his magic returned that had been missing for so long.

With the new generation of Doctor Who so many now do not really know him, or care. Why watch these old, cheesy black and white stories when we have this young man in a bow tie with great CGI effects they seem to say. But if it was not for him they would not have that. The show would have died LONG before their birth, and maybe even their parents birth. He was the clown before the clowns. He was the mystery before the mysteries. He was the first to be called Time Lord. He was the first to bring us to his home planet and face his people. He was the first to wear a bow tie! He was the first to so many children introduced to Doctor Who.

It was at Magnum Opus Con II in Georgia when he fell asleep doing what he loved best, entertaining. He embraced the fans in his latter years and found them a source of joy. I still remember that March day in 1987, just a few days after his 67th birthday. That was the day that Patrick Troughton left us.

Eirik Farwanderer
28 March, 2012 Anno Domini

XXXII. Turn on, tune in, drop out.

For longer then I care about I have had some form of massive pain in my back. I tease that it's my kids but the truth of the matter is that I was suffering from a lumbar herniated disc that was pressing against two nerves in an odd manner not normal to this type of injury. A little over a month ago, as of this writing, I had a lumbar microdiscectomy performed on me that came very close to a spinal fusion once my surgeon got in to see the mess inside.

For about three months before this I was trying different things with a pain clinic here in Chaska that just was not working. It may have if I had real doctors in the years leading up to this and not some mystic shaman throwing chicken bones in the air and telling me that the source of my problems were that I was too fat, getting old and that it was all in my stupid head (bitter, party of one). But now that it is all done and over with I look at the dangers beyond the damage done, and would have continue to have been done to mt back. That danger is the drugs.

I have always felt sorrow for those that became addicted to drugs via pain. Feeling pain for over ten years, and coming a point where I was crippled and could barely move because of it has one looking to find something to ease it, even if just a bit. Many doctors are quick to hand out these pain pills without follow up, or in older days not really know the true effects because of the lack of world wide knowledge. Many because of war and injury became hooked. Bela Lugosi. John F. Kennedy. Herman Goering. Yes, even monsters suffered real pain and needed ease.

I am one that does not enjoy the feel of being 'high' and cannot understand the desire to do so. BUT wait you might say, you enjoy beer! True, the taste and aroma of beer. That is why I am careful when partaking as not to become under the influence. The same with Single Malt Scotch. The thought of drinking to become drunk and stupid appalls me.

Now comes that time of weening. Easing back from these pain killers makes me so happy on many levels. Knowing that the pain is going that I am not a slave to narcotics is the major reason. I have my bad days now and then and need to return to the original doses, but my good days are becoming more and more with the lower doses. I have never used any illegal drugs in my life and care not to and along with that I do not wish to become addicted to the legal ones either.

Dr. Timothy Leary might have wanted the world to 'turn on, tune in and drop out' but how much would we lose without the ability to use our reason, logic, passion and wisdom? To live in a world of haze instead of clarity? Yes, the world is ugly now and then. It is bad. Bad things happen. Even pain. But we as humans are given a God given gift to raise up beyond that if we give ourselves enough credit to. That power is to quit looking at our failings and realize that there is higher purpose for us, even the 'littlest' of us, if we look past our own egos and see that there is a higher power driving us on. It is easy to fall into the world of haze when we feel alone. When we know we are not we can face each day with hope and happiness...

...and even at my highest level of pain my wife can attest that I had happiness, because all this is more then about me.

Eirik Farwanderer
10 March, 2012 Anno Domini.

XXXI. Satan and the Chief of Sinners.

In these times those that believe and have faith are being looked down upon more and more. Our belief in an "imaginary friend" mocks our 'simple' and closed mindset to such a point that many are now advocating that this, in and by itself, should exclude true Christians from decision making and holding of public office. How can we who believe in a 'creator' possibly be sane because we cannot walk in step with their secular thinking. More on these thoughts another time.

This then leads to the next level, the belief in evil and it's master Lucifer himself. Many who do believe in the Triune God do not believe in the Devil. Much of this has been from the sometimes comedic imagery of the silly man in a red suit dancing near a lake of lava with a pitchfork. He has been reduced to a level of goofy villain in the Christian 'Aesop's Fable' known the Bible, and Lucifer does not care. He does not mind that you do not believe in him, he only cares that you do not have faith in his enemy, God.

As this new age of 'enlightenment' continues we even doubt that there is true evil. Horrid crimes are committed and the masses look at it only as a tragedy, but will not label it as it should: Evil. Those that commit these vile acts are only called 'disturbed' and 'troubled' but the word 'evil' is never even considered. In this way of thought the violators of violent crimes are made to be on the same level as their victims, or even more so then the people they committed these wrongs to. The late President Ronald Reagan dared called the Godless Soviet Union what it was: EVIL! As he did so many were, and still are after all this time, a gasp at this even in light of the horrid and disgusting things this nation did to it's people, and most notably those whose faith was in the Lord.

We are in the end time, and have been since the death and resurrection of our Lord. We are warned that as time continues the bonds of the Devil will loosen and he will plague the world more and more. As he does so he tempts and make sin look more and more desirable. The lie that the 'Devil made me do it' is a vile distortion. The Devil CANNOT make anyone do anything. He tempts. He lies. He even tells the truth.

He tells the truth? How can this be? Because he tells us that sin is fun! It is enjoyable for those moments we commit them. Stealing from someone because we do not think they deserve it, so we take from them and give it others we feel should have it with prideful glee. Sleeping with multiple partners to scratch that sexual itch and taking pride in the notches in our headboard. Spreading vile distortions and gossip about someone because of your personal hate of them. Even striking them. We enjoy the moment, relish it! The Devil was RIGHT! THIS IS FUN! But he leaves out the guilt we feel, the remorse we feel after these deeds. We feel dirty and violated. The Devil told the truth, but not all of it.

Some embrace this, grab onto it. They do enjoy it all. They enjoy the power and glory they get. The fame. Even the feel of Earthly godhood. How major figures in history grabbed onto evil with relish and euphoria. Hitler. Stalin. Castro. Caesar. Pol Pot. Saddam Hussein. Gaddfi. These men, and their servants, grabbed onto Satan's coat tails and rode it to earthy might, and eternal death. On the 'lesser' level we have those who commit serial rape and murder, targeting women, boys and girls. Those that walk into their workplace or schools and murder, sometimes without a true reason. Gangs that roam the streets killing, stealing, selling drugs and raping. Madness it is called, but truly it is evil and the surrender to Satans lies.

I know that Lucifer is real. I have felt him. Heard his lies. Surrendered to them also. I have been a vile sinner, and still am. A Chief of Sinners. He has haunted me in my dreams, making me feel powerless and in bondage. He made me feel alone and abandoned. I gave into those lies, and distorted truth, he whispered into my ear. I enjoyed what I did when I did it! I fell away from God and did more then admired the old and false deities of my ancestors, I worshiped them! I cheated and betrayed! Left my wife for a Jezebel! Turned my back to God and like a whiny self entitled brat and blamed Him for my woes!

As I felt remorse he continued to lie. He told me I had fallen too far. I cannot go back. Then one Sunday as I sat in the back of church, trying to look good for image sake but ashamed to be in the house of God my pastor, Dr. Gary Zieroth, preached a sermon on forgiveness. He preached that we are forgiven and more importantly accept that forgiveness! That the Devil whispers into our ears that we cannot be saved, we are too horrid for forgiveness. This was the only time I got up and walked out on a sermon. Satan was lying so hard in my ear that in my mind I said that Pastor Zieroth was full of bovine excrement and what in Hades name does he know. How heavy my heart was with the sin I had done.

But somehow what Pastor Zieroth said rang in my head. And that ringing started to become louder and louder. No matter how much Satan yelled the ringing started to drown him out. I had told the Jezebel to leave, that I did not want to see her again. But my heart was still so heavy that I could not hold back tears until one day at work. I could not bear that pain and went to the bathroom and sat in tears, sobbing. I looked up and prayed. I begged for the forgiveness that I knew I did not deserve. Then it happened, A feeling I NEVER felt before. A total lifting and easing of my pain. The weight was off my heart, so much so I felt that I was flying! I asked for forgiveness from my former wife for my crime to her, which she gave.

Since then the Lord has blessed me. He sent another woman of faith my way and she is now my blessed wife. He granted me a wish and prayer I always had, strong faith like Pastor Zieroth. I still get plagued by Satan. When he has dared entered my dreams to make me feel powerless I now strike back, even grabbing him by the neck in my ire of his boldness. I have faltered and sinned as we all do, but I know that I am forgiven because of the great gift of God the Son and his death and resurrection.

The Devil maybe rising in power in the world as we approach the end time, but God is the super power. He has forgiven me, a Chief of Sinners. I will continue to serve him on this earth until I go home. So mock me if you may. That my belief makes me unable to be 'wise' enough in this world. That I only have an 'imaginary friend'. I know that this is the Devil and his lies and I KNOW the truth, for I have felt it.

Eirik Farwanderer
29 February, 2012 Anno Domini.

XXX. Fat Tuesday, Bock Wednesday.

Tis Fat Tuesday! Mardi Gras! Carnival! Shrove Tuesday! Fastnacht! The time to fatten up for the long 40 days of fasting and preparedness of Lent. This is the time in the Christian world where Jesus the Savior makes a grand exit for the sins of the world.

During this time many people, most notably Roman Catholics, give things up to help keep in mind the great sacrifice of the Lord. No meat on Friday (many still do this year round), something meaningful in life or even fasting.

Out of this tradition of fasting came a style of beer that many people turn their noses up at and have given wild stories about the origin: Bock! My favorite is that Bock Beer is the dregs cleaned out of the vats at the end of the year, which my grandfather still believes but needless to say is not true.

It was during this time in the 14th Century in Einbeck, Germany that monks came up with a loophole in this whole fasting thing. No food with hard work and praying makes for a dull monk. So being German they did what they knew best, brewed a heavy beer to help them through the day which they called 'Liquid Bread'. Dark, thick and heavy, it was not your guzzling beer. As time went along this beer was brewed in many fashions for the area it was made, but still being a dark heavy beer. There are some 'watered down' version for today's tastes, but it still has a darker colour to it.

So, why I am writing about this? Well, it's not only Catholics that give things up in this time. I myself am a good Missouri Synod Lutheran and I do this. Not because I HAVE to do it or that it will make me look better in the eyes of God. It's because I do believe that we need to do things to help remind us of why things are, traditions. Those that know me know that I LOVE beer. Not your weak, wimpy mass brewed water with 3.2% alcohol but beers with taste and body that is enjoyed for reasons other then the 'lets get buzzed fast and act stupid' purpose.

I am one who enjoys the British and Irish styles of beers from IPA's to Bitter. A Scotch ale to an Irish Porter. Yes, other styles of beer from around the world I drink, but these are my favorite. So when this time comes I forsake these all. ALL styles of beer save one: Bock.

Now people laugh at me when I say this. 'Oh, you really are not giving up anything! You still are having beer!' Yes, this is true. I still have beer. But for me I do not stay with a constant style of beer. In one sitting I may have two or three radically different styles because I do enjoy the variety. To be settled to only ONE style is taking much away. But also it helps remind me of the time of the year I am in. Of those that in their own ways served God. That out of an order of monks the man who started the Reformation and the church I belong to came. I do truly believe that Martin Luther did try to find a loophole in the Holy Supper so as to use beer instead of wine. Needless to say he didn't.

This last night of feasting and festivities will now lead into that time of reflection. Of Hosannas instead of Hallelujahs. A time to slow down and remember. I do ask those that do drink that fine brew of grain and are faithful to maybe do this thing also. To only take up Bock in this time to help you along these 40 days to that great exit made for us sinners.


Eirik Farwanderer
21 February, 2012 Anno Domini.

XXIX. I Think I'm a Clone Now.

I have just finished watching the entire 22 episode season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. I got it for Christmas and was thrilled as a geek boy could be to get the set. Sadly I do not have cable so I have been unable to catch the show regularly when it aired and have also missed the newest season so far.

As I watch the DVD's I ask myself why Lucas didn't do this for the prequel movies. Why did we have to muddle through Episode One when we could have had this sort of action and adventure. This is what Star Wars fans have been asking for. What the Clone Wars was about and the interaction, humor, action, thrills and eye candy that the 'original' trilogy gave us.

I remember as a kid wishing for something like this on Saturday morning TV: A great animated Star Wars show. What we got was Ewoks and Droids, which I can say was VERY disappointing. But The Clone Wars delivers in every way for me. It has everything I remember from the original trilogy plus more: JEDI's in full action.

For me television is a void of stupidity of late. 'Reality' shows, poorly written and acted dramas, unfunny sitcoms. Even staples like The Simpsons have been falling down more often then not. The episodes of Clone Wars are breathtaking. You can tell that this is done by people that not only enjoy the mythos of the Star Wars universe, but also enjoy doing great television. With every episode they wish to push it a little more and see what they can do and not rest on their laurels, as episodic television once did.

So I await a chance to catch the newest season when I can, or at least I will have to get the Season DVD when it comes out. But to let you in on one thing that I am most impressed with is that a CGI Anikan Skywalker is a FAR better actor then Hayden Christensen.


Eirik Farwanderer
2 January, 2010 Anno Domini.