Brother Can You Spare $10 Trillion

There is a fairly new television/satellite network called G4. It more or less another Spike TV, geared for men and/or the younger crowd. A big part of their programming is Star Trek, in which they have created Star Trek 2.0. It's a totally interactive way of watching Capt. Kirk and crew. It keeps statistics on how many "red shirts" die, how many times Spock says "fascinating" or how many times Dr. "Bones" McCoy says "He's dead, Jim." There also a chat room to discuss while watching. And among this Star Trek 2.0 is the Spock Market.

The Spock Market is really a mock stock market based upon conventions, utilities, equipment and characters in the Star Trek television show. Since the end of April, I've amassed over $10 Trillion Federation Dollars. I'm in the top 1000 players, though I don't know how many are playing. But before you start thinking I'm a complete nerd, the top people have over $260 Trillion FDR.

You have to watch the show and look for plot twists and story lines to determine what will make money and what won't. With my knowledge of the show, over 30 years of viewership, I thought this would be a cinch. Not so. However, I've still managed to do well for doing this on and off.

Sadly, I'm about to lose almost all of it. By next week, G4 will be finished running all 79 episodes and will start again with episode #1, and reset all Spock Market participants with only $15,000 FDR. A Spock Market crash if you will!! Tough times are ahead. Maybe I should take Shatner's advice and "get a life."

Play the Spock Market at 10pm CDT on G4 (channel 354 on DirecTV / www.g4tv.com). See you in the pits.

Another Saturday, Another Party

Last week Saturday, we had my cousin Alan and his family come up from Missouri for a visit. Not only did we take Alan for a very hot and humid walk in the woods on some ground Dennis is looking at purchasing, but we took everyone to the HOI Fair. The kids loved it once we left the demolition derby and headed for some rides.

And today it's two different festivities.

The first is a 50th Anniversary Party for Ken & Jan Tompkins. We used to be neighbors way back in the 70's, but still keep in touch. Ken was kind of our "Kramer" from Seinfeld; he'd come over on weekend mornings in his bathrobe and cup of coffee. We didn't mind... actually we enjoyed it.

And while I'm in my old stompin' grounds, my friends Brad and Mary are having a party right around the corner. Though Brad's party doesn't start until 7pm, I told him I could stop by around 5pm and help him tap the keg. I might have to taste test the product as well to ensure it's fresh and safe for consumption.

Convoy

Many of you knew I was a big fan of the William Shatner Priceline.com commercials from 1999-2000 where he "sang" various songs. I had previously searched the Internet looking for any of these videos and came up empty... until yesterday. By dumb luck, I noticed the new ad by Priceline was to be featured on the Internet before TV. I went to check it out and low and behold... Convoy!

Live... In Concert

Nootril Drop had a gig last Saturday (7/1/06) out in Mapleton, IL (that's me on the far left in the photo, then moving right, Rusty, Ted and Dave; Darin can't be seen behind all those drums). This was a fun, but interesting event.

For starters, the place we played at was formerly Shooters, a strip club. Yes, we played on a stage that was once used by naked female dancers. The event was a private party of sorts for a group known as New Attitudes. This is a clean and sober, Christian biker/Harley Davidson club (a club, not a gang). So, for the entire show, we were sober. Not one beer was had by any of us. As if performing on a stage once used by strippers was a first for us, the no drinking while playing was as well.

We didn't know how the not drinking would work out for us. Speaking for myself, I like to have a few Heinekens, not only to relax, have fun and enjoy myself, but it kind of helps the nerves and vocal cords as well. But we managed... and managed very well. We all came out of the event believing it was the best show we've put on yet! We get better and better.

As for the New Attitudes, a group of very friendly people. No more than we arrived, they were very courteous, helping unload our equipment and offering plenty of food and n/a drinks. I think they had bought the old Shooters building and then made it their clubhouse. It's a good size facility, but the downside is they are across the highway from a chemical plant. The smell is atrocious at times.

Anyway, everyone seemed to enjoy the show and Nootril Drop hopes to make a repeat appearance sometime.