Category: Via Geek

I delight in many things geek, like science fiction, things Star Wars and Star Trek, comics, comicons, anime, technology and science. Seattle is a great place to live with those interests.

Google, Music, Spotify and Being Behind Knowledge-Wise

Carl Setzer

So, my family watched quite a bit of YouTube. Everything from Rick Steves to vloggers to geek stuff. I’ve learned so much more about the extended Star Wars universe than I ever thought possible. I consider myself a great master of Jedi lore and wisdom, until YouTubers instilled great humility in me. 

Seemed a good idea to pony up for YouTube Red: I hate commercials. HATE! Clearly I failed to read my terms clearly enough as, just today I discovered that I had full access to Google music. So my Spotify account was a bit redundant. 

I spent today exploring it. Quite happy so far. I like the interface, and that it’s not a resource hog like Spotify. Plus I seem to have better access to artists like Peter Gabriel. Oh, they have podcasts in there (yeah, Spotify does, too) and my favorite podcast, Radio Free Burrito is in there, too. No sign of Design Matters with Debbie Millman, but I guess we can’t have everything. Hopefully we’ll get them in Google, too.

I’m leaning heavily towards dropping Spotify and getting a family plan for YouTube Red. I’ve not sure what my metrics are for making the shift. Music selection is a big one, and resource use. I’d like to see how they compare regarding artist compensation, too. 

Now here’s my weird Seattle connection. Years ago, one of the first streaming services was Real Networks, headquartered in downtown Seattle. I explored them for awhile before launching into iTunes and streaming radio. And evolution has evolved us, so, here we are. 

What are you using? I’d love to hear. Also, if you could give a “like”, share, it helps support the site. And follow us! We’d love to stay in touch. 

My weird brain, sci-fi and technology 

Carl Setzer

​My love of things geek manifests in strange ways at times. A huge fan of Ghost in the Shell, I wonder about Wi-Fi protocols and data throughput when people “think” at each other.

Or how many servers are on the Death Star? RAID drives? How much email gets sent daily? What kind of data connection is needed for holographic communications?

What about the Rebel Alliance’s security chief? I’d be wondering, loudly, why you’d throw someone with as much critical detail regarding the Alliance as Leia into operations with a high likelihood of capture and exposure to, um, enhanced techniques.

Imagining Rebel IT. I’m picturing Hoth. When we see Vader enter the base, all the equipment looks rather operational. I would’ve, at least run some kind of worm that destroys everything. I’d rather pull the hard drives, and bring them with us on the evacuation craft. Or manually destroy them.

So, that’s how my brain works…at night, when I’m weary.

Just Discovered The Fairhaven Steampunk Festival

Carl Setzer

I adore Bellingham, and come up often. Yet, I just noticed the Fairhaven Steampunk Festival. I noticed the folks walking around in costume before I saw the banner advertising the event. 

Reading over their site, it’s clearly been an annual event for at least a few years. I’ll add it to my list of geek events. It looks like fun. 

Another Great Geek Film For 2017: Blade Runner 2049

Carl Setzer

The next installment of Blade Runner. I’m pretty excited.

I wonder if it will be playing at the Cinerama…

Anyway, another great geek film coming in 2017. It’s a good year!

https://youtu.be/gJtZYCv7AxA

Changes with the Muppets

Carl Setzer

The Washington Post is reporting that long-time voice of Kermit (and other Muppets), Steve Whitmire is stepping down and a new voice, that of Matt Vogel, moves to the fore. Well, nothing is more consistent than change. I expect Kermit will retain his cultural cornerstone place for years to come.

My beloved Muppets have been garnering my attention lately. Not the least of which is due to the exhibition at MoPoP. Which I still haven’t seen, but am going to rectify that shortly.

Though I’m hardly a true Muppet Master, I was surprised by couple of facts in the article I didn’t know.

  • The Muppets are now owned by Disney. Not too surprising, but I’d missed that Disney acquired them. Don’t know if this changes anything…
  • How’d I miss the “Muppet Thought Of The Week” on YouTube? That bugs me. Here’s the link. You’re welcome.

Related side note: Check out ToughPig, a Muppet fan site. Worth your time.

Lastly, here’s the most recent Muppet Thought Of The Week. Enjoy!

Area Cons and Updating My Geek Events Page

Carl Setzer

Driving past Everett Mall I noticed Kobe-Con coming this next weekend (July 7th – 9th). When I added them to my geek events page, I noticed all kinds of dated information (events from 2016 and worse), so I spent some time updating the page. Some key observations.

  • Not sure the status of Cour d’Alene’s Con D’alene. There is a post on their Facebook Page from January 2017, but nothing about a 2017 or beyond event. I pulled the event from the list. If anyone knows that they’re happening, drop me a note.
  • I was a little worried that Steamposium had died as their website was dead. However, a brief consultation with Google showed they’re alive and well. For some reason, they let their website expire. Looks like they’re centering their comms to their Facebook Page.
  • There’s a comicon in Yakima…YAKIMA! Central City ComiCon is in it’s third year. Just from my personal experience, I still find it hard to imagine a geek friendly event their. But it delights me to see this.
  • While looking up details on Spokane’s Lilac City Con, I discovered this Facebook Page: Spokane Geek Girls. Check them out!
  • Galacticon died an agonizing and public death…back in 2015…clearly, I need to update this page more often.
  • Geek Portland seems to stale. No updates since last June. Deep sadness.
  • Nerdy Seattle is silent, too.

Anyway, that’s the updated news on this thread.

I just saw Wonder Woman this evening! Spoiler free, don’t worry

Carl Setzer
Wonder Woman Poster

After a burst of luck, and some fairly mad scrambling, we were able to get down to Seattle’s Cinerama for a preview of Wonder Woman.

I’ve been excited for this one for months. And, let me say, it’s well-crafted. Full disclosure: I’m generally a super-positive guy and tend not to hate anything. Just variations of enjoyment. Now there are some bad films out there…but, back on point: Wonder Woman is not one of them!

Cinematically, it’s very much in the same vein as we’ve seen in other Zack Snyder films. (I don’t want diminish Patty Jenkins‘ work on this film. I’m sure if I knew her work better, I’d recognize her hand in this as well.) I love their use of color, and Zack and Co used many creative angles and clever edits to add dramatic flair. For me, that was wonderful. And, from what I’ve been reading, everyone else feels the same.

 

Being able to see it in Paul Allen’s cinematic digital playground, Cinerama, was an additional joy. I’ve been there many, many times over the years. It was where I saw Star Wars in it’s first run. Back then, it was only playing at the Cinerama. Making the trek in from Lynnwood was an effort, though different than nowadays. No issues, really, with parking or traffic back in the 70s. Mostly downtown was seedy and worn, and generally not considered to be the best place for children. Anyway, my first viewing of Star Wars was a transformative moment in my life. Seeing the Star Destroyer bear down on the Tantive IV, and the feels that flowed through me, changed me forever. They forever dominated my way. So, this theater has a warm spot in my hear. I adore the Cinerama!

There was a time that it’s future was far from certain. I’m glad Mr. Allen made something fantastic and unique. If I were a billionaire, I think I’d be more in Paul’s vein than Bill Gates. Nothing against Mr. Gates, but my interests are broad and wide. More akin to Paul’s.

So, the important part: go see this movie! I give it two thumbs up!

May is Muppets Month in Seattle!

Carl Setzer
  • First off, on May 13th, the Seattle Public Library will host Jim Henson Con at the Central Library. Running from 10 am to 5 pm, this all ages event will have such activities as crafts, costumes, and, my favorite, a Labyrinth Sing-Along!
  • Then starting on May 20, MoPOP will be hosting The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited. Growing up under the influence of muppets, this exhibit thrills me.

Everett CC’s 2017 Anime & Manga Arts Festival in May

Carl Setzer
Japanese Anime and Manga Arts Festival 2017

The good folks at Everett Community College, along with the City of Everett’s Cultural Arts Commission are delighted to bring you their 2017 Japanese Anime and Manga Arts Festival.

Next month, May 19th & 20th…and this event is FREE! And open to everyone.

Their website has all the details.

Japanese Anime and Manga Arts Festival 2017
Everett Community College’s Japanese Anime and Manga Arts Festival 2017

Cinerama’s Anime Festival

Carl Setzer
Cinerama Logo

I’m pretty excited that the good folks at Cinerama are hosting their first Anime Movie Festival. They’ll be featuring twenty-three genre favorites including Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Paprika and Cowboy Bebop.

If you like Studio Ghibli, they’ll be heavily featured including ten masterpieces from famed anime grand master Hayao Miyazaki. These titles include Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle and My Neighbor Totoro.

Also included in the festival is 2017 Oscar-nominated The Red Turtle.

All movies will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles (the choice for discerning anime geeks). One exception: Ponyo, which will be dubbed in English, and The Red Turtle, which is dialogue free.

It’s hard for me to choose one, and the time/commute to Seattle factor makes things painful. Dream world: I’d take next week off, stay in a nearby hotel and binge. However, that’s not to me.

Which is your favorite? Are you going? Which films are you going to see?

Anyway, all the details are here, with the schedule and reservations here.