"Virtuality": Did It Suck or Not?

You may have missed it last Friday, but Fox aired a groovy sci-fi show titled "Virtuality." See the video below for a clip. What hooked me what that it was created by some of the same folks behind the already-classic remake of "Battlestar Galactica."

The premise is basically Earth is in environmental collapse, and this ship and its crew are looking for an alternative home for us Earthlings. Switch it up by adding that the ship's crew is also part of a reality TV show, and every waking moment is being filmed for their millions of fans back home trying to survive tsunamis, etc. The crew breaks up the tedium of space travel and research and not knowing whether it's really day or night by fighting with each other and by escaping into their own virtuality reality--sort of like the holodeck on "Star Trek: Voyager." The only problem is, someone is screwing with their fantasies and trying to either rape or kill them!

The show played with interesting concepts of consciousness, whether anything we perceive is "real" and how humans handle that (or don't). We get a real idea of how tedious and maddening space travel might be, and what it's really like to throw 13 people into a small space for 10 years. And I thought "Big Brother" was icky!

"Virtuality" looked promising: compelling premise, interesting characters and writing and production values. It even had hunky men--like Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (pictured), previously of Fox's cancelled "New Amsterdam"--and a gay astronaut couple! Although some of the crew conflict scenes grated on my nerves, I realled wanted to find out who was tinkering with their "holodeck" and exactly where Commander Pike's apparent near-death experience would lead. But since Fox isn't picking up the show for a full series, I'll never know! The show ended with a great cliffhanger--and that's it! Did Pike really die? Had the crew been lied to about their mission?

If you saw it, I'd love to hear your opinion. It looked like an intelligent show. Meanwhile, we have "Dance Your A** Off!"

Here's what one critic had to say. Check out a video clip below.

"Virtuality": Did It Suck or Not?

You may have missed it last Friday, but Fox aired a groovy sci-fi show titled "Virtuality." See the video below for a clip. What hooked me what that it was created by some of the same folks behind the already-classic remake of "Battlestar Galactica."

The premise is basically Earth is in environmental collapse, and this ship and its crew are looking for an alternative home for us Earthlings. Switch it up by adding that the ship's crew is also part of a reality TV show, and every waking moment is being filmed for their millions of fans back home trying to survive tsunamis, etc. The crew breaks up the tedium of space travel and research and not knowing whether it's really day or night by fighting with each other and by escaping into their own virtuality reality--sort of like the holodeck on "Star Trek: Voyager." The only problem is, someone is screwing with their fantasies and trying to either rape or kill them!

The show played with interesting concepts of consciousness, whether anything we perceive is "real" and how humans handle that (or don't). We get a real idea of how tedious and maddening space travel might be, and what it's really like to throw 13 people into a small space for 10 years. And I thought "Big Brother" was icky!

"Virtuality" looked promising: compelling premise, interesting characters and writing and production values. It even had hunky men--like Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (pictured), previously of Fox's cancelled "New Amsterdam"--and a gay astronaut couple! Although some of the crew conflict scenes grated on my nerves, I realled wanted to find out who was tinkering with their "holodeck" and exactly where Commander Pike's apparent near-death experience would lead. But since Fox isn't picking up the show for a full series, I'll never know! The show ended with a great cliffhanger--and that's it! Did Pike really die? Had the crew been lied to about their mission?

If you saw it, I'd love to hear your opinion. It looked like an intelligent show. Meanwhile, we have "Dance Your A** Off!"

Here's what one critic had to say. Check out a video clip below.

Wise Words from Dolly: Rest in Peace, Michael

Leave it to Dolly Parton to cut to the chase and remind us all of what's really important. I think this woman really IS an angel.

Spending yesterday with my mom was nice, and turns out, my younger sister was off work, too. I'm so lucky to have a great family who listens and loves and doesn't judge and always supports me. I don't know that I've resolved anything that was worrying me, but I guess I'm getting there. I know there's a lesson in here somewhere, and I'm trying to learn!

Wise Words from Dolly: Rest in Peace, Michael

Leave it to Dolly Parton to cut to the chase and remind us all of what's really important. I think this woman really IS an angel.

Spending yesterday with my mom was nice, and turns out, my younger sister was off work, too. I'm so lucky to have a great family who listens and loves and doesn't judge and always supports me. I don't know that I've resolved anything that was worrying me, but I guess I'm getting there. I know there's a lesson in here somewhere, and I'm trying to learn!

Environmental Visionary Rev. Thomas Berry Crosses Over

If you haven't read any books by Thomas Berry, start now. His writing, particularly "The Great Work" has been instrumental in helping me reconnect with the physical world and nature. I regret that I didn't read his work earlier in my life.

Berry died yesterday at age 94. He was such a bold thinker, and I particularly respect him since he came out of a Christian background with proposals that continue to challenge mainstream Western culture. I like his work because he doesn't hammer you over the head with how terrible things are. Instead, he presents reasonable, logical explanations of what he believes, and you can't help but agree. I may not know exactly how we'll get to the world he envisioned, but I do believe it's a world worth creating.

Environmental Visionary Rev. Thomas Berry Crosses Over

If you haven't read any books by Thomas Berry, start now. His writing, particularly "The Great Work" has been instrumental in helping me reconnect with the physical world and nature. I regret that I didn't read his work earlier in my life.

Berry died yesterday at age 94. He was such a bold thinker, and I particularly respect him since he came out of a Christian background with proposals that continue to challenge mainstream Western culture. I like his work because he doesn't hammer you over the head with how terrible things are. Instead, he presents reasonable, logical explanations of what he believes, and you can't help but agree. I may not know exactly how we'll get to the world he envisioned, but I do believe it's a world worth creating.

Your Body Is Still Useful After Death

Things are hectic once again in the workaday world. But yesterday in the mail, I received my ID/instruction card for donating my body to the local medical school. No, not right away! This is all part of plans for what do with whatever's left when I pass on from this consensual reality. I've decided to donate my carcass to science.

When I was in high school, we visited a medical school, and I was fascinated by the cadavers and what the med students were doing. In fact, when I first entered college, I was going pre-med, but then changed my mind (too much chemistry! ugh!). While others in my class were totally grossed out, I was totally engrossed.

So that's part of why I wanted to donate my body. Science is so important, and we still have so much to learn about how our bodies work. So maybe I can help contribute in this way--reveal how a process works or how a disease unfolds or simply just allow a student to discover and experiment.

Seems most medical schools have similar bequeathal programs, but if you're interested, do your homework since they might have specific restrictions or instructions for your body. For example, in my case, my family or estate will have to pay for transportation costs of my body to the school. And the school prefers to do the embalming since they have different needs than your average funeral home. And there can't be a body present at a funeral showing since the school will need the body right away before it gets all juicy and smelly. Kinda takes away from the classroom experience, you know. And if you're mangled in some woodchipper accident, that renders your body unacceptable--so be careful!

I was previously an organ donor, but giving the entire body seems like it might do more good in the long-term. Maybe this sounds harsh but I seem to value understanding and knowledge more over saving a life. Someone may need a kidney, but maybe it's their time to go. I'm not always a fan of extending life by any means possible. Truth be told, they'll eventually die anyway (see, told you it was harsh). But knowledge lives on and can help countless numbers of people. I had to decide between the two since the local medical school won't accept a body bequeathal if organs (except eyes) have been removed (and my eyes are already shot).

I've told my family and my partner about my decision, and they're cool with it and have signed their consent forms. Once the medical school is done with me (2 weeks to up to 2 years), they'll cremate the remains and return the ashes to the family. So eventually, yeah, I'll be ground up.

I've never wanted an expensive, fancy casket anyway that's just going to be put into the ground. Seems a waste of resources and money. Of course, some say cremation of embalmed remains does release harmful chemicals, including mercury from silver dental fillings. And some say concerns are overblown. I'm hoping to offset this by banking instead on what med students will learn using what's left of me. And cremation ideally takes up less space, depending on what you ultimately do with the ashes.

So that means that I won't have a viewing of the body (always found that creepy and slightly silly: "It looks just like her!" Really? Were you expecting someone else?). Instead I want just a memorial service with photos of me when I was alive and kicking. Seems more appropriate.

What about my ashes? I'm still trying to figure out what to do with those. As I've said before, you need to have plans or you'll end up on someone's closet behind the old board games. More later.

Your Body Is Still Useful After Death

Things are hectic once again in the workaday world. But yesterday in the mail, I received my ID/instruction card for donating my body to the local medical school. No, not right away! This is all part of plans for what do with whatever's left when I pass on from this consensual reality. I've decided to donate my carcass to science.

When I was in high school, we visited a medical school, and I was fascinated by the cadavers and what the med students were doing. In fact, when I first entered college, I was going pre-med, but then changed my mind (too much chemistry! ugh!). While others in my class were totally grossed out, I was totally engrossed.

So that's part of why I wanted to donate my body. Science is so important, and we still have so much to learn about how our bodies work. So maybe I can help contribute in this way--reveal how a process works or how a disease unfolds or simply just allow a student to discover and experiment.

Seems most medical schools have similar bequeathal programs, but if you're interested, do your homework since they might have specific restrictions or instructions for your body. For example, in my case, my family or estate will have to pay for transportation costs of my body to the school. And the school prefers to do the embalming since they have different needs than your average funeral home. And there can't be a body present at a funeral showing since the school will need the body right away before it gets all juicy and smelly. Kinda takes away from the classroom experience, you know. And if you're mangled in some woodchipper accident, that renders your body unacceptable--so be careful!

I was previously an organ donor, but giving the entire body seems like it might do more good in the long-term. Maybe this sounds harsh but I seem to value understanding and knowledge more over saving a life. Someone may need a kidney, but maybe it's their time to go. I'm not always a fan of extending life by any means possible. Truth be told, they'll eventually die anyway (see, told you it was harsh). But knowledge lives on and can help countless numbers of people. I had to decide between the two since the local medical school won't accept a body bequeathal if organs (except eyes) have been removed (and my eyes are already shot).

I've told my family and my partner about my decision, and they're cool with it and have signed their consent forms. Once the medical school is done with me (2 weeks to up to 2 years), they'll cremate the remains and return the ashes to the family. So eventually, yeah, I'll be ground up.

I've never wanted an expensive, fancy casket anyway that's just going to be put into the ground. Seems a waste of resources and money. Of course, some say cremation of embalmed remains does release harmful chemicals, including mercury from silver dental fillings. And some say concerns are overblown. I'm hoping to offset this by banking instead on what med students will learn using what's left of me. And cremation ideally takes up less space, depending on what you ultimately do with the ashes.

So that means that I won't have a viewing of the body (always found that creepy and slightly silly: "It looks just like her!" Really? Were you expecting someone else?). Instead I want just a memorial service with photos of me when I was alive and kicking. Seems more appropriate.

What about my ashes? I'm still trying to figure out what to do with those. As I've said before, you need to have plans or you'll end up on someone's closet behind the old board games. More later.

Are You Ready to Die?

Have you made your funeral plans? Decided what do with your earthly remains? Not exactly a cocktail conversation, but it's something we all must--or should--think about before we actually kick the bucket. Otherwise, it's left to our family, and they'll put you in that dress you absolutely hated or bury you in some tacky, gilt coffin in a bleak cemetery next to a six-lane highway!

Not that you can do anything about it. You're dead, after all. You probably wouldn't even care, right? Nonetheless, these things do matter to us humans, at least while we're still alive and kicking.

So I've been thinking about my own demise and trying to make plans that reflect who I am and what I consider my values. I do believe that how we bury or otherwise dispose of ourselves accurately reflects what we think about life (and death) and shows what kind of person we were. Just ask any archaeologist.

I plan to walk you through my own decisions and thoughts as I go through this process, and I hope to make it a little humorous, whenever possible. Feel free to share if you've made plans--or why you haven't.

'Tis the Season to Visit the Cemetery
What set all this in motion was a visit with my dad over Christmas. We had an afternoon and nothing planned, so we decided to visit some nearby relatives---except they were all either sick or not home. So we're driving around the countryside trying to decide what to do next when my dad asks if he's ever shown me where his burial plot is. He hadn't, so we headed to the cemetery, which was close by (a disclaimer: the photo in this post is of a peaceful-looking cemetery in Dallas, Texas).

I thought it would be odd to go see where my dad will eventually end up, but it wasn't. It was actually comforting. He knew right where the plot was. We drove into the cemetery and right up to it. He explained that he had 2 plots, one for himself and one for his wife (although I'd be happy shooting her ashes out of a cannon, but that's another story!). He's had the plot for years, and it's paid for except the fees to open and close the plot. And the fees! Dying can be expensive, and I'll get to that.

Standing there looking at the plot was humbling, however, and a little sad. The plot is right next to a driveway through the cemetary and a sidewalk, so it was like condensing my dad's life into this small, nondescript square of earth. But the cemetery is rural, quiet and peaceful, and while he won't really care once he's in the ground, I think it would be a comforting place to revisit and remember him.

Dad wanted to stop by the cemetery office to check on his remaining payments, so off we went across the main street. The office was small but cheerfully decorated for the holiday with a Christmas tree and several red, leafy poinsettias. We spoke to a friendly woman who went through all the records with us. I took her business card so I'd have contact info. Dad seems healthy as a horse but he is in his early 80s now, so the truth is, his time on this earth is running out, and it's good to be prepared.

Everything checked out, and we left. It was helpful to see dad so relatively jovial about all this (I think he passed some of that on to me). And it got me to thinking about my own final resting place. Where did I want to be buried? Which cemetery? Did I want burial or cremation? A cremation plot or a columbarium? And what about a funeral or memorial service? And who would pay for all of this? I quickly realized that I had specific opinions about all of these questions, and also realized that I didn't want to leave it all to the whims of my relatives or just assume it would be paid for by the magic cash fairy.

Next time: Made up like Madame Tussaud's or oven-baked?

Are You Ready to Die?

Have you made your funeral plans? Decided what do with your earthly remains? Not exactly a cocktail conversation, but it's something we all must--or should--think about before we actually kick the bucket. Otherwise, it's left to our family, and they'll put you in that dress you absolutely hated or bury you in some tacky, gilt coffin in a bleak cemetery next to a six-lane highway!

Not that you can do anything about it. You're dead, after all. You probably wouldn't even care, right? Nonetheless, these things do matter to us humans, at least while we're still alive and kicking.

So I've been thinking about my own demise and trying to make plans that reflect who I am and what I consider my values. I do believe that how we bury or otherwise dispose of ourselves accurately reflects what we think about life (and death) and shows what kind of person we were. Just ask any archaeologist.

I plan to walk you through my own decisions and thoughts as I go through this process, and I hope to make it a little humorous, whenever possible. Feel free to share if you've made plans--or why you haven't.

'Tis the Season to Visit the Cemetery
What set all this in motion was a visit with my dad over Christmas. We had an afternoon and nothing planned, so we decided to visit some nearby relatives---except they were all either sick or not home. So we're driving around the countryside trying to decide what to do next when my dad asks if he's ever shown me where his burial plot is. He hadn't, so we headed to the cemetery, which was close by (a disclaimer: the photo in this post is of a peaceful-looking cemetery in Dallas, Texas).

I thought it would be odd to go see where my dad will eventually end up, but it wasn't. It was actually comforting. He knew right where the plot was. We drove into the cemetery and right up to it. He explained that he had 2 plots, one for himself and one for his wife (although I'd be happy shooting her ashes out of a cannon, but that's another story!). He's had the plot for years, and it's paid for except the fees to open and close the plot. And the fees! Dying can be expensive, and I'll get to that.

Standing there looking at the plot was humbling, however, and a little sad. The plot is right next to a driveway through the cemetary and a sidewalk, so it was like condensing my dad's life into this small, nondescript square of earth. But the cemetery is rural, quiet and peaceful, and while he won't really care once he's in the ground, I think it would be a comforting place to revisit and remember him.

Dad wanted to stop by the cemetery office to check on his remaining payments, so off we went across the main street. The office was small but cheerfully decorated for the holiday with a Christmas tree and several red, leafy poinsettias. We spoke to a friendly woman who went through all the records with us. I took her business card so I'd have contact info. Dad seems healthy as a horse but he is in his early 80s now, so the truth is, his time on this earth is running out, and it's good to be prepared.

Everything checked out, and we left. It was helpful to see dad so relatively jovial about all this (I think he passed some of that on to me). And it got me to thinking about my own final resting place. Where did I want to be buried? Which cemetery? Did I want burial or cremation? A cremation plot or a columbarium? And what about a funeral or memorial service? And who would pay for all of this? I quickly realized that I had specific opinions about all of these questions, and also realized that I didn't want to leave it all to the whims of my relatives or just assume it would be paid for by the magic cash fairy.

Next time: Made up like Madame Tussaud's or oven-baked?

In Memory of Andrew Wyeth, 1917-2009

View more of Andrew's work here.

In Memory of Andrew Wyeth, 1917-2009

View more of Andrew's work here.

Eartha Kitt Will Be Missed!

I'm feeling better now, over my cold, so lot's of catching up to do. I know this is a few days old already, but I have to acknowledge the passing of the one and only Eartha Kitt.

Way before Britney or Madonna, Eartha could do it all: sing, dance and piss people off! But Eartha--oh, just the sound of that name!--had it a bit rougher, being as she was a mixed-race child growing up poor in South Carolina in the early 20th century. I first saw her on the 60s "Batman" TV show where she played Catwoman (pictured below). (Sorry, Halle Berry, but you never had a chance!)

In everything Eartha did, she radiated confidence, sexuality as well as "wink-wink" playfulness that was irresistible. For an example, check out the young Eartha singing "I Want to Be Evil" from 1962.

There's also the classic "Santa Baby" and the so-cheesy-it's-great 80s gay-club hit "Where Is My Man?"

Read more about Eartha here on this bio page, including her controversial comments on the Vietnam War that almost ruined her career and her work in South Africa before it was trendy.

Eartha, if you're listening--thank you for showing us all how it's done!

Eartha Kitt Will Be Missed!

I'm feeling better now, over my cold, so lot's of catching up to do. I know this is a few days old already, but I have to acknowledge the passing of the one and only Eartha Kitt.

Way before Britney or Madonna, Eartha could do it all: sing, dance and piss people off! But Eartha--oh, just the sound of that name!--had it a bit rougher, being as she was a mixed-race child growing up poor in South Carolina in the early 20th century. I first saw her on the 60s "Batman" TV show where she played Catwoman (pictured below). (Sorry, Halle Berry, but you never had a chance!)

In everything Eartha did, she radiated confidence, sexuality as well as "wink-wink" playfulness that was irresistible. For an example, check out the young Eartha singing "I Want to Be Evil" from 1962.

There's also the classic "Santa Baby" and the so-cheesy-it's-great 80s gay-club hit "Where Is My Man?"

Read more about Eartha here on this bio page, including her controversial comments on the Vietnam War that almost ruined her career and her work in South Africa before it was trendy.

Eartha, if you're listening--thank you for showing us all how it's done!

Burn Incense--Get Cancer. What Next?

Jesus, Mary and the Saints--does everything cause cancer? Now there are reports that burning incense is the next thing we need to cross off our lists. So watch out all you pagans and witches as well as Buddhists and even Catholics--all those sweet offerings to the Divine are actually killing you.

I enjoy burning incense every now and then, especially outside on the deck. I haven't used it much for rituals, however. But now I'm freaked out--what about all that burning sage I inhaled this past weekend?

Oh, screw it. None of us lives forever. If we listened to all this research and advice, we'd live in a sterile box and never interact with anyone or anything. And we'd STILL get cancer!

So, burn, burn, burn away, I say!

Burn Incense--Get Cancer. What Next?

Jesus, Mary and the Saints--does everything cause cancer? Now there are reports that burning incense is the next thing we need to cross off our lists. So watch out all you pagans and witches as well as Buddhists and even Catholics--all those sweet offerings to the Divine are actually killing you.

I enjoy burning incense every now and then, especially outside on the deck. I haven't used it much for rituals, however. But now I'm freaked out--what about all that burning sage I inhaled this past weekend?

Oh, screw it. None of us lives forever. If we listened to all this research and advice, we'd live in a sterile box and never interact with anyone or anything. And we'd STILL get cancer!

So, burn, burn, burn away, I say!