Category: Uncategorized

Hooked on Stargate SG-1

I remember watching the Stargate movie at the cinemas in the 90-ies and the story really struck a nerve in me. It was a twist of science fiction that got me. It somehow seemed a little bit more realistic in some way and still had all the ingredients of exploring the unknown. The thing I remember the most was not liking the ending and that I desperately wanted to see more. Therefore it is both strange and unfortunate (as Teal´c put it) that I did not really discovered the TV show until this year.
Stargate SG-1 is a wonderful show about exploration of new worlds with a lot of fun and interesting characters. Since I work in the Swedish Air Force and is somewhat a techno nerd I can of course identify with Captain Samantha Carter (I know she is promoted along the way :-). Reading about the show and how fun all the people in the production crew seem to have is probably the reason why it turned out so good. There seemed to be a special kind of feeling among everyone involved and I heard they took really good care of the fans when they were invited to the set. I am really sad that MGM has decided to not make an 11th season. However, I really look forward to the two feature lengths movies coming up soon. I hope (and beg) that MGM will reconsider and at least make one season more of the show!

Previously I have not considered going to any of these Sci-Fi conventions but I would actually like to go to a Stargate convention once to meet some of the crew and talk to other fans about the whole story. There are so many things to explore further. Everything from how the script writers actually thought to facts and plots that need some clarifications. It would also be interesting to know more how the actors relate to their characters and the story of the show.

At the Disney MGM Studios

Disney MGM Studios Rockn Rollercoster

Today we visited Disney´s MGM Studios and had great fun there. We also tried Disney´s photopass service which is based on a small card with 2D barcode that you carry around. Whenever you see an official Disney photographer you just hand them the card, they snap an image or two and it gets tagged for upload at a website later. Even though I am still a bit tender after my surgery I decided that we just had to ride the Rockn’ Rollercoster Ride. It is a great indoor rollercoster with an Aerosmith theme. After the ride I had my photo taken and as you can see some extra Magic was added 🙂 We finished off the evening with the wonderful show called Fantasia at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheatre. It is a wonderful show with water, projections, lasers, smoke, fire and lots more in front of a crowd of 10 000 people.

In Orlando Florida again

Woke up rather early today to get moving down to Florida again. We started by eating an all american breakfast at the Red Flame on 44th street. Even though it is really not the healthiest food on the planet I like to treat myself that for a few times when I am in the States. It is something particular with these benches and enourmous oval plates with omelettes and hash browns. After that we got a car to the airport, a huge black SUV. Felt almost like riding a Secret Service van 🙂 The flight down to Orlando was fine even though Continental had oversold the plane (again!) but we had not trouble getting on after a few people gave up their seat for a later plane.

Back in Orlando we took the Mears shuttle and it was such a nice feeling to be back at the Gaylord Palms Resort again. In the picture I am standing in front of the basin where one of the hotel´s restaurant is located. It is on the big sailing boat in the background. Yes, it is indoor!

Alexandra at the Gaylord Palms Resort

I would have been fired if I worked in the US Air Force

Sometimes it is easy to forget that Sweden is a really good place to live, for instance if you are a transsexual person. Even more if you happen to have chosen to devote your life to work in the armed forces. Some may have heard of the US policies called “Don´t ask – Don´t tell” which in essence says that you can be gay just as long no one knows. And the employer is not allowed to ask if you are. If someone finds out – you are discharged. The same goes for transsexuals, they are also discharged if they starts their transition while in the US Armed Forces. Makes me really sad. Read more here. Compare that to IBM who not only allows transsexuals in the company, they also pays for your medical care!

Why don

Sometimes I have a hard time understandning how people really work. I sometimes find myself in a situation when I am sitting in a group of people and someone is suddenly referreing to me as “him” or say “Well, boys…” to the group and I am the only woman sitting there. Usually no one ever says anything (to correct and remind) even though it is people I know. I have thinking about this and just wonder why they don´t. Here are some options:

– They did not notice at all.
– They do not care.
– They want to say something but think it is better for me not to.
– They want to say something but do not want to take that conflict (now).
– They agree.

Of course I also wonder why people say this at all. I am sure no one means any harm but somehow something about me or what I do make them not think of me as a female. The strange part is that in each moment it so very hard to figure out what that is. The question is of course if I know that, would I want to change all of that just to pass as a woman? Sometimes I might just want to be myself and occasionally it has the drawback of being seen as a sign of the other sex. This of course happens to all people but I guess it usually means more for my appearance than others. Still, quite a few men strive really hard to not “act female” in any way 🙂

Please feel free to comment!

Hillary for President

Well, today it happened and I guess we have all just waiting for when rather than if 🙂 . Hillary Clinton have officially announced her ambitions to become the next US President by forming a so called Exploratory Committee on her own webpage. I personally was a big fan of the TV-show Commander-in-Chief and even though it was prematurely cancelled I think it prepared the US people for a woman in the Oval Office. I am reading her book now and I can´t help liking her – I think she will be a good President.