Mic Check.

Wow this really fun! Thank you for enjoying my first podcast attempt. I’m excited to try to expand on it and really mold it into something to be proud of. I already have ideas floating around in my head that I’m working out right now.

There’s much more work to be done. I’m glad I’m getting a good response from my friends, and it’s amazing to be surrounded by awesome people. I really hope to evolve this project into something anyone can enjoy, to maybe bring it to a state that draws in people.

It’s amazing how much about myself I’m learning in the process. Listening to myself, I can see I underestimate my ability to find funny. It’s still rough and needs honing, but I’m happy to be working on a process. This is a feeling I’ve not felt in a long time. I hope you stick around to see this thing shape into something.

See you some time, next time,

B

Playing The Rice Card: An Introduction To Black History Month

There is a social injustice that still pervades America. A grave misunderstanding that to this day divides the peoples of this great nation. Some choose to ignore it, while others dismiss it as social norm, a evil that will always exist. My fellow Americans, nay, my fellow citizens of the world, hear my plea. Stop this abomination and learn to live with and join triumphantly with your fellow man, that this will no longer darken our history. I, of course, am taking about the great threat, Ricism.

Many have claimed that there is a superior rice, a rice that stands out amongst all others. Take heed and know that were not all rices, even though cultivated in distant lands, rose from the the same earth we tread. Did not our ancient forefathers come together to celebrate the many rices? Why then this divergence. What makes one rice supreme over another? Don't all rices serve to enrich and grow our global culture. Rices from all corners of the world work together to feed our global culture. Why do we feel the need to hold one rice above all others? I have a vision, that the destiny of all rices is to be united, to serve the one great purpose. No one rice shall be honored higher than another, that through great diligence and understanding all rices will be viewed as one. We, as a global people, can overcome prejudice and blatant ricist thoughts. Hand in hand we can be united under the one rice that was many. The global rice.

I know, kind of silly right? But put that in perspective, you can replace rice with race in the above statement, and it will still be just as true. Be just as silly. Really world, WTF? Do we actually need to squabble over this? Grow. Up.

As you may be aware, February marks Black History month, and I chose to make this my first post of the month in order to make one thing clear; I hate racism. Not much bugs me more. Many will will make the claim that “Black History Month” is racist itself. Bull. It's a time in the year to realize that not all the accomplishments of history were made by crusty old white dudes. It's a time to realize we are a united culture. Minorities hardly get recognition for anything. This isn't a “Hold-Blacky-Higher-Than-Whitey-For-A-Month,” it's a chance to pull us a little closer together. Remember that, please. I try to silly and a little absurd whenever I can, but on this I don't falter. Be strong, love your fellow man.

Peace,

B

Introducing Ensign Fabulous!

Okay, so I was watching Star Trek the other day, well, more like marathoning it. I happened to be watching The Next Generation episode Encounter at Farpoint, and made this observation for the first time. That crewman is wearing a dress! Not a bad thing, mind you, I’m very pro LGBT, so don’t expect any crude remarks. Yes, there’s obviously a bad DADT joke in there somewhere; no, I’m not going there. Instead, I feel Ensign Fabulous needs his story told. This crewman was only seen for a few seconds, yet something compels me to know more, so obviously this calls for much research. But, that requires to much work. I’ll just make it up myself, FANFIC POWERS ACTIVATE!!!

This was the day all his hard work and dedication to Starfleet Academy was meant for. He’d hoped his application his application to one of the fleets new Galaxy Class starships would be accepted. Never did he suspect that not only would it be, he had been assigned to the Flagship of the Federation, The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D.

Although the human race as a whole had abandoned their archaic prejudices centuries ago, man was still man in some ways. His family had hoped that he, being the current last in lineage, would continue the family bloodline. Of course they love and admired him just the same, but he always felt he needed to give them more. This assignment would make him feel like he could finally make his family as proud as they could be.

***

It was already a rough first mission. Picard had ordered a saucer separation. The new Ensign was charged with leading the families to the safety of the saucer section, while the senior officers and a handful of more experienced crewmen stayed with the lower section. He really didn’t envy any of them at all, besides on this day he’d chosen to wear one of his less combat ready Starfleet issue uniforms. It was a blessing the Federation was accommodating to his prefered style, but he was beginning to see the flaws in the choice of garment. It  quickly became apparent why even many of the female officers chose not to wear this issue. The chafing was nearly unbearable, still he stayed stalwart in his task, herding the families to the shelter of the saucer section.

***

From the port of his quarters, he watched as the the creatures the crew of the Enterprise had managed to saved floated off into the galaxy. He could almost feel their relief and gratitude to their rescuers. A small tear welled in his eye as he he hung up his favorite uniform for the last time. His part in this mission may have been small, but he still felt proud that day. He knew for sure that in some small way he was forever a part of Federation history. This ship would be as famous as the ship captained by the noble James T Kirk a generation ago. As he dressed into his panted uniform, he smiled. He’d been chosen for his first away mission. He looked forward to many more. His family received noticed of his death on duty the next week.

I do not own the rights to Star Trek or any of the intellectual properties of Paramount. The image and work of fiction are provided under the creative commons act parody clause and are used as such.