Sura's Geek Verse

Welcome to the renaming of Sura's Basement to Sura's Geek 'Verse.

Since my writing spot in my house is a corner in the basement, Sura's Basement seemed more fitting to my whole writing world. Not sure if I will retire the title or reuse it to be the name of a hub linking all blogs together.

Anyway, this blog, whether visited frequently by you or me, will be where I delve into matters that are important in the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy (mainly issues important to me). It will be a celebration of the Geek I am at the age I am. I may not see eye to eye with the younger generations, but as I teach many young minds in my Science Fiction and Fantasy class, I feel that the patowans and I do share a common ground (one I created). The are young in the ways of the Force.

And that being said, the 'Verse is always expanding. As each star wars with time, we will boldly trek into the black toward those points of light that shine like fireflies. We shall sing Hal-elujah to the Titans that created the great movies and awesome novels that inspire.

The possibilities are endless; we will never say, "I'm sorry, Dave. I can't do that" (except when quoting the movie).

John Carter is 100

John Carter is 100.

Title and Artist unknown

Yes, the man of Barsoom (Mars) was published in a pulp magazine(The All-Story 1912) as a series called “Under the Moons of Mars.” John really did not get published in novel form until 1917, when another character, Tarzan, created by Edgar Rice Burroughs became very popular. Although I had seen a few of the classic Tarzan movies, Burroughs, Carter and Tarzan entered my realm while I was in high school when my friend, Steve, showed me book one of the Carter series, A Princess of Mars.

I have read all twelve of the Barsoom series and most of the twenty-four of the Tarzan series. Burroughs is a favorite author. And I am very fond of John Carter and Tarzan.

John Carter of Mars by Frank Frazzetta

It was good to see John Carter in the recent film. I had been waiting for years to have Mars come to life on the big screen. Although a film cannot hold up to the book, the creators did a good job keeping the integrity of the Barsoomian story line. The key word is integrity. The movie held the elements of what Burroughs created with the four-armed aggressive Tharks, Carter’s super-barsoomian strength and agility and the culture and setting of Mars and it’s inhabitants. I admit that I have not read the books for 30 years, but the movie did capture the world Burroughs created.

Barsoom by Boris

But back to the celebration of John Carter. His story has captured many artists' imagination and creativity. They, in turn, have caught much of the evolution of this 100 year old man. It is awesome, classic science fiction art. The art holds drama and beauty.Yes, and limited clothing. Burroughs painted Mars as a dry, hot and dying planet.

And Dejah Thoris is one of the deadliest beauties of the nine planets (Pluto still counted then). It is interesting that they the put her in John's protection even though she is known as a warrior princess.

I am still intrigued by this hero.

Happy Birthday John!!

Legacy

I must be doing something right.

R2-D2 photo from
Dakota

Students who have attended my Science Fiction and Fantasy class email me, text me, post messages to me and even call me about something we have read or have seen in class. Right before I wrote this, Dakota (class of 2012), sent me a picture of R2-D2 from a gas station in Mt Pleasant. It’s in great condition too.

In the class, I share my journey of my scifi-geekness. I tell them about my awakening with Stars Wars back in 1977, where my dad, not a Science Fiction fan, took us to see Star Wars, and I sat opened eyed through the whole movie.

Book cover of Princess of Mars,
by Michael Whelan, 1979

I tell them how Steve, a high school buddy, introduced me to Dungeons and Dragons and the author, Edgar Rice Burroughs who authored the Tarzan series and the Barsoom Series. You will know Barsoom very soon with the release of Disney’s John Carter of Mars (See post on Sept 3, 2011)

We also look at patterns of wishes, the twists of short stories by Asimov and Sheckley and delve into the mystery and intrigue with 2001: A Space Odyssey. I have fun with 2001 because some student threaten to use it to punish their future children when they are bad (Paige, class of 2011), but they will also contact me when they see a similarity or reference to the movie.

I have a painting of HAL’s eye from Rebecca (class of 2007, I think). In fact, another student sent me an email about an article she had to read in her education class where 2001 was referenced. And, of course, I have received a few harassing posts (all in fun) on Facebook from other students telling me they saw a reference of 2001 in movies like Willie Wonka or Phineus and Ferb. When I receive these, I laugh and say my work is done.

Thanks to 2001, I have had a couple movie nights with former students watching Kubrick (Ryan and other, class of 2009).

One of the Best of all time.

I always close out the semester with a television favorite, Firefly (2002-03). This show is fantastic. It was a short lived series because Fox decided to run it on Friday nights at 8pm. The audience for this show was not watching at that time slot, a bad decision by Fox. Anyway, at least one student a semester goes out and buys the DVDs, some spend a marathon on Netflix watching it to get all the episodes. I hope Joss Wedon and Tim Minear, the creators, appreciate my dedication.

Yes, it is a fun class. And with the continual contact from past students, I must have done something right.

John Carter of Mars

With Science Fiction and Fantasy on the rise in the movie industry, I am majorly excited about John Carter of Mars. The creator and writer of John Carter was Edgar Rice Burroughs. You may know him more for another famous character known as Tarzan. It was my friend, Steve, who showed me his Burroughs collection and said I really should read the first book of the Barsoom (Mars) series. I took it home and read A Princess of Mars, where John Carter starts his adventure.

I read the first book within two days and had book two, The Gods of Mars, in my possession shortly after finishing book one. The Warlords of Mars and Thuvia of Mars were close behind. I also started reading Burroughs’ Tarzan series. He created great worlds, heroes and villains. With Burroughs, it was brawn and brains together that overcame great odds. Hooked for life, I owe Steve a big thanks.

From all indications, John Carter of Mars looks to be a good movie and looks to follow key elements of the story. John Carter is of Earth and gets transported to Mars. He is destined to save the planet. My favorite of Burrough’s creations of Barsoom is Tars Tarkas, the twelve-foot tall, four-armed, green barbarian, a definite twist on little green men. And I cannot forget about Dejah Thoris, the Princess of Helium. She is beautiful and tough; she is sometimes identified as the warrior princess.

Although I know and accept the fact that movies are not as good as the book and that movies take creative liscensing to change the story, I do expect a certain amount of continuity to key elements of the book to be held to when turned into the movie. So, I wait patiently to see.

With sequels and remakes, I find that John Carter of Mars, refreshing, and in the words of Tars Tarkas, “…believed it was a sign... that something new can come into this world.”

It is schedule to be released to theaters in March 9, 2012.

2011 SciFi/Fantasy Geek Award

And the winner is….Autumn Sherwood.

Autumn is 2011 Sura’s SciFi/Fan Geek Award winner. Not only has she provided with me with a useful Powerpoint on Greek mythology, she had given me suggestions on books and movies, discussed aspects of 2001 A Space Odyssey (including references in other films), and is a dedicated fan to the Firefly television series.

I wish Autumn well during her reign as top Geek. She assures me that she will wear the title with pride and reaffirm her geekhood any time.

“It's my most favorite award I've ever gotten. I'm very proud of it,” said Autumn.

The class consisted of a brief unit of Greek Mythology, many fantasy and science fiction short stories, writing about the connections between the genres and life, episodes of the Twilight Zone, 2001 (of course), and other films including Clash of the Titans and Frequency. She enjoyed the whole spectrum.

“I loved Firefly the most,” said Autumn. “However, I just enjoyed the entire course overall. It was interesting, and there was never a dull moment.”

                  
Spoken like a true Sura endorsed geek.

            

Taking the Bus

Taking the Bus

"P-ch-h-h-h." The silver bus with the running dog came to a stop.

Herb jumped at the sound. Too many things still could go wrong, and the bus's air breaks made him jump. He twitched his head about to see if anyone noticed. People bustled about the terminal in their own pursuits; no one had time for Herb.

He sighed at the irony of his thoughts. He had to get out of town if he wanted to live, yet it bothered him that no one noticed him leaving. He chuckled quietly.

The door to the bus heading "way out of town" hissed open. Herb shuffled his feet waiting for an elderly lady to get on the bus. He felt sweaty under his wide brim hat and dark glasses. The trench coat was not helping either.

"Deep breath," he told himself.

            Once she was seated, Herb quick-stepped by and sat on the opposite side of the bus away from the busy terminal.

Others got on. The boarding eye game of looking for a seat, accidental eye contacts and trying to avoid eye contact raised Herb's heart rate.

"Let's go people!" He did not yell aloud. Instead he closed his eyes and focused. "I'm on the bus. I was not followed. They can't find me; they can't kill me. Agnes has wanted me to leave so it could be my fault that our marriage did not work. It will add to her dramatic litany of woes. She will love it; it will be my last gift to her sorry tale."

"Well, hello there young man," said the bus driver.

Herb's eyes snapped open. A porter had brought a boy on to the bus. He had a red ribbon on his front pocket. He was traveling alone, and bus security was giving him the royal and secure treatment.

The porter, the boy and the bus driver had a long chat about bus safety, the boy's destination and how the bus driver, Ted, will keep an "extra special eye" on him. Herb's blood roiled.

"Move the damn bus!" Again, he choked on his words. "Just get me far, far away, please," he thought.

Finally, the boy took his seat in the front next to the old lady. She was speaking to him and offering him a cookie.

The driver spoke over the P.A. "We are now leaving Mars Station. Once we break atmo, we will jump to the Jupiter where we have three stops before hitting The Rim with our last stop at Pluto Station."