Now A Video With Goldfish Too

Tank was too dirty to show before. When does it ever stay clean? Maybe after the fish are gone. Did you know the common goldfish can live indefinitely? World records had one living 43 years. All it needs is nutrition and good filtration. Mine has gone through some adverse conditions. Only the size of its environment will be a factor here. Now, I can't wait to get a calico and black variety.

Goldfish, No Lights

Goldfish, No Lights, a photo by cin_kong on Flickr.

This image exists on the internet in two ways. I could not decide which crop I liked best. This version leaves out the more noticeable streaks on the glass and creates a frame around the fish.

About the composition. It was before the aquarium lights had turned on, and I wanted to check on the goldfish and the snail. The fish always seem skittish otherwise. After I scraped off more algae, I wanted to get in as much camera time as possible. They are a challenge to capture.

Under the circumstances, it was hard enough to see the subject much less find them in the viewer. I certainly did not expect that it was possible to even get a shot. To my delight, this has resolved the problem of reflected light I usually have with goldfish.

Fish Videos

I was wondering what to do with the videos I took recently. There was no professional set up, but I must admit they turned out great. I was able to use the editing tools in Youtube to unify the screen resolution from different cameras and add an acoustic track, among other things.

Update: The videos themselves was edited in Windows Movie Maker. I used it to split the clips. After I upload the video to Youtube, I add the text and transitions.

Grimm - Season One Overview

Ever since his Aunt Marie told him with her dying breath to hunt down the 'bad ones', Detective Nick Burkhardt has been discovering a strange legacy as a Grimm. Up until now, Nick has been able to keep his new found responsibilities from his partner Hank and girlfriend Juliette.

Other than the Grimm Guide that is available over at the NBC site, I hope that this article will prove helpful for anyone watching the first season from the start.

The season finale (1.22 "Woman in Black") will, in some way, serve as a summary for all that had occurred previously.

What we know is this, so far...

WESEN are species that exists within us. They are not aware of what they are until they reach adolescence. (1.06 "Let Your Hair Down") Despite trying to lead normal lives, sometimes they have trouble avoiding their natural instincts. (1.11 "Tarantella") Wesen can be seen when they transform or WOGE during emotional surges. (1.21 "Big Feet") While some are dangerous, most wesen are good people. For a long time, a Grimm has only been a myth. In Portland, the wesen think of Nick as their defender and friend. Monroe, a blutbad and Rosalee, a fuchsbau are two of his biggest allies.

The VERATT is an old world order. They ensure the purity of wesen kind. We are told that they are bringing a war. Nick got in the middle of the conflict when a hundjager was sent to kill a rebel lauffer. This was the first time Nick is told about the SEVEN ROYAL FAMILIES his kind served. Unbeknownst to him though his superior police captain Renard is one. (1.18 "Cat and Mouse") Whatever the relationship was before, it must appear to any wesen that this Grimm and this royal is behaving out of character.

REAPERS kill the Grimm. With Munroe's training, Nick was able use the weapons of his ancestors to survive his first encounter in a fight against two deadly assassins. (1.19 "Leave It to Beavers")

Nick's investigation involving ancient gold coins (1.13 "Three Coins in a Fuchsbau") led to the discovery of the wesen who killed his parents.

Where we left off... [Spoilers]

Adalind Schade is a witch / hexenbiest and Nick's nemesis. She has been after a key that Marie entrusted to Nick found in Aunt Marie's trailer full of Grimm stuff. Her plans to obtain it has caused Hank and Sergeant Wu to fall under her spell. After Nick stripped her of her powers, she cast a spell on his girlfriend. Does Adalind plan on using Juliette to get the key that way?

Nick's mother is apparently still alive. She was on the trail of her supposed killer Kimura. Was she looking for the coins too? Hopefully, we will find out why she is showing up, after all these years.

How Do Wesen Know Nick is a Grimm?

Throughout the season, there has been one burning question that most viewers have wanted answered. Nick doesn't appear different or do anything to announce that he is a Grimm. How do the wesen know? Well, here is one explanation. If wesen only let people see them when they want to, then I believe they are unable to conceal their true nature in the presence of a Grimm.

Paper Model: Titanic

I did it! 

Today, I finally put together the RMS Titantic paper model. How was it? It is missing a few details, like 18 lifeboats instead of 20. I built this to see whether it was possible to work on something with such fine details. As it turns out, I was less than successful at it. Anyway, I am happy with the results, even if it did rip some during cutting. It would have been done a lot sooner, if the daytime lighting had not been so dim of late. If anyone is looking to challenge themselves, click on the Currell logo in this post and hop on over to the website to download the free model.

Onward to something bigger.

Six Degrees of Star Trek

Recently, a big number Star Trek big names have come across the TV screen. As the current television seasons is about to end, I want to mention the few I have noticed.

William Shatner will appear on the Rookie Blue season three premiere.
Scott Bakula appeared on Desperate Housewives.
Nana Visitor appeared as a queen bee of her own 'hive' on Grimm.
George Takei competed on The Celebrity Apprentice.
Michael Dorn occasionally appeared as Beckett's therapist on Castle.
Roxann Dawson directed episodes of Scandal. Last year, she directed an episode of The Cape - The Lich, Part 2.
John Delancie appeared on The Secret Circle.
John Billingsley appeared on Harry's Law.
Robert Picardo appeared on Harry's Law and Body of Proof.
Wil Wheaton occasionally appeared on Eureka and The Big Bang Theory.
Kate Mulgrew appeared on Warehouse 13.

Some notable guest Trek actors: From Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Monte Markham (a.k.a. the Seven Million Dollar Man) was on Fringe. From Star Trek: Voyager, Kashyk Mark Harelick was on Awake.

Speaking of Desperate Housewives. The series finale has come and gone. Two of its stars Brenda Strong and Teri Hatcher appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Vanessa Williams appeared on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. (1) Teri Hatcher appeared in the season two episode The Outrageous Okona. That episode also featured (2) Rosalind Allen who was a regular on SeaQuest DSV, which starred (3) Don Franklin, who was on Young Riders with (4) Anthony Zerbe, Admiral Dougherty of  Star Trek: Insurrection.

(1) John Aylward, who was on Fringe, played psychiatrist in the ninth season of The X-Files in an episode along with (2) Michael Emerson, who was in Lost created by (3) JJ Abrams, who directed Star Trek, 2009. Yes, they were in the Brady Bunch themed episode together.

Scene from The X-Files - Sunshine Days

Dancing With The Stars - Season 14 Favourite Moments

The teams I have been rooting for on Dancing With The Stars this season have all been eliminated by week 8, however I love that they all bowed out with a bang. And I even voted this time. Performance night for Melissa Gilbert's best dance was a really hot Samba for the first Trio Round in DWTS history. With such strong competitors, I am excited for a spectacular show for the final week of season 14.

My favourite for Jaleel White was his best dance, the Cha Cha on Week 6, Motown Night.

The dance I think Gladys Knight did well in was her Samba, for Week 5, Latin Night.

Other highlights for Week 8 was Roshon Fegan's Foxtrot and Donald Driver's Jive for the Trio Round.

Trumpet Snail

Trumpet Snail, a photo by cin_kong on Flickr.

I would not be tooting my own horn if I did not have something worth mentioning. This one is a result of a combination of digital zoom and macro mode. It was too small for me to pick up with my fingers, looks real good when it floated into view.