R.I.P. Majel Barrett

Ok, I know I am 6 months late to post this, but here is my tribute to Majel Barrett. Barrett passed away late December and was the widow of Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek. Barrett herself appeared in each of the series and the movies in some form or another. I think it's most interesting that in the pilot of the original series, Roddenberry had intended for Barrett to play the first officer, known as "Number One," though her character was scrapped for the actual series. Fairly progressive for the mid-60s to have a female second in command. So, here's my take on "Number One" complete in velour t-neck and pants.

In other Trek news, I have been watching Voyager episodes posted to the Web, while I am drawing up a storm. That's the only series that I really liked. It's nice to have on as background noise and then I can look up at the best parts.

Girls of spring

Better post this before we get too far from "spring" (though it feels like October at the moment). A few weeks back, on a sunny, warm Sunday, I saw a shapely gal walking (left) with her rough-looking BF. I liked her look: pretty but not gorgeous; clothing that showed off her form but odd enough to not be slutty. Daisy Dukes and cowgirl boots, very nice. A few days later, on a drizzly morning, saw a girl stopped at a light with her bike (right). Very pretty with pretty blonde hair, Cookie Monster blue top, frilly skirt, black leggings, tall high-heeled boots. Very odd attire for biking, even as a commuter cyclist.

Au revoir

See what a difference inking everything makes? My time in Paris was tourism-packed, and I made a point to see things I had not seen before: Latin Quarter, Palais and Jardin du Luxembourg, Montmartre, Sacre Coeur, the Victor Hugo square place. So many cute guys walking about, sunning themselves. Of course, I don't fare so well in the sun. Mid-night, I awoke and my arm (which falls asleep often during the nights) had fallen asleep worse than ever before. I couldn't feel it all the way up to my shoulder. I was freaking out a little, and it took a long while for any sensation to return. My flight home was uneventful.

A less pretentious Euro-tour

The next spread in my pretentious Moleskine. Friday we wander more of Lyon, enjoying the sounds of the electronic music festival going on all weekend, as well as its revelers. Saw lots of odd looking long-haired men. That evening, Xavier had to work and I made my way to a very nice jazz bar. Climbing up the hills of Lyon using passages and alleyway staircases, I arrived in a sketchy run-down square full of thugs, a comedy club, and the jazz bar. Saturday, Xavier and I snake our way around the city, enjoying time with his cats, coffee, dessert, and the beautiful city. Sadly, the blue line drawing I did of the owner of the Vietnemese restuarant didn't scan well. I think if I ever compile a book of my travel sketches, I'll need to ink them. Or at least use black pencil.

A Memorial Day in France

Fish-philes may recall how my January travels were a bit screwed up. Boring story short, I ended up with another trip. So I packed up my bags and took a long weekend back France; mostly Lyon and some in Paris. My sketch journal begins at Boston's Logan International Airport. As typical, I have depressing life thoughts before a trip. Changing planes in Dublin, I am greeted by a men's room cruiser. I end up feeling better about myself. I catch up with Xavier in Lyon and we enjoy drink at his favorite bear-bar. Thursday we foot-it around Lyon, which was a national holiday. We saw so many wheelchairs! Also spent some quality time transcribing our interview recorded in January. PREF magazine picked it up!—but Xavier had a tough time deciphering our drunken speech. Ended up editing a lot out ("I'm rambling here, it'd be better if I said this:...)