Star Trek: Red Shirts!

This is a purely random post that I decided to do after seeing Star Trek into Darkness.

 

Having always been fascinated by the fact that Red Shirts, in the Star Trek: The Original Series, were always getting killed off, I decided to do some research. Here is what I found out.

 

 

RED SHIRTS

 

In the three seasons of TOS, only 25 Red Shirts died.

Of these only 1 was female.

 

20 of these were Security Officers (80%)

2 were engineers (8%)

1 was a Transporter Chief (4%)

1 was a Yeoman (4%)

1 was an unknown rank (4%)

 

 

17 had names (68%)

8 were unknown characters (32%)

 

 

Season 1 was the safest season to be a Red Shirt as only 4 died. (16%)

Season 2 was a blood bath as 16 Red Shirts were massacred. (64%)

Season 3 was also a safer time to be a Red Shirt as only 5 died. (20%)

 

 

10 Red Shirts died aboard The Enterprise (40%)

15 Red Shirts died on Away Missions (60%)

 

 

IN CONCLUSION

 

 

A Red Shirt without a name, who avoided Away Missions and was not a Security Officer or worked in Engineering, had a better than average chance of surviving aboard The Enterprise. This chance dramatically increased if the Red Shirt was female.

It's a Girl... Again!

Tuesday April 30th. 2013.

Today was ‘due day’. Despite Emma’s best efforts to evict our baby from her womb, the little tyke was being stubborn and not playing ball. So, much to Emma’s displeasure, she was summoned in to ‘Victoria Ward’ for inducement. Emma arrived on 'Victoria Ward' at just after 08:15, while I remained at home, waiting for the ‘in-laws’ to arrive, as they were looking after Erin for the day, so that I could go to work. Once Erin was packed off, I went into work and carried on with my usual duties, popping up to see Emma, as and when I could. After lunch I had a two-hour meeting in the office, which went quite well, but I couldn’t wait for it to be over, so that I could go and see Emma. With the meeting over it was straight back up to the Ward, where Emma had started to have contractions. With the time between them decreasing it was decided to move her up to ‘Delivery Suite’, as a matter of urgency. We arrived on ‘Delivery Suite’ at 15:50 and soon Emma was in full labour. At 17:28 Emma gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

With mum and baby doing well, I called Alysha, to let her know that she had yet another sister, before calling my mum to give her the good news. I then went to the shop to get Emma a cold drink, before heading to my office to shut down my PC, before heading back up to see Emma. By this time Emma had phoned all of her immediate family, and was getting tired. Although Emma wanted to go straight home, Hospital policy states that you must remain under observation for a minimum of six hours and, since they wouldn’t discharge her at midnight, she would be moved to ‘Katherine Ward’, until the following morning. I looked after our latest daughter, while Emma had a shower, before we were taken down to ‘Katherine Ward’. Once Emma was settled in, at about 21:00, I said my goodbyes and headed home to Erin, who was being looked after by Emma’s brother, Christopher.

The following morning I was up early to get Erin fed and dressed, before heading to the Hospital. On our way in, Emma had texted to ask me to bring in a few items (Cheese and pickle roll and a cold drink), so we bought them at the ‘League of Friends’ shop, before heading up to the Ward. After the usual tests and paperwork had been filled in, Emma was discharged. I ordered us a taxi and within 10 minutes we back at home with our latest daughter.

Keilyn Joanna Amy Morrissey was born at 17:28 and weighed 4026g (8.875lb)

A big thank you to all the staff on Victoria Ward, Katherine Ward and the Delivery Suite.

And all the others that we have seen throughout this pregnancy.

A Stroll around St. Albans

Saturday 6th April, 2013. (The day after the 50th pre-anniversary of First Contact.)

 

With the weather finally improving, Emma, Erin, Emma Jayne and myself headed off to St. Albans for the day. After parking at the Drovers Way car park, we headed onto the High Street and down to 'Simmons' bakery for a bite to eat. 'Simmons' make the tastiest sausage rolls, that I have ever tasted, which Erin and Emma Jayne soon agreed with. Once we had eaten, we headed off toward the Alban Arena, where Alysha and the 'Living the Dream' dance group were scheduled to do a 'Flash Mob' at noon, followed by another one every half-an-hour. With a place found to sit, I got out my camera, set it to video and waited. The 'Flash Mob' began and we were treated to three minutes of various dance set to pop music. The small crowd that had gathered seemed to enjoy it, too. When the dancers had finished, Alysha came over to say 'hi' and play with Erin, before we headed off to get a coffee, promising to pop back to catch another show later on.

 

We walked back down the bustling High Street, with its myriad market stalls, buskers, families, etc. and made our way towards The Clock Tower. For a change The Clock Tower was open so, while the girls went to get the coffees, I paid my £1 and climbed the 93 narrow, winding steps to the roof, nearly 20 metres above.The St. Albans Clock Tower was built between 1403 & 1412, by a former Royal Mason named Thomas Wolvey, and was based on the great Clock House at Westminster, which was built in 1365. Its walls are made of flint rubble in a lime mortar and are up to four-feet thick. The ground floor has been used as a shop and as government offices for the government telegraph station, which was built on its roof, during the Napoleonic Wars from 1808-1814. The rooms on the next two floors were originally designed as living areas and had their own privies. The third floor room is where the mechanism for the clock is situated. The original clock was very poor at keeping time and was eventually replaced, in the eighteenth century, by a 'modern' pendulum clock. The belfry is situated on the fourth floor and contains the Clock Towers original bell. The bell was built by William and Robert Burford of Aldgate and weighs one ton. The bell sounds in F-natural and is named after the Archangel Gabriel and has the Latin inscription; Missi De Celis Babeo Nomen Gabrielis (From Heaven I Came, Gabriel My Name). Gabriel last rang out for the funeral of Queen Victoria, in 1901. Also contained in the belfry is the Market Bell, which was cast in 1729, and was moved from the old Market House in 1855. The last few steps take you on to the roof, through a Gothic spirelet, which was added between 1865-6. The view from the roof is incredible. Looking North you can see St. Peter's church, the Old Town Hall and the Corn Exchange (which stands on the site of the Market House. Tracking East you can see Trinity church and following South you can make out the M25 at Ridgehill, Shenley Tower, the Sopwell ruins and Woodcock Hill. To the South you can see St. Bartholomew's and St. Stephen's churches before resting your eyes on St. Albans Abbey. Continuing to track towards the West, you can see the Roman Town of Verulamium and out towards Dunstable Downs. Batchwood Hall, Christ Church and St. Albans City Hospital complete the panoramic view. After taking a few photographs, I carefully made my way back down the stairs, stopping on each floor to let others wind their way up. On exiting the Clock Tower, I spotted Emma Jayne, with Erin, waiting outside of 'Starbucks'. Emma came out with the coffees and we made our way down a small alley toward the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St. Alban. We passed the Abbey and continued down the path to Verulamium Park. Erin awoke at this point, so out of her buggy she came and we walked hand-in-hand around the lake, stopping along the way to feed the various ducks, geese, coots, moor hens, gulls, pigeons, swans, etc. More photographs were taken before it was decided to go and have a look around the Market stalls. After a good look around, we headed back over to the Alban Arena, in time to catch another 'Flash Mob' and yet another video. Emma Jayne was completely exhausted from her stroll around St. Albans, so I waited with her and Erin while Emma popped into the Tesco Metro, to pick up a few essentials for home. This meant I caught another performance by Alysha and the Living the Dream team, this time managing to video it and take some photographs, at the same time. We then sad 'goodbye' to Alysha and made our way back to the car and then home.

 

Yet another great day out.

London: Commonwealth Observance Day, 2012

Monday 11th March, 2013.

With Alysha performing at Westminster Abbey, for Commonwealth Observance Day, later in the day, I decided to head off to London to try and get some photos.

With the temperature at zero degrees and a bitter wind, bringing in snow, I boarded the 10:50 train from Watford Met station and began my journey. As we approached Northwood station the driver announced that there was a problem at Baker Street, so this train would be terminating at Harrow-on-the-hill. No mention was made of how long this problem would last or whether there would be a bus replacement, so I began formulating a new plan. (Take Met line to Rayners Lane, then Piccadilly line into London. Sorted.) As it turned out, the delay was only 15 minutes, so I carried on with my planned route. I alighted at Finchley Road and took the Jubilee line to Green Park, where I left the confines of the underground for a walk through the Royal Parks. No sooner had I entered Green Park I realised that I was the only pedestrian around, probably due to the dropping temperature. This was beneficial as the Bomber Command Memorial was deserted, giving me the chance to get some nice photos, without anyone in them. With the time approaching midday, I headed South, along Constitution Hill, towards Buckingham Palace, just in time to catch the changing of the guard, which I hadn't seen for many years. I then followed the guards towards their barracks before turning into St. James's Park, where I bought a latte, to warm me up. I crossed St. James's Park lake, via the foot bridge, before walking along the South side of the lake. I was surprised by how many breeds of bird and wildlife were to be seen. There were Pochards, Mallards, Great White Pelicans, Herons, Ravens, Swans and many more. With the snow getting heavier and the wind picking up, taking decent photos was becoming more difficult.

Satisfied that I had some nice pics I left St. James's Park and took Great George Street to Parliament Square. Possibly because it was a Monday lunchtime, or because the temperature was zero degrees, Westminster was deserted. Parliament Square had erected 54 flagpoles, one for each of the Commonwealth nations. Because of the lack of people, I got some great shots of the deserted square. One of my favourite shots, which I took for the fun factor, was of the Jamaican flag with snow falling. It made me chuckle. As I crossed from Parliament Square towards Westminster Abbey, a young foreign couple with a young daughter crossed the other way. It was a good job I was paying attention as the wind blew the young girl's scarf into the road, without their knowledge. I picked up the scarf and turned to call out to them, but the wind and traffic noise drowned out my voice. Spying a break in the traffic I managed to catch up with them and reunite the girl with her scarf, much to her parents delight. I then headed back to the crossing and Westminster Abbey. When the green man appeared I checked that the traffic had stopped, but a big black car, with the registration AMS 1, stopped a bit too late. If I had have stepped into the road as soon as the green man had appeared, this car would surely have clipped me. Still, no harm no fowl. I am not sure if Lord Alan Michael Sugar was actually in the car, but if he was I hope he had words with his driver.

All the gates and entrances to Westminster Abbey were sealed and guarded by many Metropolitan Police officers, none of whom appeared to be carrying firearms, but I am sure that some of them had to be. All the dignitaries, VIPs, Royalty and Alysha would be entering the Abbey via the West entrance, by The Sanctuary, directly into The Nave of the abbey. With the time getting on and no sign of anyone famous yet, I decided to try and warm myself up by getting something hot to eat. So, back across Parliament Square, onto Parliament Street and into The Red Lion. A pint of London Pride and a toasted bacon, cheese and mushroom baguette did the trick. Once the warmth had come back into my face and hands, I left the pub and headed towards Westminster station to find Alysha. A few minutes later and we met outside the station and headed off to the Abbey together. More and more people had arrived and news filtered down that HM Queen Elizabeth II was still not well enough to attend. I don't think that Alysha was too upset by this, as the the chance to dance in front of 3,000+ people at such a prestigious venue was, in itself, a massive honour. After taking a few photos of Alysha, outside of Westminster Abbey, I wished her luck and watched her disappear into the crowds. A few special guests started to arrive, including the Jamaican High Commissioner, Aloun Ndombet-Assamba. The number plate of his car? JAM 1. Then more High Commissioners began to arrive, with the same style of number plate;; NAM 1, RSA 1, etc. How cool.

With the temperature beginning to drop and the snow falling heavier, I decided to find some shelter. The Parliament Shop is a small shop selling various books, crockery and the like. It was while I was browsing through some books, I noticed a man (who looked familiar) talking to the cashier. Not able to place the man I continued browsing until I remembered where I had seen the him before. Then it hit me. His picture was on one the books I had just looked at! I quickly grabbed the book and checked the photograph. Yep. It was him. I then went up to the cashier, placing the book on the counter between the two men. The both looked at the book, then at me and then at each other. I waited until the transaction was complete before looking directly at the author, who still stood beside me. Pretending to have only just recognised him, I asked if he would do me the honour of signing his book. He politely agreed and I ended up with a signed copy of 'Order! Order! A Parliamentary Miscellany', which is written by Robert Rogers, Clerk of the House of Commons. Feeling very pleased with myself I headed back to The Red Lion for a pint of London Pride, to warm up and wait for Alysha to finish.

I made my way back towards Westminster Abbey in time to see some of the dignitaries departing, of which I got a few photos. Then it was a case of waiting for Alysha. She appeared at the top of the steps of the West entrance and I managed to get some photos of her, leaving the Abbey. We then waited for her friend Sophie, before making our way to Westminster station. The girls were going back to Watford via a different route, to me, so we made our farewells and headed off home.

All in all another great, if cold, day out in London.

A Stroll to Cassiobury Park

Sunday 17th February, 2013.

My alarm went off just before seven in the a.m. with its chime of ‘Dad? Dad?? Dad. Dad! DAD!!!’ So, up I got. I put Erin in bed with Emma, while I busied myself with getting dressed. Then I scooped Erin up and took her downstairs to get her changed and fed. Breakfast consisted of a coffee with a vanilla shot, for me, and milk and toast with jam, for Erin. Pretty soon Emma was up and we all made our way to Cassiobury Park. We normally go for a walk on a Sunday, but this was the first time in a few weeks that we had ventured out, as the weather had been too cold and wet for Erin.

It didn’t take us long to reach the park, which we entered via Cassiobury Park Lodge, just off Cassiobury Park Avenue. Opposite the ‘Cha Cha Cha Café’, I unbuckled Erin from her pushchair and carried her onto the fields to the left. Although Erin has been walking for the last three months, she has never had a proper run around outside. Well, she was in her element, when I finally put her down. She began by holding my hand, then decided to go and look at the branches of a tree, then the tree itself. Then she was fascinated by the people running around kicking a football. Then her fascination was taken by her shadow, which she couldn’t pick up. Finally, giving up on catching her shadow, we started to head in the direction of the playground. Erin’s choice of direction was circuitous, to say the least, but we managed it, eventually. On reaching the playground area, we decided to stop for a drink and something to eat. So, while Emma took Erin to find a picnic table, I bought us both a bacon roll, Emma a coffee and myself a bottle of water at ‘Vince’s Café’. After we had all eaten, including Erin who had managed to con her mum out of a piece of bacon, or two, I took Erin into the playground, while Emma finished her coffee.

As with all playgrounds, that we take Erin to, she has to go on the swing, first. All other pieces of apparatus can wait until later. Well, she began chuckling and giggling before I had even pushed the swing, for the first time and, looking along the row of four swings, I noticed that every swing was taken by a daughter and each was being pushed by their dads. How cool. By the time Erin decided that it was time to try something else, Emma had rejoined us. Looking around the playground, which was getting busier by the moment, I took Erin over to a mini climbing frame with a slopes and slides. Once she was on it that was it. Backwards and forwards across the sloping bridges to peer down the two slides, before heading off in the other direction. The odd clash of wills with other bigger kids and the odd loss of balance on the sloping floor, but no tears. The only problem with Erin, on something like this, is that she has no fear. This is evident when she does decide it is time to go down the slide. She would much rather step out into thin air than sit and slide, so we have to be very wary. Of the two slides attached to this piece of play equipment, the smaller baby slide was far less slippery than usual and Erin really wasn’t interested in it anyway. The bigger, taller slide on the other hand, was super slippery. Once we had managed to get Erin to sit at the top, she began chuckling away to herself as she nudged herself ever closer to the precipice. Then she was gone. Laughing and giggling all the way down to the rubber floor at the end of the slide. With no other children waiting to come down the slide, I sat Erin back at the top and almost immediately she threw herself down again, laughing all the way. Then she decided that there were other things to explore. The bouncy ‘animal’ chairs didn’t hold her attention but the roundabout did. The roundabout was pure fun for her. She began by holding on, like we had told her to, then she let go and slouched back and began giggling, as her world began to blur. She laughed even harder when I finally removed her from the roundabout and stood her on the tarmac, which to her dizzied brain made her stagger in a large circle, before she collapse on the floor, smiling at her shoes. Another go on the slides and it was time to head into Watford town centre and, pretty much as soon as Erin was strapped back into the pushchair, she was asleep. We walked back up through Cassiobury Park and to Rickmansworth Road, where we went through the subway and out onto the High Street. I had purchased some new boots from ‘Shoe Zone’, the day before, and one of the rivets had popped out as I put them on, so I needed to exchange them. The lady in the shop was very helpful and they were exchanged with no problem. On handing her my receipt, she informed me that the boots I had bought had gone into the sale, so I was entitled to £5 back. Bonus!

It was at this point we decided to head home, before Erin awoke wanting her lunch.

All in all another great Sunday morning walk.

Until next time…

May it be well with you.

Guinness World Record Breakers

*BREAKING NEWS*

 

 

 

On Saturday October 20th 2012, Star Trek fans (including me) descended on London's ExCeL Centre, to try to break a Guinness World Record. The record was for 'The Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Star Trek Characters' and was held by 1,040 Trekkies at a Star Trek convention in Las Vegas, that took place in 2011.

 

 

 

Today, Friday February 8th 2013, Guinness World Records confirmed that we had indeed broken the record with 1,063 fans turning out in full costume. Woohoo! However, with another convention due in Las Vegas later this year, I am not sure how long this record will remain in England. If it does get broken I hope that Media 10 (organisers of the Destination Star Trek London convention) or another company will set up another convention, in Englnd, so that we can smash the record again.

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

 

 

Live Long and Prosper.

Christmas, 2012

Sunday, 23rd December

Although Erin’s temperature had dropped back down to near normal, (having peaked at 39.1c the same as the internal temperature aboard a Borg ship, from‘Star Trek’) she was still feeling under-the-weather, so we decided to just relax for the day and enjoy the calm before the proverbial storm that is Christmas. All this changed, however, at just after 20:00 hrs, when Erin decided that she was feeling better. So much better, in fact, that she decided to go for a walk… Alone. Out came the camera and soon videos were being taken of this milestone in her life. What an early, but great, Christmas present!

Monday, 24th December (Christmas Eve)

I was up slightly earlier than normal, as we were short staffed at work, so it important that we were all in early to make sure that everything was done in good time. Because of the extra work, time really flew and before we knew it, it was time to head home. As I walked through the door, Erin came tottering up to me, to show me that she had been practising her walk. Soon after dinner, Emma disappeared off to work, while I settled down for the evening. Erin soon awoke and began to show off her walking skills, again. It must have taken it out of her as, like the night before, she fell asleep earlier than normal. With Erin safely tucked up in bed, I brought all the presents down and placed them under the tree, ready for the morning. With not a lot on the TV I soon headed off to bed, myself.

Tuesday, 25th December (Christmas Day)

As per usual, I was up by 7 O’clock and sitting on the sofa when Emma came home, just after 07:30. Now, I know that Christmas is for the kids and they are usually the first up and I also know that Erin is only 13 months old, but not even I was expecting her to sleep in until 09:00!!! So, when she finally awoke she was given a bottle, sat on the sofa and surrounded (buried) with presents. She soon got the hang of it and, being the typical 13 month old, started to play with the empty envelopes, discarded paper and boxes. The presents were discarded until after we cleared up, at which point Alysha arrived and the whole cycle began again. With Erin playing with her new toys and Alysha reading the biography of Cheryl Cole, Emma got the dinner going. After I had carved the Roast Lamb (from Gibson’s butchers) and plated up the veg (sprouts, parsnips, carrots and broccoli), roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, stuffing and gravy, we all sat down to eat. Erin had juice. Alysha had a glass of Bucks Fizz, while Emma had a glass of alcohol-free wine and I had a glass of Bulgarian Merlot. Crackers were pulled, hats were worn, toys were lost and jokes were read. After dinner we cleared the table and finished the washing up, which Emma had been doing as she cooked, so there was little to do. We then all sat down to watch a DVD. Alysha had been bought ‘Ted’, so we sat down to watch that. Emma dozed off shortly after it started, while Erin busied herself by seeing how breakable her new toys were. ‘Ted’ was great fun and I know that I am going to have to watch it again. At just after 17:00, Alysha collected her things and headed over to my mum’s house, leaving Erin and myself trying to be quiet, so as not to wake Emma. After Emma did awake, we spent the rest of the evening relaxing, ready for Boxing Day.

Wednesday, 26th December (Boxing Day)

We spend our Boxing Day chillaxin’ throughout the morning, until our guests, if any, arrive. That’s the way it has always been and will probably continue to b. So, with that in mind, this year was no different. Emma’s sister, Rachel, and family were all in Cassiobury Park for a Boxing Day stroll, so Emma invited them round for a coffee, before they headed back to Chesham. They took up the invite and piled round the house; Rachel, Noel, Kane, Freya and Noah. Followed, shortly after, by Emma’s parents, David and Alyson. After Erin and the kids had wrecked the place, they made their farewells and left, just as Len, EmJ and Steve B arrived. Unlike previous Boxing Day’s, the day was very subdued and relaxing. The TV was on, as a distraction, while we all discussed our various presents and what we had been up to the previous day. Erin, having grown more and more confident in her walking ability, was very irritable as she didn’t want to sleep, in case she missed something. As the afternoon went on, drinks were had and stories were told until, Len and EmJ decided to make a move for home. As they had the car, they gave Steve B a lift home, too. Once everyone had left, Emma and I settled Erin down before heading off to bed ourselves. Once again, another peaceful Christmas in the Morrissey household.

Until next time

May it be well with you.