Reconnaissance Officer
Report #67
6.26.2005 - VA Ky Terrak
<Salute>
Greetings from the Recon Office.
I've been rather busy IRL over the past few weeks due to my job. Another is someone hacked the computer at my house and I've lost some data because of it. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm missing, but it's taking up quite a bit of my time.
Also, starting this Wednsday, I'll be on leave for one week. I probably should have taken a week off.. well a week ago. Oh well. My CA, VA Ky Terrak will be taking over for the week. Expect his report this next weekend. (Aim for Friday Ky, Ast will kick your butt :P)
I still have no responces from any of the interviewees. This is kinda par for the course as far as my experience goes. Ill be sending 2nd emails starting when I get back from my leave.
Sorry to make this short.. but I have a bad sunburn and it's kicking my rear..
Here's your SW news... must be a slow week.
Star Wars News:
========================================================
Star Wars Dominates Video Game Sales
IGN Xbox is reporting on the top sellers for consoles this past month of May. Four of the top nine are Star Wars titles, with the Revenge of the Sith game taking the top 2 spots (PS2 and Xbox) and both versions of Lego Star Wars also selling strong. Be sure to buy them both - not to be missed!
Skywalker Wine Limited Availability
Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery has let us know they have a limited number of two-bottle boxed sets of Skywalker wine available again. Each has one bottle each of the Merlot and Chardonnay, contained in a wooden box sporting Skywalker Ranch text on the outside.
Notably, some states, like Texas where I am, can now receive direct shipments from out of state wineries. If your state didn't allow it before, be sure and check again.
There is a one box set limit: Skywalker Ranch Wine (http://www.niebaum-coppola.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?Target=products.asp&CategoryID=119&Bypass=True)
They also have individual bottles of the 2003 Chardonnay available for $30 each, limit 2.
Real Physics in Episode III
The Mercury News has a new article on how physics and a Stanford professor played a key role in Episode III. Here's a clip before you head there for the rest:
In the opening scene of the latest ``Star Wars'' movie, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker expertly maneuver their Jedi fighters through explosion after explosion.
Thanks to Stanford University physicist and mathematician Ron Fedkiw, the computer-generated barrage actually captures the real physical properties of a blast.
``The key that was missing was the roiling and spinning after a real explosion,'' Fedkiw said. ``I created a new method to control the amount of rotation and turbulent motions in the scene.''
Fedkiw's invention of a method to make computer-simulated imagery more lifelike underscores the growing collaboration between traditional science and entertainment. He works one day a week as a consultant to George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic special-effects house. Some of Fedkiw's colleagues and students consult for Pixar Animation Studios.
=========================================================
That's it from me. See you all next week!
<SALUTE>
RO/FA "Six"Joe/CS-12/SSSD Sovereign