By Saturday afternoon I’d already seen Star Trek twice. I know what you’re thinking. That I’ve totally become one of those girls – the ones who snag a man and forfeit their entire personalities, suddenly favoring things he loves, like spray cheese and NASCAR. And yes, while being with the Dork Lord has subtly increased my tolerance of sports bars and basketball (yeah, no, it’s still not over because it WILL NEVER BE OVER), my love for the nerdy things in life began long, long ago. Probably with Space Camp and the year I requested that for my birthday slumber party we rent the “Star Trek whale movie.” I won’t lie: I’ve been suffering unrequited love for Captain Jean-Luc Picard for years. And now, now that there’s a fresh, young (read: pretty effing attractive) cast it’s like… well, we’re reunited and it feels so good. Also, it’s just a damn fine movie. Because even if you’re not into sci-fi and space and warp speed I’m betting you’re into hot and funny. Which there’s plenty of. I do so love a badass with a healthy disrespect for authority.
Is it wrong that it’s Monday and my brain is focused entirely on the weekend? Good friends from Boston are flying in Thursday night and I’m clinging to that visit like a life raft in a sea of boring. They’ve never been here, so I’m excited to take them out for Tex Mex and, if the rain sees fit to stop for a couple hours at a time, show them some of the sights. The Nasher maybe? If you’re a Dallas-ite and you have suggestions, I’d love to hear ‘em. Er, read ‘em. Whatever.
you’re so much like my older sister sometimes it weirds me out… same name, she lives in arlington, approximately the same age, and she also went to space camp… it’s craziness. As a side note, the star trek whale movie is a classic, and I can’t wait to see the new star trek movie.
hey! i hate to so shamelessly promote something I was involved with – but it’s a great publication and definitely answers your question of what to do/see in dallas.
the director, kevin keim, of the charles moore foundation in austin dreamed up PLACENOTES approximately 5 years ago. they are a fun and attractive alternative to the ordinary travel guide and in the spirit of charles moore, seek out and point one to good places. i’ve been editing the volumes and always find them a treat to read.
the dallas edition came out two or three years ago, I believe.
they can be purchased on amazon – but local bookstores in dallas probably carry them as well (possibly the nasher’s bookstore?)
you can find out more about them here! http://www.placenotes.com
LOVED the new Star Trek movie. Also loved the “Star Trek whale movie” which I kept talking about to my hubby while waiting for the new Star Trek to start. And yes, Cap’n Jean-Luc Picard is heavenly!
And it took you THIS long to discover Firefly?!? Badass with a healthy disrespect from authority doesn’t come much better than Mal!
I know! Let’s blame it on Fox’s craptastic marketing!
hmmmm…. the rain makes dallas tourism difficult.
But if they have a good art tolerance, the Modern museum in Ft. Worth is excellent, both from an architectural and an art standpoint (and you can be indoors in inclement weather).
And also Sonny Bryan’s barbeque on Inwood, always a good choice for out of towners- really, you can probably just eat your way across Dallas, and they’ll come away satisfied, so many restaurants to choose from- provided everyone is in good financial shape, that is.
Have fun!
I am so jealous you have already seen Star Trek twice! We had plans to go see it Saturday, but the effin storm that blew through Friday morning jacked up all of our weekend plans. Stupid storm knocking over stupid trees interfering with my geek plans.
I love Picard too, but if I’m being honest, I have an even bigger crush on Brent Spiner as Data. And – shhh – I only just discovered ST:TNG (or Star Trek at all for that matter) at age 25. But, yeah…now I’m totally hooked.
oh how I love me the Captain Picard!
I have been in love with Jean=Luc Picard and Number 1 for YEARS. Part of me also adored Data. So hot for an android. I loved him for his mind! I went to see Star Trek this weekend and was absolutely enamored…the new young Kirk is even hotter than the old young Kirk was…when he was young, that is. I’ve been having Trekkie dreams for TWO DAYS. *sigh*
I heart Jean-Luc Picard. Something about a bald man with a starship? I have the DVD collection
I’d say the boyfriend and I are both pretty nerdy (me more with Harry Potter/Aragorn, him…as an engineer), but he has always scoffed at Star Trek…and I have a long history of watching Deep Space 9 and Next Generation with my dad. But yes, even he wants to see the movie. Yay!
Been a lifelong Trekkie nerd. Love TNG even better (& Picard, of course) than TOS tho.
Best line in movie: “She got the whole damn planet in the divorce. All she left me with was my bones.”
I like to take out-of-towners to the Fort Worth Stockyards. The Longhorns always create a crazy reaction, especially when your visitors are from outside the US. Then you can stop by The White Elephant Saloon, because Chuck Norris hung out there in Walker Texas Ranger!
I’ve been in love with Jean-Luc Picard since 1987!!!!! And when our friend was cast in the new movie, my geeky little heart went into overdrive.
Haven’t seen it yet, but I’m trying to find a way to ask said friend if he can get me a part as a vulcan or klingon extra in the next one!
Loved the movie!! Long time Trekkie/Trekker here. Jean-Luc is cool and was very hot in First Contact. However my first and foremost ST love will always be Worf!! Loved him on TNG and when he joined DS9 I was in heaven Worf and Sisko on one show! I still can’t get over the fact that Michael Dorn (the actor who played Worf) was the black cop (don’t know the characters name) on CHiPs.
Good stuff to do in actual Dallas (you know, so you don’t have to drive all over the metroplex):
-Sixth floor museum/Dealey Plaza/Conspiracy Museum
-Thanksgiving Square
-Dallas Museum of Art
-Reunion Tower
-Nasher
-Victory Park
-Medieval Times
-Dallas World Aquarium
-Arboretum
If you’d rather drive:
-FW Stock Yards
-The Water Gardens
-South Fork (where the opening shot for Dallas was filmed)
-Six Flags
-FW Zoo
-Sundance Square
-The Omni
I hope this helps you out a bit and that y’all have lots of fun this weekend!!!
I’ve never seen any of the Star Trek movies. I’m sure you just gave the same look my boyfriend did when I told him that. We’re supposed to see the new one so he can ‘break me in’. I’m looking forward to it, especially now that I know there’s eye candy.
I absolutely LOVE the Dallas Aquarium and Rain Forest down by West End – so fun.
Also LOVE Brent Spiner! Did you know he released an album in the early 90′s called “Ol’ Yellow Eyes Is Back?” It’s an album of standards, and some of the NG cast sing backup. He was also in “1776″ on Broadway, and there’s a cast recording of it.
You’ve gotta take your guests to Billy Bob’s! (Has that already been mentioned? Apologies if it has.)
When my out of town friends come to Dallas, here are the most requested stops:
Tex Mex (Chuy’s or Mattito’s)
Sam Moon (do NOT go on a Saturday)
Fireside Pies
Times Ten Cellars
Bumming in little shops — Henderson, Bishop Arts — interspersed with ducking in places for glasses of wine
The Angelika
And, of course, The Nasher. (That goes without saying.)
Have a great time!
Also love the movie Space Camp!
Just saw the movie – all shades of awesome. I also have a theory on how it all might end
http://www.grumpyyounglady.com/?p=160
LOVE Jean-Luc – especially in First Contact when he gets down to his snglet. Reow.
I’ve seen it twice, too.