Blogs

Fellow Colonials,

          A few items to cover first I am not dead and gone not yet at least.  To much Sci Fi fun for me to have and collect around the globe.  I know some of you have been informed to what caused me to fall out of action things beyond my control.  However, I am back in full swing especially with a new computer a birthday present to myself.  I wanted to say thanks to all the folks who gave me a shout out to check on me and those who texted me to get updates. Thank you very much!

        I am going through email on both accounts eng33ladder49@yahoo.com and CAG_VF84@yahoo.com catching up on all emails fast!  If there are any personnel awaiting, holding an examination, or have a question please submit them via emails.  On another note if you have submitted an examination and have not received a graded test along with certificate of completion contact me please.

       Alright moving along with some frequently asked questions that I get asked often and once in a blue that come up b/c sometimes folks forget which is not a problem.

1-  Do I have to take a test in order to be a pilot?

Ans -  No a test is NOT required for a member to be a pilot serving onboard a chapter in the BFC Fleet.  Once you join a chapter you as the member have the choice of picking your role. IE: Pilot, Bridge Officer, Fleet / Marine Officer, or Enlisted, Engineering, Communications, Navigation, Security, Civilian Tech Rep, Civilian etc. 

2- How do I get a tail number assigned to me?

Ans - A tail number is only assigned to a Pilot once they have taken a Viper, or Raptor Qualification examination.  If your interested in being a Shuttle Pilot take Raptor exam, or Cylon pilot then Viper exam.  After you have passed your examination your tail number will be assigned.  In addition when submitting your examination please tell me what state you live, or if overseas the country.  This information is used in generating your tail number.

3- Can you explain the tail number designation for the Fleet based on the military asset assigned to a pilot?

Ans - Tail numbers are unique identifiers to said Pilots in the BFC Fleet.  No two Pilots should ever have the same tail number.  Tail numbers also help in IFF (Identify Friend, or Foe) and what small craft a Pilot is flying for example:

Viper Tail # 06016TX  (06 States your area of operation which is important.  016 is the actual Viper craft assigned to you.  TX is for Texas.  If you happen to be overseas then it will more then likely be your countries name.  Below you will see a few examples of Tail #'s

Viper (06016TX)

Raptor (R06016TX)

Cylon (C06016TX)

Shuttle (SC06016TX)

Stealth (S06016TX) and so on if something new then I will think up of a suitable identifier for it.

4- What if I want to change what I Pilot?

Ans - It is your membership if you want to switch from Viper Pilot to Raptor Pilot for example you simply inform your CAG of your desire.  Once you have done that you can email me at either eng33ladder49@yahoo.com and CAG_VF84@yahoo.com  Once I get the email confirmation from your CAG. I will revise your certificate of completion to reflect the new tail number.  You are informing your CAG as a professional courtesy by NO means are you stuck in a said position. As I stated earlier it's your membership.  I don't want to lose a member b/c they are stuck in something they don't want.

5- I am Colonial Marine and I want to fly. What options are there for me?

Ans - Colonial Marines regardless of their rank can take the Raptor Examination.  After passing and completing the exam you will be assigned a tail number like fellow Pilots.  I am trying to keep it real and honor the show as best I can.  Canon means alot to me.  In the BSG original series you will note there no tail numbers on the fighters.  There were several reasons for not having them.

6- Is it mandatory I give my chain of command my certificate and score on my examinations?

Ans - This question really gets me the answer is NO it is NOT mandatory.  A member can share their score points achieved on the exam.  Also share a copy of Certificates with their CAG, or Squadron Leaders.   It is a matter of "Privacy" at what level that is up to you the member.  I encourage all CAGs and Squadron Leaders to maintain a database with Pilot information.  However, you need to decide whether to say I "Passed" or "Failed" so they are aware.  If you want to share your actual score number it's your decision.  No BFC Officer will tell you it is, "Mandatory"  Same thing for the certificate your call to share, or not.  I recommend giving some information so there is a back up of it somewhere.  My database has everything. Bottom line your call.

7- What if I have a question on BFC Fleet Guidelines, Policies, or a procedure. Who do I contact?

Ans - You can contact your Commanding or Executive Officer on your assigned chapter.  However, if you are not assigned to a chapter and have a question you can also feel free to contact me via email at eng33ladder49@yahoo.com and CAG_VF84@yahoo.com

8- Why does everyone use the term, "Canon"

Ans - The term Canon is basically referring to something on the show Battlestar Galactica new and old as screen accurate, or seen on the show.  Whether it is a ship, costume design, insignia, prop used in a particular scene etc etc.  This term also applied to other shows and movies.  Ultimately it helps keep us the fans as loyal to show without coming up with some off the wall stuff.   It also helps identify if particular item was either not pertinent to the show or doesn't exist in it.  Fans can argue all they want, but when it comes to, "Canon" it is either seen on the show or it is not.

9- If I join the Battlestar Fan Club Community is alright to join more then one?

Ans - Yes you can join as many Battlestar Galactica Fan Communities as you like.  You are basically applying for a member in said communities.  Each community has it own guidelines / policies and other don't.  All have a common theme fans coming together b/c they love Battlestar Galactica.   If you join a community that does not have guidelines / policies it's okay some communities might be very small.

10-  Can I keep my rank if i earned it in another Battlestar Community and want to serve on a Chapter/Ship in the BFC Fleet.*********

Ans - Yes and no as weird as it sounds.  If are a member of the Colonial Defense Forces and wish to also join a Chapter/Ship here in the BFC Fleet then yes b/c we have a there i latitude in order to on good standing.  If you are from the Cylon Alliance then yes as well b/c do not want to seem impartial.  All those ranks are honored without issue and at times can be easily validated.  However, if you are starting out new then NO.  You just can't join the BFC with a rank you earned from a community who has not joined the Colonial Alliance its all about keeping it fair for everyone.  We can also discuss this one on one over the phone and come to some kind of understanding.

11- Forming a new chapter in the Battlestar Fan Club (BFC).  Induction of a chapter from outside the the BFC community.  This particular question has a very lengthy response as to cover different area.  As such this will be posted as a new thread.  However, a link will be provided to take to said thread to read.

              Thank you all for being patient and reading this FAQs list.  I don't mind questions this is how WE ALL learn and pass on information to each other and new personnel wanting to join the Battllestar Fan Club Fleet.  If you have questions not listed gimme a holler i am easily reachable.  I will add more question to this FAQ section as i get them or think of some that members might ask.  SO SAY WE ALL! ~SALUTES~

Respectfully,

FADM Rivera, M.A.(CF)

Commander Fleet, BFC

Fellow Colonials,

                  This is NOT Battlestar Galactica related.  However it IS important that we HONOR and give great respect to one of our many HEROES who have earned a place in our hearts!  Today Leonard Nimoy passed away at age 83.  Having lived a long life with a journey he share not just with is family, but with us his FANS. 

                   We knew him as Spock the First Officer of the USS ENTERPRISE, but we loved him for the logic he gave us and the promise that all things are logical as well as fact.  Like many of you i will miss him dearly as he is also one of my heroes and role models.  I ask throughout the BFC FLEET all ships dim their lights and take a moment of silence to honor this great man among us.  He will me truly missed, but reminds us all that time will eventually catch up to all us, so live this life like every minute counts and give love and joy to the ones we love family and friends. 

                    Thank you at Colonial Warriors of the FLEET!   Please post here and share your thoughts and ideals that him someone you thought of and respected.

Cylon Skin Jobs Are Real, They Walk Among Us...And They Have A Plan...

Russian President Medvedev Admits Skin Jobs Are Real And They Walk Among Us:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zHCSpm2kepo

  "Hello,

 I'm Ernie Miller and as the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Adminstrator of Colonial Affairs,
 
 I welcome you on behalf of the leadership of the BFC.

 Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you on the site"

 Welcome
 
So Say We All !!!!!!

Cylon Centurion Police To Patrol Streets Early 2016...REALLY...Buy Your Command

http://thefreethoughtproject.com/early-2016-robot-cops-patrolling-streets-no/

What could POSSIBLY go wrong? Hmmmmm...

Bojay has been busy...and while this is a departure from what you might expect to see Jack do.

Being the bad guy always allows an actor to do just a little more (which means chewing extra scenery!) so check out this clip from the short film "Sons of Guns"...

This time out, we are talking with Jack Stauffer...who all fans of BSG know played the role of Bojay in the original series.

Jack has a long history in television (and film) along with a thriving stage career...beginning on television with his role on All My Children as Dr. Chuck Tyler, he has also appeared in The Partridge Family, Harry O, The Bionic Woman, The Fall Guy, &...well the list goes on.

Jack always brings his good sense of humor to any convention he graces & is a true fan favorite!

Shawn: What was your first convention experience?

Jack: I had no idea what a sci fi convention was. I was on a commercial audition one day late 97 or early 98 and ran into Annie (Lockhart). I was pissing and moaning about how little work there was and she asked why I didn't try to go to a few cons. I told her I had no idea what she was talking about. She asked if by any chance I had any pictures of me from the show. She came over to my house for coffee and i showed her the three original pix that I got from the publicity dept. at Universal when we all heard the show was canceled. Those are the black suit pictures and they were on the wall in my den. Annie went nuts because she did not know there were any pix of us in the black suits. She and I agreed to a swap. I gave her the picture of her and me and she introduced me to the con world.1st con I think was that Hollywood Show they do all the time in L:A. From there it was the big Creation Star Trek show in Pasadena. That was when we had more access to Creation. It was at the Pasadena Creation in 1998 that Richard and I reconnected and I agreed to help with "The 2nd. Coming". I then really started to go to cons with Richard when we were promoting the trailer. Sophie (LaPorte) packaged the two of us together.

Shawn: So how did it go, those first cons?

Jack: I think I discovered very early that I did not have nearly enough drawing power to pursue doing cons full time. Even in the beginning, the fact that I did the last four episodes and was not one of the BSG contract players meant that when it came time for fans to buy one of my pictures it was always after they had everyone else.

Shawn: What would you say was your best con?

Jack: Best con believe it or not was one of the Joe Motes cons in Orlando. Long before Megacon. Joe's cons attracted the fans who wanted autographs. They were Saturday Sunday events which he held two or three times a year. It wasn't that there were thousands of people attending. However, everyone was there to see the actors. Katy was with me and I remember we didn't have a line or anything. It was just a steady stream of one or two people. I didn't even know how much we made. On Saturday night she dumped the cash on the hotel bed and I was overwhelmed at how well we did. We did about half that amount on Sunday. The only other one that came close was a Toronto Trek where Richard and I sat together and kept the fans laughing all weekend. The US dollar was strong then and when I changed the currency from Canadian to US dollars I was surprised at how well we did. Interestingly, big cons like Dragoncon and Comic Con and Megacon where everyone said I would make a fortune were always disappointing because although there were thousands of people, there were too many actors from newer shows with big names and that's where people spent money.

Jack on Lois and Clark

Shawn: How about the worst con?

Jack: in terms of money would be one in Lubbock Texas at Texas Tech University. There was literally nobody there. I remember Jeremy Bulloch and I sat and swapped stories all weekend. I had no guarantee or anything and made $100. Other horrible one was the big Wizard con in Anaheim. All they gave us was a table but they promised thousands of fans. I drove down and got a hotel room at my expense. There were a lot of fans (over 5000) and also every actor who had ever been on a sci fi, horror, anime, etc. show. The big draw was all the actors from "Lost". I did get to sit next to Mickey Rooney all weekend.

Shawn: Strangest or most unusual fan you've encountered?

Jack: Craziest fan was the guy who kept giving me the dialogue and expecting me to remember what I said as Bojay.

Shawn: Any actual bad experiences?

Jack: I would never say I was treated badly by any con promoter. I have been left at the airport a couple of times. I have been stiffed by a con promoter twice when the con did not do well and I was given a check for my guarantee which bounced. I have always treated the fans with respect so I have not had a fan be overly rude to me. What I have always hated was schlepping my bod across the country, sitting behind a table for three days, and not making a dime. I always felt like I was begging like a merchant in a bazaar in some third world country.

Maybe it's better to say unfortunate experiences rather than bad experiences. What all of us from the original BSG have to realize is we are in way less demand these days. Firstly, the show has been gone for 35 years and any fan who might want one of my pictures probably has it. There are no new episodes with new pictures that somebody might want to add to a collection. There are also way too many newer shows with younger more prominent casts which appeal to a younger audience many of whom don't even know the original BSG. You also have more and more big names who are asking exorbitant fees for pictures ensuring that the fans are out of money before they get around to someone like me. I had a conversation with Dirk recently and he told me he was pretty much through with doing cons because of the reasons I have stated. Now I have sat next to Dirk for a weekend and watched him get wrist cramps from signing so many BSG and A Team pictures. If he feels his earning potential is worse, imagine how it affects me.

Shawn: What would you do differently if you were running a convention?

Jack: That's a broad topic.. In a nut shell - give the fans more than they usually get at an average con, make it convenient and reasonably priced for them to attend, and be thoroughly organized so you can make a profit. PROMOTE - PROMOTE - - PROMOTE!!!

What I personally would like to see in a con are options that would allow a promoter to invite a lower tier guest such as myself. As you know very well, I have always had a great reputation as being an exceptionally fan friendly guest. It has always been my policy, if I have been invited to a con, to be available to the con for the duration and to do everything I could to help the con be successful. I have comported myself and treated fans exactly the same way whether they bought pictures or just wanted to gab. I have kept my autograph prices below what many people are charging and I have never made a fan pay me if he or she just wanted a snapshot of me or of me and the fan.

What I can offer and what I would like to see a con offer is something other than an old actor sitting behind a table. That is why I came up with the Cabaret and lately why I have added the theatre seminar. This is entertainment and programming other than the old Q&A's with the same old questions. Why do you think Richard came up with his acting class?

Back in the early 2000's I found the cabaret got me into several cons that otherwise would never have invited me. Mostly they were smaller cons with fewer actors which allowed time for different programming. I had no idea whether or not sci-fi geeks would even relate or want to hear songs from Broadway shows wrapped around a few funny stories. I was amazed at how well it went over. I found it was easier to ask for a fee for me to provide evening entertainment rather than just ask for an overall guarantee. That way if not a lot of people wanted to buy autographed pictures I still came home with a few dollars in my pocket.

Guys, wouldn't you like to offer entertainment other than seeing "Rocky Horror Picture Show" for the millionth time?? That is what I bring. I can offer something to a con other than just an old actor hawking 35 year old pictures. I was so disappointed at SCI-CON and Geekonomicon when we had to cancel the cabaret because there weren't any people. I had spent quite a bit of time rehearsing it and polishing it and I was looking forward to doing it. I am an actor, and entertainer, and a teacher. I am a professional with 45 years of experience. I am good at what I do and I want to pay it forward. Make use of me. The only thing I ask for in return is a ridiculously small guarantee. Considering what other actors charge for just allowing you the privilege of being in their presence for a couple of hours a day, I am a bargain.

Shawn: Ever want an autograph from someone?

Jack:  I do not collect autographs

Shawn: What are you working on now?

Jack: I am working on trying to walk without pain.

Shawn: So how about future projects?

Jack:  Future plans - - General Douglas McArthur said: "Old soldiers never die. They simply fade away." I say: "Old actors never die. They always hope there is one more gig."

Another video clip sponsored by NBC - Battlestar Galactica Apollo & Starbuck: Soul Mates!

  "Hello,

 I'm Ernie Miller and as the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Adminstrator of Colonial Affairs,
 
 I welcome you on behalf of the leadership of the BFC.

 Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you on the site"

 Welcome
 
So Say We All !!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLINDSWORD

Here's to the Maestro of the CIC, the guy with his finger on the pulse of the entire Battlestar Raven, the Security Officer and keeper of order-out-of-mayhem and all things ship-board that Actual wants done while the Viper jocks and Marines are out having fun. To a valuable addition to the Leadership of any Ship, often the voice of reason among the shipmates and inmates, contributor to table-sitting at Cons, and all-around good guy: Happy Birthday Blindsword, from the usual suspects in Houston and other institutions, with affection. So say we all! I believe Ambrosia is on the CAG's account.

  "Hello,

 I'm Ernie Miller and as the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Adminstrator of Colonial Affairs,
 
 I welcome you on behalf of the leadership of the BFC.

 Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you on the site"

 Welcome
 
So Say We All !!!!!!

For anybody interested, these guys wrote a really good "cross over" e-book for Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek. They portrayed very accurately how the two cultures would react to one another, as well as to the threats to humanity that each has had to deal with. It also has lots of real world historical precedent, so it's pretty true to life. It has lots of adult content, so for mature audiences only.

I hope that any interested enjoy it.

Good reading! So say we all!

http://www.clashofcivilizations.co/

Another NBC video...this time a Battlestar Galactica/Knght Rider mashup celebrating the birthday of Glen Larson!

Sure sign of a good Colonial Marine New Year's Party, you find him in a place he knows inside and out.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, where ever you ended up: OOOOHRAHHHHH!

Another little tidbit from our friends at NBC!

Well I'm about to head out in to the snowy Derbyshire countryside to a local public house for a jar or three of Ambrosea with my commander to welcome in the new year.

So thanks to all you colonial fleet members who have made me feel welcome.

Happy New Year friends.

So say we all..

Happy New Year To One And All!

Stay Frosty And Alert!

Good Hunting! So Say We ALL!

:o)

Buzzsaw Out!

  "Hello,

 I'm Ernie Miller and as the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Adminstrator of Colonial Affairs,
 
 I welcome you on behalf of the leadership of the BFC.

 Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you on the site"

 Welcome
 
So Say We All !!!!!!

Hello Everyone,

That time again...and as a matter of fact overdue!

These are the Heroes!

We have a few of 'em here...so let's get right to it...

Probably best known for his role on Emergency! this actor portrayed Michael in the TOS episode "Greetings From Earth"...Randolph Mantooth...

Also from the original series, an actor who was a familiar face on the bridge of the Battlestar Galactica, portraying Omega...David Greenan...

Moving to the reimagined Battlestar Galactica we salute an actress who played the role of the President's sister...Cheryl Roslin...the actress? Sarah Deakins...

Again from the reimagined series, another actor that you saw on the flight deck of the Galactica...Specialist Socinus...otherwise known as Alonso Oyarzun....

Finally (and as they say, last but not least) and rounding out our list, the actor who portrayed (again in the reimagined BSG) Viper pilot James "Jammer" Lyman....Dominic Zamprogna

There you have them folks...our Heroes of Battlestar Galactica!

So Say We All!

Shawn O'Donnell

President

Battlestar Galactica Fan Club