Like most of you, I have read and thoroughly enjoyed The Hunger Games.

And like some of you, I am cautiously optimistic about the upcoming movie adaptation. If the producers can sit on their hands and let the story from the book do its thing (and if Woody can hold back a little), I think it could work and kid-on-kid violence will be enjoyed by all.

Anyway, what was I talking about?

Oh yes, if you fancy yourself a true fan and would like to meet Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss) in a couple weeks, here’s your chance!

Jennifer will be at The Microsoft Store in Scottsdale on March 7th at 9am.

The first 100 people there will get VIP wristbands for the event.

In other words, show up early…

Or, if you’d like to go even further, there’s another way you can score VIP access to this thing. If you show up at the store between now and Feb 29th, you can sign up to win a VIP wristband, as well as a limited edition “Hunger Games” PC.

Sounds like a grand time! If you sign up, may the odds be ever in your favor.

It’s time to stop carving mountains in your mashed potatoes and wake up, people!

If you’ve had enough of those pesky Greys and/or Lizard People having their way with your cattle, cornfield, and tuckus, get out to Fountain Hills this weekend and unite.

Folks with very open minds will be gathering at an annual International UFO Conference to discuss their favorite forms of unexplained phenomena. Check it out if you’re a believer, curious, or a people watcher.

Personally, I can’t help but love this stuff. I grew up on Unsolved Mysteries and the UFO & Bigfoot episodes were always my favorites, so I’m a bit of a sucker for it. Plus, the magazine sponsoring it, Open Minds, has a really cool logo.

Deep probe these details:

• The invasion begins with a kick off tonight, the 21st.
• The goes Feb 22 through Feb 27.
• At Fort McDowell Resort & Casino in Fountain Hills, AZ.
• Lots of presentations by UFO type peoples (technical term).
• There’s even a UFO film festival.
• (Not sure if it will work at the door, but the code “AZLO” may get you 40% off tickets.)

Have fun, and let’s unmask our reptilian overlords!

(Oh, and check out Bob Beard’s amazing round up of Arizona conspiracy theories.)

Tempe’s Geeks’ Night Out had a stellar turnout last Thursday night.

Its attendance boosted my optimism of our local nerd scene and filled the evening with many costumed characters. I’m really glad it got the TV and internet promotion it did; I think it all worked.

With my kids not feeling great (it’s going around) and the wife at home with them, I dragged out a niece and nephew to keep me company. Naturally, they converged almost immediately on the “game truck” that had showed up. They spent most of the evening showing younger kids in there how to play Mario Kart.

Too bad because they missed a few Batmans, a handful of Avengers, and tons and tons of Star Wars characters – including my homeboy, R2.

Lots of artists showed up as well, showing off their creations, including Halo artist (and Nightmare Before Christmas fan) Big Chris:

Our friend Stacey from Dream Photography Studio was their with her family and she graciously shared these pics for me to post. (Stacey is going to be part of my Phoenix Comicon coverage team – her photography is great and I’m excited!)

I’m already hearing rumors that this will not be an isolated event and that Tempe was very pleased with how things turned out, so keep your fingers crossed for a return of Geeks’ Night Out next year.

In closing, some predators:

This weekend, Arizona throws a giant geek party, destroys comic books, watches Anime, and celebrates science.

Wow, tons of action this weekend, not even including the RenFest.

Get out, meet people, have fun!

Thursday, February 16th

Over the weekend, the brains behind the Mass Effect fan film shot at UAT invited the wife and me to come check it out.

While we were there we got to check out the props, catch an early screening of the teaser trailer (below) and generally geek out about cameras, videography, special effects, and video game space operas.

My better half snapped some shots, and fun was had by all:

Jamil Abubakar – 1st AD
Caleb Evans – Writer & Director
Paul DeNigris – Professor
Ty Bitterolf – Grip / Compositor
Jared Oppie – Director of Photography

(I’ll post the rest of the pics on Facebook.)

Here’s the teaser, starring the voice of Shepard, Mark Meer. Enjoy!

I love that he threw the word “scum” in there.