Absolute_Budget_Tech

Junior Houdini VFX Artist
South Aussie, Tech Tuber. Who says Budget Tech cant be Awesome!
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[𝕭𝖊𝖓𝖓𝖎𝖊✨ @Bennieeexyz]

Jury duty letter came addressed to my cat.

Not a mistake. "Felix Martinez" - that's his full name according to his vet records.

My last name. His first name. Somehow he's a registered voter now.

Called the county clerk.

Me: My cat got summoned for jury duty.

Clerk: Is the name correct on the summons?

Me: Yes, but he's a cat.

Clerk: Is Felix Martinez a legal resident of this county?

Me: He's a legal cat.

Clerk: Sir, if the name matches our records, he needs to appear or file an exemption.

Me: He can't file anything. He has paws.

Clerk: You can file on his behalf.

Me: Under what exemption? There's no box for "is a cat."

Clerk: (pause) Check "unable to serve due to medical reasons."

Me: What's the medical reason?

Clerk: He's a cat.

Me: That's not a medical condition.

Clerk: It is if it prevents him from serving.

Sent in the form. Got rejected two weeks later.

"Insufficient documentation. Please provide medical professional's statement."

Took the letter to my vet.

Me: I need you to write that my cat can't do jury duty.

Vet: Why is your cat summoned for jury duty?

Me: Excellent question. No good answer.

Vet: This is the weirdest request I've gotten.

Me: Can you just write that he's medically unfit to serve?

Vet: On what grounds?

Me: He's a cat.

Vet: (started typing) "Patient is unable to serve due to species-related limitations including inability to speak, read, or comprehend legal proceedings."

Me: Perfect.

Sent it in. Got another rejection.

"Summons is mandatory. Failure to appear will result in contempt of court."

My roommate thought this was hilarious.

Roommate: Felix is going to jail.

Me: This is serious.

Roommate: Bring him to court. See what happens.

Decided that was actually the only option left.

Day of jury duty, put Felix in his carrier. Brought the entire paper trail of rejection letters.

Checked in at the courthouse.

Clerk: Name?

Me: Felix Martinez.

Clerk: (looked at the cat carrier) Is that Felix?

Me: Yes.

Clerk: (long stare) He's a cat.

Me: I've been saying that for six weeks.

Clerk: Why didn't you file an exemption?

Me: I filed three. All rejected.

Showed her the letters. She read through them, expression shifting from confusion to disbelief.

Clerk: Someone rejected the veterinary documentation?

Me: Twice.

Clerk: (called her supervisor over) You need to see this.

Supervisor read everything. Looked at Felix. Looked at me.

Supervisor: How did a cat get registered to vote?

Me: You tell me.

Supervisor: This is a data error.

Me: Took you six weeks to figure that out.

They dismissed Felix immediately. Apologized for the inconvenience.

Supervisor: We'll remove him from the voter registry.

Me: Appreciate it.

Supervisor: (pause) Out of curiosity, how would he have voted?

Me: Probably whatever party supports universal treats.

Got a formal apology letter a week later and a voter registration card.

For me this time. Apparently I wasn't registered, but my cat was.

Roommate: Felix committed voter fraud.

Me: Felix committed nothing. He's innocent.

Roommate: That's what they all say.

Felix is sleeping on the jury summons now.

Fitting end to his legal career.

[Joseph Mallozzi 🏴‍☠️ @BaronDestructo]

The SG-1 Theme Song!

Did you know that there are lyrics to the Stargate: SG-1 theme? No. Really. ish.

While Scorched Earth was the first script we wrote for Stargate PRIOR to officially joining the production, Window of Opportunity was not, in fact, the first thing we wrote AFTER we landed on staff. No, that distinction goes to the lyrics to the Stargate: SG-1 theme song Paul and I composed shortly after moving into our offices.

Over 12 years, 14 seasons, 350 hours of television - I feel that this remains one of the best things we ever wrote for the franchise. Director Peter DeLuise coaxed us into performing it for one of the DVD extras. Enjoy.

[British Intel @TheBritishIntel]

🇬🇧 WATCH: Jeremy Clarkson’s new Hawkstone advert is now airing during World Cup coverage.

It’s a brilliant advert that shines a spotlight on Britain’s hard-working farmers.

Get well soon, @JeremyClarkson

Credit @RealHawkstone

[Venture Pictures @venturepictures]

Amazon may own the rights, but we the fans kept Stargate alive 🫡 We shall not give up on getting that new series made by the one who gave us so much depth and vision over the years since the first episode of SG1.

It’s not the end folks. Keep reminding Amazon MGM of their error.

Animation by me #stargate #sg1

[Absolute_Budget_Tech @ABTech_Josh]

Awesome animation. Where did you get the models for this?

Enterprise and the NX01 are my absolute favourite of the whole franchise, I was crushed when I learned we were meant to get the Romulan War arc and apparently we were going to find out who the Suliban rake orders from too.

[Venture Pictures @venturepictures]

I’ll never forgive ENTERPRISE being cancelled and the Romulan War arc and the NX01 refit being canned.

We was THIS CLOSE to greatness.

Alas. Wasn’t to be. Hopefully we revisit the fledgling Federation era some day.

Animation made in Blender by me.

#startrek #enterprise #starfleet

[Venture Pictures @venturepictures]

THIS! there was so much goodwill. I gave it some. I defended it. And guess what.

Amazon went and did the EXACT same thing all the naysayers said would happen.

The way they dropped the news on stream and made it out this was for the fans to then tell us we’re the issue. lol. Wild.

Any project that comes next has destroyed what fandom was left active and engaged with the idea of a refresh. You’ve tainted what comes next. Made it sour and pushed out the old guard who made it happen.

If I was Amazon, if I was thinking of a reboot, ignoring the past and wanting a “fresh take” so far from what made STARGATE great. Don’t bother.

If you wipe out the legacy that came before. You’ve got no chance.

GG. I’m going to sleep. I’ve been a keyboard warrior enough tonight.

#stargate

[Michael Shanks @MichaelShanks]

As always, I can’t find the words. So I’ll share Joe’s
He’s the writer for a reason 🥹

[Joseph Mallozzi 🏴‍☠️ @BaronDestructo]

Sadly, it's true. Amazon has elected not to move forward with the new Stargate series.

There's not much I can add beyond confirming what's happened. But I will say this...

Creator Martin Gero developed a new Stargate series over two years, ultimately crafting a show that offered a fresh jumping-on point for new viewers while deeply respecting existing canon. It was a series that avoided the pitfalls of several modern remakes and reboots by fully embracing the core of its predecessors: action, adventure, exploration, wonder, heart, humor, and found family. And based on that creative vision, the new Stargate series was greenlit in November of 2025.

As of today, officially, that original vision is no more. We'll never get the opportunity to introduce you to that world and those characters - or reintroduce you to, and check in with, some familiar faces from the past.

My heart breaks. For the incredibly talented writers who worked tirelessly to bring this show to life. For Martin who maintained an unwavering positive outlook throughout despite the challenges, and who always strove to make a show that would honor the fans while welcoming a new audiences. And for the long-suffering Stargate fandom who waited so long and came so close to getting a show they truly would have loved.

[Star Trek Online @trekonlinegame]

Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Whenever one of you lives as your true self, we all become stronger.

[Everton @Everton]

Seamus Coleman – one of our greatest-ever servants and captains – has announced his proud Everton playing career spanning more than 17 years will come to an end when his contract expires next month.

Thank you for everything, Seamus. 💙

[William Shatner @WilliamShatner]

Star Trek exists in more than one world. It exists in the fantasy of science fiction - weird and wonderful things that play unimaginable possibilities of exploration and human endeavor. But it also exists in the fantasy of human beings, the perfection of human beings, the exploration that human beings have made since the dawn of time and the continuing exploration - physically mentally and morally. It’s that aspect of Star Trek that I’ve always loved, to look at something physically that doesn’t exist now by these talented writers & designers but also to tackle the eternal human questions the agonies, the ecstasies. Star Trek should exist for a long time to come based on those truths. I for one would love to see its continuity. It’s with sorrow that I hear about the cancellation of the new Star Trek series.

[William Shatner @WilliamShatner]

And when the Next Gen came out; there was tons of hate because it “wasn’t Star Trek” and the cast probably was in fear from the fans. Again when the series with Bakula came out, it too was panned by the fans because it “wasn’t Star Trek.”
Star Trek is different for everyone. 🤷🏼

[Adam 🖖🏻 @apm0788]

Wild how much grief I get from Americans (mostly white males, deduce from that what you will) for liking a TV show built on #inclusivity and #IDIC. The irony of gatekeeping a franchise that literally teaches openness and curiosity never stops amazing me. 🤦🏻‍♂️ #StarTrek

[Fandom Pulse @fandompulse]

Jonathan Frakes on negative reactions to Star Trek: Starfleet Academy:

“I was prepared because when Next Gen came out almost 40 years ago, we were trolled. Nobody wanted us. And this was pre-internet."

"But it’s still dimensionally more painful [today]… and the trolls are hiding, and the trolls are hating. … It's the first rule of the Constitution. I guess they're entitled to their opinion, but it surprises me how aggressively ‘anti’ they are with each new iteration of the show. And it continues to surprise me, and I try not to let it upset me."

[Nick Pope @nickpopemod]

A Message From Nick Pope:

A while ago, following some digestive issues, I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Unfortunately, it's Stage 4 and has metastasized to my liver. While I know that it's kindness and hope that leads people to suggest healers and supposed miracle cures, and to say things like "fight it", and "you can beat it", I'm afraid my diagnosis and my situation leaves no doubt whatsoever: I can't beat it.

What an amazing adventure I've had! A 21-year career at the UK Ministry of Defence, where I got involved in subjects ranging from financial policy to counter-terrorism; from military policing to UAP. And I saved six cows; it's a long story! The things I've done; the places I've been; the people I've met; and the secrets I've been privy to. I wouldn't have swapped it for the world. And then a second career, where my previous government UAP role brought me to the attention of the world's media, leading me to become a regular commentator on TV news shows and documentaries, as well as consulting and acting as spokesperson on various UFO and alien-themed movies, TV series and video games. The media called me the real Fox Mulder!

The true highlight, of course, is life with my wonderful, beautiful and incredibly smart wife, Elizabeth. She's a real-life Agent Scully: a scientist, a skeptic and a redhead. We met randomly in the lobby bar of the Fairmont Hotel in downtown San José (she was an anthropology professor at San José State University) in October 2010 and got married 3 months later. We applied successfully for my Green Card and she had me shipped over and imported to the U.S., where a new adventure began, as Elizabeth and I enjoyed wildlife watching at our wonderful home in Tucson, desert hikes, film noir, true crime, country music, Sunday lunches with my in-laws, and much more besides. Recently, we had an amazing one-year adventure in New York City, living 5 minutes from Times Square, and having a wonderful view of the Empire State Building from our apartment window.

We proofread each other's books and articles (I love commas, hyphens and exclamation points way more than Elizabeth, and managed to win at least a few of those battles), and I'm  supporting her in her ongoing fight for free speech, academic freedom, and keeping political correctness, superstition and identity politics out of science and academia. The White House Press Secretary Tweeted one of her recent newspaper articles, which shows the huge impact she's having.

I kept working for as long as I could (right up until last week), with my various film/TV interviews, conference appearances, and live events, including my position as moderator of Ancient Aliens Live - where I think I did 94 shows. Sadly, the time has come where I've had to step away from this work.

A lot of people have followed my work on UAP. I'm loath to use the word "fans", because I'm not a celebrity. But I am a public figure, and many people have followed me on my journey as I've sought to keep the UAP subject in the public eye, and to frame it as a defense, national security and safety of flight issue - as well as a fascinating science problem. Some of this work has been public knowledge, but some such work, of necessity, has been done behind the scenes. I hope I've helped move the needle forward. But most people, of course, know me through my media interviews and live events. To everyone who's followed me on my journey, thank you - and good luck with your own journeys. I wish you every success and happiness.

It's all been amazing, and I'm grateful for the things I've done, not mournful for the things that I won't now get to do.

Per Aspera Ad Astra!

Nick Pope, Tucson, Arizona, February 12, 2026

[Robert Picardo @RobertPicardo]

Long before the term existed, Star Trek's heart was "woke" & even though that word has been hijacked & made a cudgel to insult, to ridicule & - at the toxic extremes of social media - to justify prejudice & racism, Star Trek's heart is strong & still beating for those listening

[Venture Pictures @venturepictures]

Well Stargate fans. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you all the last 24 hours 😂

You’ll be glad to know there’s more in the pipeline and also some other great SciFi shows.

Until then. Have some of my fave SG posters / renders I’ve done.

#stargate #sg1 #3dart