Issue #104 July 2018

Got a roast, but need a potato side dish to go with it?

Then it sounds like you need to make some Fondant Potatoes. Or, pommes fondant, as the French call them. Originally from France, this recipe was recently given to me by Nathalie, who got it from Keith, who got it from.. Well, I didn't ask.

Anyways, these are fairly simple to make, but end up looking great, tasting wonderful, with a crispy outside, and creamy inside. A wonderful side dish to go with that roast of yours.

Ingredients:

• 3 large russet potatoes
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 thyme sprigs
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425F (220C).
2. Cut off the ends of the russet potatoes and stand them on end.
3. Peel the potatoes from top to bottom with a knife to make each potato into a cylinder. Then cut each cylinder in half crosswise to make 6 potato cylinders about 2 inches long.
4. Put cold water in a large bowl, and soak the potatoes for about 5 minutes, to remove the starch from the outsides. Then pat dry with paper towel.
5. Place a heavy oven-proof skillet over high heat with the vegetable oil and heat oil until it shimmers slightly.
6. Place the potatoes with the best-looking ends into the hot oil, lower heat to medium-high, and fry the potatoes until well-browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
7. Flip the potatoes onto the opposite ends. While they cook, use a paper towel held with tongs to carefully blot out the oil from the skillet. Add the butter and thyme sprigs to skillet.
8. Pick up a thyme sprig with tongs and use it to paint butter over the top of the potatoes. Cook until the butter foams and the foam begins to turn a pale tan. Season with more salt and pepper. Pour the chicken stock into skillet.
9. Place the skillet into the oven and cook until potatoes are tender and creamy inside, about 30 minutes. If potatoes aren't tender, add 1/4 cup more stock and cook for 10 more minutes.

Once your potatoes are ready pull them out oven and enjoy! If you try this potato recipe? Let Mashed Potatoes know in chat or in a comment!

Remember when we were younger and summer signalled the start of fun? Those were the good old days; weren't they? But now, as adults, summer more often than not means extra stress for many of us. And looking around the chat it's easy to see that a lot of us have stressful things going on. Some of us are moving, some of us are looking at job changes, some of us are tackling having kids home, and so on. So in order to try and help here are some simple suggestions to relieve that "Summertime Stress".

Check out those simple suggestions here!

Eat Something Sweet
One of the things I love about summer is the fruit. It tastes sweeter and fruit such as watermelon is more readily available. So my suggestion is get some watermelon, strawberries, grapes, and stick them in the fridge. When you need a little de-stressing session? Treat yourself to some cool and sweet fruit! Or if you really want to go wild treat yourself to something cool and sweet? Say yes to that ice cream!

Treat Yourself
That pair of sunglasses you've been checking out? That cute top? That new cologne you've wanted to get? Do it! Getting yourself a little treat or reward after a stressful day is okay. It'll release some lovely endorphins that will make you feel happy instead of stressed. It might be temporary but it could be just enough to either get you through the rest of your day or the next day.

Try Some Yoga
I'm not much of a Yogi myself but a few people I know rave about using Yoga do de-stress. The stretching and being active helps with letting go. Most physical activity will do that so if you're not in to doing Yoga? Try going for a walk or a bicycle ride.

5 Minute Meditation
This is one of my favourite de-stressing methods. Go outside, either in the sun or shade; it doesn't matter. Just find someplace quiet. Stand there for five minutes with your eyes closed. Just breathe. Tilt your head up while doing this. And when you go to open your eyes? Tilt your head facing forward again before you do. This can give your brain a little reset and help with the stress. It doesn't always work but it doesn't take much to try it!

Hit Up The Water
For me the ultimate de-stressor is the beach! I love the water. The sound of waves crashing. The smell of the water. Everything about it is beautiful to me and I find it very peaceful to be near the water. So if you have a beach, an ocean, or a river near you? Try going there with a book, magazine, or a friend. Bring some cold drinks such as an iced coffee or cold coconut water and just chill out. Maybe go for a swim! The water is very calming.

Spend a Day Away
Have you ever heard of stay-cations? Or mini-vacays? People actually do them! I've done them! And you know what? They're kind of great! Especially when you're on a budget or working so you can't really get away for a holiday. Just pack a lunch (or don't and try a new place to eat) and get in the car. Go visit a city or small town near you. Make it a day and just explore with no rush or worries.

Journal Your Day
If you don't have time for any of the above suggestions I highly recommend journaling. Get yourself a journal, a nice pen, and sit down. Thinking about anything that might have been good about your day and write that down. Also include the bad things. Including the bad stuff that happened in your day will allow you to get stuff off your mind. Journaling is great all year round and very therapeutic.

My final suggestion won't be much of a surprise I'm sure. Come hang out in chat! Grab a cold drink or a cup of coffee and just chill with us!

What's your favourite way to de-stress over the summer? Let me know in the comments!

The Wizard's First Rule is the first book in the Sword of Truth series written by Terry Goodkind. This book was first published in 1994, and currently has about 19 books in the series. Most of the books belong in the same world as this series, though a few are separate. A little anyways. Same world, but focusing on different characters than the main books.

Anyways, this is a series of books that I have read many many times. It's one of my Go-To-Books. If I'm not sure what I feel like reading, this is one of the books that I always pick up and read again and again. I like the characters, I like world. This review will only be on the first book however.

After his father is murdered, Richard's life is turned upside down. He meets Kahlan, a visitor from a land of magic. Having crossed through the Underworld boundry that seperates his home from hers, she's on a mission to find the Great Wizard. With the world in the balance, will Richard be able to help his new friend? And will he learn the secret that she hides from him? Will they find the Great Wizard, so they can stop a ruthless Lord from destroying the world?

Most of the books in the series have a Wizard's Rule to go with the book. The books all link together in a series, but each of the books revolve around the rule a bit. I won't spoil the fun though by telling you the First Wizard's Rule. But the rules are good life lessons, that are basically just called Wizard Rules to keep it fantasy themed.

Some of the characters a bit simple. But, overall, I enjoy them. While the books are a bit thick, I do consider them an easy read. However, Terry Goodkind does have a tendency to repeat himself. At times it feels like he's simply trying to make his books thicker, so he'll repeat himself.

The books have it all. Magic, wizards, sorceresses, witches, dragons, magic weapons. Though it does have some adult themes as well. Torture, rape, violence. Due to this, I'd say the books are R rated. There isn't a lot of it in this book, but enough to warrant the R rating. There isn't a lot of detail with some of it, mostly implied.

His use of magic is interesting as well. Most stories separate magics, which Goodkind does as well. But he separates it in a different manner than most do. Though at times, it seems like his magic rules don't really follow the rules. He just bends it a bit to fit his needs. I still find it interesting. Especially later on in the series.

Overall, I highly recommend these books to people who enjoy fantasy books. If you enjoyed A Song of Ice and Fire, or Wheel of Time, then you will most likely enjoy this series as well. I've read these books on the bus, and had lots of people strike up a conversation about the series. WoT and ASoIaF always get brought up as well.

If you've already read Wizard's First Rule let Mashed Potatoes know in the comments what you thought of it!

Do you want to join The Blue Report but you don't feel like you have the time? Or you're not sure how you could contribute? Or just have a general sense of wanting to contribute more to the community? Well I have an easy solution for you! You can contribute to The Blue Report and the community at the same time! Here's how...

Leave Comments
You can leave comments on The Blue Report. Did you know that? All you have to do is click where it says [0 Comments] then enter the username and command code you use for the chat! Once you login you can leave a comment up to 250 characters.

How does this help to contribute you might ask? Leaving comments give us feedback as editors and writers at The Blue Report. It also allows you to engage with other chatters who have left comments or who have read your comment!

Give it a try!

Send in an Article
You don't have to be on staff to send in an article to Leslie and Carol. Anyone can do it. Just shoot us an email. Or catch us in chat and ask. We don't bite. Much.

If you're not sure what kind of article you could contribute here are some ideas...

1. Reviews - Movie, book, television, game, or music reviews would be welcome.
2. Food - Recipes and food reviews are also welcomed.
3. Artistic - Comics, poems, and short stories are also accepted!
4. Travel - Hotel, event, and general travel experience reviews or tips would be fantastic too!
5. Advise - Tips for dealing with stress, tips and suggestions for packing, ideas for taking care of your computer, and so on would be fantastic.

So you see? There are plenty of options! If you've got an idea that isn't listed there? Please do reach out to either Leslie or myself. We'd be happy to hear your idea and let you know what we think.

Advertise With Us
Do you have a Youtube channel? Twitter or Tumblr account? An Instagram account? Do you want to show it off? Email us your link! When you email us your link take a minute and tell us about your page. We'll advertise it for you as long as it fits within the Prime Directives.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article! I hope it helps anyone who is interested in contributing to The Blue Report or engaging more with the community.

Well, it seems that the Star Trek Universe could be expanding once again. Alex Kurtzman has signed onto a five-year $25 million deal with CBS Television Studios to expand Star Trek TV programming across multiple projects.

Kurtzman isn't new to Star Trek. He was a writer and producer for Star Trek 2009, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek: Discovery. He has plenty of experience with writing, producing and directing on TV, and blockbuster movies.

The official word from CBS's office:

"Alex Kurtzman, a prolific writer-producer of film and television and co-creator of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, has extended his production agreement with CBS Television Studios through 2023. Under the agreement, CBS Television Studios will have exclusive rights to produce all television content created and developed by Kurtzman and his Secret Hideout production banner for the next five years. Heather Kadin serves as president of Kurtzman's company, and Aaron Baiers is senior vice president of television.

As part of the new production deal, Kurtzman will supervise the expansion of CBS' "Star Trek" franchise for television, developing new series, mini-series and other content opportunities, including animation. Under Kurtzman's leadership, the newest addition to the franchise, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, made an impressive creative and commercial mark in its first season. DISCOVERY launched to widespread critical acclaim and commercial success in the U.S. on CBS All Access and around the world. Production for season two of DISCOVERY is under way, and Kurtzman directed the premiere episode.

In addition to growing CBS' "Star Trek" universe, Kurtzman and Secret Hideout will develop new, original series across the full spectrum of broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. As part of this process, Secret Hideout will expand its production operation, adding diverse voices and cultivating new creative talent to align with the company."


It doesn't give a lot of details on the projects, such as which universe will the shows be in. But this would also be the first time since the 1970's that Star Trek has had an animated series. This could allow for a cheaper series, enabling them to do effects that would cost too much with CGI.

The Hollywood Reporter also says that Sir Patrick Stewart could be returning to Star Trek.

"The new deal comes as rumblings about another Star Trek series, featuring Patrick Stewart reprising his role as Star Trek: The Next Generation's Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, have been heating up. Sources say Kurtzman and Akiva Goldsman, who left Discovery after season one, are attached to the Stewart-led reboot. CBS TV Studios declined to confirm the Stewart project as sources say a deal is far from completed and may not happen, despite the fact that the actor recently teased his potential return to the franchise."

It should be noted that it doesn't say if Stewart would be animated or not. It wouldn't be the first time that he's lent his voice to an animated version of Picard, having done so for Family Guy. Sir Patrick has recently hinted that he has a reason to watch Star Trek: Discovery.

The Variety has an article as well about potential projects that are being considered.

A series set at Starfleet Academy from creators Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz. The duo most recently developed the CW's reboot of "Dynasty" and previously created shows like "Gossip Girl" and Hulu and Marvel's "Runaways"
A limited series whose plot details are being kept under wraps.
A limited series based around the "Wrath of Khan" story. Khan's full name is Khan Noonien Singh. He was famously portrayed by Ricardo Montalbán in both the original series episode "Space Seed" and again in the film "Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan" Benedict Cumberbatch then played the character in the 2013 film "Star Trek Into Darkness"
An animated series whose plot details are being kept under wraps.

With number three, this could be related to the series that Nicholas Meyer had spoken about last summer, which has been put on hold.

In his official statement, Alex Kurtzman has this to say: "Heather, Aaron and I are thrilled to continue Secret Hideout's amazing partnership with CBS Television Studios. Since our first collaboration with HAWAII FIVE-0 almost a decade ago, Les, David and the full team at CBS Studios have been our foremost collaborators and champions, treating each project with integrity, supporting the creative visions and working breathlessly to make each episode of every show the best it can be. CBS has also allowed us the great pleasure of reintroducing the world of Star Trek audiences new and old, and we are very excited to keep working alongside them to expand that world."

According to Dateline, we could find our more information about these projects in July at the San Diego Comic-Con.

Are you looking forward to more Star Trek projects? Which ones catch your eyes? Let us know in the comments below!

Hey guys! Have you been browsing the web lately? Caught up on your fandom news? If not don't worry! We've got you covered. With an assortment of different links for different fandoms we've hopefully got something for everyone to read.

Warning: There might be spoilers.

Star Wars:
Battlefront Clone Wars Update
Ewok Hunt is Battlefront 2's Best Mode
Billie Lourd Honors her Mother at Dodgers Star Wars Night

Star Trek:
Harlan Ellison wrote Star Trek's greatest episode. He hated it.
Quentin Tarantino's Star Trek Film May Include JJ Abrams Cast
The future of the Star Trek franchise...

Miscellanious:
'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' Rises To $932M Worldwide
Pixar's short film 'Bao' is a sweet story...
How To Train Your Dragon 3 Photos and Trailer
Lucifer renewed for season 4 on Netflix.
'Westworld' Guide: The Definitive Resource for Season 2
Westworld' Star Looks Back on Tragic Finale

If you enjoyed these links or want to see any specific fandoms covered in our monthly news collection? Let us know in the comments!

Do you love hanging out in the chat, but feel like you could be contributing to the community more? Then you've come to the right place for we have job openings that just might be the perfect fit for you!

The Shuttle Bay
The Gaming Team is looking for applicants to fill the following positions:

Team Leader
Assistant Team Leader
Member

You can apply for any of the above positions by emailing AJ and Brent. Ensure you include your chat handle and preferred method of contact in your email.

Should you wish you apply for a leadership role, also include the following information:

Position interested in
Any Relevant Experience
Statement of Interest

As either a Team Leader or member, you will have the opportunity to shape the direction and really make the Gaming Team flourish as we move forwards!

Note: If you'd like to know more about the positions before applying to them? You can always email AJ and Brent! They'll welcome the inquiry.

The Holodeck

Blue Report Contributors

Anyone wishing to be a Blue Report Contributor may e-mail Carol and Leslie.

Please include in the e-mail:

Your name
Dossier #
Type of article(s) you would like to write

The deadline for any submissions to August's issue of The Blue Report is July 30th.

POSITION OPEN:
Fandom News Link Collector

Are you good at browsing through the net for news about your favorite fandom? Do you like to get the dirt on the next big game, movie, book, or television show coming out? Do you purposefully search for spoilers? If so? Then we have a job for you!

The Blue Report is looking for one person to collect links for our Fandom News From The Web article. All you have to do is "Google" Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Westworld, Marvel, DC, Disney, and any current block buster movie releases to see whats new! While doing that collect any interesting news articles or videos with their link and hand them in on the 30th of each month to Leslie.

If this sounds good to you please send an email to Carol and Leslie.

Please include in the email your handle, dossier number, your preferred method of contact, and if you'd like to contribute to anymore articles.

Do you have a Twitter account? Do you like to read fandom related tweets? Do you have a sense of humor and like to engage with others on Twitter?

If so check out Outpost10F's official Twitter account! Give us a follow and we just might follow you back

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