Well, we're past Thanksgiving now, and with Cyber Monday coming up, it's time to start thinking about Christmas gifts. Today, I'm presenting a few categorized ideas for your geeky friends and family (and hey, maybe even yourself).

   Yep, this is 100% real--and I had an inner nerd meltdown when I saw it. It pairs with any Bluetooth-enabled phone. You can accept calls with it by flipping it open or use it as a speaker for your music. It features classic Star Trek sound effects (yes, even the communicator chirp). It's available for $119.99 on ThinkGeek, found here.

   This is perfect in so many ways. Let Han Solo's frozen body keep your drinks cool (or warm) this Christmas. It seems small, but looks are deceiving: it actually holds up to 18 cans of soda. I love how it lights up in the front, though you can turn it off if you're not into that. It's fairly portable, and at $99.99 right now, it's a pretty good deal. You can find it on ThinkGeek here. 

   Dude. That's all I can say. I already have a backpack, but I might reconsider. It fits up to a 15" MacBook (which is as big as they come these days), so it doesn't have any shortage of space. Just make sure you know the person you're buying it for is on Team Cap first. It's a little pricey at $59.99, but it would give anyone like 1,000 cool points. You can find it on ThinkGeek here. 

   You know how the saying goes: always be yourself, unless you can be Batman. Well, maybe you can't be Batman, but you can summon him with this desktop bat signal! This is great for Batman fans (and I know there are a lot out there). It's going for $29.99 on ThinkGeek right now. You can find it here. 

   This is a little bit more general, but who doesn't like a little steampunk? It's got a leather wristband, two LED "vacuum tubes" (these can be turned on and off), and a winding key! Seriously, I need to get me one of these. It's going to cost you $46.99 on ThinkGeek--it's on sale today--but it'll make a great gift for the geek you don't know what to get. Click here to go to it. 

   So...did I miss anything? Would you buy--or are you buying--any of these items? Let me know in the comments!

   It's time for another poll! This week, I want to know...if you could have any pet, what would it be? Cats, dogs, birds, and fish are common pets, while snakes and chinchillas are more exotic options. But in the world of sci-fi/fantasy, so many more choices open up. I'm featuring creatures from Star Trek, Star Wars, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Jurassic World (a vegetarian one, mind). 
   Click on the one you would want, and comment what you voted!

   Hey everyone! This week I'm talking about Rogue One again--this time about the new international trailer. I know what you're thinking: haven't you already shared a Rogue One trailer? Yes, but the newest one may offer a huge insight into the identity of the female protagonist Jyn Erso. Watch:

   In case you missed it, I'll highlight the importance of one shot.

(photo credit: inverse.com)

Remember that? That, some fans are hypothesizing, is a Kyber crystal. Kyber crystals are, according to Wookieepedia, "Force-attuned crystals." They powered lightsabers and even super-weapons like the Death Star. So, what does this mean for Jyn Erso?
   It could mean one of two things. We know from the trailer that Jyn's father was instrumental in building the Death Star, albeit against his will. Kyber crystals were highly sought after by the Empire because of their use in powering the Death Star's deadly laser. Wookieepedia notes, "...the Empire continued to search for new crystals five years before the Battle of Yavin [the battle in which the Rebellion destroyed the first Death Star]." Could Jyn's father have given Jyn a Kyber crystal to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Empire? This is a plausible, and quite frankly, a likely explanation. 
   But, remember, there is another use for the Kyber crystal. We know that Chirrut Îmwe, the awesome blind guy with the staff, is Force-sensitive, but is Jyn? Does Jyn have an ancestor that we did not know about? This would lead to another logical question: Did Jyn's father find the crystal, or was he given it? Is he Force-sensitive? From one simple shot, a whole world of possibilities has opened up.
   What do you think? Do you think Jyn could be Force-sensitive? I want to hear your theories! Leave me a comment below!

   In this week's post, in preparation for the release of my spy thriller short "Kill Code" this Thursday, I'm contemplating the best (and most useful) spy gadgets. 

   (photo credit: quertime.com)
   I rank the shoe phone at the bottom of the list. Now, I know when Get Smart came out that cell phones were rarely--if ever--used, and I also understand that many of you are fans of the shoe phone as an iconic gadget. But when the novelty of the shoe phone is removed, it ends up being a rather unnecessary device in the modern world. I suppose there is an element of convenience in that you don't have to carry around a mobile phone with you, but in reality, it's not that much extra baggage.

   (photo credit: deathbymovies.com)
   Before you complain that I ranked this Mission: Impossible favorite at #4, let me explain. Is it an absolute marvel of chemistry? Yes. Is it totally useful for a spy? Yes. Really, the only reason this gets ranked at #4 is because I love the following gadgets so much. At any rate, if you're a spy, you should get in quietly and go out with a bang. The exploding chewing gum is the way to go out with a bang--discreetly.

   (photo credit: ok.com)
   In my mind, this gadget from I Spy is a must-have. The better feedback that the agents helping you back at HQ can get, the better off you, the field agent, are. The video contacts, with audio capability as well, free up field agents from the suspicion of wearing an in-ear comm or glasses. Granted, this isn't such a far-fetched idea: Verily, a subsidiary of Alphabet, Inc. (Google's parent company), has already filed a patent on this idea. Who knows, maybe one day contacts will rid us of cell phones forever?

   (photo credit: movieviral.com)
   That's right, another Mission: Impossible toy takes the number 2 slot. But this isn't just any old toy: this device can make anyone look like--well, anyone. Wanna look like Brad Pitt? Or Scarlett Johansson? This machine makes it all possible. We can all see the usefulness for a spy; but, admit it, at some point, you've wished that you could trick your friends into thinking you're someone else. (Side note: "Kill Code" will feature a similar device in Part IV, so stay tuned!)

   (photo credit: quertime.com)
   Occupying the #1 spot is the infamous Neuralizer from Men in Black. The MIB swoop in, get what they need, and no one remembers a thing. Again, I rank this at number one for not only its usefulness in the world of espionage, but also its practicality in everyday life. We've all had embarrassing moments that we wish everyone would just forget. With the press of a button, this device accomplishes just that. Just make sure you have it pointed the right way...
   There it is: the best spy gadgets ranked. So what do you think? Did I rank everything as you would have? Was there a device I should have featured? Let me know in the comments!