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I don't exactly agree with this date, but apparently today is the day that "Star Trek: The Next Generation" first hit the airwaves.

Of course, the actual first day simply depends on where you live, because TNG would go on to redefine first-run syndication (and prove that from a scripted drama standpoint, it could work), which left it up to individual stations in various markets to air the show when they felt like it.

For me, I was 11 years old when Patrick Stewart first brought Capt. Picard to my television screen. I remember it was October for some strange reason when the Altoona, Pa. Fox affiliate WWCP put the show on the air.

I don't remember much of my pre-teen years, because I was drunk ... er, I was young. But I do remember when commercials were first coming out for the new syndicated lineup that was airing on WWCP, and it was the year of the remake. I can't remember all the other shows, but I quite clearly remember there being a Monkees "next generation" series as well, because I was sitting there wondering who the hell the Monkees were.

"Encounter at Farpoint" is very special to me, because it was aired as a two-hour television movie event. And it was the first (and only time) that my entire family -- my mother, my father and my little sister -- gathered around the television set in the living room to watch an episode of Star Trek. I was so excited because it seemed like my dad and my older brother had their own Star Trek in the original series, and I wanted one that I could call mine. And this was it.

You had Stewart as Picard (and I remember wondering if he was too old for the part, and if he would die of natural causes before I was 18). You had Jonathan Frakes as Cmdr. William T. Riker. Marina Sirtis as a very annoying telepath named Deanna Troi. An awesome moody Klingon named Worf played by Michael Dorn, the "Reading Rainbow" guy LeVar Burton as Geordi LaForge, the now very awesome Wil Wheaton (you rule, Wil Wheaton! You rule!) as Wesley Crusher. And who can forget ... oh wait, I forgot. Who was that other guy? Oh yes, Data! Sorry, Brent Spiner.

Now when I watch the first season of TNG, I just cringe. But then, on the cusp of adolescence, it was the most amazing thing in the world.

I don't have a lot of stories to tell about TNG, except that it played a major role in my life. I still credit the episode "Tapestry" for convincing me to apply for a writer's position with my local daily newspaper even though I was just 16 years old. I didn't want to end up being the ship's gardener just because I wouldn't take a chance (and I got the job, by the way). "Best of Both Worlds, Part I" was the first time I actually threw something at the television when the words "To Be Continued ..." popped up. "Sins of the Father" was the first time I think I cried watching television, as Worf's own people turned their back on him, making him suffer discommendation for a crime he didn't deserve. Just thinking about how alone Worf was, stripped of his name and his honor was too much for me.

And it would be "Star Trek: Generations" where a friend and I drove in my 1982 Chevrolet Corvette to get to a theater an hour away, only to have the car break down on the way there, and us never making it. It would've been the third time I had seen the film.

My favorite series is "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," and in a few years, I will get to celebrate that show's 20th anniversary. But for now, thank you "Star Trek: The Next Generation" for 20 years of memories, and a wish that you were still here.

SyBits

Just to update everyone on the Genre Awards and Rabid Doll.

What is holding up the Genre Awards announcement is that we want to announce the winners by video. I am producing the video myself, based on work done originally by our Web Producer, Miguel Pagan (who was unavailable to do the followup). I'm doing very well, but it's just been a matter of time.

I am hoping to finish the work this evening, so look out overnight, as the winners may end up on YouTube.

As far as Rabid Doll, our lead programmer (and partner) Nick Chase is working out some design issues, but we hope to have it up well before Halloween. Nick is working extra-hard on this project, and I know it will look awesome when it's done. Thanks to Nick and to Bryant Griffin for all their hard work on that.

Oh, and by the way, I was in on a phone conference Wednesday with Amanda Tapping and Jewel Staite (see our coverage here and here), and I was told by Jewel Staite -- who we all know as Kaylee from "Firefly" -- that I said the nicest thing she ever heard. I told her that after watching the first two episodes of "Stargate: Atlantis" (which premieres tonight on SciFi Channel), I had already forgotten about that other doctor.

Paul McGillion, I know you're reading this, so I just wanted to say I was just kidding! But you have to admit, Jewel is pretty damn good as Dr. Keller, don't you think?

Send me a letter, and if you're lucky (or you suck up enough), it could appear right here! Just e-mail me at mhinman@airlockalpha.com.

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Once in a while, you also see horror news being posted to Airlock Alpha as we get ready for the launch of Rabid Doll. We also have a mailing list going for that, which you can join by simply sending a blank e-mail to rabiddoll-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Finally, join Meredith Hogan and me each week following every episode of "Torchwood" on BBC America with "Torchwood Talk" exclusively on the Logo Channel's AfterElton.com Web site.

Have a great week, and don't be a stranger!

Michael Hinman, a 22-time winner of the British lottery and heir to three Nigerian fortunes, is the founder and site coordinator for Airlock Alpha, writing out of Tampa, Fla. He can be reached at mhinman@airlockalpha.com