In a recent episode of Justice League Unlimited, Batman admitted he could use some therapy. He confessed:
"I'm a rich guy with issues. A lot of issues."
Step One is admitting you have a problem, Bats. There's hope for you yet! A few sessions with Doc Samson will fix you right up. Wait, wrong universe. Who's the resident therapist for the DC metahuman set?
For the record, I think Doc Samson's long hair look is far superior. Now THIS looks like a cool superhero.
Monday, August 30, 2004
A Challenge Met . . . Kind Of
A couple weeks ago, Mike and Curtis put together their dream bands. Unfortunately, I'm horrible at the names of guitarists, bassists, and drummers. To be honest, I really don't know who's good and who isn't. I just know when I like the sound of a band, particularly the vocals. ::shrugs:: So, rather than trying to blow smoke I'm going to adjust the musical challenge. Rather than a band, I'm going to put together my dream team of female vocalists. I don't really want to see any of these women work together, they're just some my personal favorites.
Toni Halliday--Curve
Aimee Echo--theStart
Kim Shattuck--The Muffs
Elisabeth Elmore--the Reputation
Anna Waronker
Brode Dalle--The Distillers
Karin Peris--Innocence Mission
Diana Krall
Emily Haines--Metric
Nina Persson--The Cardigans
Gwen Stefani--No Doubt
Kay Hanley
Oddly enough, I think Gene introduced me to at least five of the women listed.* He's got my musical preferences pegged. If you have any female-fronted punk, pop punk, or indie rock suggestions, send them my way.
*Gene's somethingoutofnothing blog is still on hiatus. Here's to an eventual return. I miss reading your blog, Gene.
Toni Halliday--Curve
Aimee Echo--theStart
Kim Shattuck--The Muffs
Elisabeth Elmore--the Reputation
Anna Waronker
Brode Dalle--The Distillers
Karin Peris--Innocence Mission
Diana Krall
Emily Haines--Metric
Nina Persson--The Cardigans
Gwen Stefani--No Doubt
Kay Hanley
Oddly enough, I think Gene introduced me to at least five of the women listed.* He's got my musical preferences pegged. If you have any female-fronted punk, pop punk, or indie rock suggestions, send them my way.
*Gene's somethingoutofnothing blog is still on hiatus. Here's to an eventual return. I miss reading your blog, Gene.
Sunday, August 29, 2004
The Femme Fatale
Yesterday and today have been productive in terms of writing. Although I didn't make my have-dissertation-done-by-startup-of-school deadline, I'm making good progress. And my writing is good, I think. Presently, I'm writing about the way in which subculturalists co-constitute a collective identity. I just finished a rhetorical analysis of goth fetish wear. Here's a bit of the section.
The femme fatale, the embodied convergence of sexuality, aggressiveness, and restraint, leans against the bar in a seductive pose. While black, straight-cut bangs frame her facial features, two ratted pigtails sprout from the top of her head, fall halfway to her shoulders, and create a visual illusion of a raven’s outstretched wings. Her bangs, an obvious nod to 1950s pinup and bondage model Bettie Page, coupled with youthful pigtails, suggest a playful sexuality. Enhancing the notion of youth is her porcelain doll makeup: her darkly outlined eyes and lips contrast an unnaturally pale foundation. A purple vinyl corset, black vinyl cheerleading skirt, and fishnet stockings leave much of her body exposed and little to the imagination. This stylistic collision of fetish gear, lingerie, and youthful dress hints at the possibility of violating a cultural taboo: a sexual tryst with Lolita. While elements of the femme fatale’s dress exhibit a playful and taboo sexuality, other elements suggest suitors should approach with caution. With a spiked dog collar at her throat, a spiked bracelet around her wrist, and knee high boots on her feet, the femme fatal is embodied aggressiveness and more than capable of taking care of herself. Her corset, which sports small spikes from cleavage to waist, simultaneously contributes to a take charge appearance and molds her body into the desirable hour glass shape. The corset’s complex array of buckles and laces also implies a degree of restraint and control; the femme fatale’s sexuality and aggressiveness is barely kept in check.
The femme fatale, the embodied convergence of sexuality, aggressiveness, and restraint, leans against the bar in a seductive pose. While black, straight-cut bangs frame her facial features, two ratted pigtails sprout from the top of her head, fall halfway to her shoulders, and create a visual illusion of a raven’s outstretched wings. Her bangs, an obvious nod to 1950s pinup and bondage model Bettie Page, coupled with youthful pigtails, suggest a playful sexuality. Enhancing the notion of youth is her porcelain doll makeup: her darkly outlined eyes and lips contrast an unnaturally pale foundation. A purple vinyl corset, black vinyl cheerleading skirt, and fishnet stockings leave much of her body exposed and little to the imagination. This stylistic collision of fetish gear, lingerie, and youthful dress hints at the possibility of violating a cultural taboo: a sexual tryst with Lolita. While elements of the femme fatale’s dress exhibit a playful and taboo sexuality, other elements suggest suitors should approach with caution. With a spiked dog collar at her throat, a spiked bracelet around her wrist, and knee high boots on her feet, the femme fatal is embodied aggressiveness and more than capable of taking care of herself. Her corset, which sports small spikes from cleavage to waist, simultaneously contributes to a take charge appearance and molds her body into the desirable hour glass shape. The corset’s complex array of buckles and laces also implies a degree of restraint and control; the femme fatale’s sexuality and aggressiveness is barely kept in check.
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Which Literature Classic?
J.R.R. Tolkien: Lord of the Rings. You are
entertaining and imaginative, creating whole
new worlds around yourself. Well loved, you
have a whole league of imitators, none of which
is quite as profound as you are. Stories and
songs give a spark of joy in the middle of your
eternal battle with the forces of evil.
Which literature classic are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Friday's Feast, A Day Late
Mike reminded me to partake of Friday's Feast.
Appetizer. What is a word that your family uses that would not be considered common?
Recently, "tendonitis" has become a frequently used word in our household. We're both dealing with the excerise-induced ailment. I finally pinpointed my hip problem, btw. I've injured the Tensor Fasciae Latae muscle. Just about everything I've read says I'm going to have to lay off the exercising for a week. Right. Like that's gonna happen.
Soup. What theme of calendar do you have on your wall this year?
I don't have a wall calendar in my office this year. I usually have a Star Wars calendar. Not sure why I didn't get one this year.
Salad. Name 3 people you speak with on a daily basis. Kathleen. Charlie at the recreation center. A random stranger. When not at school, which is only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I really don't interact with many people.
Main Course. If you could put a new tattoo on someone you know - who would it be, what would the tattoo be of, and where would you put it on them?
Kathleen. Since I've known her, she's been talking about getting a goddess tattoo on her back. Rather than having her arms stretched above her head, however, Kathleen wants the goddess' arms spread wide. The tattoo would be situated so that the spreading arms, which slowly transform into tree branches or vines along their length, would span Kathleen's shoulder blades.
Dessert. What is the last beverage you drank out of a glass bottle? Unsweetened cherry juice.
Appetizer. What is a word that your family uses that would not be considered common?
Recently, "tendonitis" has become a frequently used word in our household. We're both dealing with the excerise-induced ailment. I finally pinpointed my hip problem, btw. I've injured the Tensor Fasciae Latae muscle. Just about everything I've read says I'm going to have to lay off the exercising for a week. Right. Like that's gonna happen.
Soup. What theme of calendar do you have on your wall this year?
I don't have a wall calendar in my office this year. I usually have a Star Wars calendar. Not sure why I didn't get one this year.
Salad. Name 3 people you speak with on a daily basis. Kathleen. Charlie at the recreation center. A random stranger. When not at school, which is only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I really don't interact with many people.
Main Course. If you could put a new tattoo on someone you know - who would it be, what would the tattoo be of, and where would you put it on them?
Kathleen. Since I've known her, she's been talking about getting a goddess tattoo on her back. Rather than having her arms stretched above her head, however, Kathleen wants the goddess' arms spread wide. The tattoo would be situated so that the spreading arms, which slowly transform into tree branches or vines along their length, would span Kathleen's shoulder blades.
Dessert. What is the last beverage you drank out of a glass bottle? Unsweetened cherry juice.
Friday, August 27, 2004
Quiet Body, Quiet Mind
Master your senses,
What you taste and smell,
What you see, what you hear.
In all things be a master
Of what you do and say and think.
Be free.
Are you quiet?
Quiet your body.
Quiet your mind.
By your own efforts
Waken yourself, watch yourself,
And live joyfully.
Follow the truth of the way.
Reflect upon it.
Make it your own.
Live it.
It will always sustain you.
-from the Dhammapada
From "Teachings of the Buddha," edited by Jack Kornfield, 1993. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.
What you taste and smell,
What you see, what you hear.
In all things be a master
Of what you do and say and think.
Be free.
Are you quiet?
Quiet your body.
Quiet your mind.
By your own efforts
Waken yourself, watch yourself,
And live joyfully.
Follow the truth of the way.
Reflect upon it.
Make it your own.
Live it.
It will always sustain you.
-from the Dhammapada
From "Teachings of the Buddha," edited by Jack Kornfield, 1993. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Deadlines
After several months of being unable to connect, my dissertation advisor and I finally sat down and talked shop over lunch. We opted for our regular lunch locale, the Jerusalem Restaurant. The Jerusalem Restaurant, located about 100 yards from my advisor's office, has some of the best Middle Eastern food on the planet. Over the course of a leisurely lunch, we talked about the Denver Nuggets, silent meditation, the communication ethics project on which he's working, and my dissertation. Toward the end of lunch, he looked me in the eye and started the following conversation.
Adv: So, when are thinking you'll be ready for your oral defense?
Me: Well, what do you think is realistic?
Adv: I think it would good for you defend before attending the NCA conference. The convention is the 2nd week of November . . . you'd need to defend around Halloween. Fitting for you topic, don't you think? ::chuckles at own joke::
Me: I'd love to be finished by then.
Adv: That means I need a complete draft in about a month.
Me: Hmmm . . . I'm guessing I have about 50 pages or so left to write. That's a little less than two pages a day. I think I can do that.
Adv: Good. It's time for you to finish up and move on to new work.
What does all this mean? It's crunch time. Finishing by the end of September would be ideal--teaching gets increasingly hectic as the semester progresses and that means less time to write, unfortunately.
When I got home from lunch, I tried to lay down and take my customary 30 min power nap. Instead of a good power nap, I had my recurring dream about struggling with an unknown foe. This is one of those dreams I unpacked several months ago. The struggle, particularly with the unknown foe, represents my fear of an uncertain future. The end of the dissertation process couldn't be seen, I didn't know if I'd have a teaching contract for the 2004-05 school year, etc. The dream from this afternoon had a bit of a twist from its usual form--I could see my attacker. He was a big fellow wearing a suit of power armor (too many years reading comic books, eh?). My guess is that the deadlines brought the end of the Ph.D. process into sharper focus--my dream followed suit. Now I'm struggling with a tangible foe, one that can be seen and confronted: time.
Adv: So, when are thinking you'll be ready for your oral defense?
Me: Well, what do you think is realistic?
Adv: I think it would good for you defend before attending the NCA conference. The convention is the 2nd week of November . . . you'd need to defend around Halloween. Fitting for you topic, don't you think? ::chuckles at own joke::
Me: I'd love to be finished by then.
Adv: That means I need a complete draft in about a month.
Me: Hmmm . . . I'm guessing I have about 50 pages or so left to write. That's a little less than two pages a day. I think I can do that.
Adv: Good. It's time for you to finish up and move on to new work.
What does all this mean? It's crunch time. Finishing by the end of September would be ideal--teaching gets increasingly hectic as the semester progresses and that means less time to write, unfortunately.
When I got home from lunch, I tried to lay down and take my customary 30 min power nap. Instead of a good power nap, I had my recurring dream about struggling with an unknown foe. This is one of those dreams I unpacked several months ago. The struggle, particularly with the unknown foe, represents my fear of an uncertain future. The end of the dissertation process couldn't be seen, I didn't know if I'd have a teaching contract for the 2004-05 school year, etc. The dream from this afternoon had a bit of a twist from its usual form--I could see my attacker. He was a big fellow wearing a suit of power armor (too many years reading comic books, eh?). My guess is that the deadlines brought the end of the Ph.D. process into sharper focus--my dream followed suit. Now I'm struggling with a tangible foe, one that can be seen and confronted: time.
Monday, August 23, 2004
What?
I have absolutely NO idea what this means, but Mike posted the test on his blog and I thought I'd give it a shot. Hope this means more to you than to me (which is nothing, nada, zip, zilch).
Which OS are You?
You know, FreeBSD sounds kind of like an STD. Yikes!
Which OS are You?
You know, FreeBSD sounds kind of like an STD. Yikes!
Human Capacities
A good motivation is what is needed: compassion without dogmatism, without complicated philosophy; just understanding that others are human brothers and sisters and respecting their human rights and dignities. That we humans can help each other is one of our unique human capacities.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Friday, August 20, 2004
Foor for Thought
As I haven't posted anything for a couple of days, I thought I'd better take a minute and get something out into the blogosphere. Thankfully, I ran across Friday's Feast a few days ago. A regular feature perhaps? Anyway, today's feast:
Appetizer: What does the color pink make you think of?
Blossom of the PowerPuff Girls
Soup: Name something you have lost but later found.
My silver, wire-framed sunglasses. I couldn't find them for several months, but STK discovered them under the seat of my car. I looked there a dozan times!
Salad: In 3 words, describe this past week.
Studious. Hectic. Aggravating.
Main Course: What are you obsessed with?
Green Lantern. Star Wars. Each sentence of my dissertation (Wednesday night: 1.5 hours to write 9 sentences. Damn good sentences, in retrospect, but I've got to speed it up.)
Dessert: What kind of perfume or cologne do you like to wear?
Fahrenheit. Bulgari. Lolita Lempicka.
Appetizer: What does the color pink make you think of?
Blossom of the PowerPuff Girls
Soup: Name something you have lost but later found.
My silver, wire-framed sunglasses. I couldn't find them for several months, but STK discovered them under the seat of my car. I looked there a dozan times!
Salad: In 3 words, describe this past week.
Studious. Hectic. Aggravating.
Main Course: What are you obsessed with?
Green Lantern. Star Wars. Each sentence of my dissertation (Wednesday night: 1.5 hours to write 9 sentences. Damn good sentences, in retrospect, but I've got to speed it up.)
Dessert: What kind of perfume or cologne do you like to wear?
Fahrenheit. Bulgari. Lolita Lempicka.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Prep Time
With the start of school one week away, I sat down today and pulled together various syllabi. Believe it or not, I think I'm about ready to go. I need to make a phone call tomorrow and make sure e-reserve readings are in place sometime in the next week or two. As I'm using the same readings as last semester, that shouldn't be much trouble for the library staff. Here's a list of the classes I'm teaching along with a basic description of the course.
SPCC 100: Communication and Popular Culture
Course Objectives: This course traces the evolution of popular culture studies in the twentieth century. Through a decade by decade analysis of pop culture artifacts, as well as the approaches taken by popular culture researchers and critics, we will examine how dominant societal discourses, cultural myths, individual identities, and institutional ideologies are reified and subverted.
The goals of this class are to: 1. introduce students to a theoretical vocabulary for analyzing how people use popular culture; 2. examine the tension between popular culture’s powerful impact on our culture versus people’s ability to use the media actively in their everyday lives; 3. explore how popular culture in the post-World War II United States, particularly in regard to representations of gender, race, sexual orientation, and class, has both reinforced and shaped our history and culture; 4. encourage students to view themselves as critical consumers and users of popular culture.
SP 310: Interpersonal Communication Skills
This class is designed to help you become more aware of the processes, nuances, and skills of interpersonal communication. The basic philosophy of the course is that you should be able to make reasoned and responsible choices in your interpersonal relationships. In order to make these choices, you must know what is functional and dysfunctional in relationships and possess a repertoire of skills to select from to perform the alternatives you choose. In addition, knowing who you are, including your strengths and weaknesses, and having a positive, realistic self concept is essential to successful interpersonal relationships. As such, course objectives include the following: 1) to increase your understanding of interpersonal communication processes in relationships, 2) to increase your understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses in interpersonal communication, and 3) to develop your skills in interpersonal communication.
SP 317: Women and Communication
The issue on which this class focuses is the relationship between women and communication. The course is designed to explore three general areas: conceptual foundations in the study of gender, gendered communication in practice, and communication in women's culture. Each area is designed to give students an understanding of the ways in which language functions to create or prohibit identities, the ways in which communication is used differently and similarly between genders, and the ways in which some communication styles and practices may be unique to women. The course also is designed to assist students in appreciating and understanding communication not only as it relates to white, heterosexual women, but also as it relates to lesbian women and women of color.
How's that for a variety of classes?
SPCC 100: Communication and Popular Culture
Course Objectives: This course traces the evolution of popular culture studies in the twentieth century. Through a decade by decade analysis of pop culture artifacts, as well as the approaches taken by popular culture researchers and critics, we will examine how dominant societal discourses, cultural myths, individual identities, and institutional ideologies are reified and subverted.
The goals of this class are to: 1. introduce students to a theoretical vocabulary for analyzing how people use popular culture; 2. examine the tension between popular culture’s powerful impact on our culture versus people’s ability to use the media actively in their everyday lives; 3. explore how popular culture in the post-World War II United States, particularly in regard to representations of gender, race, sexual orientation, and class, has both reinforced and shaped our history and culture; 4. encourage students to view themselves as critical consumers and users of popular culture.
SP 310: Interpersonal Communication Skills
This class is designed to help you become more aware of the processes, nuances, and skills of interpersonal communication. The basic philosophy of the course is that you should be able to make reasoned and responsible choices in your interpersonal relationships. In order to make these choices, you must know what is functional and dysfunctional in relationships and possess a repertoire of skills to select from to perform the alternatives you choose. In addition, knowing who you are, including your strengths and weaknesses, and having a positive, realistic self concept is essential to successful interpersonal relationships. As such, course objectives include the following: 1) to increase your understanding of interpersonal communication processes in relationships, 2) to increase your understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses in interpersonal communication, and 3) to develop your skills in interpersonal communication.
SP 317: Women and Communication
The issue on which this class focuses is the relationship between women and communication. The course is designed to explore three general areas: conceptual foundations in the study of gender, gendered communication in practice, and communication in women's culture. Each area is designed to give students an understanding of the ways in which language functions to create or prohibit identities, the ways in which communication is used differently and similarly between genders, and the ways in which some communication styles and practices may be unique to women. The course also is designed to assist students in appreciating and understanding communication not only as it relates to white, heterosexual women, but also as it relates to lesbian women and women of color.
How's that for a variety of classes?
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Wolverine as Galactus's New Herald!
Herbie reported if first.
I heard this at the Chi-con that not only will there be 4 She-wolverines in the all- new -all- wolverine new avengers, but that the surfer wolverine is being developed! Yep that's right a wolverine will be Galactus's new herald! This "cosmic" wolverine will be coated in adamantium and will cruise the spaceways in some kind of cosmic suv /big rig looking for planets for Galactus and then he'll slice 'em in half for Galactus to munch on. The new cosmic wolverine will be kind of like Galactus's planetary oyster shucker. he could also hang out with that guy PIp the space troll. the first mini-series to spin out of this great all- new -all -wolverine- New Avenger comically cosmical comic book!Come on Marvel put the fun back in comics! Anyway, so what kind of powers do we want the she wolverines to have besides being able to lick their owm forehead that is? I can't wait for this comic it will just be loaded with backhair!Hopefully, this all-new-all-wolverine New avengers series will last as long as The Heroes Reborn! Classic stuff there!
This guy is on a roll.
I heard this at the Chi-con that not only will there be 4 She-wolverines in the all- new -all- wolverine new avengers, but that the surfer wolverine is being developed! Yep that's right a wolverine will be Galactus's new herald! This "cosmic" wolverine will be coated in adamantium and will cruise the spaceways in some kind of cosmic suv /big rig looking for planets for Galactus and then he'll slice 'em in half for Galactus to munch on. The new cosmic wolverine will be kind of like Galactus's planetary oyster shucker. he could also hang out with that guy PIp the space troll. the first mini-series to spin out of this great all- new -all -wolverine- New Avenger comically cosmical comic book!Come on Marvel put the fun back in comics! Anyway, so what kind of powers do we want the she wolverines to have besides being able to lick their owm forehead that is? I can't wait for this comic it will just be loaded with backhair!Hopefully, this all-new-all-wolverine New avengers series will last as long as The Heroes Reborn! Classic stuff there!
This guy is on a roll.
Waiting for Neverland
Just found out that I missed an opportunity to particpate in a last second screening of J.M. BARRIE'S NEVERLAND followed by a Q&A with the director. The Denver Film Society sent out an email yesterday afternoon and you had to respond within an hour to attend. Unfortunately, I check the email address I use for DFS mail once a day. Damn. Here's a description of the film:
NEVERLAND, a tale of magic and fantasy inspired by the life of James Barrie, the real-life author of the children’s classic Peter Pan. Set in London in 1904, the film is a fictional account of Barrie’s creative journey to bring Peter Pan to life, from his first inspiration for the story up until the play’s premiere at the Duke of York’s Theatre - a night that will change not only Barrie’s own life, but the lives of everyone close to him. David Magee’s screenplay is based on the play "The Man Who Was Peter Pan" written by Allan Knee. The film stars Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet , Julie Christie, Radha Mitchell and Dustin Hoffman.
I would have really liked to see that film. Guess I'll have to wait for the general release with everyone else.
NEVERLAND, a tale of magic and fantasy inspired by the life of James Barrie, the real-life author of the children’s classic Peter Pan. Set in London in 1904, the film is a fictional account of Barrie’s creative journey to bring Peter Pan to life, from his first inspiration for the story up until the play’s premiere at the Duke of York’s Theatre - a night that will change not only Barrie’s own life, but the lives of everyone close to him. David Magee’s screenplay is based on the play "The Man Who Was Peter Pan" written by Allan Knee. The film stars Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet , Julie Christie, Radha Mitchell and Dustin Hoffman.
I would have really liked to see that film. Guess I'll have to wait for the general release with everyone else.
Monday, August 16, 2004
More on the All Woverine Avengers!
This Herbie poster just cracks me up.
Herbie: I really think that with the appearance of the all new all wolverine avengers that there must be at least one or two females in the group. I think it is possible to change the gender via cloning of wolverine and that way we could have She-Wolverine(s). One could be an ex-olympic wrestler becoming She-Wolverine via doping and maybe one could be an ex-trucker or hooker that way we could have some real life drama like the ultimshmoos. We could have a hairy naked sweaty She-Wolverine to go along with the male version of the HNS wolverine! maybe one of the Wolverine clones could be a hermaphrodite that way we could have He-She Wolverine too! I love this New Avengers! Wait till the Action figures come out!
ElCoyote: X-23, modified clone-child of Wolverine with 2 claws on each hand. Appeared on that X-Men:Evolution cartoon, now being integrated into the X-Universe
Herbie: Nope! Never heard of no X-23. However, what about a wolverine baby too in the all new all wolverine avengers? He could have eight-arms and wear an admantium diaper. He would also always have a stoogie in his mouth and wear a bowler. Rumor has it that he could be the love child of Nick Fury and one of the She-Wolverines! Now that's action!
Herbie: I really think that with the appearance of the all new all wolverine avengers that there must be at least one or two females in the group. I think it is possible to change the gender via cloning of wolverine and that way we could have She-Wolverine(s). One could be an ex-olympic wrestler becoming She-Wolverine via doping and maybe one could be an ex-trucker or hooker that way we could have some real life drama like the ultimshmoos. We could have a hairy naked sweaty She-Wolverine to go along with the male version of the HNS wolverine! maybe one of the Wolverine clones could be a hermaphrodite that way we could have He-She Wolverine too! I love this New Avengers! Wait till the Action figures come out!
ElCoyote: X-23, modified clone-child of Wolverine with 2 claws on each hand. Appeared on that X-Men:Evolution cartoon, now being integrated into the X-Universe
Herbie: Nope! Never heard of no X-23. However, what about a wolverine baby too in the all new all wolverine avengers? He could have eight-arms and wear an admantium diaper. He would also always have a stoogie in his mouth and wear a bowler. Rumor has it that he could be the love child of Nick Fury and one of the She-Wolverines! Now that's action!
The New Avengers: All Wolverine, All the Time!
Herbie posts his thoughts about the New Avengers on Alvaro's Comic Book Message Boards:
I think The New Avengers should just be Wolverine. The government or a secret organization could make clones of him with different powers and it would be awesome. He could also have special cigars that he could carry like in bandolier and each cigar would have special abilities once lit or smoked like time travel, super growth or shrinkage, super intellect, atomic farts whatever the writer bendix can think of. Each Wolverine dude would have a different uniform like the yellow one from back when he fought Hulk or the orangie-brown one or just the black leather like from the movies and of copurse there'd have to be a naked one too. All hairy and sweaty. H'd be the one that gets killed all the time. One wolverine avenger could carry a shield and one could shoot adamantium webs from his claws, one could have a big hammer probably the naked guy and one could carry a bow and arrow and be part cyborg and then you could have on that lives underwater and is blind and also mystical. I think it would be cool to have some she-wolverines too! I don't know what kind of powers they'd have but I'm sure bendick could think of something cool for them. Now that's the New Aengers everyone could live with!
That's a classic!
I think The New Avengers should just be Wolverine. The government or a secret organization could make clones of him with different powers and it would be awesome. He could also have special cigars that he could carry like in bandolier and each cigar would have special abilities once lit or smoked like time travel, super growth or shrinkage, super intellect, atomic farts whatever the writer bendix can think of. Each Wolverine dude would have a different uniform like the yellow one from back when he fought Hulk or the orangie-brown one or just the black leather like from the movies and of copurse there'd have to be a naked one too. All hairy and sweaty. H'd be the one that gets killed all the time. One wolverine avenger could carry a shield and one could shoot adamantium webs from his claws, one could have a big hammer probably the naked guy and one could carry a bow and arrow and be part cyborg and then you could have on that lives underwater and is blind and also mystical. I think it would be cool to have some she-wolverines too! I don't know what kind of powers they'd have but I'm sure bendick could think of something cool for them. Now that's the New Aengers everyone could live with!
That's a classic!
Earth's Mightiest Whozits? The Green Whatdidyoucallhim?!
I'm an unabashed comic book geek. On the last Wednesday of every month, I drive across town to an independently owned comic book store and empty my pull file.* Years ago, I read every book published by Marvel. And I mean every book. These days, I'm a little more picky in my comic book reading. Without sitting down and counting every title, I probably have 20 comics on my present pull file list. When I get my comics home, I sit down at the dining room table and organize them in the order they'll be read. I start with the comics about which I'm most excited and move down in decreasing order. I like all the comics I buy, but I enjoy some more than others. These days, the pile goes something like this:
Green Lantern
Iron Man
Astonishing X-men
The Avengers
Teen Titan
The Outsiders
Star Wars: Republic
Justice League
Justice Society
Star Wars: Empire
For the last several months, I've been hearing internet rumblings about significant changes for at least two of favorites: The Avengers and Green Lantern. Both comics have always been at the top of my monthly pile for the better part of ten years. As one might imagine, I'm not thrilled to hear the changes are real. If you read comics and don't want to be spoiled, don't read any further.
Let's start with The Avengers. Since the 1960s, The Avengers have always been recognized as THE super team of Marvel Comics. With Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor as the big three, joined by 2nd tier characters as Wasp, Antman/Yellowjacket/Goliath/Dr. Pym, Hawkeye, The Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Vision, Hercules, The Black Knight, She-Hulk, Wonder Man, The Falcon, Gilgamesh and a host of others, the team lineup has remained fairly consistent for the better part of 40 years. There have been some deviations, of course, but the core of the team has remained fairly stable. Last Friday, Marvel unveiled a new line-up for The Avengers: Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-man, Spider-woman, Wolverine, and The Sentry. What?! Captain American and Iron Man aside, the remaining characters AREN'T AVENGERS. The Spider characters work best as loners and always have. That's part of who they are as characters. I don't even know this Sentry character. He apparently appeared in some off-beat mini series several years back. Such an obscure character isn't Avenger material. And do I even need to rant about Wolverine?! Not only will he be an Avenger, but he'll also remain active in a million X-books. Aaarrrggghhhh! Where's Hawkeye, Hercules, or She-Hulk? Where's the Vision, Crystal, or the Black Knight? This New Avengers team (yes, that's what they're calling it) isn't Earth's Mightiest Heroes. I don't know what they are, but I'm giving serious consideration to dropping The Avengers as a monthly comic. Changing the dynamics isn't the solution to low sales--hiring proficient writers is the solution to low sales. Good writers=good stories=increased sales.
What's up with the Green Lantern? DC is bringing back Hal Jordan, the Silver Age Green Lantern. For the last decade, Kyle Rayner has been the wielder of the last remaining Oan power ring . . . and I've loved every minute of it. From what little is known, Hal Jordan will become the focus of the main Green Lantern comic, John Stewart will remain the JLA Green Lantern, and nobody knows what's going to happen to Kyle. If he doesn't get his own book or join one of the team books, I'll be extremely miffed with the DC powers-that-be. So much for my all-time favorite comic book character, eh?
*A pull file is just like a subscription except the comic book store pulls the comics off the rack and saves them for you behind the counter. For comic book purists, this keep the comics from getting damaged in the mail ala regular subscription.
Green Lantern
Iron Man
Astonishing X-men
The Avengers
Teen Titan
The Outsiders
Star Wars: Republic
Justice League
Justice Society
Star Wars: Empire
For the last several months, I've been hearing internet rumblings about significant changes for at least two of favorites: The Avengers and Green Lantern. Both comics have always been at the top of my monthly pile for the better part of ten years. As one might imagine, I'm not thrilled to hear the changes are real. If you read comics and don't want to be spoiled, don't read any further.
Let's start with The Avengers. Since the 1960s, The Avengers have always been recognized as THE super team of Marvel Comics. With Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor as the big three, joined by 2nd tier characters as Wasp, Antman/Yellowjacket/Goliath/Dr. Pym, Hawkeye, The Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Vision, Hercules, The Black Knight, She-Hulk, Wonder Man, The Falcon, Gilgamesh and a host of others, the team lineup has remained fairly consistent for the better part of 40 years. There have been some deviations, of course, but the core of the team has remained fairly stable. Last Friday, Marvel unveiled a new line-up for The Avengers: Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-man, Spider-woman, Wolverine, and The Sentry. What?! Captain American and Iron Man aside, the remaining characters AREN'T AVENGERS. The Spider characters work best as loners and always have. That's part of who they are as characters. I don't even know this Sentry character. He apparently appeared in some off-beat mini series several years back. Such an obscure character isn't Avenger material. And do I even need to rant about Wolverine?! Not only will he be an Avenger, but he'll also remain active in a million X-books. Aaarrrggghhhh! Where's Hawkeye, Hercules, or She-Hulk? Where's the Vision, Crystal, or the Black Knight? This New Avengers team (yes, that's what they're calling it) isn't Earth's Mightiest Heroes. I don't know what they are, but I'm giving serious consideration to dropping The Avengers as a monthly comic. Changing the dynamics isn't the solution to low sales--hiring proficient writers is the solution to low sales. Good writers=good stories=increased sales.
What's up with the Green Lantern? DC is bringing back Hal Jordan, the Silver Age Green Lantern. For the last decade, Kyle Rayner has been the wielder of the last remaining Oan power ring . . . and I've loved every minute of it. From what little is known, Hal Jordan will become the focus of the main Green Lantern comic, John Stewart will remain the JLA Green Lantern, and nobody knows what's going to happen to Kyle. If he doesn't get his own book or join one of the team books, I'll be extremely miffed with the DC powers-that-be. So much for my all-time favorite comic book character, eh?
*A pull file is just like a subscription except the comic book store pulls the comics off the rack and saves them for you behind the counter. For comic book purists, this keep the comics from getting damaged in the mail ala regular subscription.
Sunday, August 15, 2004
The Moon Card
You are the Moon card. Entering the Moon we enter
the intuitive and psychic realms. This is the
stuff dreams are made on. And like dreams the
imagery we find here may inspire us or torment
us. Understanding the moon requires looking
within. Our own bodily rhythms are echoed in
this luminary that circles the earth every
month and reflects the sun in its progress.
Listening to those rhythms may produce visions
and lead you towards insight. The Moon is a
force that has legends attached to it. It
carries with it both romance and insanity.
Moonlight reveals itself as an illusion and it
is only those willing to work with the force of
dreams that are able to withstand this
reflective light. Image from: Stevee Postman.
http://www.stevee.com/
Which Tarot Card Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Cool quiz. One of the best I've encounterd.
Friday, August 13, 2004
Practice
When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.
--Thich Nhat Hanh
--Thich Nhat Hanh
Thursday, August 12, 2004
The Insensitive Cheney's
Senator Kerry recently stated he could fight a "more sensitive war on terror" than the Bush administration. Lynne Cheney, spouse of VP Dick "Go-Fuck-Yourself" Cheney (no, I will never let that little gaff slide into oblivion), responded with comments of her own.
"With all due respect to the senator, it just sounded so foolish," she said. "I can't imagine that al Qaeda will be impressed by sensitivity."
al Qaeda might not be impressed, but the innocent civilians who keep finding their homes destroyed and loved ones killed might be mightily impressed by a bit of sensitivity on the part of the US military.
"With all due respect to the senator, it just sounded so foolish," she said. "I can't imagine that al Qaeda will be impressed by sensitivity."
al Qaeda might not be impressed, but the innocent civilians who keep finding their homes destroyed and loved ones killed might be mightily impressed by a bit of sensitivity on the part of the US military.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Lack of Motivation
I can't seem to get into writing mode, today. I had to get up early this morning and run a bunch of errands. Of course, I'm now in the habit of staying up late and couldn't sleep when I tried to retire around 1:30 AM. So, I layed in bed and acted like I was asleep. At least my body was resting, right? I got up, picked up heartworm meds at the vet, stopped at school to deal with continuous enrollment status, picked up a couple pounds of my favorite Kaladi Bros coffees (pound each of Puravida & Trieste blends . . . mmmmmm), snagged The Muffs new album (also found the Cardigans latest in a used bin), and made it home around noon with the intention of writing all afternoon. AHAHAHAHAHA!
Rather than writing, I spent the afternoon napping (quick power nap--I can't do long naps for some reason), cleaning the office (okay, shifting piles of books around would be more accurate), web surfing, and blogging (obviously). I'm leaving to work out in about 10 minutes so the afternoon hasn't been a total wash. Looks like I'll have to do some writing tonight. Yippee!
Rather than writing, I spent the afternoon napping (quick power nap--I can't do long naps for some reason), cleaning the office (okay, shifting piles of books around would be more accurate), web surfing, and blogging (obviously). I'm leaving to work out in about 10 minutes so the afternoon hasn't been a total wash. Looks like I'll have to do some writing tonight. Yippee!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)