First, a big happy (though probably belated) birthday to Fred Hembeck - I wish I could remember when I first saw his work (long before he destroyed the Marvel Universe). He's a singular talent and a slightly warped mind, although not necessarily in that order. (Just added his blog to my blogroll). Happy birthday, Fred.
Secondly, according to this item an item mentioned in this post is false. I now must make Fred Hembeck cake.
Visited my local comic shop to pick up my stash, and the clerk remarked about how well I knew my subscription. I told him that, long ago and far away, a neglectful clerk forgot to put Watchmen 12 in my pull file, and so that traumatized me enough to be careful. Plus, since I didn't read 20 X-books, I could keep track of what I read.
This led to a typical fannish discussion - why is Dr. Strange used as Mr. Exposition? In Marvel (especially in Avengers Dissassembled by Tim "Tool Man" Taylor), Dr. Strange is the guy who essentially says, "I've been in another dimension, so I couldn't save you, but here's what has happened." I'm sure that, by this logic, the thinking would be, "Hey, Dr. Strange, you and Silver Surfer work your cosmic mojo and whomp that sucker - Namor, Hulk and I are gonna grab some brewskis." Great in his 60's (and 80's) stuff, yet Dr. Strange is kind of like the Spectre of DC - he comes in to explain things, but won't pull in his fair share. Hell, at least Johnny Thunder used his frickin' Thunderbolt once in awhile....
Finally, my mom's in the hospital again - I called her, and she sounds ok, but thoughts, prayers, and other good vibes are welcome.
January 31, 2005
January 29, 2005
Let's Get Metatextual
Elvis Costello once remarked, "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture." In my opinion, books about comics - with the exception of Kavalier and Clay - often miss the point; they too often focus so much on the academic/structure that they avoid the whole point of comics. The turning point came with Understanding Comics, where Scott McCloud self-referentially used graphic literature as a way to deconstruct it.
It isn't so amazing, then, that Dennis O'Neil has written The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics, less a meditation on the art of comics than an exploration of structure, and a book which (probably) should have come out in the late 1980s. It is a very basic how-to guide, and does not go into some of the more artistic aspects. This is to Alan Moore's (rumored upcoming) comic writing guide what Lester Dent's pulp outline is to Raymond Chandler's The Simple Art of Murder...but we all have to start somewhere, and this book is one of those "if you love comics, you gotta have it on your bookshelf."
Next, deconstructing comics further is The Science of Superheroes, which attempts to provide scientific explanations behind some of the more common heroes. Basically, Marvel's heroes are based on dubious science (surprise, surprise), and DCs come out slightly stronger. Surprisingly, the authors provide great theories behind the powers of Green Lantern and Aquaman, which will make some Aquaman fans very happy. It's in a very easy-to-read format - well worth checking out of your local library. (And consider this a plug for the St. Louis Public Library system - second, in my opinion, only to Chicago's library system)
Finally, thanks to my employer's Christmas party, I was given a copy of How to Be a Superhero as a gift. It knowingly embraces every super hero cliche and simultaneously celebrates and tweaks them. It's definitely a humor book, and unless you're the kind of sad individual tweaked in either Fanboy Rampage or Post-Crisis, worth reading (although, again, probably more worth checking out of your local library).
It isn't so amazing, then, that Dennis O'Neil has written The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics, less a meditation on the art of comics than an exploration of structure, and a book which (probably) should have come out in the late 1980s. It is a very basic how-to guide, and does not go into some of the more artistic aspects. This is to Alan Moore's (rumored upcoming) comic writing guide what Lester Dent's pulp outline is to Raymond Chandler's The Simple Art of Murder...but we all have to start somewhere, and this book is one of those "if you love comics, you gotta have it on your bookshelf."
Next, deconstructing comics further is The Science of Superheroes, which attempts to provide scientific explanations behind some of the more common heroes. Basically, Marvel's heroes are based on dubious science (surprise, surprise), and DCs come out slightly stronger. Surprisingly, the authors provide great theories behind the powers of Green Lantern and Aquaman, which will make some Aquaman fans very happy. It's in a very easy-to-read format - well worth checking out of your local library. (And consider this a plug for the St. Louis Public Library system - second, in my opinion, only to Chicago's library system)
Finally, thanks to my employer's Christmas party, I was given a copy of How to Be a Superhero as a gift. It knowingly embraces every super hero cliche and simultaneously celebrates and tweaks them. It's definitely a humor book, and unless you're the kind of sad individual tweaked in either Fanboy Rampage or Post-Crisis, worth reading (although, again, probably more worth checking out of your local library).
January 28, 2005
Charm of Chaplin
(First, an aside to Tom the Dog - yes, Sara Rue is smoking hot. She makes me want to do semi-naughty things that I cannot announce on a PG-rated blog. You are now my second favorite blog behind Kevin, who posted an oh-so-naughty picture of Scarlett Johannsen eons ago).
Right now, I am about to say something that will risk me losing my hip-and-with-it film buff credentials. Ready?
Charlie Chaplin - what's the deal?
Saying that is tantamount to saying, "Will Eisner wrote and drew comic books like an eight year old" or "Raymond Chandler couldn't type his way out of a soggy paper bag", but for film buffs to discuss the genius of Chaplin...I don't get it. I just don't. I need a clue.
Saw The Gold Rush in college - cute film, but didn't get it. Didn't think it was funny.
The Great Dictator - saw it several times, loved it, but felt the ending was a little too cloy. It's a good film, but still, not exactly a masterpiece.
Recently, I sat down and watched Modern Times, and although I think Paulette Goddard is rather tasty, I still don't see the charm of Chaplin. The film (in my view) seems to be nothing more than a blanket, almost cliche, "machines = bad, human beings = good".
Maybe it's a contextual/historical thing - we have seen so much Chaplin-esque symbolism (he is the most recognized film icon), maybe he has become cliche, definiting rather than transcending his time. In his day, he was a superstar, the most widely recognized man on earth, an all-in-one package that we don't see in present pop culture. Writer, director, actor - his moviemaking consisted mainly of multiple takes, improvs that shaped his story. No one - Spielberg,
Cruise, any major star - could even reach the heights of Chaplin's stardom. Chaplin was also controversial, his personal life and radical theories providing the press with numerous gossip and innuendo...in these more cynical (and Internet-driven) times, Chaplin's star might not have risen so quickly or stayed afloat so long.
Granted, he did do one thing brilliantly - he was able to inject pathos and compassion into comedy. Thanks to him, movie comedies have some element of sadness, drama to offset the laughs - but somehow, they all seem to be centered around him, about the poor little tramp
(him) who, at the end of the day, ends up alone on the road again. (Except in Modern Times, he doesn't.) At 43 years old, the tramp mustache seems relatively counterfeit, the pathos overwhelming, the laughs minimal.
Even the supporting materials seem to suggest greater talent - after all, in the Chaplin Today documentary on the special features disc, two French filmmakers merely talk about his film before announcing that - gasp! - it's similar to a film they made. That would be like me announcing, "Hey, world! I draw just like Rob Liefeld!"
In short, I don't understand the Chaplin mystique...I guess I just had to be there. If anyone could explain it to me, I would greatly appreciate it.
Right now, I am about to say something that will risk me losing my hip-and-with-it film buff credentials. Ready?
Charlie Chaplin - what's the deal?
Saying that is tantamount to saying, "Will Eisner wrote and drew comic books like an eight year old" or "Raymond Chandler couldn't type his way out of a soggy paper bag", but for film buffs to discuss the genius of Chaplin...I don't get it. I just don't. I need a clue.
Saw The Gold Rush in college - cute film, but didn't get it. Didn't think it was funny.
The Great Dictator - saw it several times, loved it, but felt the ending was a little too cloy. It's a good film, but still, not exactly a masterpiece.
Recently, I sat down and watched Modern Times, and although I think Paulette Goddard is rather tasty, I still don't see the charm of Chaplin. The film (in my view) seems to be nothing more than a blanket, almost cliche, "machines = bad, human beings = good".
Maybe it's a contextual/historical thing - we have seen so much Chaplin-esque symbolism (he is the most recognized film icon), maybe he has become cliche, definiting rather than transcending his time. In his day, he was a superstar, the most widely recognized man on earth, an all-in-one package that we don't see in present pop culture. Writer, director, actor - his moviemaking consisted mainly of multiple takes, improvs that shaped his story. No one - Spielberg,
Cruise, any major star - could even reach the heights of Chaplin's stardom. Chaplin was also controversial, his personal life and radical theories providing the press with numerous gossip and innuendo...in these more cynical (and Internet-driven) times, Chaplin's star might not have risen so quickly or stayed afloat so long.
Granted, he did do one thing brilliantly - he was able to inject pathos and compassion into comedy. Thanks to him, movie comedies have some element of sadness, drama to offset the laughs - but somehow, they all seem to be centered around him, about the poor little tramp
(him) who, at the end of the day, ends up alone on the road again. (Except in Modern Times, he doesn't.) At 43 years old, the tramp mustache seems relatively counterfeit, the pathos overwhelming, the laughs minimal.
Even the supporting materials seem to suggest greater talent - after all, in the Chaplin Today documentary on the special features disc, two French filmmakers merely talk about his film before announcing that - gasp! - it's similar to a film they made. That would be like me announcing, "Hey, world! I draw just like Rob Liefeld!"
In short, I don't understand the Chaplin mystique...I guess I just had to be there. If anyone could explain it to me, I would greatly appreciate it.
January 26, 2005
Sick Leave
Hey, y'all,
Just a heads-up; I have caught some kind of naughty, freaky viral thing, so my bloggin' might not be as frequent as before. However, here are some ideas that I have percolating:
Until then, it's green tea and OJ for me...
Just a heads-up; I have caught some kind of naughty, freaky viral thing, so my bloggin' might not be as frequent as before. However, here are some ideas that I have percolating:
- JMS and the "Lost" Crusade
- Alan Moore Knows the Score
- Reviews of three books about comic books
- Charlie Chaplin - Overrated?
Until then, it's green tea and OJ for me...
January 25, 2005
You Make the Call
Which news item is the least welcome?
- Guy who sang "Octopus' Garden" latest member of Avengers; or
- The big-ass Enterprise Finale Cameo (hint: it ain't Shatner)
January 24, 2005
Johnny Carson RIP
I'm a Carson fan from way back - however, rather than write and repeat what other people are writing in tribute, I think this article says it all.
Motivational Moment From Despair.com
Since I'm waiting for a staff meeting, and technically shouldn't be posting this, I thought I would share my all-time favorite Despair.com item:
January 23, 2005
Star Clipper & Space Monkeys
My Saturday was a little ragged (in more ways than one): a neighborhood forum that I quickly left (was a little too disorganized); met some friends for coffee, but made a long-promised trip to Star Clipper Comics. I may start buying my graphic novels there, but stick to the Fantasy Shop for my comics. Yes, it's like having a girlfriend and mistress, but Star Clipper has a ton of graphic novels, manga, etc - it's like someone read my mind about the ideal comic store.
(Although it does lose points: I bought a grab bag, thinking it might be indie, and what do I get? JLA 95, JLA 100, JLA 102, and New X-Men Academy 3. OK, I only paid two bucks, but even still...)
Anyway, remembering my New Year's resolution, I decided to find a book that I normally wouldn't purchase, and although there was a May 2004 date on it, I chose Bloop # 1, simply for the cover: a red-haired handsome guy surrounded by green space monkeys with antenna.
You read correctly - this is a black-and-white comic about Bloop, a green space monkey. I don't know if there are any more issues - only that it comes from a comic called Astounding Space Thrills. (Perhaps those in the know can fill me in).
There are three stories - one a completely no-dialogue affair, one a tricky science fiction tale featuring backgammon, and the first part of a three-parter. This is, quite simply, a fun book - the art is clean, the writing sharp, and quite frankly, there is a playful spirit that permeates this book. It's a well-crafted sampler, and quite frankly, the kind of comic that we need more of nowadays.
(Although it does lose points: I bought a grab bag, thinking it might be indie, and what do I get? JLA 95, JLA 100, JLA 102, and New X-Men Academy 3. OK, I only paid two bucks, but even still...)
Anyway, remembering my New Year's resolution, I decided to find a book that I normally wouldn't purchase, and although there was a May 2004 date on it, I chose Bloop # 1, simply for the cover: a red-haired handsome guy surrounded by green space monkeys with antenna.
You read correctly - this is a black-and-white comic about Bloop, a green space monkey. I don't know if there are any more issues - only that it comes from a comic called Astounding Space Thrills. (Perhaps those in the know can fill me in).
There are three stories - one a completely no-dialogue affair, one a tricky science fiction tale featuring backgammon, and the first part of a three-parter. This is, quite simply, a fun book - the art is clean, the writing sharp, and quite frankly, there is a playful spirit that permeates this book. It's a well-crafted sampler, and quite frankly, the kind of comic that we need more of nowadays.
January 21, 2005
Announcement: My Mojo Is Fully Operational
Right now, I'm feeling good, if a little worn out. No, it wasn't attending a city council work session last night, it wasn't due to seeing a trailer for Pauly Shore is Dead and seeing Mr. Shore resemble an aged Borscht Belt Comedian...
No, I had a hell of a first date last night.
My dating life has been hit-or-miss in the past few years: trying to date during an unrequited love affair, having the embarrassing first dates that lead to empty "That-was-great-let's-do-it-again-sometime" promises....in fact, I had pretty much given up the dating thing, thinking that 2005 was going to start "Gordon: the Lone Wolf Years."
However, this was an oh-so cool date. One for the record books.
It actually began with someone e-mailing me talking about "resuming our conversation" from another service. Even though this was based on mistaken identity, eventually, we planned to meet last night. Luckily, she was able to make it earlier than she expected, and we found meeting (for the first time) at Pin-Up Bowl. No awkward pauses, no lulls, nothing to make this first date have that "date-that-is-really-a-job-interview" feel. (Trust me - it was getting to the point that I was considering asking women for their resumes - cut to the chase). We both were comfortable with each other to share part of our lives (I think she appreciated the fact that I jokingly announced that I was "doing Satan's work." Those who know what I do will dig it).
Then, it was down to the Delmar Lounge for a really late, where I ran into Jeff and Randy, some pals/former Metropolis Steering Committee comrades, and then my date and I continued our conversation. I tell you, I broke every single rule in the "Macho Guy Dating Book" - I invited her to a Billikens game this Saturday (I had free tickets), my employer's upcoming trivia night, and all without the usual "Oh-my-god-do-you-like-me" desperation I usually feel.
(You'll notice I haven't talked about her and her background at all - until this works out (if it does), I'd like to keep her identity anonymous. Trust me - you'll understand)
Finally, we made our way to Blueberry Hill, where the college crowd came in. My professional instincts kicked in when we both saw some extemely-underage-looking women with drinks, and I wanted to check ID. (Professional hazard - sorry). Eventually, I was starting to nod out and get quiet - more out of fatigue than boredom. However, we both went back to her car, she drove me back to mine, and it was home for both of us.
It's scary, but scary in a good way - scary enough to inspire me to write an entry for the contest in Polite Dissent. Scary, but exciting, like a roller coaster ride through a ring of fire.
But enough of my personal digressions - I promise; next time it will be more pop culture shtick, stream-of-consciousness ramblings, and John Byrne bashing.
No, I had a hell of a first date last night.
My dating life has been hit-or-miss in the past few years: trying to date during an unrequited love affair, having the embarrassing first dates that lead to empty "That-was-great-let's-do-it-again-sometime" promises....in fact, I had pretty much given up the dating thing, thinking that 2005 was going to start "Gordon: the Lone Wolf Years."
However, this was an oh-so cool date. One for the record books.
It actually began with someone e-mailing me talking about "resuming our conversation" from another service. Even though this was based on mistaken identity, eventually, we planned to meet last night. Luckily, she was able to make it earlier than she expected, and we found meeting (for the first time) at Pin-Up Bowl. No awkward pauses, no lulls, nothing to make this first date have that "date-that-is-really-a-job-interview" feel. (Trust me - it was getting to the point that I was considering asking women for their resumes - cut to the chase). We both were comfortable with each other to share part of our lives (I think she appreciated the fact that I jokingly announced that I was "doing Satan's work." Those who know what I do will dig it).
Then, it was down to the Delmar Lounge for a really late, where I ran into Jeff and Randy, some pals/former Metropolis Steering Committee comrades, and then my date and I continued our conversation. I tell you, I broke every single rule in the "Macho Guy Dating Book" - I invited her to a Billikens game this Saturday (I had free tickets), my employer's upcoming trivia night, and all without the usual "Oh-my-god-do-you-like-me" desperation I usually feel.
(You'll notice I haven't talked about her and her background at all - until this works out (if it does), I'd like to keep her identity anonymous. Trust me - you'll understand)
Finally, we made our way to Blueberry Hill, where the college crowd came in. My professional instincts kicked in when we both saw some extemely-underage-looking women with drinks, and I wanted to check ID. (Professional hazard - sorry). Eventually, I was starting to nod out and get quiet - more out of fatigue than boredom. However, we both went back to her car, she drove me back to mine, and it was home for both of us.
It's scary, but scary in a good way - scary enough to inspire me to write an entry for the contest in Polite Dissent. Scary, but exciting, like a roller coaster ride through a ring of fire.
But enough of my personal digressions - I promise; next time it will be more pop culture shtick, stream-of-consciousness ramblings, and John Byrne bashing.
January 19, 2005
Useful As A Poopy Flavored Lollipop
The past 48 hours have been lame - missed a work-related meeting due to a malfunctioning garage door (and note to co-workers: next time, try to tell me before I'm heading out the door, not as I'm leaving. Communication is important, people); been dealing with some intestinal thing, have a coworker who is trying to help, but hasn't asked if I needed help....well, my attitude has been really bad, so bad that it resembles this demotivational poster. I mean, not even a contest at Polite Dissent (which I encourage everyone to enter) could cheer me up.
However, I have found a cure - Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, which is probably either
Dudes and dudettes, if you want to laugh yourself sick, see this movie. About the only thing that I have to look forward to after the past 48 hours - a semi-hot date tomorrow night. If you behave, I'll share details.
However, I have found a cure - Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, which is probably either
- The Citizen Kane of Dodgeball Movies
- A sharp, sly parody of sports movies; and/or
- a plain, no-frills, turn-your-brain-off physical comedy.
Dudes and dudettes, if you want to laugh yourself sick, see this movie. About the only thing that I have to look forward to after the past 48 hours - a semi-hot date tomorrow night. If you behave, I'll share details.
January 16, 2005
Short Takes
First, a little something found on Laura and Johnny Bacardi's blogs:
Since I have a little catching up to do, here are some remarks about comics, shows, and stuff that I've experienced in the past few weeks. These are short take reviews, in honor of J.D. Considine, music writer, who could make (or break) an album in 40 words or less:
Star Trek: Enterprise - Daedalus: The second real clunker of the fourth season, trailing behind the season opener. What should have been a cool episode (we meet the guy who invented the transporter) turns into a standard science fiction "learning-to-let-loved-ones-go" story. You've gotta do better, guys.
Breach # 1: So the guy who wrote this used to be editor-in-chief at Marvel? Explains a lot. Love the art, though.
Teen Titans # 19: The end of the time-travel arc, and it comes to an...interesting conclusion. It's not one of my regular reads, but is satisfactory.
JSA # 69: Another time-travel arc, and it's a middle-of-the-arc story, where our "modern" heroes meet (or miss) their Golden Age counterparts. Some brilliant character bits (like Johnny Thunder), some rather trite moments (like with...but that would be telling). Oh, and does anyone else find the last page creepy and slightly misogynistic?
Farscape, Season Three, Episodes One Through Nine: Sadly, the closest America will ever come to the genius of Blake's Seven. More ideas, clever writing, and cool acting in these episodes than you can shake a stick at, if that's your idea of a good time.
Legion of Super Heroes # 1 - Mixed feelings: I'm a Legion Fanboy from way back, but thought recent reboots were simply retelling old stories. Some clever ideas (like Micro Lad), but having a wait-and-see approach. Promising, though.
Green Lantern: Rebirth # 3 - Oh, so it was an alien fear-based life form all along? I liked this better when it was told as Day of the Dove on the old Star Trek series. Thank you, overly nostalgic fanboys - thank you really frickin' much.
Ultimates 2 # 2 - Some really clever ideas, but this book makes one wonder if Mark Millar secretly wishes he was Jerry Bruckheimer's screenwriter.
Doctor Who Magazine # 351 - the last issue before the "new look" (and Christopher Eccleston Doctor) appears. Some really great features, including a free CD of two excellent audio stories, "The Coup" (featuring UNIT) and "Silver Lining" (featuring Bernice Summerfield) . Good enough reason to be alive.
JLA: Classified # 2 - Although the style can be a bit grating, Grant Morrison pulls out the stops. His Superman better be this awesome.
Green Arrow # 46 - Definitely removing this book from my pull file. The art is really cool, but the story...and I'm tiring from Mia's whining after three issues. Good excuse to drop off, if you are looking for one.
ADDITION: JLA 110 - Another mid-arc tale, which definitely gives us some nuance into how the CSA is dealing with our world. Kurt Busiek should win an award for his deft handling - yes, this is close to fanboy porn, but this hits the sweet spots so well. Definitely can't wait for the conclusion.
Since I have a little catching up to do, here are some remarks about comics, shows, and stuff that I've experienced in the past few weeks. These are short take reviews, in honor of J.D. Considine, music writer, who could make (or break) an album in 40 words or less:
Star Trek: Enterprise - Daedalus: The second real clunker of the fourth season, trailing behind the season opener. What should have been a cool episode (we meet the guy who invented the transporter) turns into a standard science fiction "learning-to-let-loved-ones-go" story. You've gotta do better, guys.
Breach # 1: So the guy who wrote this used to be editor-in-chief at Marvel? Explains a lot. Love the art, though.
Teen Titans # 19: The end of the time-travel arc, and it comes to an...interesting conclusion. It's not one of my regular reads, but is satisfactory.
JSA # 69: Another time-travel arc, and it's a middle-of-the-arc story, where our "modern" heroes meet (or miss) their Golden Age counterparts. Some brilliant character bits (like Johnny Thunder), some rather trite moments (like with...but that would be telling). Oh, and does anyone else find the last page creepy and slightly misogynistic?
Farscape, Season Three, Episodes One Through Nine: Sadly, the closest America will ever come to the genius of Blake's Seven. More ideas, clever writing, and cool acting in these episodes than you can shake a stick at, if that's your idea of a good time.
Legion of Super Heroes # 1 - Mixed feelings: I'm a Legion Fanboy from way back, but thought recent reboots were simply retelling old stories. Some clever ideas (like Micro Lad), but having a wait-and-see approach. Promising, though.
Green Lantern: Rebirth # 3 - Oh, so it was an alien fear-based life form all along? I liked this better when it was told as Day of the Dove on the old Star Trek series. Thank you, overly nostalgic fanboys - thank you really frickin' much.
Ultimates 2 # 2 - Some really clever ideas, but this book makes one wonder if Mark Millar secretly wishes he was Jerry Bruckheimer's screenwriter.
Doctor Who Magazine # 351 - the last issue before the "new look" (and Christopher Eccleston Doctor) appears. Some really great features, including a free CD of two excellent audio stories, "The Coup" (featuring UNIT) and "Silver Lining" (featuring Bernice Summerfield) . Good enough reason to be alive.
JLA: Classified # 2 - Although the style can be a bit grating, Grant Morrison pulls out the stops. His Superman better be this awesome.
Green Arrow # 46 - Definitely removing this book from my pull file. The art is really cool, but the story...and I'm tiring from Mia's whining after three issues. Good excuse to drop off, if you are looking for one.
ADDITION: JLA 110 - Another mid-arc tale, which definitely gives us some nuance into how the CSA is dealing with our world. Kurt Busiek should win an award for his deft handling - yes, this is close to fanboy porn, but this hits the sweet spots so well. Definitely can't wait for the conclusion.
January 14, 2005
Face of Evil
Inspired by a post on Progressive Ruin...
Yes, folks, it's my cat, Dax. I have finally entered The Geek Zone.
EDIT: As you can see, I did a little tweaking - you should see a new intro, a new blog on the blogroll, and this extremely gratuitous quote:
Yes, folks, it's my cat, Dax. I have finally entered The Geek Zone.
EDIT: As you can see, I did a little tweaking - you should see a new intro, a new blog on the blogroll, and this extremely gratuitous quote:
"I have seen the future of rock - and it sucks!" -- Graham Parker
January 13, 2005
Get Your Geek On
Part of me says to myself, "You know, doing a Star Trek-themed happy hour for CSAC probably wasn't a smart idea - no women."
Sure, no one showed up at Frederick's Music Lounge, but I still had fun nonetheless. They were planning to begin Deep Space Nine (after cycling through Next Generation). However, due to a missed mail delivery, they had to rely on the Citizen Kane of Star Trek movies.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Oh, yeah.
This, like the Marx Brother's Duck Soup, Star Wars and A Hard Day's Night, is a film I have probably seen well over 300 times. (Plus, I knew the bartender was cool when we both complained about the lack of a decent DVD of Help, the Beatles' second movie). It's one of the movies that has - literally - shaped my character.
When it came out, I was still in high school, and I would take in a dollar show every night at the now-demolished Brighton Theater to see it. Of course, when you're in high school, the cool thing is the starship battles. Two ships phasering the holy mess out of each other, just 'cause they could.
Now, I can see the deeper themes - aging, loss, renewal, learning how to win the no-win situation. (I actually have this page printed out and hanging in my office - helps me through the tougher times, much like someone hanging the Serenity Prayer). Plus, thanks to the script (and Ricardo Montalban's performance), I now feel that I have read the best parts of Moby Dick.
The funny thing is...I'm not really a "happy hour" kind of guy, and my Wednesday nights get booked pretty quickly. Now, I feel (for the moment) that I have a new place to hang, and where to encourage my fellow geeks.
So, if you're in STL, and want to come out of your geeky closet, my advice - Frederick's, Wednesday night. CSAC's loss is your gain.
Sure, no one showed up at Frederick's Music Lounge, but I still had fun nonetheless. They were planning to begin Deep Space Nine (after cycling through Next Generation). However, due to a missed mail delivery, they had to rely on the Citizen Kane of Star Trek movies.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Oh, yeah.
This, like the Marx Brother's Duck Soup, Star Wars and A Hard Day's Night, is a film I have probably seen well over 300 times. (Plus, I knew the bartender was cool when we both complained about the lack of a decent DVD of Help, the Beatles' second movie). It's one of the movies that has - literally - shaped my character.
When it came out, I was still in high school, and I would take in a dollar show every night at the now-demolished Brighton Theater to see it. Of course, when you're in high school, the cool thing is the starship battles. Two ships phasering the holy mess out of each other, just 'cause they could.
Now, I can see the deeper themes - aging, loss, renewal, learning how to win the no-win situation. (I actually have this page printed out and hanging in my office - helps me through the tougher times, much like someone hanging the Serenity Prayer). Plus, thanks to the script (and Ricardo Montalban's performance), I now feel that I have read the best parts of Moby Dick.
The funny thing is...I'm not really a "happy hour" kind of guy, and my Wednesday nights get booked pretty quickly. Now, I feel (for the moment) that I have a new place to hang, and where to encourage my fellow geeks.
So, if you're in STL, and want to come out of your geeky closet, my advice - Frederick's, Wednesday night. CSAC's loss is your gain.
January 12, 2005
Fifteen Seconds of Fame
Sometimes, a simple television interview can be...well, interesting.
After things happened in Ballwin Monday night, I was interviewed by the local Fox station. Normally, I'm not into television interviews - I would rather be behind the scenes, making anonymous efforts (I don't mind praise - I just like sharing it, in a weird way). If it wasn't for the fog and general icky weather, more people who supported it would have been at the meeting, and I might not have been interviewed...but I was, and prepared myself for the congratulations of moving my agency's mission forward.
Yesterday, however, with the usual atta-boys came, well, unexpected praise for the way I handled myself on the screen. (Luckily, one of my bosses was able to give an honest critique of my "performance"), but the hosannas came fast and furious. People I work with, both inside and outside of my office, expressed their pride and admiration, but now, it's back to work, and all the "normal" little intricacies and dysfunctional dynamics of before
It reminds me of this person, but in a different way - if you didn't know already, he works at a very prestigious British bookstore, and was fired for (satirically) talking about this job.
Now, let me get this straight - a bookstore (usually a bastion of intellectual freedom, free speech, etc) fires their employee because he says something they don't like, and what he says isn't hateful (e.g, "Hey, I think Hitler should shop here!"). He is getting much attention on the blogosphere, not because his blog is clever, but because his employers decided that his words cut a little too close to home. That, my friends, is complete and utter sash - in these troubled times, there should be more diverse speech, especially satirical speech, especially that which offends.
I normally don't post about my work or my employer - part of it is fear of repercussions, part of it is that I talk about job stuff with others outside of it, but much of it is...my job details wouldn't excite most of you. Paperwork, statistics, phone calls - at times, my life lacks excitement. I don't have a hot and sexy job, like, say, working in a comic shop. I am not a "look at me and how wonderful I am" attitude - I try to be wonderful and get things done. However, every once in awhile, greatness is thrust upon us (to paraphrase Shakespeare) and we have to do our best to handle it.
For this gentleman, you have my support. Keep on, brother. Fight the power. (And if you're a woman, my sincere apologies)
After things happened in Ballwin Monday night, I was interviewed by the local Fox station. Normally, I'm not into television interviews - I would rather be behind the scenes, making anonymous efforts (I don't mind praise - I just like sharing it, in a weird way). If it wasn't for the fog and general icky weather, more people who supported it would have been at the meeting, and I might not have been interviewed...but I was, and prepared myself for the congratulations of moving my agency's mission forward.
Yesterday, however, with the usual atta-boys came, well, unexpected praise for the way I handled myself on the screen. (Luckily, one of my bosses was able to give an honest critique of my "performance"), but the hosannas came fast and furious. People I work with, both inside and outside of my office, expressed their pride and admiration, but now, it's back to work, and all the "normal" little intricacies and dysfunctional dynamics of before
It reminds me of this person, but in a different way - if you didn't know already, he works at a very prestigious British bookstore, and was fired for (satirically) talking about this job.
Now, let me get this straight - a bookstore (usually a bastion of intellectual freedom, free speech, etc) fires their employee because he says something they don't like, and what he says isn't hateful (e.g, "Hey, I think Hitler should shop here!"). He is getting much attention on the blogosphere, not because his blog is clever, but because his employers decided that his words cut a little too close to home. That, my friends, is complete and utter sash - in these troubled times, there should be more diverse speech, especially satirical speech, especially that which offends.
I normally don't post about my work or my employer - part of it is fear of repercussions, part of it is that I talk about job stuff with others outside of it, but much of it is...my job details wouldn't excite most of you. Paperwork, statistics, phone calls - at times, my life lacks excitement. I don't have a hot and sexy job, like, say, working in a comic shop. I am not a "look at me and how wonderful I am" attitude - I try to be wonderful and get things done. However, every once in awhile, greatness is thrust upon us (to paraphrase Shakespeare) and we have to do our best to handle it.
For this gentleman, you have my support. Keep on, brother. Fight the power. (And if you're a woman, my sincere apologies)
January 10, 2005
Ballwin Blitz
Warning: Contents of this post may indicate that I have taken this a little too personally. You have been warned.As you may have read in previous posts, part of my job involves promoting smokefree legislation, which (in Missouri, at least) is tantamount to proclaiming Pauly Shore a comedy genius. Missouri tends to avoid change like a kindergartener avoids clean underwear. (I have no idea where that came from, folks). So any attempt to do something that might be beneficial...well, you might as well try to turn a pork steak into motor oil.
Ballwin is a case in point - since August, it has been an almost bare knuckle brawl between the Board of Aldermen and the local restaurant owners. Most of the press has been focused on the restaurant owners, whose shenanigans both in front of and behind the cameras have been less-than-honorable. (As well as mine, but more on that later).
Just a few hours ago, the city council passed a smokefree workplace ordinance (5 - 3 against), and of course, the pro-smoking contingent complained.
"We didn't get our say! This was railroaded!" This after a four month process where they received the lion's share of the attention.
"Hey, what about our rights?" You have a right to smoke - and I have a right to breathe clean air.
(For some of you who live in states with such legislation, it may be hard to understand - next time you're in town, I'll explain it to you over the beverage of your choice).
Of course, rather than take the high road - and being the only person in favor of such legislation - I decided to take on one of my opponents, a man who lives in Rock Hill (five miles away) who criticized me for "coming into" Ballwin and pushing my way inside. Soon, I realized that as the two of us were talking, the tv camera was filming us...and I looked like a pushy, obnoxious dude.
(OK, I am a pushy obnoxious dude, but I don't need it immortalized on videotape).
After a semi-sheepish television interview, I called my bosses, let them know what happened, and went home.
Even though I'm rather tired, and still a little buzzed about the "victory", it reminds me of why I enjoy comics so much. Even in dealing with people who assume they are right, who show their true colors through their actions, it's nice to know that sometimes, doing what I believe is right can be the most heroic thing I can do in one day, and that most people can agree to disagree and remain civil.
Start Your Morning Right!
Here's a little something from Accordion Guy's Blog
(Warning: if you're hung over, turn down your computer's speakers)
EDIT: Plus, I keep forgetting to include Laura's Contest, where if you write a small essay on comics as educational tools, you can win a graphic novel. Kids, it's worth the time and effort - sign up today!
(Warning: if you're hung over, turn down your computer's speakers)
EDIT: Plus, I keep forgetting to include Laura's Contest, where if you write a small essay on comics as educational tools, you can win a graphic novel. Kids, it's worth the time and effort - sign up today!
January 9, 2005
Food for Thought
You know, with all the stuff that's gone on in terms of discussing comics (and with the Academy Awards coming up), I thought I would ilnk to this article from Something Old, Nothing New, one of my favorite blogs.
(And a blog that, if you're not already reading it, add it to your hotlist/RSS Reader/whatever. Trust me. You won't be sorry.)
(And a blog that, if you're not already reading it, add it to your hotlist/RSS Reader/whatever. Trust me. You won't be sorry.)
January 8, 2005
Strange Dreams
I think I've finally snapped.
Maybe it's been the illness that took me suddenly New Year's Eve, combined with the manic pace of the past few days at work. Considering the three twelve-hour-work-days-in-a-row fueled by caffeine, dining on meats cooked on my George Foreman Grill, lack of significant other (although thanks to this post this blog is now my most favoritest blog in the world), I had the world's strangest dream.
I dreamt of reviving the Inferior Five.
I'm not kidding - it was one of my favorite comics when I was young, finding a semi-new (if coverless) issue in the three-comics-for-29-cents packs. It was a humorous take on comics (in general), with DC parodying Marvel in a barely legal way, and getting away with it...and I came up with a great idea to revive it in continuity. After the sturm und drang of Identity Crisis (and taking a cue from this blog's a cool take on Blue Beetle), I figured I would indulge my fanboy-ish fantasies for one post.
Imagine, if you will (taking place in continuity), the DC Universe of the late 1950's - 1960's - during the JSA's "retirement", due to both the HUAC crisis and the later hippie movement's lack of trust in them. (Actually, it's Hawkman they don't like, because he's so anal). So, we see "the Freedom Brigade" arise to take their place - 2nd tier heros who serve as "templates" for the Silver Age heroes we know and love. It is this Brigade that, gradually, becomes the parents of the Inferior Five, who "take their station" in the mid to late 1960s.
(And, if we can't go that way, we can give each of the Five parodic origins - for example, Awkwardman is sent from his aquatic home planet, which is about to be destroyed; however, his rocket ship veers off course, and he ends up on a planet with higher gravity, giving us a "reason" for his awkwarness. One minor reboot we would have to perform - Dumb Bunny. In the late 1960's, a dumb blonde in a glorified bunny suit might have been funny; however, in these modern times, it lacks a certain restraint. We could have her "smart" and then use the "dumb" act to fool criminals, and have her so good at it that she forgets when to be smart and when to be dumb. And we have to treat her with respect, because as we all know, comics fans are proto-feminists who will begin calling creators "misogynist" when they (fans) suspect sexism to occur...and we wouldn't want that, now, would we?)
So the Inferior Five, in one of their last adventures in the 1960's, takes on an evil Scientist - let's even push credibility and call him Dr. Quinn. He has a device that creates wormholes - that's right, honest to gosh wormholes. . Anyway, the battle rages, and the Five manage to stop the good Doctor...but as a result, the wormhole device is broken, and zaps them.
There's one of two ways to go with this - we could use the "Hypertime" angle, have the Five visit different "alternate universes" in the DC (and other) universes, and get into wacky mishaps. (I mean, can you imagine the Five in a Rob Liefeld-drawn universe? I find it funny). Give them that "Exiles" vibe, and let them go up and down in time. Maybe even have the Blimp "bump into" Joe Chill, knock him out, and create a non-Batman universe. At the very least, it wouldn't be boring.
The other way is to bump them into "present" DC Continuity, and just make fun of our heroes. Have White Feather and Green Arrow in a target contest. Have Dumb Bunny make fun of Blue Beetle/Booster Gold over the Kooey Kooey Kooey affair. Maybe even have the Blimp try to keep up with the Flash in order to lose weight. Plus, we'll have Phil Foglio draw it, and our first crossover (after the first year of single issue stories, just like the good old days) will be "Gorilla My Dreams" with Angel & the Ape, taking on Gorilla Grodd, if only to give Yet Another Comics Blog six weeks' worth of monkey covers! (And yes, I know the whole "Ape-is-Grodd's-grandson" subplot - we could milk it for all it's worth)
And if DC is worried about saturating the market, hell, they can cancel a Bat-book, or a Superman-book. Maybe skim a little of the profits of the Super/Bat books. Cancel the lowest three-selling titles. (No Swamp Thing, though). They could even cancel John Byrne's Doom Patrol - after all, the guy is 1) Canadian and 2) a stark, raving looney. We need a comic that is fun, and this would end up becoming a proven moneymaker. People want comics that don't take themselves so seriously.
Yes, that was my dream. It could be worse...I could have dreamed of reviving Captain Carrot & the Zoo Crew.
Maybe it's been the illness that took me suddenly New Year's Eve, combined with the manic pace of the past few days at work. Considering the three twelve-hour-work-days-in-a-row fueled by caffeine, dining on meats cooked on my George Foreman Grill, lack of significant other (although thanks to this post this blog is now my most favoritest blog in the world), I had the world's strangest dream.
I dreamt of reviving the Inferior Five.
I'm not kidding - it was one of my favorite comics when I was young, finding a semi-new (if coverless) issue in the three-comics-for-29-cents packs. It was a humorous take on comics (in general), with DC parodying Marvel in a barely legal way, and getting away with it...and I came up with a great idea to revive it in continuity. After the sturm und drang of Identity Crisis (and taking a cue from this blog's a cool take on Blue Beetle), I figured I would indulge my fanboy-ish fantasies for one post.
Imagine, if you will (taking place in continuity), the DC Universe of the late 1950's - 1960's - during the JSA's "retirement", due to both the HUAC crisis and the later hippie movement's lack of trust in them. (Actually, it's Hawkman they don't like, because he's so anal). So, we see "the Freedom Brigade" arise to take their place - 2nd tier heros who serve as "templates" for the Silver Age heroes we know and love. It is this Brigade that, gradually, becomes the parents of the Inferior Five, who "take their station" in the mid to late 1960s.
(And, if we can't go that way, we can give each of the Five parodic origins - for example, Awkwardman is sent from his aquatic home planet, which is about to be destroyed; however, his rocket ship veers off course, and he ends up on a planet with higher gravity, giving us a "reason" for his awkwarness. One minor reboot we would have to perform - Dumb Bunny. In the late 1960's, a dumb blonde in a glorified bunny suit might have been funny; however, in these modern times, it lacks a certain restraint. We could have her "smart" and then use the "dumb" act to fool criminals, and have her so good at it that she forgets when to be smart and when to be dumb. And we have to treat her with respect, because as we all know, comics fans are proto-feminists who will begin calling creators "misogynist" when they (fans) suspect sexism to occur...and we wouldn't want that, now, would we?)
So the Inferior Five, in one of their last adventures in the 1960's, takes on an evil Scientist - let's even push credibility and call him Dr. Quinn. He has a device that creates wormholes - that's right, honest to gosh wormholes. . Anyway, the battle rages, and the Five manage to stop the good Doctor...but as a result, the wormhole device is broken, and zaps them.
There's one of two ways to go with this - we could use the "Hypertime" angle, have the Five visit different "alternate universes" in the DC (and other) universes, and get into wacky mishaps. (I mean, can you imagine the Five in a Rob Liefeld-drawn universe? I find it funny). Give them that "Exiles" vibe, and let them go up and down in time. Maybe even have the Blimp "bump into" Joe Chill, knock him out, and create a non-Batman universe. At the very least, it wouldn't be boring.
The other way is to bump them into "present" DC Continuity, and just make fun of our heroes. Have White Feather and Green Arrow in a target contest. Have Dumb Bunny make fun of Blue Beetle/Booster Gold over the Kooey Kooey Kooey affair. Maybe even have the Blimp try to keep up with the Flash in order to lose weight. Plus, we'll have Phil Foglio draw it, and our first crossover (after the first year of single issue stories, just like the good old days) will be "Gorilla My Dreams" with Angel & the Ape, taking on Gorilla Grodd, if only to give Yet Another Comics Blog six weeks' worth of monkey covers! (And yes, I know the whole "Ape-is-Grodd's-grandson" subplot - we could milk it for all it's worth)
And if DC is worried about saturating the market, hell, they can cancel a Bat-book, or a Superman-book. Maybe skim a little of the profits of the Super/Bat books. Cancel the lowest three-selling titles. (No Swamp Thing, though). They could even cancel John Byrne's Doom Patrol - after all, the guy is 1) Canadian and 2) a stark, raving looney. We need a comic that is fun, and this would end up becoming a proven moneymaker. People want comics that don't take themselves so seriously.
Yes, that was my dream. It could be worse...I could have dreamed of reviving Captain Carrot & the Zoo Crew.
January 7, 2005
Whoa Mama, Today's My Lucky Day!
First, after posting this a while ago, I received a very nice thank you note from Jenna Fischer, the writer/director/star of Lollilove. Do what you can to see this movie, and watch The Office on NBC. If it is half as funny as the BBC Original (and I have no doubt that it will), we'll have a winner. (And by the way, if you get a chance to see LolliLove do so. You will laugh harder than you ever have in your life).
Anyway, I was Googling several former high school classmates for our upcoming reunion, and somehow found myself looking at this (which, ironically, got me through many a Sunday night in high school).
Oh, man, if there's a big frickin' check in my mailbox tomorrow, this will be the bestest year ever!
Anyway, I was Googling several former high school classmates for our upcoming reunion, and somehow found myself looking at this (which, ironically, got me through many a Sunday night in high school).
Oh, man, if there's a big frickin' check in my mailbox tomorrow, this will be the bestest year ever!
January 6, 2005
Topic for Discussion
Acquired from Boing Boing - and quite personally, I don't believe in downloading comics. I mean, it's a pain and a half dragging my monitor and mouse into the bathroom
(rimshot)
Hey, it's my job to stimulate discussion. Go for it!
(rimshot)
Hey, it's my job to stimulate discussion. Go for it!
Random Stuff
Whew, boy, the past few days going back into work have been...hectic. Hectic in a good way. Some parts are good (in a "can't-talk-about-them-until-we're-done" way), some parts are the usual (planning for a major project, dealing with some of my teams, etc), but it's all fun, and getting back into the swing of things this early in the year....is always good.
The Comic Treadmill has finished their 12 Days of Christmas postings - trust me, kids, it's the most clever thing to come out of this past holiday since.....well, ever.
One really cool video find so far this year has been Ultraviolet, a vampire series for people who normally dislike vampire series. In America, you've got your Buffy/Angel, and vampires are much more deeply entrenched in our culture than in England. However, this is a series that updates the vampire myth, gives it an X-Files-esque spin, and because it's only six one hour episodes, does not even come close to jumping the shark.
After being shut down by spammers, the might Arch Pundit has returned, providing excellent insight and news on the STL political scene.
Oh, and although I had announced a contest for Gmail invitations, screw it - just let me know if you need one (or know of a worthy place to send them) and it's yours/theirs.
The Comic Treadmill has finished their 12 Days of Christmas postings - trust me, kids, it's the most clever thing to come out of this past holiday since.....well, ever.
One really cool video find so far this year has been Ultraviolet, a vampire series for people who normally dislike vampire series. In America, you've got your Buffy/Angel, and vampires are much more deeply entrenched in our culture than in England. However, this is a series that updates the vampire myth, gives it an X-Files-esque spin, and because it's only six one hour episodes, does not even come close to jumping the shark.
After being shut down by spammers, the might Arch Pundit has returned, providing excellent insight and news on the STL political scene.
Oh, and although I had announced a contest for Gmail invitations, screw it - just let me know if you need one (or know of a worthy place to send them) and it's yours/theirs.
January 4, 2005
Will Eisner RIP
Many other blogs have talked about this, but I would like to offer my condolences to the family of Will Eisner - if all he was known for was his work on The Spirit, or Comics & Sequential Art, or even just any of his recent work, he would be regarded as one of the titans.
The fact that he accomplished all three....still blows my mind. We wouldn't be here if not for him.
The fact that he accomplished all three....still blows my mind. We wouldn't be here if not for him.
January 3, 2005
Irony
Just a thought I wanted to share...
This year, I decided to give up on the whole romance thing - I was trying way too hard, so I figured that maybe I wasn't in for the whole "relationship" thing. Maybe later, but right now, this year, wouldn't happen.
In the past 72 hours, I have had four - count 'em, four - inquiries about my love life, and reminders about what a nice guy I am, have I found Ms. Right, blah blah blah...
Sometimes, ya gotta laugh...
This year, I decided to give up on the whole romance thing - I was trying way too hard, so I figured that maybe I wasn't in for the whole "relationship" thing. Maybe later, but right now, this year, wouldn't happen.
In the past 72 hours, I have had four - count 'em, four - inquiries about my love life, and reminders about what a nice guy I am, have I found Ms. Right, blah blah blah...
Sometimes, ya gotta laugh...
January 2, 2005
Blog THIS, Pal!'s 2005 Resolutions
Normally, I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions - in short, the promises I make on January 1st are long forgotten by MLK Day. However, taking the Technorati challenge (and in a shameless attempt at self-promotion), here are my resolutions for 2005:
- No daytime talk shows - so no Oprah, Dr. Phil, or Montel for me. Of course, I rarely watch talk shows anyway, so this is an easy one to keep.
- Eat healthier and exercise more regularly - so, for me, it's putting down the Little Debbie snack cakes and the White Castles and making regular trips to my gym...or, possibly switching to the exercise room in my apartment building. Decisions, decisions...
- Once a month, purchase a comic/book/CD that I normally would not and enjoy it - my Netflix list is rather eclectic; why shouldn't I practice what I preach and break out of my rut? Get a comic that doesn't involve the spandex brigade. Read something I might not normally enjoy. Listen to music that isn't just another bloody reissue. In short, expand my horizons.
- Take that road trip I've been promising myself forever - Of course, I have to decide whether to drive to LaPlata (home of this gentleman), Columbia (cool stuff, with this guy's papers), Hannibal (home of Mark Twain), or Metropolis, Illinois. You can mutter "fanboy" under your breath; I'm not afraid.
- Say "No" more frequently - as some of my best friends know, I am a chronic overachiever. Everyone wants me to take charge - so saying "no" and meaning it will be my watchword this year.
- Get out and enjoy life more - hey, my schedule is starting to allow it; I need to get down with my bad self.
- When I'm at work, "work" doesn't mean reading blogs - self-explanatory.
- Have tons of fun, and not take myself seriously - again, self-explanatory.
December 31, 2004
Top 10 of 2004
Now that 2004 is almost gone, I wanted to do a "top 10" of 2004 - not just comics or videos, but just a smorgasboard of personal impressions, excitements, likes and dislikes. Consider this "Gordon's Top 10" of various things, in no particular order:
Thanks, and have a happy, safe, and healthy 2005...and don't forget to enter our modest little contest.
- Logan Anthony Flores, aka the Godson, who's cute, knows it, and is turning out to be a real antiestablishment dude, just like me.
- Kinsey - saw this at the St. Louis International Film Festival, before it went into general release, and I think that, craft-wise, it's an easy Oscar sell. However, content wise...dealing with a guy who went where very few people went before in terms of sexuality, and some of the other material, may hinder it. See it for yourself.
- Riversplash - of all the 2004 St. Louis celebrations, this is the one I want to see happening on a yearly basis. A series of free concerts on the St. Louis riverfront, followed by a laser/water show, enabled me to see Liz Phair, Doctor John, and BB King...like I said, I wanna see this every year.
- DVD Releases of Failed Shows - from Family Guy to Greg The Bunny, from Firefly to The Tick, many shows that didn't get a "fair shake" are now available for rental or purchase.
- Kids in the Hall on DVD - Seasons One and Two are available for purchase...and while you're at it, check out my pal Barb's KITH site. You'll thank me for it later.
- Getting a Life - I think I'm starting to head towards that whole "balance" thing.
- Doctor Who Returns! - And thankfully, there are some people behind it who aren't stuck in nostalgia, but really want to do it right. So, is there anyone out there willing to tape it for me when it comes to Sci-Fi channel?
- State Synar Rates - Yes, this is work related, but overall, Missouri's rate of selling cigarettes to kids under 18 (according to the Division of Alcohol & Drug Abuse) is approximately 11% - lower than last year, but plenty of work to do. Plus, five out of seven counties my agency covers are over 90% (the only exceptions being Franklin & Lincoln County...like I said, more work to do).
- Fanboy Uproar - right now, my latest spectator sport is reading the comments section at Fanboy Rampage. From Identity Crisis to John Byrne, from women in refrigerators to Bat-arcs, not even massive devastation a continent away will stop these fine individuals from whining about the least important things.
- Finally, blogs - if it weren't for blogs, not only would I have discovered some of the workings of my local homies' minds, but was able to find some like-minded people across the nation. It almost makes me yearn for the days of Prodigy Classic....but not by much.
Thanks, and have a happy, safe, and healthy 2005...and don't forget to enter our modest little contest.
December 30, 2004
Paying It Forward!
I have eight - count 'em, eight - Gmail invitations, and I would like to give them to some deserving individual or organization. (Thanks to The Comic Treadmill for inviting me in the first place)
However, I don't want to just hand them off to people for a bribe, or a quick look at my blog, so I'm going to sponsor my own contest. (I tried donating them to Gmail4Troops, but they're not taking donations at this time)
All you have to do is, in 30 words or less, explain why you need a Gmail account, or (conversely) any site/organization that needs an e-mail address. (I have already donated one to a small community organization whose board I serve on...so, right now, I'm more interested in an e-mail going to someone who needs it, rather than someone who wants to be "in the know."
If you can send it to me at the following e-mail address: gordondym (at) eml dot cc by Thursday, January 6th, at 5:00 pm CST, the first eight people to do so get it. I can't think of anyone who doesn't qualify - however, if someone shames me into donating one of them to a worthy cause, I'm more than willing to do so.
However, I don't want to just hand them off to people for a bribe, or a quick look at my blog, so I'm going to sponsor my own contest. (I tried donating them to Gmail4Troops, but they're not taking donations at this time)
All you have to do is, in 30 words or less, explain why you need a Gmail account, or (conversely) any site/organization that needs an e-mail address. (I have already donated one to a small community organization whose board I serve on...so, right now, I'm more interested in an e-mail going to someone who needs it, rather than someone who wants to be "in the know."
If you can send it to me at the following e-mail address: gordondym (at) eml dot cc by Thursday, January 6th, at 5:00 pm CST, the first eight people to do so get it. I can't think of anyone who doesn't qualify - however, if someone shames me into donating one of them to a worthy cause, I'm more than willing to do so.
December 29, 2004
"So...we meet again...Doctor...
Imagine, if you will, a 1981 Doctor Who Convention in Chicago - groups of people gathered around with the movers and shakers behind the British cult hit. Producer John Nathan-Turner, wearing his deliberately tacky Hawaiian shirts; Sarah Sutton, charming many men present (including a 13 year old me); and Peter Davison, being just affable and swell. Imagine that, at this convention, the premiere of Earthshock...and the total coolness of what happened in the story: the end of the first episode, where an old enemy declares, "Destroy them! Destroy them at once!" to episode two's clever use of past episodes, to the death of a companion in episode four. We were blessed with a gift - Doctor Who, for once, taking its storytelling seriously.
Now, thanks to BBC Video, you can catch Doctor Who: Earthshock in all of its glory on DVD. Of course, now we know this is the first appearance of the Cybermen in seven years (looking a lot more menacing than the silver-painted-wetsuit versin), and that boy genius Adric is the companion who "buys it", dying in an explosion that (thanks to modern evidence) killed off the dinosaurs, paving the way for man's evolution. This is also a story that seems influenced by Alan Moore's work: pulling on then-radical theory, reflecting a more contemporary science-fiction influence (giving us an Alien-esque beginning), ingrating a more cinematic approach (as the documentary Putting the Shock in Earthshock states, there are more than 300 camera shots in this story), and reflecting a more "mature" approach to Doctor Who. It is the only time in the show's history where the final episode ended with silent credits. (There is much debate over this move - after the death of a companion, even Adric, charging off with the theme would seem...even more inappropriate). It's one of a handful of truly great stories during Peter Davison's turn as the fifth Doctor, along with Kinda, Caves of Androzani, and...well, you fill in number 3. (And no, I won't grant you The Five Doctors - it is somewhat over-the-top, but what anniversary program isn't?)
It's a story that gains from its historical context - now, in the era of Internet spoilers and hipper-than-thou fans (and you know who you are), we would learn that the Cybermen were the main antagonist and have public celebrations of Adric's death. (Compare this to JNT's efforts to block off the public gallery at BBC studios, as well as turning down a Radio Times cover to avoid spoiling the shocking surprises). It's also a story that, thanks to the performances, always hits the right pitches. (I'll grant you - Beryl Reid may have been slightly miscast, but even she manages to pull off a good performance). Even the relatively low-budget effects seem rather appropriate (although the DVD does have a CGI option, which helps...but not much). Also, it's a story that is high on action, low on plot...but, in a way, given the context of that first Davison season, it was what was needed.
It is also a sign of things to come in Doctor Who, and that isn't meant as a compliment. Gradually, during Davison's tenure the show began relying more on traditional/familiar monsters and characters. (Contrasted with a focus on new writers, this was bound to end up in a relatively messy procedure). It was contained elements that Eric Saward would repeat in his other DW stories. Instead of becoming a foundation from which to build the program, it became almost a story template - mix in one old enemy with one celebrity-guest star with a minimal plot, and enjoy! It is one of the better stories in DW, and yes, it's become fashionable to criticize...but it's a straighforward yarn, meant strictly to entertain and keep you on the edge of your seat, much like traditional Doctor Who.
One of the best Christmas gifts I received this year...and a gift well worth sharing.
Now, thanks to BBC Video, you can catch Doctor Who: Earthshock in all of its glory on DVD. Of course, now we know this is the first appearance of the Cybermen in seven years (looking a lot more menacing than the silver-painted-wetsuit versin), and that boy genius Adric is the companion who "buys it", dying in an explosion that (thanks to modern evidence) killed off the dinosaurs, paving the way for man's evolution. This is also a story that seems influenced by Alan Moore's work: pulling on then-radical theory, reflecting a more contemporary science-fiction influence (giving us an Alien-esque beginning), ingrating a more cinematic approach (as the documentary Putting the Shock in Earthshock states, there are more than 300 camera shots in this story), and reflecting a more "mature" approach to Doctor Who. It is the only time in the show's history where the final episode ended with silent credits. (There is much debate over this move - after the death of a companion, even Adric, charging off with the theme would seem...even more inappropriate). It's one of a handful of truly great stories during Peter Davison's turn as the fifth Doctor, along with Kinda, Caves of Androzani, and...well, you fill in number 3. (And no, I won't grant you The Five Doctors - it is somewhat over-the-top, but what anniversary program isn't?)
It's a story that gains from its historical context - now, in the era of Internet spoilers and hipper-than-thou fans (and you know who you are), we would learn that the Cybermen were the main antagonist and have public celebrations of Adric's death. (Compare this to JNT's efforts to block off the public gallery at BBC studios, as well as turning down a Radio Times cover to avoid spoiling the shocking surprises). It's also a story that, thanks to the performances, always hits the right pitches. (I'll grant you - Beryl Reid may have been slightly miscast, but even she manages to pull off a good performance). Even the relatively low-budget effects seem rather appropriate (although the DVD does have a CGI option, which helps...but not much). Also, it's a story that is high on action, low on plot...but, in a way, given the context of that first Davison season, it was what was needed.
It is also a sign of things to come in Doctor Who, and that isn't meant as a compliment. Gradually, during Davison's tenure the show began relying more on traditional/familiar monsters and characters. (Contrasted with a focus on new writers, this was bound to end up in a relatively messy procedure). It was contained elements that Eric Saward would repeat in his other DW stories. Instead of becoming a foundation from which to build the program, it became almost a story template - mix in one old enemy with one celebrity-guest star with a minimal plot, and enjoy! It is one of the better stories in DW, and yes, it's become fashionable to criticize...but it's a straighforward yarn, meant strictly to entertain and keep you on the edge of your seat, much like traditional Doctor Who.
One of the best Christmas gifts I received this year...and a gift well worth sharing.
December 26, 2004
Chicago TV: It's a Good Thing
Although there isn't a lot to Chicago that would pull me back (the weather, general rudeness, and political chicanery notwithstanding), I have to admit that I like visiting Chicago strictly for the television choices. Yes, bigger city does equal more channels, but there's always been a strong creative spirit in local programming.
St. Louis...OK, maybe Pete Parisi....but Wild Chicago did it earlier and better. We've had two excellent Bozos, the genius of Ray Rayner, Frazier Thomas, and Bill Jackson (creator of the Dirty Dragon, as well as other memorable characters). Luckily, thanks to a bit of insomnia on Christmas night, I was able to revisit two of my faves.
The first, as always, was Svengoolie - for 25 years, Rich Koz has been making clever, slapsticky humor, making fun of bad horror movies. (And, of course, even if it wasn't nominally a horror flick, there's enough in the movie that was shown to suggest it....Bruno Kirby: scary guy). Other towns may have horror hosts...but it takes skill to pull off what Svengoolie does: take bad movies, mix them liberally with sound effects, song parodies, and a Kovacs-ian wit, and create two hours of late night television anyone can enjoy. (And, of course, Sven put Berwyn on the map thanks to a snarky sound bite). Given that Mr. Koz, sans makeup, hosts "Stooge-A-Palooza" (two hours of the Three Stooges) before Sven, that means he is personally responsible for four to five hours of television. In my opinion, someone needs to give this guy a medal...or, at the very least, a set of Ginsu knives.
Coming of age in Chicago during the late '80s/early '90s meant being on the "ground floor" of the Chicago scene - Smashing Pumpkins, Urge Overkill, Liz Phair, that lot. (Never mind that the Effigies and Naked Raygun had created a whole punk scene that, given my lack of taste in high school, totally escaped me). Thank God for Jerry Bryant, who looks like Jerry Garcia, sounds like Gerry Todd from SCTV, and for 16 years has dared played "alternative" videos, like "Everyone wants to live forever" by the Flaming Lips, "The Kids are Insane" by Urge Overkill, and "Condoms Are a Girl's Best Friend" on JBTV - starting on access and making his way to UHF. This night was his annual partnership show with MADD, playing alternative videos (i.e, music that might get played on college radio, WXRT, and which makes going to indie record shops an excellent pleasure).
You know, I have written about Chicago television before...is it too much to ask some pioneering spirit in St. Louis to save us from typical network fare, cable access and bad religious programming? (Hey, either you can get the broadcast rights to these shows....or hire me. I'll work very cheap. Honest).
All in all, the best Christmas present a guy could get, other than Nicole Sullivan in a frisky mood.
St. Louis...OK, maybe Pete Parisi....but Wild Chicago did it earlier and better. We've had two excellent Bozos, the genius of Ray Rayner, Frazier Thomas, and Bill Jackson (creator of the Dirty Dragon, as well as other memorable characters). Luckily, thanks to a bit of insomnia on Christmas night, I was able to revisit two of my faves.
The first, as always, was Svengoolie - for 25 years, Rich Koz has been making clever, slapsticky humor, making fun of bad horror movies. (And, of course, even if it wasn't nominally a horror flick, there's enough in the movie that was shown to suggest it....Bruno Kirby: scary guy). Other towns may have horror hosts...but it takes skill to pull off what Svengoolie does: take bad movies, mix them liberally with sound effects, song parodies, and a Kovacs-ian wit, and create two hours of late night television anyone can enjoy. (And, of course, Sven put Berwyn on the map thanks to a snarky sound bite). Given that Mr. Koz, sans makeup, hosts "Stooge-A-Palooza" (two hours of the Three Stooges) before Sven, that means he is personally responsible for four to five hours of television. In my opinion, someone needs to give this guy a medal...or, at the very least, a set of Ginsu knives.
Coming of age in Chicago during the late '80s/early '90s meant being on the "ground floor" of the Chicago scene - Smashing Pumpkins, Urge Overkill, Liz Phair, that lot. (Never mind that the Effigies and Naked Raygun had created a whole punk scene that, given my lack of taste in high school, totally escaped me). Thank God for Jerry Bryant, who looks like Jerry Garcia, sounds like Gerry Todd from SCTV, and for 16 years has dared played "alternative" videos, like "Everyone wants to live forever" by the Flaming Lips, "The Kids are Insane" by Urge Overkill, and "Condoms Are a Girl's Best Friend" on JBTV - starting on access and making his way to UHF. This night was his annual partnership show with MADD, playing alternative videos (i.e, music that might get played on college radio, WXRT, and which makes going to indie record shops an excellent pleasure).
You know, I have written about Chicago television before...is it too much to ask some pioneering spirit in St. Louis to save us from typical network fare, cable access and bad religious programming? (Hey, either you can get the broadcast rights to these shows....or hire me. I'll work very cheap. Honest).
All in all, the best Christmas present a guy could get, other than Nicole Sullivan in a frisky mood.
December 25, 2004
Season's Greetings!
Dorian also gives some excellent last minute holiday shopping tips.
Merry Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and other cool holidays!
December 23, 2004
Take the 2005 Blog THIS Pal Pledge!
Hello, everyone,
Even though we're in 2004, many of you are thinking about the coming year, and it is in that spirit in which I ask you to take the Blog THIS, Pal! Pledge
In no particular order, here goes:
Even though we're in 2004, many of you are thinking about the coming year, and it is in that spirit in which I ask you to take the Blog THIS, Pal! Pledge
In no particular order, here goes:
- If you live in St. Louis, you will no longer refer to the "World's Fair of 1904", the "Lewis & Clark" spirit, or anything that promotes nostalgia for St. Louis as it once was. Promise to actually get up, get out, and do something to improve the city. Check out the Arch City Chronicle and Arch Pundit if you want to be in the know.
- Do what this New York columnist has decided to do. You'll thank me for it later.
- For those who are still upset over Identity Crisis, how it ended, or still pitching the whole "violence against women" argument...get over it and move on. It's over. Deal. Life endures.
- Support your local comic shops, book stores (especially independent ones), and your public library. They make a difference in your community, and anything that encourages people to read is always cool.
- 2005 is my employer's 40th anniversary, and we're pulling out the stops. If you believe in substance abuse prevention and youth, feel free to either support our efforts and/or support local organization in your area with similar ideals. You'll be glad you did. (And if you want to support my employer, e-mail me privately for the info).
- Merry Christmas
- Happy Channukah
- Bountiful Kwanzaa
- Best of holidays no matter what you celebrate!
December 22, 2004
But I Saw Myself More Jon Pertwee-ish
Yes, it's another one of those kind of posts....
You are the Fifth Doctor: Your youthful exterior
belies your centuries of experience, and even
you have a bit of difficulty rectifying these
two aspects of your personality. You are
compassionate, introspective, and deeply
troubled by injustice. If you occasionally seem
to display more vulnerability than your
predecessors, it's probably because you're more
openly human than they were. Are your
companions finally rubbing off on you?
Which Incarnation of the Doctor Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
You are the Fifth Doctor: Your youthful exterior
belies your centuries of experience, and even
you have a bit of difficulty rectifying these
two aspects of your personality. You are
compassionate, introspective, and deeply
troubled by injustice. If you occasionally seem
to display more vulnerability than your
predecessors, it's probably because you're more
openly human than they were. Are your
companions finally rubbing off on you?
Which Incarnation of the Doctor Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
December 21, 2004
Christmas Competition
I was going to make my own contest, encouraging women to send me 35 words or less why they want to date me (along with a photo), but after just doing a radio interview...the goofiness is out of me.
As you've read here before, I'm encouraging y'all to take the Yet Another Comics Blog challenge before the due date.
Also, Beaucoup Kevin (why didn't I blogroll this guy before? He's a genius!) has his own contest.
Mike at the greatest comics blog in the mulitverse also has a contest which is giving away Swamp Thing graphic novels. And kids - Mike giving away Swamp Thing items is like Keith Richards turning down heroin.
Great opportunities for post-Christmas goodies!
As you've read here before, I'm encouraging y'all to take the Yet Another Comics Blog challenge before the due date.
Also, Beaucoup Kevin (why didn't I blogroll this guy before? He's a genius!) has his own contest.
Mike at the greatest comics blog in the mulitverse also has a contest which is giving away Swamp Thing graphic novels. And kids - Mike giving away Swamp Thing items is like Keith Richards turning down heroin.
Great opportunities for post-Christmas goodies!
December 20, 2004
The Green Hornet!
"He hunts the biggest of all game....public enemies out to destroy our America!"
He's a character in pop culture who, in this blogger's opinion, never really got his due, much like the Shadow and Doc Savage. He has been featured in two movie serials, a television series, a radio show that ran 16 years, and comics (including an interesting take in the late 80's/early 90's. His theme song was even revived by Quentin Tarantino in Kill Bill. However, the Green Hornet has never received his due, not only as an interesting character, but also as one of the critical links from pulps to pop culture.
He started off as a radio character, created by George W. Trendle as a latter-day Lone Ranger...in fact, this is probably one of the first examples of the "intergenerational" hero ever presented. (Both the Lone Ranger and Green Hornet are separate "franchises", if you will, owned by different companies, so any acknowledgment of one in the other is unlikely). Britt Reid was the great nephew of John Reid, the Lone Ranger, inheriting not only the "mantle of justice" (for lack of a better term), but also a modus operandi. As a masked man, he would often be distrusted, but whereas the Lone Ranger asserted his essential "goodness", the Green Hornet used it as a way to insinuate himself in the criminal underworld, destroying it from within. (As a newspaper editor, I wonder if Britt Reid ever used his influence to kill "bad" stories about the Green Hornet?) His only weapons were a non-lethal gas gun and a car whose engine buzzed - granted, he was no Batman or Doc Savage, but he also was no slouch, either.
As always, the Green Hornet had an assistant - Kato, his Asian valet/driver (although there is an urban myth about Kato's background, to my knowledge, it was never specified on the radio). Early on, he served as a sounding board for the Green Hornet - almost a way for the audience to know what our hero was thinking at any time. (Almost a precursor to Doctor Who's assistant). Later, in the television show, Kato - as portrayed by Bruce Lee - served as a one-man "enforcer", if you will. (Pick up the Green Hornet DVD from Brentwood Video- the closest you will get to an "official" Green Hornet DVD - for more examples). Rounding out the cast were crotchety reporter Mike Axeford and secretary Lenore Case - in short, an almost extended family, some who were in on the secret, at least one (Axeford) who was not.
Speaking of the television series, it is hard to believe that the man who brought us the Green Hornet also brought us the Adam West Batman. (In fact, one episode of the latter included a team-up between Batman and the Green Hornet, with Robin "taking on" Kato. Poor Robin). The tone of the Green Hornet is reminiscent more of crime dramas than campy comic books - in fact, it was a tone that the Batman series should have taken. (In fact, the television Green Hornet had a "friend" in the District Attorney's office, like all good heroes should - none of this "whose side are you on?" nonsense). Whereas Adam West was droll, Van Williams held a steady ground; whereas Adam West gave it a slight twist, Van Williams (as Britt Reid/Green Hornet) played it absolutely straight...no wonder it only lasted for one season. People didn't want their action heroes with any sense of realism; they wanted goofball scripts, slightly off-kilter humor, and guest stars as villains. The only other concession to the 1960's was the Black Beauty (a sleek, almost stealthy car with several cool features) and "the Hornet's sting", a combination walking stick/taser/whatever-the-script needed. (Sadly, rumor has it the original films of the Hornet series are gone, and it's doubtful that Fox would even release a complete DVD set of the series).
Why, then, do I think the Green Hornet is such an important character? Like I mentioned, he helped make the link from the pulp adventurers to pop culture. (Although the pulps were an important part, the Green Hornet helped make the leap - if you think I'm joking, just see the Alec Baldwin Shadow movie). He was one of the first truly "multimedia" characters, appearing in mulitple media, and able to carry every one. He is one of the first modern heroes (and I'm willing to take other proposals) to be related to, and perhaps part of, a greater legacy - an idea that eventually filtered its way through modern comics. (JSA, anyone?)
In short, he is the ultimate hero - a crusader willing to bend the line (without breaking it) in order to insure justice. We need the Hornet, now more than ever.
But how do you reconcile a 1960's Green Hornet with a 1930's Green Hornet? The now-defunct Now Comics came up with a clever solution - one was the other's father. Building upon the intergenerational nature of the hero, they suggested that the Hornet mantle was passed down, with newer generations taking up the mantle, putting their own "spin" on the Hornet, etc. (It was an ingenious use of continuity that many comics could learn from). It's also why Kevin Smith is such an appropriate choice for writing the screenplay: unlike Burton's Batman, the Green Hornet isn't necessarily an angst-y character. Smith's tendency towards more dialogue-driven, relationship-based plots seem to fit a hero whose world is defined by his relationships - within and outside the law, his "family" (both extended and biological), and especially with the Kato family. (The comic had a great in-joke relating to the infamous urban myth related above). It's one of those series that is worth browsing through the bargain bins of your local comic store - it may not have been the greatest series, but is a great example of continuity and history being used in the service of the character.
Something most comic companies could learn a lesson from.
December 19, 2004
Page 123 Meme
Got this meme from Jen Contino, a la Yet Another Comics Blog. (How's that for cross-promotion?
What you do is:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don't search around and look for the "coolest" book you can find. Do what's actually next to you.
From the "big book" of AA
I own the book for professional reasons - honest.
What you do is:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don't search around and look for the "coolest" book you can find. Do what's actually next to you.
From the "big book" of AA
Today's life is measured against that of other years and, when it falls short, the family may be unhappy
I own the book for professional reasons - honest.
Gifts That Keep On Giving
First, get your sorry self into the holiday spirit with these two gifts - one you give a worthy cause, the other two you give yourself.
First, take the
Yet Another Comics Blog challenge, which benefits the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Before you ask - yes, I gave (just a few minutes ago), and if you believe in free speech, you should be guilted enough into doing it.
Secondly, if you haven't already, begin browsing with Firefox and e-mailing with Thunderbird. Both are part of the Mozilla project, and will make your online experience much more productive. (Plus, it sticks it to Bill Gates).
Thanks, and have a great holiday. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a plate of kugelis with my name on it.
First, take the
Yet Another Comics Blog challenge, which benefits the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Before you ask - yes, I gave (just a few minutes ago), and if you believe in free speech, you should be guilted enough into doing it.
Secondly, if you haven't already, begin browsing with Firefox and e-mailing with Thunderbird. Both are part of the Mozilla project, and will make your online experience much more productive. (Plus, it sticks it to Bill Gates).
Thanks, and have a great holiday. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a plate of kugelis with my name on it.
December 17, 2004
Identity Crisis - Final Thoughts & Spoilers (long)
As many readers of this blog are aware, I have followed the DC Identity Crisis mini-series from the first issue, providing some speculation (both serious and satirical). However, with the
final issue being published this week (and having read it), here's my thinking....
S
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...like the Comic Treadmill I thought Meltzer played fair....until issue # 7. After that, I have to strongly disagree, and felt that the ending was...well, read on.
Despite many inconsistencies (listed here), Meltzer attempted to create a more psychologically "real" DC Universe - give some human motivations to both heroes and villains alike. It seemed that his attempt was to take some of the gloss off, to make it slightly more "Marvel" in tone, if that makes sense. Meltzer also wanted to show how one death impacted an entire "community", and was almost suggesting a conspiracy of villains, creating some unique dynamics. (Issue 2's focus on the old Injustice Gang satellite headquarters, for example). In short, although not a perfect series (and here are all the loose ends that he had forgotten to tie), he came rather close...until issue 7, when (in my not so humble opinion) the ball was royally dropped.
The whole revelation of who the killer was, in my opinion, was lifted straight from B-movie/soap opera cliche; the old "loved-one-of-victim-went-bonkers-to-prove-love" strategy. It didn't make sense - psychologically, narratively (what evidence was there, aside from the "autopsy" in issue 6, to suggest it?), or emotionally. It was a payoff straight from a Syd Field screenwriting workbook. The final half of the book - showing the immediate "moving on" montage also seemed a little too Hollywood, claiming that an era had been ended and finishing with a "cute" (but altogether creepy) moment. In short, betraying everything that the previous issues had suggested. Going for a curve ball than a line drive.
Of course, I have said this on other blogs - the only reason, I suspect, that many people didn't like it was not due to the quality of the storytelling, but to actually make the DC Universe a little more "adult." The same fans who won't look at a work critically (like, say, any of the comics on my blogroll), but who would rather keep (now) outdated storytelling notions than encourate creativity. It's the kind of thinking that has led to some really misguided ideas (John Byrne's Doom Patrol, which achieves Shatnerian levels of discomfort while reading), that doesn't allow for any mature or adult criticism, and whose idea of rhetoric seems to be "Meltzer's a Misogynist."
It seems lately, some fans don't want a 21st Century DC Universe - they want their comics to be just like they were when they were young, only with hipper references. In short, they don't want comics to grow up. Say what you will about Identity Crisis - it's not a perfect mini-series, by any means, (nor is it the Watchmen of the 21st Century, but it got people talking, and engaged
people - good or bad, IC attempted to rethink the way the DC Universe is portrayed. In my opinion, Meltzer did his best, but messed it up at the end with a less-than-original ending.
(By the way, for any of you who argue the Meltzer-as-Misogynist theory - I'm sure that you enjoy Britney Spears for her musical talent, enjoy Hooters for the food, and have never purchased more than one copy of Witchblade. Rather than attack the work, you will make ill-founded attacks on the author. Usually, that's not a good idea - and here are some interesting ways not to argue. I admit my previous comment was slightly snarky, but I am not as high-minded as, say, Post-Crisis and Fanboy Rampage. And please - don't start whining about DC Countdown/Crisis 2/Whatever until the book actually comes out and you've read it - only the Internet allows people with a minimum of knowledge [even me] to act as if they are experts.)
Enough with the resentments - it's time we all did what normally happens when things like this end: move on. Let's all just take a deep breath, step away from the keyboards, and enjoy the holidays. Maybe even read a book - you know, those things that are like comics, only they have all words and no pictures....
Let's all sit, have a nice cold up of egg nog, and enjoy the holidays.
final issue being published this week (and having read it), here's my thinking....
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
P
A
C
E
R
E
A
L
L
Y
C
H
E
A
P
...like the Comic Treadmill I thought Meltzer played fair....until issue # 7. After that, I have to strongly disagree, and felt that the ending was...well, read on.
Despite many inconsistencies (listed here), Meltzer attempted to create a more psychologically "real" DC Universe - give some human motivations to both heroes and villains alike. It seemed that his attempt was to take some of the gloss off, to make it slightly more "Marvel" in tone, if that makes sense. Meltzer also wanted to show how one death impacted an entire "community", and was almost suggesting a conspiracy of villains, creating some unique dynamics. (Issue 2's focus on the old Injustice Gang satellite headquarters, for example). In short, although not a perfect series (and here are all the loose ends that he had forgotten to tie), he came rather close...until issue 7, when (in my not so humble opinion) the ball was royally dropped.
The whole revelation of who the killer was, in my opinion, was lifted straight from B-movie/soap opera cliche; the old "loved-one-of-victim-went-bonkers-to-prove-love" strategy. It didn't make sense - psychologically, narratively (what evidence was there, aside from the "autopsy" in issue 6, to suggest it?), or emotionally. It was a payoff straight from a Syd Field screenwriting workbook. The final half of the book - showing the immediate "moving on" montage also seemed a little too Hollywood, claiming that an era had been ended and finishing with a "cute" (but altogether creepy) moment. In short, betraying everything that the previous issues had suggested. Going for a curve ball than a line drive.
Of course, I have said this on other blogs - the only reason, I suspect, that many people didn't like it was not due to the quality of the storytelling, but to actually make the DC Universe a little more "adult." The same fans who won't look at a work critically (like, say, any of the comics on my blogroll), but who would rather keep (now) outdated storytelling notions than encourate creativity. It's the kind of thinking that has led to some really misguided ideas (John Byrne's Doom Patrol, which achieves Shatnerian levels of discomfort while reading), that doesn't allow for any mature or adult criticism, and whose idea of rhetoric seems to be "Meltzer's a Misogynist."
It seems lately, some fans don't want a 21st Century DC Universe - they want their comics to be just like they were when they were young, only with hipper references. In short, they don't want comics to grow up. Say what you will about Identity Crisis - it's not a perfect mini-series, by any means, (nor is it the Watchmen of the 21st Century, but it got people talking, and engaged
people - good or bad, IC attempted to rethink the way the DC Universe is portrayed. In my opinion, Meltzer did his best, but messed it up at the end with a less-than-original ending.
(By the way, for any of you who argue the Meltzer-as-Misogynist theory - I'm sure that you enjoy Britney Spears for her musical talent, enjoy Hooters for the food, and have never purchased more than one copy of Witchblade. Rather than attack the work, you will make ill-founded attacks on the author. Usually, that's not a good idea - and here are some interesting ways not to argue. I admit my previous comment was slightly snarky, but I am not as high-minded as, say, Post-Crisis and Fanboy Rampage. And please - don't start whining about DC Countdown/Crisis 2/Whatever until the book actually comes out and you've read it - only the Internet allows people with a minimum of knowledge [even me] to act as if they are experts.)
Enough with the resentments - it's time we all did what normally happens when things like this end: move on. Let's all just take a deep breath, step away from the keyboards, and enjoy the holidays. Maybe even read a book - you know, those things that are like comics, only they have all words and no pictures....
Let's all sit, have a nice cold up of egg nog, and enjoy the holidays.
December 16, 2004
Sound Salvation That's Cleaning Up the Nation
First, a shout-out to Dave for picking up the Christmas Song meme from my previous post.
Maybe it's the fact that I bought a new stereo, or maybe the radio station in Chicago that played old radio shows when I was a kid...but I love old radio shows. Audio dramas. A time when the most cutting edge technology took ten to fifteen minutes to warm up, and which dominated households everywhere.
Well, thanks to the guys at Boing Boing, you can listen freely to Sherlock Holmes and other old radio shows. (My personal fave was X Minus One, a really cool sci-fi anthology show).
Coming soon to this blog: my Green Hornet appreciation and my final thoughts on Identity Crisis.
[EDIT - had forgotten to put in BB's link; did so at 1:30 pm on 12/17]
Maybe it's the fact that I bought a new stereo, or maybe the radio station in Chicago that played old radio shows when I was a kid...but I love old radio shows. Audio dramas. A time when the most cutting edge technology took ten to fifteen minutes to warm up, and which dominated households everywhere.
Well, thanks to the guys at Boing Boing, you can listen freely to Sherlock Holmes and other old radio shows. (My personal fave was X Minus One, a really cool sci-fi anthology show).
Coming soon to this blog: my Green Hornet appreciation and my final thoughts on Identity Crisis.
[EDIT - had forgotten to put in BB's link; did so at 1:30 pm on 12/17]
December 14, 2004
It Was Joyful AND Triumphant, Par-rum-pum-pum-pum
First, kudos to anyone who can publicly name where I got the above title. Hint - it's somewhere on this blog.
Anyway, after two back-to-back meetings this afternoon, one in College Hill and the other in north County (meaning non-stop travel), I ended up coming home, taking a brief nap, and getting all dolled up for the River City Professionals event. I have to admit that I don't make them as frequently as I should - I'm not really a business guy, and my Tuesdays are often filled with board and/or work-related meetings - but I needed to go desperately. I was forgetting that there was a world outside of my office, women to flirt with, men to network with, and good times to be had.
The highlight was a White Elephant Gift Exchange - you wrapped some old (PG-13 rated) gift, included your business card, and at the right time, began exchanging gifts, switching with other people and making the rounds. After a half hour of exchanging gifts, including a last-minute switch, I received what I believe is the greatest gift a guy like me could get.
A Viagra clock. That's right - a small desk clock shaped like the little blue pill. The kind of thing that, given the work I do, would royally annoy my coworkers both in a good and bad way. I had traded a lamp for it, but I'm glad - now, I have something that's kitschy, tacky, yet somewhat more manageable.
Sometimes, it totally rocks to be me.
Anyway, after two back-to-back meetings this afternoon, one in College Hill and the other in north County (meaning non-stop travel), I ended up coming home, taking a brief nap, and getting all dolled up for the River City Professionals event. I have to admit that I don't make them as frequently as I should - I'm not really a business guy, and my Tuesdays are often filled with board and/or work-related meetings - but I needed to go desperately. I was forgetting that there was a world outside of my office, women to flirt with, men to network with, and good times to be had.
The highlight was a White Elephant Gift Exchange - you wrapped some old (PG-13 rated) gift, included your business card, and at the right time, began exchanging gifts, switching with other people and making the rounds. After a half hour of exchanging gifts, including a last-minute switch, I received what I believe is the greatest gift a guy like me could get.
A Viagra clock. That's right - a small desk clock shaped like the little blue pill. The kind of thing that, given the work I do, would royally annoy my coworkers both in a good and bad way. I had traded a lamp for it, but I'm glad - now, I have something that's kitschy, tacky, yet somewhat more manageable.
Sometimes, it totally rocks to be me.
December 13, 2004
Cool Christmas Tunes!
OK, so I kinda sorta borrowed the idea from a post in Mike Sterling's Progressive Ruin, but I've been playing tons of Christmas MP3s (burned from CDs for my own listening pleasure. Feel free to add your own recommendations! Make it a meme! Or something
Twelve Days of Christmas - Bob & Doug Mackenzie
Give the Jew Girl Toys - Sarah Silverman*
Channukah Song - Adam Sandler*
Back Door Santa - Clarence Carter
Jesus Christ - Big Star
Nutcracker Suite - Beavis & Butthead
Jingle Bells - Simpsons (featuring Robert Goulet)**
Santa Claus - the Sonics
Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) - Ramones***
Santa's Beard - They Might Be Giants***
Merry Christmas, Baby - Otis Redding
Night at the Opera - the Groucho/Chico "sanity clause" exchange****
There Ain't No Sanity Clause - Damned ****
Zat You Santa Claus - Louis Armstrong
Let it Snow - Dean Martin
The Lonely Jew on Christmas - South Park
2000 Miles - Pretenders
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
Father Christmas - the Kinks
You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Christmas in Heaven - Monty Python
We Wish You A Merry Christmas - John Denver & the Muppets
White Christmas - Frank Sinatra
Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt
Run, Rudolph, Run - Chuck Berry
Christmas With the Devil - Spinal Tap
Now, all I need is a copy of Graham Parker's "Christmas is for Mugs", and I'll be happy
-----------------------------------------------------
*'Cause you gotta show the Hannukah set the love
**You haven't lived until you've heard Mr. Goulet croon, "Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg; Batmobile broke a wheel, Joker got away"
***Mike had these on his list, too
****Marx first, then Damned - Killer combination, dude
Twelve Days of Christmas - Bob & Doug Mackenzie
Give the Jew Girl Toys - Sarah Silverman*
Channukah Song - Adam Sandler*
Back Door Santa - Clarence Carter
Jesus Christ - Big Star
Nutcracker Suite - Beavis & Butthead
Jingle Bells - Simpsons (featuring Robert Goulet)**
Santa Claus - the Sonics
Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) - Ramones***
Santa's Beard - They Might Be Giants***
Merry Christmas, Baby - Otis Redding
Night at the Opera - the Groucho/Chico "sanity clause" exchange****
There Ain't No Sanity Clause - Damned ****
Zat You Santa Claus - Louis Armstrong
Let it Snow - Dean Martin
The Lonely Jew on Christmas - South Park
2000 Miles - Pretenders
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
Father Christmas - the Kinks
You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Christmas in Heaven - Monty Python
We Wish You A Merry Christmas - John Denver & the Muppets
White Christmas - Frank Sinatra
Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt
Run, Rudolph, Run - Chuck Berry
Christmas With the Devil - Spinal Tap
Now, all I need is a copy of Graham Parker's "Christmas is for Mugs", and I'll be happy
-----------------------------------------------------
*'Cause you gotta show the Hannukah set the love
**You haven't lived until you've heard Mr. Goulet croon, "Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg; Batmobile broke a wheel, Joker got away"
***Mike had these on his list, too
****Marx first, then Damned - Killer combination, dude
December 12, 2004
Adventures in Advocacy
You know, in the same way that Polite Dissent focuses on medical aspects in comics and pop culture, I would like to think this blog focuses on more social service, substance abuse, warm and fuzzy matters. For example, I've always thought that a great take on Hourman would be a super hero version of Stuart Smalley, but done straight, focusing on co-dependency issues. (Yeah, like DC is going to call me to cash in on that idea - and John Byrne, if you steal this idea in any way, I will sue your tuckus off)
Anyway, I've spent most of this weekend resting and recuperating - most of my job involves motivating people to advocate for substance abuse prevention-oriented policy initiatives. Mostly in tobacco, which has earned me many enemies and causes great discomfort with my friends. No, not that they're all smokers, but if you're enjoying a beer and a cigar, and you're talking to someone who works to prevent kids from using those drugs...makes it very hard to be social, much less get a date.
Thursday was a coalition meeting that I co-chair, and was filled with some great ideas (and sharing of strategies) in terms of engaging individuals. Of course, there is the one guy, the guy from Nowheresville, MO, with a few successess, playing Mr. Know-It-All with people who are power hitters. That, plus dealing with a person who...well, wants to take it to the next level, despite the fact that the incoming state government might not be as friendly as we would like. Even with a state expert giving me back-up, well, I've had more productive arguments with Little Debbie snack cakes.
Then, on Friday, was a training at our office (and for those whom I work with who may be reading this - it's all in good fun. Honest) focusing on advocacy. It went very well - focused on some really cool things like open container law, traffic safety, and other things, but I have to admit that I was a little burned out on the whole advocacy thing.
However, I saw that a letter I had written to the St. Charles Post-Dispatch was published. Even with the feedback from my coworkers and colleagues, it felt a little hollow - maybe it was some burnout, or just the comment from someone that my letter was "too calm." (I guess if I had referred to our opponents as "mouth-breathing monkey boys", that might have been seen as appropriate). Oh, well, it was nothing that watching The Office Christmas Special, followed by Justice League: The Brave and the Bold couldn't cure.
And now, here's a plea - if you want to help out, and live (or know someone) in the vicinity of Ballwin, MO - they're holding a city council hearing to vote on their smokefree workplace ordinance. The meeting is at 7:00 pm at the Municipal Clerk's office. Bodies are good; residents who can speak on either side is better. If you need help, either drop me a line, give me a call, or check out the Community Tool Kit for resources.
Ah, advocacy - it's definitely not for wimps. (And to those with whom I work - everything is said tongue-in-cheek, except for the Nowheresville comment)
Anyway, I've spent most of this weekend resting and recuperating - most of my job involves motivating people to advocate for substance abuse prevention-oriented policy initiatives. Mostly in tobacco, which has earned me many enemies and causes great discomfort with my friends. No, not that they're all smokers, but if you're enjoying a beer and a cigar, and you're talking to someone who works to prevent kids from using those drugs...makes it very hard to be social, much less get a date.
Thursday was a coalition meeting that I co-chair, and was filled with some great ideas (and sharing of strategies) in terms of engaging individuals. Of course, there is the one guy, the guy from Nowheresville, MO, with a few successess, playing Mr. Know-It-All with people who are power hitters. That, plus dealing with a person who...well, wants to take it to the next level, despite the fact that the incoming state government might not be as friendly as we would like. Even with a state expert giving me back-up, well, I've had more productive arguments with Little Debbie snack cakes.
Then, on Friday, was a training at our office (and for those whom I work with who may be reading this - it's all in good fun. Honest) focusing on advocacy. It went very well - focused on some really cool things like open container law, traffic safety, and other things, but I have to admit that I was a little burned out on the whole advocacy thing.
However, I saw that a letter I had written to the St. Charles Post-Dispatch was published. Even with the feedback from my coworkers and colleagues, it felt a little hollow - maybe it was some burnout, or just the comment from someone that my letter was "too calm." (I guess if I had referred to our opponents as "mouth-breathing monkey boys", that might have been seen as appropriate). Oh, well, it was nothing that watching The Office Christmas Special, followed by Justice League: The Brave and the Bold couldn't cure.
And now, here's a plea - if you want to help out, and live (or know someone) in the vicinity of Ballwin, MO - they're holding a city council hearing to vote on their smokefree workplace ordinance. The meeting is at 7:00 pm at the Municipal Clerk's office. Bodies are good; residents who can speak on either side is better. If you need help, either drop me a line, give me a call, or check out the Community Tool Kit for resources.
Ah, advocacy - it's definitely not for wimps. (And to those with whom I work - everything is said tongue-in-cheek, except for the Nowheresville comment)
December 11, 2004
David Brent: Man of the Year
I have to admit that, of all the things that I have experienced this year, there is one - a television show, an out-of-nowhere cult hit, that has gotten my attention. It's a show that has received a Golden Globe, has gotten much word of mouth, and has given me a greater respect for comics writer Will Pfeiffer (not that I didn't have it already...)
I'm talking, of course, about The Office. Half "Mockumentary", half non-traditional sitcom, it features the goings-on at Wertham Hogg, a fictional British paper company, and its mostly unusual boss, David Brent. Thanks to Netflix, I am enjoying the "Christmas special", made three years after the series. (The above link will get you a copy of both seasons, the special, and some other bits).
The series has almost all the cliches of an office show - the receptionist, the sweet worker, the semi-tyrannical second-in-command, the obnoxious salesman - but what makes it work is that it avoids all the typical sitcom cliches. (Of couse, NBC is "adopting" the show, changing it for an American audience. Hopefully, since the cast includes Jenna Fischer, who wrote and directed the hilarious Lollilove, it should be) This is a show that dares (as many good British shows do) to go into the uncomfortable places, and finds humor not in overexaggerated behavior, but in the subtle silences, in the nuances, and quite frankly...in slightly less-than-perfect behavior.
All of the characters sparkle - David Brent, who is the boss who has read one too many "business leadership" books; Tim and Dawn, a couple that should-be-but-can't (and trust me, having been in that kind of relationship myself, it is drawn very realistically), and Graham, who once admitted that he was thinking if there was a boy who could swim faster than a shark. (Don't ask). The writing, acting, performances, etc. are all top notch, and I defy you not to laugh at all of this. (It also, quite smartly, ended after two years, easily avoiding jumping the shark)
And so, in this blogger's eyes, David Brent deserves the title "Man of the Year." This is one of those hidden treasures that, hopefully, will not remain hidden for long.
I'm talking, of course, about The Office. Half "Mockumentary", half non-traditional sitcom, it features the goings-on at Wertham Hogg, a fictional British paper company, and its mostly unusual boss, David Brent. Thanks to Netflix, I am enjoying the "Christmas special", made three years after the series. (The above link will get you a copy of both seasons, the special, and some other bits).
The series has almost all the cliches of an office show - the receptionist, the sweet worker, the semi-tyrannical second-in-command, the obnoxious salesman - but what makes it work is that it avoids all the typical sitcom cliches. (Of couse, NBC is "adopting" the show, changing it for an American audience. Hopefully, since the cast includes Jenna Fischer, who wrote and directed the hilarious Lollilove, it should be) This is a show that dares (as many good British shows do) to go into the uncomfortable places, and finds humor not in overexaggerated behavior, but in the subtle silences, in the nuances, and quite frankly...in slightly less-than-perfect behavior.
All of the characters sparkle - David Brent, who is the boss who has read one too many "business leadership" books; Tim and Dawn, a couple that should-be-but-can't (and trust me, having been in that kind of relationship myself, it is drawn very realistically), and Graham, who once admitted that he was thinking if there was a boy who could swim faster than a shark. (Don't ask). The writing, acting, performances, etc. are all top notch, and I defy you not to laugh at all of this. (It also, quite smartly, ended after two years, easily avoiding jumping the shark)
And so, in this blogger's eyes, David Brent deserves the title "Man of the Year." This is one of those hidden treasures that, hopefully, will not remain hidden for long.
December 10, 2004
Charged with a sacred quest...
Because I can't think of anything to post
You are King Arthur of the Britons! You let no-one
stand in your way, you are brave and strong!
Keep searching, you'll find the grail yet!
Which Monty Python & the Holy Grail Character are you REALLY?
brought to you by Quizilla
By the way, for archived wacky fun, head here
You are King Arthur of the Britons! You let no-one
stand in your way, you are brave and strong!
Keep searching, you'll find the grail yet!
Which Monty Python & the Holy Grail Character are you REALLY?
brought to you by Quizilla
By the way, for archived wacky fun, head here
December 7, 2004
Holy Roman A Clef!
Make sure Adam West doesn't hear of this...
EDIT: Whoops, forgot to cite that it's from the Accordian Guy's blog, a blog chock full o'good stuff, and worth multiple visits.
EDIT: Whoops, forgot to cite that it's from the Accordian Guy's blog, a blog chock full o'good stuff, and worth multiple visits.
December 6, 2004
The Best SNL Movie Ever Made
Impending holidays always mean one thing - family blow outs. (At least, in my family they do). In these times, you owe it to yourself to engage in the one true treasure of the late '90s SNL-skit-to-film phenomenon, the only real cinematic classic out of all of these.
I'm talking, of course, about Stuart Saves His Family.
That's right - Stuart Smalley himself, as portrayed by Al Franken before he became the guy who lied about the lying liars and the lies they lied when they lied down. Directed by Harold Ramis (aka, the Ghostbuster who wore glasses), the movie is not a laugh-out-loud comedy, but is a comedy with heart, soul, and insight. (Of course, those of you who are in 12 Step groups like AA or Al-Anon will really enjoy the film). Unlike other SNL derived films, it's not a one-joke movie; it's a movie that could have easily failed miserably, but shoots for a knowing humor. It's the kind of movie that has a tone which straddles the line between comedy and tragedy - much like life.
(It's also a comedic counterpart to When a Man Loves A Woman, the Meg Ryan/Andy Garcia romance that shares insight into recovery issues, and is a great date movie, ironically enough)
The acting is also excellent, most notably in the supporting roles - you can easily see how Laura San Giancomo went from Sex, Lies, and Videotape to Just Shoot Me. (Her ability to play drama and comedy simultaneously is a charm). In addition, Vincent D'Onofrio (aka, the guy I want to play me in the movie of my life) excels as the pot-smoking unemployed brother who has his own moment of sanity. Shirley Knight portrays a mother who carries the weight of the family on her back, and who seems resigned to her fate.
Ironically, the movie ends at Christmas - I won't tell you how it ends, but you deserve to see this film. Like the best films, it ends honestly, and not in some overscripted climax, and that's the best compliment I can give the film.
And it's probably the only time Al Franken didn't get on my nerves.
I'm talking, of course, about Stuart Saves His Family.
That's right - Stuart Smalley himself, as portrayed by Al Franken before he became the guy who lied about the lying liars and the lies they lied when they lied down. Directed by Harold Ramis (aka, the Ghostbuster who wore glasses), the movie is not a laugh-out-loud comedy, but is a comedy with heart, soul, and insight. (Of course, those of you who are in 12 Step groups like AA or Al-Anon will really enjoy the film). Unlike other SNL derived films, it's not a one-joke movie; it's a movie that could have easily failed miserably, but shoots for a knowing humor. It's the kind of movie that has a tone which straddles the line between comedy and tragedy - much like life.
(It's also a comedic counterpart to When a Man Loves A Woman, the Meg Ryan/Andy Garcia romance that shares insight into recovery issues, and is a great date movie, ironically enough)
The acting is also excellent, most notably in the supporting roles - you can easily see how Laura San Giancomo went from Sex, Lies, and Videotape to Just Shoot Me. (Her ability to play drama and comedy simultaneously is a charm). In addition, Vincent D'Onofrio (aka, the guy I want to play me in the movie of my life) excels as the pot-smoking unemployed brother who has his own moment of sanity. Shirley Knight portrays a mother who carries the weight of the family on her back, and who seems resigned to her fate.
Ironically, the movie ends at Christmas - I won't tell you how it ends, but you deserve to see this film. Like the best films, it ends honestly, and not in some overscripted climax, and that's the best compliment I can give the film.
And it's probably the only time Al Franken didn't get on my nerves.
December 5, 2004
Adventures in Blogging
First, wanted to give a shout-out to Mike's Progressive Ruin, which celebrates its first birthday (and is better toilet trained than my godson. You all know how I feel about this site.
Speaking of blogging (and comics), the Accordian Guy has tracked down this 1950's blog reference. Trust me, kids, it's history, and you should know.
Also, Ian Brill is onto something - let's call Marvel right now!
Both Yet Another Comics Blog and Polite Dissent are doing the comic advent calendar thing, and I am proud to have made a small contribution.
Ringwood gives me a good reason to dislike John Byrne (not that I needed any more, mind you...)
A huge shout-out to my homie Ajay, aka the Idle Muser, on his upcoming nuptuals (and if my behavior at my pal Terry's shindig was any indication, my mojo is coming back in full force).
Finally, just a heads-up on a movie you should avoid like the plague - Saved. Although the premise seems interesting (Heathers done in a Christian school), it quickly degenerates into a preachy, h-let-go-of-your-sanctimoniousness-and-really-be-God-like shambles.(Hear that? That's the creaking of the writing, moving towards the obvious conclusion) Only the stereotypical bad girl rises above cliche, and gives the movie a little heart. Whenever I hear a conservative complaining about liberal bias, I usually dismiss them - however, I will give them the benefit of the doubt with this movie.
In other words, I owe my pal Mark a deep apology.
Speaking of blogging (and comics), the Accordian Guy has tracked down this 1950's blog reference. Trust me, kids, it's history, and you should know.
Also, Ian Brill is onto something - let's call Marvel right now!
Both Yet Another Comics Blog and Polite Dissent are doing the comic advent calendar thing, and I am proud to have made a small contribution.
Ringwood gives me a good reason to dislike John Byrne (not that I needed any more, mind you...)
A huge shout-out to my homie Ajay, aka the Idle Muser, on his upcoming nuptuals (and if my behavior at my pal Terry's shindig was any indication, my mojo is coming back in full force).
Finally, just a heads-up on a movie you should avoid like the plague - Saved. Although the premise seems interesting (Heathers done in a Christian school), it quickly degenerates into a preachy, h-let-go-of-your-sanctimoniousness-and-really-be-God-like shambles.(Hear that? That's the creaking of the writing, moving towards the obvious conclusion) Only the stereotypical bad girl rises above cliche, and gives the movie a little heart. Whenever I hear a conservative complaining about liberal bias, I usually dismiss them - however, I will give them the benefit of the doubt with this movie.
In other words, I owe my pal Mark a deep apology.
December 4, 2004
Holidaze
I have to be honest - I'm definitely a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa/December holidays.
It's not that I never got what I wanted as a kid - I was spoiled materialistically. (Being an only child helps). It has just seemed like the majority of bad/unpleasant things that have happened - mostly losing people and major life transitions - have always been in December. (OK, I once experienced a breakup on Valentine's Day, but other than that...) Plus, with the way my family treats Christmas - less like a time of celebration and goodwill and more like the invasion of Normandy - it can bring a guy down. Seriously down. Close all the shades and crank up the Joy Division kind of down.
However, things seem different - maybe it's the fact that I'm watching SCTV on DVD as I'm hanging my (somewhat minimal) Christmas decorations. Maybe it's something in the air, or maybe it's just the year I've had...but somehow, I'm really starting to get into the Christmas spirit. I'm starting to feel better about the impending holiday. I may even break out some Christmas tunes. I may, at some point, list the tracks on an Xmas CD I burned for pals.
And if some of you are really nice, I may send you (upon request) a Gmail invitation.
It's not that I never got what I wanted as a kid - I was spoiled materialistically. (Being an only child helps). It has just seemed like the majority of bad/unpleasant things that have happened - mostly losing people and major life transitions - have always been in December. (OK, I once experienced a breakup on Valentine's Day, but other than that...) Plus, with the way my family treats Christmas - less like a time of celebration and goodwill and more like the invasion of Normandy - it can bring a guy down. Seriously down. Close all the shades and crank up the Joy Division kind of down.
However, things seem different - maybe it's the fact that I'm watching SCTV on DVD as I'm hanging my (somewhat minimal) Christmas decorations. Maybe it's something in the air, or maybe it's just the year I've had...but somehow, I'm really starting to get into the Christmas spirit. I'm starting to feel better about the impending holiday. I may even break out some Christmas tunes. I may, at some point, list the tracks on an Xmas CD I burned for pals.
And if some of you are really nice, I may send you (upon request) a Gmail invitation.
December 3, 2004
Boldly Going...To A Great Place!
Earlier tonight, I was hanging out with some new pals I met through Nanowrimo, and - luckily - the proprietors of Maurizio's decided to turn the television on to Star Trek: Enterprise. Now, I admit that I have had my concerns about the show - and was even slightly thrown when commenting on this post at Polite Dissent, but I have to admit that tonight's episode...has given me renewed faith in the franchise.
Now, sure, it was not the return of Gene Roddenberry as we know him, but tonight's episode, in one hour (including commercials) managed to regain the elusive quality of Trekkiness. In this past half year, we've seen alien Nazi's, a transition episode, and Brent Spiner dining on scenery - yes, friends, tonight's episode reaffirmed my faith in Trek.
It had it all - starship battles, sharp characterizations, and hints of both TOS and TNG (at the end, and no, I ain't gonna spoil it for you). It was one of the more strongly written Treks to be seen in a long time...and boy, did we deserve it.
Now I honestly can't wait until next week.
Now, sure, it was not the return of Gene Roddenberry as we know him, but tonight's episode, in one hour (including commercials) managed to regain the elusive quality of Trekkiness. In this past half year, we've seen alien Nazi's, a transition episode, and Brent Spiner dining on scenery - yes, friends, tonight's episode reaffirmed my faith in Trek.
It had it all - starship battles, sharp characterizations, and hints of both TOS and TNG (at the end, and no, I ain't gonna spoil it for you). It was one of the more strongly written Treks to be seen in a long time...and boy, did we deserve it.
Now I honestly can't wait until next week.
Taking A Swim in Lake Me
...or "enough with the pop culture shtick; tell us how you really feel..."
This has been a really rough week - mostly because of this upper respiratory thing that I have. I've been coughing, sniffling, had an extremely painful earache...I'm starting, however, to get better, and to feel a little bit more like my usual self.
Luckily, most of the PITA aspects of my life have taken an almost miraculous turn for the better.
My continually flat tire...turns out, just a nail. Simple in-and-out, no new tire, no new rim.
My cell phone, turned off due to a billing mistake? Back on, thanks to my ranting and raving.
An upcoming project, which usually makes my life hell. It looks much, much better this time...although there's still potential for evil.
I also have to admit that I need to reengage socially, to get out of the house - luckily, this weekend can be the start of my reemergence. I'm also grateful that a pal of mine is getting married on January 1st (and Idle Muser, if you're reading this, give me a call, dude). I also need to start calling my friends and, like, not using them just for trivia nights.
Some old heartaches I'm still holding on to, for some perverse reason, like wanting them will result in me having them. However, only time and letting go will take care of them.
So much to do, so much to blog about - comics, movies, CDs, DVDs, and even an upcoming Green Hornet appreciation. For now, though, just simple gratitude that I have a stronger work ethic than some of my co-workers, that I have a great life, that the best is yet to come...and that I'm not Corey Feldman.
This has been a really rough week - mostly because of this upper respiratory thing that I have. I've been coughing, sniffling, had an extremely painful earache...I'm starting, however, to get better, and to feel a little bit more like my usual self.
Luckily, most of the PITA aspects of my life have taken an almost miraculous turn for the better.
My continually flat tire...turns out, just a nail. Simple in-and-out, no new tire, no new rim.
My cell phone, turned off due to a billing mistake? Back on, thanks to my ranting and raving.
An upcoming project, which usually makes my life hell. It looks much, much better this time...although there's still potential for evil.
I also have to admit that I need to reengage socially, to get out of the house - luckily, this weekend can be the start of my reemergence. I'm also grateful that a pal of mine is getting married on January 1st (and Idle Muser, if you're reading this, give me a call, dude). I also need to start calling my friends and, like, not using them just for trivia nights.
Some old heartaches I'm still holding on to, for some perverse reason, like wanting them will result in me having them. However, only time and letting go will take care of them.
So much to do, so much to blog about - comics, movies, CDs, DVDs, and even an upcoming Green Hornet appreciation. For now, though, just simple gratitude that I have a stronger work ethic than some of my co-workers, that I have a great life, that the best is yet to come...and that I'm not Corey Feldman.
December 1, 2004
In Lieu Of Original Content
Sorry, been feeling a little out-of-it, so here are some really cool things from the blog-o-sphere...
First, a really cool article on fanfic from Something Old, Nothing New. Like I have said before, this is one of the better pop culture blogs out there, and there's a little something for everyone.
Head here, and you can download a little ditty entitled "FCC Song" from Eric Idle of Monty Python. (Yes, there's probably a more direct link, but I'm too tired to dig). Be warned, the MP3 is very Pythonesque in humor, so if you're easily offended, my advice is to buy more Jessica Simpson CDs and leave the rest of us alone.
Also, you might want to check out this site on Technorati - it lists the "top MP3s listed in the past 48 hours". You can find stuff ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Noam Chomsky on a given night. Well worth your time.
Finally, check out Digitally Obsessed for DVD reviews - it's one of the more comprehensive review sites, and the writers often know what they're talking about. Enjoy!
First, a really cool article on fanfic from Something Old, Nothing New. Like I have said before, this is one of the better pop culture blogs out there, and there's a little something for everyone.
Head here, and you can download a little ditty entitled "FCC Song" from Eric Idle of Monty Python. (Yes, there's probably a more direct link, but I'm too tired to dig). Be warned, the MP3 is very Pythonesque in humor, so if you're easily offended, my advice is to buy more Jessica Simpson CDs and leave the rest of us alone.
Also, you might want to check out this site on Technorati - it lists the "top MP3s listed in the past 48 hours". You can find stuff ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Noam Chomsky on a given night. Well worth your time.
Finally, check out Digitally Obsessed for DVD reviews - it's one of the more comprehensive review sites, and the writers often know what they're talking about. Enjoy!
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