Last night I went to a concert for a band I'm familiar with, but not that familiar with, in a building I haven't been inside in years, and got to do something I'd never done before. It was a good time.
Sevendust is one of my buddy Moppy's favorite bands. He's got everything they've done, probably twice. I do have some of their music from various soundtracks and such but I mostly know them through Moppy, from car rides or tailgating or whatever. I enjoy them and their heavy metal/hard rock style music. Like I mentioned, I'm not that familiar with their work. I don't remember song titles or lyrics or anything, I just know I like the sounds they make. Normally that would not be enough to get me to go to a concert but I figured it would be a good time and, more importantly, Moppy had some free tickets so I went along.
I haven't been to the building known as the Rave in about a decade. It has been fixed up a bit in that time. It's an old, old building that's probably falling down more than it shows. The ballroom is where the concert was held and, oddly enough, was also the scene of the last concert I went to in the Rave. It has two or three areas to host concerts. It's old and a big place. I'd been using my memories of it to invent a place for my stories. It looks nicer than I've been describing it.
Moppy and I were in the midst of the crowd. When the first chords of music began, he turned sideways, became paper thin, and dove deeper into the crowd, into the center where a mosh pit was guaranteed. As I'm unable to become that thin anymore and the seam closed after he passed through it, I stayed where I was, happy to headbang by myself. We had a place to meet if we got separated so I wasn't concerned about finding him again. I just rocked and enjoyed myself.
About halfway through the concert, another mosh pit formed next to me. Now, if you've never been in a mosh pit before, they look very violent. There's a reason for that; they are very violent. It's not an angry violent, it's a very good natured sort of violent, like football. Guys slam into each other repeatedly during the music, then shake hands, hug and go on their ways. If someone gets knocked down, he gets picked back up again. If someone gets hurt, he gets helped out.
When I was younger, moshing wasn't quite such a contact sport. I still didn't do it too much due to concerns over my eyewear. Now, it's a little too rough for me. Considering where the pit formed, I became part of the pit wall. Now, the thing about these concerts is that not everyone wants to be in the pit. Some people just want to listen to the music. A wall forms around the pit to absorb the energy of the moshers and try to disperse it before it can affect the rest of the audience. Basically you're trying to block them from knocking everyone else down. Most of the time, the moshers aren't hitting the pit wall that hard. You're just helping them keep their feet. Occasionally they bump into someone wrong, lose control and you're trying to keep everyone from falling, especially yourself. I stumbled a few times but never fell. The moshers were doing their best to keep the bumps to themselves. As it should be. I would rock out during the break between songs and then return to watching the pit. When it's on you cannot take your eyes off of it. If you do, you will get knocked down.
Sevendust finished their set. Moppy, tired, rematerialized by my side. I shook hands with one of the guys from the pit before leaving. Good times.
28 March 2009
27 March 2009
A Few Thoughts on Comics from This Week
Or just one comic from this week.
The Muppet Show Comic Book #1.
The art took some getting used to, but I like it. It's short 'skits' with a story arc, just like the show. I can hear the characters' voices in my head as I read the book. It's funny. I got misty eyed at the end, just like I do for some of the shows when Kermit says something sad but sweet.
It is outstanding.
The Muppet Show Comic Book #1.
The art took some getting used to, but I like it. It's short 'skits' with a story arc, just like the show. I can hear the characters' voices in my head as I read the book. It's funny. I got misty eyed at the end, just like I do for some of the shows when Kermit says something sad but sweet.
It is outstanding.
26 March 2009
Ouch
Spent all day, well, almost all day at a job fair. Too much thinking. Head hurts. Simpsons, beer, chips and nacho cheese to relax. Actual text later.
25 March 2009
Midwest Gaming Classic
Last year I went to the Midwest Gaming Classic because I could. I had an interest in going, I had no expectations of having company and just went for the sake of wanting to be there. I ended up bumping into friends and had a fine time in general.
This year I had plans to attend with friends I don't get to see very often as they live out of town. These plans worked. In addition to having access to more classic arcade games than last year, more museum systems to look at and play, more vendors to buy from, I had my buddies to mess around with while there. It all ended up working out, which was nice. Hung out, had fun, had a nice dinner with most of them, got to tell stories, got to hear stories. Nothing explosive or overwhelming to report, unless beating Mark in Gorf counts. Or me losing my Kermit in Mickey ears pin. Drat it.
Bought a Xbox 360. It's broken. Maybe I can fix it. For $10 I decided to take the dare. I'm decent at tinkering which means I can follow directions and troubleshoot well but I can also break things that are already broken. We shall see.
This year I had plans to attend with friends I don't get to see very often as they live out of town. These plans worked. In addition to having access to more classic arcade games than last year, more museum systems to look at and play, more vendors to buy from, I had my buddies to mess around with while there. It all ended up working out, which was nice. Hung out, had fun, had a nice dinner with most of them, got to tell stories, got to hear stories. Nothing explosive or overwhelming to report, unless beating Mark in Gorf counts. Or me losing my Kermit in Mickey ears pin. Drat it.
Bought a Xbox 360. It's broken. Maybe I can fix it. For $10 I decided to take the dare. I'm decent at tinkering which means I can follow directions and troubleshoot well but I can also break things that are already broken. We shall see.
24 March 2009
'Strongman' Review
When I was twelve, I was introduced to comic books as Comic Books. I'd read them before that age and knew many of the characters from television, but suddenly there was a history there, more depth than I expected. I fell hard, as I often do when finding a new obsession.
A couple years later, I bumped into wrestling and hesitated rather than turning away. At it's core was a story similar to the comics I had gotten comfortable with reading. It was good vs evil on a stage. I got hooked.
In the 1990's my interest in wrestling revived once I started seeing luchadores, high flying styled wrestlers mostly from Mexico, as part of the shows. Comics and wrestling had more truly connected with masks designed to hide the identity of the wrestler and fighting moves that would make Spider-Man proud. Discovering that Mexican cinema had a history of taking these men and having them fight crime just cemented that connection together. My character El Hombre de Silla is born out of that fascination, in tribute to that style of entertainment.
The 'Strongman' graphic novel also follows in that tradition. It tells the story of Tigre, a formerly Santo-esqe character insomuch that he wrestled, fought crime, and made movies. Tragedy hit over thirty years ago and he is but a shadow of himself, spending much of his time drunk and wasting his life. A young woman encourages him to investigate a problem and, eventually, he gets talked into it, reviving the Tigre of old.
Over the course of the story we find out what happened that fateful day in 1973 and how it affects Tigre to this day. The story is logically laid out, well told in words and art. It is more realistic than the movies would have been in the past and yet reads like a storyboard for a movie waiting to happen. It's not that realistic. It's real enough when it needs to be and yet a story when the time is right.
I loved it. More please.
A couple years later, I bumped into wrestling and hesitated rather than turning away. At it's core was a story similar to the comics I had gotten comfortable with reading. It was good vs evil on a stage. I got hooked.
In the 1990's my interest in wrestling revived once I started seeing luchadores, high flying styled wrestlers mostly from Mexico, as part of the shows. Comics and wrestling had more truly connected with masks designed to hide the identity of the wrestler and fighting moves that would make Spider-Man proud. Discovering that Mexican cinema had a history of taking these men and having them fight crime just cemented that connection together. My character El Hombre de Silla is born out of that fascination, in tribute to that style of entertainment.
The 'Strongman' graphic novel also follows in that tradition. It tells the story of Tigre, a formerly Santo-esqe character insomuch that he wrestled, fought crime, and made movies. Tragedy hit over thirty years ago and he is but a shadow of himself, spending much of his time drunk and wasting his life. A young woman encourages him to investigate a problem and, eventually, he gets talked into it, reviving the Tigre of old.
Over the course of the story we find out what happened that fateful day in 1973 and how it affects Tigre to this day. The story is logically laid out, well told in words and art. It is more realistic than the movies would have been in the past and yet reads like a storyboard for a movie waiting to happen. It's not that realistic. It's real enough when it needs to be and yet a story when the time is right.
I loved it. More please.
23 March 2009
GLCW - 'Two Words ... Too Sweet' - March 21, 2009
I've been to a few cards promoted by Great Lakes Championship Wrestling and they've all been a good time. This show was no exception. We arrived at the Waukesha Expo Center with plenty of time before the show started. We got the same seats that we had for last December's Blizzard Brawl. The only variation on our side was that my buddy Mark was in the area over the weekend from Stevens Point and he attended in place of Moppy.
Match 1: ICW Title Match, Justin Dredd defending the title against Mickey McCoy
Mickey was from Ireland and Justin from Milwaukee which, oddly enough, was cause for 'USA' chants to break out. Just days after St. Patrick's day and suddenly we're anti-Irish? Weird. Justin was the face and took a good beating from Mickey. We started renaming Mickey's moves to fit his Irish background, from simple things like renaming the Russian Leg Sweep to the Irish Leg Sweep to more complex things like calling chest chops potato slices. Or something. I'm forgetting our best jokes. Justin won with a move off the top rope that was similar to a Russian Leg Sweep if both guys involved were on the top turnbuckle and did a backflip to land face down in the ring. There's a name for the move and I'm ashamed to say I can't remember what it is. Nice hot opener that got the crowd going. Justin is a little on the skinny side and would benefit from putting on some weight.
Match 2: Electric Eric Freedom vs Lenny Lane - 10 minute Time Limit
The Lenny Lane Army was ready for the appearance of their hero this time. There were signs, there was yelling, there were smiles all around. His Lenniness played the face this time. He and the 'hardcore hippie' worked a solid back-and-forth match that was ended by the Time Limit. Of course more time was asked for, Freedom tried a sneak attack as the match restarted, and Lenny got the win. After posing around the ring, slapping hands with the cheering crowd, Lenny started back towards the dressing room. With an exaggerated 'oh wait a minute' expression, he tore over to the location of the Lenny Lane Army in order to pose with us. Outstanding! Excellent fun. As predicted, my voice was already destroyed after this match.
Match 3: Three Way Dance - Matt 'Love Machine' Longtime vs Dysfunction vs Ryan Rogue
After a few moments, the characters sorted themselves out after the general positive reactions to the guys during the introductions. I've seen Dysfunction play face and heel so there was a certain 'what's he been lately' confusion. Matt Longtime is generally a heel so that wasn't complicated. Ryan Rogue was unfamiliar. Apparently Ryan's middle name is 'punching bag' as Dysfunction played heel and helped Longtime beat the snot out of him. Heel miscommunication led to Longtime hitting Dysfunction and then pinning him for the elimination. Ryan managed to rally to quickly defeat Longtime for the win. Post match, Dysfunction expressed his 'that's not how we planned it' frustration to Longtime. Dissatisfied with the response, Dysfunction superkicked Longtime, leaving Longtime in the middle of the ring, his legs raised in the air stiffly. He remained in that position until the Intermission was announced. Unsteadily, he climbed to his feet, fell, rolled from the ring, staggered, fell again, and stumbled to the back, selling the entire way. Well done sir!
Intermission - Lenny Lane set up shop on the ring apron. Once the children had a chance to say hi, the Army moved in. We said hi, bought t-shirts, laughed with him, chit-chatted about his recent brief appearance 'up north', he discussed a character idea he brought up there and expressed his annoyance with how it got shot down. He also signed the Lenny Lane Army sign I'd held up. Good times.
Match 4: Bobcat vs 'Connie Armoni' with Sunny as Guest Ref
'Connie Armoni' would be local legend Angel Armoni in a dress and wig. GLCW womens matches tend to be fun comedy matches and this one was no different. Relatively short, sweet, and to the point. When the comedy faded, a few individuals in the audience expressed their boredom but the match really wasn't long enough to lag for any real length of time. Bobcat won to become the new GLCW Ladies Champion. Fun.
Match 5: GLCW Heavyweight Title Match - Mr. A.E. vs Champion Al Snow
Mr. A.E. is also the current commissioner of GLCW so the storyline of the match revolved around his changing of the rules during the match to prevent his losing and stacking the deck against Al. It became 'no countouts', then 'no dq'. Once Al tried to bring his mascot 'Head' (a manniquin head) into the match, Mr. A.E. noted that he never agreed to a 'handicap' match so Matt Longtime came out to 'balance' things out. Al continued to survive the pummeling until the referee decided he'd had enough and refused to count a fall for Mr. A.E. The ref was dismissed and a new ref was chosen, someone already wearing black and white... Matt Longtime. Even Matt's quick counts weren't enough to count Al out after he'd had a chance to rest and Al managed a comeback. Once both Longtime and Mr. A.E. were down for the count, the original ref returned and gladly counted the fall for Al. Good work, fun storyline that was well performed. This and the Lenny Lane match were my two favorites for the night.
Match 6: 'The Match They Didn't Want You To See' - BG James and Kip James vs Kevin Nash and Scott Hall
Both teams (the former New Age Outlaws of DX and Outsiders of the NWO respectively) came out and did their traditional schtick to the delight of the crowd. A lawyer from 'Connecticut' then tried to stop the match but was told where he could go in humorous fashion. The match itself was standard, nothing special, what you'd expect from these guys and their ages but all performed well. As I predicted, Hall wrestled about 90% of the match for his team. Not only was this standard operating procedure for the Outsiders, but Nash is having elbow issues and may have been limited in what he could do. Late in the match, Hall went to tag his long-time partner but was met with a middle finger instead. Confused, he was easy prey for a Fameasser and a 3 count. Hall and Nash exchanged some words and a match between them was set up for the next card on June 12th. Very enjoyable.
Already announced for the June 12th show at the Italian Community Center:
Scott Hall vs Kevin Nash
Bobcast vs Traci Brooks for the Ladies Championship
Mr. A.E. vs the Boogieman
On the whole, an enjoyable show as I expected. Good times.
Match 1: ICW Title Match, Justin Dredd defending the title against Mickey McCoy
Mickey was from Ireland and Justin from Milwaukee which, oddly enough, was cause for 'USA' chants to break out. Just days after St. Patrick's day and suddenly we're anti-Irish? Weird. Justin was the face and took a good beating from Mickey. We started renaming Mickey's moves to fit his Irish background, from simple things like renaming the Russian Leg Sweep to the Irish Leg Sweep to more complex things like calling chest chops potato slices. Or something. I'm forgetting our best jokes. Justin won with a move off the top rope that was similar to a Russian Leg Sweep if both guys involved were on the top turnbuckle and did a backflip to land face down in the ring. There's a name for the move and I'm ashamed to say I can't remember what it is. Nice hot opener that got the crowd going. Justin is a little on the skinny side and would benefit from putting on some weight.
Match 2: Electric Eric Freedom vs Lenny Lane - 10 minute Time Limit
The Lenny Lane Army was ready for the appearance of their hero this time. There were signs, there was yelling, there were smiles all around. His Lenniness played the face this time. He and the 'hardcore hippie' worked a solid back-and-forth match that was ended by the Time Limit. Of course more time was asked for, Freedom tried a sneak attack as the match restarted, and Lenny got the win. After posing around the ring, slapping hands with the cheering crowd, Lenny started back towards the dressing room. With an exaggerated 'oh wait a minute' expression, he tore over to the location of the Lenny Lane Army in order to pose with us. Outstanding! Excellent fun. As predicted, my voice was already destroyed after this match.
Match 3: Three Way Dance - Matt 'Love Machine' Longtime vs Dysfunction vs Ryan Rogue
After a few moments, the characters sorted themselves out after the general positive reactions to the guys during the introductions. I've seen Dysfunction play face and heel so there was a certain 'what's he been lately' confusion. Matt Longtime is generally a heel so that wasn't complicated. Ryan Rogue was unfamiliar. Apparently Ryan's middle name is 'punching bag' as Dysfunction played heel and helped Longtime beat the snot out of him. Heel miscommunication led to Longtime hitting Dysfunction and then pinning him for the elimination. Ryan managed to rally to quickly defeat Longtime for the win. Post match, Dysfunction expressed his 'that's not how we planned it' frustration to Longtime. Dissatisfied with the response, Dysfunction superkicked Longtime, leaving Longtime in the middle of the ring, his legs raised in the air stiffly. He remained in that position until the Intermission was announced. Unsteadily, he climbed to his feet, fell, rolled from the ring, staggered, fell again, and stumbled to the back, selling the entire way. Well done sir!
Intermission - Lenny Lane set up shop on the ring apron. Once the children had a chance to say hi, the Army moved in. We said hi, bought t-shirts, laughed with him, chit-chatted about his recent brief appearance 'up north', he discussed a character idea he brought up there and expressed his annoyance with how it got shot down. He also signed the Lenny Lane Army sign I'd held up. Good times.
Match 4: Bobcat vs 'Connie Armoni' with Sunny as Guest Ref
'Connie Armoni' would be local legend Angel Armoni in a dress and wig. GLCW womens matches tend to be fun comedy matches and this one was no different. Relatively short, sweet, and to the point. When the comedy faded, a few individuals in the audience expressed their boredom but the match really wasn't long enough to lag for any real length of time. Bobcat won to become the new GLCW Ladies Champion. Fun.
Match 5: GLCW Heavyweight Title Match - Mr. A.E. vs Champion Al Snow
Mr. A.E. is also the current commissioner of GLCW so the storyline of the match revolved around his changing of the rules during the match to prevent his losing and stacking the deck against Al. It became 'no countouts', then 'no dq'. Once Al tried to bring his mascot 'Head' (a manniquin head) into the match, Mr. A.E. noted that he never agreed to a 'handicap' match so Matt Longtime came out to 'balance' things out. Al continued to survive the pummeling until the referee decided he'd had enough and refused to count a fall for Mr. A.E. The ref was dismissed and a new ref was chosen, someone already wearing black and white... Matt Longtime. Even Matt's quick counts weren't enough to count Al out after he'd had a chance to rest and Al managed a comeback. Once both Longtime and Mr. A.E. were down for the count, the original ref returned and gladly counted the fall for Al. Good work, fun storyline that was well performed. This and the Lenny Lane match were my two favorites for the night.
Match 6: 'The Match They Didn't Want You To See' - BG James and Kip James vs Kevin Nash and Scott Hall
Both teams (the former New Age Outlaws of DX and Outsiders of the NWO respectively) came out and did their traditional schtick to the delight of the crowd. A lawyer from 'Connecticut' then tried to stop the match but was told where he could go in humorous fashion. The match itself was standard, nothing special, what you'd expect from these guys and their ages but all performed well. As I predicted, Hall wrestled about 90% of the match for his team. Not only was this standard operating procedure for the Outsiders, but Nash is having elbow issues and may have been limited in what he could do. Late in the match, Hall went to tag his long-time partner but was met with a middle finger instead. Confused, he was easy prey for a Fameasser and a 3 count. Hall and Nash exchanged some words and a match between them was set up for the next card on June 12th. Very enjoyable.
Already announced for the June 12th show at the Italian Community Center:
Scott Hall vs Kevin Nash
Bobcast vs Traci Brooks for the Ladies Championship
Mr. A.E. vs the Boogieman
On the whole, an enjoyable show as I expected. Good times.
22 March 2009
Long Weekend
Everything played out as it should. Tired. Will most likely review the wrestling card tomorrow. Maybe more to make up for this limited entry.
I still smell marker. Bother.
I still smell marker. Bother.
21 March 2009
Invest in Yourself
"Where do you see yourself in five years?"
Normally that sort of question makes what's left of my hair curl. In a job interview, it's a difficult question for me to answer. I'm good at seeing possibilities but possible, best possible, and realistic can muddle all together. As I was talking to a buddy of mine, I answered it realistically from a creative point-of-view: two books done and released with a few short movies also to my credit. As I said, realistic based on how I tend to work. It gives me room to overachieve.
Our discussion made me realize that how I've been approaching my writing of late has been an investment in myself. Other jobs may come and go but my love for writing should always stay, always progress, and the more I have to show for using that skill, even in limited ways, is for the best. He started showing me some of his investments in himself. He's even drawing again. I think it's been years.
How are you investing in yourself?
Normally that sort of question makes what's left of my hair curl. In a job interview, it's a difficult question for me to answer. I'm good at seeing possibilities but possible, best possible, and realistic can muddle all together. As I was talking to a buddy of mine, I answered it realistically from a creative point-of-view: two books done and released with a few short movies also to my credit. As I said, realistic based on how I tend to work. It gives me room to overachieve.
Our discussion made me realize that how I've been approaching my writing of late has been an investment in myself. Other jobs may come and go but my love for writing should always stay, always progress, and the more I have to show for using that skill, even in limited ways, is for the best. He started showing me some of his investments in himself. He's even drawing again. I think it's been years.
How are you investing in yourself?
20 March 2009
Active for a Change
It's been a busy week. I've got a little more power on this end and I'm still trying to find ways to use it properly. I want to play a bit. All that fiddling takes time.
First I've got one of those weekends where I've got stuff planned for every day. There's hockey tonight, a wrestling show for tomorrow and the Midwest Gaming Classic on Sunday. I should get a story or two out of all that, hmm?
First I've got one of those weekends where I've got stuff planned for every day. There's hockey tonight, a wrestling show for tomorrow and the Midwest Gaming Classic on Sunday. I should get a story or two out of all that, hmm?
19 March 2009
A Few Thoughts on Comics from This Week
Dark Avengers #3 gets first billing this week. Much of the issue is Norman Osborn talking to the Sentry. "You know what," Norman more-or-less says, "you might be crazy, but you're not the only one in this room that is. Me am too." The scene goes on for pages, makes sense, finally makes the Sentry make sense to me, and accomplishes a lot. The rest of the book is good as well. Bendis' dialogue sounds real here for a change as opposed to the clipped, snappy 'real' he sometimes uses. The book may not have a long-term future but it's existence is worth it just for this issue.
Amazing Spider-Girl #30 is sadly the last issue of the regular series. It goes out with a bang, wrapping up the big storyline and setting the characters up for their briefer appearances to come in Spider-Man Family. It was a good book. I shall miss it.
Ultimatum #3 is a bit of a breather of sorts. This big, blockbuster, changing everything event is indeed changing things, in ways that would be less likely to occur in the 'mainstream' Marvel universe. This specific issue has a lot going on in it and yet feels like a breather at the same time. The characters involved are starting to get a moment, to regroup, and the issue ends with a 'let's go get him' moment. We get some confirmations of deaths, some craziness, some heroics, and some more deaths. Oddly enough, I don't mind Jeph Loeb here like I do on some other books. We're not getting the identity of Red Hulk until next year? Boo. Here, Jeph can do what he wants. It's working for me.
Night of the Living Dead - New York has the best art for one of these NotLD spin-offs yet. Story is suitably dark. What's it like being in a major city at the beginning of a major ghoul outbreak? The answer is 'not good'.
Tales of the TMNT #56 also had some really good art in it. The story brings the Han character from the most recent cartoon series into the Mirage universe, explaining his history with Casey Jones. Good stuff.
Issues #5 and #6 of Vincent Price Presents both came out this week. This is the only book I get from Bluewater Comics and, despite Vinnie 'hosting' it, it's been very lackluster so far. These two issues have redeemed the book a bit in my eyes. The story in #5 was calm but very interesting. I didn't care much for the weirdly painted style of the art at first but it grew on me and suited the story. The story is #6 was okay but the art was less so. A brief back-up story held my interest with the best art I've seen from Bluewater to date. The story was more of a prologue than anything else so I shan't judge it.
Amazing Spider-Man #588 and Amazing Spider-Man Extra #3 were both good as well, wrapping up a number of different storylines while prepping some new ones. I still don't like the story that got us here, but I do really enjoy the stories I'm getting.
There were a couple other books, but these triggered me to write.
Amazing Spider-Girl #30 is sadly the last issue of the regular series. It goes out with a bang, wrapping up the big storyline and setting the characters up for their briefer appearances to come in Spider-Man Family. It was a good book. I shall miss it.
Ultimatum #3 is a bit of a breather of sorts. This big, blockbuster, changing everything event is indeed changing things, in ways that would be less likely to occur in the 'mainstream' Marvel universe. This specific issue has a lot going on in it and yet feels like a breather at the same time. The characters involved are starting to get a moment, to regroup, and the issue ends with a 'let's go get him' moment. We get some confirmations of deaths, some craziness, some heroics, and some more deaths. Oddly enough, I don't mind Jeph Loeb here like I do on some other books. We're not getting the identity of Red Hulk until next year? Boo. Here, Jeph can do what he wants. It's working for me.
Night of the Living Dead - New York has the best art for one of these NotLD spin-offs yet. Story is suitably dark. What's it like being in a major city at the beginning of a major ghoul outbreak? The answer is 'not good'.
Tales of the TMNT #56 also had some really good art in it. The story brings the Han character from the most recent cartoon series into the Mirage universe, explaining his history with Casey Jones. Good stuff.
Issues #5 and #6 of Vincent Price Presents both came out this week. This is the only book I get from Bluewater Comics and, despite Vinnie 'hosting' it, it's been very lackluster so far. These two issues have redeemed the book a bit in my eyes. The story in #5 was calm but very interesting. I didn't care much for the weirdly painted style of the art at first but it grew on me and suited the story. The story is #6 was okay but the art was less so. A brief back-up story held my interest with the best art I've seen from Bluewater to date. The story was more of a prologue than anything else so I shan't judge it.
Amazing Spider-Man #588 and Amazing Spider-Man Extra #3 were both good as well, wrapping up a number of different storylines while prepping some new ones. I still don't like the story that got us here, but I do really enjoy the stories I'm getting.
There were a couple other books, but these triggered me to write.
18 March 2009
Puzzlement
Of late, I've been dreaming a lot about almost being out of work, being in the last few days of a job. This is odd. I experienced that and those days were... uncomfortable. You'd think if I wanted to flash back to something positive, I'd flash back to the early days of my unemployment when the days were warm, the severance fattening my wallet, and baseball was there to be attended.
If I missed my job, why wouldn't I just dream about being at work? Seems odd to me.
If I missed my job, why wouldn't I just dream about being at work? Seems odd to me.
17 March 2009
Oy
The only thing more tiring than doing your own work is helping someone else do their work. I'm beat and my back hurts.
On the plus side, I'm writing this on my laptop via the wireless running in the house now.
Which is nice.
On the plus side, I'm writing this on my laptop via the wireless running in the house now.
Which is nice.
16 March 2009
Fiddling and Thinking and Looking and Cleaning
I moved some equipment around and got my old iMac set up in a new area. It still runs. I started looking for a picture file and it turned out that it wasn't on the hard drive. Bother. I started going through old floppy disks to find it.
There's a thankless task.
Most of them will read but can't see all the files on the disk. I've been tossing whatever reads onto the hard drive for movement onto my newer computer systems for backup. I've gotten all too used to hearing the whirring click that indicates the disk won't read. Annoying.
I did find the file I was looking for so it wasn't completely worthless.
I do have better things to be doing. I think I'm writing something in the back of my head as I do this. This happens a lot; subconsciously working on something while I tinker with something else.
I wonder if my even older Performa will still boot up?
There's a thankless task.
Most of them will read but can't see all the files on the disk. I've been tossing whatever reads onto the hard drive for movement onto my newer computer systems for backup. I've gotten all too used to hearing the whirring click that indicates the disk won't read. Annoying.
I did find the file I was looking for so it wasn't completely worthless.
I do have better things to be doing. I think I'm writing something in the back of my head as I do this. This happens a lot; subconsciously working on something while I tinker with something else.
I wonder if my even older Performa will still boot up?
15 March 2009
DRUMS! DRUMS!
If we could go back and ask seven year old Me what he wants to be when he grows up, the answer would be either 'baseball player' or 'drummer'. The reasons aren't complicated to understand. Playing baseball is fun. Animal on the Muppet Show is awesome. Done.
Apart from occasionally whistling, I have no discernible musical skills. I've had the opportunity to fiddle around with instruments in the past but I had no real clue what I was doing at the time. It always looks so easy so I never understood why I couldn't at least get some sort of rhythm from my head to the bass guitar or drum or what have you. I didn't expect to pick it up and rattle off a song, just two sounds together that seemed like they went together.
When I first started playing Guitar Hero my respect for people that play guitar for real increased. I know that playing the game and playing guitar are really nothing alike but I figure that if medium on the game kicks my butt, then real guitar playing is probably even more complicated. I huzzahed the true guitar heroes with all due respect.
I got to play drums on Guitar Hero World Tour last night. The same huzzah goes to the true drum heroes. My buddy has some real drum playing experience and the game frustrated him a bit. I got the hang of it a little. Considering it was my first day, I felt good about what I managed to do.
Maybe I can be a fake drum god, in the living room anyway.
Apart from occasionally whistling, I have no discernible musical skills. I've had the opportunity to fiddle around with instruments in the past but I had no real clue what I was doing at the time. It always looks so easy so I never understood why I couldn't at least get some sort of rhythm from my head to the bass guitar or drum or what have you. I didn't expect to pick it up and rattle off a song, just two sounds together that seemed like they went together.
When I first started playing Guitar Hero my respect for people that play guitar for real increased. I know that playing the game and playing guitar are really nothing alike but I figure that if medium on the game kicks my butt, then real guitar playing is probably even more complicated. I huzzahed the true guitar heroes with all due respect.
I got to play drums on Guitar Hero World Tour last night. The same huzzah goes to the true drum heroes. My buddy has some real drum playing experience and the game frustrated him a bit. I got the hang of it a little. Considering it was my first day, I felt good about what I managed to do.
Maybe I can be a fake drum god, in the living room anyway.
14 March 2009
Working Confused
One problem that I've had over the years is looking too far ahead into a project. The one story I'm working on gets multiple sequels and then story-arcs occur to me and this and that and pretty soon my energy to write the first story fades because the third story seems more interesting. Soon nothing gets done.
I'm fighting that urge right now, in a much more limited way than previously. A story idea has occurred to me for the character I've been focused on of late: El Hombre de Silla. For the past couple months, I've been working on collecting a few shorter stories together in order to have enough text to generate a book. I want to mark that off my list as a thing that's done.
I'm not sure this story will fit in this book. It might be best served in the next collection, or possibly on it's own, I'm not sure yet. It will involve research to do properly. I found a book that will likely assist me with that yesterday.
I'm concerned all this will distract me from the goal of finishing the current work. So far, I've still been making progress on the current story, both in my head and on 'paper'. It just seems... weird to be using my creative powers and trying to fight them down at the same time.
It makes my head hurt a bit. Nothing new there I suppose.
I'm fighting that urge right now, in a much more limited way than previously. A story idea has occurred to me for the character I've been focused on of late: El Hombre de Silla. For the past couple months, I've been working on collecting a few shorter stories together in order to have enough text to generate a book. I want to mark that off my list as a thing that's done.
I'm not sure this story will fit in this book. It might be best served in the next collection, or possibly on it's own, I'm not sure yet. It will involve research to do properly. I found a book that will likely assist me with that yesterday.
I'm concerned all this will distract me from the goal of finishing the current work. So far, I've still been making progress on the current story, both in my head and on 'paper'. It just seems... weird to be using my creative powers and trying to fight them down at the same time.
It makes my head hurt a bit. Nothing new there I suppose.
12 March 2009
A Few Thoughts on Comics from This Week
Very few thoughts this week as I got very few comics. Very light week.
Transformers - All Hail Megatron #8 (of 12) continues to keep my attention as have the earlier issues in the story. The art is clear, clean, and crisp. Characters are easy to identify by their appearance and their actions are well defined. The story progresses nicely here, apparently resolving a mystery or two and sets up more things to be concerned about. I've really been enjoying this as it's not just the standard Autobot/Decepticon battle that's been portrayed over the years. New York is in ruins and is in Decepticon control. It's a heady political thriller with action and robots. Mmm, robots.
Punisher (MAX) #68 - part three of the 'Six Hours to Kill' storyline. Frank has been poisoned and is expected to die in 6 hours. Rather than take on the mission and get the 'antidote' that he doesn't believe exists at the end, he's just decided to take out as many bad guys before he drops. The criminal element in the city, including corrupt politicians, try to stop him before he can do too much further damage. Action and gangster intrigue. So far, so good.
Invincible Iron Man #11 - part four of 'World's Most Wanted' storyline. Tony Stark (Iron Man) is on the run, a wanted criminal after failing to foresee the recent Skrull Invasion and protect his technology from this invasion. The story is making clear that Tony foresaw possible failure, perhaps not this specific failure but a failure, and took steps to prepare for what to do next. This is good business. A lot of little things happen in this issue. I'm still not sure if this is going to be a short-term storyline or if this is setting up the new setting for the book's foreseeable future. A few minus points to the artist, who's normally quite good, for making Norman Osborn look nothing like how the character is normally drawn. I didn't recognize him until the dialogue identifed him. Not good.
Besides that, I got an Index and two magazines. Very light week.
Transformers - All Hail Megatron #8 (of 12) continues to keep my attention as have the earlier issues in the story. The art is clear, clean, and crisp. Characters are easy to identify by their appearance and their actions are well defined. The story progresses nicely here, apparently resolving a mystery or two and sets up more things to be concerned about. I've really been enjoying this as it's not just the standard Autobot/Decepticon battle that's been portrayed over the years. New York is in ruins and is in Decepticon control. It's a heady political thriller with action and robots. Mmm, robots.
Punisher (MAX) #68 - part three of the 'Six Hours to Kill' storyline. Frank has been poisoned and is expected to die in 6 hours. Rather than take on the mission and get the 'antidote' that he doesn't believe exists at the end, he's just decided to take out as many bad guys before he drops. The criminal element in the city, including corrupt politicians, try to stop him before he can do too much further damage. Action and gangster intrigue. So far, so good.
Invincible Iron Man #11 - part four of 'World's Most Wanted' storyline. Tony Stark (Iron Man) is on the run, a wanted criminal after failing to foresee the recent Skrull Invasion and protect his technology from this invasion. The story is making clear that Tony foresaw possible failure, perhaps not this specific failure but a failure, and took steps to prepare for what to do next. This is good business. A lot of little things happen in this issue. I'm still not sure if this is going to be a short-term storyline or if this is setting up the new setting for the book's foreseeable future. A few minus points to the artist, who's normally quite good, for making Norman Osborn look nothing like how the character is normally drawn. I didn't recognize him until the dialogue identifed him. Not good.
Besides that, I got an Index and two magazines. Very light week.
11 March 2009
If there's a Third World, where's the Second World?
I don't like to complain about the physical comforts around me as I know that, relatively speaking, I have it very nice in America. Grousing about the availability of hot water at any given moment seems petty when compared to people in countries just looking for some clean water with which to help stay alive.
That said, you get used to things being a certain way. Certain cities are a bit different from others and certain states are vastly different from others. At the same time, living in a prosperous nation like America is, even at this specific economic point, you begin to expect certain things.
Like power. Energy.
I've lived in this neighborhood on the Northwest side of Milwaukee for almost fifteen years now and it's odd how frequently the power goes out. In the past five years, this has been especially the case. I imagine some of it is due to the new construction in the area. Not long after I updated the blog last night, the power dropped for four hours. I know when it came back on because I forgot to turn off the light switches (the lights were off, my brain didn't connect that the switches were still on because I had no light) and was woken up when the power, and lights, came back on. I think the last outage was in last December. It was morning so at least there was light to read by. Luckily it wasn't too cold a day but it was chilly by the time the power kicked back in.
It just seems odd that this is becoming more frequent. It was a minor outage and could have happened at worse times and at least my computer doesn't appear to be damaged but still.
And don't get me started on the pothole riddled roads!
That said, you get used to things being a certain way. Certain cities are a bit different from others and certain states are vastly different from others. At the same time, living in a prosperous nation like America is, even at this specific economic point, you begin to expect certain things.
Like power. Energy.
I've lived in this neighborhood on the Northwest side of Milwaukee for almost fifteen years now and it's odd how frequently the power goes out. In the past five years, this has been especially the case. I imagine some of it is due to the new construction in the area. Not long after I updated the blog last night, the power dropped for four hours. I know when it came back on because I forgot to turn off the light switches (the lights were off, my brain didn't connect that the switches were still on because I had no light) and was woken up when the power, and lights, came back on. I think the last outage was in last December. It was morning so at least there was light to read by. Luckily it wasn't too cold a day but it was chilly by the time the power kicked back in.
It just seems odd that this is becoming more frequent. It was a minor outage and could have happened at worse times and at least my computer doesn't appear to be damaged but still.
And don't get me started on the pothole riddled roads!
10 March 2009
Stinker from U.N.C.L.E.
I hate to criticize something that was quite possibly done as a last second thing but the last book I have in the Man from U.N.C.L.E. series, book #21, sure was a stinker. It could have been repurposed from the juvenile line of books and meant for a simpler audience. It may have been written in a weekend to fulfill a deadline for a book that didn't come through. It could have been heavily edited at the last second. Forty years later, who am I to say?
I just know it didn't read very well.
Awkward dialogue on a regular basis. The bulk of an early chapter is the standard U.N.C.L.E. organizational details that may have been slightly written from the series bible. No real transition from scene to scene or location to location. Loads of characters that get titles but no names.
Perhaps the author was young? If I had written that at 18 or 19, I would have been quite proud of myself. At my age, all I could do was edit it in my head. It lacked a lot of the wit of the other books, the well described locations, the clearly delineated characters.
I suppose, I paid my dollar years ago and took my chances. Only one didn't pan out. That's still not bad.
I just know it didn't read very well.
Awkward dialogue on a regular basis. The bulk of an early chapter is the standard U.N.C.L.E. organizational details that may have been slightly written from the series bible. No real transition from scene to scene or location to location. Loads of characters that get titles but no names.
Perhaps the author was young? If I had written that at 18 or 19, I would have been quite proud of myself. At my age, all I could do was edit it in my head. It lacked a lot of the wit of the other books, the well described locations, the clearly delineated characters.
I suppose, I paid my dollar years ago and took my chances. Only one didn't pan out. That's still not bad.
09 March 2009
Brief Encounter
There had been enough walking for the moment. There was a bench around the corner, just past the escalator, in at the tail end of the 'Rocky Mountains' exhibits that would be a nice place to sit. As the bench was unoccupied, this would make my sitting easier. The whole area was quiet apart from the tape playing the sound of bears yelling and water crashing. I sat, leaned against the nearby replica tree, and started fiddling with my phone, responding to text messages. It was relaxing.
"Mind if I sit here too?"
It wasn't a squeaking voice but it had a squeaky quality to it. Sort of. It was hard to describe really, certainly unique. Momentarily annoyed that my peace had been broken, I looked up to observe the individual that had joined me.
There was no one there.
Before I could become too confused, there was a gentle cough. Looking down slightly, I could see the ... creature that had approached me. He was only a couple feet tall, green, and slightly fuzzy. He smiled. "Hi ho!"
I nodded towards the open end of the bench. "Sure. Go ahead."
He hopped up, literally, onto the bench and worked to make himself comfortable. "Thanks. Walking takes a lot out of the old flippers."
He raised a flipper attached to a skinny leg. "I can see that." This was an opportunity that couldn't be passed up. My phone could wait. "You're not from around here are you?"
"Nope. Just passing through. What gave me away? The accent?"
"Not really," I noted. "Just a passing familiarity with the Felt-Americans living in the area."
This got his attention. "You're a Friend of the Felt?"
I tried not to overstate my position. "In passing. I've met Albert at a few parties and we're friends on Facebook. It's not like I'm that close to the scene."
He grinned. "I've met the Alleycat before. Nice guy. Good deal."
"Do you want a tour? I've been coming here for years. I'm pretty familiar with some of the subtle details of the place."
"That would be swell."
I got up and gestured towards the main area, towards the Bison Hunt diorama. "C'mon, I'll show you where the rattlesnake button is hidden."
The green fella cheered, a "Yaaaaaaayyyy!" of pure enthusiasm.
Good times.
"Mind if I sit here too?"
It wasn't a squeaking voice but it had a squeaky quality to it. Sort of. It was hard to describe really, certainly unique. Momentarily annoyed that my peace had been broken, I looked up to observe the individual that had joined me.
There was no one there.
Before I could become too confused, there was a gentle cough. Looking down slightly, I could see the ... creature that had approached me. He was only a couple feet tall, green, and slightly fuzzy. He smiled. "Hi ho!"
I nodded towards the open end of the bench. "Sure. Go ahead."
He hopped up, literally, onto the bench and worked to make himself comfortable. "Thanks. Walking takes a lot out of the old flippers."
He raised a flipper attached to a skinny leg. "I can see that." This was an opportunity that couldn't be passed up. My phone could wait. "You're not from around here are you?"
"Nope. Just passing through. What gave me away? The accent?"
"Not really," I noted. "Just a passing familiarity with the Felt-Americans living in the area."
This got his attention. "You're a Friend of the Felt?"
I tried not to overstate my position. "In passing. I've met Albert at a few parties and we're friends on Facebook. It's not like I'm that close to the scene."
He grinned. "I've met the Alleycat before. Nice guy. Good deal."
"Do you want a tour? I've been coming here for years. I'm pretty familiar with some of the subtle details of the place."
"That would be swell."
I got up and gestured towards the main area, towards the Bison Hunt diorama. "C'mon, I'll show you where the rattlesnake button is hidden."
The green fella cheered, a "Yaaaaaaayyyy!" of pure enthusiasm.
Good times.
07 March 2009
'Yellowbeard' Review
Synopsis:
Captain Yellowbeard may well be the most feared pirate of all time, on his way to a career unmatched by any when he is captured by the British and convicted of tax evasion. He survives his 20 year sentence but escapes immediately upon being told that his sentence is being extended, all part of the plan to get Yellowbeard to reveal the location of the treasure he hid before his capture. The British government, former crew mates, the Spanish from which he pillaged the treasure, all chase after Yellowbeard and his team. Who will end up with the treasure in the end? Just remember, a Yellowbeard's never so dangerous as when he's dead!
Thoughts:
Over the years, I've read many opinions of this film, most of which express disappointment. This is understandable. The cast is a 'who's who' of comedy geniuses from the 60's and 70's: Graham Chapman, Cheech and Chong, Peter Cook, Eric Idle, Peter Boyle, Spike Milligan, John Cleese, Nigel Planer, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman, who died just after finishing filming his role. It should be a laugh riot from beginning to end. It's not really. A lot of the humour expressed is subtle, leaving stretches of time for giggling rather than guffawing. I think people over the years have expected this to be a pirate version of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' and it's not.
I do feel it's funnier than people have reported it to be over the years. Yesterday was the second or third time I've seen the movie but it's been years since I watched my ropey, edited, pan and scan, taped from TV copy of the movie. Since that last viewing, I've gotten and read a book about the film. Last night I watched a crisp, colorful, letterboxed, DVD copy of the movie. I knew more what to expect going in to the film this time than I did before. It's better than I expected and not at the same time.
Graham Chapman's Yellowbeard character needs to motivate this film, to take charge of it, and he does. He's a crazed man of action that can be barely reasoned with when necessary. Everything revolves around Yellowbeard. The problem is that, when Yellowbeard is not on the screen, the energy immediately flags. This is necessary, to give us a break, but also makes things feel boring when it shouldn't. It's not unlike the boredom some feel when Captain Jack Sparrow isn't on screen in the 'Pirates of the Carribean' movies, if Jack was nigh-invulnerable and was threating to rape Keira Knightley every five minutes.
I have to compare pirate movies as they are all the same in a lot of ways, aren't they? There's a treasure, there's a trip by ship, there's a sword fight or three, ship fight, and a primary pirate. Everything else is bonus.
The story plays out like a parody of 'Treasure Island'. You get the pirate, a young man, a scientist/doctor type, and an older man as the main crew. The pirate's on the side of the 'goody guys' but isn't to be trusted. They go looking for a treasure. Others chase them. Lather, rinse, repeat. If Disney had made a Pirates movie in the 60s, this would be a parody of that as well.
Like 'The Holy Grail' certain historical details are more accurate than the average period film of the time. The jail that Yellowbeard is imprisoned in is an example of this as is the expectation that no one would survive 20 years in one.
The failing of the film is that there are so many comics in it. Not everyone gets to be funny, to build a strange comic character, as the film doesn't break the pirate movie format enough. It's too much parody and not enough original. Peter Cook stands out as the primary example of this problem. He plays the drunken Lord in the 'older man' role of the crew. While he stays in this mumbling, bumbling role very well over the course of the film, he doesn't get to do much of anything. He has one bright moment of Peter Cook like comedy about mid-way through the film and then burbles again. It's not that he does nothing, he just doesn't get to do enough.
On the plus side, a lot of the subtle comedy is fun once one stops being disappointed that Yellowbeard isn't headbutting someone into oblivion. Spike Milligan has the briefest of cameos but he spends the whole time being normal crazed Spike Milligan. It made me laugh.
I remember the movie feeling very uneven but I didn't get that feeling watching it this time. I also remember Yellowbeard disappearing for half the film but I didn't feel that this time either.
Is it perfect? A forgotten, neglected gem? Not quite. Is it better than it's been received in the past? Yes, I believe so.
Recommended.
Captain Yellowbeard may well be the most feared pirate of all time, on his way to a career unmatched by any when he is captured by the British and convicted of tax evasion. He survives his 20 year sentence but escapes immediately upon being told that his sentence is being extended, all part of the plan to get Yellowbeard to reveal the location of the treasure he hid before his capture. The British government, former crew mates, the Spanish from which he pillaged the treasure, all chase after Yellowbeard and his team. Who will end up with the treasure in the end? Just remember, a Yellowbeard's never so dangerous as when he's dead!
Thoughts:
Over the years, I've read many opinions of this film, most of which express disappointment. This is understandable. The cast is a 'who's who' of comedy geniuses from the 60's and 70's: Graham Chapman, Cheech and Chong, Peter Cook, Eric Idle, Peter Boyle, Spike Milligan, John Cleese, Nigel Planer, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman, who died just after finishing filming his role. It should be a laugh riot from beginning to end. It's not really. A lot of the humour expressed is subtle, leaving stretches of time for giggling rather than guffawing. I think people over the years have expected this to be a pirate version of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' and it's not.
I do feel it's funnier than people have reported it to be over the years. Yesterday was the second or third time I've seen the movie but it's been years since I watched my ropey, edited, pan and scan, taped from TV copy of the movie. Since that last viewing, I've gotten and read a book about the film. Last night I watched a crisp, colorful, letterboxed, DVD copy of the movie. I knew more what to expect going in to the film this time than I did before. It's better than I expected and not at the same time.
Graham Chapman's Yellowbeard character needs to motivate this film, to take charge of it, and he does. He's a crazed man of action that can be barely reasoned with when necessary. Everything revolves around Yellowbeard. The problem is that, when Yellowbeard is not on the screen, the energy immediately flags. This is necessary, to give us a break, but also makes things feel boring when it shouldn't. It's not unlike the boredom some feel when Captain Jack Sparrow isn't on screen in the 'Pirates of the Carribean' movies, if Jack was nigh-invulnerable and was threating to rape Keira Knightley every five minutes.
I have to compare pirate movies as they are all the same in a lot of ways, aren't they? There's a treasure, there's a trip by ship, there's a sword fight or three, ship fight, and a primary pirate. Everything else is bonus.
The story plays out like a parody of 'Treasure Island'. You get the pirate, a young man, a scientist/doctor type, and an older man as the main crew. The pirate's on the side of the 'goody guys' but isn't to be trusted. They go looking for a treasure. Others chase them. Lather, rinse, repeat. If Disney had made a Pirates movie in the 60s, this would be a parody of that as well.
Like 'The Holy Grail' certain historical details are more accurate than the average period film of the time. The jail that Yellowbeard is imprisoned in is an example of this as is the expectation that no one would survive 20 years in one.
The failing of the film is that there are so many comics in it. Not everyone gets to be funny, to build a strange comic character, as the film doesn't break the pirate movie format enough. It's too much parody and not enough original. Peter Cook stands out as the primary example of this problem. He plays the drunken Lord in the 'older man' role of the crew. While he stays in this mumbling, bumbling role very well over the course of the film, he doesn't get to do much of anything. He has one bright moment of Peter Cook like comedy about mid-way through the film and then burbles again. It's not that he does nothing, he just doesn't get to do enough.
On the plus side, a lot of the subtle comedy is fun once one stops being disappointed that Yellowbeard isn't headbutting someone into oblivion. Spike Milligan has the briefest of cameos but he spends the whole time being normal crazed Spike Milligan. It made me laugh.
I remember the movie feeling very uneven but I didn't get that feeling watching it this time. I also remember Yellowbeard disappearing for half the film but I didn't feel that this time either.
Is it perfect? A forgotten, neglected gem? Not quite. Is it better than it's been received in the past? Yes, I believe so.
Recommended.
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