Fictional Heroes

It's early still but I've been keeping an eye out on Democratic candidates for the '08 elections and so far, I've been watching Bill Richardson for possibilities. But this past weekend, it seems that Richardson's been saying stuff that leaves people like me wondering if this is for real.

More and more, it seems like Richardson, while having a great resume, won't be a standard-bearer for more leftist leaning voters like me. That's too bad because I really wanted someone in the White House who had diplomacy background since I think the next four years will require someone there who has some insight into world tensions. So now, I'll have to cast my eye towards the big three: Clinton, Obama and Edwards. And of these, I have to say I think Clinton's the one that can handle World Events. I just hope she can win.

Oh, the title of this post? I was just wishing that Josiah Bartlett was running.

It's the Little Things

It's really the little things in life that make me happy.

I just scored this Timex Ironman Watch and for some reason, everytime I catch a glimpse of it peeking out from under my sleeve, I just grin and grin. Then I'll walk to a dark spot in the office and light it up with the Indiglo and grin again.

I'm very easily amused.

Old Bait Still Works!

Sometimes, human nature just cracks me up.

For all our intelligence, sometimes it's amazing how some people get snookered in time and time again by the same bait. At some point, I think the fun I get from watching people open doors just to find a pie in their face will wear off, but after a year, I'm still tickled by the seemingly autonomous reactions of some.

I guess that's why Lucy kept playing football with Charlie Brown.

Marshall Rogers Died?!? Who Else?!?

I went with Bratworse to the dentist today and picked up a fairly recent Time magazine. Flippping through its pages, I stopped at Milestones (where the magazine recounts births, deaths and transitions) because there was an image of Batman at the bottom of the page.

(Note: Any self-respecting comic fan ALWAYS stops if there's a comic-related visual around)

The milestone was for Marshall Rogers' passing.

Last week, I read that Byron Preiss was killed in an auto accident in 2005.

There is a distinct sense in me, that time is passing.

Marshall Rogers (whom I've never met, but I've had the pleasure of working with his oft-partner in crime - Steve Englehart) drew THE Batman in the 70's (Steve wrote them, Marshall drew 'em). Marshall also gave the elongated look to Marvel's Iron Fist, Colleen Wing and Misty Knight. In the 80's, through Eclipse Comics, Marshall Rogers published his own Cap'n Quick and a Foozle, which I loved.

Rest in peace, Marshall Rogers. Thank you for giving comic book fans a great alternative to the campy Batman that was on TV.

Byron Preiss was a publisher I worked with A LOT in the 90's. In any given week, I had a client working for Byron Preiss Visual Publications. In fact, I considered his editor, Howard Zimmerman, a pretty decent friend - I always visited him and his wife when on business in New York. Byron was ALWAYS friendly to me at his office and at conventions. Every San Diego, he'd be there in his business suit, pressed at the beginning of the show, but showing rumples towards the end of the day. Byron'd always be grinning, wiping his forehead with his white hanky, pushing up his glasses, showing me their latest project and wondering which of my clients would be best for the project.

It was a true shock reading articles about his death. Byron was a nice man, who really wanted to make a mark in the comic book field. Byron, you did. Thanks for all the work you gave my clients. RIP, Byron. I'll miss you.

No More Limbo...

... but apparently, purgatory still exists.

The Catholic Church decided today that the concept of Limbo no longer belongs within the Catholic Faith.

However, should you wish to, you can now damn people through the web.

[Image from "Descent into Limbo" by Giovanni Bellini]

Proof!

Does Bratworse look like she's about to learn how to break her limbs snowboard?

She's a much braver soul than I, that's for sure. The closest I'll get to snowboarding is playing SSX on the Wii or the XBox.

Still, she looks way cool, doesn't she? That's my Bratworse!

Dyke Car

An old writing buddy just IM'd me and I told her I had just bought a new car and that's it's such a dyke car.

Her IMMEDIATE response?

"Subaru?"

ROFL

I guess ever since The L Word, Subaru's have been associated with dykes. But, my friend was wrong in one aspect. I got a Baja, not an Outback.

Jump to Conclusions Much?

Apparently, a couple of people (like Dr. Phil) decided with no evidence whatsoever, that the shooter in the Virginia Tech shootings HAD to have played video games.

After all, video games like the Grand Theft Auto series depicted above, must be the reason why someone would shoot 32 people dead, right?

WRONG!

No video games, not even something as innocuous as Tetris, NONE was found in the shooter's room.

Can we stop jumping to conclusions about gaming now? SHEESH!

New Look

Well, what do you all think? I changed the look of the blog partially because Bratworse had always hated the old design and mostly because I realized that the old template couldn't do what this new template can do.

I'm pretty happy with the changes, especially since the labels that contain more than 20 posts will have access to the older ones as well now. That was the big problem with the old design; if a label had more than 20 posts, it didn't give you access to the older ones.

This redesign is nice and clean with good colors. Hope you all enjoy the changes as well.

There is NOTHING like

being greeted by a one year old and a three year old just grinning their faces off at the sight of you.

Or hearing the three-year-old screaming "She's HERE!!!!!" over and over again.

Or seeing the one-year-old shiver with delight because you lifted her into your arms.

Or having the three-year-old realize it's you in the dark and she's so astonished and delighted that she's stunned into silence.

Or having the one-year-old yearn for Mom and yet let herself be persuaded by you that stickers are much more interesting than whining for Momma.

Can you tell I had a good time with my two pals?

Weather Permitting

Grandma,

What a hard week it's been, huh? I don't think it fully set it that you won't bring me soup, coloring book and new crayons, even though I have a ghastly cold right now. You won't be there to grab my arm and comment that I am wearing your clothes, even though they were way too small for an adult, they HAD to be mine! Yea, I'll wear your clothes grandma, but you're reading my books!

Remember how crazy we were? Our trips to Disney Land, Bush Gardens?

"Grandma, drive fast through the puddles so I can see the rain dance!"

Me hanging out at your office,
"Grandma, I'm so bored... what can I do?"
"Why don't you count to 1,000?" ... 1...2...
"Grandma, what comes after 100? 200? 500?"

Some how we managed to drive from Florida to North Carolina, or was it the other direction? It was the first time I got to drive through rain puddles for you. I can't tell you how happy it made me when you asked me to. Of course you'd follow that with, "I want a milkshake," and it was freezing rain outside!

I think I was in denial all of last week. And, now... now! with my final (test) on wednesday, and my final (project) due on Friday (April 7th), I find you sitting in front of me, knocking on my brain, "hey... hey... give me a minute, cause this is going to be hard and I know it." Of course it didn't help matters any when I decided to center my final project in memory of you. I've titled my short animation "Weather Permitting," in tribute to your wonderful life and... well... you know.

Even though I would be away for so long, every time I returned you remembered who I am. I will never forget the love and happiness you shared and gave to me, and still give to me, even though I'm currently crying 'cause of you.

I have to admit though, I hope you don't keep up your end of the bargain. I am not sure I'd be able to keep it together if I can't find my shoes one day. Ever since I heard of your passing, I find myself looking over, just to make sure they're are still there.

Love,
-w

Weather Permitting:

In Memory of

Lefteria "Tillie" Kneffler
March 14, 1929 to
March 28, 2007

Invasions

Just got a call from Bratworse asking about casinos nearby.

Squinting a bit suspiciously, I ask "Why, your dad thinking of moving here?"

"Yup!" came the joyous and bouncy answer.

"Hmm" I grunt into the phone. "So is your cousin?"

"Uh-huh!"

I think the Right's idea of painting California/San Francisco (see Nancy Pelosi being demonized as the representative of [ick] San Francisco) as icky liberal places is working: everyone now wants to move here.

And She Wonders Why...

So I'm watching Bratworse pack for her upcoming trip to see her family back in Florida and what do I spy?

Bratworse is packing a six-pack of water in her luggage.

Sniggers start emanating from my closed mouth. Bratworse cocks an eyebrow backed with an accusatory squint. To hear the protests start, I mutter, "And you wonder why they think you've become elitist."

A gasp is the retort I get. "But.... they don't buy water there! If I don't bring the water, I have to drink tap!"

"Exactly! And you wonder..."

"But TAP! I can't get this water out there!"

"Then don't wonder anymore why they think you've become 'cultured' and 'elitist'."

"It's freakin' water!"

I suppress the urge to point out so is tap water. I have too much fun picking on Bratworse sometimes.

Throwing Up Builds Abs

Last week, I caught a minor cold. Since my late 30's, my body has been rejecting mucus so the only way to get rid of it is by throwing up. Well, Saturday and Sunday I felt better but Bratworse got sick. Monday, I went into work, only to find the office FREEZING! When I left, the office was still at 60° but was warming up. Well, the temperature made me worse.

I started feeling really ill again on Monday night, and by Tuesday, the cold had descended into my chest.

Well, with the mold around (yes, almost a year later and the mold's still here) and my asthma acting up, I've spent the last two days throwing up.

Poor Bratworse had to deal with being sick herself, having finals this week, AND being woken up multiple times a nigh due to my hacking and subsequent vomiting.

BUT! Want to hear the good news (aside from me feeling MUCH better due to a generic Mucinex type medicine)?

My abs are SO sore and it feels like I did about 75 crunches.

Oh, that photo above? It's Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) from Xena - I spent seasons 3, 4, 5 & 6 staring at those abs. A girl can dream, can't she?