Thursday, November 11, 2004

Wake me up before you go go
My parents are still slightly on Euro-time, so I was awoken at six AM on a day off by noises in the kitchen. It's hard for me, in particular, to sleep in, because any time someone opens the garage door, my floor vibrates. I don't know why I put this paragraph here, but it seemed like a good way to start off.

Yasaar Arifat, father of modern terrorism, is dead. Now, I'm not going to celebrate the fact that someone died, even if that persnon's a total scumbag. But I'm really, really not upset by his death. Really.

Tuesday night I went to an honor society meeting and we got into some sort of Intellectual Discussion. Most of it was boring, but something interesting happened, and I think I may have put off some folks.

Someone mentioned how "the government" would never let such and such an event occur. I countered, "The government is a reflection of the people's will, not vice versa. It'll do what we tell it to."

To which the response was: "Please, the government doesn't listen to people, just big corportations."

Me: "And what are corporations made up of?"

teacher: "Look, you're both making good points, but I think there is a real disconnect between the people and their governments. I voted for a new school board director, and I think he's the best guy from the list of options, but he's still never spent a day in a classroom."

Me: "Then why didn't you run, sir?"

Teacher: "Well, that's a nice idea, but realistically, I'd never get any support."

Me: "I think a lot of people would like an actual educator on the board than just a politician; didn't you just say that's what you wanted?"

Teacher: "Well, it's time to go now."

Basically, the point I was trying to make, that wasn't recieved at all, was that the government, and corporations and such, are made up of people that can be engaged by other people on a personal level, government especially.

It's easy to make the government to be some ominous faceless entity, because it absolves you of responsibility to change it; if it's really such an inhuman thing, why try to fight it?

But if you realize that the government is not only made up of people, but made up of people that will be responsive to the needs of other people, then you realize that you can change it.

People who think like the other student did, in terms of the big government and faceless corporations, won't change anything in the world because they don't understand that they even have that power. People who realize that the world is run by other people that can be reasoned with will change the world, one person at a time.

Ahem.

I have a new schedule for next semester: I'm taking Liberal Arts, Marine Bio, Acting and a Leadership course. I have three classes on Thursday, but only one class each on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. And I'm still at the Brandon campus; coulda' been a lot worse.

And, as promised, a five-part comic review. Yay!

Part 1: Venom Vs. Carnage part IV.

You know my favorite type a' story resolution? The kinds that actualy resolve things; 'fraid that this doesn't fit the bill. You know, I was really into this mini-series when it started in late July, but it took so long coming out, my interest wanned. It should have just been a 64 page one-shot with less plot and more mindless action.

Since the whole thing boiled down to mindless action, we wouldn't have been missing much...

Part Two: Spider-Girl-Secrets Kill

After a fight with the Goblin Queen, just about anything was bound to be a let-down. And this one was, with a pretty formulaic plot. But, it's more about the journey than the destination, right? The art and such was nice, but, ultimatly, nothing was really accomplished. Sigh.

Part Three: Ultimate Spider-Man-Popular

First Wolverine, now the Human Tourch? Uh, cool, I guess. Peter Parker meets Johhny Storm for the first time in the universe, but hat I really liked was the relationship focus for Peter and MJ.

I get the feeling that the book's trying to achieve a shift in their tone, which wouldn't be inappropriate; it's been rather doom and gloom for a bit, especially when Gwen was murdered by Carnage. Also, Peter's still holding to his vow of not being Spider-Man anymore, so it's interesting to see his new response to rather sensational events.

Part Four: Spectacular Spider-Man- Read 'Em an' Weep

Since Paul Jenkins' tenure on the book is almost up, I best enjoy it while it lasts. What do super heroes do on a Saturday night? Get together for a round of poker! (Of course, the proceeds go to charity.) The odd premise gets much more interesting when the Kingpin enters to raise the stakes.

Can Spider-Man beat the unholy power of the Kingpin's full house?

Part Five: Marvel Knights Spider-Man-Venomous part IV.

I love this comic book. Books like this are why I buy comic books.

Peter Parker's high-school reunion is crashed by the new Venom on the block, and things take a turn for the worse, for all parties. Also featuring the return of the Mystery Guy, who's still a mystery, though he is shown clinging to a radio tower five-hundred feet in the air.

I can't think of enough cool things to say about this book. It's really good. And, as an added bonus, I love this month's cover.

Well, I'm a' gonna' scat, so you guys have fun without me.

Thought of the moment: Take a moment to honor your veterns today.

Quote of the moment: "Dude, I can't believe you're just a high school teacher! I always thought you'd be something cool, like a cop or a Navy Seal, but you're nothing under that mask! My doorman probably makes more than you do!" -Angelo Fortunato, "Marvel Knights Spider-Man"

Song of the moment:

"Name", Goo Goo Dolls

And even though the moment passed me by
I still can't turn away
'Cause all the dreams you never thought you'd lose
Got tossed along the way
And letters that you never meant to send
Get lost or thrown away


And now we're grown up orphans
That never knew their names
We don't belong to no one
That's a shame

But if you could hide beside me
Maybe for a while
And I won't tell no one your name
And I won't tell em' your name


And scars are souvenirs you never lose
The past is never far
Did you lose yourself somewhere out there
Did you get to be a star
And don't it make you sad to know that life
Is more than who we are


We grew up way too fast
And now there's nothing to believe
Reruns all become our history
A tired song keeps playing on a tired radio
And I won't tell no one your name
And I won't tell em' your name
I won't tell em' your name
Mmm, mmm, mmm,

I won't tell em' your name… Ow!


I think about you all the time
But I don't need the same
It's lonely where you are come back down,
And I won't tell em your name

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