Image adapted from http://www.capedwonder.com/newwebsite/pages/Noel-Neill.htm
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
The Remarkable Spider-Ranks
To make my week even more inspired, I was paid a visit by my long lost Bredrin, Spider-Ranks. He heard about my troubles with the Heroes Academy and paid me a visit. Really really good to see him.
When I finished telling him about my chat with SuperMan, Spider-Ranks kissed his teeth and said,
"We'll show dem fool who is de true Hero! When more of we Dread army rise up, we will show the world where true righteousness resides. Let dem gwan!"
True words Spider-Ranks. True words indeed.
Artwork copyright of Spider-Ranks
When I finished telling him about my chat with SuperMan, Spider-Ranks kissed his teeth and said,
"We'll show dem fool who is de true Hero! When more of we Dread army rise up, we will show the world where true righteousness resides. Let dem gwan!"
True words Spider-Ranks. True words indeed.
Artwork copyright of Spider-Ranks
You can see more of The Remarkable Spider-Ranks at his blog, click here.
Normal service resumed
In keeping with Biblical tradition, on the eighth day I got back to work with a new boost of energy. I felt like nothing could stop me. Not even the poor train service.
I felt on top of the world.
And not even that crappy Olympic logo could get me down!
Peace!
Artwork copyright of Daniel Johnson
I felt on top of the world.
Artwork copyright of Daniel Johnson
And not even that crappy Olympic logo could get me down!
Peace!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
The Next Seven Days
Superman had really got me down, but I understood his position, though still didn't agree with it. Over the next seven days I spiralled into a mild depression, thinking about the pressure this would put on my family.
Being cut off from Krypton was a major blow. They still supported us financially and also were invaluable with advice. Mindread was quite philosophical and said that it was probably for the best.
"We big people now." Was mostly what she said.
"We have to fend for ourselves. I'm sad, but also happy."
I'm sure Mindread was a follower of Zen in a previous life! I wasn't as confident. The tabloids are a tough army to fight.
To take my mind off it I was looking after the children every evening this week whilst Mindread was putting in some overtime between USA and Iran. I was helping the children to read. The 6 year old picked up the story of The Seven Virtues from the book case, because it contained the number of the age she was next going to be.
"But this isn't really a story book", I told her. "It's only a quote for the day."
"That's fine. I like quotes."
It was customary that after she had read a page she could draw a picture to help her remember it.
Here's the results.
Chastity
(Purity, opposes Lust)
Courage and boldness. Embracing of moral wholesomeness and achieving purity of thought through education and betterment.
Abstinence
(Self-control, opposes Gluttony)
Constant mindfulness of others and one's surroundings; practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation.
Liberality
(Generosity, opposes Greed)
Generosity. Willingness to give. A nobility of thought or actions.
Diligence
(Ethics, opposes Sloth)
A zealous and careful nature in one's actions and work. Decisive work ethic. Budgeting one's time; monitoring one's own activities to guard against laziness.
Patience
(Peace, opposes Wrath)
Forbearance and endurance through moderation. Resolving conflicts peacefully, as opposed to resorting to violence. The ability to forgive; to show mercy to sinners.
Kindness
(Satisfaction, opposes Envy)
Charity, compassion, friendship, and sympathy without prejudice and for its own sake.
Humility
(Modesty, opposes Pride)
Modest behavior, selflessness, and the giving of respect. Giving credit where credit is due; not unfairly glorifying one's own self.
At the end of the week I asked her why she hadn't drawn pictures for the past two days.
"Because mum says your head is big enough already."
That night I got over my depression, and planned to get back to work. We big people now.
Being cut off from Krypton was a major blow. They still supported us financially and also were invaluable with advice. Mindread was quite philosophical and said that it was probably for the best.
"We big people now." Was mostly what she said.
"We have to fend for ourselves. I'm sad, but also happy."
I'm sure Mindread was a follower of Zen in a previous life! I wasn't as confident. The tabloids are a tough army to fight.
To take my mind off it I was looking after the children every evening this week whilst Mindread was putting in some overtime between USA and Iran. I was helping the children to read. The 6 year old picked up the story of The Seven Virtues from the book case, because it contained the number of the age she was next going to be.
"But this isn't really a story book", I told her. "It's only a quote for the day."
"That's fine. I like quotes."
It was customary that after she had read a page she could draw a picture to help her remember it.
Here's the results.
Chastity
(Purity, opposes Lust)
Courage and boldness. Embracing of moral wholesomeness and achieving purity of thought through education and betterment.
Abstinence
(Self-control, opposes Gluttony)
Constant mindfulness of others and one's surroundings; practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation.
Liberality
(Generosity, opposes Greed)
Generosity. Willingness to give. A nobility of thought or actions.
Diligence
(Ethics, opposes Sloth)
A zealous and careful nature in one's actions and work. Decisive work ethic. Budgeting one's time; monitoring one's own activities to guard against laziness.
Patience
(Peace, opposes Wrath)
Forbearance and endurance through moderation. Resolving conflicts peacefully, as opposed to resorting to violence. The ability to forgive; to show mercy to sinners.
Kindness
(Satisfaction, opposes Envy)
Charity, compassion, friendship, and sympathy without prejudice and for its own sake.
Humility
(Modesty, opposes Pride)
Modest behavior, selflessness, and the giving of respect. Giving credit where credit is due; not unfairly glorifying one's own self.
At the end of the week I asked her why she hadn't drawn pictures for the past two days.
"Because mum says your head is big enough already."
That night I got over my depression, and planned to get back to work. We big people now.
Contest of the Soul
SuperMan: Why do you want to do this Work?
SuperDread: I know nothing else. I feel nothing else.
SM: What are you going to bring the we (SM, BatMan, SpiderMan, etc, etc) are not already providing?
SD: I'm not looking to provide anything new, but to compliment. Badness is still in this world. You can't stop it all. Everyone needs help.
SM: What if I told you that we don't want your help.
SD: I wouldn't say a thing. What would you expect me to say?
SM: Look, I'll tell it to you straight SuperDread. There's concern in the Heroes Academy that there will be a backlash, and that you won't be able to handle it. And it will also make us look bad.
SD: What are you talking about?
SM: Look at this.
SuperMan showed me an editorial from the Daily Conservative. The headline screamed, "Ghetto hustlers turn crime fighters!"
The main body begin with, "You can take the man out of the ghetto, but can you take the ghetto out of the man? Whilst we applaud the fact that some of the children of coloured West Indian immigrants are now wanting to embrace our core values of right over wrong (that we so cherish in the country), we have to share our concern over their credentials....."
The article went on that it was wrong for "rebelliious" dreadlocked "youth" to be "playing cops and robbers" in their communities, and that maintaining law and order should be left to the "wise and trained officers of the police service" and the "clean-cut sons and daughters in the SuperHeroes Academy".
It continued to say that government resources should be spent on boosting the police service rather than promoting "insane schemes with a multicultural agenda" that encourged "vigillantes" and "self appointed community judge and jury".
The closing rant included the phrase "politically correct gone mad!"
I finished reading the article and looked up at SuperMan.
SD: So do you agree with this?
SM: No, no. I just needed to warn you that they will be out to get you.
SD: Who's they?
SM: The tabloids. They will be after us as well - the academy. That is why we need you to stop what you are doing. We just can't afford the bad publicity. Not after the BatMan and Robin scandal.
SD: What scandal???
SM: Oh, you haven't heard?! Uh..nothing!
I had to let that juicy bit of gossip go by.
SD: And what if I tell you I don't care. That I'll just carry on anyway, regardless?
SM: Then we have no choice but to cut you off. You will have no contact with your family and friends on Krypton and you, your wife and children are banished forever. Once you cross that line there is no turning back.
I stood up and asked the pizza waitress to get my cape from the cloakroom.
SD: So be it.
SM: You have seven days to think about it. Then you are on your own.
SD: Goodbye....cousin.
SM: Goodbye....friend.
SuperDread: I know nothing else. I feel nothing else.
SM: What are you going to bring the we (SM, BatMan, SpiderMan, etc, etc) are not already providing?
SD: I'm not looking to provide anything new, but to compliment. Badness is still in this world. You can't stop it all. Everyone needs help.
SM: What if I told you that we don't want your help.
SD: I wouldn't say a thing. What would you expect me to say?
SM: Look, I'll tell it to you straight SuperDread. There's concern in the Heroes Academy that there will be a backlash, and that you won't be able to handle it. And it will also make us look bad.
SD: What are you talking about?
SM: Look at this.
SuperMan showed me an editorial from the Daily Conservative. The headline screamed, "Ghetto hustlers turn crime fighters!"
The main body begin with, "You can take the man out of the ghetto, but can you take the ghetto out of the man? Whilst we applaud the fact that some of the children of coloured West Indian immigrants are now wanting to embrace our core values of right over wrong (that we so cherish in the country), we have to share our concern over their credentials....."
The article went on that it was wrong for "rebelliious" dreadlocked "youth" to be "playing cops and robbers" in their communities, and that maintaining law and order should be left to the "wise and trained officers of the police service" and the "clean-cut sons and daughters in the SuperHeroes Academy".
It continued to say that government resources should be spent on boosting the police service rather than promoting "insane schemes with a multicultural agenda" that encourged "vigillantes" and "self appointed community judge and jury".
The closing rant included the phrase "politically correct gone mad!"
I finished reading the article and looked up at SuperMan.
SD: So do you agree with this?
SM: No, no. I just needed to warn you that they will be out to get you.
SD: Who's they?
SM: The tabloids. They will be after us as well - the academy. That is why we need you to stop what you are doing. We just can't afford the bad publicity. Not after the BatMan and Robin scandal.
SD: What scandal???
SM: Oh, you haven't heard?! Uh..nothing!
I had to let that juicy bit of gossip go by.
SD: And what if I tell you I don't care. That I'll just carry on anyway, regardless?
SM: Then we have no choice but to cut you off. You will have no contact with your family and friends on Krypton and you, your wife and children are banished forever. Once you cross that line there is no turning back.
I stood up and asked the pizza waitress to get my cape from the cloakroom.
SD: So be it.
SM: You have seven days to think about it. Then you are on your own.
SD: Goodbye....cousin.
SM: Goodbye....friend.
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