Gun Talk

I've flew into the gun factory unannounced. I had enough of their destruction on the streets and needed to do something to stop it. I was angry and upset and was ready to mash anyone I found in the place…or so I thought….but what I found in the factory shocked me. Women, children and poor peasant men were operating the machines, their eyes bloodshot and their hands scabbed. Instantly my rage turned to sadness as I walked amongst the rows and rows and rows and rows of downtrodding folk producing the true weapons of mass destruction. None even stopped to glance up at me. To fix this problem is more complex simply shutting down the factory, as that will cause more pain and suffering. This may be the biggest challenge yet. In Selassie I name my heart felt heavy and my soul felt weak.

As I strode amongst the corridors of woe I heard voices – until now all I could hear was the clanking of machines and the tearing of fleshy hands. I was drawn to the voices and located them to a back room, and watched them with my x-ray eyes. These men were different. Well fed, sharp suits, gold jewellery, joy in their faces, satisfaction in their eyes and money in their pockets.

The magnitude of the challenge ahead made me giddy. I flew home, and started to draw up a plan.

[To be continued...]

SpiderRanks at the Source

One evening I was busy fighting an evil force in another dimension in space & time, and I would have lost my life if it wasn't for a friend. That's right, even SuperHeroes are destructible. The evil force I was fighting wasn't a physical presence, but a aura. A force in scientific terms. Negative Energy. It was called ignorance.

I managed to track down the source gets transported to Earth to close people's minds and hearts. I came across it by accident, just being nosey really pocking my head in a solar system to pass the time. Sensing a strange radiation, I followed the trail and found the source of a huge percentage of negativity. It was like discovering Atlantis. People say it exists but also people doubt it. I found what all SuperHeroes were after, but I didn't have the experience to know what to do next. So I just dived in looking for the plug switch to turn off. That was a huge mistake.

As soon as I entered the source – which was like a fiery furnace and a comforting decadent palace combined - I was in grave danger of being overwhelmed by negativity. My body became instantly battered and bruised and my brain was changed shape inside my skull. All my wants, weaknesses and prejudices came to the fore and replaced the positive thoughts that were once the gatekeepers of my mind. I was being consumed by the negativity because I didn't Overstand the source, and was becoming part of it. Rather than diving straight in, I should have observed it first. It is a mistake that nearly cost me my life.

I have to thank JAH alone for what happened next. It turns out I wasn't the first discoverer of this source as my ego had imagined. A long lost humble SuperHero by the name of Spider Ranks had got their first, and was watching - getting to Overstand the source. It's comings & goings and the way it worked. He has been trained well. I will meditate on that teaching. Every experience is a lesson.

Just as I was losing consciousness I felt a heavy hand on my ankle dragging my near-dead body away, back into the light. SpiderRanks whispered into my ear Psalm 121, then spun a web through my ear which acted as a balm for my damaged brain. The was a process that f*+!%#g hurt, but I was thankful for it all the same. He left me as he saw my eyes opening and flew off. He left his business card in my hand – a ball of web which, when in danger or in need of assistance, I should throw in the air in the direction of the East. I keep it safe. As I say, I thank JAH alone for that Bredrin.

Now I am back and recovered, I hope. Diving into the source is an experience I will never forget and has probably changed me forever. I will return to destroy it totally one day, with SpiderRanks and others. For now we must try to Overstand it. The key to this Overstanding is – how does the source get it Power? If we can Overstand that, we can cut the source off at its own source. Otherwise we are just feeding it.

I look forward to that struggle. For now, Stay Blessed and keep on fighting the good fight.

Stay Blessed.

Gordon Brown and the Bogey-gate Scandal

Image adapted from http://www.capedwonder.com/newwebsite/pages/Noel-Neill.htm

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

One night in the US

Me and Superman went out for a pizza for a chat, and then caught a show at a local comedy club the Laugh Factory to catch a show by that crazy guy Kramer from the Seinfield show. We didn't realise he was some racist lunatic!! In normal circumstances we would have gone back stage to make sure no one hurt him, as we usually protect anyone from harm, but on that particular night, we just couldn't be bothered!

To get over our shock, we thought we'de really entertain ourselves by turning ourselves invisible and sneaking in to watch Bush give a performance in the Senate.

Not sure about him being president, but this guy is a born entertainer!!





After the show, Superman and I went to a late night juice bar and got down to talk about serious business.

SUPERMAN: We need to talk about your SuperHero work.

SUPERDREAD: We don't need to talk about anything! You want to talk about it.

SUPERMAN: The family have called for you to come back home, to Kyrpton. You are needed there, to work for the academy of Heroes. Just like your uncle.

SUPERDREAD: And sell myself out you mean.

SUPERMAN: So you'de rather be a 2bit superhero in the subhurbs than a world famous Hero for all eterntity?

SUPERDREAD: I have my principles. I'm not going to join some elitist superhero club. I'm work for the peoople. Grassroots level.

SUPERMAN: But I can even get you a SuperDread movie, staring alongside Chevy Chase and Rosanne Barr.

SUPERDREAD: Really????


To be continued........

Many Mansions

On the home home from my last day at the call centre, I felt nervous of the commitment ahead. I decided to pay some visits to boost my spirits.

I paid a visit to the Nyabinghi house and chanted with the Idrin and beat thunder on the drum.

I paid a visit to the Twelve Tribes HQ and read a Bible chapter with the Idrin and Reasoned on the meaning.

I paid a visit to The Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress Church of Salvation and broke bread with the BoboShanti Priests and praised the name of His Imperial Majesty and gave Iternal thanks.

I paid a visit to 'The Others' (Highness, Black Cat, Wrap Girl, TrodGarvey, Fly Fro, SoulJah Ites and Fiyah Man). We relaxed and Reasoned on the state of the world and drew up strategies of action.

The doorbell rang. The old man appeared from no where and answered the door. He came back moments later with Mindread trailing behind him.

"Sorry to interrupt Aaron, but it's probably best you come home. We've got a visitor."

A practicing SuperHero (or a real one?)

I decided to hand in my notice at the call centre. Mindread and I talked about the whole SuperHero thing, and she told me she was active again. I think I kind of knew, but was in denial.

We calculated that if we both go fulltime SuperHeroes we would be much poorer but happier, so that is what we have decided to do. It's frustrating though as, even though SuperHeores get an allowence from the Krypton Council, the means testing they use to calculate how much people get penalises those who want to do it full time - so you get a load of part time crime fighters doing a half arses job, and those of us who want to dedicate our lives to the cause have to fly around in second hand holey SuperSuits. There is also a huge backlog of applications not yet processed and miscalculated.

Yes readers, sadly even in the world of SuperPowers, there is still politricks and illogocal rules in place, and at play.

See Wrap Girl in disguise on an undercover mission!!!

Let JAH be Praised! No joke thing!!!



Video Produced by:
Firstborn Creatives
and
Calling the Shots

Dubya's Press Conference following the recent elections

Dubya - "If anyone has any suggestions about Iraq please let us know."

SuperDread (Reporting for Channel Zer0) - "Quit using Rumsfeld as a scapegoat. You should be the one resigning to let someone else call the shots."

Dubya - "Uh....thank you son. I'll bear that in mind. Someone get his name!"


Everyone in the press conference looked at me. One of the Dixie Chicks, who had snuck in under a disguise, smiled and put her thumbs up at me. She had tears in her eyes.

I looked around into everyone's eyes slightly confused. It suddenly dawned on me.

"Did I say that out loud?"

Matthew 6

Greetings Beloved.

Apologies for my absence!

Since the most Ispirational Coronation celebrations of the past week, I wept at the beauty of this livity. Even if I sometimes have doubts about this trod, highlighted by the arrival and comments by Drunk Uncle, the Upful vibrations of November 2nd simply blowed all that out of the water, and no negativity matters as I know that JAH is Ever Living, Ever Present and Ever Sure.

Since Drunk Uncle said about the more well know SuperHeroes watching me and Mindread and wanting us in their "gang", I've decided to keep my head down as I just want to do my own thing to be honest, and not be on the celebrity radar. But it's already happening.....

I had a call from US Vogue asking if me and Mindread would be willing to do a feature and showing off our homes. Mindread picked up the other phone and breathed fire down the line. I don't think they'll be calling us again in a while.

I've seen it all happen before with my sister Storm - as soon as Hollywood came knocking it all changed. Blade. Batman. Even good old Superman! Their hearts are in the right place, but as soon as the cameras are on them it turns into a show, rather than just for the good of it with no publicity. Whenever ego gets in the way, I'm reminded me of the teachings of Matthew 6.


[1] Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

[2] Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

[3] But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

[4] That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

[5] And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

[6] But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.


Whether a blog would past the Matthew 6 test, I'm not so sure......

BLESSED DAY

Shooting the Breeze

With the children in the deepness of sleep in bed, Mindread, Drunk Uncle and I talked all night. As the sun rose, so did the children.

That night we talked about everything.

"Uncle, why did you and my father stop speaking to eachother."

Answer: Because I said I had turned my back on Rastafari.

"Had you?"

Answer: "No!"

"Mindread, why did you stop being a SuperHero?"

Answer: "Because I needed to prioritise look after my own back yard."

"Would you ever consider taking it up again?"

Answer: "Maybe...."

When Mindread said this I looked hard at her trying to grab her attention. She deliberatly didn't glance my way.

"Uncle, why do you drink so much?"

Answer: "To forget."

"Does it work?"

Answer: "No."

"Aaron, why did you become a SuperHero?"

Answer: "Because I feel I can do some good in their world."

"To be honest, I'm not so sure."

At that moment the children flew (literally) down the stairs and jumped on my lap. Whilst this was happening Drunk Uncle produced a photograph in a frame from his bag. He handed it to me.





"Cool", "Awesome", "Radical", etc, etc. (The children thought the picture was great, seeing all their heroes and people they read about in history books. A couple of them were even their teachers back in Krypton. The picture used to be pride of place in the family home. The role of honour - it represented the equivilent of the Hollywood Hall of Fame. The day Uncle was asked to join was the family's proudest moment. It was also the day my father and uncle stopped talking. That was 20 years ago. They haven't spoken since.)

I took the picture and looked at Uncle.

"I've seen this before. Why are you showing me this?"

"I am hear to tell you dear nephew, you are to bestowed a great honour. The League want you to join them. They are impressed and want to honour you as one of the greats. Mindread, you also, for your services to the Work."

"Go on daddy!", "Go on mummy!" etc, etc

Mindread and I looked at eachother.

"Do you understand what an honour this is?" Uncle asked rhetorically.

I was speechless.

"There is one condition", Uncle added. "You will both have to cut your hair."

I was even more speechless. Mindread stood up and towered over Uncle. She looked stern.

"Is that what you did? Is that why you drink? To forget?"

My uncle said nothing, gathered his things together, including the photo, and headed for the door.

Before dissapearing into the morning light he made one final gesture.

"To have you both in the League would be a great honour."

"For who?"

Mindread and I looked at eachother. We both said our identical response at exactly the same time.

Uncle dissapeared. Even the children realised something was not quite right.

Friends and Countrymen

Drunk Uncle sat opposite me, as sober as a judge. But the night was still young, and he just reached into his bag to pull out his first can of beer. Mindread and I looked at eachother. It was going to be a long night.

“Do you remember when you and your mates used to shout out to me?” Drunk Uncle asked.

“Uh, what was that?”

“Most mornings, when you were about 11 or 12, you and ya mates would walk past my allotment on ya way to school and shout out to me. There was about 4 or 5 of you. You used to call me Bushman”

I remembered. Going up Hulk Road on the left hand side were a row of allotments and I would see my uncle planting stuff. I’m sure though it was he who used to always shout out to me, not the other way around. I have to admit I think I was a bit embarrassed about him being my uncle, as all the local kids used to make fun of him. When they found out he was my uncle, I’m ashamed to admit it now but I taunted him as well to deflect the focus from me. Whenever I’ve seen him since that guilt has always been in the back of my mind. Maybe that’s why I’ve always kept my distance. Now though, all these years later, uncle seemed to remember it very differently.

“I used to spend all my time in that allotment. Planting potatoes, carrots and a whole range of veg. I bet that you didn’t know that most of the veg and fruit you ate were from my allotment.”

No I didn’t.

“All the men who owned the other patches were jealous of me, as none of could grow things as fast or big as I could. Most of them were only growing things for a hobby and I was actually making money from it. They all thought I had some secret ingredient that I was feeding the earth with. Some mornings I would throw you and your mates an apple on your way to school. You remember?”

I remembered. We never ate them though as we thought they might be poisoned and always threw them in the river next to the school. Uncle continued to reminisce.

“You won’t remember this, but one morning I told you the secret, and you’re the only person I’ve ever told. I know you wouldn’t understand as you were trying to tease me, showing off in front of your mates. But I had the last laugh.”

Drunk Uncle chuckled to himself. To be honest I hadn’t the faintest idea what he was talking about, and I was beginning to think that maybe he was mad after all.

“I had just laid down a new layer of soil and was making sure it was even. I heard your voice from the road shouting, ‘Bushman! Yo, Bushman! What you standing there doing? Yo, Bushman! What you doing?’”

Uncle began to fold in laughter as he remembered the incident, which left me feeling even more guilty. I said nothing and listened.

“Well I turned around and told you exactly what I was doing, even though you thought I was
mad at the time. I said, ‘I’m jus’ stan’ing here on Africa, looking at sweet Africa’.”

I was still puzzled. I didn’t remember the incident and it was probably far too abstract for me to comprehend at the time. Uncle went on say that he got his soil for his allotment sent to him specially from a farmer friend in Gambia every new season. His patch of land in Krypton was actually his little piece of Africa, and that was the secret of his success for growing such envied produce, and the reason why he spent so much time there. When I asked him what he was doing, he simply told me. I couldn’t argue with that really.

I warmed to him.

He took a glug of his beer.

Mindread took a sip of her juice.

I closed my eyes and meditated on the old days. Breaking my concentration though was the suspicion that Drunk Uncle was here for a reason, but I didn’t know what. I sensed his SuperPowers were still strong, though blurred.

I looked into his eyes. He looked into mine. He knew I was suspicious.

A knowing grin entered his mouth.

“You’d better top up that juice." He said. "We need to talk.”

SuperDread gets a visit

Ding dong

"There's someone at the door!"

Ding dong

"I'm on the toilet! Can't you get it?"

Ding dong

"I'm on the phone..."

Ding dong

Ding dong

Ding dong

Knock knock

Knock knock!!!!

"Oh bloody hell....I'll get it!"

Standing at the door is a vision that Mindread can't quite focus on. She stands there for a minute trying to understand what is in front of her. The vision hugs her and kisses her, breaking her out of her hypnotic state.

"You looking good girl! You just gonna stand there and let me freeze to death?"

The vision barged past her and trampled into the house like a bull in china shop.

"Hey Aaron, you on the crapper? I can smell that sh*t a mile away. Hurry up because I need a go."

Mindread held her head in shock. Even more so when she saw the suitcase on the path.

"Hey girl, bring in my bags nuh."

Mindread felt an emotion that was both anger and tearful at the same time. The man everyone called 'Drunk Uncle' was in her house, and by the looks of it he was in no hurry to leave.

"Hey girl, any food in the fridge?"

"Bloody hell......"

Image taken from:
http://wiki.ardkor.com/index.php?title=Superman

Mindread interrupts a shopping trip!

Friendly Fire (aka Collateral Damage)

Dr Rice visits Germany and gets some Sisterly advice

Mi nah forget bout ya!

Final Scores on the Berlin Doors

Neo-Nazi Skinheads spotted = 2
Rastafari Idrin spotted = 4

No joke!

How about that for evidence of JAH love everywhere!!! :-)

Blessings Everytime.

Ital Cycle

Greetings.

In this short Sabbatical from the SuperDread stories, I would like to take liberty of hijacking his platform and saying a few words myself. I hope you don’t mind.

At the end of my first day in Berlin (for a short work trip), I was most nervous about coming here, more than any other place I have been. I know the reality is very different from the picture tabloid newspapers presents, but I couldn’t get out of my mind the idea of bumping into a gang of angry looking neo-Nazi skinheads. That wouldn’t be good! My paranoia wasn’t helped by reading the ‘Rough Guide to Berlin’ on the coach to the airport and it telling me to avoid two specific areas of East Berlin as they are known to be Neo-Nazi strongholds and known for violent attacks. I am also staying in East Berlin, thankfully not in these areas, but adjacent.

My nervousness didn’t go away at Berlin airport when the official on the desk scrutinised my passport photo in comparison to my actual face with impressive intensity, and he even asked his colleague for a second opinion. Thankfully his fellow official knew it was me in the photo and advised I be sent through. Other than that incident, no one seems the slightest bit bothered I was in their country, which was a comforting feeling to have. Who needs celebrity and infamy when you can have anonymity?

On the coach from the airport to the hotel, my nervousness still in my throat, I saw a sight that made those nerves go away.

On a bicycle riding in the opposite direction to the coach I saw a proud & righteous looking Idrin wearing the tam crown of the Ethiopian banner.

As soon as I saw the sight I felt comforted: not only because seeing a fellow Rasta made me feel just that little bit safer in the place I was in, (which I did), but also because it was evidence that JAH light shines Iverywhere. That in itself was a joy I was glad to take comfort in.

According to my Bredrin Rob - when I sent him a text telling him what I saw - he rightly interpreted the scene saying, “See it deh! JAH Bless directly. More guidance.” It is Rob that also coined the phrase Ital Cycle, which describes the whole scenario perfectly!

Thank you JAH for opening my eyes to that sight.

RASTAFARI IS InI STRENGTH AND InI REDEEMER. HIS PRAISE SHALL BE ITINUAL AND HEARTFELT.

GUIDANCE AND BLESSINGS IVERYTIME. LOVE AND LIFE.

Ras Shawn Naphtali

After as short Sabbatical....

Very old cheesy joke! Sorry...

:-)

JAH Blessings Everytime!

Back to Normal (?)

After the family conference Mindread popped out to the shops to get some milk.

On the way she passed by North Korea to see what the updates were there.

Swung by Geneva and New York to eavesdrop on the responses of the UN.

Used SuperReason (aka Jedi mind control) on Bush & Blair when she flew like a breeze through the White House and 10 Downing Street to influence decision making.

She then went back home.

"You took you time dear." said SuperDread.

"Yeah the shop had ran out, so I had to pop to the garage down the road." Mindead replied.

"Oh."

With the children in bed, together they cuddled up on the sofa and watched MTV Bass. After 5 minutes they became restless.

"This is depressing!"

"Yeah, really bad. Worse than I thought."

They switched off the tv and talked until sunrise.

They Reasoned about everything under the sun.

The children arose before they could get to sleep, but both SuperDread and Mindread went through the day with an unusual added energy that made them forget their tiredness.

Neither said it to the other, but their energy came from an adrenaline rush knowing there was much work to do. That a SuperHero's work is never done. And that they had a responsibilty.

After getting the children off to school they got ready for the day.

"What you doing today?"

"Uh...not sure really. Need to run a few errands. You?"

"Hmm...this and that. A bit of running around."

They kissed and said their goodbyes, and one the other was out of sight, one flew East and the other flew West.

Literally.

Family Conference (part 2)

"Who are you talking to Mindread? The neighbour?"

"Uh....no one dear!"

:-)

x

Personal Conference

"Greetings readers, this is Mindread speaking. Whatever you think happened in my husband's previous post titled 'Family Conference' - I feel I needed to tell you that I had my fingers crossed the whole time! But sshhh.....keep it to yourself! Rastafari Love & Life. Stay Blessed."

Family Conference

I'm not sure if this is working! By 'this', I mean Mindread going out to work and me staying at home.

Fair enough she's a lot happier now.

Fair enough I've now got more time to watch 24 hour news and read all the newspapers to know whose doing what and where I might be needed next.

Fair enough the world hasn't collapsed and stopped spinning since I've paused from being a SuperHero for a while. (It's been eerily peaceful actually!!!)

Fair enough it's 2006 and equal right for woman and all that stuff! (LOL)

But....

but...

I'm the bloke!

I'm the SuperHero!

I should be the one going out there bringing in bread for the family and doing my duty as the man of the house. Isn't that right?

When I said all of that to Mindread I was taken aback at her reaction.

"Hmm. What ever you say dear."

With that she picked up the phone and gave in her resignation to the laundrette.

That was easier than I thought.

Satisfied, I turned on the tv and watched the 24 hour news channel for the last time.

Today was a good day, that went un-noticed

That day Mindread;

- stopped a war from erupting by whispering SuperReason into the world leaders' ears

- brain washed a school child so he put down a gun and picked up a book instead

- saved a plane from crashing by blowing in the face of a would be terrorist and sending him to sleep

- meditated & prayed for a whlle with Wrap Girl, asking for inner strength to carry out their Works, and then they both went all over the world and saved some 'women of the night' from being attacked

- they both then went around the world again and whispered "goodnight" and "I love you" into the ears of lonely children.

It was a peaceful day by evening.

It was a slow news day for the media

Today was a good day, that went un-noticed.

When Mindred came through the door in the evening she looked exhusted.

"How was your first day at work?" I asked.

"Fine." Was all she replied.

On the down low

Mindread opened the door and walked into the large room full of dryers and washing machines and people will dirty underwear in baskets. She knocked on the office door.

"I'm here for the job."

"Come in, take a seat." A voice replied.

Mindread went in and sat down, but the room was empty. Or seemed to be.

"Are you sure you want to come back?"

Startled Mindread turned around to find herself face to face with the old man, (yes that same old man that keeps popping up all over the place!). He was sat on a chair behind her.

"You were one of the best we've ever had, and then you just left. I'm not sure you're ready."

Mindread smiled and replied;

"I am ready to come back, but anyway, I'm not here to ask for your permission. I'm here to tell you my destiny."

"But what about your husband? Aaron. So-called SuperDread. Isn't one superhero in a family enough? This isn't the 'Incredibles' you know. This is real life!"

"That is the one covenant I have to ask of you." Mindread whispered. "Aaron must never know."

The old man thought about this for a long time. Mindread looked at the floor.

"As you say, you are not asking for my permission. Just telling me your destiny."

The old man walked out of the room and dissapeared into the room of dryers, but not before a small one pence coin fell out his pocket and rolled to Mindread's feet. She picked it up and exited the building from the back door, and went to save the day.

Outward bound

My wife Mindread reported for her first day at work at the launderette, or so I thought.....

To be continued....

Image adapted from:
http://www.lilithvonsilver.com/dolls/micro/images/LvSflamesupergirl21.gif

Housebound

In the morning Mindread had a plan.

You stay at home and I'll go out to work.

"Uhmmm....nice idea, but I don't think so." The thought made me tremble.

"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you! There's a new launderette in town asking for staff. I can wash your SuperSuit whilst I'm there. Laters."

Before I could say "Are you out of your mind!?" Mindread was out of the door, leaving me in the house with three snotty nosed children. My pride and joy.

Don't call it a come back.......

Wha' gwan?

After my 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness I've come back. Hope JAH has kept you all Blessed, as always.

Since that last adventure with the Ministry of Education there has been much debate amongst the SuperFriends as to whether anything has actually changed in the world.

Fly Fro thinks he'd noticed a difference, but Black Cat disagrees, but remains hopeful. Wrap Girl says it will take generations for change to be noticed as the traditions of the underground chamber were deep in our psyche. Trod Garvey agreed. Highness said not to forget that the traditions of the chamber grows back by itself so we shouldn't get complacent. I always try to look on the bright side but wasn't so sure of change either. I hadn't been followed by a security guard for weeks, but then again there's not many of them in the wilderness. Just a few CCTV cameras.

When I told Mindread about the conversation, all she said was;

"Ya don' see change in'na Oak tree, but dat don' mean it nah grow. Change start at de roots, an' it tek time fi it fi reach de tip, but dat don' mean it nah in transition."

She then cooley added.

"By the way, your work called. You've been gone for 40 days without a sick note from the doctor. You've been fired."

Special Relationship

Even though I can't be here much at the moment, I'm still pleased to see so much love in the world!! Babylon a complex place for sure.



Soon come!

SuperDread
x

Greetings. A message from SuperDread's sponsor

Due to internet connection problems at home SuperDread has been forced to lay low for a while. Right now he is at the office of his broadband provider kicking butt and "telling de people dem about demselves!!"

Hopefully the problems will be resolved soon.

Until then, he told me to tell you to keep the faith, love JAH and live, and to give thanks and praises to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I Iverytime. Itinually.

Thank you for your support, interest and kind feedback.

Stay Blessed.

Shawn Naphtali

Shashamane Pride

On my way home, I flew over Ithiopia and rested a while in Shashamane.

I thought of all the good things this world has to offer.

Laughter

Love

Life

and many other things besides.

I flew around a while and bathed in the clouds.

I took off my boots and felt the grass between my toes, and flew through the storms and let my locks soak up JAH's water, and let the wind batter them dry.

The world has so much good to offer. It felt good to be alive. I looked through the ground and saw the guards patrolling the underground chambers.

The air felt different somehow. Cleaner. Fresher. Less polluted.

My mobile phone rang. It was my wife Mindread

"Hey baby. You coming home soon? The kids want you to read them a story in bed."

"I'll be right there."




Image adapted from:
http://www.supermanimagery.com/images/wall/Superman-cape-clouds1.jpg

Change Clothes

All gathered back at the old man's house, everone was pleased with how the battle went. They Reasoned on strategy of how to keep the chamber contained. Some felt it was impossible, and other felt, with focus and unity, that it was achievable. No matter these differences, everyone agreed they would try their best.

They all fell silent and looked at me.

"You've done well young SuperDread." said Highness.

I was confused. "Hmm. I didn't really do anything....."

Trod Garvey interrupted.

"You played your role. Step one in your trod as defender of Rastafari truths and rights."

"Uhmm." I still wasn't sure. "Thank you, I think."

Wrap Girl entered the room and handed me a package, telling to open it and put on the contents.

The group averted their eyes as I got undressed and re-dressed. It was a green SuperSuit carrying the sign of the Lion of Judah. (Selassie Live!!!! RASpect.)






The old man explained.

"It is time you cast off the colours of your cousin, the so-called SuperMan, and found your own identity. This is the first step. Next step you will cast off your given name and adopt a new one. The third and forth step and beyond I will mention at the time."

I didn't know anything about these steps. I'm learning new things everyday. I was as excited as a child.

"When will the next step be? When can I wear the Lion of Judah logo? What name will I be given? I've got the name SuperDread - that wasn't my given name. Why will I have to change it again? How? What? Where? When? Why?"

The old man grew visibly angry.

"One step at a time! All will be revealed when the time is right. Time will tell."







The old man continued.

"And you needed a new suit anyway, as that blue one of yours was starting to stink!!!"




Image adapted from:
http://www.ai.mit.edu/lab/olympics/99/cover/superman.gif

Work done for now

When all the labels had been changed, the army gave their salutations and went seperate ways, though a few thousand stayed behind to keep guard - changing signs whenever new ones appeared.

Trod Garvey explained.

"The shitstym is self-serving and self-sufficiant. It doesn't need maintanance, as it just keeps evolving like a capitalist machine rolling downhill. It doesn't need maintanance as it has become natural and a part of nature. For most of us, judging eachother has become a natural survival instinct. Whether we like it or not, we feed and maintain the shitstym. New labels will always appear. It is up to InI army to Itinually tear dem down!"

Reasoning as they went, my new friends let go of the captors and made their way back to where I was still sat, one eye still on the tv screen. Sweat had drenched my SuperSuit. The old man appeared and gave me a glass of water, interrupting my praying. He said it was ok for me to now stop.

Faith into Works (part 2)

As I prayed, I kept one eye open and watched my Idrins on the tv screen.

Moving as one body, the 144,000 swpet into the underground chambers and took down the signs, and replaced them with blank ones. Fly Fro look slightly annoyed.

"So basically I memorised all a dem blasted signs for no reason?!?"

He kissed his teeth. Black Cat laughed and patted his afro. He humbled himself, and went around the corner and took out his comb, repairing any damage she might have done. He then glanced up and in the darkness looked into the eyes of one of the babes in the testtubes. He put the comb away.



I prayed for them non-stop for hours - 20 hours to be exact. It wasn't the most riviting television I have to admit, but seeing them all work as a team was pure pleasure. Events took a sharp turn & halt when they reached the smaller elite chamber. They debated about changing the labels to more working class roles or destroying it altogether. Many were angry that these elite few were, in the future, to be seemingly in control of the rest of the masses; them, their children and their children's children. Many tears were shed in anger, frustration and desperation. But looking eachother in the eye they knew what the right thing was to do.

They replaced the aristocratic signs with blank ones.

Trod Garvey looked the transparent children in the eye, turned his back and walked away.



Soundtrack: Aswad - "Warrior Charge"

The Battle with the Shitstym (Channel Four) - Highness

I switched the tv remote to Channel Four.

Genre: Religious programming

I watched Highness travel the earth, in the opposite direction of Trod Garvey and SoulJah-Ites over on Channel One. With power she spread the Word Sound of the discovery of the underground system to the masses of the people, telling them it was time to listen to Bro Marley's words to emancipate themselves from mental slavery. That they themselves had to free their minds.

She told the masses of the people they were victim to the system and subjected to the mind control of others pre-judging things about them, and also they themselves perpetuated and strengthened the system by pre-judging others also. She preached it was time to stop that Babylonian thinking, and the only way to free our minds is to weaken the signal from the system, which will allow it to be destroyed from within.

As expected, some people listened, and some didn't. Highness recited the passage Matthew 11:15 under her breath throughout her mission.

She used every possible opportunity at her disposal to spread the message. At SuperSpeed in just a few hours she:

> gave a lecture tour
> released a hip-hop record
> wrote & released a book
> released a reggae record
> appeared on Oprah
> released an emo record
> rolled out an advertising campaign in billboards, magazines and tv
> released a pop record
> wrote a blog

I was impressed by her work ethic. Definitely!

After Highness had finished spreading the word across the globe, she went to the Education HQ to join the others. They were all there. Trod Garvey and SoulJah-Ites had amassed an impressive army of wisdom seekers. By the looks of it, they were approximately 144,000 strong, give or take a few.

They discussed the plan of going into the underground shitstym and replacing all the labels, but then a child in the crowd asked what new ones would the write. Some people offered things like lawyers, company executives, judges. The child wasn't impressed.

"Is that the best you can suggest?"

No one had an answer.

Another child in the crowd (the only other child there as it happens) offered a solution.

"I don't think you should replace the labels at all. Leave them all blank. That way we will become what we want to become. It will be up to us to decide what our label is."

Everyone "mmmmm'd" in agreement.

"JAH", someone shouted.

"RASTAFARI", they all shouted back.




The camera cut to close up of the second child. He looked deep into the lens.

"Yeah, and I hope that SuperDread is praying for us to keep us safe, and not just sitting there watching us on tv!!"

I jumped off the sofa in shock. By the time I landed back on the sofa the only image on the tv was the sight of me reflected back at myself.

Seems like I was now the star of my own hidden camera show.

"Let us pray......"

Soundtrack for Channel Four:
Bob Marley - "Redemption Song", and Brand Nubian - "Meaning of the 5%"


Photograph taken from:
http://www.nandotimes.com/nt/images/century/photos/century0263.html

The Battle with the Shitstym (Channel Three) - Black Cat & Fly Fro

I switched to Channel Three.

Genre: Athletics

I watched as Black Cat and Fly Fro entered the Education HQ, saying hi to Wrap Girl and Fiyah Man keeping guard on the captures as they made their way to the brick wall that secures the underground chamber.

Fly Fro sized up the 10 metre thick wall, then in deep meditation ran at it at high speed with his head lowered. His huge afro crashed into the wall and demolished the bricks into a pile of dust.

He took out his afro comb and picked out the dust from his hair, and patted it back into smooth shape.




Black Cat stepped through the hole and glanced around. It was her job to assess how big this cavern was, and to log all of the labels. She firmly held Fly Fro's hand.

"I hope you're a fast reader with a good memory!" She said.

At the speed of light she ran through the dark caverns dragging Fly Fro behind. Together they sped through the underground maze which they calculated spanned the entire globe, underneath every continent. Together they shed a tear looking into the faces of the ghost like children with their labels of destiny.

In one corner they found a much smaller secluded chamber, which comprised of about 10% of the whole system. It was much better lit than everywhere else, which contained a minority of children's images with the labels overhead reading things like "aristocrat", "Lord", "Lady", "Duke", "Duchess", etc, etc. In the rest of the system, in the other dark, depressing 90%, the labels were far less glamorous.

Together Black Cat and Fly Fro memorised the labels, and sped back to the whole in the wall to tell the others. When they landed, Fly Fro took out his comb and patted his windswept afro back into shape.

Soundtrack for Channel Three: Bob Marley - "Concrete Jungle"

The Battle with the Shitstym (Channel Two) - Wrap Girl & Fiyah Man

I switched to Channel Two.

Genre: Hollywood action movie

I watched in awe as Wrap Girl and Fiyah Man descended onto the HQ of the Ministry of Education and - without killing a singe person - they managed to fight their way through security and knock everyone unconscious (a bit like that scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day - but without the guns!). Rounding up everyone (200 people) into the main hall area, Wrap Girl took out a spare headwrap and swiftly tied up every single person with their backs to eachother.

Fiyah Man was impressed. He whispered to her.

"How long do you think that will hold them?"

"It's made out of cloth 100 times stronger than any metal. It can hold them forever if you want to. But they've probably got friends and family. We should let them go in 24 hours if we can."

Fiyah Man agreed. He sent a text message to the others to confirm the schedule, and to tell them the coast was now clear to proceed forward.

Soundtrack to Channel Two: Public Enemy - "Fight The Power"

The Battle with the Shitstym (Channel One) - Trod Garvey & SoulJah-Ites

As I sat down to watch the battle, the TV went bust. I got up hit it hard, and after what seemed life an absolute age, the picture came back. About time!!!

I got the remote control and turned it to Channel One

Genre: Reality TV (aka Observational documentary)

I watched Trod Garvey and SoulJah-Ites travel the globe for the torch bearers of indigenous wisdom, gathering their physical and emotional strength in the hope of raising an army. I listened as Trod explained to the wise what we had found. They confirmed that it is the pre-judgments made on the masses of people by the minority; that keeps the minority in power and the majority in servitude.

When they found out about the underground system which perpetrates this oppression, they couldn't wait to get their hands dirty.

Soundtrack for Channel One: Tony Rebel - "Loyal SoulJah"

The Revolution will be Televised

I was slightly confused and dissapointed I have to admit. I wanted to see action, but I had to pray.

Out of no where the old man appeared, frightening me half to death. He sat next to me and spoke.

"Do you remember what you said at the beginning of this blog thing you're doing?"

"Uh, no." I admit I'd forgotten.

"I quote - 'Some ones in this for glory, but I know this ain't no joke thing.' - and then you went on to tell your sister Storm that this wasn't about your ego, but was serious Works to help others, and not to glorify yourself."

"Yeah, I think I remember saying that. But, how did you know I said that"

"I read your blog"

I was now very confused.

"My point is....", he continued, ".....get your head out the sulk pit and swallow your pride. At the moment you're more of use here than there."

"I suppose so...."

I noticed the old man glance over at me.

"Look, if you really want to see the action then turn on that."

He pointed to a huge wide screen high definition plasma screen that was on the far wall. I don't remember seeing it there before.

On the screen I could flick between the channels and see all the posse in action, in battle with the shitstym. I was stunned.

"By the way...." I said to the old man. "Who exactly are you?"

No answer.

I turned to look at him, but he was no longer there.

My attention went back to the big screen.

Faith into Works (part 1)

We sat at that table for the next 48 hours solid, without food or water or even a bathroom break, with Trod trying to convince us that his plan was the right way. Finally Highness summed up our Reasoning.

"It seems that Idrin Trod Garvey has the most knowledge in this matter, and an Elder InI must trust that judgement for now. We can't talk anymore."

We all nodded silently. Highness continued. She took charge without apology.

"Idrin Trod, you go gather your army as we will need more bodies than are in this room. SoulJah-Ites will help you."

They nodded. She continued.

"Sista Wrap, you in charge of getting us into the chamber and securing the area from anyone stopping our Work. Fiyah Man will help you."

They nodded. She continued.

"Black Cat, you're in charge of seeing just how big the chamber is and logging what the labels are, and what they need to be changed to. Fly Fro will help you."

They nodded. She continued.

"I will go and spread the word amongst I Idrin & Sistrin around the world, to tell them to look for the shitstym in their area to support the Works of Trod's army, and to be extra carful in protecting themselves from the shitsym's negative vibrations. After that I will help Black Cat with her Works."

That was it. They all gave eachother best wishes and talked aboutmeeting again soon.

I coughed. I coughed again.

"Uhm......what about me? What can I do?"

Highness looked in the direction of Trod. He put his hand on my shoulder.

"You 'ave one of de mos' important jobs fi do mi Idrin. It is you who haf'fi pray to JAH Itinually for InI strength & guidance, an' to counter de negative vibration of the shitsym with de positive vibrations of Rastafari. That is your Works mi Idrin."

"Oh......and I have to do that alone?"

"You won't be alone mi Idrin, beleive dat. You won't be alone in dat Works."

The Shitstym

Black Cat and I had a conference with the others. Trod Garvey confirmed InI worst fears - that what we had found was always suspected to be there, but never proven. He described it as the "underground unconscious system of pre-judgements that influence the world above".

The magnitude of his description hit home. I had to check some facts.

"So, you don't think this is just underground in England?"

Trod leant forward, his dreadedlocked beard folded into the table. His voice was deliberatly low.

"If you 'ave foun' what I t'ink you 'ave foun', that underground network span the whole earth."

The whole underground chamber apparently has transmitters that sends a signal of vibrations through the earth. The aim of the vibrations is to influence people to think in certain ways about others. No one really knows how the chamber came into being, but it is thought that it has been there for thousands of years, and is the reason why the world is as it is. Some people are more influenced by it's signal than others, but it is powerful in keeping the world ticking with people in their place.


[picture to come]


Fiyah Man had heard enough.

"Come let we go bun fiyah pon de whole shit-stym and let Babylon fall and crumble."

There were echoes of approval throughout the room, but Trod had some words of caution.

"InI have to be very careful. The system is so powerful and has been there for so long, that it controls even InI minds even in the tiniest of ways without InI even realising it."

SoulJah-Ites kissed his teeth loudly. He didn't like the sound of that at all.

"Wha? Ya try fi tell me dat de shitsym a control mi mind. Dat a pure folly an' I vote come let we go bruk down de place an' free up de people dem minds!"

Everyone in the room agreed and jumped to their feet ready to fly off, but Trod sent a forcefield around the room to stop anybody leaving. He was Elder and commanded RASpect, so InI humbled ourselves and listened.

"D'ere is no doubt dat de chamber has to be destroyed, but not with force, but by intelligence. If we go in dere and just bruk down de place, it will just grow back even more powerful. InI 'ave fi give de illussion dat not'ing 'as changed, and mek the entire shitstm implode in on itself."

I was intreaged by his plan.

"And how do we do that?"

"SuperDread, you say you and Black Cat saw labels above the boxes of children."

"Yeah...."

"Well, InI haf'fi get in dere, an' change all de labels."


[picture to come]

The Unbelievable Truth

Sensing I was feeling a little sensitive about the whole school thing, Black Cat appeared out of nowhere and volunteered to go with me to meet the government’s Head of Education. Black Cat was also a teacher in her downtime from being a SuperHero, so had an added interest.

Descending on the education department, strangely we were faced with security more stringent than the Ministry of Defence. This aroused our suspicions immediately. We were in civilian clothes so had to act fast. At the speed of light Black Cat sped through the building, past all the security checks unnoticed, and located the centre of operations. It was a brick wall, deep underground. With a Super high-pitched whisper she told me what she had found, and then came back and picked me up, and went back again, all at 299792458 miles per second. When she dropped me at the foot of the brick wall, I felt a bit queasy I have to admit. I’ve never been a good passenger, especially at those speeds.

Using our x-ray eyes we looked through the wall. It was 10 metres thick, and was made up of tunnels and caverns that spread underneath and across the whole of Britain like the nation’s veins and arteries. Even with SuperPowers it wasn’t easy to see this far. Even so, we weren’t prepared for what we found. What we saw wasn't the Head of Education. It was far far more important and sinister.

(Yes, believe it or not, far more sinister than any politician. Hard to imagine I know!)


The Ministry of Education

Looking a little like a gigantic computer generated laboratory, row after row after row after row of boxes inbed into the walls. There were millions of them, all arranged into a small range of different categories: Class, Ethnicity, Gender, Age, Religion, and a few others, including one titled ‘Future role’. Black Cat noticed the name of the entire underground enclosure was called ‘The National Census’.

“Hmmm. Interesting.”

In the boxes I could just about see childlike bodies that looked slightly transparent. I set my x-ray vision to extra strength and scanned all the faces I could, scared of what I would see but still obsessed to see it. I strained my eyes so much my eyes began to water and ache. After 30 minutes of x-ray staring I was about to give up, but then I saw it. The faces of my children. Transparent. Categorised. Pre-determined. Fate already decided. I can’t even articulate what this man made computer had decided for my children, and for your children also. I can’t even say what categories they had already been herded in to. It was too depressing to comprehend.

InI have to get into this enclosure and break down this system of oppression. But couldn’t do this alone. Not even with Black Cat.

We will have to call our friends.


Image adapted from:
http://www.magres.net/~vlk/outcast/screens.htm

This ain't no Joke!

For further information (updated 11th Sept):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/5332918.stm

Image adapted from:
http://www.angelfire.com/comics/edmcguinness/cryingsupes.JPG

Back to School

My SuperHero work took an interesting turn recently. My daughter has just started 'big school' and I walked her on my way to work. Chatting with her as we walked, she dropped a bombshell of a revelation.

"So, what's your teacher like?"

"Oh he's ok. He said I should join the athletics team."

"That's interesting. When did he see you run?"

"He hasn't."

"When did he see you jump?"

"He didn't."

"So what made him suggest you join the athletic team?"

"Well, on the first day he asked each of us in the class what our ambitions were. I said I wanted to be a scientist. He said I could do a lot worst than joining the athletics team."

"How many people did he say that to?"

"Only me and those two other black kids I was telling you about. I can't remember their names."

"Hmmmm."



As soon as I got to work, the first person I rang to sell some non-stick saucepans was the Government's Head of Education. Of course he bought a full set, which I will soon deliver personally.

How convenient.....

Image adapted from:
http://superman.ws/Costumes/colors/survived.jpg

Ital Interlude

After such an eventful week, meeting new SuperFriends and starting a new job, I kind of needed to meditate on things and find a bit a peace for a while.

To take a bit of time out of the rat race and relax for a while.

To close my eyes and stop thinking.

To turn off the mobile phone and the emergency beeper.

To turn down the volume and slow down the world.

To have a moment.

To give thanks to JAH for Ivrything.

To count my Blessings.

Close Call

At lunch time from my mind numbing job, I called my wife Mindread to tell her about meeting all my new SuperHero friends.

I told her all about their special powers and their wisdom and everything I had learned. I was so excited I wanted to burst. I asked her what she thought about it all.

"That's great honey, but I've already made a few changes!"

"What do you mean?"

"I know you thought those Trump Cards with the different percentages were really clever, but they were disRASpectful. So I've made a few changes to save your ass."

"What do you mean? They all scored a lot higher than me! I only got 50% for intelligence!"

"Trust me. Take another look at them."

We said our goodbyes and I went back to eating my Ital lunch.

Mindread was always one step ahead of me. Watching my back. Woman's intuition I guess. (You'll get to meet her soon.)

I went back to my desk and put on the headphones.

"Hello, is that the owner of the house? Can I interest you in buying a personalised leather bound Bible?"

Noun and Verb

Reasoning with my new Super Idrins, I was greatly enlightened and realised certain things.

In no particular order;

• Rastafari is the world's best kept secret.
• SuperHeroes are everywhere and not all related to me or from my close knit community of Krypton, as I was previously led to believe.
• Everyone has got a specific role to play in the struggle for justice and equality, and some carry this out as SuperHeroes, and others do it as everyday normal people.
• That no matter how good I think my 'Crystal chamber' memorizing education had been, these 6 Rasses knew more about everything than I ever could. They even knew more about me than I knew myself.
• That the term 'Rastafari' is not only a noun, but crucially also a verb.

After we had finished Reasoning together, the old man made a surprise appearence.

"It's time you got to work." He said, directed at me alone.

I leapt up. "Where the emergency? Is someone in trouble?"

"No. It's time you went to work. You don't want to be late."

"Oh!" I said

With that I said a temporary farewell to my new SuperFriends and headed out the door. I had to start my shift at the Call Centre in 10 minutes.

I walked fast.

Roll of Honour

Trump card adapted from:
http://www.thepunishermerchandise.com/trading_cards/ccg_sets/top_trumps/trump_2-front.jpg

Love of Friends

As I approached the old man's house I had a feeling that I hadn't experienced in many years. The presence of Home. Not house. HOME.

The old man came to the door.

"Where is it?" He asked.

"What?"

"My coin."

I took it out of my pocket and gave it to him. He walked inside the house, and I guessed I should follow. He walked all the way through the house and straight into the back garden. For a small terraced house on the outside, on the inside was like a huge mansion with many rooms. The garden though was bare, in contrast with the beauty of the interior. He tossed the coin into the air.

Rather than coming straight back down, as gravity dictates, the coin went up and up and up, and shone as bright as a star. It gradually changed shape and infront of my eyes I could now see the outline of an ultraviolet Lion wide across sky. The image was impossible to see unless you had SuperEyes. I presume the old man did.

The earth began to shake and the walls of the house began to vibrate. Across the sky I could see seven trails of smoke. The old man smiled for the first time.

"Here they come now. Your new friends. From this point onwards, you are your borthers keeper, and your sisters also. The same rule applies to them."

I looked across to the old man to thank him, and also to ask him who he was, but by the time my eyes had reached his position, he had dissapeared.

"Greetings and welcome beloved. JAH Guidance & Itection!" the seven chorused. I repeated my pleasure to meet them.

"It is good you have called us." one of them said, "There is much Work to do. But first, let's Reason."

"JAH" he shouted out.

"RASTAFARI. SELASSIE I" we all replied back.



Image adapted from:
http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/asimov/20/disco5.html

Love of Family

The following day my shift at the call centre didn't start until 2pm, so I tried to make myself useful around the house; cleaning, cooking, playing with the children, that kind of thing. It was lovely, and long overdue.

My wife made me stand up and nodded towards the door.

"It's time for Work."

I looked at the clock. "It's only 12 o'clock. I've got ages until my shift starts."

"No, it's time for your other Work. It's time you met the old man. It's time you met the Others." she said.

"How do you know so much about all of this?" I asked curioulsy and suspiciously.

"I'm your wife. I know everything!"



Original image by Victor Thomas (copyright retained)
http://www.prisonart.org/artwork/ink_art/ink_art.htm

Waiting for the Sun

By the time I got home from my SuperHero duties my wife and children were all in bed.

I dared not wake them up, so I waited for sun to rise, watching over the house.

I prayed to JAH that I was doing the right thing by coming here.

I prayed to JAH to give me the strength to carry out this Work without fear.

I prayed to JAH forever keep His praise on my tongue and in my mind.

I prayed to JAH that one day I will be able to take my family back Home, and relax.

I closed my eyes, and inhaled the clouds.



Image adapted from: http://theages.superman.ws/History/all-star/

Saving the "messenger"

A random and selfless act of kindness and compassion?

I went home and thought about it. My wife asked me was troubling me. I told her about the 'others'. She said she just assumed they had already been in contact. (She used to be a SuperHero years ago but gave it up, (more on that another time).

You didn't ever think you were the only one, did you?

"Well.....I don't know....."

She scoffed. "You really have got a lot to learn."

I sat down to watch some TV. A drama called 'Shoot the Messenger' was on, billed as the "most racist programme BBC has ever made". My feelings on the programme are too numorous to mention here now. But as the end credits rolled, I knew exactly who would be in need of help from an angry crowd, and also coincidently, who wouldn't be too quick in offering me any thanks. (Just so you know, I was right about the person being in need of help, but wrong about them being a safe bet not to say thanks.)

adapted from image: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000059XUJ.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I dropped her off in Jamaica to Reason with my Idrins up at Pinnacle, and I picked up John Prescott at the same time. He had lost weight and looked like the most relaxed person there.

"Hey SuperDread", she shouted out just before I flew off. "I ain't no Biyach!"

"Point taken." I replied.

Seeking Something

After working in the call centre all day I really felt like a shower to wash off all the dirt, but I was more curious about the mystery old man, and went to search him out. When I sold him the note-book & pen I asked him for his name and address, (as instructed in the 'enabling session'), but he refused to say. Instead he said if I give him our address he would send in a cheque to pay for the goods. Although it was against my 'enabling', that is what I did. (I got told off for that afterwards).

Whilst on the phone to him though I sent a tracking sensor down the phone line from my SuperEars, which infilitrated the satallite network, and managed to pin point his exact position before he hung up. I was now stood outside that location, infront of a rustic green door of a terreced house, with his coin in my hand.

The door opened before I could knock it.

"You're late.", the old man said.





I found myself in a room full of a curious mixture of darkness and light. The old man dissapeared into the shadows. There were Noises all around me yet was earily silent. Gradually all the chaos made way for three voices being spoken at the same time.

"You think you are alone in this trod, and you think you know it all. But you are not the only one, and you still have much to learn."

The ceiling opened up to a storm filled sky. Dark cloud gave way to form a Super 'S'.

"Go forth and perform a random and selfless act of kindness and compassion. Don't look for thanks or favour. Love without distinction. It is only when we are satisfied of your sincerity, that we will meet you. Leave."

I left the house not exactly sure what had just happened.

Image adapted from:
http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/movie/superman/superman_2.jpg

Talking to Strangers

My first day working at the call centre was a nightmare, that is until the very last call I made of the (very long long) day, which turned it from a nightmare to just plain weired. I'll get to that in a bit.

The day consisted of training, or as 'cool' guy like to call it; "enabling".

"Right today you're going to be having an enabling session on talking on the phone......."

There were 8 other people starting today as well. I was the only one in his 30's, (average age 18), Black and with dreadlocks, so if I make a mistake they're going to notice that's for sure. I'll tie my hair back and sit at the back.

"Can I have a volunteer please?" said cool guy. "Aaron, you'll do. Thanks mate!"

I'll spare you the details of the whole day, but, with an audience, we had to ring up a strngers and try to sell them things like waterproof calculators or hairtrimmers with an attached clock display. And this went on ALL DAY!

By 5 o'clock I was climbing up the walls. The others seemed to be enjoying it, but I guess it was probably the first time out without their parents for most of them so of course they're enjoying it.

My task final task of the day was to try and sell a "luxury" notebook with "crocadile skin effect" pen. The phone answered.

"Hello"

"Hello"

"Are you the owener of the house?"

"Yes I am."

"Sorry to disturb you, but can I interest you in buying a notebook and pen?"

"Yes you can. I'll take it."

The cheers went up, the champagne flowed and music played. That was first thing we had sold all day.

"Don't you want to know how much it is?

"No"

"Do you have any questions?"

"Yes I have a question. Have you still got my coin?"

Out Under JAH Sky

This morning I was being interviewed to work in a call centre, where you ring up unsuspecting people and try to sell them things they didn't realise they always wanted. Or where you answer phones to people complaining about stuff, and you put them on hold for hours and a day.

The interviewer was about 18 years old, one of the oldest people I noticed working there. His senior position must have been to do with his age.

He asked me all these "cool" questions", absolutely nothing about doing the job at all, (surprise surprise) such as, what was the last book I read (The Bible - this morning). He asked me when did I start reading it. "This morning." He thought I was joking. I couldn't care less what he thought to be honest. Being out of work has depressed me slightly and I wasn't in the mood to be patronised. Not today.

His next 'cool' question: "What's your earlist memory?"

That hit a trigger in me I didnt realise was so sensitive.

"I remember my father's voice. It was low, gravely, deep with history. His base tones rolled rhythmically into the dark night. I could hardly see his skin for all his facial hair. I realise I never actually knew what his face looked like. His huge beard was so dense, only his eyes and nose protruded. That's how I've always known him. If he had a shave, which he never did, I could pass my own father on the street and not recognise him. The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

I never knew his age. We never asked. I remember me and my sister and brother marvelling at the thought that Papa's name could be somewhere in the Bible. Mama was much too young and beautiful to be that old. We never knew our father's name anyway, but kept on searching.

"And then JAH spoke to Abram, after that Lot was separated from him. Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward. For all the land which thou seest, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed forever."

I can still feel the warmth from the fire. As my father spoke the wood under the fire crackled under pressure. I squeezed my sister Martha's hand tighter and she squeezed back. Next to her was Mama. Separated by the flame was Papa. I can still conjure the image in my mind of the reflection of the flame flickering in Papa's pupils. His eyes stood un-shook, focused on his mind.

"And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, so if a man can number the dust of the earth, then thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and the breadth of it, for I will give it to thee. Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an alter unto the Lord."

Papa's sat meditatively, leant against an ancient oak tree with such a concentration in his eyes, the whole earth would stop spinning on its axis on a blink command. Above his head, carved into the thick bark were three shapes; a star, a crown and the shape of Africa. "JAH guide de children." he used to whisper as he watched me and Martha make the crude shapes in whatever carve-able material we could find. "JAH guide de children."

Ashes from the fire blew and flew into the sky and joined the moon and stars. Papa elevated his family higher. In one of the branches of the shadowed oak, and owl added harmony with its night call.

"In the name of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I the first. For these few words InI give thanks. Selah. JAH RASTAFARI!"

"SELASSIE I!" We chanted.

Martha squeezed my hand, I squeezed back."

---

I opened my eyes to see the young looking kid sat opposite me, frantically writing notes. He looked up when I stopped talking.

"Uh...the job's yours if you still want it. When can you start?"

"I've already started."

After a short break.....

Image adapted from:
http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/article/696/696201/superman-returns-20060315055226497-000.jpg

Rhyme and Reason

As I was approaching the office I saw the small elder man from this morning walking towards me. He had his head down and was still hunched over. As we got closer he still didn't look up. I kept watching just in case.

Just as I was about to say hello, he dropped lots of coins from his hands all over the floor. He said nothing and still didn't look up, but dropped to the ground gathering up all the money. I bent down and helped him, picking coins out of the corners of the paving slabs and ones that had rolled into the road. It took a good couple of minutes, but throughout the whole episode the man said nothing.

I said, "Hello there. Remember me from this morning? I gave you a lift."

The man looked up at me but only so that he could take the last coin from my hand and put it in his pocket. He then stood up and walked away back in the opposite direction, towards the way he had originally come. At my feet I noticed a one pence coin the old man had missed. Heads up. I picked it up and put it in my pocket.

On entering the office the boss jumped out on me, half scaring me to death.

"How did it go? Did you talk to Blair. Did you get the story?"

"I resign." I said, and walked out.

I had no story to give him.

===================

Questions and Answers

After what seemed like an eternity, I asked the first question. As taught in journalism training, I made the first question easy.

Q: Congratulations on your many years in office. Does that feel good?" A: Yes fantastic, thank you.

Blair stated laughing. The atmosphere felt good. The guard didn’t smile. I looked back at Blair, then back at the guard, and noticed something curious. I tested the water with my next question.

Q: So, is this new cohesion commission your last major act before you step down and allow the country a new Prime Minister?

Blair’s eyes went wide open with shock at what I’d asked and was for a moment speechless. I looked at the bodyguard, who was by now stood much closer, almost touching distance from his back. He was wide eyed also. My suspicions were confirmed. They were both blinking at exactly the same time. I pushed further.

Q: When you look back on your Premiership don’t you wish you’d just stepped down after the first 4 years and gone out on a high? You've taken us into an illegal war nobody wanted! You've tunred this country into America's poodle. You cover up for all your mates but then dispose of them when the going gets tough, and you always escape any mud slinging. You say you want to heal the world but you're doing it no favours with your arrogance. It's time to listen to your critics rather than palming them off and patronising them!

A: What!!????!!

By now Blair was out of his seat, his eyes burning in anger and his mouth in a grimace of disbelief. I silently prayed to JAH for Guidance and Strength and did what I had to do.

I shot a laser beam from my eyes aimed at Blair’s pupils. The energy of the beam froze him in his tracks and he became suspended like a statue. I strengthened the intensity beam and gave last jolt, before I closed my eyes. I heard a body crash with a huge thud onto the floor. I opened my eyes to see the bodyguard dissolving & disappearing in a sizzling cloud of smoke. In slow motion Blair broke out of his frozen state and slumped back in his chair and looked exhausted. It was just me and Blair left in the room.

Blair’s Question: What happened?

My Answer: It seems like your Ego had finally gotten the better of you. I had to be cruel to be kind!

I looked behind his shoulder to see the last remains of his once huge Ego float out the window in a wispy thread of smoke. Not destroyed forever, but for now dispersed and greatly broken down.

By rights I should have erased Blair’s memory so he would forget he’d seen my in my civilian Aaron clothes. I decided not to, as it is best Blair remembers what happened to try and avoid it happening again. If I had erased his memory, that would have just been for my own gain, but maybe not for the greater good. I think deep down Tony's a good guy. He just needed someone to tell him about himself.

I left Downing Street and this time walked back to the office.

It was a nice day, and I felt like feeling the sun’s warmth on my locks.

I thanked JAH for His continual Guidance, and walked East along the river.

Images adapted from:
http://kebawe.com/bullons/images/superman.jpg

Images adapted from:
http://www.supermanhomepage.com/images/gallery/gallery.php?topic=miscellaneous

Images adapted from:
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,grossbild-484725-361912,00.html