Thursday, July 19, 2007

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...]

Sunday, July 01, 2007

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.

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


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.

superdread by daniel johnson
Artwork copyright of Daniel Johnson



I felt on top of the world.


superdread 2 by daniel johnson
Artwork copyright of Daniel Johnson



And not even that crappy Olympic logo could get me down!


2012 logo


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.

feeling-low

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.