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.