1.150: A Hero for Dannie

I attended my second Atlanta Comic Convention (ACC) today and despite the wet and dreary weather, I enjoyed myself and I believe my coworkers enjoyed the event too.  I never have much of a budget for these types of events and I never have any plan for buying (unlike fellow attendees that come prepared with notebooks of missing single issues), but I did manage to purchase the first volume of The Movement.  To be honest, I'm not too familiar with the series beyond the fact that Gail Simone wrote it until it was cancelled, but I really didn't purchase the item because of I was interested in the plot.  Instead, I purchased it because it features a character named Katharsis (A/K/A Kulap Vilaysack), a winged character with exceptional strength and sword skills, who happens to be of Lao origin--making her (as for as I'm aware) the first Lao American superhero (or villain--her first appearance was as an antagonist in Batgirl) featured in a major comic series.

Personally, I think this is rather cool considering the only other Lao characters of any sort of renown in mainstream media are the Souphanosinphone family from King of the Hill.  Of course, Katharsis may never reach the same level of notoriety as Khan and Khan Jr., but it is remarkable that the media is beginning to recognize individuals from the small landlocked country in Southeast Asia.  And another cool thing about Katharsis is that she could serve as a character in which young Lao girls, like my two year old cousin Dannie, can look towards and say:  "She's Lao like me!"  I guess it's my hope that I can use Katharsis as means to inspire my little cousin that she be more because, believe me when I say this, she has a lot going against her.

Anyway, aside from the ACC, my coworkers and I stopped by Titan Comics in Gwinnett where I actually ending up spending more money there than at the ACC because that's what happens when one has sporadic relationship with comics throughout much of his life and has just now discovered that he may want to take this hobby a bit more seriously.  Also, it's what happens when one focuses primarily on newer titles and volumes of a series.

Regardless, today was good and I do look forward to the next ACC and my next visit to my local comic book shop.

1.147

Psychologically, I am in a bad place.  I would not say that I am depressed, but I am certainly not happy.  I want to say that this feeling is the result of the malaise I feel about my job, but I am almost certain that this is not the case.  In fact, I would say this feeling of discontent stems from the possibility of another coworker stealing attention away from me (i.e., I may be jealous).  Then again, my emotional state may be the result of my unwillingness to improve my own situation despite knowing it is necessary.

Regardless of the reason, I understand that there is something that needs to be changed if I am going to be able maintain my sanity.

1.146

I struggle to identify new topics to discuss and when I am unable to generate a topic, I am less incline to post.

So, I have decided to use a random topic generator to assist me in selecting topics of discussions for John Past 30.

Topic 1:  Chinese art and culture

I am unfamiliar with Chinese art and culture, but that does not mean I am not interested in knowing more about the topic.  Of course, being of Southeast Asian decent could mean that many of my daily rituals may already run similar to the culture of certain parts of China.  I suppose there is much more that could be stated in regards to this topic, but attempting to do so with such limited knowledge seems counterproductive.

Topic 2:  Learning to play keyboard

I have always wanted to learn to play a musical instrument and there was even a moment when I tried to learn to play the piano, but that phase has since come and gone.  In truth, my lack of interest in learning to play the keyboard stems from the instrument's lack of mobility; I would much prefer to learn how to play the ukulele.

I believe I will call it day on this possible new feature to JP30. Perhaps, next time, I will not approach this so half-assed.

1.145: Shite Movie Review #4

I really want to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but for the sake of brevity and directness, I will say the following:

YES! Dumb and Dumber To is worth the ticket if you, like myself, grew up with the original film.

To be frank, I believe this film is worth the price of admission if you can lower your comedic taste down a notch.

I want to say more, but it is 10 PM and for some reason, I am struggling to stay awake.  But, go and watch the film, especially, if you were a 90s child.

1.138: Shite Movie Review #3

NOTE:  I can't believe how long it's been since my last "#ShiteMovieReview" (#SMR), but the past few months have seen "the films I want to see" cupboard run bare.  Fortunately, the Fall/Holiday movie season is here and I'm hoping to have more #SMR in the works over the next few weeks as there are a number of movies I plan on seeing.  Anyways, let's go!

Interstellar

I think I liked Interstellar though I'm not quite certain why I like the film.  Of course, the actual question to be answered here is:  Was it worth it?  To be frank, I'd say YES.  For starters, the movie runs 2 hours, 49 minutes--if that isn't bang for your buck, then I don't know what is.  Second, I did appreciate the underlying messages of the film:  stop rejecting science, fund space exploration and invest in face masks.

My primary objection to Interstellar was its resolution--it felt rushed (or as rushed as a nearly three hour feature permits) and it was a bit of stretch even for its genre.  Aside from the awkward resolution and lingering conclusion, I still enjoyed the film (I think) or that is at least what I have been telling my coworkers when they ask me.

Year 1, Day 132

Tonight was disappointing.  From a political standpoint, it seemed inevitable.  At best, Democrats could delay the Republican onslaught until January.  From a personal standpoint, tonight’s results do not represent a step forward for Democrats in this increasingly backwards state.

At the top of the ticket, the Democratic Party of Georgia put forth two of its best:  Michelle Nunn, the daughter of former Senator Sam Nunn and the former head of one of the largest non-profit organizations in this country, and Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter and a bright and rising star within the Democratic Party at multiple levels.  And both lost, most likely by double-digit figures, to two individuals with less than appealing character traits—one who is ethically-challenged and the other who is apathetic toward the plight of the lives he has crushed simply to turn a quick buck.

In my opinion, the results from tonight are a clear demonstration that regardless of the candidate or the grassroots organization; Georgia will remain a “red” state for the foreseeable future because its electorate is composed of ignorant bigots that hate the idea of a colored POTUS and continues to believe that a woman’s rightful place is in the home.

So, what happens now?  I don’t really know.  But, if I were in charge:

1. Raise $94,400 (i.e. – the cost to qualify 236 “candidates” for legislative office—I think
2. Identify courageous, thick-skinned and vocal individuals to serve as “candidates”
3. Research every Republican incumbent and identify three character flaws to attack them on it, relentlessly

Some will say it’s a waste of money, but basically, my plan is fuck with Republicans—just annoy the fuck out of them.  It may not win any seats—it most likely won’t win any seats, but it would be hilarious and serve as a clear example that Democrats can get down and dirty in the Georgia red clay too.

Year 1, Day 128

Earlier today, I saw a video posted onto Facebook that showed members of the local HS football team entering the field and then "voluntarily" participating in a group prayer.

First off, let me just say that none of those kids did that voluntarily--there may not have been an announcement or a visible adult telling them to go and pray upon entering the stadium--but these kids did not come up with this idea on their own.

Sports in the south is inundated with needless references to the Christian faith: from scripture used as inspirational quotes to taking a knee for an injured player.

These kids--these teenagers--had this idea (like most every other idea teenagers have) planted in their heads. Teenagers are impressionable and (while they will never admit it) easily persuaded by authority (by this I mean, their actions are always a response to an authority figure's action whether that be in adherence to in opposition to).

The second thing that irked me about this post was the comment made by the poster that made it sound as though these teenagers were some sort of saints for having the courage to take part in the prayer. WRONG! It doesn't take courage to follow a large group of people--it takes courage to do what's right. It would have been far more difficult for player to not have participated because of the amount of grief they would have received for it.

And on another point, these teenagers aren't saints or heroes--they're teens and unless we have become blinded by age and having our heads stuck so far up our on asses; we were teenagers once too. And I don't know about you, when I was a teen, all I was worried about were girls, fun and how awesome it would be to be out on my own--I was on the straight and boring path of teenage existence. But these jocks, after the games, they were about sex, drugs and parties not Bible study, prayer circles and living the word.

Basically, what I'm getting at is that these kids weren't being brave, they were being hypocrites and these parents or adults that are trying to use them as some sort of message aren't spreading the word; they're willfully feigning ignorance of their own past.