February 6th, 2011
Hi, my name is Christian and I’m a Marvel Comics nerd. I feel better already. Most friends of mine are often surprised to hear that I like comics but I’m here to publicly affirm that I do. I wouldn’t say I’m obsessed, but I’ve always found the story lines fascinating and amazingly creative, the artwork is second to none and frankly, what kid didn’t want to be a superhero? I got to thinking the other day about how vast and varied the Marvel Universe is. I’ve always been an X-Men man myself (I blame them for my early fascination with the letter “X”. Yes, people have fascinations with letters). I’m reading Civil War right now which I got for Xmas (see?) and loving it.
One of the coolest things I’ve grown to appreciate about Marvel Comics is the rich allegory present in all the storytelling (well, what story isn’t allegory on some level, right lit majors?) but the parallels with the Civil Rights movements of the past (women’s lib and the civil rights movement in the black community) and today (gay rights) really grab me. I particularly love the Professor X (Martin Luther King, Jr. stand in) v. Magneto (standing in for Malcolm X) parallel. Marvel’s best characters were created during the original civil rights movements but I love that the stories get updated and adapted for today (see: Civil War).
As a kid I was obsessed with the animated series on Saturday mornings. Growing up I became obsessed with the X-Men movies, and I’ve warmed to the other Marvel movies. I’m excited to see them build toward The Avengers, because that has the potential to be a mega movie. I don’t know much about Thor, I admit, but Captain America will join us this summer (with Chris Evans starring… where do I sign?). All in all, it’s a good time to be a Marvel fan.
A quick top 5 of my favorite Marvel characters:
- Rogue – this one’s easy. If you need to or want to you get to absorb another mutant’s powers for a short time. Comes in handy (especially if you can’t decide which powers are the coolest). The no touching/intimacy thing sucks, but touching isn’t required to experience intimacy, right?
- Iceman – pretty sweet skills, and not guaranteed to destroy like his foil Pyro. I love the interplay between the two characters too.
- Mystique – deliciously badass. Devoted and tortured. Plus, she’s one badass blue bitch.
- Havok – the hot bad boy brother of Cyclops? I’ll take 2.
- Jean Grey/Phoenix/etc. – the most storied character in the history of the Marvel Universe. Her character has seen more revisions than any other and has been key to so many plot lines. You can’t pick up a Marvel Comic without her being somehow involved in it. (Well, that’s a stretch but sometimes it doesn’t seem like much of one…)
Please note the general attraction to strong women and hot men. Shocker right? Once I’m done with Civil War what should I check out next? Hit up the comments!
January 29th, 2011
Absolut Vodka has replaced the Absolut Boston flavor with the Absolut Wild Tea flavor as it prepares for the wider release of the flavor. Asbolut Boston was part of its Limited Edition City Series (the third, after Los Angeles and New Orleans).
I was pretty excited that Boston was one of the cities that got a nod from Absolut and the fact that I actually enjoyed the flavor made it that much better. Boston and Soda was definitely my go to drink of 2010 (great in the summer but just as good in the cold weather we seem to have so much of here). Apparently the Los Angeles variety became “Berri Acaí” so Boston follows in its footsteps as a Limited Edition flavor that graduated to the pantheon of wide release flavors.
I encourage you to check out the wiki page on Absolut Flavors. It’s pretty amazing to consider the sheer number of them Absolut has produced over the years. Absolut Brooklyn is on shelves now with San Francisco coming soon.
What’s your Absolut cocktail of choice? For now I guess I’m sticking with the Boston (I mean Wild Tea) and Soda (garnished with a lemon, don’t even get me started on the fools that throw a lime in there… this isn’t a Vodka Tonic). I’m not opposed to checking out other suggestions. Hit up the comments with a suggestion or six!
January 15th, 2011
I purchased one of these a few months back and the transaction couldn’t have been easier. You can pay with PayPal (which I did), a Google Checkout Account or a standard credit card. So, no excuses. Transaction was simple and shipping was super quick. The print quality is exceptional. I opted for the screen print version which is a little more expensive, but I preferred the color options and frankly the screen printing gives it a little more depth/character.
I worry that these are becoming a little overexposed and might become a victim of their own success. I’ve seen them in a number of local shops (I’m looking at you FastFrame on East Berkeley) and bars (I’m looking at you NorthStar) but I’ll be honest, I don’t give a shit (and you shouldn’t either). I love my city (#ilmc) and I’m proud of it, and I couldn’t be happier that others choose to display their civic pride the same way that I do. Suck on that NYC. Keep up the good work Ork Posters. (Note, they add more all the time so if your city isn’t there, it will be).
January 15th, 2011
The French Bulldog is a gentle breed that typically has a happy-go-lucky attitude. Like many other companion dog breeds they require close contact with humans. They have fairly minimal exercise needs, but do require at least daily walks. Their calm nature makes them excellent choices for apartment dwellers, as does their usually sensible attitude towards barking. As a flat faced breed, it is essential that owners understand that French Bulldogs cannot live outdoors. Their bulk and their compromised breathing system makes it impossible for them to regulate their temperature efficiently. In addition, Frenchies are top heavy and therefore have a difficult time swimming. Precautions must be taken when exercising a Frenchie during hot or humid weather, as well.
See the Wiki: http://bit.ly/XXG4F
January 15th, 2011
More good news for our friends in the Paradise of the West.
California faces the risk not just of devastating earthquakes but also of a catastrophic storm that could tear at the coasts, inundate the Central Valley and cause four to five times as much economic damage as a large quake, scientists and emergency planners warn.
Studying Impact of ‘Superstorm’ on California – NYTimes.com.
January 15th, 2011
