the way my aura glows/you'd swear I'm made of neon

Sorry for the lack of post from me on Wednesday. I've been slightly under the weather and just never got here yesterday to make my suggestions for the week. This week's is:

5 Things that Made You Happy as a Kid that will Make You Happy as an Adult

1. Playing with chalk!

2. Eating Ice Cream!

3. Wearing a Cape!

4. Taking Silly Pictures!

5. Watching the Muppets!

images 3 and 5 from weheartit.com

Skills: Driving and Bystander Defense

I've always had a hard relationship with driving cars. And oddly, in the first two years or so driving, I really enjoyed doing it. Probably too much; while some youth get into gangs, or booze, or what have you, my crew's vice was doing irresponsible things while driving (no one ever got hurt, nor was anything really damaged, btw). Now, I've never gotten into a moving accident while I was behind the wheel (though I have been struck, albeit softly, by a car while I was walking. Knocked me on the ground too).

Then I went to school, and my need to be behind the wheel dropped dramatically. It has been many years (some, like the first six months or so we spent in Oakland, had me driving almost not at all) since then, but in the interrum, it is hard not to come to grips with the fact that I had gotten worse at it.

It occurred to me once that of all the things middle aged people do, driving is one they may put the most time into. And this doesn't somehow translate to an increased level of expertise. I suspect I know why now; if you can maintain a reasonable level of safety (nobody gets hurt as a result of you driving), there's nothing that forces you out of your bad habits. I find myself in a similar situation now.

How does this relate to my current theme, though? Well, I'll take a step back and reference some time I spent playing Prototype with my brothers a couple of weeks ago. Which I enjoyed, it seemed like a good game for the 25 minutes or so I tried it. It always bugs me when innocents are harmed as a result of my actions in video games (maybe that's why I never really got into GTA that much), and in the opening scene of that video game, there's a fair amount of collateral damage. Any superhero worth their salt had better keep the safety of innocents as paramount. The GSG-9 reminded me of as much last week, and they're just pretty normal highly trained anti-terrorist paramilitary dudes.

Yet somehow, I find myself driving the most aggressively against pedestrians. Now, I'll share something I find kind of odd about the Steel City with you; more than any other place I've been, people jaywalk here like crazy. I know from chatting with others that in some places, police ticket this behavior with a relish (I'm looking at you, Seattle). That's not the case here. Many (but not all) dangerous moments involve someone crossing against the light in front of me, or trying to get across a busy road far from (or sometimes irritatingly close but not quite at) crosswalks.

And none of that should matter. A rational person doesn't double down on someone else doing something dangerous by matching it with reckless action of their own. They sure as hell don't get angry about it, or let that be a motivating factor in their decision making. I look both ways, left twice, when walking. No reason I shouldn't be just as careful while operating a dangerous piece of exploding machinery. Come to think of it, that likely means I should be more cautious.

So despite the fact that I've still been getting behind the wheel almost every day for a long time, it is going to take something more than just repetition to change the way I do it. Even the fact that I curse under my breath at drivers who do what I've done (keep driving past someone trying to cross in the middle of the street, instead of stopping to wait) doesn't seem to be enough. So here's to having this bit of writing be a start, to remind me that there's not a damn place in the world I have to get to so quickly that needs me to add more risk to someone else's risky actions. I can't control their behavior, but I can be the bigger, safer, better person about it.

Pic courtesy wikipedia

generation: hard won salvation (the paradox)

The "hook" of his week's entry was initially inspired by the above tome, Gene Wolfe's The Shadow of the Torturer, and its main character Severian. Now, when I say hook, I mean, in a sense, a gimmick or theme, a sort of departure point for a concept. The character that follows, however, is very different from those in that book.

My need for creating this character, one that has been ruminating between the teeth of my mind for a while (I've yet to have a GM approve such a character when I ventured to ask), was born out of my occasional frustration in situations where I felt a need for a real mentat in whatever party of PC's I find myself in. And while the Paradox is not quite a dedicated spymaster, it is a role he is capable of filling.


It is important to establish that once, the Paradox was a very bad man. He was a murderer, at the least, and while this was likely not born out of a pathological urge, it was not done out of passion, but rather of expediency. Theft, extortion, violence, these things were not done in the name of (misguided) righteousness either. The Paradox was selfish, cruel, and without principle. His wider background is perhaps superfluous to the core concept (I welcome you to embellish this as you will, should you find this character useful). However, eventually, he finds himself afoul of the man or woman who will be his mentor.
Perhaps the crime he commits is directly against this master, or rather this sensei of painful penance is guided to the would-be Paradox by a past victim. Regardless, the character is arrested, subdued, and restrained.


I will buffer what comes next by espousing the master's, and thus the Paradox's philosophy. First, the Paradox is vehemently against the execution of sentient beings. Life is sacred, and death obliterates justice. The embrace of the reaper wipes away any lessons that might be learned (this may not be true in all settings, but will apply to most). It is not that no crime is so great that it warrants death, but that death is both a mercy and a lost opportunity for change.

Second, the Paradox believes in the infinite nature of reform. No criminal is so twisted that he can't be molded into a beneficial shape, his mind set into a belief-driven actor for good. Whether you believe this is true or not (I'm not so sure myself), the Paradox's mission is assisted by the presence of accessible magic/technology in the setting (the Paradox is not ethically troubled by the idea of mind manipulating supernatural/scientific power, though it would be strictly used in concert with more traditional methods, as it is important that the criminal come to their change on their own). It is vital to note here that the Paradox does not employ direct psychological torture; any that exist are born out of the Paradox guiding the criminal to these feelings of guilt or remorse, not forcing them into existence.

Third, the Paradox's mission is justice, not the enforcement of the rule of law. If he feels a law is unjust, he will break it in the service of his mission. His code is his own, but it is unbreakable (think Rorschach). This code is purposely vague, but it will be important for you to establish it before the character enters the story. Basically, it revolves around respecting the physical and psychological "rights" of others (it seeks to punish those who inflict suffering). The Paradox is not bothered by truly victimless crimes, and rarely has time to enact punishment against theives, except where this theft results in suffering. There are worse bastards out there to reform.

Fourth, and perhaps most core to the concept, is that the Paradox believes in a modified version of an eye for an eye. If he lacks the ability to heal permanent disfigurements or dismemberments (should those be the criminal's deeds), he will attempt to find an equivalency. The Paradox wants to make sure that physically, the criminal he is reforming emerges from his punishment whole. The Paradox feels it is important for a transgressor to feel, as closely as possible, the kind of suffering he inflicted on others.

The master performs his process on the character, until he is completely reformed, reforged in the fires of white hot pain. The master observes the process, and sees that while many criminals are made gentle and docile by the re-education, the Paradox takes the lessons to heart, feels true remorse, but does not lose his edge or wits. And so the master decides to take an apprentice...

The Paradox is, primarily, a talented physican. He is skilled at keeping alive those who have been inflicted with trauma. These talents he gives to the community when he can, always at no cost. Secondarily, he is a hunter of humans, an investigator, tracker, and adept at gathering information. He pursues his targets relentlessly. The intention behind crimes, unless for the purpose of self-defense or the defense of the innocent, matters little to him. A psychopath and a seeker of revenge are both valid targets of his art (though the reforming process likely differs for each). If needed, he can step into the role of spy, bodyguard, or sherrif with ease.

While playing this character as a PC or as the main protagonist of your work may be difficult (I'm still going to give it a shot some day), the Paradox makes a wonderfully complex supporting cast member or gray villian. It is crucial to keep in mind that in no way is the Paradox a hypocrite; he would impose nothing on others that he did not have imposed on himself.

Pic via Wikipedia

well my pain's in a rut / I've been lonely long enough

It is not like my day was that horrible.

The customers I dealt with were difficult, but nobody was mean.

The weather was rainy, but at least it stopped at lunch time.

A TV show we watched was canceled, I didn't eat my vegetables, and I let my projects sit idle.

None of these things alone can ruin a day and I wouldn't even say that I've had a bad day. Just some days are more tiring then others.

So the superhero trait I look to work towards today is optimism in the face of defeat. The people who succeed in life are those who strive towards that success, not those who let a weak umbrella or rude person on the bus.

My day today featured amazing conversations with my friends, a great dinner, and sincere hope for the future. Letting myself slide and look forward tomorrow might be the greatest gift I can give myself, forgiveness and understanding. I'm prepared to continue the week and I'm prepared to put my energy towards good.

I just hope for a little more sunshine to accompany it.

Follow-up on last week: My caffeine detox is still going pretty strong. I had 1 soda last week and that was even better then expected.

image via weheartit.com

I want to rock your gypsy soul / Just like way back in the days of old

Cool Places We Have Been Recently in Pittsburgh

• E2 - Awesome brunch place in Highland Park. We had beignets and an awesome goat cheese/asparagus/green onions omelet.
• Art All Night - A yearly event in Pittsburgh where they allow all residents to submit a piece to show. It is really unique and you see all types of art. We saw a 1up mushroom made of nes cartridges, half women/half zebra photo manips, and little kid batman pictures. 
• Pizza Sola - The best pizza I have had since leaving the NJ/NY area. 

Neat Things Beth Found on the Internet

• Tyger, Tyger - A great article about the art of Jack Kirby
• Whoopie Pie Cupcakes - Two great tastes that taste good together.
• Dresser-turned-Kitchen Island - A really great design idea for someone that does not have a kitchen.
• The School of Life - Ideas to live by provided by a great store/school in London. 

Neat Things Mike Found on the Internet

• Facial Threat Assessment - I'm happy to say it regards me favorably.
• Non-Organic Augmentation - Your dreams/nightmares of partial cyborgization inch closer.
• Vulcan's Tradeoff/Type Your Face Off - Because I love infographics far more than I love flying in planes. And certainly more than I love choosing fonts.
• Mature Bros. - Please someone make this game immediately.

images via we heart it

receiving the frequency (homo superior?)

My thoughts have always drifted too hard, too quickly, for me to have ever really gotten into the practice of meditation. I recall an attempt in the darkness of my childhood family room, a no-lotus position crouch on the couch, like I might have been awaiting the dread of being chosen for a dodge ball team during gym class, no authentic mudra(s) to make, nothing to listen to nothing except the dim click of the clock in the front hall.

It is possible that my (lack of) instruction was to blame. Unrealistic expectations brought frustration, impatience or the lack of a need for calmness stunted my transcendental journeys, etc; I'm sure I could come up with a great many excuses. Unexpectedly, years of shortfalls, of convincing but ultimately futile internal monologues, gave way to something remarkable a few days ago. Beth Fury and I decided to give a podcast via the University of California, San Diego, which was a guided meditation (I tried to dig up a link, but she picked it up on her touch so I don't know how to directly link it).

This actually was new for me, and I'm not sure how much credit I can give the voice on the other end, but I found something tangible, something wonderful. Following the imperative to focus on each body part in succession, I was able to achieve a sort of chain-reaction of relaxation, an opening of each segment of my being. My thoughts still wandered into supercilious and vulgar places unrelated to emptiness, or even my current meditative practice. It didn't matter. What I was able to maintain, for nearly a half hour, was purely physical and unbroken. The guide, early on, had explained how just such a period of time as we were devoting was the restful equivalent of three hours of sleep. For some reason, I must have really integrated that into my practice, because not only did I doze off a bit towards the end (apparently missing the somewhat silly bit about visualizing yourself as a blossom with a baby inside that was you) for a few minutes, but I did indeed feel incredibly invigorated afterwards.

The sort of open tingling I was feeling was ineffable (and so I absolve myself of the duty to give a flowery description), but it has convinced me to keep on trying. After all, how else will I learn to repel the psychic assaults of enemy telepaths?

Image courtesy of We Heart It

p.s. got rained out of the bike thing on Friday. worry not; my two-wheeled liberation across the earth's skin is inevitable, and it will be blogivised.

p.s.s. shout out to Manga Bookshelf for linking to my review of Shaman Warrior Vol. 1. If you happened to like that, I imagine you'll dig her stuff too.

the music that I want/is cheaper than therapy

Sorcerers and Sorceresses that I Love

• Merlin
• Stephen Strange
• Morgana
• Gandalf the Grey
• Gandalf the White 
• Aleister Crowley
• Dr. Doom

Current Favorite Songs

• "Don't Let Me Fall" - B.o.B.
• "Solitary Gun" - Rogue Wave
• "Moth's Wings" - Passion Pit
• "You Are The Blood" - Sufjan Stevens

 Things I Will Thinking About Right Before Dreaming

• How to prevent my gmail from ever being hacked again?
• How awesome positivity feels?
• What will the weather be like tomorrow?
• I hope Mike makes biscuits for breakfast.

all pictures via weheartit 

rolling (conquering the curse of forward momentum)

I have a confession to make. I am, right now, as I'm writing, incapable of practically utilizing a bicycle.

In other words, my past attempts to bike ride have generated a public hazard, dangerous towards myself and others. An objective observer with some insider knowledge should find this incredulous; I am not generally uncoordinated, and have tackled many an uneven and poorly maintained pavement with a pair of Missions strapped to my feet.

The last time I made the attempt was to speed up my commute from my place deep in Douglass College in New Brunswick over the Raritan River into Highland Park. I had my mother's pretty red thin-tired eurobike, and I was strangely optimistic. You see, bike riding was just something I never picked up on as a child. The few times I was coerced by my parents into giving it a shot, invariably ended either in frustration and abandonment, or an embarrassing and slightly traumatic crash. My parents (my father really) stopped pushing the issue, and I was more than happy to leave it in the garage.

It was six years ago when I tried, and suffice to say, I gave up rather quickly. The section of town I was riding in wasn't exactly flat, five seconds in I had zero confidence, and never really mastered turning or riding in narrow areas. Wound up walking that thing a good mile and a half there, then another two back.

Tomorrow, for about eight bucks, I can rent one from a new shop that opened downtown, and I'm going to give it another shot. There's no reason to think this attempt will be different from the last, but no reason to think it won't be. My feet, hands, and inner ear are a blank canvas that lacks muscle memory, but my heart, head, and kneecaps that are ready to throw down. You hear that bicycle? I'm coming for you.

Besides, I have a pretty good teacher this time.

There may or may not be pictures. No promises.

Pic courtesy RUR and MKZ

cause I'm gliding up there oh so very high/that if the clouds were to drop me/then I'd fall out the sky

Realities Of The Week So Far:
1) I am still caffeine free with no pesky intensely nauseating migraines. Which is a huge accomplishment and I'm already patting myself on the back about it. No tea even! I'm not planning on being caffeine-free forever, but I think sometimes, you body needs to detox off of it.
2) Cake Batter Frozen Yogurt is delicious. Mike and I went to a new frozen yogurt place called "RazzyFresh" in Squirrel Hill which was delicious and an awesome business model. The frozen yogurt is actually self-serve and you add your own toppings, then they weigh it to get a price. Plus, they have all of the ingredients and nutritional information posted right by the ice cream which is comforting when you are trying not to eat anything that you a) can't identify b) can't pronounce. 
3) Meditation is hard. We are starting a meditative practice at least 2x a week using some podcasts I downloaded and while it was really good, I definitely struggled with staying in the moment.


So, I want to use Wednesday posts to drop some knowledge (hello, font of knowledge speaking, check my flow) by posting some sort of lesson, project, or tips. 


My tips for this week are Things to do When Your Allergies Are Kicking Your Butt. 


1. Accept being uncomfortable. I start with this tip because it has taken a long time for me to learn that being a little uncomfortable isn't that bad. I have really severe hay fever and regular sinus infections, so when I take medication, I can get a little better but usually I still drag a little bit. For me, it is a trade off. Either I can be a little uncomfortable or I can regularly go get allergy shots. I think that a lot of people have a hard time with mind over matter but sometimes, to treat the issue, you have to accept that it might be an uphill climb.

2. Don't be a hero. While I know I just said to accept being uncomfortable, you should also know that it is not worth spending everyday of the spring miserable because you don't want to take a pill. I hate taking medication and do a lot of more natural remedies, but some days, if I want to go to the park and walk around during the day time, I have to accept that medication will help me be a more present and pleasant person. 

3. Nasal irrigation is your friend. While due to some sinus issues, a neti pot was a rare torture device for me, for a lot of people they are a god send. If you don't like the neti pot or don't want to spend the money on it, just pick up a saline nasal spray from the supermarket. They are about 2 bucks and will save you on days where your sinuses are preventing you from breathing normal.

4. Try different treatments until you find one that works. I avoided all allergy medicine for years due to the horrible reaction I would have to the medicine I took as a child. Now I balance another over the counter medicine with Olive Leaf supplements, ample water, and another herbal allergy medication. It may take time to find something that works for you, but keep trying. The spring time is too pretty to be stuck inside.

5. Keep an open mind. While some people may scoff at using Olive Leaf supplements or the importance of exposure to the elements to build up a resistance, it is important to recognize that not every remedy comes from a doctor. 

6. Change your sheets! When you get home, make sure your clothing does not interact with your bedding. Don't wear your shoes around the house. Do anything and everything to prevent exposure in your home. When my allergies got really bad, we hooked up the air conditioner months early in our bedroom. Sometimes, your best bet is to treat yourself like the bubble boy, just stay away from the pollen.

7. Look up the allergy report. Most weather sites now list a pollen forecast. This is your friend. This will let you know if you do need to take your meds or if you can take a day off.

8. Read, read, read. Since the internet made everyone a hypochondriac, most people know the usual suspects (webmd, mayo clinic) to see tips. One of my favorite resources is http://www.wholeliving.com/ , the website for Whole Living Magazine. If you come across any site that you love, comment and I will add it to the post.


Just remember, the spring time is short, and if you are like me, you will be sneezing till winter. Try new things and work at it, you can enjoy the outdoors. Pollen can be your friend.


image via onlyducks etsy

generation: blind peacemaker archetype

Today's entry will absolutely not be about a prophet (unless you consider common sense and knowledge of history prophetic, which is reasonable). But that's a cool painting and Tiresias is a decent jumping off point for the concept. Prior warning: the background assumes some level of spiritual/mystical component to the setting, specifically animism.

A real quick bit of explanation for Tuesday posts in general; I am not generating a character for a specific rpg, a specific piece of fandom, or a bit of fiction I am working on. So I will try to be as general in the applicability of this as I can. If you are interested in seeing my thoughts about systems/setting specific stuff about these characters, comment to this post and I will be more than happy to blather on about it there.

Okay, on to the good stuff! The Blind Peacemaker grew up in a tightly knit community, and his family shared no great privileged or position of distinction. He was not groomed for power, responsibility, or title. This is important, because nearly all he will go on to do will be generated from his own sense of right action. It is not a character that is torn between his secret convictions and the mantle put upon him at an early age; he finds his calling and assumes it with great ease.

His destiny meets him after puberty but shy of adulthood. A spirit, powerful, petty, but of a purview that includes knowledge, wisdom, cleverness, threatens the community. Their sages fail to succeed in diplomacy, their leaders fail to supplicate with offerings, and their warriors, those with the courage to, are slain upon approach. The Blind Peacemaker, a student of local lore, the only child in the community to do things like memorize ancient poetry for fun, just so happens to remember an obscure verse pertaining to this spirit. It speaks of a price the godling is willing to receive in exchange for what the giver wishes.

As the bodies begin to seriously pile up, he goes to speak with the spirit in a dark cove far past midnight. With convincing sincerity, he offers the price, the power of his sight, in exchange for the safety of his people. The spirit, bemused by the offer but also by the peacemaker's simple and honest gesture, agrees. And he sweetens the deal by granting a personal gift in exchange. Just as the peacemaker came to the spirit with pure intentions and no doubts, the spirit grants his words the power to open the hearts and ears of all who hear him without prejudice. In effect, this young man is now the ideal negotiator.

Playing tips: The Peacemaker may have been shunned by his former people for receiving a "gift" that their people seemingly had to suffer for, or perhaps for breaking a social taboo that restricts locals from interacting with spirits. Conversely, the Peacemaker may have risen to the highest station in this community, partially due to his new found power, but perhaps just out of simple gratitude.

The Peacemaker's behavior exemplifies the emotional attitudes of many of the great zen masters; not shut off and repressed, but experiencing a total mastery of himself. This leads to an air of doubtless confidence; after all, he was willing to exchange the sight of all things for other people and did so without reservation. He is not shy about using his mystical gifts to patiently convince others of the rightness of his views, nor is he unwilling to share the lore he has collected over his life. However, he is a shrewd bargainer, and will not grant anything freely, though his demands are always of a benevolent nature, even if he is not the beneficiary. He is the coolest of the cool, though he feels every heartache.

If it is possible to manipulate this character, it would be through his love of knowledge, which he covets, or his emotional ties to those he shepherds. The man lives for others, indulging in righteousness for its own sake. He commonly takes no mate, unable to give his attention unfairly to one over many, but if he does, it is likely through polygamy. This character, especially decades beyond the loss of his sight, is likely the savant of his region.

Pic courtesy of wikipedia

day one

One school of thought says it takes you 28 days to start a new habit. You must start and stick to this habit and after that point, it will become easier. 


I am not sure if it will actually take 28 days to make these lifestyle choices permanent. But in the midst of trying to eat better, live a positive life, and become a generally happy person, I decided to take on a superheroic goal of stopping the caffeine.


Caffeine and I are troubled, life-long friends. Never coffee, but carbonated beverages gave me my fix. In college, I could easily down a four pack of red bull before starting a paper. Now, I see it drain on  my pocket and rot my teeth, so I decided I need to try and stop.


My headache today was in direct reference to the amount of caffeine and, by that I mean, it was huge. Blinding, nauseating, tiring, and everything that made me want to crawl to the gas station across from my house and just start downing bottles of coke. By also subtracting the caffeine, I'm subtracting a huge amount of sugar from my diet too.


But I stayed strong, came home, did some yoga, went for walk, and took numerous advil to get over the hump.


Supposedly, day 2 is even worse. 


But I'm ready for it.


images via weheartit

rampageous procedure! (proposed consistency)

Ever lamented disingenuously about how your life lacks iron-clad discipline? I know I have!

Fortunately, my bio-electric software doesn't require me to be beaten with sticks, threatened, cajoled, or bribed. It just needs mindless repetition of correct actions! Yes!

And thus, the schedule:

Tuesday- Creative Character Workshop. Who doesn't like to arbitrarily generate fictional characters? These heroes, superheroes, morally ambiguous bad-asses, and tortured, complex protagonists are for your enjoyment and use. Feel free to swipe 'em for yourself. Remember, nobody likes hearing about your character, but they'll pay money for a book of pre-generated ones (funny how that works out). Behold as I pull back the curtain on my dark machinations...

Thursday- Skill Acquisition. Superheroes without the aid of {choose one: mystical/psuedo-scientific/divine} plot devices need some skills! So do I. This day will be for the ongoing saga of my attempt to pad out my character sheet.

Saturday: Special Powers! How many points* in the unique snowflake column will I need to be satisfied? Invalid question! This is where I muse about my quest for my own lil slices of transhuman awesomeness.

*no, it isn't over 9000

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

you can never see yourself/ringing all around it

Good morning Monday!

If you are anything like me, then most of your morning was spent trying desperately to get out of a mess of blankets while your partner begs you to just get out of bed. I'd like to pretend that I bounded out of bed, did some yoga, ate a well-rounded healthy breakfast, and then left for work bright eyed and bushy tailed. I did have a well-rounded breakfast (thanks to Mike's ability to function while tired), and I did eventually get bright eyed (thanks to mascara).

But I'm here, I'm ready to start posting, and here is a tentative schedule that we will be following:
Mondays: Ways to Be Better, a step by step plan to becoming a superhero
Tuesdays: Mike's Day
Wednesdays: The midweek check-in, am I being as awesome as possible? Projects, tips, and other lessons from the librarian.
Thursdays: Mike's Day
Fridays: Lists, links, and other ways I express myself in a numbered form.
Saturdays: Mike's Day
Sundays: Links of the Week, collaborative proof that we are online too much.

Those are our goals and you'll see my post go live later today.

I'm upbeat, excited, and probably sickeningly optimistic.

We'll see if this can hold out until 5 pm today when the real work starts.

A Proclaimation of Superheroinism (a.k.a. living the life you are meant to live)

I'm not sure how to speak eloquently on something so odd that has shaped me so much.

It was M and Husk in my silver shiny "Generation X", and Jean Grey in the worn library copy of "The Dark Phoenix Saga". It was my Action Girl comics and labeled video tapes of Buffy episodes. It was real life superheroes, standing against every odd and staying strong. It was the day to day superhero, living a life that attempted to be the best life it could be. The idea of a superhero/superheroine is both optimistic and idealist, romantic and oddly depressing that there aren't more of them. It's the antiheroes, the morally ambiguous, watchmen for a time but also the idyllic patriotic caped crusaders that stand to inspire.

I had spent a winter struggling with trying to be the best me I could be and with deciding what I wanted this blog to be, when I heard an episode of "This American Life" about a woman who had set out to be a superhero. She had learned knife fighting, guns, intelligence tactics; all with the hopes of being super human. She was focused on what she had decided was her necessary goal and worked towards achieving it.

While my goals were more in line with "run a 5K" then "learn to use a bazooka", I understood that drive. It's that embarrassing nerdy optimism that you will achieve what you set out to do. What I am setting out to achieve is to live a more Superhero life, one more focused on my role in the world around me and towards going to sleep each night knowing that I am leading my best possible life. Some weeks that goal might be to try something new, some weeks that goal might be to just work towards becoming the best me.

Everyone needs a role model, mine just tend to be drawn out of proportion with a cape.

P.S. If anyone wants to teach me knife fighting or how to use a bazooka, I am down.

There's always a name. Lincoln. Hitler. Gandhi. The name can inspire terror, awe... sometimes great things. But there's millions of people go into making a name. People facing things they couldn't imagine they would. In the moments that matter, even our own names are just sounds people make to tell us apart. What we are isn't that. The real questions run deeper. Can I fight? Did I help? Did I do for my sisters?... There is a chain between each and every one of us. And like the man said, you either feel its tug or your ignore it. I tried to feel it. I tried to face the darkness like a woman and I don't need any more than that. You don't have to remember me. You don't even know who I am. But I do. - "The Chain" Buffy Season 8

images via we heart it joss'd

a manifesto of human supplementaion (for me)

It occurs to me that I level up in my life pretty often. I am enhanced with greater virtues, more consistent success at large, and occasionally a special power or two. Like any dedicated player, I form strategies and plans for accomplishing this, and tie it to a timeline of milestones, aka, about how long you convince yourself this might take.*

Okay, granted, in RPGS the numbers are right there for you to compare. The hard work is already done, right? Except how often do I really approach leveling up myself in my own live in this quantitative fashion? Even when I practiced at trying to put out a candle without touching it, and finally did it, I let myself wander into the solution (hint: think vacuum). I should totally make a video of that.

Anyway, the time had begun to conduct a serious study on the practice of heroic self-augmentation. I'm not saying "super" because sadly my mutant powers did not emerge during puberty and I'm going to have to be satisfied with more mundane achievements. Fortunately, many of these kick ass and bring tremendous personal satisfaction. What am I talking about?

Batman has a mass spectrometer. That's gotta be basically the thing he pushes stuff into at the Batcave to analyze them. Okay, so I don't have one, but if I did I could use it like him. Actually, I'm pretty sure I've done it before in Chemistry class.

In Identity Crisis, Superman catches what the super-aware DC superheroes who have already investigated miss; the knot used as the potential murder weapon was special and the hallmark of the villain Slipknot. How? Former boyscout. I could do that (actually, I was terrible at knot tying when I was one too, even more reason to give it another shot)!

My favorite astral travelers (Dr. Strange, The King of All-Night's Dreaming, Booghost, etc.) are all highly competent at the art of lucid dreaming. Something I've made attempts at in the past, but know it takes dedicated effort. More productive time to really ponder my next move on the chessboard of life!

The world can't wait; it calls out for a hero!

*I often joke that I possess the first dot in the Time sphere. I get penalties the farther out I go from seeing what time it was last though.

Images via WeHeartit

now we're born again/and all that remains

Now we're born again
And all that remains
Is all that reminds us of the sound
You've always known
All right

Now we're born again
And all that remains
Is all that reminds us of the sound
You've always known
You've always known

And I'll fall on you like a star

-Rogue Wave-

Appearing this weekend: A Manifesto in Superhero Living.

images from We <3 It