Misadventures of an old-school whovian

Gem City Comic-Con

I’m forever amazed at the number of people who take a keen interest in something that was, and in many ways is, intended for a younger audience. There are large fan clubs for Japanese anime, Barbie dolls, and the like. However, something about comic books is so wonderfully universal that we accept so many things into “normal” society that once had a stigma attached. There’s a comic out there for everyone these days. From silly funny animal to dark horror we have turned the medium into an art form, into literature. What used to get you whacked in the arm by the school bully is now something that you can used to find wealth beyond your dreams.

Let’s take, for instance, the character idea. A bad idea, say for instance my first foray into this arena - Seth : The Flying Blob, is not likely to take off, if you’ll pardon the pun. However, Superman is simple and daring, and has withstood the test of over 75 years. A character can speak to the Everyman, or to our greatest desires. And, some even show the best or worst of who we are.

Some teams of heroes, greater than the sum of their individual contributions, have entertained us. A good team of heroes does more than entertain, but can show the rich diversity that is our country, or our humanity.

Stories or origins have many times been the backbone of a comic character. How different would we feel about Spiderman, for instance, if we did not have the tragedy of Uncle Ben, and the notion that with great power comes great responsibility? How different would the Dark Knight be if he had lived his whole life with his parents? Maybe he’d be just a costumed vigilante, and not the beacon of hope for the darkened streets of Gotham.

Thanks to our current crop of creators, we have about a varied selection of these characters as ever to choose from. With the independents, we get stories we wouldn’t otherwise read from the “big guys”. But, there is room for all in our world. We are both forgotten and adored, misunderstood and praised, lost yet treasured. We are completely comfortable in who and what we are. We are geeks. We are comic fandom.

At the 7th Annual Gem City Comic-Con, I will be celebrating my seventh trip. Every year seems equal to, if not better than, the last. This year I will be part of the Gem City Roller Girls, my second family, and we will be having a panel discussion at 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 1st. I’ll hope to get some great artists to do some artwork and pick up a few good books. Most of all, I’m happy my daughter is 5, and can enjoy the show with me. Because, I hope to pass my life-long passions down. I think that we be fruitful and multiply. Spread the gospel, my friends… By the way, have you read a comic today?

Mr. Sew ‘n’ Sew

For two years I have been privileged to be a part of the Gem City Roller Girls (GCRG). Initially it was in support of the better half’s derby endeavor. Eventually this evolved to volunteering my time in a variety of ways. I basically would tell my friends, “I don’t have a title. I just do whatever I can and whatever I’m told.”. That was a pretty fair assessment until this year when asking to be given any work they needed turned into taking a job few were asking for… Scorekeeper.

I can barely stay upright on skates, so it made sense to have something that was a “non-skating official”. But, running the scoreboard requires multitasking abilities as well as computer skills. After my first bout it was clear that having those abilities would pay great dividends.

Well, now we come to the reason for my post. Now that I’m “official”, and we are ordering jackets, I need to come up with a name. Most people know that in derby, you usually have a nickname. I’ve been “J-man”, and “whovian”, but haven’t had any real nicknames. This came from a derby conversation. We had been using vinyl shower curtains for our makeshift dressing rooms during bouts. There was a home and away side roughly 40-50 feet each made out of PVC tubing for frames. I suggested we make fabric ones. After they’d seen my “gingerbread derby girls” (more on that later in a later post), they thought it might be a good idea. Especially after I offered to do it for free if they would provide materials. Well, what they didn’t know is that I hadn’t fired up a sewing machine since my grandma tried to teach me how to use one when I was a kid. So, I bought one (I’d wanted to get one for me and the better half anyway, and started to work. I’m almost halfway through and I think they look good. So, after a number of sewing-themed suggestions, I came up with Mr. Sew ‘n’ Sew.

Preseason and madness

I tend to think of the months as either “in season” or otherwise. Right now we are in derby season for the Gem City Roller Girls, and has become among my favorite months of the year. I’m sure that they may even unseat November one day. The bouts already surround May, already among that grand order. Those girls have breathed new life into me, and I am forever grateful.

However, we are also in the middle of March Madness. A particularly odd month that makes gamblers and fools of us all. Even those who care very little for sport still get wrapped up in its insanity, and I care a great deal about sport. Some argue my sanity already, and I often deserve it. But this month I seem rather ordinary, and it brings comfort with it.

One more season is soon upon us. That is a new series of Doctor Who. Already in filming, the new series will bring an end to the Rory/Amy relationship. A not all together unpleasant subplot, but I fear one whose time needs to come to an end as only Doctor Who can bring. I’m so very excited to see how it unfolds.

Introduction

What a strange yet wondrous world we live in. Our lives, so fast-paced and fully booked, have many more outlets than ever to communicate with anyone in the world. And, this is at virtually no cost. I remember having to explain to my mom why a phone call to a schoolmate in a neighboring county was on the phone bill, and hearing that it would come out of next week’s allowance. I now can call anyone in the country for no additional charge on my cel phone plan. Or, I can sent an email, video, or picture, anywhere in the world. So, this geek is in heaven. You see, I have been a fan of technology and computers since I was a young pup. I remember going to to department store at around age 8, and seeing all the adults huddled around new computers such as the TI-99 and Atari 400, and being so interested in all it could do at the time. Now, I carry in my hand an iPhone that can do 100 times what the first computer I purchased out o high school could do. And, that computer cost me over $1500 without any extras. It sometimes boggles my mind.

Well, I’m not quite 40, and have a 5 year old who makes me feel closer to 60 some days with all her energy. I help car dealerships with software, and really enjoy it. The fact I’ve worked in the public for most of my life is rather ironic considering I was so shy in school that I was told my classmates I would have been voted shyest in class if they’d just known my name.

I have a number of hobbies and interests in my life including roller derby, Doctor Who, trading cards, sports, and British television. I’ll chat about those things, and will share thoughts on life. Perhaps some will read, but I’m hoping it is at least healing.