[YouTube Link]

So I totally teared up. Bite me.

Tell me what’s going to be great about your week?

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1. Introduction
2. The Three Refuges
3. The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path:
4. Right Understanding
5. Right Intent
6. Right Speech
7. Right Livelihood
8. Right Effort
9. Right Mindfulness

The best place to be, is here, and the best time to be, is now.

- Bill S. Preston esq and Ted “Theodore” Logan

Aha.

Ahaha.

Ahahahaha.

So. If you know me – if you’ve even spent ten minutes I my presence, you’ll know I have difficulty concentrating on one thing for more than five minutes, without wandering off, zoning out, or just following my brain.

No, wait, scratch that. I mean controlling that thing on which I’m concentrated.

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[YouTube Link]

This has been me for DAYS AND DAYS. I got Mitch Benn’s latest album last week and instantly started learning I’m Proud of the BBC. Now I just can’t stop singing it, and it’s driving my roommates crazy.

What song is stuck in your head?

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That old influenza virus really kicked my ass last week. From the moment I woke up last Saturday with a fever, it only took a couple of days to beat the virus down to the recovery-sniffly phase, but then I was physically knackered for the whole rest of the week.

I must be getting old. Sickness never used to leave me so tired for so long afterwards.

So if you’re wondering where I’ve been: that’s where. That, and finishing a class that I taught on Friday.

[YouTube Link]

Super Best Friends Forever! The new short from DC Nation.

How was last week for you?

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I… am already bored with ‘one to keep, one to drop.’ Being negative about comics is boring, y’all. Howsabout I just talk about the week’s highlight each week, hmm?

Avengers: The Children’s Crusade has been rather flatline for me; it was less an interesting story and more a plot device to introduce Wanda Maximoff back into Marvel continuity and set up for this Avengers vs X-Men milarkey which frankly I’m not interested in. I only bought the series because I like Young Avengers and I only read Young Avengers for Teddy, Billy and Tommy anyway.

So it was really only worth it for the character moments of those kids.

But what character moments they were.

I provide a cut for spoilers!

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Not a particularly happy video today, kind of breaking the point of it. But it was a good watch, even if watching a pro-marriage play adapted from the court case surrounding Prop-8 is kind of preaching to the choir with my readership.

[YouTube Link]

Blogging was light last week because I wasn’t in the right brainspace. (I’m getting better, but it’s ups and downs). Blogging will be light this week because I have a lot to do for teaching and class.

But how are you, my loves?

This post can also be found at Thagomizer.net. Feel free to join in the conversation wherever you feel most comfortable.

1. Introduction
2. The Three Refuges
3. The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path:
4. Right Understanding
5. Right Intent
6. Right Speech
7. Right Livelihood
8. Right Effort

Something terrible has happened!

It’s the wire – it just managed to snap one day in class, spilling beads onto the floor of one of the halls in the AMNH. I managed to retrieve all of them except one garnet bead – the opening bead on the bracelet, and its absence makes me sad. I have beads from other broken jewellery, though, and I think I can make do. Meanwhile, I’m putting off the task of finding a place in New York that will offer the service of replacing the wire for me. It will come.

So on to Right Mindfulness. Which is the reason I started down this Path to start with. My goal, and therefore, the hardest possible challenge for me, is the cultivation of a present, perceptive open mind that sees what is really going on.

This post can also be found at Thagomizer.net. Feel free to join in the conversation wherever you feel most comfortable.

This came up in conversation over the weekend and needs to be shared:

[YouTube Link]

What did you do this weekend?

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My friend, hair-twin and never-quite-colleague Emma wrote this poem for Valentine’s day:

The panther chameleon will bob his head
And make his colour intense.
A broody ringtail lemur girl,
Will attract her mate with scents.

Read more at the Grant Museum blog

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[YouTube Link]

This post can also be found at Thagomizer.net. Feel free to join in the conversation wherever you feel most comfortable.

Writer and Artist: Norihiro Yagi
Publisher: Shonen Jump Advanced

What’s it about?
In a pre-industrial world in which monsters called yoma infiltrate human settlements in order to hunt and feed on human viscera, female warriors known as Claymores (after the huge swords they carry) are employed to hunt and kill the yoma. Half yoma themselves, these warriors have the strength and speed needed to fight yoma, and the ability to sense them out when they’re hiding among humans. The warriors’ inhumanity, clear in their lack of pigmentation in hair and skin and their shining silver eyes, makes it hard for humans to trust them, and leaves them outcasts in the society they work to protect.

Read right to left!

If it sounds familiar to you, you probably already know whether or not this series is for you.

Read more on New Readers! Start Here!

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Don’t Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late

Written and Illustrated by Mo Willems
Hyperion Books, New York, 2006
ISBN 978 078683746 5
Buy from Pigeon Presents!  (links to high-profile booksellers)

At the beginning – in fact, on the very title page – of Don’ t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! the readers are asked by nameless man to do him a favor and “don’t let the Pigeon stay up late!” The rest of the book is written in the voice of the pigeon, listing excuses and arguing as to why he should be allowed to stay up, until he finally falls asleep and the man returns to thank us. The pigeon “himself” is genderless – there are no pronouns used in the book to refer to him. I use ‘him’ here as a personal decision.

The book’s format is a simple merging of words and pictures, as every piece of writing is enclosed by a speech bubble pointing to a character’s (usually the Pigeon’s) mouth. The page layouts usually consist of no more than the pigeon, who is simply drawn with outlines and flat coloring, and his dialogue. This gives space for him to have a full range of expressions, that animate the whole of his body.

The Pigeon plays out a scene of conflict between child and adults – the argument over bedtime – which is nearly universally familiar. Unlike the concept of the original Pigeon book – Don’t Let the Pigeon Ride the Bus (2004 Caldecott honors) – going to bed is a daily occurrence for children, and the struggle between a child who doesn’t want to sleep quite yet and an adult who insists on bedtime anyway is a common part of caregiver/child relationships. Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! casts the Pigeon – a child in a fur coat (or feathered in this case) in the role of a wilful child, and the child reading the book as the adult. When read by an adult to the child, the conversational first-to-second person style further casts the reader in the child role, effectively reversing the usual roles. Children have the opportunity to play at being ‘mother’, to gain feelings of control and express a role that’s unobtainable to them in every day life, where scolding younger siblings, for example, may be discouraged.  By casting children in the ‘adult’ role, Willems gives them the opportunity to play out this control. The use of constant questioning by the Pigeon, directly addressing the reader, further lets the children reading the book to tell him “No!”: a favorite word for young threes, who are experimenting with their own powers of independence.

Seeing the Pigeon trying to stay up late lets children know that they aren’t alone in their struggles, and gives them the opportunity to place the blame for ‘bad’ behavior on another person – the Pigeon, just as children of this age might invent an imaginary friend. . Not being human, the Pigeon is readable as no race or nationality, and being genderless, “he” is interchangeable with any and all children who have had this power struggle.

The layout of the pages, while mostly repetitive and comfortable, work to add a layer of dynamism to the book. On one page, the Pigeon is fully visible, dancing wildly to show how not-tired he is, on the next, he is so close to the reader that only his head, neck and one wing is visible, as he whispers conspiratorially. He shrugs, folds his wings and yawns just like a human, in highly expressive pictures that follow his highly active nature. Sometimes, a double page spread is used to accommodate giant text for emphasis – a desperate cry of “I’M NOT TIRED” and later a huge yawn are stretched across the page. On another double page spread, the pages are divided into four, making eight quarter-sized panels each with the familiar pattern of smaller pigeon and smaller text, in a way that speeds up the pace and adds to the Pigeon’s increased desperate pleas. Willems therefore avoids monotony, and strikes a balance between familiar repetition and interesting dynamism.

Despite the content matter, this is not a suitable book for bedtime, because it’s full of a restless energy, and because it encourages children to talk back to the book: “No!” It is, however, a great book for reading to a group of children if they’re encouraged to chorus back to the pigeon in a social manner to encourage interaction with the book.

The Pigeon is the star of six different books by Mo Willems, as well as puzzles, games and a cartoon series (although his voice in that is decidedly male). My own experience suggests that children of this are drawn to familiar characters, because there’s a feeling of security in knowing what to expect. While Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late is the most relatable in terms of lived experiences, the other books combine to give a sense of continuity between multiple books, that culminates in added appeal for each book.

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Keeper: Batwoman

Batwoman #1 cover, art by JH Williams III

I picked this up because: Com’on, it’s the long awaited sequel to Elegy, and you all know how I feel about that.

What’s good about it? Art, art, art, art, art. J.H. Williams is a highly skilled visual storyteller, continuing the combined comic-y and hyperrealism style he established in Elegy. His layouts are dynamic, enhance the story and make reading the book a joy. Yes, occasionally you have to read a book twice, but that’s no hardship when the book is so pretty.

Amy Reeder, the artist on the arc that started this week with #6, is also a top notch artist who utilises Williams-esque layouts to the same excellent effect. While she as her own style, the two merge seamlessly from book to book and it remains very much a Batwoman book.

The cast of characters is great; I was excited to see the return of Cameron Chase, Williams’ character from Chase, and Maggie Sawyer and Bette Kane have filled out a cast that never seems to pass the reverse Bechdel test Jacob Kane, in fact, is the only named male character right now, and the writers are taking slowly his reconciliation with Kate after the events of Elegy: giving it the space it needs to be a decent story.

I also like that they’re very definitely going in a new direction with Kate, not letting her be just another Batfamily member, they’re keeping that distance that sets her apart. An equal, but not a subordinate or a partner.

What’s bad about it?

Well, it did rush straight into the story with very little back story or explanation for beginners – and what there was was a crowded and confusing double page spread. It was part of the DC reboot, but it’s been in production for so many years that the reboot feels pasted on. It’s not a book for Batwoman newbies – but that’s OK, ’cause you should be reading Elegy anyway.

I’m keeping it because: I just like looking at it.

Dropper: Batgirl

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 Enlightenment is not your birthright.

Those who succeed do so only through proper effort.

Ramana Maharshi

Living and acting appropriately is a huge part of the Eightfold Path, but can only be of real benefit when combined with work on one’s own personal growth. The last three parts of the Path are concerned with Mental Development; the ways to develop and improve one’s own mental well being, and it starts, as do all things really, with Right Effort. Because it’s all very well knowing the Dharma and reading and meditating, but unless I put the effort into the way I’m living, there’s just no point.

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One of my favourite Mitchell and Webb sketches, from That Mitchell and Webb Look, Season 3, episode 2.

[YouTube Link]

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It’s been five months now since DC’s big reboot and the launch of what has now stuck as the DcnU. I actually picked up more comics with the #1s than I was buying at the time, and stuck with a few of them through the first five issues, determined to hold my judgment until I’d read the first arc or so.

And now, I find the keep/drop decision is remarkably easy to make. So here are two comics I bought this week: one keeper, one dropper. (I’ll probably be going through all of these one a weekly basis now. Be warned.

Keeper: Stormwatch

I picked this up because: Paul Cornell, a writer I discovered when he wrote the excellent Knight and Squire miniseries, has a sense of humour and a feeling for characters I appreciate. I have as yet, read one collected volume of Ellis’ The Authority, and I had some fondness for the characters, especially Apollo and Midnighter.

What’s good about it? Cornell’s grasp of characterisation and his way with dialogue have not let me down – the characters of Jack Hawksmoor, Midnighter, J’onn J’onzz and Adam One, in particular, have been the stars of characterisation, although Apollo, the Engineer, Projectionist and Jenny Quantum have shone in their own ways, and I have no reason to expect anything other than great things from them in future issues.

I’ve also liked the treatment of Midnighter and Apollo: while I was annoyed in general by the number of relationships the DC reboot completely erased, Cornell didn’t waste any time with a blossoming romance. Midnighter saw Apollo, decided he was super hot and when directly after him. (“God, you’re hot.” “They others can hear you.” “I’m the Midnighter. I don’t give a damn.”).He’s not a guy who beats around the bush, when it comes to getting laid.

What’s bad about it?

Well, it’s a little slow in getting going; there are a LOT of characters in this team, and Cornell wastes no time getting to know them. As a result, for someone as new to Stormwatch as myself – or newer – it can be confusing as the characters are thrown at you – and the first issue had multiple plot threads which didn’t help that much. With familiarity it gets easier, though and this only lasts a few issues.

It also ties too much in with events in other books for my liking, because I don’t read Superman or Justice League right now and I have no interest in it. So everytime there’s a note that says “see Superman, or JLA for more information” I just say to myself “well, I guess I’ll never know the full story. That’s OK, neither do the characters. If you’re interested in Big World Building Stories, it looks like you’d have to buy more books. Me, I’m just interested in characters, so this is fine by me.

I’m keeping it because: I like good dialogue and interesting, varied characters. And I care about these guys already.

Dropper: Static Shock

I picked this up because: I knew nothing about the character, other than that he was created by Dwayne McDuffie, he had a popular cartoon, and he was a fan favourite. But I wanted to try out new books with a diverse cast, and in particular I wanted to find good current comics for teenage / young adult males.

What’s good about it: I can tell that Virgil Hawkins is a great character, and a very likeable one. He’s a brainy kid with a science nerd streak and people-smarts on top, and loaded with heroic tendencies that make him just the kind of superhero I like. His supporting cast are also interesting, fun, and great characters.

What’s bad about it: The storytelling, frankly, is a mess. There’s too much going on, we’re dropped right into the middle of weird events with no real attempt to cover the backstory, and characters are thrown in without explanation. It’s not a new series, it’s a continuation of an existing series and if you didn’t read those stories, as I didn’t, you’re kind of stuck. And after 6 issues, if you asked me what the plot has been, I’d be at a loss to tell you.

Every issue is far too busy, which is a shame because Scott McDaniel’s bold and dramatic art is at its best with fairly simple panels. I’d forgive a writer who didn’t understand the artist asking for unsuitable requirements, but as McDaniel is also the writer, I’m not sure where to go with it. But it is obvious this is his first writing job; the dialogue is dull, the characters are fleshed out enough that you can tell they’re great characters, but without any character moments to highlight this. It’s all plot-plot-plot and the plot itself is just not good.

I really wanted to like this book. But I can’t be sad that it’s cancelled, only that the character wasn’t given better treatment. The only thing I know from this is that I will really enjoy the original books when I swing around to reading them.

I’m dropping it because: I have no idea what’s going on.

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1. Introduction
2. The Three Refuges
3. The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path:
4. Right Understanding
5. Right Intent
6. Right Speech
6. Right Action

One more entry on Ethical Conduct before I tackle the slightly more obscure subject of Mental Development – and this one really got long, as you might expect. After Right Speech and Right Action comes Right Livelihood; because it’s just just about what you say and what you do, but deeper than that: how you live.

It’s arguable that simply by observing Right Action and living by the precepts, one would achieve Right Livelihood, but the difference is the same as that between tactics and strategy; Right Action covers every day to day thing you do, Right Livelihood the long term decisions and plans you make. It is not just the job I have and the work I do, but a large part of it is. It’s also the hobbies I pursue, my volunteer work, my habits and my routing. Right Action was deeds, Right Livelihood is lifestyle.

I’m going to follow an outline by Jack Kornfield of DharmaWeb, and break Right Livelihood into five aspects: Harmlessness, happiness, growth, simplicity, service.

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So. I’m not sure I mentioned it because I’ve been so continually silent on this blog for so long, but.

Last year, for my thirtieth birthday, my friends got together and got me what might be one of the best birthday presents I could wish for.

They got me –  a ~ YOUTUBE ACCOUNT ~

And filled it with wonderful videos to remind me how awesome they were. It was a brilliant present.  And it also came with a favorites folder, filled with awesome videos other people had uploaded. It became a great repository for me to put videos, new and old, clips and original, that I could rely on to make me happy just by flicking through my favorites.

It recently occurred to me that other people might like to see these as well.

But I’m not going to start with something from my favorites. I’m going to start with the video Emmy made me, because let’s be honest, this is comedy genius:

[YouTube Link]

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