Conclusions on Superman: Truth

www.dccomics.com

I just finished reading Superman: Truth. The main focus of the story is Lois Lane has informed to the world that Clark Kent is Superman. The story then follows how the people of Metropolis react to the news, along with the new Batman, played by Jim Gordon, and Wonder Woman.

I really enjoyed this story. I feel that it did a great job of emphasizing Clark Kent the "man". One aspect of the Superman character I've never really liked, is when the writers try to make Superman out to be a "god". I always enjoyed it when Superman is written as a man that can do extraordinary things. For me that's the magic of the character. He's an individual who understands who he is and accepts it. It's like he is fully accepting himself.

Truth really hit on these aspects of the character. Now the story is told non-linearly. I recommend that you read it in the following order by titles:

Superman
Action Comics
Superman/Wonder Woman
Batman/Superman

If you are looking for a different type of Superman story, Truth is one to check out.

Essay Writing

So I'm currently reading Books v. Cigarettes by George Orwell, and I'm really enjoying it. I find that a well written essay really gets me thinking about how I approach items in my everyday life. It's getting me to think differently and I like that.

I'm going to start a list of other famous essayist I should read more of.

Books v. Cigarettes by George Orwell

Photo Credit: Peter Kreten

I'm reading this very engaging collection of essays by the one and only George Orwell. They are in a collection entitled Books v. Cigarettes, and they are a collection of articles Orwell published throughout his life. And as the title suggests, books versus cigarettes is debated.

It begins with Orwell discussing an article he read about how "blue collar' workers weren't buying books anymore because they were far too expensive. So Orwell took an estimate of how many books he purchased throughout his life time and developed an average cost. He then did an estimate of how much money he spent on cigarettes for one year. As you might expect, cigarettes were more expensive than books.

But it doesn't end there. Orwell argues that yes books can be expensive, but their purchase should be seen as more of an investment. You can always learn something new from a book. If you keep a book for a long period of time, you could read it multiple times, and receive multiple experiences of entertainment. And finally, if worst came to worst, you can always re-sell any book you purchase at a second hand book story.

This is the first type of essay anthology of Orwell's that I have read. I am finding the material very engaging, and I think that it would be useful for any person who thinks books are a poor purchase choice to read.

44 Years Ago Today....

www.wikipedia.org

44 years ago today, John Lennon released his iconic album "Imagine". What can be said about this album that already hasn't been said? It is the very definition of a masterpiece. Imagine is home to one of his most legendary songs ever, aptly named Imagine. Some other great songs that call his album home include: "How Do You Sleep at Night", "Crippled Inside", "Oh Yoko", "Jealous Guy", and one of my favorite Lennon songs ever "Oh My Love".


"Imagine" is different that its predecessor "Plastic Ono Band". While "Plastic Ono Band" is an angry record, "Imagine" is not. It has moments of quiet reflection, love, and angry. For me, this album is yet another reason why John Lennon is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, song writer of all time.

Star Wars Action Figures

www.starwarswikia.com

I was talking with my cousin Matt today, over social media, and he reminded me that it has been awhile since I last wrote about Star Wars. In fact my last posting regarding Star Wars was made on the 19th of August 2014. (The topic, which you can find here, pertained to a rumor of a Blu-Ray release of the original unaltered trilogy. Still waiting.)

One of my favorite aspects of Star Wars is the action figures. I always felt that Star Wars had the coolest toys, vehicles, and play sets ever made. With Episode 7 less than 4 months away, it was announced that the new action figure/toy line will be revealed on the 2nd of September. I'm really curious on what the new line of action figures will look like. I for one will be picking up at least a Han Solo. Maybe a few more...

The End of WireTap

www.thepublicradio.org

Earlier this week, it was announced that WireTap, the first real podcast I listened to on a regular basis and my favorite, would be ending after 11 seasons. WireTap was a show that explored a wide array of philosophical and silly topics. It also integrated a flair of old school radio drama with absolutely crazy phone conversations between Jonathan and a friend or family member. And finally WireTap showed me how you could tell a truly inspiring audio story. There were many times that this show would simply leave me speechless at the end.

In fact every week, I looked forward to the WireTap download to see what the latest episode had in store for me. I knew that 85% of the time I was in store for a truly enjoyable 30 minute listening experience. I am really going to miss WireTap, but I admire how the show's producer Jonathan Goldstein is ending it. With the audience wanting more. He posted on the shows official website a video goodbye, along with a message. I've included the link here for you to read the message, and below is the goodbye video.

A Side Note on Dreams

Have you ever experienced a dream that you "know" you are dreaming, your aware of it. But yet you follow where the dream takes you? You begin to believe that the dream is real. I had one of those this past weekend, which for me can be a little unusually. Unusually in the fact that majority of the time, I do not remember my dreams.

This dream I remember. It wasn't anything scandalous, but it did get me thinking. I dreamt that technology ruined my imagination. I was standing on a non-descriptive block and I was trying to imagine something in my head, and I couldn't do it. I kept grabbing my phone and iPad to Google what I was trying to imagine, and it wasn't working. I kept trying and trying and trying, and nothing happened. Finally I woke up.

I think this was my subconscious way of telling me I spend too much time on these devices. I am guilty of being glued to social media, texting frequently, and grabbing for these devices if I'm bored. It's almost like a reflex muscle. But knowing myself, I know I can't give up cold turkey. So I'm going to try an experiment. I'm going to have specific times of the day where I "allow" myself to go onto social media. If it's not that time, I won't go on. I hoping to ease myself off of relying on it so much. I have this practice of staying off social media on weekends. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I do not. However when I succeed, I feel myself more motivated to work on my creative projects, such as my podcast.

So this is my goal.