Another one already?

Where does the time fly? Merry Christmas folks, to those of you who celebrate. I can't believe it's already here. The holidays are flying by and there's no snow on the ground here. Tis sad, but I'm Boston bound tomorrow, where there's supposedly gray slush, so happy holidays! Drink lots of egg nog!

It can't be so!

My comic book boyfriend is destined to die?! Prepare for a spoiler (and if you haven't figured it out yet, my animated man is Batman).

And now, a Thanksgiving reflection

I was just thinking how funny it is that I can now officially say that I'll be home for the holidays. Normally, that just went without saying, but now, I actually need to make the effort and spend time traveling to see the family. It's just another difference in my life that I need to get used to. Man do the adjustments keep coming.

Needless to say, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. John had told me that last night: you just can't stop and be still or stop thinking. What can I say? I have a problem. It's the busybody in me that just doesn't ever stop or calm down, kind of like the Energizer bunny and the WB's Tasmanian Devil combined. It's the kind of person I exude and am used to being, but sometimes, it really can be a bad combo. I recall my church pastor in Boston giving a message how sometimes God speaks to us, but we just don't hear Him because we're too busy with everything else going on in our lives to just stop and listen. It's like one of those on a smaller scale - the world keeps passing by too quickly and I'm just not taking the time to enjoy the scenery or listen to those along the way. And if I want to hear God's message, so to speak, no one can stop me except me.

I feel like that's the part of Boston in me though -- it's the never-a-dull-moment and fast-paced attitude of the Northeast. There's too much happening to stop, but then, here I am in Philadelphia with only my job and my boyfriend and a close friend for company. Funny how much is not happening. Thank God for those friendly Philadelphians whom I have been talking with or I'd be losing it right now with the empty pockets of time that used to be filled with homework, classes, dinners, drinks, friends, and family. Right now I'm guaranteed a weekly dinner at John's family's home and one hangout night with Gwyn, and then the rest is open to whatever, and normally it's according to John's schedule. It's so odd how life has done a 180 and I never used to have to rely on somebody else's social life. But things change, and though at the present moment it may seem like it's not the greatest, down the long run I'm sure it'll be for the better. I just need to put things back into perspective and realize that now's the best time to enjoy the downtime in my life and appreciate everyone and everything happening in it.

I'll be back in Boston in just over 24 hours and I can't wait to see the family and enjoy mom's cooking; I plan on giving my best friend the biggest hug I've ever given her in the 13 years I've shared my life with her; and I'm excited about keeping with tradition and doing all my Christmas shopping on Black Friday with my sister. But most importantly, I'm really happy about going back to my other home where I can reconnect with myself and enjoy Thanksgiving in a spirit and attitude that I can only wish to bring back and share with others in my new home here.

Have a fabulous Thanksgiving with loved ones and friends, and enjoy that turkey.

Update on Life with a Comic Book Twist

I had a dream last night. I had preordered tickets to a special exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts about comic books and its evolution, with a special guest appearance from the ghost of Captain America. I made it to the reservation desk to pick up my tickets, and lo and behold, they didn't have one available for me, even though I had proof of purchase. Unlike the actual museum, I could see the audience waiting in anticipation through glass walls for the event to begin. I guess you could actually call it a nightmare instead.

It's funny - I was wondering what may have spurred this, considering a part of my life just has stopped being creative, of sorts. I am in such a technical niche of the publishing world that there isn't any additional side writing or projects (granted, I've only been in Philadelphia for less than two months; I should try harder to find resources and outlets) going on in my life. Part of me wants to pick up where I left off in my epic graphic novel (minus the illustrations - yes, indeed, I'm that much a nerd that I want to write a graphic novel) that I started during the spring and that I really enjoyed writing, but I'm scared of failure (and partially because my writing instructor hated it - call that a blow to my already fragile ego, har har). Plus, isn't it time I grow up, I let go of childish addictions and obsessions, get rid of useless knowledge and pick up what's happening in the real world around me instead?

Sure, there's no arguing that I should really pay more attention to the world around me, but yeah, I can't let go of what was such a major part of my growing up. It's really hard to explain - call it creative stimulation, if you will.

I think I'm back on here writing about the idea of life and comic because John surprised me last week with the latest XBox 360 game, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. And can I just say how much I love fighting games, especially when you're a superhero? It's fabulous, though my thumbs have been very sore with trying to win and learn fatality moves (which I can NOT execute. Seriously, why won't it work for me? You have to see the moves though - the animated fight sequence is like watching a movie). Great game - I recommend it.

Another thing that I've noted in my wanderings around the city is that there aren't any good used bookstores or comic book stores. I saw one comic book store out near UPenn, but I'm never in that area so I doubt I could find it again. One of my coworkers found an article about an online store called Heavy Ink that sells comic books for those without a store they can call home away from home. Check it out, because I definitely might.

Next Big Adventure

I'm leaving Boston. I'm finally doing it, and it's putting me in quite the loop. In about 2.5 weeks I'll be in a car with the majority of my stuff and be off trying life in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. I sure hope that's true. I'm nervous and scared about being away from where I grew up, where my family and friends all live. But now's the time, right? Now I have to jump, otherwise I'll never know what I'm missing out...

Watchmen the movie

I can not wait. I first read Alan Moore's masterpiece when I was 15 years old, so over ten years ago, and to this day I still find it something to marvel at. The artwork is not exaggerated, adhering to proportions and realistic human form, but the characters and the storytelling is gripping. When V for Vendetta was first made, I was excited to see how that would translate as a film, and I can't say I was disappointed. But this is a classic, and if it's a cliche, cheesy, superhero movie akin to Superman Returns, it would be such a harsh slap in the face to comic book fans everywhere. Entertainment Weekly wrote an article about director Snyder's rendition of the graphic novel and in all honesty, it sounds pretty good. I'm excited. Enough so that I think that's next on my summer reading list. Might as well brush up on a good read.

Batman's Voice

I just wanted to state, for the record, that Kevin Conroy has the best Batman voice ever. End of story. I'm not the only one who recognizes his voice over as the appropriate one for the character (nevermind Christian Bale's snarl). Seriously, the voice is a big deal.