Duh duh duh duh...

X-Man of the Week is... Rogue.


No she doesn't have a first name despite that stupid lie from the movies. She is a southern belle with a dark past. Many people (surprisingly) don't know about her past. She has a few powers...

Super human strength, flight, and the ability to absorb other mutants powers. In the movies she only have the absorbing power because she hadn't absorbed the powers from Marvel. See Rogue was with Mystique and was a baddie and she had Rogue latch onto Ms. Marvel until Rogue absorbed all of her powers. Marvel was down and Rogue was up.

She's a great character because while she is one of the most beautiful characters, she can't touch another because of her "powers." I love the contrast of a power being a hinderance and a blockade from the rest of the world. She sorta contrasts Beast who can touch, yet no one would want to touch him. Odd the way those things work out.

Nonetheless, here's to the mutant of the week: Rogue.

Mouse Tracks

Here are the pictures from the lovely adventure that 4 amazing people went on. The crew was as follows:





Captain Fauf and 1st Lt. Ig






Commanding Officer Eggs


Chief Dodie


A wonderful group of hilarious fellows and a lovely chica. We started off with some heightened drama as the security needed to personaly escort me to the locker systems, because I wanted to *gasp* "make a sandwich in the park." Alas, it wasn't that dramatic, but I did receive an escort to the locker area.

Mimi and Uncle Bill met us up at the land of the Mouse, and Mimi, as usual, was rolling hard and helped us in. We love those two! After some hugs we rode a bunch of rides, stalked a few random guests, ate some *gasp* sandwiches, and laughed till our faces and feet hurt.

The whole day Commander Eggs wore this shirt...


It really reminds me of Pastor when he gets all intense and says, "PAID..... (intensity building) IN.... (DRAMATIC PAUSE and a large hand gesture) FULL!"


OK... Obviously the Shaws and the Drazins won't have a hard time getting along...


All I said was "here let me take your picture."


Aww... Cutest couple ever!




Finally the night came to a close and we decided to ride Splash Mountain... WHOZZERS!



WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED THERE!?! Sick, sick, sick. And I'm tired. Sick and tired. That ride got us CRAZY wet! We were soaked. But hey! It was a blast. We headed back to Redlands and now I sit here with heavy eye lids ready to drift into a purple mist where I will find my youth again.

Goodnight, lovely blog world. Until tomorrow.

Grace and Dignity? My eye!

I'm so sure MMP. This one is for you.

I agree with you on many aspects of the X-men analysis that you provided for all of your loyal MySpace Readers. However you tend to get a bit overemotional and add in some extra chunks of information in there that is not applicable.

Yes the bad acting killed me. That's the director's fault. It is the job of a director to bring out the best in each actor. If he can't bring them to the place they need to be, he's in need of some Bryan Singer counseling.

Mystique was NOT superfluous! She was essential! Without her, we wouldn't have known the power of "the Cure." She provided plot twists and assisted in the deepening of Magneto's character development! Come on, he's like the only one who really REALLY develops in this movie. I thought you could see that.

Don't judge my low-raspy-voiced arab from 24. I love her.

The writing has always just been ok. Never great. Deal with it.

Yeah, Cyc's death should have spanned the whole film as flashbacks.

I thought there were 3 great EMOTIONAL scenes:
1. Angel sawing the wings off
2. Jean saying to kill her.
3. Jeans death, with her peaceful expression.
(one could argue the funeral was emotional as well)


Yeah, it wasn't the best. But I still like it Mr. MMP.

Monday Miracles

So here we are. We look really intense here, because we are very intense people.
































Today consisted of:

Mimi's Cafe
Office Max
Writing and Cartooning Stories
Meeting Farah's Friends
Watching Batman, Monster-in-Law, and Apprentice
Saying "I hate it so much"
and
Planning adventures for tomorrow.

I won't say where we're going, but I'll give you a little hint. Check my blog from November 1st, 2005 and you may see something I will see tomorrow.

Sunday Cheers

So, I got to hang out with Farah today. (If the Burrow reads this I'm sorry I couldn't make it over, I had a lot of prep-work to do before heading to Redlands but I promise you this--I WILL BE BACK!) But let me just say this--Farah is simply amazing. How on earth did a doofus like me met a girl like her? It's beyond me. In the words of Farah, "I can't wrap my head around it."

We had a wonderful time today. I met her at the Drazin abode where we chatted and chittered (I know this isn't a word, but it should be one) and flowers were bestowed upon her. Then we al (meaning Farah, Michael and the family) headed to the park where Farah and I were ooo-ed and ahhh-ed over. We went on a little walk, watched the fam play basketball, and then headed out to The Macaroni Grill for some real good eats.

After that, we headed to Target and Barnes and Noble (2 of the most amazing man made locations---perhaps they could be modern wonders of the world). I bought an X-Men book (I told you my passion for the media of X-Men has been restored)... And then we went to see X-Men AGAIN. Yeah. It has been a lot of viewings for me. I have given that movie $29.75 just for my tickets alone. Not including friends and staff tickets. Calculate that out and you'll know how many times I've seen it.

But in all honesty-- this was one of the best viewings. Come on the beauty of Jean Gray in front of me, and the PURE beauty of Farah Drazin beside me. What could top that? Perhaps tomorrow will be so kind as to bring many more blessings... Until then...

Restoration Hardcore

Praise the Lord for X-Men. Yeah, yeah. The movie was just OK... But I am thankful for it, because I have re-found my passion for the comic books and the stories within the pages.

Yes, I do love Harry Potter, yes I do enjoy that Batman fellow, and it is true that I have a bit of an infatuation for American Idol's Katharine McPhee, but still... X-Men was my first media love and it will always be my love.

So... Bling Blang Blog, this week I will concentrate on the beauty of one of the characters of whom I adore:

Cyclops.


Yes many of you probably hate him. Think him to be nothing more than a pretty boy who gets the girl. But in my book that is "a-ok." Seriously why do the good guys always get the bad rep? He is a little arrogant (sounds like me), and at times narrow minded. Yet, he is a leader and a developing person. Part of me is really endeared to Cyc because he is rough around the edges, in the sense that he's not the greatest leader, yet he tries.

He's got some awesome powers in my estimation. Mainly being his gamma rays that come out of his eyes. Plus his suit is pretty tight with the asymmetrical strap he typically wears. And on top of all of that, one of the coolest things is that he is related to every mutant. He is like top dog when it comes to blood ties.

So this week, I'm sending a big shout out to Scott Summers, representing for all us Momma's boys in sweet style.

Film 101

Ok. So I saw X3 again yesterday with Cory and Luis, and I have to admit I liked it better the second time. I caught on to the themes that I wasn't able to latch on to the first time. I was very happy to see it, but I was also very happy to see Parker and Deirdre graduate from AHC. Rock on. Here they are...




Well after that I sat on the sofa at Corbina and talked to Parker about why X3 was better than we thought. So here are my thoughts...

My guess is I was either:
A) Too Tired the first time to notice them
B) A little slow in the head so they passed me by
or
C) They really were just that subtle that it takes two times to grasp them.

The two themes that wind their way through the movie are the duality of the human/mutant character and the dilemma of ethics in powers.

Every character had a subtle conflict within him/herself that they needed to resolve. Some were internal (Phoenix) and others were more external (Bobby vs. Pyro). It was a good display of the choices we make and how they effect others. Who we are is determined by the things we do. I won't bore you (yet) with my full analysis of the characters and their conflict of duality, but they all had 'em.

Secondly, Professor X talked about ethics and the application or the "quieting" of powers. This theme was TOTALLY obvious through the whole film. Each character came to a point where he/she had to accept of reject the use of mutant powers on others. I liked it. And it was a good comment on capitalism and socialism.



Ok. My full analysis is that I think I need to get a degree in film, cause I really love this stuff. Anyone wanna sign up for my film 101 class?

Shaw, out.

X3

OK. So I just got out of the movie. I think this one will take some time for me to process in all honesty. I will be seeing it again tomorrow (today) which will give me more of a critical perspective on it. But here are my thoughts:

The director made some interesting choices. I do believe Bryan Singer would have done a far better job with this one, but alas, we had the other guy. He was good, but not great.



















So here is a little list of pros and cons for you:

Pros:
*Jean Gray was amazingly hot in the film... There's no denying this

*The Professor gained some complexity but it wasn't really "dealt" with

*The visuals on the mutants were great

*The actual Last Stand was an amazing scene and fulfilled my hunger for X-Men fights

*Beast was BEYOND awesome

*Opening flash backs were great: emotional, good insights, and provided the foundation for the story

*Reference to past films were good.

*The general idea/concept for the film

*Mystic and her process through the film (loved what they did with her--totally worked for me)

*The ending with the man in the park (won't say who)

*The Days of the Future Past reference at the end of the film... I was expecting to see "Jubilee 2066" on the stone.


Cons:

*The introduction to the Phoenix could have come about five minutes quicker (i.e. leave out the X-Men start of discovering her, and gradually reveal the whole lake scene through out the film using Jean's perspective in flashback mode. So I guess it would start with Jean on the table at the Mansion.)

*The "acceptance" and "gay" plots weren't dealt with on an intimate level. The Us vs. Them was observed but we didn't really capture that on a small scale which would have sent the message home more clearly with viewers

*The characters lacked that deep development that helped the other films grab ahold of the hearts of viewers.

*The few (yes very few) that did grab my attention at the start were neglected throughout most of the film and were essential surrounded by superfluous caricatures.

*The flash backs could have spanned the whole film to create a LOST like quality where we learn what the Professor did to Jean, and the whole lake scene I said earlier.


OVERALL... I am very critical of this movie cause I had very VERY high expectations for it. I'd say it met my expectations in some areas, missed the mark in character development and movement of the story, and exceeded my expectation in the battle sequences.

Peanut Butter and Rice Cakes with 2 Tall Diet Cokes

Bleck.

Ok.. My other thought is this. The OTHER American Idol (who perhaps people mistakenly believe is THE American Idol--wrong information), he looks just like I said he did a few months ago. The eagle has landed.

Who's that Lady?

Some have questioned my comparison of THE American Idol to THE 2005 Female Tony Award Winner. Let's look at the facts:

1. Big.. Hair.
2. Smile
3. AMAZING award winning voice
4. Personality
5. Sense of humor
6. Stage presence
7. Vocal runs

Now. You be the judge (Ok, ok. They could be like cousins or the older sister type thing, but still. No wonder I like em both)

SUPPORT THE CAUSE PEOPLE!

If you have a heart for:

a) Me
b) The Music Industry
c) Sane People

Vote for Katharine McPhee tonight. We mustn't let Taylor slip by as the winner when someone so beautiful, amazing, and lovely could become the American Idol. Seriously guys, watch and vote.

If you question my authority I will simply direct you to Fox tonight at 8 pm where you too can witness the madness of an Alabama guy, and the beauty of the California girl.

All my troubles seemed so far away...

Here it is. Yesterday. The shots. So listen. I am almost done with this whole construction deal. Look... Just look...

And the band played on...

My Life:

Beds 2
Pillows 5
Toilets 0
Showers 0
Mail 100
Cell Phone Bars 3
Conversations with Farah 1
Homework Assignments 1
Friends who offered me their bathrooms 2

The Current State of the Union

Ok... This is the kitchen as of last night around 11. So yeah, pretty current. They are still working in there, and don't worry that is a cover over the countertops not paint on the granite.

Oh the noise...

Well here is some of the updates from the past week. I have about 2 more to post up here for the kitchen in the last two days... I thought the daily process would be cool to see so this post reads top to bottom as a timeline.

Sigh...

Let it be known! Better than ALL pictures of construction, is the picture of me and the Cass! She's so cute! This was pre-arm breaking but still.

Let's all let out a sigh for the cutie girl!

The Danger Zone

Welcome to the construction site. The Shaw's are renovating! Yes! After 20 years of the same kitchen Dick and Rosie are changing things up. Well, blast it all I didn't take a picture of the Shaw house before the demo--but I do believe I have one somewhere. Nevertheless, my plan is to take a picture pretty much everyday. This is after day one of work. When I left the house at about 7:45 they were just getting here and delivering the LARGE and I mean LARGE dumpster. Seriously, send the homeless here, it's bigger than a trailer. Then when I got home at 5:20 the last guy was driving off. So pretty good work. The tile was all taken out and the overhead cupboards that hung over the counter were removed! Hooray!

Ok.. here we go to day 2...