If you look at the right side of my blog, under where the archives are, you will see my visitor counter.I use Statcounter to count the people coming here.One of the nice things about the service is that you get access to free statistics about your visitors.I like to look up the keyword searches to see how people arrived here.Some keywords I understand(such as he ones pertaining to the Delaware Water Gap).Some leave me puzzled(Used College Stud Underwear?That was searched TWICE, by the way.Jennifer Walters Boobs Grow?I know I've mentioned She-Hulk a couple of times, but I'm pretty sure I didn't talk about any mammarian size increases.)
When looking through the keywords last week, I noticed that one was the url for this blog.That means someone actually searched for me intentionally!They never came back though.Too bad.I do have one regular reader(Thanks Wendy!), who actually even put me on her blogroll.If you see a post with comments, chances are almost certain they are between her and I.It's cool.I appreciate the conversation.I do wish more people would comment though, even to tell me that this blog sucks.1600 visitors and they're all lurkers.Perhaps I need more interesting content, or meatier content.I kinda like doing what I want though.Maybe I'll try some new things once I figure out what they are.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Crappy Weather And A Revelation
Today we had our first nasty winter storm of the year.If this storm was an item on a Chinese food menu, it would be the pu-pu platter.It had a little bit of everything:snow,sleet,hail,freezing rain.Normally, I hate the snow.I've gone over this before on this blog.It's just downright aggravating when your relationship with it grows past it being something to play in or with.Today though...I didn't mind it one bit.When I wasn't working or reading my new comics, I was watching it fall and coat everything.These storms create chaos on the roads.People are forced to adjust their normally assholish driving behavior, for better or worse.That, and the threat of not being able to stop your vehicle as it slides uncontrollably down one of the many shoddily tended, hilly roads, makes winter weather my least favorite weather to be caught out in.
Yet this time I was happy.I was happy because, for the first time in 6 years, I wouldn't have to spend my whole day driving in it.I wouldn't have to chop the ice away from the front of a telephone pole with a hammer so I could set up a ladder.There wouldn't even be any ladders.I could just watch it from the warm indoors, drinking a cup of hot cocoa.I knew that by the time I left work, the roads would be clear of traffic and most likely be better plowed and salted.And I live five minutes from my job.Pffft.Even I can make that drive.
I also realized that this is going to be the weekend I make one of the most important purchases of my life.I'm not going to say exactly what it is, but involves a diamond.You know what I'm talking about.My life is going to change in slightly less than two weeks.It took 34 years, but I'm ready.I don't just think I'm ready.I know I am.
Yet this time I was happy.I was happy because, for the first time in 6 years, I wouldn't have to spend my whole day driving in it.I wouldn't have to chop the ice away from the front of a telephone pole with a hammer so I could set up a ladder.There wouldn't even be any ladders.I could just watch it from the warm indoors, drinking a cup of hot cocoa.I knew that by the time I left work, the roads would be clear of traffic and most likely be better plowed and salted.And I live five minutes from my job.Pffft.Even I can make that drive.
I also realized that this is going to be the weekend I make one of the most important purchases of my life.I'm not going to say exactly what it is, but involves a diamond.You know what I'm talking about.My life is going to change in slightly less than two weeks.It took 34 years, but I'm ready.I don't just think I'm ready.I know I am.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Short Graphic Novel Reviews
It has dawned on me that I haven't written about comics in quite a while.There are two main reasons for this.#1 is that I find the online comics community totally obnoxious and am not always willing to be associated with them, even if only vaguely.#2 is that in my week-to-week buying habits, nothing has really been wowwing me.Things have been merely adequate.I haven't had the urge to give anything multiple rereads.
My graphic novel purchases, on the other hand, have given me plenty to smile about.I'm all caught up on the books I want to be caught up on, so all that's left for me has been to thumb through as many recommendations as possible and buy some of the stuff that I've only ever walked past.This post is for the best ones that I have so far.Some may not be new to you, but they're new to me.
1)Crecy by Warren Ellis/Raulo Caceres:This is the story of the 1346 battle between England and France and is told from the point of view of a soldier in the British army.This is more of a breakdown of how wars were fought at that time in history rather than a manufactured drama.William, our narrarator, explains in humorous, agonizing detail every step of the English army's journey as well as giving us a more personal point of view regarding a time in history where the common man's voice was rarely, if ever, heard.The art, done without color, is busy and highly detailed.It fits the story to a T and reminds me of the art in the Big Book Of... series of books.Among the great details you will learn by reading are mechanics of crossbows and longbows and an alternate use for latrine leavings.A great, quick read and one I recommend highly.At only $6.99 it's a steal.
2)Rising Stars Vol 1&2 by J.Michael Straczynski:This is the story of a group of 113 children from Pederson, Illinois who develop powers because they were in utero during a meteor strike during the late 60's.The story starts with the kids, called "specials", as children and flashes back and forth between different stages of their lives.When the weaker ones are murdered, it is discovered that their power is dispersed to the reamining specials, making them all the more powerful.The first volume is the highlight here.It establishes the major players and, by the end of the book, ups the ante for the second volume significantly.I liked vol. 1 so much that I bought vol2 the next day.Unfortunately, things sort of fall apart here.You get some big, spectacular fights.But you also get some self-pitying "WHY ME?" moments which feel somewhat forced and cliched.The character who gets that monologue comes out on the other side a bit lamer, whinier and not as kickass as he was in Vol1.It also gets a little preachy at the end, but at that point I was wrapped up in the characters enough that I was able to look past it.But the lack of an immediate threat at the end might turn some off.Vol1 I recommend for fans of Heroes who wish the show had more action.I would only recommend vol2 for those who really need to see where the story goes.
I have 2 others I want to review, but I will do those later.I need to go to work and blogger doesn't seem to want to save my draft.
My graphic novel purchases, on the other hand, have given me plenty to smile about.I'm all caught up on the books I want to be caught up on, so all that's left for me has been to thumb through as many recommendations as possible and buy some of the stuff that I've only ever walked past.This post is for the best ones that I have so far.Some may not be new to you, but they're new to me.
1)Crecy by Warren Ellis/Raulo Caceres:This is the story of the 1346 battle between England and France and is told from the point of view of a soldier in the British army.This is more of a breakdown of how wars were fought at that time in history rather than a manufactured drama.William, our narrarator, explains in humorous, agonizing detail every step of the English army's journey as well as giving us a more personal point of view regarding a time in history where the common man's voice was rarely, if ever, heard.The art, done without color, is busy and highly detailed.It fits the story to a T and reminds me of the art in the Big Book Of... series of books.Among the great details you will learn by reading are mechanics of crossbows and longbows and an alternate use for latrine leavings.A great, quick read and one I recommend highly.At only $6.99 it's a steal.
2)Rising Stars Vol 1&2 by J.Michael Straczynski:This is the story of a group of 113 children from Pederson, Illinois who develop powers because they were in utero during a meteor strike during the late 60's.The story starts with the kids, called "specials", as children and flashes back and forth between different stages of their lives.When the weaker ones are murdered, it is discovered that their power is dispersed to the reamining specials, making them all the more powerful.The first volume is the highlight here.It establishes the major players and, by the end of the book, ups the ante for the second volume significantly.I liked vol. 1 so much that I bought vol2 the next day.Unfortunately, things sort of fall apart here.You get some big, spectacular fights.But you also get some self-pitying "WHY ME?" moments which feel somewhat forced and cliched.The character who gets that monologue comes out on the other side a bit lamer, whinier and not as kickass as he was in Vol1.It also gets a little preachy at the end, but at that point I was wrapped up in the characters enough that I was able to look past it.But the lack of an immediate threat at the end might turn some off.Vol1 I recommend for fans of Heroes who wish the show had more action.I would only recommend vol2 for those who really need to see where the story goes.
I have 2 others I want to review, but I will do those later.I need to go to work and blogger doesn't seem to want to save my draft.
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