So I Tried To Read Manga

I'm a comic book fan.I'm a good one.I don't nitpick.I read what I enjoy and I enjoy what I read.I have a voracious appetite for it and am always on the hunt for new things to dig into.This unending search has led me to discover some fantastic stuff, such as The Walking Dead. It has also led me to some not-so-great books.I hate to name names, but let's just say that War Of The Undead won't be getting too many recommendations from me.Meh.Whatever.

It is this willingness to try new, non-superhero books that led me to manga.I've always eyed manga, as it is always seemingly eating away the shelf space that "regular" graphic novels in the bookstores used to occupy.I never actually bought one though because the art is such a turnoff to me.I'll read the back cover and the premise of the story will seem really sweet, but then I see the squat, superdeformed characters on the front with their huge eyes and spiky hair and the book goes right back on the shelf.Even the mature ones look like kiddie books to me.

Anyway, one day I was at the bookstore looking for a new thing to read and I was realizing that there was nothing I wanted to read in the graphic novel section. So, once more, I ventured over to the next rack and started thumbing through the manga.I eventually settled on a Vampire Hunter D book.I had watched the anime and really enjoyed it so I figured that I could get into this.

It was my first experience reading manga in its proper form, that is to say in its right-to-left, back-to-front set-up.My first read-through was a disaster.It's surprisingly hard to read through a book backwards after 35 years of doing it the regular way.Lots to unlearn.I realized that any opinion formed during that reading would be misinformed, so I tried again.The second time through I had a much easier time and somewhat enjoyed the story.The art was minimally offensive to me, though it did become something of a jumbled mess of lines during the action scenes.I often had to check the action sequences four or five times to figure out exactly what happenned.As for the story itself...It was OK.I like vampires and the story didn't have too much down time.

It was good enough though for me to want to give manga another try.I started researching genres I enjoy and found titles to watch for.When I would go to the bookstores though, none of the titles I was looking for would be there.I have a slight aversion to ordering things online, because I don't want to wait for them.These two factors were going to make my manga search a bit more difficult than I had hoped for.

Eventually, I decided that I was going to do what I do with music and , to an extent, with comics:I was just going to take a chance on something that seemed like it MIGHT be interesting.I settled on a book called Wolf's Rain, which is based on a anime that I've never seen.It seemed cool.It had wolves disguising themselves as humans and the art wasn't too kiddyish.I bought both volumes so I could take in the whole story.

I opened volume one up, ready to love every page.It started well too.Wolves had been though to be extinct for nearly 200 years.As it turned out, there were still some left, and they had some sort of supernatural powers which had enabled them to assume a human guise.A group of four of these secret wolves formed together to look for "paradise", which was some sort of sanctuary for wolves.Then the story detoured into anime weirdville.

Between video games, cartoons, and toys I've consumed a lot of Japanese culture( understanding that a portion of this is an americanized version).That said, there are certain recurring elements that have always bothered me.Why are a majority of the protagonists teenagers?What's with the focus on magic crystals and other similar shit?Why does it seem like there always a meek, fragile woman, hiding great power or potential, who needs to be guarded?She always dies too(way to go with the protecting), but her death brings with it great hope and often even touches the villains heart.And who's that irritating 8-year old who always seems to be tagging along?

Getting off of my tangent and back to the book, anime cliches once more reared their ugly head and ruined a story with great potential.I would have loved the book if it was just about a pack of wolves, braving a hostile world that thinks them extinct and searching for a sanctuary where they can be with their own kind and at peace.Instead we're introduced to some "flower maiden" crap.She is, you guessed it, a damsel-in-distress with special powers.And...wait for it... she dies at the end!!!!UUUGGGGHHHH!!!!!Pointless bullshit.I mourn my lost $20.

I'm not totally giving up on manga, but I'm also not going to just buy any book off the shelf anymore.I want a mature title, with grown-up characters.It can be comedy, action, horror, whatever.I don't want to read a zombie book only to find out that the only way to stop the zombies is to get the ghost princess to the crystal castle.I don't want to read Naruto either.

Suggestions???

Catching Up

Things have been pretty hectic recently.I'm at a point where it seems that I'm busy every day of the week.It hasn't left much time for my poor, neglected blog here.I though I'd shoot off a few random points to update people on what is going on.

1)It's been two weeks and I'm still going to the gym.This impresses me because I have to wake up at about 6:30 AM to get to the gym rather than sleep in.

I also have to sit in some morning commute traffic to go there.Traffic where I live is really crappy.All traffic heads east in the morning and west at night.It's insane to see one side of the highway backed up for a few miles and the other with only a handful of cars.If there's an accident then you are jolly well fucked.It's all a part of living this close to New York City.

2)I went to see Iron Man this weekend.It was probably one of my favorite superhero movies so far, and I'm not even that big a fan of Iron Man.I'm not going to sit here and review the movie, but if you're just looking for a good time and love action movies, then this is for you.Also stay around after the credits as there is a bonus scene that's fairly significant.

3)Brooke White was voted off American Idol last week.(I'm not completely embarrassed to admit I watch it.The singing may suck, but the premise is entertaining enough.Screw the haters.)She wasn't really a typical Idol contestant, as she was more singer-songwriter than powerhouse diva-wannabe.I think that ended up holding her back, as some of the theme weeks seemed to be designed for bigger voices.Speaking of which, those theme weeks really suck hard.Andrew Lloyd Webber week?My god, I've never wanted to jab the inside of ears out with a sharp, point stick more than I did that week.My musical soul still feels dirty after hearing Idol contestants sing showtunes.

Anyway, back on topic, the reason this even rates mention is because I have an ever-so-rare celebrity crush on Ms. White.I usually don't care because, well, what's the point?In this case though, she hit some of the right buttons.I'm a sucker for a woman with musical talent and ability.When you add in her pleasant personality, gorgeous blond hair and those eyes...I couldn't even fight it.I'd post a pciture, but that would require effort, which I don't feel like putting forth.

4)Looking at these topics so far, I'd have to say that my life is even more boring than I thought it was.Either that, or I'm just not as into this post as I though I would be.

5)I haven't been hiking in about a month.The only day I really have to go is Sunday and my Sundays have either been busy or it has rained.I really want to go back to Lusscroft Farm to try to find the plane wreck and go into more abandoned buildings.I'd also like to go to the PA side of the Delaware Water Gap this year.

6)Every time I sing up on an internet forum, I always post only about a dozen times before quitting.I get disgusted at the attitudes I see there.I get disgusted at the crappy attitudes I see.Do people have to stir up shit and cause trouble on EVERY SINGLE MESSAGE BOARD AND COMMENT SECTION ON THE WHOLE FRIGGIN INTERNET???I really don't think the internet is a good place to attempt to have a normal conversation.You can't hear the tone of people's voices or pick up on any visual clues to give you an idea as to a person's mood.All you can do is add an emoticon, which means nothing.My guess is that lack of practical information garbles signals a lot, and misunderstandings occur.People are also a lot braver in spouting off when they are behind a computer screen with an assumed name.Even if you use your real name, as I do, it doesn't matter.It's not like anyone is going to show up on my doorstep because I said that I didn't like their favorite band on a message board.

I call the bravery people feel while on the internet "internet muscles".I Googled it and no one had claimed it yet, so I am doing so right now.I created the term "internet muscles".My official definition is :Any display of bravado displayed on the internet by a person who wouldn't speak in such a way in a face-to-face conversation.It's my word now.E-mail me and I'll send you a billing address to send royalties.

7)That's it.This was a very long post that said very little.

So...Working Out

Since I decided about a month ago that I was going to dedicate myself to getting in better shape to wrestle, I've been trying to decide what the best way to go about that is.Last week was my chance to get started.If you've never exercised a day in your life, getting motivated to begin is a motherfucker.

My first thought was to go running a few days a week.There are some reasonably private and flat trails a mile or so from my apartment, so last week I decided to run them.I was somewhat dismayed to learn that I can't run too far without running out of breath.According to my pedometer, which at $4.99 probably isn't the most accurate one I can own, my best distance without stopping was .44 miles.On average though, I can go about 1/4 mile before stopping.

My second goal was to join a gym so I can really work out.A friend at work told me about the local YMCA and it sounded good.This past Thursday I went and signed up for 6 months.I really can't afford it, but I knew if I didn't sign up right then and there that I would never go back and would probably not start working out.That would make half of the reason I am taking six months off to train totally pointless.

I went for the first time Sunday and was a bit intimidated.I've never worked out before and I really don't know what to do.It's not in my peronality to ask a stranger there either.I decided to play it safe and go to the cardio room to ride an exercycle.What else I found in there was as if it was meant to be.In the back of the cardio room were 12 "lifestation" workout stations, each one with very specific instructions on how to use it and also with each one woking a different muscle group. I have to admit, I enjoyed myself more than I thought I would.

So between yesterday and this morning, which was my second visit, I came up with a plan.First, I will warm up with 15 minutes on one of the cross-country skiing machines.(At least that's what I think it is.After that I will do the whole 12 station circuit, doing 2 sets at each station and going back and doing a third on some if the machine I want is being used.Finally, I will cool down by riding one mile on a cycle.This way, I get some cardio in and I am working out my whole body.

My goal is to go 4 days a week(early morning, before work) and maybe on Sunday if I don't go hiking.I can definetely feel it in my shoulders and chest.I'm trying to make this part of my routine.I know if I stop for any long amount of time or start making excuses to not go, then I will be wasting my money and time.I have a tendency to lose interest in things over time and flake off, as the increasing amount of time between posts on this blog proves.Once more, let's hope this isn't one of those times as this is something that is actually GOOD for me and not just a way to kill time.

I'm Really Lazy

I noticed that it has been a while since I updated this blog(as if anyone cares).I've been pretty busy.There has been an interesting, new development in my life that has put me in a place I never expected to find myself in.I just can't talk about it here.Some things are better kept in secret.I do have some stuff to write about, but I'm going to wait a few more days.

Cooper's Mill Park Hike

I actually went here about 3 weeks ago, but have been too busy to post the pictures yet.I found this place while driving around looking for someplace new to eat.The hike itself was nothing that intense, but there are a few things of note to check out.

At the entrance, there is a historic building with a water wheel.I believe it was used as a mill at one point.I was not able to get into the building, but the water wheel was kinda neat to see.

The path goes in two directions.One way starts with a tunnel that goes directly under route 206.

I wasn't overly fond of this end of the trail as it runs right alongside a lot of homes and it takes away from the "get away from it all" vibe that I enjoy when hiking.The only thing really worth mentioning on this side is right when you leave the tunnel.This was about as close as I could get to it.It's actually pretty big.

The other side of the trails were honestly nothing special.It was a nice afternoon stroll, but presented nothing in terms of a challege.I did find the ruins of an old bridge alongside the trail.

Eventually I came across a long cyclone fence with signs saying that there were mines behind it.That's more like it.I walked along the entire perimeter of the fence looking for a break to crawl through and finally found a section where some folks had built up a stone pile and pulled the fence down.

I was a little hesitant about climbing the fence as this area was clearly visible from the road and I did not feel like getting pinched for trespassing.( I don't recommend tresspassing.Don't do as I do.)The lure of the mines though was too much to resist.The mines were of the hole in the ground variety.Most just opened up into deep pits.

After seeing a few of these I was even more unsure.I was afraid that I'd step on what looked like a leaf pile, but would really be covering some 100 foot deep pit.I decided to leave, but not before I snapped another shot of the only mine I saw that looked like you could enter it.

I didn't go in because, once more, I was alone and would have been jolly well fucked if I fell in or something collapsed.I finished my hike, turned around, and went back to the parking lot.There were quite a few other trails, but I didn't go on them because it was too late in the day and they were 5+ miles one way.

Overall, it was an OK hike.The bulk of the trail really was too close to houses and the highway and I like my hikes to be a bit more secluded.It's an easy afternoon though and most of the trail also follows a river, which is always nice.

When It's Time To Change...

Have you ever realized that the approach you've taken to life, though it has kept you safe and secure, has also held you back?That was the thought that was slowly entering into my head as I was driving into work one day last year.I was still a cable technician at the time and driving 35 miles, one way, to get to work at a job I hated so much that it took all of my inner strength not to break down in the parking lot when I got there.

So one day I was driving in and thinking "Why the hell am I doing a job that makes me so miserable?"I never even tried to hide it.I was mopey, melancholy, lethargic, and it was affecting my job performance in a negative way.I had ZERO enthusiasm and was in danger of using up all of my sick and personal time in the first 3 months of the year just so I could have "mental health days".Something had to change and I finally reached the point where I was so miserable that I had to act.I went to my HR rep, told her I wanted out of field service, and the rest is history.

The point is that I've always tended to let problems build up around me.I have always waited for opportunity to come to me and when it didn't, or when my problems got too big for me, I just dealt with it.It always seemed so dangerously uncertain to confront my issues head-on.I figured that since I was the only one hurting, it wasn't a big deal.I would rather suffer a million times over than cause someone else discomfort.My first shrink said that I was into "self-punishment."Looking back, it might have been the only accurate judgement he made in the 6 months or so that I saw him.

Last year, after I had started in my new position, I decided that I needed to approach my job differently.I had no plans of leaving and didn't want to revert back to my miserable, jaded self one year later.Simply put, I decided to just look for positives.I decided to smile and say hello to people instead of hiding myself and hoping that someone spoke to me.Lo and be-fucking-hold, it worked.Here I am one year later and I'm still not aggravated at the job.I'm friendly with a number of people there.I talk to people...on my own.I go out of my way to help and be useful.I'm still happy.It made me think that if a new approach can work at the job, maybe it can work in my personal life.So I started to work on that.

First, I resolved some long standing issues with my family.They are a little too personal to blog about, but they were holding me back and really preoccupying my thoughts.I vented to them in a way I've never even attempted before.It worked.I brought up all of the uncomfortable topics that everyone always danced around and avoided and made my positions crystal clear.My parents and I have come to a new understanding and time will tell if things hold up.At least for now, I have a clear conscience.

Another thing I did, and just this weekend, was to amend the dissatisfaction with my wrestling "career".I've blogged about it many a time in the past, but I'll repeat it here.I got involved in pro wrestling five years ago as a manager.I figured I was too small and skinny to actually get in the ring.When I got there, I realized that there were many guys who were my size, and some were a bit smaller.Still, I held on to my belief.Then I realized that I loved the wrestling part, and that standing on the outside as a manager was just depressing me.I felt I was missing out on what makes wrestling fun to be a part of.I cut down on my show schedule and, eventually, stopped going to practices.I was dreading going to shows and only stuck around out of loyalty.

One thought in my head was to stick around until my 100th match, and then quit.Last month was my 100th match.So I steeled myself and got ready to tell my promoter/trainer that I was leaving.I figured that I'd mention wanting to wrestle, but did not expect him to be too receptive to the idea.It wasn't an easy thing to do in spite of how unhappy I was.I was still involved in something I had loved my whole life, and couldn't believe that I was a part of.And I was going to walk away from it.

So I went to his office and laid all of my thoughts out.I wasn't a dick about it.I thanked him for the opportunities that I had been given.I told him what I wished for, but also relayed my concerns about my lack of size.Eventually he asked, "What do you want to do?"I told him that I wanted to take at least six months off to train, get in better shape, buy some new gear, and get my confidence up in the ring.Once I did all of that, I told him, I wanted to start wrestling.He said OK.

What that means is I just hit a big reset button on my wrestling life.I'm starting from scratch, but this time with 5 years of accumulated knowledge.I can come back as a good guy.(Please.Oh please.)I get a new gimmick and character.I get new gear.Maybe I'll come back under a mask.The sky is the limit for me now.

That's the question I have now:What kind of character should I be?I'd prefer to be a good guy(face).I'd prefer a more lighthearted gimmick, as I'm more at ease with being a little clownish over being serious or angry.The mask idea doesn't seem so bad to me.Even though I wasn't a big deal and will be gone for at least 6 months, people still might remember who I am.There aren't many guys out there with past-the-middle-of-the-back length red hair.(I'm not cutting or dying it either.I won't even entertain the thought.)It's all very exciting.

This also means I have to start exercising and trying to develop some muscles.I have never tried to get in shape before in my life.For me, having a metabolism that keeps me forever skinny has always been enough.I'm not completely sure that I can put on muscle.It should be interesting.I'll even have a diet to follow.That's another first.

I can't wait to see how it all works out.

Crap In A Hat

I just found out that there is another blog called "My Brain Hurts".It's also on Blogger and has ben around longer than I have.Damn.I'll keep this name for now.Obviously, they either don't know about me or don't care.

I'll keep the name for now.If ever the day should come where they want it for themselves, they can have it.I'll change mine.No big deal.

I love that saying "crap in a hat".I think Chase Stein said it in Runaways , but I'd have to check.Sometimes I substitute "box" for "hat" or something equally inventive.

In other news, Brooke White is still there on American Idol. I should feel embarrassed to watch that show, but I don't.Fuck anybody who doesn't like it.Tens of millions of people watch it each week and I'm one of them.I can like one lame, totally mainstream, safe show and my world certainly isn't going to collapse.The music sucks, but the show is fun.