My Love Affair With Justice League Generation Lost

Justice League Generation Lost is my favorite comic series right now. Before Brightest Day I couldn't have cared less about the B-team. None of the Justice League titles were my thing. I picked up the first issue on a whim and, Wow! Amazing! The story was easy to jump into, even without any knowledge of any of the characters. 

Max Lord is back. All hands on deck for the man hunt and the B-team has him cornered, then everyone else forgets and Captain Atom, Fire, Ice and Booster Gold are on the run. Along the way they pick up the new Blue Beetle and Rocket Red. That's 6 misfits and Skeets, the coolest flying computer thingie ever, to fight a villain that no one else believes exists, a villain who likes playing with their minds.

The B-team really shines in this series, holding their own against the super-superheros. The story is incredible and the art is amazing! The story pulls you into the drama, both large and small, that the characters are experiencing.

This group of misfit superheroes have to learn to work together, learn to trust each other, learn to trust themselves. I was sucked into their problems. I mourned when Captain Atom couldn't save Magog or the city. And when I thought Blue Beetle was dead... Well, there might have been some blubbering. Jamie's youthful exuberance stands in contrast to the older, more cynical view of the rest of the team.

Just as this misfit band of heroes is beginning to convince the world that Max Lord is the real threat and Wonder Woman is his target, we discover Wonder Woman has been forgotten. I think this is entirely due to the pants.

If you aren't reading this series, you should be. It's worth it and in a few weeks Justice League: Generation Lost, Vol. 1 hardcover will be released. Pick it up if you haven't already.

Today's Favorite Snacks

First for my healthy time: Kelp! Toast it for a few minutes and viola! an earthy, salty, crunchy snack! My sister complains it tastes like dead fish, like the ocean. What does she know?  I love it! It is definitely something you need to try. You're gonna love it!

And for my terrible, totally unnecessary cheat: Brownies. I use coffee in place of the water with this mix and it makes it ten times better! Remember, coffee in the mix. I'm not normally a mix person, but I've been kitchen lazy this week.

Who has the energy when it's raining sulfur (pollen)?

Doctor Who #2

Did IDW redeem themselves with Doctor Who #2 in this fan-girl's eyes?

Not completely. At least it's heading in the right direction, maybe.

After the disastrous first issue, anything would have been better. Even a hackneyed take on the much done to death Jack the Ripper. Eleven, Amy and Rory are going to an historic football event, but instead stumble upon a crime in a dark alley. I'm trying not to be harsh, but really? Jack the Ripper? Jack the Ripper, alien monster?

The comic does nothing to make me like, know, or feel any of the characters. If I gave this book to a non-Doctor Who fan (I know! I still can't believe such peps exist!), they wouldn't get it. In a non-scientific experiment, I let a non-fan read it. Like me, he loved the first 4 pages, gave me real hope. After that...

IDW! You are breaking my heart! I am not a fan of the photo covers. I am not a fan of the coloring. I am not a fan of the art. I am not a fan of the storytelling.

I can sum up the book in 2 sentences: Meet the monster. See the Doctor and companions stumble upon trouble.

This is one of 3 in the story arc and I can only hope that the story becomes "more" than it is now. There is no charm here, no wonder. The magic and mystery that is the Doctor is missing. Perhaps, those in charge of the book believe that such is implied and only fans will read the book and "get it." You can't grow fans without a heart in the story and my heart is not in the story and I am a fan.

While judging issue #2 to issue #1, seems an improvement, comparing this Doctor Who series to any other series I love right now makes the pain of my disappointment greater. This is still not a book I can recommend to anyone.

Nerves Nerves and Lack of Nerve

Every time I look at the calendar I feel a flutter in my belly. It's really starting to freak me out that my first marathon is less than 2 weeks away. Today, I don't feel prepared. Yesterday, I was completely confident. Looking at the calendar...

I don't think I've ever been this nervous. I've adjusted my time down hoping for a 6 hour 20 minute finish, because I still haven't fully recovered my speed from battling pneumonia in December. I did come back to running before the new year and I did make my long runs, even if I ended up limping in on the 20 miler and hitting at wall on the 16 miler before that. I'm still fighting the issues with my left foot, constantly reminding myself to remember to check my posture, stride and footfall, figuring out what nutrition to take with me. Planning (not my strong suit) is integral to a good race. Remembering not to start out too fast, to stop and stretch every 6-8 miles, to eat something every 50 minutes or so, will help make the finish a reality and not just a dream.

I can't control the weather; I can only pray that it's above 40 and below 70. And that it doesn't rain. I don't want to be a delicate flower, I want to be a dandelion! I want to withstand the elements! I want to beat my expectations! I will beat my expectations!

Guess it's too late to take up nail biting. Can I have a cookie?

Sunday Afternoon!

Welcome to the back country! This is around mile 3 of the hike I did Sunday in the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Decided to do a very hilly hike instead of a long run. Trails are easier on my feet and it helps me remember to pick said feet up. You can't exactly scuff your way along a trail if you wish to remain upright.

The weather was beautiful.  It just felt like spring. I took the sleeves off my wonderful New Balance jacket that has Pockets That Hold Anything! There were quite a few people on this trail today, which was a surprise because usually when I do this it's empty. But the trail head to Sugar Run picnic area appeared to be open so that could account for the increased activity. All the people we passed were going down. Which in hind site would have been more enjoyable. This part of the trail is 2 miles straight up. Good for the butt and lungs, bad for the...


Well, it's not really bad for anything. I felt great when we got to the top.

We (that's me and Dawn who's in the picture, my kick-ass training buddy) took a picture/catch-the-breath break at this outcropping along the way. I keep telling myself that one day (soon) I will be this skinny! And this strong! See! She's lifting the mountain! Argh! Hulk Smash! (I couldn't get her to quit smiling... she doesn't understand the geek thing, but she does make me run faster, so it's acceptable.)

When we finished, I'd thought we'd only done about 6 miles, but it was closer to 8. It was a great afternoon for a hike and I don't even feel like I cheated on a training run.

One of these days, I'm gonna run the whole 2 miles up this mountain without stopping... One of these days.

Young Justice McD's Style

I love a Happy Meal! It's all the food and more calories than an adult needs and it comes with a toy!
What fan girl can resist the allure of comic book characters? I knew I'd stop by the evil golden arches for a couple of the toys. They're fun to have on the desk. Yesterday I got the precious happy meal and look at the box.

Did you notice what's missing? Yeah me too.**If you're my sister or another non-comic fan, then what's missing is the GIRLS! More specifically, Miss Martian and Artemis.** My six year old nephew even noticed. He'd like to have a Miss Martian. He'd also like a Pet Shop toy that wasn't so ghastly colored.

Really McDonald's? Really?

Bumper Sticker Faith

I saw this in the parking lot last night and my first thought was I know that guy. I know lots of guys like that. They start every conversation with, "Jesus, man! You wouldn't believe... or Jesus, man! Did you see..."

I'm so cynical when it comes to bumper sticker faith.