Airport Olympians: Running Late with Time Flying By 

Posted in My World Travles: Ni Hao Ma. by

1:00am – Bags are packed, complete with Disneyland luggage tags. Nothing could stop us now. 

“So, what time should we leave for the airport?” Parker inquired.

“Our flight is at 6:24am. If we take a quick nap and get up at 2:30am we can be there with plenty time.” Elizabeth replied.

 “Okay, goodnight.”

[Skip to the “morning”] *Elizabeth wakes from a dream, confused and disoriented, and looks at the clock. Upon seeing what time it is she immediately feels panic consume her entire body… Like, a “I’m taking a shower at the Bates Motel and Norma just walked in” panic.* 

Okay, what time do you think it was? Well, it sure as Seabiscuit wasn’t 2:30am… It was 4:22am. 

With a 1 hour drive ahead of us, plus airport security, it wasn’t looking good for the home team. But we rallied. (And no, Mom and Dad, we did not speed, we drove under the limit.)

Ya know in movies, when people are running through the airport, jumping over wet floor signs, and weaving in-and-out of travelers, while yelling things like “sorry” and “excuse me” as they dash past? Well, that was us. Literally. I’m not kidding.

No joke, when we made it to our gate the ‘ticket scanner lady’ looked at us and said, “you only have 10 seconds!” As we ran down the pedway I heard her say on the radio, “Okay, close the gate.” 

We finally reached the threshold of the plane… Feeling a true sense of exhilarance and achievement. Little did we know, the biggest challenge still awaited us…. Boarding a plane packed full of people at the absolute last minute. 

Talk about awkward. The flight attendant had to rearrange overhead luggage to accommodate us, and I could feel the eyes of 50 passengers staring holes in me… as I stood there… with my Star Wars t-shirt on… like an adult-child. 

I’ve been on the other side of this situation. I’ve showed up to the airport hours early and sat patiently at my gate. I would, then, in a timely fashion, board my flight, put my sensibly sized carry-on bag in the compartment above me, and wait…. as all the unorganized and inconsiderate people run on the flight at the last minute and caused a mess. 

Except this time “those people” were my husband and I. 

Did we forget to set an alarm? Did someone hit snooze? We may never know. But we made it from Kentucky to Dallas, then from Dallas to California. So that’s all that really matters.  

9/11/01 – Heroes Stronger Than Superman -Never Forget 

Posted in America: The Greatest Country Ever Stolen by

Captain America, Superman, Spider-Man… On a day when our childhood superheroes were powerless we saw our Nation’s real superheroes rise to the occasion.


On this day I will remember the horrendous attack on 9/11, and give a prayer of thankfulness to the true heroes; the firefighters, police officers, soldiers, EMTs, doctors, volunteers, rescue dogs, the passengers of Flight 93 who confronted the hijackers and put a stop to their unspeakable plan, and to the countless others who ran toward the Trade Towers and Pentagon as everyone else was running away.

There are countless stories of regular everyday people who ran toward the World Trade Center collapse that day. Regular people. People who grabbed their morning coffee and went to work in NYC with the intention of going about their daily business as investment bankers , CEOs, or cupcake decorators… But when “the shit hit the fan” they ran to help.

But (don’t get me wrong) you didn’t have to run toward the collapse to be a hero. There were people that took time off work and left their families to help dig through the rubble, offer medical assistance, or help with needed services. Some even drove across the country.

There are people that enlisted. People who joined our men and women of the Armed Forces for the defense of this Country.

There are the people who worked to rebuild. Both architecturally and in spirit.

Some people were confused, lost, and scared; they didn’t know what to do. Some got patriotic tattoos. Some went to church for the first time in a long time. Some wrote books. Others wrote songs. While some people just took a second to appreciate what they had.

Teachers in classrooms all over America turned on TVs and transistor radios. The burden fell on them to explain this heartbreak to the children.

Parents rushed to schools to pick-up their kids. Husbands left work to be with their wives. People all over America made frantic phone calls and sent urgent e-mails to loved ones; while praying that they were alright.

But what about the people who weren’t “alright”? What about the lives we lost that day, and in the days to follow?

I don’t want to name any one person or animal, because there are so many; there is no way I could type the words that would do them justice in this blog post (that started as a short Facebook status).

But these people. These real life superheroes. From the firefighter, to the soldier, to the stranger who volunteered. They all give me hope.

I’ll never forget.

Joe Manganiello is Deathstroke in Ben Affleck’s Batman Movie!

Posted in Geek Chronicles by

Holy Hunk, Batman! We’ve been given many gifts by the powers that be at DC Comics. First, they graced us with Khal Drogo (Game of Thrones actor Jason Momoa) as Aquaman, now they are giving us Alcide Herveaux (True Blood actor Joe Manganiello) as Deathstroke. This is, seriously, the best thing I never knew I wanted.

Batfleck pleased the geeky world in late August when he posted a video of Deathstroke. However, in true Bruce Wayne fashion Batfleck didn’t reveal the actor behind the mask.

When word of the Deathstroke casting broke news Joe Manganiello showed us that he is just as pumped as we are by tweeting “It’s on. . .”!

So, what will we call them? Batfleck and DeathJoeroke, perhaps?

deathstroke-2deathstroke-1

 

Suicide Squad: Smiley Faces and Many Easter Eggs

Posted in Geek Chronicles by

Spoilers and Many Easter Eggs– with a list of additional Easter Eggs at the end of the post:

So, anyone who has seen a few Suicide Squad trailers will know about the “We’re bad guys, it’s what we do” scene where Harley Quinn delivers her Good Night bat into a shop window to steal a purse. What the trailers don’t show you is what happens next… *Spoiler Alert*… Deadshot walks up to a clothing shop window and stares at a child’s jacket, obviously thinking about his daughter. In this moment, a lot of viewers might think; “man, that’s sad, he misses his daughter” or “awww, he wants to get that jacket for his daughter”. But if you get past Floyd’s adorable daughter you might just notice an Easter Egg; the huge yellow smiley face behind the clothing display that Deadshot is looking at. It closely resembles the Comedian’s badge (Eddie Blake) from the Watchmen. (For those of you who don’t know, the smiley face is on the cover of Watchmen Vol. 1 #1.)

The Watchmen badge, however, has a bloodstain, which (from what I could tell) wasn’t on Deadshot’s display window smiley face… But some fan interpretations of the stain would make this theory even more likely… In Suicide Squad the SKWAD is marching to stop the end of the world… Some Watchmen theories state that the blood on the smiley face represents a clock’s minute hand, pointing to “12 minutes to the hour particularly in an implied connection to the Doomsday Clock, which represents how close the world is to catastrophic destruction” (Watchmen Wiki).

This wouldn’t be the first time a DC movie gives a nod to the Watchmen — Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition is one example– Point of Geeks explained it well;

The End is Nigh

 

It’s already been discovered that “The End is Nigh” was spray painted on a billboard in Gotham in the film. However, there was another Easter Egg in the Ultimate Edition that was an ever bigger wink to Watchmen fans. In an added scene in the Ultimate Edition, Clark Kent is investigating recent news stories about the Batman, who has grown increasingly violent and disturbing. One of the articles that is briefly flashed on screen includes this quote: “Batman is acting as judge, jury, and executioner and the GCPD seems to be complicit. If GCPD endorses vigilantes as our city’s watchmen, who watches the watchmen?” (Source: Point of Geeks, Movie Pilot)

So, what does all this mean, is it a shot in the dark—a “Deadshot” in the dark, perhaps? Ha ha.

There are so many more Easter Eggs in Suicide Squad, here are a few;

  1. Who killed Robin; was it Mr. J or Harley Quinn? Did anyone get a good look at Harley’s description (when all of the text was on the screen– it moved so fast)?
  2. Bruce Wayne’s strong “shut it down” statement in the mid-credits scene. What does this say for the  future of the SKWAD when the Justice League gets together?
  3. Baby Clothes; when Mr. J lays down in his huge circle of weapons you might notice that there are baby clothes to the outside of the circle. Harley Quinn fans will know that she is a mother in some versions of the story. Not to mention Harley’s beautifully heartbreaking Enchantress vision.
  4. Arkham Asylum, which may not be an Easter Egg (because it was so obvious) but it was still really cool.
  5. Jonny Frost — Joker’s right hand man (who I got to meet at ScareFest back when he was in TrueBlood–he was awesome).
  6. The Flash shown in Captain Boomerang’s flashback, and in the mid-credits scene. We have also seen The Flash in Justice League trailers.
  7. Aquaman in the mid-credits scene. We have also seen Aquaman in Justice League trailers, and don’t forget that awesome underwater scene in Batman v Superman.
  8. Also, the Enchantress was in Bruce Wayne’s file in the mid-credits scene; will she be back?
  9. Midway City; home of Hawkman and Hawkgirl.
  10. A.R.G.U.S., led by Amanda Waller, which may be supplying resources to the Justice League in their upcoming movie. (A.R.G.U.S.= Armed Revolutionaries Governing Under Secrecy or Anonymous Ranger Group of the United States)
  11. Ace Chemicals; shown in the crazy and awesome “die for me/live for me” scene between Mr. J and the new Harley Quinn.
  12. And possibly my favorite; Harley Quinn’s Jester Suit in her flashback sequence.

Like what you’ve read? Check out a few of my other posts;

Watchmen Batman V Superman Suicide Squad

Suicide Squad and the Number 23 *Spoiler Alerts* 

Posted in Geek Chronicles by

So, I’ve seen Suicide Squad twice now, and something is stuck in my head that I can’t quite wrap my mind around. The number 23. I noticed it several times. Just a few examples; 23 was on the side of Amanda Waller’s helicopter, and it was on the Joker’s extraction team jackets (C23, actually). I might be thinking too much into it, but does it mean something?

Could it be referring to the home universe of Superman; Earth 23? 

Could it be Suicide Squad Comic #23; where the “true nature of Waller’s new deal with the team is revealed!” 

Could it be to honor Lorenzo Semple Jr., creator of the Adam West Batman TV series. He was born in 1923. 

Maybe a shoutout to Mike Sekowsky, comic book artist for the Justice League and Wonder Woman. He was also born in 1923. 

It’s not the first comic appearance of the Suicide Squad, because that was ‘The Brave and the Bold #25’ in 1959. It also isn’t related to the modern/second version ‘Legends #3’ from 1987 (“Send for… the Suicide Squad.”) So that theory doesn’t check out.  

Maybe I’m seeing something that isn’t really there, perhaps it’s the Enchantress playing tricks on me. But seriously, what do you think?  


**This featured photo (“23 helicopter”) was originally posted to Flickr by False Positives. 

Batman Birthday Party!

Posted in Geek Chronicles by

NA NA NA NA Batman! So, I’m a 29-year-old child. What caused this? Have I spent too much time under a red star, maybe I was around too much chlorophyll as a child, or perhaps I inhaled some heavy water vapor along the way — If you know DC Comics you’ll know that I was referencing Superman, Poison Ivy, and The Flash — If you aren’t familiar with DC Comics, then you probably think I’m weird, crazy, or out of touch with reality… Well, maybe I am, but I prefer the term “geek”.

Holy Birthday Batman!! Anyway, I threw myself a Batman Birthday Party last night… Yea, you read that right. I’m 29. I wanted a Batman Birthday Party. A fully themed Batman Birthday Party. Don’t judge. Enjoy the pictures.

Joker Juice Harley Quinn Punch 1
AquaMan Fish
Deadshot Bullets
Catwoman Claws
Green Lante3rn Rings
Harvey Dent TwoFace Cookies
Katana Soultakers
Mark Hamill Ham Rolls
Mr Freeze Ice
Penguin Fish Food
Poison Ivy Seeds
Harley Quinn Hammers
Riddlers Mystery Dip
Robin Roll Ups
Superman Kyrpt
Wonder Womas Lasso
Harley Quinn Cake 1
Harley Quinn Cake 2
Harley Quinn Cake 3
Batman Food Table
Batman Plates
Batman Table 1
DC Comics Girl Power
SKWAD Dolls Deadshot Harley Quinn Joker
Superman Batman Wonder Woman Batman Light

However, a few of my favorite DC characters weren’t represented; Alfred Pennyworth, for example. That’ll just give me a reason have another Batman party in the future. Of course, I could stage a Flashpoint Paradox, go back in time, and put a bow tie on a bottle of sparkling water… But as we all know, time travel doesn’t always go as planned.

So, geek out, party on, and remember the words of Batman; “A hero can be anyone!”… Now get out there and be a hero.

Harley Quinn’s Jester Suit: Will it be in Suicide Squad?

Posted in Geek Chronicles by

This is for the geeks that have been concerned about animation-to-live-action adaptations and the absence of Harley Quinn’s Jester Suit in Suicide Squad (and I say “geek” as a term of true endearment; as I, too, file myself into that category). Nevertheless, it seems that since her 1992 debut in “Joker’s Favor” people everywhere have been hooked on Harley Quinn.

Okay, Puddin’, let’s get to business…. Pictured are screen shots of some Suicide Squad B-Roll footage.

HQ Jester 1HQ Jester 2

In the main scene pictured Harley pulls out the Jester Suit, hugs it, then throws it aside and selects the blue and red hot pants. In another scene (of Mr. J) you can see Harley’s Jester Suit on a mannequin to the side of the shot, complete with a blonde wig.

I love and appreciate all of the different looks Harley has donned over the years; we’ve seen Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, M.D., psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum wearing sophisticated glasses and a white coat… Some people might remember her in Amazonian attire… Also, do you remember the time Harley and Poison Ivy were folk singers, who were produced by Lex Luthor? And of course, the look we know and love — the famous Jester Suit… Which has also changed over time. Whatever situation Harley finds herself in it seems that her outfit always ‘suits’ the occasion, indeed.

HQ Comic 1

However, I do love the Suicide Squad look. You can find the proof in the photos below…

Harley Quinn Costume 1Harley Quinn Costume 2

We may not all agree on her Suicide Squad attire– but from gymnast and school girl at Gotham City University, to psychotic Joker crazed devotee, we can all agree on one thing; Harley Quinn is awesome!

So, what’s your favorite Harley look? (Go ahead, geek out, it’ll be good for you!)

–> Huge shout-out to Jashan Boparai for posting the B-Roll footage. Also, check out this MTV News article to see more shots of Harley’s Jester Suit in Suicide Squad.