Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Something to aspire to
Now that the daytime high temps in Phoenix are topping 100 degrees, I'm trying this new thing, where I get up at 5:30 AM in order to get my runs or hikes in early. So far, it's working reasonably well (thanks, alarm-clock-feature-on-my-iPhone!), except I haven't quite figured out that I should go to bed earlier as well. As it is, I've discovered the pure pleasure of the afternoon nap. But, things will work out soon.
I'm probably stressing about this too much. Last week was the Arizona High School Regional Track & Field meets, with the State Meets this week. Temps are over 100 degrees, with nary a tree in sight. Doesn't see to faze the kids, though. They just run or jump or throw. It's the parents who are the weenies, several of them hanging out in the relative shade below the bleachers, until their daughters or sons run.
Hiking in Phoenix means climbing barren rock trails straight up the sides of one of our several mountains. Rattlesnakes and things that look like mini-Komodo Dragons are not uncommon (seriously, what are those things with the yellow tail, orange body, and black heads; and should I be concerned when they bare their fangs and charge at me?). As opposed to, say, Minnesota, where hiking means strolling along worn dirt paths in a serenely wooded area, where you might run into a curious skunk or rabbit or two.
Not knocking Minnesota hikes. I love walking through woods, along rivers, around lakes. Just that hiking in Arizona is much more of a combination cardio and strength workout.
Or, at least it is for me. After scrambling up a particular section, CamelPak securely fastened to my back, I confess I have to stop and catch my breath. Only to see one (or more) of Phoenix's beautiful people strolling past me, carrying Starbucks cups and wearing flip-flops, the hot women in their jog bras and tight abs, the shirtless bohunk dudes who still have their hair, with geometric tattoos on their chests (shorts hanging off their buttocks, natch). Often, they'll reach the top, retrace their steps, and then do it all over again. No wonder they're beautiful.
I'm probably stressing about this too much. Last week was the Arizona High School Regional Track & Field meets, with the State Meets this week. Temps are over 100 degrees, with nary a tree in sight. Doesn't see to faze the kids, though. They just run or jump or throw. It's the parents who are the weenies, several of them hanging out in the relative shade below the bleachers, until their daughters or sons run.
Hiking in Phoenix means climbing barren rock trails straight up the sides of one of our several mountains. Rattlesnakes and things that look like mini-Komodo Dragons are not uncommon (seriously, what are those things with the yellow tail, orange body, and black heads; and should I be concerned when they bare their fangs and charge at me?). As opposed to, say, Minnesota, where hiking means strolling along worn dirt paths in a serenely wooded area, where you might run into a curious skunk or rabbit or two.
Not knocking Minnesota hikes. I love walking through woods, along rivers, around lakes. Just that hiking in Arizona is much more of a combination cardio and strength workout.
Or, at least it is for me. After scrambling up a particular section, CamelPak securely fastened to my back, I confess I have to stop and catch my breath. Only to see one (or more) of Phoenix's beautiful people strolling past me, carrying Starbucks cups and wearing flip-flops, the hot women in their jog bras and tight abs, the shirtless bohunk dudes who still have their hair, with geometric tattoos on their chests (shorts hanging off their buttocks, natch). Often, they'll reach the top, retrace their steps, and then do it all over again. No wonder they're beautiful.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Doc Savage sighting!
Interesting photo and article on Newsarama.com today. Dare we hope for a new Doc Savage comic?
At the San Diego Comic Con 2008, uber-producer Michael Uslan announced that Warner Brothers is in development of a new Doc Savage movie (I'm not easily finding a YouTube video from San Diego, but here's one from the NYC convention earlier this year). Being just a week removed from the Uslan-produced "Dark Knight," Fan boys across the nation erupted in joy. "Arnold Schwarzenegger as Doc!" cried some, forgetting that this is not 1994. "No, we need Brendan Fraser!" countered others, forgetting that the Doc Savage we all know and love is in his late 20s / early 30s during his prime adventuring years.
Since then, of course, Uslan released the mediocre "The Spirit" to so-so critical acclaim and so-so box office. Fan boys suddenly remembered that for every "Batman Begins," Warner Brothers also released the movie so bad I solemnly swore to never again mention it by name (I had won a free pass to see this abomination, and still was upset that I paid for the gas to drive to the theater).
My expectations of a quality Doc Savage movie to erase the horrid 1975 attempt are muted. I have long held that Doc Savage works better as a comic book character than he would on the big screen.
Maybe, hopefully, DC Comics agrees?
But then, I learned that the Newsarama picture is actually cropped from this -- a mash-up of Doc Savage, The Spirit, Blackhawk, and I'm not sure who the lady with the black panther is supposed to be. So now, I'm not sure if the picture is actually a a comic book teaser, or simply a vanity painting by comic artist Brian Stelfreeze.
My earlier excitement is waning. I'll stop holding my breath, and go back to reading my pulp reprints.
At the San Diego Comic Con 2008, uber-producer Michael Uslan announced that Warner Brothers is in development of a new Doc Savage movie (I'm not easily finding a YouTube video from San Diego, but here's one from the NYC convention earlier this year). Being just a week removed from the Uslan-produced "Dark Knight," Fan boys across the nation erupted in joy. "Arnold Schwarzenegger as Doc!" cried some, forgetting that this is not 1994. "No, we need Brendan Fraser!" countered others, forgetting that the Doc Savage we all know and love is in his late 20s / early 30s during his prime adventuring years.
Since then, of course, Uslan released the mediocre "The Spirit" to so-so critical acclaim and so-so box office. Fan boys suddenly remembered that for every "Batman Begins," Warner Brothers also released the movie so bad I solemnly swore to never again mention it by name (I had won a free pass to see this abomination, and still was upset that I paid for the gas to drive to the theater).
My expectations of a quality Doc Savage movie to erase the horrid 1975 attempt are muted. I have long held that Doc Savage works better as a comic book character than he would on the big screen.
Maybe, hopefully, DC Comics agrees?
But then, I learned that the Newsarama picture is actually cropped from this -- a mash-up of Doc Savage, The Spirit, Blackhawk, and I'm not sure who the lady with the black panther is supposed to be. So now, I'm not sure if the picture is actually a a comic book teaser, or simply a vanity painting by comic artist Brian Stelfreeze.
My earlier excitement is waning. I'll stop holding my breath, and go back to reading my pulp reprints.
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