Lordy, Lordy... 

It's been years since I've posted anything here, but let's just jump right to my big comic beef:

Chris Claremont. 

He is undoubtedly the most influential X-Men writer ever. He created characters that t I have loved since I began reading comics in the early 90s. Rogue, love her. Psylocke, loved her. Rachel Summers/Grey, LOVE her. White Queen, Sinister, Kitty, the list goes on and on... 

Claremont just finished writing Excalibur and is currently writing New Exiles. While Exiles was interesting when it first appeared, Claremont has turned it into a dizzying attempt at recreating the X-Men of old. Here's his line up: Psylocke, Sage, Pete Wisdom, Age of Apocalpse Sabretooth, alterna Kitty Pryde, alterna Rogue, a male Mystique and Morph. Dazzler and Longshot may also be in it, but my hope is that a better writer gets a hold of them. My issue isn't that Claremont is using these characters, it's how he's using them. 

Any X-Men fan can tell you how kick-ass both Sage and Pyslocke used to be. Now they constantly question their abilities, seem to have no control over their abilities, and forgotten that one must wear panties when one jumpkicks(as seen in Die by the Sword #2). It irks me that Claremont can turn these strong, well-known,. well-loved characters and allow them to be weak, pathetic shells of their former selves. *sigh*

Thanks to Worst.Blog.Ever for a better low-down on the new lows Claremont is taking our beloved X-characters.

• "If 40 industrial nations can [provide health care] and balance the budget at the same time, it's time to have somebody in the White House who can chew gum and think at the same time."

• Carrie Underwood: The Country Singer. Simon exclaimed half way through the competition that she, "would be the next American Idol." Carrie had a big future to look forward to.I loved her rendition of "Alone" so much I didn't think the other idols had a chance of keeping up. Unfortunately, she still had to prove she should win. To date Carrie's performances have been ho-hum country bunkin.  I can see her losing this next week if she doesn't improve her stage presence, but it's not likely. Last week Carrie let Anthony Federov, who received the least amount of votes, obviously out perform her when singing the same song. Not good.
• Bo Bice: The Rocker. I love his name. In fact, I love this guy! His performances week after week exceed every expectation I ever had for him. I didn't think he'd hold out against Constantine for the Idol-Rocker title, but he proved he's the actual and ONLY true rocker this AI has ever had. He's absolutely smooth on stage and always deliver, except when he did showtunes (we'll forgive him.) The final two will be Bo and one of the ladies.
• Vonzell Solomon: The Soulful Diva. I felt Vonzell began as a contestant lost in a crowd of egos and early favorites. I don't think I considered her strong until she performerd "I Have Nothing." My number one rule for any idol is to never, NEVER perform a Whitney or Celine song. Ninety-nine percent of the time you'll sound subpar. Really. Except, Vonzell didn't! She carried that note only-Whitney-can-do so amazingly well! It's been an uphill battle for Vonzell to prove she deserves to be Top 3. She's only gotten better each week. Her "Don't Leave Me This Way" placed Vonzell into the baby Diva relm. Her versatility has allowed her to remain a strong, confident and lovable performer. I'd love to see Vonzell and Bo battle it out.

and a Flickr for you!

seriously, it's the best photo-hosting site around.

I <heart> flickr.com

• I have had a building confidence in my decisions, and life direction - something that I feel I've been lacking for years.
• I have an amazing new job that has given me renewed self-worth.
• My friends have been absolutely amazing recently. They've always been amazing, but now I'm reviving my friendships with them.
• I got accepted to SFSU and start in the fall! 
  
• I stopped smoking a few weeks back. It's nice to be out of the cloud that hazed my thoughts for so long, but...
  
• Though I'm not smoking, I still love www.stonedRobot.com.
• Joss Whedon is directing the new Wonder Woman movie. Excellent!

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart.