If anyone has noticed (and I doubt they did) but Fat Momma has skyrocketed to the top of my Friends list. I did this today as I thought of all the people on last year's reality show "Who Wants To Be a Superhero," Fat Momma had the most inspired message.
Not all of us can be top athletes, genius thinkers or the best at everything. Her message surrounding this dilemma was "be happy with yourself". There are many "real life superheroes" and "celebrity super heroes" that are making a difference. Very few, in recent years, have had the inspirational opportunities that Fat Momma has, and done so much with it! I want to publicly thank her for her inspired message and courage for being a very non-typical inspiration in a very judgmental world.
If you wanted to check out more of Fat Momma, head over to her website at www.fatmomma.tv. Thanks, Fat Momma!
There are many avenues and ways to contribute to The Age of Superheroes. Recently, fate took a moment to remind me of my original path. I had been a contributor to an amazing watering hole called The Hero Coalition. While I found my time their invaluable, I have recently refocused on projects more in line with my personal mission goals. I would encourage everyone to take a moment and ask yourself, "Am I fulfilling my mission in life in the best possible way?" Whether that is through patrolling your cities, helping the helpless or proving your civic pride in other ways, I know we all need reminders to stay on task and I would be amiss if I did not take my current course correction as an opportunity to help you remember. Are you doing what you set out to do? Are you proceeding as you hoped to proceed?
Serious questions and only you know your answers. Good luck in your individual journeys. Stay safe and watch out for each other.
Most patrols are quiet. Maybe I’m not aggressive enough. I tend to want to protect the good people and the good areas. Maybe that’s selfish. I want to patrol public entertainment areas ... Mill Avenue, Tempe … the worse I ever really get is Grand. The highways is where I get to actually help people who are pulled over, broken down, alone in the dark. Its satisfying.
Tonight, I had an interesting change up. Ever so often, a driver will be hell bent on killing someone and/or himself by driving recklessly. Tonight was one of those nights and it was clear this was a drunk. I wasn’t on patrol, per se, I was with my wife and we were headed to dinner. None the less, I followed the drunk at a judicious distance and called it in. This was the amazing part. Less than a minute later, a patrolman pulled next to me. I flashed my brights, flipped on the overhead so he could see me and motioned to the drunk driver. The cop raced around me and picked him up. Wow! Like a minute later. Cool.
Now, I know this doesn’t sound like a big deal. I guess for me it was. It was a … change in the world … it made a difference. I feel badly the guy got a DUI but imagine how I would have felt had he killed himself, or worse, someone else. It felt great. What would it be like, if everyone took that small initiative? What a great place it would be. At least for driving. What else can we change, if we all take it as our responsibility to protect someone … anyone?
I think a lot of effort goes into clarifying people’s misconceptions about what we do. Real Life Super Heroes are just volunteers, charity workers, neighborhood watchmen. There. Plain and simple. The mundane labels are on the table. Maybe people can identify with that and not get so alarmed. I am starting to feel comfortable telling extended family what I am doing, i.e., applying for the show and applying the persona to my community. It’s the community part that scares them a little. I guess I can’t blame them. It’s too tight a rope to walk between what I’m really doing and what a comic superhero would do.
And you know, its funny, I have not even patrolled in costume yet. And the more I think about it, the more the costume becomes a symbol. I imagine my first costumed patrol will be in broad daylight, police being the first hands a shake, and fliers in hand, reminding people to be vigilant, to protect their own, to have “The Heart of a Hero”. The work I do … well … we’ll have to see how much of it is best for the costume. I definitely want to wake people up, but in the right way. I would feel terrible if I scared some poor old lady out of her wits, so highway patrols seem non-costumed. I guess I’ll work it out when I get my rig. That is if I don’t get on the show.
If I do get on the show, it becomes even easier. Citizen Prime becomes property of … someone at Who Wants To Be a Superhero.
Speaking of which, the concept of a super powered Citizen Prime is … how shall I say this? A freakin’ blast! Okay, let me start form the beginning. I sat down and thought fo the real world things I want to accomplish and the real world talents, skills and delusions (lol) I have about my life. Well, I do want everyone to take up the cross, as it were, and be inspired to be a superhero to their kids, to their families, to their world. I want to find a way to find these people and deliver that message. I also fancy myself somewhat of an empath. If not a genuine psychic then an astute judge of human nature and human “systems of thought.” So … super-size those and you get
Citizen Prime. He is a superhero. His power is, he can make you one too! The super powered Prime finds potential superheroes and primes them, activating their powers. Along with this, he can see into the hearts of the potentials and know if they have the Heart of a Hero. Honestly, I love it.
Creating the super powered Citizen Prime is the most fun I’ve had in a long, long time. Of course, there is more to it. The suit has to be explained, with its archaic lines (it was built by an armorer, you know). So the suit, and in fact, the hero, comes from a long line of Primes that date back to the medieval ages. His Battle Rod (the Arma 100) replaces the swords of old and technology is added is new gear makes him faster, stronger … better able to keep up with his super powered apprentices. I say apprentices as he can’t just super power someone and walk away. He has to train them. Prepare them to stand against the forces of injustice and all that stuff.
Even at this stage I can tell it looks pretty original. It is a little Prof Xavier, but he has teeth. He can stand toe-to-toe with the best of them. Kind of like Batman and Prof. X had a love child. Citizen Prime. The first of this generation of heroes. And the last Prime on earth.
I think he should inherit his powers from the previous Prime. Maybe when one Prime activates another, the power transfers, leaving the progenitor normal once again. Then his final mission is to train the new Prime in everything he was taught. Passing the lineage down through time, continuing the Prime Line.
I’m still working on stuff, but those are the basics. Maybe after auditions, I’ll post the whole thing. This is going to be fantastic. I love it when life leads me in the right direction. I'm enjoying the ride.
While I continue to patrol, hopefully inspire, and help organize the hero movement, I think it's important to share updates on how my rig is progressing. Every little thing seems to take so much focus; from the Citizen Prime logo to the under armour to the actual armor. I think I have my logo exactly as I want it and I have to thank one of my fellow superheroes, Kampfhund, for his invaluable partnership in co-creating this iconic image with me. I posted this image of my symbol on the Under Armour that I will wear as part of my rig. I have my boots and greaves taken care of. I went with a athletic boot and greaves model, instead of just boots to afford me a maximum ability when out on the street. The chest, back, thigh, and shoulder armor is all being simultaneously constructed as is the leather/steel helmet and protective gauntlet/gloves. I am choosing to add a cape, however, I am designing it in such a way as to keep it out of my way, when necessary, and allow me to use it for concealment or additional protection when required, as well. My utility belt, while I have been playing it loose and fast up till now, will undergo a legal review to see what is legal to carry in my state and city of , . Without being too specific, I currently carry one set of handcuffs, a "bunch" of a Ziploc ties for various purposes, cell phone, passport (better than a driver's license, in case I get overpowered and bad guys take it - no address and if I report it lost its basically useless for travel), cell phone, an ARMA 100, stun gun, pepper spray, video camera, lighting, and 20 bucks. I also carry my license in my car as well as many other things but those are the mainstays on my "utility belt"
In my new image I maintained the January 5 deadline for the launch of Citizen Prime. I still think that's a realistic goal. Until then, I'll continue to patrol, inspire people where and how I can through medium and continue to play whatever part I can in organizing the community, and providing resources for other heroes, if I am able.
So, to those who have gone before me and to those who will follow after, I say this. Heroes and superheroes are real and they patrol the streets of our fair cities. They come in all shapes, sizes and demeanors but the one thing they have in common, is the need to help. I salute those who are currently out there. And I ask those who have not yet made "the leap" to consider all the options available to you as a private citizen to help take back the streets of your city, your neighborhood, your world. Join hands with your family, your friends, your community and if everyone who considers this only takes back their street or their block from the bad element, what a safer and more joyful world it would be for the kids on that street and for the people on that block to live in.
Superheroes exist. The dawn of a new age is upon us. Be prepared to be amazed.
First there was the prototype, dug from the military future soldier models, Citizen Prime was going to be a model of high tech efficiencies. Then? Too dark? Too intimidating. Can you imagine that black all over, killer motorcycle helmeted rider approaching you. You’d shoot him if you had a weapon. So, then something more … Alex Ross … iconic yet functional. Real world yet stylin’. The prototype changed dramatically and with that, life opened up to provide a way to make it.
I found an armorer, Greg Podgorny, who was a huge comic book fan. In fact, he was good friends with Jack Kirby, creator of Captain America – my favorite superhero (a sign?). I talked with Greg and we worked out a design and price (ouch!).
I am thrilled with the concept we came up with. My design to his real world armor experience. I think we’re going to have something great. Can’t wait. The completion date is January 5. It seems like an eternity. Until then, I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.
Tothian and many other RLS are stepping up to try and help with more sophisticated communication tools and I think this is great. I have some expereince with this and see this as a growing interest in the community. Be that as it is, I'd like everyone interested in this to ask themselves two things. One, who in the rls community has experience running boards or websites like this? And two, if we are suffering from lack of experience in this, would we want some seasoned guidance?
If 'no one' and 'yes' are the overall answers to the questions above, please take the initiative and contact me. I can and will help get something 'real' going. Blitz, Tothian and others are are scrambling to make a difference here and I have some unique experience that can contribute.
Its important to say, I'm not trying to create another brand of something others have been working on. If I could caution everyone on one thing and one thing only, it would be running off in different directions. The last thing we need is everyone proposing something new. I'm trying to help unify the many people who see a need. Hopefully, a combined effort will lead us to a quality platform and a connected community.
Why even create a tool? Don't we have MySpace and Frappr? First, I feel its important to create a virtual Hall of Superheroes where we control access. I want someone (or a council of someones) to have some control over who gets to read what. Forums are great for this as are rl chat systems like TeamSpeak. I believe this would lead to better communication and better trust over allowing us to put things out there and ask for help without feeling like we are being watched or monitored. If this was not already obvious, I'm sure there are least a few law enforcement folks watching the super hero movement on MySpace.
Like Tothian, I'm not so much concerned about leading this effort as much as contributing. I can offer my significant experience in this and hopefully that can make a difference. My experience? I led one of the top City of Heroes portals for over a year (forums, roster, news, live chat, all that junk) and, as my secret identity, I have created and managed a business website that maintains a forum (for three years) as well as host and present at conferences (7 years).
So if you would like, coordinate through me, or if there is a solid movement, I'll give input if invited. I'll gladly do whatever I can to get something 'quality' up and and running if this is something people want to see.
I realize not everyone in our community is a team player (and thats just fine). We do need to unite on this, however, and get behind a process that has us coming together - not leading off in different directions.
I mentioned in an earlier blog I was doing two things. The first was finding ways to define and coalesce my contributions to society into a form people can get a handle on. Real life super heroism seems like the perfect solution.
The second thing constantly on my mind in auditioning for the show Who Wants To Be a Superhero. A lot of people have very strong opinions about the show. Most the field guys, like Superhero and the like, seem to have a negative opinion of it. I’m not quite sure why. Perhaps they think it is a mockery of what is happening in their world. Perhaps they think it’s a joke. I can’t help but feel this show and its message, though hidden in a reality show, is truly what I am after.
What better way to spread the message that we can all stand up and be heroes in our communities, our cities, our sphere of influence, than provide a source of inspiration? What better way to inspire than to be on the show delivering the message to millions of people. I can’t imagine a better opportunity. It has always felt like the right thing to do.
Media is media. What were we inspired by, but comics. The ones we read as kids. The ones we read today. Finally a show has taken the elements of modern society and melded it, albeit in a pioneering effort, into a delivery mechanism for an appreciative audience. And it worked!
I thought Feedback and Fat Momma were very inspirational. And Fat Momma was her own first convert! By her admission, she thought the comic superhero thing was a lark. But here she is, delivering an exceptionally valuable message to the masses.
Yes, Who Wants To Be a Superhero is the gold ring. I hope I’m good enough.
So many avenues and so many choices. Life has a funny way of showing us which road to choose. Many say its not the easiest. In a way, that’s wrong. I find when I am doing what I am suppose to be doing; living the life I am suppose to be living, life is, in fact, easy. Everything falls into place, lights turn green in long strips of open road, people open doors, opportunities arise like coy fish in a pond.
Two avenues seem to open in tandem. The first one, fired by my hardwiring. I am meant to help people. I know that. I do. When I can.
An experience that happened today. I was
shopping for costume stuff (what else?) and had to hit the head. While in the men’s room, a kid, a gang banger, came busting in. I glanced over, sized him up. He was jumpy, nervous, calculating. I watched him but smiled. Always
be polite. I washed my hands and
walked out of the men's room. Slight shock! Eight guys were standing in the hall, waiting
for … guess who. I chuckled. To
catch a thief. I was there with my
wife. Eight guys seems enough to take down one gansta', so we walked out the front door.
Suddenly, there was yelling. A huge ruckus and commotion erupted behind us. I turned.
The little thief was getting away! He
eluded all eight guys and had a healthy lead!
Running full bore, he bumped past my wife. Instinct made me grab him and ... throw him against a cement planter box. Ouch! Need to watch my aim. Stunned, he tried
to rise. The eight guys dogpiled him and
were telling him to stay down … relax … they were putting the cuffs on. Someone shook my hand. I gave him a passing, "Your welcome," as I scanned the parking lot. Sure enough, the thief yelled for a buddy to come
save him. I thought I better stick
around and see what
his friend looked like. Or better yet be ready for
a drive by. The kid must have been hopped up as the eight (yes, eight) guys were having trouble cuffing him. Telling my wife to stay
back, I applied a nasty (and system jarring) ankle lock on our screaming, struggled thief. They got cuffs on him. They gave me a gift certificate for my
help. Funny. I didn't quite know whether to say no thanks or what. I think people have a need to show their gratitiude.
At the end of that event, one thing occurred
to me. Helping secure the thief seemed
perfectly natural. I wish I was around
to help more situations like that.
So I am meant to help people. But I’m not that special. We all are. Its just a matter of waking up and realizing that. Its like digging a well. It has to be primed. People are like that. There is so much heroism in each one of us. It just needs to be primed.
I finished watching Who Wants To Be a Superhero. I couldn’t stand to miss a single episode. In fact, I watched the reruns. What is it about that show? Its a rhetorical question. I’ll tell you.
Its pretty obvious. Who Wants To Be a Superhero? Who DOESN’T want to be a Superhero? The list would be much shorter. That is, if you dig down deep, down past the adult talk, past the fear of what co-workers would say, past all that, most the boys would find ourselves under the kitchen table playing with a Captain America action figure … maybe Captain Kirk … but the point is, we all thought that was attainable. What a fantastic show!
I typically can’t watch reality TV. It’s the celebration of dysfunction. But every so often something comes along that reverses the trend. This is a show about celebrating the good things about people. Oh, it has all the hallmarks of reality TV. Catching people being able to laugh at themselves. Comedy works. That’s great. After the show, many blogs, comments on MySpace, interviews with the contestants showed that, indeed, that was the case. Things were said, like, “I’ve never seen a cast of competitors who bonded together and helped each other so much!” Of course! These were people who cared enough about those dreams we all had to carry them with them through life and arrive here. These people are heroes, or rather, they have the Heart of a Hero. They found a way to bring it out. I love it!
I wish I would have known about the show. If they have a season 2, I must be on it!
