Back In Black with Velma...

Almost three years ago, I managed to get a 2002 Dodge Durango (nicknamed Trudie) after the previous car I owned (Bianca) tried to kill me. I was happy with Trudie until recently when I started having to pour money into her for repairs. Now, I work and play in a field that has to deal with technology both mechanical and electronic, so I know that wear and tear can eventually break any machine. I was okay with some of the repairs, but after a little while it got expensive. Way more expensive that the car was actually worth. So, with some advice from colleagues at my new job, I decided to get a new car. A different car. My dream car. Meet Velma.

To Live Another Day...

I'd never thought I'd get to say this again, but here goes: Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, it's that time again! It's time for terrorists to quake in their boots, evil hackers to hide in their Matrices, and bad politicians to go on extended vacations... That's right, boys and girls, JACK IS BACK!!! I can not convey just how awesome it was to be watching another season premiere of 24. Just hearing the sounds of speeding up countdown clicks as the familiar digital "24" appeared on screen gave me goosebumps. It was pure epicness. And that was just the intro. Now, let's get into the episodes!

The City That Spawned Him...

Everyone knows that I'm a major Batman fan. I don't dismiss other members of the DC Universe pantheon of heroes (or Marvel's pantheon for that matter!), but ever since I was a child, there was always something that spoke to me about the Dark Knight. It wasn't just the symbolism, even though the Bat symbol is really cool. It wasn't just the science and technology used, even though toys like the Batmobile and the Batarang are really cool. It isn't even the superior intelligence and tactics that Batman employs to survive in a world full of super powered beings. In really thinking about it, the underlying quality that really speaks to ME and supports my intense love of the Batman mythos is the endurance of the man, Bruce Wayne. Making the choice to fight crime as a child, having the strength of will to stick to that choice and enforcing that change, and then standing up against the never-ending assault of crime. Those qualities were exceedingly appealing to my younger self trying to survive the household in which I lived. And so, I read the stories, watched the TV shows. Yes, even that horrible excuse for entertainment that was the 70s Batman show. Blech!