Move Over

I am maintaining a new blog over at http://soultoseoul.wordpress.com/ for those who are interested.  For the time being, I will be keeping this blog active for those who would like to view my old entries.  Thanks!

(Part Of) The Reason for My Long Absenses

Just last Tuesday, I was offered a position to teach English in Seoul, Korea.  This is a one-year contract beginnin in late August, and I’m both thrilled and nerve-wracked about the opportunity.  Most of the last couple of months have been devoted to moving across town and preparing for this, and the next couple will be roughly the same.

I plan on maintaining this blog even when I am away, writing about life in Korea and checking in on stuff here in Philadelphia and the rest of the country, so trust me, the disappearing acts will (hopefully) stop (one day).  Check back for more.

Too Busy…To Write…Sorry

I’ve been rather preoccupied with applications, interviews, moving and other things, so this posting is halfway through my long hiatus.  Sorry, folks.

It’s Registratin’ Time! – A Review of Marvel Comics’ “Civil War” crossover

I had to stop reading comics on a regular basis in high school because the plots and story arcs got so convoluted and ridiculous (or at least more than usual) that one couldn’t bear to keep up. Plus I was turning eighteen. But I still check out the graphic novels from time to time to see what people in the comic universe are doing. Now, it may surprise some of you, but the comic book world is full of writers that want to hit on current events and tackle social or psychological issues just as much as they want to write clever witticisms or about some girlfriend that gets killed. And it’s never been done better than in Marvel Comics’ “Civil War” crossover.

The basic synopsis: A bunch of young (throwaway) heroes, trying to catch some baddies for their hit reality show, come across one villian appropriately named Nitro, an already-notorious minor villian that acts like a human bomb. This baddie, in an attempt to get away, blows up his surroundings, which includes our heroes and the better part of a small town, taking hundreds of lives including many school children. Congress, in response to the public outcry and existing, growing reservations regarding the liberties taken by superheroes, passes a Superhuman Registration Act that, amongst other things, demands that superhumans register their abilities and identities with the authorities and enlist in training programs, virtually making them official cops or soldiers. As the title suggests, some do and some don’t.

The factions for and against are led by Iron Man and Captain America, respectively. Iron Man (billioniare and tech genius Tony Stark) believes in the letter of the law and the need to weed out the pretenders and psychos who think they can perform in the same capacity as the established heroes. But he is also somewhat ruthless and unethical in his approach, and his “big picture” view of how events will unfold and the justifications for them are debateable. Captain America is (or at least considers himself to be) a true patriot, who lives and fights for the American ideal and way. He and his sympathizers are concerned for the rights and families of the heroes, who risk life and limb and don’t ask for much of anything in return,
and there are also concerns about the government trying to make a super-army. Cap, for his part, is so intent on winning the war for his side that he risks sacrificing a great deal of lives, property and ethics in the cause, all the while losing touch with the American people that once revered and trusted him.

From a business and creative standpoint, it’s pure genius. As head writer Mark Millar put it, “The political allegory is only for those that are politically aware. Kids are going to read it and just see a big superhero fight.” The crossover is successful in giving the fanbase something rather novel in the hero vs. hero circumstance, and the allegory is both strong and apt throughout. Marvel has always been very good at hinting at topical matters or politics while giving readers a wizz-bang, nifty story (X-Men for racial bigotry, Punisher for ethics in fighting crime, Iron Man for alcohalism, and so on), and that theme shines in “Civil War”. You might make a Marvel-ized connection to Guantanamo Bay or Cindy Sheehan as you read along, and the writers and editors do a respectable job at presenting both sides of the argument with fairness and intelligence. This also gives the company a golden opportunity at cleaning up their stock of growing heroes and villians, something that is effectively done without making it too obvious.

The series is not for everyone, and people oblivious to or out of touch with the comic book world will struggle with it. For starters, the main impetus for the story and the characters’ roles therein are built on several other past story arcs that cannot be summed up in one quick reference (sometimes I had no idea what they were referring to). And certainly the fantastical and sillier elements of the stories can dissuade a number of potential readers from caring. If you’re looking for a read that’s fun, challenging and a little out there, dive in, but many will be better off searching elsewhere for the same thing.

Just about every trade paperback of the series is worth reading, but for the juicier parts, read the main chapter of the series, the “Road to Civil War” (a prequel that brings you up to speed), the two “Front Line” chapters (which do the best at delving into the ramifications and investigations of the war), the “Wolverine” chapter (which deals with apprehending the villian Nitro and those he has conspired with), the first “Spider-Man” chapter (the biggest swing-voter in the story), the “Black Panther” chapter (which gives an outside impression of the events) and the “Iron Man” chapter.

Special thanks to my friend Len for buying and lending damn near every copy that I read. Without him, I would have had to read them in the store, for I was not about to buy.

My Review: 4 out of 5

Urban Oasis: Jefferson Square

Well, I finally set up my Flickr account as well as loaded all of my pictures, so maybe I should do this, yeah?  It’s been awhile since I’ve done my Urban Oasis segment, having started with Rittenhouse Square but stopping there.  In this article and my next one, I’ll be covering both Jefferson Square and Clark Park, both of which are under the supervision of the Philadelphia Department of Recreation.

The Jefferson Square shots were taken in mid-March, where there was a warm break in the cold weather but still far too early for leaves and grass to return.  I would benefit from another visit this summer when one could see the park at its best.  Jefferson Square sits south of the 3rd and 5th blocks of Washington Ave, surrounded primarily by private homes, with some of the houses to the north being newer project buildings.  The immediate neighborhood is a mixture of low income earners, long-time residents and higher-middle class earners that are situated closer to the south end, especially where it is closer to Moyamensing Ave and other streets with prime real estate.

At that time of the year, the square was in mildly rough shape.  Given then-recent saltings to handle snow fall, a great deal of salt-staining and tire marks was visible.  The condition of the grass was typical for the season, and there were a number of trees in the park, which was an encouraging sign.  The pavement could be in better shape, and where a couple of trees are concerned, it is forced up and cracked.  There are a few benches and plenty of running space (I immediately noted the number of dog-walkers), and there is a small playground and basketball court in an enclosed area on the west side.

When it comes to park conditions, I am often drawn to the damages people do, and a few of my shots reflect that focus.  There were certainly a handful of spots that were covered with graffiti, and I noted that some of the benches were chained to concrete where they could (there has been a problem?).  My greatest concern was the amount of trash and litter that could be found all over the park, most of it in the form of plastic bottles.  Sometimes the trash was on the ground right next to a waiting garbage can.  In one corner, I found mysterious cat food cans with remnants of leaves and meat inside (I’m hoping these were not poisoned).  I would hope that the lack of upkeep could be chalked up to the season, and that this treatment of the park is not habitual throughout the year.

Jefferson Square is a beautiful park and a boon to its community that just needs some tender love and care like all things.  As I have already stated, it might be best to make another visit to the square to check on its current status, but having seen it the winter neglect is a valuable experience.  The REC website has a small page about the square, which includes information about the park’s history and both a bio and contact information for the Friends of Jefferson Square Park, for those that would like to learn more.

More on Less Music

For another perspective on the music infringment going on in Rittenhouse Square, read this Metro article by Johnny Goodtimes.  Make sure to tease him for calling the square “Rittenhouse Park”.

Sir, Put Down the Harmonica Immediately!

Some of you might have heard this already, but to me it’s fairly recent news.  For months now, local authorities have been enforcing a ban on unsolicited music in Rittenhouse Square, prompting a protest by permitted musicians today that I could not watch because I was at work (oh, pooh).  The recent ban has effectively dissuaded a number of people from strumming it up, and has even resulted in perpetrators (of music!) being arrested, one of the more notable examples being made of Anthony Riley, a local musician.

Many, including Mr. Riley and one Larry West, whose run for mayor was as legitimate as Milton Street’s, have been vocal (but no vocals) on the subject, and today’s protest is just one example.  According to these recent articles, while some have been actively against the ban, some police officers have commented that residents of the area have been pleased with the results.  A police captain: “People are happy as can be that police are keeping the musicians from disturbing the peace.”

Disturbing the peace?  For whom?  The wealthy condo owners that would prefer the square to be their own private backyard?  Whatever city official(s) that realized making a few bucks off of the permits (like the summer concerts) and shutting up said condo owners can kill two birds with one stone?  Some random passerby that would rather not listen to a James Blunt cover?  While the last might be somewhat warranted, the fact that this has become an enforced ordinance is cause for concern, especially since I cannot find a more narrowed and specific regulation on the matter.

In a city that gets trashed and trashes itself so often, this is a new low point for the City of Brotherly Love.  With so many other everyday problems and concerns that Philadelphians are demanding addressed, a few choice individuals are taking some of the joy and character out of a beloved and popular section of the city.  And why, because an element that they don’t quite like is gathering?  Rittenhouse is a cultural center, with people engaging in all sorts of performing arts, writers write, painters paint, people-watchers watch.  Tearing the music out for the sake of these complainers only takes away from something that is precious about parks and about Philadelphia.

Rather than going off into a slew of hyperbole (“What’s next?  No BREATHING?!?”), I think it’s more effective to ask where the harm is.  After all, there can be no argument for danger or harm to people, the kind of arguments that would have been made for banning biking or ball-throwing in the park.  Given the wide space, the music is just never that loud where it can disrupt a person to the point where they have no recourse but to complain.  And while it’s reasonable that such activity is ill-advised at 2am, there’s no call for a 24 hour ban on people expressing themselves musically.  Hell, Curtis and its opera-singing is right there!

Hopefully, some compromise can be reached where music can at least still be allowed up until a certain decibel or time (which is reasonable).  But if this is an indicator of where the city is going culturally, you might see some of our artists catching interest in other locales.  Claiming that this is but one park and one art form being discouraged only perpetuates an ignorance that hurts our city’s image as a recognized leader in the arts.