In many ways Comic Con is all about the fans; we go there and we are given goods, buy exclusive merchandise, interact with out favorite creators and hustle sketches among many other ways. But it is not all take, take, take. We came across Jason Kruse who authored, "The World of Quest." Alex read it a few years ago and since then, it was picked up by the WB and transformed into a Saturday morning cartoon. Alex does not like some of the changes the network suits implemented when they animated it and he shared his laments with Mr. Kruse. He was overjoyed that Alex could talk about his work point for point and said that our little man was the first person he had met that had read the book instead of just watching the show. This gift of Alex's visibily made his day, and perhaps his convention.
RAP (7.30.2008)
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sometimes the Best Things Aren't Planned
In the days leading up to Comic Con, we told the boys about some of the creators, and they got excited. Michael, in particular, was enthused to meet Jacob Chabot, author of the humorous tome, "The Mighty Skullboy Army." Until we found him in artist's alley, Michael kept querying, "Where is Jacob Chabot?"
Meeting him was the highlight of his Comic Con until we ran across a group of people huddled around a certain hero of Michael's: Matt Groening. He was kindly bidding adieu to the crowd, trying to escape the floor, and we were happy just watching him. As he lingered, generously making time for the children, Michael worked his way up through the masses, and engaged him in a conversation, the only one we saw him have with anyone. Michael told him about the letter he wrote and then shared his ideas: a Bartman villain named the "Choker" and an online Kwik-E Mart called the "Clicky Mart." Matt seemed to like his ideas and even gave Michael his business card. Sometimes the best things aren't planned and plotted; they just seem happen if you get yourself out where the action is.
RAP (7.29.2008)
Meeting him was the highlight of his Comic Con until we ran across a group of people huddled around a certain hero of Michael's: Matt Groening. He was kindly bidding adieu to the crowd, trying to escape the floor, and we were happy just watching him. As he lingered, generously making time for the children, Michael worked his way up through the masses, and engaged him in a conversation, the only one we saw him have with anyone. Michael told him about the letter he wrote and then shared his ideas: a Bartman villain named the "Choker" and an online Kwik-E Mart called the "Clicky Mart." Matt seemed to like his ideas and even gave Michael his business card. Sometimes the best things aren't planned and plotted; they just seem happen if you get yourself out where the action is.
RAP (7.29.2008)
Monday, July 28, 2008
New Spectacles
When Alex was first told he needed glasses he got a little teary. Then, at the final fitting, he became stoic trying not to let his disappointment seep through as he protested quietly about trivial things. It was not an atmosphere of joy and celebration so much as one of resignation. I tried to spin it as much as could, telling him about my first pair when I was 4 and welcoming him to the club; however, I wear contacts day to day and this stratagem had little success.
We were headed to Dayton to see my parents that morning, so I secretly called ahead and requested that my father wear his glasses this day as a subliminal show of solidarity. That seemed to work, so much so that when my dad took his off, Alex wanted to take his off too. At this point Alex conceded to himself, and the world, that he could read things far away that he could not before. Soon concession snowballed into enthusiasm, as he started comparing what he could spy at a distance with and without his new spectacles.
RAP (7.28.2008)
We were headed to Dayton to see my parents that morning, so I secretly called ahead and requested that my father wear his glasses this day as a subliminal show of solidarity. That seemed to work, so much so that when my dad took his off, Alex wanted to take his off too. At this point Alex conceded to himself, and the world, that he could read things far away that he could not before. Soon concession snowballed into enthusiasm, as he started comparing what he could spy at a distance with and without his new spectacles.
RAP (7.28.2008)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
I Liked the Romance a Lot
As you have been browsing through our pictures lately you may have noticed that at Michael's side in many of them is a Wall-E toy. I gave it for him a few weeks ago to lift his spirits when was ill. At a dinner party recently Michael was enthusiastically going on about Wall-E prompting his audience to ask why he loved Wall-E; he quickly replied that he "loves robots."
We know that to be true, after all his first school video project for was titled "I, Robot Expert," and we would accept that at face value. However the guests were not as familiar with him, and continued to press. His eyes darted around the room, making sure the coast was clear, and then my 10 year old little man shyly said, "I liked the romance a lot."
RAP (7.24.2008)
We know that to be true, after all his first school video project for was titled "I, Robot Expert," and we would accept that at face value. However the guests were not as familiar with him, and continued to press. His eyes darted around the room, making sure the coast was clear, and then my 10 year old little man shyly said, "I liked the romance a lot."
RAP (7.24.2008)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Transitions
We decided to stay in Dublin years ago, so the kids could go all the way through school here. That type of environmental stability is important for Michael in particular. However, we can only control what we do, and the fact that others will flow in and out of their lives is beyond our control. Both boys are having friends leave right now. Michael's best friend is preparing to move (their house sold in 1 week!), and Alex is having several pals depart.
With time as a lens, we expect it to have the greatest impact on Michael, because confidants are less common for him. However, it is Alex, who picks up a friend at the drop of the hat, who has been getting emotional and having the harder time now.
RAP (7.22.2008)
With time as a lens, we expect it to have the greatest impact on Michael, because confidants are less common for him. However, it is Alex, who picks up a friend at the drop of the hat, who has been getting emotional and having the harder time now.
RAP (7.22.2008)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Shared Experiences and Smiles
Movies are a shared experience and are often a launching points for discussions. Most of the time it is about the content of the film, but after we took in "Journey to the Center of the Earth" 3D the boys were inspired by the medium of the feature to ponder the various dimensions. Michael was thinking out loud about the first dimension, and he wanted to know if it had direction. They know the three spatial dimensions, and understand that the 4th is time (no matter what amusement rides like Shrek 4D want you to believe), so they honed in on the fifth.
Michael was wondering aloud what the fifth was like, what it would be like to be there and what sort of creatures flourish with that extra dimension. Without hesitation, showing a remarkable education endowed upon him by his father, Alex answered "that is easy; Mister Mxyztplk is from the fifth dimension!" Michael and I knew the veracity of his statements and so the conversation ended with the three of us sharing sly grins.
RAP (7.15.2008)
Michael was wondering aloud what the fifth was like, what it would be like to be there and what sort of creatures flourish with that extra dimension. Without hesitation, showing a remarkable education endowed upon him by his father, Alex answered "that is easy; Mister Mxyztplk is from the fifth dimension!" Michael and I knew the veracity of his statements and so the conversation ended with the three of us sharing sly grins.
RAP (7.15.2008)
Shouldn't You Write that Down
As I served lunch today, Michael interjected, "I like the Super Friends comic, better than the TV show. It just looks cooler." I thought this was interesting so I whipped out my phone and twittered (140 character text message blogging) that information so that I would be able to use it later in a postcard . I have been doing this since March as a way to help me better take notes.
Shortly, after I was done, Michael asked if I knew about the new weekly Trinity comic starring Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, and said that it would be cool if there was a comic with Supergirl, Batgirl and Wonder Girl (the original Donna Troy, not Cassie Sandmark). I just smiled and kept eating. He conspicuously gazed at me for a few moments, and then suggested, "Dad, shouldn't you write that down." :)
RAP (7.15.2008)
Shortly, after I was done, Michael asked if I knew about the new weekly Trinity comic starring Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, and said that it would be cool if there was a comic with Supergirl, Batgirl and Wonder Girl (the original Donna Troy, not Cassie Sandmark). I just smiled and kept eating. He conspicuously gazed at me for a few moments, and then suggested, "Dad, shouldn't you write that down." :)
RAP (7.15.2008)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Wall-E... He's a robot
Michael, like his father, is a very maternal male, and that behavior is evident in his interactions with his cousin Jake. One of the things that Michael and I wanted to do was to take Jake to his first feature film, and we selected the well scripted, "Kung Fu Panda." I sat to Jake's right, and Michael to his left. Everyone's highlight of the film was after the protagonist says, "there is no charge for awesomeness or attractiveness," Jake responded to the screen: "awesomeness!"
After the fireworks, Michael read Jake several "Wall-E" books based on the Pixar feature. Michael is into Wall-E at the moment, and he enjoys sharing his enthusiasms. Furthermore, small children should be read to, in his mind, and are, at the very least, a semi-captive audience. Jake knows nothing about robots, but seemed to enjoyed Michael's good night stories. Since their return to Massillon, I am told that Jake can't stop talking about Wall-E, and in Michael's diction he keeps telling people "Wall-E... He's a robot."
RAP (7.11.2008)
After the fireworks, Michael read Jake several "Wall-E" books based on the Pixar feature. Michael is into Wall-E at the moment, and he enjoys sharing his enthusiasms. Furthermore, small children should be read to, in his mind, and are, at the very least, a semi-captive audience. Jake knows nothing about robots, but seemed to enjoyed Michael's good night stories. Since their return to Massillon, I am told that Jake can't stop talking about Wall-E, and in Michael's diction he keeps telling people "Wall-E... He's a robot."
RAP (7.11.2008)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
4th of July Party
As you know, our 4th of July party was a success once more. For most of the day we thought it was going to be washed out, but it seemed that Moses parted the sea of rain in the sky just in time for the festivities. By sunset, you could actually even see the blue sky.
The surprises of the evening were how many Taylor Dane songs I knew (embarrassing), and what a great showman Rick Springfield was. He really worked the crowd and, in the process, up a sweat. He roamed the crowd, climbing on tables, borrowing cell phones, flirted with girls and even threw out candy. It is clear that he likes performing, and puts great effort into it, which ultimately benefited us. Kudos Rick.
RAP (7.10.2008)
More pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagrap/sets/72157605981609936/
The surprises of the evening were how many Taylor Dane songs I knew (embarrassing), and what a great showman Rick Springfield was. He really worked the crowd and, in the process, up a sweat. He roamed the crowd, climbing on tables, borrowing cell phones, flirted with girls and even threw out candy. It is clear that he likes performing, and puts great effort into it, which ultimately benefited us. Kudos Rick.
RAP (7.10.2008)
More pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagrap/sets/72157605981609936/
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Final Game Ball of the Year
The sun has set on Alex's baseball season. The season finale was last Tuesday, and he was having a pretty good game. As fortune would have it, he was the last batter (due to the no more than 10 at bats per inning rule) for his squad in the final inning. Alex strode up to the plate, and he swung for the fence.
Contact.
The ball flew high into the sky, as if it were chasing the sun along the western horizon, finally landing deep into left field. Without a doubt, it was the best hit Alex had all year, and the best one in his career. With the crowd roaring he converted this hit into a triple, but more importantly he also rode that at bat into his first, and his team's final, game ball of the year.
RAP (7.9.2008)
Contact.
The ball flew high into the sky, as if it were chasing the sun along the western horizon, finally landing deep into left field. Without a doubt, it was the best hit Alex had all year, and the best one in his career. With the crowd roaring he converted this hit into a triple, but more importantly he also rode that at bat into his first, and his team's final, game ball of the year.
RAP (7.9.2008)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Cup Cake Camp
Alex likes sweets, there is no doubt about that. He will always ask for a sweet, but to his credit he knows when to say when and rarely finishes them. What you may not know is that his enthusiasm is not limited to their consumption, and that he also enjoys partaking in their creation. He begs us to buy cake mixes and to let him bake. I think he gets a sense of satisfaction of creating something that is easily understood to be good.
In August, he is going to go to Cup Cake Camp (technically pastry chef camp) at the bakery, "Our Cup Cakery," where he acquired the do it your self cup cake pictured. Let us hope that he does not learn how to do it so well that his creations overcome his ability to stop when he is full :)
RAP (7.2.2008)
In August, he is going to go to Cup Cake Camp (technically pastry chef camp) at the bakery, "Our Cup Cakery," where he acquired the do it your self cup cake pictured. Let us hope that he does not learn how to do it so well that his creations overcome his ability to stop when he is full :)
RAP (7.2.2008)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Tooting My Own Horn - "Before Bone"
Last week I was able to pull off a coup of sorts; I was able to procure a copy of the rare, sold out "Before Bone" from the Cartoon Library at Ohio State. Only 500 were printed, each numbered and signed; they are rare, in high demand and are currently going for 10 time their acquisition price on EBay.
It is a collection of comic strips that Jeff Smith authored by the name of "Thorn," which were created in the early 1980s before he started "Bone." In their pages you see the first appearances of the characters from "Bone" that are beloved by Michael and Alex. It should arrive soon, and they are very excited to devour it, and I am thrilled to stoke the embers of their enthusiasm.
RAP (7.1.2008)
It is a collection of comic strips that Jeff Smith authored by the name of "Thorn," which were created in the early 1980s before he started "Bone." In their pages you see the first appearances of the characters from "Bone" that are beloved by Michael and Alex. It should arrive soon, and they are very excited to devour it, and I am thrilled to stoke the embers of their enthusiasm.
RAP (7.1.2008)
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