The Maple Leaf Forever II

dasnordlicht91 @ 2011-10-07T00:18:00

2011-10-07T04:20:25Z

Since Twitter's being an unresponsive asshole right now, I guess I ought to discuss a little plan of mine for Thanksgiving: E-Cards. Well, it's for Canadian Thanksgiving, which is this coming Monday. Nothing exciting or anything, just e-cards to my close friends and the like. /shrug

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Just watch....

2011-10-02T21:09:57Z

'Twas introduced to this wonderful short animated film on Twitter by a few of my good friends, and it's an inventive film, so to speak. In other words, just watch......below.

http://vimeo.com/10149605?utm_medium=nxt.st-mailto

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Ever feel like...

2011-09-02T15:31:35Z

an asshole when you're really just trying to be nice? I know, I'm not exactly the perfect person, and yes, I'm prone to making stupid mistakes from time-to-time, but what I don't want to actively do is to be an, erm, well, a (to put it nicely) jackass to my friends, even if it's accidental. It hurts me as much as it hurts the people I care about. It really, really does. It's like getting a dagger through your heart, and it just won't go away. It's like a feeling of waking up being sick and wanting to barf. Suffice to say, it's not a pleasant experience, tbqh.

So, consider this my vow, my guarantee, or what-have-you. I'm not going to promise to be perfect in every way imaginable, but I will work hard to be sincere, caring, and most of all, a beacon of goodness to all my friends. I know making such a vow is a difficult endeavor to keep up on, so all I ask is that you all give me the strength to go on and continue with such efforts.

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Of Spider-Men And Racism (An Editorial)

2011-08-26T22:19:57Z

The following was originally posted on The Maple Leaf Forever, as a response to the racist and over-the-line response to the new Ultimate Spider-Man.

Well, I’m sure you’ve heard all about Marvel revealing the new Spider-Man in the Ultimate Universe continuity, a character set to replace the recently-deceased Peter Parker of that universe, and it’s an entirely new character by the name of Miles Morales, a character of Half-African-American and Half-Hispanic origin. Needless to say, reactions to this new character have been…well, “ugly’, to say the least. The USA Today’s online article that revealed the new Spidey have been filled with rather dumb and downright racist and insensitive comments denigrating this decision. I won’t reprint any of them here, but you can check out a compilation of them here. With that said, there are also legitimate concerns about how this move comes off as “cheap publicity” and a “marketing stunt” on Marvel’s end. However, I’ll just rattle off my two cents about the subject and just go on to say: I don’t mind this change.

I’ll admit, it’s been a really long while since I’ve picked up an Ultimate Spider-Man comic, though bear in mind, I don’t have immediate access to a comic store where I live, and it does take a bus ride or two just to get to an LCS. However, the point I’m trying to make is that yes, there’s a chance that Miles’ story arcs and etc. could end up being a major bust, but, there’s also an equal chance that said stories could be greatly entertaining and true to the Spider-Man character (well, the Ultimate Spider-Man, anyways…). On that note, I’m taking a wait and see approach with the new Spidey, but I’m optimistic that it’ll all turn out good.

Which brings me to my next issue: The racially insensitive comments that have come out of this. As you probably saw in that Bleeding Cool article I linked above, they’re just, well, they’re just really, really insensitive. And it just goes to show how there are quite a few bad apples in terms of comic fans. Why does a character’s race or sexual orientation have to be a “roadblock” to some, in terms of their enjoyment of said character? With this, along with the recent controversies surrounding DC’s treatment of female characters and creators at the SDCC two weeks ago, (though DC’s released a statement vowing to bring more emphasis to female characters and creators) it’s proving that there is an air of dubiousness surrounding the comics industry right now, fans included. However, we can’t just focus on the bad, we as fans, as well as the writers and artists of comics, have to band together to help make comics accessible for everyone, no matter the race, sexual orientation, nationality, or disability. A comics world that’s for everyone is an attainable goal for all, we all just have to work hard for it.

So, after all that, you’re asking: “What’s your opinion on the new Spider-Man?” Well, I’m just going to flat out admit it now: I’m excited. Like I said before, it could all turn sour, but bear in mind, this is an alternate continuity where these events are taking place. On that note, I wish Brian M. Bendis (the conceiver of Ultimate Spider-Man), Sara Pichelli, and the rest of the Ultimate Spidey crew the best of luck in making Miles Morales’s story a compelling and memorable one.

“Maybe sooner or later a black or gay — or both — hero will be considered something absolutely normal.”

— Sara Pichelli

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TMLF Classics: That's What Friends Are For

2011-08-17T21:56:28Z

The following was posted in July 2011 on The Maple Leaf Forever.

I’m about to get all sentimental and sappy here, so just a heads up.

It’s going to be less than two weeks until my 20th birthday, and I couldn’t be any more happier than I am right now. Is it because of that particular event? Is it because movies like Winnie The Pooh and Captain America are going to be released soon? Partly, yes, but more importantly, it’s because of a certain bond I share with my (online) friends. (Here comes the sappiness…)

Last night, was when the bond got stronger, if you will. I’m not gonna get into specifics on what happened and such, but the outpouring of love on Twitter from me and my other close friends, was enough to make this hardened blogger tear up. It was as if we did know each other and became even stronger friends, in spite of the fact that all of us live miles and miles apart. It really brought new meaning to a term I’ve been wont of using as of late, “Virtual pen pals”. This was something far more than talking about comic book storylines and or various nerdy things, it was just really, really, heartwarming, a Moment of Heartwarming, if you will. (Thanks, TVTropes.)

I may have only known of these friends for about half-a-year or so, and some of them, even less, but damn it, I couldn’t be more prouder to be considered friends with all of them. So to you: @TomatoSurprise, @iletaitunefois, @Racattackforce, @RWMead, @nemalki, @kickasskendy, @RnbwDashIsWin, and countless others who I’ve had a pleasure to meet on Twitter and the like, bless you all, and thank you for being friends.

(Oh, and this is required listening…: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j91hrghPbg :D)

By the by, if you’re willing to put up with me and the like, I’ll be welcome to have you follow me

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Hello?

2011-08-17T21:52:23Z

So, for varying reasons, I've decided to come to Dreamwidth. You might now me on Twitter by the same name as my account here, or on the wordiest Tumblr blog around, "The Maple Leaf Forever". This account will be home to a "best of" a lot of my more favorite wordy articles on TMLF, as well as some new favorites. So, yeah. Enjoy, everyone.

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