A Savage Journey and Hiddleston makes a point...

This weekend marks a trip to Portland, OR for me, Dr. Jessica Clare, and Dalek Ted to attend the Stumptown Comic Convention.  This trip is also a way to visit my brother Ladd, eat some barbecue, visit beer and drink strip clubs.  All in all a productive time.  We will be starting our journey Friday are 5/6am with in a beast of a machine I hope.  A full 10/14 hour journey from Manteca, Ca.

I have been giddy about this trip for a long time now and itching for a long drive, albeit with no convertible or beer or ether (I'm about to finish reading "Fear and loathing in Las Vegas")

Before a journey like this does take place, you must catalogue your supplies.

1.  Dark sunglasses (2 pair)
2. Thermos of hot water
3. French Press
4. Mugs (2)
5. Dalek Ted
6. Camera
7. Audio recorder and Mic
8. Smuggled Booze**
9. Note paper
10. Driving Cap
11. A variety of Portland centric clothing.
12. Quarters for Ground Kontrol

**Booze in Oregon is Taxed to an ungodly amount, so I have been requested to smuggle booze over from a liquor warehouse just before entering Oregon

Of course there are things that go without mention i.e. pipe, tobacco (for trading and consumption), various snacks (for trading and consumption), flask and room for more.

Item 12 is absolutely necessary.  The last time I went to Portland my brother took me to a place called Ground Kontrol.  A bar and arcade with my favorite arcade game Sunset Riders (see image).

Besides these items there are some person treasure I'll be bringing.  A copy of Jeff Lemire's "Essex County," issue one of "I, Zombie" and issue of Madman for Mike Allred to sign, and a drinking horn for both of them to sign.

These fine folks and other will be at Stumptown Comic Convention, so this selection of things to get signed might grow.

If you know me, I'm not incredibly big on having signed goods.  The things I do have that are sign I general treat like shit, and are always personalized (mean worth shit 'cause they are sign to me).  But hey, photo op, ya know?

Any who, that's the major thing on my mind.

OTHER REMARKS!

Ooo, I did see "Cabin in the Woods."  I thought it was a fun time.  In fact I was surprised I like it consider Joss Whedon produced it (not a big fan of that Whedon).  If you like horror/horror comedy films check it out.  It is chalk full of nods to other horror films, even making note and poking fun of the cliche archetypes of teen horror films.  

Unfortunately the archetypes are there so do not expect much personality from the characters.  They are all pretty flat to begin with and get flatter as time goes on (which could be on purpose, see the movie film). If you're a horror buff, you will probably see more than I did.  there are things said, done and literal nods and even some surprise cameos.

That said, if those references were gone, I think I'd still find this film fun.  I am not a fan of movies or shows that ride on references to keep the story entertaining (Though I love Spaced)

And something else...

And if you got another sec check out Tom Hiddleston (Loki)'s The Guardian article on the importance of superheros in film.  I appreciate his take on superheros being a modern mythology:

"In our increasingly secular society, with so many disparate gods and different faiths, superhero films present a unique canvas upon which our shared hopes, dreams and apocalyptic nightmares can be projected and played out. Ancient societies had anthropomorphic gods: a huge pantheon expanding into centuries of dynastic drama; fathers and sons, martyred heroes, star-crossed lovers, the deaths of kings – stories that taught us of the danger of hubris and the primacy of humility." 

I typical avoid the "superheros as modern mythology" but I have to agree with Tom on this definition.

That's all for now.  Read on as we chronicle the unnamed expedition to Portland , OR.

currently reading: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Concrete Vol. 5 Think Like a Mountain, Winnie the Pooh