Geeks R Us
Pat Fule
Fule for Thought
I recently took 36 high school students to Comic Con. What’s Comic Con you ask? Well, I’ll tell you. Comic Con is a convention where fairly normal people come to see and be seen … in costume, that is! Everyday people come to celebrate the words and pictures of all sorts of media, about heroes and villains with all sorts of powers. People are able to dress as their favourite super hero, or fantasy character, in the safety of masses of others also dressed strangely! I thought it was great, and it was interesting, but I do think moderation would also help.
I had cell phone numbers for the kids, but I’m a worrier. I worry that something bad will happen, and I want to take all precautions I can. On the bus, I had the brilliant idea to tell the kids my cell number in case they needed me. And for that worry, what did I get? Before we had gone from SHS to the traffic lights on the 817 ( a matter of seconds), I started getting texts and calls right from the kids I was on the bus with! Oh, it was great, all right. They asked how I was, could I say something funny, was I happy to be going, and on and on … and you know what teenagers are like! Really hilarious … I try and do the right thing, and THAT’S what happens .. and what’s worse, they STILL have my number! I got one text the next morning at 7 a.m.! Arrrrrgh!
At the Comic Con, I was met with all sorts of people in costume. Men, women, kids, even seniors, were dressed as heroes and villains from comic books to Japanese anime (animated shows). The trouble is, just because you love Batman, doesn’t mean you should dress up in the same tights! If you are going to suit up, at least do a few workouts before! Also, if you’re going to become Wolverine, he’s not paunchy, with glasses, and falling out of his uniform! I mean, know your limits! These people all rush to get pictures taken with other people dressed as heroes. I wondered if they knew that wasn’t the REAL Aquaman they were posing with! The other thing is, if you’re a grown man and you’re holding your mom’s hand, isn’t it ironic that you’re carrying Capt. America’s shield? Even my own students were getting their photos taken, and sometimes by strangers! And when I say “strangers” … I mean strange! After a guy and girl from SHS got their photo taken, I had to ask out loud: “You know your photo is going up on some guy’s wall in his mom’s basement?”
They suddenly looked a little creeped out! Hopefully, his mom won’t let him!
I did get to meet one of my childhood heroes. Neal Adams was a young artist working for DC Comics in the Early Seventies. His dramatic and realistic art changed Batman from the goofy, campy character from the 60’s to a darker, more conflicted hero. In an earlier column I wrote how comic books were the things that got me reading. Every week my pals, my brother, and I would take our allowances, and buy as many comics as we could (I know, I’m a nerd, too!).
I was able to get to tell Mr. Adams his effect on me, and I paid for a signed print of Batman and Robin.
“Dear Diary … score!”
That’s probably why I shouldn’t be judging people dressed up as the Joker, Batman, or Scarecrow … to each his own!
On the way out of Downtown Calgary, one of my students got either brave or dumb. He decided that dressed in green tights, it would be funny to yell out the window at strangers! I was able to get him silent, when I threatened that at the next lights, we might throw out a certain elf in his green tights, as a sacrifice for the rest of us! I could picture this green elf running (flitting?) away from the angry crowds wanting to pummel him. It did help quiet the bus for a few seconds!
After fighting the long lines, the crowds, and the $5.00 pop, I foolishly decided that the 37 of us should hit Peter’s Drive In. Now the Fantasy world of costumed heroes was coming face to face with the real world! Again, we stood in a massive crowd, with people staring, pointing, and adding the odd chuckle! The kids stared me down when I ordered my cheeseburger and cherry shake. An ambulance flew by us on 16th, with sirens wailing, and lights flashing. They stared at me again.
“What?” I asked. “Sure, I always have my own ambulance on call, but that’s not it!” Sorry, Doc … but it was a single burger … baby steps!
(“Fule for Thought” is a slice of life humourous column that appears in the Strathmore Times, written by long-time resident, town councillor, high school teacher, coach, husband and father of two – Pat Fule. If you would like to get in touch with Pat, you can send him an e-mail at Pat.fule@shaw.ca)