The Legendary

i've been a late comer to comics. well, not entirely true. i grew up reading whatever B.C. and DC comic books baba had around. then after we moved to canada, i got hooked on Archie comics. and apart from a science journal my mom had subscribed me to, my love affair with comics (and nerdcore reading, for that matter) got put on hiatus when i hit puberty. so when my passion for reading made a comeback, that of comics didn't. or maybe it did and i didn't pursue it. i was too busy nerding out on music (another story for another time).

recently though comics entered my life again. and in a major way. i've been up on all sort of graphic novels. i'm making up for lost time. i've been paying visits to local comic stores and browsing online ones. i've been digging stores in other cities when i get the chance (the one on St.Mark's in New York kicks ass!). i've been hounding down old issues. my book shelf is starting to overflow (ok, i'm exaggerating. but by the looks of things, it will soon).

i want to dedicate this blog entry to one of my favorite (could say my most favorite) comics of all time: Love and Rockets. here's to Los Bros Hernandez for creating the most refreshing characters and story lines. and doing it with such artistic mastery.

Backlash

it’s always disappointing and frustrating when people choose not to own their privilege, and challenge it so they can grow and become more decent individuals (yes, i used the word decent). but it’s particularly enraging when people’s ignorance displays itself in a public way, where it affects communities and society at large. ignorance contributes to oppression, whether in a direct or indirect way. to not take responsibility is just messed up. especially if you have been challenged and called out on your shit.

a fellow blogger, EMBRAZENED recently posted an entry regarding an incident that involved her calling certain people out on their inaction to deal with a racist situation at an event held by said people. needless to say, there was backlash along with a lot of B.S.
and it's appalling.

for more on this see embrazened’s blog.

Light Love

inspiration
is right here,
all around me.
a conversation with a good friend reminded me of that tonight.
this post is dedicated to all the inspiring people in my life who are "on the verge of...something big" as my friend put it.
you all continue to amaze me in ways you may never know.
I cry when I think about how incredible life can be. if I let it. even with the shit.
and that's beautiful.

shukran suheir for kicking my ass into unleashing the real poet. not the one I came as, but the one I was holding back. the one i'm becoming. and believe me, I am dressing for life.

Personal Reflections :
becoming me

i've been going through some serious transformations, personal growth, over the last couple of years. it all seems to be coming together, or intensifying, in the last month or two. i've noticed changes in the way i see and process things. i'm feeling more comfortable in my body, and in my head. i'm learning to accept myself, love myself, and be good to myself. these have been my challenges. despite all the care and support i've had in my life (blessings) certain life experiences (traumas), and my individual ways of dealing with them, have ultimately affected who i've become. i can try to separate myself from those expriences, but they are inevitably a part of me, and who i'm becoming.

it's hard to revisit certain memories. but i'm learning to process in a way that doesn't erase or replace. though it's always easier to burry the shit. but i want to grow. i want to feel movement. i want to come into being in real way. and the way to do it is to get through those experiences. I want to get through the blocks. not go around them, but right through them.

"In exile, there is distance that allows for memory that remains painful to be controlled." (Kwame Dawes)

there comes a time when there is enough distance to get through. through the hurt. through the scars. through the shit. this distance isn't only physical. you create your own exile. then you return to those memories. yes, it's easier to guard them with silence. but silence won't get you to where you want to be. that is, if you want to get there.

and i want to get there.
and i'm getting there.
and i know that becoming me is going to be a life long journey.