Friday, June 15, 2007

Humanly Heroic

Sometime ago I received an invitation from Diogenes of Quasi Fictional Views to contribute a guest post about the Fine Art of Blogging. You can read my post if you click here. Lots of different "why-do-I-blog" perspectives on that site. Thanks again, Dio.

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Heroism. Heroes. Just what is it about them that so titillates the imagination and enthralls one's inner senses? Both ancient legends and modern-day pop culture are imbued with heroes and heroines. Why this fascination with creatures who, whether they like it or not, are gifted with powers that the rest of us can only dream of -- if at all?

And yet, haven't we all thought, however fleetingly, about having a superpower somehow? I think the first time I thought about it was after reading Marcel Aymé's Walker-Through-Walls when I was a kid. Then a few months ago I took one of those Internet quizzes (Which X-Men Character Are You?) and it came up with Jean Grey for me. I would've preferred to be Wolverine, but I was okay with Jean. Never mind that she killed the man she loved and that she was in turn killed by a man who loved her. She was the Most. Powerful. Mutant. Ever.

And she looked terrific in scarlet.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Becker said something to the effect that we all need heroism in our lives -- or to be heroes ourselves -- one way or another. To be larger than life at a certain point (or points) in our lives, to become "larger than life," to leave a significant and lasting impact on others. But from what I understand, it isn't so much the need to have others think highly of us but the need to satisfy ourselves that we somehow had a role in making other people's lives better, that we were a "saving" force in their lives somehow. But what the heck do I know.

What I do know is that I am desperately, hilariously, utterly in like with this nondescript-looking guy. But oh, how he rocks. And he has me rocking with laughter.


He knows that he can manipulate time and space, and he makes it seem like it's no big deal. He mentions his power in a matter-of-fact way; the same way I would say I have black hair or that I'm five feet, eight inches tall. Nothing to brag about or be ashamed of -- it's just a statement of fact.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am Lizza and I am a new Heroes addict. I've only seen up to episode 6, so please, not a word, not a damn word about what happens next.

Unless you want me to telepathically dissolve your private parts in acid. Whaaat? I can at least pretend to have that superpower, can't I? Among others. Tee hee.


19 comments:

penfold said...

Loverly Lizza - you are so lucky. I've just finished watching the end of season 1. Wish I could go back in time and start again...
(Hiro is very cool indeed)

penfold said...

Privates? In acid? Cripes lady - steady on! (Lucky I have titanium underpants)

penfold said...

Thought I'd leave one more.
For luck...

Lizza said...

Acid doesn't dissolve titanium? Darn. Not that I want anything bad to happen to your privates.

And...thanks. :-D

Kiyotoe said...

if i was a hero, I'd be that guy that's really cool but dangerous. All the ladies love him and his enemies are scared to death of him.

I can't remember his name though......something that rhymes with Giyotoe.......

or something like that..... ;)

but that is a cool show so i won't spoil the end for you.

houseband00 said...

But I thought you were Darna. =)

There's this addicting PC game from a few years back called Freedom Force. It is, quite obviously, about superheroes, and a cool feature of this game is that you can design your own superhero and imbue him/her with superpowers. I'll dig up mine and lend it to you.

Travis Cody said...

Welcome to Heroes fandom!! I'm so looking forward to getting the season 1 DVD so I can watch them straight through.

I love this show! I wish for next season they would do the same as 24 and play new episodes straight through.

Ian said...

I looooooove Heroes!

Are you surprised, though, knowing me like you do?

Ian

Scott from Oregon said...

Y'all are all a bunch of geeks! The whole lot of ya!

Anonymous said...

It's a damn good drama series!

[:

Anonymous said...

Being married to someone who can manipulate my time and space and having a son with titanium underpants, I often feel my life is a comic strip. I will now magic these words across the world.........whoosh

Laura Brown said...

I've never heard of the show. But I only watch two channels and even then I just have it yakking at me in the background. Kind of like having family around except you really can shut them up upon occasion.

I'd like the superpower of shapeshifting. That way I could be tiny and get into things I shouldn't. I could be hanging around in the sky like a seagull. Or I could dive to the bottom of the ocean or get tired of that and run like a horse for awhile.

Now, when do I get all these powers? Hmm? :)

Foofa said...

Welcome to the Heroes universe! I am also a HUGE fan and want to hug Hiro at all times.

Lizza said...

Kiyotoe: I have no idea who you're talking about. ;-)

HB: The internet quiz gods say otherwise. Besides, I don't think they even know about Darna. Sige, pahiram ha.

Trav: I tried to be a good girl and watch the episodes on TV, I really did. But having to wait a whole week before seeing the next installment just about killed me. So now I watch it on DVD. :-D

Glad to enter the world of Heroes fandom!

Ian: You're a fan too? *gasp* ;-)

Scott: You could be the superhero with the pain-free ass.

Kyels: Damn right! :-D

DaddyP: Keep practicing your magic! ;-)

Laura: I'd be happy if even just my waist could shift back to its former glory. Thanks for visiting!

Natalie: Ooooo, I am so in the hug-Hiro group!

Nikki Neurotic said...

I really have to start watching this show.

H said...

Liz, your blog about blogging is really well written. Liked it a lot.

H said...

May your blog multiply. [i forgot to add the blessing ;-) ]

ShadowFalcon said...

I'm addicted as well I watched all of season 1 in 3 days...Hiro rocks!

Anonymous said...

silverneurotic: Oh, it's a great show. Hope you like it too!

H: Thank you very much, dear sis.

Shadowfalcon: You watched the whole thing in 3 days? Wow! I think it took me 5 or 6 days to watch it. Loved it! Can hardly wait for Season 2.