*Brnng* *Brnng* *Brnnnnggggg* Huh, what time is it? 9:13?! I had to be up at 7. Be out the house by 9:30. I have to go! There’s no time to take a shower. Is there even time to brush my teeth and hair? No, of course I should. Okay, breakfast. Nah, that’s the one thing I should be skipping. Now clothes. This shirt looks decent. Ugh, those pants don’t match at all. There’s one pair that would look perfect. Where are they? What, it’s 9:23? I have to leave, what am I doing being picky here?! Wait how cold is going to be outside? It’s raining? Shoot, have to find something warmer to wear. Where are any of my clean socks? I can’t go out in the rain without any. Fine, these will do. What about lunch? I’ll just pick out whatever leftovers are in the fridge. I really do need coffee, but is there any time? I’ll just order one on my way. Now, shoes that won’t get soaked. Are any of them even waterproof? Huh, 9:31?! Okay doesn’t matter, I’ll just put on the first pair I see. Wait what, my phone’s about to die? Just take the charger along. I don’t even know if the portable one is charged. 9:35. Okay, I think I have everything. If I don’t remember it, it’s probably not important. Time to head out. *Slam* Wait my umbrella.
Month: September 2023
Prose: Tick Tock
Tick tock. It’s currently 10 o’clock. It’s time for bed yet I can’t go to sleep. I lie awake listening to the branches outside talking through the wind. Whatever leaves are left on a cold winter night flying away, farther from their homes. Tick tock. I stare up at my ceiling. At the walls. At the door. As if someone will walk through it. Can someone walk through to save me from this desperation? Tick tock. It’s currently 12 o’clock. Midnight. I should definitely fall asleep now. Yet I just can’t, some kind of force is stopping me. Maybe I should do some reading. Either to distract me, make me feel sleepy, or finally accomplish something. Tick tock. I can’t even do something as simple as reading a book. I can’t go on my phone. I might as well give up on getting any sleep at that point. Time to get up for a glass of water for the fiftieth time. Tick tock. It’s 2 o’clock. Maybe I can make a late-night snack. You do feel sleepy after a full stomach. Is that even healthy at this time? Tick tock. It’s currently 4 o’clock. I need a last resort. What about counting sheep? It’s the oldest trick in the book. One, two, three…..forty-four, forty-five, forty- six…a hundred twenty-two, a hundred twenty-three, a hundred ugh. Alright, this obviously isn’t working. Tick tock. Is it a bad idea to go for a walk right now? Maybe go get some fresh air. Nothing bad can happen, right? No, I shouldn’t, I need to get as much sleep as I can now. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. What time is it now? Brnnngg. Oh, 7 o’clock. Time to get up.
It’s Officially November: A List to Prepare you for the Most Festive Holiday
Like every year on November 1st, it is the start of the new season. All that dreadful talk of Halloween has passed. No more jack-o-lanterns, no more inflatable decorations, no more fake webbing, and all that candy for 75% off. Finally, it’s time for the better holiday, and I’m here to make sure you’re prepared for it.
Have you heard jolly music playing nonstop in every store you walk in? If not, talk to the manager and make sure they got on that asap. And remind them that the first song they play has to be that Mariah Carey one.
Did you go to your local, chain coffee house to buy winter-themed drinks in festive cups that are ‘supposed’ to be inclusive for all the holidays this season, but really, it’s just for the best one?
Have you been blinded by all the lights on your way home from work? Sure, it would only be 5 but it’ll be dark out and they’re all so pretty and colorful!
Do you smell the overbearing, spicy scents of candles right at the front of each department store that tells everyone what the superior holiday is?
Have you started decorating your home yet? It’s never too early. The inside is crucial, obviously, but don’t forget to decorate outside your house to remind all your neighbors of the festivities. And if they don’t take the hint, go on and remind them. Absolutely no one can think your neighborhood is lacking this year.
Have you started shopping for gifts? Yes, get some for friends and relatives, but look at sales for the things you love. Nothing says ‘treat yourself’ better than this time of the year.
While you’re at the mall, make sure the entire infrastructure is decorated, top to bottom. It needs to give off that festive vibe to give a wake-up call to everyone who isn’t in the mood yet. Have children started lining up yet at the center of the mall? That’s the best part for those youngsters, aside from the actual gifts, so it’s an absolute must.
Make sure to always be stocked up on sugar cookies and hot chocolate at home! On those cold, windy nights you want to stay away from the many carolers, nosy relatives, and neighbors who still don’t understand the holiday spirit, you want to make sure to lock yourself away and enjoy this time, alone.
And those are just the most crucial things on the list. Now, since you got all the reminders you should know already to prepare, happy Thanksgiving everybody!
Hi, I’m the Realtor Here to Help You with Apartment Hunting
I’ll be your guide in finding a new place and moving out since your landlady randomly decided it was time to sell the house and you couldn’t find anyone else on short notice.
First, have you checked Bookings.com? No? Well, get right on that, they’re really helpful of a site. The chances of looking at a house that’s not really on market can’t be too bad. Oh, and if the page freezes or loads indefinitely, don’t worry about that, I’m sure it’s just a one, or two-, or three-time thing. What are you in the market for again? Oh, why didn’t you tell me before? I’m sure we can…figure something out.
Next, take a look at what places you like so far. Anything stand out, hmm? Well, let’s visit it. Huh, yeah now, what do you mean? Let’s see if it’s really on sale or not. I know I said the chances of something fake can’t be too bad but why take the chance? What’s the address so I can put it into the GPS?
Alright the place looks decent, moderately sized and seems like a good area. Huh, what do you mean the lights are on? Is someone already living here? Did someone beat us to it? Oh, someone’s coming, let’s ask him.
Ok, so that really was one of the fakes, let’s move onto something else. This next one seems promising: okay neighborhood, not too small of a place, let’s call up the owner and get a real viewing.
Alright…so the area wasn’t as great as it seemed. Yeah I realize the neighbors were crazy when that one guy started yelling. Let’s just go to this place next.
Sure, it’s in the ‘definitely not’ pile but we can’t judge a book, or an apartment, by its cover!
Ok you were right, it was terrible. How can you tell how old and smelly a place can be through photos? We’re just going to have to look at the next house. Or how about…rethink what exactly you’re looking for. Oh, don’t look at me like that, you are being just a smidge too meticulous.
You know, you can’t be too picky, you do need to move out as soon as possible. You’re just going to have to win some, lose some. Be in a decent location, have a not-so decent room. Have proper heating, then deal with half a bathroom and an even smaller place. We can look for roommates as well, it shouldn’t be too late to find some now. Just ignore the fact that we’re nearing the end of the month and you’ll be good. Oh, c’mon you can’t fire me, you couldn’t find anyone else to help you out. You’re desperate…where are you going?
Black Adam: To be or not to be a Hero
Black Adam shows just how complicated it can be to be a hero and that maybe the world doesn’t always need a white knight.
By Fizza Ahmed published October 24th, 2022
Set in the imaginary country of Kahndaq, Teth-Adam (the name Black Adam is called throughout the film) is summoned back from his tomb after 5,000 years to the present day. He is seen as a hero to the nation, calling him the ‘Champion’ and celebrating his return as a means to stop Intergang, an international mercenary controlling the nation. But as the film goes on, we learn he was not the champion Kahndaq believed he was.
The story revolves around the idea of what it means to be a hero and if Teth-Adam is one. From the beginning, he says that he isn’t, and he’s not here to save anyone. He kills people who deserve it and those who may not. The family that sets him free attempts to convince him to help but he doesn’t make any promises. In the midst of him fighting with soldiers, the Justice Society of America comes in to detain him, before eventually teaming up to stop the mercenary and their leader.
Introducing the Justice Society into the DC Extended Universe for the first time, there is much that comic book fans could look forward to. Along with the protagonist, an entire team is seen on the big screen for the first time. Just seeing both Hawkman and Doctor Fate in the trailer was a key factor in seeing the film myself. Accompanying the two members of the Justice Society, we see Atom Smasher, the nephew of the original Atom, as well as Cyclone, the granddaughter of Ma Hunkel’s Red Tornado. By introducing these characters into the universe, and hopefully more to come, it gives fans hope for any plans DC may have revolving around this golden era of superheroes.
With realistic special effects, gorgeous graphics, spellbinding action scenes, and the occasional humor, this film is definitely eye-catching. At no point will you be feeling bored in the theatre. You see first-hand just what abilities Teth-Adam has: shooting lightning from one soldier to the next, being bulletproof, catching and withstanding the blow of a rocket, all of it. And that too, in slow-mo. It’s safe to say that he is one of the strongest people seen in the DCEU thus far. But that doesn’t mean the other heroes have any less of a feat. Hawkman’s hammer and armor are made from nth metal, one of the strongest, making him nearly impenetrable. He was on par with the anti-hero when they were having a ‘disagreement’. Doctor Fate has visions of the future and what’s to come, creates mirages, and has powers of the mystic arts. He was even able to awaken Teth-Adam from his prison telepathically. Cyclone, with nanotech injected into her body, can control the wind and make tornadoes. The VFX team certainly made use of her abilities, showing the audience just what she can do with magnificent effects. And Atom Smasher, although still new to being a superhero and using his abilities, can grow up to 60 feet tall and did amazing in Kahndaq as his first mission.
Despite richness in plot, there’s a lacking in character.
The film had a nice set-up in terms of unfolding Teth-Adam’s backstory and theme for his character, yet most of the characters were not as thought out. The villain of the film, Ishmael seems very one-dimensional to the point where there’s no surprise that he gets defeated. We find out early on in the film that he’s not a friend of the brother-sister duo, Adrianna and Karim, but instead works with the soldiers to retrieve the ancient crown they are all after. The one thing that can be unanticipated, is that he dies but then comes back to life as the demon Sabaac, although that in itself seems a bit bewildering. Ishmael isn’t the only character who isn’t fleshed out, but it seems all of the Justice Society as well.
The most we see of the team is all the action in their fights, and although the graphics are jaw-dropping, besides small interactions we don’t get to know much of the characters, something comic fans must’ve been excited for. To a general audience who has no knowledge of these characters beforehand, they may not know just how powerful—and dangerous—Doctor Fate and the helmet of Nabu are. They may not understand why Hawkman was so resilient about death and his morals of killing. They may not even know who Atom Smasher and Cyclone are and their importance in the Society. Based on how DCEU has been in the past with movies such as Justice League, we can hope that these characters will be back and fleshed out in upcoming movies.
In terms of Teth-Adam himself, he slowly grows as a person and becomes accustomed to the modern world as well as the mother-son duo he first meets. From not wanting to work with or help anyone, he forms a bond with the boy Amon, even slowly creating a superhero persona with the boy. He went from this mindset of destructive and vengeance that led from his abilities and past self, to accepting that he can help the people of Kahndaq and be their protector. He started out as this destroying machine, killing anyone in his way with no regards. This, of course, angers the Justice Society and they say he’s not some hero. By the end of the movie, although he is still his violent self, he learns there’s not only good and bad, black and white. There can also be grey in between.
Much darker than the previous movies, Black Adam shows a new side to the DCEU. With the amount of killing, it is incomparable to its counterpart in powers, Shazam, or the films before so. The only one that can perhaps be comparable is Zack Snyder’s director cut of Justice League. This doesn’t mean it’s better or worse than the previous films, but it’s certainly a breath of fresh air. Being one of the first anti-heroes with their own movie, Black Adam breaks the norms of just what it means to be a savior. There are briefs cameos, consisting of Amanda Walker and a special surprise, subtly comparing this type of hero to that of Suicide Squad. But all in all, Black Adam brings a new type of warrior to the big screen. As Adrianna says in the film, “the world doesn’t always need a white knight, sometimes it needs something darker.”