The Absent Minded Professor - Latest Comments

Re: Dear Geeks: We’re Still Not the Popular Kids

kunduchi — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:31:48 -0000

Hi there! I hadn't read your review when I wrote this comic, and now I have.

Really like your review, and it looks like we both pick up on the same points. I'd not read the comics before - so yes, I didn't have the back story and that really killed the character development for me. I guess it must be difficult for a director who clearly loves the comics to take that step backwards and realise that he's created a real niche movie.

I hope they make their money back, because there's plenty in this that pushes the genre forwards. If fans of the comic book like what they see, then at least the movie has served them well.

Re: Dear Geeks: We’re Still Not the Popular Kids

absentmindedprof — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:18:55 -0000

When I wrote this, I hadn't seen it yet. I did make some similar points in the blog post right after this one. I feel like the comics appealed not just on the neat effect of overlaying a gaming structure on the background of real life, but also because of the character development. And that got screwed due to the short amount of time available to tell the story.

I thought the movie was fun. And, having point of reference to the back story of the all the characters, I could even connect with them. I'd watch it again, but I can't imagine someone who had never read the comics would.

Re: Dear Geeks: We’re Still Not the Popular Kids

kunduchi — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:42:01 -0000

I'm pretty geeky (and a gamer who plays bass) and was looking forward to seeing the movie, but my overall impression was 'meh'.

Good effects, nice references, well paced - all good.

Character development and comedy? Not so much. I didn't find Scott to be a likeable character. We didn't get any back story - and he's neither the 'heroic loser' nor a 'smart hero'. His hookup with Ramona isn't believable at all. We didn't get to find out the extent of his powers or weakness - so it was difficult to root for him in battles (notice how that's always been an essential plot device - Superman, Batman etc.). And worst of all the film wasn't funny!

Contrast this with Kick Ass. Just as geeky, very similar in nature - cost half the amount to make and it made double in its first weekend. It was a better movie though - had character development, genuine peril for the lead character (got you rooting for him) and lots of laughs. Kick Ass is a much better movie.

If you look past the theme and effects, Scott Pilgrim just isn't that good a film. That's why it's not 'crossing over' into the mainstream.

Re: Hope, Despair, and Passion: Why I miss Unhappy People

agentausten09 — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:35:35 -0000

No worries :-) I had to think over my response too.

Yeah--I'm very much at the intersection of quiet midwestern girl and crazy/cultural coastal/city girl. Ultimately, BALANCE (as you said) is key. Hence I try to get some art museums, bookstores, etc whenever I can because otherwise I go stir crazy in middle-of-nowhere-Indiana :-)

Always lovely conversing w/ you!

Re: http://undergeekdawson.tumblr.com/post/991339936

agentausten09 — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:19:01 -0000

I can relate a lot to what you're saying. I am fascinated (and often feed off of) my own feelings and the feelings of others--of close connections. Regardless of how frustrating it might be sometimes, connections with others are something I know I couldn't do without.

Wow that sounds kinda cheesy...but cheesy is me :-)

Re: Hope, Despair, and Passion: Why I miss Unhappy People

absentmindedprof — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:16:37 -0000

Apparently, the time it takes me to reply is directly proportional to the time it took you to post it. Sorry for the delay, been thinking my response over.

I joke that I stand at the intersection between art and business (some day, I'll write more about that) and it sounds to me like you stand at the intersection of quiet mid-western girl and crazy coastal girl. Which, truly, is the way it should be. Everyone is multi-layered and even my above post requires a disclaimer that it is a huge generalization of a lot of people.

The reality is, we're all complex beings with many, many shades of grey. It's hard to quantify "who we are" and thus, I think, hard to figure out what paths to walk. It's all a balancing act, figuring out just the right combination of things to make ourselves happy. I seem to be drifting back into a previous post here, so I'll leave it at that.

Re: Hope, Despair, and Passion: Why I miss Unhappy People

agentausten09 — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:11:36 -0000

it's weird...part of me likes the quiet midwestern life, but part of me doesn't really fit in with it either. i like quiet nights and low-crime rates, but the lack of passion and culture in central indiana is depressing. plus i don't fit the "i went to a small school to get my Mrs. degree and want 2.5 kids" mold. It's not that I don't want to be married someday (I do) but there's so much of life to live in the meantime. Anyway, those are my thoughts for the moment :-) Sorry it took me so long to respond.

Re: http://undergeekdawson.tumblr.com/post/970071606

agentausten — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:30:29 -0000

Wow, that is deep for early in the morning lol. But I think you are right--we all have this empty space(s) inside us longing to be filled. It's the eternal struggle to find what/who will fill that.

Always happy to provide commentary--especially to someone who is a delight to converse with :-)

Re: http://undergeekdawson.tumblr.com/post/970071606

absentmindedprof — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:31:13 -0000

I believe there is an empty space inside of us. And most our lives we spend time trying to find something to fill that space. For some people it's a person, for some people it's literature, or nature, or writing, or performing. For most it's some combination of things.

My life is a journey in discovering what exactly the shape of the hole inside me is and how to fill it. Because I don't think just one thing can. There's a special, almost alchemical, process to getting just the right things to coalesce to find happiness. AND it's ever changing, that empty space inside us, so we constantly have to reevaluate and fill it with the right stuff.

Wow, that was way, way too deep for this early in the morning. I appreciate that your commentary always makes me dig deeper into things.

-D

Re: http://undergeekdawson.tumblr.com/post/970071606

agentausten — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:42:13 -0000

i like this a lot. i love the poetry of it especially--"I'm drawn in by the smell of you, the sound of you. And before I know it our hearts are pounding in unison" is probably my favorite line.

I guess one can think of nature or literature or whatever as a "lover"...hmm....who needs people anyway :-P (ok, i need people, but i tried lol).

Re: Hope, Despair, and Passion: Why I miss Unhappy People

absentmindedprof — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:26:29 -0000

Tyler My Man, I hear ya. Luckily, there is always Twitter and other internet sources to find people as passionate as you are. It's why I spend so much time on them. I think it baffles my friends and co-workers, and it's not like I can politely tell them that I spend time on Twitter because they're all boring and my Twitter buddies aren't.

"I am in the thicket of friends (family, even) whose thoughtful ambitions are ended in a laugh and stifled with a pensive sigh."

I couldn't have described it better myself. Such a sad thing to see happen.

Regardless, you'll always have us! Twitter, blogging, all of it is an outlet for my dreams right now, and a way to connect with others who are passionate. I'm glad you're one of them. And one day, who knows, maybe we'll both make the great trek out West and get a chance to pursue our dreams together in person.

-D

Re: Hope, Despair, and Passion: Why I miss Unhappy People

Tyler Wade — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 02:17:00 -0000

Speaking of being on the same wavelength...this whole article echoes a lot of my current feelings on how passion and ambition seem to be mournfully lost arts. I especially agree with your idea of the supporting power of friends, or, more specifically to my present situation, the way it works in the opposite. It's hard to be excited let alone passionate about anything when it's something that can't be shared by a single person who lives even remotely close to you. I am in the thicket of friends (family, even) whose thoughtful ambitions are ended in a laugh and stifled with a pensive sigh. In short, contentment is obscenely overrated, and it certainly is not for me. This article has been kind of a road map for my similar resolve, so thank you for writing! Your craftsmanship with words stands among the best.

Re: Hope, Despair, and Passion: Why I miss Unhappy People

absentmindedprof — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 00:37:58 -0000

It's been a lot for me to chew over (this has been several days in the writing) too. Would be interested to hear your thoughts if/when you'd care to share.

Re: Hope, Despair, and Passion: Why I miss Unhappy People

agentausten09 — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:23:51 -0000

I've tried typing this comment 2 or 3 times and it comes out making on sense, so...I'm gonna keep it short and sweet: good post. gives me a lot to think on :)

Re: Down the Dark Corridor Part 2

absentmindedprof — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:45:11 -0000

I think I'm going to re-write that section to be clearer. It's a flashback, or something similar. It falls exactly where it should and tells only a very small amount about itself, but I want to tie it into the story-line more; to connect to what's going on in Danny's present moment.

Authors do have their own unique voices. If you gave me excerpts of things I haven't read written by authors I read a lot I bet I could tell which was which. I tend to write the way I speak- Top heavy, wordy and occasionally round-about. I actually have to edit carefully to make sure what I've written isn't overly wordy or overly convoluted.

Thanks for all your input. There is nothing more valuable for a writer than feedback from people he trusts!

-D

Re: Down the Dark Corridor

absentmindedprof — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:40:14 -0000

Ah, good advice. Thanks. Sometimes as a writer we try too hard and end up beating a topic to death. I get concerned about the sheer weight of my writing sometimes...not sure if I'm overwhelming people with information.

Re: Down the Dark Corridor Part 2

Vgoghgirl76 — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:35:48 -0000

did you write in segments? this part, Flashes of light were exploding against my retinas as I struggled against the weight pinning me to the ground. I clawed at the fingers that were clamped around my neck….trying to kill me….
is it unfinished- a thought in progress?
other than that i like your work. it's funny how when you know an author you read their personality as they write; there are little phrases or words that tell me this is you writing. nice work!

Re: Down the Dark Corridor

Vgoghgirl76 — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:28:09 -0000

read your 1st part tonight; i like it. its detailed enough to paint a vivid pic; not to keen on the (thank God), and (not even the need to breathe) they are redundant.
good hook at the beginning!

Re: Size Matters- Details of Calorie Intake and Size

absentmindedprof — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:22:47 -0000

I've got it in my notes from when I originally lost weight (two years ago), not sure which book it came out of. However, you can find more info on it at http://www.bmi-calculator.n...

They also have a BMR calculator, for those of you who are, like me, allergic to math. I've added these references to the post for anyone interested.

Re: Size Matters- Details of Calorie Intake and Size

Kristen — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:08:10 -0000

Wow, where did you learn about that formula? I used it to calculate my BMR and was surprised to see the number I got. I know it doesn't include activity and whatnot, but it made me realize how few calories I really need. Thanks for the nugget of wisdom! :)

Re: The 28 Day Challenge at Nerd Fitness

Absent Minded Professor — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:45:02 -0000

Kristen, that's stellar!

I've never been much of a calorie counter personally- I find that I get too fixated on it and stop paying attention to eating tasty and healthy food (instead trying to slip in cookies and candy by not eating meals and whatnot). That's a flaw of mine though, so I wish you the best of luck with it.

Work junk food is a killer in my book. Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

Best of luck on the challenge! Check in occasionally- we'll keep each other motivated!

Re: The 28 Day Challenge at Nerd Fitness

Kristen — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:18:40 -0000

I'm doing the 28 Day Challenge, too! My goals are actually very similar to yours. I'm trying not to eat any junk at work, work out three days a week at the gym, and count the number of calories I consume daily. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can stick to it the entire month. Good luck! :)