So here's a picture of Jonathan Johnson in Iraq a few weeks ago. America's front line in the War on Terror. For those who may not have heard, Jon-Jon is a Special Forces operator (a Green Beret). It's odd for me to see the skinny kid I hung out with all through elementry school with a Beretta 9mm strapped to his hip.I'm sure you're all curious about the 'stach. I probably shouldn't post so much about facial hair, but maybe it's a metaphor for growing up. He's said he's growing it mostly as a joke, but he's been thinking he'd feel naked without it. I tried to be gentle, but the thought that came to my mind was "Hulk Hogan." Or a firefighter.
Now I don't know these people, but I sure wish I did. They participate in a live-action role-playing game (LARP). Cool kids, huh? I'm sure intimidated by their make-up and duct-tape weapons. I DID in fact play a LARP based on gothic-y vampires in a modern setting. It required less ren-fair costuming and I look back on those days with a certain chagrin. I am comforted, however, by the realization that even in the midst of the deepest nerdiness, I played with a certain tounge-in-cheek self- awareness. I have no shame now admitting to anyone who asks that I've spent a great deal of time rolling dice and controlling the actions of pretend elves. In fact, I think it's cool. I know the model number of the Millenium Falcon and I know Boba Fett's real backstory, before those awful prequels were made. Dungeons & Dragons 4 LIFE!!
Here's my wife with ultra-famous illustrator Brad Holland. He's done numerous magazine covers for the New Yorker. He did a long stint with the New York Times op-ed page, and he's generally beloved and extremely well paid. I like the piece he did below. It's a portrait of Osama bin-Laden done shortly aften September 11th, 2001.
-Rusty
4 comments:
Johnny John needs to put on about 100 lbs before he starts really looking like Hulk Hogan....but that mustache is pretty impressive.
Where is he stationed at? Or is that totally top secret? and where is his green beret?
Thing is this about the Green Berets: They're still pretty sore about that change that came like five years ago when EVERYBODY in the Army got to wear berets. Maybe it's in his locker. Or maybe they only wear it for dress uniform-type stuff.
Johnny-Jon is in Iraq. I have an address, but of course it doesn't say where he is.
Yeah, he looks scrawny, but I still wouldn't want him to gauge my eyeballs out. You guys saw Nick Cage in "Con Air," he's no Hulk.
Is it just me or do those role-playing people look like Lion-O and all the other Thundercats? I'm still trying to remember the names of all the characters. Of course there was Lion-O, I think the panther guy was Panthera (but maybe I'm just channeling that awful 90's smash-rock band of the same name), but who was the tiger guy and what was that cat woman? I can't even remember what kind of cat she was. Then wasn't there some kind of like spiritual advisor? Too many years, too stupid of a subject to remember.
Mother
Wow Mom, I'm impressed you put that much effort into it. A brief Wikipedia search brings up the following:
Lion-O — The leader, and the hereditary ‘Lord’ of the ThunderCats. Initially he is a mere boy only twelve years old, but in making the trip to Third Earth he ages physically until he becomes an adult of twenty-four — this due to the suspension capsule diminishing but not altogether preventing aging. On Third Earth, much like his big-cat namesake, Lion-O has great strength, endurance and agility. He also has the cunning and skills of a fighter, but because of his time in the capsule, he missed the experiences needed in growing up. Through his adventures, he gains this maturity while learning what it takes to become a true leader.
Before long, Lion-O must face his most difficult trials: after reaching his twenty-fifth birthday, he must take the Anointment Trials to prove he is fit to become the true Lord of the ThunderCats. In this process, he is forced to contest each of the ThunderCat Nobles in separate trials across the face of Third Earth — without the benefit of using the Sword of Omens, only the Claw Shield. Had Lion-O failed at any one trial, the ThunderCats would no longer honor him as their leader.
He is challenged by Panthro in a Trial of Strength, Cheetara in a Trial of Speed, WilyKat and WilyKit in a Trial of Cunning and Tygra in a Trial of the Mind. The last Trial however, is his toughest, as he must seek out the greatest source of evil on Third Earth, and defeat it. This entails travelling to the Black Pyramid and confronting Mumm-Ra, alone. During this trial, Mumm-Ra tries to defeat Lion-O with many of his previous incarnations and disguises, but eventually battles the youth at the center of the Pyramid in a titanic struggle. It is only by hurling Mumm-Ra’s sarcophagus into his cauldron that Lion-O is able to emerge victorious.
In an august ceremony attended by nearly every Third Earth inhabitant, Lion-O is crowned true "Lord of the ThunderCats". (Voiced by Larry Kenney.)
Jaga — Known as “Jaga the Wise”, this elder warrior was once regarded as the greatest of all ThunderCats. An adviser and protector of the Lord’s family, it was Jaga who gathered the nobles of the ThunderCats to escort Lion-O and the Eye of Thundera to safety, but in his aged condition, he did not survive the trip to Third Earth.
However, Jaga does reappear on Third Earth as a spirit — seen only by Lion-O at first, to guide him in his lessons and adventures. At times, he appears before the other ThunderCats as well, such as when facing down Grune the Destroyer, and when the ThunderCats need to rescue their fellow Thunderians.
When he was alive, Jaga also wielded the Sword of Omens and was a formidable fighter in combat. (Voiced by Earl Hammond).
Tygra — A staunch, level-headed warrior, Tygra is known as the ThunderCat architect and scientist. As the eldest (after Jaga) he is the one Lion-O often turns to as second-in-command and for counsel. He is responsible for the design of all of the ThunderCat structures on Third Earth — Cat’s Lair and the Tower of Omens.
He is also gifted with ‘mind-power’ — the ability to create life-like illusions in other people’s minds; he used this for Lion-O’s Anointment Trial, but it puts a great strain on him. He uses a bolo-whip in combat, with which he can render himself invisible to the naked eye. (Voiced by Peter Newman.)
Panthro — The next noble in age and experience, this warrior is the chief mechanic and pilot for the ThunderCats. He’s also physically the strongest and is a cunning warrior in combat. With Tygra’s help, he builds all of the vehicles the ThunderCats use on Third Earth — including the ThunderTank, the Feliner and the ThunderClaw, ThunderStrike and HoverCat. A jovial soul, he’s also quick lose his temper and has a paralyzing fear of bats and a dislike of spiders.
In combat he uses a pair of chained fighting sticks (nunchaku) which house several chemical spray-compounds that he can use against foes. The spikes on his chest bands can be used like projectile weapons or rappelling lines. (Voiced by Earle Hyman.)
Cheetara — A female warrior who is the only adult female ThunderCat (until the later appearance of Pumyra). She is as lovely as she is brave and caring. Often a voice of reason, she is also the bearer of a budding ‘sixth-sense’, detecting when something is unsafe or if evil is near. This precognitive sense also allows her to perceive visions — whether involuntary or by forcing herself — but this drains her and she may require days or weeks to recover.
She has incredible speed — once clocked at speeds of 120mph on a morning jog. She can only maintain this top speed for short distances, but with it she can move very fast in combat. Her weapon of choice is a battlestaff that can grow or shrink to variable lengths, with which she can vault or leap over enemies. When not in use, it is attached to the armband on her left arm. (Voiced by Lynne Lipton.)
WilyKit and WilyKat — Twin siblings (Kat the boy, and Kit the girl) who are the youngest members of the ThunderCat team. They are the mischief-makers, and often have their own lessons to learn alongside Lion-O while they live on Third Earth. As the most cunning of the team, they frequently use tricks and traps to combat evil. Kit is the more adventurous, while Kat usually errs on the side of caution. Kit is also the more agile, and at times employs a rolling-attack against the enemy. Their agility is often displayed when they ride their hoverboards — specially designed flying devices shaped like Earth surfboards that can carry them over long distances.
Each uses special capsules, balls and other gimmick weapons carried in pouches on their belts. They sometimes use slingshots to fire these at the Mutants or other foes. They also carry trick lariats, with which they can either tangle and ensnare foes, or use to pull themselves out of danger. (Voiced by Peter Newman (WilyKat) and Lynne Lipton (WilyKit).)
More than you ever wanted to know.
-Rusty
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