Thursday, December 1, 2016

My Hero; Ultra-Boy

R.a.n.t. for month of December 2016
As I was growing up, my favourite comic book was Legion of Super Heroes. One of the best heroes was names Ultra-Boy. He had many interesting powers: flight, speed, vision, invulnerability, strength. Kind of like Superman. But what set this character apart from Superman was his inability to use more than one power at a time. Superman was always boring to me because there wasn't much he couldn't do. Ultra-Boy on the other hand, had to be creative, especially if he needed to use two different powers. Imagine a super power juggling act. If he were to discover a bomb about to go off, he could deal with it in several ways. He could grab the bomb, fly off with it into the air, quickly switch to invulnerability as the bomb went off, then switch back to flying so he wouldn't fall back to Earth. Or he could simply pick the bomb up and throw it away with super strength into space.

But I don't have super powers. That's not the way I seem to be like Ultra-Boy lately. Lately, it seems I can only concentrate on one thing at a time. I have many interests, as regular readers are well aware. I'm a writer and photographer who also enjoys learning a second language, blogging and gaming. But I tend to do only one at a time. When I'm into my blogging, I rarely do much writing (yes the two are vastly different). My photography and language skills also tend to fall by the way-side. I don't mean, I try to do more than one thing at one time, I'm pretty much talking about within a set time frame. Let's say, weeks or months. Well, now I've got a new distraction. For the past few months, I've been trying to lose weight. Depression is something I battle with and many many times I turn to comfort food. I've been cutting out almost all forms of junk-food and walking a 5K two to three time a week. I'm proud to say I've been very successful so far. In the span of 5 weeks, I've lost 20 pounds. And yet, I have so much more to go.

So, to my readers I must say this. Please bear with me. I know at times I get behind in visiting my blogging buddies, and bad at commenting, but I'm working on one thing and finding it difficult to manage doing the other things I love. Don't worry, I'll get to it. Like my hero Ultra-Boy, I just need to learn to be more creative. I just need to learn to juggle better. Perhaps my blogging colleague, Arlee could give me a few pointers?


Some questions for discussion.
What super hero can you identify yourself as?
If you could pick one super power, what would it be?
Have you / Do you read comic books? If so, what is your favourite title(s)?
Have you ever felt too lazy to work on a favourite projects? How do you handle this?
Do you do 5k's or half or full marathons?


Please note:
My next Battle of the Bands will be December 15th


Did you know?
Jeffrey Scott has his own Facebook Page?
It's true! Follow the link below.
It's a great way to keep in touch apart from leaving comments here.

Help me reach 100 follows by the end of Winter.
Current count - 66
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26 comments:

  1. Big fan of Legion of Super Heroes!
    Congratulations on the weight loss. Keep after it.
    I do better if I can focus on one thing at a time. I certainly can't write two stories at the same time.
    I run five miles a day, so I could do a 5K easy.
    I'd still like invisibility although I'd take teleportation.

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    1. Cool! It's always nice to meet another LSH fan. I will be keeping at the weight loss, but I know how hard it is after the initial first few weeks. I shall report my progress at another time.
      Wow! Run five miles a day? That's awesome. Though I have to be honest, when I first started telling people I was doing 5K's, they tend to be very surprised. I may seem like a long way to go, but the more I do it, the less it feels like it's a long way to go.

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  2. You're not alone, Jeffrey! I've been finding the blogging treadmill a bit difficult as well, lately. We all just do the best we can, yes? Congratulations on your weight loss; that's a lot! Wish I could manage to lose more, but the holidays are coming up now, so, yeah, the proverbial "New Year's Resolution" is always that mantra: "lose weight, get in better shape". :P
    Your questions:
    What super hero can you identify yourself as? Not for myself, but Batman has always been my favourite super hero, because he has NO super powers and has to rely on wits and strength. Well, Bruce Wayne's wealth doesn't hurt either.
    If you could pick one super power, what would it be? Flight, so I could travel the world for free.
    Have you / Do you read comic books? If so, what is your favourite title(s)? Not in decades, but I used to read Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, plus Archie comics.
    Have you ever felt too lazy to work on a favourite projects? How do you handle this? All the time! I generally don't worry about it (unless it's time-specific) and just "go with the flow".
    Do you do 5k's or half or full marathons? No way! Bad knee, arthritis, old. Take your pick. LOL

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    1. I've actually been good at losing weight before. I once lost 100 pounds. But I'm also good at putting it back on. Depression and all that, you know how that goes.
      Wait! Are you saying there is a connection between Batman and Bruce Wayne! I hope the Joker isn't reading my blog. Nice hero selection. :)
      Flight would be a cool power to have. The ability to take off and land anywhere in the world? Sign me up.
      Yea! Another Archie fan. Also a DC fan. Nice! It's been a long time since I've read Archie though.
      I have been trying to go with the flow lately. There are some days I don't even want to LOOK at my blog, let alone anyone else's. But then, the next day I get the bug again. How odd is that?

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    2. Wow - 100 pounds! That's dedication. Good for you!! Best I ever did was 45 and that took forever. Trouble is, our whole social life revolves around food. Not odd at all, about reading/writing blogs. I think we all go through that. I certainly do. I wonder what Archie and the gang are up to these days. Do those comics still exist?

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    3. I don't know if I'll ever be able to lose that 100 pounds again. To be honest, people swore I was too thin when I did. If I can lose a total of 75 pounds I'll be happy.
      That's a problem of our society. Everything is so processed it's hard to lose weight. That and it seems to be more expensive to eat healthy than it is to eat junk food.
      And yes, Archie is still around.

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  3. Yay,you! You are well on your way to success on the weight campaign ;-)I'm envious. Hubs takes the girls (dogs) on daily 5k runs. It makes my measly one mile, once in awhile walks seem like trips to the mailbox! One excuse I use is that we have hills around here that sharply resemble the banking at Talladega. Pretty lame, huh? Thanks for the inspiration to get back into at least walking daily again ;-)

    Don't laugh, but I guess I'd identify with Underdog. No kidding, a low key, secret super hero seems about right for me. The only difference would be my super power for teleportation. I'd love to be able to go to some of the places I've dreamed of without the hassle of travel.

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    1. I hope my walking can inspire everyone else.
      You are the second person to suggest teleporation. Here is an interesting bit of trivia. Back in the mid 90's I wrote a short story about comic book heroes I invented. This was before the market exploded with super hero films and tv shows. I never did anything with it, because I assumed it would not be well received. However, on day I would like to do something with it. Coincidentally, one of the main characters was a teleporter.

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    2. Oh I hope you do something with your 'new' super hero characters now! You probably didn't know it was me on your Facebook page today, but now you know a fun fact about Underdog ;-)

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    3. I did kind of figure it out as soon as I saw your post here. ;)
      Yes, I would like to do something with my characters. Even if it's to post some kind of flash fiction here. Not sure I will ever get around to producing a full length novel.

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  4. I have always wanted to fly, so I would have to pick a flying superhero. Teleportation also appeals to me (getting somewhere fast). Of course, I would need to write all kinds of rules about it because people could just show up without warning. :)

    Fun post!
    ~Jess

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    1. You could choose any of the Legion of Super Heroes. They all fly with the use of flight rings. One of the characters is a teleporter. His name is Gates and looks like a large bug. So I'm not sure you would really want to select him. ;) LOL

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  5. I like the idea of a juggler super hero. I'd help but of late I feel kind of like you describe. That was kind of uncanny. It's like you have super perceptibility. I need to start walking as well.

    I was never a big comic book reader, but I usually never had any to read. When I had the money to buy such things I usually bought monster magazines or Mad magazine.

    I've always liked the idea of invisibility. But flying would be handy as well.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. I loved Mad magazine. I still buy it once in a great while. I probably pick one up every five years or so.
      One of my favourite Legion of Super heroes was Invisible Kid. What made him even cooler was he had the ability to fly with the use of a flight ring. But he later died, so I'm not sure you'd really want to select him, if you were to pick a hero to be.

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  6. Hi Jeffrey - I love blogging, but then do not indulge in other things ... super heroes = none. I don't remember reading comic books - may be we just had books and spending money on other things wasn't an option ...

    Good luck with the FB page ... cheers Hilary

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    1. I appreciate all your support.
      Believe it or not, I still read comic books to this day. Well, from time to time. I don't really have as much time for them now as I once had.

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  7. Hi Jeffrey - Congrats on the weight loss. I have been "heavy" all my life, but reached an all time high a year or so ago. When my husband started traveling recently I decided that it was time to do something about it so I started following the Hungry Girl diet...healthy food in large portions so you get full and don't feel deprived. You should check her out. I've lost 23.8 pounds since September. I still have a way to go (75 pounds would be a good number for me too). Comic books - maybe Archie when I was really young but give me a good novel instead. Marathon...never. A walk around the mall or park is enough for me. I never see runners smile. Blogging, trying to increase my presence out there so thanks for your comments! Have a great weekend.

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    1. Congrats on the weight loss. I agree with Hungry Girl, to some degree I have followed the example. I generally try to eat healthier and if I decide to treat myself I eat a piece of fruit first, then if I still feel like a treat (I don't always feel that way), I'll relent. Weight loss is all about calories in vs calories out too, so we have to be more active. Something I have really had to work on. So easy to come home after work and just plop in front of the TV and eat junk.

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  8. Jeff,

    Everyone has a life outside of blogging. I can't juggle things too well as I'd like, either. At least you've set your goals and priorities while attempting to stay on track. Bravo to you and double bravo for dropping 20 pounds! Now, let me answer your questions.

    What super hero can you identify yourself as? Some days I feel like Wonder Woman but not in a good way. It's like I wonder what am I doing! kind of mentality.

    If you could pick one super power, what would it be? Predictability. This way I'd know what lottery numbers to enter for the Mega Power Ball draws. :)

    Have you / Do you read comic books? If so, what is your favourite title(s)? No, I don't read them. I read them a little when I was a kid, like The Archies and maybe some of the super hero types belonging to friends. I don't recall ever owning them. I was not a big reader as a kid.

    Have you ever felt too lazy to work on a favourite projects? How do you handle this? Oh sure! Whenever I get like this I just allow myself to be lazy because doing anything before I'm ready only makes me resent what I'm doing and I don't enjoy it like I should. So, I just wait until I'm in the mood.

    Do you do 5k's or half or full marathons? For the past year and a half my exercise routine went out the door. I need to get back into it once DH starts his new job on the 12th which I plan to get back into using my elliptical 3 to 5 times each week. I can stand to lose a little weight but mostly I just want to exercise because it makes me feel better.

    Best of luck meeting your goals, my friend and have a good week!

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  9. I think we all go through phases where life gets busy and we don't comment as much as usual. It all works out in the end! First priority should be living our lives!!! I'm not sure what superhero I'd be...maybe Wonder Woman?! I always loved her as a kid. (The Lynda Carter version.) I'm feeling pretty lazy right now, actually. I'm not getting much writing done. Way too many distractions.

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  10. 20 lbs in 5 weeks! Good job, JEFFY! That's impressive.

    >>... What super hero can you identify yourself as?

    Some days I identify as Batgirl and use the women's restrooms.

    >>... If you could pick one super power, what would it be?

    The ability to identify as Batgirl at will.

    >>... Have you / Do you read comic books? If so, what is your favourite title(s)?

    That's all I ever do. My favorite title is 'BATGIRL VERSUS SUPERGIRL VERSUS WONDER WOMAN IN THE TEMPLE OF DUMB'. (There's nothing like a good ménage à trois!)

    >>... Have you ever felt too lazy to work on a favourite project? How do you handle this?

    I just don't work on them until the laziness passes.

    >>... Do you do 5k's or half or full marathons?

    I run them all. It all depends upon how long the dude wants to chase me.

    ~ D-FensDogG

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  11. I forgot about this boy...he was fun. I could relate to the Tick.....he always tried his best but was such a maroon. His poor sidekick I could relate to as well. I wish I could wear cat woman's outfit...the Julie Newmar version but I am now more like fat cat woman. Good for you for losing the weight, not eating crap and walking 5k. I can't walk that far due to my joint issues but I do try to walk every day. Sadly, I enjoyed a couple of decadent. Chocolates this eve:)

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  12. Hey I did like your page!

    What super hero can you identify yourself as? Most days more likely my own worse enemy. Maybe Underdog.
    If you could pick one super power, what would it be? I'm sure I could use a few, but some of them come at a price.
    Have you / Do you read comic books? If so, what is your favourite title(s)? Wasn't really big into comics, I probably read a few but not many. I did watch the cartoons and I have been binge watching quite a few on netflix.
    Have you ever felt too lazy to work on a favourite projects? How do you handle this?
    Do you do 5k's or half or full marathons? Used to do an occasional 5k but not in the last 12 years, I do walk quite a bit.

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  13. 20 pounds in 5 weeks, a standing ovation for you Jeffy. Weight loss/gain, whichever your poison might be, it's hard to do.

    In answer to your questions, never been a super hero/comic book fan. I think it's more a 'guy thing' than a 'girl thing', but maybe it just wasn't 'my thing'. As far as marathons and 5k's go...ha,ha,ha!

    Blogging can really get in the way of 'life'. I've cut way back for a number of reasons and we can only do what we can only do. Best of luck to you on all of your endeavours and especially with the weight loss; keep uo the good work.

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  14. You've got Klingon warrior heart persevering with sci-fi super heros, challenges and epic articles to entertain our spirits thats for sure Jeff. "Real Power is in the Heart" and you obviously believe in great deeds and great songs. Klingons do not surrender either. So far all your blog posts published to date clearly indicate that you have Klingon ancestry. What other explanation is there?

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  15. If I could pick any superpower, it would be to have the ability to extend the day past 24 hours. That way, I'd get more sleep and get more done and I don't have to worry about multitasking!

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