Welcome!
I'm glad you chose to stop by and take a look around the place. Take your shoes off, please. I'd like to provide you with an introductory greeting as well as a little information about myself and this here blog of mine. So kick back. I hope you will find something you enjoy!
First things first. I'm Billy. I hail from east of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I read things sometimes. I also watch things, look at things and think about things. Sometimes I do more than one at a time! The "things" I am referring to are books, movies, television, video games, comic books and general news that relates to such things.
Most of what I find interesting can be grouped into the category of "geek culture" but I prefer to avoid such a term as it may alienate those who do not wish to identify with it. I believe you may have a great interest in baseball but also thoroughly enjoy reading Moon Knight comic books and shouldn't have to feel you belong to one or the other's cultural clique. I myself have lived my life with a foot in more than one pop culture pool and would not want to make anyone uncomfortable in doing the same. You do you, and maybe try something new!
Whenever you decide to stop by, you will find posts about what I'm reading that week, what I think of the new Halo game, whether or not I liked the Ridley Scott film that just hit theatres and much more. On occasion, I will invite friends to tell me what they think of whatever and it will go here, too. Hey, maybe I'll even publish my own fiction on this blog to keep things fresh and exciting! Variety is the spice of life I hear. Or is that cinnamon? Cayenne? Tell me what your favourite spice is in the comments.
Next up: my credentials (or lack-there-of). I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours in History from Trent University in 2014 and my Master of Arts Degree in History from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2015. Most of my academic career was spent researching and writing the military histories of Canada, the United States and Britain, but I did dabble in English and Astronomy while completing my undergrad. I also wrote a paper about Batman and another about Seinfeld (that was a good time). My graduate work did include military history, however my degree was earned in the history of nationalism, identity and culture in Canada through a sports lens. This was well off the beaten path of my experience.
I took a chance veering away from my usual work, especially in a graduate program. I learned that if there's something you want to do differently you must go about the changes yourself. I didn't take many opportunities to write about pop culture and media that I enjoy on my own time, and so I have decided to change that here. Today.
Before I go, I'll give you a rapid fire fact list about such interests:
1) I love Star Wars more than anything the world of pop culture has to offer. Period.
2) I have been a DC Comics kid ever since I saw the Batman: The Animated Series. I still enjoy Marvel Comics and myriad creator-owned works.
3) Seinfeld is truly the greatest comedy television show to have graced our home media. I don't care for your argument about Friends. Not to discredit Friends.
4) My favourite writers are John Scalzi (best known for the Old Man's War series of science fiction novels) and Scott Snyder (writer of Batman, American Vampire, Wytches and more).
5) My favourite film directors are Stanley Kubrick for his satire, framing and ability to instil great unease, and probably Steven Spielberg for his 1970s, 1980s and 1990s efforts. Jurassic Park and Jaws are up there in my Top Ten. George Lucas gets an honourable mention for creating Star Wars but after reading his "The Star Wars" script and comic book adaptation it is clear that his original vision was a muddled mess of confusion. Lawrence Kasdan would later solidify what a Star Wars film is all about through his writing.
6) I seek out science fiction in most of the media I consume, but I also enjoy a little fantasy here and there as well as horror. My favourite horror film is Halloween and it probably always will be because no longer are filmmakers crafting slashers like John Carpenter did.
7) I often set out to create lists and fall short of my goal. This is why I did not disclose a number to begin with.
Before I go I would like to thank Dylan Burnett for the banner that greeted you on your way in. He is a stellar artist, has a comic book called Interceptor coming later this year from Heavy Metal and you can see his art here and here. He's a really great dude, too. One of the best.
So, I hope I have caught your eye and grabbed your attention. Maybe you'll come back and visit again. I don't want to deliver you news or information, instead I would like to tell you what I think about things, how things make me feel and discuss such things with you one day. As long as we're kind to each other I'm sure we'll all have a great time!
Take care.
