The problem with not having coffee before coffee
Wordless Wednesday – Needed Coffee
Monthly Archives: July 2011
The Batman – Modern Mythology
Who are you? I’m Batman!
Everyone knows the story of how Batman came to be. His parents were killed in front of him as a child, and he devotes himself to seeking vengeance and justice on those who would prey on the weak. he is a billionaire playboy who finances his ability to be a vigilante/hero.
How does Batman reflect on humanity?
Batman is human. He is just a man. Some say that his superpower is having billions of dollars at his disposal, but it is not. If he has something that makes him invaluable to the Justice League, it is is skills as a detective. His ability to observe, evaluate, and act decisively makes him an incredible asset. In fact, if you gave Superman his crime fighting skills, you would have a being who would be overpowered. In fact, that’s what they called him when he was briefly given Green Lantern’s Power Ring.
How does Bruce Wayne reflect on fatherhood?
So far, I haven’t said anything new or provided any kind of new perspective on this character. But as I was thinking about this post, I thought about the kind if person Bruce Wayne may have been if he had not lost his father at a young age. I thought about the many kids I’ve worked with and talked with who have had missing dads, or unengaged dads. I thought about the path that then loss of his father sent Bruce Wayne on.
Bruce defined his life in terms of vengeance (justice) and fear. The symbol he creates to become “more than just a man” is not a beacon, or a banner whose colors we can fly proudly, or something that the good in society can rally around (much like the way Superman is a symbol). Instead, Bruce chose a symbol from the darkness, and from the shadows, and from his own fears that will create fear and chaos among criminals. The loss of Bruce’s parents as a boy, has caused him to live a life of, in, and as fear; it grew from fear, it came from fear, and it creates fear.
Bruce grew up fatherless. In response to this hole in his soul (from the loss of both parents), he became well-travelled, and well-studied. He grew to be an un-validated man. He grew to be a boy who lived with fear. He did great things as a hero, but he did it with an inability to become a complete individual. He was great as Batman, but he struggled to be Bruce; couldn’t have serious relationships with women, he was devoted to being a vessel of fear, and not a man. The more there was a Batman, the less there was a man… the less there was Bruce.
Why is Batman important? 
Batman is resourceful, he is intelligent, and he is persistent. Batman keeps the DC super heroes who have god-like abilities grounded to humanity. When the Justice League seems to get a bit over-confident or idealistic, it is Batman who keeps his head, because he cannot afford to be over-confident. Batman is the antithesis of the all-powerful Superman. He is a fan-favorite, and the man with a plan.
There is so much to Batman, that I know I have missed, over-looked, or passed on some things. Add your thoughts to the comments!
-JB
Diary of an Alpha-Male #4
I don’t think boys should be introduced to working out by their moms. I can understand going with your mom, but not lifting with her. There is a certain amount of machismo, competition, and pain necessary in lifting that boys should do with coaches, dads, brothers, or guys friends.
And this little kid at the gym looks embarrassed.
-JB
Wordless Wednesday – The Wife
Turning Point
There was a turning point for me in May, and it came while writing a guest post for the Caffeine Coquette. Check it out. My head has definitely been in a different place since this particular post!
-JB
American Manhood
I am currently reading the book Healing the Masculine Soul: How God Restores Men to Real Manhood, by Gordon Dalbey. The author finds a way to put words to the insecurity that prompted the creation of ManvDadhood. In the third chapter, he describes a rite of passage of the Ibo tribe in Nigeria. It involves the father and the elder men in the tribe calling to the young boy to step out of his mother’s house and accept the call of manhood.
For these men know the biblical truth – tragically ignored by Western Christian Men – that if the men shrink from their job and abandon the boy, a ‘curse’… will be unleashed upon their village. Boys will grow up unable to feel like men, and shrink from the masculine calling to bless, to call forth giftings, to lead, to protect, and to serve.
I am afraid that the two “dads” I have/had in my life have shrunk from their duties and never ushered me into manhood since they were still boys themselves.
“…the call to manhood is an awesome thing. No mother can protect a boy from it. It’s like vertigo – the fear is not that someone will push you, but that you’ll jump.”
My mother fought tooth-and-nail to keep her three sons from leaving her house and creating their own households.
Dalbey states that the American man is lost. What we have lost sight of is that manhood is about connection, not shame, and seclusion. We are to be connected to other men in our environment, and not hide ourselves behind sexual conquest or emasculating insecurities.
What do you think about the state of manhood in America?
-JB
ManSong – Welcome to Heartbreak
Kanye West is a world-class sociopath. However, he is a talented musical artist, and that is all I want from him. I am a fan of his music, but he does need some better social etiquette. That said, I was riding m y bike today and this song came on in the playlist. I like this song for many reasons: the beat, the feel, and the content.
Why Is This A Man Song?
To be honest, it reminds me that I’m not missing out on anything because I chose the route of the Family Man. Would I like to be 30 and still hitting the bar-scene? Yes, but I’m glad to not be looking for companionship there. Is there any path I wish I had taken? Possibly, but for me that has to do with collegiate athletics more than where I am now in life. This song is a reminder that the grass may look greener, but to remember that not every man gets to have everything he wants out of life, and that the biggest regrets at the end tend to center around missed family opportunities. 
As you read these lyrics, as a dad, a husband, as a single boy or man, think about what Kanye is saying in the face of the commercial and monetary success he has achieved in his life.
“Welcome to Heartbreak” – Kanye West
My friend showed me pictures of his kidsAnd all I could show him was pictures of my cribsHe said his daughter got a brand new report cardAnd all I got was a brand new sports car, oh
And my head keeps spinningCan’t stop having these visions, I gotta get with itAnd my head keeps spinningI can’t stop having these visions, I gotta get with it
Dad cracked a joke, all the kids laughedBut I couldn’t hear him all the way in first classChased the good life my whole life longLook back on my life and my life goneWhere did I go wrong?
And my head keeps spinningCan’t stop having these visions, I gotta get with itAnd my head keeps spinningI can’t stop having these visions, I gotta get with it
I’ve seen it, I’ve seen it beforeI’ve seen it, I’ve seen it beforeI’ve seen it, I’ve seen it beforeI’ve seen it, I’ve seen it before
Oh my God, sister getting married by the lakeBut I couldn’t figure out who I’d wanna takeBad enough that I showed up lateI had to leave before they even cut the cakeWelcome to heartbreak
And my head keeps spinningCan’t stop having these visions, I gotta get with itAnd my head keeps spinningI can’t stop having these visions, I gotta get with it
And I and I can’t stopNo, no, I can’t stopNo, no, no, no, I can’t stopNo, no, no, no, I can’t stop
Can’t stop, I can’t stop, I can’t stopNo, no, no, no, no, no, no, noNo, no, no, noNo, no, I can’t stop
I can’t stop having these visionsI gotta get with it
Wordless Wednesday – LC
BamBam and Pebbles hanging out with LC.
Blankness in Seattle
Blank blank blankity blank! That is what my blog-bone has been saying to me recently. I am not one the thrive on or need drama in my life in order to function. However, since I have come to the realization that I can thank my mother for who she was in my youth, and not wish for that as an adult, I am not as conflicted and torn or carrying as much [Mommy-Issue] baggage. This can translate into less blog material… Or does it? I had a LOT on my mind; it was unfocused and sounded like rantings or a therapy session. However, now I feel like I am able to do some better posts; more positive posts, and some posts that are more in line with what I want the MvD blog to be about.
I am in the middle of a research process similar to what I did for my history degree. I may not have the quantity of posts in the coming months, but I hope to increase the quality of the posts I put out and provide the few who stop by something that is more than an emotional download or a venting session. I hope you will continue to stop by.
-JB
Diary of an Alph-Male #3
I have a conflicting need to act like a man by doing whatever I want and also to set a example of being safe by wearing a bike helmet. This would be easily solved if there is a helmet that didn’t look so stupid when I wore it.
