The term "Superhero"

All right, I just have to say that I am not really much of a fan of the term "superhero." At least, not when it applies to people who aren't Batman, Superman, or that Nepali dude who fought off 40 men on a train last fall and didn't get even a little bit dead in the slightest.

Sorry if me going on about semantics is going to be something that bothers people, but yes, I just really feel that the term "real life superhero" is inaccurate when applied to people like me. I don't have any superpowers. I don't have a costume (okay, some people might say the hair is a costume item, but there is actually a tactical purpose behind the wig). I don't believe that what I do is all that awesome or heroic. I'm just doing what a regular citizen should do, which is calling 911 when something is amiss-- instead of walking by and pretending it didn't happen, which is what many people seem to think is the correct response when they see something terrible happen.

That doesn't deserve the title of "superhero." That's being a good citizen, or maybe just a regular citizen who happens to be a little more proactive than the average person about making sure shit they don't like doesn't happen in their city. I'm not a hero. Hell, I'm not even that great of a person. Sometimes I'm a total jerk. And I'm not even doing this because of any interest in the greater good, or for justice, or some higher power, or anything like that. I'm doing this mostly because it's interesting to me, and also because it pisses me off to see someone who needs help and watch other people walk by and do nothing. That's it. It's not exactly altruism, and I don't think I deserve a merit badge for doing what I do.

I guess the RLSH crowd is the closest thing to a community that we have for people who are into this sort of thing. Even though I disagree with the name, I approve of the general idea of people putting some extra effort into standing up for their view of what is right in the world. I like many of the people I meet in this community, though I can really only identify with a specific group of people. I am not really interested in coming up with a "gimmick," designing a super sweet suit and developing a secret identity. I'm more interested in tactical gear, dressing for my own safety, and then going outside and getting shit done. I am not interested in internet drama, gossip, backtalk and chitchat about who's better and who's a fake, or whateverthefuck else people are arguing about these days.

If you're an armored crimefighter, awesome. I support you guys. Be safe and smart about what you're doing. (And if you're 12 years old or don't know how to throw a punch or are wearing spandex instead of protective gear, GO BACK INSIDE!) If you're more interested or better equipped for homeless outreach or charity work, sweet. Go do that. People in this community should just go out, do what they do best, and quit arguing about whose approach is better or which person in the community is an asshole. (hint: if you're talking shit about someone else on the internet instead of going out and getting shit done, you're the asshole)

Anyway, I suppose this has kind of turned into a rant about what's been bugging me lately, so I guess this has gotten a little off topic. All I'm really trying to say here is that I'm no superhero and I think it's silly to label myself as one. So, that's why I don't really consider myself to be RLSH. Doesn't mean I don't like some of you guys, though.

An introduction to Blue Sparrow

Blue Sparrow here. Figured I should get around to actually writing some real posts, or some updates, or maybe an essay on bacon or something.


I'm really friggin tired. I was up late last night playing poker fighting crime, and now I'm in a charming Seattle cafe drinking delicious coffee (black, by the way-- I like my coffee like I like my metal). As usual, I'm craving bacon.

So, the search for the perfect arch nemesis: not going so great. I've been contacted by a delightfully evil villain from Canada, but I can't be bothered to go hunt him down right now. I'm in school, so the evil will have to come to me. It's a shame, though, since Canada is full of AWESOME SHIT like BEARS and MOOSE  and.... Canadians. FUCK YEAH CANADA

Someone told me where to find Agent Beryllium and Aluminum Chef IRL, and I'm tempted to go meet them, since they're so close by, but I think I might get all awkward and shy about it. How does someone greet a supervillain?  Do I wear my mask? Or do I go in civvies and pretend I don't know how evil they really are? Ah, decisions, decisions.... I'll probably end up getting nervous and hang out on my computer instead. Or, you know, go outside or something.

So, a little bit about me: I've been patrolling with the Rain City Superheroes since the beginning of January. I didn't even know about all these costumed heroes until I met Jones. He saw my comic books sitting around at my girlfriend's place, and told her he had to meet me. So we met up, talked comics and superheroes, and he tried to get me to join his team. Initially I refused on the basis that I can't crush a man's skull with my bare hands, but Jones told me that was okay. He worked on convincing me for a few weeks, so I gave in. This is working out quite nicely, especially since I'm an insomniac and I like punching things (no, I don't go out punching people on the street. But I like punching my teammates).

My name is Blue Sparrow sort of by accident. I knew I wanted my name to be a little bird, and I like swallows quite a bit, so I wanted to go by Swallow. Jones pointed out the obvious issue with being a female 'superhero' named "Swallow" and reluctantly I admitted he was right and I probably shouldn't pick a name that invites questions about whether or not I.... well, you know, swallow. THAT'S MY SUPERPOWER LOL JK LOL LOL 
So, I picked Sparrow instead. Eh, it works.

So, yeah. I go out and patrol Seattle at night with Jones and the gang. When I'm not out doing that, I'm usually enjoying the finer things in life: delicious bacon, admiring stupendous moustaches, playing pokemon, baking pies...

Yep. So, that's pretty much who I am.

BACONPOST

This is the blog of Seattle's Blue Sparrow.

Sometimes I fight crime, but other times I just sit around thinking about bacon.