Sunday Night With John: Get Your Dork On

To say I have been looking forward to the new Marvel Movie, Captain America: Civil War is the understatement of the year. I have only watched the different trailers roughly 100 times on Youtube. I have only wasted one hour of work a day discussing the plot and what could happen with different co-workers for the last 6-months. I have exhausted all possible Internet searches in an effort to gain an edge on understanding the movie. I know, I know I couldn’t be more of a comic book movie dork if I tried. The dork revolution of video games, comic books, Star Wars, Magic Cards games, Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, Larping, and whatever activity, game, or cartoon that floats your boat going mainstream has opened so many avenues.

So as I settled into my seat for the 9:30am showing of the movie with a large pop (I don’t drink pop often, but it’s a must when taking in a movie) and a large popcorn with M&Ms sprinkled in, I couldn’t contain my smile as my friend joined in on the action in the seat next to me.  The next two and half hours were pure super-hero action flick fun. My friend and I stumbled out giggling and discussing how great the movie was, and even got together for dinner later to discuss the movie again. My thoughts then leaned away from the movie and towards the fact that our culture growing and bending to include more and more avenues as acceptable ways to be cool. In one breath I can give advice to an individual I’m helping about a life quandary they are facing and in the next breath we can discuss how funny the Deadpool movie was.  Whether it’s guys and gals wearing spandex to save the world, whether it’s a two people getting together to play a Magic Card game, or whether a whole group of guys get together for a Live Action Role Play afternoon, there are places for individuals to find a home.

We always need more places, movies, comic books for people to bond over, and to find common ground around. To include and fit more and more people into mainstream means lessening the moments we feel isolated and alone. The less people feel alone, the less emotional pain we go through. Connecting over even the things we might consider dorky, geeky, or nerdy is an opportunity for healing. They give us opportunities to bond with our kids and pass on traditions of Saturday morning cartoons or trips to the comic book store. My dad introduced and explained so many of the superheroes to me.  So yes, I went to the super hero movie yesterday to watch Spiderman swing around on his webs, and Captain America throw his stars and stripes shield, but in reality it was so much more.  Whatever odd, goofy, or dorky thing you are into, go ahead let your dork flag fly, it’s all the rage now.  Anyone want to check out the new X-men movie coming on in a couple of weeks?  Because I’ll be there with popcorn, pop, and my dork flag proudly raised.