Brief Outage

Normal posting will begin again next week sometime.  I'm busy with various school projects and Red Sox games.

The Great DC Comics Reboot of 2011

The majority of the titles for this crazy reboot thing have been announced now, with only the Superman books remaining.  Honestly, I think there is a lot to like about what has been announced.  There isn't anything particularly earth shattering, but for the most part there doesn't appear to be to many egregious mis-steps.

I like that the line has some diversity to it now.  There are supernatural/fantasy titles, action oriented titles, westerns titles, even the superhero titles appear to be quite diverse in tone.  The creative teams also seem quite diverse with several indie creators making the jump to mainstream titles.  We'll see how long all this lasts, I'm guessing some of the more interesting titles (Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE, Firestorm, Stormwatch) will get canceled after not too long due to low sales.  But maybe going digital will help save some of the more marginal books.  We'll see.

I don't particularly care for the influx of 90's era Marvel talent.  Scott Lobdell isn't the worst writer in the world, but I'm not sure why he got the call and Bryan Q. Miller and especially Brian Wood didn't.  Its a little strange that a writer who hasn't contributed to a Marvel or DC book in about 10 years is now in charge of three titles, but I suppose it could work out decently enough.  I really have no idea what could be motivating DC to put Rob Liefeld on a book in 2011 though.  I know there is an increasing nostalgia for 90's comics, and I'm all for a diverse comics line... but seriously?

Anyway, I like a lot more than I dislike about the revamped DC comics.  At least for now, it looks like they are making a genuine effort to cater to range of different fans.  I don't particularly care for some of the choices they've made, but not all of DC Comics' output is meant to appeal to me.  I'll probably be reading more DC books after the reboot than I am now which bodes well for the success of this whole thing I think.

How Research Works: 40

PI's OFFICE

GRAD STUDENT
I got accepted to that fMRI bootcamp at UCLA in July, but I just found out my cousin is getting married during that time.  I guess I can re-apply for next year?

PI
Or you could go to the bootcamp.

GRAD STUDENT
But my cousin is getting married...

PI
It is an honor to get into this program.  You are making the wrong decision if you don't go.

GRAD STUDENT
But my cousin is getting married... You would miss a family member's wedding to go to something that happens every year?

PI
Of course I would.  To succeed in academia so should you.

GRAD STUDENT
...

GRAD STUDENT
I'm not going to the bootcamp.  There isn't any money for me to pay for tickets anyhow.

PI
I would pay my own way.

GRAD STUDENT
You realize this thing happens every year right?

Enchiladas + Beef + Egg

I have very few rules about eating in restaurants.  I'll try almost anything, almost anywhere.  A rule that I encourage everyone to follow is whenever a waiter/cook asks if you would like something not on the menu or an alternative preparation of something on the menu, always say yes.

The second variant of this rule came up this weekend at Gabino's Diner.  Every time I go to this place I have an interesting dinning experience.  Last time I ended up getting some complementary flan and some of the best chips and salsa on Long Island.  This time, I had some of the best enchiladas I've had on the east coast.

Eventually I'll order traditional diner fare at Gabino's.  I'm sure their pancakes and eggs are delicious, and their sandwiches all look amazing.  However, Gabino's also happens to have the best Mexican food within 40 minutes of my house.  Given that the only other Mexican place I know of on the island is an inconveniently far distance away, and there are plenty of places to get pancakes and eggs on the island, it'll probably be awhile before I order traditional diner fare at Gabino's.

On my most recent trip to Gabino's a very interesting question was posed to me, "Would you like beef and an egg on those enchiladas?"  Given my rule of dining, I absolutely had to say yes.  Especially since the waitress assured me that this was the way that everyone in the back ate their enchiladas.  With that sort of recommendation, I really couldn't say no.  Now I like almost anything with an egg on it and I like beef a lot, but I wasn't really sure how it would all work.  Turns out it all works amazingly well, the egg and the tomatillo sauce work well together as does the beef and chicken enchiladas.  What looked to be a massive pile of random foodstuffs turned out to be quite flavorful and delicious.

I haven't been led astray by following my rule of restaurant eating.  Nor have I been led astray by Gabino's.  Every time I go there, I have a memorable dinning experience.  And really, I can't ask for more than that.

Luke Cage Trailer

This is probably not a real trailer.  Likely Isaiah Mustafa is just trying to land a role in a movie that hasn't even been announced yet.

How Research Works: 39

THE LAB

JUNIOR GRAD STUDENT
Do you want to get some lunch?

SENIOR GRAD STUDENT
I don't think I have time to leave campus.  Unless you want to get pizza delivered...

JUNIOR GRAD STUDENT
Oh.  I thought we could go somewhere on campus.

SENIOR GRAD STUDENT
You intend to dine on the finest of nonexistent foods?

JUNIOR GRAD STUDENT
I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about.  Have you been watching Game of Thrones again?

SENIOR GRAD STUDENT
Yes.  But more to the point, there isn't anything open on campus until August.  Turns out university dining services cares as much about us as the rest of the university.'

JUNIOR GRAD STUDENT
Starbucks!  Coffee!

SENIOR GRAD STUDENT
I know.  I'm so sorry for your loss.