Earlier when I said that it would be cool if a lot of people found ways to be "super" with their RLSH-ing, this sort of thing is exactly what I was talking about: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127740336&sc=fb&cc=fp

Now what could you do as a dinosaur? I don't know, but I bet you could do >something< awesome. There's lots of potential for armor and storage space, at any rate.

Is it legal to impersonate a miniature Tyrannosaurus Rex in public?

that rules.

that is pretty sweet

that is freakin awesome.

the problem with putting so much emphasis on your gimmick is that balance between RLSH and performance artist (some would say they are one in the same). if your gimmick becomes too grandiose then it is going to take the majority of your time, efffort, and concentration. if your an RLSH the majority of your energy should be going into "how can i make the world a better place". i fear that people who concentrate more on appearance and showmanship are taking away from the actual point of being an RLSH.

and i realize this sounds like criticism, rad, but its not. you explained to me your ideas. this is just my blanket opinion.

Well, Champ, a healthy difference of opinion is... healthy.

Something like this could be adapted to be impervious to virtually any firearm found on the streets. And it would move slow as heck. But you could patrol around in something as crazy as the LA riots in a big van and save a lot of lives -- like if it was well thought out. And you could equally appear on a stage at a high school and convince kids not to join gangs and stuff. It would be some kind of hybrid suit/vehicle almost. I mean I don't really have the time or inclination to totally think it all out, because I have my approach, which is quite different.

What I can say about showmanship is that so far with my developing sense of it I can attract throngs of kids when I'm out and try to influence them in a positive way (and nearly break my leg -- it needs work). And in my test run doing standup as Mega-Rad this last Wednesday night the appearance totally felt like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o1wind1iUc (it wasn't, I have to admit -- but just capturing a 100th of this effect in a live venue really dazzles people, seriously).

I have to believe that if I increase my capabilties then I increase the potential scope of my accomplishments. I just have to.

Now have I interfered in a single crime as Mega-Rad? No, not at all. And maybe that's a good thing, because with the legs and stuff I'm really not ready to, unless it's the simple sort of thing where I could shine a light and say on my speaker thing "Hey. Stop trying to break into that car!" and the guy would just run away.

But I think someday I'll get there and I think presence is an important part of it. Like I said elsewhere on here -- I patroled once in costume before my legs arrived and with a less polished looking outfit... the difference between inspiring curious skeptical glances and something a bit beyond that... it has to be good for something.

Anyway, I don't even *honestly* know where I'm going with the RLSH thing. I just have some faith in my potential to get there.

And I have to ask, if gimmicks should be de-emphasized, then why take this approach at all? Why even do so much as wear a domino mask or a pair of odd-looking goggles?

well thats the question any RLSH gets constantly and should ask themselves constantly.

i'm not saying that a gimmick isnt part of it, im saying it shouldnt be the main forcus. helping others should be the main focus. now if you feel you can do that best by wearing a costume and calling yourself an RLSH then thats fine, but like i said, the gimmick is a very small part of what we do.

when it comes down to it, i like what supes said. it's just fun. but IMO the fun should never take precedence.

You guys are great, really. I mean I'm starting to seriously love you guys. And you and Superhero in particular.

But I would submit that, as an analogy, a surgeon is totally justified if he actually enjoys cutting into people and seeing gore and human viscera so long as he doesn't hurt anyone.

Or the totally selfish and totally selfless life seem to lead to the same place, as long as you pursue either one wholeheartedly.

Or I'm a %$#&. Ya know. There's that.

Pardon...was it just suggested that dinosaurs should patrol driving a van?

Never thought I would hear that.

-Wolf

Ha. No, man. Driving a van with a customized dinosaur rig in the back for short excursions. You know, I'm one of those sane crazy people... not one of those insane crazy people.

Perhaps the dinosaurs should carry shotguns. Shotguns that fire piranhas.

-Wolf

Just something I've been thinking lately, like walking around sometimes and it occurs to me that there's at least 50-60 people out there taking this seriously. I know some people say "hundreds," but I don't exactly buy *that* as an accurate count.

In this case I guess because I feel like I've been persistently disagreeing with you, then it might be worth mentioning something positive to soften it. It's true, but if we were being all "yeah, yeah, I agree" with each other, then I might have saved it for later.

Not "Eros" love, btw.

i will always prefer the company of people who intelligently disagree with me then the company of yes men.

Mega-Rad wrote:

Not "Eros" love, btw.

Before I sign off for at least a bit, maybe a long while (stuff to do), there's one thing I wanted to slightly clarify.

It's not "the enjoyment of the gimmick" for me.

It's the effect of the gimmick. Every crazy idea or gimmick I incorporate into my "arsenal" has to have a point to it or I wouldn't be trying my best to be an actual superhero.

I mean I do enjoy the gimmicks, but if they're stupid gimmicks, I can't enjoy them.

and its that exactly reason why i respect what your doing and dont give you the "knock it off or GTFO" speech.

hmmm

I want to hear more on the shotguns. could they be rigged to fire pinatas as well?

Water cannons that deploy piranhas would work better, because you could keep the pirahnas alive until use. A dead fish isn't going to strike terror into the heart's of criminals. Also you could perhaps produce more of a shock and awe effect with flying fish, though with less of an actual threat.

However, I don't advocate the harming of any animals in the making of your RLSH exploits. The only good reason to kill a fish is to eat it.

I wouldn't mind being a dinosaur as long as it's Godzilla.

Can you imagine kids huddling around a dinosaur with a bad attitude and thermonuclear breath...

oh the FUN!!! LOL

DarkShadow out

Option 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJOgMBwoVlI

Godzilla.