Marveling

Earlier this year and late last, in preparation for Black Panther, I tried to watch all the MCU movies I could.

From the Avenger movies, I've never much cared for Iron Man or Tony Stark. I finally got around to watching the first of the Iron Man films, and while it was decent, I still didn't care enough to go on to watch the second or third. (They were also unavailable on Hulu or Netflix, while #1 was on an airplane flight.)  I guess I just don't like the spoiled brat rich guy as hero, just like I've never particularly loved Batman.


I watched Guardians of the Galaxy and its Volume 2 with some friends, and they're the perfect goofball flicks to watch in an unserious mood. In all honesty, I wouldn't have watched them on my own, but I've grown to like the MCU so I'm glad I've gotten a better picture of it... even if Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5 on ABC was its worst, and I don't entirely love storylines stuck in space. Guardians were funny and enjoyable.

The Thor movies were all amazing. I thought I'd seen the first two when I made plans to see Ragnarok in theatres, but a quick Wikipedia read made me realize I hadn't. Luckily, both 1 and 2 were available on plane trips. I love the humor that floats on the surface of larger, darker themes about heritage and legacy. Of all these new-to-me MCU movies, the Thor series definitely wins. I'd watch them all again. Plus, who doesn't love Norse mythology? I'll go off and binge-watch Vikings now.

And then... Black Panther. So many critics, scholars, activists, and comics fans have said almost everything about it, from every angle. Parts of it made me uncomfortable (the made-up language, the made-up cultures, the black liberation character being innately violent and the "necessity" of his death), but I accept that the power of the story is rooted in part in a pan-African tribute, that generation trauma is a very real part of the post-colonial experience and diaspora, and that as a superhero's origin story there are basic formulas films follow. Besides, it's sci-fi. And it's also possible to love and dislike and critique and adore something all at the same time. The power of black representation, a strong storyline (with kick-ass, intelligent, independent females!), and great action sequences make it inspiring and immediately beloved. Since its theatrical release, Black Panther has since come to Netflix, and I have already re-watched it twice.

My 9-year-old nephew is also a fan of all things Marvel, in that obsessive way that children learning about things are. A few years ago I swear he memorized the gazillion Pokemon characters, which I didn't realize have like three different iterations each, and suggested I read his thousand-page Pokemon encyclopedia to educate myself before browsing through his Pokemon card collection. Recently, I mentioned to him that I was trying to watch a lot of the Marvel superhero movies and series spinoffs. He proceeded to quiz me on the gazillions of minor characters that he is learning about... in a comic book encyclopedia, which of course he suggested I read. I doubt I will reach his level of nerdery: I don't really care to learn the intricacies of how every timeline and character fits together in some intergalactic scheme.

But I warned Mi Hermana that she probably has a future Comic Con devotee in the house...

Deep like the rivers

2018 started off with a trip to New Zealand and has continued to be amazing in terms of travel:

Niagara Falls ~ Canadian Falls

• Niagara Falls with the Michigander nieces and nephew. We drove from Detroit and stayed on the Canadian side. It was good to be there in the off-season: the town itself is super touristy and reminded me a lot of a family-friendly version of Las Vegas. In early April it was uncrowded so I can only imagine how jam-packed everything would be during peak season.
  
  Mi Hermana and I really wanted to ride the famous boat on the river up to the Falls, but the boat tour only operates in late spring and summer. Besides, the Niagara River was frozen -- frozen! My Northwest brain was so fascinated by a frozen river-- and boats couldn't get in the water anyway.
  
  The Falls themselves (both Canadian and American) were stunning, as were the cheesy tours that brought you closer to the water. The butterfly conservatory was unexpectedly enjoyable for me -- I didn't realize we'd actually be walking around in a heated room with thousands of butterflies flitting around us. Mi Hermana and I also sampled many, many local Niagara wines.
  
  On the way back, we stopped at an Underground Railroad museum in Ontario. I really liked reading the stories of former slaves who made it to freedom in Canada and had to create a new life, build communities, and fight for rights. It was... interesting and awkward to observe the vastly differing reactions of kids ages 6,8, and 10. The 6yo thought everything was fun and games; the 8yo monopolized the history doctoral student/museum staffer's time with questions about everything under the sun, indicating a slow awareness that human history is not just; and the 10yo in full tween mode kept saying loudly she'd studied this in school.
  



Peyto Lake, Banff 

• I went back to Canada in August with old college friends, this time to Jasper and Banff National Parks. Unfortunately, most of British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana was blanketed in smoke from wildfires, so we couldn't really see the world-renowned mountains and glaciers surrounding us. Nevertheless, we went hiking and canoeing and kayaking and swimming and whitewater rafting. When we caught glimpses of the Rockies, though, it was definitely gorgeous. Will have to go back.
  
• This summer I also attempted to summit both Mt Rainier and Mt Adams -- Rainier for the second time, Adams for the first. On Rainier, I got further than I did on my 2015 attempt, and did it sans anxiety attack! Our group didn't end up summiting due to unsafe conditions but I'm wildly happy about our trip. Will definitely try again, and soon.
  
  On Adams, we probably should have camped halfway up instead of trying to summit in one day. We made it an impressive 1700 feet short of the summit, though. It was very long day. But now we know, for next time!