Another list of people I admire

With the prospect of six weeks of absolute freedom from anything and everything, I've decided to return to regular blog updates. I wouldn't want my skills atrophied over this exceptionally long break. Without further ado, here's the exciting sequel to a list of people I admire.

Alan Moore: I would go so far to call this graphic novelist, comic book writer, a visionary. Author of amazing works such as Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Batman: The Killing Joke, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, all of which are imaginative, exciting, and well-drawn, Moore also manages to combine adult thematic material with fantastical settings and characters. The juxtaposition of the two makes every one of his works utterly flawless. Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky be damned, Alan Moore can bend your mind with naked blue men contemplating the misery of man's existence while building a gigantic palace on Mars. That's just as awesome as it sounds.

Natalie Portman: She isn't just the ideal woman, beautiful, talented, and Jewish; she's the ideal human being. Smarter than most of you, more beautiful than the skinniest supermodel, and an extraordinarily talented actress, Ms. Portman is just perfection. Furthermore, she's done a lot of things to alleviate poverty in other countries, namely the promotion of microfinance. While it hasn't taken off yet, the fact that she's actively pursuing it, by lecturing at various college campuses and such, means she's leagues above those superficial bitches you see on The Hills or something. Marry me, Ms. Portman.

Man, what is it with me and Jewish girls?

John F. Kennedy: I used to think he was the most overrated president of all time until I looked closely at what he's done. JFK was the manifestation of the emerging youth/hippie culture that was emerging at the time, and every one of his policies reflect a move towards peace and love. While he still had the Cold War to contend with, he didn't openly condemn the Soviet Union and risk mutually assured destruction. Impeded by a bunch of warmongering douchebags and a bullet to the face, he could've done so much more for the world. Imagine if he'd handled the Vietnam War instead of inciting it like Lyndon B. Johnson did. On second thought, if JFK had handled it like he handled all foreign crises, I'd probably be living in Vietnam right now, and not blogging. Probably de-mining the rice fields.

Nas: His catchy beats, excellent rhymes, and deep, thought-provoking lyrics, Nas is easily one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. It was a toss-up between him and Lupe Fiasco and Immortal Technique, but Nas' debut album was called Illmatic, and that, in a word, is ill. This man speaks from the heart, and the glorification of the ghetto, "hoes," and drug use are not the main attractions. Rather, gritty, first-hand experiences with the dark side of inner cities and urban desolation is what this guy talks about. Combine that with his clever plays on various words and vocabulary that would make me blush and you've got a recipe for one damn good rapper and musician.

Indiana Jones: Ah, the three Indiana Jones movies. I'm so glad they decided to leave it be after they made three movies. So glad Spielberg and Lucas didn't milk the franchise for what sweet, juicy milk it had left. Indiana Jones is the ideal that everyone wants to be. A savvy adventurer with the ability to kick ass, take names, and save priceless artifacts that melt people's faces. The "everyman" notion appeals greatly to us when we look at Indiana Jones and kind of makes us feel like even we, the dreary, day-to-day, paycheck-to-paycheck, white collar worker can break out of the ordinary and do something awesome, like swinging over a pit of spikes using a bullwhip and breaking up a child labor ring.

Jesus of Nazareth Jesus, the embodiment of all that is good within the hearts of humanity. Unfortunately for him, he vastly underestimated all that was wrong with humanity, like greed and intolerance. But you have to give him props for being so consistent in his kindness. Healing the poor, turning water into wine, and walking on water, his miracles inspired what goodness mankind can afford to summon, which is sadly not much. Atrocities have been committed in the name of God, of religion, but that's not the fucking point of religion, now is it? The point is to be like Jesus, to be kind, forgiving, and benevolent. Just goes to show you that not even divine intervention can efface the worst mankind has to offer.

I think I may be missing someone...nah. That's probably it. i love you, my three readers, if even that. <3