Catalyst Castle

Every once in a while, I wish that I could experience a normal day. I imagine everyone has their own idea of what constitutes a “normal day”, but for me it would go something like this:

On a normal day, I would wake up when my alarm clock goes off and I would get right out of bed. I wouldn’t roll over and try to pick up my dream again. I wouldn’t stay in bed, distracted by a million ideas, until I absolutely had to get out of bed and rush around in order to get where I was supposed to be five minutes late. I would be on time to work, or service, or wherever I had to be, and my mind would be on the task at hand.

I wouldn’t pause to take a picture of an empty cup holder. I wouldn’t overhear half a second of a cell phone conversation and start imagining the entire context. I wouldn’t spend twenty minutes mulling over the story implications of attaching a time-warping quantum singularity on a mundane alarm clock. I wouldn’t once see a grain of rice on the floor and be inspired to design a card game. When I listened to the lyrics of my favorite song I would just enjoy them as a song, not as the seeds of a sprawling epic adventure saga.

Instead, I would take a walk through a park and just enjoy the breeze. I’d play with a child, and my heart would glow when I saw them smile or heard them laugh. I’d spend an hour in the company of someone I cared for and my mind would be on nothing but her. I would go to bed satisfied, instead of anxious for the next day to come. I would fall asleep quietly, instead of in the midst of tired conversation with an imaginary friend.

To me, that would be a “normal day”. I wouldn’t want to live every day that way, mind you, but just for once it would be a nice change of pace.


Ever feel like you can't experience a normal day? What would constitute a "normal day" to you?

Way back in April, I did an article called "Take 2! Another Take on Titles". That article presented poster images along with a brief description of a fictitious television show. Basically, I took the title of an existing TV show and tried to re-imagine what that show might be based solely on the title. Recently, I've been watching a lot of the Batman cartoon from the 90s, so this time I've taken the titles of (relatively) recent movies and re-imagined them as spin-offs of the Batman franchise. Click on the images to enlarge them.


This movie deals with a very young Bruce Wayne, picking up directly after his parents are murdered. It shows his troubled childhood, as he deals with his grief and guilt which eventually turn into bitterness. All the while, his family's butler Alfred struggles to understand the young boy and become a stabilizing force in his life.


This spin-off follows the events of The Dark Knight. Former District Attorney Harvey Dent survived his fall at the end of that movie. The trauma from losing Rachel and the severe burns he suffered has caused a split personality to emerge. Now, as Two Face he goes about taking over the criminal underworld of Gotham City and building his own empire of crime. However, the real Harvey, a man who upheld justice above all else, is still struggling to regain control. Batman, Gotham City and Harvey Dent are all headed towards one last chance at redemption.

Ducard: If you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal and if they can't stop you, you become something else entirely.

Bruce: Which is?

Ducard: A legend, Mister Wayne.

-Batman Begins

Three years after the events of The Dark Knight, Batman has become a myth. He is merely a name whispered fearfully among hoodlums and crooks, a passing shadow across the moon that makes burglars freeze in their tracks. Following the death of Rachel and the betrayal of Harvey Dent, Bruce Wayne has become a recluse, shutting himself off from everyone. But the legend of the Batman still holds powerful influence over the criminal element in Gotham City. The average man no longer dares turn to crime except in great desperation. But another legend has endured as well. The legend of the Joker. The new breed of criminals that the prince of crime promised are here - costumed lunatics who hold the city in the grip of fear. Soon, the Batman will hear his calling anew. To stop legendary villains, Gotham needs a legendary hero.


So, there they are. What do you think? Please let me know by leaving a comment below.

I just had to share a couple of pictures I've taken in the last couple of weeks. They both capture unintentional real-world references to Star Wars. Or, maybe it's just a coincidence.

Hey, I've posted some photos from our recent anime party here.

Enjoy!