An Olympian Regret

Never once in my blog, not even throughout the 13 years tenure, I ever talked about this particular thing that used to be a HUGE part of my early life.

I used to practice Taekwondo.

Like, religiously.

It all began on one fine Saturday when I was like, six? My brothers and I were watching Power Rangers The Movie for the umpteenth time in our laser disc device, when Dad suddenly announced that "starting tomorrow, you kids will be joining a Taekwondo club."

I wasn't a big fan of that idea. In fact, I hated it. I was an indoor type of kid, with hobbies including drawing and reading comic books. To be forced to have an actual physical training, namely on a freaking Sunday morning, where all the good cartoons were airing and my other friends were catching up to the next amazing episodes of each series, was a nightmare - or morningmare? - for the young me. Suddenly that scene where the rangers were fighting the tengu birds on Planet Phaedos was no longer my favorite.

And then, the years of "forced training" began. It was honestly a pain in the ass part of my life. From early pre-elementary school all the way to my first year of high school, I had to sacrifice my late Fridays and oh my precious Sunday mornings to come down to the court, practicing. I remembered we occasionally faked being sick, or having stomachache, or slept in late, just so we could skip a session -- but most of the time we failed, because Mom and Dad knew we were just being little assholes.

Hold on, I'm not here to ONLY complaint.

Surprisingly, when I looked back to those days, it wasn't a total complete bad experience though. Because hey, it lasted for 10+ years so if I couldn't manage to find the good side of Taekwondo I'd be dead halfway through. So yeah, there were some parts of the sport that I found really enjoyable. The gymnastics element - which we called the taegeuk, the athletics element which most of the time I excelled at, the demo we did to attract new members - we used to break clay roof and metal bars as part of these demo! the bi-monthly out-of town retreat, the friendship we made outside of school, whoa, apparently, there were a lot!

But one thing I really loved, and actually am grateful about until this time, is how fit I became now. I just realized how doing Taekwondo in earlier stage of my life really shaped my physical self that I carried out even until today. My current interest towards Thai Boxing and Body Combat didn't come just out of nowhere -- I'm pretty sure it's because of my Taekwondo past.

And so I thought that was it for my hot-and-cold relationship with Taekwondo. For years after I stopped practicing I always felt like, okay, it was a tie. I hated it and loved it the equal portion. Done. Never had I imagined that there's another layer of it I overlooked.

Which I realized from the Olympics.

A week has passed since the Opening Ceremony and I'm already becoming a freak. Well I've always loved huge sporting events like this you would never guessed how much bullshit I produced in my blog or Twitter for World Cup, Formula One, and all other similar stuff. Only this time, in this certain Olympics, I felt something different.

I've been watching badminton. I've been watching weightlifting. Been watching swimming, archery, kayaking, handball, water polo, whether we have Indonesian representations or not, I watched as many sports as I never did before. This is weird because some of those sports, I didn't even know at all.

But still I kept on watching, observed how each athlete strived to give them all, learned how each individual had amazing background stories which eventually led them to Tokyo this year, that each of them had their own struggles, to bring pride for their nations.

It really opened my eyes. And tickled that weird sensation inside of me. Is it humanity? Is it patriorism? Or is it... jealousy? Whatever it is, I just realized that

I want to be an Olympian.

I want to be the best in what I can do best. I want to be recognized. I want to be relied on. I want my name to be mentioned oh so proudly by the commentators, my stories to be recited by everyone. I want to represent my country, wearing the colors, walking down the stadium with the flag waving before me. I want to be cheered upon, on venue, virtually, from anywhere. I want to hear the national anthem playing to honor my victory. Or to honor whoever wins from my contingent. I want to cry when that happens, to have all hair in my skin stand tall as I do the same while the patriotic anthem plays. I want to be an Olympian.

This weird obsession grew even stronger just today, after I watched the Group Competition of Judo. Because apparently I don't just want to be an individual Olympian, but also being a part of a bigger thing -- to also fight with a team.

In the Judo scenario, each team consisted of three men and three women, coming from different weight categories. Everytime they lined up before or after the match, I always imagined that the first two heaviest members as the big brother and big sister of the group. The team captain and the group's mother, the major morale booster and strongest emotional supporter. The middle ones were the breadwinners of the team, equally strong and agile. The smallest ones were the youngest siblings, and this is where I pictured myself.

You ever had that "I wish I was a part of that squad" feeling?
Well, this is mine.

What they had was so pleasing to watch. Athlete supports athlete. When they were about to enter the court, when they won, when they lost, when they got picked for Sudden Death match, when they proceeded to the next round, when they failed to continue, when they... won gold.

Yeah, I want that.

Back in my Taekwondo days, I actually did some tournaments. As both individual and team. I, nor my team, never won any, though - my brother had won some in individual discipline lol. But it's not just about winning - said the loser lol. It's about the process, the training, the coming down to the stadium, coming down to the court, fighting your ass off, cheering for your team mates, screaming to a win and wailing for losing, being that Judo team I watched. And eventually, being proud of what I did.

But it's a bit too late now, eh?

I had my chance with Taekwondo but I was half doing it. I skipped the "line to success" and dropped it with joy as if I'm letting go of a lifelong shackles, not knowing that the regret would someday appear -- that I apparently need those shackles.

I started it at six. Or seven. An age those Olympians usually began their sporting journey. If I went on, who knows, I could be a Taekwondoin contingent from Indonesia, fighting alongside Greysia Polii and Rahmat Abdullah.

Yet here I am, just watching those people from my screen, wishing that I'd be one of them. Or wishing that in my next life, I'd be an Olympian. Well I guess for now that's the only thing I could actually wish to happen, eh? To be an Olympian in my next life.

Okay.

Let's make an oath of it.

"Here I am, promising to myself, that in another life, after I'm finished with this one and born as another, I swear I will be an Olympian. I will whisper this oath to him/her even when they're still a fetus living inside their mother's womb. I will haunt them when they turn 4 so they'd start practicing any Olympic sport. I will be that light coming through the black clouds, disguising as their sign that will make them say "that's it -- I'll fight my ass off to be an Olympic Athlete.""

Yep.

That's the only thing I can do now.

Because everything else is too late.

As I've stupidly given up on Taekwondo.

A sport I hated and loved the equal portion.

Now, I hated myself for not doing it better.

Imagine if I did -- maybe my love would win.

And this regret would

Never come in

Child Again

Well ever since I returned from France,

I feel like my relationship with Disney was...

Somehow,

Getting stronger.

Yea yea thanks to my visit to Disneyland. It was just too magical, too unbelievable that my mind couldn't stop thinking how Disney universe relates in so many levels to me. And that final firework show, where the castle was projected with snippets of many Disney classic scenes, and the favorite songs played harmoniously with the motions, yea it wrecked my head. 

I still could remember how I got the chill when I suddenly saw Simba roared with its "Circle of Life", or when Ariel sang "Part of Your World" in French, or when Cinderella's "Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" echoed all the way into my earlobes... I swear, I cried. No exaggerating, no lies just to make it all emotional, no. I cried.

Yet now here I am, so far from the reach of Disney magic, have no idea how to feel it all again... well, not exactly have no idea. Because if I really have no idea, I wouldn't be here writing this blog on the first place.

So.

I always claim that I'm a Disney freak. Bullshit. Because if you ask me what my favorite cartoons are, my answer would be somewhere around "Tarzan", "Hercules", "Mulan", or the classic-est one would be "Beauty and the Beast". I would take the vintage ones for granted, and only consider Disney as the ones I actually grew up with.

Now with that background prologue, here I am, with an idea I think strong enough to prove that I AM, an avid Disney freak.

Here goes the plan: for the past two years or so, I've always had this initiation to watch ALL Disney Classics. Or what they call as Disney Animated Features. I wanted to watch ALL, not only the most popular ones like Disney Princess movies or all-time favorites like "The Jungle Book" or "Peter Pan", no—I wanted, to watch, ALL.

Up until today, there are 56 of them, the first one being "Snow White" and the last one "Moana". My initial plan was to watch one or two every weekend, following its actual release order, so it'll be all finished by the last week of the year and I can redo it all over again from "Snow White" on the first week of the new year, and BAM! Now you can call me a Disney freak.

Unfortunately, my plan was just mere plan. I had no major booster to start doing it, giving the fact that I'm living a double life as an obsessive worker so my weekend has always been about work and work.

But now, I think there's no more holding back.

I've woken up from my long laziness and stupidity.

I've seen the sign, it's obvious, strong, and undeniable.

And it came straight from the core of Disney universe.

Therefore hereby, I declare each and every single weekend of 2018, to be the time for me to watch the cartoons of Walt Disney Studios, to extend the magic cast to me back in France, to show that I'm a worthy Disney devotee...

I made the layout, but each image comes from here and here.

...and, to be

Child again

Dream

You know what.

I've been talking much about me loving to live my childhood life over and over again. Toys, cartoons, shorts, cat socks, kawaii backpacks, weird cutesy stuff in general... but never had I mentioned this one thing about childhood, that had always been a dream I desire to make true since I was a kid.

This one thing I had always wanted to see. This one thing so far off reach, that I thought it wouldn't ever come true. And after 10 years of claiming my extended childhood life in this blog, I would today tell you what this one thing is.

Well it's the

True Theme Park

I know, that sounds sad. But no, don't get me wrong. Don't mistake "Theme Park" with "Amusement Park" okay, because of course I've been to the latter so many times during my childhood. I was talking about THEME PARK, a park, themed, to something, that of course has elements of kiddy stuff I've always loved.

Indonesia has none of such kind -not until several years ago when finally we have a quiet big theme park in Bandung, but not the international one. We have a quiet amusing amusement park, and yes, it was entertaining enough to fulfill my childhood standard but, it wasn't themed. It has no connection to any cartoon, any stuff I usually saw on TV, and my imbecile heart demanded more. So yea, going to a real theme park, remained a dream to my young self.

Then I saw it assembling.

When Universal Studios opened its door in Singapore. It became my first ever theme park experience. Taking photos with Woody Woodpecker, sliding The Mummy rides, flying with Transformers coasters, and bringing home real Sesame Street dolls it was like, UNFORGETTABLE! But I was only 20. And being an ambitious, restless and never-seemed-to-be-satisfied young adult as I was, still, my heart said that it wasn't just the ONE, yet.

And it grew.

Two years afterwards, when I found myself in the midst of Tokyo hustle. Since the very first second I made myself sure that I'd be going to Japan, I couldn't stop planning to visit Disneysea. Tokyo's very own Disney theme park. And it's Disney, for God's sake. Something I always claimed I devote to. Something I could relate to much better than any other thing in this earth. Something that contains memories of my childhood more than what my photo albums could show.

My first intercourse with... Disneyland.

That day was one of the best in my life. Exploring Disneyland like a true kid, seeing characters I've always loved and buying all the magical things my money could affort, I was like, speechless even until the second I'm typing this shit. I was carried away by the visit indeed, but I still didn't feel like it was enough. Of course it wouldn't be enough, it's THE theme park I've always wanted to visit. Time was too short and that's when I realized, it wasn't yet a dreams come true.

And it went on.

Another two year had passed, and I earned my chance again during the trip with my company. To Hong Kong. And this time, it was the real Disneyland. The classic counterpart of Disneysea, with pure Walt's magic across the park. It did more justice than Disneysea. I got to ride more rides, watched more shows, buy more toys -and it was the best buy I've ever committed in my entire life! and most importantly, saw the final firework. This time I swear, I thought I've had enough. I've felt like all the waitings, all the grievings and believings, had all been paid off. But apparently it didn't end there.

And universe wanted my heart to see more.

Only three months apart, I arrived in Australia. Not just Australia, but Gold Coast. The country's Theme Park Capital. Where one of theme parks I've always desired to visit since I was in pre-elementary school stood upon: Warner Bros. Studios. Bugs Bunny, Superman, SCOOBY DOO oh God! It was much more relatable than Universal Studios no offence, and to be a child again there, only with myself, I ACTUALLY SCREAMED MY WAY INTO THE PARK!

Probably the best roller coaster ride I've ever tried in my life.

Again, I thought that was it, at least for the year. But the dream I've always made for the last 20 years or so was just too big to stop there.

And the best thing ever, happened.

France. And Paris. And what was the first time that came to my childish head, when I told myself that I was actually going to Paris? Yes of course, Disneyland Paris. The core of all Disneyland in the world. The mecca of Walt Disney magic, and the happiest of all the happiest places on earth. It was a hassle to reach the place, but I'd kill myself if I gave in to that matter.

To actually set foot there, I still couldn't believe myself even until now. Even until I checked again and again all the photos I took there, and all the characters I encountered, and all the unnecessary yet heart-fulfilling stuff I bought. I literally visited every single corner, making myself sure that if I missed even just one little thing, no matter how small it was, then I'd miss it forever because only God knows if I could ever return there.

I was alone during the visit, again, but I think that was the best way to do it. Because I could appreciate the place however I wanted. Because I could choose any rides, stopped anywhere, cried to anything that touched my inner childhood emotion, however I felt like. Because by this way, my heart could feast the atmosphere however long it desired.

And so, my dream fairy tale ended there. For now. Of course I wanted to feel more, and of course there are more places to conquer but, I've always kept it a secret.

Because as Cinderella said,

"If you tell a wish, it won't come true."

But after last year, after I realized that wow, I visited three different world-class theme parks in just a year—a number even higher than what I've achieved for the first 23 years of my life, guess I'll take it slow for now.

I need to just sit back first,
Then tell my heart later that,
I'm ready to fulfill more dreams.

Because a dream, is a wish

My heart makes

London It Is

So I mentioned about London in my last post. Now, it reminds me of a thing. Nah, not too much of a big deal. It's just a long lost passion I haven't recalled much lately.

Mmyea. The city,

Used to be my lifetime dream destination.

You know it's not mine. Pic's from here.

And it's not just about traveling. It's literally "lifetime". Because what I meant by "long lost", didn't mean after my desire to travel appeared. It began long—way long long ago. When I was much much younger, still knowing nothing about the art of traveling.

It all thanks to Harry Potter. A book where many dreams of 90s kids began. Dreams to be a wizard, dreams to have such a great fantasy, dreams of literally many kinds. As for me, the book of course was the main reason why I dreamed of being an author. But more than that, it was also the major boost to my dream of visiting England.

Rowling’s description about British touches throughout her novels was so rich and pure. So sincere that every time I imagine England, all I could experience is its peaceful atmosphere, delicious types of meals, serene castles and forests, warmth of butterbeers, beautiful houses with unique names on it—all grew in the back of my mind, and I subconsciously wished to experience that beyond just through words. Feel that in reality.

Then Agatha Christie came to me when I grew up and began to move on from the wizarding world. Peter Pan hijacked my preference of cartoon. Liverpool started demanding my attention. One by one the recollections of Harry Potter disappeared, yet switched to some other British elements. My urge to see England went away with my imagination of Ms Rowling’s novels, but I just didn’t realize that my dream was actually still alive.

Until my passion in traveling bloomed. And I realized that England is not on the same page with Europe and northern lands, that making a visit to the country needs separate plan from having a trip to the continent and the ice worlds.

So I began this fantasy of continuing my study in England. Not only for the sake of education, obviously, but for the sake of traveling. One year of study. Exploring England before school starts, going down to mainland Europe during summer break, and flying all the way up north after graduating. This plan was real, and if I ever got a chance to do so, I’d do exactly so.

At first it was just a stupid fantasy. But then signs after signs kept coming like the city is calling me. From F1’s rumor to move British Grand Prix from Silverstone to London, then me meeting a new awesome friend whom apparently live in London, to a college friend who just finished a trip to London, and finally, you know what it is: a coworker asking me to create a travel itinerary for the city.

I mean, wow. I thought it’ll only remain a dream. But it feels so close now. And I feel like it’s just not right to treat it only like a dream.

So I guess it's where “the promise” part comes in.

I promise—lol, no. I'm not going to make it sound too formal. But yea I need to make a deal with myself, to focus on this. Find the school, find the scholarship, find everything it takes for me to fly my ass up there. To try traveling, living, and studying in London.

To be honest, it’s sometimes more than just mere "visiting London". Or traveling far, or living with myself, or even going on with my study—no. Sometimes, it’s because I can no longer stand being jealous of my friends who are currently doing what I’ve been dreaming doing.

Yep, they who are now studying in Japan, settling down in Canada, just graduating and started career in Netherlands, looking for lovers in Australia—fcvk, no, HELL NO! I can’t let you guys have the worldwide fun while I, the apprentice of Mr Worldwide, got stuck here in front of my office screen in Jakarta. No.

Original pic's from here.

I am so, going.

London it is, but if God has other plans, then why not?

But yea, no.

London it is

NP: Riding the Myth

Shall we begin?

Oh first of all, GUE MAU PAKE BAHASA ENDONESAAAHHH ANJEEERRR UDAH BERAPA WINDU GATAU DAH GUE SOK-SOKAN PAKE INGLISH MULU tapi ya jan salahin gua juga si, kan reader gue banyak yang internasional kan ya, makanya gue Inggrisan mulu mayan jir visitor kedua terbanyak dari US bukan Malay yaudahlah English it has been. Tapi untuk kali ini, karena ini cuma anak anak 90an Indonesia aja yang bisa relate, makanya ya mending pake bahasa Ibu Pertiwi aja gasih!?!?

OMG so excited wuwuwuwu.

Oke jadi bagi yang taun 2014 belum baca blog gue *azegg*, Neverland Playlist itu isinya lagu-lagu opening sama closing dari kartun-kartun -kebanyakan sih- Jepang -tapi bisa aja sih nanti tiba-tiba ada kartun apa gitu yang bukan Jepang- yang ngena banget di hati ini. Lantas apa kartun yang akan gue angkat sekarang, setelah hampir 3 tahun madol? Ini dia.

B't X

Category:

Younger Elementary

Well, sebenernya banyak sih kartun lain yang lebih membawa dampak dalam hidup dan lebih gue suka dari pada yang ini, tapi berubung kartun ini yang bikin gue jadi inget sama yang namanya Neverland Playlist, kayaknya gak sopan kalo bukan dia yang gue mainin duluan. Dan ternyata kartun ini gak seminor itu juga dalam hidup gue, karena pas gue play lagunya, merinding coy. Plus gue masih inget beberapa nada sama liriknya.

Dan gue inget banget dulu punya tiga mainannya. Pajangan X, robot kuda putih kece tunggangan si main character, sama Je T'aime dan Raidou, si phoenix merah dan naga biru yang alamak sumpah ya gue suka banget bentukannya huhu. Trus di ceritanya itu mereka berlima, tambah satu kuda item dan satu kura-kura ijo, adalah spirit animal yang mewakili arah-arah mata angin gituuuu ya gimana gue gak jatuh cinta sih gue paling doyan cerita-cerita yang agak adaptasi mitos-mitos kayak begini.

Tapi jujur buat gue ini kartun lumayan gore. Ya emang bukan manusianya sih yang dicabik-cabik, melainkan robot-robotnya. Tapi kan tetep aja, dari awal kan itu robot-robot emang hidup dan berteman sama manusia-manusianya ya, jadi gue yang kala itu masih polos dan belum ngerti apa-apa kan langsung nganggep mereka semua makhluk hidup ciptaan Allah SWT yang gak seharusnya gue lihat dalam bentuk kepala pecah, dada bolong, dan sejenisnya :(

But anyhow, gue suka banget ini kartun. Sampe muncul opening versi berikutnya pun, gue masih nonton dan 10 tahun kemudian gue masih apal nadanya. Nih bonus:

B't X Neo

Paraaaaaaaaahhh ya Tuhan Ilahi gimana nih gue jadi mellow sendu durjana. Di satu sisi gue nikmatin banget nostalgia-nostalgia ee' kayak gini, hunting lagu-lagu jadul buat diposting di playlist beraque ini, tapi di sisi lain rasanya bikin hidup jadi berat sebelah gitu gimana dong :(

I'm desperately in need to go back to the past.

And once again enjoy all those things happened.

But what can I do,

It's now just a myth

The Playlist Continues

So lately,

I've been pretty much in the mood of a nostalgia, I don't know why -well you know why: it's what you always do. Visiting Disneyland, binge-watching Naruto, watching Power Rangers, TWICE -one was at the cinema, you know, the recent remake film, and the other one was the classic MMPR The Movie with my same-interest coworkers!- the whole universe seemed to conspire on this.

And speaking of coworkers, actually, they bear this big role of making me trapped in this back-to-childhood dimension.

One girl watched all the shows and films I watched, including Disney classics—and when the songs play, especially Mulan's "I'll Make A Man Out of You", we'll be a couple of fools. One boy is a big fan of Spongebob Squarepants. And he could make a quiet fair similar imitation of the voiceovers which sometimes dragged me into doing the same.

One other girl is a Power Ranger -I'm not saying 'fan', because for me, a fan of Power Rangers should be called a Power Ranger itself- and she was the one who organized this screening of the classic movie at the office. And there's this other guy, who is basically me, because apparently, we watched so many similar TV cartoons back in 90s. We work overtime a lot—most of the days we even stayed until there were only the two of us. And then began all the chit-chats and story-sharings about cartoon life back then.

One day he was talking about this robot anime I had no idea about, and it reminded me of one cartoon I used to watch, which I was pretty sure he also watched back then. So I asked him and what are the odds, it was one of his fave. We then browsed YouTube for the videos, Googled the images and the toys we had, and suddenly, all those reminded me of something.

My Neverland Playlist.

You remember some time ago, I have this plan to make my blog a bit more youthful, by posting the opening or ending credits of all cartoons I loved when I was a kid?

Yea it wasn't really that some time ago.

The last post of that kind was, August, 2014.

Ha ha. Fuck me, right?

But that night anime-talking with my coworker was a wake-up call. I told him that I had this nostalgic session in my blog, and he said that he'd really love to see it. And the next thing I know, bam, I had this sudden urge to resume what I had started.

So yea here it is,

We begin once again,

The tunes of the past

Tale as Old as Time

Late.

Well ripple effects do work. I was late to start writing about the first topic, so I'm gon' be even later to talk about this. And the next one after this, and the next one after that. But ya I don't care, because still, it's about childhood. And there's no such thing as too late when it comes to childhood.

This time it's the other part of my childhood: Disney.

And what did Disney do lately that I'm bringing this up? You know

Poster's from here.

I've always watched the live action version that Disney had released so far. No, not that I'm into them and been expecting for them eww no—I'm a die hard fan of Disney classic, hand-written version -oh yeah, Moana, Big Hero Six, and all those 3D animated thingy were good, but still I prefer something like The Princess and the Frog- and all these live action shits, I only watch them to see if they're good enough for me to adore. And to see how far they ruined their own creation.

So there are already four? Five Disney live action movies so far? Yea around that number and to begin with, I hated Alice in Wonderland because it was all too trippy and color-shocking. I hated Maleficent because the Aurora isn't cute as I expected, and I hated The Jungle Book because it was too dark and having too much animation -plus I hate kids who act like adults. I liked Cinderella because it was pretty nice. They made a little twist to the storyline, but it was fine. And for Beauty and the Beast, well,

It's the best so far.

I adore how they stick to the original plot. It's like watching the classic version, only now it's alive—and that's how a live action works, right?! You shouldn't have made changes here and there to make it different from the original one, no, you should stay to what's been made in the past, because that's how you stole the fans' heart!

Beauty and the Beast did just what I expected. The storyline, the characters and their names, the SONGS, ahh the songs, they really know how to please old fans—sing the same damn songs from the original one! Still I'm not a big fan of its much-too-overwhelming-3D-DI-things, plus the furniture are pretty creepy and not lovely like the original ones but, it's all still tolerable, really.

Portrait's from here.

Well they said that there are 19 more on the line. 19 what? 19 live action films, of course! And Mulan is one of them! Crazy, huh? Well not really, if what they are doing is similar to what they did for Beauty and the Beast.

Because Lord, I don't want to see Snow White fighting,

I don't want to see Mufasa die of drowning in a river,

I don't want to see Tinkerbell saying even a word,

All I want to see is a childhood Disney tale,

That is true as it can be

Power Rangers

Late.

Late, late late late late, sssuper late. I hate how I've always had the intentions to write, but I kept holding myself back from starting that the next thing I know, poof, I lost the momentum. Like this one I'm going to talk about. Although, for this case's sake, I cannot NOT talk about it.

You know how I've always pointed out things I like from my childhood in this blog, eh? Do you remember that once I mentioned that there is one childhood stuff which, I claimed, "made me what I am today"? Yep, Digimon. It did play an important role of my early life, really, but, here's the part where I want to admit something, I lied a little.

Because there was something else.
That actually made me what I am today.

Something that lasted from my preschool ages,

All the way to the early junior high school stage.

You know from the title, it's

The Power Rangers

Pic's from here.

They were the core of my life—I was all about Power Rangers, thoroughly. The casts became my idols. The figures and zords became my toys. And don't forget about the characters distribution: I had always been red. My brother had always been blue, my two older boy cousins had always been black and white, and my two girl cousins had always be pink and yellow -I didn't make this thing up. Before my youngest brother was born, there were the six of us: four boys, two girls, WHAT ARE THE ODDS??? These colors then became my favorites, even for daily life, non-Power-Ranger things.

Then when it comes to the watching routines, those binge-watching years, oh, Lord, I'd kill to go back in time and pat myself for being such a maniac. I remember how I always stick to the TV screen every Sunday morning, waiting for the Mighty Morphins to come. And how I always finish my homework earlier after school, so I could catch the Turbos to shift. All my life, once again, was all about them.

And then there were the movie version. Covering the squad I adored the most. I went head over heels for this. Had the laser disk -OMG I'm so proud of being awesomely retro, got the script memorized, bought the zords and reenact the storyline, imitated all the catchy poses with my brothers and friends, fvck, I was a weirdo!

Teenage-hood and all its endless activities separated me from the franchise, but when internet broke out and YouTube ruled, I began to relive my memories. The episodes, the opening credits, the morphing scenes and of course, the movie. From then on up til today, I slowly regained the excitement I always felt when I was younger. Until finally, a big news hit us about last year.

Yep, the reason why I'm writing this: the remake.

Pic's from here.

With all the trends of movie remakes and how people got disappointed at any of those things, at first I didn't expect much about this movie. Because, well, to begin with, these new five are not the ones I grew up with. Then Billy is black instead of white, Trini is Latina instead of Asian, and Zach is Asian instead of black. Plus, and this instantly became the major turnoff for me: the suits and the zords, plus Zordon and Alpha, all of those things I really loved most from the original version of Power Rangers, appeared to be much too absurd. Like the Iron Man. Or Transformers. Whatever it is, I hate it. So much.

But then, as the worshiper of Power Rangers, I wouldn't miss this for life. So I went to cinema with some coworkers, whom apparently were fans of Power Rangers too -although I'm sure they're not as freaks as I am, to see if the classic childhood chills would still rush into my vein.

And it did, rush into my vein.

No, not because it was good. But because once the new movie played before my eyes, I had the original version playing in the back of my mind.

I saw the old Jason I had this mancrush on, and the old Kimberly I had the real crush on. I saw the original toy-like, non-DI zords, I saw the original low-quality, bald-headed Zordon, the fat Alpha, the clown-like Rita Repulsa and birdy Goldar—I saw the retro side of Power Rangers instead of the high tech ones. And when it reached the part where the zords were out, and that original "Go Go Power Rangers" anthem played, God Almighty, I cried.

Because no matter how much they ruined the essence,
How much they altered what once was called "classic"

Still,

It bears the name Power Rangers,
And as I said, I wouldn't miss the thing that
Made me who I am today

Stop, Marv, Okay?

Superheroes has always been a thing to me.

Especially they who are under the red flag of Marvel.

There are tons of them. With diverse superpowers. Made my childhood like, gangbanged in a superhero fantasy, sent me off to my adolescent phase hoping to witness the live-action movies of each hero—and my dream came true. As Spider-Man, X-Men and Fantastic 4 all invaded the screen and satisfied my lust.

Then some others came. Some that weren’t much of my favorites: The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America. I initially didn’t really like them as much as I had this weird obsession towards X-Men or Fantastic 4 and, to make it worse, their movies turned out to fail me too. The Hulk was too dark and serious, Iron Man was too destructive –plus I finally realized something: what so superhero about Iron Man? He’s just a weakling covered with irons made by money, and Captain America was… There was nothing wrong with this one, I simply just started to get sick of Marvel’s newer heroes.

Then. To make it all the worst, all of them were PROUDLY joined forces. With a bunch of more heroes I had no interests in, and some others that I didn’t even know! No Wolverine, no Mr. Fantastic and their companions, why should I be excited about these things?

Marvel indeed got me bored but then, who am I really?

The world liked what they did so, HEROES INVASION began.

They succeeded on so many levels. Ever since, they kept planning sequels back-to-back in tight schedule like a barbaric animal, recreate stuff, getting all cluttered and, ugh, it’s just too much for me! Although obviously, it’s nowhere near “too much” for everybody else in this universe because, as you know, they never stop demanding more and more hero tales.

I kept holding back. When my friends kept talking about new hero movies and stuff, yes, I kept holding back. I stopped updating about Marvel’s newest shits if it’s not about X-Men or Fantastic 4 –yes, I even got sick of Spider-Man I didn’t watch any of those “Amazing” series crap. I lost count of what sequel it was for Thor, for Captain America, I didn’t even have interest in “Age of Ultron”!

Yes I kept holding back, until I finally reached my limit.

Spider Man that’s just too young, and Fantastic 4 with black Johnny Storm?

Seriously, this has got to stop right now, Marvel.

Pic of Peter and his underrated cast is from here, while Johnny's from here.

I’m a fvcking OCD person, for God’s sake. I brought this matter long ago when Chris Evans played both Johnny Storm and Captain America and I was all raging in disappointment about it.

Enough with Spider-Man, will you!? First of all, this new Peter is just too young. It disgusted me. Then knowing the fact that now there are three Peter Parker’s in total, it’s not nice at all! I know, maybe you’re following the path of Batman –or, James Bond?– that has more than one actor for each role but… It’s somehow not just working for Spider-Man ;(

And black Johnny Storm… What the hell—go to hell, Marvel. You fail me, you fail many of your sharp and critical fans but most annoying-ly, you fail Stan Lee. It’s not about this new actor is black, ew, no! Drop all those racism shits. It’s just, c’mon you know that Johnny Storm is supposed to be white and is a biological younger brother to Susan Storm. So stop being innovatively nonsense, and quit making such unnecessary changes—and please, go to hell of Human Torch’s flame on.

And here's the worst thing. With Peter and Johnny initially being best bud, there will always be this big chance to make Spider-Man | Fantastic 4 movie. If that happens, and Marvel uses the current casts instead of Jessica Alba and the gang plus Tobey Maguire, well, I knew it for so long that you've been conspiring to ruin my OCD senses, Marvel.

Pic's from here.

Oh look how much I’ve complained about this.

Don’t get me wrong because I know more than anyone else in my circle about Marvel’s license share things. Some go with FOX, some with Sony, but why—you have all the rights to monitor everything and stop those studios –and YOURSELF– from overdoing those stupid changes.

Sorry but I’m not one of those people you gladly get benefits from. This has been a fiesta for them so-called superheroes geeks but seriously, for me, and hopefully there are some others who feel this way too—this is too much, and has gone too far.

I lost Fantastic 4. And I lost them in such failed reboot. Well who am I to talk, the film is not even released yet—you know what, I’m not talking about quality because this version could possibly be better and much more entertaining, who knows? I’m instead just talking about how too soon these reboots are made. And with some useless digression—oh I’m done talking.

Dear Marvel,
I sincerely hope you never get your license back for X-Men.

And dear FOX, please,
Don’t ruin my beloved X-Men franchise just

Don’t. Ever. Reboot. X-Men.