Greetings loyal airmen.  Here we are getting ready to wrap another week and February is finally going out the back door.  With March and April on the horizon, Spring is really just around the corner.  Last week I was a guest at the Boston Comic con and had the fun of meeting lots of great people, as well as other creators.  I sold quite a few copies of Captain Hazzard and I hope all of you who purchased books are enjoying them to the max.  And a big tip of the hat to our newest airman, James Falkenburg, who at my prompting, visited the old hangar here and was kind enough to write and let me know how much he liked the place.  Thanks, Jim.  I hope you drop by often.
                                

And since lots of you have been picking up the latest Captain Hazzard adventure novel, CURSE OF THE RED MAGGOT, released just last week and selling like a rocket, we here at the Hangar thought it an advantageous time to add some spiffy new gear to our Hazzard Team store.  See that cool bullet above.  It appears on new coffee mugs, tees and sweatshirt.  Just go to the Air Fare page and click on the Team Hazzard icon.  Lots of cool Hazzard merchandise that is perfect for wearing at cons or just laying about the old Hangar.

As I indicated at the end of my log entry last week, Valerie and I were going to catch a matinee showing of the new Marvel action movie, GHOST RIDER based on one of their classic titles.  See image above.  As a kid this was such a cool comic and I'm happy to report the movie is also a lot of fun.  I'm kind of shocked, then again maybe I shouldn't be, that the critics are so vehemently slamming it.   Hey, it's not GONE WITH THE WIND, but then again, it never set out to be.  Nicolas Cage is a decent Johnny Blaze and I have to tell you, the CGI version of old Flaming Skull Head is just too wicked cool.  In the end both Val and I left theater having been well entertained and I'm certainly going to pick up a copy of this when it hits the DVD Market.

What was ironic of the release of this particular movie was how it came out just before the start of Lent.  For those of you non-christians, Lent is the 40 day period of atonement, penance and reflection we do each year before Easter.   Well, part of the Ghost Rider's skills against the forces of darkness and evil is his Penance Stare.  His ability to allow someone to experience first hand all the pain they have caused others in their life.  Yeouch.  When you think of that, for an action popcorn flick, that's a pretty heavy handed concept.

I am certainly no saint.  Far, far from it. And over the years have indeed, through my own stupidity, hurt others, at least emotionally.  It would be so great if we could all get through this life without injuring others and making enemies, but then again only a handful of truly blessed souls have that gift.  Me, I'm a work in progress, or so I'd like to believe.  And yes, I do have people out there who, for whatever reason dislike me and desire to do me wrong.   But here's the thing, I'm trying to learn from the faith I believe in.  A dear priest friend once told me it is only human nature to react to others the way they come at us.  Meaning if they are cold and cruel to us, we tend to be towards them.  It's that mini-version of the old Testaments rule of an eye for an eye.  If someone slights you, go right ahead and slight them back.

But Jesus preached something altogether different and radical.  He said if someone slaps your cheek, offer him or her the other one.  And that's where I really fall short.  Oh, not that I don't get it.  But understanding something and doing it are two different things.  Believe me.  I try.  Every day, I try to just be a better person and I hope God sees that I'm making some small progess along that faith journey.  Meaning what?  Well, I am really trying not to react anymore to injuries from others.  As best I can.  At this stage of my life, that's just a lot of negative energy that I don't want any part of.  So yeah, some people still, every now and then, give me a good solid one across the cheek when I least expect it.  And it still hurts to know people you thought were your friends, are not.  But I've stopped reacting and striking back.  And for that I thank my faith, and all the good people who've helped to make me learn this lesson.  I walk away now; with stinging hurt for sure, but I walk away.  Is it enough?  Nope, Jesus wants more and He has every right to hold me to that.

As I said, the soul is a work in progress.  Hope this wasn't too preachy.  I wish all of you reading this, friend or not, a truly peaceful and reflective Lent, leading to a beautiful and glorious Easter morn.

All for another week, airmen.  Take care, Ron, over and out.