Originally posted at http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Life/94281-Super-friends/
Written by Janice Christensen
Tuesday, 08 December 2009
by Tea Krulos, Photos by Paul Kjelland
The Watchman is a “real life superhero,” one of a growing movement of people who adopt costumed comic book-style personas. These people do charity events and safety patrols of their neighborhoods, looking for criminal activity.
Patroling with the Real Life Super Heroes
I first met the Watchman last March. I was writing a profile on him for Milwaukee magazine, and we met on a cold night in Gordon Park. Since then, I’ve met up with him several times. I joined him and his colleague MoonDragon, also of Milwaukee, for a patrol of National Avenue on June 12. MoonDragon patrols National Avenue, and wanted to patrol an area where two Milwaukee police officers had been shot a couple days earlier.
The Watchman and I cruised up to Minneapolis on June 27 in the Watchmanmobile to meet his Great Lakes Heroes Guild teammates Razorhawk, Geist, and Celtic Viking. Our meet up spot was the statue of Mary Tyler Moore. We patrolled the streets, and dropped off food at People Serving People. The sun was rising as we headed toward the Wisconsin state line.
The Watchman also lent his time to patrol Riverwest during the Riverwest 24 bicycle race on July 24. He patrolled on foot and by car, keeping a watchful for anything hazardous that might disturb the cyclists.
We have also been interviewed twice. The first time was in July and was for a possible real life superhero reality show being developed by a production company. The second time was this November for a segment on FOX 6 News at 9.
Messages in Chalk
My latest adventure with Watchman, was on November 7 – he had a plan for a bit of public art. He picked me up, wearing his new costume: a red rubber mask, red leather gloves, spandex shirt with his logo on it, and a black trench coat. He had a bucket of sidewalk chalk. The idea for this night’s project came from one of his superhero colleagues.
“I came up with the idea after reading something on the Heroes Network forum, posted by Thanatos,”Watchman told me.
The Heroes Network is a site where RLSHs share information and ideas. Thanatos is the green skull-masked RLSH of Vancouver. Thanatos suggested that RLSHs go out and create chalk outlines, like one you would find at a murder scene, and then label it with the fatal ills of society.
Lying on the Sidewalk
We set off. My job was to lie on the concrete and The Watchman did the chalk work. In the alley behind Stonefly, we left an outline with the word GREED in it. DRUGS was left near the marsupial bridge underneath Holton Street.
We left two in Cathedral Square Park, GANG VIOLENCE and DOMESTIC ABUSE. We chalked two on the river walk, near Wisconsin Avenue and Wells Street, ALCOHOL ABUSE and CHILD ABUSE.
We left the last one outside the Journal Sentinel building on 4th Street, labeled POVERTY. We finished this one in the nick of time. A Bucks game had just let out across the street at the Bradley Center, and Watchman was just lettering the “Y” in POVERTY as the light turned green, and a large group of people began to walk over the outline. Some looked startled or confused; some didn’t seem to react at all.
Worth Trying
“Hopefully people see it. I guess I hope that even if it wakes just a little bit inside of them and makes them think enough about it to make them change something in their lives or help prevent any of those things, then I think it was successful,” Watchman explained. “This is one of those cases were we aren’t going to know if it does any good, but it’s worth trying.”
Watchman’s team, the Great Lakes Heroes Guild, will raise money for Christmas toy charities for the second year in a row. In addition to charities in Minneapolis and Florida, the Watchman will use his share of funds raised to bring toys to the Gingerbread House charity in West Bend.
You can help these heroes out with this great cause, by donating funds at: glhg.webs.com/psptoydrive.htm
http://www.riverwestcurrents.org/20091207208/News/Articles/Operation-Sidewalk-Chalk.html
Before you read the body of the text below, I am unable to post a link to our website that will allow you to click on the link and go there from this bulletin. You will need to copy and paste it into your browser if you would like to help us out. The link is: http://www.glhg.webs.com/psptoydrive.htm
I also want to let everyone know that again we will be adding to our efforts with our team members in Wisconsin and Florida to also make an impact there. In Wisconsin, the Watchman will be helping out the Gingerbread House
And in Florida we will hopefully be helping at the Pregnancy Care Center in Zephyr Hills.
Now we have had some wonderful donations from a couple of our good friends, but we need more. We want these kids at these locations to have a wonderful holiday! And sometimes the only way we can do this is by helping out with even $1. I tell you if every one of our respective friends donated just $1 we would have an awesome haul of toys to affect kids in all three states!
People Serving People in Minnesota.
The Gingerbread House in Wisconsin
The Pregnancy Care Center in Florida
These are all places where people who have been hit hard by the world go for help. The people that donate their time at these places do what they can and do a wonderful job, but they don’t have the resources to have collection boxes in every Wal*Mart or Target. They all rely on word of mouth, and right now that word of mouth is ours. I am still trying desperately to get at least one local store to allow us to put up a collection box expressly for the People Serving People part of the drive, but have had no response from the owner of the place. But I will keep trying. Its early, but I would like to work at this now, knowing that the closer we get to Christmas, the harder it is for anyone to help.
Thank you for your time in reading this, and remember, if you can donate $1 or if you can donate in the package toys, please contact Jack about donating the actual toys, he can accept them being sent to Hero Gear. You can contact him at [email protected] or at myspace.com/herogeardotnet
Lets rock the world this year and show everyone that we can make one heck of an impact!
RazorHawk
Great Lakes Heroes Guild
Originally posted at http://hubpages.com/hub/Real-Life-Superheroes
What is happening to America? Our once proud country is becoming a black hole of despair. Social Security is going broke, Our national debt is sky-high. Health-care costs are rising through the roof. People are losing their jobs, their homes and their hope. As the dreams of our fathers slip farther and farther from the the sight of most Americans, people are losing faith in our politicians, our systems and each other.
What can we do to bring back our hope? Here are the stories of a few people who decided to fight on the side of hope and justice. People who believe that one person CAN make a difference. People who are trying to make our world a better place…
Real life superheros…
Do You Have a Superhero In Your Neighborhood?
These superheroes live in our neighborhoods, patrol our streets and help our needy. They live normal lives and hold normal jobs. The superpower they hold is caring. These heroes have taken upon themselves the daunting job of helping others. Their super-caring has led them to a life where action is preferable to inaction…where lending a helping hand is necessary…where love and justice are not just words, but a way of life.
What makes a superhero? Many will never understand, but there are a few people in this world who know. We may or may not sympathize with their need to don the superhero uniform and go forth to help others, however we should be able to recognize the altruism that is behind it. Let’s get to know some of today’s real life superheroes before we judge them.
Phantom Zero
From: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=48882705&blogId=457750147
“I’m a relatively normal citizen who wants to increase the amount of good in the world…” (Phantom Zero @ MySpace)
Phantom Zero speaks of how he did not always fit in as a child. Growing up, his feelings oscillated between a longing to fit in and a pride in being different. Phantom Zero’s sense of being different was one reason he found superheroes appealing. Here were some who, due to special powers or extraordinary life events, would never be like the other people in their lives. He connected with these misunderstood “monsters”.
Over time Phantom Zero came to realize that different was not bad…different was unique, special, and admirable. Realization that it is the person, not possessions, that makes the man, a sense of self strengthened in his soul. Phantom Zero acquired the power to be himself, to know himself and to love himself.
Phantom Zero…an ordinary man turned superhero or a superhero disguised as an ordinary man? Many of us question our ability to change our world. We question our ability to alter our reality. Not Phantom Zero! He knows that change is within each and every one of our grasps. We are each superheroes, all we need to do is to make a decision…a decision to live with honorable intent. Phantom Zero has made “a pledge to increase the amount of good in the world to counteract the evil.” Will you join him in his pledge?
Phantom Zero’s Philosophy on being a Real Life Superhero
“The most important aspect of being a Real Life Super Hero is as simple as this:
You selflessly serve a pro social mission.
It’s not about conquering groups of people to display your physical or martial prowess.
It’s not about having scads of cutting edge technology at one’s disposal.
It’s not about training one’s mind to the limits of human perfection so they can out think everyone and everthing that comes their way.
It’s about being a champion of good (and almost everyone has the capacity to do a little good every day).
The reward one receives from doing good deeds is the deed itself, the service to the greater good, and the benefit that said service offers to mankind.
At least, in my mind, that is what being a Real Life Super Hero is.
Sincerely,
Phantom Zero”
Quoted from: Phantom Zero’s MySpace Blog)
In legend, Nyx was the shadowy, black-winged Greek goddess of the night. Seldom seen, Nyx has existed since the beginning of time. As shadowy as the Greek goddess, Nyx writes, “Like the night, I cannot be proven or disproven to certain degrees; and also much like the night, when morning comes there will be no trace of me.” (MySpace)
Patrolling the streets of New York City and northern New Jersey, Nyx watches over their inhabitants. Under cover of the night, she is there to help and protect. Preventing and intervening, Nyx makes her stand to preserve the safety and welfare of humanity. Nyx writes, “I feel a certain degree of loyalty to every being that inhabits this earth, a compulsion to watch–to help–to protect.” (MySpace).
Nyx’s true identity is as obscure as the moonless night. She does not seek acclaim or fortune. Her only pay is increasing the amount of honor and benevolence in this world. In these anonymous actions, Nyx strengthens and nurtures the tide of good.
(Mr. Xtreme-quote from UPI article Cops Not Fans of Real Life Superheroes) Security guard by day, real life superhero by night… Mr. Xtreme fights his archenemy apathy on a daily basis. He had spent years watching and hearing of apathy’s evil deeds. One day he decided he could no longer put up with apathy’s callous disregard for the people in this world. Donning his mask of caring, he formed the Xtreme Justice League to counteract the heartless deeds of apathy. Now you will find Mr. Xtreme patrolling the streets of San Diego. Utilizing his power of super-caring he scans the city for people to help. His secret power of xtreme conspicuousness allows him to present a visual deterrent to would be criminals. Understanding that the best offense is a good defense, Mr. Xtreme knows it is easier to prevent crimes from happening than to stop them once begun. A true champion of justice, Mr. Xtreme campaigns to increase the public’s safety awareness and to empower others to take action. “…I don’t mind if people get on their cell phones or call the police or try to shake me down… At least I’m getting people to see what I’m doing and hopefully that will get them into the habit of calling the police when there are problems and suspicious activities.” (The Daily Aztec)
A Change in Perception When I first read about these Superheroes, I thought it was just a joke. After doing the research for this article, my thoughts changed drastically… From humor, to interest, to wonder, to joy…I have found a group of people who are actively working to increase the amount of good in the world…without any wish of return. True altruistic activity! I have focused on Real LIfe Superheroes found in North America, but rest assured, Real Life Superheroes are actively increasing the good all around the world. I have not yet seen one, but when I do I will personally walk up and shake their hand and thank them. In the meantime, here is a big shout-out to all the Real Life Superheroes in the world: Thank You for all you have done and will do! You have my respect and support. Knowing you are there has increased the joy in my world. You are dawn in a night of strife. Your effulgence radiates outward, rippling toward a better world. Let us all be a part of this ripple; let caring and compassion unfurl in our world, expanding and pervading to touch each of us. There were too many wonderful Real Life Superheroes out there to cover each one. I have included a few more of the videos I found and links to find out more about them. You will find several others if you take the time to search. It will be time well used. When you need a pick-me-up from the greed and apathy of our world, read of these beacons of hope and be inspired. Master Legend “I’ve cut trees and rescued people and animals. I’ve brought water and snacks (to those in need) with the help of my friend “The Disabler”. I’ve done big things and little things and they all seem to equalize. I’ve saved a few lives and shut down a lot of crack houses. I love watching them get torn down. I want people to realize this is not a joke. I have almost been killed doing this. I am always out to save and protect in costume or not. I have scared some people and have been attacked by people I was helping. I walk or drive around looking to help if needed, giving what ever kind of help I can supply. I did not choose this life, it chose me.” (Master Legend: Quote from The EnemyBlog.com)
Superhero “I have the exact same arrest powers as anybody reading this article: citizen’s arrest. If a perp is going to leave the scene or is hurting someone, then I will step in and use reasonable force to detain them.” (Superhero quoted from: Rational Reality)
Amazonia “I do what I can to help stranded motorists and others who may need assistance to handing out supplies to the homeless. I also do the crime fighting side of RLSH work, I have helped people who were being mugged, beaten or otherwise harassed in one way or another. I will do whatever it takes to ensure that another human being is safe. I don’t have a death wish, but I will lay down my life if it means the preservation of anothers.” (Amazonia @ MySpace)