Tag supermobile

Supermobiles…Classic Coke is better & here’s why.
I don’t usually go for “training Manuals” so to speak. I feel that everyone’s experience & talents are different & what applies to one RLSH doesn’t apply to another ones situation. But that being said I feel Supermobiles are a topic I’m qualified to speak on. THE Supermobile has been in the game for quite some time and is considered by many to be a Flagship of sorts for the RLSH community. She was a brief & fun focal point of the HBO Documentary “Superheroes” and is requested for appearances & events.
One thing about older cars is they have “quirks” or odd problems that you don’t get with a 2010 Nissan Sentra…like a 37 year old fuel line finally giving up the Ghost on you…and the car being in the shop for a month having the mufflers cut & the Tank dropped so the line can be reached.

This prolonged down time is what inspired me to actually consider “Updating” the Supermobile with a much newer model. I started looking at 2006 & 2007 Corvettes in parking lots with Ladyhero, and then finally started shopping for them online. Like This one

One gorgeous car and it’s a 2007 going for about $26,000, here is where I discovered that a Classic one…even with the unusual quirks & maintenance demands is still better.
Initial Price: The Supermobile cost initially a little less then HALF of what the 2007 does, saving me a tremendous sum of money to tweak the car with. The other half of the money I’d have spent on the new one is what put the 383 into the Supermobile.
Car Payment: Even if you put half down on the new one, after financing you’re looking at a $230 or $250 Dollar a month Car payment for five years. You could by a classic one outright…avoid the payment all together…and that brings us to the BIGGEST killer of a new Supermobile VS a Classic…
INSURANCE: Unless you can afford to buy the New Corvette outright, you are going to have to have full coverage on it until it’s paid off. Insurance of any kind on a new car that has a 6.0 400 HP Engine in it is not cheap. The Classic Supermobile has even MORE Horsepower…but since it’s a classic (Over 25 years old) I can have classic insurance on it…I pay just over $200 dollars a year for awesome coverage with Roadside, agreed value, windshield etc. on the Supermobile because she’s considered a classic.
So when you weigh it all it seems to me that your best bang for the buck is still a classic Supermobile as opposed to a new one. Sure, you’ll put up with the occasional pain in the rear from a older car, but even if you drop $3000 a year into repairs it still beats the payment on the new one. This will apply to any classic car as well not just Corvettes so when it’s time to slide down your bat poles & into the cave you keep your Super car,  I say make it  Classic Coke…it’s better anyway.

EXCITING: Driving across the State to a con to meet Celebs and talk up the Public. Telling people about doing the right thing, with a Gimmick or Without…and basically Recruiting for the cause.
EXCITING: taking the Supermobile at Warp 9 to St.Pete and running up a parking garage when you hear a chick screaming or maybe even preventing a mugging.
NO SO EXCITING: Spending half the day sitting in the Social Security Office, then on the phone pushing more one’s & zeroes then are on Zimmer Barnes Gimmick to try & help a 91 year old lady get additional assistance to make ends meet. Really to no avail either.
But the reality is that this kind of mission is no less important then the other two.
It’s not all glamor, gals, and Galactus.

Being a gadget builder, I reuse and repurpose a lot of things. Almost any bit of scrap technology can be reborn into something new and interesting with a little imagination, some know-how and hard work. I pride myself on being able to save something from a land-fill and give it new life in a new form. Because I have gotten such a reputation for doing things like that, people bring me stuff.
–
My team mate, Superhero brought me the old sun roof off of the Supermobile. The transparent roof turned the cockpit into an oven in the Florida sunshine so he removed the Lexan roof and installed a fiberglass one. The Lexan roof came to me. I was going to sell it on Ebay Motors for some Team Justice operating capital, but there are dozens of them on there. For $50 price range!

So I was stuck with this large sheet of smoked ¼ Lexan. I offered it up as shield material. The first taker was Anonyman.
–
I started by marking out a circle on the plastic that was roughly the diameter of the length of my forearm. Any larger and it would not be practical. Regardless of what Captain America may think, a large shield is not useful.

I got a leather belt from Goodwill for a few bucks and a dowel rod from my scrap box. The belt made the elbow strap and the dowel became the hand strap. Some metallic vent tape was used to create an Anonyman logo for the front of the disk. It was a pretty easy build.
After seeing the success of the first shield, one was requested by Urban Avenger. Not wanting to duplicate past work, (I hate doing something twice) I procrastinated. I’m bad for that.
–
Eventually I did get around to starting on the build for Urban Avenger. I wanted to do something different for his shield so as not to be duplicating work. Urban has always had a thing for lighting and mask goggles. I wanted to create that effect on the shield using 3 lenses with the top one being an actual light with interchangeable color disks with his logo and such on the various disks.
–
As I was talking to him about the shield though, He told me he doesn’t really use his mask lighting any more. There goes my design plans. I decided to just put the light on it (since I already bought it) without the lenses. The light I purchased for the project is a 3 way system having a standard light, A UV setting for finding spilled fluids, (actual detective gear!) and the 3rd setting? A friggin’ Laser! Sweet.
–
After working out the details on how to do the Logo, I again used a Goodwill leather belt as the elbow strap. However UA, had stated he wanted it to be adjustable. It needed a buckle. More specifically it need a buckle that could be adjusted using only 1 hand.

Using my Dremel tool, I cut a tab shape in a square of heavy sheet metal. By folding the outer form at 1 location and the inner tab at a different location, I was able to create a double loop buckle with no moving parts. A bolt ran through the metal becomes the belt keeper. As far as I can find this is an original invention.

The front handle had to be a stable one on this build. It had to hold the barrel of the light on it. I couldn’t do it the same as the Anonyman shield. A section of “V” channel would do the trick. I beat the cold steel into shape with a heavy framing hammer. But it had powder coat on it. A soak in an acetone bath softened the powder coating enough to allow me to scrape it off with a utility knife. Some primer and Urban Avenger red and it was ready to go.

I installed it on the shield and attached light barrel to the outer edge using aircraft cable and then wrapping it with some scrap leather. I sealed the open end with a pvc pipe cap after drilling a hole in it for the wiring. I ran the wires to the emitter disk that I attached to the front of the shield using some angle braces. I then covered the wiring with some surgical tubing to keep it neat and help seal from water. I covered the connections with some leather and called it complete.
And if you are interested in seeing it in action:
httpv://youtu.be/aHAFyfeFozU

So I’m washing the Supermobile at one of those do it yourself car washes today. And this guy walks up admiring the car & tells me he just walked all the way across the causeway (12 miles) and about how he was trying to stop this woman from killing horseshoe crabs so she tried to run him over in her car and when he got back here CPD has taken all his stuff from the Drain pipe he was living in…Screw it…I took him to Hess & bought him a case of Bud & two packs of Smokes. In a case like that I think it’s OK to promote Sloth….He’d had enough.  Creepy thing was at the end we found out we have the same first name. He said he’d pay me back somehow But I just told him to pay it forward.
Live the Gimmick
OSH

Today was not my day.
I have a REAL elderly parent and she sees the yellow tape at the end of the race so she’s trying to tie up loose ends.
This would not be fun in the first place, but my Mom never won any contests for Miss Congeniality so it was a day of hauling her around in the sun & listening to her chew out Bank staff, Nurses, basically anybody who got in the way of her wrath while sitting there with my face buried in my hand. Finally after a full day of this I get home to Lady Hero & dinner at a Hawaiian restaurant that just opened in Ozona when it hits me…
“Man, I got to patrol.”
I’m wiped out & on my last leg you think I’d just want to watch the Hula dancers, get home & hit the rack after the Simpson’s or something but no…
“Man I got to patrol.”
So I suit up & head for St. Pete, I get a coffee & head for the Highway when the light in front of me turns yellow. “Yellow light? No F*&^king problem…I put my foot down on the gas & nothing happens… that’s when it dawns on me…
“Oh my GOD! I’m not in the Supermobile! I’m going to F^%$ing DIE!”
So I’m literally standing on the Brake Horizontally and I think the Sentra is doing that “Bunching up” thing that the car the Pink Panther had that had a Mind of it’s own would do when it was trying to keep from sailing over a cliff or something when I manage to come to a stop right before the intersection.
I’m sitting there shaking & I look down & realize “Wow I didn’t spill a drop of coffee.”
Now that IS a superpower. You think that would be the end of it but…
“Man I got to patrol.”
So I get down there and things finally start to take a swing up. I’m on foot and there’s some kind of huge block party going on, 5 people stopped me that had seen me on HBO & supported what we were doing, another bunch just wanted photos with me or to talk about what I was doing there, but even this wasn’t quenching my desire to be out there.
“Man I got to patrol.”
So I walk away from all that & get back into the quiet, Darker, Spookier part of the city. And that’s when it finally dawns on me.
“I’m patrolling.”
“This has to be the bottom line draw to this for a lot of guys.” I think to myself.
Throughout the day they’re everyday yutzes but for just a few hours a night…
They get to be a F&*^king Jungle Cat. It’s dark, their tights are compressing against their muscles, they’re looking for prey, for just a few hours they get to be on top of the food chain in some form or another.
Everything is right in their world.
I don’t know why it’s on patrol that I always have moments of clarity, I wonder if other guys are the same way.
Because when it’s done, it’s back home to do the F*&^king dishes.
Live the Gimmick
SH
 

Remember last Summer I did a Blog called “Sometimes the only satisfaction you get is that you tried.”? Where I pulled over on the bayside in the Supermobile to try & help a family stranded in a minivan & nothing worked or went right? Well today I pulled over to help a Lady & her Kid with a Blown out tire & everything went textbook. The Jack fit, The nuts came off & went on fine, here spare was flat, my compressor filled it. She was on the way. Perfect.
It happens every now and then
I just wish these thing didn’t always have to happen with a 110 degree heat index.
 

That have happened to me.
I’ve been doing this for a few years & maybe some of it will be useful to someone.
Enjoy.
4/7/07 ROAD ASSISTANCE
Instead what I found was a Buick broken down in the middle of Gulf to Bay with two young women & a four year old in it! I pulled in behind it, and after a quick assesment determined the battery was the cause. Unfortunatley the battery was too far drained to jump it with my charger. so quickly, when the light changed again I pushed the car across the street (Yes One handed) Into a plaza parking lot, and called the location tag and discrïption into CPD so they would know where they were. after it was established that AAA would come and change the battery and everyone was safe, I got ready to head out. One of the women said “What do we owe you?” I gotta admit I was dumbfounded by this. I said “You don’t owe me anything, I’m a SUPERHERO” (duh) and headed home.
What a night!
SH
2/22/07 HOVEROUND DUI
I get some road cash at a ATM & head out up enterprise road.
There on the sidewalk is a guy parked in a Hoveround with his chin on his chest out cold.
“Oh S**T!” says the Superhero. “He must have had a seziure or something!” I whip the vette around and pull up to him. Now he’s awake & putting away up the sidewalk. I lean out the passengers window & say “Hey buddy! you ok?”
He swings his head around like he’s one of those bobblehead things you set in sports collectible stores & says “I’m fine man…”
Holy S**T! says the Superhero “He’s drunk!” So I decide to make a citizens arrest.
As I’m reaching for my door handle it dawns on me…
Yeah he’s drunk
But he’s on the sidewalk
He’s driving
But he’s not in a car.
“What the Hell do I do?”
So I did what every red-blooded American Superhero would have done.
I stuck my head out the window said “Ok sir you have a good night” and Drove off.
Is there such a thing as DUI Hoveround?
1/31/07 SWAT ARMA DONATION
Finally dropped of the Arma 100 to Clearwater SWAT today! they were training at the substaion by my place so I ran over.
I went behind the complex and there were a bunch of human wrecking machines in fatuquies running around so I figured this was the place.
I walked up to the first guy and said “Hi where’s my pal Billy?” who ran up to tell me I had just met the SWAT commader!
“Oops! sorry sir! I didn’t see any bars on your uniform sir!” He just smiled and laughed, regular guy and asked what i had with me.
I showed him the ARMA and explained how it could have saved that kid who pulled the sword last year.
Now mind you this guy is the commander of one of the top SWAT teams in the nation, but he listened to what I had to say very intently. I could tell he was doing so and was very impressed with that. He held the Shot bag from the ARMA and gave my pal Billy over to me so I could check him out on the weapon even though a drill was going on!
I got Billy checked out fast to get him back in the game, Just as Pinellas Swat Cranked up a HUGE A.P.C. that kind looked like a giant Cadillac V-100. or Soviet BTR-60 on steroids. their snipers had their remmington 700’s tripoded and ready to go and the drill was heating up. It was not place for a superhero so I turned Billy loose, he High fived me and got back in the game. My reward will be when he tells me the ARMA saved somebody’s life. Exciting afternoon!
1/22/07 FIGHTS FIRE
Yep! You read right! I was leaving work early tonight & headed north Over the Eastbay overpass when lo & behold there’s a Big SUV with it’s hazzards on and a pool of Fire underneath it sitting in the median! another car stopped about the same time I did, both of us FAR away.
I asked them to call 911 and pulled the fire extinguisher from my trunk. nobody is in, or around the SUV, no owner present.
As I’m walking back the fire is growing, black smoke, fire from under the hood, etc. The hood is popped but not open. I DO NOT open it the rest of the way (I’ve seen Backdraft way to many times for that) and instead I stick the hose of my extinguisher under the hood as far as I can without getting burnned. I pull the trigger & woosh! out goes the fire!
“That’ll learn ya.” I smirked to myself and then the fire RESTARTED!
I stick the hose back under the hood again, and dump the entire contents of the extinguisher under the hood! it goes out, Than Floof! it’s starts right back up!
Meanwhile a Largo Police Sargeant & a Cleartwater cop along with a auxilary have stopped & I can hear fire trucks.
The Clearwater auxillary had heard of me, and said “Oh yeah! you’re the Superhero!” while he directed traffic around us. Largo Fire arrived and I told them to be careful as my extinguisher did not put a dent in the fire, “Relax” the fireman said “You just needed 500 gallons of water to do the trick” and it did. My actons may not have put much of a dent in things, but at least it kept things at bay and a gas tank explosion from happening before the fire Dept. could get there. I asked the largo Sargeant if he needed a statement or anything, than took off.
Moral: start carrying a fire extinguisher. Odd that I always find accidents when I’m OUT of uniform huh?
12/28/06 DUI PERSUIT
No sooner did I hit the road than “Hit & Run, dead adult & 3 year old child” Pours thru my headset….
I think I’ve mentioned before how bad this Pisses me off, It happens every day! you just killed a 3 year old. Why don’t they stop! So I race to the bridge and into a pursuit position, I hear the descrïption, it’s a beige SUV. (About as incospicuous as the Supermobile ) He’s already in Clearwater so I start searching the major parking lots for the vehicle while the cops criss cross the roads (I can hear ’em). I gotta admit, I’m a big fan of Law enforcement first, but I wanted this guy. I wanted him bad, I was so hoping his big ugly bloody SUV was going to parked infront of me. Sure I’d have called it in, And hoped the guy got out and wanted to leave so’s I could dim his lights. Anyway all the sudden I hear that they snagged him up on Keene, Felony style (God I hope he resisted) So I went back to my buisness all worked up but happy the guy was caught.
8/8/06 NEARLY ARRESTED
Whoa! Bizzare mission tonight! Found out a officer friend of mine named “Matt” was hurt down on the beach, decided to run out there with some lunch and check on him.
Whilst on my way down there I’m scanning of course and hear this:
2600 BLOCK OF DREW STREET MISSING CHILD NAMED BRANDON IN A SUPERMAN SHIRT & RED SHORTS.
So I detour over there hoping to lend a extra car and set of eyes to the search, and lo and behold there sits Two cruisers and a cop who I don’t recognize talking to a young Blonde Woman. The cop goes inside, I pull into the complex drive and ask the woman:
“Is this where the missing little boy is?” she’s obviously distraught and just then as I go to pull out of the lot I hear “Hold it Speed Racer!”
Out comes the cop, with his huge Partner, with there flashlights in my window.
I say “I was looking to help on the call with the missing boy.”
They say “There is no call with a missing boy.”
I say “I heard it over the scanner.”
They say “No missing boy, this is a domestic dispute and you just interupted it.”
I say “Oh shit.”
Now I’m looking obstruction of justice in the face but thank God My names gotten around the locker room.
“I’m so-and-so’s pal from the Gym” No Deal
“I’m The Radio Guys brother.” NO Deal.
“I’m Superhero.”
just then the smiles come on “Oh yeah! we know who you are!” how ya doin’ tonight?” (Ya think they would have SEEN the Big SH on the car & my helmet!)
“Yeah Hero, no missing kid here.” everythings cool.
I say “Sorry for interupting, you guys have a safe night!” and I race for the beach and watch Matt take some guy in a skirt with a filet knife to the pokey…
THIS is what I was trying to make clear to Dark Guardian, you guys have GOT to have Police support! If you don’t have it your screwed! If they impose a few small requests on you, (Forbidden areas of town and such) respect there wishes. The day will come when you’ll be glad they like you back!
Then a Shooting happened.
SH
10/8/06 CRASH RESCUE
I know after my last two blogs this is gonna sound like bullcrap, But I swear on my logo this happened tonight…
Me and my Girl went to see Psycho Beach Party in St Pete. Halarious check it out, but anyway as we come off the 275 overpass into Clearwater and there’s a car off the road, and UPSIDE DOWN in the drainage ditch!
One other guy has stopped, and he’s standing next to the victim, a young girl who’s like 25 feet away from the wreck and up on the bank! (huh?)
she’s sitting up and I yell “Is there anybod else in the car?” just as she flop’s flat on her back, I yell to the other stopper to call 911 and jump into the ditch with a splash, and sink up to my ankles in the mud. I yell to the girl one more time “is there anybody else in the car?” no answer the car is halfway emersed in the muck , I fumble around until I find the door handle & it pops, but being in the muck, it don’t budge. All I can think about is somebody hanging upside down from there seat belt head first in the water, or worse a kid in a baby seat. Now, I’m a 215 pound knuckle dragger, I like to powerlift, not bodybuild, but still, don’t ask how I ripped that door open, it just happend.
It’s pitch black in the car and I yell “FLASHLIGHT!” just as some new guy from the bank tosses me one! (great timing!) and I’m down in the car. Nothing, no kid, no adult, nothing. Thank God, now I can concentrate on the victim. Like I said this girl was at least 25 feet from the car, a nurse pulled over (Even better timing) and all this kid had was a broken forearm!
Some other new girl crouching with me says “Girl you have been saved for a reason!” stands right the @$ up and starts PRAYING aloud to Jesus thanking him for this girls life!!! I look down on her holding her head to keep her from moving it and say “I can’t argue with the prayer kid, this is some kinda miracle! I don’t have a clue how you ended all the way up here!” The Fire dept. arrived, she could move everything (Except her fore arm) they boarded her and took off.
Every body at the scene tells me what a great job I did, which they did just as good a job as me. And I took of home to get the muck outta my nice shoes.
I really needed this, I gotta admit after the Airsoft fiasco, I really felt like the “Circus clown” of the super hero community. This pulled my head outta my butt! The fact that I saw a situation and acted instead of reacted gave me my omph back.
MORAL: Just when you think you’ve totally blown it, your luck will turn up. don’t give up being a hero!
10/6/06 NEARLY SHOT:..
decided to head home and call it a quiet night when I saw two officers parked behind a little red truck, working there asses off on the left rear tire. I pull in behind their cars and park, My place is two minutes away and I offer the one cop (Older guy, don’t know him) the use of my floor jack, fix-a-flat, etc. he says “no we have it under control”. so I say good night and turn to leave when I hear “HOLD IT!”
I stop and the cop says “What the Hell is That?” he’s spotted my airsoft Mac-11 and is walking towards me, it’s dark but I think I see his hand on his weapon.
I try to tell him it’s a airsoft, and stupidly reach for it this is when he yells for his partner.Things are deteriorating fast. The guy has no clue what a airsoft anything is, or who superhero is either. Thank God his partner did. The partner says “oh yeah” it’s airsoft with a big smile and take the gun, admiring it I think, and trying not to laugh at his partners dismay.
the first guy calls in my tag, suddenly it’s smiles and handshakes and we appologize to each other and I race for home.
The moral of the story: STOP CARRYING AIRSOFT GUNS! I’m not sure who else does other than The Eye but guys it’s just to big of a risk.
If I twitched the wrong way, BANG! right on the spot! I think what is really bothering me about this whole thing is that we have all accepted we might get killed doing this. It’s a possibility (Hell maybe a inevitability) but I NEVER thought I would get shot by a cop! Never! John Q. Public views us as odd anyway, odd with guns is a recepie for disaster.
I’ve been discussing Green Laser Technology with Prime & Chameleon and I think this is the way we need to go. It’s a lot less offensive looking and just as good of a weapon.
Usually I’m the one who says “be safe” but tonight I’d just be being a hypocrite. I can’t beleive I did something so stupid, so I’ll just say…
…Don’t repeat my mistake
SH

Mr. Jack
PostSubject: Saving Face Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:39 pm
I have been self-debating the pros and cons of mask wearing, and I wondered what the general opinion was. I showed my face once in Portland and it has had me thinking since about what good a mask really does. I personally love masks, but there has been a part of me questioning the functionality of them and I wanted to hear some other thoughts.
I’ll start out by stating my reasons and love of wearing a mask. I know that a lot of people say that there are detriments to a mask, but I find that my mask is one of my defining features. I like it better than my face, to be honest. The mask allows me to erase the man beneath and step into what I want. It siphons off the normalcy and individualism and elevates me. I find exhilaration when I wear my mask, and especially when I wear my full suit. I have always been one for dress-up. This goes beyond that. When I look in the mirror I do not see myself, I see Mr. Jack, and all the potential he comes with.
On a more practical level, masks allow anonymity, plausible deniability, and to not be caught. I’m not doing anything illegal, but activism has its costs, and in a small town like mine I would prefer not to be known.
I guess my whole thing is that the mask allows for a certain freedom that I could not otherwise obtain. By wearing the mask, I allow myself to become something different, better, courageous. To quote one of my Artists: “Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof.”
Superhero
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:52 pm
Well, I never really even considered one. But I know a lot of the cops in my town & they would have figured out it was me pretty quick anyway.
Also I have the Supermobile so anybody wanting my ID would just run the tag.
The pro of no mask is it’s given TJ the ability to be the first RLSH Non-Profit in history, as I can do all the paperwork, but protect everyone elses ID.
The Con is that I’m out in the open. I’ve made it clear elsewhere that the major reason I started packing wasn’t because of Supervillains, but because of so called Superheroes that befriended me for years then suddenly went nuts & turnned on me, thinking I was a Govt. agent or some such crap.
scratch
You’re real easy to find with a public ID. You just have to make them wish they’d never found you.
As for the mask itself, Somebody cranks it, you’re blind. They kick your ass. Although most places have “Mask Laws” you usually have to be in commision of a crime to be prosecuted. But most cops don’t care. They stop you & give you a cavity search anyway. you can’t go anywhere near a store, etc. etc.
there is a LOT to weigh in when deciding on a mask or not.
Silver Sentinel
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:54 pm
As long as you’re approachable, then wear the mask. I know that you’re one of the ones that wants people to be able to approach you and not be frightened off. Wear the mask. It’s part of your outrageous style! It gives you flair and panache.
My normal identity opens many doors for me, so the fact many people can identify me under the goggles isn’t so terrible. But if you prefer the anonymity, go for it.
By the way.. even without the mask.. the bright flashy suits are going to make “getting away” kind of difficult.
Mr. Jack
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:03 pm
I have a night suit that I use for that sort of thing, and as of late I have been going plainclothes. I use the suit for when I am out in the open, like at a meet or when I am donating. I try to wear the mask as often as possible, though.
As for self-defense, if anyone ever gets near enough to crank my mask then I have done something seriously wrong and probably deserve to get the crap beat out of me. I am more of a stealth guy. But still, you bring up a valid point, Superhero.
Dark Ghost
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:03 pm
Like you I wear a mask for anonymity plus and also like you when I wear my mask I feel a freedom that I have never felt before I feel stronger and like you more courageous. Now the other reason I wear a mask is due to the fact that alot of people in my area know my face. I like the anonymity because it keeps my family and friends safe.
Superhero
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:18
You know SS has a point, your look (like mine) is extemely “garrish” so people don’t really feel threatened by you. I’d imagine people would more than likely walk up to you in your Purple & Yellow & say “Hi! What are you doing here?” then be scared.
Even kids.
Color means a lot when it comes to masks.
Patriot
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:49 pm
Well, in my case. The Ol’ Red, White and Blue tends to help. I find way more people are receptive to it, than some of my past persona’s.
So, I don’t really get hassled about my mask. I’m actually working on some posters, and business cards (Check out the thread in the Drawing Board Section) thanks to an idea from a clerk at a gas station. Went in there to use their facilities and get a drink. Got to talking to the Clerk, who’s the manager there, wanted to know if I had a poster or sign that he could hang on the door, letting others know, that I come by there. Like that it’s under my watch. Told him, I’d see if I could come up with something.
I like very much, right now, that Patriot, is seperate from me. The mask allows me to go about without being recognized as everyones favorite star spangled bruiser. Although, once summer hits, this year I’m debating on a Smallville inspired uniform, with a much smaller mask.
I apologize if I rambled, but I believe I’ve given my piece in there somewhere.
master legend
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Sun Feb 07, 2010 9:39 am
the black does present more of a mean side.the good thing about black or red is that it don’t show the blood stains.
Bearman
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:42 am
Originally I wasn’t going to wear a mask. Maybe an eye one like Robin. Seems to me like it would inhibit my hearing and vision and make it harder to breath and understand. Every time I’ve worn a mask I felt annoyed lol. On top of all that, I have a giant head and fat cheeks. I’d look reeeeaaally silly in a mask. But now that I’m seriously considering becoming active, I realize I don’t want people to know who I am. I don’t go out much. When I do its to get something done. I guess I feel like if nobody knows who I really am, then nobody can stroll right up to my house and attack it or my family. What if I screw up and ruin my reputation as a good guy? I’d rather have my identity get blamed and just design a new one than have my entire town hate me. Maybe I should start designing a mask just in case… /worry
Vague
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:39 pm

DayDreamer wrote:
Originally I wasn’t going to wear a mask. Maybe an eye one like Robin. Seems to me like it would inhibit my hearing and vision and make it harder to breath and understand. Every time I’ve worn a mask I felt annoyed lol. On top of all that, I have a giant head and fat cheeks. I’d look reeeeaaally silly in a mask. But now that I’m seriously considering becoming active, I realize I don’t want people to know who I am. I don’t go out much. When I do its to get something done. I guess I feel like if nobody knows who I really am, then nobody can stroll right up to my house and attack it or my family. What if I screw up and ruin my reputation as a good guy? I’d rather have my identity get blamed and just design a new one than have my entire town hate me. Maybe I should start designing a mask just in case… /worry

Much like what was stated here, wearing a mask is for the benifit of friends and family, I personally think its a bit care less and selfish to persue and ,most likley, piss-off hardcore criminals, with no way of hiding your identity, because you are putting friends and family at risk, they are at risk because of YOUR actions.
And also, with a mask (hidden identity) it becomes easy to lay low for a while, after a serious investigation or serious event reguarding your ‘RLSH’ self.
Super Guest
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Sun Feb 14, 2010 1:43 pm

Vague wrote:
Much like what was stated here, wearing a mask is for the benifit of friends and family, I personally think its a bit care less and selfish to persue and ,most likley, piss-off hardcore criminals, with no way of hiding your identity, because you are putting friends and family at risk, they are at risk because of YOUR actions.
And also, with a mask (hidden identity) it becomes easy to lay low for a while, after a serious investigation or serious event reguarding your ‘RLSH’ self.

There is no such thing as a 100% foolproof way to ‘protect’ your identity. Only to hide it. And even then it could always be figured out. So pissing off criminals posesses the same level of threat to your family if you were to hide your identity, than if you were to not hide your identity.
The question is how effective could you be at putting them away so that even if they are pissed off, they can’t do anything to you. Or how influential you may be to making them not dislike you (if you make sure that if you patrol with someone else, one of you plays good cop, the other plays bad cop).
Cops don’t hide their identities.
And let’s assume you’re right, and that you piss off a criminal, and you aren’t wearing a mask. That just means 2 steps to tracking you down. Step 1- They find out where you live. Step 2- They get you.
Versus if you are wearing a mask. Step 1- They find out who you are, Step 2- They find out where you live, Step 3- They get you.
So it won’t stop the process from happening entirely, assuming they want to go after you bad enough. It would just delay it, perhaps.
Wearing a mask and/or just makes them want to go after you that much more. I think a lot of you put on a mask because you want to be like Batman. Deep down you love to feel like Batman. But the reasons you state are the same reasons Batman states “I must protect my identity, I must protect those I care about…” but if you really want to hide your identities that much, have any of you ever tried disguising yourselves as someone else entirely? Make-up, glasses, facial hair, wig, different clothing styles – perhaps making yourself appear to be the opposite gender?
Vague
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Sun Feb 14, 2010 2:21 pm
It does not pose the same threat level because they need to find out your identity, if you are making it THAT easy for the criminals to find out who you are (showing your face) then i dont understand how you are thinking about the saftey of your family and friends.
Step 1 is a big step, and depends on how skillfull you are, if you are skillfull enough to hide your identity from others, and patrol in a big enough place (like london) then hiding your identity from criminas isnt too hard, especially if alot of effort and thought goes into it.
The criminals dont hunt down cops because there are serious implications for doing so, the cops have the law on their side and it would be stupid to attack a cop and/or his family for ‘cop-related’ issues, and even then, you still hear stories about cops being killed and such be criminals because of past arrests or so…
I agree, it does make them want to go after you that much more, but no more than being a ‘RLSH’ in the first place, i would rather hide my face, then show my face with a different disguise, remember the serious criminals dont ask questions first, if they see someone that looks like a certain person has pissed them off so much, then that person is at risk, meaning that i can disguise my face with make up an glasses an such, but it still shows my face, and its really no more different to wearing a mask.
Super Guest
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Sun Feb 14, 2010 2:36 pm
All it takes is for one, or a few of them to pull off your mask and they could find out who you are. Now, it doesn’t always necessarily mean they can find out your name and info from there, unless they already knew you. But it makes it that much more easier for them. Now if the mask works for you well, and you don’t have any extra unnecessary problems with it, then more power to you. I would just suggest not letting it give you a false sense of security. Plan for those worst case scenarios.
Vague
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Sun Feb 14, 2010 2:46 pm
Thats true, my point is that having a mask provides more protection than having none, im always aware of my mask and the fact that it could be pulled off, and believe me if I could go out without a mask I would (it would be alot easier to blend in and also not attract attention, as well as not affect my Peripheral vision) but I feel safer with one on..
Theres Pros and cons about mask issues, it all depends on the individual, if you have friends or family to worry about, if you patrol in a big area where nobody would recognise you without your mask anyway, if you feel that you can achieve more with a mask on.. etc,
But yeah, remember, its only an extra measure of protection, dosent really protect your identity fully…
Atlas
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:57 pm
I think that a mask is a way to become more than just that guy who wakes up in the morning and drinks some coffee and goes of to work. You can become an image that is forever immortal and indestructable. Now obviously there are some down sides with wairing one, such as your vision being possibly obstructed. Nevertheless, If your identity is protected and overall, your personal wellfare and safety, a mask is an upside. Also, if its some kind of Domino, best to change your hair if possible.
JohnnyVegas
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:44 pm
What about masks for functionality? Protect the eyes from things like sand and the like. Perhaps something over the mouth to protect against inhalants (smoke, etc.). That’s where my head is at with to mask or not to mask. I suppose it depends on the community you’re in but where I’m at, it’s statistically improbable I’ll be recognized and later tracked down. No need for anonymity. Yes need for protecting my baby blues. Medium need for cool factor. I’m pretty badass on my own. Genetics.
Vague
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:56 am

JohnnyVegas wrote:
What about masks for functionality? Protect the eyes from things like sand and the like. Perhaps something over the mouth to protect against inhalants (smoke, etc.). That’s where my head is at with to mask or not to mask. I suppose it depends on the community you’re in but where I’m at, it’s statistically improbable I’ll be recognized and later tracked down. No need for anonymity. Yes need for protecting my baby blues. Medium need for cool factor. I’m pretty badass on my own. Genetics.

Actualley, protection of my eyes is partly why I wear my mask, well the goggles anyway, im looking to get some new goggles that have a wider range of vision, early on last year i looked at gettin a mask to protect against harmful inhalants, and im still looking into that now…
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Mr. Jack
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Wed Feb 17, 2010 1:16 pm
I think she means monkeydungeon. Follow the link here if you dare (0-):
http://www.monkeydungeon.com/
I think one of the biggest issues about mask wearing is the limit on visual field, but I am seeking to overcome that. My current mask actually does not limit my sight very much at all. And about the cranking thing, I am seeking a way to integrate my mask into an under shirt or anchor somehow so as it does not turn when pulled like that.
NiteWatch
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:10 pm
Quite frankly, for all of you who are actively seeking criminals, or anyone in particular, I’d make the face less recognizable. Don’t want questions to turn into answers.
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Samen
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:38 pm
I wear a simple bandanna around my mouth and nose, as well as wearing sunglasses. I guess this does obscure my identity, but my “mask” is really a matter of practicality. I’m often picking up stinky refuse and getting my face down in the dirt and dust and stuff. Since I suffer from asthma, it’s better for me to not inhale that kind of thing and the bandanna helps with that.
Super Guest
@Samen. actually that is a practical way to do it. Any you can “lose” the “mask” in a big hurry that way.
Samen
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:29 pm
Yeah, if it came down to it, having a bandanna and sunglasses is way less noticeable than an actual mask I guess.
the KnightVigil
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:56 am
I’ve gone with and without my mask depending on the situation… I typically wear my mask more so out of physical protection than to hide my identity… it has a totally different surface and offers about half a centimeter of padding, but its a bit hot on summer days… Also to me, the complete image of the mask with my suit in particular is more intimidating… I have been toying with the idea of redesigning a lacrosse mask so i can take advantage of the steel mesh, but we’ll see lol, might have to talk to Z about the best way to do that
Mr. Jack
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:28 pm
I have been toying with armor capabilities integrated into my mask, but I am worried about the bulk. If anyone has questions about masks, the guy to go to is definitely Z. He makes fine quality stuff and can get you what you need. You could also ask Victim, but I am not sure whether he does masks.
Sparrow
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Sat Mar 06, 2010 11:10 pm
Protection is one thing, but from an identity standpoint, disguises are way underrated. Get some colored contacts, some rinse-out costume hair color. Make-up can be used to darken your skin tone, and even alter facial structure- and no, I don’t mean prosthetics, more along the lines of “optical illusions”; by lightening or darkening certain areas to give the effect of highlights and shadows, you can make parts of your face appear more prominant.
thanatos
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Sun Mar 07, 2010 11:42 am
I just explain what I am and what I’m doing and havent had any trouble yet even when doing my handouts to tht ehomelss. for some reason they seem to get the explanation I give and have taken to me because of it.
in stores I just explain and shrug off the strange looks. no one has called the cops on me yet, in fact most of the police seem to try to ignore me. guess they figure I’m just one more nut job out there and dont want to do the paperwork on it.
we went into a homeless camp during the olympics and while the salvation army, red cross and our police said they couldnt and wouldnt enter we had no problems. they all got who we were and we made a bunch of new friends.
Atavistik
PostSubject: Re: Saving Face Sun Mar 07, 2010 4:02 pm
as to superhero fashion shows; looked it up on youtube, this might “arouse” something…… just not your desire to go out in public like what I saw on the runway. unless of course you were those models…….. or looking to slap somebody with a sexual harassment suit.
also; some things you’re hoping are simply hoping to be superhero related….. aren’t. be careful what you click…… sometimes you simply end up with more questions, like “How can she be comfortable in that suit?” or “Why’d they post this and leave out the best parts?” my favorite is “do you think she can taste that?” alongside “Wow…. I thought they didn’t get that close to those parts of the anatomy on youtube….. isn’t there somebody making sure these videos are okay for kids? I mean… I can clearly see her hoo-hah.”
seriously tho; as to masks, I’m considering one for public things seriously.

No sooner did I hit the road than “Hit & Run, dead adult & 3 year old child” Pours thru my headset….
I think I’ve mentioned before how bad this Pisses me off, It happens every day! you just killed a 3 year old. Why don’t they stop! So I race to the bridge and into a pursuit position, I hear the description, it’s a beige SUV. (About as inconspicuous as the Supermobile ) He’s already in Clearwater so I start searching the major parking lots for the vehicle while the cops crisscross the roads (I can hear ’em). I gotta admit, I’m a big fan of Law enforcement first, but I wanted this guy. I wanted him bad, I was so hoping his big ugly bloody SUV was going to parked in front of me. Sure I’d have called it in, And hoped the guy got out and wanted to leave so I could dim his lights. Anyway all the sudden I hear that they snagged him up on Keene, Felony style (God I hope he resisted) So I went back to my business all worked up but happy the guy was caught.