Dear Superman,

I have a confession to make. At first, I wasn’t really into you. I mean, you had a great square chin and you were invincible and all, but you were just too…nice. You’ve used your powers for good ever since you first showed up in the comics back in 1938. And you always won, whether you were fighting crooked cops, mad scientists, or monsters. I wondered if there was anything more to you than a rigid moral code and a cape. As I read more and saw more references to you, including Superman Returns, I realized maybe you were a super guy after all.

I was first intrigued when I saw the 1948 and 1950 theatrical serials, the first time you turned three-dimensional. You were so charming (even, dare I say, a little arrogant) when George Reeves played you in the 1950s Adventures of Superman. And I swooned when Christopher Reeve swept Lois Lane off her feet (“Easy, miss. I’ve got you.” “You’ve got me? Who's got you?”) in 1978’s Superman: The Movie.

You only got more interesting as the years went on. In Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, the 1990s TV series starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher, your tormented, sensitive side came to light. And the Smallville series showed that being super couldn’t save you from the agonies of adolescence.

Now, with the release of Superman Returns, your first live-action film in 20 years, I realize that even the Man of Steel can suffer from a broken heart. Superman, you should dump that chick Lois. She never even recognizes you if you’re not wearing tights. But I know you won’t. You’re just too…nice.

Sincerely,

Bobby G. Roy

It was too good to be true. After months avoiding my uncle's lecture regarding getting married and living and dying alone, he got me again yesterday. The connections he creates out of nothing are quite amazing. He is still insisting that I go marry the girl my lola and family introduced me to during my trip to the Philippines in 2000. That was before mom died, before I went through the whole probate situation, before lola got sick, before my cousin had a baby. Wow. A lot happens in six years. However, some things never change.

I can't say that I was ready for all of these situations in my life. Some how, some way, I've made it this far. The good and the bad won't end here either. They go hand in hand. As long as I don't give up, it'll be fine.

The holidays are hard for me. I hope everyone else is having a great time. After all, the needs of the many outweigh the few. If everyone lit a candle, the world would be a much brighter place.

Someone recently described my situation as a real-life Cinderella story. While it had not hit me at the moment, I would have say that it certainly could be applicable in some ways. If I were Cinderella, struggling in my situation in life, but content in what I was doing and just doing my best, I'd have to say that I have been blessed with some good fortune. Like Cinderella had her friends in the animals and worked hard to keep her family happy, I have done the same. Cinderella had a chance to showcase herself at the ball, although it was fleeting. However, fortune sought her out, and eventually she was able to live the proverbial happily ever after. I do hope that I am good enough to maintain that good fortune. Am I at the ball right now? At midnight, will life take it all away? A recent promotion just kicked in, and it is official in our documents and organization chart. While I have not seen it in my paycheck just yet, I will see the effect on my pay next month, and my taxes this coming April. I have always been one to press forward past the roadblocks in my way. Maybe I haven't always dealt with them in the most efficient manner, but I have dealt with them, and it has gotten me to where I am now. I can't say that I'm completely successful. At least not where I'd like to be. In time, with persistence and dedication, I'll be able to hopefully get where I ultimately would like to see myself. If I am at the ball right now, I need to acknowledge that I may still be able to "live happily ever after."

Every action we take has an outcome. Sometimes the outcome is good and sometimes the outcome is more like a consequence. When we act we must be able to accept either outcome. This applies even when we play out our wants and desires, although we know they are wrong, or against the law. When we break the law, or a moral code, we must be willing to accept the consequences. Free will allows us to determine whether or not it is worth it. Shoplifting, for example, happens often. Driving while under the influence also. Between paying a fine, imprisonment, and increased insurance fees, we have to have the wherewithal to make that decision. Please, don't take it lightly. We make decisions every day that affect the rest of our lives.

It's a beautiful thing to serve as a poll worker. Today, at my polling place, I saw hundreds of people exercising their right to vote. This right, less than a hundred years ago, was not even a right for many minorities. Today though, I saw many people of color come in to vote. My neighborhood is mostly minority, so I'm sure that it was different than at many polling places today. However, it means that it's possible. I wonder what I can do to help develop a politically empowered community.

Our votes are powerful, but only if we use them.

For example, in a previous election, it was decided that a person convicted of a felony would not be allowed to vote again, unless the convicted individual appealed a judge to allow them suffrage rights.

Also in a previous election, it was decided that a person convicted of a drug crime would be ineligible for financial aid. So if a young child was arrested for selling marijuana, when that child is applying for college, they would not get financial aid to pay for it. So that child selling marijuana to make a buck, can't get an education because they need to make money to attend.

Tomorrow should be very interesting.

It's confirmed that there will be a sequel to Superman Returns, although the rumors are that the budget will be much smaller. Rumors also state that all of the cast is coming back and that Superman will endure the fight of his life. I sure hope that it is Doomsday. It would be neat to see that unfold on the big screen, with the whole Doomsday, Funeral for a Friend, and Reign of the Supermen stories.