RIP Adam West. For those of you who don’t know who this iconic actor was, he starred as Batman (and his alter ego Bruce Wayne) in the original Batman TV series back in the late 60’s. You know, the one with the “BAM” and “POW” graphics that used to pop up on the screen? He was 88 so he definitely lived a long, full life but it was still sad to see that story hit my newsfeed over the weekend.

Actually, it wasn’t just my newsfeed. I received so many text messages and phone calls about his passing that you’d almost think we were somehow related! That’s because anyone who knows me also knows that I’m a huge Batman fan (I even mentioned it again last post during my Wonder Woman recap…which you should still go see if you haven’t yet! Seriously, it’s that good…).  Actually, even if you don’t know me, but you follow my social media pages it’s pretty easy to see who my favorite superhero is – but why and how did this crazy Batman obsession all begin?

Darrell’s Batman Origin Story

 

Well, long story short, this is technically all my mom’s fault (lol I know you’re reading this right now Mom – but yeah I said it!). How so? Well, for those of you who don’t know, my birthday is literally on Halloween. Yes, October 31, so for my second birthday, my mother made me this cute little Batman costume which I thought that I had photos of in my apartment but apparently they’re all at my parents house lol. Hmm, you’re going to have to use your imagination I suppose, but to help, here’s a picture of me wearing an adorable Batman sweater that she also bought me around the same time.

These photos got circulated to my entire family so of course when everyone needed ideas for my Christmas present, they looked at those photos and sent more Batman gear. And then when people needed ideas for Easter, they looked at the photos of me posing with my Batman Christmas presents so what did they send? More Batman items of course!

 

This pattern has literally continued through every gift-giving holiday for my entire life! I’ve seriously gotten at least one Batman themed item ever since my second birthday! That’s not an exaggeration – those lollipops in the photo were one of several items I received just last Christmas.

“Of course, I also liked Underoos and peeling dried glue off of my fingers at that age too, so clearly we outgrow some things.” -Fat Darrell

Of course, I also liked Underoos and peeling dried glue off of my fingers at that age too (seriously, how fun was that back in the day?!) so clearly we outgrow some things. With that said, I suppose that Mom can only be blamed for starting the pattern… although my father was the one who gave me the middle name of Wayne. Granted, that was an homage to my brother Dwayne and not Batman’s secret identity Bruce Wayne but still a strange coincidence eh? Hmm…anyway, the final push happened when my parents took me to go see the very first Batman movie in the theater.

It was the perfect storm of events. First of all it was just fun to go to the movies with my parents. They let me order a bunch of overpriced candy, a giant Icee and a huge tub of popcorn so that was memorable in and of itself. But then they bought me even more Batman gear including a shirt and these ugly Batman Converse All-stars that I got tons of compliments on in school (I’m not sure if they still fit but I do still have them!  I don’t feel like digging them out of my closet right now but if anyone is curious, I can post them next time just comment below…).

I was a fan of other characters as well, but as far as live action movies go, the classic Christopher Reeves Superman movies had already run their course so Batman was not only the best thing going, Batman was the only thing going when it came to Superhero movies in the 90’s. Either way, I was already a fan, but that time period turned me into a superfan (Hmm, I guess a super bat-fan would be more appropriate…) and the rest is history I suppose.

Now before we move on to other topics, I should probably run down some FAQ’s (frequently asked questions) about my Batman fandom first lol

1. No I don’t have all of the Batman items on display throughout my apartment like it’s a funhouse lol. Most of the non-clothing items are stored in my closet. My home office has several items but aside from one refrigerator magnet I almost pull off the whole “adult” thing in the other rooms lol.

2. Oldest item? Hmm, probably the old school Adam West Batmobile that I used to play with as a kid. It’s at my parents’ house. Oh wait, and that costume that I wore on my second birthday…which might still fit since I’m not much taller now lol.

3. Strangest Batman themed gift that I’ve ever received? Hmm, I’ve been given a Batman version of nearly everything you can think of from car floor mats to alarm clocks but the strangest? Probably these Speedo looking underwear with Bat-symbols on them. They were a joke but I did have to wear them once when I ran out of laundry… man, I’m glad that I didn’t require any emergency medical care that day that would have required those to be seen for any reason!

4. Strangest Batman themed purchase I ever made? Hmm, that would probably be when I purchased 200 Batman chapsticks before they were discontinued lol. I still have close to 100 of them left haha that one’s somewhat of a long story so I’ll skip it for now but if anyone wants to know, tell me in the comments and I can explain next post!

5. Do I dislike other characters? Absolutely not! I love superheroes in general so as mentioned earlier, Superman, Wonder Woman, Hulk, Spiderman, The Avengers, X-Men, they’re all great…I just like Batman better.

“A moody loner with relationship issues who’s used to dealing with clowns every day? Based on that description, I AM Batman! “ -Fat Darrell

As for why I like the character so much even now as an “adult”? A moody loner with relationship issues who’s used to dealing with clowns every day? Based on that description, I AM Batman! But beyond those striking similarities, I think the coolest thing about Batman is that to an extent, you could actually be Batman too. I mean, granted, he’s filthy rich due to an inheritance from his parents but aside from that, he’s just a regular guy with a mask on.
Meaning that to make himself stronger, he had to hit the gym. To learn how to fight, he had to learn martial arts. To gain intelligence, he had to study.
He didn’t get bitten by a spider or get hit with a gamma ray. He also didn’t relocate from another planet where he was normal and suddenly he had special abilities. He had to work for his “super powers”….although again, billions of dollars definitely help! But if money were all it took, I don’t see Bill Gates or Warren Buffet out there swinging from buildings at night…

 

All jokes aside, today’s fitness tip is just a reminder that you too are capable of amazing things if you’re willing to put in the effort to make them happen. People are so quick to limit themselves or wait for someone else to be their hero. However, the moral of almost every one of these superhero movies is that the hero is inside of you.

Whether you think that men and women running around in tights is just for nerds, that same lesson is also true outside of the theater or pages of a comic book. Nobody is coming to save you, save yourself. Get up and fight for the change that you want to see in yourself and in the world. That doesn’t always take millions of dollars or fancy gadgets, that just takes you having the courage to take the first step. If I had a mic in my hand this is the part where I would drop it but yeah, you get the point. Be your own hero and make things happen.

 
Have a fitness question you’d like to ask or an accomplishment you’d like to share? Comment below!

Okay so at the end of the last post, I promised you food this time. Well, keeping with this Bat-nerd theme I have going today, check out this restaurant chain officially affiliated with DC Comics! It’s not-so-surprisingly called the DC Comics Super Heroes Café and the menu features iconic DC characters such as Superman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and you guessed it, Batman!

Here are a few photos of the Bat-themed items along with some screen shots of the menu.

The food actually looks pretty good but to taste any of it, you’re going to need a ticket to the far east since the only locations are currently in Malaysia and Singapore. I’m still shocked they haven’t put one of these in the US yet, but if you want to check out the Singapore location’s website, you can check it out here! http://www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants/american/dc-comics-super-heroes-cafe.html

Oh yeah, and if you go, bring me back a Dark Knight burger mmkay thanks!
While you’re over there, also make sure to swing by Taiwan where you can also stay at the Eden Motel’s Batman themed suite! This room is fitting for even Bruce Wayne himself!  Check it out – they even have a Batmobile crashing through the wall!  How cool is that?

 

Again though, I’m surprised that a hotel in Vegas hasn’t replicated this yet. Come on US, let’s get it together! Darrell needs Bat-waffles in bed…

They only rent the room by the hour but I’m guessing that’s all that I could afford anyway! Actually, I won’t be sure until I can fully translate the webpage but if you happen to know how to read Chinese, here’s the link! http://www.eden-motel.com.tw/room/fashion/item/31-315 

Before you go though, remember, if it’s only rented by the hour, you might want to get one of those forensic blue lights to inspect the sheets before you consider laying down if you get my drift… you’re welcome.

Okay so we may not have the full café in The States, but we can have one of the menu items! This “Wonder-ful” recipe comes to us straight from DC Comics Super Heroes Café themselves! These almost look as delicious as Gal Gadot does in that Wonder Woman costume… almost. Bam! Pow! Check it out!

Wonder Woman Invisible Love Boats

Ingredients
Potato boat: 1 medium Idaho potato, plain flour, cooking oil.
Potato garnish: sour cream, melted cheddar cheese, spring onion.
Deep-fried zucchini: 1 large green zucchini, 20g paprika powder,
1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, dash of tabasco, dash of LP sauce.
Frying mix: 500g plain flour, 500g bread crumbs, 3 eggs.
Spicy tomato herb sauce: 3 large tomato concasse, 2 tbsp tabasco sauce, 1 tbsp tomato sauce, 1/2 diced red onion, 2 pcs chopped red chilli, 3 stalks chopped coriander leaves, 20ml lime juice, 1/2 tsp sugar.

Cooking Instructions
1. Wash potato and bake at 150°C for 50 minutes. Cut in half lengthwise and scoop out potato, leaving potato shells in shape.
2. Dust potato shells with flour and fry till golden brown.
3. Place potato back into crispy shells and top with garnish. 4. To prepare spicy tomato sauce, place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix well. Keep chilled.
5. To prepare zucchini, cut into thick sticks of approx. 2cm by 8cm.
6. Marinate with seasoning for 5 minutes and then coat with frying mix.
7. Deep fry till golden brown.
8. Serve with spicy tomato sauce.

Have a recipe that you’d like to share or a restaurant that we should check out? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Today’s Soundtrack

Let’s Get Crazy – Prince

BatDance – Prince (yep, again…this time from the 1989 Batman movie – yeah, I bet you forgot about this song didn’t you?)

Wonder Woman – Tina Guo (this is the new theme song for Wonder Woman played by this amazingly talented electric cello player. You want to feel like a superhero? Play this song! Seriously, it makes you want to bench press a truck and run through walls lol)

Superman – Eminem

Saving My Life – Gorgon City ft. Romans (this one was recommended by a friend and also fits the superhero theme. I like it, what do you think?)

Have another song that fits today’s themes or that you just want us to check out in general because it’s that good? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Before I go, check out this real life superhero from America’s Got Talent. Some of you may have seen this clip already but it’s worth another viewing…just make sure that you have tissues handy because the water works may flow my friend. This one is a tearjerker. Long story short, Mandy Harvey lost her hearing roughly 10 years ago but never gave up on her dream to sing. Despite being deaf, she performs an original track that’s not only breathtaking but pitch-perfect! She’s the embodiment of that fighting spirit that I was trying to rile up inside of you earlier lol. Seriously, when you see someone like this still chasing their dream, how can you not believe that you too can do anything? Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKSWXzAnVe0

And wrapping up the superhero theme for today, let’s not forget about the Superdads out there on Sunday. If you didn’t know, Father’s Day is just around the corner so get that present or card in the mail kiddos!

Okay and now for your regularly scheduled announcements lol please like, comment and share this page. If you enjoy the blog, tell others about it. I don’t want to be your dirty little secret lol tell the world! Also be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and more by clicking on the social media icons on the side panel.

That about does it for this week. Thanks for stopping by and until next time, May the Fork be With You….

-Darrell

“When you are arguing with an idiot, make sure that the other person isn’t doing the same thing…