So This Nemesis Thing:

I've been following all the reactions re: Tom Tresser and Diana with interest. Lots of discussion on both sides. I admit, me, I'm tentatively in support of the couple. Similarly to Ragnell, I actually like Nemesis a lot. I'm not sure I buy him as the love-interest-forever sort, and I'm certainly not marrying them off in my mind or anything, but as dating goes, she could do worse.

I remember thinking Nemesis was neat back in Heinburg's run. I refuse to let Picoult ruin him for me damnit.

Anyway, I have to say, I'm much happier seeing Diana moon after a guy like Nemesis than a guy like Batman (sorry to all Bruce/Diana 'shippers out there). Don't get me wrong, Batman is awesome. Even I, who am not that much of a fan, can admit that by sheer objective standards, the man is awesome. He makes dressing as a Bat look cool.

But seriously? Diana's no simpering socialite to be dazzled by Bruce Wayne's charm. Or young inexperienced hero to be amazed by Batman's general awesomeness. She knows the man. She knows that just as objectively as the man is awesome, he's also an utter dick.

Now, don't get me wrong, this isn't an impediment toward liking a character. Heavens know, I heart the jackasses. But honestly, knowing him as well as she does, I'm fairly certain that she would know full well how much he would NOT be a good boyfriend. Nice to look at, sure, but she can look at him now.

Tom's cute and funny, and honestly much more personable. You're a lot more likely to have a fun casual evening with him than with Batman I think. (Barring the whole beating up villains thing, but one would think a break would be nice.)

But that's pretty much a personal taste thing, I acknowledge. Naturally I assume Diana's taste is like mine. But then I'm wont to do that in general. It's a character flaw. :-)

Though one complaint from the always interesting Neither Doormat Nor Prostitute does make me boggle just a little:

She'll learn how to go bowling for the man? Are you fucking kidding me? How bought instead he learn how to be competent and worthy of her? What's next, is she going to find some bratty kid and decide to spend her life playing Barbies with the kid while she cooks dinner and anxiously waits for Tommy-poo to get home? Will Black Canary make guest appearances and complain because her Olliekins sent her Barbies off with Sin and now she doesn't have any way to fill her days but eating bon bons and looking for Connor's wandering body?

Okay, I get not liking Nemesis and even not liking Diana's portrayal in this story arc. But, I don't quite understand what's wrong with getting interested in something that your crush likes? Isn't that fairly natural?

Admittedly, it doesn't always work. I know I took art classes for three years of high school because I crushed on the teacher (who, to be fair, was very very attractive), and it came to nought, because in truth, I'm one of those people who really, it doesn't matter how much you teach me, I'm still going to SUCK at art.

On the other hand, I started playing video games because my boyfriend liked them and I still like them now, long past that relationship's fizzling.

It's not a big deal to me, honestly. Heck, I got into superhero comics on a friend's recommendation. I don't regret it. It's fun.

I'd imagine that after learning to bowl for Tom, whether she ultimately enjoys it or not (I suspect she will actually, for exactly the same reason I hate the game: it requires a certain level of skill, accuracy and balance), she'll teach him hobbies that she enjoys. More fun is had for all!

Furthermore, it's bowling, not drugs or swinging or religion or any of those other things that you're possibly going to regret later. Say she does have a miserable time. It's tedious, annoying, whatever. She's too good at it. No challenge. The shoes stink. The food's terrible. Everyone's drunk. (Maybe that's just MY bowling adventures, heh.) Worst thing that happens, she's out an evening. Yeesh. :-)