Selkie

I agree with Inca's first statement, but not his second. DO NOT TELL THE WIFE. She will only get mega-pissed, and the knowledge will be a strain. You did the right thing dropping the wall down between the two of you, you and the assistant. Keep it there. But this is just my two euros.

 

What do the ladies think?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not all women would react in the same way, but if I were the wife, I would like at least a casual mention about the drunken voicemail. My guess is that this incident will go no further, but what if it does? Then you'd be in the position of saying "Well, there was this one incident a while ago, that I didn't say anything about at the time...." Not good. This way, if something else happens, it won't come as a surprise.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen made more money than Hellboy.

 

There is no God.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And Howard the Duck made more than American Splendor. There is a God, and He hates us.

More importantly, following a link in the Upcoming Releases section indicates a Wachowski Bros. V for Vendetta due Fall 2005? Have I been living under a rock that I haven't heard about this?

John, I'll try to get you a picture of a Constantine movie poster in a bus stop, of which we have several in my area (Chicago 'burbs). Haven't noticed any billboards yet, but I'll keep an eye out. Quite a few commercials on TV have popped up recently, too. For a February release, it's getting a greater-than-usual amount of advertising, probably on the strength of Keanu Reeves.

Keeyah, the frog monster doesn't have a name yet, although I keep referring to her as "the cobblestone", so maybe that will stick. Maybe not - after all, my lungfish is named "Fish" because I haven't come up with anything better in the over two decades I've owned him. Heck, my dogs only have names because the AKC imposes a time limit by which age they must be named, or they are no longer eligible for registration. Even then, I'm far from innovative. All but one of my hounds has had a song title for a registered name, and their call names are all shortened versions thereof

Anybody have suggestions for frog names?

I'm in an absurdly good mood. The frog is settling in quite nicely. My significant other picked up All His Engines and the last Leave it to Chance HC I needed on a buy-one-get-one-free sale. And I, the slowest sculptor in the world, started AND FINISHED a new dog sculpture tonight. Woo hoo!

The store was feeding her five pinky mice a week plus an undetermined number of crickets each day, but that's too much for a frog her size. I'll probably cut her down to two or three a week for a while and see how she does. It's very easy to blow out their livers with too much food, so she needs to go on a diet pronto.

<quick digression>

Why don't you want to give your local shop any more money?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Long story short? The shop is beautifully stocked, clean, and convenient - all attributes that I prize. Unfortunately, the customer service from regular employees ranges between "mediocre" (which is rare) and "downright crappy" (most of the time). Shopping there is not a pleasure, and buying/reading comics is something I do for fun.

So, when the decision between "Pay full price to support my local shop, but be treated like an imposition on the employee's time" and "Get 30% off online and have a pleasant shopping experience," the big box online retailer wins, hands-down. I believe strongly in supporting one's local, independent retailers, but only when they deserve it.

All of which means I don't get to read "All His Engines" for a little while longer, even though it's the first OGN I've gotten excited about in a long time!

</digression>

Ack! You people are killing me! Amazon's not shipping this book yet, and I'm just not giving my LCS one more penny. I thought I could wait, but then I read all your great reviews. :icon_evil: Now I'm haunting eBay and wondering whether I can/should/will drive 40 minutes through a foot of snow to go to the other shop that carries it.

I have a new baby!

(No, not a baby human - yuck).

A bouncing baby not quite two year old African Pixiecephalus frog! I had a gigantic male one of these many years ago, and I was so excited to find this little girl I just had to have her. Don't let her apparent size in that photo fool you; she's at least the size of my hand, and still a growing youngster. She won't get to the proportions of my football-sized male, but she'll still be quite the giant economy sized eating machine when she grows up.

OK, everybody, I just added a boatload more comics to my OP. Go! Look! Buy! Even with shipping you should save a bundle over original retail.

James, if I can find those Extremist comics I will make you a deal you can't refuse on them. There are only two more places left to look, so unless I sold or gave them away and don't recall (doubtful), they should surface shortly.

Ooh! Ooh! Extremist! Extremist! And what's Grip like? By one of the Hernandezes, isn't it?

 

Shite, I'll need to get a cheque book, mind.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

James, I'll start hunting for them. I know they're together, I'm just not sure where they are. Come to think of it, Sebastian O should be with them as well, and probably more Vertigo miniseries besides. I put them all in a big lot on eBay and they didn't sell ... but I'm not positive where they've gone.

Grip's very pretty, BTW. If you're into the Hernandex Bros. work, should I be looking for my spare copy of "The Return of Mr. X" while I'm at it?

Starting the annual thinning o'comics. Prices do not include postage, which will be charged as close to actual rate from 60016 as I can determine. I'll keep adding to this post, so check back often!

American Century 1 - 3 (of 4) - $2

American Freak 1 -5 (of 5) - $5/set

The Authority 17 - 28 + the first Kev - $20/set

The Ballad of Halo Jones book 1 - oversized Titan edition - $6

Bigg Time OGN - $8

Bite Club 1 - 6 (0f 6) - All gently read, then bagged and boarded $6/set

Cable 89 - 91 (Weinburg) $2/set

Danger Girl #1 - $1

Finder: Mystery Date - pack of pre-TPB Mystery Date material - $3

Green Lantern #46 - $2

Grendel: Devil Quest one-shot (Wagner) $2 (I believe this is OOP)

Grendel Tales: Homescoming 1- 3 (of 3) - $2/set

Grip 1- 5 (of 5) $5/set (a little worn from being stuffed into a too-tight bag, but still very readable)

Grip #1 (have an extra) - $1

Hawaiian Dick #1 - $1

Hellblazer: Son of Man TPB $8

Human Target 1 - 4 (of 4) (original miniseries) - $4

Hunter, the Age of Magic 1 - 25 (complete run) - $20/set

JSA 25, 26 (2001) Return of Hawkman - $2

Lobo: A Contract on Gawd 1 - 4 (of 4) + Convention Special - $3/set

Menz Insana one shot - $2

Miracleman 1 - 9 Make offer

Planetary: The Fourth Man TPB - $10 (Should have book 1 around here somewhere, too)

Prez 1- shot (Brubaker/Shanower) - $2

Ravens Children: Shadow of the Snow Fox pt 1 TPB - $8

The Return of Mr. X TPB (Dean Motter and all 3 of Los Bros Hernandez) - $5

Sandman Midnight Theatre one-shot $2

Skreemer 1 - 6 (of 6) - $6/set

Starman: Sins of the Father TPB - $8

Starman 0, 1, 2, 5 - 10, 46, 47 - $1/EACH

Time Beavers oversized GN from First Comics - $2

Totems one shet - Free with order

Transmetropolitan 40 - 60 - $20/set

Vignettes: The Autobiographical Comix of Valentino TPB (intro by Dave Sim) $5

X-Force 116 -129, and X-Statix 1 - 6, $20/set (both titles)

X-men Forever 1 - 6 (of 6) $6/set

X-Men Phoenix LS 1 - 3 (of 3) - $3/set

Zatanna Special $1

Y, the Last Man 1 - 28. All have been gently read, then bagged and boarded I know issue #1 is the first printing; if that's important to you for any of the others I'd be happy to check. $30/set (HOLD)

Stuff I know I have, but it may take me a while to find:

The Extremist 1 - 4 (of 4)

Scarab 1 - 8 (of 8)

Breakfast After Noon TPB

Books of Magic: The Girl in the Box (book 5)

Books of Magic: The Burning Girl (book 6)

House of Secrets TPB

In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe (HC, I think)

Video Noire

The Waiting Place vol 1

Just a clarifier: Was it YOU who had the grand mal, or your mother, Selkie?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wasn't remotely clear about that, was I? Twas her who had the unexpected grand mal. She's fine, although being treated for three separate, and mutually exclusive, potential causes for the seizure. Fortunately she has health insurance, so her massive hospital bills were mostly covered. Unfortunately, Illinois automatically suspends drivers' licenses for six months following a seizure, so now I'm "Driverbot" as well as emotional and tactical support. All three of her doctors agree there's almost zero chance of her ever having another, but in the meantime she's climbing the walls.

If I hear the words "Oh, it's so lucky you were in the room when it happened", or "At least you're not working right now so you can help her" I will lose my shakey grasp on sanity.

Strangehaven

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What issue is that up to? Last I checked, it was coming out annually, at best. Loved the series, but dropped it because I just can't follow a mystery that comes out in yearly installments.

Pits the characters against the background?

OK, I've got the (virtual) room all set up now. The fridge is stocked with all the refreshments one could possibly desire. Bunny slippers are lined up against the side, and the cute fuzzy teddy bear's over there. Walls are well padded, so you can't hurt yourself when beating your head against them.

Tell us all your sorrows! Virtual hugs and other encouragement always available for the asking.

So you coming to Motor City Con this year? Wanna hook up with me, CC and Charlie?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Planning to undertake my annual spring pilgrimage to see Guy Davis, but this might be the one time I can't make it. (If I open a "Selkie is grumpy" thread, all will be explained). Would definitely like to hook up with the STH crew if I'm there. You guys better promise to be nice to my female friend who likes comics but can still be considered a "civilian." You should have seen her face the first time I took her ... especially the part where we decided who got to play the butch and who the femme, in light of the fact that all the fanboys assumed we were a couple. Or my favorite question of the day: "Selkie, what does 'from milk and cheese to poison elves mean'?!"

The best Michigan has to offer. It's fucking huge.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Motor City is the most fun con I've ever attended. It's a good five and a half hour drive for me too, and always worth it. (Unlike the fifteen minute drive to Wizard World Chicago, which I wouldn't bother with but for the presence of the charming Carla Speed McNeil). Motor City's large enough to get lost in, small enough to get found in.

Lou, buddy, sorry to hear about the withdrawal woes. Having kicked two prescription habits this year, I know what you're going through. P.M. me if you're so inclined.

Sleeper.

Rex Mundi.

And, um ... well,

Sleeper & Rex Mundi.

I finally caught up on Y, and almost wish I hadn't - I liked it a lot better before. I'm behind on both Fables and Queen & Country, which I planned to read in TPBs. Other than that, I've been catching a few older things recently relesased in TPB (like Mr. X), renting a lot from the library, and mostly not worrying about what's new on the stands. I'll catch up on Hellblazer as my shop marks them down to $1 each, but they're ordering less and less Vertigo these days so even that's iffy. I just so hate the floppy format that I have to really love something to suffer through it.

I'm sure this is a typo and you meant dairy farm but reading it like it's typed cracks me the fuck up! :lol:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Swarms of Cornish Pixies are nothing to sneer at! :D

Glad I was able to provide some humor, however unintentionally, especially on a day when I'm in a mood that can best be summed up as "unspeakably foul - approach at own risk!"

Ladies - ever shoot a gun? Own any? Do you abhor them?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My family owns a gun collection, but refused to let me touch them, let alone learn how to handle them (my pleas to take a gun safety course were ignored ) I don't abhor them, but the older I get, the more I'm apt to question the motives of people who do. I'm not opposed to the many legitimate reasons for owning guns. In the American midwest where I live, the extinction of the native wolf population necessitates deer hunting, and I know quite a few perfectly responsible hunters. My father grew up on a dairy farm, and there are excellent reasons for any rancher or farmer to own guns. I have no problem with legitimate competitive purposes for owning 'em. Heck, under the right (wrong?) circumstances, I'd consider one for protection. I've done the crazy-ex-is-stalking-me routine and I *know* it's unrealistic to expect the cops to protect me.

However ... I know of WAAAYYY too many nutcases who own firearms, and they scare the crap out of me. AFAIK, in every single case these people own the guns legally, and they don't have convictions for violent offenses or any other obvious red flags. They're the kinds of people who don't exercise very good judgement and are just waiting for an accident to happen. I know more than a few women who've had husbands of boyfriends make veiled threats about what they'd do with their guns in the woman "got out of line." Would they ever carry through with those threats? Probably not, but the possibility always looms.

I'd think LONG and hard before dating a gun owner. Too many promising relationships have gone sour, and I've had enough nightmares from the crazy ex who had access to his family's knife collection.

Do you drink (alcohol)?

No. Over the course of my life I haven't consumed as much alcohol as what's contained in a single can of beer.

And if you don't drink, what do you do when you're in a place where most people are drinking?  What non-alcoholic beverage you'll have to "keep up with" the drinkers.  Or do you tend not to find yourself in places where people drink?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not bothered a bit by others drinking in my presence, up till the point they're actually drunk. Drunk people are not nearly as funny, entertaining, or charming as they think they are. I'll drink almost any non-alcoholic beverage available, short of Diet Coke (why do people always assume women drink that crap) or Pepsi (If I want to taste fungus, I'll dig around my fridge for some). Ginger Ale's almost always available in a situation of that sort, but it's a beverage of last resort.

People who drink alcohol are often uncomfortable imbibing in my presence, although they needn't be. Not drinking is a practical issue for me, not a moral one, and I don't care about whether others drink. I tend to avoid areas where one can reasonably expect heavy drinking, because I tend not to share a lot in common with people who indulge heavily.

Boys, is there anything resembling a question for the distaff side of the board in all of this?

Also, can you post some pictures of more of your pets?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't have pictures of a lot of them, but what I do have are available on my "I'll get around to doing something with this space some day" personal web site

Once everyone has recovered - as much as they're going to - from that (TRULY AWFUL HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO US MARK!) image of Hasselhoff, do not go here And certainly don't look at the pictures while you're there. Especially not the ones near the end. Don't do it. I'm warning you.