I want to wear this shirt to the hospital for Tallulah’s birth. What do you think?

One of my favorite photographers–Ed Peterson–took this photo of Fraction signing books at Emerald City Comic Con this weekend.

[I know there are people who object to what they see as the crass commercialism of the notion of "push presents." They are welcome to their opinion. And they should feel free to post it elsewhere.]

When Henry Leo was born, Fraction gave me an engagement ring. (Sure, we’d already been married for 5 years, but we didn’t have the means for a ring when we were properly engaged. He proposed with a spoon ring that his uncle made for his father and that his father gave to him. I gave it back to him on our wedding day and he still wears it today.) The gift was at once a congratulations, a celebration, a thank you, the fulfillment of a promise and an expression of love and I treasure it light years beyond its monetary value.

He surprised me last night with another gift, the occasion for which is a celebration of the birth of our daughter… albeit, a little early. It’s an antique typewriter–a 1955 pink portable Smith Corona–and it’s just about the most perfect thing I can imagine. I could spell out for you all of the reasons, the many messages embodied by this one gift, but the sap factor of this post is already alarmingly high and besides–I’ll cry.

Anyway, it’s beautiful and wonderful and I love it and I wanted to show you.

…And now I must get back to work.

Because, really, can you ever have too much?

Last night, Matt’s Iron Man Omnibus was $15 on Amazon–a great deal for a book that usually retails for (I believe) $40. As I write this? It’s $8.24.

Link:
Invincible Iron Man Omnibus, Vol. 1

More Amazon deals (most found courtesy of Chris Sims, btw):
Fraction’s Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia – $15!
Most of the EC Archives – $15!
Criminal (Deluxe Edition) – $15!
Brubaker’s Daredevil Omnibus, Vol. 1 – $8.24!
The Death of Captain America Omnibus – $8.24!

And still more:
The Ultimates Omnibus – $8.24!
Wolverine Omnibus, Vol. 1 – $8.24!
The X-Men Omnibus, Vol. 1 – $8.24!
Fantastic Four Omnibus, Vol. 1 (v. 1) – $8.24!
(Stan Lee) Iron Man Omnibus, Vol. 1 – $14.99!
Madman Gargantua (Madman Comics) – $14.99!
Tomb Of Dracula Omnibus Volume 1 HC Variant (v. 1) – $14.99!
Amazing Fantasy Omnibus HC Brereton Variant – $14.99!
Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume (Vol 1) – $14.99!

Siege (Preorder) – $14.99!
Siege: Embedded Premiere HC (Preorder) – $14.99!
Girl Comics HC (Preorder) – $14.99!

I think this is my first interview that wasn’t conducted in email? Consequently I ramble. Like, a LOT. Learning curve and all that. Still, Comics Alliance did a great job and I do appreciate the support.

Questions for PDXers:

• We have some small appliances that have ‘given up the ghost’–two space heaters and a floor lamp. How do we dispose of these things? Can we donate them to a charity that might be able to fix them, or do we put them in the garbage…? Is there a monthly “Bulky Pickup” trash day, like there was in KC?
• I want a small jade plant for my office. Where best to buy one?
• Does anyone know of a place offhand that sells Trapp candles? I’m “craving” a Bob’s Flower Shop candle to fend off the dog fart stench in my office.

Hm. I feel like I must have at least a dozen more, but that’ll do for now. Any help appreciated!