Tec-Tac-Toe

I always knew that you could not trust Ren and Stimpy. However, wow, simply, wow.

Thankfully, Andrew spared two, at that time, approximately, 35 to 40 foot Black Olive trees that sit in front of our house in Miami as they each only lost a few limbs. I was down there six months ago to check the house; my sister lives a few blocks from it and visits it a few times a week; and the trees look great and, of course, much taller. Unfortunately, if you don't take care of your car's finish a Black Olive will stain it and, possibly, eat it away much more than, for example, a Live Oak. Andrew did severely damage every other plant on the property. However, none were lost and, being south Florida, they were back to full size and/or covered in foliage in about six months. Regrettably, Andrew did down a great many trees in the area, including large Black Olives, Live Oaks, Banyan (both Fig and Ficus) Trees, and Dade County Pine that were old (50, 100, 150 years old and, some, likely [much] older), large, and beautiful. The number of missing trees made the place look strange, and it still does in that respect. (Edit: added a period) Many trees have been planted in the 30 years since Andrew and some are quite tall. Unfortunately, in my lifetime it is not possible to replace a Live Oak, for example, that was in place for 100 years with a new one since they are relatively slow growing oaks and I'll be long dead before it reaches its full majesty.

Once I receive my two copies, I'm going to submit one for grading.

I purchased this copy of SHSL from another board member it must be over a decade ago. I love this cover.

To add to PS covers, here is one of my favorite along with the others posted and, basically, all PS covers. The comic book below is the only CGC graded PS one that I own but hope to purchase more.

Where I currently live the area is known for it extensive tree canopy. The power company, instead of burying power lines resorted about ten years ago to trimming trees or cutting them down, including several oak tees that were one to two hundred years old. Thankfully, the amount of trees is such that the canopy is healthy. One of the reasons I purchased in this area is because of the canopy and the endless array of fauna.

Following Andrew, FPL restored our power in 3 days. I used to complain about FPL, but it did well following Andrew. Where I reside now, if a hurricane as strong as Andrew, a category 5, were to hit it would likely take the power company three months to restore power. It stinks! I never thought I would miss FPL, but I do.

I lived in Miami during Hurricane Andrew in August 1992 and hope to never experience such again. I hope that you and yours are doing well and that the recovery goes as smooth as is possible under such circumstances.

"You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little ****** up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to ******' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?"

In years past I got some great deals on comic books in ComicLink auctions, some at 50% off of previous sales and auctions. Having said that, it must stink to be on the other side of such a result.

To add to my previous posts, it seems like every CGC graded comic book that I still wish to purchase increases in price while those that I already own or don't wish to purchase decrease.

Beautiful copy. I was fortunate to be able to purchase my copy I believe about 13 years ago. I was also able to purchase BB 93 sometime later.

I, of course, was speaking to the current prices some dealers are asking for many CGC graded and raw comic books and, consequently, based on many of them selling, that I am "wishful thinking" in regards to purchasing them since they are priced far above what I am willing to pay but others are not. To your point, perhaps like you, I have been regularly purchasing comic books off the newsstand and, later, newsstand and LCS since 1969. I was fortunate that, as I call it, the "almost corner grocery store" in Union City, NJ the older gentleman who owned it sold new issues and also had strewn about tons of Golden and Silver Ages comic books and magazines. He offered a discount on the new issues and sold the Golden and Silver Age from ten cents to 50 cents, priced a such I have no idea why and never inquired as he was quite surly. I love the fact that I recall this like it was yesterday. (Edit) There were a Few a few stops, about two years total, (edit) during which I stopped purchasing new issues during the 1990s but, of course, purchased most of them as back issues later on. As you point out, some are worth more than I paid for them, some less. Overall, like all or almost all that post here, I am far above what I paid. Granted, when and, I should have written, if I decide to sell at some point, likely will, I hope that there are folks willing to purchase them and for, hopefully, more than I paid.

True and to, perhaps, sound morose, dishonesty by far too many people is considered a virtue.

In that vein, I still see the prices asked by some dealers as, in my income bracket, wishful thinking. However, individuals, perhaps in higher income brackets than I, are purchasing many of said comic books. Accordingly, I am the one "wishful thinking" but I can't fathom spending two or three times what a comic book was worth in around 2020 and, likely, getting stuck with a "lemon" when I eventually decide to sell it.

I have several CGC slabs with the red label.I wonder if the slab for the slab will have a red label. I don't care about the comic books, just the red label.

That sounds "perverted."

I do recall the MHC adds in 1970 and 1980s comic books; perhaps I'll look at one in one of my comic books from those eras. Many have posted photos of them on these boards. Prices, to my knowledge and as you note, were comparable to other dealers. I do not recall ever ordering from MHC back then, so will not comment on their grading. Of course, some dealers back then (I imagine some still do) sold, for example, Very Fine (some F/VF) as Near Mint. My 10-year old self learned to grade very quickly thanks to those "fine" (I apologize) dealers.

It has been a great many years since I have purchased from MHC but, in my relatively limited experience purchasing from them, a MHC "NM" generally meant "Not Meaning 9.4, about 7.5."

In my experience, TFAW provides relatively horrendous (typically 8.0 to 9.2, with some 7.5) copies of Marvel and Dynamite. Both companies, especially Dynamite, are known for lousy cover stock as noted numerous times on these boards. Thankfully, I order/ed very little from either one initially to test the waters. Dynamite, for one, rarely "disappointed", with perhaps two comic books out of twenty having no damage (cbst, dents, creases). I have stopped purchasing Dynamite (and, I'll note, IDW) titles. I'll also note that Dynamite copies at my LCSs are also, generally, pure manure. Thus far, about six months, TFAW has typically provided me with 9.8 copies of DC titles. However, if that changes, I'll drop TFAW like a bad habit.

The last three 25 comic book-sized boxes that I have received have had the tape on the bottom of the box broken off at both ends. Other than that, the boxes have been fine. Of course, that is more than enough because if the tape were to give the comic books would ... I'd rather not write it. The first two boxes were shipped via USPS and, as always in my experience, very carefully handled. Thus, it may be that the tape CGC is using is not of the finest quality. Prior to 2022, this did not occur on the boxes I received. Of course, previously CGC also used larger 25 comic book-sized boxes that offered more protection.

It is perhaps what Charles Ponzi would do, or not.

Just a, currently, married woman.

Yes, I created one after you started this one. Just trying to keep hope alive for your thread.

I am looking forward to watching and, hopefully, enjoying it.