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cbbcomics

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Posts posted by cbbcomics

  1. 16 minutes ago, namisgr said:

    The hole you insist on digging and then standing in just gets deeper and deeper.

     

    As for AF15, does anyone besides me ever wonder how strong spiders really are?  I mean, besides climbing up and around their webs, what other Herculean activities do they perform?  And so, is it really 'super' to have the proportionate strength of one of these creatures?

    -Here's an interesting take on a spider's strength compared to a human. Look at the #1 rated answer. 

    https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070720210557AAb1MCn

    -I think jumping spiders can jump 50x their own body length.

  2. 12 hours ago, chrisco37 said:

    I know this will seem like "pile on" at this point...if you don't like CBCS that's fine.  I take issue with you, more or less, saying that serious collectors will only consider CGC.  That's not the case.

    I also take issue with your comments regarding over grading.  As I said, my experience is that they are close/same.  You've said yourself that you don't consider anything but CGC.  How can you provide an impartial opinion?

    I agree that CGC, on the average, commands higher prices.  The facts/sales bare that out.  They are, and have been, the market leader for over 15 yrs. now.

     

    Nice bomics

  3. 18 hours ago, SECollector said:

    I totally agree about the coolness factor. And yes, its not a first appearance, but it is the very first issue of the most amazing (pun intended) series ever and just the second appearance of Spidey. And yes, they do look awesome as a pair! :luhv:

     

    Spideys.jpg

    Two beauties! 

  4. 4 hours ago, peewee22 said:

    Something I've noticed lately is we spend more time analyzing data and prices than we do enjoying the hobby. Take time out and look at the books posted in the threads esp by newbies. I've noticed when books are posted, many people overlook that and are anxious to get back to the posts that involve pricing. That's all good, but keep this in mind and what we really are here for. I make it a point to look at any recent books posted when  I enter a thread. Just my 2c

    So true, brother.  The enjoyment of this awesome hobbie is in the books. Of course value matters, but balancing that with the art and stories that make it matter in the first place is the key. 

  5. I primarily use my phone to lurk the boards so the mobile view is probably different.  Each thread takes up a large portion of my screen versus the "list view" on the old site in which I could see lots of threads within a topic in one shot. Maybe downsize (or condense) each thread for mobile?

  6. This thread used to be admiral and worthwhile with honest attempts to offer advice and help to Gabe. I myself was one those who tried to offer some impartial guidance.

     

    Then it turned into entertainment with repeated mistakes, hygiene and personal fiascos, shunned feedback, and continued often lame excuses with promises to improve and learn. You would tune in just to see what new excuse or reason was offered and you could get your daily dose of comedic diversion.

     

    Now it is just plain tiresome. :P

     

    You don't have to come to this thread at all I'm not forcing you to.

     

    I did not say that you were forcing me, if you re-read my post. You see you have started a thread on an open public forum and I shared my observations and thoughts. Not that you directly requested that anyone do so; however, when this thread went far awry from the comic book efforts you engaged in, you both asked for and welcomed advice. Advice was given and in many cases, you noted how it was helpful and you would make changes to follow much of the sound advice given.

     

    By sharing your efforts which to me seem to be continuous, repeated personal and business related non-improvements, critique from some of us who tried to offer constructive assistance ensued. You have stated it is your journal which in a way is a fair statement but you have no ownership of the site (at least none that I am aware of, perhaps you are a business investor or partner of CGC but you have not stated such) and therefore, any desire to limit participation is not an option. I will; however, forego any future critique unless you see the need to offer a reply to this post and I may wish to follow-up with any insight I feel compelled to add.

     

    I do want to give you some information as to why your situation is significantly relevant to me and why early on, I provided my thoughts that may have been helpful. I am in my early 50s. I retired from state service as the Deputy Administrator of the state agency which administers among other programs Employment Services and Unemployment Insurance benefits. I worked for the agency for 30 years and started as a Clerk, making $900 a month. Every advancement I had required that I meet the minimum requirements, then an application, followed by a multiple interview process if I made it that far. We are classified state workers which means there are several restrictions and some protections on job security and advancement. There is no pay for performance, COLAs, or automatic advancement. Unclassified employees such as those that appointed can receive what wage is deemed appropriate unlike classified who are restricted to whatever pay band they are in.

     

    I worked a placement desk, administered aptitude and proficiency testing, performed employer relations, did UI administration and adjudication, managed a local workforce center and then advanced through several other positions as state program technical supervisor and also chief of research until I was fortunate enough to end my career as the Deputy which is the highest level in our agency that a classified employee may attain. I then managed every program director over all these programs including ES, UI, JTPA/WIA (now WIOA - job training/placement) IT, Veterans, and Research.

     

    With my work experience, I provided information that I had learned and shared with job seekers and employers. Your posted comments and actions are similar to some job seekers I referred to jobs. After a few referrals with either excuses of why they couldn't do it or interview no-show, I saw that these folks didn't want to work. As an example that is related to what you have shared, I worked with a program called Ticket to Work which provided vouchers to individuals who were receiving disability but still able to perform many jobs. This would have helped them find gainful employment but when I worked with the program only 4% of the tickets issued in my state were used. Moral, they wanted to stay on public assistance and receive their benefit. Similar to UI benefits and the United States passed so many extended benefits periods, someone could stay on UI for a very long time plus receive other types assistance without job attainment or effort.

     

    A bit more on myself, I started working for the state during my last semester of college. I worked two jobs while in college. One was mowing yards and taking care of swimming pools. I even continued to mow yards when my foot was in a cast and I would wrap it in a trash bag to keep the grass out. I did this in 100+ degree weather at times. To this day, I hate taking care of my lawn but I do it and want it to look good to boot.

     

    I saved my money as much as possible (full disclosure, I had a scholarship that paid for some books and tuition and my parents had invested in a college plan so that was incredibly helpful). I paid for my food, gas, groceries, car insurance, and such. Four months after I graduated college, I bought my first house with my own money.

     

    And yes, I collected and read comics through my college days, starting way back in 1972 when I bought my first comic off the stands which I still have. Even though there were loads of books, I wanted to add like SA keys and lots of GA, I chose to save and plan for the future.

     

    To wrap up this brain dump on my part, to relate my understanding of your situation even more, my child had some special needs tied to a birth defect which required major surgery to correct. It was something we could wait until she was older and after she graduated high school, we located a specialist, had the surgery, and a lengthy rehab period later; she is doing great and attending college with great grades and got her first real job last summer in retail. My ex-wife was a Special Education teacher working with educable, mentally handicapped and I learned a great deal from her. She worked to finish her Master's Degree and is now a LPC working with many similarly handicapped patients.

     

    So I do find sympathy and indirectly, empathy, for you and your situation. I will never lose that feeling; however, when an individual who is able to help himself chooses not to for whatever reason, I find it exceedingly difficult to continue supporting that person's effort.

     

    I wish you the best and hope your future will be bright.

     

    Wow! Well done Telerites.

  7. This thread used to be admiral and worthwhile with honest attempts to offer advice and help to Gabe. I myself was one those who tried to offer some impartial guidance.

     

    Then it turned into entertainment with repeated mistakes, hygiene and personal fiascos, shunned feedback, and continued often lame excuses with promises to improve and learn. You would tune in just to see what new excuse or reason was offered and you could get your daily dose of comedic diversion.

     

    Now it is just plain tiresome. :P

     

    :headbang:

  8. Could it be possible that this cycle is in some way enabling?

     

    Yes...it clearly is enabling (in the negative sense of the word). I've started to make this point several times in the thread, but figured it wasn't worth the energy. I'm glad you made it, though...

     

    :applause:

     

    Edit: along those lines, I made a plea here a couple/few months ago that we stop responding. I was basically told to off. :D

    Well, thank you for trying, Sir. I suppose some folks just see this entire thread as entertainment fodder. :popcorn:

     

    Be a collector again. ...Just collect.

     

    If I understand things right, OP has never been a comic collector, and is not interested in collecting comics...only interest in comics is as their use as a widget for making profit buying and selling them, period. Same with board games, same with video games, same with coins...comics are just the latest widget (correct me if I'm wrong OP)

    Interesting. I appreciate you clarifying. That's probably part of the "issue" here. :kidaround:

  9. A lot of people are getting frustrated because they're giving seemingly reasonable, if not excellent advice, and the progress being made is barely inching along, if there is any progress at all. And that is understandable.

     

    But most of those people seem to be making the assumption that you have AT WORST a lazy kid with a mild learning disorder who is leeching off his parents and possibly government assistance in the past. I would say that diagnosis is the absolute BEST case scenario for the OP, and would mean he at least has the POTENTIAL for improvement in the future, with a bit more discipline, willpower, and education, or at least a full time minimum wage job.

     

    I'm no sociologist or psychologist, but I don't think we're dealing with a rational actor here who has the capacity to make seemingly obvious (to most of us) connections between motivation, behavior, and goals (or maths) that would really allow for any type of independent financial survival , outside of finding and mastering one specific technical skill that he reasonably enjoys and hopefully pays at least a basic sustaining wage.

     

    Which is not an excuse for lack of will, but I think this is a kid who at times has wanted things very much and tried very hard at very basic things only to fail, much to the chagrin of teachers, friends, and family around him. And my guess is that type of thing has happened more than once, maybe more than a hundred times. And that takes a toll. And it can cripple many aspects of person's life if left unaddressed.

     

    Which is why I once again reiterate my position that all collectible flipping activity (and related advice and encouragement thereof) should be ceased until such time that professional help can be obtained and sufficient progress made in emotional, professional, and hopefully learning arenas. He doesn't get it and won't until he gets real professional help and improves other parts of his life.

     

    The cursory adulation he receives from the occasional 'good' sale only serves to reinforce his fantasy that he's somehow on the right track, and mentally buys him a reprieve from working on things that truly matter.

     

    I appreciate the community's many attempts to help the OP. :headbang: After hundreds of pages of great advice and repeated misfortunes, I think Revat really summed it up well. Assuming this is not an extremely well orchestrated social media experiment hm , it seems as if the percentage of total advice given that was acted upon is likely less than 1%. :whatev: If history repeats itself, the OP will continue to post and the community will continue to give advice and consequently get frustrated when it's not followed. :frustrated: Could it be possible that this cycle is in some way enabling? What would happen if the community stopped responding to anything the OP does that is destructive :preach: and only post affirmations when he does something constructive? :applause: I know it sounds nice and fluffy :cloud9:, but could it be true? If this were the approach the community took, I'd 100% agree that encouraging any comic-related discussion would interfere. :baiting: Another approach could be to only discuss comics with the OP, nothing else, and only when there is no discussion of money or value. :troll: Regardless, I wish the OP the very best. :wishluck:

    Now here's my 2c to the OP: Be a collector again. Making money from comics does not seem to work for you. :makepoint: Don't trade unless value is the last thing on your mind. I'm not encouraging you to trade your $500 book for someone else's $10 book just because you like the $10 book better. I am saying don't do it with the objective of getting something more valuable. It rarely seems to go in your favor. Just collect. Also, don't seek affirmation from people here on the boards or anywhere. :acclaim: That must come from within, buddy. Everyone struggles with it too, so it's an endless, yet possibly enjoyable journey. I recommend not posting anything related to your personal life. :gossip: But if you want to talk comics... :banana:

     

    This isn't a troll nor a social experiment, just a guy that wants to make money with comics. My personal life I've cut down on but I don't mind sharing since I don't hide things or try to make them appear better to impress others.

     

    My last few comics buys and sell have went well so that's something I'm proud of.

     

    ^^

  10. A lot of people are getting frustrated because they're giving seemingly reasonable, if not excellent advice, and the progress being made is barely inching along, if there is any progress at all. And that is understandable.

     

    But most of those people seem to be making the assumption that you have AT WORST a lazy kid with a mild learning disorder who is leeching off his parents and possibly government assistance in the past. I would say that diagnosis is the absolute BEST case scenario for the OP, and would mean he at least has the POTENTIAL for improvement in the future, with a bit more discipline, willpower, and education, or at least a full time minimum wage job.

     

    I'm no sociologist or psychologist, but I don't think we're dealing with a rational actor here who has the capacity to make seemingly obvious (to most of us) connections between motivation, behavior, and goals (or maths) that would really allow for any type of independent financial survival , outside of finding and mastering one specific technical skill that he reasonably enjoys and hopefully pays at least a basic sustaining wage.

     

    Which is not an excuse for lack of will, but I think this is a kid who at times has wanted things very much and tried very hard at very basic things only to fail, much to the chagrin of teachers, friends, and family around him. And my guess is that type of thing has happened more than once, maybe more than a hundred times. And that takes a toll. And it can cripple many aspects of person's life if left unaddressed.

     

    Which is why I once again reiterate my position that all collectible flipping activity (and related advice and encouragement thereof) should be ceased until such time that professional help can be obtained and sufficient progress made in emotional, professional, and hopefully learning arenas. He doesn't get it and won't until he gets real professional help and improves other parts of his life.

     

    The cursory adulation he receives from the occasional 'good' sale only serves to reinforce his fantasy that he's somehow on the right track, and mentally buys him a reprieve from working on things that truly matter.

     

    I appreciate the community's many attempts to help the OP. :headbang: After hundreds of pages of great advice and repeated misfortunes, I think Revat really summed it up well. Assuming this is not an extremely well orchestrated social media experiment hm , it seems as if the percentage of total advice given that was acted upon is likely less than 1%. :whatev: If history repeats itself, the OP will continue to post and the community will continue to give advice and consequently get frustrated when it's not followed. :frustrated: Could it be possible that this cycle is in some way enabling? What would happen if the community stopped responding to anything the OP does that is destructive :preach: and only post affirmations when he does something constructive? :applause: I know it sounds nice and fluffy :cloud9:, but could it be true? If this were the approach the community took, I'd 100% agree that encouraging any comic-related discussion would interfere. :baiting: Another approach could be to only discuss comics with the OP, nothing else, and only when there is no discussion of money or value. :troll: Regardless, I wish the OP the very best. :wishluck:

    Now here's my 2c to the OP: Be a collector again. Making money from comics does not seem to work for you. :makepoint: Don't trade unless value is the last thing on your mind. I'm not encouraging you to trade your $500 book for someone else's $10 book just because you like the $10 book better. I am saying don't do it with the objective of getting something more valuable. It rarely seems to go in your favor. Just collect. Also, don't seek affirmation from people here on the boards or anywhere. :acclaim: That must come from within, buddy. Everyone struggles with it too, so it's an endless, yet possibly enjoyable journey. I recommend not posting anything related to your personal life. :gossip: But if you want to talk comics... :banana: