Arak Zantara

persistence that is the ticket. when i got out of the military I got turned down by Exxon Chemicals 3 times for their      3 person IT phone support  ...   No degree ... no experience ( all hobby) and I didnt look like and IBM clone . They kept hiring guys with duel degrees ,I believe that one boy had a PH.D        It was such a hot seat that they couldn't keep anyone in it longer then a week or two.    3 people supporting 800+ on site and 300+ offsite users   convinced the manager to give me a chance on that 3rd interview.. turns out certain previous training NOT to buckle under pressure made me the ideal fit.   My cousin Jan had the 1st seat ...so one of our secret joys once we became the golden ones was to walk thru the property in full on cowboy / cowgirl getup while everyone else....... was blue suit red tie white shirt .. more or less and no one would even think about saying something about our boots buckles hats ... sometimes even our spurs and chaps on certain days... damn too much coffee again... POINT is dont quit ... dont give up  ..   *er* *stay in school and stay off drugs*

persistence that is the ticket. when i got out of the military I got turned down by Exxon Chemicals 3 times for their      3 person IT phone support  ...   No degree ... no experience ( all hobby) and I didnt look like and IBM clone . They kept hiring guys with duel degrees ,I believe that one boy had a PH.D        It was such a hot seat that they couldn't keep anyone in it longer then a week or two.    3 people supporting 800+ on site and 300+ offsite users   convinced the manager to give me a chance on that 3rd interview.. turns out certain previous training NOT to buckle under pressure made me the ideal fit.   My cousin Jan had the 1st seat ...so one of our secret joys once we became the golden ones was to walk thru the property in full on cowboy / cowgirl getup while everyone else....... was blue suit red tie white shirt .. more or less and no one would even think about saying something about our boots buckles hats ... sometimes even our spurs and chaps on certain days... damn too much coffee again... POINT is dont quit ... dont give up  ..   *er* *stay in school and stay off drugs*

The next deslabbed addition to the collection. Real nice looking copy from Newworldorder:
 

Two more early MTU 9.8's to my run!!

Before his Thor...

 
Pick up on the boards...

WOW!!! @Parabellum I went big on a #12, got a 1st gen label 9.6, but that 9.8 is awesome, Congrats!
Only some comics characters get the 3rd appearance designation on the label,  it's a small quirk, but at least this has the Origin on there, a great read  

Good grief! That's table-crushing generosity! @greggy 

It is so cool getting two prizes in the Holiday Raffle... especially when both are near the top of your list.
Thank you to Dave @oakman29 for some great books!!  

Some Good Eats! Fo sho!
 

Here's my loot from Hawaii!    Thank you so much @Mayor Mccheese  

Thanks to my Secret Santa!! Unfortunately, I don't know who it is ... but please know that I am very thankful
I got a wonderful assortment of Superman, Hulk and Daredevil comics. I haven't had a chance to take a good look at them yet because I have been putting together toys and playing Beyblades with my kids. 
Have an amazing Christmas everyone!!

So many amazing gifts everybody! Hope you all enjoy the day with your families and get time to read / play with your new comic gifts
 

A big thanks to @aszumilo for the sweet reads! The precode horror and crime HCs were a special treat since thats some of my favorite genres. If I didn't have to spend all day putting together a foosball table I would be tucked away in my comic room reading these gifts. Maybe tonight. Merry Christmas!

@Bkd Reader Thank you for the outstanding assortment! The vintage comics, toys, & especially the 3 Blu-ray movies are exactly what I wanted [Secret] Santa to bring me!
WESLEY SNIPES BLADE!!!...In my Top 5 Best 'Marvel' films...
(Funko Pop Baby Groot accidentally left out of the group pic!)

My secret Santa was Ron C. Got some new cards to add the Collection and a sketch card by Don Perlin!It is a good Christmas!

A Great Big Thank You to @Bird for such a great gift!  I don't participate much on the boards anymore and my request was vague, at best, but he put together a package of goodies that hit the sweet spot!
Thanks so much!
 

Glad you like the books! Happy Holidays!

Well @Tim Weaver Got me a Hattrick of horror!!! Does that work better @Ryan. ?!?! 
Honestly I was Blown Away by the EC books and then I open a second envelope and got the Adventures into Terror 15!! That cover is awesome!!! Cant wait to start reading them!
 
Again Thank You this was awesome!!  @Tim Weaver

Hopefully you get a couple neat ones in the blind bags.  Happy Holidays!

A huge yell of THANK YOU and MERRY CHRISTMAS to Don (otherwise known as 707Comics).  Not only hits a home run, with gift selection, but also wins the packing ingenuity award for using mini candy cases as internal packing.  And to be honest, I did not buy candy canes this year and was talking about that last night...now I have enough to get me to next year.
As for the Star Wars goodies, I am a fan of Star Wars and I have no issues with any of the movies, shows, comics, books, etc.  I find some good in all of it (and yes, that goes for the Holiday Special too).  This was great as I don't have much Dark Horse material and I can honestly say, with the exception of one book, I didn't have any of these, so thank you SOOOOOOOO much!  This is a great gift that will be treasured for a very long time!
DJ

@the blob Hey, I am glad everyone in your household liked my gifts! 
I can't take credit for the Papyrus card, I asked my wife to pick that up for me! That was all her! 
Happy Holidays to you & yours!
I hope you enjoying reading them over the break! 

@comics4all not too shabby
 

Thanks comicsforall for some 1000s, which I do not have and were immediately claimed by the 8 year old, some x-men, also immediately claimed by the 8 year old, and some dc hardcovers, immediately claimed by the 14 year old (he hates reading monthlies)-- although I am going to steal back the 1000s and black mirror to read during this vacation. And my wife was very impressed by the fancy red velvet card from papyrus, which I will probably figure out a way to reuse..

Did the Holidays a bit late this year but my Secret Santa really came through with a bunch of awesomeness. Some iconic silver age books that I dont have (Flash races Superman! First Byrne at Marvel! XMen!) and lots of great Gaiman and Stan Lee reading! Thank you so very much @unclezebo