Oh, bloody hell. I’m beat today and was beat yesterday in a shootout too. My second game of the year in net in our developmental hockey league. I went to the full hour and a half practice and then somewhat unexpectedly filled in at goal in the game that was next. Now I’m tired, go figure? Well, my friend Joe showed me the most awesome thing in the world (and it relates to comics. Follow me people…) I’m not even a fan of the character, but the goalie helmet of him is super-sweet. 
Sometimes, I wish Santa was real… and if you think he is and want to meet him… (What a segue way.)
Geeky X-Mas II…
Remember, The return of our yearly Christmas charity event is just around the corner, December 5th. Some of the events at this year’s Geeky Christmas will include appearances by The 501st Central Garrison and Rebel Alliance, Spider-man and Santa Claus. We will have door prizes, kids crafts, special Holiday Story Times and gift wrapping (for donation) all day. The day’s events will run from 11am to 5pm.
If you don’t know last year’s event raised a considerable number of dollars for Animal Life Line, a no kill special needs animal shelter here on the south side, Public Television and a over five boxes of toys for Toys for Tots. This year we are proud to continue our connection with all three charities. Starting this weekend we will be a Toys for Tots drop off site and early collecting of inexpensive supplies for Animal Life Line.
If you need a list of the most needed supplies for ALL, ask for it the next time you are in the shop. For Toys, remember the will except anything, but prefer unopened, unwrapped toys under or around $20. Kids under three and girls over 14 are the toughest to find good toys for. Just to keep in mind.
I’ll have a full schedule and all the details next week.
Thanksgiving shipment, shopping and… stuff.
This week’s shipment arrives as per usual on Wednesday this week, however, next week it is delayed a day till Thursday. It is a big shipment and there are a crapload of good books to pick up, so, unless you want to actually pay attention to your in-laws this year, I suggest getting your butt into the shop sometime on Wednesday.
Or, come in on Friday when everyone else is out being a moron at the mall. We will be a moron free zone that day.
Now, I hate to have to mention this, as I’m sure you all swear off the giant evil corporate shops this time of year… RIGHT?!? But take a minute to consider where you shop for your X-Man day gifts. If you can, try to ONLY shop local stores. For example, if you need music of nearly any kind, why not try my friend Nate at ZZZ Records on Ingersoll. Been in business for ten years and the only place I buy music in Des Moines.
You need to remember local business is the backbone of your community. When you shop at a local store, the money stays local. I’m not saying this just because corporate giants are evil soulless ghouls that would make the Red Skull look like a teddy bear… wait, no that is way I’m saying this. Just consider where you shop this time of year. Local businesses need your support now more than ever. Don’t break the back of your community, shop local.
But I’m only just getting warmed up…
So, speaking of things I hate, did anyone else read the article on Bleeding Cool.com about the Kentucky Library (Yes, they do have libraries there) who’s community wants to ban some of its books, including The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier? Oh, why yes they do want it gone and the quotes from some of the loons in it are fantastic. The leading minister who is driving this movement decried that if the LOEG:BD “was not pornography then what was?” There was staunch opposition, but the fact we are still dealing with this kind of stupidity in America is amazing…
Or scary, as the other article I found on Bleeding Cool.com hammered that fact home. In Egypt, the countries first graphic novel has been banned, the art and script ceased and the artist and writer arrested and later fined. I highly recommend this article after you read the above one about Kentucky.
We need to be ever vigilant about the forces of censorship. Though one day you might think it is just a bunch of fundamentalist psychotics in Egypt, the next it could be wing-nut fundamentalists in your own backyard taking away your comic books. It is hard to stop down the slippery slope once you start.
One last thing…
I’m tired and I’m heading off to bed. Well, first to read more Judge Dredd, but soon thereafter to bed. (On a side-note, I was reading the Dredd story Judgment Day last week, written in the early nineties and Garth Ennis. In it Dredd refers to the zombies he is fending off as “The Walking Dead.” I kid you not. Makes you wonder if anything in Kirkman’s book is his own creation?)
Sorry, off on a tangent… I said I was tired.
But first one last thing about something I hate, Twilight. There is one more link I’m posting about a look at the Twilight phenomenon that is going on right now and how potentially un-healthy it is. Fantasticly well written about gender issues in two genres of film and what this new vampire crazy might mean to them. Yep, you can find it on Bleeding Cool.com too. That Rich Johnston has THE site for comics and pop culture on the net.