Sunday, April 26, 2009

Letting the Memories In...


As I mentioned in my earlier post, I found out that my grandpa passed away as I was walking into ECCC. Let me preface things by saying that I knew my grandpa was ill, and that he had limited time. I had been to visit my grandpa and grandma the Saturday before he passed away and had spent the afternoon caring for him and talking to her about the past, present, and future.


While it wasn't a shock to get the phone call from my dad, it was still a sad moment. Jim and I had just walked off the freight elevator at the Seattle Convention Center with our good friend Brian and when I got the news. As I talked to my dad, Jim and Brian proceeded to the Hero Initiative booth in front of me. As they greeted Brian Pulido, who had the booth next door, I smacked Jim on the back to get his attention. "What??", he said a tad annoyed. "My grandpa just died" was my reply. As his facial expression changed into one of concern, I told him I needed a moment. I didn't want to get in the middle of the conversation that was underway, and I sure didn't want to share what I had just learned.


I walked out of the room to the hallway and cried for a few moments. Then I composed myself and called my dad. He was heading to the care center to be with my mom and grandma, as they needed all the love they could get at that moment. We decided that since Grandpa was gone, it wouldn't make any difference if I made the trip there- I had just been there, and my mom and grandma would need some time. I assured my dad I was just a phone call away, and wandered back in.


Brian gave me a nice hug and we decided to proceed with normal events. I helped with the booth set up and then we went to dinner. A beer had never tasted so good! It was strange to think that while I was feeling such great emptiness, the world was still turning as it always does. I thought to myself- is that how it is for everyone? I had lost my uncle to cancer a year ago, and while I was devastated, I was working a lot of hours and didn't have time to properly mourn until his funeral service. This time, I was away from home and felt at a loss for words or deeds.


Luckily while I was at the show, I was able to share with some good friends, and I was able to go on. Thank you to those of you that I talked to. I know that it was probably a bit awkward, but I really felt okay, knowing I was with you.


My poor husband really didn't know what to do, so he got Frank Cho to do a very special sketch for me. Thank you to both Frank and Jim. It isn't something Frank normally does, and I feel very lucky that he knew me enough to know that it was something I will never part with. A special word to Jim- you did just fine. You knew all about how sad I was and how important it was for me to make the trips to see my grandparents every time I visited home. You mostly just let me do what I needed to do and feel the way I needed to feel, and that is what mattered.


As I sit here, my grandpa has been in heaven for just over three weeks. I miss him, and I worry about my grandma. My grandparents were married for almost 65 years and they experienced the worst trials and tribulations that a couple can deal with, combined with the great joys of a longterm marriage filled with love and family. They always set a good Christian example to me, and I will always be grateful to them for that. I feel that my sense of morality and dignity is very much a gift that they gave me.


I have cried a moment or two, here and there, at random times since Grandpa died. Mostly it was because I was remembering something special that my grandpa had said or done. I was extraordinarily lucky in life- I had a full set of grandparents for over 42 years, and I always knew with a great certainty how much they loved me. I mostly cry because I know how privileged I was to have the relationship I did with my grandpa.


Let me pause for a moment and say a few things from the heart. If a family member gets ill, and it is hard to deal with- DON'T RUN AWAY. Suck it up and be there- even if it is horrible and painful. Also, don't be afraid to comfort those that need it. Don't let them live in a fantasy land, but use tact and be honest and true to your heart.


I say these things because I am lucky. I was able to see my grandpa in sickness and in health. I have beautiful, joyous memories of him that will long outlive the ones that are in my short term memory. He was terribly ill, and it is hard to bring dignity into a situation like that, but I am so glad I didn't run away.


Thank you to my friends and family that were so wonderful to me. I miss my grandpa, and will continue to do so the rest of my life. We had silly, fun private jokes that make me smile as I am typing this. We also had wonderful, serious talks, and moments of intense feeling. My grandpa loved me and I knew it, but I also know he went to heaven knowing how much I loved him back and that is all I can ask for.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Freaking Sweet!




WONDER WOMAN #34

Written by Gail Simone

Art by Aaron Lopresti & Matt Ryan

Cover by Aaron Lopresti

“Birds of Paradise” part 1 of 2! After the status-shattering events of WONDER WOMAN #33, the world's most sensational team reunites, as Wonder Woman and Black Canary go undercover among some of the worst villains of the DC universe! It's gonna be a bad day for some bad men when the two toughest women in comics join forces!

On sale July 29 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Catching Up

Hey Gang.. umm, if anyone still actually comes here...

I love my blog. You wouldn't know it recently, but I really do. It has been a wonderful tool for me to communicate with, and to share my love of the comic book medium. I have made the best friends on earth here, and I really miss it. I would really like to get back to normal again soon.

The only problem is that life has been hectic.

I haven't said a bunch, mostly because I love my job and don't want to misconstrue talk of it as negative in any way, but I have been very busy there. It has been exciting and fascinating to work for another company after being at my old one for almost twenty years. I feel like a butterfly coming out of my coccoon. I have enjoyed the challenge of learning a new computer system and figuring out the way to do things there. It has been a lot of hours, primarily because I am a bit of a workaholic, and secondarily because I hate not knowing how to do something correctly. I want to learn fast, so that has taken a great deal of time.

Also, as you know, I also cut WAY back on my comic book purchases. I only receive a DCBS order once a month, so I am really out of the loop. The lack of comic books also made me cut back on my blog reading, lest I find spoilers. I went from over 100 titles a month to 6. It is MAJOR culture shock. I still don't like it but it is a fact of life. It also means I have a lot less to talk about because I don't have the knowledge of the books in a timely manner, or follow the books at all.

Finally but most importantly in my life, my beloved grandpa's health deteriorated and he passed away recently. I have a story that I would like to make as a separate blog entry, because I found out as I was walking into ECCC. My grandpa and grandma have always been close to me, and I miss my grandpa very much. Luckily for me, my grandma is still alive, though deeply mourning her husband. She and Grandpa were married almost 65 years. I want to be there for her as much as I can, even though distance separates us.

There is so much I want to say, but I just can't find the time. I refuse to close my blog, or retire it. I feel like things are going to normalize eventually, and I feel that I will revive my comic book roots sooner than later. It just hasn't been something I have been able to do in the past six months especially.

I miss talking about "is this gratuitous". I miss the excitement of the weekly Diamond list, knowing that I would have good stuff on the list each week. I miss reading all my favorite blogs and sites and keeping up on comic book news. Most of all, I miss the people that I used to interact with in the comics.

I vow to make a triumphant return..... :-)

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

It Is Snowing!!

Isn't it supposed to be Spring?? Snowflakes the size of silver dollars are just plain odd.


-- Post From My iPhone

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Typing

Why is it that when I learned to type on high school I couldn't look at the keyboard because points were taken off but now I find I have to look to type on my iPhone?

I know in school it was not allowed because we were to look at the material we were typing in but I am forever messed up now. I never look at the keyboard when I type but now must do so to send messages.

No wonder I am so slow!

Discuss.


-- Post From My iPhone

Monday, April 06, 2009

Home from ECCC

It is with sadness mixed with extreme exhaustion that I sit here today. The Emerald City Comicon was amazing fun, and all my friends were wonderful. I had bad news Friday night and they all pitched in to make me comfortable and happy.

The crowds were insane this year, as you can see in this picture! I will have a more full report later this week.

In the meantime, thank you to my friends. You are why I look so forward to attending!



-- Post From My iPhone

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Live from ECCC

It's all over except for the post-show cocktails. A wonderful time was had by all!


-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

The shirt that all the creators signed. It is going to end up in San Diego so keep your eyes peeled!


-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

Spider-Man and a ghostbuster team up to fight evil!


-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

Jim works the booth while Brian Denham sketches.



-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

Mark Waid is signing at the Hero Initiative booth from 10:30 to noon. Very cool!


-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

A nice day.



-- Post From My iPhone

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Live from ECCC

Gene Ha was amazing! He gave the Hero Initiative crew warm hugs and sketched for an hour at the booth.




-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

Martini and Rantz rock the house!


-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

Lisa and Laura- two of my favorite people! Laura is my friend from Bloggity-Blog-Blog and Lisa is her wonderful sister! That is Laura on the right.
(Thank you to Eric for the help)




-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

This lady dressed as Leia is very popular!



-- Post From My iPhone

Live from ECCC

Hero Initiative insanity!


-- Post From My iPhone

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

New Comics for April 1


Happy April Fool's Day! In my town, we started the morning with light snow and wind. I guess the groundhog was right, huh? Hopefully the weather is getting better for you, and not following the trend here of cold and cold.


I had a few new comics this week! They are:


Justice Society of America #25- cover pictured

Boys #29


My hubby ran by the local comic book shop today and bought me a couple of comics as a treat. He got me Flash Rebirth #1 and Black Panther 2 #3. That was very nice of him, and I hope to get to read them tonight.


My interest in comics has been almost non-existent lately. With the bad economy and so much going on at my job and with family, it has been hard to fit it in. I am hoping to rekindle some of that interest at the Emerald City Comicon this weekend.

My goal is to do some live blogging from the show. I have an iPhone, so I am going to take pictures and post them if nothing else. I also am going to help at the Hero Initiative booth, God willing my family member's health remains unchanged.


Anyone else attending? Have a happy Thursday!