Messages

1

Off Topic / Re: The Black Dog Thread

« on: 17 May, 2022, 10:12:23 PM »

Depression seems to be getting worse again.  I have an old 2006 VW Golf, a couple of months ago I spent a bit trying to solve water leakage problems that were coming into the drivers and passengers front footwell.  Now, it's back, making me feel that the money spent was a total waste.

Add to that I just feel down.  I started going to a local church after going to a jobclub being run from there.  I got friendly with a woman there, and a few times offered to give her a lift home when she had missed her bus or the weather wasn't great.  I wasn't trying to come on to her and I said that basically I just wanted some friendship (she has a boyfriend anyway), but now, I seem to be getting the cold shoulder or maybe I'm just imagining it.

I'm not really particularly enjoying the voluntary work at the hospice, to be honest I miss the book shop, both browsing in it and working in it because I'm such a book nerd.  I'm still REALLY pissed about being banned unjustly.  I can't seem to focus my mind on anything very easily, and although I've read a few graphic novels I can't seem to focus on any of my actual fiction novels.  There's an art club apparently going to start but not till autumn this year and every day is just empty and meaningless.

Still finding it very hard to get a proper sleep pattern.  I don't think there would be much point going to the doctors as I imagine the first thing offered would be sleeping pills, which on top of all I take anyway is just not desirable.  I just find existence meaningless and if I could find a quick way out tomorrow would probably elect for it.

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Announcements / Re: 2000 AD - The Ultimate Collection

« on: 13 May, 2022, 04:01:23 AM »

I got around to reading Mean Arena book 2.

While it's readable, I feel it's very much a product of its time.  It was kinda obvious who the last two members of the syndicate were, especially one of them when you saw silouhettes. The ending was kinda unsatisying and rather abrupt.

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Off Topic / Re: The Black Dog Thread

« on: 16 April, 2022, 10:27:01 PM »

I (reluctantly) the other day set an appointment for a second colonoscopy.  What I REALLY didn't like was the constant badgering on the phone of "So you don't want it?" or "Do you want it" without giving you a chance to even breath.  I finally said that No, I didn't WANT it, but it was a case of needing it.

Meanwhile I'd had to get an ultrasound on my liver and blood tests.  The ultrasound was quick and no bother, the blood tests less so because I've got deep veins.  Finally the results came through as clear and apparently I dont have to go for the second colonoscopy now.

I'm still feeling really down emotionally though, just a constant feeling of real hopelessness in life.  I can't seem to concentrate on much.  I've decided to do a clear out of DVD's that I picked up dirt cheap from the charity shops because there's no way I'll get the chance to watch them all and I can't seem to find the mood.

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Announcements / Re: 2000 AD - The Ultimate Collection

« on: 15 April, 2022, 08:18:52 PM »

True that, far too much Slaine, and as you say the first extension was pretty solid, the second has been far more hit and miss and I've been wondering whether to cancel or not.

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Announcements / Re: 2000 AD - The Ultimate Collection

« on: 15 April, 2022, 12:16:54 AM »

I have to admit that the volume of mediocre or dud to really good stuff in the 2000ad partwork in comparison to the Dredd one isn't as strong for me.  However, I've got stuff like the last Savage that didn't look like it was going to be printed in graphic novel form anytime soon, as well as getting introduced to stories that I'd heard about but hadn't read, like Nikolai Dante and enjoyed. 

Mean Arena I seem to remember not reading at the time it was in the prog as I got it at the time.  Part of that might be because I have no interest in sports (though strangely enough I liked Harlem Heroes and to a lesser extent Inferno).  War Machine after all I'd heard about it was just soooo disappointing.

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Announcements / Re: 2000 AD - The Ultimate Collection

« on: 10 April, 2022, 10:48:56 PM »

I finished the book, Glimmer Rats was just one of those...what the hell is this, it just seemed to be an excuse for a gorefest.  I'm not offended by this or anything but really it wasn't a very memorable story.

As to Rogue, or that universe I preferred the likes of the Realpolitik era, the 86ers or Jaegir.  The painted art was very messy in my opinion and I get that it was perhaps meant to highlight the confusion but it didn't work for me.

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Announcements / Re: 2000 AD - The Ultimate Collection

« on: 10 April, 2022, 03:15:10 PM »

Okay I read Strontium Dogs, not bad, the Gronk stories were silly but amusing.

I'm a good bit through War machine, and I was expecting more somehow.  I was a Rogue Trooper fan, but War Machine seems very disjointed.  The Dredd crossover story so far seems the best bit but its all over the place.

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Announcements / Re: 2000 AD - The Ultimate Collection

« on: 06 April, 2022, 02:50:56 AM »

I'd still like us to get a Dredd Black Atlantic volume but it seems that it won't be.

If there IS a Harry 20, I'd like it to include the follow up story.

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Announcements / Re: 2000 AD - The Ultimate Collection

« on: 05 April, 2022, 03:06:07 AM »

Damn, the last book that came into my newsagents was Mean Arena volume 1, I hope that's not going to be a miss, Smiths have been fairly good with practically no problems.

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Books & Comics / Re: Bargains/deals thread (?)

« on: 30 March, 2022, 10:48:23 PM »

Update on the whole Zavvi thing, they had another ten Trek graphic novels deal which I ordered perhaps rather stupidly.

Again, marked as in stock, but when ordered they reneged on the order and said they were out of stock while constantly getting new single stock items in.

Also super shady is that they are marking some of these Eaglemoss books at £24.99 when they have a cover price of £9.99.  I don't know if that's even legal.

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Announcements / Re: 2000 AD - The Ultimate Collection

« on: 22 March, 2022, 10:15:46 PM »

Well I finally got round to reading Mean Arena, not bad, but very much a product of it's time I think.  As sports strips go, I think I preferred Harlem Heroes which is equally dated but still fun, while Inferno I feel had the hint that the team had been told to finish it within a certain amount of time, hence the quick ending.

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Off Topic / Re: The Black Dog Thread

« on: 17 March, 2022, 02:04:45 AM »

That might be true, but the preliminary probe was bad enough albeit without sedation because of the laxative not working and I really don't think I want the same doctor as I have no confidence in him.  I just have an irrational fear of hospitals.

Even the prior preparation was bad enough, the laxative drink was vile and I had to go in without eating anything, come the actual time I was famished and felt nauseous.

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Off Topic / Re: The Black Dog Thread

« on: 12 March, 2022, 10:45:51 PM »

I had my endoscopy and colonoscopy a week ago...well, not quite.

The one down the throat went ok, though a week later I still have a sore throat and I was gagging instantly.

The other one, the laxative didn't work and they had to do a preliinary probe to see if everything was clear, and it turns out it wasn't.  Even only slightly in was extremely uncomfortable and I have been feeling poorly since.

I got a phone call trying to reschedule for another one and.....I REALLY don't want it but the phone call keeps pressuring you.  Hell, I heard a doctors name mentioned and was told this was the guy at hospital who had referred me for a colonoscopy, why the hell is this the first time I am hearing that?  I really don't want this again as the little bit was bad enough.  I know somethings apparently wrong but surely there must be another way.

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Books & Comics / Re: Bargains/deals thread (?)

« on: 22 February, 2022, 10:55:21 PM »

So another update, Zavvi when I pressed them gave me £20 credit, which I used, my order is apparently on its way, but guess what, the other book I was waiting on.....surprise, bloody surprise, is out of stock and can't be restocked.

Yet they have more of that range of graphic novels on their page than before as if they are getting them in in dribs and drabs,

Is there somewhere that a formal complaint can be raised, I don't just mean Trustpilot.  I don't know about anyone else, but personally I don't think a company should be allowed to trade if they do this on a very regular basis and seeing Trustpilots reviews, this seems to be a VERY common thing.

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Books & Comics / Rayguns and Rocketships pulp sci fi art kickstarter

« on: 18 February, 2022, 10:07:17 PM »

I've never backed a Kickstarter before, but I love sci fi art, especially the older stuff and this is one I decided to back.  Looks interesting and good value.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/estrus/rayguns-and-rocketships-0?ref=user_menu