Post Your Latest Purchase

[TacomaDiver]

So here's my newest toy that I picked up yesterday . . .

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(The angle is rough - it's hard to take a picture of a beastly knee brace by yourself . . .)

Back in October, I went hiking and experiences some of the most excruciating pain in my knee that I've ever felt (I've struggled with a knee issue for quite a few years - that's another story.) It was so bad I was legitimately worried that I wouldn't be able to get back down off the mountain safely. Plus, my wife is in Arizona helping her grandmother, so while I have two hiking partners, I was pretty alone. I never said a word to anyone, and eventually got down.

But I was hurting! Bad. I could barely walk or stand but still went to work. And hobbled around like crazy.

I found a sports doctor to go to up at CU Boulder (the last time I dealt with a knee issue was about 12 years ago and was told there was nothing medically wrong with me and they refused to do anything . . . ) Got xrays done, and they did an MRI, and I was so afraid they were going to tell me that nothing was wrong with me and to just buck up about some pain.

Well, something was wrong (I'm the weirdo who's relieved something IS wrong because it explains that what I'm experiencing isn't all in my head) - I have arthritis in my left knee cap (which oddly enough isn't bugging me) but the big issue is that I have extreme degenerative cartilage on the lateral side of the left knee. Hence all the pain.

I had dozens of options (meanwhile my wife is freaking out because she's automatically assuming surgery and I'm at home by myself . . .) so I elect to do a series of knee injections (did you know that hyaluronic acid is made from rooster combs? Now you do . . .) and get this custom unloader knee brace.

Going to have to start waking up earlier just to get this thing on, and I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to wear pants . . .

"Luckily" my deductible is filled this year so this won't cost me too much (a $9000 ER visit will do that for you.)

[Brian861]

I assumed you were blocking it out to avoid the temptation to buy another copy.

Yes, yes, that's what I was doing . Knowing me, I'll probably purchase the signed copy and try to peddle the other copy on eBay for a few bucks.

[Martin]

Ah, that's what I get for not reading into it further. But we all know I'm better at listening

I assumed you were blocking it out to avoid the temptation to buy another copy.

[Brian861]

I have seen books with this type of jacket before but it has been a long time. Never liked and still don't. I do not need another copy but I believe this one is identical to yours but with the signature. From the description "Signed edition with exclusive green edges".

Ah, that's what I get for not reading into it further. But we all know I'm better at listening

[Martin]

Good looking out. I ordered the one about via their newsletter. Not sure how I'll feel about needing the signed copy. If it has the sprayed edges, maybe.

That's odd about the B&N jacket. Can't recall that I've seen that done before.

I have seen books with this type of jacket before but it has been a long time. Never liked and still don't. I do not need another copy but I believe this one is identical to yours but with the signature. From the description "Signed edition with exclusive green edges".

[Brian861]

Your post made me curious if they had a signed edition in the UK. Turns out Waterstones will be doing one but it is not yet available.
https://www.waterstones.com/book/gre.../9781472283375

Good looking out. I ordered the one about via their newsletter. Not sure how I'll feel about needing the signed copy. If it has the sprayed edges, maybe.

That's odd about the B&N jacket. Can't recall that I've seen that done before.

[Martin]

Here's the UK equivalent of the McConaughey book. I wanted this edition due to the sprayed edges. It's not signed though.

IMG_5745.JPG

Your post made me curious if they had a signed edition in the UK. Turns out Waterstones will be doing one but it is not yet available.
https://www.waterstones.com/book/gre.../9781472283375

[Martin]

Did the B&N not have a full jacket? I know you posted but don't recall.

The B&N dust jacket is about an inch and a half shorter than the book.

[Brian861]

Did the B&N not have a full jacket? I know you posted but don't recall.

[Martin]

Here's the UK equivalent of the McConaughey book. I wanted this edition due to the sprayed edges. It's not signed though.

IMG_5745.JPG

It has a full size dustjacket as well.

[Brian861]

Here's the UK equivalent of the McConaughey book. I wanted this edition due to the sprayed edges. It's not signed though.

IMG_5745.JPG

[Sock Monkey]

A blast from the past, Underwood/Miller’s 1987, three volume set, The Selected Stories of Robert Bloch, The Final Reckonings, Bitter Ends and Last Rites. The set came with a slipcase. This one is number 44 of 500. I wasn’t really looking for this one, but glad I saw it.
Bloch 1.jpgBloch 2.jpgBloch 3.jpgBloch 4.jpg

That's a nice looking set! Congratulations!

[RonClinton]

Hi Ron,
That was the one, we went back and forth, I ended up paying $150.00 but it was worth to me, especially since it had the slipcase. I looked at other options, including the Citadel Twilight trade paperbacks. The price on some of those are in excess of $60.00. I've passed on a bunch of things lately, but this one made sense to me. By the way, I just bid on one of your books LOL!!

Made great sense...Bloch is one of the very best, and this is a fantastic representation of that talent.

No kidding? Small world. :-) I’ll watch for your name and throw in a bonus book for you!

[mhatchett]

Hi Ron,
That was the one, we went back and forth, I ended up paying $150.00 but it was worth to me, especially since it had the slipcase. I looked at other options, including the Citadel Twilight trade paperbacks. The price on some of those are in excess of $60.00. I've passed on a bunch of things lately, but this one made sense to me. By the way, I just bid on one of your books LOL!!

[RonClinton]

Massively, massively jealous, Mike. There was a set on eBay for a while -- maybe that's the one you popped on? -- for $149 or $139, maybe even with a Best Offer, and it sold very recently. I came so close to sending him an offer in order to replace the trade HC set I have with this signed, slipcased set, but I just couldn't get in the right mindset. I'm trying now to sell books now to make shelf room, and the thought of an upgrade seemed to counter to what I'm trying to achieve (and, honestly, not doing to well with) I just couldn't do it. Congrats, and enjoy -- again, jealous...and as a huge Bloch fan, I'm kinda kicking myself now, but if this is indeed that eBay set, I'm glad it went to a good home.