Cancer temporarily derailed the website. I didn’t see that coming.
I’ll take your thoughts, but you’re prayers are unnecessary. Medicine will either save my father or it won’t. There’s no other options. I really hope it is the former.
I wish this post was already written. I wish it was a SUS five years from now. I wish I was looking back and had 20/20 hindsight. It’s not. I’m at the start. So many beginnings are awesome; it’s easy to forget that some beginnings suck.
We were camping with the boys when my Dad told us. I held in all of my emotions. We decided to go out to an early dinner. My family went ahead and I sat down on a bench. It was around the corner from them. They couldn’t see me. I sobbed.
It was a cathartic few minutes. Then my brain switched to, “what do we do.”
When I was younger I used to say my parents instilled certain things in me. It was a broad throwaway statement. As I’ve gotten older I see very specific influences from my parents. I see the influence I have on my boys. I see how those influences shape behavior. “What do we do” comes from my dad. He found out he had cancer and wanted to be radiated immediately, “Just start shooting me.”
I treasure that focus, drive, and commitment that are needed with “what do we do.” It has allowed me to take charge and get shit done. It has allowed me to stay composed; calm others down; and get people focused.
Sitting on that bench it also showed me that I disconnect. My ability to compartmentalize my feelings has hurt me. I’m closed off too often. Should I have sobbed in front of my kids? I don’t know. It would have ruined their last vacation moments before school started. Was it more important to see their Dad being human? I don’t know.
The good part of starting is that you can do it anytime; there’s still a chance to get things done. My Dad is ready to start fighting beating cancer. My family is ready to help.
I’m going to start too. I’m not bad at handling the very big and very little connections with people. I want to be better at the middle connections. Listening. Lunches. Sharing. Texting. Calling.
I can’t wait for my reaction to this Epilogue in 2024.
Sorry. There isn’t a transition. It’s just awkward. Let’s just switch to the eBay dumpster fire.
– This is a nice FLAF lot.
– I don’t need it, but a Canadian 10-Pack with a #153 figure is worth pointing out. The price is just dumb.
– This Canadian 10-Pack did get a second of consideration. But how many 10-packs to I need?
– This is an interesting Kinnikuman cup.
– This has to be a holy grail for someone.
Now we have two AOTW winners, but I’m skipping AOTW’s Fatal Four-Way this week. I was considering a #208 tournament, but I ran out of steam. It also seemed like the highest priced one would simply win.
It also felt like there were lots of assholes, but not many special assholes.
There was sadness when our ULTIMATE AOTW Battle of the Champions Fatal-Four Way Winner #1 was no longer selling her empty box.
We thought this was the fine image of our old friend.
It was painful to consider our journey was over. We watched as she started at $250. Unable to sell it, dropped down to $160. The drops continued: $149, $145, $139, $135, $125 and finally $120…for a beat-up, empty box.
When she did stop, we knew there was a zero-percent chance it actually sold. It is an empty box. M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors see crazy things, but this sale was simply impossible. Plus, there is no feedback posted by either party.
We now have irrefutable evidence the box did not sell. It has been relisted with a $150 BIN.
Oh dear lord. Some other dope has “bought” the box and there is feedback from the buyer this time. Interesting that the seller didn’t leave feedback.
I think there is zero percent chance this belt has actually sold. It will be relisted. Pay attention sellers, this winner perfectly demonstrate the level-of-asshole it takes to be an ULTIMATE champion. She truly is the ULTIMATE AOTW Battle of the Champions Fatal-Four Way Winner #1.
Our inaugural champion has a very worthy companion.
The initial listing for the $3 figure was for $1500. The entire story was covered in AW #284. Apparently, there’s still a little more to add. The figure is STILL for sale with a $100 BIN.
This seller probably could be a repeat winner with their other listings.
An original SHA, with the head spur still attached, in the original Flesh color was sold for about $185. This seller is attempting to sell a yellow, headless version for $1,000. That is the level of commitment needed to become the 2nd ULTIMATE AOTW Battle of the Champions Winner.
Sadly, it looks like our second champion has paused their grifting efforts. I do not see the figure for sale, nor do I see any feedback.
