That’s What Friends Are For
Every once in a great while, someone does something that catches you completely off guard. And blows you away.
I had a particularly rough week. Who didn’t? But today, I just feel completely drained and exhausted. I need to be up at 5am in order to get over to Rob’s house, so our gaggle of geeks can get on the road to San Diego for Comic-Con. On the way home tonight, I had half-convinced myself to bail out of the road trip. I have a lot of work to do on the book, and feeling like I do… I don’t know. Just wasn’t sure I was up for it.
I got home to find an unexpected package from Scott Arendsen. Scott is a fellow Megohead and good friend. Sadly, he lives in deep south while I live in the extreme west. Consequently, we don’t see each other very often. But Scott is the kind of thoughtful that makes you feel elated and flawed at the same time.
Here’s what I mean: Scott knew, from one of his visits west, that I am a fan of the Batman: The Animated Series line from Kenner/Hasbro (frankly, mostly the Kenner stuff). Scott knew I had a pitifully unfilled “shelf-talker” display box. Out of the proverbial blue, Scott sent me a box filled with the precise, exclusive Batman 2-Packs for which the display box was designed.
In fact, the gi-normous Mego art poster in the background was also a gift from Scott. See what I mean?
Many months later, Scott went on a family vacation. He made the staggering decision to send me a really nice pen, emblazoned with his destination and my own name. How do you keep up with that?! That’s what I mean when I describe elation mixed with an utter sense of self-loathing. I’m not that considerate of my own family!
So back to tonight. I opened the box and found a letter explaining that he had “a little something made” for me. He thought I could wear it anytime I’m out promoting the book.
Scott’s mother-in-law is the responsible seamstress, and this is what I received:
Words fail me. I grunted, but didn’t even know what to say to myself (yes, I talk aloud, even when I’m alone). Every once in a great while, someone does something that catches you completely off guard.
I am blown away. And I will be proudly wearing this tomorrow, as I treach through the aisles of Comic-Con and spread the word about the book. If any of you guys are in attendance tomorrow, keep your eyes peeled for a big ol’ dork in an insanely cool, avocado green golf shirt. With a kick-ass, embroidered logo. I’ll have postcards in tow, and would love to give one to any Megohead I can find.
Scott, I raise a glass to you. A cold Cerveza Pacifico, in fact. You, sir, are one of the really really good ones.
Benjamin
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