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So far the year has been off to a great start. For the first time in ages I won an e-bay on Zane Grey's King of the Royal Mounted Sunday comics strips--18 weeks from 1941 of which I only have 2 Sunday strips thus far for that year. Upon receipt of these I will finally break the 200 mark for this particular collection. This is the first time I've been able to win King strips because I regularly get beat out for them. One time I had some overtime money and bid $50 higher then I normally would and still lost but the winner had to pay for it and we try to give thanks for small vindictiveness.

Now Nikki no longer works at AAA but still stays in touch. She does all my e-bay bidding. She gets the credit rating for quick turn around on payoffs and I get not to have to use credit card numbers on PayPal or however it works. Also keeps me from going overboard on the gotta have that and gotta have this. Bills first--then play--then maybe eat lunch. Today was day two of my four days in a row off and I never keep her waiting for the payoff. She's five minutes from AAA on way to her new job and I give her a $5 winners commision when I win. The seller wants a money order which is ready made for me and I tell Nikki I'll be leaving it in my locker (#6) which is never locked anyway. I think I'm one of the few in the call center that even uses them.

So I arise to find the long suffering spouse deep into whatever she does on the net. I asked her about posting a picture of her and me sometime here and she thinks she can do it. I looked at the current one of me and feel I have slandered Jason Alexander by comparing my immaculate physique to his and decide that maybe a wedding picture from 1980 would be a nice ice breaker. This may be in the near future. But will I still be loved when the mystery is revealed?!! Oh well another time. Anyhoo Ruth isn't that interested in a short road trip so off I go to Cashland hoping the beloved Rachel is there today and she watched ER last night so she can listen to me grumble about plot points while I bask in her glow. The last visit the 'Sweetheart' word was used and the mind thought Logos who--?? There's a reason Ruth keeps muttering silly old man.

As I pull into the lot a young man approaches me who I avoid eye contact with on general principles but talk at an angle to his head inquiring if I knew if Cashland cashed money orders. I presumed so and said let's find out as I hold the door for him, spot the beloved Rachel only to be summoned by one the Angies to her register. Sigh. Rachel was on the phone anyway but I get my now expected smile of greeting as Angie gets the e-bay money order ready for me.

The young man is having no luck getting his money order cashed but I overhear an enquiry for directions to route 35. With my patented show-off and appearance of being helpful when it costs nothing I volunteer I can direct him when we exit the building.

This is the start of the next hour and a half of my life and getting two issues of Avengers for free.

The kid has no car. He has been directed to a Checksmart by Airway and Linden and I have a vague idea where it is and better for him it's on my way to AAA to drop off Nikki's money. Before I know it I volunteer a ride. Even better the other Angie (there are actually THREE Angies that work Cashland) vouches for my character in terms that are drink to the vainity and revealing. You really don't know what the day to day people think of you or that they think so well of you. My head swells wishing only that the beloved Rachel hadn't still been on that phone to add roses to the ornamentation of this particular whited sepuchre.

The kid and I size each other up. We decide either the other appears safe enough or we can both take out the other in an emergency and off we go.
Now my driver's door handle is broke (but works from the inside) due to a cold snap so I have to enter in from the passenger side. Which probably makes him wonder as he asks how old the car is--1986. Just now hitting 90,00 miles on it.

My first guess at Checksmart is another (and nicer looking) Cashland who redirects us a block to the Checksmart. I sit in the car and monitor the coming and going of society in search of quick dollars and I suspect a more competent writer could weave many a story of the human comedy that is life marching in and out of that disreputable looking business. It's location is unfortunately in a sleazy strip mall and I'm starting to channel Raymond Chandler when my wayward friend finally comes out. He got his money and wants to give me $20 for the trouble.

Temptation but not a great one. My sins are more inclined to the sensual or pursuit of free candy bars and he seems almost hurt at the refusal. He requests an explanation and I simply say I once in awhile like to do something that I get nothing out of just because it's nice to do and the Lord might be pleased. End of sermon. I have no intentions of preaching at him. Buttonholing evangelism is a gift I do poorly at and prefer the subject come up naturally.

Before we continue turns out my new traveling companion is only 17 (a moment pause for thought that I'm now guilty of transporting a minor around Dayton and Kettering but the bridge is on fire already and oh well the ladies at Cashland will defend me. The kid had been booted out of Mom's home in New Jersey and he's now with his Dad (who he hadn't lived with in 10 years) and has been in Fairborn about three months trying to get settled in. My contribution to the parental situation was the observation that the kids 'rarely' are the root cause of a breakup and he seems grateful for the wording. Now part of the terms of the ride was that I was going to work to drop the money off and then a quick Kettering trip to look for Avengers 478 at a place called Mavericks because the Bookery has 473 as the next available to buy and the five issue gap is annoying me. The young man was momentarily put off by the extra travel but I assured him it wouldn't take that long so he has his money and off to AAA.

We arrive at my place. I check in with Sam to see if she is working Saturday (no) but John is who will let Nikki in when she shows up. I keep calling John Bob all the time (my other partner and thought I was cured of it but the Bob word slipped out and John can always be depended on to correct me. I have actually learned some new tricks to being a perfectionist from him. But he is lovable and he's the fine new parent I knew he would be when his daughter Sara was born last July. John says he'll take of me. And we're off to Kettering.

Mavericks Avengers back issues is not as up to date as I had hoped. I got 274 and a few others when my new bud again offers me a $20 to pay for them. At this point I had agreed to let him buy me one issue but he still seemed to want to give me the whole $20 and I was resistant on losing the value of a free ride to a stranger (as in Brownie points with God) but it seemed to be a thing with him so I accepted $5 worth and the ice was broke at last.

While picking out random issues my nephew called in. He has been in voluntary detox for three weeks and this was his first day loose. He still wants Julie back. I tell him I don't see this happening. He's already playing the game of walking thru a grocery store past the beer aisle to see if any desires burst forth. I tell him this is not something to even play at and he'll fall sooner this way then cut the call short as by now we're at the checkout.

From there it's a quick 20 minutes back to Fairborn where I drop my young pal off at his apartment. We finally share first names (Trent and I refrain from making Daria jokes) and a firm handshake. For once a good deed that didn't blow up in my face. I almost went back to Cashland to announce that I survived the trip but the drama queen began puking at the melodrama and cheap ploy to see Rachel again. (Logos becomes irritated--she's hearing that R. name one too many times--she must reel her favorite blogger back in and shorten his lease.)

We go to the Bookery to check today's file and pay for Jonah Hex and Thunderbolts and a couple of others and spend Ruth's lunch money. I have just enough for a half sandwich at Subway consoling myself that by 2:30 Ruth has probably already eaten. Bad thinking this time. Oops she thought I would be bringing something since I generally do. I mumble about slow growing Avengers collection that impresses her not at all. And I'm officially broke until the 10th when I finish off the January bills.

Then maybe take her to see Alvin and the Chipmunks--yes I really do want to see it. And not ashamed to admit it.