OK - First, it's obvious who you think made the decisions in our house. Second, NO you can't go to LA with your very young friends. What are you thinking??? I don't know why I didn't get a chance to weigh-in on this. Oh yea, see the first point above.
Cute how your Dad tried to put all the blame on me...but I have no memory of this trip at all, & I sure don't remember you ever relating this story! You're grounded!!
Wow, sorry to hear. I was never close with Brandon, but whenever I think of him I mainly think of one story. He sat in front of me in some class, I don’t remember which, but somehow in class I managed to accidentally step on his sunglasses. I’m not sure why they were on the floor, but my recollection is that it was my fault. I was terrified because I knew nothing about the price of sunglasses except that some of them could be really expensive. He said that his cost something like 35 dollars, which was better than I feared. I didn’t have 35 dollars to spare, but I had a big comic book collection, so I asked if I could pay him in comic books. He said yes. So I went home and dug out my Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide and a box of mostly-bad old comics that I didn’t like or even know why I had, really — things like mid-70s issues of Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Iron Fist, Giant Man, lots of old comics I must have gotten from a cheap comics bin somewhere, and not the things I was actually reading and collecting. But I went through that box, picked things that I guessed he might like, and looked up the value of each comic until I had 35 dollars’ worth. It was a lot of bad comics, and I imagined he might not like the selection. I felt a bit like I was cheating to get out of paying him 35 dollars. I brought the pile of comics to school the next day and asked if it was good enough to cover the cost of his sunglasses. He seemed perfectly content to get the pile of random comics! I was relieved.
Hi Adam, thanks for sharing your epic odyssey in graphic novel form. I am sorry for your loss, Brandon Briggs RIP. I see that you made Brandon the hero of this story by way of honoring him in an awesome red shirt and placing him front and center. I'm sure he appreciates it.
This was so moving. Thank you for such a lovely way to experience your memory. I can't tell you how many photos we've been going through with you in them. I was still a toe headed little man back then but I remember you and your presence was always in our family. Once our niece was born, I drowned her in books and reading and some of our favorites were all of yours that I read to her and sit on our shelves right now. I'd say "Can you believe we knew him?." Then we watched Home so many times we would could recite most of the words. I'd say "It's him, Brandon's friend , he made a movie!" and she was so excited. She's reading the novel now, with vigor, the second new book she wanted to start after Brandon passed. (She had to first read my copy of Catcher that Brandon gave me when I was her age (14) and that I gave to her right after).
Now hanging on the wall directly next to my bed right now, is one of my brothers very most prized possessions throughout his entire life. From dorm rooms, to home, to apartment to condo and to home again, there was no where in the last 30 years he resided where this was not the most prominent piece in the house.
Great story. One that should be shared and maybe amended as necessary. Sorry about the passing of your buddy. I can see that he still shines in your memories. Looking forward to your next adventure retelling.
OK - First, it's obvious who you think made the decisions in our house. Second, NO you can't go to LA with your very young friends. What are you thinking??? I don't know why I didn't get a chance to weigh-in on this. Oh yea, see the first point above.
GREAT story, Adam. I am beyond impressed.
Dad
Cute how your Dad tried to put all the blame on me...but I have no memory of this trip at all, & I sure don't remember you ever relating this story! You're grounded!!
Please write a graphic memoir
Also it’s cool (and confusing) that both your parents are named Don.
Wow, sorry to hear. I was never close with Brandon, but whenever I think of him I mainly think of one story. He sat in front of me in some class, I don’t remember which, but somehow in class I managed to accidentally step on his sunglasses. I’m not sure why they were on the floor, but my recollection is that it was my fault. I was terrified because I knew nothing about the price of sunglasses except that some of them could be really expensive. He said that his cost something like 35 dollars, which was better than I feared. I didn’t have 35 dollars to spare, but I had a big comic book collection, so I asked if I could pay him in comic books. He said yes. So I went home and dug out my Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide and a box of mostly-bad old comics that I didn’t like or even know why I had, really — things like mid-70s issues of Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Iron Fist, Giant Man, lots of old comics I must have gotten from a cheap comics bin somewhere, and not the things I was actually reading and collecting. But I went through that box, picked things that I guessed he might like, and looked up the value of each comic until I had 35 dollars’ worth. It was a lot of bad comics, and I imagined he might not like the selection. I felt a bit like I was cheating to get out of paying him 35 dollars. I brought the pile of comics to school the next day and asked if it was good enough to cover the cost of his sunglasses. He seemed perfectly content to get the pile of random comics! I was relieved.
Hi Adam, thanks for sharing your epic odyssey in graphic novel form. I am sorry for your loss, Brandon Briggs RIP. I see that you made Brandon the hero of this story by way of honoring him in an awesome red shirt and placing him front and center. I'm sure he appreciates it.
Adam,
This was so moving. Thank you for such a lovely way to experience your memory. I can't tell you how many photos we've been going through with you in them. I was still a toe headed little man back then but I remember you and your presence was always in our family. Once our niece was born, I drowned her in books and reading and some of our favorites were all of yours that I read to her and sit on our shelves right now. I'd say "Can you believe we knew him?." Then we watched Home so many times we would could recite most of the words. I'd say "It's him, Brandon's friend , he made a movie!" and she was so excited. She's reading the novel now, with vigor, the second new book she wanted to start after Brandon passed. (She had to first read my copy of Catcher that Brandon gave me when I was her age (14) and that I gave to her right after).
Now hanging on the wall directly next to my bed right now, is one of my brothers very most prized possessions throughout his entire life. From dorm rooms, to home, to apartment to condo and to home again, there was no where in the last 30 years he resided where this was not the most prominent piece in the house.
https://urws-my.sharepoint.com/:i:/g/personal/ryan_uncleryan_com/EQIaG0ZQJVREp9uLihbzqxgB8wW4-bkPKmLmSHIX7QBjCw?e=lt7ef5
He was so proud of it and of your success. Thank you again for this lovely send off. - Ryan Briggs
I remember you telling the discord this story over zoom-- still compelling and funny as hell. I'm so sorry to hear about Brandon <3
Great story. One that should be shared and maybe amended as necessary. Sorry about the passing of your buddy. I can see that he still shines in your memories. Looking forward to your next adventure retelling.
Sam McMurray and Ronald Regan make this the Eightiest Eighties tale ever told.
Really enjoyed this. Thank you!
Loved reading this story, Adam. Thank you for sharing. Sorry to hear that your friend passed away recently.
Lovely, just lovely :)
Oh, Adam. Wow. Very powerful.
I loved reading this. Thank you.
My favorite bit: the static-covered Grover. :)
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. It was a great story and by telling it you are keeping his memory alive.
The only telephone numbers I can recall are the ones I learned those days