They usually seem to charge me around $20, from the US to Canada.

I just looked at their website and it says shipping for international orders is $5 a pound. According to my order history they did charge me closer to $30 once, for a larger order (70+ items). The orders for which I was charged around $20 shipping contained 40+ comics each, if that helps. They could probably give you a pretty close estimate in terms of number of comics if you ask them.

so much for "Batman does not kill:"

So, I was helping by friend move his 30th or so longbox from the back of his van, over a slick, snow-covered walk, in windy, 6-rapidly-falling-degree weather when I told him, "It's time like these where you really gotta wonder if this hobby is worth it."

Hey, everyone. I, um, I need some help. I'm facing an issue in my life that's really hard for me. I don't know what to do anymore. I would like to apologize in advance, because it might take me a bit to explain the issue.

You see, I don't live with my biological family. I moved out when I was sixteen to live with a friend and her family. But I maintained contact with everyone. I'm the eldest of seven children. Their ages range from 10 to 19. I mean, we can't always keep contact, because sometimes they don't have a phone or access to Internet. It's gotten better over the recent years, but still we struggle. Between an hour time difference, my college classes, their schooling, and stuff, we just can't always stop to call. We pass messages on Facebook and answer when we can. I ALWAYS, however, stop to listen to their problems. Because I love them, you know? I try as hard as I can to keep in contact. We even have a group chat set up so we can act like we are all in the same room talking.

Well, recently, something happened. Something big that caused a rift in the family. I'm still not sure exactly what happened, but it caused them to take sides. And since I wasn't involved, I wasn't informed right away. I was able to talk to two of my sisters one day in that group chat, and of course the issue at hand was brought up. And, like always, I talked to them about it, despite not being directly involved. But, then another sister (this one has always been the closest to me. We agree on a lot of things, share interests, defend each other to the core, like we were more than sisters, we were best friends. We share our problems and secrets and dreams. That's how close we were.) Anyway, I sort of digress. She comes in to the chat and starts telling the other two that they're selfish and deserve every hardship that falls upon them. I tried asking her what she was talking about and then she rounded on me and told me I had no right to talk to any of them about their problems. She said because I had moved out, I was no longer related to them and should just stay out of their lives. She said I wouldn't understand their problems partly because I was a community college student (she's going to a university) and partly because I apperently don't really care. She told me I had never cared about them and should stop pretending. I tried to explain myself, but the fight went on and I eventually snapped, said some nasty things in return, and shut her account off from the group chat and blocked her.

At first, I expressed how deep the pain of this incident was. I cried and ranted. But after a couple days I put up a "devil may care" front, because I didn't want my burden to overshadow the people around me anymore. So I kept all my emotions inside and it's beginning to mess things up for me. Even now, writing this out, trying to ask for advice, for help, it's hard. Because I don't want to burden anyone else with this. But, I don't know what else to do. Because I know I need help and this won't get any better without it. Because I know I'm stubborn and I know if I don't, I'll sit here with this storm inside my head and heart, this crushing feeling of despair. What do I do? Please, if someone has any advice for me, I'll be glad to take it.

Sabra

Thank you. I think what you're saying is true. I mean, we've fought before, but never at this level, never at this magnitude. But, we've always made up. It just...took time. We're both pretty hotheaded. I just hope this time isn't any different, you know? That maybe, we can just forget it even happened. But, if she doesn't listen, well, I guess I'll go from there. Thank you again, I really mean that.

I'm really glad you finally worked up the courage to share this, Sabra. I know it's been eating away at you.


My first thought is not to take any of this to heart. Clearly something big is going on, and your sister is venting on you, but you're not who she's really angry at, and chances are the things she's saying aren't things she really means. More likely, you're resented because you got away and don't have to deal with what they are dealing with. Again, the anger really isn't at you. If A fire burns down my house and spares my neighbor's, and I yell at the neighbor, I'm really actually angry at the fire. Good for you for getting out of there if that's what you needed to do, and more impressive still that you've maintained contact and do still care.

So my advice: don't take any of it personally and just do your best to be there for them right now. Don't try to solve the problem, and maybe you really can't fully understand it since you're not there, but you can be there for them and support and love them.

I agree that you should unblock your sister and make an attempt to reconcile. Clearly, she has a lot on her plate right now, and, chances are, none of it has anything to do with you. Sounds like she needs you more than ever.


Remember -- you can't really get angry at a family member unless, deep down, you love them too. Clearly, you matter to your sister a great deal. That doesn't change with a few angry words.


But that doesn't mean shut up about it, grin and bear it, and stop thinking of yourself. This is going to take a toll on you, and not being part of what's happening is going to make you feel alienated too, so keep leaning on us and talking it out here. We've got your back