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Post by driver1980 on Nov 9, 2024 8:34:10 GMT -5
Icctrombone DubipR @supercat EdoBosnar tonebone I also like the stories people tell about their choices, so I was thinking it could be a kind of show and tell vibe we go for, still keeping the focus on people showing off books from their actual collections, but maybe expanding it a bit so people feel more comfortable posting comic adjacent stuff as well-prints...trades, original art, posters, toys, whatever...without needing to feel apologetic for straying from actual comics, just post those things that bring you joy and that you want to celebrate. No need for it to be Top Shelf, things you enjoy and want to celebrate and possibly share a story about. -M I think it’d be a good idea. The Top Shelf thread was welcoming in its use of the words “comic-tangential item“, it meant one could also share books about comics, a TwoMorrows magazine, etc. I did participate in most of them, but there were times I didn’t want to share a stock image, I only wanted to share if I could take an iPhone picture. Expanding it is good because, well, for instance, I’d have gladly shown my Region 1 DVD of Super Friends - and told the story behind it (not a great story, simply the fact that the DVD didn’t seem to be making it to Region 2 in the UK, so I had to set up an account that sold Region 1 DVDs, and the weeks of waiting was worth it). Much like the Classic Christmas topics do have a mandate that people explain their choices, and people did in these Top Shelf threads, I think any topic going forward - which can include posters, art, toys, etc. - should keep that going. It’s nice to hear the story behind why you like something - or even something that might not seem apparent, but means a lot to people (e.g. “I purchased this toy from Toys ‘R’ Us, but almost didn’t get it because the snow in Minnesota was heavy that year, and my Range Rover’s wheels got stuck.”). |
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Post by Ricky Jackson on Nov 9, 2024 10:21:55 GMT -5
An ongoing Top Shelf/show-and-tell/cool things in my collection thread would be great
I've just been lazy and haven't got around to taking more pics of stuff, that's why I stopped posting. All my previous entries were from a single "photo shoot" I did one afternoon. I'll get around to it soonish, it's not like I don't have the time
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Post by Icctrombone on Nov 9, 2024 12:10:09 GMT -5
Maybe the obstacle is actually taking pictures of the actual books. But that’s what makes this extra special to me. Anyone can copy a scan off the net. I also like that it’s once a week. If it was an ongoing thread that you can post 5 of your favorites a day, it would lose me as a participant. Right now, I think the forum has been inundated with cover threads.
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Post by MRPs_Missives on Nov 9, 2024 13:11:12 GMT -5
I'm thinking that with any ongoing thread, there would be a "request" "mandate" or "prohibition" or whatever we would want to call it not to inundate the thread. Don't know the specifics-no more than 1 per day or share the space and don't post something else until at least a few others have had a chance to show off their stuff or something. But it would have to be an honor system as I really don't want to have to have someone (myself or someone else) policing the thread-that would negate the fun, joy and positivity of it.
As for actual pics of the item, I agree with icc that it's part of the fun but it also shouldn't be a barrier from participating, which is why I changed the phrasing to bonus points if you have pics of the actual items and didn't have it be a requirement, but it still seems it was a barrier.
And since it seems the sentiment is to retain the Top Shelf moniker, I'll try to work it into whatever title for the thread we land on.
My working title with that in mind is a bit long
Top Shelf Showcase: A Thread to Show and Tell about fave comic related stuff
absolutely open to workshopping that though, as I don't really want this to be "my" thread but a thread for the community as a whole that isn't dependent on me to start it like Top Shelf Friday was.
And yes, I like when people tell as well as show, but I wouldn't "require" any specific write up as such as again don't want to create barriers, but a few words of why would be nice.
All that said, I likely won't start it up for a bit-maybe Thanksgiving week or maybe it might be better to wait until the Twelve Days event finishes so we don't overload members' time and kill participation. Nothing decided on that end, so again open to hearing thoughts. It can start sooner too, if that's what people want, again, once started it won't be dependent on any one person's availability.
-M
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Nov 9, 2024 13:22:04 GMT -5
I always take a look at the thread but haven’t really participated for a few reasons. 90%+ of my “collection” just isn’t accessible. I really have very little sentimental attachment to most of the books I own. And I don’t, and never really have, bought “top shelf” books. If I have them, it’s simply because I’m the ensuing years sometime decided they were worth more than what I paid for them, which was never more than cover price. I have close to zero idea what my comics are worth other than the strip reprints which is about 95% off what I now buy.
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Post by MRPs_Missives on Nov 9, 2024 13:26:15 GMT -5
I always take a look at the thread but haven’t really participated for a few reasons. 90%+ of my “collection” just isn’t accessible. I really have very little sentimental attachment to most of the books I own. And I don’t, and never really have, bought “top shelf” books. If I have them, it’s simply because I’m the ensuing years sometime decided they were worth more than what I paid for them, which was never more than cover price. I have close to zero idea what my comics are worth other than the strip reprints which is about 95% off what I now buy. That's why I was iffy with continuing to use the "Top Shelf" brand, but others have said they wanted to see it continue, so I will use it in the new thread title, whatever it ends up being. I'm happy to start this, but again, it's a thread for the community, not my thread, so I if there is a consensus to use Top Shelf, I will. -M |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Nov 9, 2024 13:53:36 GMT -5
I always take a look at the thread but haven’t really participated for a few reasons. 90%+ of my “collection” just isn’t accessible. I really have very little sentimental attachment to most of the books I own. And I don’t, and never really have, bought “top shelf” books. If I have them, it’s simply because I’m the ensuing years sometime decided they were worth more than what I paid for them, which was never more than cover price. I have close to zero idea what my comics are worth other than the strip reprints which is about 95% off what I now buy. That's why I was iffy with continuing to use the "Top Shelf" brand, but others have said they wanted to see it continue, so I will use it in the new thread title, whatever it ends up being. I'm happy to start this, but again, it's a thread for the community, not my thread, so I if there is a consensus to use Top Shelf, I will. -M I’m certainly not voting to get rid of it. Merely letting you know why I personally haven’t participated. I still give each iteration a look, which isn’t true of a number of threads. |
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Post by driver1980 on Nov 9, 2024 14:24:33 GMT -5
Maybe the obstacle is actually taking pictures of the actual books. But that’s what makes this extra special to me. Anyone can copy a scan off the net. I also like that it’s once a week. If it was an ongoing thread that you can post 5 of your favorites a day, it would lose me as a participant. Right now, I think the forum has been inundated with cover threads. Agreed on all points. I don’t know if there might be people who don’t own a smartphone. I only know two people in my life who don’t - and as one of them is 87 years old, that’s hardly surprising, but the majority of people I know do, including one who is 71. And my point here is, I do think it’s fun to see an actual photo of a book, but if people can’t do that, it’s fine. But I think I liked seeing creases and stickers and something “more real” than a GCD image. I also feel less is more, and I think the once a week idea was good, although could participation be better if it was fortnightly? Monthly would be too much of a gap, weekly might prove difficult for some, but could fortnightly be a compromise? I do feel that if you are able to take a pic, and have to dig out a book, it might mean more than simply linking to a GCD cover. Not criticising *anyone* who has done that, but, like Jim Phelps staring at a dossier of agents and deciding who to use, there were weeks where I would have a browse of my collection and think, ‘What one should I use this week.’ |
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Post by MRPs_Missives on Nov 9, 2024 15:04:03 GMT -5
I'm not going to be around much the rest of the weekend, so please continue the conversation and I will check back in either late Sunday or sometime on Monday and see where things stand.
-M
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Post by EdoBosnar on Nov 9, 2024 15:06:00 GMT -5
I always take a look at the thread but haven’t really participated for a few reasons. 90%+ of my “collection” just isn’t accessible. I really have very little sentimental attachment to most of the books I own. And I don’t, and never really have, bought “top shelf” books. If I have them, it’s simply because I’m the ensuing years sometime decided they were worth more than what I paid for them, which was never more than cover price. I have close to zero idea what my comics are worth other than the strip reprints which is about 95% off what I now buy. That's why I was iffy with continuing to use the "Top Shelf" brand, but others have said they wanted to see it continue, so I will use it in the new thread title, whatever it ends up being. I'm happy to start this, but again, it's a thread for the community, not my thread, so I if there is a consensus to use Top Shelf, I will. -M If a better name or branding for the thread is found, I wouldn't really have any objections. The only reason I said I like the name is because for me, 'top shelf' means a book or whatever that I'm personally just happy to have and thus treasure it for that reason, not because it has any objective market value. I also never purchase any genuine 'top shelf' items - my whole motto when buying physical books is to always find the cheapest deal possible, so that condition, to say nothing of resale value, means absolutely nothing to me. And if you look at my picks for the Top Shelf posts, pretty much none of them have any significant market value.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2024 16:18:52 GMT -5
Honestly, I thought "Top Shelf" was just a fun way to brand it. Conceptually I didn't think it was that hard...just pick something you like for whatever reason. It's just about bringing that personal element to the table and "Top Shelf" is a jazzy little way of saying "stuff you find really cool/meaningful".
Here's a thought too...maybe just keep the current format for a few more weeks until 12 Days, then start the new thread in the new year (if it goes in that direction, again, weekly or whatever is cool too)?
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Post by Icctrombone on Nov 9, 2024 17:15:18 GMT -5
Honestly, I thought "Top Shelf" was just a fun way to brand it. Conceptually I didn't think it was that hard...just pick something you like for whatever reason. It's just about bringing that personal element to the table and "Top Shelf" is a jazzy little way of saying "stuff you find really cool/meaningful". Here's a thought too...maybe just keep the current format for a few more weeks until 12 Days, then start the new thread in the new year (if it goes in that direction, again, weekly or whatever is cool too)? That's a good idea. I agree about the Top Shelve name, It's whatever is Top shelf to the poster. |
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Post by MRPs_Missives on Nov 10, 2024 20:19:09 GMT -5
Whichever way we go with this, I will not be starting a new TSF thread this coming week. Mrs.MRP is on vacation and I am having a root canal done on Wednesday, so I don't expect to be online much or thinking about starting threads this week. If someone else wants to do one this week, feel free, but I am not likely to start another one until we fall upon whatever the new iteration of the thread is going to be, as November is a busy, busy month here at ChezMRP.
-M
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Post by codystarbuck on Nov 10, 2024 20:30:27 GMT -5
I hope you do continue; but my participation is down to only owning digital (plus a couple of books) and not enough time, between my own reviews and work, which is hitting out busy season, while also being severely understaffed. More and more, lately, I've been coming home and vegging out, neglecting my own stuff, compared to the past. Still, I enjoy the thread and celebrating good comics, whenever I can.
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Post by tonebone on Nov 11, 2024 10:08:20 GMT -5
Honestly, I thought "Top Shelf" was just a fun way to brand it. Conceptually I didn't think it was that hard...just pick something you like for whatever reason. It's just about bringing that personal element to the table and "Top Shelf" is a jazzy little way of saying "stuff you find really cool/meaningful". Here's a thought too...maybe just keep the current format for a few more weeks until 12 Days, then start the new thread in the new year (if it goes in that direction, again, weekly or whatever is cool too)? That's a good idea. I agree about the Top Shelve name, It's whatever is Top shelf to the poster. Yeah I really like the "one man's trash is another man's treasure" sort of vibe. A lot of my "collection" would fall into the trash category, but it's all stuff I love. |
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