Something To Talk About: Presents

If you think that it's crass that I am writing about some things I got for Christmas, I apologize. This post is my way of thanking some people for a couple of really special gifts I received this Christmas.

First, let me open the post with this video of Cosby and my BOOK for iPad case:



That's a great introduction as to why Cosby (our cat) bought me a new case for my iPad. It seemed as though every time I took the case out to use the iPad, Cosby's cat radar was activated, and he headed right for the case, usually pawing it as you saw in the video. This made it difficult (as you can imagine) for me to use my iPad or the case in any real fashion. So, Cosby (via my wife) ordered a DodoCase for me. It's a great case, and I am enjoying using it - and Cosby is happy to have his own iPad case! Here's a photo of the label in the case (one of my favorite parts "Protects From Extinction"):



As cool as that is, it was not the coolest thing given to me for Christmas, not by a longshot. As you might remember from this post, I love the cool cover Dan Clowes did a while back for The New Yorker. Well, my wife found a copy of that issue on eBay and bought it - she did this because the magazine does not sell any reproductions of Dan Clowes' images, for some reason. When she received the issue, there was an address label on the front, which ruined the cover image. She asked the assistant conservator at the Kimbell, Bart Devolder, if he had any advice as to how to remove the label without messing up the cover. Bart took the magazine, and worked on it in the conservation lab. He froze the magazine to solidify the glue on the label and then removed the label. However, it took off a bit of the cover - so Bart and Claire Barry (Chief Conservator) in-painted the messed up areas on the cover! It means so much to me that the gift was from my wife (and it was such a thoughtful gift as I begin my career), but that one of my good friends, Bart Devolder, and Claire (a highly respected conservator in her own right) had such a neat role in the gift. Thank you Jen so much - what a cool gift - I was speechless and teary-eyed when I unwrapped it (and I am a bit writing this now). Also, thank so much to Bart and Claire for their hand in this as well - you all made a super-special gift even more special!

Ok, so without further ado, here is the finished product on our bookshelf:



What cool stuff did you give, or receive, for Christmas?