Betty's Bytes

Thank you to all of you

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:20:00 +0000

Hi Everyone

I just want to thank each and every one of you loyal customers who have stayed with us through a very very trying time. All of us (including me) relied heavily on Paul being at the helm and when he suddenly took sick it threw all of us for a loop. Both he and Mary were taken almost completely out of the picture and it fell to those of us who were left to "pick up the pieces".

Ray pulled many nights where we worked right through until morning to get you your comics and Martin delayed moving on to a much better job so as to help us through this rough patch. We now have Paul's two sons helping out, a 'newbie', Mitch, and a fill in on Wed. -Greg.

Paul and Mary are back part time so that is helping tremendously.

But it all hinged on your understanding - which was tremendous. I screwed up often and you people hung in there while Ray fixed it up front with you. I think that if any store has a great bunch of people that come in it is ASTRO. And that goes for ALL our customers - comic people, book people, and card people. I find it unbelievable that in spite of the rough patches we only lost ONE customer because of my goofs! Absolutely amazing!

A great big THANK YOU

I have one more big thanks and that is for my computer Guru. We call him Computer Dan. We all have friends and relatives who try to help us out. Well my computer Dan DOES help out. Even to the extent of going to the hospital to see Paul but also, and importantly, to try to "pick his brain" because I did not always understand what Paul was telling me to do. He was there at all hours of the day when I needed to understand how to get something working (we work in DOS - not always easy). Last Sunday he gave up his Sunday for me because my Hard drive on the main machine was dying - not many people who would do that for you!. My Computer Dan does support professionally and, as you can see, comes highly recommended. Call him if you need help at 514-522-9131 or call the store and we will be glad to give you the information. By the way - he is COMPLETELY bilingual.

May I say again - one more time THANK YOU ALL for hanging in there.

See you at the store

Betty

Paul is Gone to Texas

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 04:03:00 +0000

Hi again everyone!

No one can accuse me of blathering on or never being quiet now can they?

Paul and one of his sons were off to Texas for the DC Comics RRP meeting. They decided to do it as a car trip instead of flying. Yesterday it was 80 degrees. Lucky bums!

I know that they have seen the Alamo and Graceland and that they picked up a lot of new information on up and coming projects. If Paul shares his information with me, and I am sure he will, I will try to include some of it on the site.

A few hours ago they called from the Cleveland, Ohio region on their way back so I gather they will hit Montreal late tomorrow or early on Wed. depending on the weather.

Drive safely guys!

More later folks

Great Job!

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:22:00 +0000

It is always great to hear about people helping people! Our customer who was doing the fund raiser blogathon for the Children's Hospital raised over $1400 by himself in one day! Next year he will do even better (he already said he will be doing it again)and, if he sends me the info a bit earlier, I can help him get more sponsors too!

Great job sir - do it again! I just love our customers...

GOOD JOB!!

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 20:05:00 +0000

Let's help out a fund raiser !

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:44:00 +0000

Hi again everyone!
This week I got an email from one of our customers who is doing a great fundraiser for the Children's Hospital. Here is what he wrote

"Hello Paul & Betty,

In a bit of a plug, I'm participating in the Blogathon on July 28th. I'll be reviewing and writing about comics for 24 hours to raise money for the Children's Hospital. Here are the details (http://www.chirographum.com/weblog/?p=3023) . I thought it might warrant a mention on Betty's blog or Paul's blog. Or not. It's all up to them.

Anyway, see you at the store!
cheers"

Paul's is not really a blog so here we go with mine. I hope he gets some support from this as it is a really good cause! Also some of you might find it interesting to pop over and see what he is writing since it will all be comic related too!

Good luck Steve!

My new pet

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 06:40:00 +0000

Hi Everyone
You have all been very very patient although lately I have had a few comments about "not having anything to say" so I thought I would share my new addition to the household.
Her foster parent called her Chloe but I am looking for a new name for her. She is a really really nice lady and needs a name. (I am keeping her). Paul suggested Jimmy (Durante) which I think was mean. Anyone have any ideas please? By the way - she is 8 years old and has lovely manners. I got her from a shelter a week ago and she has already made friends with my 2 cats and most of the dogs in the neighborhood.

I'm Back!!

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:53:00 +0000

Hi Everyone
I am sorry for the big gap but I unexpectedly moved from the place where I had been living for about 15 years.
I am a person who accumulates STUFF. LOTS and lots of stuff. My furniture could easily have fit into one or two rooms. My Stuff took 4 rooms.
I'm still settling in but it is getting better now and I am starting to pick up the strings again.

If you have been checking out our website you will have seen that that has been going along quite smoothly and Paul has even contributed a few more ramblings in Motormouth-always a treat to read. You could always email him at the store if you have anything to comment on - not good to let him think he is always right you know!

NOW-I have a great big thank you to my computer guru Dr. Dan. Part of the site is our books that we sell on line. More and more people have been going to this on a regular basis and browsing through it has been somewhat cumbersome at times. Well today Dr. Dan added a program so that browsers could sort on whichever column they wanted - author, title, etc.
Thank you very very much Dan.

More soon and thanks for reading this everyone!
-Betty-

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 20:06:00 +0000

Hi Everyone and welcome back to Betty's very very slooooow Bytes. I think I am just not the chatty one in the group!

Anyways at least I get a chance to with you all a very Merry Christmas and I hope you all have a lovely holiday! In our family it is tradition for us to go over to Paul's house and try to beat him at Risk. I usually just try to stay in the game and the others gang up on each other. I actually won the year before last which royally ticked everyone off!

Enough gab. Have fun, don't drink too much and give yourselves a big big hug for me.

Oh yes...and for those who are politically correct...HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Astronotes links

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 18:21:00 +0000

Hi Everyone
As you know, Paul does our catalogue called Astronotes. He has been doing it for years now. Well we have been putting it on our site for a little bit over a year and recently we started adding links to Publishers. I noticed a lot of gaps as I was doing it to-day. As you can well imagine, finding new ones and testing them takes a lot of time so I have decided to ask your help. If you notice any that I am missing in the current Astronotes, could you please send them to me? You can send them through this (click on comments at the end of the newest blog) or you can send to books@astrolib.com and I will use them.
Thanks for your help

Betty

Another Astro "Star"

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 19:57:00 +0000

Howdy-do everyone and welcome back.

Just a little bit of gossip for you. One of our Astro customers now has his own show on the "W" network TV. His show is aired at 9.30 p.m. Unfortunately, I forgot to check my notes before he left the store so I don't know which night!!! Dummy me. But when I googled his show it looks like he is on Monday, Tuesday and Wednsday. Unless I have forgotton how to figure out schedules...Oh yes....the name of the show is Save Us From Our House and if you google it his picture is right up there beside the pretty lady.

Happy viewing!!

Old lady Betty

Dave's not here

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 17:53:00 +0000

Hello again. It has been a while and I apologize for being so tardy. What I have to say is a quote from Paul's Astronotes. He said it well and in a nutshell. Why should I try to re-invent the wheel?

" Hey, hi, howdy, and welcome to Astronotes #134. No yippy-skippy intro full of yucks this month, but rather a sad note: Dave has left the building.
In an organisation as small as this one, everyone is a key man, and losing anyone is traumatic for both sides. But y'know, it was time. We've both been moving towards this for over a year, discussed it from time to time, and finally took the step.
There's regret, but no hard feelings. You might still run into him here from time to time, as the CDs and videos will still be here, and they're still his. Dave's been a bit of a fixture around the place since around 1988, sometimes working here, sometimes elsewhere, sometimes in competition with us. Another cycle in our lives begins."

So now you are up to snuff on Astro news. All of us are learning new stuff so this got neglected. Sorry folks but I am catching up now.

Have a lovely lovely life

-B-

It's almost that time again!!

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 22:28:00 +0000

I bet you all forgot about it! It is almost time for us to do our "9-9-9" sale. That's what we do every year to clear ALL the stock that is in our bins to make room for new, fresh wonderful comics.

Sept. 1 every single bin comic is 10% off the ticket price
Sept. 2 every single bin comic is 20% off the ticket price
Sept. 3 every single bin comic is 30% off the ticket price
Sept. 4 every single bin comic is 40% off the ticket price
Sept. 5 every single bin comic is 50% off the ticket price
Sept. 6 every single bin comic is 60% off the ticket price
Sept. 7 every single bin comic is 70% off the ticket price
Sept. 8 every single bin comic is 80% off the ticket price

and FINALLY
Sept. 9 every single bin comic is 90% off the ticket price

no they are not free on the 10th. There usually is nothing left by then!!

Happy shopping!

DC Comics "52"

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 14:38:00 +0000

Hi Everyone

I figured you might be interested in what Paul and other retailers are saying about 52 so I am providing a link to http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=78983 where you will find that Paul (our very own Motormouth) has been quite extensively quoted.

Let's see if what you feel matches in with what others are saying

Drums

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 17:09:00 +0000

Hi
I am trying to write this and a band of drums is having a good time just outside the store. (sidewalk sale time) I like drums. In small doses. Or as part of a band.
A five minute episode is too much!

Please forgive me while I vent about drum bands. It's my blog. I get to vent! Perhaps I will vent for as long as they bang on those things!

They used to get a really good trumpet player to walk up and down. Wonder what happened to him. HE was good and easy to listen to. People would sing along. One couple started dancing. It is really hard to dance to drums.

The drums are still going...I have run out of words...catch you all later!

Betty the qvetch

I love animals

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 18:58:00 +0000

Hi Everyone

This is part of a joke that was sent to me. Those of you who know me also know that I have no kids. Great nephews and neices but no kids. As my brothers' kids grow older I have come to see that there is a lot of truth in the following:

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3. Are easier to train
4. Usually come when called
5. Never drive your car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7 Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't wear your clothes
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

I obviously don't have a lot to say today but you can't get lucky all the time can you?

Oh - I am still reading Civil War. It is still being well written and drawn. I hope it keeps on this way!

Have a lovely week, come in and see us, and make Paul happy - spend money!

DMZ #8 and other stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 09:17:00 +0000

Just a quick note to let all of you who ordered DMZ from us that we WILL be getting it for sure next week. "Diamond regrets the error" No worries and keep smiling!

I finally got started reading my copy of Showcase: The Haunted Tank. I enjoyed the stories when I was a kid and they are still fun to read now. The black and white format is just fine because the story lines are great!

Anyone out there reading Civil War? Looking real good to me!

If anyone is reading manga, and if you buy from us (you should - our prices and selection are just great) then please be aware that Paul has been moving stuff around. The Manga is now in front of the cash and is much more comfortable to browse.

If you read regular trades then they are still in the spinners but there are a lot more of them out for sale above the bins.

Good reading everyone!

Books on Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 04:50:00 +0000

Hi Everybody!

Welcome back and thanks for letting me know you have been reading this! We are running a very very short book sale this week and maybe next. I put a bunch of books in one of the windows for $1.00 each. Two reasons - Paul is busy re-arranging things again so we need more space and, secondly, because Mary bought a whole bunch of new books and we love to put out new stuff so she needs more space too. Nothing at all wrong with the books that are in the window but I hate to pack stuff away in boxes so here you go. But like I said, maximum will be for 2 weeks.

Another Success

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 03:56:00 +0000

Hi Everyone

We have such great customers in our store that it makes me want to smile all over my face.

A few weeks ago I was asked for a donation for a fund raising project that one of our customers was participating in. Well his group had a marvelous success. They ran their 12th annual Golf Tournament and all the proceeds went directly to The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation. It seems it was their best year ever! Congrats and keep up the good work guys! Astro is so proud to know that our customers are fun loving and comunity minded people as well as being great readers.

Betty

Thank You

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Fri, 19 May 2006 18:44:00 +0000

We want to thank all of you for your kind donations to St. Mary's Hospital. A darn nice cheque is going out to them shortly.

Shown here is the new proud owner Of Superman 52 and 652 as well as a copy of DC 52 - the new DC mini-series.

Making the presentation in a VERY rare photo of him, is Paul Stock, Motormouth, owner and CEO of ASTRO. (Paul is the one not holding the comics)

Magic the Gathering

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Fri, 05 May 2006 18:06:00 +0000

If you are a Magic the Gathering player or collector, we have some cards up for sale from the new "Dissension" set our site. Just click on "what we sell" and then on the masterlist or the color you prefer. We are also selling lots more singles in the store as well as packs. Last, but not least, we have a Dual Land up for grabs on eBay too. Just click on "currently on ebay" and you are there!

Thanks for coming back!

-Betty-

I just finished reading...

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Fri, 05 May 2006 17:25:00 +0000

Hi Everyone

I haven't had much to say lately (unusual for me) but now I want to share something with you. These days it is rare that I can sit down and read something from cover to cover in one sitting but to-day I did. On Wednsday (new comic day) I got a book in my reserves called "Dragonslippers" by Rosalind B. Penfold. It is about her experience in an abusive relationship that started when she was 35 years old. Funny how we always think that if we are older than 18 or 21 we think we have it all figured out and that we will be fine!

The book is well worth the read if you suspect you may be involved in an abusive relationship, if you are trying to help someone who is in one, or if you simply want to try to understand why anybody would stay in that kind of situation - including "I stayed because of the kids".

Remember that guys get involved in abusive relationships too and also need help seeing it sometimes. If you know one maybe give him a gift of the book. We still have at least one copy on sale at the store and can order more.

I never meant this blog to be used for a book review but I really feel that this book is worth a read!

Have a great day!
-Betty-

Welcome to Betty's Bytes

noreply@blogger.com (Betty) — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 20:53:00 +0000

This is where I get to say my piece. So far I have been putting up information regarding what we are, what we sell, what services we offer and stuff like that.

Well, over here I get to blab.

Some of it will be related to the store, some will be gossip and some will just be bits of news I picked up from listening to the guys who work with me and/or you, my wonderful customers.

If you have a bit of news that you would like me to pass on, just email me at books@astrolib.com and I will try to include it.

Oh...if you want to see what Paul has to say - his stuff is usually industry-related - be sure to check out Motormouth.

The Web site is a work in progress and we are trying very hard to make it a site you will enjoy visiting and that you will find informative so I hope you enjoy your visits.

Betty