This was, by all accounts, a PERFECT GIFT

First and foremost, I drink coffee like it's my job. I wish I were exaggerating but in reality I start my day with a full pot and usually have another in the afternoon. It is my primary fuel source; I convert coffee into art. I also LOVE my local/fairtrade/hippy-dippy/organic/unconventional coffees, because I like spending money in my community. So I was absolutely thrilled to see over a pound of New Jersey's finest in the box, complete with a How You Brewin' jumbo mug!

Also my roommate is from New Jersey, so it was an excuse to talk at him all night with a Jersey accent. He is now uncomfortable. Thanks! ;)

Next was the book The Martian. Can I take a moment to tell you what I already f**cking love about this book?

The cover design.

See, my day job is making book covers and interiors and there's a million boring ways to do it right and only a few really goddamn good designs that rise above. THIS IS ONE. I used this book cover in a lineup of "what to DO" samples for my boss who, bless him, is an editor and not an artist. NOW I GET TO READ THE BOOK which is also good because it's highly recommended!

And what's this? A Festive Holiday Card WITH A GIFT CARD INSIDE?! Be still my inky heart, I'M BUYING MORE BOOKS. Thank You. Seriously.

AND HOLY MOTHER OF ILLUSTRATION I haven't used this brand of pen before but I love, love, LOVE pen and ink so much that I burned out my last set of varying-thickness pens on a single round of concept art. I'm hoping to publish my first comic in 2015 and this is definitely a solid addition to the tool set!

Dan, AKA MoldyPopcorn, you did everything right. Also it's my birthday. BONUS.