Friendship and Flea Market Freebies

Elle Macpherson

Two weekends ago, I hung out with my buddy Mike at the De Anza Flea Market and helped him sell his sports memorabilia.

Now I'm not sure if this is going to sound weird or not... but I have always sorted my friends into groups... much like I sort my trading cards.

Sterling Marlin

When I was younger... I had my neighborhood friends, my school friends, my Little League friends, and my family friends.

Byron Dafoe, Adam Deadmarsh, and Rob Niedermayer

These days... I have my childhood friends, my work friends, my family friends, and my hobby related friends.  Mike obviously falls into the latter category.

Bonnie Blair, Nadia Comaneci, and Michael Johnson

I met him back in the late 90's when we worked together at Fun Stuff Cards, Comics, and Collectibles.  It was back when I first started teaching and needed the extra money to help make ends meet.  Eventually... I sold off my collection and was able to quit that job.  That's right around the same time that he started a family and moved to Stockton.

Joonas Donskoi and Kyle McLaren

In 2008, I reentered the hobby and was walking around the (non defunct) Great Mall Card Show.  That's when I noticed a familiar face.  These days I consider him one of my closest friends and the person I go to when I have any questions about autographs.

Mike Modano, Jim Craig, and Joe Pavelski

He's been obtaining in-person autographs since he was a kid attending Giants and A's games at Candlestick Park and the Oakland Coliseum.  Over the years he's expanded his business to include other sports and even celebrity signatures.  He's living proof that you can make an honest living obtaining and selling in-person autographs.

Brian McBride

That weekend, he was clearing out some old inventory of stuff that he either didn't want or couldn't sell, so I swooped in and grabbed this stack of signatures.

Antonio McDyess

They don't have any letters of authenticity.  They don't have any PSA/DNA stickers attached to them.  And I didn't see any of these getting signed.

Eddie George

But I know they're authentic, because I trust my buddy.  Thanks Mike!

Rachel Hunter

Happy Wednesday and sayonara!