Who wants to win some cards? Let the games begin!

I've got some good news... and some bad news. I'm one of those guys who likes to hear the bad news first... so let's just get it out of the way.

Yesterday was the last day of the regular school year for our district... and while most of my friends get the next two months off... I'll be spending the next seven weeks teaching summer school.

Okay... that's it. That's the bad news... not that painful... right? Especially... since I'm the knucklehead that signed up to teach. Whatever... it's extra money in my pocket... and it keeps me from getting bored. Plus... I still have three weeks in August to kick back and relax.

Now... onto the good news. Today... I'm kicking off my 2nd Annual... The Chronicles of Fuji contest.

This year's contest will run much like last year's contest. As you know... I almost always have a "Question of the Day" at the end of my posts. Well... all you have to do is answer my questions and you'll earn points.

For every point you earn, your name will be loaded once into www.random.org/lists/ and the top ___ people will win prizes. So... the more you participate... the better the odds you'll win a prize.

Now... you're probably wondering why I didn't specify how many people will win. Well... one of the things I'm doing differently this year is that I'll start off by showing you five of the prizes.. and then each week... I'll be adding a prize (or maybe two). In the end... I guarantee that there will be at least 10 prizes in this contest.

Alright... let's check out the 1st five prizes packages:

Package A: 90's Football Inserts/Parallels

You know me... I love me some 90's inserts and parallels. This package includes some SP Holoviews, a sweet die-cut Charles Haley, and an extremely limited (9,400 copies produced) card of Troy Aikman. Beckett's inflated book value: $30+

Package B: 2009/10 UD Basketball "Masterpieces" Starter Set

I built this set a few months ago... and in the process have some leftovers. Here's a chance for you to start building your own set. It's a beautiful set... and the checklist is stacked. I don't have any extra Lebrons, Jordans, or Kobes... but you will be getting Wade, Havlicek, and Wilkins. Beckett value: $24.50

Package C: 2009 SPx "Shadow Box" #S-KS Kevin Smith

Upper Deck's Shadow Box cards are some of the most beautiful cards ever produced. You can check out my own personal Ed Reed here. And since I'm not a fan of the Lions or Kevin Smith... you can have my other one... if you win Package C. Beckett value: $20

Package D: 2000/01 UD ICE Base Set (1-40)

When this product came out... I was all over it. Brodeur + Acetate = Perfection. The winner won't get any of the shortprints, but they will receive one sweet looking set. Beckett value: $15

Package E: 1999 SP Top Prospects Set w/2 Autographs

I've saved the best for last... just kidding. Umm... so this set kind of sucks. But it's free. I can't believe I actually built this back in the day. Anyways... it does have early cards of Ron Artest and Baron Davis. I threw in an autograph of Donald Watts that I pulled from the box. Who is Donald Watts? Your guess is as good as mine. Since this package sort of stunk... I threw in a bonus autograph of Robert "Tractor" Traylor. I've written about him a couple of times... most recently because he passed away at the young age of 34. Beckett value: $22

Don't worry... more prizes to come. I have a few autographed 8x10's (one of them is of a HOFer)... some unopened packs... and well... I'll keep the rest a surprise.

I've been looking forward to holding this contest for awhile now... mainly because my comment rate tends to shoot up... and I love reading all of your comments. It's also a way to thank everyone who takes the time to support my blog.

I originally started this blog with the intent to document my hobby experience, so I'll have something to look back upon when I'm older... but I've really grown to love the feedback I hear from all of you. And in short... the more supporters... usually means more feedback.

And with that being said... the last component to this contest is exposure. Hopefully... when all is said and done... I'll have a few more supporters.

So... why don't we get this contest started.

Today's question of the day:

How did you find my blog? When did you first come across it?

It's simple... respond to the two questions... and you get one point. I'll do my best to update the point standings on a post to post basis... but at the very least the point standings will be updated every weekend.

And unbeknownst to them... I've handed out some early bird points to people who have commented on my blog in the last seven days... so here are the current standing:

jaybarkerfan - 2 points

John Bateman - 2 points

Martyn - 2 points

Hairylemon - 1 point

Tony Mc - 1 point

Hoopography - 1 point

And since this is the official kickoff to my contest... here's an extra opportunity for all of you to earn some extra points.

If you are following my blog and you comment below saying "I'm following", then I will add an extra point. And if you're willing to plug my contest on your blog, then leave a link below to your post and I'll give you five extra points.

Just like last year's contest... there's an expiration date for your comment entries... and it's usually my next post. So here's a heads up... you have until Sunday to comment, submit "plug" links, "follow me", and earn bonus points for this post. After that... no points will be awarded for this particular post.

Oh... and just in case you didn't read my previous post there are a couple of differences from last year. First... you are only eligible to win one prize this year, so if your name comes up more than once in the top ___ list on random.org, then I just move on to the next person. I'm doing this to spread the prizes out. And secondly... last year I handed out consolation prizes to everyone who participated. That's probably not going to happen again... since I've already given a ton of money to the USPS this year... and I'd rather spend the extra money on something else... like prizes.

However... at the end... if you'd like a signed copy of my personal trading card (which I use as a business card)... then I'd gladly ship you one in a PWE (I know PWE's suck... but it's not like I'm sending you a Hank Aaron autograph... LOL). Don't worry... I'm not one of "those" collectors... all prizes will be shipped securely and properly.

Oh... and Card Collectors World Forum users... if you're planning on participating... you must use reply on my BLOG... not on CCW. I unfortunately don't check CCW on a regular basis, so if you post responses there... I will not see them.

Okay... so there you have it... Let the games begin!

Have a great weekend everyone... and sayonara!