Ups and Downs

Only two more days until the De Anza Flea Market.  It's supposed to be sunny and cool... just how I like it.  Sadly, I'm pretty sure I won't be able to make it out there.  I've been dealing with lower back pains the past few days.  It's the same issue I've been dealing with for a decade, so I know it'll eventually feel better.  Just not sure I'll be ready to walk around a flea market carrying bags of cards (wishful thinking) by this Saturday.  Only time will tell.

It's also been several weeks since I've ridden my newly acquired bike:

My nephew has a weekend job at a popular outdoor sports gear store, so I told him to let me know if there were any good sales on eBikes.  He told me I could have his for free, because he moved into a new place over the summer in San Francisco and carrying this 83lb. eBike up and down several floors didn't fit into his new lifestyle.  Well I tried it out and loved it.  Don't worry... I paid him for it.

That was back in October when the weather was sunny and warm.  Unfortunately the Bay Area received some rain in November, so I wasn't able to ride it a lot.  And now that the weather is nice again, I'm too sore to ride.  Hopefully I'll be able to hop back on it over the winter break.

On the card front, I have a few packages piling up in my office.  A few of them are eBay purchases.  I just received two big boxes containing Christmas presents from my buddy Ryan a.k.a. SumoMenkoMan.

I also received a box filled with "bulky cards" from Kevin over at The Diamond King.

He's been holding some really generous giveaways on his blog and I was fortunate enough to win a box filled with thick cards including relics, autographs, and high-end base cards.

I started sorting the contents and putting all of the cards into new penny sleeves (don't blame me, blame the OCD) on Sunday, but the back issues flared up and I had to take a break.

But I'll definitely be sharing some of the keepers in a future post (hopefully this weekend).  The rest I'll be passing along to fellow bloggers.  Part of Kevin's "giveaway" involves committing to send out at least one care package this holiday season.  I will be sending a few.  Some were planned, but a few were inspired by Kevin's giveaway.

Thank you Kevin!  This was a really cool way to get people into the spirit of giving.

Happy Thursday and sayonara!