Little Kid Stuck in an Adult's Body

One of my closest friends told me that I'm a little kid stuck in an adult's body, because I'm so attached to my childhood.  At first, I was a little annoyed.  Then it started to sink in.  Maybe she's right.

Today I wanted to share some of my favorite things from my childhood outside of sports cards and Star Wars.

Without sounding like too much of a nerd, I was always the kid who loved it when the annual book fair arrived at my elementary school.  My mother volunteered almost every year and I'd hang out and create a list of all of the books I wanted.  But the thing I look forward to the most was buying new posters for my bedroom walls.

While the girls fought over cute puppy posters... the boys were all about the sports cars.

My personal favorite as a prepubescent boy was the Lamborghini Countach.  What amazes me is that thirty years later these cars still look way ahead of its time.

Another thing I enjoyed growing up were video games.  Every year my family would take two or three ski trips to Lake Tahoe.  During the day, we'd go to Sierra Ski Ranch, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, or Heavenly and hit the slopes.  At night... my parents would drop me and my cousins off at the Harrah's arcade with a two or three rolls of quarters while they gambled.  Today's parents use iPads and YouTube videos as baby sitters.  My parents used casino arcades.

If I got good grades and did my chores, I also earned TV time.  I've always enjoyed a wide variety of shows ranging from sports to comedies to dramas to cartoons.  One of my all-time favorite cartoons has to be classic 80's Transformers.  I owned a few of the toys, but they came out right about the time I was transitioning into a teenager.

Right around my middle school years, VHS rental stores were in full swing and my parents started letting me watch PG-13 and R-rated movies.  I'm sure my memories are exaggerated, but it seemed like I always rotated between Faces of Death, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Enter the Dragon.

Bruce Lee was the man.  Who am I kidding?  I'm still a huge fan thirty years later.

I've watched most of his mainstream movies multiple times each... although, I have to admit... I've never seen a single episode of The Green Hornet.  Maybe I'll track down some episodes online and check it out.  But for now... I have plenty of other comic book shows like The Walking Dead, Arrow, Daredevil, and Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D to keep me occupied.

Before I wrap up this post, I want to thank Ryan over at Japanese Sumo Wrestling Cards and Menko for sending me all of the wonderful cards featured in this post.  It truly took me on a trip down memory lane... which is never a bad thing.

He also sent another nice addition to my unopened Japanese pack collection:

According to Ryan, it's from a 80's anime show called Bismark.  I've never heard of it before... but it looks like something out of Robotech... which is another one of my favorite 80's cartoons.

And finally... here's the final card in the care package:

I have no idea what year or set this card comes from, but it appears to be some sort of vintage Menko depicting a ninja.  And everyone knows that ninjas are cool.

Whatever it is... it's an awesome addition to my non-sports Japanese binder.

Thanks again Ryan for another generous care package.  Looks like I'll need to target some new Laird cards for your collection in the near future.

Until then... happy Sunday and sayonara!

Under Pressure

I've never had a single regret about becoming a teacher.  It's probably the best decision I've ever made.  Sure there are rough days... obnoxious students... and the occasional disgruntled parent.  But the pros far outweigh the cons... and I'm lucky that 99% of the time, I actually look forward to going into work and seeing my students.

With that being said... the past month has been insane.  I recently took over the Leadership class at my site while my administrator is out on maternity leave... and my workload essentially doubled overnight.

The good news is that they are the Leadership kids, which means they're independent and for the most part responsible, hardworking students.

The bad news is that I have to work much longer hours, which affects how much time I have to read blog posts, while publishing my own.

I have a pair of posts I've been working on during my free time.  One of them covers a very generous care package from Ryan over at Japanese Sumo Wrestling Cards and Menko.  The other one summarizes my trip to two flea markets last weekend and involves thousands of Junk Wax Era cards.  I'm sure you guys can hardly wait... cough... cough.

Until then... here's a card I picked up back in September:

It's a 2012 Leaf Originals autograph of Hulk Hogan who was the biggest name in wrestling during my years of fandom back in the mid 80's.  Hogan's signature is the furthest thing from being rare, but this particular card has been sitting on my wantlist for a few years now.  I've always enjoyed this product and I thought today was a great day to finally write about it.

After all of the interesting conversations I overheard in with students, faculty, family, and friends about Tuesday's election... and plenty of them fishing for my opinion... I wanted to keep things simple for this post.  I believe in and support the current voting process.  I will support our 45th President... even if he wasn't the candidate I voted for... until he gives me a reason not to as our elected leader.  Like sports cards and most things in life... I try to give things the benefit of the doubt.

Who knows... maybe he truly does make America great again.  Whatever he does... I'm not envious of his new position.  I'm stressed out over teaching leadership.  Can't imagine the pressure of being one of the most powerful people on the planet feels like.

Last... and most importantly... I'm just proud to be an American.  Just like Hulk Hogan was back in the 80's when I cheered him on as a teenager.

Happy Thursday and sayonara!

Living Within Your Means

Digging myself out of debt back in the 90's was one of the greatest life lessons I ever learned.  It made me figure out how to manage my money and to avoid carrying a balance on my credit cards.  But most importantly... it taught me strategies to live within my means.

By the early 2000's, I was on the road to financial recovery and in 2001, I decided to sell the bulk of my collection to help pay off my debt and pad my savings, which I'd eventually use to buy my townhouse.

In 2008, I reached a point on the salary scale where I could afford to jump back into the hobby that was originally the center of my financial woes.  Only this time around... things were going to be different.  I had learned from my mistakes and decided to focus on being a "budget collector".  Instead of being the guy who busts tons of new product every week at card shops, I became the guy who loves standing around for hours digging through dime boxes at shows.

These days... I still enjoy an occasional dime box... but every now and then, I'll go out and add a big card to my collection.

Sometimes I'll go with a key vintage card like my 1956 Topps Jackie Robinson.  Other times I'll chase a highly desired rookie card like the 1984 Fleer Update Kirby Puckett.

Two weeks ago, I stumbled across this 2005 Sweet Spot Signatures card featuring Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera:

I've been trying to add another Pujols autograph to my collection, because I missed out on him during the early to mid 2000's and as soon as I saw this card, I immediately added it to my eBay watch list.

Both of these guys are probably first ballot hall of famers... and are considered two of the best hitters in recent years.  But until recently... Pujols autographs have been way out of my price range.  Patience paid off.  This card wasn't exactly "cheap".  When the bidding war ended, I paid $110 (+ $3.60 shipping).

Initially... I suffered some buyer's remorse, because that's what happens when you spend an entire month's card budget on a single card.  However... all of that went away as soon as it arrived in my mailbox last weekend.

In terms of dual signed cards, it's right up there with my 1999 Stadium Club Co-Signers card of Derek Jeter and Chipper Jones:

Both of these are nice consolation prizes... since owning the 1994 Upper Deck Mickey Mantle and Ken Griffey Jr. dual signed card will never be anything but a pipe dream.   Owning the grand daddy of dual signed, packed pulled cards simply isn't living within my means.

Happy Wednesday, go Cubbies, and sayonara!

Some Tricks and Some Treats

As a kid... Christmas was hands down my favorite holiday.  Seriously.  How can any other holiday compete with a two week vacation, egg nog, and stacks of presents waiting for you under a tree?

With that being said... Halloween was probably my second favorite holiday.  What little kid doesn't love dressing up, staying out extra late, hanging with their buddies, and filling a pillow case with candy?

Sadly... like many awesome things in life... eventually I outgrew the holiday.  Sure... I could have been one of those high school kids who refused to hang up my costume... but I'm thankful I did, because I inherited the job of passing out candy in my household in exchange for hand picked bags of candy.  No more Sweet Tarts, lollipops, Smarties, or that taffy wrapped in orange and black wax paper.

As an adult... Halloween has totally changed.  It's been over a decade since I've carved pumpkins and passed out candy.  I think most of the kids in my neighborhood head over to the local malls or up to the hills where the rich folk live.

But that's okay, because I don't have to spend money on candy anymore.  I also don't have to clean up rotting pumpkins.  And I don't have to answer the doorbell at 11 o'clock at night.

Instead... tonight I'm going to grab dinner with a friend, then head home, hang out, watch an episode or two of Stranger Things, while hopefully sorting some sports cards that have slowly been piling up in my office.

A few of those cards are from a pair of fellow card bloggers: Adam over at Cardboard Clubhouse. and Sir Night Owl.

In the spirit of Halloween, I figured I'd show off a few of the "tricks" and "treats" they donated to my collection.  I'll kick things off with cards from Adam's special Halloween package.

Treat #1:  1983 Fleer #639

Once upon a time, this card was one of the centerpieces to my collection.  In 1983, Rickey Henderson was still my favorite player and any piece of cardboard featuring him was treasured.


Treat #2:  1991-92 Pro Set #558

Twenty-five years ago, this card was one of the hottest cards in my area.  Falloon was considered a major building block for the San Jose Sharks franchise and local fans couldn't get enough of him.  I'm pretty sure we sold these for $2 to $3 each at the card shop I worked at.

Treat #3:  1991 Stadium Club Charter Members/Member's Only

1991 Stadium Club baseball is one of the greatest sets from the Junk Wax Era and the Charter Members and Member's Only sets are no exception.  Just look at that photography.  I'll be very happy to add these three cards to my Rickey Henderson oddball's and inserts binder later on tonight.

Trick #1:  1993 Stadium Club A's Team Set #8

Back in 1993, Topps produced special Stadium Club cards that were only available in factory sealed team sets.  Adam generously sent me a complete A's set, which included another awesome Rickey Henderson card for my collection.  The only problem will be deciding whether or not to keep it as part of the team set... or to add it with the other three Stadium Club oddballs to my binder.  Talk about a First World Problem.

Thanks Adam for all of the awesome A's and Sharks cards you sent my way.  If I can get my life together, I'll show you my appreciation with a Thanksgiving care package.  Otherwise... it might end up being a Christmas care package.

Okay... next up are a few singles from Night Owl's Super Trader package:

Treat #4:  2016 Allen & Ginter #350

I'm pretty sure that this is my first A & G card of the season... and it's surprisingly for my Steve Carlton collection. Most of you know that I collect the A's and Padres, but this card is cool, because I don't talk about my Lefty PC that much.  I grew up a huge Steve Carlton fan, because he was one of the best left handed pitchers of his era.  Unfortunately... I don't add singles to the collection nearly as much as I should.


Treat #5:  2016 Allen & Ginter Laureates of Peace Mini #LP1

This card might seem a little random to the casual reader, but I knew what collection it was going into as soon as I held it in my hand.  If you look carefully, you'll notice a nice chunk taken out of the bottom lefthand corner.  Most collectors would cringe at the sight... but I embrace it.

Trust me people... this card is not a "trick".  It's very much an awesome "treat" for my Damaged Card PC.


Trick #2:  1997 Topps Wheaties #NNO

I spent fifteen minutes trying to figure out what this card was!  Any card that requires me to do research must be classified as a "trick".  However... before I sound like an unappreciative spoiled little brat, let me say that I truly enjoy being a sports card detective.  

Bottom line... it's going to be one of the coolest McGwire cards in my binder.


Treat #6: 2013 Topps Chasing History Holo-Foil #CH28

I'll wrap up this post with this shiny Topps insert of my favorite athlete of all-time.  This is actually my third copy of this card.  The first copy always goes into my Tony Gwynn binders.  The second is thrown into the Gwynn section of my insert and oddballs binders.  And this one?  This one is going into a card stand that will be displayed on my desk at work... along with other shiny, cool cards that will hopefully attract the eyes of future generations of collectors.

Thank you Adam and Greg for the generous care packages.  You know the routine... I should have something headed your way in a month... or two.

Happy Halloween and sayonara!