Night Owl Cards

Since I've become one of those people who never has any cash on them because actual money is -- ewwwww, dirty, get it away from me, ewwwwwww -- I had to perform one of those epic transactions that only makes sense in the world of debit cards. I needed a couple of dollars for a bake sale going on at work. So I drove to the ATM, snagged a 20 because the ATM laughs at you if you ask for anything less than that, then went to the drug store to whittle that 20 down to bake-sale size numbers. I picked up a couple necessities and then looked at the very modest card selection at Rite-Aid. They're hanging from a small display in front of the miles and miles of gum and candy at the checkout counter. I spied some dust-covered 2014 Topps packs and rack packs, and a couple football items. Next to those was what I needed: the always welcome repack rack pack. I will always love these things. They never disappoint. I'll never stop buying them. I walked out of the drug store and ...

I have a card show to go to this weekend. It is the same show that I haven't been able to go to for the last two Januarys because of the monumentally crappy weather that we receive every first month of the year. (You people who have weekly card shows in Florida just remember that, and let the guilt wash over you as you flip through cards in your Hawaiian shorts). But this time, unbelievably, the weather is supposed to be passable. And wouldn't you know it, this time, I also happen to be broke. I will be going to this card show with the least amount of money that I have taken to a show since I returned to the hobby. Also, a portion of the little cash that I have will be going toward purchasing items for a couple of super generous people who have showered me with terrific card packages recently (stay tuned for those. They're crazy good). That leaves me with this thought: I may end up going to this show only to come away with two or three cards, or even one card, fo...

I am almost certain that the Yankees are going to win the World Series. I've been certain for quite awhile. During this postseason, I have always rooted for the other team, and felt real disgust when they didn't succeed, or -- like the Angels -- make dumb mistake after dumb mistake. But I always knew that the Yankees would prevail. I'm not the greatest evaluator of talent, but I can see what the Yankees have and how they are playing. I don't think the Phillies have a real shot of winning the Series. It could go six games. But I don't see a seven-game series or a Phillies win. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE a Phillies win and I would love to be wrong, but my gut says it ain't gonna happen. Given that, what I'm saying here shouldn't annoy any Yankees fans, too much. Your team is going to win the World Series, so who cares about what some blogger thinks? It's well-established that I do not like the Yankees. I come from a family of Yankee...

If I'm being honest with myself here, I have to admit one thing. I have too many trade partners. I know I shouldn't be saying that. No collector can have too many trade partners or too many cards, right? But I can't help but think things would run a bit more smoothly if I trimmed down a little. I'm not a college kid or unemployed. I've got a family and a home and a fairly demanding job. Plus, the damn dog is an attention whore. So, there are many things to keep me from buying or trading or sorting cards. I find myself running out of cards for everyone, or plain just not being able to offer what someone wants. Yet, when the 441st Met fan that I've come across on this blog shoots me a note asking if I'd like some Dodger cards, I reply, "Sweet! Fire away!" In short: I can't say no when it come to cards. Take, for instance, the card at the top of the post, the short-printed Dodgers team card from 2008 Topps Heritage. I have been looking for this ...