Night Owl Cards

I've just returned home from attending my father's funeral and all the other family stuff that went along with it. I'm hoping to get back to some semblance of regular living -- and posting -- at this point (although one of my busiest periods of work all year is about to smack me in the face tomorrow ). But before I jump fully into "moving on" mode, I'd like to thank everyone who left their condolences for my mom and dad's passings. I'm particularly grateful to those who reached out via email to let me know they were thinking of me. Along those lines, I did receive at least one card package that showed signs of being a sympathy package, or what I would call a card care package. Doug from Sportscards From The Dollar Store sent a bunch of nifty cards along with a note that said "thought you could use a pick-me-up." Wow, thanks Doug. Cards are the very best way of saying you care. Per usual, this package from Canada's Ontari...

A card show is about as perfect an experience as I have in my life. Virtually nothing goes wrong during a show and happy bunnies dance overhead during my entire stay. I suppose something could go wrong. Perhaps you unexpectedly spot an expensive item you've been wanting for years and don't have the money for it. Maybe somebody buys a card right before you were going to buy it. But, in short, just about my only concern at a card show is that I will buy cards that I have already. It happens almost every time. Fortunately, it almost always involves little discount box purchases that don't amount to much cash. I'm on guard for this regular occurrence at shows and brace myself for it. But what I never of think of at shows is "what cards are on their way to me while I'm at this show?" We "trade-through-the-mail" collectors think we're so smart, but sometimes that can backfire. One of the items that I bought at the card show a couple we...

I know myself so well. I'd say a good 10 percent of the posts on this blog are about how slow I am. I'm fairly punctual in real life, but when it comes to the hobby, forget it. Who can keep up anyway? Johnny's Trading Spot has been sending piles of cards around the country lately and my gift arrived in late July. "Christmas in July" said the note, and I looked at the calendar. "There is no way I am going to get this on the blog while it's still July," I said. Here we are, nine days past July -- well past the time others have displayed their same packages -- and I'm just getting to this. But I like this. I like "Christmas in August," better than Christmas in July. Who needs Christmas in July? July is already packed with my birthday, vacations, the 4th, and we want to throw another Christmas on it? Put it in August when I can use it! August has always been the most depressing month for me, I've mentioned this before. It...