As a lifelong introvert, I remember being very concerned as a teenager when I found out that "it's not what you know, it's who you know" was a significant part of landing a career. At least that's what I was told. I was horrified. I still have a problem speaking to people when there's an ulterior motive behind my words. "Working your connections" makes me shudder. What connections? Oh, I was in trouble. In the years that have followed, I'm happy to say that most of the connections I've made in my career have been based on my talent, not empty words. It's been true in this hobby, too, thanks to this blog. But I do know how to work the connections out in the real world -- if I really try -- and that's because of the hobby, as well. It happened just this past weekend. I went to the monthly card show Saturday. I had an actual plan this time. It was "find the guy with the 1969 commons." This was because when I went to the mal...
Up all hours talking baseball, cardboard & collecting