The card aisle on the other side of the fence

What would you do if you had that fully stocked Target card aisle that featured the very most up-to-date card product that you've read that other collectors have?

What would you do if you had one of those monthly card shows that you hear about from other places?

What would you do if you had a card shop just down the road, like some lucky people?

What would you do if you could drive easily to a flea market once a week or a month?

I know what I would do.

I'd be at that card aisle every day. I'd have a collection you wouldn't believe because I'm at a card show once a month. I'd be sharing vacation pictures with the card shop owner because I'd be there so often. And I would be able to drive to that flea market blindfolded because I knew the route so well.

But would you? Really?

Or is that just jealousy talking?

Here is what I mean.

A couple of days ago, I read a post on I Love the Smell of Cardboard in the Morning. Tim apparently lives in that North Carolina sweet spot where the second new product is created, it's pumped directly to that area. This wasn't the first time I had read about the latest card issue -- this time, Bowman -- on his blog.

It didn't help matters that he pulled two different Kenta Maeda cards. I probably wouldn't have even left a comment if he didn't. But he did and I saw green, and not the money kind. Arrrrrgh! He got the new cards! He got MY cards!

It probably doesn't matter much in the whole scheme of things. I mean it's Bowman. I don't collect Bowman anyway. But, when you live where I do -- with no card shop, a mediocre card aisle, a card show twice a year if I want to drive the hour-plus, and no idea where I could find a decent flea market, you get a little flustered once in awhile.

And then, not more than two days later, I found out what it was like in one of those glorious places -- in this case, in the card aisle on the other side of the fence. And it's not necessarily greener.

Just yesterday, I traveled to a town about 20 minutes from New York City. Even though it is a relatively small village, it featured things you can't find where I live. For example, book stores. The last book store abandoned ship around here maybe 3 to 4 years ago.

While wandering around a mall there with more restaurants than I have ever seen in one enclosed area, I discovered a Target. I had to check out the card aisle. So I did. It wasn't as impressive as I had imagined in my brain as I walked over there. But it did feature some card items that probably won't be in the card aisle back home for a number of weeks.

I picked up one of those Topps National League team sets in the blister packs, with Clayton Kershaw on the front ... and then put it back.

I picked up a pack of brand, shiny new 2016 Bowman -- me, the guy who doesn't understand Bowman could have been like the second or third blogger to show a pack of Bowman -- and then I put it back.

I just didn't care.

Maybe it was because those products aren't the most exciting. But that's never stopped me before. I think it was more because of all the things that were going on around me at the time. I was so busy with other things and so overstimulated by what was available to me, that suddenly the cards didn't seem that important.

That might be what it's like for a collector with so many other options where they live. It comes down to "what do you feel like doing today" instead of "this is my only chance I got to go NOW."

So that was my glimpse at life on the other side of the fence.

But I still think if there was a monthly card show, I'd be there every damn month.

Oh, you still haven't seen a card have you?

That's from a one-card PWE from Weston at Fantastic Catch.

He said after combing my want lists, this Bowman Chrome prospect card of Alex Verdugo is the only item he found that I needed.

Don't worry, Weston. When Bowman finally does show up here, I'll break down and open a pack. And then you'll see the inevitable 2016 Bowman want list.