There are a million other things I should be doing ...

The Million Card Giveway code-entering process is an all-day affair. If I didn't have the day off, there's no way I'd waste half my leisure time doing this, but since I do, I'm having a little fun.

I hope between all the crabbing and the only half-deserved "shame on you, Topps" sentiments that people are having fun with this. There are some really cool cards coming out of this promotion and even though I'm having a heck of a time getting through, I think this is a great idea and a good deal of fun.

I completely expected the site to be slow on the first day. This is why I never go to a movie the first day it's out or check out the new restaurant in the first week. I can't deal with the inevitable glitches or the high-strung people. But I made an exception with this case because a) this involves cards, and b) there aren't mad throngs of humanity surrounding me (just a million collectors I can't see). So I stepped outside of my comfort zone this one time and this is a nice reminder of why I'm never the first to do anything.

I have the eight code cards and so far I've been able to enter just one. At 1:40 p.m., I discovered the site was up. It took until 2:32 p.m. for me to be able to get registered and a code entered. Then, at 4:50 p.m., I finally found out I landed this card:

What do you know? It's Scott Garrelts. Two posts ago I predicted I would pull a Scott Garrelts card. Granted, it was the 1990 Garrelts. But this is also a Garrelts card that I already have, so I'd say that's a semi-accurate prediction.

I used the Mantle '69 code card up top to claim the Garrelts card.

I haven't been able to do anything since. I entered a second code and have been on hold since that point.

I'm going to post all of the other code cards at the bottom of this post. When I finally get through to enter another code, I will post the cards I git as I git them with the corresponding code card. Git it?

I don't know when that will be. It'll probably be after most of the collectors have finally hit the sack. That's the perfect time for a night owl like me to get some work done anyway.

Edit: Success almost as soon as I posted this! Well, success in terms of getting through anyway. The last seven cards were redeemed in 45 minutes. Here are the ugly -- and I DO mean ugly -- results:

1963 Gibson code card unlocked at 7:49 p.m.: 1993 Future Stars of Colorado Rockies, Jason Hutchins & Ryan Turner.

(Lovely, a guy in his Fruit of the Loom T-shirt. At least it's a card I didn't have).

1985 Schmidt code card #1 unlocked at 8:05 p.m.: 1985 Scott Fletcher

(I bought the entire 1985 set in 1985, so I've had this card for awhile).

1963 Maris code card unlocked at 8:12 p.m.: 1987 Kevin Bass

(I knew a 1987 Topps was coming. I do believe I need this card. But need is an awfully strong word when it comes to a 1987 Topps Kevin Bass).

1969 Mantle code card #2 unlocked at 8:17 p.m.: 1985 Ron Hodges

(Topps, haven't  you heard? I completed the 1985 set! 25 years ago!)

1978 Carter code card unlocked at 8:25 p.m.: 1983 Renie Martin

(There is no bigger fan of the '83 set than me. But I have completed it already, and I'm starting to think that other people are having more success with this promotion than I am).

1957 Mantle code card unlocked at 8:29 p.m.: 1985 Pat Tabler.

(Another 1985? OK, Topps is toying with me now).

1985 Schmidt code card #2

Schmidty! You're my only hope! Find me something outside of the 1980s realm, please!

Unlocked at 8:36 p.m.: 1998 Kirk Rueter.

Topps didn't provide a card photo with this one. Probably because it was embarrassed that it was giving me a Giant from the 1990s as my last redemption. It is also the third Giant redeemed in this group.

Oh, well, at least it wasn't a card frrom the 1980s.

Here is the final tally:

1988 Scott Garrelts -- have it
1993 Rockies future stars -- need it
1985 Scott Fletcher -- have it
1987 Kevin Bass -- need it
1985 Ron Hodges -- have it
1983 Renie Martin -- have it
1985 Pat Tabler -- have it
1998 Kirk Rueter -- need it

So, three cards that I need. And none I'm going to want to pay to get shipped to my house.

However, other bloggers had a lot more success with this. In fact, I think it's safe to say that no one has done WORSE than this.

But I am not scarred. I will indeed be buying more cards and entering more redemption codes. Maybe I'll actually get something I want.