I'm just not that into you

I get a lot of trade requests or offers from people to send me cards.

I don't know how it compares with other bloggers -- maybe it's not as much as others, maybe it's a lot more -- but it seems like a lot to me.

I try to respond to most, although I do get a little wary if the offer says "hey, I've got cards for you, send me an address." A little more information, please, so I can be reasonably certain that there won't be a human head in the package when I give you my address.

But I admit lately I've gotten a bit unresponsive.

It's not because of my increasing fear of receiving a human head. It's something more mundane.

Before I went on vacation, I was bored by blogging, What I saw on the blogs, what I saw of the cards. Bored, bored, bored. This isn't a comment on anyone's content, it's a comment on me. I just didn't care, for whatever reason.

Then, when I went on vacation, I did something I haven't done since before I had a blog. I didn't write any advance posts for when I was away. I didn't respond to anyone's posts when I was away. I barely even looked at anyone's blog when I was away.

I know what you think I'm going to write next: "It was wonderful."

Well, no, it wasn't "wonderful." A little relaxing, yeah. A bit disconcerting, too.

I was trying something out.

What would my world be like without blogging?

Now don't get nervous. I'm not leaving.

But the fact that I'm thinking more often about a life without a blog means something, doesn't it?

Here is what I've decided it means:

I'm just not that into you.

Ah, geez ...

Now you're offended.

It's not about you. I said that already. It's about me.

I just can't get wrapped up in the "hey, you wanna trade?" fusillade of offers anymore. And the contests, so many contests. I can't do that. I've always had an issue with "pimping." I don't even like pimping my own stuff. But I can't even enter the contests most of the time now.

My enthusiasm for cards is still there. My enthusiasm for writing is still there. But the other stuff ... eh.

So what you're probably inferring from this is the following:

"I'm an anti-social weirdo who doesn't want to participate in your wonderful community, keep your stinking cards to yourself."

And you'd be correct.

Well, not the "weirdo" part. I'm quite normal. And not the keeping the cards to yourself. I want your cards, I really do. The want list is still there. The Nebulous 9 is still there.

I'm just not as enthusiastic about it as y'all. Make of that what you wish.

But to prove that I still do trade, here are some cards from a guy who is ALL about trades, Oscar, from All Trade Bait, All The Time.

He sent an impressive stack of Dodger cards and hoped some of them stuck.

Fortunately, a few did, which is a pretty impressive feat if you know how many Dodger cards I have.

Here are a few:

Ugh. Kevin Brown. I feel about acquiring Kevin Brown cards the way I feel about pimping contests. A necessary evil. My own private hell would be pimping a contest in which I won nothing but Kevin Brown cards. I think the blog truly would shut down that day.

Did you know 2012 Finest is out now? I barely did. I don't get fired up over Finest anymore because I'm still trying to acquire Finest cards from 17 years ago, like this one. I don't see the urgency.

Normally I try not to show cards I already have in trade posts. But my nine-year-old self won't let me come across an Andy Messersmith card and not DO anything about it. It's Andy Messersmith!!!! So here he is.

The Dodgers do not have any Asian-born players on their roster. It's probably been quite awhile since that has happened.

A mess of Ishiis. "Mess" is the official collective noun for more than one Ishii card.

Once upon a time, people used to hoard a mess of Ishiis. Now they try to get rid of a mess of Ishiis. I welcome a mess of Ishiis.

People are so mean to Circa. Look at that card! How can you not love that card? Todd Hollandsworth is busting out of a theater curtain ... in outer space!

That's fantastic.

So there. Proof I still do trade.

In fact, there are a number of card stacks on my desk as further proof. If you've transacted with me in the last 2 months, or we've agreed to some sort of deal, then one of those stacks is likely for you. You'll get it ... eventually.

I still want to trade, even if I'm not as responsive as I once was.

Since I've returned home, I've tried to get back on track. I'm not up to two posts a day yet, but I'll get there. I've searched my collection for some cards, and I'll be packaging up items in a couple of days. I'll even try to enter a contest again soon. (But I ain't pimping it).

I guess I'm still into you. A little.

Why, even yesterday I responded to one of those "hey, I'm nobody you've ever heard of, but I've got cards. Send me your address."

I really hope I'm not getting a human head.