Skip to main content

Eight ain't enough


Since this blog began, there hasn't been one time when I seriously considered ending it.

There has been a couple of times when I toyed with the idea, though. One of those times happened this year.

It was fleeting, a stray thought flickering over a burning pit of seething rage, but it disappeared. Because I know there's still a good thing going here.

Eight years ago tonight -- in the wee hours, of course -- Night Owl Cards was born. For the most part, it's been a great time, filled with camaraderie and cool cards. I've learned a lot and I hope I've dispensed some knowledge, too.

But the internet is a weird place. And when you've done something for as long as I've written NOC, you come across all kinds of crazy things, both good and bad. Although I put on a good front here, I've focused mostly on the bad the last few months. But I'm working to correct that. And today is an example of my attempt to focus on the brighter side. On the anniversary of this blog, I'm holding a little contest.

If you would be so good to comment on this blog post, you will be entered into a contest for the following eight items, in honor of Dick Van Patten here. ... Well, OK, in honor of eight years of the blog.

I'm actually giving away more than eight things, but I'm packaging it as eight. Here we go:



Those are the "eight" prizes you're playing for. Some I just picked up, some I've had hanging around for too long for who knows why.

Also, just so you have something to open, I'll throw this in to the winner, too:


There's no way I'm going to snap my record of never opening a blaster of Gypsy Queen.

Per usual, I will randomize the entrants in the contest three times and the No. 1 person after three randomizings will be the winner.

I'll allow people to enter for a 48-hour period. The window for entering will close at 9 p.m. EST Thursday.

It's just a small token of thanks for reading this blog. Those of you who have read it for eight years, well, you're completely awesome and my kind of people.

I plan on a few changes in the year ahead -- nothing significant -- but you may notice them.

I still have some things on this blog I want to do. Which means eight ain't nearly enough.

So it's off to year nine.

Don't get weird on me now.

Comments

Adam said…
Congrats on eight years. Also, a rare contest from Night Owl? I'm so in.
Eight years is a long time. Congrats!
Jeremya1um said…
Congrats on the 8 year mark! I always look forward to reading your posts before I head off to work.
BobWalkthePlank said…
congrats! 8 years is a great accomplishment.
Mark Hoyle said…
The first blast g I ever read. Congrats. Hopefully you have another &
gcrl said…
Congrats. Too bad merle the pearl doesn't have any cards (yes, I watched eight is enough)
Jeremy said…
Congratulations lasting 8 years on the internet! That is no small accomplishment. I only found your blog a year ago but haven't missed a post since.
Jimifenway said…
Congrats on 8 years, looking forward to reading more in the years to come
Awesome 8! Congrats! Thanks for the posts and for this contest.
Section 36 said…
Congrats on 8 years! Always a must read.
CrazieJoe said…
Based on the summary on the side of the column here...let's se...Happy 3,527th post...just thought I'd make the 8 years sound even longer...
ned said…
essential reading! thankyou for the 8 years
Chris said…
I've only been blogging for five years and I've deleted at least three blogs in that time, so kudos to you for sticking with your blog for eight years! Keep the great posts coming!

The Collector
Scott Crawford said…
I'm in! But much more importantly, congrats on 8 years, and here's to many, many more!
AdamE said…
Congrats! It's quite a accomplishment. I know how hard it is to write a blog. Mine only lasted about three years and one of them was on life support.

Here is to eight more!
Congrats on the eight years! That's a long time to be doing anything.
night owl said…
Not so rare. By my count this either contest No. 11 or 12 on the blog.
steelehere said…
Congrats on 8 years. I don't know if you follow it but you should sign up for the "1970s Baseball" group on Facebook. It's right up your ally.
Don said…
Congrats on 8 years. I don't think I have been reading all eight, but for the last few years this blog has been nightly reading. I think that is because we are close to the same age and really appreciate the late 70s.
The Peavine said…
8 years is a long time to run a blog! Congrats on the anniversary, it's quite the run!
Angus said…
Happy eighth anniversary!

8 is my favorite baseball number for Gary Carter.
Dan said…
Congratulations on 8 years!
Congratulations on eight years. I enjoy your blog and always look forward to reading your blog it. Thank you for your time.
KO Rob said…
Congrats! Hope you keep it up for many more.
RunForeKelloggs said…
Congrats on the anniversary. I really expected some oddball cards in the giveaway.
Hackenbush said…
I'm so old I watched Eight is Enough in it's original run. Heck I watched Mr. Ed in it's original run. Congrats on being younger than me---oh, and on your blog.
Eric P said…
Happy Anniversary. Always enjoy your blog!
Mike Matson said…
8 Years.. Congrats on that! I just hope to find enough to talk about for a few years.
arpsmith said…
Congrats on 8 years! Hoping for at least another 8
Brett Alan said…
Ooooooooo....a Hoyt Wilhelm I don't have! One of the few non-Mets who I've made a point to collect.

Thank YOU for one of my favorite sites (no, I didn't say "card sites" on the Net. You're one of the first places I check when I get home, and you've helped rekindle my interest in all those pieces of cardboard I accumulated in my younger days.
Twitch said…
Congrats! Here's to eight more!
Unknown said…
Congratulations on the stick-to-itness required to sustain this activity. I just rekindled my interest in baseball cards after a twenty year hiatus (much to my wife's chagrin). And with this interest, came a new element - sports card blogs. What I've seen so far runs the gamut in quality, but yours is one of the best. You are steadily enticing me to start my own blog. And risking a whole new level of chagrin.
Man said…
congrats, on 8 years of excellency posts and fantastic cards, your blog is one of the first I found and one of a handful that I get emails of new posts.
ketchupman36 said…
Congrats on 8 years. That's a lot of dedication to keep the blog running for that long
David said…
I've been reading for about a year. I look forward to reading it every night and am a wee bit bummed when you understandably take a night off. You help me enjoy my 43-year-old hobby in new ways!
Jordan said…
As someone who's been reading your blog since before I had one of my own, so 7.5 years, and as someone who sees you as an inspiration as a blogger, collector and writer...thanks for sticking around, Night Owl. Here's to eight more.
zman40 said…
I can't believe it has been that long. It has sure flown by.

Thanks for the contest!
Darin K. said…
Congrats on eight years!
Greg Zakwin said…
Congrats on 8 fellow Greg and thanks for the contest! I'm in!
Nick said…
Seems like it was just yesterday when I stumbled across your blog on a fateful autumn night...a happenstance that, a couple months later, resulted in me starting a little blog of my own. Congrats on eight years, my friend!
Josh D. said…
I must enter thus contest since I need more Balboni in my life.

Here's to 88 more!
Where else can you find a "She likes the Dodgers" series? :)

Congrats!
Adam Kaningher said…
Congrats on eight years! Hope I win that Wilhelm.
RAZ said…
Congrats on eight years! It's quite an accomplishment! Thanks for the contest!
Stealing Home said…
Congrats, buddy. Eight years is the long haul alright. Just 60 more and you'll be in Vin Scully territory!
Matt said…
Like I said on Twitter, Congrats on 8 great years. I look forward to more.
Jeff S said…
Congrats !!!! Here to many more years.
Unknown said…
Congrats on 8 years. Nice to have a cool contest. Love the Balboni Autograph.
Commishbob said…
I'm in. Congrats on eight years of darn near every day blogging. No way I could keep up that pace. I used to try though.

Oh, and that Wilhelm is awesome. He's got the 'Warren Spahn head tilt' going on there.
Fred Pike said…
Reading your blog was my 1st. I have been reading and enjoying it for a few years. Keep up the good writing. Thanks for the contest.
chris said…
Congratulations on 8 years. I really enjoy reading your musings on cards.
Unknown said…
Congrats on 8 years of awesomeness. And sign me up, please.
GCA said…
You are the standard to which all others are judged. One of these days I hope to actually have people read mine (thecollectivemind.blogspot.com), which will probably be because it shows up down the side of yours.

NOC is at the top of my daily read list. Waiting for the She Likes the Dodgers photo album post....
Michael Ott said…
Happy anniversary, and please don't stop! Your blog is always an enjoyable read, and I love seeing all the obscure issues which fit perfectly into your collection.
Bo said…
Thanks for all the enjoyment you've given us over the years. And the many great trades!
Unknown said…
Congrats on 8 Years! It's great fun reading.
deal said…
Thanks for Writing so well and being so prolific. In my corner of the Hobby World nobody generates more fresh and interesting discussions than NOC.
Matt said…
Congratulations! Here's to another 8 years!
Dan said…
i never even thought about night cards before reading this. always a wealth of information and prose. a daily bookmark for me. Congrats!
CaptKirk42 said…
Congrats on your 8 year Blogaversary.
Rob said…
Congrats! And hilariously, I just used that Eight is Enough pic on my Statis Pro Baseball blog. Thanks for the contest!
argpdt said…
I don't usually post, but I always read. Keep up the great work. This is the only card blog I still follow.
defgav said…
Great bunch of cards.. I'd love to win that stuff. (Why, oh, why couldn't this have been a "design a custom" contest?! haha. Then I might have a fighting chance.)

Congrats on the blogiversary. I usually save reading Night Owl Cards for when I eat lunch at work. That might sound weird, but it's high praise. I don't mess around about mealtime entertainment!
Metallattorney said…
Congratulations on the anniversary.
bbcardz said…
NOC has been one of my home tabs on my browser for quite a few years now--that's how much I enjoy it. Consider making that Chicago song "Old Days" your official NOC birthday song (...baseball cards and birthdays, take me back...). Happy 8th!
cynicalbuddha said…
Congrats on making it 8. Since I haven't posted in over a month I guess I'm officially on Hiatus for now, but I'll be back.
Robert said…
Congrats on 8 years GG! I haven't been around for all eight, but I will be around the rest of the way, however long that may be.
Community Gum said…
What a great 8 it's been. I don't know how you maintain the consistency and high quality. Your stuff is always entertaining and educating and bar-raising. Thanks for being a cornerstone in the blogosphere!
Bubba said…
Congrats on the 8 years! You've always been at the top of my reading list Greg! Hope you continue to enjoy the 9th!
Didn't always READ, but I almost always LOOKED. You've always had great cards to show, and I've always enjoyed it. Thanks for all you've done thus far.
Wilson said…
Congratulations on 8 years, and I say go for an even 20.
Justin McLeod said…
When many card bloggers have come and gone (myself included)... there has been one constant: the Night Owl. The famous. The infamous.

Congrats on the completion of numero ocho, good sir.
Corky said…
Congratulations on your 8 years of blogging. Yours was one of the first blogs I would read regularly before I started blogging.
mr haverkamp said…
You are definitely right, N.O., 8 surely ain't enough.....congratulations. Was Abby the daughter with the completely sexy voice? Seems like this show was never in re-runs, but I definitely watched it the first go-round.
Tony L. said…
Congratulations on getting to the 8-year mark. My reading and writing have both waned in the past year or so, and I'm only in year three....so getting to 8 is a big milestone!
The legend continues to grow. I've enjoyed all 8 years. Keep the light burning my friend.
Doc said…
Congratulations! Got more Doh-hos for you.
ernest said…
Congratulations on the 8 years-it's amazing its been that long
Trevor P said…
Congrats on the anniversary, and I'm glad you have never considered ending it. As evidenced by the number of entrants here, you run one of the best blogs out there.
night owl said…
CONTEST WINDOW IS CLOSED. Thanks guys!
Fuji said…
8 years??? That's awesome. Congratulations!