Night Owl Cards

An ice storm warning is up for our area from tonight through Sunday. I've lived through two significant ice storms. In January 1998, we lost power for an entire week. Ever since then, the entire region panics whenever the word "ice" is mentioned in the forecast. Some were so scarred by that storm that if the power should go out for any reason for even 5 minutes, they'll start up the generator. I'm not looking forward to the weekend. There's a sick person in the house and if the power goes out that's one thing on top of another and there's already a whole lot not getting done four days before the big holiday. This also could be the last time I'm writing here for a few days (you'll know what happened if the blog suddenly goes silent). Yep, things could get ugly. So let's keep it light. How could cards be useful in the midst of a power outage? Let's consider the possibilities: 1. Duh, they're cards. You don...

I am dragging out a few of these card packages while I formulate some more substantial posts that may never actually run because I never have any time anymore. Yup, what you're seeing here is one giant stall tactic. It could last for weeks. So, this is one last card from Corey of Adventures in 1952 Topps and Third Base Coach for the Dodgers Until He Finds a Managing Job . It appears to be a common variety 1987 Topps Steve Sax card. I think, conservatively estimated, I have 30 versions of this card. But this is where you would be missing out if you didn't flip the card over to take a look. There is a refreshing amount of talk about card backs on the blogs and I know there are a lot of collectors who enjoy reading the backs. But, just like those Playboy subscribers back in the day, a sizable group of people are in this hobby just for the pictures. I'm guilty of this from time to time, too. I could spend half a week catching up on all the card backs I haven't...

(The Christmas season rush has really knocked my card packaging for a loop. Extra responsibilities and long lines means I'm behind in every area. So, if you're Community Gum or Waxaholic, hold on a little longer. The  cards are at least packaged. As for Sports Cards From the Dollar Store, ARPSmith's Sportscard Obsession, Ryan's Memorabilia, All Tribe Baseball and The Angels In Order, well, you're next on the list. But "next" could mean January. And on that friendly note, it's time for Cardboard Appreciation. This is the 168th in a series): Photographer: Chris, we're going to take you're photo now. Chris: All right. Photographer: OK, big smile. You're in the big leagues! You're loving life! Chris: Like this? Photographer: Yeah ... wow, that's quite a smile. .... But keep your eyes open. You're closing them. Chris: Oh. All right. Photographer: OK, big smile! Big leagues! - CLICK!- Photographer: Your eyes a...

I have lots of post ideas. You would not believe how many. Lists. I have lists of post ideas. As you know, I have no time for these ideas. So there they sit, waiting for me to look at them and actually go out there and EXECUTE, as the football coaches say. What I need is a short-and-sweet post. But I'm not really good at that kind of post. So I'll try the quick-and-dirty post. "Quick and dirty" is a phrase used frequently by my 12th grade math teacher. He was an odd bird with all kinds of odd phrases. "Quick and dirty" was his way of teaching some simplified formula around whatever godforsaken, booby-trapped calculus problem that he was proposing. I was amused by the "dirty" part. I'd never heard "dirty" used before to mean "simplified but effective." I only knew dirty as "playing in mud puddles" or, um ... you know, that other thing. But I'm going to try the "quick and dirty" now. I...