Night Owl Cards

I am a specific type of card collector, what I think most people would call a "traditional collector." I try to collect the way I did as a kid, by buying packs at the store closest to me. That process is not the same as it once was. The stores where you find cards are much bigger than they were when I was a kid. The cards are not as available in as many stores as they were then. And, the same cards aren't available in each store. That was almost never the case when I started out. So my method of collecting is basically a relic from 1975. It's not very effective. But "effective," to me, is not high on the list of collecting priorities. What is important is fun, connecting with childhood, and keeping as much of the adult perspective out of it as possible. If I was collecting in an adult way, I'd probably buy boxes. I don't have a card shop near me, so I'd order them online. I'd probably order a box for every set I liked, and maybe mult

If you've been reading this blog for more than a year or so, you know that there is no busier time of year for me than March. This is not a month for taking a trip down south, touring spring training sites, or participating in 27 different NCAA basketball pools. "March Madness" is the most appropriate title for the third month of the year and college basketball is only a tiny part of the story. But two-thirds of the way through the month I start to see some relief. There's still much to do, and high school sports is more relentless and endless than ever (thanks a lot, moms and dads), but when the first day of spring arrives, I know that things will get easier. Today is the first day of spring. I feel like celebrating. It's time to slam everybody with a massive spring cleaning trade dump! Come on! It'll be fun! You should see the card desk. The "in" and "out" boxes are a disaster. I can barely keep them separated. And my const