ive been around, just havnt been up to blogging

still getting in my daily routine, just havnt posted it here. it's been cold the last few days.

just in a mood as of late.

Trying to finalize some sort of PSA FOCUS for the coming year. Trying to decide how many players is just too f'n many and/or costly.

Here are the ones that are on what im calling in 2012 "My Stable of Stupidity"

George Brett
Mike Schmidt
Thurman Munson
Graig Nettles
Keith Hernandez

contemplating a few others that i liked when i was a kid who retired before the cardboard "hit the fan" with the overload of inserts and other price pumping gimmicks.

While im ranting, a big F You to the PSA Registry Users that voted (when they started up the registry) to NOT include O-Pee-Chee Baseball Cards in a Players "Basic Set". They DID vote to include 85/86/87/88 Leaf Issues. That makes NO sense to me. Stupidity for sure.

THAT means that i have to put my O-Pee-Chee cards into the players "Master Set" which are sets that include MANY more cards, such as food issues and the like.

12.20.11

Weather: 44, clear and cold, windy
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold and pretty windy
Overall Walk Performance: avg
Current Mood: cold
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 88

Vintage Wax Rip ... 1976 O-Pee-Chee Baseball

Welcome to something im going (to try to anyway) to do more of in the coming year. Ripping old wax looking for guys i collect, with the intention of having them graded for my collection.
i think the best way to think about looking at ripping old wax is not "well, what $$$ card could i get out of it?" But rather, "man, remember when me and (insert friend(s) name(s) here) were on the corner/yard that day, and (he/they/you) pulled that (star/most cherished player's name) out of the pack?" feeling that only ripping wax from our childhood can give you? And if you're ripping wax from "before your time" just think about what it was like for those older then yourself to rip 'em all those years ago.

well, on with the show!

Vintage Wax Rip ... 1976 O-Pee-Chee Baseball

Purchased from www.BBCExchange.com

Cost: $32




The pack had the gum all cracked in pieces!



This is a GOOD thing because that means that front card is less likely to suffer gum damage. This (the cracked gum) is pretty uncommon
for O-Pee-Chee Packs due to the gum being "softer" upon production when released way back when.

1976 O-Pee-Chee Baseball is a direct parallel of the 1976 Topps Set. Cards share the same card number. Keep in mind though that the
O-Pee-Chee versions are MUCH MUCH MUCH harder to find, regardless of condition.

Here are the cards, card-by-card from the pack:


























So, the "Star Power" was minimal, but i did manage to pull one HOF, but it has typical o-pee-chee centering.

I have two more of these to rip (eventually). it was a rush to open a pack that is 35 years old, thats for sure! :)

Thanks for the read,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

12.18.11

Weather: 23, felt like 14 with the wind factor!
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold, COLD! windy
Overall Walk Performance: avg
Current Mood: cold
How is your diabetes today?: cold
Fasting BG this morning?: 80

12.17.11

Weather: low 40s, cold, pcl
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold and light breeze
Overall Walk Performance: avg
Current Mood: avg
How is your diabetes today?: avg
Fasting BG this morning?: 87

12.15.11

Weather: 53, cloudy/overcast
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: WINDY today!
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired, long driving day today
How is your diabetes today?: winning
Fasting BG this morning?: 84

What is it about the plastic that is SO addictive?

and when i say "plastic" i mean PSA Slabs. i cannot explain the addiction.....part OCD, part paranoia. for the life of me i cannot bring myself to collect plain 'ole sets (sans Topps Heritage, of course), i have to collect the stars in plastic.

i know, i know .. collect however YOU like, that is the key. but sometimes i just have to shake my head at myself, that's all.

life would be probably be easier if i could live with raw cards.

12.14.11

Weather: 50, sunny, warmer then it has been
Did you walk today?: yes 
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: good, light jacket was JUST acceptable
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired today
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 82

12.12.11

Weather: 40, felt like 30s
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold
Overall Walk Performance: cold
Current Mood: cold
How is your diabetes today?: cold
Fasting BG this morning?: 83

12.11.11

Weather: 40, felt like 33. sunny
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: not a cloud in the sky. cold though
Overall Walk Performance: average
Current Mood: not good
How is your diabetes today?: cold
Fasting BG this morning?: 79

12.10.11

Weather: 45, cold and slightly windy, felt like 36
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold
Overall Walk Performance: avg
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?: ---
Fasting BG this morning?: 84

1989 Fleer Rack Case "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

Welcome to my latest installment of "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

1989 Fleer Rack Case, 72 packs, $55 from www.bbcexchange.com




BBCE was having their annual 10% off + Free Shipping for Black Friday Sale, so i picked this case up for $50/dlvd.

My goal with ripping these cases is to find George Brett and/or Mike Schmidt on top of a Rack pack. i would love to pull them BOTH showing on top, that would be awesome!
These packs feature three little cellos incased inside of the rack pack. the "sticker" covers the back card on each cello, so even though i am not a fan of stars showing on the
back of a pack, it would not be un-welcomed lol

This release features Rookie Cards of: Ken Griffey Jr, Randy Johnson, Gary Sheffield amongst others, as well as the "famous" Billy Ripken F*ck Face Card.
i will have to go through the packs at another time to see if they contain errors and rookie cards. This rip was about seeing who was showing on front.

Here are the HOF Showing on Top Racks that i pulled:

Multiple Power!


Solo Power!


i had an good time ripping this case, and at the price point its tough to beat!

on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being Best) i give this rip: 8

Until Next Time,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

12.9.11

Weather: 50, sunny, cool
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + a couple of hours of painting in the house
Weather During Walk: sunny, cool, light jacket weather
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?: there
Fasting BG this morning?: 76

My thoughts on the Jose Reyes thing and Cardboad Appreciation

i have been a New York Mets Fan since 1977. although i was too young (6 at the time) to remember the impact that the trading of Tom Seaver had at the time, now as a man on the other side of 40, i am all too familiar with that situation, and everything that it has done to the franchise.

Jose Reyes is a very good baseball player. As a Mets fan, will i miss him? yes i will.
it's not that im a big fan of his. What i WAS a big fan of was the fact that the Mets signed him, brought him up through the system, and had him become a star while still being with the team.

Next year the Mets Franchise turns 50 years old. Through the first 49 years, they have never had a superstar signed by them, come up through their system, become a superstar for them, and retire having played ONLY for them. NOT ONE FREAKING PLAYER!
Sorry Ed Kranepool, you were never a superstar.

As a baseball card addict, this REALLY bothers me. it really bothers me waaaay more then it should really.

i look at the other side of town, where the Yankees reside. My father grew up a Yankees fan (and still is). He got to see Mantle and that era's stars play. He doesnt collect cards, lucky him. The list of Yankees that "fit the bill" is a long one.

As a Mets fan, it hurts. it really does hurt that there is nobody to put together a really nice PSA collection of that each and every freaking card will picture that player in a METS UNIFORM!

i really need a day off.

i really need a day off from diabetes. going on two years with this disease and it's starting to get to me. i didnt even walk today as i was up past 7am unable to get to sleep. it ruined the whole day. i hope tomorrow is better

12.6.11

Weather: 50s, rainy, gray
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 2.00 miles (due ot weather) + painting and house work.
Weather During Walk: warm but rain spitting
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired, of a lot of things
How is your diabetes today?: this is one of them
Fasting BG this morning?: 82

12.5.11

Weather: 53, overcast/foggy
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: misty/fog
Overall Walk Performance: sluggish
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?: ok, hand finally starting to get better
Fasting BG this morning?: 84

12.3.11

Weather: high 40s, cold, sunny
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: sunny but cold. was able to get away with the light jacket
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?: winning. hand hurts
Fasting BG this morning?: 80

12.1.11

Weather: 42, windy, felt like 30s
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold, needed the winter coat
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: blah
How is your diabetes today?: hand is killing me
Fasting BG this morning?: 85

11.30.11

Weather: 52, colder today, felt like 40's
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold and windy
Overall Walk Performance: average
Current Mood: ok
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 87

11.29.11

Weather: low 60s, overcast, breezy
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: overcast, windy
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: ok
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 92 (!!!)

11.28.11

Weather: 64, pcl, nice
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: nice
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 88 (did NOT sleep much last night)

11.27.11

Weather: 57, sunny, nice
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: good
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: ok
How is your diabetes today?: winning. my right hand is shot
Fasting BG this morning?: 82

11.26.11

Weather: 61, sunny/pcl
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: sunny and kinda warm actually
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: ok
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 85

11.25.11

Weather: high 50s, really nice out today
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: pleasant
Overall Walk Performance: ok+
Current Mood: ok
How is your diabetes today?: ok. ive missed a few posts, but have been able to walk even though ive not posted
Fasting BG this morning?: 83

11.23.11

Weather: mid 40s, cold, windy, overcast
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold, overcast, nasty
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired. Total house cleaning the last two days
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 83

11.21.11

Weather: low 50s, cold
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + T-Day Shopping + 90 min of housework
Weather During Walk: ok
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 85

11.20.11

Weather: 61, sunny, pretty nice out, spring-like
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: sunny and nice
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: ok
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 81

11.19.11

Weather: 50, light clouding, chilly
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold and not much breeze, light jacket required
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: headache today
How is your diabetes today?: shitty
Fasting BG this morning?: 80

11.18.11

Weather: mid 40s, cold, light winds, felt like high 30s
Did you walk today?: yes + extensive shopping
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold and some wind
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?: tired
Fasting BG this morning?: 82

11.16.17.11

Weather: 61 rain / 46, overcast wind made it feel like 39
Did you walk today?: yesterday 2.0 miles (due to rain) + Shopping / Today Yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: raining and shitty yesterday / cold, windy and shitty today
Overall Walk Performance: slow / sluggish
Current Mood: fed up / cold
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 82/83

1993 Fleer Series One Wax Box: "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

Welcome to my latest installment of "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

1993 Fleer Series 1, 36 packs, $8 from www.bbcexchange.com


Here are some of the better inserts that i pulled


i did hit one Brett Base, but it is badly OC and also suffers from the dreaded Diamond Cut :(






i had an OK time ripping this box. The packs themselves were wrapped VERY tightly, but the cards
in the packs were not stuck together except for very few. there was not a lot of HOF power to be had,
and the pictures throughout the set were not very good.

on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being Best) i give this rip: 6

Until Next Time,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

11.15.11

Weather: 69, overcast
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: overcast, fairly warm
Overall Walk Performance: avg
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 82

11.14.11

Weather: 61, sunny,pcl, nice today actually
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: good
Overall Walk Performance: sluggish, still tired from yesterday
Current Mood: eh
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 85

11.13.11

Weather: 61, sunny with clouds and some strong winds
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + 90 min yard work and ran errands
Weather During Walk: sunny and quite a bit of head wind
Overall Walk Performance: good
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 88

11.12.11

Weather: 52, cool, sunny, windy
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + 90 minutes of yard work
Weather During Walk: Sunny, just one cloud in the sky, breezy not cold, but not warm
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 86

So, you "Talk the Talk", do you really "Walk the Walk?"

im talking about sports cards here, not beating the crap outta someone/something.

ive spoken many times about the importance of Collecting FOCUS.
Focus is so damn difficult, but so important as well.

There have been times that ive said that other collectors should collect
this and/or that. there have been times that ive gone a head and taken
my own advice on that subject. Other times, not so much.

i said a couple of years back that it was a great time to buy mid to high
grade HOF Rookies. i've been fortunate enough to accumulate most of them
in the post-war era. i am still looking for the others that i am missing
and that is something that i enjoy "hunting" for.

im also getting a great deal of pleasure out of my George Brett PSA Collection
although it's starting to come to a slow down as the cards that i do not
yet own are not appearing on eBay lately. Then again, this is kind of
expected when you get more and more scratched off your "want list"

ive also been a huge fan of O-Pee-Chee Baseball. i really feel that it is
underloved/appreciated in this hobby of ours. They are really produced in
numbers that are so much lower then their Topps counterpart. of course
there is no proof of what ive said, but i really feel that that is the truth.
with that being said, i have been going back and forth in my mind about
putting a run of the sets together in sheets/albums.

This is where my subject title comes from. ive spouted about it, now will i
go ahead and follow up on it, that is the question

1994 Fleer Wax Box "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

Welcome to my latest installment of "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

1994 Fleer, 36 packs, $15 from www.bbcexchange.com


in 1994 Inserts were all the rage. In fact, Fleer went the extra mile with this release and included an insert in EVERY PACK!
Here are some of the better inserts that i pulled


i did hit one Brett Base, but it is badly OC and also suffers from the dreaded Diamond Cut :(



i had a pretty good time ripping this box. there was a good amount of HOF power to be had, and the pictures are not bad.
a LOT of horizontal photos if you're into those.

on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being Best) i give this rip: 8

Until Next Time,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

11.11.11

Weather: 111. haha just kidding. 46, but with the winds high 30s. pcl
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + a little yard work
Weather During Walk: WINDY!
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: cold
How is your diabetes today?: cold
Fasting BG this morning?: 82

11.10.11

it rained today, and wasnt too cold nor warm. but the rain was too steady for me to get a walk in, bummer. FBS was 88 today.

11.9.11

Weather: 61, sunny, clear
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + Target = 60+ min of yard cleanup
Weather During Walk: sunny, clear, not a cloud in the sky, not cold or warm
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?: there
Fasting BG this morning?: 81

11.8.11

Weather: 69, sunny. not a cloud in the sky. wow
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + about 90 min of yard work (fall cleanup)
Weather During Walk: sunny and nice
Overall Walk Performance: ok, getting better
Current Mood: pain
How is your diabetes today?: sucky
Fasting BG this morning?: 86

A Hodge-Podge of Odd-Ball Wax "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

Welcome to my latest installment of "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

Today we mix it up a bit. i'll be ripping some random "odd ball" wax packs that i've picked up.

1990 Topps Leaders (mini's) x2, 1989 O-Pee-Chee Stickers x7, and 1984 Fleer Stickers x2

i have to admit that ive never seen the Topps Mini's before. By 1990 the League Leader Mini crazy (which started in 1986)
had worn off. i would like to open a box of these, if i could find them that is.


i scored a Strawberry Rookie Sticker in the 84F Packs! nice.


the 1989 O-Pee-Chee Stickers were a real blast to open, featuring players on both sides of the sticker and lots of combo's to be had.


Sure enough i was lucky enough to pull one of the many Brett's in the release! :)


i had a really good time ripping these packs and would like to try some more of each.
on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being Best) i give this rip: 9

Until Next Time,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

11.7.11

Weather: 56, crisp, pcl, light winds
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold and brisk
Overall Walk Performance: better then yesterday
Current Mood: sad
How is your diabetes today?: winning
Fasting BG this morning?: 87

11.6.11

Weather: 54, sunny, cool, clear skies
Did you walk today?: yes!
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: sunny and cool, was able to get away with my light jacket
Overall Walk Performance: slow, had to warm up my foot, and had pain near the 3 mile mark
Current Mood: cold
How is your diabetes today?: colder
Fasting BG this morning?: 88

11.5.11

well, another day has come, and im not able to get my walk in.
the weather is fine, clear blue skies, mid 40s temperature wise.
i sit here with my right foot propped up on my computer desk in
an attempt to speed the healing process of my fucked up right
middle toe. its much better today then it was two days ago, and
i was able to walk a few blocks to the lotto store and back, but
not well enough yet to go for my daily walk. if it feels a little
better later i may go run some errands, but im thinking about
taking care of them tomorrow when its a little better (hopefully)
and sunday means new sales at some stores.

ugh.

11.4.11

my toe is feeling better then yesterday, but not well enough to put on my shoe.
So that means that i was not able to walk today.
im trying to not think about it.

11.3.11

had to babysit the twins today and was not able to get in my walk.
on top of that, i seemed to have managed to break/severely bruise my middle right toe. its pretty messed up, cant even walk really. Not sure how many days im going to be unable to walk, dont want to think about it to be honest.

man, its been a rough off-season so far, health wise

11.2.11

Weather: 51, sunny, cool
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: sunny and cool, no real breeze, not a cloud in the sky
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: fed up
How is your diabetes today?: fed up
Fasting BG this morning?: 83

1993 UD Series 1 Wax "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

Welcome to my latest installment of "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

1993 Upper Deck Series 1, 36 packs, $10 from local show pickup (www.bbcexchange.com has them available for $15)


in 1993 Inserts were all the rage. plenty of inserts in these packs, some HOF power as well!


Unfortunately i did not pull any Bretts. There were also some of the bottom packs that had the (glossy) cards sticking together, doing some surface damage to them. so that's just a heads up for those of you looking to rip some of these.

i had a really good time ripping this box. there was a good amount of HOF power to be had, and the pictures are some of the best ever produced imo.

on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being Best) i give this rip: 9

Until Next Time,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

11.1.11

Weather: 51, sunny, pcl, not as windy today
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + a few hours of yard work
Weather During Walk: a little chilly for my light jacket
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired atm
How is your diabetes today?: sucky
Fasting BG this morning?: 86

10.31.11

Weather: 52, not all that cold (light jacket), slightly windy, cloudy
Did you walk today?: yes + two hours of yard work
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: brisk
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: cold limbs
How is your diabetes today?: ---
Fasting BG this morning?: 83

10.30.11

Weather: 42, in the 30s with the very strong winds today. just one single cloud in the sky today
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + a trip to the mall
Weather During Walk: cold, windy and bright
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: cold
How is your diabetes today?: cold
Fasting BG this morning?: 82

10.29.11

Weather: 45, rain, wind, lots of wind and rain, cold.
Did you walk today?: no, canceled due to rain
If So, how far?: 
Weather During Walk: 
Overall Walk Performance: did some needed errand shopping
Current Mood: fed up with diabetes
How is your diabetes today?: fuck you diabetes
Fasting BG this morning?: 75

10.27.11

Weather: 50(!), raining and gray
Did you walk today?: no, not as of this writing. its nasty outside
If So, how far?: 
Weather During Walk: 
Overall Walk Performance: 
Current Mood: not happy about not walking
How is your diabetes today?: cold
Fasting BG this morning?: 84

10.26.11

Weather: 55, cold, overcast
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + errands
Weather During Walk: cold, windy and not nice really
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: blah
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 79

1992 Triple Play Wax Box "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

Welcome to my latest installment of "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

1992 Triple Play 36 packs, $9 from www.bbcexchange.com


in 1992 someone at Donruss decided that they would make a set for kids. they put fun tid-bits on the backs of the cards as well as trivia and historical importance..


The inserts were minimal, and nothing to write home about now 19 years later lol


i had a really good time ripping this box. there was a lot of HOF power to be had.

on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being Best) i give this rip: 8

Until Next Time,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

10.24.11

Weather: 61, cloudy and cold
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.10 miles
Weather During Walk: cold and overcast
Overall Walk Performance: sluggish. my left quad is bothering me, as well as my ribs
Current Mood: very sad.
How is your diabetes today?: fucked
Fasting BG this morning?: 80

10.24.81 - i cannot believe it's been 30 years gone by.

It was 30 years ago on this date that my life as "normal" (whatever that may mean) ended.

i remember the day well. it was a Saturday. the weather was nice. i was ten years old.

i was up early and playing with my best friend John at his apartment. (he and i lived in the same apartment building, different sides, and floors. i cannot remember if i spent the night at his place (happened frequently), but i was there in the morning.

just he and i were home (also happened frequently, and not that unusual in 1981 when both single mothers had jobs) and the phone rang. i answered it. it was my Grandmother asking me to go check on mom because she wasnt answering the phone.

i went home and checked on mom. she was sleeping. i called Grandma from my apt and told her that mom was sleeping. Grandma told me to go back to Johns to play, and thats what i did.

after playing at Johns for a while, his mom and Carol (Mom and Johns Moms friend) came home and told John and i that we were going to Carols house for a while.
when we left the apt building, there was a lot "going on" downstairs, and John and i were shuffled into Carols car and we went to her house to play.

later that night i was brought to my Grandmothers house, not home. it was dark out, but i cannot tell you what time it was. i was lead into my Grandparents room and sat on Grandmas bed.

it was there that Grandma told me that my mother had died.

it was only years later that it dawned on me that she must have already died when i went to go and check on her as Grandma asked me to. How was i to know? i was 10 years old. i try not to dwell on it too much.

i cannot believe its been 30 years since that day. i am 40 years old now, and it's been 30 years gone by. id like to be able to say that memories don't fade. sure that's somewhat true, but i was only a child.

sometimes i wonder how much longer i've got. i dont fear dying. i did when i was young, but that was a long time ago. these last 30 years have just had me seen too many bad things, the innocence of childhood died that day along with my mother.

i wish i would have had more time with her. she was only 32 years old.

10.23.11

Weather: 67, overcast, cold, windy
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: cold, lightly windy
Overall Walk Performance: slow
Current Mood: cold
How is your diabetes today?: cold
Fasting BG this morning?: 87

10.22.11 - Hofstra Card Show Review

My daily walk was canceled to attend the Hofstra Card Show. Here's how it went...

The Hofstra Show was very crowded, that was because there were a large amount of 1986 WS Champion Mets there signed autographs (for a fee of course! ha)

i was not there for that, although it was nice to see Gooden, Hernandez, Orosco and Danny Heep being nice to people.

i was there for George Bretts and "junk wax & boxed sets". you see, it's financially best to pick up these items in person do to size and weight, which means buying them online usually costs more to ship them, then what you pay for them.

the show itself was a bit of a letdown selection wise. a lot of modern shininess and a lot of vintage, not much in between (where Brett happens to fall i suppose)

i was able to pick this lot up for $25:


i wasnt in the mood for dumpster diving today, hey it happens. i was casually looking through some boxes, and wound up with this lot for $20:


pretty happy to pick up some needed Black Tints, a Jackie SP (the other is a tradeable dupe) and a needed Oddball Brett and a Brett slab! (even though i have it, for 80 cents i added another). i also picked up some chrome refractors that seem to trade well with others. Topps Heritage is always in demand, and for less then a buck each, its good to have them to trade for other things that are needed.

The big shocker of the show was that 2011 Topps Heritage MiLB was down to $40 a box. i passed on it because i know me, and i know that one box would not be enough and then id need to put together the set.

i had a great time talking cards with some of my fellow FCB Brothers and seeing a dealer that ive not seen in over a dozen years.

So there you have it....i spent a whopping $45 at the show. i wish there would have been more to pick up, but there is always next time!

Thanks For The Read,
Eric
ThsoeBackPages

1984 Topps Super Wax Box "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

Welcome to my latest installment of "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

1984 Topps Super 36 packs, $8 from the internet


in 1984 someone at Topps decided that they would make a SUPER SIZED Set of the "Top 30" guys in their 1984 base issue.


At one card per pack, unfortunately you can see whos in the pack right through the wrapper:


I was fortunate enough to pull a Brett:


But when i opened the pack to see how it looked....

BAM! ughhhhhhhhhhhhh Diamond Cut, crinkled corner, just YUCK!

Here's a closeup of the Ryan damaged corner:


i opened the pack with Schmidt, and their was surface damage and a corner was creased. this box was not messed with imo, as the packs were nice and together. just poor quality control from many years ago.

on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being Best) i give this rip: 2 due to the death of the Brett lol

Until Next Time,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

Ripping Old Wax

i think the best way to think about looking at ripping old wax is not "well, what $$$ card could i get out of it?"

but rather, "man, remember when me and (insert friend(s) name(s) here) were on the corner/yard that day, and (he/they/you) pulled that (star/most cherished player's name) out of the pack?" feeling that only ripping wax from our childhood can give you.

Prior to the invention of "Insert" hits in packs, the "best" card you could pull was that of your favorite player(s) because they all had the same "value", and the same odds of getting whomever you wanted out of a pack.

if you are ripping old wax looking for the next big money card, you are surely going to be dissapointed. keep that in mind. if you are ripping for the next "PSA 10", then just buy the PSA 10 because it will be MUCH cheaper to do so.

10.20.11

Weather: 63, pcl, WINDY as hell today
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: sunny and windy, making it cool enough for a jacket
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: depressed today
How is your diabetes today?: winning
Fasting BG this morning?: 88 (!!! must be because i didnt walk yesterday)

10.19.11

Weather: 60's. Rain
Did you walk today?: No, due to Rain
If So, how far?: 
Weather During Walk: 
Overall Walk Performance: 
Current Mood: It hasnt stopped raining, and its almost midnight
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 81

10.18.11

Weather: 64, sunny
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: sunny, almost didnt need a jacket
Overall Walk Performance: average, almost pain free
Current Mood: eh
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 81

1994 Stadium Series 1 Wax "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

Welcome to my latest installment of "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

1994 Stadium Series I, $10 from www.bbcexchange.com


Glossy premium base cards, no real issues with any sticking together.

I was not fortunate enough to pull any Brett Base Cards, but did pull these two "other" George Brett Type of cards:


Here are the better cards that i pulled:


There were 24 packs in the box. the packs themselves WERE hard to open. it was an ok rip. the cards were all over the place as far as pack placement.

on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being Best) i give this rip: 7

Until Next Time,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

10.17.11

Weather: 62, sunny, cool
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.10 miles
Weather During Walk: sunny
Overall Walk Performance: getting better
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?: sucks
Fasting BG this morning?: 81

10.16.11

Weather: 64, windy, not many clouds
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + food shopping
Weather During Walk: lightly breezy
Overall Walk Performance: ok, almost pain free
Current Mood: ok
How is your diabetes today?: ok
Fasting BG this morning?: 80

10.15.11

Weather: 64, clear skies, WINDY
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: windy and cold
Overall Walk Performance: less pain today
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?: fucked
Fasting BG this morning?: 80

10.14.11 - iPhone 4S Day!

Weather: Rainy
Did you walk today?: No
If So, how far?: 
Weather During Walk: 
Overall Walk Performance: 
Current Mood: happy
How is your diabetes today?: there
Fasting BG this morning?: 82

Today was the official release date for the iPhone 4S

i pre-ordered mine and it arrived today, right on time.



i took it to the apple store to have it activated properly. good thing i did because with the overwelhming demand, the AT&T servers couldnt handle it (shocking, i know!) and it took two hours, but i got the phone activated and it's just about all set up.

Flea Market Finds

went to a Flea Market that ive not been to in some time. i was able to pick up some needed Brett's (25 cents each, WOOT!), some 1988 O-Pee-Chee Sticker Packs, and two 1990 Topps Mini Packs. Also a bunch of 90's Promo Sealed Packs!





Thanks for reading,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

1993 Leaf Series One "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

Welcome to my latest installment of "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

1993 Leaf Series I, $9 from www.bbcexchange.com


Leaf signed Frank Thomas to be their card Spokesman in 1993, and his image was all over their products, as to be expected.

Super-glossy goodness premium base cards just like the '93 Pinnacle box that i opened last, but this time in MOST of packs they were stuck together, pretty badly. It took away from the experience to be honest.

I was fortunate enough to pull FIVE (woot!) Brett Base Cards, it's the only card he has in the release, and a good number of other star power:


There were seven "hits" in this box, i got four of the seven in the last six packs that i opened:

while is was nice to finish strong, it would have been more enjoyable to have them better spread out.


One of the Thomas Base cards i pulled (left) is lacking the "gloss" on the front of it (its present on the back)
i tried to take a pic, but its not showing it very well:


On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being Best) i give this rip: 6.5

Until Next Time,
Eric
ThoseBackPages