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

10.12.11

Weather: 61, cool, overcast/rain
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: overcast, no rain while walking, chilly
Overall Walk Performance: getting better
Current Mood: blah
How is your diabetes today?: feeling off today
Fasting BG this morning?: 80

10.11.11

Weather: high 60s, pcl, cooler then the last few days
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + errands
Weather During Walk: ok
Overall Walk Performance: more pain then yesterday
Current Mood: eh
How is your diabetes today?: eh
Fasting BG this morning?: 78

1993 Pinnacle Series 1 "Ripping For George Brett Submissions"

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

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


Super-glossy goodness permium base cards! in a couple of packs they were semi stuck together, but not all that badly.

This box was a blast to rip, lots of names i'd not seen in many many moons.

I was fortunate enough to pull each card that Brett has in the release (two: base and subset) as well as a TEAM PINNACLE
of Greg Maddux and Mike Mussina:

TEAM PINNACLE was a big deal back in the day. Inserted at about one per box, there are 10 different cards, making it a
PITA to put a set together back in the pre-indernet days.

i was lucky enough to pull four Ripken Base Cards as well as a bunch of other HOFers and will be HOFers:


Really hard to beat this rip for $9!

Until Next Time,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

10.10.11

Weather: 72, sunny with light partial clouding
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: sunny and nice actually
Overall Walk Performance: better then yesterday
Current Mood: tired, wish i was feeling better already
How is your diabetes today?: winning
Fasting BG this morning?: 85

1992 Score Series II "Ripping For George Brett Submissions"

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

1992 Score Series II, $10 from www.bbcexchange.com


By 1992 Score was pretty we'll established in the baseball card world, but they were still a distant 5th to the
"Big Three" and Upper Deck. They sought to change that with their 1992 release. Series One featured exclusive (ON-CARD)
Autos of Joe DiMaggio. That not surprisingly was a big hit, so they had to try to top that with their second
series release. So sure enough, they did just that (imo) when they inked Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial and Carl
Yastrzemski to sign cards for their series two release. Not only did these three Legends sign cards individually,
they also produced a card that featured all three on the same card, absolutely unheard of in 1992. Score also
produced unsigned cards of the legends individually and as a triple.

Now of course the odds of pulling even the single signed cards are something that i cannot express how
difficult it was, nevermind the triple auto. There were no "odds" announced back then, and no, i was not
THAT fortunate to pull an auto.

about 9 packs in, i was happy to pull this:

i wound up getting three in the box, very nice!

Here are the "Hits":

Note: all of the cards above are base cards and part of the set.

Until Next Time,
Eric
ThoseBackPages

10.9.11

Weather: 80, sunny, clear skies, warm
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: sunny and kinda warm, didnt need my jacket
Overall Walk Performance: slow, but better then yesterday
Current Mood: Happy Birthday John Lennon
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 85

1993 Triple Play "Ripping for George Brett Submissions"

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

1993 Triple Play, $10 from www.bbcexchange.com



36 packs in this 1993 Donruss issue.
Geared towards kids, this is the second year the line was in existence.
The set features some good photography, and the colors are pretty sharp as well.

The first pack may have included some foreshadowing?



unfortunately i did not pull any of Brett's base card. He's in the "Action Shots" subset as well. i did pull of of those (pictured below), but it is badly o/c and the corners are pretty beat.

Here are the "Hits":



well, despite not pulling a Brett (i still need one to submit, might have to rip another one of these boxes, we'll see) it was a good time
ripping through this nearly 19 year old box. Lots of HOF power throughout, including triples (ha ha) of many HOFers, just not Brett unfortunately!

10.7.11

Weather: 57, sunny and cool
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.20 miles
Weather During Walk: sunny light winds
Overall Walk Performance: struggled through it, got it done
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?: tired
Fasting BG this morning?: 82

10.6.11

Weather: low 60s, sunny
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: nice
Overall Walk Performance: first walk post-accident went ok. pain didnt improve or worsen during the walk
Current Mood: flat
How is your diabetes today?:
Fasting BG this morning?: 81

10.5.11

Weather: 64, clear blue skies
Did you walk today?: no, couldnt do to chest pain. i wound up going to the ER because its been 3+ days. Ten x-rays later, no broken or cracked ribs, just badly bruised. going to take some (more) time to hear according to the dr. great :/
If So, how far?: 
Weather During Walk: 
Overall Walk Performance: 
Current Mood: sad
How is your diabetes today?: shitty
Fasting BG this morning?: 91 (see, not good)

10.4.11

Weather: 60, overcast, rain
Did you walk today?: no, still recovering from my fall.
If So, how far?: 
Weather During Walk: 
Overall Walk Performance: 
Current Mood: going to try to walk tomorrow if the weather and my chest permits
How is your diabetes today?: avg
Fasting BG this morning?: 85

10.3.11

Weather: 57, overcast, cold, threat of rain
Did you walk today?: no. i took a fall off of the deck last night around 9pm (two steps) and landed on my chest. i am in quite a bit of pain, but there is no swelling or brusing. i am taking asprin, which seems to help if i dont move too much. im going to see how it is in a few days. i hope i didnt break any ribs or anything. im going to take off from walking until i feel confident in being able to walk without feeling pain when breathing.
If So, how far?: 
Weather During Walk: 
Overall Walk Performance: 
Current Mood: sad
How is your diabetes today?: winning
Fasting BG this morning?: 85

10.2.11

Weather: 64, cool, partly cloudy/sunny
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles + we totally cleaned up the shed (3+ hours of work)
Weather During Walk: good
Overall Walk Performance: ok 
Current Mood: nervous. i fell tonight and hit my chest on the ground. i dont think i broke anything, i hope not anyway.
How is your diabetes today?: ok
Fasting BG this morning?: 82

10.1.11

Weather: 68, overcast
Did you walk today?: yes
If So, how far?: 3.25 miles
Weather During Walk: overcast, sun in and out
Overall Walk Performance: ok
Current Mood: tired
How is your diabetes today?: tired today
Fasting BG this morning?: 82