2012 National day three

Day Three of this years National.

Well, the charger for my iPad died, So I'm typing this on my phone, so it may be shorter then I'd like, but it was such an awesome day that I want to get it written now.

So today was day three.

This morning I was able to land four PSA RCs and the card side of the day ended with another one.

But what made today amazing was the stuff away from the showroom floor.

Today was the PSA Luncheon.  What a great time that was. There was a great speaker, and also a really funny video.  The shindig lasted about two hours.

Then it was back to the show for more browsing and chatting. Did that for the rest of the day.

After the show was a get together for the net 54 crew.   A group of us went, and it was fun. The cheese was good.

About 8:15 we headed over to an exclusive party for Steiner Sports. It was at some happening place in the inner harbor. Lots of young people everywhere.   Once we got into the club, who do we see standing near the bar? Yep, the one and only Dwight Gooden! 

Having known that he was supposed to be there, I was prepared to tell him the story about my favorite card that I keep in my wallet.  For about the last three years ive kept a 1985 Topps #620 Dwight Gooden card in my wallet that i personally pulled out of a pack back in 1985.  It's my favorite card of all time, and the card that got me to where i am today as a collector.  I told Dwight my story and he was very nice and politely agreed to sign my card.  He even personalized it "To Eric, Best Wishes"  Man i couldnt believe it, i really couldnt.  i was like a flustered kid again, having just conversed with my childhood idol.

After all that took place, I was on cloud nine! waawaawewa!  Wow I'm still having it all sink in.   Barry Larkin was also there.  We pretty much all took pictures with both of them.  Everyone was having an amazing time.  We then stayed there a few more hours before it was time to head back to grab some shut eye for the evening

2012 National Day Two

Day two of this years National.

The day started out well.  Woke up before my alarm went off.

What is it about being on vacation that make a person sleep even less then when they're at home? lol

I went for a little stroll as I waited for the show to open.  Took a walk down around Camden Yards.  The place is now 20 years old and it still looks amazing.  I also walked over to where Baba Ruth was born.  Then it was time to head in for day two.

Day two meant that it was a good time to make some purchases and not risk them being available later on.  I was quite successful in scoring things that I wanted to pick up.  

Then the rest of my day was spent talking with old and new friends that were at the show.  Then it was time for the Topps Panel.  This years was about the same as last years (but the food was better last year).  I did enjoy myself thought.

Then day two was a wrap.  A few of us were hanging around outside of the hotel to decide where to go for some dinner and such.   As we were waiting, two fellow collectors were walking by and in one of those "Wow moments", one of the guys recognized me from this very here blog! Right on, that was awesome.

We as a group decided to then head down to the "Inner Harbor" to see what we could see, and what there was as far as eating establishments.  Well, I have to be honest, the "Inner Harbor" was nothing short of unimpressive.  A few stores here and there, and get this, a freaking MALL! lol

We decided on an Irish Bar & Grill.  A good time was had by all.  Then it was time to head back and rest up for tomorrow.

So my day two was fantastic.  I am really having a good time and enjoying myself.  Anytime I can make new friends, AND talk about cards? #WINNING 

Can't wait for tomorrow!

2012 National Day One

Day one of this years National has ended.

My trip west was a smooth one, not much to report, trains were on time, Amtrak was crowded, but comfortable and dint seem all that bad.  I will use them again.  I enjoyed my view of America as I rolled on down the tracks.

Got to the hotel and checked in, no problem.  Then I was time to check to see what was around here as far as grocery stores go.  Well,  that was a big big "fail". They don't seem to have any of those around here.  They have a CVS, a 7-11 and a knock off 7-11 that refuses to use plastic bags. WTF? right? lol

Well after checking out all three stores, i found that the knock off was the only one rolling diet cherry pepsi.  So that was the "winner". I picked up 6 20oz' and headed back to the hotel room to put. them intense fridge. As I was walking back, I. Got some strange looks, as I'm guessing it looked liked I was carrying a six-pack of beer on a Wednesday afternoon lol

Then it was time to head to the show to pick up my VIP bage and promo package.

On the way there I ran into a twitter fella I knew and we hung out until the doors opened.  The doors opened at 3:30 and it was time to "enjoy the show"

First place I went to was the Topps booth.  I wanted to sign up for tomorrows panel.  Well, the line for the promo giveaways was HUGE!   I just wanted to sign up, don't want to rip for promos.  Eventually they got a list together, I signed up, and was on my way.

Next stop was BBCE.  Made my first pickup of the show, a PSA 3.5 Wilhelm RC (NICE!).   Then of course, chewed the fat with those fine fellas.  Then it was time to start walking the floor.  

Wow, it sure is easy to forget how MASSIVE this show is.  Sheer volume is not one that can be put to words.  Wow.   I will admit to feeling a little overwhelmed, punch drunk even.  I. Stood there for a Knute, and took it all in.  Then it was the to get to business.

As a self admitted slab head, its easier for me to get through it all then those that are raw fans.  That being said, it still took me a couple of hours to give all the tables a once over.  There seem to be less slab sellers this year then I remembered there being last year.  Maybe it's just me.

Through it all, I was only able to make one more purchase today., a PSA 3 George Kell Leaf RC.  Happy to have it, price was decent.  

That pickup has my PSA Post War HOF RC want list down to five.

Before you knew it, the show hours for day one were over and it was time to head out.   I ran into some friends and we went to some burger and beer joint to consume some food and drink.

Overall today was a good day at the show.  Not Great, but good.  There are going to be a lot more people showing up tomorrow, and it will add to the enjoyment to get to see them again.

I hope to add some pickups as well.  Thinking about another Focus  ... yea, cause you know I don't have ENOUGH of those, eh? lol

Until next time,

Eric

ThoseBackPages

On the way there I ran into a twitter fella I knew and we hung out until the doors opened.  The doors opened at 3:30 and it was time to "enjoy the show"

First place I went to was the Topps booth.  I wanted to sign up for tomorrows panel.  Well, the line for the promo giveaways was HUGE!   I just wanted to sign up, don't want to rip for promos.  Eventually they got a list together, I signed up, and was on my way.

Next stop was BBCE.  Made my first pickup of the show, a PSA 3.5 Wilhelm RC (NICE!).   Then of course, chewed the fat with those fine fellas.  Then it was time to start walking the floor.  

Wow, it sure is easy to forget how MASSIVE this show is.  Sheer volume is not one that can be put to words.  Wow.   I will admit to feeling a little overwhelmed, punch drunk even.  I. Stood there for a Knute, and took it all in.  Then it was the to get to business.

As a self admitted slab head, its easier for me to get through it all then those that are raw fans.  That being said, it still took me a couple of hours to give all the tables a once over.  There seem to be less slab sellers this year then I remembered there being last year.  Maybe it's just me.

Through it all, I was only able to make one more purchase today., a PSA 3 George Kell Leaf RC.  Happy to have it, price was decent.  

That pickup has my PSA Post War HOF RC want list down to five.

Before you knew it, the show hours for day one were over and it was time to head out.   I ran into some friends and we went to some burger and beer joint to consume some food and drink.

Overall today was a good day at the show.  Not Great, but good.  There are going to be a lot more people showing up tomorrow, and it will add to the enjoyment to get to see them again.

I hope to add some pickups as well.  Thinking about another Focus  ... yea, cause you know I don't have ENOUGH of those, eh? lol

Until next time,

Eric

ThoseBackPagesbn

The Walking Dead Franchise

Oh, you've probably heard of at least the TV show at this point.  it's everywhere, and its going to be even MORE everywhere as October approaches.

For as good as the TV show is (and it is) the comick book for which it is (loosely) based is, no joke, 37 times better!  i know that is hard for some people to comprehend, but its so very true.

its much more violent and "real" i suppose.  its hard to describe, especially without letting spoilers slip! ha

i feel that as popular as the book is right now (and OH is it ever!), it's only going to get bigger in the coming year.  just a gut call on it.

Well, tomorrow The 2012 National starts

im pretty excited.  i have everything all set, just have to get on the amtrak tomorrow morning and make my way to Baltimore.

havnt totally decided what i'll be focusing on, other then trying to wrap up my Post War HOF RC PSA Collection.  im leaning towards picking up some Topps RCs from the other sports that ive yet to acquire.

also going to probably see if there are any dealers selling the Topps Heritage stuff that i need.  The down side to that is that im not much of a "grunt", never been a fan of digging through boxes.  im going to pretty much be there all five days, so im sure i will try at some point.

i hope that there's going to be a nice turnout. would be nice to see old friends and meet new ones face to face.  there really is nothing else like the national when it comes to card geekdom.

The Best Superhero Comic you've never heard of.

That's right, im talking about the best Cape Book you've most likely never heard of.  Shame on YOU! ha.

ok, not that theres anything wrong with the fact that youve never heard of it, youre forgiven.  this time.

Picture if you will, it is the year 2003.  Superhero Comic Books as a whole have just been created.
Youve picked up a book that features a young man in high school.  he has all your run of the mill teenage boy problems and issues.  now picture that there are no "creative boundries" on that character.

if he wants to say "fuck you" then thats what he says.  no worry about what the mighty boss will say or think.  if he wants to have sex with his girlfriend, guess what? he will have it right there on the freaking page! go figure, right?

ok, ok.  you get the message im saying.

this comic im talking about is called "Invincible", written by Robert Kirkman (yea, the walking dead dude) and drawn by Ryan Ottley.  This book is what Spiderman would have been 50 years ago if they werent such different times.

Want to read a great superhero comic?  this is the one to read.  Issue #93 came out last week, so youve got some catching up to do, but it can be done!

be forewarned, it's very addictive stuff! :)

6/5/12

Woke up today and realized that i am closer to 50 then 30. That's kind of humbling really.

Some memories never fade.  If that's good or bad is up to ones interpretation. June is a rough month for me as far as memories go.  Yes there are a few "good" ones, but the not-so-good ones seem to weigh heavier on my mind.

it was nine years ago this month that Michele lost her long battle with cancer.  she was only 33 years old.  she fought so hard, she was such a great woman.  i miss her more then words can express.

if you read this dreck that i type out, youve read it all before.  nothing new here, and thats ok by me.

ive been getting back into comic books this year.  its more about reading trade paperbacks, but its also in my nature to collect them.  nothing wrong with that.  i wonder if subconsciously it's about going back to a time in my life that was "good" or at least not so bad.

 During my daily walks i somethimes think of things that ill blog about.  it helps me pass the time and gets me through the walk.  sadly they are always better sounding in my mind and lose something by the time im ready to sit down and type them out.  this is one of those times.