CLARIFICATION. AND THE Hudson card show: First round of PC guys.

Clearing things up: My brother did not have a stroke his landlord did and is being forced to move back home. Although we still haven't heard from him since the Hurricane (he does live in Western NC) his specific area (Salisbury) seems to be okay other than some power issues. Either way my brother has to find a new place to live (paying 500.00 min.) more than he is now for the cheapest place around here, pack up a lifetime of belongings in about 2 weeks. Add in that he (my brother) is in his 70's, oh yeah with a birthday on 10/19.  Very stressful, not good for young folks let alone someone his age. I pray for the best outcome. I'll keep y'all posted.

 Lord help those people devastated by Helene, and with a crappy Federal response, um we're broke, I'll say it.    D.C.   YOU'RE FIRED! Help them dangit!

Okay, I vented a teeny weenie bit. Still have a lot to show from the Hudson visit. Dropping round one tonight and ending it with a biggie. 

Okay so one PC guy there and one prospect. The Topps Chrome seems so old now, but they weren't when I picked these up.

 4 PC guys and some future PC (prospects) guys maybe.

Those 6 inserts together like that make me think of a pack of Bubble Yum. LOL.

Now I do NOT collect Joe Buck, but Justin insisted it be a part of the deal we were going to make. I can't believe how much his autos go for. It's like they are pretending he is already in the Hall of Fame (as an announcer of course). I would have no problem trading him for an equal valued Braves card.... auto not necessary.

Can't read the auto but it got a Gem Mint 10. I'm sorry if it were up to me grading an autograph, if it is not legible (regardless of their actual everyday signature) no way would I put a 10 on something that is NOT easily read. No scribbles. No initials. I'd maybe give this one a 4. FOUR!  Dang I'm tough. LOL At least I tied the beginning and end of this post together. Venting in venting out. I'll finish the PC guys on Monday.

Have a great night! Have a great weekend! Remember those folks that can use your thoughts and prayers. 

Making Lemonade

 Yesterday was one of those days. Being the guy I am I'll just have to put some sugar with the lemons.

The short breakdown:

My brother got a letter from my original neighbor (his landlord) he has to be out in 3 weeks or less. He has been living in the NC mountains or what is left of them, flying a plane for sky jumpers. Went to get his physical just before the Hurricane and had a stroke. Lost his job immediately and his residence up there. Haven't been able to reach him obviously since the Hurricane. Brother is in his 7's very fixed income and the housing market is still 50% too high down here right now. Nothing in his budget so far.

We lost at Trivia.

My vehicle would not start afterwards. I left it there at the pub so I can look at it in the daylight.

Braves the lost. Zippiddy Zap and they're done. 

Time to put a good spin on things. Valdosta was one of those towns devastated. Got word yesterday that my uncle's old house not a scratch. Sadly, most people can not say that. Still it was good news knowing that the old house is still standing. 

I'll check out my ride tomorrow, and if I can't figure it out I'll just call AAA and tow it into the dealership. Hoping and praying I can get it figured out without the garage.

As for Trivia, we'll be back in 2 weeks. No biggie.

As for the Braves....there's always next year.

Now how about some more cards specifically the Braves cards (from the Hudson show) to put a fork in the season for me. It is a short one just like the post season.

I think that reprint 75' is a refractor. And the 94' Archives is the gold version.

Yes, there was a card in the frame above. I broke it out of it's prison. It will be the last card here tonight.

And here it is. 

I wrote this last night, so I may put the vehicle update below before publishing.

UPDATE: Battery expensive. ouch. $261.00. It is a big battery though. Now to get 7 years out of this one like the original OEM factory battery that I replaced.

Doing the Right thing. A call to arms! Baseball cards and Psych-Ops

Oh I am going to have fun with this one. I hope you do too! 

For the most part of my life I have been a leader. That role worked out for me (because I was/am really good at everything I do if I like it) :) A dang fine leader I am and was. 

This is not to say that there are not some issues here and there in my life that let's just say could have had better outcomes.  In each of those instances I was not leading, I was following. Yeah, turns out not so good for me. Thankfully I learned not to be a follower at an early age (22). Otherwise I'm sure my life would have been a whole lot different and not in a good way. I've made mistakes all throughout my life....it may surprise you  but I am not perfect :). Only one man was perfect and that holds true for all eternity.

By now you may be wondering (if you're still here) what this philosophical  prose is all about. I assure you it really isn't philosophical at all. Let me tie it all together.

I was a good leader because I hammered down on the things that I wanted done differently. I most certainly look at things "outside" the box. I pretty much am a no exception kind of guy..... This is MY way period now get it done or go. No, I didn't bombard co-workers, employees, peers, team mates and etc with that motto. They just KNEW it. It is who I am. I can say that 100% of the time it got it done and done right, done better than ever before and all of the jazz you can think of. 

Here is the kicker....I am an absolute OPTIMIST. Make lemonade, adapt overcome, get er done. That doesn't mean I can't rant from time to time. Heck, you folks have seen your fair share from me over the years. We've seen it from each other for that matter. Sometimes, it is just a good idea to let it all out....vent. 

Over the years we especially have "expressed" our disdain, dislike, dis-satisfaction, and disgust when it comes to our baseball cards. (See I told you that I would tie it all together). Yes yes we are nearing the end my friends. I 100% believe that you me everyone should speak up about things that bug them. That is NOT to say bitching, griping, complaining and otherwise is a good thing all of the time. It has it's place and that is typically where people get it wrong. Again I say if you're not happy about something you got to let it out.... in the right way, right place, and to the right people. Otherwise it just makes things worse. 

I prefer to make things better when I can and I know that is NOT possible all of the time. Maybe a bit oxy-moron by saying "no man left behind" and at the same time, knowing "when to cut off the leg". I try to use that last one as a last resort, you know try another way another way another way if possible, but being able to whip out that axe if you have too.

Over the last several months many of us have mentioned within our blogs if not a total post regarding the improvements over at ComC. Like I mentioned earlier we've all had a negative quip over the years regarding their shipping delays. It was just awful, yet we continued to place our orders and wouldn't request shipment for a long time. The days of the Black Friday and other sales seems to be gone, but who knows. The most certainly have made some changes recently. On September 20th late at night, I made my most recent shipment request. As per their usual (I think it is computer generated) I got my e-mail telling me it would be about 6 weeks to ship. However, On September 27th a Friday, I got an e-mail stating that my order had shipped. yes 7 days. I was elated! So much that later that evening I decided to do what all good leaders should do. I replied back to "staff@comc.com" e-mail.

Here is what I wrote:

Staff, 

First I want to say thank you. Secondly, I want to let you at ComC know that myself (I am a blogger- JohnnnysTradingSpot) and just abput all of the card bloggers have noticed how efficient y'all have been especially these last 6 months. Lately it is common to find mention of just how fast you guys are getting orders out. So, again I say thank you.

Lastly, I believe your companies main competitor these days is actually getting worse, they are slowing down. 

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely

John Miller

I see the typo, but I forgive myself (I can do that). This was sent obviously after business hours on the weekend. Monday I got a reply back from the "staffer" I sent it to or at least I believe was the staffer. She was shocked. Apparently, it is not common for them to get good e-mail from customers. She informed me that she would be making sure the "bosses" and all of the staffers got a copy of that reply. And to top it all off Tuesday yesterday October 1st I got my package from them. Blown away. 

Dumbing this back down. If you have had such an experience with ComC recently.... e-mail them at staff@comc.com and let them know. It costs you nothing, and certainly let's a little sunlight on someone'e life. 

It is the right thing to thank someone for a good job, so do your part, and the psych-op part you probably thought this was going to get political....nope not a word.. LOL Okay I just said the word.

Do or die for my Braves tonight, Go Braves!   I believe!

The Hudson show: baseball cards this time.

 Okay we can get onto the baseball cards that I picked up at the Hudson card show. I'll start out NOT with the Braves tonight (I'll save them for Thursday).

That is some trio there. The Fisk auto wasn't even the most expensive card I picked up that day. It was however probably the best card I grabbed. We'll see as I have already forgot most of what I picked up.

Three more vintage (yes the cartoon baseball card is vintage). It is Baseball Weirdos or something like that. Always happy to add a card from the Fleer Ted Williams set especially we you pair with an unmarked vintage checklist.

Laughlin needs.

Pretty sure these were all dupes, no I know they were as are the two Laughlin's below.

Not a bad start to a show that I will not be attending again. I do plan however to hit up a couple of the other smaller shows nearby.

Next post will highlight Braves.

Good night, got a ballgame to watch in a few hours. Going to be a late night. 

Hudson, Florida: first trip to this card show. Caitlyn Clark edition

 The Sunday following the Tampa show last month (August) I headed 2/3rds of the way back to Tampa to make my first appearance at the show in Hudson. Typically a smaller show, but I decided to check it out. Justin told me that Saturday that he was heading down immediately after the Tampa show that night. He was telling me that the "show promoter" was claiming it was going to be his biggest ever with hundred tables.  Well, that certainly didn't happen. The show is held in a high school cafeteria. According to the vendors it was a pretty lame show with only a handful of people showing up on Saturday.... That is a no brainer with the Tampa show at the same time. Sunday appeared to be even worse for attendance. I figured with the lack of buyers I could make some big deals....NOT. The unwillingness to negotiate was evident from all of them.... except for Justin. The only buys I made came from him and I bought a lot. Some good variety. In fact tonight will be just that.... something I do not collect, but bought anyways to save for a rainy day. With the should be all but certain WNBA rookie of the Year winner season officially coming to an end last week this should open up the Hudson show cards pretty well.

There was one more smaller set too that I thought I had put in my box, but guess not. Good thing these are all inexpensive/cheap cards.  One thing is for sure. She definitely changed the WNBA, and the other thing is NO DOUBT that her dad had some influence on her from early on. Guessing he was a basketball fan huh?

Who knows the WNBA might actually turn into something worth watching.....one day. The Caitlyn effect.

Now to put a little baseball into this post: I had a chance to attend both of the Braves doubleheader games today and I opted not to do so. Basically it was two seats for both games total price $50.00. Not the worst seats, certainly not the best either, but I passed.

Game 1 was a doozie! The last two innings that is. The second game had a much better outcome for the Braves. We made the playoffs! San Diego here we come.

In sad news, I just heard the Pete Rose has passed away. May he rest in Peace. 

Hurricane Helene is outta here. Tampa Justin finale

 Hurricane Helene is outta here, but is still wreaking havoc up the coast. I had 75 mph winds. Lost 1 (one) shingle. My brother lost about 10 ft of fence as did the elderly lady next door to me. A bunch of people had sever damage and lost power. I fixed the fence for the neighbor and my brother this morning. Couldn't find my missing shingle though. Valdosta, GA got tore up. Apparently tornadoes spun up there too. I heard the entire city was without power. Atlanta is catching the high winds this afternoon as I write this post.

Now let's finish up the Tampa cards.

That wraps up Tampa. I want to thank all of you for your well wishes and prayers.

Enjoy the weekend!

Hurricane Helene and Tampa card show Justin part 2

 For those inquiring minds concerned about where I am in regards to Helene. Well.... Ocala (Marion county) is in the NE quadrant, not a good place to be with a tropical storm because of potential tornadoes. Sustained winds expected 50mph, that isn't too unusual here in the summer (daily in summer 40 mph), now the gusts will be 75 mph Hurricane force winds so fingers crossed (and certainly prayers as I have been doing that for a couple of days already) for no damage and we don't lose power either. Other than that we should be good. Now let's get to the next round of cards from Justin in Tampa.

I classified the cards from Justin as two deals even though they were combined into one deal. I showed you the Olympic cards already which were part of the 2nd deal. 

It's been a month since I bought these so my memory isn't clear on the cost breakdown, but I want to say it was .07 a piece. Again memory has faded. 

I'll close out the Justin Tampa cards tomorrow (providing I have power and internet).

The following day I went to Hudson for a show and the only purchase was from Justin again and it was enough cards to be spread over 5 or 6 posts. Some great stuff in there.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the path of Helene.... Be safe, be prepared!

2024 Topps Chrome Olympic

 As in years past this set is half vertical and half horizontal. This year it is a 200 card set and here they are partially.

Knocked the inserts out first.

Love that Flag!

Easy to pick out the refractors.

For some reason I was thinking there were a whole bunch more cards from this set. Guess not. I do remember going over to Ormond to scoop theirs up out of the dime boxes, but I missed by a week. Ken a Gator alumni and works at the Showtime card shop in Jacksonville had cleaned them all out every last one.

I'll clean up the rest of the cards I got from Justin in Tampa next two posts.

On a side note (PUN intended). I updated my High and Medium Priority needs listed on the right of the blog. 

Later Gators (horrible start to the football season).

Tampa card show: The Braves and the LOW DOWN.

 A short one tonight. Reminder I only spent an hour checking this show out then another hour going through Justin's stuff sitting behind his table. Way too freaking crowded for me. This show used to be 80 tables then jumped to 100 and now it is 120 tables in the same space. The walk aisles were a nightmare instead of 6' between tables (left & right) 3'. It was literally chest to chest walking and elbow to elbow at tables. Not fun. I did get a whole bunch of stickers I mean a lot of the original 81-84 Topps stickers, and I also bought a 1991 Panini box and ripped them. 

That was all of the new Braves I picked up there that did not come from Justin. I broke up what I bought from him in Tampa into two posts. The one tomorrow night will be the 2024 Topps Chrome Olympic cards. I'll follow that up with the other stuff from Justin "IN TAMPA". I say that that way because the following day I went to a card show in Hudson, FL and go figure Justin was there for that Sunday. He did tell me he was going there when we were at the Tampa show when I mentioned I was going. Turns out a real DUD of a show. Justin spent the entire day at the Tampa show buying bulk boxes from the other vendors at the show. I spent Sunday going through those and wound up with 5/6 posts worth.

Adios amigos (and amigas)!

COMPLETED SET: 2007 Finest with SP's!

 Nice to have another high end set completed. Albeit a short set at just 166 cards in the set (there are some variations which I do have 1 of them). The last 16 are autographed prospects. 

There are 5 Braves in the set. Technically I am cheating my system as #22 Francoeur above should be in my team set, it is not. I do have the one for the team en-route already.

I like the Chris Carpenter (p) batting shot.

There is the one variation card I have. One of the prospects, but not one of the autographed ones. The scan above has the base version (last card above this scan). Here you can also see the back view of the base cards (1-150).

Here come the autos.

Another back view with the difference being the auto hologram. In the words from my youth...."Another ones bites the Dust"! Monday I'll hit you up with the new to me Braves from the Tampa show, and come back on Tuesday with the 2024 USA Olympic cards (near set--very near set) plus the parallels.

Have a great weekend everybody.