Who Doesn't Like Free Cards?

When I saw that The Diamond King had some freebies up for grabs, I had to at least check it out.

Most of the time, I either miss out or there are cards that better suit someone else's collection than myself.

This time there were cards I could use for my PC, but my phone has been acting up when it comes to commenting on some blogs. Some blogs such as Night Owl Cards I can comment on. Some blogs I can comment but I have to as anonymous and then add my name and then there are blogs like The Diamond King where it won't let me at all. I do most of my blog reading from my phone.

Fortunately, I had The Diamond Kings email and dropped him a quick one letting him know which cards I was interested in. Though most were claimed already due to my lack of commenting, I was still able to land a few.

Byrne Gold and Black mini parallels from Allen Ginter.

Thune Mini.

And then a bonus surprise for my Knicks PC,

 

Fleer Genuine @LG of Latrell Sprewell.

Thanks again to The Diamond King. If you haven't checked out his blog yet, please do so. I linked you above on purpose!

Random Cardboard Of The Day:2020 Topps Allen Ginter Cook

Random Cardboard Of The Day:2021 Topps Allen Ginter Mini Carlson

Random Cardboard Of The Day:2018 Topps Allen Ginter Coyne

Random Cardboard Of The Day:2019 Topps Allen Ginter Mullen

Random Cardboard Of The Day: 2020 Topps Allen Ginter Fotheringham

Random Cardboard Of The Day:2021 Topps Allen Ginter Mascots In Real Life Elephant

Random Card Of The Day:2019 Allen Ginter Egg

Easter Memories

 

It's Easter. The time of year where we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ or for some, celebrate chocolate.

While I was sorting earlier this week, I tried to search for a couple of cards I can use for an Easter post. That's when I found a card of a chicken (above) and an egg (below). It didn't take me very long to think of something to post about with those two cards as memories started to flow in.

With the chicken, I was suddenly hit with the memory of my uncle going around the grocery stores clucking like the Cadbury Bunny. I assume most of you reading this today have seen those commercials for the Cadbury bunny tryouts where different animals try to stake claim as the Cadbury bunny making sounds different than their actual animal character. However, in the end of that commercial, there is only one Cadbury bunny.  Whether that be the actual Cadbury bunny or my uncle. 

I just remember how many heads he turned when we went shopping together. He would just randomly start clucking as loudly as he could like the Cadbury bunny just to get me to laugh and to make himself laugh as well while making many others worry about his state of mind.

Those were some fun times. Sadly, my uncle passed away a couple of years ago but the memories of him still live on.

Now we move onto the egg card.

 

First of all, I always found it interesting that Topps created such a card, but I also find it cool. That's probably why I paid $5 a couple years ago just to have it. I guess I created that memory as well.

Along with that new memory, the egg card also brought me back to my childhood Easters. I grew up poor, so I didn't get huge Easter baskets full of candy and toys like many of my friends got.  The one thing I would get every year were the chocolate covered marshmallow eggs that came in a carton. They were cheap, they tasted cheap, but it was a gift from them, so I enjoyed it even though I wasn't the biggest fan.

Anytime I see that package in stores, it brings me back to that time. This card actually did as well.

Before I close up today's post, I wanted to take a second out to thank Jesus for dying on the cross for me and for forgiving me for my sins.

I hope everyone has a Happy Easter, spend time with your families make some memories and if you want, comment with some of your favorite memories below. Or cluck like my uncle while you are reading this. The choice is yours.

Just Makes You Smile

This has been a very long week in my household with a variety of bad news popping up.

I really needed a smile.

Luckily for me, my latest trade with @MaxxPower68 arrived and brightened up the week.

My interest in Allen Ginter non-sports continues to grow and a good portion of this trade brought me some new ones. Some were from Far, Far away.

Hats Off and World Leaders.

These Birds Of A Feather flocked in my mail box together.

Arboreal Appreciation. Cardboard comes from trees, seems only appropriate we celebrate trees.

 

Animals on cards, works for me.

A group of fun non sport characters.

I always thought this was such a great insert line to celebrate real heroes.

There were also some football cards along for the trip as well. Some much needed help for my 1995 Pinnacle Trophy Collection chase. These always make me smile with nostalgia.

 

(this Jeffereson is actually an Artists Proof but dufex still makes me smile)

Speaking of making me smile,

 

If this card featuring Martin Mull hugging a football happily doesn't bring you joy, then you should be checked. This was my favorite card out of the entire mail day.

Thanks again to @MaxxPower68 for the trade. I hope we can do another one soon.

I am glad this week has come to an end, just hope next week can go a little better.

I hope the rest of you have had a great week.

Drop It Like It's Hot

*takes a sip to get ready for today's post. memories are coming back as I look at today's card*

I think we all go through phases in our lives.

This can be a variety of things. It can be the food that we eat, I sure know I eat a lot of things I didn't used to like asparagus and have gotten rid of foods like tuna fish I used to enjoy. It can be what we drink, I used to enjoy soda a lot but now you find me drinking water when I am not having coffee. It can even be TV, I used to love watching horror movies and raunchy comedies but now I am into dramas and non rated R comedies. I guess it's toning down your life as you grow older.

I even went through a lot of phases in music in my life.

Childhood Age 1-17: I listened to whatever was on the radio especially songs I felt were cool like One Week by Barenaked Ladies or Kiss From A Rose by Seal.

Age 18-20: I hit a weird stage where I really enjoyed listening to female singers. Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore (who I had a mad crush on), Spice Girls, TLC, and some under-the-radar groups.

Age 21-24: As I began my career in a meat room, most of my co-workers were into Rap Music so they got me hooked. Every day headliners included Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, 50 Cent, and Nelly.

Age 25-33: My career had started to change and I started to back down from a lot of the rap music. I did some Linkin' Park and Paramore for awhile but mixed in a lot of other stuff as well.

34 til now and probably beyond: I strictly listen to what some would call "the oldies". Music from the 70's, 80's and 90's. Nostalgia driven songs I remember listening to with my father growing up or ones that bring me back memories from childhood. Artists include Elton John, Chicago, The Eagles, Michael Bolton, Rick Astley, Huey Lewis and The News, are among the 100's of artists I listen to now.

Actually, I am listening to Simply Red, "Holding Back The Years" as I am typing this.

Something tells me I should switch up the song today to match what the card featured today.

*takes a sip before moving on with today's post*

To keep those memories in my life, I use cardboard to hold onto them as you have seen in previous posts.

When I saw that Snoop Lion, AKA Snoop Dogg, had a card included in the 2014 Allen Ginter base set I had to have it. By the way, Snoop Lion was Snoop Doggs short stage name in 2012 when he was rechristened Snoop Lion by a Rastafari priest in Jamaica and for the release of his new album at the time, Reincarnated.

Front of the card

 

Back of the card

Even though I don't agree with Snoop's lifestyle, I did enjoy some of his music during the rap time in my life. I always listened to songs like Let's Get Blown, Beautiful and Drop It Like It's Hot.

Thanks to my buddy Shane who landed me a copy of this card.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I can't remember the last time I listened to any Snoop Dogg songs or any rap music in general. I guess it would have been an appropriate time to have at least put one song on while I typed this up. But I will just listen to my oldies, sip my coffee and not eat my tuna fish sandwich instead.

Let me know your favorite Snoop Dogg or Snoop Lion song in comments. Also, let me know if you have had any changes in your life over time.

Have a great Monday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Random Cardboard: 2021 Allen Ginter Mini Framed Autograph Bobby Moynihan

Moron

*takes a seat with laptop, coffee and card in hand. some would call me a moron for how I carried these to the table. I know Murray Goldberg would*

Every year when Allen and Ginter comes out, I always find a non sport person in the product that has some connection to me one way or another. For example in 2020, it was RL Stine who I used to read in my youth. So I went and chased down a few base, parallels, relic and autograph card.

This year, my subject of choice is Jeff Garlin who portrays Murray Goldberg on The Goldbergs.

*takes a sip. thinking a sugar boost will help this morning but don't want to be too much of a moron and eat a whoopie pie yet*

I have watched The Goldbergs since the show began on ABC in 2013. I enjoy how the show brings nostalgia from the 80's, comedy and family all together in one crazy half hour. Murray is the father in the Goldberg household. 

Murray's character seems to often go along with whatever his wife Beverly says, despite not listening to a thing she is rambling on about. It sometimes puts himself into some awkward spots. He is also depicted to be strict and tough on his children, such as calling them morons when they mess up, but deep down, he loves them way too much. Tough love can be the best kind of love and it teaches the best lessons in life. Life isn't easy.

Murray is also known to sit in his favorite chair in his tighty whities in front of the TV regardless of who shows up to his house. Sounds like the life to me. He is just missing the coffee.

*takes another sip*

I haven't had much luck in landing the autograph of Garlin yet, but I was fortunate I found a trader on Twitter who was unloading the relic.

 

A big thanks to @chefsmith04 for trading me this relic and helping me knock down another one of my needs. This trade was not a moronic move for me.

I also see that Garlin also starred in Mad About You for a couple of seasons, I don't remember that but I did enjoy the show.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I can't say that in life I haven't done some moronic things or I would be lying. I may have even done a few of those things while typing for this blog (don't put too much butter on your bagel and take a bite while you are typing to).

As for a father, I think I would have been happy to have had a dad like Murray.

In comments today, let me know if you watch The Goldbergs or what you have seen Garlin on and what the most moronic thing you have done. Also, if you have a Garlin auto from Allen Ginter, hit me up for a trade immediately!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

A Mixed Bag

When Dion from Dions IP Autos Blog trade, it is usually a mixed bag of cards. There isn't usually a theme to any of them.

In our latest trade, there is a mix of a most sports and non sports.

He showed off his haul already on his blog, here is mine;

Gleyber Torres, I have cut back on collecting Yankees in general now unless it's Derek Jeter, 90's inserts or a card that really catches my eye.

NBA Rookies. Just because I like to build up my rookie card collection resume.

Same with this Kyle Lewis.

 

Some non sport/non baseball cards. I appreciate Allen Ginter non baseball figures more and more.

 

And finally, some more Kenny Golladays.

Thanks again to Dion for the trade and I am looking forward to our next trade!

PACK WARS: EPISODE 3 "The Big Hit"

Welcome back to another Pack Wars.

Today, we have a battle of Allen & Ginter blasters. One from 2020 and one from 2021. I have never had any luck with Allen & Ginter blasters before and wasn't expecting anything again. Usually it's just the typical base and inserts which is okay because it helps out my non sport PC.

VS

Let's rip them open and see how it goes.

First up, the 2021 rip

Rookie mini insert

Broccoli rookie card!!

Far, Far away. Some days I think that wouldn't be a bad idea.

Mini inserts

A pair of Historical Hits inserts

Murad insert

Some fun non sport inserts for my PC.

Once again, 2021 Ginter proved to me what I have always known, the blasters come with nothing.

Next up, 2020 blaster I found last year and held onto.

Two new non sport PC cards. Not a bad start to this blaster. Ken Jeong is on my autograph needs list.

Minis. I was excited to find a Chip Gaines.

Where Monsters Live insert. I have the set of these, pretty cool stuff.

A few more for the non sport PC.

More inserts, the building card is pretty cool.

Having grown up on two farms, I really liked this insert series and the design is pretty well done as well. I like the framing.

And it was looking like the typical blaster of Allen & Ginter until.........second to last pack.......

As some would put it...I was shaking. HOLY CANOLI BATMAN. What a pull!!!!!! By far the biggest retail hit of my life.

When it comes to this battle, there is only one obvious winner. But, as always, I will let you guys decide that anyways in comments.