BLOG BAT-AROUND: Vacation

I have started up a few Blog Bat-Arounds in the past, but none have ever taken off any further than myself. Though I have participated in quite a few.

Today, I am hoping this kicks off my first REAL bat-around.

All of us in the blogsphere live all across the United States and the World. A lot of these places a lot of us will never get to see, especially myself. I thought it would be fun to do a blog bat-around for us to see the world. So let's be the Griswolds, pack up the family and take a vacation....visually. Just make sure you check the hours of operation before visiting Walley World.

I want you to post some fun pictures where you live. I am not asking for pictures of your house or your yard, I want to see this,

1. Pictures of your surroundings. Take a trip down the road and snap. Whether it's your town or your state you do pictures of, let's see it!
2. Pictures of your local ma and pa store or that "diner" that everyone goes to. Where are the places you would suggest everyone check out when they come to your town and why. Sound touristy if you want.
3. Pictures of local food. I see some crazy amazing stuff (deep fried butter? we don't have that here) from all across the country when I watch food network, I wanna see that in real life photos and not on TV
4. Pictures of Local Landmarks or cool historic items. Make the readers feel like they are touring your town or state.
5. Whatever else you can think of I missed above.

Let's take a vacation to where you live.

Here are a few pictures I have taken recently on my errand runs.

 

(if you see Final Destination 2, I do too)

I know this doesn't exactly nail down what I listed above, there isn't a lot here to send pictures of, but I hope to snap more pictures and add more to this post as I go.

And since this is a card blog, I suppose if you want to take a picture of a card visiting these places to, that's great as well. But make sure we can see the actual items more. You want to give that vacation kind of feel to everyone.

I hope this takes off and we can see some cool stuff from across the U.S. and further.

Are You The __________ Collector?

I am really far behind in joining in on the fun of Blog Bat Around. I have seen so many great ones recently, that I have kept them all into draft, dug out my cards a few days ago and am finally going to tackle them.

This week is a great week to do so since I have nothing else to post about and I hate fillers honestly.

So Eamus Catuli! posed the question, Are You The __________ Collector? You know, that player you are famous for chasing. The player when someone goes to a card show and sees him and says, "hey, wonder if so and so has that one?"

My player is pretty obvious, even though I do have other player collections, none of them match up to my Rodney Hampton collection. Even though my Griffey is bigger in terms of how many cards, I don't even match up to any of the other Griffey collectors when it comes to rarities and overall numbers. When I think about Griffeys, I think Junior Junkie.

But, I would expect those of you readers out there to see me as the Rodney Hampton guy and hopefully I don't have that much competition though a few cards I really had to battle for.

To me though, my rarities I have along with my total number of cards vs what's remaining to chase is a solid argument that I am the top guy. (dusts off shoulder)

Let's take a look shall we,

Binder is filled to the brim, I am trying to figure out if I want to penny sleeve and move to a box instead. These cards are all by year, brand as well.

I keep my oversized cards in there

And my chases for 100 cards of each of these. thanks to Gavin on that idea. Both are roughly 50 % there.

Some inside looks

Shiny....

Some completed rainbows

More goodies...

even more..

And that's not even counting the box I keep the really rare cards in along with the huge oversized oddities. This also isn't showing off the other parts of my collection.

Oh, and maybe there will be a way to check out all of these someday..... Collectin' Rodney.

I think it would be hard not to argue me as a top dog with Rodney collecting. I can't compare my collection to anyones unless I take some time out on TCDB and see where I am. As of now, I have about 720 or so Rodneys in my collection out of 840 roughly out there.

Blog Bat Around: Remembering A Legend

For awhile now, all of us in the blogging world knew that Wes of Area 40/Jaybarkerfan's Junk blog was retiring from blogging and collecting. He made that official on his blog this week.

With Wes always sending lots of us bloggers and even other friends his generosity and big time goodbye packages, I was thinking all week of a way to send him out on top with more than a simple goodbye. So bloggers and even Twitter followers who have had past experiences with Wes, let's do a Blog/Tweet Bat Around and each send out a personal thank you and good luck to Wes as he rides off of the blogging/collecting sunset.

Let's also do this by showing off our favorite cards that Wes has sent us/you over the years. Let's get Wes-talgic. 

 

Over they years this great guy has sent out many trade packages, surprises and contest mail days and I was on the fortunate end of a few of those. And when this guy sends out a package, he sends out a package. So much so it was really hard to show off all of my favorite cards from him in this post so I just had to recap a few so I wouldn't take up two blog screens for this post. It all does kick off with this official Jaybarkerfan autograph rookie card above.

   

I am still unsure of how he located my final piece for my Psych set, but he did and I am very thankful.

Same can be said for the final piece of my Ghostbusters autograph set.

  

This card was the biggest surprise in surprise history. My long time Rodney Hampton white whale that he somehow located and sent it to me without me knowing. He promised all along that before he completely stepped away he would find it and did.

  

He also sent me my first ever NFL shield.

  

A Umeyiora printing plate was apart of his tradeathon. One of the very few NY Giants printing plate cards I own.

  

My now best MJ card was included in one of his basketball cubes. I dig 90's inserts so, so much.

 

Just like how this Ortiz rookie was located in a baseball cube. Classic picture and design. I probably even had this card at one point but ditched some binders to my father when I moved out of my parents house for him to keep. Long since have been sold off but now I at least have this one back in hand again.

Just keep in mind again, these cards I showcased today is just a slight sliver, actually a cookie crumb, of what he sent me. Very minuscule. Like I said there was no way I could re-capture them all again. But, you can find them all by searching Wes or Jaybarkerfan on my blog and I honestly think I may have even missed posting a few NY Giants cards that never got uploaded but still will be posted on here at some point.

Wes, amigo, fellow blogger/trader and friend, I wish you all the best in hobby retirement and thank you for your kindness, generosity and friendship over the years. You are a legend and someone we all should be looking up to and following in the footsteps of. Just remember if you ever decide to come back, we will be waiting for you with open arms. Stay in touch-Matt

BLOG BAT AROUND:What Are My Collecting Projects The Sequel!

Back in March, I participated in my very first blog bat-around based on My Collecting Projects. Since then, things have changed and some I forgot about the first time around so here is a complete list of projects that I am hoping that some trading buddies of mine can help me with.

As many know, I tend to keep many projects and collections going and going. I think being diverse helps keep me interested in the hobby and helps people trade with me easier. Here are my current collecting projects all put in order.

First off, I remain only 6 autographs away from getting the entire Psych Seasons 1-4 set. But there is only one way I can accomplish this, is with other collectors help.  I can't afford to pick up my remaining cards so I am hoping others can pick them up and then I can trade you stuff for the card or cards. My want list is here for the ones remaining, **there are insert sets and relic sets I would like to finish as well**

http://sportcardcollectors.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

Secondly, I am still a ways off from getting my Ghostbusters autograph set done and just like the Psych one, I can't afford to pick up missing pieces. Once again I must rely upon the help of someone else to pick up my missing pieces and then I can trade you something for them. The ones I am missing are on this link, **I also collect the sketch cards, slime cards and film cel cards**

http://sportcardcollectors.blogspot.com/p/ghostbusters-want-list.html

Thirdly, I am chasing down all of Rodney Hampton's cards. Yes, all. Here are the ones remaining. So far I have tackled 536 out of 816 total cards he has. I am very impressed with how far I have gotten. **I am also trying to track down his Starting Lineups or anything else non card he may have been on**
http://sportcardcollectors.blogspot.com/p/rodney-hampton-wantlist.html

Fourth, I am trying to collect autographs from all of the players/Hall Of Famers I grew up watching. Guys like Brett Favre, Troy Aikman (yes even for this Giants fan), Steve Young, Cal Ripken Jr, Tony Gwynn, Jerry Rice, Bill Parcells, Kurt Warner, and so on. I know these are hard to pry away from some traders, but I thought I could try at least. Someone has gotta have an extra to let go of.

Fifth, I am trying to land rookie cards of those kind of guys as well ^^^. Some I have accomplished, but not all. You can find my autograph and rookie card wants for those guys here, https://sportcardcollectors.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_5.html

Sixth, I want ALL, yes ALL, Saquon Barkley cards I can get my hands onto. I have never been so stoked about a Giants pick.

Seventh, I want all Aaron Judge cards that I don't have. There are many gaps in my collection, just let me know what you have. Still missing a relic in my collection. *hint hint*

Eighth, NY Giants cards. With trading buddies I try to only focus on rookie cards, numbered cards and hits as it is way to tough to add new base cards. I try to add new base on my own as I try to chase down all of the Giants.

Ninth, I will take any and all Hollywood or TV show hits. I especially want a Chevy Chase Leaf autograph. Have one available FT? Please let me know!!

Tenth, Ken Griffey Jr. The king of sweet swing I will always add as long as I don't have it. I don't collect doubles and usually use those to trade off.

And Finally, toys. Yes, toys, I am mainly looking for pieces I had when I was younger since mine were all sold off. Darkwing Duck, TMNT, Mighty Max and a few other. All of my wants are on my main want list now that you can find, here,
https://sportcardcollectors.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_5.html

Okay one more quickly I just added in late, Gleyber Torres cards. Give em to me!

Well, that's it. Some things changed from last time and some new ones were added I forgot the first time and realized it after the fact.

BLOG BAT AROUND:What Are My Collecting Projects

This is my very first join in on a blog bat-around so I look forward to being apart of the fun. This time the legendary Night Owl started one up to let readers know what your current collecting projects. Hopefully these will also lead the way to help trading buddies give you a helping hand..

As many know, I tend to keep many projects and collections going and going. I think being diverse helps keep me interested in the hobby and helps people trade with me easier. Here are my current collecting projects all put in order.

First off, I remain only 6 autographs away from getting the entire Psych Seasons 1-4 set. But there is only one way I can accomplish this, is with other collectors help.  I can't afford to pick up my remaining cards so I am hoping others can pick them up and then I can trade you stuff for the card or cards. My want list is here for the ones remaining, **there are insert sets and relic sets I would like to finish as well**

http://sportcardcollectors.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

Secondly, I am still a ways off from getting my Ghostbusters autograph set done and just like the Psych one, I can't afford to pick up missing pieces. Once again I must rely upon the help of someone else to pick up my missing pieces and then I can trade you something for them. The ones I am missing are on this link, **I also collect the sketch cards, slime cards and film cel cards**

http://sportcardcollectors.blogspot.com/p/ghostbusters-want-list.html

Thirdly, I am chasing down all of Rodney Hamptons cards. Yes, all. Here are the ones remaining. So far I have tackled 534 out of 816 total cards he has. I am very impressed with how far I have gotten. **I am also trying to track down his Starting Lineups or anything else non card he may have been on**

http://sportcardcollectors.blogspot.com/p/rodney-hampton-wantlist.html

Fourth, I have started a Sets Of My Childhood chase. There are going to be many, many, many, set needs on here that I hope to have narrowed down with the help of others. I am sure most of my needs are nickel and dime needs some of you may find at card shows. I only have a few sets listed so far, but believe me, many more will be added soon. I really want to finish up my Spx and Ex2000 set chases first but  you can check out all of my chases here,

http://sportcardcollectors.blogspot.com/p/sets-of-my-childhood.html

Fifth, Non Sports celebrity hits. I will take any and all celebrity relics and autographs from any TV show, movies, Americana, etc. I prefer the bigger names but will take any. One of my biggest dreams is to own the Leaf autograph of Chevy Chase. If any of you stumble upon one of those cheap, please, please keep me in mind for a trade!!

Sixth, I am still collecting New York Giants cards big time but recently have noticed a lot of my trade returns from people have included a ton of doubles which is expected when I have 4,000+ cards. So I think when it comes to trading for Giants, I don't have a typed up want list but here are some bigger preferences for them. I would take numbered cards, rookies, refractors/shiny, 90's inserts and any form of hits. That way the doubles cut way down.

Seventh, Ken Griffey Jr. It is so hard for me to find time to update a checklist but I am closing in on 2,000 different so that's also another tough one to trade for without me seeing the cards first.

Next, NY Yankees. I have a ton of Yankees base and inserts. Tons. The only Yankees I would consider in a trade deal would mainly be for hits of anyone as my Yankee hits PC is so small I won't find many doubles. I would also take Aaron Judge or Derek Jeter base and inserts or and Yankee prospects from the past three years. I also have specific Yankee autographs I need on my overall Wantlist.

And Finally, toys. Yes, toys, I am mainly looking for pieces I had when I was younger since mine were all sold off. Darkwing Duck, TMNT, Mighty Max and a few others when I get the chance to update them all and put specific ones on  my want list.

I will hopefully have a better Overall Wantlist soon. I plan on upgrading the entire list that will include a ton of wants and more specific ones. I plan to also update the list with something I am calling Autographs Of My Childhood wants along with this I hope to post a ton of pictures on my trade bait tab.