I Think I'm Done - yeah I'm done

I started this blog a little more than a year ago, just before Halloween, actually looking back, it was on Halloween. I've had a great time, I've loved reading all of the blogs, I've loved trading, loved the stories and the friendship - the kind words and the inspiration.

Just don't think I'm really all that into it anymore. Now who knows - maybe in a few months I'll be inspired again. I think I am still going to collect, but its going to slow down quite a bit. I made a humbling trip through the bill drawer this weekend, and really, its getting hard for my justify even $20 a week on this hobby when I still have a lot of bad decisions from college to make up for.

I've got a few posts that are in the queue - they'll pump it out for a few more days and then I'm out. If I get inspired, or greedy I may throw a want list up here or there, but I really don't think that will be happining any time soon.

Thanks for the inspiration Dayf, Chris, Ben, and Steve From WSC

Thanks for the constant reminders of what great blogging is Night Owl

Thanks for the new voices and the fun Beardy, Troll, Travis @ PRP

I'll still be reading, lingering in the comments of all of you, and like I said, hopefully sometime sooner or later - I'll be able to rededicate myself to this hobby. Maybe I did too much to soon and burnt myself out. I'm not going to do a crazy card purge or anything, just put them all in the closet for the time being and hope that I find that I miss it too much, and am able to rediscover my collection again.

I hope that you were all able to get something out of reading this and that in some way some time I was able to make you laugh or kill 5 minutes of work. It was a pleasure writing this for this last year and I thank you for all the comments and hits (over 1k a month, not so bad).

For now I'm going to enjoy being responsible, taking care of myself and my wife, learning a few sweet riffs, and reading all of those books that I've been meaning to. The blog will remain up for posterity and maybe be revisited from time to time.

Thanks everyone...It's been fun.

Take it easy now

The Last of the Goodwins (Until Next Week)

And onto the last pack -

First off a few cards I can do without - neither of these really grab me as cards that should be in this set - Samaradiza (I'm not going to check how to really spell it) pretty much blows and if you are going to use a champion basketball player - where is Bird, or David Robinson - Beasley - meh.

This card has already been discussed at length on other blogs. It's a fuckin' sweet card. Thats all the analysis you will be getting from me!

Now this is a neat if not very Ginter-like subset - the citizens of the day w/ Mr Cap Anson. I was hoping that the back would tell some wonderful tales of civic duty but it just says he was a good hitter. I no longer thing that this is neat.

Mini Snore

Scene.

Goodwins Hobby 3 out of 4

So this was my favorite pack of the 4 that I got - I really do like the legends cards that are put in.

Here we have Carlton Fisk and Nick Markakis -

The original "Pudge" I remember that he was one of my favorite players as a kid when I was partial to the White Sox as my AL team. I also remember just waiting for Ron Karkovice to carry on the legacy - I guess we can't win them all. I really like seeing Fisk in Red Sox gear as due to my age, I really do remember him as a White Sock.

Nick Markakis - I've got a feeling that this guy has a Mattingley-esque career in front of him - where he will always be good, occasionally great, but never really be the guy and never hit those HOF numbers - hopefully I am wrong, because I do enjoy watching him play - I just dont see that next level from him.

Next up we have Curtis Granderson and Ryne Sandberg -

Now Ryno has a world class moustache here - Thats really the most noticeable aspect of this card - I hope i get a double at some point to send this out for an auto - I know its a darker card so probably won't come out great if at all - but I still want what I want.

Curtis is a nice player - not the savior of a franchise though.

Peggy Flemming - I'd much prefer this to be Peggy Bundy

For the record - she is great in Sons of Anarchy and still looking pretty hot.

Goodwins Champions Pack 2 of 4

So I decided that I do like this set very much - I will be getting a hobby box in a few weeks although I do not have the money. My wife wants jewelry, I want cardboard - we all have our vices.

I've decided that I will never acknowlege the UD 20th century cards any longer - they all go into a pile that will one day be on its way to Rob VOTC - probably after my box is ripped - those cards are the definition of sucky.

Anyway, we've got Fausto Carmona and Miguel Cabrebra hanging out with us below. I am really excited to take a look at how this set looks in a binder all together - I really think it will pretty. I mean, I think it will look bad-ass and cool.

Now the minis - Got the normal Jordan - I'm wearing his underwear! No, I'm not, I wish I was Wayne Brady though - that would have to be fun at a bar. The Posada is the Gypsy Queen back - anytime I hear Sterling say "Jorge Juiced ONE! I cannot help thinking that Jorge just had sex with a very large woman - I should have never left college.

2 more packs on the way

2009 UD Goodwin's Champions Pack Rip

Now there have been a few times where I mentioned how stoked I was for this product, unfortunately now that it is out - I'm way broke. I was able to grab a few packs which I will be showing off over the next few posts. I may be getting a box next week, we will see how the cash flows.

While I am not as impressed by these cards in person, I still really like them, they remind me of a bad blow j - it can't REALLY be bad - so thats what these are, not the best I've had, but you will never find me complaining.

Roy White and Todd Helton - Yesterday I mentioned about Pujols and the decade triple crown - for Helton to meet him in batting average he would have to go 30/60 in his next at bats and Pujols would have to go 10/60 - yeah - not happening - good on you though Todd

Now the minis - Bailey black border Gypsey Queen back - cool I guess and Ryan Ludwick

I'm just not a mini guy - don't really know why - I am going to eventually collect the whole set of this that is normal size - no interest in the minis - that makes the minis available for any of you who are working on them - let me know

Thats that - more tomorrow

A 2nd Retail Pack Of UD Icons

Here is the last pack of 2009 UD Icons that I will probably ever be purchasing - making this almost an important mile stone in my life, but not at all really. In this pack we have a lot people who are better at baseball than I am (better than you too probably).

Roy Oswalt - Dude got a bulldozer as part of his contract - thats a manly fucking gift. Speaking of manly - anyone here see the newest Rambo that came out a few years ago? the first 20 minutes is him just doing to manliest shit you've ever seen. Catching snakes barehanded, fishing with a bow and arrow, blacksmithing, I bet the dude just builds traintracks for leisure.

Maggio Ordonez - I would kill for this haircut for just one week. Or one of his paychecks

Jon Lester - the reason you cannot read this card is that its all extra chromey/shiny - is this an insert or parallel? There are no other markings or indications that this is anything special - but I think it just might be.

John Lackey - Memo to NY Mets - Please do not sign an injury prone ace. Ie... John Lackey

The best hitter in the American League, Ichiro.

Speaking of best hitters - did anyone else see the article on ESPN showing that Pujols is about to win the decade triple crown? Yeah, first guy since TED WILLIAMS! We truly are blessed to be able to witness what he is doing. Don't take it for granted.

A Retail Pack of 2009 Icons

So when I purchased those 2 packs of X, I also grabbed 2 packs of Icons... and there is just something missing. I know from reading the other blogs that the football cards have the portrait and other little additional features, but I thought those were a little too busy - So I guess if I dont have a solution, I cannot complain about the problem, what do you all think? I think the set is close to being a nice looking throwaway set, but what do you think could be done to improve it working off what is already there?

The Wanger - That is a face only a mother could love - I get it - action shots exertion etc... but man he looks like he just watched 2 Girls 1 Cup

Jake Peavy - If the Sox don't make a run next year - this could end up being a big bust - dude needs to get back on the mound and give them at least 180 innings

Matt Holliday - Love the colors on this card - easily my favorite in the pack. It's nice to see him really stroke it again now that he is a Cardinal - maybe the AL just wasnt for him.

Hanley Ramirez - he's pretty good.

Carlos Beltran - Nice to get a Met - especially one who was having a really nice year before the injury bug hit him too - although I wish he wasn't playing now, as I want him good to go next year - it's nice to see that he was really working hard to get back on the field - gotta love a gamer.

So this set is okay - like X if I ever see a cheap full set on the bay, I might grab it, but really nothing I NEED to have here. As always - anything you want is your except Carlos - he's in the Mets box now.