Saturday, June 28, 2014

Steering Through the Crossroads

There are a handful of moments in life where you hit a crossroad. I'm there right now and I've got about a billion different routes I can take. The house I've been renting was sold this week and I've got until July 11th to be out. No big deal, I just don't know where to move to. I've applied for jobs from California to Maine and am at varying stages on each. The one I'm closest to getting (not saying much) is in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Maybe I'll end up there. Maybe I'll end up in Tennessee or Washington or Florida or Idaho. I don't know.

The thing is, I've got to move somewhere. I'll likely put most of my stuff into storage (including cards) for a couple of weeks and find an extended stay hotel until one of these jobs goes through. Thankfully I've got a small savings that I can get by on for a little bit and a strong support system around me. 

To top things off, my great aunt (who was more of a grandmother to me than one of my real grandmothers) passed away last night at the age of 92. We knew it was coming and had been preparing for a long time. She's the spunkiest woman I've ever met and supported me through so much in life. She went to bed at 10:00 PM last night and I got the call from my grandmother that she wasn't breathing at 10:48 PM. I made it to the house by 10:55 PM but she was gone. I spent the next several hours consoling and being consoled with my family while we waited for the coroner and undertakers to arrive to pick her up. If you've ever been with a loved one as they pass on, you may understand the unreal spiritual connections and feelings that can't be explained in words. All I can say is that there wasn't much sadness, just a lot of inner warmth and peace. Calling such things beautiful may sound weird, but it really can be.

You know what else is beautiful? Friendly trades and unexpected surprises! (How's that for a tie-in?)


The first four cards came courtesy of The Lost Collector in exchange for a 2013 A&G Relic of Paul O'Neil. Thanks AJ!



The rest came from Backstop Cards in a completely unexpected and awesome package! There was a little bit of everything inside. Royals, minis, BBB's, PC cards and a healthy amount of repack-style gems!

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Tearing it up in the minors I'm told.


I think my first digital camera had an effect option that could do something like that. 


Love me some Sportflics! The Conine doesn't really do much, but if you wiggle it his left arm and leg kind of pop out. Knoblauch fields an awkward grounder.


Nishioka had an insane year in 2010 for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the NPB and earned a contract with Minnesota for 2011. He couldn't recreate the magic and went back to Japan in 2013 where he's a good but not great infielder.


Warning: I want your 2014 Prizms. I know you all despise the set, but I love the cardstock. Please send them to me!



2013 Rakuten Eagles All-Star! The orange hanger-pack parallel fits really well with the Marlins team colors. I've mentioned my affinity for this color combo as well as my new love for the Rakuten Eagles on the blog. Marcus is either super attentive or really lucky. Either way, I sure as heck appreciate it!




Felix is being bashful


The scan doesn't do this card justice. Love me some random pre-Royals vintage!



I guess I was Rainbow Wang'd?





Thanks again fellas! I ask that everyone thinking about sending out to me holds off now for a few weeks. Once I nail down a new address, I'll make sure to let you guys know. Posts will be rare and sporadic for the time being. Until next time, wish me luck at the crossroads!

8 comments:

  1. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

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  2. If there is anything any of us can do to help with the job search, let us know.

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  3. Good luck to you and make sure you make your new address known so we can send you cards!

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  4. I'm sorry for your loss. When my grandmother passed away last year, I too felt very little sadness. And this might sound crazy to some, but I was much more sad about Gwynn's passing (and I never even met the guy). I think it has to do with my grandmother living a full and amazing life.

    It's great that your family was there to support and console each other. Your friends here are here for you as well. I wish I owned some Prizm cards to send your way... but if there's other ways we can help, please let us know.

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  5. Best of luck with the job search, and I'm sorry for the loss of your aunt.

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  6. Good luck w/the job search, condolences for your loss. Sounds like a lot is going on right now, praying that everything works out for you.

    Oh, and yes, I DID know that McGehee was a former Eagle, so as soon as I pulled it, I knew it had to go to you.

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  7. From someone having gone/going through very similar life experiences, I wish you the best. You have the perfect attitude. Sorry for your loss, but happier for what you had with your Aunt in her life. Sounds like a great lady. Good luck with the move. Great possibilities in a fresh start. All the best. See you on the other side, my friend.

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  8. Sorry to hear about your loss. If you end up in Johnstown, let me know. Only about an hour from me! Could definitely hook you up with Pirates tickets!

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