Christmas Gift From Noah

One of the first Christmas gifts that came in this year was a package from my friend, Noah.  We have been good friends because of Instagram for about 2 years now.  He's a great guy, and one of the easiest people to make deals with.  He helped my Sonny Gray side PC with this nice 2012 Bowman Auto that I didn't have.

Noah also hooked me up with this nice Chris Davis 2015 Allen & Ginter relic.  I had one already, but am more than happy adding another.  I always enjoy adding to the Davis PC.

Thank you so much for the Christmas gifts, Noah!  I really love them!

One other thing that I have noticed:  I no longer receive email notifications for comments appearing on my blog.  I don't have a clue as to when that started, but I didn't want anyone to think I was ignoring them.  I can't figure out how to turn those notifications back on, though.

Christmas Gift From Drew

I received some really nice cards in a Christmas package from my good friend, Drew.  We have been friends going on 8 years now.  I have watched him grow up in the card community and am really proud of the man he has become.  I have spent some time with Drew in person; taking a trip to see the Hudson Valley Renegades in 2011 and again in 2013 to the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.  You won't find more of a class act than Drew, and I am happy to call him a friend.

He really hooked me up with this awesome 2016 Topps Hi Tek Rafael Palmeiro.  The card is actually clear, but I had to use a black backing to be able to scan the card properly.  I think it helps accentuate the card.  I absolutely love these Hi Tek cards and now have two different Palmeiro autos from this set, a numbered to 25 from my friend Robert and now this numbered to 50 from Drew.

Also included in the Christmas package was this awesome numbered to 99 Sonny Gray relic auto for my Gray side PC.  I haven't added a whole lot to the Gray PC, mainly because I have been busy picking up each and every Chris Davis I can find, but I still like Gray and am still happy to add any of his relics and autos.

Thank you so much for the Christmas package, Drew!  I sincerely appreciate everything that was in the package, even if it didn't make it to the scanner.

Trade and A Christmas Gift From Max

I got an awesome Christmas and Trade package in the mail from my close friend, Max.  He really hooked me up with an awesome Chris Davis Panini 1/1 printing plate.  I really wasn't expecting this, but man, I love it.  I need to get a mag for this card, which I plan on picking up tomorrow.

I pulled off a trade with Max as well that landed me a bunch of Orioles autos, but this Sonny Gray dual patch was the key of the deal.  The Gray is numbered 4/10.

I really appreciate the Christmas gift, Max!  The O's autos are great as well, but I didn't have enough time to scan them all.  Thanks buddy!

A Surprise Package From Max

I was surprised the other day when there was a large bubble mailer in my mailbox from my good buddy, Max.  I wasn't expecting anything from him, so I was happy to see what was inside.  He hooked me up with some nice Orioles cards and a few other cards for various PCs.

This Sonny Gray MLB debut coin card was pretty nice.  I have had a nice side PC of Gray going lately, and it has been easier to pick up some of his stuff, since he had such a terrible year this year.  I have confidence that he will bounce back, I just hope it is with the A's and not after he is traded somewhere like the Yankees, as has been rumored.

This purple parallel from 2016 Bowman of Jomar Reyes is also a nice card.  It is numbered 119/250 and looks really sharp in person.  Reyes also had a down year this year, but should bounce back.  He is one of the Orioles top prospects and hopefully will contribute to the MLB club soon.

Finally, Max included these two 2012 Topps IP autos of former Oriole, Josh Bell.  Bell was acquired (along with Steve Johnson) from the Dodgers in 2009 for former closer, George Sherrill.  He never really got going with the O's, batting only .200 across 79 games.

Thanks so much for the package, Max!

Birthday Gift From Max - Delivering Some Awesome Orioles

I received an amazing birthday gift from my very good friend, Max, recently that included some really awesome stuff.  He had already shown me the above Eddie Murray - Chris Davis jumbo relic booklet card since he knew it wouldn't arrive in time for my actual birthday.  Still, the card is amazing, and I am really happy to get it in the collection.

The booklet card is numbered 4/5 and had actually been something I had been watching on Ebay for a while.  When the card fell off of Ebay, I figured I missed out, but luckily, my good buddy had picked it up.

This card came from 2015 Museum Collection and will look great among the rest of my Davis booklets.

Max also sent along some cards that he had gotten autographed recently, as well.  I sent him every Bill Ripken base card that I had since Max informed me that he had a chance of meeting him at Wrigley Field.  Max got a few cards signed for himself and sent these, along with his unused card, back to me.

I am really excited about adding these to my IP/TTM binder.  Max has been a huge contributor to this binder, and he has been the biggest inspiration for me to add to it.

Finally, Max had pulled this 2016 Bowman purple Sonny Gray and offered it to me in trade.  I send him tons of Cubs stuff, so I know I will have something that will match up with it very quickly.  This card is numbered 49/250.

I first traded with Max a couple years ago via Instagram and really hit it off with him.  An easy-going personality, a great sense of humor and a selflessness beyond his years has completely endeared him to me.  He went out of his way last year to invite us into his home and host us for the 2015 National.  He is a constant force in helping guide my collection these days.  He makes time to skype with me and go through 5,000-count boxes and pull the best base cards for graphing.  I don't believe I would have jumped headfirst into getting random base cards signed.  This has led to my new appreciation for 80s-era junk wax cards.  It has been a lot of fun seeing some of those cards come back with signatures.  Max has been an awesome friend, and I can't thank him enough for all of the help that he has given me over the years.  His letter that was included with the package assured me that he felt the same way on his end.

Thank you so much for the package, Max.  I appreciate it beyond words.

Birthday Gift From Michael - Lots of Autos

My friend, Michael, sent me a really nice birthday gift that had several autographs included.  He contributed to my Sonny Gray side-PC with this really nice Topps Chrome auto.  This is the Team Logo autograph and is numbered 1/25.

I haven't added too much to the Gray PC this year, but I probably ought to.  With the terrible season that he has had this year, the values on his cards and autos has gone down tremendously.  I got a few Gray cards at the National (that I will show soon) for really cheap prices.

Another guy who's stock has fallen is Orioles #1 draft pick, Hunter Harvey.  Harvey has frequented the DL more often than not in his brief professional career.  He has a long road ahead after having Tommy John surgery earlier this season.  This is an IP auto on a 2015 Bowman that Michael sent along.

Michael also included two Jimmy Nelson autos and a bunch of refractors from 2016 Chrome.  I have known Michael for almost 5 years now, and have spent a lot of time with him at Orioles Fan Fest and some Orioles games.  When I went to Baltimore in July, I was able to have dinner with him, and ride around the city (once going the wrong way down a one-way street.  Oops.).  Michael is a great guy and I am glad we are good friends.  He is off to college now, working toward a career that I am certain that he will excel in.  He is one driven kid.  Thank you so much for the gift, Michael!

Autograph Pickups From Instagram

I got a great deal on Instagram recently when I bought these two autos off of a guy with the screen name of c_breaks.  The deal was $16 for both of these cards shipped in  a bubble mailer.  I got the above 2015 Topps Supreme Sonny Gray auto for my Gray PC.  I haven't added a whole lot to it, lately, and I need to organize it soon so I know how many of Gray's relics and autos that I have.  The auto is on card and looks really nice.  I figured that Topps Supreme would cost a bit more than what I paid, so I do feel like I got a nice deal.

While the Gray was the card I initially saw on his page, when I scrolled down a bit, I saw this Panini Americana auto of WWE wrestler, Chris Jericho.  I am certain you all know that I am a Jericho fan.  I even named my beloved cat (may he rest in peace) after him.

I have Jericho's (the wrestler, not the cat) auto on a book and a baseball, courtesy of my friend, Mike.  I had to add this card to my collection, once I saw it.

I feel like I got a great deal from c_breaks, so if you are on Instagram, please give him a follow.

Thoughts on 2016 Topps

Well, football season is over and the NFL got what they wanted via tons of terrible calls and sent Peyton Manning off into the sunset with another ring and his 200th win.  Good for him.  I feel bad for my sister who is a huge Panther fan.  I'm no football expert, but it did appear that there were a lot of missed calls that could have benefited the Panthers, and several calls against them that were questionable.  Better luck next year, I guess.

What all of this means, and with the receipt of my three jumbo boxes of 2016 Topps Series One, baseball is right around the corner!  With that, I spent the majority of today by sorting through the cards and building my set.

This year's design is probably one of Topps' best yet.  From what I am hearing from a lot of my trading partners, lots of folks are really happy with the changes that were made.  Gone it the standard white border seen on so many Topps offerings over the years.  There are a ton of great photography shots this year, as has been customary in the recent past.

I did ok with my hits from my boxes.  I feel like I will be able to move all of them very quickly, which is something I haven't been able to say about hits from some of the past boxes I have bought.

I also did pretty well with my own PC needs.  As you can see at the start of this post, Chris Davis was in Series 1.  He also shows up in the AL Home Run Leaders and RBI Leaders cards.  I have plenty of parallels to pursue as the year moves along.

I finally was able to pull an actual PC parallel in one of my boxes, with the above Davis gold parallel.  It is numbered 969/2016.  I like how the color parallels are very subtle this year.  I think it is a nice way to do them.  They're subtle, but you can still tell what is a parallel and what isn't.

Another cool parallel that I was happy to see return is the Topps retro parallel.  With the Topps retro logo and an old-school card stock, these are pretty nice cards.  I pulled this Sonny Gray numbered 81/99.  Another cool parallel not shown on this post was the black and white negative parallel.  This aren't numbered, but are seeded one in every 22 jumbo packs.  I pulled two of them (Curtis Granderson and Dee Gordon) and already have one sold.  The only drawback from the black and white parallel, is that they look too similar to a printing plate and I'm sure there will be some initial confusion when folks pull them.

Finally, I didn't feel bogged down by a ton of inserts.  There are several insert sets, but I won't be pursuing them.  I did pull two of these Ripken/Murray Back to Back inserts, so there are two new additions to those PCs.  Not bad.

Overall, I was really happy with this year's Series 1.  While I didn't have any super pulls, this one was solid, and being able to move almost everything quickly helps me out.  I will be able to move the rest at next weekend's card show.  Come on out to see me if you can make it!

Ebay Pickup - 2015 Topps Strata Sonny Gray Relic Auto

Recently, I won my first contest on Instagram.  Topps' Instagram account was giving away three boxes of 2015 Strata to folks that other Instagram users nominated.  A lot of my Instagram friends nominated me, and I ended up being one of the names that was drawn.  I had never won a contest like that before, and I was so very flattered that it came by way of others feeling like I deserved something nice.

The box itself was ok, I got a nice Rick Porcello relic/auto and a Yan Gomes auto.  The setup is one pack per box, two cards per pack.  So, I can't be all that disappointed, since I didn't pay for the box.  I can sell the cards I pulled at my next show, and just pick up a couple Strata here and there to make up for the ones the I sell.

I was really disappointed that Chris Davis wasn't on the checklist for Strata, otherwise I would be buying a bunch of his cards from there.  Instead, I went toward another PC player, Sonny Gray.  I got the same kind of card that the Porcello is, and am really happy with what I got.

This card is not numbered, but that doesn't matter to me.  The signature is on card, and the piece of jersey came from a game that Gray pitched (May 8, 2015).  He struck out 9 in 6 innings, but the A's would go on to lose due to a walkoff in extras.

I really like the Strata product, but am very disappointed that the cards don't really hold a lot of value.  Sure, I was happy to be able to get this Sonny Gray for my collection at only $10, but with 2 cards per ~$75 box, you would think the individual cards themselves would carry a much higher price-point.  I don't blame the actual cards themselves, because they are very high quality.  However, I think the checklist might be to blame.  I think that is the case all around the hobby when it comes to relics and autos, though.  I mean, Porcello, con't get me wrong, but I think bigger names should be what is in stuff like this, especially if folks are expected to pay $75 for a pack.  I guess I would have felt a little differently had I pulled a Bryce Harper, Manny Machado or Kris Bryant.  Cal and Manny are the only Orioles I have seen in the product.

Oh well, I'm happy with this Gray, and I am sure someone will be happy with the Porcello.  I know the person getting the Gomes will be happy, since it is going to a friend of mine.

Christmas Gift From Michael

My buddy Michael's Christmas gift came yesterday and when I opened it, I was blown away.  I posted a couple days ago about how I had six of the 2009 Bowman Sterling Nolan Reimold autographs and I was going to be looking for the gold parallel sometime soon.  What I didn't know, however, was that there was a black parallel!  I may have seen one back in 09 when these came out, but I had obviously forgotten them.  This card looks awesome.  It is numbered 9/25 and is in amazing condition.  I plan on picking up a magnetic case soon, which is where this will reside.

Not to be overlooked, Michael also included this awesome Sonny Gray triple relic/auto from 2015 Triple Threads.  This one is numbered 62/75 and also looks awesome.  It will also be put in a magnetic case.

Michael really blew me away with his gifts.  He didn't have to go above and beyond for me, but he did.  I really love the gifts!

Christmas Gift From Frankie

I got an awesome Christmas package in the other day from my good friend, Frankie from the blog "My Life In The Sportscard Hobby".  I met Frankie last year through my good friend, Drew.  Frankie and I did a couple trades, then we spent a lot of time together at this past year's National walking around and enjoying the show.  Frankie is a really good guy, but I did not in any way expect that he would land this kind of gift on me.

Above is an awesome 2013 Topps Pro Debut Sonny Gray printing plate.  This is the cyan plate.  Also of note, Gray appears as a RockHound on this card.  My son, Chris, was a RockHound for two seasons, and had a very special time on those teams.  So, I think it is really cool to have this card with Gray in the RockHounds uniform!

Frankie included a few Orioles cards as well, most notably this Cal Ripken from 2015 Topps Hi Tek that I didn't yet have in my collection.  The card is numbered 48/50 and is acetate.  Frankie must have read the several posts of mine where I discuss how much I love acetate cards!

Thank you so much for the awesome Christmas gifts, Frankie!  I really appreciate it!

Instagram Trade With Spencer

I completed a trade on Instagram last week with a guy named Spencer that landed me this awesome 2011 Leaf Draft Sonny Gray auto.  I haven't added much to the Sonny Gray PC in a while, so when I saw that he had this card available, I did what I could to get it.

Spencer got a Gregory Polanco Bowman Sterling auto and a Jordan Zimmermann gold chrome parallel, and I got the Gray, a Chris Davis Bowman Chrome parallel and a card that will be a Christmas present for a friend of mine.

Spencer was really nice and easy to deal with.  If you are on Instagram, he has some nice stuff available.  Check out his page at SMCards9.

In Person Care Package From Andrew

While I was at the National, I was able to save on shipping and distribute some cards to my friends Max and Andrew.  Andrew gave me a team bag full of cards that he had picked up in the months leading up to the National.  In the bag were cards that were just as nice, or better, than anything I found for my PCs at the show,

This 2011 Topps Chrome Atomic or Prism refractor of Zach Britton is numbered 10/225.  The scan really picked up on the prism effect, which looks really cool.  I thought the atomic refractors were numbered to 10 or 5, so this may have another name.  Still, the card is awesome.

I didn't have this 2014 Donruss Chris Davis relic in my collection yet, so it was really nice to pull it out of the team bag.  The scan did really well on this card, so that's cool.  Davis seems to be heating up again.  I'm hoping he can end the season with more than 40 homers and more than 100 RBI.  It is well within reach, so that would be cool.  It would be even better if the Orioles would come off of some money and sign the man.

I'm always a fan of Panini Immaculate, and this card is no exception.  Numbered 77/99, it looks really sharp.  I like the almost acetate feel to the face of the card, almost like it is layered.  It looks really great in person.

This 2/10 Immaculate of Davis is another really nice card that Andrew gave me.  This one is just as thick as the previous relic card, and looks really nice.  It doesn't have the same acetate feel, this is typical cardboard, but still a great card.  Panini really does do a good job on their products.

Andrew felt bad that I completed a trade with another guy on Instagram, only to receive a damaged card.  So, he took it upon himself to send me a better version, and here it is.  I can't explain it, but I really like Sonny Gray.  I would like him even more if Billy Beane would trade him to the Orioles.  He just might be the Ace that they need for a long time.  I doubt that happens, but you never know.  Still, Gray is a stud, and I have a pretty decent collection growing.

Adding to that is this awesome 2015 Finest Gray auto.  I have a few Gray autos now, but this Finest ranks near the top.  The auto is on-card, and looks really good.

Thanks so much for the cards, Andrew!

National Gifts From Max

I've almost got all of the stuff written about The National that I can possibly write.  I may have two or so more posts after this one.  I have had a really hard time remembering who got me what, or where I found certain cards.  I had to send a Kik message last night to Frankie and Max in order to verify which cards I got from each of them.  We were handing each other cards left and right, and we were putting them in boxes to keep from letting them get damaged.

It was this that made The National a lot of fun.  Our group would search a table, and after a few minutes, each would say something like "Here, I thought you would like this, I just bought it."  Max and I were discussing last night about how we both realized that we had spent a good amount on money on each other.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  A lot of the cards that I bought ended up going to other people.  Some of ot was for later trades, but most of it was just care package stuff that I thought others would like.

Max really knows the types of stuff that I like, and he surprised me with some really good cards.  The above Kevin Gausman is a really cool card.  It's a 2011 Bowman Sterling numbered 185/199.

Max also helped with the Sonny Gray PC with this 3-piece relic card from from 2010 Topps USA Baseball.  This one isn't numbered, but is pretty awesome.

Thanks for everything you do, Max, and I'm glad we were able to spend the time that we did together at The National.

Amazing Box From Max

I haven't posted in the last few days because I went to a race that my dad sponsored, and was competing in, along with my brother.  So, after spending a few days back home with my parents and immediate family, I am back in Winterville and able to scan cards.

Before I left, I received a box from my awesome friend, Max, that I wanted to wait to open when we could Skype together.  We were able to Skype today, so I opened the box, which was packed with over a pound of cards.

One of the many highlights was a stack of IP and TTM autos that he sent as a "just because."  The best of the bunch had to be the above Pedro Strop golden parallel from 2012 Topps.  You have to see the card in person to truly appreciate how cool those golden cards look when signed.  He also included a signed Jason Hammel and a couple Koji Ueharas.  I'm really grateful that Max included these, when he could have easily traded or sold them for a lot more.

One of the coolest cards in the bunch was this red parallel from 2014 Topps Chrome.  It is numbered 24/25 and looks so cool.  I really love the color parallels, and I do believe that the red ones look the best.  Well, maybe Orange, but I do have an affinity for that color.

Finally, Max sent me a sleeve with several Sonny Gray cards for the PC.  Gray is a really good pitcher and the A's are floundering.  It is only a matter of time before they declare that they can't afford him, and he is sent to another team.  Maybe the Orioles will be on that list.  While, I doubt it, I can hope!

Thank you so much for the package, Max!  I am so glad we have become such good friends, and I can't wait to meet up at the National!  It is only two months away and I am starting to get super excited!

A Disappointing Instagram Trade - Damaged Sonny Gray

I completed a trade on Instagram recently that I was really happy about.  I had this nice Sonny Gray Team USA relic coming in exchange for a Cole Tucker 2014 Bowman Sterling refractor auto.  He clearly won the deal, but I was trying to be nice since we chat quite a bit and he told me how Tucker was his idol and the card would mean a lot to him.

It was really unfortunate that he chose to send the card in a PWE.  The top loader that the card was in was broken and there was a snap case that had some Orioles cards from a mutual friend that was also destroyed.

I am not mentioning his name, because I really don't want to call him out.  I told him the card was damaged, and he offered to send me the Tucker back, but that's not the point.  I wanted the Gray, and it's here, but damaged.  This was only our second trade, even though we talk a lot.  I doubt we will be doing any more trades for a while.

Surprise Gift From Noah - Sonny Gray Auto

I got an awesome gift recently from my great friend, Noah.  He sent me this 2014 Topps Stadium Club Sonny Gray auto as a gift, and it is appreciated.  Noah is a great guy, and I was so happy that he sent this.

My Gray PC is pretty nice, already.  I have quite a few of his autos, and this one looks so cool with the A's colors.  I'm glad it is a yellow and green jersey instead of white and green.  It really pops.

Thanks so much, Noah, it was really nice of you to hook me up like this.

Awesome Surprise Mail From Ryu - Sonny Gray Relic Auto

I have been talking to a young man from Instagram over the last few months named Ryu.  He lives nearby, just outside of Raleigh, NC and we have struck up a friendship by discussing cards, trades and card shows.  Ryu is a huge fan of Japanese baseball players, especially Nori Aoki and Ichiro.  I had an Aoki golden parallel RC from 2012 Topps that I dropped in the mail for him, since I had seen it in a pile the night before we met.  I figured, since I knew exactly where I had laid that card, then meeting Ryu, who was a huge fan, he was meant to have that card.  A lot more talks ensued, and I felt that Ryu was a really good kid, and I wanted to do something nice for him.  So, I bought him an Ichiro RC from 2001 Topps, thinking that he should at least have his guy's RC in his collection.  I figured that it was a nice gesture and all, but it was just a baseball card.  I didn't realize just how much a simple gesture would mean to a kid, when I got a package in the mail from Ryu this afternoon.

Inside the package was this amazing 2010 Bowman Platinum relic/auto of my new PC, Sonny Gray.  Equally as amazing was the almost 3/4 page letter from Ryu, complete with a header that he wrote at the top with one simple word: Surprise!

I'm not going to repeat much of what was in the letter, except one line: "I love each and every card you have sent me..."

I have been a part of the card community since I started this blog in November 2008; well, even before that, really, when I was helping at the card shop and people like Babe, P. A. and Pete with their generosity teaching me that it isn't about how much money you can make off of the cards.  It is about enjoying the collection that you have, and being able to take some of the things that you might not need and giving them to someone who will love them.  Seeing how happy I made a young person when he received a golden parallel of his favorite player, or a rookie card of a future Hall of Famer, and also knowing that the person looks up to you and the example you set, well, that is what this community is about.

Ryu is a really awesome kid.  I knew that before he sent me this awesome card.  I've made sure to tell him as well.  I wish and hope that more young people were like him and would work to make this community even better than it already is.

Thank you so much, Ryu.  I am blown away by this card, and the gesture.  I will never forget it!

Trade With Noah - 2014 Topps Hi Tek Sonny Gray Auto

I completed a trade with my friend, Noah, a while back when I sent him a bunch of Tigers stuff in exchange for this Sonny Gray auto from 2014 Topps Hi Tek.  This is the third auto that I have gotten from that set, along with my Cespedes and Taveras.

The autographs on these acetate cards really look awesome.  They leek even better when slabbed in a magnetic case.  The green and yellow of Gray's jersey really stand out as well!  I just love these cards.

Thanks for the deal, Noah, I'm glad we were able to hammer it out!

Mailday From Bruce - Continuing To Rake In Awesome Autos and Relics

In what has been an increasing trend around here, I completed another huge deal that landed me quite a few nice cards.  I honestly don't remember what I sent Bruce, but I know a couple of the cards I sent him were a Gypsy Queen auto of Neil Walker and a Topps Chrome auto of Andrew Lambo.  This Dave Parker auto from 2014 Topps Five Star was the key to our deal.

This card is amazing (and really darn thick!).  I feel like I got a steal from Bruce, to be honest.  I like Parker and think he really should be in the Hall of Fame, especially since Jim Rice is in now.

Bruce had this 2014 Panini Immaculate Chris Davis relic posted on his Instagram for quite a while and had told several people that if it ever was for sale or trade, it would only be to me.  Well, I finally was able to pick it up.  The card is numbered 85/99.  I think that Panini did a fantastic job in 2014 with their products.  I know a lot of people don't like that they don't have logos on their stuff, but I, myself, don't feel like it takes too much away from the product.  My only issue is that a lot of their stuff, if it is a two-team market like New York or Chicago, they don't make it very clear which team the player plays on.

Bruce also included some items as throw ins that I could use as trade bait.  One such card was this 2011 Topps Marquee Hanley Ramirez jumbo relic.  There is a little damage on the back of the card, but I have a feeling that the Hanley fans that I know wont have an issue with it.  We'll see.

Uggh, Dustin Pedroia on my blog, where's the Lysol?  Bruce included several Spring Fever cards in the package.  Since the owner of my LCS gave me a complete set of these yesterday, I can trade the loose ones that I have.  I know some Red Sox fans who could be interested in this one as well.

There were a bunch of rookie and draft pick cards in the package as well.  Some of them I might be willing to trade, while others would probably be placed into my RC box and put up for a while.  I always enjoy going through the RC box and seeing who's cards I have that I didn't realize would be stars at the time (this helped me find 3 Mike Trout RCs that I forgot about - even though I still think he is overrated... :p).

Finally, I close with this 2014 Topps Hi Tek Sonny Gray.  Again, I really enjoy Hi Tek.  There is something about acetate cards that really appeals to me.  I have his auto coming in from this product, it should be here any day.  This will help with my fledgling Gray PC, which has grown quite a bit over the last few weeks.

The cool thing about all of these trades (with the exception of my deal with Michael) is that I have landed all of these awesome cards, yet I haven't spent a whole lot of money.  Now that my wife is back to work after her surgery, money isn't as tight, but during that time, I had been relatively quiet on Ebay.  Now that things are settling down, I can pick up a few more set needs on the 'Bay and continue to work out trades for other PC stuff.  The period of the last few months has been a lot of fun, the wheeling and dealing aspect of it.  I plan on working hard to keep up with my trade bait, and even trading for more.  I learned that I don't always have to trade for PC stuff.  Sometimes, trading for trade bait is even more fun.

Thanks for the deal, Bruce!  I really appreciate it, and you know I love the cards!