2023 Bowman Blaster

OK. I may have bought too much of this product. I got a little caught up in the hunt for Elly de la Cuz. But, it's still fun to open packs, even if you end up with five copies of a Rafael Devers base card when all is said and done. And, who knows...maybe I'll end up with five copies of the next Red Sox hot rookie as well?

Let's see how it went!

I should start tracking how many cards of the players on the box I get.

Tired of these yet?

See? You might get this shiny card of a Red Sox future star. While Casas started slowly, he's starting to figure it out. Hopefully this turns into a key card.

Like I said, lots of base cards of Devers.

A first Bowman card of this guy. Hopefully he turns into something big.

And see? Another card of a super rookie. Maybe opening all these packs can be fun after all.

And that's it. There are all the Sox cards. Quite a few of them from one blaster, and decent quality. 

How did your box go?

Faith Johnson Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Faith Johnson is passionate about the theatre, a talented singer, and the current Miss Montana. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when Faith Johnson visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Montana crown?

I celebrated after my crowning with my family. We went out to eat some super greasy and fried food at a local restaurant. The next day, I really jumped right into event planning. I went to Wyoming for the crowning of their new Miss and Teen 4 days after I was crowned and then to Washington for their crowning as well, a week and a half after! It's been busy so far, but so worth it!

What is something Alexa Baisch did as Miss Montana that you would like to emulate?

Alexa (Allie) was a social media QUEEN when it came to promoting Miss Montana on all the social media platforms. I really hope I can be as active and interesting in my posts as she was with hers. Allie was also a hard worker and put so much effort and time into making her appearances the best and fun for everyone who may have been involved. This is something I strive to do as well, make sure everyone I come in contact with walks away with a smile and feel loved!

What part of the upcoming Miss America competition are you most nervous about?

I am so nervous for the onstage interview/question. I have always prided myself with being an eloquent public speaker, but when it comes to being judged on it, I get so nervous and shaky. I will be practicing this a lot before the competition.

How did you select your Community Service Initiative, “Connecting Hearts through the Arts”?

My CSI comes from my years and years in theatre. I started at the age of 4 and throughout my years I have personally seen the incredible growth and transformation that the arts inspire in people when it comes to empathy, understanding, and compassion for others. I wanted to let my community, and anyone I may come in contact with, know about the incredible benefits of theatre while advocating for more funding in schools for the arts, since it is not prioritized as much as other extracurriculars.

What do you enjoy most about performing your talent on stage?

I honestly just love being on stage, so being able to perform my talent (which is always a vocal performance of some kind) for an audience is so rewarding. My mom always says my voice is a gift and sharing it is such a blessing.

What is your personal fitness routine?

My fitness consists of periodic visits to the gym, but I primarily focus on my mental health/fitness by going to therapy and try to prioritize healthy eating as well. I believe that going to the gym is absolutely something that is important for many people, but if we are not focusing on our mental health and eating habits in addition to the gym, the gym is not going to do much for us.

You are currently studying psychology and sociology. Where do you see those fields taking you?

I am so glad I pursued psychology and sociology. I have alwaysbeen fascinated with "why" people do the things they do, and these two disciplines help understand that a little better. I plan on going to law school in order to enter the criminal side of things (in and out of the courtroom). Psychology and Sociology will help immensely when in this field because it will help me understand why criminals may have acted the way they did and possibly offer solutions for them that does not only include the possibility of prison, but hopefully reform and re-entry into society in a positive way that will reduce recidivism.

If you had an extra ticket to a Pioneer League baseball game, who would you take with you? Why?

I would absolutely take my dad. I grew up going to our local baseball teams' games during the summer. I vividly remember scarfing down peanuts with my dad and watching the game. It was always nice spending time with my dad, so I would take him, as we no longer have a hometown baseball team.

Is there a feature or activity during a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience?

I would LOVE to sing the national anthem for a baseball game. I have been singing for such a long time and it is an absolute privilege to sing for our country and honor our flag with my voice. I think throwing the opening pitch at a major league game would also be awesome if I was unable to sing the anthem.

---

Those sound like great goals!

As always, I want to thank Faith for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to go with the interview.

I also want to wish her luck when she competes for Miss America! It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Faith during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account. It's a great way to keep track of everything she has going on, and you'll be sure not to miss anything. 

Thanks again Faith, and good luck!

2023 Topps Heritage Blaster!

Didn't I just open some of this? Yes. Am I going to open some more of it? Also yes. Is it likely that I'll open even more later? Also also yes. What can I say? I like opening packs, and this is a good product for that. So, I'll keep doing it, and I'll keep telling you about it.

Let's see how it went.

Hey, look, I see Devers on the box. Does that count as a Red Sox card? Do I need to save the box now? Is it sad that I even asked that question?

Nice retro feel to the packs.

This card again? Just to torture me my having to include Machado in my collection? Not fair, Topps, not fair.

Oh, this is a fun card? I love they way they do these featuring stars and legends from one team to make the ultimate collectable. I mean, every Red Sox fan would love a card featuring Yaz, and Fisk, and Devers, and...and...Jeter Downs? What in the name of Tris Speaker is he doing there? I mean, I understand Topps wanting to include the past-present-and future on the card. But...at what point was Downs the best choice for "future"? When was this decision made?

And a nice red card of all-star Kenley Jansen. I wish he wasn't wearing the blue uniform on the red bordered card. But, I guess I can't have everything.

And there you have it. A few all-stars, and Jeter Downs. 

How did your box go?

Sunny Day Visits Section 36!

Photo: Austin Ryde

Section 36 had another visitor! Sunny Day is passionate about social emotional education, a talented singer, and the current Miss Oklahoma. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when Sunny Day visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Oklahoma crown?

The first night through the first week was busy, full of meetings and media appearances. It wasn't until I came home from Tulsa after that first week until it hit me and I celebrated with a big nap! However, the morning after I won, I invited my entire family into my hotel room to celebrate - I ordered a giant breakfast from room service and ate enough pancakes to last me for a lifetime!

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Oklahoma Competition that will help you at Miss America?

I have been competing in pageants for over ten years and each and every year, I took it too seriously. I wasn't relaxed and never allowed myself to socialize. With this being my final pageant, due to the age limitation, I wanted more than anything to be present, I wanted to make friends and most importantly, I wanted to be unauthentically myself. Who would have known by simply being yourself and being present in each moment of the week, you could be led to success. I think because of my life experience and the way I went into Miss Oklahoma week had prepared me to go into Miss America with a good mindset.

Is there a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Oklahoma?

Austin Ryde

My biggest and most important goal that I hope to accomplish in my year as Miss Oklahoma is to speak to, to engage with, to mentor, and inspire as many children in Oklahoma as possible. As a big sister and educator, my strength lies in connecting with our youth. I want to share my story and encourage other children, no matter where they come from, to chase their dreams.

How did you select your community Service Initiative, “Ready S.E.T. Go”?

Ready S.E.T. Go is a concept and social, emotional education approach I established the first year I stepped foot in the classroom. As a little girl growing up in poverty and seeing first hand loved ones battle either homelessness or substance abuse, I had a lot of trauma that I was enduring, but had no way of knowing how to work through it or control my emotions in the process. My upbringing and my experience in the classroom the past five years has shown the significant correlation between childhood trauma and one's academic and life success. It is my goal to assist students in breaking those cycles and learning character development skills to guide them in life. 

As a talented singer, what do you enjoy about performing on stage?

I love getting to be a different version of myself and really play the role of the character in which I am performing.

What is your personal fitness routine?

I love pilates! It is the perfect way to invest in and connect with your mind and body simultaneously.

You currently work as a fifth grade teacher. What do you enjoy about that field?

I love connecting with children who come from all walks of life. Most importantly, I enjoy making learning fun. I use a lot of hands-on and engaging activities in my classroom that allow the students to express themselves creatively while obtaining appropriate knowledge. My classroom is a safe and inclusive place for all, I often tell my student's about my own personal story and upbringing in hopes to inspire them to break cycles within their own lives. 

If you had an extra ticket to an Oklahoma City Dodgers baseball game, who would you take with you? Why?

I would definitely take my dad! My dad will do anything and everything possible and knows how to make everything an enjoyable experience.

Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience?

I would LOVE to perform the National Anthem at an Oklahoma City Dodgers game. That's something I have wanted to do since I was a little girl!

---

I hope she can make that happen!

As always, I want to thank Sunny for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to go with the interview.

I also want to wish her luck when she competes for Miss America! It would be fantastic to have another Section 36 Forever wear that crown.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with Sunny during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account and website. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on, and you'll be sure not to miss anything. 

Thanks again Sunny, and good luck!

2023 Bowman Blaster!

It's time to open another blaster of this I'd say. Even though these backs are often filled with nobodies, it's still fun opening them...right? And who knows. Maybe I'll look back at this post in a year or two or threeand marvel at the key card I pulled.

Let's see how it went!

The box proudly showing the "key" players I'm looking for.

And the packs as well. Apparently those two are really good.

I don't know a single thing about Mr. James here. 

Now, him I know. Hopefully he lives up to every inch of his promise, and then some. Then I'll definitely look back on this post and smile. 

And that's it. There are all the Sox cards. Not very many of them, really, but decent quality. 

How did your box go?