Thank you, but no.

Have you ever seen a card that you would NEVER want? In generally ANY circumstance?
Well, I know I have!

I stumbled across this while perusing the "non-sports" section of COMC, and it made me stop and take a second look. I mean, really? Gene Simmons' pants? I'd feel like I would have to wash my hands after touching that card even if it was in a top-loader.
Maybe I'm just being overly cynical (feel free to call me out), and maybe it's because I'm not that big of a KISS fan, but I'm bothered by this card.
I know the resolution stinks, but it seems COMC has a new system in place to prevent "image sharing" from their site, so I had to go dig this one up on Google. If you are interested in this card (or want to see how similar Gene can look to Sylvester Stallone), here's the link:
Some of the most expensive pants you'll never wear...

Anyway, that's all I have for today, haha.

I hope all of you have a great (and safe) New Year's, and I look forward to the coming year.

Stay unabashed! Stay interested!
-Ruffin

A little early Christmas cheer...

Given what I do for a living (which has me working 10 hours tomorrow), my wife and I decided to have our household Christmas this afternoon when I got home from work. My son got some entertaining (and quite musical) toys, my wife got some scarves (try not looking lost when you're on that shopping trip, I dare you), and I got a gift certificate to my LCS. Oh, and this!

Needless to say, I was ecstatic and pleased, haha.
I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season, and before you go...

I have a general "organization" question for all of you out there:
When putting together a binder of your favorite team, is it best to do it by set/year, or by player? I was thinking about a separate binder for chrome-ish stuff, but I'm not really sure...
Any and all input is appreciated!

As always,
Thanks for stopping by!
Stay unabashed! Stay interested!
-Ruffin

A time for reflection...

Tomorrow is my two-year wedding anniversary.
February 4, 2013 will be the seven-year anniversary of my first date with my wife.
Needless to say, these are days that I am thankful for the constant things in my life. But it was a gift my wife gave me for our anniversary that reminded me of how things can change.

The main thing I love about this the complete 2011 NLDS Game 5, a game I remember watching with my dad. I remembered that the birds had scored in the first inning, and that Chris Carpenter pitched a complete shutout game afterwards.
It was a double by Skip Schumaker that brought in that run, and he would leave the game after his second at-bat.
Skip was a player I always found myself rooting for, and I'm sorry to see him go. When I heard about the trade, I was reminded of this card:

When I first pulled this out of the pack, I was struck by how creepy the "gold finish" made Skip look. Almost like one of the motion cards of yore, but featuring Tyler Greene instead...
Now I see the card as poetic, in a sense. Both of these players have been traded, though I will miss Skip a bit more.
I feel the same way about Michael Young being traded. I don't know why, but I hate seeing a player who has spent many years with an organization get traded. Though, from what I understand, Schumaker and Young made it clear that they wanted to be traded.
I'm still on the lookout for a Schumaker auto, and I certainly will not complain if that Rally Squirrel SP ever falls into my lap!

Thanks for stopping by!
Stay unabashed. Stay interested.
-Ruffin

Missed Connections

You were the patch/auto numbered out of 10.

I was the nervous observer as your price climbed higher.

I kept your picture in case I see one of your 9 siblings.

Call me.

I'm sorry to say that this one slipped out of my grasp, I was relieved that it went a little over my "desired maximum bid" though. That always makes the loss a little more easier to swallow, haha!

That being said, I will fight the urge to post a Missed Connection every time I miss out on the Cardinals in a break. Don't want to drive you folks crazy!

Thanks for stopping by.
Stay unabashed. Stay interested.
-Ruffin