When you are on a roll, you are on a roll... February 2014 is one for the record books. I have had nothing but terrific card shows this month. I just knew today would be another fantastic Gonzaga show, and it was. My guess is things will start to slow down next month as folks high-tale it out of town for spring break. Though, I am going to enjoy this while it lasts.
The drive up to Milwaukee and load-in went smoothly. Though, I think I may have committed a slight faux pas when shortly after loading in I complained about this smelly guy I've seen at the show for years. The smelly guy used to set up near me. It was difficult to be near him because, he, well, smells. He doesn't just smell, he smells bad. Really, really bad. Think Pigpen from Charlie Brown rolling around in dung. There were a few shows where my neighbor Dave and I were literally holding our noses because the smell was so bad. The topper occurred after one show where Dave and I observed a dark, unpleasant substance sitting in a pile under the guy's chair. Yes, there was some doo doo under the guy's chair. Dave complained to Mike R. and the guy has not set up since.
Today while I was loading in, the smelly guy was talking to Mike across the way from my tables. The stench was suffocating. I was ready to throw up. When the fragrant man walked away, I told Mike that I'd pay that guy to go home and take a shower. Mike responded with a straight face: "Oh, you mean the guy born without an asshole?" What?!! #$@%^&??!! Mike said no joke, the guy was really born without an asshole. Apparently, he has to wear a bag to catch his waste. Well, now I felt bad. I just thought he was some joker who refused to bathe. We have quite a few guys at the card shows that should be sprayed with disinfectant before entry. Then Mike tells me a story about one time where this guy was in a long autograph line at a show and his waste bag broke and spilled all over the floor. Nasty! At least I now know how the pile of doo doo turned up under the guy's chair at that one show. He must have been leaking. I really do feel bad and should not make fun of him. What an extremely difficult way to live. That's a shame.
So, I am not going to joke about a guy with a serious disability. Instead, I would like to make fun of a childhood friend who does not have a disability. This is just one more stink-related story before I get back to reporting on the show. I grew up with a guy whose wife currently is a teacher at my son's grade school. Last week I told my son about a time when I was growing up and my childhood friend farted, tooted, ripped one, in a crowded but quiet junior high classroom with such strength and ferocity that his pants fluttered. My 8-year-old son laughed so hard he started to cry. He was still laughing when we tried to put him to bed later that night. This probably wasn't the best memory to share with my son but watching him laugh that hard was priceless.
Anyway, back to the show which was no longer oderiferous as the crowd came in. I was real busy. The rush began while I was setting up. At one point, I almost threw in the towel and considered leaving some of my display cases empty because I had so many customers to attend to. I eventually got all my cards out onto the table. I sold cards out of all the display cases. I sold cards out of most of the binders and my 10-cent box. I sold my 1979 Topps Football set that I have been carting around for a while. Sell, sell, sell. Stuff sold in piles today. The usual suspects bought a lot of cards like Mark, Jeff, both customers named Jason, Barty, Jim, Bill, Mike, Bob and dozens of others guys whose names I'll never remember but whose purchases I really appreciate. I sold a TON of cards. I sold way more football cards than usual, including quite a few stars. Just an absolutely terrific day.
One note about the live auction today. A signed 8X10 photo of Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle sold for $265. I don't recall an item in the auction ever selling for that much money. I noticed they have been having a lot more autographs of pre-War players in the auction. I observed two different Waite Hoyt autographed photos today, along with a Carl Hubbell and a George Sisler. Last month there was a Bill Dickey auto.
Former Brewer Don August was signing autographs for free today at the show. I didn't get a chance to get an auto. Hopefully, he comes back and I can get him next time. They announced that Jerry Kramer will be signing this summer. I got a nice 8X10 signed by Jerry last time he was at Gonzaga. Maybe I'll get a card signed this time around.
I also did not buy any autos today. I bought some cards, though. I picked up a nice pile of 1962 Topps football, a bunch of 1958 Topps baseball and a small group of 1955 Bowman baseball. I also bought a 1961 Post Duke Snider that once I got it home and took a good look at it, I noticed that someone colored in the "LA" on Duke's hat with pen. I definitely overpaid on that one and am considering not buying anymore cards from that seller -- who had the card priced at EX! Pen markings make the card poor and it should have been priced so. I need to be a little more careful.
My buddy from law school Andy showed up today and we went to La Fajitas on Greenfield Road after the show. I've been driving by this place forever. I had a steak burrito and it was pretty good. This may become a regular stop after the Gonzaga show. Man, I wish the Gonzaga show was open seven days a week. I love the large crowd, my regulars, the food (I had cake and sloppy Joe today!), the sales, the buys (usually), and the great folks that run this show. Now, if I could only get a roady to empty my car after the show. I hate unloading my car after a show. I'm usually pretty tired and just want to plop down on the couch and watch TV. My son ran away when I asked him to help me. That's the last time I share any more fart stories with the boy!
Next week, I'm back at Orland where there are always one or two guys walking by my tables who reek terribly. Stinky people aside, I had a great Orland show last time and would not mind a repeat performance. I need some 1962 Fleer football, if anybody's got some. New for Orland, I will have some 1961 Fleer Greats of the Game, some 1951 Bowmans, and some 1971-72 Topps Trios basketball stickers. I hope to have enough time to price some cards for my display cases as well. It is going to be a busy week getting ready for the Orland show. Forecast is clear but cold for Sunday. I'll take it! See you Sunday in Orland!!!!
The drive up to Milwaukee and load-in went smoothly. Though, I think I may have committed a slight faux pas when shortly after loading in I complained about this smelly guy I've seen at the show for years. The smelly guy used to set up near me. It was difficult to be near him because, he, well, smells. He doesn't just smell, he smells bad. Really, really bad. Think Pigpen from Charlie Brown rolling around in dung. There were a few shows where my neighbor Dave and I were literally holding our noses because the smell was so bad. The topper occurred after one show where Dave and I observed a dark, unpleasant substance sitting in a pile under the guy's chair. Yes, there was some doo doo under the guy's chair. Dave complained to Mike R. and the guy has not set up since.
Today while I was loading in, the smelly guy was talking to Mike across the way from my tables. The stench was suffocating. I was ready to throw up. When the fragrant man walked away, I told Mike that I'd pay that guy to go home and take a shower. Mike responded with a straight face: "Oh, you mean the guy born without an asshole?" What?!! #$@%^&??!! Mike said no joke, the guy was really born without an asshole. Apparently, he has to wear a bag to catch his waste. Well, now I felt bad. I just thought he was some joker who refused to bathe. We have quite a few guys at the card shows that should be sprayed with disinfectant before entry. Then Mike tells me a story about one time where this guy was in a long autograph line at a show and his waste bag broke and spilled all over the floor. Nasty! At least I now know how the pile of doo doo turned up under the guy's chair at that one show. He must have been leaking. I really do feel bad and should not make fun of him. What an extremely difficult way to live. That's a shame.
So, I am not going to joke about a guy with a serious disability. Instead, I would like to make fun of a childhood friend who does not have a disability. This is just one more stink-related story before I get back to reporting on the show. I grew up with a guy whose wife currently is a teacher at my son's grade school. Last week I told my son about a time when I was growing up and my childhood friend farted, tooted, ripped one, in a crowded but quiet junior high classroom with such strength and ferocity that his pants fluttered. My 8-year-old son laughed so hard he started to cry. He was still laughing when we tried to put him to bed later that night. This probably wasn't the best memory to share with my son but watching him laugh that hard was priceless.
Anyway, back to the show which was no longer oderiferous as the crowd came in. I was real busy. The rush began while I was setting up. At one point, I almost threw in the towel and considered leaving some of my display cases empty because I had so many customers to attend to. I eventually got all my cards out onto the table. I sold cards out of all the display cases. I sold cards out of most of the binders and my 10-cent box. I sold my 1979 Topps Football set that I have been carting around for a while. Sell, sell, sell. Stuff sold in piles today. The usual suspects bought a lot of cards like Mark, Jeff, both customers named Jason, Barty, Jim, Bill, Mike, Bob and dozens of others guys whose names I'll never remember but whose purchases I really appreciate. I sold a TON of cards. I sold way more football cards than usual, including quite a few stars. Just an absolutely terrific day.
One note about the live auction today. A signed 8X10 photo of Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle sold for $265. I don't recall an item in the auction ever selling for that much money. I noticed they have been having a lot more autographs of pre-War players in the auction. I observed two different Waite Hoyt autographed photos today, along with a Carl Hubbell and a George Sisler. Last month there was a Bill Dickey auto.
Former Brewer Don August was signing autographs for free today at the show. I didn't get a chance to get an auto. Hopefully, he comes back and I can get him next time. They announced that Jerry Kramer will be signing this summer. I got a nice 8X10 signed by Jerry last time he was at Gonzaga. Maybe I'll get a card signed this time around.
I also did not buy any autos today. I bought some cards, though. I picked up a nice pile of 1962 Topps football, a bunch of 1958 Topps baseball and a small group of 1955 Bowman baseball. I also bought a 1961 Post Duke Snider that once I got it home and took a good look at it, I noticed that someone colored in the "LA" on Duke's hat with pen. I definitely overpaid on that one and am considering not buying anymore cards from that seller -- who had the card priced at EX! Pen markings make the card poor and it should have been priced so. I need to be a little more careful.
My buddy from law school Andy showed up today and we went to La Fajitas on Greenfield Road after the show. I've been driving by this place forever. I had a steak burrito and it was pretty good. This may become a regular stop after the Gonzaga show. Man, I wish the Gonzaga show was open seven days a week. I love the large crowd, my regulars, the food (I had cake and sloppy Joe today!), the sales, the buys (usually), and the great folks that run this show. Now, if I could only get a roady to empty my car after the show. I hate unloading my car after a show. I'm usually pretty tired and just want to plop down on the couch and watch TV. My son ran away when I asked him to help me. That's the last time I share any more fart stories with the boy!
Next week, I'm back at Orland where there are always one or two guys walking by my tables who reek terribly. Stinky people aside, I had a great Orland show last time and would not mind a repeat performance. I need some 1962 Fleer football, if anybody's got some. New for Orland, I will have some 1961 Fleer Greats of the Game, some 1951 Bowmans, and some 1971-72 Topps Trios basketball stickers. I hope to have enough time to price some cards for my display cases as well. It is going to be a busy week getting ready for the Orland show. Forecast is clear but cold for Sunday. I'll take it! See you Sunday in Orland!!!!
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