What the hell is this, lol.

Looks like I've been hacked or something since an image of a hockey goalie [I've never posted a matching hockey image on this blog] replaced my thumbnail from my post yesterday - it looks like it was only on the mobile version of this site and the correct image shows up when I click on the post.

I don't think I was imagining things - but after fretting about it on the way to work, then the thumbnail reverted back to the original image.

Motivation to blog - my thoughts

At the beginning of each month, I think I can go and make posts for as many days in that month - however things slow down and taper off and I feel like I'm stuck as far as posting to reach a certain number, especially on a consistent basis.

I do think I'm sort of motivated to push something out because cards a thing, autographs are a thing and having a blog shows my interests - even if my posts gets 'limited views,' only a few comments per five posts and the idea I've probably blogged about the same things that maybe a little more esoteric.

Maybe I get jealous of the blogs that are sort of have the 'brand loyalty' I wish this blog had - I do see there maybe five of those types blogs that seem to connect with all collectors, with the rest 'as is,' depending on the blog.

I maybe reaching, but these are the elements that help as far as generating interest - though your mileage may vary.

1.) Always be trading or sending stuff out - networking, at least virtually really gets the ball rolling as far as people coming back and forth.
2.) Regular content - doesn't mean anything but at least you hope people can come back because they know there will be something posted.
3.) Social media - while having a blog may not be something pushed out soon, other venues have emerged like Twitter [maybe 'the one time cool card bloggers' have migrated to Twitter over the years] while younger non-blogging collectors like Instagram.
4.) Having a voice - be someone readers can identify with as opposed to someone who just posts things as a faux news source or someone who doesn't have a clue.
5.) Having gimmicks that get people involved - contests, 'bat arounds,' et al.
6.) Team focus - collecting a particular team allow others to see you have a devotion to one team, so they are more likely to contact with trade requests if they know you are going to be interested.
7.) Have to love it - can’t be a ‘fly by night’ blogger for long, though perhaps no one expects a blog to last for years without real life getting in the way.
8.) New takes on old crap - talk up that 1988 Donruss like it’s a friggin’ cardboard masterpiece and you'll have other card collectors reminiscing about the good ole' days.
9.) Having a take on new stuff - news travels fast, but having something in-hand and previewing is better than writing something off a preview posted on Beckett.com or some other forum.
10.) Pimping something - I guess it works on some level, but I feel like it's your burden I don't want to worry about, so it's kind of tacky to pander to get involved in something.

Gizoogle it

I only found this Web site translator through a random post on the Blowout Cards forums, but even I had some chuckles after running my blog through it - it might more than a little juvenile but I'll never read anything written online the same ever again.

Card shop trip - going retro Topps

Maybe I could have gone retail and picked up a blaster of 2011 Topps Opening Day or even a blaster of 2011 Topps - but I stopped at the card shop after I'd gotten my haircut because I was still feeling a little empty after I'd gone on a card show trip detailed in my previous post.

The card shop I go to on-and-off is sort of quaint - while it seems up to date as far as the newer products and the layout of the store is fairly organized, the actual experience being in the store makes you feel like you've walked into some collector's closet.

I was going to dig through the quarter box, hoping for some 2011, late 2010 commons - but I was hoping for something different, something to catch my eye. The box of $3 jerseys with mostly hockey cards, a few football and no baseball wasn't really what I was looking for.

I went through what seemed to be a 5,000 card box of 1984 Donruss that was all commons and wasn't really of much interest - despite the fact I did want to see what was inside after a previous visit a year ago.

I went through some old-school Topps cards that caught my eye - but the problem as much as I'd like to get to have some nice old Topps cards just because they maybe 35-40 years old, I only want to immediately collect the cards of players I may know something about. I also know I was going through mostly commons, so there maybe a disconnect as going through the older cards and not recognizing the rank-and-file players pictured on them.

I think my immediate goal were to perhaps look for old school Topps cards I may have seen online as being chronicled for whatever reason - maybe a cult baseball player or a baseball card with a unique characteristic.

After picking out three other cards, I think paid too much [$10] for the 1962 Topps American League Home Run Leaders [#53] I saw in one of the shop's showcases - it is beater of a card but was drawn to it because it features Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle and encapsulates the 1961 American League home run race between the both of the Yankees' sluggers.

I thought I was getting a well-worn, beater card to have in-hand and show off - but I saw all the marks on the back of the card was like, 'd'oh!'

With the Angels' 50th Anniversary celebration, perhaps I need to brush up on my knowledge regarding former Angels like Rick Reichardt, pictured on his 1968 Topps card [#40] I picked up for $1 - about 10 years ago I had a friend who was only 18 at the time, but took time to learn about Halos of the past and write to them for their autographs.

I think The Angels, In Order blog is helpful - as far as looking up old-school Angels and their autographs in relation to the franchise's history.

I've seen this 1973 Topps card of Willie Davis [#35] on some other blogs and wanted to add it to my 'awesome action' collection of cards - it seems either Davis was either hit by the pitch or perhaps he was brushed back according to this blog.

I was leafing through a binder of 1975 Topps commons and this 1975 Topps card of Oscar Gamble [#213] stood out - I think I already have his 1976 Topps Traded card, so I got 1975 Topps version as another tribute to the African-American ballplayer who like his hair, hit their prime years in the mid 1970s loud and proud.