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 Inside My Brain...(bring a flashlight) March 2024: The Rides of March Ride shotgun to three shows I set up at this month 2-27-2024: "Happiness is a State of Grind" February 2024 newsletter - Six shows in six states! 12-31-2023: "Resolutions, Celebrations, and a Big Ol' Sale" December/EOY 2023 newsletter - Recapping, Looking ahead, and What I Sold on My Christmas Break 10-19-2023: "Arrivals/Departures" October 2023 newsletter - Recent trip, November shows, Young Guns interviews 09-06-2023: "Who Has Your Ear?" September 2023 newsletter - Jimmy Buffett, Influencers, Winning Time July 2023: 2023 National Diary Back to Chicago and back to the updates...if I have time 07-18-2023: "Pre-National Rationale" July 2023 newsletter - Buying/Selling Sets, Cool 90s Card Revealed, Instagram Live Showcase 06-06-2023: "Trey for May" June 2023 newsletter - Three-show recap, Autographed Baseballs For Sale, Buys/Sells 04-27-2023: "Visit from The Ruth Fairy" April 2023 newsletter - Incoming Ruths, Outgoing Cobbs, Another BirdBrains Visit (1965 Topps) 03-18-2023: 23 Hours in Chicago Recap of my Thursday/Friday at the Chicago Sports Spectacular show 12-22-2022: "Get the Cobbs out!" December 2022 newsletter - Monster Cards birthday, big consignment milestone, and talking '56 Topps with the BirdBrains 10-01-2022: Midwestern Traveler October 2022 newsletter - The Dallas Show + Non-show traveling 08-16-2022: Your Time is Gonna Come August 2022 newsletter - Final thoughts on the National, market report, and upcoming shows July 2022: 2022 National Diary Day by day (when time allows) update of The National in Atlantic City 07-22-22: The National is "here" again July 2022 newsletter - My last few months in cards and travels + a National preview 07-14-2022: Couple Cold Ones Where are the vintage collectors in the Chicago 'burbs? 03-14-22: Play Ball + tons of news March 2022 newsletter - Back with the BirdBrains, a Pokemon case, show recaps, and a wax deal 02-22-2022: A Tale of Two Shows on Two February Weekends in Two States Suck it, Dickens. Also, is everything "Great in Dayton"? 12-10/12-2021: He Went Through Paris, Looking for Terre Haute Running you through a three day show 11-10-21: Nov/Dec Show Schedule and Personal Updates November 2021 newsletter - Four shows and a wedding 08-26-21: The National and an Overload of Hobby News August 2021 newsletter - The National recap + Topps/Fanatics/MLBPA + PWCC/eBay + BirdBrains + Honus Wagner July/August 2021: The National Diary/Re-Cap Sales, donuts, ice...keeping you posted on the things that matter 07-08-21: Back to the "Real" Show Circuit July 2021 newsletter - Looking forward to St Louis and The National 02-16-21: Havin' a Ball at the Mall February 2021 newsletter - Monster Cards hangs out at mall...joins Instagram. Coincidence? 12-16-20: Gathering Winter Nuts December 2020 newsletter - Hobby madness during COVID 07-16-20: Cinci show recap Showcasing some buys, and the ups and downs of eating on the road 07-2-20: Be Aware the Buys of March (...and April and May and June) July 2020 newsletter - Hobby madness during COVID 05-14-20: The Card So Nice, I Bought It Twice Doubling my pleasure and my fun with this Mantle 04-10-20: COVID-19 precautions from Monster Cards? No way! April 2020 newsletter - accidental 33 OPC hockey set and extra time-killers 02-22-20: Adjusting Your Attitude February 2020 newsletter - Roberto Clemente + Michael Jordan autographs and the state of the hobby 08-23-19: Monster re-emergence August 2019 newsletter - National in Chicago, Vacation in Denver, and sites of upcoming shows 08-08-19: 2019 National recap The food, the deals...the sights and sounds of the 2019 National! 06-19-19: PSA Follies Card doctors, internet auction houses, and a certain grading company are making a lot of news lately. 05-07-19: "Who funnied?" Fire in the Maternity Ward by Anthony Jeselnik About the special, the man, and his craft. 03-12-19: "Who funnied?" After Life by Ricky Gervais As I dabble into reviewing comedy. 02-29-19: You're the Worst, Mother Nature March 2019 newsletter - Last one for a while... 02-15-19: Dear Baseball Cards... It's not me; it's you. Time for a trial separation. 02-03-19: Super Bowl LIII Props Tiring of seeing Tom Brady hoist the Lombardi Trophy every year? Here are some other things to look for during the Super Bowl. 01-31-19: Props and Props February 2019 newsletter - Super Bowl, Jeselnik podcast, big sales! 01-03-19: New Year... New Monster? January 2019 newsletter - Trivia is on, Recommendations of a show/movie/book to skip! 12-04-18: 'Tis the season for giving (and receiving!) December 2018 newsletter - Recent auction wins (w/Honus Wagner), overlooked American inventor, and a free trivia op for those in St Louis 11-30-18: Spooky Monster greetings... November 2018 newsletter - 55 Topps All-American, 48 Leaf Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and a daring WWII covert op 10-05-18: Bleeding out October 2018 newsletter - proclamations about my future in the hobby 08-30-18: Breather September 2018 newsletter - Sites to visit in Kansas City and some Monster relaxation! 07-28-18: Getting Into My Bid-ness August 2018 newsletter - Shows: The National and St Louis, new inventory, and insight into my buying/bidding August 2018: National Diary - 2018 At an opportunities I have, I'll be updating my happenings at the Cleveland National. 06-28-18: Something for Everyone! July 2018 newsletter - (2) collections, The National, SGC and PWCC grading updates, and a bank robbery/muuurrrrrder! 05-27-18: Raising temps -> Rising inventory June 2018 newsletter - Auction winnings pouring in and (5) 52 Mantles found (not be me). 05-04-18: Busy Bidding Birthday Boy May 2018 newsletter - Getting old, reading about Lincoln, auction for a PSA 9 1952 Topps Mantle. 04-01-18: Baskets of Baseball April 2018 newsletter - Buys, sells, and paused show schedule. 02-26-18: Two Tides Turning March 2018 newsletter - St Louis shows suck. Bullish again on stars. New blog. 02-12-18: Mail of the Century "You've got mail" x ... 100? 01-24-18: Do What You Like February 2018 newsletter - Super Bowl Sunday edition. Life changes and what to do if you bought a trimmed card 12-31-17: Man vs Machine January 2018 newsletter - Accidental hiatus, man vs treadmill, recent buys/sells - Happy New Year! 10-29-17: All the holidays in one November newsletter - Continued slow times in the hobby 09-28-17: Fall...Eventually October newsletter - Show schedule, Do people really like fall?, and Details on recent purchases. 09-13-17: Judge Smails = Donald Trump Unsettling comparisons between a movie bad guy and a real-life bad hombre. 09-01-17: Laboring through September Cards = part-time (again). 08-08-17: Official 2017 National recap! Mostly good things to say about the five-day extravaganza in Chicago! 08-02-17: Un-official National recap + scheduling A quick, noncomprehensive newsletter as I recover from The National, and life. 07-11-17: Trade Jake? Should the defending World Series Champion Cubs actually be sellers in 2017? If so, move Jake Arrieta. 07-04-17: Don't be so Judge-mental Blurbs on The National, fireworks, and Aaron Judge. 05-30-17: Gambling...and winning Gambling on myself, and an aside about Pete Rose. 05-01-17: Boston Tiant Party Trip to Boston, trip to Cooperstown...future trips to St Louis. 03-27-17: Show-pening Day This year, I have a show on baseball's Opening Day. Also, a quick review of the Chicago Fanatics show! 02-27-17: Quick turnaround With only three weeks between shows, this newsletter is just a quick update. 02-04-17: Working Double-Time Big announcement is that I have a new job within the card hobby. All that and more, for your reading pleasure... 01-02-17: Upper and Downers; Either way blood flows... Part newsletter, but also a good recap of two deals that didn't materialize and a crapload of sales in December 11-27-16: December 2016 newsletter A quick look at a LOT of buys I made over the past month. 10-31-16: November 2016 newsletter Does Cleveland rock? - A look at where I've been and where I'm going. 10-10-16: Trick-quidity Yes, I made up a word to explain what I think is happening in this topsy-turvy card market. 09-27-16: October 2016 newsletter Dipping out of fantasy football, keeping you up on comedy, and when will I have time to sort cards again? 09-01-16: September 2016 newsletter Nothing too juicy in here if you've read Jeff's piece below. Buys/sells/schedule. 08-23-16: Jeff Copeland's Trip to The National! I'm psyched to showcase Jeff Copeland's account of his trip to this year's National! Enjoy! 07-26-16: August 2016 newsletter Newsletter masquerading as a Q and A - Should I grade my cards? 07-04-16: July 2016 newsletter What I've picked up, where I've been, and where I won't be. Buyers be where? 06-29-16: No deal, deal, and deal Insight into two recent purchases (spanning from 50s to 80s) and one quick note about leverage in a deal 05-30-16: June 2016 newsletter NO BALLS! 04-23-16: May 2016 newsletter Mid-newsletter buy + May show schedule. 03-28-16: April 2016 newsletter Two new collections, another book review, and scouting a new show. 02-28-16: March 2016 newsletter Ongoing feud with Mother Nature and what I've picked up over the past month. 01-28-16: February 2016 newsletter Recap of some financials for 2015 and plans for 2016 world domination. 12-24-15: January 2016 newsletter Super-quick 2015 wrap and look to 2016. 12-13-15: Move on Up A Ruth, a DiMaggio, and an uncomfortable topic. 12-01-15: December 2015 newsletter New inventory and where to find it. 11-23-15: Adele calls Taylor Swift Transcript of a like, totally real, phone conversation between these pop stars. 11-18-15: Fear and Viewing in America Keep a level head and hold tight to your freedoms. 10-26-15: November 2015 newsletter All about baseball cards and dirt... you dig? 09-27-15: October 2015 newsletter Following up on last month's venting. 09-03-15: September 2015 newsletter Just venting...with surprising little foul language. 08-27-15: Donald Trump I don't know what to say about him, but here's a bunch that I have to say about him. 08-03-15: August 2015 newsletter 08-02-15: National Blog 2015 Quick recap of The National 07-01-15: July 2015 newsletter Upcoming shows for Monster Cards and surviving The National 05-04-15: May 2015 newsletter Recapping a busy April and looking into what new inventory will be available in May. 04-19-15: StL show blog Life on the road: What I eat, what I don't drink, four-of-a-kind on the name game, and channeling my inner Rain Man. 04-09-15: Try Effort grades. McNuggets. The Beatles and Star Wars. Find out how they're all linked! 03-28-15: April 2015 newsletter Due to an influx of new followers, this newsletter has pertient info whether you've known me for a long time or just briefly. 02-27-15: Collector Spotlight First of (hopefully) many interviews with collectors. This features Brian, a youngster who collects and appreciates players from a bygone era. 02-21-15: March 2015 newsletter Get inside a dealer's mind with a the break value of a '68 set, and see what's new for March. 01-31-15: February 2015 newsletter Revisiting Ohio, and new pick-ups (singles and complete sets) for the next show. 01-27-15: Ohio - By the Numbers Let's Play Two! A blog about a pair of shows I did in Ohio last weekend. 01-20-15: What's So Funny About... Larry Wilmore (The Nightly Show) Debuting a new, hopefully recurring, column where I help guide you on what's funny. Subjects: Larry Wilmore and Kyle Kinane 12-31-14: January 2015 newsletter Looking behind, but mostly forward, as the New Year arrives. 12-22-14: Best Things Ever on Earth Delivering what the title promises. You're welcome. 12-1-14: December 2014 newsletter End-of-year sales lull and a plug for an auction house. 10-24-14: November 2014 newsletter Cat fashion shows and early baseball card shows. Those two aren't related, but both are mentioned. 09-29-14: October 2014 newsletter Sad about all the real news in the world? Use baseball cards for some stress relief! 09-25-14: Dinesh D'Souza = POS I don't step into politics too often on my site. This character just stands out to me. 09-10-14: Who runs the NFL? Wanna complain about Roger Goodell? Here are some other ways to expend that energy. 08-27-14: September 2014 newsletter I answer some reader questions and let you know where to find me in September. 08-08-14: National 2014 Blog Now completed! 07-27-14: August 2014 newsletter Warmup to The National 06-28-14: July 2014 newsletter Many additions to the inventory + "Baseball is Better" 06-12-14: MLB's Outstanding Ordinary Day So much happened yesterday in the world of baseball. Hope you didn't miss it! 06-03-14: Top 7 Driving Maneuvers Change of pace. This is about driving, and I'm not even bitching! 05-27-14: June 2014 newsletter Quick read...and promises of more exciting times ahead 05-04-14: May 2014 newsletter "Holidays," a 3-peat of upcoming shows, more excuses as to why I'm slow on e-mail replies... 04-07-14: Tony's Blues about Topps '52s The inside story of how I bought my first '52 Topps set. It gets ugly. You will learn something about me. 03-30-14: April 2014 newsletter Getting swept up in the tidal wave that is March Madness, and a quick list of noteable "Red"s. 03-03-14: March 2014 newsletter Supplementing a light buying month with a rant about the Oscars. 02-12-14: Rookie Remix Top 7 list: When a baseball player is tied to a certain team, but his rookie card features him on a different team. 01-31-2014: February 2014 newsletter Not too heavy on cards this time around. But I guarantee you will learn something about me! 01-05-2014: January 2014 newsletter 01-03-14: State of The Monster Quick peek into 11 years worth of buy/sell data from Monster Cards. 10-12-13: Dolla Dolla bill, y'all For the new $100 bill, it is better to look marvelous than to feel marvelous. 09-16-13: Breaking Bad - Season 5, Episode 14. Ozymandias - a recap. Where is Hank? 08-05-2013: August newsletter 08-05-2013: National recap! Tales of excitement from this year's National! 07-15-2013: Show/misc blog Zero toothbrushes, one billboard, three Mikes, one thousand cards...a summary of my last two days. June 2013: June newsletter Quitting my "real" job, new additions, and the return of  the podcast!
06-12-2013: Card-eritaville: It's My Job Musical intro to some interesting news. May 2013: May newsletter No podcast this time around - just a little catching up over Memorial Day. 04-11-2013: "Value" Deep thinking about what things are worth - from bitcoins to Honus Wagners. April 2013: April newsletter Vegas vacation recap, the holidays every sports fan should "call in sick" to work, and also a slightly longer podcast.
March 2013: March newsletter March happenings from Monster Cards, and also a quick podcast.
01-16-13: HOF voting - 2013 and Beyond. The Baseball Hall of Fame added no members courtesy of the BBWAA this year. Is that the fault of the players, or the writers?. 11-04-12: St Louis show blog from 11-04-12. Capturing the events of the day in St Louis, where I said hello to many new cards and good-bye to a trusty venue. 09-04-12: Breaking Bad - Season 5, Episode 8. Gliding Over All - a recap. While Hank drops a bomb, a bomb is dropped on him. 08-27-12: Breaking Bad - Season 5, Episode 7. Say My Name - a recap. R.I.P., Gus's right-hand man. 08-20-12: Breaking Bad - Season 5, Episode 6. Buyout - a recap. Cool beans. 08-13-12: Breaking Bad - Season 5, Episode 5. Dead Freight - a recap. Robbing trains and vamonos-ing more than just pests. 08-06-12: Breaking Bad - Season 5, Episode 4. Fifty-One - a recap. Boring Bad? Breaking Mad? I don't know what I am, but I do know this episode sucked. 07-30-12: Breaking Bad - Season 5, Episode 3. Hazard Pay - a recap. Walt might as well hum "Cruel to be Kind" to himself throughout. 07-23-12: Breaking Bad - Season 5, Episode 2. Madrigal - a recap. "Mike? Michael?" "Mr. Ehrmantraut." "OK, Mike." 07-19-12: Breaking Bad - Season 5, Episode 1. Live Free or Die - a recap. My thoughts on this episode and the rest of the season. 03-27-12: It's the Simple Things. Small events that interject some fun into life. 02-14-12: Monster Cards Sells Out I don't tear up hotel rooms like The Who did. But I can nearly sell out as well as them. 02-01-12: Review: Key & Peele A new sketch comedy show debuted on Comedy Central yesterday. Here's what I thought. 12-14-11: Who's the Worst? Commissioner Edition While David Stern pisses everyone off, I give Bud Selig options on how to re-gain his spot as the worst commissioner in sports. 12-05-11: Moderately-detailed recap of yesterday's show in St Louis. 09-21-11: Chahhhlie bit me! Think you can roast charlie Sheen? Think again. 09-12-11: Quick recap of yesterday's show in St Louis. 08-09-11: Learn, Do, Teach - The story of the 2011 National Recap of my experience at The National. 06-21-11: Seeing the art in music The Boss, Zep, Vedder, and Pointer Sisters all get a mention while I express my opinion about a Lady GaGa song. 05-09-11: Society 2.0 A nod to Orwell, who would have shaken his head profusely at the internet. 09-11-10: SOLD!... on Auction Drafts An introduction and basic strategy guide to fantasy auction drafts, and why you should switch to an auction format in your league 07-28-10: Do You Feel Like We Do Say it ain't so, bro! Welcoming Jersey Shore back - Saying goodbye to Shoeless Joe - Wishing I could say goodbye to Scoop Jackson 06-02-10: Do You Feel Like We Do Memorial Day edition 05-17-10: Rise of the Machines Your retirement: Should it look more like War Games or the collectibles from a silly kid's game? 05-11-10: Do You Feel Like We Do A column where I support Milton Bradley and rip Mother Nature? Oh yeah! 04-21-10: Cubs Make a Z-Jerk Reaction Sending Zambrano to the bullpen sends me over the edge. 02-24-10: Don't Tame this Tiger! Tiger should quote David Wallace and tell everyone to "Suck it!" 02-23-10: Do You Feel Like We Do Music edition. Which of the following made me happy, sad, and angry: American Idol, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin. 01-23-10: Do You Feel Like We Do Why Chappelle's Show made me so happy, so sad, and so angry. 11-09-09: Favorite Days Indeed A look back at one of my best days ever, and how sports made it so special. 08-31-09: 1957 Topps Baseball What I like about this set, and why you might want to put one together. 08-18-09: Interview with Kevin Gregg Step into the box against this (inappropriately dubbed) closer. 08-12-08: Fantasy Guff An intro to this brash fantasy sports cavalier. 07-23-08: The Hired Gun Sure, your team might have made a great midseason acquisition, but do you have to like it? 11-19-06: I don't wanna be a Cowboy, baby! I don't want to be a Bull, a Bear, or a Cub anymore either. 11-18-06: Smashed! My baseball instincts betray me in 2006. 8-2-06: First to Worst Something stinks around here. My picks! 7-5-06: Michael Jordan and the 2006 Finals Did MJ's legacy take a hit when some members of the Heat won their first championship? 6-1-06: No one ever asked what I would like to see Laying out ideas for a few novel card sets. 5-27-06: 1st Quarter MLB update If the numbers keep looking this good, my knees will be intact this Christmas. 4-23-06: Hate Is Such A Strong Word In this chapter, I detour from writing about cards to take potshots at songs that drive me insane. 3-27-06: Beat the Bookies: 2006 Edition It isn't the thrill-a-mintue action some gamblers love, but the MLB numbers are money in the bank. 1-31-06: Uncertainty How tapping into your inner collector can increase the value of your collection...to you. 12-28-05: And the award for Best MLB Picks of 2005 goes to... I finally get around to tallying up my winnings from the 2005 baseball season. 9-07-05: C'Mon See the Show Why you'll have more fun at a show than on eBay or the internet. 7-26-05: MLB All-Star Update At the mid-way point of the season, I begin to question my gambling abilities. 6-2-05: To grade or not to grade? Breaking down the graded card collectors into categories. 4-10-05: Metrosexuality: Nature or Nurture? Examining the phenomenon between the Kruks and the Jeters of the world. 3-15-05: Opportunity knocks A good gambler knows that opportunity knocks every day, but where might surprise you. 3-14-05: Intro Why I found it necessary to share my thoughts with the world.
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