Happy Halloween Everybody, I'm a burgerlar today...

Cause I'm so stealing this idea from Things are Funner Here. She wrote a post today on the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory cards she'd picked up a while back, showcasing the new Mike TeeVee auto card as well as a few others from that set.

It reminded me of a weekend from my far distant past, but toward a more distinct intro:

I liked the remake of this particular movie and really think Johnny Depp did a wonderful job with the character. But nothing compares to the original...

But you ain't getting into this post without the proper ticket...

and everybody knows, it's a Golden Ticket you're after for this tour...



why, looky here, it's just the thing, a golden ticket, signed by both Julie Dawn Cole and Paris Themmen, the original Mike TeeVee and none other than Veruca Salt herself!!

Mrs Dawgbones and I had the opportunity to meet them at the oceanfront here in Virginia Beach. They both signed an 8x10 photo for her as well. they were genuinely nice people and spent a good deal of time talking with the fans that came out to meet them.



Thanks for the trip down memory lane there Julie. And sorry for the thievery.
Stay safe tonight gang,
Have a GReat Halloween!
Dawgbones

Happy Halloween

Pack 17:

yay, another Phillie, but not Rolen or Loewer!

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

Hey everybody, tonight is Halloween, please be safe, be careful, and watch out for the little ones in your neighborhood while driving home tonight.

A Pack a day...

Pack 16:

Another dual-pack, but, what's this?? Micheal Jordan?? In a White Sox uniform?? That's the second ball-player in my collection in an un-familiar uniform!! I've also got a John Elway as a Yankees pitcher!

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

Hey everybody, tomorrow is Halloween, please be safe, be careful, and watch out for the little ones in your neighborhood when driving home tomorrow night.

A Pack a day...

Pack 15:

That look on Sergio's face, "I've decided to steal second, about a milli-second after the catcher's decided to  throw to second as well!!"

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 14:

I'm beginning to think that Loewer and Rolen are the only Phillies in this box...

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 13:

Apparently, this is the International Pitcher's pack...

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 12:

Nothing to special here in this pack...

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 11:

Wonder how proud Julio is of that picture? Or how silly he looks to some people??(or at least me) And I got a feeling that Pulsipher got a No-No!!

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 10:

Ever looked real close at the business end of a bat? And my second chance at Durham Park!

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 9:

Couple of bunts for you today, and a very nice shot of that #17 jersey!! NICE!!

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 8:

I love ballpark shots! Even if they are minor league parks.

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 7:

Okey dokey, another pack with dual cards! If I did not have a whole box to open, this would probably piss me off!

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 6:

You got to love a team's name that strays far from the affiliate. I would have never guessed a connection between the Diablos and the Brewers! Then again, you probably would not correlate the Tides with the Orioles either!

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 5:

Mr. Bell seems to haunt these last two packs making an appearance in both! Nice shot of him though. My scanning makes it appear as though he's trying to snatch a run away from Valdes on the next card down!

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

OK Topps, WTH!!!

So, I've been buying Rack Packs and what not of 2011 Topps Update and I'm currently down to needing only 43% to finish off the base cards for this set. I don't particularly mind the parallels, and I even like the new "Cognac" bedazzled cards, kinda peeved that it's another parallel for the series I and II also, but as I'm not really chasing anything outside the Phillies parallels and inserts (except for the Kimball Champions) that is not such a problem for me.

I bought a hanger pack from Target the other night, and really like the red bordered Target specials, I'm sure the Phillies are going to look awesome on the red (or Wally World blue) cards, so that's another "chase" for me. I did manage to snag another code card for the diamond giveaway, which brings me to today's rant:

I've got 27 cards in my virtual collection, which contains 3 Diamond Die cut cards. Not too shabby, even though the third unlocked card was a duplicate from last year's transmogrifier (I will not be having that one shipped this time!). And I don't even really mind the 1st checklist card I unlocked, a 1978 Angels, card #214, if you are an Angels fan, it would be a nice addition to that PC.

I don't mind the semi-overabundance of junk wax cards, for a chance at a 1959 Jerry Lynch.

I do however, take some GReat exception to the 1974 Checklist card that I unlocked with my hanger pack redemption.

REALLY!! What a load of horse puckey!!! Not even a picture on the damned thing, no floating heads, no nothing. Shoot, I'm real surprised this one survived the bicycle spokes of someone's youth at this point.
Hell, there ain't even a nifty cartoon on the back either, no stats, no nothing. what a friggin waste of time and code. My blog posts, which ain't worth the two cents it takes most folks to read everyday, are worth ten times what this stupid card is worth!! And my luck, they'd send me the mis-cut version pictured too!
(I am NOT having this one sent, unless someone is building this set and needs it/wants to trade for it)

Really Topps, What the Hell??
I now return you to your previous, boring card posts...
Have a GReat night!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 4:
Another Scott Rolen!

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 3:

Timing is everything, in both playing baseball as well as photographing the game. This pack shows four very nice action shots where the player/baseball is frozen in time. Hope the play went the way you wanted it to fellas!

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

Watch those loose packs...

this is another semi-rant post, just so you are warned...

So Mrs Dawgbones and myself were in Target late last week, and I always stop by the card aisle for a few packs of cards, and to see what's new since Updates is now out. I chose a rack pack of Updates, two packs of 2010 Upper Deck Series 1 @ $1.59, and a single loose pack of 2011 Allen & Ginter, I'm not trying for the set of these, but there are a few cards I'd like to have out of this set (namely the Guy Fieri).

We are normally at the end of our shopping trip and my wife is usually checking out when I make my card selections.  I quickly make these picks and join her in line. we make our way home, unload the car, sit down to watch TV, eat dinner, an I go to open my cards.

First, the Ginter:  looks a little odd...

What the !@#$!!!

someone has already opened this pack and placed it back in the gravity feeder!! What absolute bullshit!! I've heard of pack searching, but opening them and then leaving them is 8 different kinds of wrong, covered in wrong sauce!! This is the worse kind of thief in my opinion, stealing stuff from stores is wrong, searching packs of cards for the inserts is debatably wrong, but opening the packs and putting them back is just.... There should be a special level of hell reserved just for people like this!

Now, I've no recourse but to accept the fact that I've been screwed by this jack-ass, with no real hopes at inserts or otherwise! Knowing full well that the fine folks at my local Target would say I opened the pack myself and I'm crying foul for not getting what I want out of it. (and absolutely no offense to them)

But I did get some cards out of this pack for my PCs so not all is totally lost:

Look at that, Mr. Helton wearing the #17 jersey for the Rockies, can't go wrong with Tonto (wanted that one) and the Floating Fortresses are way cool in my book as my chosen career is in Marine Design.

I just wanted to make my blogging friends and readers aware of this nasty little practice so that hopefully no one else is ripped off by someone like this in the future. I've come to expect no real inserts from my loose pack purchases of Ginter, but to have even a slim chance removed...

I've had a week to re-think this little episode, and it still PISSES me off every time I think of it, it would be 10 times worse if this had happened to some little kid, saving his allowance, scraping together what money he has to his name, for a chance to buy some packs of cards, looking for that next '52 Mantle, only to have that chance removed by some callous, careless, asshole like this!!

OK, rant over, I now return you to your normally scheduled posting.

Thanks for letting me rant,
Hope you have a GReat week!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Pack 2:

O.K. that's not good, two of the same card in one pack? Collation could be an ugly issue if this keeps up!

thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

A Pack a day...

Up for the next few weeks, the third and final box of cardboard goodness from Baseball Card Exchange, and once again, I tell you, check them out, especially if you are looking for GReat bargains at really GReat prices.

The third box of cards is from 1995, I'd been out of school for almost tenyears at that point (high scholl, that is!). It is Upper Deck's 1995 Minor League Baseball. It holds 36 packs of cards, with 12 cards per foil pack.

I have set the posts for this box on auto-pilot as my vacation season is once again here and I may or may not be in contact with my blog whilst I am wandering. If you see anything that strikes your fancy, comment or hit up my inbox and I'm sure we can work something out.

I just love the minor leagues, from the small home-town atmosphere to the Logos, you just can't beat a night at the ballpark, watching small-town heroes work on their shot at the Big-Time!

Pack 1:

Well, that's a very good start, two Top Phillies Prospects!! Scott Rolen and Carlton Loewer!

This should be a very fun product to break.
thanks for reading,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

The Truth is out there...

Another short trip down memory lane, found this card while sorting through some more of my "stuff":

Back in the day, The X-Files ruled!! I still love to watch it, though I've got them all on DVD now and can watch them whenever I want. My all-time favorite episode, "Home", only shown once on network TV, then banned for "disturbing" content.

What about you? What are some of your favorite TV shows? If you had to pick one episode from that show to recommend to a fellow blogger, what would it be?

Thanks for reading
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

How about some wallpaper...

I have an uncle that lives up in the Jersey area that always looks out for my butt. Sending me good stuff that I otherwise would not be able to find on my own. He recently sent me another Phightin Phils rally towel and an 8 1/2" x 11" Arm Forces picture.
Enjoy:

Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

Blogger Generosity and a GReat #

Got an envelope in yesterday's mail, from Morgan, over at Silver Slugger. I got an email last week looking to trade for some cards from my want list. Thanks to generosity from other bloggers recently, my want list had grown a lot shorter, but there were still two offered cards that I still needed. Upon learning that I only need the 2, Morgan gladly dropped them in the mail, along with a couple others for my PCs.

A Twin, a Sawx, Mr. Shilling and a Cubbie wearing the #17!! Thanks for the cards Morgan, I will keep my eyes peeled for something to send back your way soon.

On another side note today, every now and then I peek at my counter, and this week I was keeping track as I was nearing the 10,000 mark, well, I passed that sometime this morning, but that counter was sitting pretty at:

What an awesome number!! Today is going to be a GReat day!! Not counting the zeros, I got me either a #7 or #17!!

Hope your is too!
Dawgbones

Racing anybody?

today's miscellaney: 2011 Press Pass Eclipse

Yeah boy!! An MWR car right off the bat!! Love me some NAPA racing!!
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

3 days...

3rd $1.59 pack:

Now that's a little better, a few more cards for the PC. and another ballpark card. If anybody needs some of these, just let me know, we can work something out, I'm sure.

Thanks for peeking,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

More 2010 Upper Deck...

Another $1.59 pack:

Wow, nothing for the PC in here. If anybody needs some of these, just let me know, we can work something out, I'm sure, especially the Morgan, I just do NOT like that guy at all!

Thanks for peeking,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

I got bit by a $30 a week habit...

Robert, over at  $30 a Week Habit, emailed me last week and generously offered some cards from my 2010 want lists, knocking a rather large part of those lists down for me:

Robert also traded me a recently received relic for this little beauty too!!

 

My first Victorino Relic, TOO COOL!

Thanks for the more than generous help, Robert. I'll keep my eyes open for something to shoot back your way again soon.

Thanks for peeking,

Have a GReat Sunday!!

Dawgbones

2010 Upper Deck Series 1...

well, 18 cards per pack for $1.59 can't be but so wrong:

 

couple Indians, couple Twins, and Freak and a Yankmee, not too shabby...

Can't go wrong with adding a few more cards to the PC. and I just love those ballpark cards. If anybody needs some of these, just let me know, we can work something out, I'm sure.

Thanks for peeking,
Have a GReat day!
Dawgbones

3 seperate Updates...

3 Updates for a second posting today:

An update to the Updates, another rack pack of 2011 Updates: (on a side note, I am collecting this base set, and attempting the minis, but any non-team PC specific extras and bedazzled parallels are available for trade)

Nothing special from the code card, but I did get my second short print of 2011, a Montreal Expos Larry Walker, card #195.

 

Still no Phillies, their absence was also felt last night!

Congratulations to the Cardinals, I've said all year, the best pitching staff in baseball doesn't mean SQUAT if you can't hit the $%#$^ BALL!

I probably won't be watching this year's series now. I'm obviously disappointed with the outcome of last night's game (once again, the best regular season team is eliminated from the play-offs!), I'd like to root for the Brewers, but I just can't bring myself to root for Nyger Morgan, I do not like him as a person because of his attitude towards the fans. I could have really gotten behind the D-Backs, but tis not to be this year.

and on a sad note, an update to yesterday's post. My sister's BFF of over 30 years lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer yesterday afternoon. I am relieved that my adopted sister is no longer hurting, but my mother, sister, adopted nieces and their father should not have to face this experience this early in life.

There is indeed another angel in heaven today, gone too soon, and dearly missed by all who knew her. Rest in Peace Cheryl, you fought courageously for the last 10 months, we love you and you will be forever young in our hearts.

Cheryl Cofer-Maresca 12/25/65~10/07/11

Thanks for everything guys,
Have a GReat weekend, and go hug everybody you love, Life is just too short.
Richard

A miscellaneous pack post...

So,
I picked up a pack of Americana last week: what did I get?
a few people I've never heard of, some that I have heard of, and a burned out shooting star. I love these Americana cards, even though I am not getting many actors that I know, or like!!

Lorna Luft, who's biggest credit seems to be her mother, legendary Judy Garland. Though I vaguely remember maybe seeing Luft in Trapper John, M.D.

Jill-Michelle Melean, who's biggest roles are in stuff I've never wanted to watch. Damn, she looks so familiar though???
Then, as I am cleaning up my cards and filing them away, I find this:

No wonder she looks so familiar, this one is from 2009, is a much more flattering photo, and has an almost identical write-up on the back! Now, I've only bought about 4 of these packs altogether, to get the same person from two different years! Go figure!

Then, we have Fred:

No, not you Fred. This Fred...

Fred Gregory, Spankee (of My Cardboard Mistress), would know this Fred, as he's been on several space shuttle missions, including piloting Challenger before her demise. And as commander on Discovery and Atlantis. I love the shuttles and was very sad at their retirement.

OK, which Baldwin am I?? There are just way too many of you guys to keep straight. Today, we have Stephen. I know him best from his role in 1996's Fled. And I do have to admit, just like Sara Palin, Stephen is my favorite Baldwin brother.

and lastly, what do you do when you hit the big time, with a hugely successful blockbuster hit to your credit? You either continue to be a bright shining star, or in the case of the other Corey, you hit the skids, ending up succumbing to your demons. I liked Corey Haim, he was a damned fine actor that just didn't seem to know how to handle his fame. Like so many others, those that often burn brightest, also burn shortest.

Thanks for reading,
have a GReat weekend!!
Dawgbones