Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Times Change

You may or may not have noticed my lack of posting this year. A few weeks ago, I was lamenting about my spending on cards. I have since then bought some 2012 Topps baseball cards. After getting tons of doubles, triples, and a few quadruples, I gave up buying more. I enjoyed the initial feeling of ripping open the packs, but the lonely stack of cards was just a big fat nothing to me after that. I also experienced the frustration of misplacing valuable cards. I have sifted through thousands of cards, and still can't find the Magic relics. I am not "feeling it" with collecting right now. It seems gluttonous to me. If someone took a look in my card cave, they would probably say I am ; a hoarder, unorganized, messy, nerdy, wasting money, and clinging to old crap like it will be worth millions someday. I couldn't argue. The thought that keeps rattling around in my dome was inspired by a blurb here.
I need a car, we need siding and windows on the house, there are other things that need my attention and my cabbage right now.
I am currently unloading a bunch of stuff I love. The Magic's will soon be listed too. If there's something you've seen here on my blog that you want, let me know.
I've given this much thought and prayer. It feels a bit like a defeat, but it's the right thing for me to do at this time.

17 comments:

  1. Why am I not surprised that a crappy run of Topps has something to do with this? I know that's far from the main reason, of course. I know how you're feeling and don't blame you for getting out of the game for a while, whether it's just for a bit or for a long time. I do suggest you be careful of what you get rid of, though, because you might not realize you'll miss it that much until it's gone--plus it wouldn't hurt to keep something to remind you of what you liked about collecting.
    I'm sorry to see you go but I hope it works out for the best for you. Good luck!

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    1. The '79 Topps set is still in the upstairs closet. That's the set that started it all. I will always have that.
      Thanks buddy.

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  2. Gotta do what you gotta do man - best of luck and maybe someday you'll be back when you win the lottery lol.

    I've been fading out for a while myself, so I definitely understand. I'm meeting a guy on Friday to try to sell off the bulk of my stuff minus my random binder and my Seneca binder. Like you, I'm kind of sad when I think about how little I look at most of my cards. Certainly not enough of a look to merit the money I spend on most of them. But I do like my Seneca collection so that'll continue!

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    1. I still have the Kaline collection. Gotta keep some of the old stuff that was collected with my Dad and brother.

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    2. Definitely. I'm also going to try to finish off 1995 Topps - it's the first set I ever wanted to finish. Glad you've got a similar outlook.

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  3. You're keeping the Singer stuff, right? Geez are you going to have to give us a list.

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    1. Yes, keeping the Singer set. We're going to frame those cards, or shadow box them somehow for display at the sewing store.

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  4. I know where you're coming from too. I'm in a funk at the moment as well. I still have the passion for collecting cards, just not the desire at the moment.

    I sold off a huge chunk of my Transformers collection last year and earlier this year to help pay bills and fun stuff like that. It was a hard decision to make, but one that I don't regret now.

    As I type this I look around my room and see literally thousands and thousands of toys...not kidding either. The thought of my wasting my money has cross my mind MANY times over the years. I'm sure at some point in my life I'll unload those too.

    I quit reading comics and started again and stopped again. Same thing for cards. I'm not done collecting, but my monthly group breaks and post after post on my blog are slowing down.

    Good luck my friend in your sales. When and if you come back let me know.

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  5. A melancholy time for you no doubt. I've had collections over the years, never to the extent that you have had with cards. What's left are a couple favorite comic series purchased after the fact of letting go just as a reminder, and some LP's that collect dust in the basement. If you've held on to anything of value and still have it later on in life, you can count your blessings, because it means you didn't starve near to death as you wandered through this life.

    I don't know if the needs pressing in for new siding or whatever should weigh on your decision. You will always have those needs, and selling a lifelong passion for a temporary fix is a bit desperate. That said, passions change too. Hanging on to old passions can be an inability to let go and face new ones...so one could say it shows strength of character. It's so easy to argue either side of this I'm sure it's not been easy for you. Good luck.

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  6. Good Sir,

    It certainly sounds like you've given this some thought & consideration. It's a difficult thing to grapple with to be sure.

    For my part - while my lady might like to gently poke fun at me from time to time about my interest in cards, she also knows that they contribute in some way to my overall happiness & that's important, of value & not at all to be taken lightly.

    Best of luck with sales & perhaps paring things down to what matters most. I do think it's important to evaluate & take stock of things & sometimes that can lead to tough decisions. Again, best of luck.

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    1. My collection has brought much fun to my life. Thanks buddy.

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  7. Best of luck on those eBay sales... I'm targeting a couple of items, so I'll either be adding some cards to my collection or at least help bump up some of the sale prices.

    As for changing things up... I can relate. I've slowed down a lot over the past two years. The days of "having everything" are long gone. These days I'm narrowing my focus and figuring out my future in the hobby.

    I'm with Spastik... you gotta do what you gotta do... we'll be around when you're back in the game.

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  8. I think everyone goes through this. I know for me personally its every couple years. Something hits me and I realize I'm spending money on acquiring and storing pieces of cardboard. In the end you may come back and you may stay away but you'll always remember the happiness that came from a hobby. Good luck to you friend.

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  9. I did that yesterday, staring at the little pile of '12 Topps I have and just had a feeling of numbness and not caring about them.

    Don't go full bore ebaying all you stuff because I did that 5 years ago and regret alot of it.

    Just go about it slow and look at what you really do not need and sekll it and hkeep the rest.

    Thatb way, ewhne you come back to collecting you will have your good stuff and will be happy it's there to provide a good base to your future in collecting.

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    1. I will probably have a bit of regret. But, the memories of collecting will never fade. Thanks.

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