State of the Blog

The state of the blog is good. For the past few weeks I've been sort of looking forward to this post.  33 months or so of blogging.  And this is blog post number 600.  I envisioned streamers falling from the rafters, balloons being launched, the champagne fountain never running dry.

Then I saw the Play at the Plate 1,000th post.  And then the Night Owl's post about blogging for three years. About 1,700 posts on that fine blog.  And then Brian's 30-Year Old Cardboard announced that he just completed post 5,000.

600 doesn't sound so significant, does it?  Well, compared to those maniacs, no.  But in my world, yes.  I didn't know what I was doing when I started this blog.  Hey, I still don't.  My output has diminished.  I stray from cards and indulge myself in a bit of research.  There are days I don't even look at card blogs and I feel like a louse.

Then there are days like last week when I arrived home from work, knowing that a full evening lay ahead with the kids, preparation for a meeting, and a bit of housework.  What do I find in the mailbox?  An envelope from zip code 13601.   I let it sit through dinner, through the bath and then the homework.  I held it, contemplating putting off the other things I had to do.  Later that evening I opened it and out came a team bag with a mess of Hershisers from my want list.  Also tucked into that bag was this Ray Dandridge card.  I'm not going to tell you about him.  Look it up yourself.  Darn, he was good.

2005 Upper Deck Classics
Ray Dandridge (card # 79)

This is one of the many Orel Hershiser cards in the envelope.  There are several variants of these cards.  I still can't tell what they all are.  Sure, I can consult the Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards or look to my reference sheets, but I'm too tired right now.  This is my first Hershiser 1998 SPx card.  Greg just wanted it out of his house.  Something about black and orange.  And the team name GIANTS.

1998 SPx Finite - Spectrum
Orel Hershiser (card # 318) (#d/2250)

But this isn't a trade post.  I'll show you more Hershisers in the coming weeks.  Back to the original topic.

Through this blog I've increased my knowledge of cards and card history.

I've made many acquaintances across many states and a few countries, some of which have turned into true friendships.  For that I'm very thankful.

I've traded cards and given them away.

I've learned how to make a fake card well enough to fool another blogger into thinking it was actually part of a checklist.

I've sometimes turned the blog into a vehicle for respect, and I'll continue to do so.

This blog has helped me gain access to the Tennessee Smokies' Press Booth.  That's where I'll be on Saturday night, covering the third game of the Southern League Championship Series.  The Smokies are down 2-0 in a best of 5 series.

I'm happy with where I am and what I've done.  I make no apologies for my slowing down.  For the times I'm not blogging, I'm spending it with my family.  I''m reading.  I'm researching.  I'm enjoying my life as a blogger.

Thank you all for accepting me into this club and supporting me in so many different ways.