Monday Thoughts With Matt

Yup, it's Monday.

I haven't done one of these segments in a long time so figured hey, let's do this.

So, I just want you to grab a cup of your favorite warm beverage in your wife's mug, or your own, 

then walk over and sit down in your most comfiest chair, take a breath, relax.

Yeah, I used Jessica's mug again.

Let's just talk in this NEW segment.

So, I recently went to a card show again, my second one in thirty years (I will certainly be posting on this) and noticed one trend......OVERPRICING!

It was really disappointing to walk into a card show and find $2 cards marked up to $20. There were lots of that and plenty of wax flippers especially for Pokemon. They were charging almost two times what they got them for.

I am all for letting sellers price what they want to sell them for, but do they actually sell anything? And what about the poor kids-sometimes literally-going to these shows trying to find their favorite Pokemon or favorite sports player and the prices are jacked way up? They most likely go home with nothing or way overpay for something a simple eBay search would have landed them the card cheaper for.

Now, I don't have a lot of money and went there with basically not much too spend and I found it really hard at each table to even spend anything. Though, in the end I did because well, I went to a card show. As I said earlier, I will go on more about this and show off my cards in another post.

For today, are you finding this same kind of thing at your local card shows? How do you think they can resolve this? How do you shop at these?

Let me know below and hope everyone has a Magnificent Monday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

I Am The Terror That Flaps In The Night

*takes a sip from freshly brewed pot*

Those who know me, know my love of the Disney Afternoon cartoons.

*takes another sip, then goes back in time*

I came home from a long day of school, flipped on the TV and watched the entire two hour block.

I would watch Talespin, Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers, Goof Troop, Bonkers which were among my favorites, but none ever topped my super favorite, Darkwing Duck.

The Terror That Flaps In The Night easily became my favorite cartoon growing up. Those around me had to deal with me walking around pretending I was Darkwing whether that was at home, at a friend's house or on recess. 

They all knew I was Darkwing.

I began asking for the figures for Christmas and despite my poor upbringing, I was fortunate enough to find a few figures under the tree over the years. I never did complete all of them and had to use other figures to replace the characters I was missing from other shows, but I made it work.

As I evolved more into a card collector later on and grew up, I began to just leave my toys in my toy box and eventually sold all of them around eighth grade to my aunt for my cousins. I turned that money into cards.

 

Sadly, as I aged, I realized how much those toys meant to me, especially the Darkwing Duck ones. But, there was nothing that I could do to get the ones I wanted back. My aunt divorced my uncle, their kids grew up and moved away and the toys I can only assume went into the trash.

*plays sad music* (thinks that you are visualizing a tiny violin)

The good thing *plays upbeat music* was that I was older and an adult and I could buy back those things I wanted. They may not have been the ones I specifically owned, but they could fill in the holes. I first started with the ones I originally had, then realized, "hey, I am an adult, why not finish what I wanted to back then?" So, I finished the set and still have it to some day display.

Over the years, I have added a few other things to my Darkwing Duck collection including some comic books, the DVD set, some VHS' and a 1992 Pro Set Promo card which was the only card in existence at that point.

Notice how I said, at that point.

Recently, I have found more Darkwing Duck cards which brought that child out even more with me.

It kicked off with Disney Lorcana set. They aren't technically real cards and are apart of a game, but, to me, they were and they were needed to be added.

So, I grabbed some of my favorite characters and art from the set including some foil parallels,

 

 

And this is what I have so far. There are more I need and one I really want is the rare that featured all of the characters. It's a little overpriced.

Most recently Topps released a set called Topps Disney Neon which has a real Darkwing Duck base card and it also includes parallels. So far, I have only added the rainbow foil parallel. 

I will post this at some point.

*takes final sip of the post*

I know I am probably not the only one who used to watch Disney Afternoon on this blog, let me know your favorite show from the block 

Also, have you bought any TCG cards like the ones above for your PC? Try any of the new Topps Disney Neon? Let me know in comments!

Have a great Friday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Trending This Week In My Hobby

Welcome to Week 4 of Trending This Week In My Hobby.

It's been a couple weeks, let's see what has changed.

If you missed a previous week or you are curious what this segment is about if this is your first time seeing it, I will be posting my Top 10 things I have been either adding or seeking the most. In other words what has been trending in my hobby, hence the name. Next week, the list could change and some things could disappear with new things added or move up and down my interests list.

You just never know because I never know where my head will be week to week.

So, the next post will feature the list of stuff for that week and then will compare it to this week for a breakdown of the trending ways and why. If I have an explanation for it.

Hopefully I will.

Without further ado or more rambling, here is the very first list of what's trending in my hobby this week,

1. Ken Griffey Jr Cards
2. Jaxson Dart Cards
3. 90's Inserts Any Team, Any Sport, Any Player specifically 1995-99
4. NY Giants Cards
5. 2025 Wild Card Splat Eli Manning Cards
6. Eli Manning Cards
7. Non Sport Autograph/Relic Cards
8. Rodney Hampton Cards
9. 1995 Pro Line Autograph Cards
10. 2025 Topps Chrome Pigskin Parallels NY Giants

Ken Griffey Jr, just like in the 90's, coming in very strong for my PC the last few weeks. I have picked up quite a few through trades. Same with Jaxson Dart, now that the season has ended, his cards have been a little bit more attainable which is what I was hoping for.

Outside of those two and a couple dropping off, there isn't a lot of change. I haven't added any 1995 Pro Line Autographs in a long time but they are still big time wants. As for the 2025 Topps Chrome Pigskin Parallels for the Giants, I would want one of each player but I highly doubt I can land the rookies. So, I will just chase what I can just like I did with the Panini parallels that were similar.

The Eli Manning Splat cards are falling, despite them being plentiful. It's really hard to add them to TCDB as there are hundreds and takes forever to add them. I guess you can call it me being lazy.

If you were curious about last weeks list and how it changed, here it is again,

1. NY Giants Cards
2. 2025 Wild Card Splat Eli Manning Cards
3. 90's Inserts Any Team, Any Sport, Any Player specifically 1995-99
4. Ken Griffey Jr Cards
5. Jaxson Dart Cards
6. Eli Manning Cards
7. Non Sport Autograph/Relic Cards
8. Rodney Hampton Cards
9. Mikaela Shiffrin
10. Allan Houston Cards

Who knows what next week will bring or where the wind will take me next. I guess you will have to come back and see.

While you wait, let me know what you are collecting this week or what's been trending in your hobby below!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

A Lot To Catch Up On

Hello Coffee Card Enthusiasts!

It's been two weeks since I last posted, but I should be back for a little bit.

The last two weeks have been long, very long.

Last time I posted, I mentioned coaching an AAU team and only having two weeks to get a team ready. 

Well, we got a team ready and we played our four game tournament this weekend.

SATURDAY:

It started off very ugly. For some reason, the tournament had us lined up against a much tougher, stronger and Shaq sized team of 5th/6th graders.

 

We trailed 28-1 at half and ended up losing that one 44-2. It was about as ugly as you can imagine. But, the team shouldn't have been in our league to begin with.

 

The next game, well, we didn't fair too well there but at least played someone at our level. We played against four of the girls, out of ten, I coached during the regular season. Even though I switched up some play names, they knew what was coming and we lost another lopsided game.

SUNDAY:

Sunday we were supposed to play that 5th/6th team again but thanks to a few emails, they rearranged the schedule for us and we played the same team twice four hours apart.

The first game we lost a closer one, 16-8.

The second one, well....

We lost again, this time 24-5.

After that, I told the girls that despite the outcomes of our games, that didn't reflect the hard work, the sacrifice, the heart and soul they put out on the court. Not too mention, every team we played has been practicing together and already been in tournaments for a couple months. We only had two weeks, 8 practices, to put this together. On top of that, only twice did we have a full team practice together. It wasn't going to be an easy task in general, but I am so, so proud of what they did learn and put together in terms of teamwork in that short time.

I think if next time we had been given a month of full team practice at least to get things into place, my "family system" takes awhile, I think they would have had a better chance.

But, once again, I am proud.

And once again, I gave them cupcakes, cookies, a small gift card so each one of them could get an ice cream and of course some cards.

 

Also, we didn't go completely empty handed in this tournament. We won the Sportsmanship Award which was this ball. The girls were all "fighting" over it and where it should go, so the assistant coach handed it to me and said it's Coach Matts. I will display this proudly.

I have already been in contact with the Tournament organizer about possibly doing it again next year and he seemed to be all for it and praised me for my coaching of the girls and how appreciated how I did with them. That also coming from my Athletic Director as well.

So, for now, that will be to be continued.....

*holds basketball, smiles back on all of the memories made the last two weeks*

Another thing that has kept me busy the last couple of weeks has been college. I am down to the nitty gritty and need to finish weekly assignments along with three final projects that are very timely. Just three more weeks left!!! 

Well, then there will be summer classes.

Speaking of summer, I will be having shoulder surgery. The right shoulder I injured last year has a new updated MRI and it showed a small labrum tear which is why it's still nagging and lingering. That will be fixed on June 10th (I think that was the day). It will take me out of any kind of sports for the summer as I will not be using it for four months. But, will be ready for basketball coaching season.

I am hoping to do a couple more quick posts on here and I really need to update my card numbers for 2026 instead of keeping them written down on a piece of paper.

 

And I also need to sort out and check out my next big mail day from the amazing blog reader Grady. No, these aren't unopened wax, but contain goodies probably better than any wax box can provide.

*eagerly awaits the opening*

I have been back and forth with schoolwork along with this post and it has now taken me two hours to write.

So, I need to stop it here and get myself to bed to start everything all over again tomorrow. Which will also include a new post.

Have a good sleep.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Return Of Basketball

The season was over.....but not anymore...as basketball is back!

That's right, I will be back to coaching again this week.

On Thursday, all of us 3rd/4th grade girls coaches were contacted about an opportunity in the district. There is an AAU Tournament coming up in two weeks and a team had dropped out and they were wondering if a new team would like to join. 

Since I had so much fun coaching already and this opportunity just sitting there, why not join again for a short time? I will be joined by my assistant coach and a coach from one of the other girls teams that I didn't get to play this season.

Now normally, to join AAU in any capacity, you have to have lots of money and top tier talent. Players have to pay their way in and the team needs a sponsor to cover the cost of being in the tournaments. And depending on where you live and what tournament your AAU team wants to participate in, there can be hotel and other costs as well. 

It's the big league. It's about winning.

Fortunately, the good news is, our team entry will be free and the traveling will only be in an hour or so away.

The bad news, the tournament is on April 18th and 19th which gives me and two other coaches that signed up roughly two weeks to build and train a team all within four to five practices.

Since Friday, I have been messaging, sending out emails to find players along with the other coaches. We were given the chance to pick four of our players that played for us this past season.

My top three are already on the same AAU team so I went for four others. Three of the four said yes, while the fourth one would have if their family hadn't been heading on a trip for April break that weekend.

As of tonight, I have a roster of nine girls waiting to hear back on the tenth whose parents have not replied at all. So only 1/3rd of this roster knows my system and how I go about things.

It's going to take some serious dedication and work the next two weeks, but I know it will be worth it.

Something else that will be a lot of work.....

 

Is trying to catch up with the leader of the biggest Allan Houston collection on TCDB.

I don't think I rank in the Top 10 anymore like I once did. I haven't checked or added any Houstons in a long time.

But, with basketball back, I am sure I will probably add some more Houstons and hopefully bump myself up some. The one I showed off in this post is my latest add.

If you have any Allan Houstons that I don't, check out my TCDB to see, would love to PWE trade so hit me up!

I am not sure how much I will be on here for the next five weeks with college down to the final five weeks of Semester 2 that's loaded with projects combined with now basketball. 

I will try to be back on here again soon. All I know for now, I will need some extra cups to get me through all of this.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Still Not A Joke

This is not a joke.

Looking for a free Dunkin' small, medium or large coffee today? Type in code STILLNOTAJOKE into your offers on the app.

THIS IS LEGIT.

I doubted it, then claimed it this morning while running errands.

Now I have a coffee, I am putting up this quick post while doing homework and I plan on looking at some cards afterwards to make a full circle Cards Over Coffee event.

Let me know in comments if the code worked for you!! They are only giving away a little over a million free cups so hopefully I am not too late on posting this.

Have a great day, don't fall for any jokes and get a free cup of coffee.

*takes a sip*

*this is not sponsored by Dunkin, it should be, but it's not. if anyone from Dunkin is reading this please lets talk about a sponsorship*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Trending This Week In My Hobby

Welcome to Week 3 of Trending This Week In My Hobby and to the end of March. Crazy how fast this month flew by!

If you missed a previous week or you are curious what this segment is about if this is your first time seeing it, I will be posting my Top 10 things I have been either adding or seeking the most. In other words what has been trending in my hobby, hence the name. Next week, the list could change and some things could disappear with new things added or move up and down my interests list.

You just never know because I never know where my head will be week to week.

So, the next post will feature the list of stuff for that week and then will compare it to this week for a breakdown of the trending ways and why. If I have an explanation for it.

Hopefully I will.

Without further ado or more rambling, here is the very first list of what's trending in my hobby this week,

1. NY Giants Cards
2. 2025 Wild Card Splat Eli Manning Cards
3. 90's Inserts Any Team, Any Sport, Any Player specifically 1995-99
4. Ken Griffey Jr Cards
5. Jaxson Dart Cards
6. Eli Manning Cards
7. Non Sport Autograph/Relic Cards
8. Rodney Hampton Cards
9. Mikaela Shiffrin
10. Allan Houston Cards

This week the momentum of owner's meetings, the end of a Panini era of NFL cards and combined with the upcoming NFL draft momentum, my Gmen take over the number one spot this week. It also helps with the news of a possible Odell Beckham Jr reunion! I am all for it if he is healthy. BIG IF.

We have some other movers as well.

Darkwing Duck falls off the list as I landed the ones I wanted, sharing those very soon. 90's inserts and Eli Manning Wild Card Splat cards are still very 2A and 2B. Rodney Hampton prices on new cards has him moving down the list as I am being priced out for my Super PC and back on the Top 10 board is Mikaela Shiffrin.

Not a lot of movers and shakers right now, but that can change very fast week to week depending on what I find interesting. 

If you were curious about last weeks list and how it changed, here it is again,

1. 90's Inserts Any Team, Any Sport, Any Player specifically 1995-99
2. 2025 Wild Card Splat Eli Manning Cards
3. Disney Lorcana Darkwing Duck Cards
4. Ken Griffey Jr Cards
5. Jaxson Dart Cards
6. NY Giants Cards
7. Eli Manning Cards
8. Rodney Hampton Cards
9. Non Sport Autograph/Relic Cards
10. Allan Houston Cards

Who knows what next week will bring or where the wind will take me next. I guess you will have to come back and see.

While you wait, let me know what you are collecting this week or what's been trending in your hobby!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*