Belated Birthday Gift

*sits down and gets ready for an exciting post on Cards Over Coffee*

 

Before the post, sip and donut time.

*takes a bite, a sip and gets ready for the post*

In life, people come and go. Most of the time when they go, they are gone never to be heard or seen again. However, there are rare instances when they come back.

I know in my hobby life; I have met lots of great people online whether that be through blogging or on my Facebook pages or on Twitter. Some I haven't heard from in years. Some I talk to everyday and one...well...I thought was gone but has returned after six months.

Welcome back Oren. Glad to have you back.

*takes a sip before moving on with today's post*

*takes a bite of donut as well*

*another sip*

Not only was it great to hear from Oren and knowing he was fine, but it will be fun to kick off our trades again and being able to email one another as well.

Oren also had a surprise packed for me and sent me a belated birthday gift and it was amazing.

Check this out,

New card for my Marvel PC, more on that coming up in a future post.

We all have seen that Bowman Mantle before, but have you seen these other promotional Mantles before? I haven't.

Here is the back to them. Interesting oddball addition.

The base version of this 1997 Bowmans Best Best Cuts Jake Plummer will go great with the refractor version I have :)

Cooper Taylore was a 5th round pick of the Giants in the 2013 draft. He didn't quite make a big splash and was cut by the Giants, but always welcome any Giants player as long as they are wearing blue.

Do you know how bad I wanted one of these back in 2000? REALLY BAD! I have always kept an eye on one and have wanted still since. I guess I can cross it off now.

Wayne Gallman showed some bright spots when he started some games for the Giants when Saquon Barkley got injured.

David Stambaugh is an actor for The Bad News Bears movies, and this marks I believe my third autograph from this set. 

Along with sending along those great cards above, Oren hit me up with some wicked cool unopened packs. I haven't decided which ones I am opening or adding to my unopened pack PC.

The Simpsons. First time I have one of these in my collection. I really need to chase down the base set.

Upper Deck Dinosaurs. I remember winning a box of these and how fun that product was to open.

2022 Absolute Memorabilia retail pack. I ripped this bad boy.

Results. Not a bad find with the Pickens, he showed some serious highlights last year and could grow off from it this year.

 

These are beautiful!!! OG Batman movie packs (I want this base set and sticker set), Batman Begins pack (I am wanting this base set and hologram set) and Batman Forever hanger pack (want this base set and hologram set). I haven't decided which of these I will open yet or keep them sealed for my Batman collection.

Then came a huge surprise......

2021 Historic Autographs Written Word POTUS The First 36. This would mark my first hobby box opening of 2023. With no company sponsors left, I figured I would never see a hobby box again then came this surprise.

What's really cool with these, there are chances to pull DNA cards which would be beyond EPIC for me to find.

Each box comes with two cards for that chance at one. Here is what those two cards can be overall, Written Word Card, Limited Edition Die-cut Monument Card, POTUS DNA Hair Card, POTUS DNA Dual Hair Card or an Authentic POTUS Cut Signature Card

I couldn't wait any longer, so I tore in that box like I did when I opened up the donut one,

This is what it looks like on the inside.

Card #1

Andrew Johnson, our 17th president cut up handwritten words from him. Pretty cool and wonder what kind of document they cut up for these. You would think it would be in a history museum. You can view the documents online which I will probably do at some point.

 

And the next card is Grover Cleveland, the 22nd president cut up handwritten words. Once again, I need to look up the documents they cut up.

I didn't get the DNA card or even the cut-up signature I had hoped for, but I am still beyond stoked for these. Really cool history pieces for my non sport PC. I really want to open another now!

Thanks again to Oren for this superb gift. Really appreciate it beyond words.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I hope everyone is ready for more of the mail day posts from Oren coming up this year. I am sure there will be more fun cards to show off.

In comments today, comment on the cards or what you do with packs like the ones I have above. Do you collect unopened packs? wrappers?

I hope everyone has a great Monday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Blogger National 2023

*sits down, takes a sip of coffee. opens keyboard, begins to type today's newest post*

Last year I posted a Blogger National for those of us who can't enjoy the experience of actually being at the The National Sport Collectors Convention. That way we can still connect with one another without spending the big bucks to do so. Though I would love to sit down, have a cup of coffee and talk cards with you.

*takes a sip, tips mug towards computer screen hoping you will return the favor*

I am a few days late on posting this year's Blogger National, but I am still hoping you all will still participate in this blog bat-around.

What is the Blogger National? Well, it's a blog-bat-around where you just take one post (or multiple if you so choose) in the next few days and dedicate it to showing off your coolest cards or your most favorite cards or a recent mail day you hadn't posted yet using the blog post title, The Blogger National 2023.

I want you to try to find the cards that are show worthy to you. You know, the dazzling cards that would attract all of the people over to your table (blog).

I received some show worthy cards in a few of my recent mail days.

*takes a sip before continuing on with today's post*

I am not sure why, but I felt drawn to needing an Indiana Jones rookie. Maybe because of the new movie or maybe because I was a fan. I am looking forward to watching the new movie at some point.

I didn't have a Zebra parallel in my collection before and now to own one of the league's best running back and of a Giant, I am happy. I acquired this one in a trade on Twitter.

This card I have been wanting a very long time. Great moment in Knicks history by my favorite Knicks player.....and it's shiny. This came from a long time Twitter friend.

And finally, along with the Allan Houston above, I was given this 2001 Kerry Collins E-X Essential Credentials /299. Great 90's parallel, not as exciting of a 2000's insert but still a need.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I am hopeful many of you will join in on this. Usually my Blog-Bat-Arounds go nowhere but maybe this one will catch your attention. Last year was no to very little turnout but I am trying again!

And for those of you who read this and don't have a blog, feel free to post your cards on social media and use the hashtag, #TheBloggerNational2023. I will be on the lookout for that hashtag on all social media platforms. Well, except TikTok. I haven't joined that at all yet and don't plan to.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Hunger Games

*sits down with cup of coffee, cards and a bagel*

*takes a sip*

*takes a bite*

*another sip*

The Hunger Games may sound like a movie for overeaters, but it's far from that.

The Hunger is not for food, it's to stay alive.

The premise of the story takes place in Panem, which is a North American country consisting of a wealthy Capitol and 12 districts (originally 13) in varying states of poverty. Every year, children from the 12 districts, one boy and one girl between the ages of 12-18 for each, are selected via lottery to participate in a televised battle royale death match called The Hunger Games. The Games were created because originally there were 13 districts but District 13 rebelled against the government, so they wanted to send a reminder to the other districts not to try that. Also, it's basically, entertainment for the capital.

The winning "Tribute" or last person standing, get their home district rewarded with food, supplies, and riches. So there is something to strive for other than staying alive.

The Hunger Games was an annual event, until a brave girl (Katniss Everdeen played by Jennifer Lawrence in the movies) from District 12 decided to stand up against the government. How that went...well that's where I will leave you if you haven't read the books or watched the movies.

*takes a sip*

I have seen the movies many times now, my wife has done both books and movies, and I find myself noticing something I missed every time. The movies are really well done and get you hooked from the start.

When I found out cards were made, I had to grab some.

I didn't however grab the regular set ones, yet, but did add the Walmart exclusive set.

 

The movie featured some big stars such as Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Banks,Woody Harrelson, and Donald Sutherland to name a few.

The twists and turns throughout the movie keep you on the edge while also making you wonder how the writer came up with such ideas. Some of that stuff is whack!

*takes a sip, last bite of bagel which is now cold*

I think I should write The Coffee Games where you drink as much coffee as you can in one sitting without having to go pee. The person who holds it the longest gets a year supply of the brew of their choice. Sounds like a good story and a game I would definitely participate in. Possibly win as well with my bladder issues I am having as I get older.

As for the cards above, I hope to add some of the actual set ones to my collection at some point.

In the comments section today, I want to know if you have seen The Hunger Games, read the books, have any cards in your collection.

Otherwise, may the coffee ever be in your favor. (Hunger Games reference)

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

A Trip Of A Lifetime The Finale

*sits down, gets ready for a new post on Cards Over Coffee*

I thought a rainy day like today would be a great opportunity to finish up this series. I also have some stuff to say about the amount of rain and flooding we have seen her recently.

 

On our final day in DC, I got to dive into another breakfast at the hotel. This one was a little bit more balanced and for us older people, we understand why there is an Activia yogurt on the plate.

The final day was spent going to Musuems.

The first one was The National Museum Of Natural History.

There was a little bit of a line, but we managed to get in pretty quickly.

(even as an adult, I can't get enough of seeing dinosaurs)

The next visit was to The National Air and Space museum which was literally down the street from this one. There were so many we could have visited but we only had time for two.

But, I was happy with both choices. I am always fascinated with space.

There were some really fun sights to see. This wasn't all of my pictures, just some of my favorites.

Rest of the trip was spent doing some touring, including a nighttime tour. Here are a bunch of other photos I snapped on the tour along with some others as well,

(red sun from the smoke from Canada, it didn't get bad in DC until our last day there where the air quality was bad)

 

 

And that's all she wrote.

It was a fun trip, the kids were great I got to chaperone, and we all had some good laughs along the way. Something I will remember forever even with the $4 coffee.

*takes a sip before finishing up today's post*

I would definitely go back again if I got the chance.

However, for those of you who live in this area, how do you even get to places on time?? Metro was slow and the metro cards didn't work half the time. It was frustrating on that part.

Other than that, really historic visit and makes you appreciate our country. If you haven't been, I suggest you go. Even if you have to use Metro.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and thoughts on my trip and if you have gone welcomed in comments.

*one final sip to celebrate a great trip*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*