A PC Post

 *sits down and begins to think, not something that is always easy to do early in the morning, and begins to type though the coffee has moved too fast in the system yet*

*takes a sip*

It's been a while since I have had a post where I simply just update what I am collecting. As many collectors know, your collecting habits change over time for a multitude of reasons. Maybe your favorite player got traded. Maybe you had to sell some cards and decided you were no longer collecting that player or team or set. Maybe you lost interest in following a sport. Or maybe things cost so much, that you wanted to enjoy the hobby in a different way. Whatever the reason, there is no wrong way to collect and no judgement from me if you tweaked your PC some.

I certainly know over time mine has had many makeovers. Almost as many makeovers as an aging Hollywood star.

And I am sure below that there are many changes from the last time I posted about mine. I have been trying to narrow things down some as years go on and put focus on things that matter most to me.

Here is where I stand currently,

Baseball:

90's Inserts (1995-1999)

Ken Griffey Jr

Basketball

90's Inserts (1995-1999)

Allan Houston

Football:

90's Inserts (1995-1999)

Eli Manning

Rodney Hampton (if you can find anything I don't have which is tough)

NY Giants I don't have and including the other player PC's I do of Amani Toomer, Andre Williams, Charles Way, Rueben Randle, Victor Cruz, David Tyree.

Hockey:

90's Inserts (1995-1999)

Non-Sport

Marvel (only from the newer movies, not so much the cartoon ones)

Batman

Pop Century Autographs

Any Actor, Actress, Relic or autograph from any TV Show or Movie

Allen Ginter Non Sport base cards

Allen Ginter Non Sport Inserts

Nostalgic Actor/Actress autographs

Darius Rucker

RL Stine

Other Cards:

Cards that feature coffee

Christmas Cards

Horror Cards

My Set Chases

Unopened Packs/Boxes

Michaela Shiffrin

Other Stuff Not Cards I Collect

80's and 90's toys

Mighty Morphin Power Ranger 30th Anniversary VHS Figures

Christmas Vacation (anything that features the movie from food items to ornaments to figures)

Even though my list still seems long, definitely not as long as it used to be, there are still levels of preference among my list.

Here is what I prefer most,

1. NY Giants (this includes all of my side PC players)

2. Non-Sport Autographs

3. Marvel/Non Sports in general

4. 90's Inserts

5. Christmas Cards

And since this is a post about cards and my PC's, here are some of my latest additions to a couple of them,

Flair Showcase Legacy Parallels of Andre Williams one is numbered to 100 and the other is numbered to 150. Upper Deck nailed it with the remake of Fleer and Metal products.

I have another Williams relic close to this one, but not with such great swatches. Williams is one of my biggest Giants collections I have and there really isn't a specific reason for why I keep adding them. Maybe it was from regret thinking he was going to be the one and only lasted a couple seasons? Lesson learned, but it's still fun.

Allan Houston Floor Swatches. I know I already had one, but a second one with a different color swatch of floor from the MCI Center is pretty cool.

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

I will probably update my PC posts more often on here when I feel the shift in my collection. But not too often where it becomes annoying.

Hope everyone has a great Saturday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Can't Believe I Forgot!

Well, I can't say I am sitting down for a cup of coffee right now as it's 9:30 pm as I type this, but I can say I am a bit disappointed in myself!

Here I was thinking all along that Sunday is National Coffee Day when all along today was the day!!! I missed an entire day of celebrating! Not that I didn't already have my three cups at home, but I know some coffee places hold special deals on days like this. I would have made a Dunkin' run for a deal on a Pumpkin Spice coffee.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

*pulls what little hair is left on head*

I am not completely wrong about Sunday, as that is International Coffee Day and both are celebrated the same, just two days apart.

You better believe I won't be missing that one. Though I think they should just do all three days for the celebration.

It's getting late and I need to get to bed so I can wake up and have more coffee.

I hope all of you took advantage of today's holiday!

Happy Coffee Day everyone!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

PS: My second article on BCW's Website published today, while I have you, go check it out. See how I use a binder numbering system to find cards quicker. You can read the article here:
Binder Numbering System - BCW Supplies - BlogBCW Supplies – Blog

Complaining About FREE Cards?

*sits down, has some cards nearby and gets ready for a new post on Cards Over Coffee*

There isn't a lot in life that is free, so why would anyone complain about getting anything for free. I know if I was offered a free cup of coffee, I am not saying no.

All across social media, especially Twitter I see collectors complaining about getting free cards with their purchases.

Why???? 

Yes, in some cases some may be just base cards but in other cases sometimes its more than that. I have gotten die-cut parallels as some of my freebies and have seen others get the same. But yet, they are complaining and leaving negative feedback for the sellers who are being generous.

Not me. If you give me freebies, I am wanting to give you six stars on everything and a hug.

Like the latest seller I bought from. 

 

I picked up this Daniel Jones 2023 Elite Orange parallel /399 for next to nothing.

And the seller tossed in two bonus 2023 Elite Giants base cards.

With the way my finances are this year, getting two free cards I didn't have and probably wouldn't have had makes me celebrate.

This is 6-Star level kind of stuff and maybe even upgrading that hug to that weird Aunt with all of the red lipstick level hug.

So, if you're the seller for the Jones card and am reading this, thank you. And if you are one that complains about getting free extra cards with your purchase, just send them my way. I will give them a home.

Hope everyone has a great Friday and thanks for reading.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Taste The Rainbow

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

*takes another sip, copies and pastes a post from another blog that was supposed to publish there but decided to keep it here to only have one blog*

*another sip, does some editing and is ready for the post*

In the hobby when it comes to chasing rainbows, I treat it like Skittles, I want to taste the rainbow.

Not try the whole thing.

In today's hobby unless you have deep pockets, collecting an entire rainbow run of player is impossible. So, I just add a few of some of my favorite players just to see some color.

The recent player and card I chose is Eli Manning from 2023 Prizm Draft.

Even though I don't like college football or cards with college football uniforms, I find it a cheaper way to do a taste of the rainbow.

I landed one Eli for cheap, then got addicted.

I don't have the base card to kick off the chase, so I started with these first. Seems backwards, but base are easier to land at some point.

Silver Parallel

Gold Ice

  

Ruby Wave

And my first Snakeskin in my collection. This is a case hit SSP. Very cool looking card despite not being a fan of snakes.

Here is the overall look at the rainbow, what I have is crossed out (a couple are on their way) and what's left,

Gold Ice, Green, Purple Wave, Red Ice, Ruby Wave, Silver, Snakeskin, White Sparkle, Red /299, Blue Wave /249, Blue /199, Purple Ice /149, Red Finite /125, Blue Ice /99, Blue Finite /89, Purple /75, Gold Flash /49, Organa Pulsar /49, Red Flash /49, Orange Finite /39, Green Pulsar /25, Mojo /25, Gold Shimmer /15, Neon Pink Pulsar /15, Gold /10, Green Shimmer /8, Black Gold /5, Black Finite 1/1, Black Shimmer 1/1, Gold Vinyl 1/1.

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

I am not sure how many overall I will chase, but if I find some cheap ones, I will add them. No way I chase the full thing with three 1/1's as well. Panini has gone crazy.

However, as a side bonus, with each add to this run, it gets me a step closer to 1,000 different Eli Mannings as well.

That goal hopefully comes faster with a chase like this.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Building Up A Trade

*sits down with a big stack of cards nearby and a cup of coffee*

*takes a sip*

*feels stomach growling, gets up to get a bite to eat to hold off until post is done*

*takes a bite of cookie, breakfast holdover for champions*

*takes a sip and gets ready for today's post*

It sometimes blows my mind how trades come together and how they grow sometimes. 

Sometimes it's just a card for a card. Other times it's a handful of cards for one or more cards. And then there is a trade like today that started with a couple cards, ended then regrouped back into a few more cards before we mailed.

My end of the trade arrived yesterday so thought I would show it off on here of course.

Well...not all of it yet....

*takes a sip*

I am holding off on the autographs, the main course of the trade for my Coffee With segment so be ready for that. However, I will show off the other part of my trade on Twitter with @DanPortnov.

First up, this Joe Biden Goodwin Champions base. I can see people leaving these everywhere prices have gone up with him pointing at the price.

Not only a good beverage, but Arnold Palmer is possibly the greatest Golfer of all time.

Harry Houdini did things I can't imagine trying. Especially since I get claustrophobic being in an MRI machine...or in a crowd of people.

Hopefully I didn't post too many political cards on this post, sorry but I collect them.

I grabbed a couple of wrestling cards for a buddy of mine who collects them. Trying to load up a pile of them for his Christmas gift.

 

And the final card is a Bruce Almighty shirt swatch from Jim Carrey. I really like these A Piece Of Hollywood cards and own a dozen or so already. I think I have this one, but I don't mind owning duplicates.

Speaking of Hollywood, there is more to come in the autograph portion of this trade soon.

Thanks again to Dan for the trade.

*takes a sip before finishing up this post*

*gets up, takes a bagel from the freezer and puts it in the microwave to thaw and eat after the post is over*

I have had many times where my trades have built up like this one, it's part of the reason I don't ever seal and envelope until I know for sure the deal is complete.

And if for some reason it isn't and I have mailed, that's when you make a second trade. It's how you also make a friend and build up future trades.

*takes a final sip for today's post*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Happy Meal Again

*just came back from running an errand from town but had to grab some lunch on the way back, quick stop, McD's. short on cash equals one thing, a Happy Meal*

*checks out box to see what toy is hiding and reads Pokemon pack included, sweet*

*takes a sip of coffee which was drink of choice to go with the Happy Meal, gets ready for new post*

Back again for the second year in a row is the McDonald's Pokemon Happy Meal promotion. Last year McDonald's helped celebrate 25 years of Pokemon by including packs of cards in their Happy Meals and it has returned.

The only difference this year is that the promotion isn't celebrating another year and there is a smaller 15 card checklist instead of the 50 from last year but still all the fun.

I am not a Pokemon collector myself so I am not going to buy 20 Happy Meals to collect the set, but finding cards with food regardless is a win. You can tell I am not a collector of them when I can't pronounce half of the names.

The limited-time Happy Meal promotion started on September 12, 2023, and will run until October 16 so plenty of time for you to grab a meal and open a pack.

*takes another sip, McDonalds coffee definitely isn't great as it is very watered down. hope the meal is better*

*continues on with watered down coffee and today's post*

I thought I would begin by showing off the box first before I dig into the pack.

I won't bother showing the food, mostly because I finished it before I had a chance to take pictures and I am sure you have seen the food before.

But, what about the pack, well, box that the pack and other fun surprises comes within.

Inside of the box, comes,

A sticker and a cardboard spinner toy for the Pokémon Match Battle game. 

  

And the pack of cards. The cards are inserted at random with each pack of four cards containing one with the McDonald's holofoil pattern. 

  

My pack actually lacked the parallel. Disappointing since I wanted to see one.

Oh well.

In the end, I got some lunch, some cards and some coffee.

 

and it left me feeling like this.

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

I would love to see McDonald's expand more on this, let's get some sport card Happy Meals. Maybe one for each sports season. Get kids more into the hobby and less flippers/money hungry people. Just more people who are hungry for collecting...and some for nuggies.

Hope you have a great Friday!

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Inspired By A Post

*takes a sip, thinks about the past 11 years*

*takes another sip, gets ready for today's post*

Some days I really want to blog more, but on those days, I come into writer's block and can't come up with anything creative enough worthy to post.

On other days though, I dig deep and find a post. Today's post I came into some inspiration after reading Night Owl Cards post on his blog's anniversary. 

In that post, he mentioned how his blog had served him well with examples over the years and I found it very fascinating in correlation to myself and my blogging. So, I sat down and thought how well my blog(s) have served me over the years and in today's post, I wanted to discuss it. 

*takes another sip, well, gulp and may need more coffee before this post is over with.*

First off and most importantly, I have made so many friends through blogging. Fellow bloggers, readers, followers and Twitter which has gained me many friends I don't have in real life. But it all started with blogs.

Secondly, blogging opened up a ton of opportunities for me in the hobby. I got to review products and do giveaways for companies such as Topps, BCW Supplies, Cryptozoic, Parkside, Onyx, and Panini. Which also got me a door to message/email some of the big names in the hobby and have discussions with them. I was also a part of a program called Upper Deck Volunteer Alliance where a small group of us did missions to earn FREE products and merchandise. 

Third, writing on my blogs, especially this one, has given me more opportunities to write for other companies. I have articles published on BCW supplies website, Bags Unlimited and Beckett. These were all things I never thought I would ever do in my lifetime nor have the opportunity to, but it was because of my blogs.

Fourth, I have added cards and been able to complete sets all because of blogging I never thought I would be able to. It's amazing the generosity that is out there and I appreciate it so much.

Fifth, I have been able to give cards away as well. It makes me happy to do so and find homes for cards that belong to others and not on my desk or hidden in a box. Blogging has connected me with those homes.

Lastly, blogging brought me probably the brightest moment and achievement in my life, well besides marrying my wife. I have to put that in here too, nobody wants to sleep on the couch (not sure if she reads any of my cardboard gibberish anyways but better safe than sorry). In 2017, I won the Best Sports Collecting Blog Award from GoGTS and Fatpacks Podcast as voted on by fans. In a world where I always feel like an underdog, I finally pulled off the major upset and won this award on livestream. When they announced who the winner was, you could see the shock on the announcers faces and the disappointment that who they wanted to win, didn't. I honestly celebrated like it was the Super Bowl....with coffee of course. 

These are just some of the great things blogging has done for me.

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

As I wrote this post today, well it's actually been a four day draft I keep adding to, I am still amazed by some of the stuff I listed above. Blown away almost. 

And none of this would have been possible without you guys. Thank you.

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday. Pour yourself an extra cup, you have earned it.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Call It A Comeback

*takes a sip, grabs stack of cards to discuss about today, gets ready for a new post on cards over coffee*

*smells toaster, remembers bagel is toasting, gets up, gets bagel, butters said bagel, takes a bite, returns to seat, dries hands on nearby napkin to get rid of any butter, takes a sip, gets ready for a new post*

I don't do it too often, but I was about to risk my cup of coffee and toss it at my TV yesterday as the NY Giants approached halftime being down 20-0 to an Arizona Cardinals team that is "ranked" as the worst teams in the NFL. Everything the Cardinals did against the Giants in the first half worked on offense and defense and it appeared my favorite team in blue was heading down an 0-2 start and facing one of the NFL's best teams in San Francisco on Thursday. 

0-3 was right around the corner.

However, the story changed in the second half. The Giants had life in them, and I am not sure what Coach Daboll said to them at halftime, but I wished he gave that speech to me on my worst days because apparently, he can make the darkest moments bright.

In the second half, the Giants scored 31 points to Arizona's 7 and won the game on a field goal with less than a minute left after trailing 28-7 at one point in the half.

The 21-point comeback by the Giants is one of the biggest in team history and hopefully can be the turning point for their season.

 

The comeback mainly fell on the arm of Daniel Jones, but Saquon Barkley had his moments as well and proved why the Gmen gave him a big one-year deal. The only down part was late in the game when the Giants were running down the clock, Saquon's ankle got crushed squished and is being called a sprain even though it looked worse than that. How bad that sprain is or how long he will be out for, time will tell. 

All I know is, they are going to need him.

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

The Giants sit at 1-1 after two games, it's the pace I predicted them at so far. I am hoping they can figure out a few things both on offense and defense and use this game as some momentum heading to San Fran on Thursday.

And hopefully I won't have to think about throwing my mug full of coffee at the TV again.

*takes a final sip and bite of bagel*

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Coffee With John Ratzenberger

*coffee is hot, laptop is open, takes a sip then begins to type*

*i guess typing has happened the whole time, but you get it*

It has been too long since I last added a non-sport autograph to my collection. Today's addition isn't a household name to many, but it's one I know.

For those of you who have heard the name John Ratzenberger, you probably know him best as Cliff Clavin who was the mail carrier on the hit comedy Cheers. I didn't watch a lot of Cheers, if any, so I know him best for his voice acting in over 20 Pixar films.

Another one of those voices of my childhood.

John voice Hamm from Toy Story to Mack The Truck in Cars to the Yeti in Monsters Incorporated. It's a recognizable voice across all of the Pixar films. There were even a few jokes in a couple of the movies about it.

 

The back of the card tells us about his advocating for skilled trades and keeping it Made In America. Something I would support as well.

This marks my second sought after voice actor autograph on my list of roughly five. I still need to chase down the others.

Let me know your favorite role by John in comments.

I hope everyone has a great Thursday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Unfinished Cup:2022 Topps Chrome Heart Of The City

I have my coffee and I am ready for today's newest post.

I have been spending a lot of time trying to fill in set needs from sets I have started, but never finished. Though I haven't finished a lot of them, I have made some progress towards them.

One of those sets is 2022 Topps Chrome Heart Of The City.

These inserts fell 1:6 packs and features an impactful star player and the city he plays in.

I knew I wanted to chase the set once I added the Aaron Judge card to my PC. It looks spectacular and I like the design and idea for the set.

So, I added these ones as well,

But I am still 7 away from completing the 15-card set. One of the cards isn't featured because it hasn't arrived yet.

Here is what remains for my wants, the ones crossed out are obviously ones I already have.

HOC-1 Bryce Harper - Philadelphia Phillies

HOC-2 Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers

HOC-3 Barry Larkin - Cincinnati Reds

HOC-4 Pete Alonso - New York Mets

HOC-5 Freddie Freeman - Atlanta Braves

HOC-6 Juan Soto - Washington Nationals

HOC-7 Jose Ramirez - Cleveland Guardians

HOC-8 Josh Hader - Milwaukee Brewers

HOC-9 Tim Anderson - Chicago White Sox

HOC-10 Whit Merrifield - Kansas City Royals

HOC-11 Matt Olson - Oakland Athletics

HOC-12 Max Muncy - Los Angeles Dodgers

HOC-13 Aaron Judge - New York Yankees

HOC-14 Jose Altuve - Houston Astros

HOC-15 Rafael Devers - Boston Red Sox

If any of you have any of my remaining needs, please let me know in comments!

Also in comments, let me know your thoughts on this set.

Hope your weekend goes great! Have an amazing Saturday.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

Neglected

*sits down for an afternoon cup of joe, takes a sip, gets ready to do a post on cards over coffee*

I posted before summer began that I was taking a break from this blog to focus on family and other things going on. It was a busy summer to say the least.

Now with fall kicking into gear (you wouldn't know it with today's 96-degree heat index despite the leaves changing colors), things have slowed down some so I have been able to do a few posts on here and try to dig back into collecting again.

The problem with taking such a chunk of time off, is all of the work that comes with neglecting this blog and my collection. First, I have no drafts on here so posts are being done as I can think of things to post about. 

Today's post is an example.

 

Second, I had cards sent my way a few times this year in big chunks which has put me really far behind in sorting it all out. These boxes also contain stuff leftover I hadn't sorted yet from last fall. So, now I have a ton of work and little time to do so. 

Third, I have these sorting trays full of trade bait for fellow bloggers and former bloggers all summer I just haven't had a minute to put them into PWEs and mail out. So, some of you reading this, be watching your mailboxes by Christmas (fingers crossed).

Lastly, I have been adding some set needs and really need to take the time to get those numbers along with my want list updated on here.

A lot to do with not a lot of time, but I will take advantage of the time I can squeeze in.

I hope all of you have a great Friday.

And before I close out today, I wanted to share an article I recently had published on the BCW Website, How to Ship Cards For the Cost of a Stamp . With my little bit more of extra time, I have been submitting articles to companies hoping to get them published. Stay tuned on this front as I may have more to share.

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

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*

The Martian Has Landed

*sits down, has coffee in hand and a stack of cards. takes a sip, is ready for the latest cards over coffee post*

I am not sure how many of you were watching the skies a few days ago, but if you missed it, a UFO was spotted over Yankee Stadium and a Martian was left behind.

A Martian that can truly hit a baseball and it wasn't just talk all of these years.

Jasson Dominguez came out swinging in New York hitting a homerun in his first at bat, which is about the only thing exciting about this season for the Yankees. The future is bright in the city though.

Even though his numbers aren't complete fire yet, hitting .231 average with two homeruns, I think it was the right time to call up the kid and get his MLB career underway.

Even though I don't collect a lot of baseball anymore, just 90's inserts, Ken Griffey Jr, Aaron Judge, Derek Jeter and a few specific cards that catch my eye, I have been collecting Jasson Dominguez some since his first Bowman came out.

I thought to celebrate his MLB debut, I would show off some of my favorite cards from my collection of him...with coffee of course.

Yes, it's Panini card, but it's purty isn't it?

1st Bowman

1st Bowman Chrome Mojo (it's a nice looking card and I gave up Texas Rangers to acquire it so was all gain for me)

Once again, I know it's Panini, but I like the design of this one with the throwback to Donruss and the pinstripe relic.

Prospect Relic from Elite.

Upper Deck Goodwin included Dominguez in their product one year with autographs, base, parallels and relics like this one.

As soon as I saw this one a couple of years ago for trade, I jumped on it. This may be my favorite card of Dominguez I own.

 

If it wasn't for this one. This one has to be the favorite one right?

I have others that could have made the list, but I focused on the top ones. I have roughly 25 cards in my Dominguez collection which isn't big to anyone else, but I think it's a good one.

I just hope he keeps on hitting.

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

I haven't watched much Yankee baseball this year, but I hope they put a game on so I can see Dominguez swing at least once this year.

Thoughts on my collection, Dominguez, your collection of him, any other prospect you are excited about welcomed in comments.

I hope you enjoy your cup of coffee this morning and this post.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*