Welcome to AREA 40

I thought I could do it, I thought if I unloaded a Clemente sized can of ass whup on BWTP that I could finally walk away in peace. But the bloods still pumping in this collectors heart and I'm back.

So welcome to AREA 40.  What is the deal? What does it mean?  Well, here's the scoop. I recently turned the big 39 and one of my buddies remarked it's all downhill from here and welcome to AREA 40.  not sure I've heard that terminology before but he had enjoyed a few bourbon cordials so he may have just made it up. Either way I liked it so welcome to AREA 40.

The past few months I have been very good.  I haven't opened any packs and didn't even fall victim to Ohtani fever.  But I'm still itching and wondered how I can scratch one last time.  So I've decided on a plan inspired by a picture.

This is circa 1991 and I don't think I've ever been happier in collecting.  That many packs made me feel like a king. So I've got about 11 months until I turn 40 and I'm going to accumulate as many packs as I can.  Then I will have a huge cardboard blowout.  Maybe then I will be ready to walk away.  But for now load up the spaceship with the rocket fuel as I scrounge all over parts unknown to build the biggest pack stash I can.  There will be contests along the way as I update my progress.  I will be sticking to packs(for all sports and even non sports) from 1997 to today as that was when I re-entered the hobby in full force.  Here's the first few assortments of packs headed for my vault.

So how many packs do I want to acquire in the next year? As many as I can!  I have a number in mind but I'll release that a later date.  But for now buckle up----IM BACK

It's Coming Soon

World Cup of Trading WE HAVE A WINNER TOP 6 REVEAL

After so much deliberation I have arrived upon a final six and we have a winner.  I went from 11 to six in my deliberations and then went about ranking the top six.  By all means this was a tremendously difficult decision.  I have added everyone that competed in the WCOT to my final going away trading list. I have also added everyone that I had listed on my Willinghammer contest on that list as well.  I will be working to get something to everyone on that list in the next month or so.  Then for the future this blog will be going dark. I will share maildays on twitter but dont plan to blog or actively trade.  Some very close acquaintances will still occasionally see me pop up in their mailboxes from time to time.  So anyway here is the big finale!  From #6 to 1.  I will have the paypal prizes out at the beginning of the month.

#6. The Daily Dimwit

#5.  Bob Walk the Plank

#4.  SCC

#3.  The Lost Collector

#2.  James

#1.  ANGUS

I want to again say THANK YOU to everyone that participated and made this a very hard decision!  I also must say Thank You to everyone thats ever read, commented, traded, bought, sold, or even just chatted via email.  Happy Trails Buckeroos.  Be good to yourself and each other!

Wes aka jaybarkerfan 

World Cup results not ready yet

Sorry to all but its been a crazy week and haven't been able to get the world cup finale post ready.  Not going to give a date that  i cant be sure i will be able to make. So lets just say Coming Soon!  Everyone have a great day!

World Cup of Trading Update

Just wanted to reach in and let everyone know that I have reviewed the field and chosen the top 11.  From there i hope to have announcement for the top finishers reveal next week!  Probably on next Thursday and Friday.  The decision just to get the field cut in half was incredibly tough but i got it there.  Differentiation from numbers 5-17 were especially difficult and i want to say thank youto everyone but here are the final 11 alive for the top spots in no particular order

Tim B
Greg
James
Matthew
Angus
AJ
Ptown
Gavin
SCC
Sam
Douglas

Good Luck to everyone!

World Cup of Trading Entrant 22- John Miller

Today is the day to share the final of 22 entries into the World Cup of Trading courtesy of John Miller.  John decided he wanted to keep me in trading so he buried me lol.  He initially selected three cards.

  

He started out his return package with these beauties

He also sent this mass of cardboard

 A staggering pile

 Starting with some baseball. Joey Gallo anyone?

 I have O Pee Chee for days. Including my fave "NOW WITH" cards

 And I have the Leaf to boot

 Those Diamond Kings are sharp!

 Burn those tires

 Drop the puck

 Hoop it up

 The Power of the Warrior

 A huge fricken football stack. Twitter followers are going to love it

 All #ed

 All #ed

 Roll Tide Baby!!

 Gold Dix

Finishing it off with some Bama Ink

John really loaded up my trade coffers. And never fear. Even im not running crazy contests on my blog Im not completing getting out of the hobby.  Great job my friend!

Now the deliberation begins. 22 extremely great selections and this will be extremely tough.  All i can say is the winners will be announced in September.  I want to again say Thank You to everyone for all the great cards and all the fun on the blog over the years.  Good luck to everyone. After the WCOT is awarded i will wrap up the Willinghammer contest the blog will go dark except for occasional updates about my collection etc.

World Cup of Trading Entrant 21- Greg Zakwin

Welcome to the next to last entry in the 2017 World Cup of Trading.  Todays entrant is Greg from PTSIA.  He sent a damn whopper.

He took these two off the board

Here us the return fire

The Bear and his mini me

Let the Willinghammer flow

A nice numbered bird

Another cool bird

An autograhed Bird of the Falcon variety

Some Mascot Fun

The Mavericks

Hot Ladies

Pretty sure Redus destroyed that baseball

Some IP auto gold

And another

And another. Israel reminds me of Borat

7 scrubs and a hammer

There is a storm a brewin

I followed the directions

Hot ink!

Oooh bella

RTR with this beauty

Maybe my best Maverick Auto ever

The final blow came courtesy of a Chicken.  Damn fine trade Greg!!  Thank you sir!

Next post will be the final entry from John.  Its a load!