Well, there is the plan, and then there is reality.
In my first pass, I load up on vinyl usually. This time around, I grabbed a White Lion: Big Game, the new Black Keys album, a live metal compilation, and a sealed Randy Travis record. Pretty excited to find the Randy sealed, until I realized I'm opening it the second I get home. Still cool.
My plan was to root through the cheap boxes and look to score cards that were still carrying their pre-Covid prices. I made it about four tables before I gave up and just bout three shiny cards that I thought looked nice.
expof by Shaun Lindsay, on Flickr
I haven't bought a box of OPC in like 20 years, but I saw a couple of breaks where the inserts looked nice. No clue what I was supposed to get in this, but I was not expecting FOUR numbered cards. That's a decent reward for the value.
expog by Shaun Lindsay, on Flickr
I picked up about thirty pounds of toploaders from Ameet (99goals), who I miss dearly as a regular member of our old trade days. Great guy, and always a good chat, no matter how short.
Also cracked a box of UD Extended. Super cheap break, and I like some of the retro stuff, so you really can't go wrong.
expoh by Shaun Lindsay, on Flickr
expoi by Shaun Lindsay, on Flickr
Also cracked a box of Metal. Another product I knew nothing about, and had zero expectations for. Price point was in my ballpark, so I figured why not. Not sure if PMGs are one per box, but I got one, so, yeah, cool.
expoj by Shaun Lindsay, on Flickr
expok by Shaun Lindsay, on Flickr
expol by Shaun Lindsay, on Flickr
Overall, another enjoyable show. I run a pretty basic route each show, and usually find nothing I need, and end up loading up on wax to break for fun at home. I people watch, I eat ice cream, and I marvel at the sheer size of it all.
I spend the whole day wondering when my brother in law (ish) is ever going to catch up to me, wondering if it is me that smells or the next guy, marveling at some of the collections that the dealers possess, tripping over red carpets, and seeing old friends and faces.
I've been deeply involved in this hobby for over 30 years now; I've sold a 170,000 card collection twice now, only to rebuild it. I've lost my shirt at times, and also made an absolute killing over and over again.
Most importantly. I had fun. Again. The Expo rocks.
