pmc336699
Verified Trader
As I'm down to the last 10, or so, cards left in my possession I sit back and reflect a little. It seems like ages ago now that I started collecting through eBay and forums. It opened a whole new world from buying packs and singles from the limited amount of shops in my area. In the beginning it was a bit of a competition as a player, and set collector, but it quickly evolved.
Thinking back to the early Beckett days I remember telling Curt I was going to give him a run for his money as THE Gaborik collector (foolish and impossible, I know, funny). That started a good friendship with him, and many more to follow on the boards. The thrill of the hunt was a lot of fun throughout the years, but it was really the interaction with people here and there that kept me in it for as long as it did. From working together to keep Gabby prices down on the 'Bay, to sending freebies to others to help with their sets, to people letting hard to find PC items go to help with my projects; it was all with the help of the internet. I'm very happy I stumbled upon it all.
I won't go through folks name by name, but I appreciate all the friends I made in the hobby and even the people I butted heads with. Although I gave up on it for a number of reasons, I'm sure two more good people will take my place. For all the thieves, patch swappers and eBay scammers; there are far more genuine, caring folks. I still have to stop in and check on you all every now and then. Thanks for everything.
Turning the page...my collecting obsession has not left, just took a different direction. I started learning to play guitar as a teenager, but put it down after a while because I was...well, a teenager (school, girls, partying). About the time I gave up on cards a couple years back, I decided to pick the axe back up for giggles. After buying one it started to spiral. Now I'm up to eight in the collection. I used the money from selling cards to buy and upgrade the bunch, and each are different in many ways. I'm probably not going to join a band or start touring any time soon, it's just another hobby, but I am getting better.
As I'm finding guitar forums and more good, like-minded people; I can't help but think about how limited hobbies were before the 'net. It's such a useful tool, and escape from the daily grind. I guess I just wanted to throw up this beer-infused rant to thank you all again, especially those who take their time and effort to run the forums. Keep helping each other enjoy your hobby.
Cheers!:beer:
Pat
Thinking back to the early Beckett days I remember telling Curt I was going to give him a run for his money as THE Gaborik collector (foolish and impossible, I know, funny). That started a good friendship with him, and many more to follow on the boards. The thrill of the hunt was a lot of fun throughout the years, but it was really the interaction with people here and there that kept me in it for as long as it did. From working together to keep Gabby prices down on the 'Bay, to sending freebies to others to help with their sets, to people letting hard to find PC items go to help with my projects; it was all with the help of the internet. I'm very happy I stumbled upon it all.
I won't go through folks name by name, but I appreciate all the friends I made in the hobby and even the people I butted heads with. Although I gave up on it for a number of reasons, I'm sure two more good people will take my place. For all the thieves, patch swappers and eBay scammers; there are far more genuine, caring folks. I still have to stop in and check on you all every now and then. Thanks for everything.
Turning the page...my collecting obsession has not left, just took a different direction. I started learning to play guitar as a teenager, but put it down after a while because I was...well, a teenager (school, girls, partying). About the time I gave up on cards a couple years back, I decided to pick the axe back up for giggles. After buying one it started to spiral. Now I'm up to eight in the collection. I used the money from selling cards to buy and upgrade the bunch, and each are different in many ways. I'm probably not going to join a band or start touring any time soon, it's just another hobby, but I am getting better.
As I'm finding guitar forums and more good, like-minded people; I can't help but think about how limited hobbies were before the 'net. It's such a useful tool, and escape from the daily grind. I guess I just wanted to throw up this beer-infused rant to thank you all again, especially those who take their time and effort to run the forums. Keep helping each other enjoy your hobby.
Cheers!:beer:
Pat
