The Elation of a Filled Up Sampler Album Sheet: 1972

Since 1972 is my birth year, I seriously thought about building a Topps set from that year.  However, looking at the costs of the high number cards from this set sobered me up pretty quickly and I've decided against pursuing this idea, at least for the moment.   But I can still take a gander at this colorful set, thanks to my sampler album, and I didn't have to put a lot of work or money into it.

That's the beauty of my sampler album project.  It's totally aligned with my half ass work ethic, as well as my tendency to change my mind about what cards I want to collect.  Since I only need to complete one page per set, I can jump around freely.  If I get on a vintage kick, I can focus on those years.  Or I can linger on the modern stuff. 

I just filled up the page for 1972, and I'm pretty pleased with it overall:

Every card here is solid, but I've also got some room to upgrade if I come across something better.  For example, I definitely want Brooks Robinson on this page.  And I'd like to trade out the Bench All Star Card for a Bench base card.  Otherwise, I imagine most of these cards will stick.



 

Sunday Cleve-view : Pictures, Pictures, Jalepenos

Not many pictures, and not much time to talk about them, but here are a few things up for auction at Cleve's this week.

 I do like these 1964 Topps Giants, and would love getting either of these two.

I've thought about trying to build a 1972 set.  If I can get this lot of 400 cards, I'm definately in.



I do want to take a moment and express my.... thanks? to Cleve, or at least his wife, for the big honking bag of jalepenos.   Cleve asked me last week if I liked jalepenos.

"Sure," I said, which was true.  I do like jalepenos.

"Do you like them hot?"  He asked, and had a little bit of a grin when he asked it.

They look innocent enough...

Well, you know me, and what a big macho stud I am.  I'm not going to back down from a warning like that.  "Oh, sure," I said. And then I added, "the hotter, the better," which was totally untrue and a totally unnecessary thing to say, and was totally me just talking big.

"Great," he said, "because my wife just picked a ton of them and I'll bring you a bag when you come in next week."

Friday was delivery day.  I picked up last week's winnings, and he brought out the bag of peppers.  I thanked him and went back to my office.

My first clue to potency of these things should have come when I took one out and smelled it.  My eyes began to water.  But, admittedly, I'm not very bright, and it smelled good, and I decided, at work of all places, to take a big old bite. 

I will say that my co-workers were a little concerned when I came barreling out of my office and sprinted to the kitchen.  They didn't know what was going on other than my face was red and I had tears streaming down my face.  I eventually put out the fire with some water and candy, but it took a while.

I'm still going to eat these things, but not by themselves, and not in large bites.  I guess you gave me plenty of warning Cleve.  I still appreciate it!