July is here... The countdown starts...

FB · June 30, 2003 11:42PM

23 days to go...

Now its time to come up with as much cash as I can and clear the credit cards so I've plenty of manuevering room.

I plan to start my VIP pass off on Thursday morning pouring through NM-MT or better raw cards from 61 through 72. With any luck, I can find a couple of 72 PSA 9's or 10's that I don't already have. And by Saturday morning, I expect to have bloodshot eyes and an aching back as I drive home north on the Garden State Parkway...

Ahhh yes.... can't wait....

Anyone else gearing up?

thegemmintman · June 30, 2003 11:45PM

FB, you forgot to allocate some time for gambling

.

riccaboni · July 1, 2003 12:22AM

No gambling for me I'm afraid unless you guys want to do a little side Texas Hold 'Em.

Gathered up my paychecks from working at the Giant Food Store here and sold old Playstation games to get some more cash. Hopefully you all will not have gotten in there before I and scoured the tables already.

I plan on getting there on Wednesday, doing the most shopping then, looking for ungraded items, going back Thursday for some larger items, and then checking out and relaxing at the Registry reception and putting a few faces to the names here. Former WWF wrestler Dan "The Beast" Severn will be there, but I've already gotten 4 of his autographs and met him twice

. Stacy Keibler will be there on Sunday, she is a valet in the WWE. By all recommendation, if you are there, I would meet her. Here is a link to her official page. 42 inch legs! WOW!

Unfortunately, I will be gone by Friday evening, and unable to meet Stacy.

Hope to see you all there!

Ian

dude · July 1, 2003 1:04AM

FB -- Nice thread. Perhaps we can have a roll call for all who plan to attend.

Will the Gemmintman be there? I hope so!

For those of you who missed last year's National, it could be best summed up as: "A fun time was had by all!"

I expect this one to be even better. I'm looking forward to meeting all who attend!

Vargha · July 1, 2003 1:24AM

Too far for me.

thegemmintman · July 1, 2003 1:30AM

I will be there Dude! I may even break away from my gambling for a while to see what this card show is all about

.

BobS · July 1, 2003 1:37AM

Too far for me too. Sorry. I look forward to hearing the stories and seeing the photos posted here. But next year, look out (less than 1-1/2 hr. drive from home).

interchanges · July 1, 2003 1:48AM

I kind of gave up going to big shows. It's not worth the effort anymore.
Sure, it's great when you first walk in, and start roaming around and looking at all the stuff, but prices on stuff I collect (some regionals and pre-war) are out of the stratosphere! You get much better deals on either dealer's auctions or ebay.

The last two times I was leaving Chicago after a show, getting on that stinkin' Dan Ryan freeway, I remember thinking, why did I bother? Expensive food, hotel rooms, not enough cards I'm interested in, vacation days spent, etc.
I'm not trying to impart gloom to a fun thread FB, I just can't justify going to nationals unless they're in my backyard.

Have fun though!!

FB · July 1, 2003 1:56AM

Interchanges - no offense taken and no gloom imparted!

Believe me! I'd have to think longer and harder if it were farther than it is (2 hours by car) and more expensive to stay there (my room at Resorts is being comp'd by a friend!) so for me, its pretty much is a no brainer.

mcastaldi · July 1, 2003 2:06AM

My "National" was this past weekend at SportsFest. With what I would have spent on airfare and hotel I was able to spend on cards.

Interchanges> I guess it just depends on what you're looking for and how willing you are to dig for it. I was able to find nearly 150-175 NM/MT to MT raw 1972s that will get submitted. Of those, about 120 are cards not in my set and will get graded first. The rest are almost all upgrades to the PSA8s that I have and will get submitted as time and money allows. All in all, the pricing was very reasonable. And pricing aside, I've pretty much given up trying to find high-end raw 72s on eBay. It's just too much of a crap-shoot for me. Also. . .next time you come to Chicago for a show, talk to me and I should be able to come up with less-congested driving routes.

Mike

qualitycards · July 1, 2003 2:44AM

Expensive food, hotel rooms, not enough cards I'm interested in, vacation days spent, etc.
IC - Thats sums up every vacation I've ever had, so I expect nothing different this year. But the chance to bump into Zardoz, Gemmintman, King Kellogg, Dude and other celebrities makes it all worth while...jay

Basilone · July 1, 2003 3:03AM

<< <i>Sure, it's great when you first walk in, and start roaming around and looking at all the stuff, but prices on stuff I collect (some regionals and pre-war) are out of the stratosphere! You get much better deals on either dealer's auctions or ebay. >>

agreed....it is cool to see of the memorbilia that is for sale though.

John

murcerfan · July 1, 2003 7:32AM

Blah, Blah, Blah....
If you have the time and interest to be on this board,
............then be there or be SQUARE Daddy-o

You might just score the find of a lifetime or make a friend or two.

IMHO

I'll be there.................... unless I get banned

Basilone · July 1, 2003 8:02AM

Since I live in Cleveland...it makes sense to save my pennies and wait till next year. Honestly...if I went...most of my time would be at the poker tables anyways.

John

Wayne8348 · July 1, 2003 8:03AM

I'm in for sure. Hotel and Flight are already paid for. It is just as much fun meeting all of the registry members as it is looking at the cards. Hope to see everyone there.

Wayne

Mantlefan · July 1, 2003 8:36AM

I'll be there on Thursday. Staying at Ballys. Will be buying either PSA 6's or PSA 9's depending on my luck at the casino!

gaspipe26 · July 1, 2003 8:40AM

I'm at Bally's too. I believe Ron Ritt is also. Post on the dinner will be up in a few days.

rw2win · July 1, 2003 8:58AM

Somebody please take a video camera in case there are any impromptu boxing matches.

KING KELLOGG · July 1, 2003 10:23AM

Lets see...

I fly 3000 miles to a baseball card show, stay in a hotel that charges 10 times what its worth, pay over $450.00 for the opportunity to have 4 players sign my old bat, eat delicious food from the convention center snack shack, put up with the "cordial" east coast attitude, stare at BB cards all day and then stare at them again all night, cram myself in a room with 1000 other collectors for a quick 'howdy 'doo lunch..................AND FOR WHAT???

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That's right............Heaven!!!

I hope to meet all 5916 Registered set holders.

Larry

RayBShotz · July 1, 2003 10:59AM

I'll drive the 10 hours from Maine...no problem! My first National's Dude and I'm pretty psyched. Bob, I'll be staying Thursday at Caesars and Friday at The Trop...those are comps too Frank...my Mom hooked me up...she's the slots queen!
If I dont buy a thing it wont matter a bit. Just looking forward to meeting the gang of hobbyists bound to be assembled for this one. Kudo's to PSA for the luncheon.
Hoping the 69' gang can assemble also. Great group.
RayB69Topps

Wabittwax · July 1, 2003 12:42PM

All you east coast guys must be loving the National in Atlantic City. I live in Phoenix so I'll pass this year. I went to the Cleveland and Chicago shows but that about are far as I'll drive. Anaheim will be a dream for me because I can drive it in one day. If I went to Atlantic City, I'd probably drop all my money on a poker game. Any votes for the National in Las Vegas? That would be the ultimate location. It would be a party for 5 days. Plus rooms in the casinos on Fremont Street are $20. They should try it at least once.

FB · July 1, 2003 8:49PM

Wabbit,

I'll cast a vote for Vegas!!! All of the dealers would have to dress like Elvis!!! We could have Wayne Newton strolling the convention center floor singing "Danke Schoen". Maybe set up a fight between Mike Tyson and Tanya Harding!

Oh, the possibilities.....

KING KELLOGG · July 2, 2003 1:35PM

I'm with Frank....

Viva' Las Vegas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think every plane in the sky knows how to get there...

Larry

Aaronman · July 7, 2003 1:58AM

I'm out for the National this year again. It always coincides with my vacation. I zipped out to Chicago last week. I picked up about 2,500 baseball & football commons, all NM and better.

Enjoy the show,
Doug

curmudgeon · July 7, 2003 2:40AM

Wabittwax

I'm with you on Vegas! I also live in Phoenix, and see quality prewar and regional (frankly, all vintage) as often as I shovel snow. Set it up in Vegas, let the East Coast folks travel, and I'm sure they will have the time of their lives. Second choice--New Orleans, just 'cuz I have this dream some local walks in with a boxful of pristine Tango Eggs and other regionals that he wants to sell for cheap, and I intercept him just inside the door. Excuse me while I'm having a moment.........................OK, I'm better now.

1954 · July 7, 2003 3:23AM

I will be there as well. Looking forward to putting a face with the name. Murcerfan are you still going? I have not heard from you in a while.

Leo

FB · July 7, 2003 8:59PM

16 more days and I'll be on that VIP line waiting for the doors to open!

Have to free up more cash....

KING KELLOGG · July 7, 2003 11:57PM

Gee Frank......You aren't too excited about this National thing..Are 'ya??

Larry

Tipem · July 8, 2003 8:24AM

I'm in!!

My 11 year old son,Patrick and I will be flying in to NYC on Tuesday and then going to AC in the evening.I figured taking my son will serve a twofold purpose.First and foremost,quality time with my son and secondly,a deterrent to the casinos.I am a terrible gambler(although I love it).

Vic

July is here... The countdown starts...

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