2019 Card-vent Calendar: December 12

December 12, 2019:

2015 Rittenhouse Star Trek: The Next Generation #AC05 Comic Book Panel (59/154)

 So a Star Trek card set did a thing where they cut up comic book pages and pasted them onto cards like they were relics?  Interesting idea, and if they decided to use only one copy (or two, you know, printing on both sides) per issue, then theoretically each one of these framed panels is unique.  This one is from Vol. 2 #5.  Here's the cover. (Yes! Geordi gettin' some!  On the cover!)
I am especially pleased with this card because Commander William T. Riker is the featured subject.  Let the record state that I am a Riker Liker.  I hold the truth to self-evident that ST:TNG only got good once Jonathan Frakes grew a beard.  And, though my height makes it difficult to perform it in most situations, I am an admirer of the Riker Maneuver.  In my book, this card is... Number One.

2019 Card-vent Calendar: December 11

December 11, 2019:
1975 Topps #625 Boog Powell

While the short-lived Sixth Inning Sandwich Drop failed to reach the heights of the Seventh Inning Stretch in baseball lore, it had at least one ardent supporter in Baltimore's Boog Powell.  The man truly had no equal in the promotion.  Be it honey-baked ham and swiss, turkey club with extra tomato, or a Reuben taller than it is wide, nothing escaped his grasp.  Consider what became known as "The Italian Incident" in June of 1973.  Salami, pepperoni, and capicolla on fresh ciabatta gave the rest of the Orioles infield fits and starts, but not even the extra oil could discourage Mr. Powell, who easily cradled the culinary delight behind-the-back style, much to the approval of the crowd.  Due to airspace ordinances, the practice was ended just as the card you see above was hitting store shelves.  Probably a wise decision, as it was rumored that Boog was considering attempting his most difficult challenge: the Sloppy Joe.

 

2019 Card-vent Calendar: December 10

December 10, 2019:
2017 JellyLab Despicable Me Dr. Nefario

Cards such as this one can be won playing games of skill and chance at arcade/amusement centers such as Chuck E. Cheese's and Dave & Buster's.  While this one came in the Card-vent Calendar, it should be noted that I won a shitload of these at my daughter's birthday party this past summer.  You buy these cards that have an unlimited number of plays in them over a given time, and you can get quite good at some of these games.  I absolutely OWWWWWWWNED this game, which requires the player to drop a token on a moving conveyor belt completely within a given area to win tickets or one of the cards, which can be redeemed for tickets.  If you ever find yourself in one of these places, go ahead and go with the unlimited plays option.  If you go with the alternative and you've got a three-year-old with you, you get apprehensive about wasting a token on a game, especially one of the more difficult ones.  "What do you mean you want to play the squirt-the-water-in-the-frog's-mouth game?  You have no idea what the fuck you're doing!"  With unlimited, this conversation turns into, "Knock yourself out, junior, maybe you'll get one of them Skee Balls up the ramp this time."  Seriously, it's an excess that you wouldn't have dreamed of back in the day, and it's a rush, no matter your age.

2019 Card-vent Calendar: December 9

December 9, 2019:
2014 Bowman Inception #AR-JR James Ramsey AUTO Game-Used Bat Relic

That auto inscription raises an eyebrow.  Normally, I'd be inclined to dump all over a Bible verse within someone's signature, but you know what?  Who cares!  The "stick to sports" crowd have shown their ugly faces far too often this past year.  No need to side with those idiots.

Now, let's see the message Mr. Ramsey wants to put out there.  We're going with the New American interpretation, of course.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek."

Okay, it's not one of the heaviest hitters available, but it does the job.  It's not enough to get you to the Majors, but hey.  Someone once upon a time opened a pack and looked down and saw that this was his one-per-box auto relic, and probably cursed God.  So there, it all evens out.

 

2019 Card-vent Calendar: December 8

December 8, 2019:
1887 Allen & Ginter N3 Arms of All Nations Midshipman's Dirk

As any seafaring fellow could tell you, a midshipman's dirk is one of his most precious possessions.  Rule Number One: You keep your hands off a midshipman's dirk.  He usually keeps his dirk out of sight close to his person.  Some are long enough to have to be strapped to the midshipman's thigh, though the vast majority of dirks fall within the range of average length.  For maximum effectiveness, the midshipman's dirk will be oiled prior to use.  A competent midshipman will know that one only points his dirk at a target if he intends to penetrate it.  The midshipman will hold his dirk with one hand, aim, then thrust with appropriate force.  Depending on the situation, a midshipman may slide his dirk into a sheath, though this is often a matter of preference.  Beware!  Two midshipmen holding the same dirk will draw curious glances.
Finally, midshipmen, heed this advice: Shield your dirk from the elements.  Direct sunlight it not recommended for a dirk, nor is exposure to cool, wet conditions.  Before you know it, your dirk may not look as you remember it.  You have but one dirk.  Handle it with care.

2019 Card-vent Calendar: December 7

December 7, 2019:
2019 Panini Prizm Draft #78 Bucky Badger Purple Prizm

Today's the day, folks.  Every few years or so, Wisconsin loses in the Big Ten Championship to Ohio State.  This year it's been fun to follow the team.  Jonathan Taylor went insane on the ground, but we lost to OSUcks and Illinois (????).  I actually got to a game this year, a couple of weeks ago against Purdue.  Right before getting into the stadium we stopped to slam our last walking beers and got to watch a 50-year-old guy fall and then slide down a muddy embankment on his hands and knees.  We're still not sure why he ignored the stable gravel path just two feet from his choice of shortcut, but we're sure alcohol played at least some role.  The Axe came back where it belongs, which is really all that's important about any season, barring a trip to the playoff.  Will it ever happen for the Badgers?  With only an infinitesimal chance left at making the playoff, even with a big win over the Buckeyes, it would probably be best off if Wisconsin could make a respectable showing, lose by seven, and save a BTC victory for another year when we're undefeated after the regular season.  You know, best not to squander our limited sports capital and all.

2019 Card-vent Calendar: December 6

December 6, 2019:
1997-98 Fleer Ultra #14HT Tim Thomas Heir to the Throne

It was bound to happen eventually.  Every December something comes up and I miss a Card-vent deadline.  Things were a little busy last night, as Mrs. Thorzul was trying to solve some car issues, and I was stuck watching some of the neighbor kids after school and then making dinner.  Once the takeout fish fry got home, it was time to watch the first half of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone with the kids (I finished reading the first book aloud to them a few weeks ago), and after that came Bucks and bedtime.  I was required, of course, to watch the entirety of the absolute dismantling of the presumed NBA Championship favorite L.A. Clippers at the hands of Giannis and Co.  After that, I had a little catching up to do on the WWE Network, finishing up the excellent Broken Skull Sessions Stone Cold/Undertaker interview.  So yeah, I didn't have time to post between all that stuff.

When my neighbor picked his kids up, we actually talked cards for a few minutes.  He brought up that he had gone to his parents' house and pulled out his stash of junkwax era cards.  He showed me a few pictures he took of some 1986-1990 Brewers cards, and then we speculated about the Bucks/Clippers game for a bit.  Somehow Ray Allen's name came up.  Bringing this post full circle, Allen, who played with Tim Thomas in Milwaukee for a few seasons, was once quoted as saying, "If he wanted to, Tim Thomas could be the best player in the league."  Apparently Tim didn't want to.

Have a great Saturday, everyone.  I'll try to sneak in another post today somewhere between my daughter's first basketball game and whatever else the day may hold.