When You are a Card Collector, Your Birthday Has Its Perks

Today is my birthday, and its the one day every year that I can buy a few things for me without feeling guilty about the money. Im sure all of you have similar feelings when your birthday rolls around, and this year I wanted to make it worth my while. Because there was nothing that I desperately needed, I tried to go outside the box a little bit.

First, my biggest target was to get a Favre auto of him in a Vikings uniform that could fill the hole in my Vikings collection. After searching now for about 4 weeks, I dont think there is going to be one I can afford at this point. Because the number of Vikings fans have exploded in recent years, I have to compete with five million people whenever one is posted. I have a few Packers ones that I would settle for, but I still feel kind of dirty buying one. But when you see prices like this for his Vikings stuff, your fandom and rival buying ethics start to take a back seat. So, that one was off the list.

My second target hearkens back to another collection that I have, Comic Books. I really wanted to get a crap copy of the first Hal Jordan in Showcase #22, and have been looking for years, but price was always a limiting factor. With the movie coming out, prices have only spiked even more, leading me to cross another item off my list of targets.

I also wanted to get one of the new Twins road jerseys, and luckily for me, the hong-kongthentic jerseys are still pretty cheap on eBay. I managed to get a Mauer for 50 bucks, and though it isnt AUTHENTIC, its "authentic" enough for me. My wife got a Morneau one for her birthday, and we were able to get some amazing family pictures that may or may not be worthy of awkward family photos due to our team allegiance.

Lastly, I wanted to get a 2001 Morneau Bowman auto once I found out that it existed. The cards usually sell pretty high, but I was luckily able to find one at a good price for me to purchase. This card kind of served a dual purpose, though, and that I am not ashamed to admit. Because I really wanted it for my Twins collection and I knew my wife would LOVE it if I got it and gave it to her, things could not have been more perfect. She was indeed incredibly happy to add it to "her" Morneau collection, something that has been steadily growing over the year.

All of those things though were peanuts compared to what I really NEEDED for my birthday. Since my surgery, I have lost close to 100 pounds. I am closing in on a very normal weight, and unfortunately, my wedding band no longer fit me. I could not have it sized for a reasonable price, so I needed to get a new one. Thanks to some clever haggling by my wife, I was presented with one last week that fits me again. Its much nicer than the one I had before, and I am ecstatic to be able to wear one again.

All in all, I would say its a pretty good haul this year.