The Waiting

 Instant messaging. Download speeds of 1 Terabyte. Amazon one-day delivery service. Topps Now. Advances in technology have caused us to expect things NOW. Instant gratification, I believe it's called. And for those of us who are by nature impatient, the waiting is the hardest part (RIP, Tom Petty). 

But I'm doing my best to let things come in their own time. And no, it ain't easy.

For instance, I have come to the decision that, barring major health issues or seeing my 401K completely tank, I want to be done working full-time in 4.5 years. That'll put me at 60 and on MY time. Life's too short to spend working 40+ hours a week when there's so much I'd like to do. So I'll try to find some 'gig economy' type work (or whatever it's called) and try something different for the first time in 40 years. Maybe I'll come to regret it; maybe I won't. Time will go quickly, just as it always has.

I don't typically chase after cards of retired players- unless it's the SP Variations found in Topps flagship and Update, inserts needed for a team set, or something else I find compelling. When 2019 Topps was released, I really wanted to get the Dale Murphy short-printed variation. The photo is one that hasn't been overused (I think it might have appeared on a Stadium Club card?), which was a plus. However, the cost was always much higher than I wanted to pay, so I waiting. And waited. And waited. I recently saw one on eBay for less than 5 bucks and learned patience can be a good thing!

While I haven't been waiting very long for the two more recent cards, Braves fans are waiting for both Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr to be healthy. After missing a significant part of last season, neither are expected to be playing when the season opens. Hopefully each will be on the roster when May rolls around. Both cards were eBay purchases that arrived on the same day as the Murph. 

Aren't mail days great? Unless the mail is running late. Then my patience gets tested.