Recently there’s a platitude that keeps running through my mind, “There’s not enough hours in the day.”
As a younger man I fully understood its meaning. It seemed trite to me. As I get older, it is resonating with me in an entirely new way. It’s not just about being busy. For me, it’s about making choices. There are so many things that I would like to do in a day. I can’t do them all. I have to prioritize – and that’s not a complaint.
I love my family. I love my job. I love coaching the boys’ baseball teams. I tolerate trying to exercise.
After that, it is an impossible juggling of wishes, tasks, and responsibilities. Again, not a complaint; a realization. I will never be able to do everything I want to do. I’m fine with it, but that little platitude has turned into a universal truth. I imagine that’s how platitudes, cliches, and idioms survive. We carelessly throw them around for years, but then some of them gain new meaning with age.
But that also worries me. I think these different sayings can also lead to negative conclusions; untrue evidence that supports hate, anger, and fear. In my professional life I have worked with many organizations that employee “the working poor.” They are good people, working hard, but their skill set does not demand a premium wage. Nor does the job/industry support a premium wage. It becomes a perfect environment for negative, angry universal truths to gestate.
That’s why I am always blown away and inspired when I met someone that bucks that trend. Not too long ago my work led me to a young man that inspired me. No education, no options, and he was busting his ass. Through his hard work he was getting promotions and showing he was focused on the future. He asked me what he needed to do to continue succeeding. I told him he already knew; he was already doing it (but I did offer a few suggestions for professional development). I wish I could have spent more time with him, but there just aren’t enough hours in the day.
Usually the only time I go to eBay is for the Epilogue. The second most popular reason is my inbox filling up with, “Have you seen this?!?!”
But when I go for the Epilogue there is this specific feeling of disappointment. I want to use an analogy to try to properly describe it, but it is harder than I expected. I would say it feels like when you’re invited to a great party with great food. You’ve enjoyed eating, drinking, and talking for so long. You go back to get one more bite of that delicious snack. But the tray is empty. Or maybe some creep only took half and you’re staring at it wishing it was earlier in the evening. Does that make sense?
– “LOWERED $” Who cares? Why would anyone put that in the auction title?
I’m not trying to be confrontational. I’m trying to be logical – which might be the problem. I understand why people keyword SPAM auction titles. I understand why people use hyperbole.
If you were unable to sell your item (whatever it is) at a certain price, then why would you announce that in the auction title? What is the advantage?
Last week we found our first AOTW Fatal-Four Way winner. My gut says valuing the plug at $830 helped clinch the win. That’s why it was humorous to see that the price has been reduced this week. The opening bid still values the plug at $500 (the BIN values it at $650).
This specific BHS situation perpetually cracks me up. It used to be that the figure was absurdly overpriced. As time marches on the constant relisting makes me giggle.
“It doesn’t take any effort to keep it posted. He’s just waiting for ONE buyer.”
True. The seller only needs to separate one fool from his money. But it does take effort. One week after being an AOTW nominee the price changed. Maybe it is related; maybe it isn’t. Either way, there had to be thought given to the price of the now two unsalable figures.
That suggests to me that the seller cares (about what specifically is debatable). I was told the seller got the peg-less figure in a very inexpensive lot. That is further proof of caring (about what is still debatable). Do you know what I don’t look for on eBay? Things I already own.
Maybe the BHS wasn’t a shame reduction. It certainly demonstrates caring about M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. And that made me a little sad. Imagine caring about M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, but outwardly pretending that you didn’t care. And then doing it year after year after year. Geez.
Let’s take about some new assholes. Our AOTW #1 has an opening bid of $50 for 16 mixed M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. That is $2.13 per figure for an uninteresting lot.
The AOTW #2 has an even more ridiculous per-figure price of $6.25 per figure (which is a $24.99 BIN). I know someone might cry, “But those are Class B!”
Who cares? Class B never assigned a premium value. It was a general guide for lunatics, like me. But I won’t totally repeat myself.
The AOTW #3 could easily be selected for its $169.99 BIN. But the use of “Holy Grail” to describe SC really bothered me. Satan Cross might be a Non-Poster figure. Satan Cross might have an inflated history and reputation. But it should never be described as a Holy Grail for two reasons: (1) it isn’t remotely rare; and (2) sellers don’t define Holy Grails.
A Holy Grail should be moderately difficult to track-down. It should take a micron of effort and time. You can’t convince me this is true for Satan Cross. More importantly, you can’t tell me what is my Holy Grail.
Finally, the AOTW #4 is a unbelievably filthy #15 Flesh figure. In good condition this figure is worth around $1. This asshole has assigned a $12.99 BIN for this filthy figure. Jesus.
Cast your vote and crown the next AOTW Fatal-Four Way winner. Here are the four combatants:
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Remember to cast your vote and crown this week’s AOTW Fatal-Four Way winner:
[poll id=”83″]
Sadly, our ULTIMATE AOTW Battle of the Champions Fatal-Four Way Winner #1 is no longer trying to sell her empty box.
We watched as she started at $250. Unable to sell it, dropped down to $160. The drops continued: $149, $145, $139, $135, $125 and finally $120…for a beat-up, empty box.
The last know image of the listing looked like the picture to the right.
There is zero-percent chance this actually sold. It is an empty box. M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors see crazy things, but this is simply impossible. Plus, there is no feedback posted by either party. I think she may have temporarily quit trying to sell it.
This is the level-of-asshole it takes to be an ULTIMATE champion.
Joining our inaugural champion is a very worthy companion.
The initial listing for the $3 figure was for $1500. The entire story was covered in AW #284. Apparently, there’s still a little more to add. The figure is STILL for sale with a $100 BIN.
This seller probably could be a repeat winner with their other listings.
An original SHA, with the head spur still attached, in the original Flesh color was sold for about $185. This seller is attempting to sell a yellow, headless version for $1,000. That is the level of commitment needed to become the 2nd ULTIMATE AOTW Battle of the Champions Winner.
