Finds at Thriftstores, Garage Sales, etc

[sean92008]

In 1975, due to skyrocketing paper and cardboard prices, Topps put out a set of ''minis'', exactly like the regular sized baseball cards that year except these were about 3/4 the size.  They were sold in various test markets, but not in our town.

I didn't know a thing about any of that, and a few years later I stop at a garage sale.  There, in a plastic bread bag, were quite a few of these cards.  As if the mom had just breezed through someone's room and scooped them up.

The best one in the bag was a George Brett rookie.

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I had tons of minis and I remember that card!

[sean92008]

A like new collapsible heavy silicone HYDAWAY water bottle and a Dean Koontz book.

Total with tax: $1.79

Local resale store.

Finally, I can hike into the woods with water and read on a rock.

At the thrift stores here in my part of Southern California, we don't pay sales tax. They're all 501c3 or whatever.

That water thing seems really practical, good find!

[Camazotz Automat]

At the thrift stores here in my part of Southern California, we don't pay sales tax. They're all 501c3 or whatever.

That water thing seems really practical, good find!

I've seen collapsible containers, but never seen this brand.

Now I'm obsessed with HYDAWAY and wanting a zippered carrying case for it, since it was missing.

LMHAO

(laughing my hydrated ass off)

 I misremembered the price. Found receipt in my pocket later.

$1.39 was the total.

Holy Red Sea Parting Moses with a yellow water bottle, Batman!

The other item: I've never read a Koontz novel, but a friend has already told me, a few hours ago, she read ODD THOMAS and liked it. 

So.

In the spirit of these extremely interesting "midget baseball cards,"  I definitely hit a home run today.

I started out with Cussler's eighth book entitled Cyclops.  It was a pretty wild story (as are all his books) but I liked it so much that I wound up getting lots of his other books.  Clive wrote lots of adventure novels but in my opinion, his first 17 books were the best because he incorporated his mint, vintage auto collection (from real life) into the stories.  These 17 books are what are termed to be his Dirk Pitt adventures.  There were tons more books written after number 17 but by then, Clive had his son plus other authors helping him with the writing and the books just didn't seem to be as good.  But, to answer your question, I would read Cyclops first and if you like it, go back and read the rest of his books, starting with the earliest, Pacific Vortex, on up to number 17, Trojan Odyssey.  As I said, pretty wild stories with outlandish plots, but very fun to read.  I actually read most of the books while at work, during breaks and lunchtimes.

Here is a list that covers those particular Cussler novels, Cam:   https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/dirk-pitt/

Thanks for all the info, RG! Cyclops will be the litmus test then.

How much for a geoduck?

You know I'm going to have to Google that, right?

[sean92008]

@Camazotz Automat

That case is probably in the section where they have a little purses or sport bags and stuff like that...

[Camazotz Automat]

@Camazotz Automat

That case is probably in the section where they have a little purses or sport bags and stuff like that...

I agree completely. If the bottle was donated with the pouch, it most likely got separated when the employee opened it to see what it was.

It is definitely worth going back because of the scavenger hunt released dopamine alone.

(tightens chin strap)

I'm going back in.

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[KSM]

I've heard so many players (guitar) I know tell of incredible finds when randomly taking in a yard sale on a Sunday morning, and the pot of gold is always in the form of a Les Paul from the 50's or 60's. It is like they're trying to make me cry, and I would cry out in wild green envy if they EVER provided substantial proof!

[whoozit]

I've heard so many players (guitar) I know tell of incredible finds when randomly taking in a yard sale on a Sunday morning, and the pot of gold is always in the form of a Les Paul from the 50's or 60's. It is like they're trying to make me cry, and I would cry out in wild green envy if they EVER provided substantial proof!

I know a guy back in the 90’s that claimed to find an old Martin acoustic at a yard sale for 5$.  He took it to a luthier to get it refretted and was offered $1200 to part with it.  He told the luthier to put the new frets on and look elsewhere.  I saw the guitar, I just can’t vouch for the price he paid.

[Camazotz Automat]

@Camazotz Automat

That case is probably in the section where they have a little purses or sport bags and stuff like that...

@sean92008

Hydaway water bottle case update.

I did go back to the thriftstore to search for the case. No luck.

I priced them on Amazon.
$13!  No way. That's ridiculous for a 4.5 inch zippered clam shell case.

But then...

The bargain gods smiled down on me and my high end water bottle.

I located a used case in good shape on Amazon for $6.

And it is black instead of that "Earth" map print Hydaway currently sells.

I'm considering this a win all the way down the line - from a cool collapsible silicone bottle to the killer clam case made for it and the killer Koontz book.

On to the next find.

[sean92008]

@sean92008

Hydaway water bottle case update.

I did go back to the thriftstore to search for the case. No luck.

I priced them on Amazon.
$13!  No way. That's ridiculous for a 4.5 inch zippered clam shell case.

But then...

The bargain gods smiled down on me and my high end water bottle.

I located a used case in good shape on Amazon for $6.

And it is black instead of that "Earth" map print Hydaway currently sells.

I'm considering this a win all the way down the line - from a cool collapsible silicone bottle to the killer clam case made for it and the killer Koontz book.

On to the next find.

There's probably some mini-case for toiletries that would have worked, but yay.  How much have you used is so far?

[Camazotz Automat]

There's probably some mini-case for toiletries that would have worked, but yay.  How much have you used is so far?

Twice so far.

1st time was on a long drive. Filled to top w/ice and added water up to the brim.

Silicone acted as a better insulator than I would have guessed. Still had some ice after a four hour drive. No leaks when laid on side.

2nd time was the following day at a family gathering that was the reason for taking the long drive.

I knew no alcohol would be available, just as I knew the occasion required it.

Presto Change-O and whaddya know-O? A brightly colored, collapsible, self-serving bar/whiskey flask.

I don't hike or camp much. But I can see myself using it poolside next year.

[sean92008]

Silicone, the miracle element. From boobs to  bumpers, computer chips to dip dishes.

All hail silicone!
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[Camazotz Automat]

The adventure continues with the Hydaway bottle.

The case arrived today.
I had ordered one, used, brand specific case. $6.

It looks great and is indeed gently used. I received a note from Amazon, thanking me for breathing new life into an old object instead of ordering a new one. I am helping to save the planet.

OK. Alrighty then. Good for me.

But the first thing I noticed was the case seemed very heavy.

Could it be?

Yes.

For $6, I received the case alright.

And ANOTHER  collapsible Hydaway water bottle! This one in Baby Blue, to pair up with Golden Boy found at the thrift store. (Seinfeld colors.)

Baby Blue is smaller in volume than Golden Boy, as Hydaway offers at least two different sizes.

I wish the rest of my life was such a pleasant, connected, surprising chain of events.

This is like some kind of inverted or reversed Monkey's Paw.

I have the strangest feeling, were I to complain for some reason, the least little bit to Amazon, Hydaway would get wind of it and send me twenty-four prototype top secret Hydaway bottles cast in lime green memory enhanced silicone that are from the future year of 2053, seeking my feedback and offering me a job in their R&D department some 30+ years  downstream.

(If "YES," click time wave function beacon. Bring the bottles with you.)

So as far as collapsible silicone water bottles go, life is certainly good.

But any overarching meaning elludes me.

[Camazotz Automat]

Since my post a while back regarding needing a new mug - because I damaged my faithful THE FAR SIDE mug - I've seen a lot of interest expressed  (privately) about it, asking for an update.

As of now, I've received 738 queries about my search for a new mug.
Oops. Just clicked up to 739.

One of those messages is from my Aunt Charlene, who masquerades on Ellgab as  - - ; which is a different handle than she used on bellgab.

The other 738 messages are from Jackstar.

Here's the deal. I wanted something cool. Sure, there are a gazillion different mugs out there I could buy.  But I have this obsessive idea I would rather "find" my next great mug at a thrift store or yard sale.

Said mug would be very low priced, but that isn't the reason for the hunt.

It's that sense of discovery, that experience of synchronicity - that uncharted territory of dare I say it? -  the Far Side of serendipty.

With the price of fuel, driving around on a Saturday looking for a bright yellow mug with  anthropomorphic arms flexing its biceps, or a brown mug formed into a troll's face, starts adding up gas $'s quickly.

After a few outings, this goddamn ghost mug was costing big bucks, and I hadn't seen ANYTHING good.

So many ugly mugs out there.  It would be better to pulverize them and mix the dust in with cement, & cast them into large garden ornaments.

SCREW those business convention mugs & World's #1 Grandpa mugs!

Jesuse Ceramic Christ.

In the mean time, I broke down & ordered one.

Hear me out, Aunt Charl & Jack the Silver Star Ripper.

I happen to love TINA'S frozen burritos & chimichangas.

I don't know what possessed me, but I checked their site & BEHOLD, a mug showcasing their logo. It may seem I am now no better than a Nike 'tard whore wearing a questionable Jordan silhouette  tee.

Hear me out.

The mug has burrito cooking instructions on it!

If I wish, I can use my new mug as a bowl.

The price was the clincher.

$6!

POSTPAID!

The thrift store search will continue, but I can get back to drinking ridiculous amounts of hot black tea.

https://www.tinasburritos.com/product-page/tina-s-mug

[ItsOver]

“... One of those messages is from my Aunt Charlene, who masquerades on Ellgab as  - - ; which is a different handle than she used on bellgab.

The other 738 messages are from Jackstar...”

Ha! 

[PolkaDot]

The other 738 messages are from Jackstar.

 

I have two favorite mugs both given to me by friends. One is attractive but not very useful- the lip is a bit too rounded so makes the beverage sneak out- not just to the lips of the drinker but around the lips. Not an attractive look for the drinker. But it's a Jack head so I love it.
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