I Was Stealth Zippy Zapped & Beer Review (The Dudes' Brewing)

Aloha, everybody, 

 It's happened once again - I've been Zippy Zapped - and let me tell ya, this one was a doozy. 

A few days back I received a surprise package from a "John Miller". I had no idea who it was, and set it aside to be opened in my next (this) YouTube video. Turns out JM was an alias for ZZ. My buddy Zippy Zappy stealthed me, and that was the smallest of the surprises in that little package that packed a huge punch. 

Watch and enjoy as I unveil several surprises: (SPOILERS FOLLOWING!)

The entire LA Dodgers 2017 Bowman Draft Team Set
A personally autographed LA Kings card Steve Duchesne. How awesome is that? As ZZ says, giving personal autos to fellow collectors is an underrated aspect of our hobby. What an incredible and unique surprise gift for a fellow collector! A special item indeed. 
A fantastic Hanshin Tigers flashback card of Jiro Ueda and his 568 strike outs submarine delivery.
Finally, an auto of the next great Dodgers pitcher, Mr. Buehler. 

Also included is a beer review of Grandma's Pecan British Style Brown from The Dudes' Brewing Company out of Torrance, CA. 

Enjoy (and please like and subscribe) 
Aloha! 

A Video Package Reveal from Angels in Order and Beer Review

Aloha, everybody, 

I upped a version of this video earlier, but noticed it needed an edit or two, so here it is again, in final Director's Cut form. I present a video rip of a surprise-filled  trade package from Angels in Order. 

There's also a beer review of an IPA from Ex Voto Brewing out of Portland, Oregon. They have an interesting story of their own. 

Hope you tune in and enjoy. Aloha and THANKS Tom! 

His Name has Two Zs because his Packages are Twice as Good

Aloha, everybody, 

The blogosphere is filled with generous collectors and traders, some more known than others. My friend, Zippy Zappy, is one of those generous guys that trades under the radar. If you've ever been Zippy Zapped before, you know what I'm talking about. If not, dig this.

Let's lead off with a World Series Hero (Rookie Cup Edition)...

A hopeful future southpaw hero...

Speaking of southpaws, look out for these three next season...

When Kershaw was out with an injury, Alex Wood was mowing down NL batters. He earned a no-doubt-about-it spot on the All-Star team...

A Saxy throwback (that didn't end up in the first base seats)

How about this cool surprise? I thought these only featured football players. More of the big man later. 

While ZZ knows I'm not a Yanks fan, he tossed this into the mix. Who wouldn't appreciate this exceptional beauty? 

ZZ and I have recently became LA Kings/NY Rangers traders. Unfortunately, I've been committing rookie mistakes - sending Islanders instead of Rangers, but there are no errors in this hockey cardboard.

There's nothing like starting off your hockey collection with cool Oh-Pee-Chee cardboard...

Hat trick card! 

 Stanley Cup goalie! This is a good choice for a future auto. 

Gretzky with the Art Ross trophy (his ninth). This goes to the league's leading scorer. 

My first hockey relic. As a fan of the old time Kings, I'm glad he's wearing the original Kings' purple and gold. 

A zippy zapping isn't complete unless there are a few Japanese cutie cards. Good ol' ZZ came through once again...

I'm not sure why these gals are on trading cards, but they sure make my day happier.  

And now, something completely different. I'll bet you never got one of these in a trade package...

Yup, it's a program from the Met. Not a Mets game - The New York Metropolitan. I think ZZ tossed this in because I show my art side in my twitter life. Thanks, ZZ. I appreciate this little something extra. If I ever get to NYC, a visit to the Met would definitely be on the agenda. 

Finally, the big zapping from the package. Big Frank Howard makes his second appearance in a beautiful 8x10 photo, with a well-placed and great auto. 

Big Frank was a Dodgers Rookie of the Year and won a World Series with LA in 1963. He later played in Japan for the Taiheiyo Lions (Maybe that's the Zippy Zappy connection?). 

THANKS ZZ. What a zapping - the best yet. It's going to take some doing for me to even things out, but I'm working on it. 

Aloha! 

What A Grand Day For A Parade

Today the LA Kings held their victory parade and Stanley Cup Championship Rally through the streets of downtown Los Angeles and inside Staples Center, their home. 

I wasn't lucky enough to have tickets for the rally, but I suspect we'll get the insider's report on that later from Ernest over at Dodgers Blue Heaven.  

I did, however, join thousands of Kings fans to see the parade and cheer on the Stanley Cup Kings one last time in 2014. Let's check out some shots...

I joined my beautiful goddaughter, hopped on the Metro, and we were on our way.

 The train was super convenient and dropped us off right across from Staples Center.

The parade was scheduled to start at noon, we arrived 11, and there were thousands there before us.  There were even folks in the trees.

And standing on the tops of bus stops...

It was a party atmosphere and very crowded, but friendly.  Then there was this guy, with a video playing over his head, complete with soundtrack...

Finally, a buzz through the crowd, and the parade was upon us...

First up were the Kings Ice Girls, followed by the first bus carrying the Stanley Cup Champions...

From here on in, I'll let the pics do the talking and I hope I got a shot of your favorite King...

 HERE COMES THE CUP!!!

Finally, one more truck with Kings Ice Girls, because, why not?

What a great Kings party it was today.  Good night, everybody!