A Promise to Reform

Last post was on St. Patrick's Day. I promise to reform. With the idea of being able to do what I say, let's say that there will be a new post at least once a week. That should hold down the salivating from all of the loyal fans out there. It's like waiting for the next Harry Potter book.

Speaking of that, how lucky is a guy who has had the experience of waiting for new books in two great series? The first was John Jakes "The Bastard" series back in the seventy's and now Harry Potter. John Jakes was the first author who made me feel as history was alive. As I remember, it was something about the feel and sound of crunching bones in a battle scene that started it. That was a series of book tracing a family from France to the US in pre-revolutionary times and up through about 1930. I loved the way he had his fictional characters meet up with real historical people.

My excuse for not getting here is the eBay venture. So far it has been a mix of excitement and frustration, but enough of the former to keep plugging away. I am selling old magazine ads for those who missed that announcement. I started an eBay store, also called "Hot Dogs and Bait," (there is a link to the right - shameless self promotion moment).

It takes much more time than I had anticipated to get an ad actually listed on eBay. I won't go through all the steps now, as there are many. I'm learning all the time and so far things seem to be on the upward track. More traffic than last month and more sales, which seems like the way it should go.

I just found a very interesting blog that I want to pass along. It's called "The Auction Rebel" and here's the link:

http://theauctionrebel.com/

There are many ideas, tips and techniques about eBay selling there. If you are new to it, as I am, you may find some good information there.

I just want to share one personal feeling from the eBay undertaking. One ad I listed was an ad from Winchester and their new (then) M-1 rifle. It should a SeaBee with an M-1 slung on his shoulder and told some of the places the SeaBees had been working—Guadalcanal comes to mind. Someone bought it, and in a note in the Paypal payment, said, "My SeaBee is in Iraq. I want to have this framed for when he comes home." It still gets me choked up.

Enough for now. Happy Day.