The Evolution of the Resolutions

Back in the beginning of 2017, I posted my collecting resolutions for the new year.  Now that April is over (woah!), I figured it'd be a good idea to take a look at my progress at the one-third mark of the year.

1.  Barry Larkin Collection

My goal is to get a total of 550 different Barry Larkin cards posted by the end of 2017.  Heading into 2017, I was sitting at 494 cards.  Right now, I'm up to only 518 (a gain of 24 cards).  That's a decent pace though, if I can another 48 cards I'll be at 566 Larkins which would beat my target count.  I consider this resolution a success so far.

2.  The Great Reorganization

My original goal was to clear off the 27 different stacks of cards on my card sorting table.  I haven't made much of a dent here (current number of stacks on my table is 26).  With only one stack cleared off in four months, this is a definite failure of a resolution so far.

3.  The Want List (link)

I posted a big list of sets that I wanted to try and complete before the end of 2017.  I did happen to make one order with Check Out My Cards which helped (as did a relatively small number of trades made this year).

Cards acquired so far in 2017 from the list:
2016 Topps Allen & Ginter:  Mascots in the Wild Insert:  1, 5
2015 Topps Allen & Ginter:  Keys to the City insert:  KTC- 3
2013 Topps Chrome:  Base:  1, 10, 16, 32, 119, 220
2013 Topps Archives: Base:  237, 240
2013 Topps Archives: All-Star:  GB, GC
2008 Upper Deck Timeline:  Base: #308, 345
2008 Topps Heritage (low and high series): Base: #464
2007 Topps Allen & Ginters:  Roman Emperers: 2, 10

Cards still needed from the list:
2016 Topps Allen & Ginter:  Ferocious Felines mini insert:  FF-1, 5, 6, 8, 12, 14
2016 Topps Allen & Ginter:  Laureates of Peace mini insert:  LP-1, 2, 4
2016 Topps Allen & Ginter:  Subways & Streetcards mini insert:  SS- 9, 11
2016 Topps Allen & Ginter:  US Mayors mini insert:  4, 8, 12, 15, 27, 34
2016 Topps:  Perspectives Insert:  P- 2, 7, 11, 17, 20, 21, 24
2015 Topps Allen & Ginter:  Keys to the City insert:  KTC- 8
2015 Topps Allen & Ginter:  Box Loaders:  Pride of the People:  PCB- 2, 3, 4, 6
2015 Topps Archives:  Will Ferrell Insert:  7 (as a White Sox)
2014 Topps Allen & Ginters:  Into the Unknown mini insert:  ITU-16* Hernan Cortes
2014 Topps Allen & Ginters:  Little Lions:  LL-09, LL-16
2014 Topps Allen & Ginters:  Where Nature Ends: WNE-17
2014 Topps Allen & Ginters:  World’s Deadliest Predators: WDP-16, WDP-22
2013 Topps Archives: All-Star:  CR
2013 Topps Archives: 1972 Basketball Design:  JB (Johnny Bench)
2012 Topps Archives: Classic Combos:  58- KK, LM, SF
2012 Topps Archives: In Action:  82IA- CR, I, JE, JH, KG
2012 Topps Archives: Archive reprints: 164 Roberto Clemente
2011 Topps Heritage:  Base:  460
2009 Topps Allen & Ginter:  Creatures of Legend, Myth, &Terror (minis): 5, 7, 14, 15
2009 Topps Base Series 1 & 2:  Legends of the Game (Series 2) insert: Mariano Rivera
2009 Topps Base Series 1 & 2:  Topps Town (Gold Version): TTT29
2008 Upper Deck Timeline:  Base: #336, 341, 356, 361, 363, 366, 373, 374, 375
2008 Topps Heritage (low and high series): Base: # 465, 480, 488, 495, 500
2007 Topps Allen & Ginters:  Roman Emperers:  1, 4, 6, 7, 9
2007 Topps Allen & Ginters:  Snakes:  1, 3, 4, 5
2006 Fleer Greats of the Game:  Decade Greats:  BJ, CR
2006 Fleer Greats of the Game:  Tigers Greats: KG
2006 Fleer Greats of the Game:  Yankee Greats: WB
2001 Topps Stadium Club:  117, 166, 167, 168, 170, 186, 188, 191, 196, 197
1999 Fleer Ultra:  Base:  74, 223, 224, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 241, 248, 249, 250
1995 UD Collector's Choice:  Base:  186, 188, 189, 190, 192, 194, 196, 197, 198, 200, 494, 500

Honestly, given the difficulty of some of the sets on the list (lots of inserts and older sets present), I give myself a mark of success so far on the resolution.  In fact, I'm quite pleased with my progress!

4.  My Frankensets

This was noted as my least important resolution - which is a good thing since I haven't done anything with it yet (besides earmark a couple more cards as possible entrants to the various sets).  I can't call this a failure, but it isn't a success either.  I'll give it a neutral rating.

5.  My LEGO Blog

I've done alright posting content over on my LEGO blog.  I've had 12 posts to date (for comparison, in 2016 I had only 10 posts through the end of April).  I'll give this one a success rating.

6.  New Content at Nachos Grande

In January, I started a series where I would write game reviews (board games, card games, etc.).  That was new content which I thought went fairly well.  Unfortunately, those posts take a LONG time to complete (so many pictures, set-up time, etc.) and I simply didn't have that kind of time once the semester got in full swing.  Now that summer break is almost here, I hope to get back to reviewing some more games.  I'm happy enough with my content on the blog to date, though I know I can always do better.

7.  Teaching

My Italy and Greece trip that I mentioned is coming up fairly soon - and I think all my ducks are in the proverbial row so far.  A tentative success. 

8.  Woodworking

It has been too cold up until a few weeks ago to do much in the way of woodworking in my garage.  I did go to Lowes and buy a whole lot of lumber (and other supplies) for my next project...something I may even start working on later today I get the chance.  I can't complain about this resolution so far since I truly haven't had the opportunity to do much yet.  

9.  Blog Trading

Blog trading has been quite slow around Nachos Grande...probably due in big part to me not yet buying a single pack of cards from 2017 products.  That said, I did go through a bunch of people's want lists on a whim a few months ago and sent off whatever I could find without any expectations in return (of course, many people did send me stuff as a thank you).  My trade counter is currently sitting at 11 on the year which is pretty low.  I can't give myself anything better than a "D" on this one.

Other than Blog Trading, I would say I've done a fairly decent job keeping up with my 2017 blog goals.  I do have a lot more to do before the end of 2017 to actually say my resolutions were a success, but for the most part I think I'm on the right track.  The look back has been fun for me to both see my progress but also to remind me what I put down as goals for 2017!