I've been here on the board. I started to poke my head in from time to time before the convention but I still had too much going on to post or be consistent, so I never said hello. I'm sorry.

I was working in the [Texas] oil industry but was laid off in February. I was thinking about contacting Ed Hertel to see if he might be able to put in a good word for me since he has roots in Texas too but I remembered, it was Ed who got me mixed up in collecting illegals. It's become a real problem for me and I can't seem to get away from it. Every time I think I'm about to slip away, I discover something new and it pulls right back. I don't think I could ever trust Ed again.

I had eye surgery in my right eye which has healed very well and arthroscopic shoulder surgery which I'm still recovering from. It's been the only thing positive I have going for me right now. After years of pain, my shoulder will be good as new. My left eye is doing great, my right eye has healed better than expected and my third eye still work perfectly. My social life will be up to par soon enough.

I've got my chip collection (semi)displayed as I enter my bedroom so my love for collecting is still intact, however, I think I've made a decision to focus strictly on Texas chips. San Antonio chips and other items from the speakeasies which have been identified as gaming establishments. Ok... anything related to San Antonio history is really on my hit list but I'm still very selective in what I allow myself to purchase. In other words, my wife told me she'd leave me if I didn't stop. After celebrating 25 years of marriage in December, I sure am going to miss her.

I think I'm going to start selling off a lot of the chips I have to make room for the things I want to focus on. I still have lots of casino chips of various denominations but I'd still be willing to trade for Texas illegals I don't have. I also have a few ashtrays, lots of matchbooks and match covers, lots of room key (cards) and slot cards. Some lanyards and a couple of keychains, a few swizzle sticks, card decks, dice and tokens. I might hold onto the tokens.

I also have a few rifles I need to sell. IF you go big game hunting, I have a Savage Safari Express 458 Win Mag with scope for sale.

Also, a very special Winchester 45.70 2001 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation lever action rifle brand new in the box. Never fired. I also have a Marlin 45.70 lever action guide gun for a quarter of the value of the previous beauty mentioned.

A Browning Medallion bolt action 375 H&H magnum with Harris bipod. (I'm showing this one tomorrow so it may not be available)

There are a few others but I think folks can get the gist of what I'm doing. That's right, chip money!

Lol, not really. I'm brokering the rifles for a buddy of mine. A retired Navy SEAL who, unfortunately, needs to make sure momma and baby girl are taken care of. Please don't ask if he's a veteran or if he's seen combat. Logically, a highly trained troop doesn't push paper. Do the math. If you'd like to help, it would be greatly appreciated.

I'll be posting my chips for sale. I don't have any rare pieces because, let's face it, I've been married 25 years. That's not cheap.