tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63904580422047934072024-03-05T23:22:59.528-08:00Hawaiian OdysseusHawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-15649510077741542882015-02-28T12:41:00.000-08:002015-02-28T13:04:42.604-08:00The eBay Surfer--A Tribute to Etsy's HappyValleyAvenue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2004 Lynda Corneille Character Collectible SWAK Mug</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At a yard sale in College Place, Washington, about a year ago, I found the fascinating headless mug featured above. I am a sucker for things that punch me in the gut and make me do a double take. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think I paid 50¢ for this mug. But in the process of paying for it, I struck up a conversation with the personable and attractive woman hosting the yard sale. I shared with her that I sold on eBay, and in turn, I learned that she was an Etsy seller. Naturally, we spent the next fifteen minutes heavily animated in shop talk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the next few months, my wife and I must have bumped into this woman and her adult son a half dozen times or so in the course of shopping at yard sales, estate sales, church rummage sales, and thrift shops in the Walla Walla Valley. Because my writer's mind is constantly on autopilot, I mused about how cool it was to actually know others who had an established and successful online presence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We go online and see a very cool store or shopping site. We see independent brand names that we intuitively know are small business presences on those respective sites. But we seldom think about the actual people behind the scenes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's definitely an encouraging and reinforcing quantum leap to actually meet and interact with the real people propping up those virtual storefronts. One walks away from that very special entrepreneurial connection feeling very good about what one does.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All across America, people are elevating the status of thrifting to new- found heights. Our thrifting friends, Jan and her son, Eric, are hard working, conscientious, and responsible Etsy sellers. Jan's amazing store, HappyValleyAvenue, is a testament of the wonderful success that people who demonstrate such old-fashioned and yet timeless proactive traits can accomplish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Traits that--hey, sonofagun!--my wife and I possess as well. It's enough to make even us sexagenarians walk a bit taller and lighter! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because of Jan's example and influence, I am currently more active on Etsy. Although I only have four items listed as of this writing, my goal is to list at least one vintage item per day over the next year. At just 20¢ per listing over a four-month period, and with post-sales fees that are very easy on the bottom line, the prospect of cross-selling eBay inventory on Etsy seems to be a most practical strategy. Having dual streams of income makes great sense to this island boy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ironically, I got so busy with other projects that I never did list the mug. But my wife did. You can find her store at:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Kona-Palm-Treasures" target="_blank">http://stores.ebay.com/Kona-Palm-Treasures</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As for my rascal online presence, you can find what I'm selling at:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly" target="_blank">http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/HawaiianOdysseus" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/shop/HawaiianOdysseus</a></span></div>
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And if you enjoy reading short human interest stories about Trash to Treasure adventures, you can find me at:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.bubblews.com/account/38202-hawaiianodysseus" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">http://www.bubblews.com/account/38202-hawaiianodysseus</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, be sure to check out Jan's shop filled with beautiful clothing, accessories, and other attractive vintage items at:</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyValleyAvenue" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">https://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyValleyAvenue</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Until next time, ALOHA!</span></div>
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Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-3013024968678946002015-02-16T07:10:00.000-08:002015-02-28T13:01:12.961-08:00The eBay Surfer--An Inaugural Post<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surfer at Hanalei, Kaua'i, Hawai'i<br />
(Family photo courtesy of RKA Photography)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am kicking off a new niche for my Hawaiian Odysseus blog today. Actually, it will be comprised of tutorials and/or human interest stories, if you will, about a subject I have already covered here--my eBay experiences. What's new is that I am formally christening these shared anecdotes and what have you under the self-inflicted (I see you smiling!) banner of <b><i>The eBay Surfer. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whether you're an online entrepreneurial veteran or a newbie to, arguably, the global marketplace that receives the most commercial traffic, I earnestly hope you'll enjoy my musings and maybe even metaphorically walk away with something new or vintage in your pocket.</span><br />
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As I always state in my eBay descriptions: <i>Thanks for stopping by. Welcome back anytime!</i></span></div>
Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-69985069272524121392015-02-15T08:05:00.000-08:002015-02-15T08:13:05.826-08:00I Write for Bubblews<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubblews Geyser<br />
(aka Spouting Horn at Koloa, Kaua'i, Hawai'i)<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">In my spare time (what's that?), I enjoy writing short posts for Bubblews. Over the last year and a half, I've managed to write over 600 of these mini-articles. So far, my content has leaned heavily towards human interest stories about selling on eBay, my walking escapades, life experiences (past and present), and family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The site used to pay reasonably well, but growing pains contributed to its management team pulling back on the payout reins. The income, unlike the Spouting Horn above, comes in spurts these days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Nevertheless, whether you just enjoy reading about a host of subjects or are looking for a comfortable setting in which you can hone your writing skills and/or revel in the joy of modern day pen-pal socialization, Bubblews is the place for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In any event, here's an invitation for you to enjoy some of the things I've written. Once you're there, it's a relatively easy matter for you to navigate around the site. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for stopping by today. Welcome back anytime!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.bubblews.com/account/38202-hawaiianodysseus" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.bubblews.com/account/38202-hawaiianodysseus</span></a><br />
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Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-57513237422319599192015-02-14T07:25:00.000-08:002015-02-17T07:10:50.063-08:00Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Bullfrog Stuffed into a Black & White Burrito?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been on blogging hiatus for far too long, so it's high time I get my writing act in gear and share my world with you. As some of you may already know, I love rambling in this venue about family, simple island boy philosophy, walking, writing itself, and--yes!--my livelihood, selling online, especially on eBay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Yesterday, following going twelve rounds in the proverbial ring with tax returns, I found time to write a couple of posts for a favorite writing site of mine. I'm sharing the links below for your reading enjoyment. As time goes by, I'll be doing more of that, having discovered that in the sharing of what little I know about selling online, I'm able to learn and discover so much more in return from my readers. And that, my friends, includes YOU!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Here we go, then. Have fun, and have an absolutely delightful and memorable Valentine's Day weekend! And, don't forget, if you're so moved, please send me your comments and questions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Aloha!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Joe aka Hawaiian Odysseus</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<a href="http://www.bubblews.com/news/9850714-trash-to-treasure-1963-cutty-sark-vintage-print-ad" target="_blank">http://www.bubblews.com/news/9850714-trash-to-treasure-1963-cutty-sark-vintage-print-ad</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.bubblews.com/news/9849779-trash-to-treasure-a-happy-ending-to-my-ebay-super-bowl" target="_blank">http://www.bubblews.com/news/9849779-trash-to-treasure-a-happy-ending-to-my-ebay-super-bowl</a></span></div>
Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-12703287022310037472012-11-02T06:52:00.003-07:002012-11-02T06:55:08.071-07:00Lords of the Fly 1 Cent Auctions on ebay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i>Beatles Trading Cards, ca 1964</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Hawaiian Odysseus Photo</i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #f30094; font-size: x-large;"><b>Special Holiday Fun for our Enthusiastic Buyers</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f30094;">Welcome to our </span><span style="color: #002cfd;">e</span><span style="color: #ff0010;">b</span><span style="color: #fff125;">a</span><span style="color: #00ae5f;">y </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 cent auction!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Are we NUTS? </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The simple answer is: Yes, we are! We're absolutely nuts about our terrific </i><span style="color: #002cfd;">e</span><span style="color: #ff0010;">b</span><span style="color: #fff125;">a</span><span style="color: #00ae5f;">y </span><i>buyers, and at this very special time of year, we're inviting you to engage in some old-fashioned </i><span style="color: #002cfd;">e</span><span style="color: #ff0010;">b</span><span style="color: #fff125;">a</span><span style="color: #00ae5f;">y </span><i>holiday frivolity.</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>In celebrating the conclusion of our twelfth year on this wonderful global marketplace, we'll be tossing in a penny auction from time to time from Halloween evening through New Year's Day, 2013. So please check back with us often, and let's all have a great time commemorating the good fun days of founder Pierre Omidyar; first employee, Chris Agarpao; and the brilliant President and CEO, Meg Whitman.</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Up on our penny auction block tonight, we have...</span></b></div>
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And so begins our 2012 holiday campaign on ebay! </div>
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What better way to do so than to go retro with a penny auction emphasis!</div>
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Sprinkled throughout our usual store and auction offerings will be a handful of spicy and saucy 1 cent listings. It's a great way to thank our loyal customer base while appealing to the curiosity and sense of intrigue of new visitors to our online site. You can find us at:</div>
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<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly" target="_blank">http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly</a></div>
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Penny auctions are the exception rather than the rule these days. Administrative changes on ebay, the topsy-turvy global economy, a more sophisticated and internet-savvy shopper, and a tremendous surge in online marketplace choices have all contributed to a greater emphasis on Buy it Now prices that are set as well as higher starting amounts for auctions.</div>
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At Lords of the Fly, a <i>mom and pop </i>ebay shop for a dozen years now, we believe in honoring tradition. That's why we're very excited to provide our customers with a nostalgic, fun, and what we hope to be successful business strategy--the 1 cent auction! </div>
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<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly" target="_blank">http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly</a></div>
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The penny auction campaign kicked off on Halloween night and will run through New Year's Day, 2013.</div>
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Obviously, we're not giving any credence to the Mayan calendar issue. No disrespect to the Mayans or their wonderful descendants, mind you. On the contrary, we'd love to have all interested Mayans participating in our penny auctions. And while we're on the subject, if anyone has the last known Mayan calendar and would like to make a generous commission, we'd love to be your ebay Trading Assistant.</div>
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So where's the action at? Right here, at Lords of the Fly on ebay!</div>
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<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly" target="_blank">http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly</a></div>
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Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-66577274777897535532012-09-16T12:37:00.002-07:002012-09-17T06:47:56.951-07:00Makalehua--An eBay Adventure in Island Couture and Collectibles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_78PWnPxNlSI3ir-tRZhakL6C06OHEgRYyQ-KryhVT1a2qDpDds8UULSeO1_8pP9tbBrWUafsXbrQIfCQW4O2RyZqa9EY9FqEzzVR21zAHgzkCAJ5BeyY-V2LlwYSJxz6Rym4EzojCyq/s1600/Sig+Zane+Medium+Fuchsia+Dress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_78PWnPxNlSI3ir-tRZhakL6C06OHEgRYyQ-KryhVT1a2qDpDds8UULSeO1_8pP9tbBrWUafsXbrQIfCQW4O2RyZqa9EY9FqEzzVR21zAHgzkCAJ5BeyY-V2LlwYSJxz6Rym4EzojCyq/s640/Sig+Zane+Medium+Fuchsia+Dress.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Sig Zane Medium Fuchsia Dress</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>by MAKALEHUA</i></b></span></div>
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It's mid-September, and I'm feeling autumn's chill slowly making its way into the Walla Walla Valley.<br />
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Like a tentative pubescent high school boy tripping over his size eleven shoes as he scans the gym floor for the one girl that might say <i>yes </i>to a dance request, the ambience of golden leaves, pumpkins, weekend football games, and the donning of coats and sweatshirts approaches timidly.<br />
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It's that time of year when I start thinking, <i>I want to be in Hawai'i for Christmas.</i><br />
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Chances are you've had similar thoughts sometime this year. Maybe you've been to the island several times and have enough warm memories tugging at you to repeat the experience yet one more time.<br />
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Or maybe you've never been to <i>pacific paradise </i>and are telling yourself, <i>If I don't go now, I'll never go</i>.<br />
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Whatever the case may be, take it from me, you don't want to waste precious time and maybe some embarrassing situations and, most of all, any of your hard-earned money buying your island wear <i style="font-weight: bold;">after </i>you get to the islands. No, even a former Kaua'i boy like myself knows better than to pull out the vintage <i>Magnum, P.I. </i>aloha shirt clones and old jeans from storage. Besides, they'd no longer fit my, shall we say, more mature manly build (read: sexagenarian fat man).<br />
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Perish the though of procrastination. Now you can be well prepared at a fraction of the cost and, for the price of a handful of dinners and movies, have a week's (or even two weeks') worth of 50th state wardrobe <i style="font-weight: bold;">before </i>boarding that flight to the islands.<br />
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How? By clicking on the following link and treating yourself to a delightful and aesthetically pleasing line of pre-worn yet very high class Hawaiian attire at a fraction of their original prices:<br />
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<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/makalehua" target="_blank">http://stores.ebay.com/makalehua</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyvMxU0Bf3PrcPav-95DUOJxykXb2PTRZTcxkzYUDZHMyw_Vu4dpcsMcnYnqkIviwWccfbvLqY7GcGFTKz_IUdN6fTBA-lVvSL65nchOnkoRT3Dd55ll0gJOof-9nNaQEBc-4VrtPRK9s/s1600/Manuheali%2527i+Womens+Dress+Size+Small.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyvMxU0Bf3PrcPav-95DUOJxykXb2PTRZTcxkzYUDZHMyw_Vu4dpcsMcnYnqkIviwWccfbvLqY7GcGFTKz_IUdN6fTBA-lVvSL65nchOnkoRT3Dd55ll0gJOof-9nNaQEBc-4VrtPRK9s/s400/Manuheali%2527i+Womens+Dress+Size+Small.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Manuheali'i Women's Size Small Dress</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>by MAKALEHUA</i></b></span></div>
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The personable and down-to-island Mom and Pop team of Makalehua is a relatively new presence on the gargantuan eBay global marketplace, but they're definitely leaving some giant <i>menehune </i>(pardon the oxymoron) tracks in the wake of their fledgling entrepreneurial success.</div>
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The simple reason? They practice the <i>old school </i>protocol of excellent customer service--intelligent sourcing of an appealing product line, great communication, superb hygienic preparation and care of their pre-worn clothing items, a sprinkling of outstanding Pacific Islander and Asian collectibles, very reasonable prices, and super fast shipping. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4czJcCoyZcesfcVPq9qJxdBbwN8VQhg2lcMrbLMlX7eUq8g-10glG_Bog6WVsyAz8y1-z0UD2ZSB3ZwQwKUZx2rp0ut66YkGuR1rwxaeSNm4_XQAxrWRMpA3kxEglplApDUjRBokOQUj/s1600/$(KGrHqZHJDYF!e(TMbDWBQLqM7qDrQ~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4czJcCoyZcesfcVPq9qJxdBbwN8VQhg2lcMrbLMlX7eUq8g-10glG_Bog6WVsyAz8y1-z0UD2ZSB3ZwQwKUZx2rp0ut66YkGuR1rwxaeSNm4_XQAxrWRMpA3kxEglplApDUjRBokOQUj/s400/$(KGrHqZHJDYF!e(TMbDWBQLqM7qDrQ~~60_57.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Vintage Reyn spooner 100% Silk Aloha Shirt</i></b></div>
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<b><i>by MAKALEHUA</i></b></div>
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Makalehua has 100% positive feedback. Their customers are extremely satisfied with the <i>par excellence </i>service. Here's some of their feedback:</div>
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<b><i>Excellent shape, hard to tell if it was used at all. Great deal! I love it!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Great seller. Super fast, cheerful and honest! Mahalo!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>A++++ all the way: lovely dress, as desc, fast ship; highly recommend seller; thx</i></b></div>
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<b><i>No ka oi eBay seller!!!!!!!!!!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>AWESOME THANK YOU! BEAUTIFUL, GREAT PRICE & SERVICE, LOOK FORWARD TO BUYING MORE!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Very nice eBayer with fast transaction and nice items.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Got it!! Thanks for this great item at a great price and an easy transaction!!</i></b></div>
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For a comprehensive look at their feedback rating and most current customer raves, you can visit:</div>
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<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/makalehua" target="_blank">http://stores.ebay.com/makalehua</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-edZ9XKjRMB3H11QTocnMlB715ZnI25BB_Bc2n5w6aAzWj7efkmJ1LIX5YcV9lBeYG-zwrl7DrsCOxCKDvLkwo7FpOnLl-zUHHpYhUhfiy48Ug9SaBpmyGTtrAMjRN4GQtPpeeH7s-tl/s1600/Sig+Zane+Small+Linen+Fuchsia+Jacket+or+Blouse+by+MAKALEHUA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-edZ9XKjRMB3H11QTocnMlB715ZnI25BB_Bc2n5w6aAzWj7efkmJ1LIX5YcV9lBeYG-zwrl7DrsCOxCKDvLkwo7FpOnLl-zUHHpYhUhfiy48Ug9SaBpmyGTtrAMjRN4GQtPpeeH7s-tl/s400/Sig+Zane+Small+Linen+Fuchsia+Jacket+or+Blouse+by+MAKALEHUA.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Sig Zane Small Linen Fuchsia Jacket or Blouse </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>by MAKALEHUA</i></b></span></div>
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If Hawaiiana is your thing, Makalehua offers a spicy eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary collectibles along with their entree clothing line. Here are a few examples:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbU_K2r7abVYEdV1S07dtYnzOKlRFr2oZeQJ1QoykHaDmIusXj8lwfnhV1Zf98IQG_HNc8-RFCfc8WWVgYZmtlCuJOhf6xuq2ZY4I9uO44nkAHQw4FVr3nP-H9qe1MkKGj4EM3x8HY6i2/s1600/Vintage+Asian+Tea+Set+in+woven+basket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbU_K2r7abVYEdV1S07dtYnzOKlRFr2oZeQJ1QoykHaDmIusXj8lwfnhV1Zf98IQG_HNc8-RFCfc8WWVgYZmtlCuJOhf6xuq2ZY4I9uO44nkAHQw4FVr3nP-H9qe1MkKGj4EM3x8HY6i2/s320/Vintage+Asian+Tea+Set+in+woven+basket.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Vintage Asian Tea Set in Woven Basket</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>by MAKALEHUA</i></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-K6-ZHPwO839J1MuUD5QD9H6MH0U9ionnCRv0-G7-vqFfjPvfbmp7-0Kvvg9BgkWadb8fbtAmzq6g8Y_6lVPFH0_fviKywyWAYPao8VC3F_fMh7I56WGxQJHSSwwTDVIOGCLZ3cmBdS02/s1600/Japanese+Lacquered+Plate++diameter+Cranes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-K6-ZHPwO839J1MuUD5QD9H6MH0U9ionnCRv0-G7-vqFfjPvfbmp7-0Kvvg9BgkWadb8fbtAmzq6g8Y_6lVPFH0_fviKywyWAYPao8VC3F_fMh7I56WGxQJHSSwwTDVIOGCLZ3cmBdS02/s320/Japanese+Lacquered+Plate++diameter+Cranes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Japanese Cranes Lacquered Plate, 7-3/4"</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>by MAKALEHUA</b></i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIFvOKb_p55qZH-0ISgPPvHGU4J2yDYwl2RdS_kQCN0FkZtKesrqHl_5ghg_xboL4uc1gQ8A1m8TtV3kB2YNjjGIk8QwX7fJweL5mx8yLW1t5NbuXH9M86I4QUwEfeq7GotueshonHzXl/s1600/Ritz+Carlton+Hotel+Silver+HEPP+Exclusive+Silver+Plated+Water+Pitchers+Lot+of+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIFvOKb_p55qZH-0ISgPPvHGU4J2yDYwl2RdS_kQCN0FkZtKesrqHl_5ghg_xboL4uc1gQ8A1m8TtV3kB2YNjjGIk8QwX7fJweL5mx8yLW1t5NbuXH9M86I4QUwEfeq7GotueshonHzXl/s320/Ritz+Carlton+Hotel+Silver+HEPP+Exclusive+Silver+Plated+Water+Pitchers+Lot+of+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Ritz Carlton Hotel Silver HEPP Exclusive Silver Plated Water Pitchers</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>by MAKALEHUA</i></b></span></div>
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Maybe you want to go to the islands but the budget just isn't right for making the trip this year. Treat yourself to a healthy compromise, then, and make MAKALEHUA your cyber vacation stop for your holiday shopping needs. </div>
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At the very least, you'll be prepared for presenting the special people in your life with an exquisite array of choice gifts.</div>
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At best, you'll definitely be at the head of the class, dressed in your Makalehua clothing and looking beachcomber spiffy for next year's trip to the wonderful Islands of Aloha!</div>
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<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/makalehua">http://stores.ebay.com/makalehua</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/o9PZH4OQz4o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b><i>A wonderful video featuring Hawaiian fashion designer, Sig Zane</i></b><br />
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For a heartwarming and lighthearted behind-the-scenes story, we invite you to enjoy this very special narrative--</div>
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<a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/How-I-Found-My-Long-Lost-Sister-on-eBay" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/How-I-Found-My-Long-Lost-Sister-on-eBay</a></div>
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Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-89913003924232399672012-06-17T18:41:00.001-07:002012-06-17T18:41:51.874-07:00Lords of the Fly Eclectic $.99 Sale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlvwdRudqkC9Tkburf5tBlNp3tx6JxBx1sye25TQUaA7BUf17pqLzn5DSEc-of8QcHJUlScWaKWWXmrFJFC1GG2AXG4PZHFikkX4ufplmjDUMZZfHNgJzNRULdk2KMr2nqpyXDUPzLPKm/s1600/June1320012+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlvwdRudqkC9Tkburf5tBlNp3tx6JxBx1sye25TQUaA7BUf17pqLzn5DSEc-of8QcHJUlScWaKWWXmrFJFC1GG2AXG4PZHFikkX4ufplmjDUMZZfHNgJzNRULdk2KMr2nqpyXDUPzLPKm/s640/June1320012+117.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Abandoned</i></b></div>
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<b><i>A Caesar Hernandez Water Color Painting</i></b></div>
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Aloha! When I'm not lounging around in my favorite coffee shops in downtown Walla Walla writing profusely while sipping on a tall cup of bold or, whenever I feel like splurging, guzzling down a venti-sized caramel frappucino, I'm diligently taking photographs and working on listings for my eBay business, <i>Lords of the Fly.</i></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/Vintage-Us-The-Story-Behind-eBays-Lords-of-the-Fly" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/Vintage-Us-The-Story-Behind-eBays-Lords-of-the-Fly</a></i></b></div>
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The large majority of our sales have been through our fixed-price items in our eBay store. Lately, we've opted to complement those Buy It Now listings--on a weekly basis for now and, hopefully, more frequently in the future--with a nostalgic throwback to the good old days of eBay...the <i style="font-weight: bold;">99 cents </i>listing.</div>
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Yes, there's always a risk, more so in an unsteady economy, that we could take a loss. But the marketing psychology behind the move is akin to driving in slippery conditions: <b><i>Turn your wheel in the direction of the skid!</i></b></div>
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<b>What?!</b></div>
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Call me crazy (don't worry, I call myself that all the time), but nothing in life worth striving for ever came without risk. Sales have been down these last couple of months, so I'm simply retrieving the old welcome mat from storage, giving it a good dusting, and laying it out there for the global marketplace to tread upon. </div>
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My metaphorical welcome mat--the 99 cents sale--says loud and clear in my language of origin:</div>
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<b><i>E komo mai!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Come on in!</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly" target="_blank">http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly</a></i></b></div>
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So here are some of the items that I'm listing today. First, a mention of the artwork at the top of this post. Caesar Hernandez was a prominent watercolor artist in California. His paintings have sold for hundreds of dollars. My listing of this particular item for a starting bid of 99 cents without any reserve (a set amount that the seller determines ahead of time that is unknown to the buyers, unless the seller chooses to tell them; if it isn't reached, there is no winner...thus, no real risk to the seller) is probably the highest kind of risk I could take with my eBay item(s). Ah, but what the heck? What's life without risk? Besides, read the beginning of paragraph 5 again.</div>
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Here are more interesting items.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uHIvNDmAAIvRiJfHQKXLIlwGWfVbX1W3fLf8p3CKmdjNo9Q9JowxgpTMSK9H8_-u07ZKK79eT-avApxDyfzjQ2YIggPaaccJh_W1mjCmmmcm5k5dnYWNR-i4igcSt1nlqT8QJ-Ybfea4/s1600/99centitems061412+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uHIvNDmAAIvRiJfHQKXLIlwGWfVbX1W3fLf8p3CKmdjNo9Q9JowxgpTMSK9H8_-u07ZKK79eT-avApxDyfzjQ2YIggPaaccJh_W1mjCmmmcm5k5dnYWNR-i4igcSt1nlqT8QJ-Ybfea4/s640/99centitems061412+001.JPG" width="624" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNmhkgX_ml8LaYxm-v3V3HJdRbAo65CkaPh_Y-WwRujkMUPcxJJPjvWBbS0B3ou90x13pZ96DOwLLZUF9Y-umJTTn3YfA_S15R_9ENyf3CmvalSPYUcGLOUtVg4tKCNi1_bfEOhTvwbxo/s1600/99centitems061412+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNmhkgX_ml8LaYxm-v3V3HJdRbAo65CkaPh_Y-WwRujkMUPcxJJPjvWBbS0B3ou90x13pZ96DOwLLZUF9Y-umJTTn3YfA_S15R_9ENyf3CmvalSPYUcGLOUtVg4tKCNi1_bfEOhTvwbxo/s1600/99centitems061412+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNmhkgX_ml8LaYxm-v3V3HJdRbAo65CkaPh_Y-WwRujkMUPcxJJPjvWBbS0B3ou90x13pZ96DOwLLZUF9Y-umJTTn3YfA_S15R_9ENyf3CmvalSPYUcGLOUtVg4tKCNi1_bfEOhTvwbxo/s640/99centitems061412+029.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNmhkgX_ml8LaYxm-v3V3HJdRbAo65CkaPh_Y-WwRujkMUPcxJJPjvWBbS0B3ou90x13pZ96DOwLLZUF9Y-umJTTn3YfA_S15R_9ENyf3CmvalSPYUcGLOUtVg4tKCNi1_bfEOhTvwbxo/s1600/99centitems061412+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<b><i>Collectible Vintage Hershey's Kisses Christmas Wishes Mug</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Collectible Vintage Set of 3 Teddy Bear Porcelain Thimbles</i></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS6I1vkUT5dQr2n_b-VREKf6OKf4rnKbD99nCMLpck3Su3jOCfV_ck5Rf2ZBBXDF7CGwTVtGkqyam-c11B6SKqZMTG2MZjrgb7ot52X5lSJj4euDufjMee0R76h873VOUrhlbZSUX84OX/s1600/99centitems061412+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS6I1vkUT5dQr2n_b-VREKf6OKf4rnKbD99nCMLpck3Su3jOCfV_ck5Rf2ZBBXDF7CGwTVtGkqyam-c11B6SKqZMTG2MZjrgb7ot52X5lSJj4euDufjMee0R76h873VOUrhlbZSUX84OX/s640/99centitems061412+011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Collectible Vintage Duck Figurine</i></b> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aRKnr43kyxob3icHgz7JwxxQYycvn4YZvIpPd3gw6W0fgl6bxuY0JwIuw_gG42nWZzhP8qAKcGHJj7YsmkZT4GtPeASGCOELV2X-ydKkeOauFFw67ww9P0Vy09KRyWExCAbnQojp_FVc/s1600/99centitems061412+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aRKnr43kyxob3icHgz7JwxxQYycvn4YZvIpPd3gw6W0fgl6bxuY0JwIuw_gG42nWZzhP8qAKcGHJj7YsmkZT4GtPeASGCOELV2X-ydKkeOauFFw67ww9P0Vy09KRyWExCAbnQojp_FVc/s640/99centitems061412+018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Collectible Vintage Brooding Hen Salt or Pepper Shaker</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05JcndsQSDM6BtlsTZzFXh_1CoLz9ZMs7ZhgFNvrWUR5pbwsu7XLQBsJbBg2nmaLcccOIgsLE4Wx2WEhLrv8_9NDalzmraX7-mId1epXTLfXo2CuE-7FSKcsI6v6Y81tdyvYf0o4VQQV7/s1600/99centitems061412+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05JcndsQSDM6BtlsTZzFXh_1CoLz9ZMs7ZhgFNvrWUR5pbwsu7XLQBsJbBg2nmaLcccOIgsLE4Wx2WEhLrv8_9NDalzmraX7-mId1epXTLfXo2CuE-7FSKcsI6v6Y81tdyvYf0o4VQQV7/s640/99centitems061412+014.JPG" width="374" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Collectible Vintage Bee, Hive, & Flower Salt or Pepper Shaker</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYo8vIpScFo12ykzG8F1WLUHwcg4lAqkoDr8Zm_5W4E1lMXAuJLit_tLMet3bO6FuZISKvdwo0E43qCHGh15UpNjLv0kWa3qpb5JXlr7mye0v-X9QH8U7v06saCnSnKh3fp8HC34Ar1ox/s1600/June1320012+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYo8vIpScFo12ykzG8F1WLUHwcg4lAqkoDr8Zm_5W4E1lMXAuJLit_tLMet3bO6FuZISKvdwo0E43qCHGh15UpNjLv0kWa3qpb5JXlr7mye0v-X9QH8U7v06saCnSnKh3fp8HC34Ar1ox/s640/June1320012+071.JPG" width="502" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Collectible Vintage Leanin' Tree Greeting Card featuring</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Norman Rockwell's </i></b><b><i>1947 Saturday Evening Post Cover--"Family Outing"</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs39TW_qC4EVvPjPxtbDlRfpsrfpsWWfOnN5Sm4-26VOcKbJIE07YOw7jBnbvo8pxOw1l2XribQA6dFtHx715kliZoWoOCFm8VQjHTnitrB5E8p_oWwljqnJr8SYpetIePFVeSJhKNrirX/s1600/June152012+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs39TW_qC4EVvPjPxtbDlRfpsrfpsWWfOnN5Sm4-26VOcKbJIE07YOw7jBnbvo8pxOw1l2XribQA6dFtHx715kliZoWoOCFm8VQjHTnitrB5E8p_oWwljqnJr8SYpetIePFVeSJhKNrirX/s640/June152012+006.JPG" width="454" /></a></div>
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<b><i>National Geographic--October, 2009 Back Issue</i></b></div>
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<b><i>The Tallest Trees</i></b><b><i> </i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYQPHpEglbykZubcYP-DU2lPqGYh585UCtfYQWknMAVqCiZaDbMnPMcVTqtCI9ddmJM_ih1fiqqdQZvwUN0jcFCVSzDk6l6FyAwtRWAIPa9KP9ORWP4SryqYTVGWDM5e7zJolKSP-HzFq/s1600/99centitems061412+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYQPHpEglbykZubcYP-DU2lPqGYh585UCtfYQWknMAVqCiZaDbMnPMcVTqtCI9ddmJM_ih1fiqqdQZvwUN0jcFCVSzDk6l6FyAwtRWAIPa9KP9ORWP4SryqYTVGWDM5e7zJolKSP-HzFq/s640/99centitems061412+026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Collectible Vintage Schramberg Cow Figurine</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6Y0itrakh3A6ecVQlqC6Xy1Lh-gQtCFyDXLZ-ZLSJcSMKjRNvzSlvZdJoWMgEs5QS-899YAI_CSC_OJ9y6mzXL6ahjwD4AHroONHCYlBjrH3IE6vzS-uO78H3ZJRatKnar2X1qpUShyphenhyphenJ/s1600/Konica+Minolta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6Y0itrakh3A6ecVQlqC6Xy1Lh-gQtCFyDXLZ-ZLSJcSMKjRNvzSlvZdJoWMgEs5QS-899YAI_CSC_OJ9y6mzXL6ahjwD4AHroONHCYlBjrH3IE6vzS-uO78H3ZJRatKnar2X1qpUShyphenhyphenJ/s640/Konica+Minolta.JPG" width="548" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Collectible Vintage Konica Minolta AF Maxxum 70 SLR Camera</i></b></div>
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<b><i>With Quantaray Lens 28-90 mm f/3.5-5.6</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdQNSblxCwCTv3kHBYnnbUHqfLeITuovA61EI8b90AZ6wBUc9J21l5O0U3Irjl_ne5bHeYqNAiuq3ezQSyxWU2LkzHhH18w_jO6BmPGecA83E5COmpHeFTDf4FS4NZE-BbI_56WOPEmXj/s1600/June17plates+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdQNSblxCwCTv3kHBYnnbUHqfLeITuovA61EI8b90AZ6wBUc9J21l5O0U3Irjl_ne5bHeYqNAiuq3ezQSyxWU2LkzHhH18w_jO6BmPGecA83E5COmpHeFTDf4FS4NZE-BbI_56WOPEmXj/s640/June17plates+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Dipinto A Mano Hand-Painted Vintage Collector Plate</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Venezia Ponte Di Rialto</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-yFQemFQgbyAL0dVD5At_met3NxQFuqYZA32IUIsNig-mB_12XVCZNIo_gGES3LO6LMKV_po-w3gF6jEkUMNcEKsBIEK1cTQLc_VX-JJVV3susB_9_ZqKTrj-2dO1Mkhc7dIHQxZ8An1/s1600/June17plates+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-yFQemFQgbyAL0dVD5At_met3NxQFuqYZA32IUIsNig-mB_12XVCZNIo_gGES3LO6LMKV_po-w3gF6jEkUMNcEKsBIEK1cTQLc_VX-JJVV3susB_9_ZqKTrj-2dO1Mkhc7dIHQxZ8An1/s640/June17plates+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Vintage Collector Plate</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Mission San Juan Capistrano, California</i></b></div>
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We earnestly pray that our eclectic 99 cent auctions will be a fruitful venture and a great <i>win-win </i>experience for our buyers and us. We truly believe it keeps us entrepreneurially sharp, focused, and motivated to honor the <i>heart of the buyer</i>. Empathizing with our customers and uplifting their perspective will help us make steady progress on the road to becoming better sellers.</div>
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<a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/Im-Tired-of-Just-Thinking-About-It-Im-Doing-It" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/Im-Tired-of-Just-Thinking-About-It-Im-Doing-It</a></div>
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</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-23784013816714210982012-05-23T14:35:00.000-07:002012-06-14T11:38:44.360-07:00Vintage Print Ads Make Awesome--and, yes!--Inexpensive Gifts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_skErM4eyYYIwmq17BSFFRDYqYJVi83bIAmYK_pRnjJ_DFXOhsJMDGpjifrCS_Zx_AmPH-H5UU1No8C3KeTus15DS8-AozaoxeSAbSMXIw4ZKVYsudeu1iLo-6d2hBaXr78n99DxMiBsN/s1600/1942Lifeadsprint+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_skErM4eyYYIwmq17BSFFRDYqYJVi83bIAmYK_pRnjJ_DFXOhsJMDGpjifrCS_Zx_AmPH-H5UU1No8C3KeTus15DS8-AozaoxeSAbSMXIw4ZKVYsudeu1iLo-6d2hBaXr78n99DxMiBsN/s640/1942Lifeadsprint+011.JPG" width="496" /></a></div>
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<b><i>1942 Coca-Cola Vintage Print Ad</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b>Smack dab in the midst of high school and college graduation season, with Father's Day and the 4th of July just around the corner, and with a myriad of birtdays, anniversaries, reunions with loved ones or fellow classmates of an honored alma mater, and other special occasions on the horizon, you're left wondering, <i>What kind of gift can I get?</i></b></div>
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<b>There's really no need to look any further. Take your pick of hundreds of gorgeous nostalgic options at <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly/_i.html?_fsub=2623719010" target="_blank">http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly/_i.html?_fsub=2623719010</a> .</b></div>
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<b>What are vintage print ads? They're commercial advertisements carefully removed from old magazines--say, from the 1970's and earlier (although the term <i>vintage </i>is often loosely interpreted to include even more recent items). These ads are then placed in acid-free plastic sleeves along with acid-free backing boards and then mailed in large flat or padded envelopes to their respective customers.</b></div>
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<b>The top photo is a great example of a potential gift for dear old Dad. It not only piques the nostalgic strings of an older generation's collective heart; it also has intrinsic value in a sub-niche of its own--<i>Coke memorabilia.</i></b></div>
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<b>Here are three more examples of ads from three different sub-categories--automobiles; World War II; and sporting goods.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW06hXvdNKRyHG3odPSvuQnWSA6T6veOMBnWdi9OExhK9hy8QLMHVApZB5xLG65oHfA1yu1shGVVaBOBSKxyUHW8DbD-FgFc6d2y5jVrpFUeg-lrxpIMewy1ADe0m7cHNaoykM0PRkUzQh/s1600/1946+Mercury.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW06hXvdNKRyHG3odPSvuQnWSA6T6veOMBnWdi9OExhK9hy8QLMHVApZB5xLG65oHfA1yu1shGVVaBOBSKxyUHW8DbD-FgFc6d2y5jVrpFUeg-lrxpIMewy1ADe0m7cHNaoykM0PRkUzQh/s640/1946+Mercury.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
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<b><i>1946 Ford Mercury Vintage Print Ad</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwHgyBdkQ06pmwnW4bgA_FnyWeFLTJCsCTjdq1DTSvdeEbEQDUAmm889TIsFVq5DxgtK2OiD7uoSr45lcHBGamzFGAAQQgzV-e92AQ8E-UIAAbNsJLSZZEK4pg-D_zlJytw1mCC87AX0H/s1600/1942Lifeadsprint+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwHgyBdkQ06pmwnW4bgA_FnyWeFLTJCsCTjdq1DTSvdeEbEQDUAmm889TIsFVq5DxgtK2OiD7uoSr45lcHBGamzFGAAQQgzV-e92AQ8E-UIAAbNsJLSZZEK4pg-D_zlJytw1mCC87AX0H/s640/1942Lifeadsprint+009.JPG" width="506" /></a></div>
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<b><i>1942 Lockheed Aircraft Corporation World War II Vintage Print Ad</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXbLXAs4SC94EuFY4LoNLoZv3o0nooOvfMY1pZLt6PgPycsA8JC0TbWfcrbcrQTN1nrPyNwdApIJ4lV3bGKGPZsM0x9qiWYu7Cz9LxXAL3XnpSSH0lvfhy5XcUK2B4t942BnygEe03oRM/s1600/glove.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXbLXAs4SC94EuFY4LoNLoZv3o0nooOvfMY1pZLt6PgPycsA8JC0TbWfcrbcrQTN1nrPyNwdApIJ4lV3bGKGPZsM0x9qiWYu7Cz9LxXAL3XnpSSH0lvfhy5XcUK2B4t942BnygEe03oRM/s640/glove.JPG" width="492" /></a></div>
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<b><i>1945 Wilson Sports Equipment Vintage Print Ad</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b>Why settle for the old humdrum annual necktie, bottle of cologne, golf club, fishing pole, or stationery? Sure, these gifts are great, and we're certainly not knocking them. But if you're looking for that unique and very special item that's sure to elicit a grin from your favorite family patriarch immediately upon its removal from the envelope, we invite you to check out what might turn out to be the gift that special man remembers for years to come.</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly/_i.html?_fsub=2623719010" target="_blank">http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly/_i.html?_fsub=2623719010</a></b></div>
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<b>Who knows? In browsing through these lovely yesteryear memorabilia, you might very well develop an interest in becoming a collector of vintage ephemera. There's something very appealing about the way the ad agencies of the past combined gorgeous art and/or picturesque photographs with clever text construction that you just don't find in today's high-tech advertisements.</b></div>
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<b><i>Why Collect Vintage Print Ads?</i></b></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><i>To preserve Americana</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>To understand our heritage</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>To appreciate our social, cultural, political, and economic roots</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>To enhance our grasp of history</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>To compare and contrast the past with the present</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>To leave as a legacy for future generations</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>To own as antique collectibles</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>To acknowledge the art and artists of yesteryear</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>To frame and craft into attractive gifts</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>To utilize as decorative household pieces</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>To buy, sell, and trade</i></b></li>
<li><b><i>To enjoy a good return on investment</i></b></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIacarxXu1yV12IleNPsM1SKO5de8oO4MNddJTEXCUH_BP_tu7NlZ9rhpAbW0xn5v1o5xMebhoFaBRaCZLL8WVt0GPGeZ8AupZK6o5TSkAfiaHApjDaWz_Aqd_4vl-Sl0JZdZX93Knwg-/s1600/$(KGrHqJHJDoE9BE1!eYvBPQVvOowQw~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIacarxXu1yV12IleNPsM1SKO5de8oO4MNddJTEXCUH_BP_tu7NlZ9rhpAbW0xn5v1o5xMebhoFaBRaCZLL8WVt0GPGeZ8AupZK6o5TSkAfiaHApjDaWz_Aqd_4vl-Sl0JZdZX93Knwg-/s640/$(KGrHqJHJDoE9BE1!eYvBPQVvOowQw~~60_57.JPG" width="492" /></a></div>
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<b><i>1946 National Confectioners Association Vintage Print Ad</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>The folks at eBay's <i>Lords of the Fly </i>store would be delighted to have you <i>drop in </i>for a visit. Browse through their vintage print ads selection and feel free to share your comments and questions with them. Their responses, like their delivery time, are prompt and courteous.</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly/_i.html?_fsub=2623719010" target="_blank">http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly/_i.html?_fsub=2623719010</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>You'll find more information about this collectible gift specialty in the following articles. Thanks for dropping by, and--yes, by all means--your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/VintageKeala" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/VintageKeala</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/Raising-the-Baron-eBay" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/Raising-the-Baron-eBay</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/Giving-People-the-Time-of-Day-on-eBay" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/hub/Giving-People-the-Time-of-Day-on-eBay</a></b><br />
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</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-8163272859435046892012-05-02T08:50:00.000-07:002012-05-02T08:52:34.147-07:00Meet CARY GRANITE--on eBay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8xxCT8yYzIEquEsGNI20IXO1tXygnJ6PgpDp4JVLugl0rwcueGY_xlPePRa89-nmHwYXJQSPShKmEa0JoyWTGnTxKehQheAwXBdOgg8NUhLhKoyG6mh-vH9vP0C7CyLruPEqA9l9MT0_/s1600/granite+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8xxCT8yYzIEquEsGNI20IXO1tXygnJ6PgpDp4JVLugl0rwcueGY_xlPePRa89-nmHwYXJQSPShKmEa0JoyWTGnTxKehQheAwXBdOgg8NUhLhKoyG6mh-vH9vP0C7CyLruPEqA9l9MT0_/s640/granite+007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>A Piece of Rock I Dubbed </i>Cary Granite</b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>An annual phenomenon on eBay is a noticeable slowdown of traffic, perhaps even to the point of a standstill for some sellers, a few days before <i>and </i>after the income tax return filing deadline. </b></div>
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<b>Rather than pull whatever remaining hair I have left on my coconut, I act the fool and do something off the wall--<i>pupule, </i>as Hawaiians would say--that will simultaneously provoke my competitors and, hopefully, amuse my viewers.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>I posted the one week listing early this morning--an unconventional time for a Pacific Northwest eBay seller to submit a listing but, for the other side of the world, a most convenient and thoughtful act on my part. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>The rock is quite heavy, perhaps 5 pounds, and so I'm obliged to use USPS Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box shipping ($11.35 to US addresses; $47.95 to international destinations). </b></div>
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<b>In keeping with the crazy theme, I'm starting the auction out at a penny. Honestly, I'm gambling that this will also serve to invigorate the lackluster traffic. And if that doesn't work, placing the rock in a large jacket pocket and jumping into the Columbia River just might do the trick.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Then again...a five pound rock won't do diddly squat for my husky islander frame. (<i>Husky </i>sounds better than mildly obese. Yeah, I could've used <i>bathroom scale-challenged</i>, but I'm years away from evolving into a politically correct individual.)</b></div>
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<b>Okay, where in the world was I? Oh, yeah...</b></div>
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<b>If it's true that fads have a way of coming back every few decades or so, than it's high time the <i>pet rock </i>craze made a return, And how appropriate that the loosey-goosey Captain Jack Sparrow of the eBay waters--<i>Hawaiian Odysseus</i>--should be the one to mastermind its comeback. </b></div>
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<b>If you were able to get to this post prior to the end of the above-mentioned eBay listing (go to eBay and type the following item number into the search window: 160793425135), you'll be able to follow its progress. Or, if you find this blog entry within three months after that date, you'll still be able to search for that number to have a few grins over what ultimately happened with this harebrained scheme.</b></div>
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<b>In any event, it's fun coming up with wild and crazy ways to make a living.</b></div>
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<b><i>Only on eBay...</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Only with yours truly...</i></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><i>Hawaiian Odysseus.</i></b></div>
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<b>By the way, for more on this particular topic, check out my equally zany article on HubPages. Just click on the link below.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Mahalo! </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_kauaiboy/hub/The-Crazy-Things-I-Do-on-eBay" target="_blank"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_kauaiboy/hub/The-Crazy-Things-I-Do-on-eBay</span></a></b></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-11328175360583659282012-04-18T12:55:00.003-07:002012-07-28T06:31:06.491-07:00Why I Sell on eBay--Of Haunting Green Eyes and a Young Man Down Under<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjqewFKwrcegdD7QxYG1vkQxSfx8lvmfAhLGTbp-F3SDKkOjJr4lMpQNdfJZ3abuoqDeLddQ93ky8SSqrlasZ439xg0O3lk6Nx9hSbWAeJnOYq8DE_vZ0rpmYUCXIcARy29OI11uXlR3N/s1600/Afghan+Girl+With+the+Haunted--and+Haunting--Green+Eyes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjqewFKwrcegdD7QxYG1vkQxSfx8lvmfAhLGTbp-F3SDKkOjJr4lMpQNdfJZ3abuoqDeLddQ93ky8SSqrlasZ439xg0O3lk6Nx9hSbWAeJnOYq8DE_vZ0rpmYUCXIcARy29OI11uXlR3N/s640/Afghan+Girl+With+the+Haunted--and+Haunting--Green+Eyes.JPG" width="452" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Afghan Girl with the Haunted--and Haunting--Green Eyes</i></b></div>
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<b><i>June, 1985 National Geographic</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo of Cover)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>PROLOGUE</b></div>
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<b>I'm one for seeing the glass half full. </b></div>
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<b>So while a good deal of the world may be focused on the Mayan calendar ending in December of this year, it's life as usual for me.</b></div>
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<b>Add to that the fact that I'm looking at 60 imaginary candles on the invisible cake this July, well...let's just say that I am a full-fledged member of a universal club that is very appreciative of the life God's given them.</b></div>
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<b>In 2000, I formally opened up a part-time business selling fishing flies I'd tied as well as fly tying materials on eBay.</b></div>
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<b>In the latter part of last year, bone-weary from a bagel baking job in Redmond, Washington, and simply exasperated with the schizophrenic economy, I made the significant decision to abort the rat race I was quickly losing. </b></div>
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<b>Returning home to Walla Walla County, 250 miles southeast of my sojourn in the Emerald City of Seattle, I kicked my online business into full gear. </b></div>
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<b>Admittedly, it was a scary decision, but after much soul-searching, hours of heart-wrenching discussions with my wife, and a total overhaul of my theretofore makeshift business plan, I took the plunge.</b></div>
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<b>And God's favor has incessantly rained upon me ever since.</b></div>
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<b>Not that I'm rolling in the dough, mind you, because I'm not...not yet, anyway. </b></div>
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<b>My blessings have come by way of the people I've encountered in my global entrepreneurship.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>And in the end, the golden contact we make with our fellow men is more important than any earthly treasure.</b></div>
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<b>That said, I've been struggling in the last couple of months, desperately trying to understand this minority segment on eBay that purchases items knowing full well that they are not going to pay for them.</b></div>
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<b>When I ask eBay for help, I am told that the global venue is a buyer's market and that sellers are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct regardless of how some buyers abuse the process.</b></div>
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<b>The eBay reps continue: "You know, sir, this is a reflection of our economy."</b></div>
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<b><i>What? That people can get away with doing wrong to other people?</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>What? Aren't sellers part of that economy, too? Don't we lose big time when you reinforce the bad behavior of non-paying buyers by lacking consequences with bite?</i></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>In short, I come away from those phone calls with eBay customer support feeling, well, entrepreneurially impotent. </b></div>
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<b>Okay...</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>So then there's the subsequent fallout. I start feeling angry...I have to stuff that anger...with no adequate venting, I get to a point where I'm feeling sorry for myself.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>And that's not a good place for <i>anyone, </i>let alone a businessman, to be.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE BEHIND THE SCENES STORY</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>God is like this wonderful and timely GPS. When He sees us going down a wrong path, He doesn't treat us as mere marionettes and--with ethereal puppeteer strings--control our movements or force our decisions or rob us of our freedom of choice.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>He simply provides more opportunities.</b></div>
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</div>
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<b>In the early part of April, 2012 (exactly 16 days prior to this writing), I discovered in my eBay inbox that I'd just made a sale of the magazine below to a woman in Australia.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtvbwSxn_tVywgnqQGGuHP_knf2L-042VHa_T3GzHhsDjCzz2o3-A9-n-AGTOnghYPMc55XCnxobu7Jz6_bXsHYnDoCgLJ7c6C4HKPt7ULPnCjmzVACSHkyBVekkb3Dk06A5sEJR0o3Ds/s1600/Afghan+Girl%252C+Found+17+Years+Later.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtvbwSxn_tVywgnqQGGuHP_knf2L-042VHa_T3GzHhsDjCzz2o3-A9-n-AGTOnghYPMc55XCnxobu7Jz6_bXsHYnDoCgLJ7c6C4HKPt7ULPnCjmzVACSHkyBVekkb3Dk06A5sEJR0o3Ds/s640/Afghan+Girl%252C+Found+17+Years+Later.JPG" width="446" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Afghan Girl, Found, 17 Years Later</i></b></div>
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</div>
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<b><i>April, 2002 National Geographic</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo of Cover)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>I was elated! Promptly, I processed, packaged, and mailed the item off to the buyer. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Less than two weeks later, I received the following positive feedback--</b></div>
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<b><i>thanks arrived today my son has included her in many art essays for school</i></b></div>
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<b>Now, I'd known briefly about the 1985 Afghan Girl cover story (see top photo) while researching for my description of the 2002 <i>National Geographic </i>issue, but as events would have it, I actually obtained the latter issue first. I don't remember where...could have been at an estate sale, church bazaar, or thrift store.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>So that's why I made the sale of the 2002 issue first. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Soon after, however, I got my hands on not just one, but two of the 1985 issues. My interest, like a single lit match in a dry forest, burned brightly and ran rampantly with new possibilities.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>I remember gazing obsessively--as have millions of people all over the world--at the image of the Afghan girl with haunted--and, yes, haunting!--green eyes.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>On impulse rather than analytical forethought, not worrying in the least about crossing unspoken professional marketing boundaries, I emailed the Australian woman a courtesy thank you for her nice feedback and then...yes, I dared it!...asked her if she could provide me with some background information about her feedback comment. I explained that I occasionally blogged about some of my eBay experiences.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>When I awoke this morning to the light Walla Walla rain and checked my eBay status, I found an email from, I thought, the Australian customer. It was a well thought out response to my request. I was about to send an appreciative email when I noticed that there was a second message in my inbox.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Upon reading the second email, I learned that the response had actually been written by her son, a high school student.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Here is what the intelligent and eloquent young man wrote--</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><i>Afghan Girl Article</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>The following is in regards to your request to hearing about my, well, obsession is the best phrase. Firstly, I'd very much like to say thanks for my purchase. I received both issues & they're exactly what I wanted!</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>Now, you say you wish to hear a human interest story to put on your blog. Well, my obsession with the Afghan girl is nothing compared to her story, a single individual whose beautiful eyes captivated the hearts of everyone who saw them, eyes that reflected the plight of all refugees of war. That's remarkable, a true testament to the nature of humanity and the power of a well-told story, and an amazing piece of art, things of which I've always loved.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>I don't quite remember the first time I saw the photograph by renowned photojournalist Steve McCurry, but since then I have been a passionate fan. He is now one of my photographic idols. What I remember, however, is being caught up in the beauty of the image like everybody else. I'd been taking photos for a while at this point, and when I saw this, I was blown away. Not only was the subject amazing, but I was swept away with the lighting, the composition, the focus, the simple beauty. I rushed off and read up on the story. Since then, it's been one of my favorite images.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>I've since used it as an example in as many projects for school as I possibly could, from English (in a theme of journey and belonging) to Visual Arts. As recently as three weeks ago, I've used her story as an example in one of my first assessments for university (subject on the future of Afghan women). The Afghan girl isn't just simply an amazing piece of photojournalism and a beautiful photograph. It also captures the human spirit.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Today, I'm in possession of both issues of </i>National Geographic<i>--the Afghan girl's complete story. I am in possession of not only collector's items, but a piece of history as well, and I thank you for that with all my heart.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>This has been something I have desired for many years now, and I'm sure it will continue to inspire me.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>Sincerely,</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i>Alexander Johnson</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>EPILOGUE</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Just as I was moved by the awesome and memorable Afghan Girl cover, I was absolutely blown away by the thoughtful and equally inspirational response from the young Australian man.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Alexander, you're a credit to not just your parents, siblings, relatives, friends, and acquaintances. You're an embodiment of all that is hopeful and cause for thanksgiving in our world. May the good Lord bless your every endeavor--in your budding university life and in your future occupation, relationships, and global ambassadorship.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Thank you for blessing me with one more beautiful remembrance of why I do the work I do on eBay.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Aloha and mahalo,</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Hawaiian Odysseus</b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cK6EnFu3NHc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Finding the Afghan Girl</i></b></div>
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<b><i>National Geographic Video on YouTube</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>I also invite all who are interested to read a related post that can be found with the following link:</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_kauaiboy/hub/The-Girl-With-the-Haunting-Green-Eyes" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_kauaiboy/hub/The-Girl-With-the-Haunting-Green-Eyes</span></a></b></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-21291185788770844822012-04-15T23:36:00.000-07:002012-04-15T23:42:05.321-07:00Of Cataracts and Cameras--A Perspective on Seeing Clearly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0y2je1ELoRm9facMhJFalI6G1vxa1CnbREzjoGDYFezAfBx-A9VsRfhyHPIqHl-XKHV9ie6yYdzG7vtaquEGkaIOJPCOuPClmMZtvfTiuId95N8JuuZRByZrHwdjLLDEo_GF6CQyqXyqX/s1600/$(KGrHqFHJ!0E8+mP9nGgBPZq+fCq!w~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0y2je1ELoRm9facMhJFalI6G1vxa1CnbREzjoGDYFezAfBx-A9VsRfhyHPIqHl-XKHV9ie6yYdzG7vtaquEGkaIOJPCOuPClmMZtvfTiuId95N8JuuZRByZrHwdjLLDEo_GF6CQyqXyqX/s640/$(KGrHqFHJ!0E8+mP9nGgBPZq+fCq!w~~60_57.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Konica Minolta AF Maxxum 70 SLR Camera With Quantaray Lens</i></b></div>
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<b><i>28-90 mm f/3.5-5.6</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>It's of no small irony that the week after I listed this beautiful pre-owned camera on eBay, I received the official confirmation from an ophthalmologist in Walla Walla that I needed to have cataract removal surgery.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Now, that's disconcerting news enough. But to learn that both eyes needed the surgery, well, that took me for a loop.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Both my parents developed cataracts and had to have surgery in their late seventies. So the odds of my getting cataracts at an even younger age were even greater. Sure enough, I won the cataract lottery--not just once, but twice.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZovEuXAlf0Yog2mZPFsko3mVLrVIA5umRgwVOl9_-qvef7daR_wdoWROtO4VmuDlYSJgF0LzPjX9HlhkhUA4ESKXt6ptqpvPzpdRNbhW5yyoWXp8NDd1rgvY5tk1s-yZYbQ3lE8fJqSq/s1600/$(KGrHqNHJBME9!HCynGPBPZr!55i,g~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZovEuXAlf0Yog2mZPFsko3mVLrVIA5umRgwVOl9_-qvef7daR_wdoWROtO4VmuDlYSJgF0LzPjX9HlhkhUA4ESKXt6ptqpvPzpdRNbhW5yyoWXp8NDd1rgvY5tk1s-yZYbQ3lE8fJqSq/s640/$(KGrHqNHJBME9!HCynGPBPZr!55i,g~~60_57.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>On paper, cataract surgery seems simple enough. After local anesthesia is applied, a needle pierces the lens and breaks it up into small pieces. Through a suction process that, for personal reasons, I really don't want to and am not qualified to write about, the pieces are removed. An artificial lens is then installed. If all goes well, after a relatively short recuperation period, the patient is able to see quite clearly.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>I was surprised to learn that cataract surgery is the #1 most common medical procedure in our country. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>So what does all of this have to do with the camera I listed?</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YXfh059cecFTsVf9tdy0LC7BS2GCFurzpFpNeqdOE8VkHXjUfs9LPr1fZ1o96IR87xzy26seye2B17vAFXlVm7fud912f75ErjVzlXqUyNK0aW-XX84XRd9D5yN20wsJlhKXiufFLshI/s1600/$(KGrHqVHJCUE9!N9+iWbBPZq+m(tNQ~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YXfh059cecFTsVf9tdy0LC7BS2GCFurzpFpNeqdOE8VkHXjUfs9LPr1fZ1o96IR87xzy26seye2B17vAFXlVm7fud912f75ErjVzlXqUyNK0aW-XX84XRd9D5yN20wsJlhKXiufFLshI/s640/$(KGrHqVHJCUE9!N9+iWbBPZq+m(tNQ~~60_57.JPG" width="560" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>Well, if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then God's head must be swelling. Let's look at a timeline to understand a little bit more about man's attempts to make an artificial eye--the camera!</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>1021 Ibn al-Haytham, an Iraqi Arab scientist, wrote <i>Book of Optics</i>, introducing the basic concept of a camera and the usage of a pinhole or lens to focus an external image onto an internal surface.</b></li>
<li><b>1685 Johann Zahn developed the first handheld camera, but it would be many more years for the design to be implemented successfully.</b></li>
<li><b>1814 The first photograph was taken by Joseph Nicephore Niepce. By exposing a bitumen coated pewter plate to light, Niepce was able to capture a temporary image.</b></li>
<li><b>1814 Expanding on Niepce's idea, Frenchmen Charles and Vincent Chevalier built the first camera that could produce photos. However, there was no way to preserve the photos.</b></li>
<li><b>`836 Niepce's partner, Louis Jacques Daguerre, developed the first practical photographic process. <i>Daguerrotype </i>involved an image being made on a light-sensitive silver-coated copper plate.</b></li>
<li><b>1840 For the first time, William Talbot generated positive images from negatives to produce permanent images.</b></li>
<li><b>1888 George Eastman made his first camera and called it the <i>Kodak. </i>It was the very first camera to go on sale. </b></li>
<li><b>1889 Eastman, who had been making paper film for years, replaced it with celluloid. He created a camera that was shaped like a box and had a single speed shutter mechanism.</b></li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>By the turn of the century, the commercialization of cameras and the advancement in photography technology resulted in quantum leap advances.</b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHe-0AideIIbYTET2nDQh84yonYNYR_B6nWZmfFiIY6o008TjFlSYWUYB5xq6qTgMD3CTfGOY1Mfbau6kzw7SYIzBhaA_Rz7s61GEkQsc8NnAl3faHQmiq63zsdEpm8Uys-Eu28IvlA-u/s1600/$(KGrHqVHJFIE88e5TuRWBPZr!vfBjw~~60_57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHe-0AideIIbYTET2nDQh84yonYNYR_B6nWZmfFiIY6o008TjFlSYWUYB5xq6qTgMD3CTfGOY1Mfbau6kzw7SYIzBhaA_Rz7s61GEkQsc8NnAl3faHQmiq63zsdEpm8Uys-Eu28IvlA-u/s640/$(KGrHqVHJFIE88e5TuRWBPZr!vfBjw~~60_57.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>In the process of doing research and creatively interpolating facts with figments of my imagination-doing my own quantum leaping, so to speak--it struck me recently that it wasn't just coincidence that listing a camera on eBay and being diagnosed with cataracts were such closely aligned events in my life.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>These things were meant to happen in close juxtaposition in order that I might understand...and in the understanding, find peace and acceptance.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>If man had not been curious and just a wee bit narcissistic in his attempts to be just like heavenly Dad, he might not have attempted to devise a mechanical eye, or <i>camera.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>And if he'd given up after his first initial attempts or failed to improve on his predecessors' progress, technology would have gone the way of dinosaurs.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>If cameras didn't exist, perhaps it would have been all the more challenging for medical school professors to illustratively and mechanically expound upon the wonders of the human eye.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Figuratively...literally...man would still be stuck wondering what the other side of the moon looked like.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>And what would it matter if all of mankind couldn't see very well after threescore years because of increasingly cloudy vision?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>As it stands, if all goes well next month--and I'm praying for God's abundant favor, not just for me, but for my camera mechanic, the good ophthalmologist himself--I'll be seeing things a lot more clearly than I do now.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Although...</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>...in a way...</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>my focus couldn't be sharper.</b></div>
</div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-6858598256440643942012-03-27T14:52:00.004-07:002012-04-15T23:44:45.892-07:00Setting My Odyssean Sails for eBay Waters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRmPFIh1PtmbxiFLwgn_hXNst2eYIDrbC52FWGh-WAfpAitZKQy2EfPP4OtVBtObdi_9POCaWOnTbOV-d3nmp0lln2XOKmalUaUEtZYf8dNmohQPx4ZHRSyU80H2woNhW-Dm1f17ZpLrx/s1600/World's+Largest+Telescope.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRmPFIh1PtmbxiFLwgn_hXNst2eYIDrbC52FWGh-WAfpAitZKQy2EfPP4OtVBtObdi_9POCaWOnTbOV-d3nmp0lln2XOKmalUaUEtZYf8dNmohQPx4ZHRSyU80H2woNhW-Dm1f17ZpLrx/s640/World's+Largest+Telescope.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>1893 World's Fair--Chicago's Great Telescope</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Hawaiian Odysseus Photo</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>My odyssey takes me on the most interesting twists, turns, and detours. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>I had sworn to never attend yard sales, garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores, church bazaars, and the like. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Perhaps the core of my disdain for these haunts was my perception that this was part and parcel of a feminine mystique, not a hangout for men. I'm not machismo by any stretch of the imagination. It's just that I had no interest whatsoever in going to these places because--in my early adult years, at least--I only saw women frequenting these places. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Plus, I learned a long time ago that shopping with a woman is like getting my teeth pulled without the balm of local anesthesia. You know...the torture of dealing with a pain that tears at the tiniest yet most vulnerable of nerves...coping in vain to deal with it by arching my back and slowly realizing that my butt is two feet off of the chair.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>In any event, 9 parts because of the major economic stall of the last two years and 1 part out of sheer desperation to jump start my anemic eBay business, I went looking for new adventures. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>And so it was, one fateful Sunday morning, that I set my Odyssean sails against the wind, the figurative ocean spray (more like spit) of old tapes in my head filling me with skepticism and every excuse in the book to stay home: <i>Don't do it! You'll regret it! You'll be the only man in the place!</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>Long story short (because this post is truly about something other than my advent as a thrift store pirate), I was hooked! Like a bonito attacking the tantalizing leg of an octopus attached to a huge curved object, I was HOOKED!</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Funny thing is, so were a lot of other men. My preconceived notions melted like the arctic glaciers succumbing to global warming.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>At this thrift store sponsored by the College Place Seventh-Day Adventist church, I happened to find this old antiquarian book that had been published in 1894. The book was a collection of black and white photographs from the 1893 Columbian Exposition, more familiarly known as the Chicago World's Fair.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>In the hopes of taking my eBay store to a new level, I had been selling vintage ads for a couple of months with some success. I had at least a novice's perception, then, that vintage items appealed to a great number of people globally. I also had been besieged with spam mail advertising the collectible prints niche, some of which I had actually been reading.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>The combination of these two activities, plus my predisposition towards impulsivity, prompted me to act quickly. </b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Against my better judgment, I forked over a hard-earned fifty cents to the portly woman sitting at the sales desk.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1S_GaupRQaos3wYgEl-lN4XkodbQbdjlKDXO3UTC1RmJriuRGZVS5L8tr-QI6xEFXcFvxf79ErjndQfKFqBVNBbRYmqGzalb6Rp62Q40td2_tF654-nITbW3JPjNdd8qxnflD2GsaNSMu/s1600/1894+World's+Fair+Print+%231+$25.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1S_GaupRQaos3wYgEl-lN4XkodbQbdjlKDXO3UTC1RmJriuRGZVS5L8tr-QI6xEFXcFvxf79ErjndQfKFqBVNBbRYmqGzalb6Rp62Q40td2_tF654-nITbW3JPjNdd8qxnflD2GsaNSMu/s640/1894+World's+Fair+Print+%231+$25.00.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>1893 World's Fair--Thomas Coke Ordaining Francis Asbury</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>The next day, I did what every kindergarten boy wishes he could do...I literally tore that book apart, carefully removing the black and white prints in the process. I also had the wherewithal--don't ask me where that came from--to take photographs of the cover page and a small paragraph. These would help me authenticate the age and source of these prints.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>It took me a few hours to process the pages and list at least a dozen prints. Once I felt comfortable with the basic template, things moved a little more quickly.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>My cursory review of collectible art prints revealed that people were charging relatively high prices for these prints. Being a newbie, I mustered enough courage to push the ante just a bit while remaining on the borderline of my comfort zone. I set my price at $25 a print.</b></div>
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<b>As of this writing--and it's roughly been about two months--I have been blessed with three sales, and several more prints have <i>watchers </i>(which doesn't necessarily mean I have a sale but at least unveils the possibility). </b></div>
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<b><i>1893 World's Fair--Dom Pedro's Carriage</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b>Granted, I'm only on the ground floor of this exciting niche. But the nice thing about that is: Unless you're looking for the parking garage, the only way left is up!</b></div>
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<b>And if there's anyone out there in blog reader land who learned something new or was at any level inspired to get out of his or her comfort zone and risk something new, maybe even strange, I welcome you to comment on, tweet, and share this post with others.</b></div>
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<b>Now go and set your own Odyssean sails! And God bless you all! </b></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-13143660104923954642012-02-12T14:29:00.000-08:002012-02-12T14:32:17.013-08:00THE UNION PACIFIC MEMORIAL IN WALLA WALLA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i>Union Pacific Memorial</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(All images in this post are Hawaiian Odysseus photos.)</i></b></div>
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<b>Just west of Jefferson Park in Walla Walla, Washington, adjacent to the 9th Avenue portion of Highway 11 which connects the aforementioned city with its Oregon sister approximately ten miles or so to the south--Milton-Freewater--you'll find this iconic iron giant from yesteryear resting in a cyclone fence-enclosed area. </b></div>
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<b>I happened to be walking past this railroad memorabilia this morning. The temperature was menthol brisk, and I was comfortable in jeans and a light jacket over an aloha shirt. The sky--oh, that glorious panorama of azure!--had its celestial gates closed to members of the cloud family, and the sun was out in its brilliant promise to warm things up a bit.</b></div>
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<b>Only a third of the way through visiting February, and yet we're blessed with a mid-spring day.</b></div>
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<b><i>Good thing I brought my camera! </i>I thought as I found a clean spot on the grass to lay my backpack down. Unzipping my faithful blue and black accessory, I grabbed my simple yet invaluable Fuji digital and jockeyed around the cyclone fence to capture a few images.</b></div>
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<b>In 1917, this Union Pacific #2357 locomotive was built for the Union Pacific subsidiary known as the <i>Oregon Short Line. </i>It was donated to the City of Walla Walla in 1959.</b> </div>
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<b>Established on April 14, 1881, the <i>Oregon Short Line </i>was the appropriate choice of name for the shortest route possible from Wyoming to Oregon. The construction of a standard gauge line from Granger, Wyoming through Idaho to a junction in Huntington, Oregon, was successfully administered by the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company.</b></div>
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<b>This memorial has existed for over five decades adjacent to what could arguably described as Walla Walla's busiest thoroughfare. Yet, as is the case with so many beautiful images, ojects, and--sadly--fellow sojourners of <i>terra firma, </i>we engage in this perpetual habit of neglecting to see what is right in front of us.</b></div>
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<b>In my work on eBay and its close online cousins; in my views and life philosophy; in my spirituality; and especially in my interpersonal relationships, I want to do my part and start seeing--<i>really </i>seeing--what I've been taking for granted.</b></div>
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</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-25733239915364821772012-02-02T18:27:00.000-08:002012-02-02T19:10:16.680-08:00A FEATURED ITEM IN OUR eBAY STORE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i>Metz 3-in-1 Grizzly/Olive Neck</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b>You're looking at a fly tyer's or hair extension stylist's dream source of feathers--a Metz #3 (or grade 3) 3-in-1 Grizzly/Olive Rooster Neck.</b></div>
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<b>Metz has delivered fine quality products for fly tyers and fly fishermen all over the world. Recent socio-cultural trends--most notably, the peaking popularity of utilizing feathers for hair extensions--has created a demand far exceeding adequate hackle supplies.</b></div>
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<b>Our eBay business, <i style="color: magenta;">LORDS OF THE FLY</i>, is proud to bring to you this excellent 3-in-1 Grizzly/Olive Rooster Neck. No matter what your specific need might be, you will definitely make efficient usage of the feathers found on this wonderful neck.</b></div>
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<b>What exactly does 3-in-1 mean? Well, the feathers near the top half of the neck are great for tying dry flies. The feathers on the middle margins and tapering towards the center are wonderful for tying woolly buggers. Finally, the feathers in the southern region are useful for tying streamers.</b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">The photos above speaks volumes about the neck's quality. We encourage our eBay buyers to secure additional information by asking questions. We make it a point to answer your inquiries in a timely manner.</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">PayPal is the preferred method of payment.</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">USPS First Class Mail is utilized for either USA or international transactions.</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">We invite you to view and participate in our eBay store and auction listings. Aside from fly tying hackle such as the item above, we have an array of Dai-Riki and Daiichi fishing hooks, postcards, books, magazines, collectible knickknacks, and hundreds of vintage and contemporary ads, prints, and articles for your earnest consideration.</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">Here's the link to</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>LORDS OF THE FLY--</i></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span">the humble online shop with great expectations! </span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly</span></a></span></b></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-58202821255698583112012-01-29T13:10:00.000-08:002012-01-29T13:10:56.054-08:00WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS, OPEN THE DOOR FOR eBAY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i>ISLANDS 2012 Calendar</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(This and subsequent images are Hawaiian Odysseus photos.)</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Islands 2012 Calendar, Reverse Side</i></b></div>
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<b>Ever since I've expanded my niche selection in my eBay business, shopping in downtown Walla Walla has become more appealing for me, previously a tried and true <i>I'd rather be watching the NFL playoffs or Storage Wars </i>kind of guy.</b></div>
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<b>It's also another form of being out on a date with my lovely wife...even if I am looking around.</b></div>
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<b>No, it's not what you might be thinking.</b></div>
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<b>My focal point--call me <i>addicted</i>--is stuff I might just be able to sell on eBay.</b></div>
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<b>It's one thing to sell used, sometimes vintage, items. But every now and then, I see things I can pick up at retail and attempt to resell at a humble profit.</b></div>
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<b>So my heart skipped a beat one evening when my wife and I were shopping for groceries--yep! of all places, a grocery store!--and I saw these great-looking 2012 calendars. My head started spinning as I quickly crunched numbers in my head.</b></div>
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<b>Turning to the boss, I discussed my idea and let her know my intentions.</b></div>
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<b>She gave me the proverbial look that wives universally give their enterprising husbands...you know, that look of <i>oh, boy, so you got another harebrained scheme up your sleeve, huh?</i></b></div>
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<b>I get a bit excited when I see that look. It's a prerequisite, you see, for my future success. It challenges me, it teases me, it gives me just that right amount of <i>come hither </i>promise that is reminiscent of the early days (alright, <i>years) </i>of courting her.</b></div>
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<b>Invariably, she gives me the okay. But it's mostly due to the fact that I've proven to her that my ideas usually work. They might take a while to germinate and then flourish, but with time and patience, they usually pan out.</b></div>
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<b>So when my cat rudely awakened me this morning...and allow me to digress a bit and share with you that unpleasant experience:</b></div>
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<b>I'm dead to the world, sound asleep, <i>dead to the world, </i>and undoubtedly snoring my head off because I've chosen to take a night off from using my CPAP apparatus, when I hear Kona clawing profusely on the side of the mattress near my feet. </b></div>
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<b>Kona has got to be part bobcat. He seldom mews like normal cats to indicate he's wanting something. Instead, he claws at objects around the house. It makes enough of a noise to wake one of us up.</b></div>
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<b><i>Like me...like this morning...like at 4:45 AM!</i></b></div>
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<b>I've sprinkled enough water at him to make him tear out of the area like a jet kicking into Mach 5, so I figured I'd fake him out with a sprinkling motion from my hands. But he's too smart for my feint, and he keeps clawing.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Which means I gotta get up!</b></div>
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<b>So I struggled sleepily out of bed, beckoned him to go downstairs with me--or maybe I've got that backwards. In any event, I end up opening the back door for him so he can go out and do his thing.</b></div>
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<b>Don't get me wrong. I appreciate Kona knowing where his <i>bathroom </i>is. I mean, I'll tolerate the clawing as a more desirable event than the alternative. (We went on a trip once, and the catsitter apparently forgot to let him out, and so my poor wife discovered quite the surprise in our bathtub.)</b></div>
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<b>Anyway, where was I?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Oh, yeah...so when my cat rudely awakened me this morning...I couldn't get back to sleep and decided to check my eBay site.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>I was pleasantly surprised that a</b><b> buyer from down under (<i>G'day, Mate!</i>) had purchased and paid for the above-displayed calendar. As you can see from the second image, the sixteen monthly scenes are picturesque and very appealing. </b></div>
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<b><i>Bingo! </i>I hastened to tell my wife. While the sale afforded us a humble profit, it proved the point once again that with a little effort, ingenuity, resourcefulness, time, and patience, eBay affords anyone an opportunity to sell almost anything to anyone else clear across the globe.</b></div>
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<b>On a personal level, it proved that the opportunistic notion I'd experienced in the grocery store had been worth following up on.</b></div>
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<b>Which reminds me...I owe you a treat, Kona!</b></div>
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<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly/_i.html?_fsub=2686648010">http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly/_i.html?_fsub=2686648010</a></div>
<span id="goog_1478925149"></span><span id="goog_1478925150"></span></div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-48254338465506608612012-01-29T10:19:00.000-08:002012-01-29T11:59:16.766-08:00VINTAGE CUSTOMER SERVICE ON eBAY--ONE LINCOLN LOG AT A TIME<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJrRR58Kz-GjSCHzdDSgMxbjmWKlZ9_BWfLPXxirTNcAhGBDIONhd7ywCSLaW1GXa0EIOZQ1UOIRYhTkHPi3UDcEtVuLskABR1cGOXG72vIMcnAVJGv_R1pNyTpiueVQAeQySM3WVI2fI/s1600/Lincoln+Birdhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJrRR58Kz-GjSCHzdDSgMxbjmWKlZ9_BWfLPXxirTNcAhGBDIONhd7ywCSLaW1GXa0EIOZQ1UOIRYhTkHPi3UDcEtVuLskABR1cGOXG72vIMcnAVJGv_R1pNyTpiueVQAeQySM3WVI2fI/s640/Lincoln+Birdhouse.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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<b><i>1926 Lincoln Logs Advertisment</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Scanned Image)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>I have much to be thankful for. And that's an understatement.</b></div>
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<b>Not too long ago, I made a sale for the above vintage ad quite by unintentional error and through virtually no effort on my part.</b></div>
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<b>On my eBay message site, I received word from a gentleman inquiring if a listing I'd made had the Lincoln Logs image. Apparently, what had happened was that I had posted the listing with the wrong image.</b></div>
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<b>Red-faced and with the taste of crow in my mouth, I thanked the gentleman for bringing the error to my attention and made the necessary adjustment to the eBay listing.</b></div>
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<b>Lo and behold! A couple of days later, that same individual bought the ad. After eBay and PayPal fees as well as postage (because I usually offer free shipping for my ads), I made $6.54. (I just started the vintage ads niche of my eBay business about two months ago, and--admittedly--I have so much to learn about this fun venture. So, always, I am especially appreciative of my customers, and I'll go out of my way any time to help them find what they're looking for.)</b></div>
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<b>Having this eBay enterprise gives me even greater appreciation for the local, regional, national, and international small businesses and corporations I deal with each week. When I experience great customer service, I make it a point to ask to speak with or at least email their shift supervisors to let them know about the fine job their staff is doing. </b></div>
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<b>Conversely, I never hesitate to assertively communicate with companies when I experience dreadful customer service. Just yesterday, in fact, I spoke with a corporate employee in Spokane about the poor service I received at a local bank in Walla Walla. My intention is never to unreasonably rail against a business enterprise. Rather, my goal is always win-win. If I speak up about things that can and need to be remedied, I help in part to improve that business.</b></div>
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<b>Bringing this practice back to eBay interests, I make it a point to treat my customers well. I offer good products, and--in the case of vintage ads that show their age--I honestly describe the less than mint items and answer any questions customers might have to the best of my ability. This <i>grass roots </i>way of doing business hails in part from being reminded each time I excitedly find an old ad that this was the way our forefathers conducted their businesses...with old-fashioned but never outdated courtesy, integrity, and gratitude.</b></div>
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<b>So, while it might seem trite to some, I quickly admitted my error and thanked the individual for pointing it out to me.</b></div>
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<b>Who knows whether or not that civility contributed to the sale? It doesn't really matter. That's how I choose to conduct my business.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>And it's growing. Slowly yet steadily as she goes.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><i>One Lincoln log at a time...</i> </b></div>
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<b><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly/VINTAGE-MAGAZINE-ADS-/_i.html?_fsub=2623719010&_sid=16157430&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322">http://stores.ebay.com/Lords-of-the-Fly/VINTAGE-MAGAZINE-ADS-/_i.html?_fsub=2623719010&_sid=16157430&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322</a></b></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-9387110911595855382012-01-06T14:01:00.000-08:002012-05-26T08:12:57.859-07:00HOW I MADE A 6,416% PROFIT ON eBAY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdTqRr30qXMveI7cuU2s_drCMhpzditSArKnOd7FPvPzopZ-eHzmM0tcGPV96OBTEqOnxUxsIufE8A3mn9F-AWXGq8oHlqwOXl4BfpwOinMFQrf9oIdi3dTt9pmPWJRMz2RA2IyJvjrMa/s1600/122911ROSES+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdTqRr30qXMveI7cuU2s_drCMhpzditSArKnOd7FPvPzopZ-eHzmM0tcGPV96OBTEqOnxUxsIufE8A3mn9F-AWXGq8oHlqwOXl4BfpwOinMFQrf9oIdi3dTt9pmPWJRMz2RA2IyJvjrMa/s640/122911ROSES+001.JPG" width="484" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Floral Print of an Original Oil Painting by Lola Ades</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>During a Christmas trip to Forest Grove, Oregon, my family and I had an opportunity to shop at a Goodwill Outlet Store in Hillsboro. What was particularly interesting about this store was that people were <i>dumpster diving. </i>I use that term with tongue firmly embedded in cheek because that's the best way I can think of presently to help you conjure up an image.</b></div>
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<b>I watched for a while before taking the plunge and following suit. The process involved circulating through this huge warehouse and diligently sorting through the hundreds of items in each of dozens of large rectangular carts. (Research regarding thrift store shopping and reselling purchased items on eBay is abundant on YouTube.)</b></div>
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<b>Surprisingly, I observed a lot of people--many of whom were Hispanics--with devices that looked like cell phones with semicircular tops, or attachments of some kind. They held these high-tech gadgets up to chosen items. One of two things would then happen--either a red light would be emitted, as with scanning devices, or the individual would type out something on his or her keyboard, and information would pop up on their screen. I soon determined that they were accessing eBay, Amazon, or some other website to check on the value of their chosen items.</b><br />
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<b><i>(Note to self: I gotta get one of those gadgets!)</i></b></div>
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<b>Books seemed to be the most popular item being scanned. The value of toys, records, and collectible items also appeared to be of more than passing interest. </b></div>
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<b>I asked one Hispanic young man to explain the workings of his gizmo. He politely nodded and smiled, and I politely backed off, quickly assessing that I'd either broken a boundary or that his understanding of English was limited. Being a former poker player, I'm opting for choice C--the one that said, <i>Mind Your Own Business! </i>I quickly decided to store that inquiry for later. Besides, if I'd learned anything in the last couple of years, it's this:</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><i>Doing my own research is more profitable in the long run.</i></b></div>
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<b>While my wife and daughter were finding clothing and household items, I found two interesting tins, a book about sharks, a book about the history of a</b><b>viation, and two art books that were splendidly filled with magnificent floral prints.</b></div>
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<b>At some point, I figured I could sell the tins for $5 each. But it was the books that were of greater interest to me.</b></div>
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<b>You see, one of the things I've been trying to do lately is to sell actual prints gleaned from magazines. I wanted to up the ante a bit and look for old books with which to do the same. Again, it was on YouTube where I first got the idea, and because I'm gung ho for projects that are <i>outside the box, </i>this idea has great appeal for me.</b></div>
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<b><i>My God, the God who's loved me through almost 60 years of falling on my face and getting back up again, is all about </i>outside the box. <i>Who am I to second guess the beauty of thinking and doing above and beyond the norm?</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><i> </i>While the din of hundreds of people picking up and tossing items filled the enormous building, and with dozens of elbows, hips, and other body parts brushing up against me, I focused on finding books with lots of pictures.</b></div>
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<b>And I found them.</b></div>
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<b>My wife and I paid $2 for each of the two hardbound books. The art books had soft covers, and we were charged magazine prices for those--25 cents each.</b></div>
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<b>When we returned home, I wasted no time in carefully removing the floral prints from one book. There were about 16 large pages, about 13-3/4" x 10-1/4" in size...roughly the size of the old <i>Life </i>magazine pages. </b></div>
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<b>Since some of the pages had prints on either side, I solicited the help of my wife in determining which side I should list on eBay. I trust the woman's intuition when it comes to things of this nature.</b></div>
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<b>Delightfully, eBay was offering its sellers free auction listings, including the Buy It Now feature, so I took full advantage of these freebies and posted my listings.</b></div>
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<b>A week later, even though several items were being <i>watched</i>, I had only one live bid. I'd calculated earlier, however, that even one sale would provide me with some kind of profit. Remember, these floral prints had come from a book that had cost me only 25 cents.</b></div>
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<b>The print sold. I told my wife that I was thinking about emailing the customer, someone in Thailand, and reminding him or her that buying three items or more would mean free shipping anywhere in the world.</b></div>
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<b>I dragged my feet on that idea, but I'm glad I actually followed through on it. When I woke up this morning, the customer had bought two more prints. </b></div>
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<b>Here they are:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUcg0VLKwHbT2gkE3JTVvw837MUXU5s5WKSIejt6oxVnhfljMNg4pEjbaBxKnZAxhsc73aN2EgAluWv7eqjUmHTGrUA9I24UEJOUx2WNhOH6pQTUQniGBjE0PZ4e87JIp4onFBFbwAsdC/s1600/122911ROSES+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUcg0VLKwHbT2gkE3JTVvw837MUXU5s5WKSIejt6oxVnhfljMNg4pEjbaBxKnZAxhsc73aN2EgAluWv7eqjUmHTGrUA9I24UEJOUx2WNhOH6pQTUQniGBjE0PZ4e87JIp4onFBFbwAsdC/s640/122911ROSES+003.JPG" width="482" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Yellow Roses in Black Teapot</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Floral Print of an Oil Painting by Lola Ades</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Wib2W5WIOV1nyFWKs7kH9iFhWqx0pEirDONAGnLl5yofMqy3JwtTwJZOtE1X8j83Vzen31cMkM1RZlLXBI9h_h6smuDCztIeFevHsmZAhgy_2OPRmP38VtpJ-U8bJT8fehPboJDWKCmi/s1600/rosesaddition+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Wib2W5WIOV1nyFWKs7kH9iFhWqx0pEirDONAGnLl5yofMqy3JwtTwJZOtE1X8j83Vzen31cMkM1RZlLXBI9h_h6smuDCztIeFevHsmZAhgy_2OPRmP38VtpJ-U8bJT8fehPboJDWKCmi/s640/rosesaddition+002.JPG" width="490" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Sunbeam Roses</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Floral Print of an Oil Painting by Lola Ades</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>So, for those who are interested, here are the crunched numbers:</b></div>
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<b>Total sales amount for the three items was: $27.97. </b></div>
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<b>My overhead was $11.93. Here's the breakdown:</b></div>
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</div>
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<li><b>Cost of book $ .25</b></li>
<li><b>Listing fee .10 (free, initially, but I re-listed unsold items)</b></li>
<li><b>PayPal fee 1.39</b></li>
<li><b>Final Value fees 2.80</b></li>
<li><b>Postage 7.39</b></li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>The postage was expensive because the customer, as I mentioned, was from Thailand. Even so, my profit was $16.04. Dividing that by the initial investment of $0.25--the cost of the book--the profit margin was 6,416%!</b></div>
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<b>Okay, so maybe there are a few cynics out there who are saying, "Bah, humbug! All that work for $16.04! Not worth it!"</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>I don't consider what I do as work . I perceive it as a refreshing way of living. I have the best earthly boss in the world--<i>me</i>. I work for a very loving, devoted, and faithful Master. What I'm doing--recycling old vintage items and presenting them to the world--is no different than what He's doing in my life.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Work? Hardly. You know who's really working hard? The guy at the local Safeway parking lot, right there by the bus stop, who sits on the cold pavement in the dead of winter with his dog waiting for a handout from the passersby. Now that's hard work!</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>I would love to teach him how to sell other people's throwaway items on eBay and other online venues. As I can vouch from my own experience, he would definitely regain his God-given dignity.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">You can find out more about the fabulous vintage print niche in the following articles: </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/Prints-Charming-on-eBay" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/Prints-Charming-on-eBay</a></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/Starry-Starry-Walla-Walla-Night" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/Starry-Starry-Walla-Walla-Night </a></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/Funnyin-Kindergarten-They-Taught-Us-NOT-to-Tear-Up-Our-Books" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/Funnyin-Kindergarten-They-Taught-Us-NOT-to-Tear-Up-Our-Books</a></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/A-Kit-of-Pigeons-on-eBay" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/A-Kit-of-Pigeons-on-eBay</a></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/Of-Cow-Pies-and-eBay" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/Of-Cow-Pies-and-eBay</a></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/How-I-Laid-An-Egg-On-eBay" target="_blank"><b>http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/How-I-Laid-An-Egg-On-eBay</b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/And-Magazines-Ha-Theyre-Even-Easier-to-Tear-Up" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/And-Magazines-Ha-Theyre-Even-Easier-to-Tear-Up</a></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/The-Hounds-Have-Me-at-Bay-on-eBay" target="_blank">http://hawaiianodysseus.hubpages.com/_hoblog/hub/The-Hounds-Have-Me-at-Bay-on-eBay</a></b>
<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-76866690099996343762012-01-01T23:51:00.001-08:002012-01-02T15:00:39.192-08:00SAILING INTO THE NEW YEAR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q6dDoFJelJwKGDlXlMp1Jm4e838q6iA2pYVqO5OXeoMFmHfEt3flABjIhJi7CHTPcDSwGFHA1M03O1tt_UWc3yICsAsZNZtKAK74xlnSZGiNsiH-RCIvqRY4i-dKOFiGyDdM0yfQdfA5/s1600/Gas+Works+and+NG+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q6dDoFJelJwKGDlXlMp1Jm4e838q6iA2pYVqO5OXeoMFmHfEt3flABjIhJi7CHTPcDSwGFHA1M03O1tt_UWc3yICsAsZNZtKAK74xlnSZGiNsiH-RCIvqRY4i-dKOFiGyDdM0yfQdfA5/s640/Gas+Works+and+NG+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>If You're Sailing to Kaua'i, May I Hitch a Ride?</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Union Bay, Seattle, WA</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hauoli Makahiki Hou, Everyone!</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mayan prognosticators and bandwagonning rumormongers aside, we encourage you to have the very best new year of your life. </span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love more, complain less, and--above all--be thankful for every morning that you are blessed with.</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">And, by all means, do yourself and your loved one(s) a huge favor--</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">GO TO KAUA'I!</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-47795064101585579912011-12-27T15:47:00.000-08:002011-12-31T08:34:33.714-08:00OF LOUDMOUTHS IN STARBUCKS AND CHICKEN FEATHERS ON eBAY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nX0t175AMwm05vt6pd6NGh4yC8YGqqz_HJjKA9Jhxjf9_eI1kDajAr-Lw3kVcKswpEnQVEABSS8hRz-dLcWEpE9mSFgYpQTQ9O7iPo3zHEa6LMDyRRtHiPS78rOd4UmAJqoOvpu5QiD8/s1600/Gas+Works+and+NG+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nX0t175AMwm05vt6pd6NGh4yC8YGqqz_HJjKA9Jhxjf9_eI1kDajAr-Lw3kVcKswpEnQVEABSS8hRz-dLcWEpE9mSFgYpQTQ9O7iPo3zHEa6LMDyRRtHiPS78rOd4UmAJqoOvpu5QiD8/s640/Gas+Works+and+NG+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Looking Across Lake Union from Seattle's Gas Works Park</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Two days after Christmas finds me back in a favorite coffee shop in Walla Walla. I was hoping to find some peace and quiet in a corner of this usually <i>chill </i>hangout spot. </b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>That's not going to happen. A long haired young man and his senior citizen friend are engaged in anti-Bush, Jr. sentiments and hints of a 9/11 conspiracy. </b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b><i>Sigh...</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><br />
<b>The only conspiracy I'd have wanted to entertain myself with today is the dilemma involving the whys and wherefores of how calories around this time of year make more of an impression on the belt line. Now <i>that's </i>fodder for conspiracy theorists. </b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>I'd mention it to these two local yokels, but--undoubtedly--they'd find a way to attribute such a conspiracy to the aforementioned Bush, Jr., and his cheney, Croney...uh, I mean, his croney, Cheney.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Anyway, a nice thing did happen as soon as I turned my laptop on. I found that there'd been a sale on my eBay account of a Metz #1 Magnum Grizzly Neck for $40.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkEcLAjj_Pq7W0HGHRV6akycoUada-Vh-zFywUFH3dev-nqTsUJNGFStxKTKtsrM1Vmo8Q6LlGsuve4g1GJr5c-U1UIOV3L0XDg0LrkVwYwgVPkVrijibcNchW4ME_l8ENmSLFyPGIZV3/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkEcLAjj_Pq7W0HGHRV6akycoUada-Vh-zFywUFH3dev-nqTsUJNGFStxKTKtsrM1Vmo8Q6LlGsuve4g1GJr5c-U1UIOV3L0XDg0LrkVwYwgVPkVrijibcNchW4ME_l8ENmSLFyPGIZV3/s640/005.JPG" width="620" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> <i>Metz #1 Magnum Grizzly Neck</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/lordsofthefly"><b>http://stores.ebay.com/lordsofthefly</b></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Traditionally, this item has principally been an integral material for fly tyers. In recent times, however, a craze for chicken feathers </b><b>(and those of other fowls)</b><b> running rampant among females, mostly, has put a huge dent in the supply of these materials as well as jacked up the prices for saddles--that part of a chicken's feathers near the rump area which usually consists of longer feathers.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Because I wasn't quick enough to invest in these saddles--which, incidentally, are selling like hotcakes online and for extraordinarily inflated prices--I've settled for Metz #1 Magnum Grizzly and Metz #3 3-In-1 Grizzly/Olive necks to sell on eBay, Craigslist, Etsy, and Yardsellr. It took some creative marketing strategies and good descriptive writing, but these items have done respectably well for me and have helped keep my online business afloat.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>So--narcissistic, loud-talking Starbucks customers aside--I am very thankful for the privilege of being my own boss, the freedom to sit in coffee shops and engage in my work while appearing to languish, for the wonderful eBay (and other online venue) customers who themselves have the most interesting backgrounds and stories, and for the fellow blog writers and readers who have visited <i>Hawaiian Odysseus </i>and <i>Hawaiian Odysseus 2 </i>this past year and reinforced my awe, motivation, and inspiration for online engagement.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Mayan calendars notwithstanding, I'm looking ahead to a very delightful and prosperous 2012. I wish you the same!</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Aloha and mahalo!</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b><i>Hawaiian Odysseus</i></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDkY_Sg5NUgZGB_T-IPNBTRQOva56XkYRZUxxDDVitJ1AH0I0ROb6kyVEMt7ktzmw0g3muri4zbsAUgFQljBdfJjBdSnQLucyAx_IAOwyykfosmiHgoo1HB_U_jLJ2olhCDbrkLmX316U/s1600/20091222-DSC_0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDkY_Sg5NUgZGB_T-IPNBTRQOva56XkYRZUxxDDVitJ1AH0I0ROb6kyVEMt7ktzmw0g3muri4zbsAUgFQljBdfJjBdSnQLucyAx_IAOwyykfosmiHgoo1HB_U_jLJ2olhCDbrkLmX316U/s640/20091222-DSC_0094.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Hawaiian Odysseus</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Visualization for 2012</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>(Photo Courtesy of SKA)</i> </b></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-86764956247614504452011-12-20T14:20:00.000-08:002011-12-21T06:49:45.962-08:00TURNING THE NASTY RECESSION INTO A POWDERPUFF ON eBAY!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5g6hfh6yFM2q99yawCfh7eZ1MK2YVlytVE4clmGz-YmAzAtxsJpzMAW5QjahkhQJxpg5c8cDIn_W1ZI_t-3wWnpahWu0bmeXu8lG8xhg8lnKlC4Qxwmm3-vfiSXTw7Pur-MQ28sDTXCN/s1600/121911+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5g6hfh6yFM2q99yawCfh7eZ1MK2YVlytVE4clmGz-YmAzAtxsJpzMAW5QjahkhQJxpg5c8cDIn_W1ZI_t-3wWnpahWu0bmeXu8lG8xhg8lnKlC4Qxwmm3-vfiSXTw7Pur-MQ28sDTXCN/s640/121911+001.JPG" width="494" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Vintage 1956 Ad</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Listed 11/22/11; Sold 12/19/11</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>It was about a month ago when I came across this cute baby ad in a national periodical that bore a 1956 issue date. I was instantly intrigued by the simplicity of it.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>My imagination took me back 55 years into the past. I thought of the ad team gathered around a conference table with piles of photo portfolios, unfinished typed text, penciled notes on half-crumpled sheets, coffee cups strewn all over the place, and ashtrays filled with cigarette butts and their still-burning siblings.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Long into the wee hours of the morning, they labor, riding the ecstatic highs of newborn ideas and crashing with the tumultous lows of fellow critics' rejections.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Until, sharply at 4 AM when the night janitress arrives to do her cleaning, bringing with her an unusual item, her 7-month old son.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Simultaneously surprised and embarrassed to see the ad men still confined to their office, she quickly explains that her husband--a fireman--has had to respond to an out-of-state wildfire emergency...thus leaving her with no time to recruit a minuteman babysitter.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>She puts her baby, now awakened by the strange surroundings and stale smell of the office, on a sofa in as remote a part of the conference room as she can get to. Her brow is furrowed as she wonders how she is going to get her work done in the midst of the extra bodies and all their clutter. But first, she has to change her baby's diaper...</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>One man, a bit irritated and unnerved by this intrusion, attempts to light up another cigarette. Big Jim, the copyright editor, shakes his head <i>No! </i>The silent implication is clear: <i>There will be no smoking with a baby in the room. </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Fatigued and disgusted with themselves for not coming up with any winning ideas, the men find themselves drawn to the sight of the baby.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>The midsummer night's warmth compels the attentive mother to leave the baby dressed in only his new diapers. He coos at his mother while grabbing his toes.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>A square plastic cylinder of Johnson's Baby Powder, still opened, falls to the floor. A cascade of white dust, like horizontally falling snow, gushes from the multiple holes of its lid. With an audible sigh, the young mother picks it up and places it next to the baby...</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Almost in unison, with a serendipitous and paradoxically silent yet multi-decibel <i>EUREKA!</i>, the ad men look at each other...then back at the baby...and then begin laughing and cheering.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Nothing...absolutely nothing...gets the message across as effectively and convincingly as...</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>simplicity.</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>**********</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Taking a lesson from this, I decided to cut some of the literary <i>fat </i>from my listing descriptions, especially the ones for vintage ads. It's not only made my job easier and more time-efficient; I've actually made more sales as of lately.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>It stands to reason that the <i>magic </i>that appeals to prospective eBay buyers of vintage ads transcends anything the seller might take pride in writing. There's something about an ad that jumps out and grabs the viewer--an old memory, perhaps; the universal appeal, as in the case above, of a contented baby; an actual job experience with the ad's sponsor; or the clever way a phrase is turned. Whatever that whimsical ingredient is, it's my responsibility as a seller of ads to <i>sit in the driver's seat</i>, as it were, and <em>BE the buyer </em>(as a Zen Master would put it).</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Yes, visualization is alive and well in my self-proclaimed full time job.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>And if I have to become a <i>powderpuff </i>or <i>take a powder </i>to fight this unrelenting recession, then so be it! No matter what, I sure am having fun!</b></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-73950900393373049322011-12-09T10:53:00.001-08:002011-12-09T12:09:35.600-08:00eBAY AND THE CASE OF THE HOMELESS DOLLS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHfLM_wThgqdtEEllCCi0otBwGSWitaknEh5m3Vn_OKAei7uSWbdsKUXbbmHnP9PNAwy5gfhmtr-IlmlX5qTFG9CPCtpmkZCbVXRpVMyJLCLA6hZ4-1Uk21x6rFGaZmyqzyRBMVRC1mv7/s1600/102311sales+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHfLM_wThgqdtEEllCCi0otBwGSWitaknEh5m3Vn_OKAei7uSWbdsKUXbbmHnP9PNAwy5gfhmtr-IlmlX5qTFG9CPCtpmkZCbVXRpVMyJLCLA6hZ4-1Uk21x6rFGaZmyqzyRBMVRC1mv7/s640/102311sales+040.JPG" width="288" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>1991 Daisy Kingdom 15" Doll</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Yay! We found her a home!</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTNbhQxs_77aBhVY8xVmlrANPa6JcIw9yX_e-oyRO7sLmK55X2tLf6WiG1o9ghcx2r-7BrDcn5ArcYW9M-jMCNh4Jm7y2JYWEUvUUx7bx65MOduQRp5U_MEhHjHQFvH-ULapIfWhsr4PS/s1600/102311sales+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTNbhQxs_77aBhVY8xVmlrANPa6JcIw9yX_e-oyRO7sLmK55X2tLf6WiG1o9ghcx2r-7BrDcn5ArcYW9M-jMCNh4Jm7y2JYWEUvUUx7bx65MOduQRp5U_MEhHjHQFvH-ULapIfWhsr4PS/s640/102311sales+042.JPG" width="284" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>And we placed her sister in the same home, too!</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>It's a beautiful thing when an eBay sale takes place for us and my wife and I eventually receive positive feedback from a happy customer. This is what I wanted to share with you today.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>First of all, in order for you to completely grasp the scope of what I'm about to share with you and have a deeper appreciation for the importance of well-written auction and store descriptions, creativity, and that personal customer service touch, please read or review the following link. It connects you to a previously published <i>Hawaiian Odysseus </i>post.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="http://hawaiianodysseus.blogspot.com/2011/10/expanding-my-boundaries-on-ebay.html">http://hawaiianodysseus.blogspot.com/2011/10/expanding-my-boundaries-on-ebay.html</a></div>
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<b>Scroll on down to the part about the doll(s) above and get caught up to speed on the front end of this transaction. In summation, it was the first estate sale I actually found the courage to get out of the car and accompany my wife to...although I gingerly did so after she'd been in the home for about ten minutes. In fact, she called me on my cellphone from within the house to coax me to get out of the car. (I mean, if you've ever watched <i>STORAGE WARS, </i>the great reality series hit on the A&E channel, my wife and I are a middle-aged Pacific Northwest version of <i>Jarrod Schulz </i>and <i>Brandi Passante</i>...we're really a hoot of a team!)</b></div>
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<b>So, anyway, I quit being a girl and got out of the car...and I'm so glad I did. Because by that one very hesitant yet fateful move, I was thrust into a whole, brand new, and adventuresome world.</b></div>
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<b>And, if I might wax romantic, it turns out to be a pretty cool way to date my wife of almost thirty years.</b></div>
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<b>One of the things that caught my eye at this first estate sale were these two dolls. Since they were nicely covered in cellophane packaging and lying in the midst of a huge stack of cross stitch magazines and scattered patterns, I figured they'd be worth something. The sales tag said $4, and I haggled the price down a dollar. Walked out of the home like I'd really done something! Big shot estate sales buyer then...while a scared little Walla Walla squirrel just a half hour earlier.</b></div>
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<b>That night, I must've spent three or four hours going through the day's estate sale booty and listing them on eBay. I took that long because there were photos to be taken of each item and, even more so, research to be done and creative descriptions to be written.</b></div>
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<b>I don't always hit a home run with my listings. But in this case, I had lots of fun creating the following.</b></div>
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<b>Before I share that with you, though, I want to include the positive feedback I received early this morning from the customer:</b></div>
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<b>"loved item descriptions; very personable transaction; great experience; delight"</b></div>
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<b>There's a little <i>behind the scenes</i> story I want to insert here. After the kind woman bought the first doll, my wife suggested that I make her a deal with the second one. At first, I thought maybe I'd be coming across pushy...and then, I got pridefully motivated when I started thinking how my wife had better entrepreneurial risk-taking skills than I was exhibiting, and so I decided to take a risk. </b></div>
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<b>I emailed the woman and presented her with a 50% discount offer for the second doll. She accepted my offer in a heartbeat. I ended up making a 400% profit in the transaction.</b></div>
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<b>No matter how small or big the monetary value, doing better than a 100% profit margin is a huge plus in my bottom line any day of the year.</b></div>
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<b>I appreciate my wife's input of <i>female intuition </i>and <i>haggling ability</i>, a character trait she claims she got from her father. Now there's a German who could bargain shop a camel from right under its Muslim rider and convince the Bedouin that he was doing him a favor!</b></div>
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<b>Anyway, here's a description. For newbie sellers on eBay, use a <i>written voice </i>similar in style to the way you would speak to your buyers in person. I have a certain dry wit and creativity that blends nicely into my descriptions.</b></div>
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<b>Above all, don't be too critical on yourself. I am a perfectionist addict, so I should be the last to talk. Point being, just let yourself flow. I never do rough drafts in handwriting...I simply let my fingers free-fall on the laptop's keyboard. Kinda like the way I compose my blog posts. </b></div>
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<b>At the end of the day, no one should ever have to tell us that this is the way to <i>think</i> or <i>act</i> or <i>be</i>. As long as we aren't hurting other people or ourselves, we deserve the utter and ultimate freedom to be whom we were meant to be.</b></div>
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<b>Above all, have a great time! </b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i>LORDS OF THE FLY COLLECTIBLES--DOLLS</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Presents</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ef00fd; font-size: large;"><b><i>1991 DAISY DOLL</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ef00fd; font-size: large;"><b><i>DAISY KINGDOM, INC.</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>The winning bidder will receive a twenty-year-old 15" DAISY DOLL from the folks at Daisy Kingdom, Inc. </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Take good care of her...although she had proper nutrition, a good lifestyle, and a smoke-free upbringing, she is only half dressed in her bonnet, black high-top shoes, and muslin undergarments.</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Word has it that she is interested in pursuing a career in modeling. She has had some experience with Victorian, early American, Amish, rural American, and country/western fashions, but she admits she also has a certain curiosity about other styles of dress and cultural lifestyles. It may be a stretch, given the fact that her stiff porcelain (or is it hard plastic?) face and neck and hard plastic shoulders, along with her hard arms, feet, and boots that she chronically wears limit her flexibility and range. Nevertheless, there's a bit of a gamer and an adventurer in this young lady.</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>She's looking for work as a nanny or adult care provider, so if you are willing to accommodate her, please remit her travel expenses via PayPal, our preferred method of payment, and we shall send her off to you via USPS Parcel Post (if you live in the USA) or via USPS First Class Mail International if you live across the pond or in parts more exotic.</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thank you very much for participating in our eBay listing.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><b>For LORDS OF THE FLY, we're Joe and Rita.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><strong>Check out our </strong></span><a href="http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=snugchat&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50&sspageName=DB:OtherItems" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;"><strong>other items</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><strong>!</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thank you for visiting our eBay store--</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: green; font-size: medium;"><em>LORDS OF THE FLY </em></span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: Times, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://search.stores.ebay.com/search/search.dll?fsoo=1&fsop=1&query=&saprchi=1%2C000.00&saprclo=0.01&sid=16157430&sofp=0&srchdesc=y">Visit our eBay store!</a></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">--the humble online shop with great expectations!</span></b></span></div>
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</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-72486765123642840022011-12-06T19:06:00.001-08:002012-06-09T08:55:50.075-07:00THE TIMELESS APPEAL OF NOSTALGIA ON EBAY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqi5MTVWD6SGLNYo9mRaVgZb7Zkvu1sG1CFC7hAlIa_Kk39Nc-ltERUks-NtSOL0aqd3dbAIzN8pLHnkTkvCWt5qgLU8n5q4JyAWyqZG7hsbG67Rtl-5J15UBzpBFiUITu3Uwur1qumnr/s1600/cokeads113011+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqi5MTVWD6SGLNYo9mRaVgZb7Zkvu1sG1CFC7hAlIa_Kk39Nc-ltERUks-NtSOL0aqd3dbAIzN8pLHnkTkvCWt5qgLU8n5q4JyAWyqZG7hsbG67Rtl-5J15UBzpBFiUITu3Uwur1qumnr/s640/cokeads113011+001.JPG" width="464" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Coca-Cola Ad</i></b></div>
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<b><i>From a 1950 National Geographic Back Cover</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b>An estate sale I recently attended in Walla Walla yielded me a cache of old magazines. I ended up going back to this home a second time with my wife at the invitation of the owner's sister. She made me a deal I couldn't refuse.</b></div>
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<b>When the dust of dickering had settled, I ended up shelling out $107 for a total of 230 magazines. At about 46 and a half cents per magazine, with the potential of either selling most of the magazines for about $10 a pop and carefully removing ads from the rest that I could list at $8-10 each, I saw this as a great deal.</b></div>
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<b>There are always challenges. The first big one was to convince my wife weeks ago that my vision of generating a viable income from this pursuit could become a reality. I think I've met that challenge quite well, and my wife has found good reason to help me with this latest of <i>Hawaiian Odysseus </i>projects.</b></div>
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<b>Secondly, there's the issue of storage space. An upstairs bedroom has become my office/den. The primary occupants of this space for several hours each day...and sometimes, late into the evening...are our cat, Kona (star of several blog posts), and me. I do my best to keep the room tidy, but I always look over my shoulder in case the producers of A & E's <i>Hoarders </i>happen to be nearby. There are several boxes and plastic shelves full of either magazines or ad clippings. Whenever I exclaim, "Thank You, God!" upon discovering that I've made a sale, I'm simultaneously cheering the fact that either a magazine or one more piece of paper is being paroled from my den of ephemera.</b></div>
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<b>As I come across more fodder for my business in yard, garage, and estate sales, however, it's increasingly apparent that I'm fighting a losing battle. Compounding this is the fact that my wife's olefactory sense is keener than mine...and her tolerance for the musty smell of vintage paper is proportionately lower. She's taken to buying these gizmos with scented oil that you can plug in to electrical outlets. They double as night lights. Personally, I can't stand them. </b></div>
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<b>But, <i>sigh! </i>Marriage is a give and take institution, and I'd rather live with marital compromise than be without. Know what I mean, jelly bean?</b></div>
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<b>So, anyway, third challenge...and one that I welcome the most because it's all about keeping Alzheimer's at bay...is writing up good descriptions for my listings.</b></div>
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<b>One of my pet peeves about eBay is coming across auction or store listings that consist of no more than one or two sentences. For example: <i>Good magazine. No pages missing.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Boring! </i>And the mark of sheer laziness.</b></div>
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<b>My goal, then, is to imagine that I'm the buyer. I am therefore not shy about using my unique <i>voice </i>in my listings. It's my attempt to be right there in that buyer's personal bubble, letting him or her know as best I can that he or she is about to buy a quality product from me. Significantly, if anything about that item has a flaw, that buyer will hear about it from me long before they see the actual item.</b></div>
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<b>So what might take another seller seconds to put together, especially with a bulk listing program, takes me much more time as I craft a template. Once I create the template, things get easier. </b></div>
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<b>While I'm recycling the products that others have created, I'm actually utilizing my creativity in each eBay listing. </b></div>
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<b>One other challenge involves the time and effort needed for carefully removing the staples and remnants of spinal glue and clipping the frayed edges. Here's where I could use some help, but my adult son's well established in his professional career in another state, and my daughter is employed full time in her collegiate studies at the local university. </b></div>
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<b>And Kona's no help...except when it comes to chewing on oatmeal cookies from the Dollar Tree.</b></div>
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<b>So I do my best, and before I know it, it's time to retire for the night.</b></div>
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<b>Okay, so now with all that introductory prose out of the way, I've come to the meatier aspects of this post.</b></div>
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<b>See that photo above? Coca-Cola ads do very well on eBay, so much so that Coke ads are a sub-niche of their own. At first glance, eBay is flooded with Coca-Cola products. But that's part of the reason why I promote good, solid, and appealing descriptions in my listings.</b></div>
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<b>Anyway, I was ecstatic that the above ad, a back cover I had removed from one of the <i>National Geographic </i>magazines I'd purchased from the woman at the aforementioned estate sale, sold this past week. </b></div>
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<b>It sold for $4.95, and the shipping was free to the woman from Michigan. After the eBay final value fee, PayPal fee, and shipping charge, I made a humble profit. </b></div>
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<b>A lot of work for peanuts, you might say. But to me, it's a valuable experience as I utilize trial and error to find my potential customers' trigger points. Plus, being a newbie to this ad-selling niche, I realize I have to forge a good, solid, and reputable foundation in order to establish a golden customer base. Repeat customers and/or the feedback I receive are vital components of a successful eBay venture. So I don't mind paying my dues, so to speak.</b></div>
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<b>Here's another one that also sold this week. It went for $8.99 to a gentleman in Texas.</b></div>
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<b><i>Life Savers Ad</i></b></div>
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<b><i>From a 1953 LIFE Magazine</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus Photo)</i></b></div>
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<b>My son in Hawaii, a former popular island deejay and well acquainted with radio advertising, asked me just the other night why these vintage ads appealed to people. A great question, indeed! </b></div>
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<b>My response was, "When I say, '<i>Crackerjacks,' </i>what do you think of?"</b></div>
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<b>"The toy inside," he replied.</b></div>
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<b>"And also the sailor on the box?" </b></div>
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<b>"Yeah."</b></div>
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<b>"What about <i>Morton Salt</i>? Think about the girl with the umbrella?" I asked.</b></div>
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<b>"Yeah," he said.</b></div>
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<b>I went on to establish my point. "See? People associate certain words or icons with memories from their past. Seeing or hearing about these items takes them back to a <i>warm and fuzzy </i>time in their lives. So having these ads to matte and frame and put up in their office as a conversation piece or add to their living room decor preserves a very special memory for them."</b></div>
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<b>The <i>Lifesavers </i>ad elicited a collection of feelings for me. It's a simple yet brilliant idea that was brought to fruition by the particular ad agency. I instantly remembered both the candy <i>and </i>warm memories of pulling at a chicken or turkey wishbone with my mom or siblings five decades ago.<i> </i>I was also attracted to the great illustration. Regretfully, I could not see any artist's signature. It certainly looks like a Norman Rockwell work, but I didn't want to second guess who the actual artist was. </b></div>
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<b>That's another thing. Sometimes the ability to identify the artist in illustrated ads helps to make the sale. This actually happened not too long ago, but that will be the subject of another post. Maybe even the next one.</b></div>
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<b>I gotta hustle and get out of this favorite Walla Walla Starbucks and catch a couple of buses to get back home. </b></div>
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<b>My wife and I, you see, have a date this afternoon at a certain College Place thrift store.</b></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-64994030145496016302011-12-02T10:45:00.001-08:002012-06-09T09:01:20.692-07:00HOW I'M USING VINTAGE TO CREATE AN INCOME TODAY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG7rmGE5QdQ6nxbJNJfoXYyUNsdR7GbqFnxXjYEulmfDjpLexNUo5UBm2e04UnSXI6Q7EMsXtQwpp7wlTYyVSGSqVpvOaGYhKABHlKRyhTWzATO7aJRQMXsoBy9OtbT4hUvFKR4SvRXIy/s1600/ladieshomecompanion120111+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG7rmGE5QdQ6nxbJNJfoXYyUNsdR7GbqFnxXjYEulmfDjpLexNUo5UBm2e04UnSXI6Q7EMsXtQwpp7wlTYyVSGSqVpvOaGYhKABHlKRyhTWzATO7aJRQMXsoBy9OtbT4hUvFKR4SvRXIy/s640/ladieshomecompanion120111+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Heinz Baked Beans Advertisement</i></b> </div>
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<b><i>Woman's Home Companion</i></b></div>
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<b><i>August, 1908</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(These and subsequent images are Hawaiian Odysseus photos.)</i></b><br />
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<b>103 years ago, the people who labored long hours to bring a certain edition of <i>Woman's Home Companion </i>together in time to make the publication deadline had no idea how their creation would help a certain backpacking Hawaiian wayfarer earn an honest income over a century later. </b></div>
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<b>With the magic that only science and technology can concoct, sprinkled with supernatural blessings from the Author of all good things, here I am-- smack dab in the ethereal Internet cloud--resurrecting, if you will, yellowing pieces of paper and selling them on the eBay juggernaut.</b></div>
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<b>And, wow! Am I ever enjoying it!</b></div>
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<b>For those of you who've been following <i>Hawaiian Odysseus</i>, you're aware of the journey...and all the changes along the way. Thanks again for loyally being a part of this trek through life. </b></div>
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<b>For newbies to this spirited blog, <i>HELE MAI! Welcome! </i>You've hopped on this oft-derailed train at an exciting time.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Why? Well, because I'm exuberant that-- </b></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>I have no idea where it's going!</b></li>
<li><b>I'm excited about the possibilities!</b></li>
<li><b>It's kinda scary, and...well...I've always been a sucker for scary movies!</b></li>
</ul>
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<b>Guess you could say I'm an adrenaline junkie. Which aptly goes hand in hand with my OCD fascination with coffee shops. Caffeine only enhances its <i>partner in crime.</i></b></div>
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<b>On the threshold of senior citizenship...in the autumn of my life...I am the proverbial Huckleberry Finn, setting out on a raft (crafted from bamboo and koa...just had to give a shout out to my Asian/Pacific Islander ethnic groups!) and traveling to <i>who knows where?</i></b></div>
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<b><i>What is this guy talking about? Doesn't he have family and financial obligations? What must his wife think about him? Is he just a loser rationalizing his imaginary successes? Is he a nut case?</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b>Actually, dear friends, the way I envision it, it's like being Clark Kent and Superman. So, okay, <i>nut case </i>would be the closest fit. : )</b></div>
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<b>The primary identity is that of a guy who got very tired about a year ago of working an unrewarding job as a bagel baker on a graveyard shift and who intensely hungered for a freedom so very few in American society have. In the present, <i>Clark</i> works obsessively--sometimes 12 hours a day--to get his eBay business to the next level. The work ethic is disciplined and very grounded.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>And then there's the alter ego--the <i>Superman </i>identity called <i>Hawaiian Odysseus--</i>whose mission in life is to be a blessing to his community, be it locally, regionally, nationally, or even globally.</b></div>
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<b>I'm all about being a champion of the underdog...and, sadly, the underdog of today is the average middle class individual who grew up in a home espousing the American Dream only to find himself/herself stuck in the current economic hell of waning incomes, increasing taxes, foreclosures or the threats thereof, and never knowing with any certainty when the ax will fall in our paycheck to paycheck existence.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>So, for the next year or so, my <i>Clark </i>goal is to build my internet business while <i>Superman </i>champions the cause of the quickly disappearing middle class man by way of this blog. Simply put, for the time being, I will be posting a lot about how I'm developing my eBay store--LORDS OF THE FLY--taking it to newer, higher, and more challenging levels until I attain the ever-elusive financial freedom.</b><br />
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<b><i>Or not...</i></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>And therein lies the paradox of risk. </b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Risk is life's pair of dice. You win or you lose by the same toss of those dice. What makes the difference, I've discovered, is one's attitude towards risk. If we run from it, always playing it safe, it's almost as if we'd never lived at all. If we embrace it, respect it, tolerate it, and harness its awesome power, we liberate our God-given imagination, creativity, and talents. And then, dear friend, our universe knows no limits.</b><br />
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<b>The real question is: What involves more risk? To continue, in this Great Recession, to struggle from paycheck to paycheck working for someone or something else?</b><br />
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<b>or...</b></div>
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<b>To think outside the box and embrace risk.</b></div>
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<b>Sometimes, the greatest first step in shedding the inhibiting fear is to walk right into it.</b></div>
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<b>Now, I can just imagine my Christian friends wagging their puritanical fingers at me and, with furrowed brows, expressing disdain over what might sound like New Age hocus pocus.</b></div>
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<b>My response? Tell that to a hundred thousand Israelites walking on the Red Sea mud, clay, and sand, hurrying with great trepidation and anxiety to get to the other side, extremely concerned about the possibility of the towering and massive walls of water on both their left and their right swallowing them up. Certainly, on that fateful day thirty-three hundred years ago, they knew<i> RISK </i>intimately.</b><br />
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<b>They shed their inhibiting fear by walking smack dab into that tumultuous and turbulent sea.</b><br />
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<b>And the rest is history.</b><br />
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<b><i>What is this guy talking about? Isn't he just rambling? I'm not sure I'm following him. Who does he think he is? Clark Kent? Superman? What in the world is he talking about?</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><br />
<b>About these <i>asides...</i>on Thanksgiving evening, over at my sister-in-law's home in Stanwood, Washington, a town about 45 miles north of Seattle, my son, brother-in-law, and I watched this comedian who utilizes <i>asides </i>from the audience's point of view to poke fun at himself. I thought his hour-long monologue was hilarious!<i> </i>So I thought I'd use the device myself.</b><br />
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<b>See...it's all part of what I'm talking about. Taking risks...trying new things...thinking outside the box...learning to be flexible with life.</b><br />
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<b>Which brings me full circle to what this post was intended to convey.</b><br />
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<b>I'm forging new niches in my eBay store. <i>New </i>niches utilizing <i>old </i>articles. </b><br />
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<b><i>Old </i>as in <i>vintage...</i>more specifically, <i>vintage ads, articles, prints</i>...and sometimes, the entire <i>vintage magazines</i>.</b><br />
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<b>Where do I find them? At yard sales, garage sales, estate sales, and thrift stores.</b><br />
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<b>Yes, indeed, the old adage of <i>One man's trash is another man's treasure </i>is certainly tried and true<i>.</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04WbtZxg4sSIbNlK1Wg2vSOPSdCYEdftohVu_KwilmLfB7zVKOPit8b6nMoBH-Dh0-nlb5YQpmVKOHee7b3DdxrXRbRGVaxBApz9eXh-k7-Qw2tvuWgiC_DBlnm6lhkK1_isC27lh3ayt/s1600/ladieshomecompanion120111+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04WbtZxg4sSIbNlK1Wg2vSOPSdCYEdftohVu_KwilmLfB7zVKOPit8b6nMoBH-Dh0-nlb5YQpmVKOHee7b3DdxrXRbRGVaxBApz9eXh-k7-Qw2tvuWgiC_DBlnm6lhkK1_isC27lh3ayt/s640/ladieshomecompanion120111+002.JPG" width="460" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Armour's Veribest Meats Advertisement</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Woman's Home Companion</i></b></div>
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<b><i>August, 1908</i></b><br />
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<b>Take these ads from a 103-year-old American periodical, for example. Quite literally, they're dirty pieces of paper--scuffed up, yellowed by the process of oxidation, and sometimes pockmarked with water stains--and yet bearing value, both monetary and intrinsic.</b></div>
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<b>Progress has been slow, but I've proven to myself that I can sell items like these on eBay. I've figuratively walked into my fear, as it were, and by doing so, done extensive damage to my acquired inhibitions.</b></div>
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<b>I've also learned some things in the process. As part of my <i>Superman </i>(aka <i>Hawaiian Odysseus</i>) mission, then, I incorporate little things I learn into my actual listings. </b></div>
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<b>For example, I now put the following text into my descriptions for the vintage items I'm selling:</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Why Collect Vintage Ads?</b></span></div>
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<ul style="font-size: large;">
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To preserve Americana</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To understand our heritage</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To appreciate our social, cultural, political, and economic roots</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To enhance our grasp of history</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To compare and contrast the past with the present</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To leave as a legacy for future generations</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To own as antique collectibles</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To acknowledge the art and artists of yesteryear</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To frame and craft into attractive gifts</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To utilize as decorative household pieces</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To buy, sell, and trade</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To enjoy a good return on investment</b></span></li>
</ul>
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<b>By no means am I suddenly a connoisseur of vintage ephemera, but it's certainly a pleasant and serendipitous experience to learn new things as I unearth these nostalgic mementoes.</b></div>
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<b>As I carefully remove these items from their respective magazines, I also recall the circumstances by which I came across the periodicals in the first place. </b></div>
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<b>For example, the three ads presented here came from the same magazine, a 1908 issue of <i>WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION.</i></b></div>
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<b>Several posts ago, I wrote about how I preferred having my wife drop me off at a coffee shop while she and our daughter went thrift store shopping. I was pretty clear about my disdain for shopping.</b></div>
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<b>So, life being a learning curve, several Sundays later, in my quest to find new and different things to sell on eBay, my wife took me to this estate sale in Walla Walla. I was still in my <i>You're not gonna catch me going to yard sales! </i>mode, so I bravely stayed in the car and gave my wife instructions to look for old magazines.</b></div>
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<b>Several minutes later, she called me on my cellphone and told me that she'd found three old magazines. I was so excited I almost left the car...but I rationalized that she had the keys, and I didn't want to leave the car unlocked. So I just waited for her return.</b></div>
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<b>To my dismay, the three periodicals she'd bought were without covers and had liberally been dissected. A kidney here, a liver there, another organ missing on page 23. I jest, of course, but seriously--someone had removed ads and/or articles from these ancient issues, rendering the magazines practically worthless and impossible to sell.</b></div>
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<b>I've had them sitting around for the last couple of months or so and was about to toss them out the other day when I stopped and thought, <i>Hey, wait a sec! I might not be able to sell these magazines, but I can certainly try to sell the ads...</i></b></div>
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<b>And so there you have it. I cut these three ads out, did some research on eBay, worked on the descriptions and overall presentation strategy, and posted the items this morning. By the time you read this, the ads may no longer be available for viewing on eBay. The reason for this is that expired listings are only retrievable for 90 days.</b></div>
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<b>Suffice it to say that I'm having a wonderful time doing the ultimate recycling...<i>making treasure from another man's trash.</i></b></div>
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<b>Hey, even if the owners of that country estate thought they were making an easy three bucks selling those magazines to my wife, I'll make multiple times our investment by--yes, you're getting it!--taking risks. Small-scale risks, you might say, but small or big, risk-taking of any magnitude is one and the same.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>A recent big risk for me was to eventually overcome my preconceived notions and finally get out of the car at the next estate sale...and the next...and the one after that...</b></div>
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<b>Okay, so I've set the stage for you. I'll occasionally be posting about my adventures on eBay, Etsy, yardsellr, Craigslist, and so forth in the weeks to come. </b></div>
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<b>I'm really looking forward to 2012. Some say that the Mayan prediction about the world coming to an end in the new year is the absolute gospel. What little I know about that prediction indicates that they misinterpreted the Mayans' true intent.</b></div>
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<b>But then again, what works for me is that the world <i>as I've known it </i>will essentially come to an end for me. Why? Because broader horizons are opening up. This time next year, to offer a preview of two of my desired goals, I will have my own off-eBay store and will be actively trading with China and other distant ports of call.</b></div>
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<b>You are more than welcome to monitor my progress. The personal ministry of <i>Hawaiian Odysseus </i>is to encourage the struggling common man all over the globe to persevere by taking risks.</b></div>
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<b>If I can do it--and I will!--then by all means, so can you! </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fvU-iKsRWPpLWwEaX8XLtjaWGVn2c-aW9lpiqfIH_sSYeljqUtWYJyVl09eFZNRrH0S2yK8sacy040M2xQRIGmdFMSRSaTViaWRBlEpLqI-NORPbET8oW6et111m4hmf_9df9V2Nyr1Z/s1600/ladieshomecompanion120111+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fvU-iKsRWPpLWwEaX8XLtjaWGVn2c-aW9lpiqfIH_sSYeljqUtWYJyVl09eFZNRrH0S2yK8sacy040M2xQRIGmdFMSRSaTViaWRBlEpLqI-NORPbET8oW6et111m4hmf_9df9V2Nyr1Z/s640/ladieshomecompanion120111+003.JPG" width="454" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Ivory Soap Advertisement</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Woman's Home Companion</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>August, 1908</i></b><br />
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</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-85966118776053320842011-11-26T09:44:00.001-08:002011-11-26T10:23:22.552-08:00OUR SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE AUDITION<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfjid6GTrP0yYS1Tdyj8ntNjDXzUxGkdfKyIhNiSBbBeKRCNdVm0H0qXmssyJ2nPXZ5kFjockw1SFhl-tx6JiAxoJxREo6-sbtCRNCJJC9v38iA5BbJK2qIQTAgipVfXMyefNwLu17t2c/s1600/Konathanksgiving112011+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfjid6GTrP0yYS1Tdyj8ntNjDXzUxGkdfKyIhNiSBbBeKRCNdVm0H0qXmssyJ2nPXZ5kFjockw1SFhl-tx6JiAxoJxREo6-sbtCRNCJJC9v38iA5BbJK2qIQTAgipVfXMyefNwLu17t2c/s640/Konathanksgiving112011+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Kona, Trying to Sleep</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Tommy, With Exciting News</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan; font-size: x-large;"><b>Kona! KONA! Wake up, my friend! I got some terrific news for you! Obama pardoned me! Obama pardoned me!</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dude. Keep jumping on me like that, and I'll raise Cain with your turkey butt.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<b><i>The Political Satirists Taking a Bow</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Hawaiian Odysseus photo)</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Thanks for viewing our public service announcement. </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>We hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Tommy avoided the chopping block once again, and Kona's getting ready for the cold winter by putting on some weight.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>We just want to encourage our fellow Americans to do the right thing--get out and vote! It's your privilege...<i>and</i> your patriotic duty!</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>GOD BLESS AMERICA!</b></span></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6390458042204793407.post-40443066024709425652011-11-17T13:01:00.001-08:002011-11-19T09:00:16.084-08:00A SIMPLE MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-7UCKJojtd34tqGPS1exFGYoECM8qsmA5eVOV6-srYbhXvv6n9WEGezH3f8ctSvJG4yw-uHKqIrANBVLmYRvUW1F-1IugL-0hXEtQwC1XtSenSAEBruknVRfyfb-UTlHVOr_pjDN6183/s1600/319289_547667717942_60100165_31188633_1365397665_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-7UCKJojtd34tqGPS1exFGYoECM8qsmA5eVOV6-srYbhXvv6n9WEGezH3f8ctSvJG4yw-uHKqIrANBVLmYRvUW1F-1IugL-0hXEtQwC1XtSenSAEBruknVRfyfb-UTlHVOr_pjDN6183/s640/319289_547667717942_60100165_31188633_1365397665_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Kalau, Kaua, and Ryder</i></b></div>
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<b><i>The Three Menehune--Together Again</i></b></div>
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<b>Perspective is everything.</b></div>
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<b>For those in our family who are older, it's only been about a year since we saw these three posing together.</b></div>
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<b>But for these <i>kolohe </i>(Hawaiian for rascal) guys, it's been a lifetime.</b></div>
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<b>The world continues to turn on its axis, but not unlike the bones in my body, it's groaning from all the turmoil, damage, and utter lack of respect the majority of the human race has for Mother Earth.</b></div>
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<b>But perspective is everything, I remind myself.</b></div>
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<b>So when I'm weighed down by the cares and burdens of this <i>mortal coil, </i>as Shakespeare would phrase it, I find respite and spiritual oasis in the joy of thanking God for these three little ones.</b></div>
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<b>They remind me, you see, that just because the world might be on an irretrievable tailspin, God has not abandoned his faithful vigil over us. </b></div>
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<b>These little guys are living proof that God never makes mistakes, and He never takes a day off.</b></div>
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<b>As this post draws to a close, let's take a look at yesteryear...and as we do, let's indulge in smiling more and being kinder to each other.</b></div>
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<b>God bless you all!</b></div>
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<b>Hawaiian Odysseus</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9J-x2HKnFxu2l0W1-xn_9ParmqyFGgagHx_DfmVz54EtghqKj_OK8SuxxqyBOVhIOg8vR-p6FTzWtffIPZPibQlYUaeqmTe-iiHfp8UTR6o-10FhQs3wD6_N6HnfjW38H-S9DCx_O4nz/s1600/20091224-DSC_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9J-x2HKnFxu2l0W1-xn_9ParmqyFGgagHx_DfmVz54EtghqKj_OK8SuxxqyBOVhIOg8vR-p6FTzWtffIPZPibQlYUaeqmTe-iiHfp8UTR6o-10FhQs3wD6_N6HnfjW38H-S9DCx_O4nz/s640/20091224-DSC_0210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Kalau, Kaua, and Ryder</i></b></div>
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<b><i>A Lifetime Ago</i></b></div>
</div>Hawaiian Odysseushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15407341121082980924noreply@blogger.com0