Now for something completely different

As we all know, there's a great deal of anticipation in opening a trade package.

Whenever I see a shiny new envelope or mailer waiting for me in the mailbox, I literally run back upstairs to open it.

The blogosphere has increased that feeling a hundred times over.

Why?

Most of the time, I don't even know what's coming.

It could be anything. Some hits to my "set needs". A couple random, neat cards. Maybe even a new Hoyt Wilhelm for my collection, if I'm lucky.

Even with all the glorious randomness, every single package I'd received from my fellow bloggers did have one thing in common.

In some way, shape, or form, they'd all included baseball cards.

Until today, that is.

William, the amazingly generous author of the terrific blog "Foul Bunt", contacted me a few days ago saying that he had something to send my way.

However, he also let me know that this something had nothing to do with baseball. Still, he didn't tell me exactly what it was.

Instantly, my mind went to work.

The only conceivable thought I could come up with was something music-related. Truthfully, I really don't have any other hobbies outside of baseball and music.

Plus, music is a topic that I try to weave into this blog whenever possible.

Some of you probably remember my band-themed purchase from a few weeks back. Word on the street is that they'll be recording a demo soon, with Jimmy Rollins filling in on the backing vocals. (I'd completely forgotten I had this card until last week, even if "J-Roll" probably isn't singing there.)

As it turns out, I was right. The piece did involve the glorious world of music.

It was far, far better than anything I could've imagined, though.

Behold!

A ticket from one of my favorite bands!

I grew up on the sounds of "I Can't Explain", "My Generation", and "Baba O'Riley". It's only fitting that The Who would easily make their way into the higher reaches of my love for music.

Sadly, I don't own too many concert tickets.

Most of the bands I like broke up a long time ago.

I've only been to two concerts in the past five years or so, both to see the same band, "The Dead Milkmen".  However, I did pass up a chance to go to homecoming during my senior year to go to one of those. (I'm not much on dances, anyways.)

In the note William enclosed, he wrote that he'd recently attended a Who concert. He nabbed a spare ticket that was lying on the ground.

Knowing my musical background, he thought I'd like it.

Boy, was he right.

It means a lot to know that a fellow blogger would think to pick up such a great piece of musical history for me, even while he was in the process of seeing one of the greatest bands to ever walk the face of the Earth.

I can't thank you enough, William.

It's certainly something I'll always enjoy.