2024 In Review: Status of the Blog

So, I've already discussed some of the highlights in social media areas enjoyed by Section 36 in 2024.

But, what about just generally? How did the blog perform in 2024 at just being a blog? How did I do as a blogger? As a collector? I'm not going to pretend you actually care...but what else am I supposed to post about on New Year's Eve?

I'll just say it right now. Not good. Not good AT ALL. In 2024 this will be my 40th post, down from a disappointing 128 last year. At less than once a week, that's nowhere close to where I need to be. Nowhere close to where I want to be.

I'll admit that I wasn't even entirely proud of all of them. The blaster breaks were a bulk of those, getting a bit repetitive, and seemed like "filler" at times. But it was still fun to be able to write about cards. Towards the end, the Section 36 Sportscards blog took those posts over, so they disappeared from here.

On the bright side, those posts included several Friday interviews! Hopefully you've been enjoying all the visits from celebrity Red Sox fans (or, at least baseball fans). I think they're a lot of fun, and enjoy hearing input from those types of fans. Hope I can keep that up.

The Section 36 store also had a great year. More people keep buying shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, and whatever else. I'm always humbled whenever a sale goes through. Hopefully you've enjoyed all the pictures people have sent in wearing their gear. With any luck, both sales and picture submittals will increase in 2025!

2024 was also a continuation of my blogging perspective to help me find my voice or my place in this wide world. I still didn't write about the team itself as much as I would have liked. Honestly, it got tiring shouting into the storm. The 2024 Red Sox were a good team, plagued by injuries. If any one of Story, Giolito, Casas, Whitlock, or Grissom doesn't miss significant time, the team is likely in the playoffs. If they're all healthy all year, it was a playoff team. But writing "They just need to get healthy! They weren't poorly built" was just exhausting. Hopefully I'll be able to find my groove in 2025.

Hope that's OK with you.

2024 Year in Review: Social Media

Goodness knows nothing can just be a thing anymore. Nothing can just be what it is. Sports can't be a competitive sporting event. It has to be an entertainment venture. Just like a blog just can’t be a blog. I mean, it can...but it’s not as easy or nearly as much fun. How am I supposed to make sure that the blog is on your mind every waking second of every day? How can I make sure you see some sort of new content as often as possible?

Of course. Social media.

Which is why Section 36 needs to have a presence. OK. More accurately, it's why I want Section 36 to have a social media presence. Even on the sites where I have no idea what’s going on. So, I hope you know about all the other ways you can follow along with Section 36! And, how have those social media sites gotten even better in 2024?

I’m glad you asked.

Once again, Instagram is probably the place I’ve seen the most movement in the past year.

It’s been so much fun connecting with fans and visitors through that site. For Section 36, in the past I have posted exclusively pictures I have taken. It’s a way to enjoy different views from a Red Sox fan. I've continued adding pictures people have submitted of themselves holding a “I’d Rather be in Section 36” sign, or pictures of themselves with Section 36 gear. (So, if you were wondering how you could appear on the Section 36 account, that’s how.) It’s been a great way to add variety to the feed, and publicize some great pictures people have submitted. And the best part? The account keeps adding followers and seeing more interaction, and I couldn't be more thrilled! Here's hoping that number keeps growing. If you’re one of the followers, thanks! If you’re not, what’s keeping you?

While Twitter was once a mainstay, that is no longer the case. Sure, blogs are sometimnes automatically shared to X (bleh) because it's so easy to do. But, I don't remember the last time I posted there.

I have made the switch, like many others to BlueSky. While I haven't built up my following there, It's a work in progress. One thing that makes it different, is that there's only one account for all of the Section 36 Suite. So, sports, sportscards, lifestyle, music, etc all in one place. Something for everyone, if you will.

Facebook provides fun opportunities.

I find it’s a combination between BlueSky and Instagram. It can post links and pictures with ease, and has the ability to allow sharing with friends. The Section 36 page will post links to every post here on Section 36. Facebook is also great for pictures, so it posts pictures that I’ve taken. It’s also a prime spot to post pictures submitted by others. So almost every picture someone submits of themselves with Section 36 behind them, or in Section 36, or holding a “I’d rather be in Section 36” sign, or with Section 36 gear gets posted there. Section 36 has more than 500 likes and adds more all the time, which is great!

Section 36 also has a presence TikTok, Snapchat, and Pinterest. Although TikTok is the only one I've used with any frequency lately. Much like BlueSky, those are all one account for the entire Suite. So, you're bound to find something you like there. Hopefully in 2025 I’ll figure something out. Feel free to follow/add to see the progress! In fact, follow all of Section 36 on all social media accounts.

It’ll be a lot of fun.  

Where can I find you?

Happy Festivus!

That’s right, today’s the day! As you can see, I’ve set out my aluminum pole and am ready for the festivities to begin!

While it’s kinda hard to do feats of strength on a blog, we can certainly air some grievances! I’ve even started with the first one. I would definitely rather be in Section 36 right now!

Now it’s your turn. I’m taking this opportunity to allow you to air your blog-related grievances! That’s right. Leave a comment telling me things you don’t like about the blog and its content!

Is the font too small? Too big? Are the sidebars too plain? Too cluttered? Do I write about a topic too much? Do you wish I wrote about a topic more? At all? All with no hard feelings on my part. This is your chance!

I know. Allowing the internet to complain about you can be scary. But, maybe I’ll be able to respond to the grievances and make the blog better for everyone!

One thing by way of rules, this is Section 36 asking for grievances. So, keep them to things about the blog and its content...not blog post subjects. So if you want to complain and say I write about Triston Casas too much, or too little, that’s fine. If you complain and tell me Triston Casas sucks, that’s not fine and I may delete your comment. In this particular post, that’s not really what I’m going for.

Sound reasonable? Ok then. Let’s hear it.

What are your Section 36 related grievances?

Jazmine Johnson Visits Section 36!

I am so excited that Section 36 had another visitor! Jazmine Johnson is passionate about Helping First-Generation Low Income (FGLI) College Students, loves to cook, and is the current Miss Denton. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Jazmine Johnson visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Denton crown? 

After winning the Miss Denton crown I celebrated by going to Halcyon here in Dallas, got a hot chocolate, played in their weekly trivia night, and then proceeded to write the essay I had due for school that night. 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Denton competition that will help you at Miss Texas? 

Deon Casey

Something I learned about myself that will help me with Miss Texas is that I truly am doing this for fun and personal growth. I absolutely want to be Miss Texas in the future and am putting in the work to do so, but if my journey means that I’m only meant to make connections and fulfill my duty to service through these connections then I am 100% content with that as well. Competing and winning at the Miss North Texas / Denton competition revealed that to me.

 

What is your go-to coffee order? 

Old reliable is just a great mellow plain cold brew. Right now though, I’ve been obsessed with the “Spicy Santa” (Mocha and Cayenne) at White Rock Coffee. Gotta love a good seasonal drink. 

How did you select your Community Service Initiative, “We Are First”? 

My CSI came from being a First-Generation Low Income (FGLI) College student myself. I was the first in my family to go and complete school and that journey was very hard for me. Very seldom were there others that I could talk to about my experiences and they either understood or were empathetic. Both professors and fellow students were very unkind when it came to the hardships I would face. The university itself also really only promoted First-Gen Assistance to Incoming Freshman, which is wonderful, but a FGLI student will still be just that throughout their time in school. That led me to want to create We Are First: Helping First-Generation Low-Income College Students from Application to Graduation. A program in which we help students not just to get into college, but to make sure they can finish as well. 

What is your personal fitness routine? 

Deon Casey

As a woman with PCOS I have to prioritize not just my physical health by working out, but also my hormonal and emotional health as well. So in addition to working out with @Transformationfit I also do a lot of research on what meals I can make that will be beneficial to me with my current condition. So I take time to work out, stretch every day, eat PCOS Friendly meals, and have time to relax and journal. 

You are currently pursuing your M.Ed in Educational Leadership at Texas Tech University. Where do you see those studies taking you? 

My M.Ed that I am pursuing right now has an emphasis in Education Policy. In the future, I would love to go to Law School and get my J.D., then use that to work in the field of Education Policy and Education Reform both in Government and Non-Profit Sectors. 

If you could be a Disney character for a week, who would you choose? Why?

Princess Tiana! I can’t emphasize how special it was to see a Disney Princess that not just looked and sounded like me but also loved to cook. 

If you had an extra ticket to see the Red Sox play the Rangers, who would you take with you? Why? 

Deon Casey

Oooh, probably my mom or my little sister. There are a lot of
experiences my family and I have never had, and as I open these doors to new places I want to have them right beside me. I believe they deserve to have these experiences too. 

Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you’d especially like to experience? 

I would love to go to one of the Hello Kitty theme nights and collect the little plushies you can grab! The idea of collecting all of them sounds really cute and cool.

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I've always wanted to get to one of those giveaways myself. maybe someday!

As always, I want to thank Jazmine for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to go with the interview.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with her during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account, as well as her organization's Instagram. They're both great ways to keep track of everything she has going on. 

Thanks again Jazmine, and good luck at the Miss Texas competition!

Hayley Jarvis Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Hayley Jarvis is passionate about diabetes awareness, a talented singer, and the current Miss Catamount's Teen. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Hayley Jarvis visits Section 36!

What made you decide to compete for the Miss Vermont’s Teen crown as Miss Catamount’s Teen?

I think having a friend who competed helped but the organization and all the amazing women behind it solidified my decision to compete. I have already made so many connections and can't wait to make them into lifelong friends.

What is something that Charlee Royer is doing as Miss Vermont’s Teen that you would like to emulate?

I love how Charlie is  just so real like in person and on her social medias I really hope to emulate the feeling of being a person because everyone is and it's important to realize. 

What do you enjoy about performing your talent on stage?

Feeling like a popstar and being able to show people something I have done my whole life singing is one of my favorite things to do and I can't wait to share it with everyone. 

How did you select your CSI, bringing awareness to people living with diabetes?

I selected my CSI because I have grown up around people living with diabetes and I learned over the years not enough people know how it is or how to help. i want to be able to end people making assumptions about people based on the disease  

If you could be a Disney character for a week, who would you choose? Why?

I would want to be Tiana because she is a cook and I love cooking my mom is a cook so I grew up around it and it is a big part of my life. 

Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you would especially like to experience?

I've always wanted to go to a baseball game and get peanuts. I also just really want to go to a game because baseball has also been in my life for a while I played softball  for a few years and I grew up playing baseball in the yard with my dad and brother  all the time in the summer.

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I definitely hope she can make it to a game soon!

As always, I want to thank Hayley for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to go with the interview.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with her during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account. It's a great way to keep track of everything she has going on. You should also visit the American Diabetes Association website to learn more about people dealing with that disease.

Thanks again Hayley, and good luck at the Miss Vermont's Teen competition!

Singing the Anthems at Fenway Park by Rebecca Soul

Most people who follow my music journey on social media would never guess, but I deal with intense imposter syndrome and performance anxiety. It’s ironic because performing is my lifeline, and my main source of happiness, but it’s also what terrifies me the most. The passion that fuels me can sometimes feel like a double-edged sword, driving me to give everything I have and leaving me overwhelmed in the process. I’ve been working on myself for years and seeking help through therapy to learn how to manage these feelings. 

This summer, I faced one of the biggest challenges of my life: singing at Fenway Park in front of 37,000 people. It was a dream come true, but it also ignited a firestorm of anxiety inside me. I knew I had to confront this fear head-on. When I found out in May that I would be performing at Fenway, I was filled with a mix of excitement and sheer panic. The enormity of the event weighed on me, but I was determined not to let fear win. For two months leading up to the performance, I dedicated myself to mental preparation as much as vocal training. Every day, I would sit down with my journal and vividly imagine the performance. I wrote down every detail—how I would feel, the sound of my voice resonating through the stadium, the audience’s reaction. I created a mental blueprint of success, a “fake memory” that I could cling to in the actual moment. 

Learning the national anthems was also a new challenge for me. I wanted to respect the tradition while also making it my own. I received all sorts of advice; some people told me not to do runs and sing it exactly as written, while other people told me to add my flavor and go crazy with it. I ended up listening to my gut and just stayed true to myself. I knew some people wouldn’t like my version, and that’s okay; I wasn’t there to please everyone, I was there to be authentically me. The day of the performance arrived, and surprisingly, I felt more excited than anxious, because I had done the work. However, when I arrived at soundcheck, I was really thrown off balance. There were no monitors or in-ears available, and the echo in the stadium meant I could only hear my voice trailing behind me! I panicked. For a moment, it felt like all my preparation was slipping away. When I got home, my roommate tried to reassure me, but I was terrified. I worried that I would mess up in front of thousands, that all my hard work would be for nothing. Yet, I knew I couldn’t let fear take over. I took a deep breath, gathered my strength, and decided to simply trust myself. Walking onto that field was surreal. It felt like stepping into a dream. I knew those who mattered most to me—my parents, my best friends, my cousin from Spain and his wife and my voice professor from Berklee were all there. I felt an overwhelming sense of support and love. And in that moment, I wasn’t thinking about the 37,000 people watching. It was just me, doing what I love, as if I were singing in a small, intimate venue. My heart raced as I started to sing, but my mind was calm. It was an incredible feeling—being nervous yet centered, vulnerable yet strong. And when I finished singing, a wave of relief and pride washed over me. I did it. I smiled, knowing that I had given my all, even without the usual comforts of monitors or in-ears. As I walked off the field, people stopped me to congratulate me. I felt a deep sense of happiness, not just because I had faced my fear, but because I had connected with the audience. 

That’s why I do what I do—to make people feel, to bring a moment of joy into their lives.

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This story has been posted simultaneously here and on the Section 36 Music blog. To learn more about Rebecca, be sure to check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

2022 Topps Walmart Gold Star Parallel Kevin Plawecki

 September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. As a nod to the Gold Together activities going on this month to help raise awareness of the leading cause of death by disease in children, I thought I'd contribute several "gold" themed posts sprinkled throughout the month. Here's the next one.

Let's talk about this card...

I've mentioned it before. The retail sets are a fun way to easily add some variety to my collection. These Gold Star versions are an great way to do it. With one in three factory sets coming with a parallel, there are enough of them to make them obtainable. But, rare enough to bee something a little different. Which is great.

This is a great picture of Plawecki here. He's definitely celebrating an epic accomplishement. The red jersey really pops, and the picture is cropped perfectly. Fantastic execution.

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I'm sure you all remember Mina Smith from her interview with us. Through her social impact initiative "Love Your Neighbor" she is fundraising for the Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation. I highly recommend you support her efforts with a donation if you are able. You can find the link here.

Thank you for supporting her efforts to Love Your Neighbor!

Emma Danaher Visits Section 36!

Section 36 had another visitor! Emma Danaher is passionate about extracurricular activities, a talented painter, and the current Miss Lake Champlain's Teen. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. 

So, let's see what happens when Emma Danaher visits Section 36!

What made you decide to compete for the Miss Vermont’s Teen crown as Miss Lake Champlain’s Teen? 

This is my third year holding a local title and competing for Miss Vermont's Teen, each year has been an incredible journey. I continue to compete because it offers a unique opportunity for personal growth and allows me to make a meaningful impact in my community. I chose the title of Miss Lake Champlain's Teen because I believe our lake beautifully captures the spirit of Vermont, and I am proud to represent such a significant part of our state.

What is something that Charlee Royer is doing as Miss Vermont’s Teen that you would like to emulate? 

Charlee’s work with her CSI Beyond the Ribbon is truly inspiring. This nonprofit is a successful 501(c)(3) that provides care boxes for children who have a family member that has been diagnosed with cancer, offering them both support and comfort during difficult times. The positive impact Charlee has made on families through her initiative is incredible. I aspire to emulate this same level of commitment and meaningful contribution through my own CSI, Limitless Miss. My goal is to create a similarly significant impact on our community, providing support and making a difference for youth in the state of Vermont. 

What do you enjoy about performing your talent on stage?

My talent is speed painting, and what I enjoy most about performing it on stage is the excitement of transforming a blank canvas into a piece of art in only 90 seconds. Art has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been painting and creating from a very young age. I believe that art is a fantastic example of how extracurricular activities improve mental health and provide a meaningful way of personal expression. It’s a very unique talent, as very few girls speed paint on the Miss America stage. Watching Sophia Todd, Miss Kentucky’s Teen, win a preliminary talent award at Miss America last year was incredibly inspiring and wonderful.

How did you select your CSI “Limitless Miss”?

I created Limitless Miss as my CSI because extracurricular activities have been essential to my personal growth, both as a young child and into my teenage years. Having participated in over 15 different activities, with baking and basketball being my favorites, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact they can have. For instance, during challenging times, basketball helped me channel negative emotions into something constructive while staying active. I recognize that not everyone has the same opportunities, often due to financial barriers. Limitless Miss aims to address this by providing scholarships to girls in Vermont, ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent them from pursuing extracurricular interests.

Interested in applying for a Limitless Miss Scholarship? Fill out the request form to get started: Request Form

If you could be a Disney character for a week, who would you choose? Why?

If I could be a Disney character for a week, I would choose Rapunzel. Her creativity and self-expression through art deeply reflect my own interests. Additionally, her bravery in leaving her tower and exploring the unknown is incredibly inspiring. Facing new challenges can be intimidating, but Rapunzel’s fearless attitude transforms uncertainty into an opportunity for growth. Her story motivates me to embrace life’s uncertainties with confidence and view them as chances to learn and grow.

Is there a feature or activity at a baseball game that you would especially like to experience?

I would love to throw the first pitch at a baseball game. The Vermont Lake Monsters would be the perfect team for this experience, especially since I am Miss Lake Champlain’s Teen and their mascot, Champ, is named after Lake Champlain. It would be an incredible opportunity to showcase my role and engage with the community. Additionally, at this game, I would give away a Limitless Miss Scholarship to a girl passionate about softball. This scholarship could be used to offset the costs of joining a team, training, or purchasing equipment. 

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Those would be two great things to do at a game. Hope she can make that happen!

As always, I want to thank Emma for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to go with the interview.

I'm sure you'd like to follow along with her during her journey. You should be sure to check out her title's Instagram account, as well as her CSI's Instagram. They're both great ways to keep track of everything she has going on. 

Thanks again Emma, and good luck at the Miss Vermont's Teen competition!