Trade 7: Green Screen Photo Booth Package

Click here to see the potential add on to this trade 

or how you can get it (as of 05-15-12).

Don't look too hard, we didn't hide Dirty, because we I forgot to bring our camera with the good zoom lens.

 Also, this post is LONG, but well worth the read!

If you are just needing to see what the trade includes 

you can scroll to the bottom

Moving on, I think the Branson Package was by far the one of the coolest trades I have made, and by far the hardest item to trade. I really thought it would be traded within 2 weeks and at the longest, one month. It took me nearly 2 months to trade this vacation. 

The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was that many thought this trade was a scam. I'm not sure why because I literally gave every bit of evidence to show that it wasn't. I guess you can't make everyone happy.

I was offered all sorts of stuff for the trip, like: a manual breast pump (uh...), outdoor furniture, dinning room sets, golf clubs, a small generator, graphic design services, a little bit of money, hair salon services (I don't even have hair) and the list goes on. 

Some of these offers would have been nice to have (minus the pump) but I did not feel they had big trading up potential. I was really starting to feel like this could possibly be the end of TMOOD. That is, until I received a text from this guy:

I am guessing you might be thinking this is a mug shot?

Not quite!

When I tell you who this guy is and what he does, then you will understand the reason for the straight face

Maybe this next picture will give you a better idea of who I was about to make a trade with 

I was about to make a trade with a professional 

hockey player and I did not even know it

His name: Marty Magers

 He's one of the best goalies out there 

On a side note to Marty, sorry brother,  but I had to use the Mohawk picture. He told me his name, and at first it did not click as to who he was. I wanted to get the nitty gritty on this dude before I agreed to anything.

I Googled his name just like I did the radio station dude I had traded with. Marty's name pulled up some pretty cool stuff. I've only been a hockey fan for about 4 years now, so I had to call the expert. 

I phoned my buddy Blaine and he immediately knew who he was. Blaine reminded me that Marty had played for the Tulsa Oilers a few years back. At this point I was really excited to make this trade! If you know anything about hockey you probably know this: Most everyone goes to the games to see the fights. Check out the video below, this is one of Marty's classic fights. I believe this was when he played with the Thunder. 

Watch the whole video to get the full effect, it's only 2 minutes.

This became an even cooler trade-to-be 

when I saw his career stats:

Check this out to see his career stats

Even if you know nothing about hockey, I am sure your jaw will drop. 

Marty recently retired this year (retired? He was only 28) from the Wichita Thunder. Click here to see his career accomplishments. When it came to professional goalies, Marty was the go-to guy. 

In 2002, Marty was drafted to the Buffalo Sabers of the NHL. Since then he has played for teams in Michigan, New York, Canada, Connecticut, Virginia, Omaha, Iowa, Denver, and recently the Tulsa Oilers and the Wichita Thunder. 

Even though he has retired, Marty did mention he might fill in for the Oilers if they ever needed anyone. Marty had a busy schedule, he worked a long 2 1/2 hour day (8:00am-10:30 am). 

Since he had more free time on his hands, 

he decided to pick up a new hobby

This is where the "Trade 7" really begins...

Marty took up bartering and became quite good at it, as you can see from the picture above. Let me rewind a bit and take you back to the first few deals he made and how he ended up with this fancy truck. 

While in Wichita, he bought an old pick up for around $1,100. He then traded that truck for a 2004 GMC Sierra and loaded up all his stuff and moved to Tulsa. Not long after that, Marty found a guy that wanted to trade him a 1987 Grand Prix, plus give him $1,200 cash. 

Already he's made his original $1,100 back plus some! He put a new set of wheels on the Grand Prix and it was ready to go. 

Here is where the truck pictured above comes into play. If all this was not cool enough, he now had a guy that wanted to trade him a 1964 F-100. Here's the kicker, this sucker was listed on Craigslist for $9,500! 

Marty's plan is to put a little money into it and then continue his process of trading. Can you see that dirt bike in the back of his truck? He found some old boy out in some podunk town that needed some money and sold it to Marty for $250. Marty said, "I will probably sell it for $500 in a few days." 

At some point in time, I had texted Marty (not knowing it was him) to see if he would be interested in trading the Branson trip for a scooter he had listed on Craigslist. 

Some time passed and I finally received a text back saying he would give me $400 for it. The package was worth close to $800, but I nearly jumped on his offer because I was having a hard time getting any solid offers for the trip. I thought for a minute and told him that I was really wanting to trade the trip, rather than get money for it. 

He then informed me that he had a very unique business

There was only one other photo booth like this in the Mid-West 

guess how that person got hooked up with one? 

Marty of course

Marty's offer: 

The $1250 Platinum Package, which was 4 hours of nearly unlimited fun for most any event. I jumped at the offer right then! 

Did I mention how he obtained this totally rad booth? A little bartering here and there was all it took! In short, he bought a Cadillac for $1200 and traded his way up to a 1971 Camaro SS (all original parts, numbers matching). He then sold that for 12 grand and soon after bought the photo booth. 

Pretty cool, eh? 

This is not your regular photo booth that has the fabric back drops and can only hold a max of 3. This was a GREEN SCREEN photo booth that can hold up to 12 people and can literally have an endless amount of backgrounds. 

Marty's business, "Mr. Smiles Photo Booth" has done large events for groups such as: The Tulsa Drillers, The American Cancer Society at The Cains Ballroom, River Parks Youth Soccer, and many weddings. 

This contraption is way too cool for me to try and tell you all its pros, click here to get a small taste of its greatness! 

What does this trade entail 

and how can you benefit from it? 

This is the Platinum Package worth $1250! 

You will get to have it on site for 4 hours! 

 PLUS EVERYTHING BELOW

1. A full time fun attendant to take care of the booth and make everyone happy. 

2. Free delivery in the Tulsa area.     

3. Unlimited prints during the event. 

4. CD set of pictures during the event.

5. Color or black and white pictures

6. Up to 4 different green screen backgrounds.

7. Four professional layouts.

8. Prop box with tons of your favorite props.

9. And 1 scrapbook made by a professional scrap booker.

 You can use this for weddings, corporate events, graduations, charity events, high school reunions, birthday parties, etc... I would venture to say, pretty much any event. 

How can you benefit from this? Everyone will be talking about how cool your party or event was for a long time. Second of all, if you are strapped for cash for say a wedding you are planning, then all you have to do is look around for something worth at least $1250 (or something that is really cool everyone would want) that you would be willing to let go of.

 Send me your offer and I will let you know if we have a deal! 

Everyone will have so much fun with this! 

Something Happens Tomorrow

"Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow, your only a day away"

That would be from the movie Annie, if you did not get that. 

Here's a crazy thought, It will never be "tomorrow", because it is ALWAYS a day away. So, if it is always a day away, then it will never be tomorrow. Where did little Annie come up with that song?

 Okay, I'm thinking way too much about this. Anyway, what's happen tomorrow? Wouldn't you like to know :) Something big, with somebody big. I guess you will have to wait until tomorrow to find out :) 

I just love keeping you all on the edge!

That was fast...

Right after I wrote my post about having patience, it seemed as though God had an answer to prayers. I will keep you updated as to when this next step happens.

I can't give it all away yet!

Matt

Patience

I am going to take a guess and say that God is trying to teach me patience. I have had this Branson trip up for trade since the end of July. I figured a deal like this would go fast, but maybe God has not brought the right person along yet to trade with?

I have been offered several things for the Branson trip: furniture room sets that no one wanted anymore, kitchen stuff, golf clubs and a small generator, a manuel breast pump, and the list goes on...

The last big offer was a 4 hour green screen photo booth session from Marty Magers. This offer seemed to be the most promising offer that felt right, but as I have recently found out, we can't always go on a feeling when we are seeking something in life.

I keep asking myself why it's taking me so long to trade this trip and all I can come up with is that I need to develop patience. The way to learn patience is to experience something that gives you the opportunity to have patience. Sounds easy huh? Not really.

I still have a hard time having patience. I always want it now and my way, but it doesn't always work that way. Everything is Gods timing not ours.

Anyway, what's the purpose of the big P word? Here's what I think: Patience builds character and stamina which in turn will prepare us for the next step in life. Sometimes God puts situations in our life for us to have patience because it might help clear our head as to the path we are to take.

I also think it's helping us to slow down and appreciate the little things in life.

And lastly, something that I totally agree with is that God will sometimes put a block in front of us in order to avoid something that could hurt us. For example: the one and only time you are running late to work, you seem to get stuck behind 2 cars side by side that are going so slow.

You get frustrated and honk your horn, and then off in the distance you see a car flip over, end over end, rolling several times smashing into other cars killing many. God just spared your life.

Sometimes we'll never know why we have to wait on things in life, and other times we get the answer right in front of us.

All that said, everything isn't always given to us when we think we deserve it. Sometimes we just have to wait because you never know what's on the other side. Maybe whatever trade I am waiting on is not ready yet?

Branson update...Trade 7 looks promising!

Unless you can top a $1200-$1500 trade offer, it looks like trade 7 is coming TMOODs way. 

I have to say that is pretty good for having started this whole trading up project with a Yellow Mustard Seed. Details still need to be worked out this weekend, but we are hoping to seal the deal next week at the latest. 

This is going to be a pretty cool trade. Anyone that is having a party, wedding, really any event is going to want this next trade. 

To all the Tulsa sports fans out there that read my blog, you might be interested in to whom I am trading with. Just because I love to keep you on your toes, I'm not going to tell you who it is or what sport he or she played during their career as a Tulsa athlete. 

I will give you a hint though: If this person did their job well the team could potentially win. The team depended on this individual to out-perform the other opponent of the same position. This person played in a fast paced environment that kept your eyes moving back and forth constantly.

This is a rough sport and it takes a certain kind of person to play. That is all I will say for now, any guesses as to what sport or position this person played? 

If anyone guesses it correctly I will reveal whether or not they are right. Blaine Bacon is exempt from any guesses, saying that probably gave it away to anyone that knows him. Good luck to all and I look forward to telling you what I'm trading for and who I'm trading with!

Support Ben Rector Music, Get Him to #1 on iTunes!

Heck yes Ben, your CD rocks! 

Saying it rocks does't even give it justice 

Maybe this will help put things into perspective: As of noon today, Ben was above Lil Wayne on the top albums charts on iTunes. 

As of right now at 4pm CST he is still holding is number 4 spot. Heres what's impressive: The top 3 are Lady Antebellum's "Own the Night, Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto, and ADELE's "21". Ben is ridding with the big dawgs! Wait a minute, Ben is one of the big dawgs now! 

If Ben can be #4 in just one day, I see no reason he can't hit #1 by tomorrow or sooner! The thing is, you all have to make that happen. I've bought his CD, now it's your turn! 

Some of you might be wondering why I've been showcasing Ben Rector lately on Trade Me Out of Debt, there are 3 easy answers to that. The 1st is that I love good music, especially when it is written by the artist and not just some hotshot writers. 

The 2nd is obvious, Ben is incredibly talented and literally can pick up anything and make it sound like the music you would hear if we were in Heaven right now. 

The 3rd reason is on a personal level. I met Ben when he was just a Freshman in High School and I was a Senior at a private Christian high school called Metro Christian Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We were in a music class called "Praise and Worship". He was just learning how to play the keys and guitar. He was clever, smart, and picked up on the music very fast. 

Ben picked up a hand drum and we hit it off from there. He was a natural. We also played some football together. He was the kind of guy that gave it all he had. As you can see, he is still the same. 

He has applied everything he has learned in music and in life, to become the next top singer/song writer. Ben I wish I could have gotten to know you better. Congratulations on all your success and I wish you luck on all your endeavors to come. My wife and I are planning on seeing you at Cain's in October! 

Can't wait to watch you in 10 years when people are talking about you and not U2!

Ben Rector (Let The Good Times Roll)-9-13-11

Ben, I have to hand it to you, you are hilarious! 

To everyone out there, you have to buy Ben Rector's new album, 

"Something Like This" Tuesday September 13th, 2011. 

You can't make any excuses as to why you can't buy it. Just skip a few coffees, sodas, whatever you have to do to buy his album. 

Ben is funny and obviously very talented when he gets behind the camera, and even more so when he picks up "his saxophone". 

Good luck Ben! I'm proud of how far you have come.

Everyone please support Ben Rector Music!

Trade Mobile 2.0

The moment everyone has been waiting for

Let the drumroll begin...

I am pleased to introduce to you the new and improved Trade Mobile 2.0! 

But first, let me take you back in history to the beginning stages of the Trade Mobile: 

Originally, we had just added the black decals. On the computer model they seemed to stick out well, but when we put them on the van they got lost in all the colors. So, I painted the white all around the letters, and as you can see that made all the difference. The van turns heads like crazy!

Either side of the Trade Mobile can be seen nearly 100 yards!  

Here's a close up of the shiny, newly painted rims.

 I figured I did not have much to lose since they were just a rusty white. 

It looks a lot better, I'd have to say.

Close up of the back of the van. The back alone can be seen clearly at over 60 feet!

And Dirty always has to get the last word. 

I figure I owe it to him because of his near death experience. 

I want to say a huge thank you to my sister Mary for the pictures she took and edited for me. She stayed up late to edit the pictures and I'm sure she got up early to take care of her little one. 

If anyone ever needs a photographer, Mary and her husband Dani are amazing. They do a little of everything. Email me for more information. Thanks for all your hard work Mary!

Ben Rector 9-13-11

If you haven't heard of Ben Rector, you are missing out. 

This was one of my buddies back in high school many moons ago. He was a Freshman and I a was a Senior. We took a music class together and at the time he was just learning how to play the guitar and piano. 

I love this guy and his music. Ben draws large numbers to his concerts and will leave them in awe after hearing just a taste of what he can do with the guitar, keys, percussion, and his voice. 

Ben is having a concert at the Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma in October!!! He is also releasing his new album September 13th. of this year, which is only days away! 

As I promised Amy (my wife) I am going to get her Ben's CD and tickets to his concert and I think everyone else should do the same thing for their spouse, friend, family member, dog, whoever...

I promise you will not be left empty handed. Below you can listen to part of his new album and view other videos of his. 

Thanks for checking this out and thank you for supporting Ben Rector Music!

Into the Morning by Ben Rector has already been released, so buy it now!

This is a great song you have to listen to!!!

This weekend....

The weekend has finally arrived! 

And you know what that means!!! 

I get to put the new pictures of the Trade Mobile up!! I have a few finishing touches and it should be good to go. We are planning the photo shoot Sunday. I'm crossing my fingers that the photographer will be able to edit the pictures the same day.

The photographer is the award winning Mary Herold. She doesn't know she's an award winning photographer yet because I have't told her. In fact I haven't told anyone. One last "In fact," I just randomly dubbed her that honor.

I guess that means I need to make a certificate. For those of you who do not know Mary, she's my sister. Being for real though, she is one of the new and upcoming photographers around!!! 

If you need any pictures taken, shoot me an email and I will get you hooked up (Oklahoma only, unless you want to offer her some big bucks and then maybe she will talk). 

On a side note that has nothing to do with anything I have said, when you get a chance check out this guys website, he calls himself "Debt Kid". In short, his site is about how he day traded away $250,000 in a very short amount of time in his early 20's. The bad thing was that a good chunk of it was not even his money!!! It was his Moms!!!!! Anyway, his website chronicles his journey as he eliminates his debt once and for all. He has a lot of great advice that you can't afford to not check out!