Everyone participating needs to email me the following to janitorblade at gee male dot com.
1: Your Hatrack name. 2: Your physical mailing address (and real life name if you live with more than one person and don't want them opening your stuff).
You will then (once all those participating have responded) be given an assignment.
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For those participating, use this thread to indicate what sorts of things you like. The spirit of the thread is not to say things like, "I want this book" or "I'd like a new car", or "Send me a gift card to Best Buy".
Describe in general terms things you would enjoy. Genres of books/music, styles or colors or types of clothing, etc.
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I'll go first.
I like history/fantasy/sci-fi books. Chinese films, board games, card games, table top rpgs, stylish hats, knick knacks from all countries.
I like blues, browns, and blacks in clothes.
I like instruments, music of all genres (except country).
[ March 06, 2012, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: JanitorBlade ]
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I've already expressed my desire for large numbers of corn tortillas, but shipping them would likely be quite expensive.
I'm gluten intolerant so don't send food unless you are positive its gluten free, know it tastes good and are sure it will survive shipping. I love Gran Cru chocolate.
I collect Christmas ornaments that are distinctive to a particular region or artisan. I like ethnic instruments, especially flutes and percussion.
I like all kinds of fiction, but if it was published more than 10 years ago, there is a good chance I've got it my library. I also enjoy nature writing quite a bit.
I want a copy of Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Other movies would also be enjoyed. My taste in movies is pretty diverse. The only genre I really don't like are the (typically PG-13) films designed to appeal to the baser interests of teenage boys (vacuous plots with over the top special effects, ridiculous car chases, glorified violence, gratuitous juvenile sex and drinking, crude body humor, stuff like that). I should probably add movies targeted at the baser interests of teenage girls to my list of dislikes as well.
I like handmade stuff and stuff that's regionally distinctive (as long as it isn't too kitsch). I nit and crochet so I'm always happy to get yarn, particularly stuff that's a bit quirky.
I do lots of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, kayaking and snorkeling. Since this is the tropics I'm always in need of protection from the sun and the mosquitoes. Warm hats and gloves? not so much.
Most of all, I like surprises.
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
I like fantasy/ sci fi. Anime,manga, Japanese music. No coffee,tea,etc. Japanohile, so anything Japanese
Posted by Hank (Member # 8916) on :
I always enjoy getting gifts that show me something about you or where you live.
I work with kids, so kid-friendly things are very welcome.
My favorite color is green.
I'm LDS, so no alcohol or tobacco products, please.
And FYI, I'm a woman, despite the name. :)
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I love blue, dir en grey, butterflies, moths, spiders, Loose Tea, rabbits, hand made stuff, regional stuff, cute things, chocolate.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I'm working on my wish list ...
I like fantasy/sci fi (Discworld, Pern, WoT, Harry Potter), historical fiction (not bodice-rippers, please), "genre" mysteries where the protagonist is a caterer, baker, antique dealer, stuff like that - I like Dick Francis (horse racing), Diane Mott Davidson (catering), Alisa Craig/Charlotte Macleod (just plain quirky), Margaret Frazer (Middle ages), Deborah Morgan (Antique Lovers mysteries, I've read the 3rd and 4th books only). I appreciate used books just as much as new (one year I got The Color of Distance and Through Alien Eyes from a Hatracker and still read them).
I watch Doctor Who, Chuck, Raising Hope, NCIS plus a whole score of things on Netflix.
I'm into family history, local history, (trying to figure out things I like that wouldn't be too expensive for someone to get).
LDS: no coffee, alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets ...
Something homemade or from the region of the sender would be nice.
If I figure out something else, I'll add it later.
Posted by DDDaysh (Member # 9499) on :
Hmmm... lets see.
I like games, like card games and board games (the party kind, not so much the 4 hour strategy kind since I don't really have anyone to play with). We do alot of trivia both with my family and at work.
I also like to fantasy/sci-fi obviously! So that's cool.
Oh, and I have an 8-year-old son, so anything family oriented for us to do/read/experience/etc. together would also be cool.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
When do you plan to send out assignments?
Posted by AchillesHeel (Member # 11736) on :
I like french films, long walks on the beach... wrong website, sorry.
I like American history, small time local music and my favorite color is grey, honestly it really is. General nerdy interests in gaming and comic books, I'm not super into Star Trek/Wars like many nerds but I have prayed to Batman once or twice.
I am not a small man in regards to girth nor height so I wouldn't suggest any kindly intended clothing gifts, its hard enough for me to get the right size.
Science is fun! I actually just got a Nasa invented ant farm for my cousins little girls, about forty percent of the reason was because I just thought it was so fascinating the other sixty because I thought any kid with a sliver of curiosity would as well.
Intellectual puzzles are like crack, I can't help but monkey with them for as long as it takes to open it or take it apart. Its a fulfilling conquest when you can take the puzzle apart and put it back together again only to hand it off to another poor soul to be mocked by its intricacy.
I love books (how else would I have ended up here!) and biographies of odd people are of great interest to me, not just those with accomplishments in time but who are unlikely to be comparable to another. Such as Miyamoto Musashi, living more than half his life in infamy and open awe yet never having a teacher in any the arts he took so much time in and living a lot of his life on the road alone, by choice.
Clowns, in fact the more likely it is to incite coulrophobia the more I love it. I actually own a jester styled furby, if that ain't evil I don't know what is.
And if you happen to be personal friends with Henry Rollins or Fiona Apple and can arrange a meet and greet, that's cool too. Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Hopefully today. I was worried as some who had expressed interest had not emailed me. For those who have not emailed me your mailing addresses, tomorrow will be the last day you can do so.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
I'm going to copy my spiel from the last time we did a gift exchange. It ended up getting me some great gifts!
quote:i love computers and technology. I listen to a lot of classic rock. I read speculative fiction, and anything to do with science, religion(though i'm not religious), philosophy, the mind and brain. I have pet ferrets. I love to gamble, particularly poker. I love doing anything active outdoors. The Big Lebowski is my favorite movie. I like long walks on the beach, pink unicorns, fluffy bunnies, skittles, rainbows and butterflies.
In general, I'd rather be surprised with something meaningful to you or from your area, than something that fulfills my "like" list.
Blackblade, I'll have an email to you shortly.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Email assignments were sent at least 24 hours ago, I hope everybody got theirs.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
got mine. What is the deadline? This site was super mega slow loading.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Well due to a combination of factors, I'd like it if we could have gifts sent by January 10th. I also hope we can all get it done and have a good time thinking up gifts, rather than me being obnoxious and nagging you to send your gift.
Fortunately that wasn't an issue last year. Posted by DDDaysh (Member # 9499) on :
I got my assignment too!
Was hatrack down for a while recently? It seemed like every time I came back here to check, it wouldn't load.
Posted by Hank (Member # 8916) on :
Mine was officially mailed today!
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
I will be mailing mine this week. If any of you have lost or not received your assignment, PLEASE let me know immediately.
Posted by DDDaysh (Member # 9499) on :
I got my gift. Thanks Derrell. We haven't had a chance to play yet, but I'm sure we'll have fun when we do!
I also mailed mine today, it should be on its way!
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
I hope you like it.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I launched mine from ebay today so they might not have my name on it. I hope they are liked and kids might like them too.
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
My gift came today. AchillesHeel gave me some graphic novels, a book of Japanese gestures, and a beanie feturing an anime character named Domo. I love Ghost in the Shell.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Gift sent. Should be arriving in 2 business days.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Mine arrived yesterday, from DDDaysh, I believe (real name was on box, no Hatrack ID included but a little online sleuthing provided it).
When I opened the box, I was a little disgruntled to smell smoke. "Oh, great, this came from a smoker's house. I'll have to air it out," I thought. But no, it did not. It had (in addition to peanut brittle and a book about Polish settlers in Texas telling ghost stories that I have barely begun to read) homemade jerky.
The jerky has two flavors: hot and regular. I, of course, had some of the hot first. It is clear-your-sinuses, make-your-eyes-water hot. The regular is also a bit spicy (peppered maybe?) and they are both good.
My 16-year-old took the regular jerky into her room last night and I don't think I'll see that again. So that leaves me the spicy jerky, which should last quite a while taken in small doses. (And as long as I keep it away from the cats, who managed to get into the Canadian bacon when I made homemade pizza last night.)
And, as the package arrived on my birthday, it does double-duty as a birthday present. I'm quite impressed with the contents and the timing. Thanks!
Posted by AchillesHeel (Member # 11736) on :
I was staring at the manga in the book store, not knowing what an anime fan would and would not like let alone already have, I'm glad you like Ghost in the Shell.
That Japanese hand gestures includes some... odd explanations. Such as the gesture for 'boyfriend' also mentions that the gesture should not be used by women. That stopped my curiosity pretty quick.
Posted by DDDaysh (Member # 9499) on :
Sorry Cay, I wrote a little note to include with my SN, but I must have forgotten to put it in. Ooops!
Glad you're enjoying.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Strider: Your present should be arriving today. Sorry I couldn't send more, the other part of your gift had certain...issues.
Posted by Hank (Member # 8916) on :
I got mine today! There wasn't a username on the box, and I don't want to "out" anyone, but I love it! I got a bunch of beautiful stickers featuring different types of butterflies, and there are even enough to share with all "my" kids! I can't wait to wear them on our shirts to the Natural History Museum's butterfly room and look for the ones that match us! Thank you so much. :)
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
YAY! It was totally me. You are lucky they weren't spiders because I love spiders as much as butterflies. There's also going to be a second set too because I had two sent out.
Posted by Hank (Member # 8916) on :
Thanks, Synesthesia! I got both sets together, sorry I didn't mention it. I'm glad you went with the butterflies. Smithsonian might have an interactive spider exhibit too, for all I know, but I'm not sure I'd want to visit. :angst:
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
oooo! Really? does that mean they let you TOUCH the spiders? I want to do that!
My wolf spiders HATE being poked.
Posted by Hank (Member # 8916) on :
I've never participated, but they have a lot of insect exhibits, but I've only ever participated in the butterfly one. It's my favorite.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: Strider: Your present should be arriving today. Sorry I couldn't send more, the other part of your gift had certain...issues.
I'm not sure what that means!
Thanks for the book! Should I be worried? I didn't know my life was in such peril. Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Hank: Thanks so much for the fantastic game and mix tape! I used to play Gomoku a lot as a child and for whatever reason just stopped, and I've always kinda wanted to get back into it. I haven't had a chance to listen to the CD but rest assured I love me a random smattering of music.
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Strider: No. There *was* a second part to your gift but it got destroyed. I'm currently debating whether to do something else. I hope you enjoy the book, I initially was cool towards it, but I was very impressed with the material.
Posted by Hank (Member # 8916) on :
I'm glad! I was worried that it would be A) not cool enough for a "gamer," or B) One you already had.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
Hank: I put your CD in my car (inside the trunk's CD deck) and promptly forgot to turn it on once I started driving. But hey, at least I'm totally ready right!?
Posted by Hank (Member # 8916) on :
No worries. I won't fault you for a tardy review. :)
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
For those who haven't sent your gifts, expect follow up emails.
Posted by AchillesHeel (Member # 11736) on :
So when were we supposed to get these by?
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
My home computer is currently broken. I am currently posting from work where I don't have time to write the emails. My video card comes in the mail today though, so...
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I haven't gotten mine. I do not want the person to be banned, but it's been a while...
Posted by AchillesHeel (Member # 11736) on :
Ditto.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
AH: You should have recently received an email with updates on your gift. Did you receive it?
Synesthesia: I'm looking into it.
Posted by AchillesHeel (Member # 11736) on :
There isn't anything from you in my yahoo mail and no pm's.
Posted by JanitorBlade (Member # 12343) on :
Well, in any case, your gift should be on its way.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
AchillesHeel's gift is now on the way - mailed today. I sent a tracking number to JanitorBlade.
Sorry for the delay. It was a combination of my natural procrastination combined with my natural perfectionism, followed by a comedy of errors involving forgetting to bring stuff into town when I would have time to work on it between work hours, driving into town to get photos printed and realizing I forgot to transfer them to my flash drive, running out of glue stuff and having to buy more, running out of photos and having to get more printed (today, half an hour before the post office closed) ...
(All of this will become clear when the package arrives, which should be Monday.)
And I'm "outing" myself because although I put my name on the package, I forgot to put my nickname, so there you go.
And imagine me trying to pack the box that was in my trunk while standing outside on a windy Iowa winter day. I finished packing it inside the post office literally minutes before they closed today. So it's finally, actually on the way.
And the final part of the comedy of errors: realizing on the way home after mailing the package that I forgot to add one item, which will have to be sent later.
Posted by AchillesHeel (Member # 11736) on :
Thanks Cay, I know how it can be when you have to drive a ways just to pick up your mail. You have now made me extremely curious!
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I was hoping to whet your appetite. I had fun with the photo part of the package. After you get it, I'll explain more.
Posted by AchillesHeel (Member # 11736) on :
I am awestruck by the gifts Cay! Thank you so much, really, even my own family has difficulties getting me presents and you have surprised me!
Linky link. 1. A book of historical photo's from Fort Dodge, signed by the author. 2. A handmade photo album of early 1900's clowns, and hand written notes throughout with names and tie-ins to Fort Dodge! I adore this so much, both books are going on my special book shelf. 3, 4 and 5. Porcelain clowns: one that looks decidedly like a spotted mushroom imo, a young hobo-clown-boy with puppy and my favorite is the hobo-clown looking through the trash.
Edit to add, and that clown on the bottom left was actually on the box itself, I saw it fit to save it. You rule Cay.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
*waves shyly because I still didn't get a gift*
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
AchillesHeel:
The portion that didn't get sent was a set of the same clown stickers as the one on the box. So I'll get that sent out sometime, too.
As I mentioned, the process didn't go smoothly. I took a long time to figure out what I wanted to send. I had the history book but didn't get it signed for the longest time, which is silly, since Roger Natte is a friend of mine. I started putting the scrapbook together using glue stick for adhesive, which made the pages stiff and curled, so I had to start over. Luckily at that point I didn't have the photos yet. And at the last minute I had to have more photos printed because I didn't plan ahead.
But it all worked out and I'm so glad you liked it. I think I'm going to have to do another one or possibly two - I showed the scrapbook and the photos to a friend (before the photos were actually in the scrapbook) and she really liked them. I might do one for her, and maybe one for me.
Oh, and the hobo clowns are candle holders. I thought they might be a bit too cutesy for you, but also thought you probably wouldn't have anything like them.
Posted by AchillesHeel (Member # 11736) on :
Just about the first thing I noticed about the book was the signature, which prompted me to treat it as the third most fragile book I own, I was wondering what your relation was to the author. To be honest, the smell of elmer's glue kind of endeared the scrapbook to me even more, the photo of the girl surrounded by clowns is my favorite by far (so much so I included it in the picture I linked.)
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
Roger Natte is a local historian who has written several books. He's a member of the local historical society and historic preservation commission. I designed the current website, although I think I could do better now. (Actually I think it needs to go to WordPress, but I'm really into WordPress now.)
And Roger is a really nice guy. He's always willing to talk to me about local history, and he's involved in creating history programs in the area. (which I usually miss, either forgetting about them or having to work)
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
So I'm sorry to say that it's looking like Strider's gift to Rabbit and Rabbit's gift to Synesthesia got stuck in the postal system.
I don't know if it's related at all but in my work I've recently been trying to deal with USPS and it's complete inability to deliver products to the Virgin Islands. It seems like that entire region is a mess when it comes to delivering the mail.
I've tried to check with USPS about what specifically is going on but the agents I talk to aren't clued into the situation and just give me standard CS lines about the issue. I'm not holding out much hope the packages will ever arrive, and I am truly sorry we couldn't get everybody a package this year. But thanks so much for all of you folks' participation.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Awwww.
Well, could I at least know what it was? Maybe they might be able to get them out, but sometimes mail gets mangled.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
Rabbit, I'm bummed to hear my gift didn't make it to you! I don't know if I could've done anything differently to have ensured delivery, but I'm sorry nonetheless.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Hey Strider, I got your gift this week. Thanks!!
I'll make another attempt at sending a gift to Synesthesia. Maybe the second times the charm.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
yay! i LOVE presents.
Especially live spiders.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit: Hey Strider, I got your gift this week. Thanks!!
Awesome! I'm glad to hear the package was only on time delay.
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