FacebookTwitter
Hatrack River Forum   
my profile login | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Hatrack River Forum » Active Forums » Books, Films, Food and Culture » Hatrack Gift Exchange 2011 (Sad Updates) (Page 0)

  This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2   
Author Topic: Hatrack Gift Exchange 2011 (Sad Updates)
AchillesHeel
Member
Member # 11736

 - posted      Profile for AchillesHeel   Email AchillesHeel         Edit/Delete Post 
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. [Wink]

Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
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.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Strider
Member
Member # 1807

 - posted      Profile for Strider   Email Strider         Edit/Delete Post 
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.

Posts: 8741 | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
Email assignments were sent at least 24 hours ago, I hope everybody got theirs.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Synesthesia
Member
Member # 4774

 - posted      Profile for Synesthesia   Email Synesthesia         Edit/Delete Post 
got mine. What is the deadline? This site was super mega slow loading.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
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. [Smile]

Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
DDDaysh
Member
Member # 9499

 - posted      Profile for DDDaysh   Email DDDaysh         Edit/Delete Post 
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.

Posts: 1321 | Registered: Jun 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Hank
Member
Member # 8916

 - posted      Profile for Hank   Email Hank         Edit/Delete Post 
Mine was officially mailed today!
Posts: 368 | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
I will be mailing mine this week. If any of you have lost or not received your assignment, PLEASE let me know immediately.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
DDDaysh
Member
Member # 9499

 - posted      Profile for DDDaysh   Email DDDaysh         Edit/Delete Post 
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!

Posts: 1321 | Registered: Jun 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Derrell
Member
Member # 6062

 - posted      Profile for Derrell   Email Derrell         Edit/Delete Post 
I hope you like it.
Posts: 4569 | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Synesthesia
Member
Member # 4774

 - posted      Profile for Synesthesia   Email Synesthesia         Edit/Delete Post 
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.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Derrell
Member
Member # 6062

 - posted      Profile for Derrell   Email Derrell         Edit/Delete Post 
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.

Posts: 4569 | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
Gift sent. Should be arriving in 2 business days.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
CaySedai
Member
Member # 6459

 - posted      Profile for CaySedai   Email CaySedai         Edit/Delete Post 
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!

Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
AchillesHeel
Member
Member # 11736

 - posted      Profile for AchillesHeel   Email AchillesHeel         Edit/Delete Post 
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.

Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
DDDaysh
Member
Member # 9499

 - posted      Profile for DDDaysh   Email DDDaysh         Edit/Delete Post 
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.

Posts: 1321 | Registered: Jun 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
Strider: Your present should be arriving today. Sorry I couldn't send more, the other part of your gift had certain...issues.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Hank
Member
Member # 8916

 - posted      Profile for Hank   Email Hank         Edit/Delete Post 
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. :)
Posts: 368 | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Synesthesia
Member
Member # 4774

 - posted      Profile for Synesthesia   Email Synesthesia         Edit/Delete Post 
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.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Hank
Member
Member # 8916

 - posted      Profile for Hank   Email Hank         Edit/Delete Post 
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:
Posts: 368 | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Synesthesia
Member
Member # 4774

 - posted      Profile for Synesthesia   Email Synesthesia         Edit/Delete Post 
oooo! Really? does that mean they let you TOUCH the spiders? I want to do that!

My wolf spiders HATE being poked.

Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Hank
Member
Member # 8916

 - posted      Profile for Hank   Email Hank         Edit/Delete Post 
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.
Posts: 368 | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Strider
Member
Member # 1807

 - posted      Profile for Strider   Email Strider         Edit/Delete Post 
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. [Smile]

Posts: 8741 | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
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. [Smile]

------

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.

Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Hank
Member
Member # 8916

 - posted      Profile for Hank   Email Hank         Edit/Delete Post 
I'm glad! I was worried that it would be A) not cool enough for a "gamer," or B) One you already had.
Posts: 368 | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
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!?
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Hank
Member
Member # 8916

 - posted      Profile for Hank   Email Hank         Edit/Delete Post 
No worries. I won't fault you for a tardy review. :)
Posts: 368 | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
For those who haven't sent your gifts, expect follow up emails.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
AchillesHeel
Member
Member # 11736

 - posted      Profile for AchillesHeel   Email AchillesHeel         Edit/Delete Post 
So when were we supposed to get these by?
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
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...
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Synesthesia
Member
Member # 4774

 - posted      Profile for Synesthesia   Email Synesthesia         Edit/Delete Post 
I haven't gotten mine. I do not want the person to be banned, but it's been a while...
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
AchillesHeel
Member
Member # 11736

 - posted      Profile for AchillesHeel   Email AchillesHeel         Edit/Delete Post 
Ditto.
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
AH: You should have recently received an email with updates on your gift. Did you receive it?

Synesthesia: I'm looking into it.

Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
AchillesHeel
Member
Member # 11736

 - posted      Profile for AchillesHeel   Email AchillesHeel         Edit/Delete Post 
There isn't anything from you in my yahoo mail and no pm's.
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
JanitorBlade
Administrator
Member # 12343

 - posted      Profile for JanitorBlade   Email JanitorBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
Well, in any case, your gift should be on its way.
Posts: 1194 | Registered: Jun 2010  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
CaySedai
Member
Member # 6459

 - posted      Profile for CaySedai   Email CaySedai         Edit/Delete Post 
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.

Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
AchillesHeel
Member
Member # 11736

 - posted      Profile for AchillesHeel   Email AchillesHeel         Edit/Delete Post 
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!
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
CaySedai
Member
Member # 6459

 - posted      Profile for CaySedai   Email CaySedai         Edit/Delete Post 
I was hoping to whet your appetite. [Smile] I had fun with the photo part of the package. After you get it, I'll explain more.
Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
AchillesHeel
Member
Member # 11736

 - posted      Profile for AchillesHeel   Email AchillesHeel         Edit/Delete Post 
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.

Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Synesthesia
Member
Member # 4774

 - posted      Profile for Synesthesia   Email Synesthesia         Edit/Delete Post 
*waves shyly because I still didn't get a gift*
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
CaySedai
Member
Member # 6459

 - posted      Profile for CaySedai   Email CaySedai         Edit/Delete Post 
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.

Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
AchillesHeel
Member
Member # 11736

 - posted      Profile for AchillesHeel   Email AchillesHeel         Edit/Delete Post 
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.)
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
CaySedai
Member
Member # 6459

 - posted      Profile for CaySedai   Email CaySedai         Edit/Delete Post 
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)

Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
BlackBlade
Member
Member # 8376

 - posted      Profile for BlackBlade   Email BlackBlade         Edit/Delete Post 
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.

Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Synesthesia
Member
Member # 4774

 - posted      Profile for Synesthesia   Email Synesthesia         Edit/Delete Post 
Awwww.

Well, could I at least know what it was? Maybe they might be able to get them out, but sometimes mail gets mangled.

Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Strider
Member
Member # 1807

 - posted      Profile for Strider   Email Strider         Edit/Delete Post 
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.
Posts: 8741 | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
The Rabbit
Member
Member # 671

 - posted      Profile for The Rabbit   Email The Rabbit         Edit/Delete Post 
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.

Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Synesthesia
Member
Member # 4774

 - posted      Profile for Synesthesia   Email Synesthesia         Edit/Delete Post 
yay! i LOVE presents.

Especially live spiders.

Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Strider
Member
Member # 1807

 - posted      Profile for Strider   Email Strider         Edit/Delete Post 
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. [Smile]
Posts: 8741 | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
  This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2   

   Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | Hatrack River Home Page

Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2