| Tales
from the Trail My poor attempt at blogging |
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| Index 2008 August 27 2007 December 11 |
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| Do
You Get It?
- What is the point to it all? August 27, 2008 |
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I posted this early this morning
to the Premium Members board on AtlasQuest,
but I really think it bares repeating here, in a more public
place. I think I really get into some of my more recent thoughts
on some of the public forums and how people seem to more and more perceive
what letterboxing is and is not. I am not saying my thoughts on
it are the right thoughts, but rather there really are no right
thoughts, no right way, and that far too many people spend far too
much time talking about doing things rather then actually doing them
and being concerned about what others think of what they do.
Does that make sense? Maybe I worry too much myself?
Well, here it is: Hey, you're catching on! Basically, the way I look at it, there is only one rule, do no harm, or at least, no irreparable harm. If someone is padding
their logbook, that is something, that, in their own minds, they are
going to have to come to terms with. I see lots of folks posting event
boxes as traditional boxes, even when they are nothing more then table
toppers. Sure, it messes with searching for real boxes in the location
of the gathering, and it falsely adds to their total plants, and it may
even get a blue diamond when it is not really a traditional box, but
those folks must have come to terms with their decision, and that is on
them. |
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| Feedback - Email me | |
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I so loved this post. So
many don't get it. Suppose to be fun and not "you must agree
to my ways or I will not share my clues" or "you do not have
enough experience for my boxes", etc, etc. (ad nauseam). Oh well.
Guess I'll remain clueless.... |
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| Boxing
the Brandywine
- What took so long? August 26, 2008 |
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 I
know, what took me so long to box the Brandywine?
In the past week I have been down there actually boxing twice, and a third time to meet with Sheba and Moon Owl. Brandywine park is just a spectacular example of an urban park, with a great landscape, bridges, canals, and five wonderful boxes (two of which are mysteries).
Brandywine Park is part of the Wilmington State Parks and also has Delaware's only zoo, the small Brandywine Zoo. As for the boxes, I really enjoyed FishMan's Fish of the Brandywine boxes. The clues were very clever, you actually had to imagine that the park was underwater to follow the flow of the clues. They took you to some less visited sections and trails on the park, which is something I really enjoy. And the stamps were phenomenal. I enjoyed the park so much that
I decided I needed to return with Becky, The museum itself is very nice, and free on Sundays. We wandered around a little bit, but not long, before finding the box. I would like to return and actually tour the museum at some point. The box was excellent though.
We ended up getting to the
bottom of the series and found a way to cut through to the neighboring
Brandywine Park. A trail is proposed to do this, I certainly hope to return sooner, rather then later, to find the boxes I have missed, and maybe visit the zoo. I managed to take a bunch of picture on my two visits. far more then can be placed here, so feel free to visit the gallery. Thanks to Fishman for the great boxes and allowing me to post some images.
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| Still
Got It - I
guess I was just in a funk August 18, 2008 |
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| Yup,
I've still got it. Lately I have been feeling in a funk. I
would go out boxing and just have trouble finding anything. I've
not had my head about me, not reading clues right, and just not with it.
Well, Becky and I biked to brunch on Sunday in Shirlington. It is about a five mile ride down the W&OD Trail and the Shirlington trail to get to a Mexican restaurant that she likes. We enjoyed a great brunch on the patio, it was a perfect day, lots of people about so I enjoyed some people watching, another pass time of mine, and generally enjoyed each other's company. On the return we went for a box, the W&OD Trail Letterbox. Becky had found it several years ago, and was not totally sure it was still there. She also was not feeling too well at this point, and was pretty tired. So, she rested at a pavilion in Glen Carlin Park while I went to find the box. It was not far. I rode down the trail. There was supposed to be a sign directing you to the nature center that I was supposed to follow, but it was gone, so I figured out what trail it was and followed it. Next I was supposed to follow a fence to the end, but there was no fence in sight, gone. I did find the next landmark, a metal culvert, but a storm drain that was supposed to be there was gone, so I was not sure I was in the right spot. I then looked up the hill and there it was, the tree. It had to be it, it was large and looking like it could well hide a box. I set my bike aside and headed up the hill. I walked to the left around the tree, no hole, no hole, and then there it was, a big hole in the tree and a box totally exposed in it. That moment of triumph is what I so enjoy about boxing. The joy of finding a box that is difficult or you think is not there is truly a feeling I get with no other activity. It is this joyous, almost euphoric reaction. All the counting, the clever gimmicky boxes, the kids crap, all that stuff doesn't come close to making me as happy as I am when I am in the woods, just me, Becky, and the clues, looking things over, working them out, and finding the box. I think that is what it is really all about, and I got it back! |
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| Feedback - Email me - Have you still got it? | |
| Something
to Ponder - And
other odds and ends August 4, 2008 |
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Here is something interesting that I thought worth thinking about: "But isn't the clue
what the clue is? It will never change, or at least it should never
change. Things being what they are nowadays, what with every Tom, Dick
and Harry who can write code changing the game, people feel the need for
there to be an online record of what box has been found when and by who.
Isn't the whole essence of a treasure hunt the overcoming of the
degradation of the clue over time? With out doubt things in nature will
change, should I change my clue to keep up with these changes? I think
not, let the hunter figure out what might have changed and what they
need to do to overcome the obstacles presented to them. I got some
feedback on one of my boxes that said that rattlesnake's had taken up
residency in the rock formation the box was hidden in. All I could think
was "Awesome!! Have fun with that people." If a park makes
changes to it's trail system in the time between me writing my clue and
someone reading that clue, should it be up to me to make sure that info
is passed on? Again, I think not. Get an old map if that is what it
takes to find the box, or not, I could care less either way. I didn't
place the box so that I could enjoy you finding it, I placed it for you
to enjoy finding. If you find it or not means very little to me." Now Brian is an old school letterboxes, and I don't buy into all of his thinking, though I do totally understand and agree on his wondering for the need for folks to have to log everything in some online database. But, I digress, and the matter at hand is really if clues should be updated to reflect changes. Personally, I think they should, within limits. If there has been a dramatic change, one that totally effects the finding of the box, then yes. Otherwise, I am agreeing with Brian here. Letterboxing, in its essence, is still a treasure hunt. You are still looking for something in the woods, and part of the joy of it is figuring through the clues to find it. While clues can be frustrating, the point where you finally figure it out, the "Ah ha!" moment, it the moment that is worth it for me. And, sometimes you fail, and that is an important lesson to learn as well. Just recently there was discussion as to why the National Park Passport cancellations are not posted on AtlasQuest. After all, they are stamps, the writer says. But, they are not letterboxes, and that idea was pretty well thrown out, which is a good thing. But, does everything have to be logged online? Does anything? In the end, does it all really matter. I record my finds so I can better keep track of what I have and have not found, but I have pretty much stepped away from logging anything else, except hitch hikers. Why? Because it doesn't really matter to me. Event stamps, cooties, personal travelers, there are so many that it, in the end, does not make a difference. And as for the date, again, it does not matter. We had dinner with Wisconsin Hiker and Martini Man a few months back. She said something about letterboxing that I found pretty profound. "Letterboxing is not a kids game," she said, "it is an adult's game that kids can learn to play. I'll leave that one with the reader until next time. |
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| Feedback - Email me - Give me something more to ponder | |
| Another
Weekend - The
more I see her, the more I love her July 14, 2008 |
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 It
is true, the more I see her, the more time I spend with her, the more I
love Becky.
This weekend could be summed up as wedding planning weekend. I worked Saturday morning, well, all night actually, and knew I would be in no shape to drive down to Becky's after work. So, I took the train. I have been wanting to make the train work, save fuel and some wear and tear on both the car and myself, but the schedules just would not work for me. I finally figured it out though. I could park at Sheba's house and walk to the local SEPTA station. From there I could get to Wilmington in time to get an early Amtrak train to DC. Reverse to get home, and I still get back in time for work. With the cost of fuel I almost break even, it costs a bit more, but saves me from actually have to drive all that distance. That was, until they raised the fares on the train I need to take. The train an hour before, which makes the same stops, is $17 cheaper. I would like someone at Amtrak explain to me how they are encouraging people to take the train if they don't at least make it comparable? Well, I digress, it was still a good ride down, and I could sleep, so even better. I was greeted at the gate by my Becky. She seemed to be shimmering in the light from the station as I walked through the door, wearing the very pretty strapless blue dress she had gotten the week before. She looked stunning. She was holding some flowers she picked up for me. This is a kind of role reversal, since I usually leave her flowers on my desk when she comes up here to Philadelphia. I promptly presented her with the flowers with a smile. We met with the caterer that afternoon and spent some time on the planning. We made some changes to the servers and what we will be needing, and also the park is charging the caterer a smaller fee, so we were able to knock about $2000 off the bill, which is huge. Further in the good news department, her cousin John gave her a call the next morning and said he talked to a photographer friend of his and she can do the wedding, and he is going to pay for it as a gift. Becky was ecstatic, as looking at photography it was looking to be really expensive, even though we really didn't want to do anything elaborate. So things in the wedding department keep looking up.
We did, however, get to talk to the carousel operator. My parents have offered to rent the carousel for an hour so guests can ride. It also gives us a chance to get photos on it, which Becky is very excited about. We asked a few questions about the carousel and what can be done for the rental. I asked about the band organ, and if I could request certain music to be played if they had it on rolls, which we could. Becky was hoping to have some swing music on it, and we were lucky in that he had a special roll for it made up, and it was loaded that day. A few minutes later, swing started playing on the organ, which was perfect. The organ can be loaded with two rolls, each plays for about 25 minutes, so one will be the swing roll, and I would like the other to be something patriotic.
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| Feedback - Email me | |
| She was "shimmering" in the train station? Damn, bro--you start getting that lyrical, it better be concealing clues to a box again.... Glad you guys had a good weekend! -Sheba | |
| Floating
Apartments - I am
not the strange one here. June 30, 2008 |
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 A
few weeks ago Becky says to me she left my house, looked down the
street, and saw an apartment building floating by.
"Huh?" I asked. She knew it was really a ship going down
the river and was amazed the first time she saw it. And they truly
are amazing. The freighters that move up and down the river are
massive, and as they are passing they basically fill the entire opening
to the river and wharf at the bottom of the street. I was
astonished the first time I stepped out and saw one too.
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| Time
To Fly - Sorry, not
the Flying Turns June 23, 2008 |
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 While
I wish I could be writing about a ride on the Flying Turns, which seems
to have hit a snag, I am instead referring to another Flyer which has
been a long time in coming, the Ravine Flyer II at
Waldameer Park in
Erie.
After more then a decade of litigation with a neighbor, Waldameer park was finally able to build this spectacular new coaster that sits on the edge of Lake Erie high above Presque Isle State Park. Becky and I finally got to ride it a few weeks ago after Coaster Mania at Cedar Point. At first I was not sure I was going to make the trip. Becky is not too good with long car rides, and we would be going for Sandusky to Erie to Pittsburgh that day after a very long day at Cedar Point. But a few weeks before hand I saw a POV posted and decided I have to get up there and give it a ride. Both of us were glad we did because it turned out to be the best ride of the trip. Yes, it was better then anything Cedar Point had to offer! In fact, I would venture to say it is the best Gravity Group coaster I have ridden, being more fun then either Hades or Voyage. The key to this ride is rerideablity, which this ride has loads of. It is just plain fun to ride, with a great variety of elements that don't try to do too much. Becky and I got to the park early. I didn't think it was early, it was afternoon, but I had forgotten from a previous trip that the park doesn't open until 1PM, which is pretty late. We had just limited time, and did not want to stay long, but ended up staying longer then planned, and could have stayed all day, the park is just that nice and fun. We got our wristbands and walked around a bit. We played some DDR in the arcade (Becky is good at it, I am terrible) and finally headed over the new coaster, getting in line to wait for it to open. The wait was interesting. There were some kids behind us who had never ridden a large wooden coaster before. It was fun to listen to their fascination over every aspect of the ride. It made me feel fresh again as well, getting some butterflies while anticipating the ride, a feeling I have not had in some time. I was actually very excited and thrilled to get on this coaster, and it has been a very long time since I was very excited about any coaster. We got into the station and headed to the frond seat. There was no line for it as they had an attendant at the entrance to the station directing people where to go, but not doing a very good job at it, and we just kinda ignored her and got into the front seat queue behind one other couple. The ride itself, well, it is just amazing. You get to the top of the lift and are treated to a fantastic view of Lake Erie, which you almost feel as if you are going to dive right into as you make a turning drop down the ravine and across Peninsula Drive. On the other side is an upward turnaround with a real rib cracking snap back down and over the drive again before the ride heads into a twisting mixing bowl behind the station that includes another nice drop into the ravine. The ride is not too too long, just the right length, and it packs a punch with loads of airtime and some nice laterals, including a 90° banked turn for good measure. I turned to Becky on the brake run, who is beeming, "Wanna ride again?" A big head rattle is her response. The coaster is very enjoyable and you can ride it over and over again. It does not have the power or intensity of some of the larger coasters out there, but it is just plain fun, and I think that is the most important factor of any ride.
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| Feedback - Nothing like taking flight - Email me | |
| Sky
Meadows - There
is a reason they call it that June 12, 2008 |
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We were presented with a choice for the end of May. We could go to Campin 'n Stampin, which is what we really wanted to do, or we could go to her family's reunion, which we really had to do. So we choose the later, figuring if we are going to be getting married, it might be a good idea for the family to get to know me. Well, we are still working on that part. We even considered doing the reunion and then driving the three hours to Tuckahoe State Park for the gathering, but thought that may be a bit much and instead decided to camp at Sky Meadows State park and do some hiking the next day.
We first stopped by Shenandoah River State Park. Becky planted a few boxes a few weeks before and wanted me to check on her clues before she posted them. As it turned out, the trail the boxes are on is now closed due to the construction of some cabins nearby. In fact, most of the trails in the park were closed. I noticed a flyer about a class on geocaching the next day, and said we should go and ask about if permits are needed for geocaches, which would also translate to letterboxes. As it turned out, permits were not needed, and the park simply asked to know where the boxes were, and were delighted to have them there. So the stop was not a total loss. We had no luck finding Lake Arrowhead, but we did check out the picnic pavilion nearby where someone was preping for a wedding. It looked very nice and they were happy for us to have a look around. We had better luck with Carillon in Luray. Becky actually found this one a few weeks earlier, and loved Daughter of the Stars a little bit out of town next to the old Katharine Furnace. We left the box just in time to miss a heavy storm that came rolling in.
We hiked in, got camp set up, and collected wood and got a fire going. After some coals were laid down I fixed dinner, prepared tin foil dinners, which hit the spot perfectly. The night was prefect, not a cloud in the sky, and we spent some time just enjoying the stars and each other's company. The next morning we did not break camp right away, but instead headed out for breakfast, finding a nice little diner not too far away. We then collected our clues to do some of the boxes in the park, as well as check on one of her boxes.
We managed to dislodge the snake and finally got on the trail. We first found her box, Mystic II. The stamp was broken in half but the logbook looked great, but full. We would later return with a replacement stamp and a fresh logbook, leaving the old for folks to enjoy.
We headed back down the mountain and back to camp to break down and get our last box of the day, Sky Meadows Forest, which was planted right next to our site. It was a store bought that made no sense, but that is OK, it was not out of our way. We returned home in time for Becky's bell choir concert, another reason to stay closer to home. |
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| Feedback - That pack is how heavy? - Email me | |
| Hiking
in the Smokies - The
best part of our trip April 4, 2008 |
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 Who
would have thought that taking a five and a half mile hike up a mountain
could be the best part of a vacation? I guess Becky and I are both
a little nuts, because we thought so.
We decided at least one good hike would be called for on this trip. The rest of the trip was spent at a gathering, riding rollercoasters, shopping, or enjoying other extra curricular activities. The Rainbow Falls hike was one I had wanted to do. I had gone up the trail about ½ a mile a few years ago for a letterbox (which is no longer there), but was unprepared to do the entire hike. This time I was ready, and had good company with me, and Becky and I held hands for nearly the entire hike.
The walk up to the falls was long and hard. It was up hill all the way, a full 1700 foot elevation gain we would later come to learn. We made many stops but did pretty well just trudging along. There were two other couples of hikers which we would exchange places with along the way.
The other couple were a young couple who were backpacking. We chatted with them for a little while, but never got their names. The guy was a local who had recent back surgery. The girl was actually from the DC metro area. They planned to go the entire way up the mountain and stay the night at the lodge at the top. They were training for a month long AT hike in a few weeks time. They took our picture for us at one of the falls.
This was evidenced upon our return to the hotel, where we settled our aching feet and legs into the hot tub. We told of our day to one one woman there, who could not believe that we went on vacation to hike. Too much work for her, she explained. Well worth it for us though. More photos from this hike can be found here. |
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| Feedback - I can finally feel my calves! - Email me | |
| McLetterboxing
- Its real! April 1, 2008 |
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 Well,
I laughed along with everyone else when I saw AtlasQuest
this morning. As usual, Ryan has some great wit for us on April
Fools Day.
Then, Becky and I stopped for lunch. We are on our way home and pulled into the McDonalds in Newport, TN. we walked in, and what did we find? Letterboxing themed happy meals were plastered all over the place. They seem to be very well done, cute images, and a great prize. The kid's toy included a carving tool that seems pretty kid safe, some really soft carving material, a logbook, and a combo whistle compass thing. What's more, on the counter were
clues for the kids to look for a box right there at the restaurant.
It was hidden outside near the playland. I spoke to the manager, and he said the letterboxing was just a test promo, and they would only have it for a few weeks. The kids seemed to be having fun with it though. BTW, we were first finders, and it was a carved stamp on the MickyD's stuff. PS, sorry for the poor pictures, my camera battery died and my phone stinks at taking photos. Will get a better shot of the box soon. |
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| Feedback - Email me | |
| Real
Men... - Wonder
if Hallmark makes a card for this? February 25, 2008 |
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| ...Don't
hurt their women. Simple as that. I love Becky, would do
everything for her, and will never do anything to hurt her. It
saddens me that other men do not follow suit, do not love and respect
the feelings of the women that they are with, that they married and
vowed to have and hold forever. Women that they have had children
with. Real men do not leave their women on a whim, on the spur of
the moment because they think they have fallen in love with another
woman, or because they want something another man has. I strive to
be a real man, sometimes I don't live up to my own standards, but when
it comes to women, I do all I can, and there are some rules that are
never broken.
I was appalled that the Mid-Atlantic list was used to announce an affair: What else brought me back?.....Well i have been bombarded with emails about my recent activities, and whereabouts. I hosted an event on 12/15/2007, where I met old friends and many a new letterboxer. Oddly, here I met a letterboxer named "Trailing Emerson". Over the next few days, we chatted via email, before meeting yet again, at Cyclonic's Herndon mini-meet on 12/23/2007. Well....7 weeks later, it has been an amazing ride, and it seems I have fallen deeply in love with her. So weird to say that, but its true, and crazy at the same time. She is by far, the most amazing person I have ever met, inside and out. I have left out many details, but it has been the most amazing weeks of my life. If there ever is a soulmate, this is it....You always find the most amazing things where you least expect them, and this is the case, with what i found with Trailing Emerson. Yea, shocking, huh... Bulldawg is not a real man. Oh, I know, how can I state such a thing? It is mean, insulting, but in my mind it is also very, very true. His love for Jill, true or not, is wrong and hurtful to others. How can he hurt Shell in such a way? Moreover, how can he hurt his children like this? To publicly display your love for another woman while married is immoral and just plain wrong. Shell and the children are not the only ones being hurt by this: Q: How did you first learn of letterboxing? I can only guess that his neighbor, and the person who introduced him to letterboxing, Koyote, had a few things to say about this as well, and this was his response. It is a shame, as he has driven an old letterboxer pretty much out of the hobby, and continues to hurt him as well. It has even hurt my Becky, who thinks that our love was a catalyst for this. I do not believe that, and I have told her it is not so, but it is there in the back of her mind. She came from a broken home, one where she never saw her parents happy together, where they insulted each other in front of her and used her to hurt one another. Even to this day that happens, and it hurts her greatly. I do all I can to comfort her, to love her, and it it hurtful when she calls me crying because of something one of her parents has said about the other. I fear that his children may forever be caught in that same trap, that they someday will be calling their loved one for the same reason, seeking comfort after being so hurt. Love is a wonderful thing, but can also be a painful thing. It takes work to love someone. I feel as if I am floating when I think about Becky, and Jay maybe feeling the same when he thinks about Jill, but did he not think the same way once about Shell? Does he not think so about his two young children? And how can he do this so publicly, so soon, with out saying anything about his wife or children. I can only hope that Jill can take full examination of this, that this is hurting people around him, people that love him and helped him in his journey through life. The damage may already be done. I for one will ignore anything he says on any of the lists. I will never again attend one of his gatherings, and he is not welcome at any of mine. I do not approve of what he has done, as I don't think any real man would. |
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| Feedback - Email me | |
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Dear Nathan,
First of all, I want to say
that I value your friendship above everything. I do not want
anything I am going to say to interfere with our friendship either.
So, that being said, I think you are terribly wrong about the Bulldawg/Emerson situation.
You cannot judge someone else's decisions without knowing all of the
facts. You cannot know what his relationship with his wife was
like, they may have never been meant to be together. They may be
in very different places in their lives, and have grown apart.
For example, I am the child of divorced parents. Leafcutters and
my mother (who goes by knitknut) divorced when I was seven. It
was hard on us, but at the same time my parents should never have been
together in the first place. I am thankful they were because my
brother and I are alive, but staying together just for the
children is not the right thing to do. It makes the situation
worse. Thankfully, Leafcutters and my mom were able to put aside
their differences and concentrate on raising us.
I just find it very sophomoric
and ridiculous to keep this 'test of the wills' going on between you
both. I understand that you are perhaps hurt but Bulldawg/Emerson's
relationship. You don't think it is the right thing to do.
I understand that you are madly in love with Becky, and I am truly
happy for you both! Honestly very happy. But life is not
black OR white-- there are many shades of gray. I just feel that
by publicly blogging about this issue you are adding to the situation.
Bulldawg may be 'wrong' in your eyes, but not in his own eyes.
You can't force someone to feel guilt if they don't already feel
guilty, and that is what I think you are trying to do. Perhaps
this public outing is not the best venue? Perhaps privately
talking or emailing Bulldawg would have been more appropriate?
It just seems that the situation calls for understanding, not name
calling and finger pointing. No one is perfect, not you,
not me, not even Becky. No one, we all make mistakes and we live
with the consequences. Bulldawg will live the consequences of
his mistakes at some point, karma is a bitch :) but I would just ask
you to be level headed in this situation. Try to understand
what he's going through too.
- Lotus |
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| I
understand your being upset by my posting. I knew it would upset
some people even though I do not intentionally do that. Maybe I
should have written it and left it at that, without the posting to the
list. But I should at least explain how I got here. I had actually been contemplating writing it for a few weeks. I was thinking along the lines of I just should not say anything, to leave it be and it would go away. It has nothing to do with Becky and I, or conflicts he and I had in the past, but instead everything to do with how he is abusing the list, and Atlas Quest for that matter, to announce his affair with another woman. I find it morally reprehensible that he does this in this manner, and that is what pushed me to write and speak my peace. I would not have said anything, publicly at least, had he simply posted once and let it go at that. But instead he rejoined the list and has been posting over and over again about it. He updates his AQ profile daily (yes, I scroll down to see who has updated), and continues to use it to hurt not only his wife, but also other people, like that direct slam at Koyote. He made it public, and he ignored it whenever anyone hinted at his marriage, and I was not the first to mention it. Becky did write to him. I don't know what she said, she was writing it and I left the room to leave her to her thoughts. She still has not gotten a response. Today I wrote to Trailing Emerson. I should have done it sooner, I know that now. I am hoping she can give me a straight answer. I know that marriage can be very difficult, and that sometimes people just weren't meant to be together. You speak of your own parents and how they simply were not meant to be together. But, at the same time, would your father ever have done this to your mother? I know the man, and I don't believe he would, and I don't know him nearly as well as you do. I thought maybe his wife left him, but that does not add up. He was with his wife both times I saw him in December, at the same time he met and supposedly fell in love with Jill. Michelle and the children were both there. I can even understand falling for another woman, but then reality should set in, and know that you are married to a lovely woman and have two wonderful children. I have just been appalled by the entire situation. Appalled that he latch onto Sara's wonderful story to announce he is having an affair. I consider myself a moral man. I am not a religious man, but moral none the less, and to do this just angers me. No, there is no black and white, but there is a right side and a wrong side of gray, and I think Bulldawg has stepped onto the wrong side. My only hope is that this is all some sort of game. If it is, it is not a fun game though. It is a very hurtful game. I think Bulldawg is very hurtful to everyone here, and a harmful force in the hobby. I hope I have better explained where I am coming from. |
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Nathan,
Your response was very well
said, very well said. I understand where you are coming for
better now, I think the further explanation helped me to understand
it. You are absolutely right on the morality of the issue, and I
actually agree with you on several points. I agree that my
father would never have done this to my mother, but my mother did do
this to my dad. So, I can understand both points there. I
also agree that if Bulldawg is abusing LBMA or AQ to further the
situation that would also be wrong. But I would hope that this
is a complex Bulldawg rouse rather than the truth. Nathan, I
like you- for your brutal honesty and your ability to confront a
situation. That, I think is commendable, but I would again argue
for constraint. It's a difficult situation for all those
involved. I don't' know Bulldawg personally, I have never met
him-- but I am against public 'outing' of anyone. I guess it's
just a difference of opinion. Thank you for sharing your point
of view, I appreciate that!
-Lotus |
|
| A
Helping Paw - The
Queen and her work. February 1, 2008 |
|
| The
Queen figures she can help out some with the clue solving:
Of course, I fully expect this to be the scene when I get home tonight:
|
|
| Feedback - Email me | |
| Conneaut Lake Fire - Breaking news this morning.February 1, 2008 | |
 I
don't usually do any breaking news type of thing, but I just saw this
from the Erie press and thought it to be sad.
From the Meadville Tribune, the local paper of record: The fire than destroyed Conneaut Lake Park’s historic Dreamland Ballroom this morning is under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal’s Office. The fire at the 115-year-old amusement park was discovered about 2 a.m. by emergency medical technicians en route back to Conneaut Lake from a car accident at Conneautville, according to George Deshner, the park’s general manager. More than a dozen fire departments from the area were called to battle the blaze. He said the initial call indicated the fire was at Hotel Conneaut, but that turned out not to be true. The fire spread Dreamland Ballroom and the maintenance building down the amusement park’s midway, stopping at the Skee Ball stand, Deshner said. He said the Skee Ball stand will be demolished today. The midway is a row of connected, more than century-old, wood-frame structures that house many of the park's games and food stands. Behind the midway facades are important storage areas for rides, as well as repair shops where amusement-ride cars are fixed, maintained and stored. Jack Moyers, chairman of the board of trustees which oversees the park operations, said there was no fire insurance on the building.
Moyers praised the work of the fire departments who battled the breeze in freezing rain. Above is a picture of the ballroom on a beautiful May evening in 2005. This is very bad news for the park which has been struggling now for years to stay open and did not open at all last season. I fear very much that this could mean the end of the park. |
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| Feedback - Email me | |
| Max
Patch Thoughts
- OK, does this make any sense? February 1, 2008 |
|
| So,
I was looking over this Birth
of American Letterboxing Event in April. I have no intention
of going at all, but saw some postings and figured I would see what all
the fuss was about. Something interesting caught my eye:
"THE MAX PATCH BOX WILL BE REMOVED APRIL 24 2008 AND TAKEN TO THE GATHERING IN HOT SPRINGS. IT WILL BE REPLACED ON APRIL 28. HOWEVER, TO "EARN" THE MAX PATCH STAMP, WHICH EVERYONE WHO COMES TO THIS EVENT SURELY DESERVES, THERE WILL BE A SERIES OF CLUES TO FOLLOW ALONG THE ALREADY-TRAMPLED MAX PATCH TRAILS - SO, YOU GET THE MAX PATCH STAMP PLUS SOME MORE!" Interesting, they are removing the box and taking it to the gathering, but why do that? I thought, well maybe it is because they don't want everyone out looking for the box that Saturday on an otherwise busy trail. It is supposed to be a historic box of sorts, one of the first, if not the first, letterbox in America. I can understand the wanting to protect it, but why not just close it for the weekend, or why have a gathering there at all? But then I read a little closer, "HOWEVER, TO "EARN" THE MAX PATCH STAMP, WHICH EVERYONE WHO COMES TO THIS EVENT SURELY DESERVES..." To me, that does not seem to be right. It seems to go against one of the meanings of letterboxing. Many times you hear people speak of not finding a box but enjoying the journey none the less. Sure, everyone at the gathering can get to the box, but have they really BEEN to the box? Have they enjoyed the journey, the purpose of the box itself, or is it just another F to add to their count? I understand the current owner's wishes to protect and allow people to get this box, but I am left to wonder if the original placer's wishes are not hurt by this, and if the historic significance of the box is not hurt as well? |
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| Feedback - Really, it makes sense to me - Email me | |
| My
Hat is in the Ring
- Cyclonic for President of Letterboxing January 31, 2008 |
|
| So,
on Atlas Quest there has been
much discussion and debate as to who should be President of
Letterboxing. I don't think it is an official role, more of a
ceremonial role, but everyone is having a fun time with it, goading
people on trash talking. Some have said I should run and
participate in the debate at Desperately
Seeking Sun.
After looking over the candidates, I have decided there is a lack of a true conservative. I feel I can fill this role, thus I am throwing my hat into the ring and ask that you nominate me to run for President of Letterboxing. I have many excellent qualifications. - I have a strong, vocal history
in the letterboxing community, not afraid to voice my opinions on
anything in a fair minded way. So I ask you to take a moment to drop Lock Wench a line and ask that I be nominated. Even if you do not totally agree with my platform, I ask that you allow the election process to do its work in totally embarrassing me. |
|
| Feedback -Come on, who wouldn't want me as President? - Email me | |
| Never
Expected It -
What have I been up to... January 26, 2008 |
|
| Well,
as many of you know, I started dating Becky back in September. She
had been pretty much chasing me all summer long. I knew what was
happening, but I excused it away. I would say to myself, "Oh,
she lives too far away," using that as an excuse to not date
her. Well, that worked real well, huh?
Well, we have been hitting it off pretty well. OK, more then pretty well. She is a fantastic woman, just amazing to be with. She is smart, funny, silly and just fun. She is also astonishingly pretty, with these beautiful golden brown eyes, little button nose and a smile that lights up the room. I find I cannot help but hold her hand when I am with her, to hug and kiss her and keep her warm at night. Becky brings joy to my heart and happiness to my life. I want to be with her forever. That is why I asked her to marry me. I did not expect to ask. It just kind of came up, popped out of my mouth. I had been thinking about it. Thinking that if things kept going well, maybe in the summer I would go find a ring and ask. I guess my heart is stronger then my mind at times, and it happened. "I want to be with you forever," she said to me on the morning of her birthday. I had made her breakfast, she asked that I would and I was more then happy to do so. "Me too. I want to be that old couple you see in the park, walking down the path, still holding hands after all those years," I replied. "Me too." "Then would you marry me?" the words crossed my lips before I knew what had just happened. "Yes!" I sought confirmation, "Really, you would marry me?" "Absolutely!" I was overjoyed. Never, in a millions years had I expected to be getting married. And not only that, but I am wedding the most wonderful woman imaginable. I get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it. Becky and I will be together forever. I will take care of her, grow old together with her, love her and cherish her for all my life. It is daunting to think about, but I can't imagine a challenge that would not be more rewarding and bring more pleasure. |
|
| Feedback - Email me | |
| Diversity
-
So what happens on that extra hotel bed? December 11, 2007 |
|
 So,
what is happening on that extra bed you wonder.
He says, "Oh, I love that slim build you have." She says, "My, what a massive HARD drive down there." |
|
| Feedback - I don't have a deviant mind - Email me | |
| Personalizing
It -
Making personal travelers personal again December 11, 2007 |
|
| I
have actually done a bunch of gatherings this year. It seems these
days there is one close by at least once a month. Well, anyway, I
have noticed something that I think really takes something away from the
meeting and greeting experience.
Personal travelers are very popular, and it used to be that they were a treat for knowing something about the letterboxer you are meeting. You might get just a few personal travelers at a gathering because you had to fit the clue to the person and then know an answer to the clue. Now things have changed, and I think they have really taken away the personal aspect of the personal traveler. People now just print off lists and read them as they meet each person. I really don't see the fun in this, it is just a method to gain more stamp images. Heck, I print off the list too, but I have been trying to just memorize a few of them and then as I meet the person I can work it into the conversation. I have, though taken things a step further for my own personal traveler. I have now set up the clue so it does not print off on a clue sheet. You have to visit the clue to read it. I am hoping this will make the personal traveler a little more personal again. |
|
| Feedback - Bring on the hate mail! - Email me | |
| Installation
Complete -
Looks like there are no compatibility issues December 10, 2007 |
|
| After
a long, pretty negative blog entry I thought it might be nice to write
something good for once.
So, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate Indigo Vulture for his installation as Pastor at the Faith United Lutheran Church in Nescopeck, PA. Mike has actually been preaching there for a few months now, but last night Sheba and I went up and enjoyed his official installation service. Mike it wonderful at what he does, and you can tell that the congregation loves him too, it was a packed house. He and his wife Heather were just brimming with happiness, they were aglow, as well they should be, as it is a great accomplishment to go though years of studying and soul searching to take on such a task. While he and I diverge greatly on the subject of religion, I have the utmost respect for his hard work and showing of faith. I hope he can spend many years at his church bringing happiness and joy to his congregation. |
|
| Feedback - Wishing Mike the best - Email me | |
| Sorry
I Mentioned It - But,
yeah, the Podcast stunk November 28, 2007 |
|
| I made a
mistake this week. I know, me, make a mistake, never, right?
Well, even I am human. I enjoy the Letterpod
Podcast. Since Jackbear has taken it over I think it has
gotten much, much better. He himself has a better, more upbeat
voice and sound, the bumpers are better, and over all it has a better
vibe to it. Essentially, it no longer sounds like an NPR
broadcast.
I figured I would love to contribute to something like this, so I signed up for the Yahoo Group and made some comments, good and bad, on the most recent podcast. That is why the group is there, right? In an email to the list: johnoballou wrote: OK, I've set December 17th as a deadline for the next episode. This might be ambitious with the holiday season coming upon us, but we'll give it a try, even if it's a small episode. I personally am going to try to get another Dear Crabby put together if Crabby has time, so if you have a question..let me hear it. Noooo! Don't do it! Really, I mean it, and I'm trying to be constructive here, but that whole segment just plain stunk. First off, you could not understand half of what she was trying to say, and secondly she came off very pretentious. The question answered was also poor. It was just plain bad radio. For an advice segment, first you have to have a better question to answer. The question should never be what can someone do to make someone else do something, but rather what can I do to make something work better. Real clear, right? You want to be able to give advice that can be acted on immediately. The person giving the advice should do so in a clear and concise manner. They should never sound as if they are putting anyone down, but rather be soothing, easy to understand, and calm. This is easily my biggest gripe about Ep. 8. I would also like to get together another interview.
Keep working on Dixie. Another suggestion for an interview that I think you might find interesting may be Lightnin' Bug here in PA. I also had a thought about the 12 Days of Boxing...the song. I have a singer (joystar has volunteered). Need to come up with some words and music. Anyone have submissions or ideas? jackbear Keep at what you are doing. You sound great as host, much more upbeat, easily relatable. I really enjoy it. Like some of the music too, specifically the intro music. Some of the elevator sax bumpers could go though. Keep it lively, you don't want to put people to sleep. I think this was pretty good dialog. It did not post to the list right away though. I thought, well maybe because I am a new member, or maybe my email program is being weird again. It took a couple of days and finally posted, and Jackbear wrote back to me personally thanking me for my input, that it was indeed what he was looking for, and explained a few things and why things were done the way they were. I thanked him and wished that he had posted those comments to the list, because on the list I got comments like this: archimedesscrew17 wrote:How about, "how do you deal with irritating people on the groups?" Though there were some good comments: SapphireBerry wrote: Errr, have to agree about the Dear Crabby segment. Not very clear or helpful, and, er, rather painful to listen to. I did laugh at the title, since it was a column we ran in my high school newspaper. That didn't go over much better, though. And the drama continues as Jackbear responds: I appreciate all comments, postive, negative, or otherwise. I knew when I started doing this I would have to have thick skin, and I do. So I appreciate honest critique of this medium. We don't get better if we aren't learning from our mistakes. Most people I have gotten feedback from agreed that it was difficult to hear and understand the Dear Crabby segment. This is my fault as the editor of this piece. I need to adjust the sound quality on this better and make it "easier on the ears". Dear Crabby will be back, I hope, with improvements in this regard. This does not seem to appease some who think that criticism is out of line, like Archimedes Screw: I don't understand this at all. You need thick skin to run a letterboxing podcast? In what world does this make sense? You are talking about a group of people who are volunteering their time to contribute to a free podcast. What about that says that you can fling insults at it? Plus, you are not only insulting jackear, you are insulting everyone who took part in that segment. The one who wrote the question, the one who composed the answer, the one who recorded the segment, the one who adjusted the sound on it. jackbear may not take offense, but I do. If I were Miss Crabby (and I'm not,) I would not want anything to do with this again. It seems to me, what she is not understanding is that you have to point out the bad to make it better. If no one ever does then nothing ever changes. I don't think I was being mean or derogatory, just helpful. It is too bad some people just can't take such comments. It is even worse when they qualify it by saying that I was just insulting people who are volunteering to do this, when that is not what I am doing. But alas, the saga comes to a sad and revealing conclusion when Jackbear writes this: I don't know if you all know, but as moderator of this board I get to approve or deny messages. I have always approved messages, as I do not want to act as a censor to this group. That said, I won't approve any more messages in regards to the Dear Crabby segment in Episode 8. My hopes in going forward with the Ms. Crabby segment was to better letterboxing. Using it as an educational piece to help letterboxers come to terms with topics on etiquitte, fairness, and treating each other in a nicer way. However, the critique of this segment has led to exactly what I don't want to see happen. We all have feelings, and they are easy to hurt on these public boards. I'm certainly not trying to make enemies with this podcast, and I don't want to start. Yes, it ruffles my feathers when someone says something "stunk". I also respect the right of that person to say it though. I'm sorry Cyclonic and others did not like the piece. It's his right to think that. Archimedes Screw has every right also to have her feathers ruffled, as I was, when she read the post and responded. As one of the moderators, I will use "moderation" and call for a cease fire, and move along to other topics. Well, had I known the group was completely moderated, that every message had to be approved before it posted, I would have never signed up for the group. No where does he say that it is as such, and I think that to say it is a group for open discussion on the podcast is a falsehood. I have since left the group, as I feel it is no use, and I can be of no help if people are going to be this way. I would have liked to help, and that is the thing. I was ready to hit the road and do some recordings. Help with segments where I could, bring a different perspective to things, or at least I thought. Maybe I started all wrong. Maybe I should have simply heaped praise like most everyone else. But that is not me. I simply can't do that, I don't feel comfortable doing it, as it sounds like I am sucking up, and that is not me. I am thinking I may do my own recordings. An audio blog as it were. In the next few months I am looking to overhaul the site a bit. Get some more server space, maybe even change my web address to make it more relevant to what the site has become. The ideas are flowing, and it is time I got something done. |
|
| Feedback - I do have thick skin - Email me | |
| Slack
Blogging - I
really should get something done November 19, 2007 |
|
 Maybe,
perhaps, I should actually get some writing done. I mean, hey, it
has only been what, almost three weeks.
Well, not today. I've been busy, doing this, doing that, you know. Becky has been occupying my time and my mind. Can't help that, she is such a wonderful woman. We had a great weekend together a few weeks ago, and I miss her, though I will see her again this coming Thanksgiving. With luck I will get some more writing done this week. There is much on my mind, just ready to roll off my fingers. But until then... |
|
| Feedback
- Yeah, I've been lazy too - Email me Thanks to Sewsowbizzy for the photo! |
|
|
Yeah, you have been a slacker lately!
But for good reason. Becky is lovely lady and you
are lucky to have her, as she you. I am so happy for the both of you!
Hugs,
Mary
|
|
| Guns
Over Women? - Here are ten reasons November 1, 2007 |
|
| I've
got to give Neal Boortz credit for this
list:
Ten Reasons Men Prefer Guns Over Women 10. You can trade an old 44 for a new 22. I still love my woman more though! |
|
| Feedback - "Go ahead, make my day." - Email me | |
| Grocery
Store Capers - More
fun and mayhem in CA November 1, 2007 |
|
 Some
have heard the whispered rumors about what may or may not have taken
place on the Friday before the American River Gathering. Well,
they are probably true.
We met up with a bunch of the local boxers at the Sacramento Brewery that night. Princess Lea was there waiting for us, and Doublesaj n Old Blue came in right behind us. We got a table and soon Lisascenic and Robb made their way in as well. I did not realize it at the time but I had had contact with Doublesaj n Old Blue in the past about a box they had in Gettysburg. They had thought it long gone but I managed to find it, and in good shape too. I pulled it for them and as usual took forever to mail it back to them. Typical of me. I had completely forgotten about this until maybe last week. Shows how bright I can be at times. But I digress. But where was Wassamatta_u? Well, a phone call found him slowly making his way through traffic, and he would be very late, so we had dinner without him. The food was good, as was the beer, though nothing to really rave about. In fact, speaking of beer, I really didn't find any out in California that I really, really liked. Some of the brews were good, but nothing really stuck out to me. My favorite was probably the Fat Tire, which I found to be a pretty tasty ale, but other then that nothing really stuck out to me. Anyway, I digress, again. Wassa finally made his way into the brewery, with little Katie Bug in tow. I think Wassa may be the brother I never had, we hit it off right away. Katie is a cutie. After dinner Wassa and I decided we needed some more beer. Luckily there was a grocery store right next door, and they sell beer. What a concept! We made our way through the store and finally found the beer. I picked up a six of this Gordan Biersh junk (and I really mean it, I hope the maids at the hotel like it). As we made our way to the register, finding some snacks along the way, we stumbled across some Lock n Lock knockoffs. "Owww, look at this!" | |
