June 09, 2006

Ok, everyone can be Curious George except MonkeyBashi. I sent this email out in May to people who are identified in the 4th paragraph: (Damn, this is going to be really long, so please have patience.)

"In aught '4 and '5, I used my amazing (:P) organization skills to coordinate sending a gift to tracicle for her birthday, which is on July 27. The problem is that collecting a sizeable amount of money and being able to buy one major gift for NZ delivery isn't easy. for several reason. (Edited for brevity.) And, last year, when I had run out of other options and asked #2 to help, he was hesitant because he felt that small gifts were more appropriate. It was really difficult to get him to let me send him the $600 USD I'd collected so he could enjoy having to buy the gift, wrap it, etc. "So, what's my point? Well, I could try to do the same routine, but tracicle's Amazon wish list seems to have been deleted, so I have no idea where to start. And I think I really irritated #2 last year. On the other hand, shouldn't we do something to recognize the work that #1 and #2 do for us? It seems to me that several gifts from groups of monkeys might be the answer. "Why did I contact all of you? Most of you contributed to the other gifts ,or, I was able to pinpoint the general region where you and other long time members hang your hats, and you seem interested in MoFi's wellbeing. And, I think you're creative monkeys who can find small things that will surprise and amaze MonkeyBashi,. and get others involved. I put the list together based on my understanding of who lives where: "Europe/England: jb, plegmund, mothninja, and Alnedra as a possible honorary Brit Oz/NZ rodgerd, wolof Canada: Capt. Renault, Koko, fishtick, melinika Southern/midAtlantic US: middleclasstool, MsVader, Side Dish, immlass Mid US: Bratcat, Kimberly, patita NW US: Ambrosia, es el Queso, Medusa SW US: the_bone, Space Kitty, mandyman, f8xmulder "Because I'm sure rhat you know of others who could be picked up where you are. Or, could form other clusters and involve new members so that more folks could make this work. "So, we need folks who will be willing to shop for cute/unusual/amazing/inexpensive gifts, deal with the bookkeeping, and send the results to tracicle. "Assuming that some of you are willing to take this on, I donated $100 in each of the last 2 years, and would be happy to split that among groups that need some help to pay for postage or whatever." "So, what's my point? Well, I could try to do the same routine, but tracicle's Amazon wish list seems to have been deleted, so I have no idea where to start. And I think I really irritated #2 last year. On the other hand, shouldn't we do something to recognize the work that #1 and #2 do for us? It seems to me that several gifts from groups of monkeys might be the answer. "Why did I contact all of you? Most of you contributed to the other gifts ,or, I was able to pinpoint the general region where you and other long time members hang your hats, and you seem interested in MoFi's wellbeing. And, I think you're creative monkeys who can find small things that will surprise and amaze MonkeyBashi,. and get others involved. I put the list together based on my understanding of who lives where: "Europe/England: jb, plegmund, mothninja, and Alnedra as a possible honorary Brit Oz/NZ rodgerd, wolof Canada: Capt. Renault, Koko, fishtick, melinika Southern/midAtlantic US: middleclasstool, MsVader, Side Dish, immlass Mid US: Bratcat, Kimberly, patita NW US: Ambrosia, es el Queso, Medusa SW US: the_bone, Space Kitty, mandyman, f8xmulder "Because I'm sure rhat you know of others who could be picked up where you are. Or, could form other clusters and involve new members so that more folks could make this work. "So, we need folks who will be willing to shop for cute/unusual/amazing/inexpensive gifts, deal with the bookkeeping, and send the results to tracicle. "Assuming that some of you are willing to take this on, I donated $100 in each of the last 2 years, and would be happy to split that among groups that need some help to pay for postage or whatever." Koko volunteered to curl the Canucks into order, so that large piece of property is under control. They’re being pretty secretive, though, not wanting to give their ideas away to those less fortunate than they. Mandyman offered to network with the Southern California contingent, and was inspired to suggest a Neighborhoodie that will wow MonkeyBashi. Mothninja is planning to charm the Europeans and Brits into sending a piece of, um, local artwork, assuming that the, um, local artist is willing. There’s a Texan who could organize that area, but has a personal crisis that would make it difficult, and I’ve asked someone in the SF Bay Area to take that place on, but haven’t heard back. There’s a big portion of the space inhabited by Monkeys that isn’t covered. I suspect that some of the folks I emailed just don’t check out the address they’ve listed in their profiles. Others may simply not want to get involved. If any of you in the general areas listed above would like to help there are tons of bananas which would accrue to your karma. My email address is in my profile. Don't make me contact you personally! I can be hell on wheels - or maybe heck on a pogostick.

posted by path 18 years ago
  • I would love to knit a birthday gift (it's winter down there!) either as part of a Pacific Northwest group gift mailing, or solo. I can't be in charge of anything (no way, no how) but I'd love to participate.
  • Us Europeans are all over this like a cheap suit. We are SO going to make the rest of the world look bad.
  • put me down for team europe.
  • Just you wait and see, beet root butty boy.
  • It's ON, baby! Express elevator to Hell! Going DOWN!!!!
  • I'm sending a cheque to our Europe/Brit rep (mothninja?), but I can also help compile a gift here in Asia (yes, I'm looking at you, Abiezer_Coope!). I will probably be sending some Chinese tea over, and while I can definitely do it on my own steam, having a bit more cash means we can get her a wider variety of stuff (^_^)
  • I'm sending a cheque to our Europe/Brit rep (mothninja?), but I can also help compile a gift here in Asia (yes, I'm looking at you, Abiezer_Coope!). I will probably be sending some Chinese tea over, and while I can definitely do it on my own steam, having a bit more cash means we can get her a wider variety of stuff (^_^)
  • I'm sending a cheque to our Europe/Brit rep (mothninja?), but I can also help compile a gift here in Asia (yes, I'm looking at you, Abiezer_Coope!). I will probably be sending some Chinese tea over, and while I can definitely do it on my own steam, having a bit more cash means we can get her a wider variety of stuff (^_^)
  • I'm sending a cheque to our Europe/Brit rep (mothninja?), but I can also help compile a gift here in Asia (yes, I'm looking at you, Abiezer_Coope!). I will probably be sending some Chinese tea over, and while I can definitely do it on my own steam, having a bit more cash means we can get her a wider variety of stuff (^_^)
  • Alnedra I'm not sure we got that - can you post it again? :-p
  • To me, Euromonkeys! There is A Plan! And it is a splendid Plan! can we talk about The Plan in thread, or is it meant to be a secret? Leave a note in this thread or drop me an email (in profile) if you want to be part of the EU Collective and I'll let you know what's going down.
  • I'm compiling a birthday "care package" with stuff sent to me from the Canadianolite monkeys. So far I have two, possibly three participants besides myself. Email me, O Canada monkeys, if you want to participate. I'd like to have everything compiled by the end of this month, to avoid expedited shipping fees. kthx!
  • To clarify: that's Euromonkeys as in, Europe including Great Britain and Northern Ireland, just in case there was any Euro-sceptic confusion there... viva l'Europa unita!
  • I can afford to contribute this year. I have a paypal account now, too, so just give me a place to send the shit.
  • OMG, what happened? I don't know where to put my face.... *runs away in shame*
  • Our PLAN must remain secret, lest our colonial cousins try to rip us off. I mean YOU, Canadianstanners!
  • Write it on the Wiki ... no one reads that. I will be in touch with Anna, just after I have posted the Christmas present that is nearly six months too late (I haven't forgotten, and can hardly sleep).
  • :-P !!!
  • Sorry Skrik, that was for kitfisto. You stepped in the way.
  • doofus
  • :-P !!!!!
  • I'd contribute, but I live in a non-representin' part of the US. You want to squash the northeast in with the mid-Atlantic?
  • kekekekeke
  • cobaltnine - so far the entire eastern part of the country is missing. How'd you like to take on coordinating a section? Chyren - this is kind of like al Quaida: local cells, man, which plan their own campaigns. How about being the cell leader for Oz/NZ? Again, the only areas that are covered so far are Canada, Europe/UK, and southern California. Those of you there who want to get in on this need to contact Koko, mothninja or mandyman. Oh, and all of Latin America is under the directorship of Flagpole (he appears to be the only one in his "cluster.") Volunteers are welcome!
  • Email me, O Canada monkeys, if you want to participate. Koko, e-mail headed yer way...
  • *wonders if Canadian monkeys should trust The Infiltrator*
  • What the hell, I'll volunteer to organize the Northeast. E-mail's in profile.
  • Hurray!
  • *wonders if Canadian monkeys should trust The Infiltrator* I'm totally not keeping everything! Honest! But, maybe you should send me two of everything, just to be sure ...
  • Any Upper Midwest US contingent in the making?
  • No. So why not organize that? It's not clear from the Monkeymap on the wiki who the upper midwest members are, since folks stopped updating it some time ago, but you may have some idea who's a neighbor, and a call out in this tread may get some of them to sign up You could even contract others.
  • And, gentlemen, let me point out that, so far, all the Monkeys who have signed up to get a region together are women. Where are those macho, directorial skills? I know you hate to shop, but if you work it right, all you have to do is be the managers I know you are. (Stereotypes can be fun, sometimes.)
  • All right, I'm calling all of New England, New York, and New Jersey if it wants to (you don't want to hang out with those mid-Atlantic people, right? Right?) So far we have two. That's kind of sad. Send those e-mails!
  • More than kind of sad! I lived in NJ for several years, and still miss it, and trecked all the surrounding states. Hard to believe that those estimable people wouldn't want to amke a showing. Los Angeles will be able to point and laugh at them, not to mention the whole of Europe and the UK.
  • Vertex reporting in from Northern New England and NO SIR! No hanging out with thise Mid Alantic people! Vive le New Hampshire! Anyhow, cobalt, what is your Email? ..it's not in your profile..
  • -pokes path-
  • Nevermind, I cant read. I sent you an e-mail.
  • "-pokes path-" *path wakes up.* Alrighty! Now you US midAtlantic denisons (I'd guess this is roughly from Pennsylvania to Virginia, maybe adding bratcat and any one else in the general area) surely someone from the heart of our country's beginnings, and including the Capitol of This Great Country, can find a way to band together to show the English oppressors and the northeastern Puritans why Washington and Jefferson decided to settle there. Getting the thing together aint rocket surgery. (I stole that from somewhere, but don't remember where.) You recruit some troops, you decide whether to do one big gift, or lots of small ones, receive and buy gifts or get others to, wrap and mail whichever (or delegate)and bask in the admiration of your fellow Monkeys. And, you US southerners! Where is your pride? I have to tell you thet you might be able to snag a gift that the rest of us would hunger to have. Apart from barbeque sauce, boiled peanuts and voodoo dolls, there are middleclass tool's movies, which none of us has seen. I bet he could be convinced to do DVDs for tracicle. So, holler out! I'm too tired to incite any more competition, but there's still a big part of the US which isn't covered. SFO? Pacific northwest? No Texas volunteers? (How can that be?) Upper Midwest? Come on!
  • Almost forgot. Can't some in downunder at least coordinate buying a case of beer?
  • in= "one."
  • Maybe this is beside the point (since the point seems to be to send a lot of smallish gifts or a handful of bigger ones), but I think it would be nice if a two-part gift were arranged: a relatively small token of appreciation (costing maybe $100 or so, plus shipping, from everyone), and a donation to something like Heifer International (or some kind of monkey/ape conservation effort) in #1's honor. (Hey, that monkey care package is only $23... I bet the combined Monkeys could manage a number of those.) The reason I suggest this is that... well, I know if several hundred internet people wanted to send me birthday presents, or maybe just several dozen, I don't know where I would put said presents. Also, a donation would be way easier to ship, albeit potentially somewhat less fun for the recipient.
  • verbminx, I think you're really onto something, there. Does anyone know if there's a favorite/preferred charity? The other benefit to making donations in her name is that the donations can take place any time, with a few mouse clicks, no worldwide coordination efforts required. And you'd be surprised how much money a group of people like this can raise. I looked for local New Zealand charities and found Barnardos, The National Heart Foundation, The Child Cancer Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, The Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust, and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand.
  • Oh - but - not to diss the charities verbminx suggested! Heifer is one of my favorites, actually. Doctors Without Borders is another good international one.
  • "well, I know if several hundred internet people wanted to send me birthday presents, " Actually, only 25 to 30 people contributed the last 2 years.
  • I can't be in charge of an area (sorry -- maybe next year? I'm about to move in a month, and before that I'm taking a long roadtrip to TX), but I am more than willing to contribute! I'm in Ohio, but because of my nomadic summer can contribute to a group in the midwest, TX, or whatever group Pittsburgh will belong to.
  • I'm in Tennessee. My care package will consist of moonshine and moon pies. Or maybe just the moon pies. It's been a rough week. Anyone from the SOUTHERN USA is welcome to email me (check profile) to add to the stash.
  • Thank you, Mickey! The South shall rise to new heights! be sure to get in touch with middleclasstool. Even though he plans to upload his movies, tracicle could have her very own dvds to display on her very own tv to show NZlanders how very cool Southerners are. You also got beeswhacky, who will do something elegant, and a bunch of other exceptional monkeys who will surely represent the best/worst of Southern culture. I'm happy.
  • If no one else is available in the Midwest, I can send a package of buckeyes (yummy chocolate/peanut butter candies) and various other mw ephemera. Doesn't HuronBob live up near Ann Arbor? I could work with him (and a couple of others) on somethin' if he's interested.
  • "Actually, only 25 to 30 people contributed the last 2 years." That's why I followed that with "Or maybe just several dozen." meridithea, I dunno how well Buckeyes will ship. They'd be fine once they got to somewhere where it's winter right now, as long as the box doesn't sit around too long in an airplane or un-climate-controlled shipping area on the USian end. But they're kinda susceptible to the Melty. Ppl should consider this with any food they want to send. (Leave it in your car for an afternoon and see how it does... esp if it has to be shipped to a central location before leaving the country.)
  • OH, thank you! HuronBob is somewhere midnortherly, though I though he was Canadian, and Fes is in the largish neighborhood - maybe he could send a tie for #2, or a scandalous nighty for #1. Wedge, armaghetto, and Argh are in Chicago. cabingirl and shinything are in Minneapolis, though shinything hasn't been here for a few months. And bluehorse is in Idaho - a little westerly, but someone's got to claim her. ;)
  • Folks would be well-advised to keep their gifts under $110NZ, lest 'bashi have to pay a duty fee when she picks it up. Also a good idea to avoid sending alcohol and tobacco (not that you would, just sayin') for the same reason. Finally, those who will be shipping the gifts to NZ from the US or Europe ought to check the shipping rates; it's quite pricey, even to send it surface.
  • $110 NZD = $75.88 CAD, $68.69 USD, $54.50 EUR, $37.25 GBP, $92.23 AUD, $109.55 SGD
  • Can't we just lie a little bit on the declaration sticker packagey thing so it comes under that amount?
  • bloody crawly bum-lick doo-gooder duty-checker. I LOVE TEACH!
  • You could, but then I'd have to report you to the authorities. *adjusts hall monitor sash, pulls up argyle socks*
  • That's a good point about the buckeyes, verbminx. *goes back to the drawing board*
  • Just a reminder that I'll help with postage.
  • FYI All: the Canadarama present is going to be the best present.
  • You all might want to check NZ customs as well, if you're sending edibles. A friend and I once sent some Marshmallow Fluff to Australia, and customs confiscated it because it was an "egg product". I think they just wanted to eat it, but there you go.
  • meredithea - would a little dry ice make that problem go away?
  • There's no egg in marshmallow fluff!!?? Prohibited Imports (Guess we won't be sending those anti-personnel mines after all. Sorry, Fish Tick.) Gifts of food for personal consumption (under 20 kg) are ok.
  • Dry ice is definitely a thought. I'll talk to the nice folks at my local post office tomorrow. I live in a small town (for now), and my PO people are really great. If anyone would know, they would. Oh, and I'll also ask my dad. He works for UPS (duh... should have thought of that first!). Also: Marshmallow fluff = mmmmm. Now I want a fluffernutter sammich.
  • Dang, Koko - guess you might as well keep the dog semen and the bong, too. Sigh.
  • tracicle is in New Zealand - are the restrictions similar?
  • Those are the NZ restrictions, path.
  • Sorry, I was confused by the mention of Australia.
  • MonkeyFilter: confused by the mention of Australia Indeed!
  • FYI All: the Canadarama present is going to be the best present. Friggin' eh! and Rover was so disappointed.
  • No cloned and hybrid human embryos?!?!
  • Also no crayons or kids' pajamas?
  • Damn. Oh well. *Removes Patagonian toothfish from plastic baggie in mailing envelope, flushes it down toilet*
  • I sent out an email to those who I think are shipping stuff - and to mechagrue in case she still wants to knit something. Check your email accounts, please.
  • I will be selecting the teas probably today, the latest by Monday. Last call for anyone in the Asia-Pacific region to join me.
  • Also the last call for anyone else who'd like to join in. The US response has been underwhelming, but there's still a couple of weeks before packages have to be mailed.
  • oh yeah, what's going on with team europa?
  • I have nixed (partly) the tea idea. And the teahouse manager has assured me that 10 days is well enough for shipping time. I'm gonna buy a small tea set (will post pics tomorrow) for her, and possibly a small pack of tea as well. I'm also joining Team Europa. Will send a cheque to mothninja sometime next week.
  • I gave up on the buckeyes idea on my dad's advice. Now I'm hoping to find something good when I'm in Texas next week.
  • Pictures of the tea-sets that I'm looking at: These two are worth about 50 SGD. This one is about 60 SGD. This one is also 60 SGD, but it's only one mug, and I'd rather get something that at least two people can use. This is my favourite, but also the most expensive, at 130 SGD. The colour I originally wanted, a lovely aquamarine, was sold over the weekend, so only this green one is left. It's the easiest and most convenient to use, and the cups are nice and big enough for novice tea drinkers. Plus it looks good on display.
  • I'm sorry, I've been kind of disorganised lately, and haven't been keeping up. Is there any news from the European side? Should I be sending someone a check/some money? Last I heard were rumours of something cosy with art on it. I like those tea sets Alnedra - I'm sorry the blue one sold. Both of the green ones are really nice (I lean towards the simply clay one myself, but I really like unglazed or matte glazed pottery). How much is an SGD worth? (That is the Singapore currency?) Do you need/wish people to chip in?
  • 1 SGD (Singapore Dollar) is equal to (approx.): 0.34 Pounds 0.49 Euros 0.63 US Dollar 0.70 Canadian Dollar Thanks, jb, but I think the gift from the Europe side is worth quite a bit more than the ones I'm suggesting, so I think we can both chip in for that. I am hoping that the Australian/New Zealand/Asia residents might want to pitch in something. I can buy the tea set myself, but even another 20 or 30 SGD more can buy a pack of tea to go with the set. *looks hard at Australasian monkeys*
  • If they didn't respond to buying her some beer, I'm not sure that they'll sign up for tea. But, good luck!
  • Hey, that's 70 cents Canadian - that adds up to a lot.
  • I just remembered that I never updated the thread. Anyway, I sent mine 7/27, should be there soon. Yay, me! Only arriving like three weeks late! (But it was postmarked on the 27th; that counts, right?) I was quite pleased to have found yarn in exactly the Monkeyfilter colors. It kind of overruled piddling questions like "Does she like wearing scarves?" "Is she allergic to wool?" "Is this an appropriate pattern for the recipient?" Pfft. It's a scarf the color of Monkeyfilter.
  • It got there! Check the blog.
  • *Does the Happy Dance*
  • The Canadiana Gift was launched yesterday evening, amongst much fanfare and teary hanky-waving. Drinks on the Promenade Deck at 8:00, followed by shuffleboard. It should reach Puerta VallartaChristchurch in about 2 weeks.
  • Team Europe are also green for go.
  • You'll ne just green when you see our kick-ass package! Kick. Ass. That means us kicking your ASS. Ha!
  • Not in those shoes, matey.
  • I believe I said kick-ass package. I will be using my mind-blowing package to kick your ass. Harumph!
  • Quit being gay.
  • Hey -- you had your chance, lady.
  • Yay! Well done Koko, O fair Canuckistan postmistress!
  • Not all that fair. Snoots ate my family heirloom designer giftwrap.
  • kick-ass package Why does that sound like a bad idea to me? Since I wasn't sure when or how we would be able to participate in this whole birthday thing, Mr. Nunia and I paid for a year of Her Honorable MonkeyBashi's livejournal, since there's, like, no pay to sign up for this sweet site, and I paid more for a damned-useless TotalFark account that I never use. I'd rather send my money to a good cause, and DAMN IT, I'D DO IT AGAIN. *shakes fist at Fark*
  • Fark? Is that thing still around? /obligatory
  • Snoots ate my family heirloom designer giftwrap I replaced it with Pokemon giftwrap though! Seriously though, sorry about that ... it was very nice fancy giftwrap, and you obviously wrapped each present thoughtfully and carefully, and kitty had to go and chew on it. The card you sent is still intact though!
  • Thanks for the tip, fish tick! I meant to look there, but "following up on things" is clearly not my strong suit.
  • i's juss lik to say thas the ice wine we couldnt send hash beeen taking care of.
  • Button your shirt, sergeant.
  • Dagnabbit, koko! I love the giftwrap saga - do *not* be making me feel guilty for harumphing.
  • OK cuz I was starting to think maybe you were [fish]ticked. Carry on! Pokemon paper! Eh? EH??? Eh.