Topic: The Grand GamingSteve "Stuff from a Place that's not Here" Exchange

[martyk]

Right then, so I had an idea yesterday.  It's not the most original, and I think we may have mentioned similar concepts from time to time, but here it is.  Everyone likes getting mail.  Mail is pretty cool.  In addition to this, we have forum members from all over the world.  Stuff from far away places is pretty cool.  So here's the idea.  Everyone who wants to be involved get's assigned someone to send something to in a sort of Secret Santa fashion.  That something should be something that is fairly unique to your location.  Say, for instance, in my case since I'm in Toronto, I could send out a souvenir from the city, a keychain or whathave you.  This could then be supplemented with a letter, or some small change in the local currency or any other small knicknacks I feel like sending out.

Basically, if all goes well, everyone involved would revive some small item, probably not worth any more than 5$ or so, from the other side of the world.  Ideally what I would like to do is make a program that will randomly assign everyone to their target, while ensuring that they will be receiving something from a different country, or if that's not possible (we have a lot of members from the US), then at the very least from the other side of their own country.

Now, if you want to be involved in this, it will take some commitment.  Upon a cursory search of international shipping rates, you will probably have to pay around 20$ to get your package out there, which is another reason why things should be kept small.  Also, this will require commitment on your part.  It would suck if someone sends out a well thought out package, only to discover that the person sending something to them has dropped out.  If you want to participate, you need to agree that you will, under all but the most extreme circumstances, send out a package.

Anyway, that's the concept.  What are your thoughts?  Currently I'm thinking that for now you can just say you'll participate, and once we have a few people, I'll get everyone's shipping information from everyone.  Upon giving me the information, that is your iron clad agreement to participate.  I will then assign everyone to someone else, with people being unaware of who they will be getting something from, because it's more fun that way, and inform everyone of their targets.

So, that's that.  Any questions?

2012 UPDATE
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1st time Participants
Martyk
Patman
Pixxel
Tesla
Krakow Sam
Inkling
Cobra
762
LadyM

[PatMan33]

What if I already sent you a letter the other day? <_<

[martyk]

That strikes me as an unlikley scenario, but an interesting one.

[ɐןsǝ⊥]

I'm in if we get more people.

[PatMan33]

That strikes me as an unlikley scenario, but an interesting one.

Those coordinates you gave me were someone's address. So if not you, some Canadian is getting a letter from me.

[Pixxel]

I'm in if we get more people.

What he said.

[PatMan33]

Oh, and I'm absolutely in.

[martyk]

That strikes me as an unlikley scenario, but an interesting one.

Those coordinates you gave me were someone's address. So if not you, some Canadian is getting a letter from me.

Well it was reasonably accurate.  Let's see here...


Well, looks like it's two houses down.  What number did you send it to?

Also, updated list of participants.

[PatMan33]

Sent it to... 19-95.

If that's not it, I'll just send another SHOCKING message! Spread the wealth, as it were.

[martyk]

...

19-95 is a range of addresses.  That's the whole street.

It's 69 anyway, if you were wondering.

Anyway, I figure I'll give people at least a week to opt into this before I set everything up.  It'll give me a short bit to make a reasonably intelligent target-assignment program.

[PatMan33]

Word. Alright, I'll be sure to sent YOU one specifically.

Prepare to be... SHOCKED!

[ɐןsǝ⊥]

Well I'm leaving for 2 weeks on the 25th...

That reminds me! Does the souvenir have to be from YOUR country? I'm going to Africa!

[Plank of Wood]

That reminds me! Does the souvenir have to be from YOUR country? I'm going to Africa!

Send us Tsetse flies!

[martyk]

That could be also very cool.  I figure the name of the game is reciving something foreign, so I don't see why that wouldn't be acceptable.

Plank, shall I assume by your posting that you wish to participate?

[Plank of Wood]

Not sure yet; I'm considering, but don't roster my name yet.