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Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Jan 3, 2007 7:11am
Thread (disabled) Board
Greetings! We've been letterboxing for a couple of months now and are trying to get ready to do our first plant. I just tried my first carve and it looks... well it looks like a first effort! It will be clear in the logbook that this is our first plant (and it will be easy to figure out what the image is based on the name of the box). Do you think it's okay to use a less than perfect stamp or should I scrap it and try to make it better. I'm leaning toward keeping it since it's our first. I THINK letterboxers are a pretty patient lot with those of us just getting started, but I've also read posts from people who have gotten nasty comments in their log books. SO what's the general opinion - is it mostly the fun of the hunt and the image is secondary, or are folks disappointed when they find a less than perfect image at the end of the hunt? It's not AWFUL - you can tell what it's supposed to be (I think!)... enough rambling - I'm nervous about this because I want to do a good job - don't want to get a bad reputation right out of the shoot!!!!
Thanks!
Galaxy 4
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60355 by galaxy4
Jan 3, 2007 7:22am
Thread (disabled) Board
Do you think it's okay to use a less than perfect stamp or should I scrap it and try to make it better.

I think you should keep it. I know I would be patient, and if I hunt for a box and find a good stamp, Great, but if I hunt for one with a so-so stamp, I think that's great too! I really think it's about the hunt. It gives you a cool feeling when you see the box, in the exact place described. It's neat to know that the planter was here, right where you are now. Well that's what I think.

Bookboy9
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60357 by bookboy
Jan 3, 2007 7:32am
Thread (disabled) Board
GO FOR IT! We've all started out less than thrilled with our projects. But the more you carve, the more you'll learn and the better you'll do. You're right; it IS a special stamp because it's your first. I think the people who get their panties in a twist over a less-than-perfect stamp are in the minority. If you, on the slim chance, happen to get rude comments, don't let it get you down. As a twist on what Dorie says in Finding Nemo, "Just keep boxing. Just keep boxing. Just keep boxing, boxing, boxing....ooooh, I love to boooooooxxxxx!!!" :)

Becky
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60355 by galaxy4
Jan 3, 2007 9:37am
Thread (disabled) Board
Hurry up and plant it so I can go find it!!

I am assuming that you are aiming for the Birmingham area, where I am.

I can hardly wait to get your shoddy stamp marked in my sloppy little log book.

I shall give it a page of honor and I shall make snarky comments at anyone who dares criticize it.

(the trail name is deceptive but has a grain of truth after all)

MisterSnarky (oh, please don't call me "Mister")
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60375 by MisterSnarky
Jan 3, 2007 9:40am
Thread (disabled) Board
MisterSnarky,
Don't forget about our replant in Trussville and several new ones in T-town

J walkers
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60377 by J Walkers
Jan 3, 2007 9:42am
Thread (disabled) Board
Oh, i didn't notice the one in Trussville- I'll see about checking it out.

Also, stay tuned for a cooperative effort to help quill get the "Four Angels" re-planted in Ruffner Mountain in the next week or so.

MisterSnarky (oh, please don't call me "Mister")
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60375 by MisterSnarky
Jan 3, 2007 9:55am
Thread (disabled) Board
Yep Birmingham area, Hoover specifically. Probably won't get it done until this weekend - it's after dark when the DH gets home from work and I think he'd probably have a stroke if I snuck off and did it without him. We're thinking about doing a little "Hoover Parks" series - depending on how this one goes. I tend to go a little overbooard with these kind of things, so there's just no telling how many there will be! We'll be honored to be part of your "sloppy little log book"!
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60382 by galaxy4
Jan 3, 2007 1:39pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Hey, look! More LB'ers in my hometown. Wahoo! Hey, you plant that first stamp. I don't care how good or bad others think it is, if you gave it your best. I'll be proud to have it in my book. And if someone don't like it, I'll dust off my ticket book. Let me see, what was the ordinance number for ticking off the cops?

Big Ox
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60418 by Big Ox
Jan 3, 2007 1:53pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Quote Let me see, what was the ordinance number for ticking off the cops?

Big Ox


It's the generally used and ambiguously defined charge of "disorderly conduct."

Whenever another lawyer used to ask me what that was when I worked in a general practice law firm I just told them "that means the client got a police officer really mad at him."

(yes, I know there's a better explanation, but you'd be surprised how satisfied they were with their new-found understanding of the charges.)

Legal terminology with a Snarky twist, at your service.

MisterSnarky (oh, please don't call me "Mister")
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60355 by galaxy4
Jan 3, 2007 1:56pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Plant it! One of my absolute favorite finds was a box with a stamp that I honestly have no idea what it is. The clues were so cute and clever and the location was wonderful. We liked it so much that we took our extended family and introduced them to letterboxing. Maybe I'll hunt for it on my way home one day. Birmingham is half way to my hometown in MS.
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60355 by galaxy4
Jan 3, 2007 2:01pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Wow, Galaxy, if I scrapped every less than perfect stamp, I would not have any plants. It is the game, the hunt, the find, the high that excites me. I look forward to finding your first plant. You just keep them coming, and rest assured, "If you plant them, they will come!" Congrats on your first box.
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60418 by Big Ox
Jan 3, 2007 2:05pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I think it's called "deboxery"
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60425 by Ole'Pops
Jan 3, 2007 2:27pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Oh, you're good! It's actually feloniuos hibauchery. I just wish I had your skills with a pun.
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60434 by Big Ox
Jan 3, 2007 2:34pm
Thread (disabled) Board
That is my new trail name. "A Skill'a the Pun"
Re: Getting ready for first plant
Board: State: Alabama
Reply to: #60355 by galaxy4
Jan 3, 2007 3:29pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Well the more I looked at my "creature" the more I realized he looked like he had been decapitated - and that was just a little icky for me! I have saved him to see if I might be able to resurect him for a later plant, but I decided to start over with an entirely new theme. I'm MUCH happier with this second one. I was so inspired that I finally carved a replacement personal stamp for the cheesy store-bought ones we started with. As a result - I have some passable stamps - but I didn't get any of the housework done that demanded my attention today! Since I'm almost out of pink stuff, I might actually get something done tomorrow!

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. Hopefully it will go in Saturday morning and I can get it posted in the afternoon.

(one part of) Galaxy 4