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Read Thread: So close...yet so far...

Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913015 by GreenJello
Nov 1, 2015 10:44am
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What's that saying...? Something along the lines of, "People who say something is impossible should not interrupt those who are doing it".... :)

With the first sentence I was thinking, “The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer.” It is the slogan of the U.S. Army in 1942.

However, there is a long history of similar quotes dating back to Charles Alexandre de Calonne published in 1794.

When the queen asked Calonne for money, he more than once made use of this singular expression: If it is possible, madam, the affair is done; if it is impossible, it shall be done! Appropriate language for a French petit-maitre addressing his mistress, but not for a financier in whose hands was reposed the prosperity of an oppressed people!

Challenge accepted.

Just don't give us a bad reputation. And if I don't feel comfortable finding it then I'll pass.
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913019 by Oberon_Kenobi
Nov 1, 2015 10:46am
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Just don't give us a bad reputation.

I think geocachers have far more to worry about re: bad reputations than I do with any of the plants I have done.

GJ
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913020 by GreenJello
Nov 1, 2015 11:08am
Thread (disabled) Board
I think geocachers have far more to worry about re: bad reputations than I do with any of the plants I have done.

Well, yes. There are more geocachers so naturally there are more possibilities for a bad reputation. But there have also been some letterboxes that have had the bomb squad called on them. I just don't want to regret having given you this particular challenge.

BTW, in another of my posts I left off letterbox hides that requires wading or climbing. I'll have to think about where I can plant such letterboxes. I'm not as bold as you are, planting so many urban boxes, but I'm still thinking about a particular, very public place.
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913022 by Oberon_Kenobi
Nov 1, 2015 12:42pm
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I just don't want to regret having given you this particular challenge.

I've actually planned on planting in this locale for about 4 years now. It's high time I do it.

GJ
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913002 by Jaxx
Nov 1, 2015 1:34pm
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http://i.word.com/idictionary/drizzle-drozzle

I won't post the Urban Dictionary link, but they rhyme it with nozzle....
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913022 by Oberon_Kenobi
Nov 1, 2015 6:05pm
Thread (disabled) Board
There are more geocachers so naturally there are more possibilities for a bad reputation. But there have also been some letterboxes that have had the bomb squad called on them.

This may be true. Fortunately, at least for the bomb squad thesis, it simply isn't. At least not materially.

A simple google search of "bomb squad" letterboxing, query as follows --

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=%22bomb+squad%22+letterboxing&start=10

The first link (c 2010, Midland TX) describes a geocache --

https://ontariocacher.wordpress.com/geocaching/would-asking-permission-stop-bomb-squad-calls/

The eighth link (c 2012, in Disneyland), also describes a geocache --

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Disneyland-Shut-Down-For-Suspicious-Item-141295473.html#

The sixteenth link (c 2008, Toronto, ON), describes 1 letterbox, 2 geocaches, and 2 objects of unknown tribal origin --

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2008/08/01/when_police_join_the_treasure_hunt.html

None of the other links on the first 2 pages, at least as I could tell from the summary, described actual bomb squad events. Your search results may vary.

So, you would think, if "some letterboxes had the bomb squad called on them", more than one object identified as a letterbox would show up in the first 2 pages of the query, after 17 years, cause it seems like big news, at least to me. You would also think, if the poster did his homework, he would point out that 5 times as many objects described as geocaches also had the bomb squad called on them. However, the quote attempts to paint quite a different picture.

The numbers, in both cases, are not material, given the numbers and the timelines of the games, so what is the point of bringing it up? Who knows? (Well of course I know, but that is a topic for another day ...)

So, cutting thru the BS, and the fishing line, as the case may be, lets just drop the tribalism and think of them as the same game. Cause, you know what, not only are they the same game, the people who actually matter, the park people, the muggles, the people who could make things miserable, certainly think they are.
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913059 by Sir Braemoor
Nov 1, 2015 6:35pm
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So, cutting thru the BS, and the fishing line, as the case may be, lets just drop the tribalism and think of them as the same game. Cause, you know what, not only are they the same game, the people who actually matter, the park people, the muggles, the people who could make things miserable, certainly think they are.

Neither "tribe" seems to think they are the same game. As someone who is in both "tribes" who has tried to get people to come over and try the "other" I appreciate another peacemaker. I'll defend either side when unfair things are said about the "other", but I've found that people can't be dragged to have a foot in each camp. I will still try to represent positively the "other" "tribe", but I have gained some understanding why many people don't do both.

And I thought the people playing the game are " the people who actually matter ". I know what you mean though, "the people who actually matter" are the people who can cause us real trouble.
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913059 by Sir Braemoor
Nov 1, 2015 6:39pm
Thread (disabled) Board
The letterbox that I know had a bomb squad called in was actually reported as a geocache in the media. The geocaching community couldn't figure out what cache it was but the local letterboxes were very aware that a letterbox was at that location.
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913065 by MichKathy
Nov 2, 2015 2:10pm
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Dang, where did I put that lemur?
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913125 by Mizscarlet
Nov 2, 2015 5:08pm
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It's lying next to the kitten, underneath the horse. The baseball bats are all broken, but I've got a hockey stick if anyone wants to take another whack at the pile.

K
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913133 by Kelsung
Nov 2, 2015 6:29pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I thought about relating my experience involving the ef-be-eye and a letterbox plant in a very high security, high profile place that most certainly did involve the bomb squad and a very costly building evacuation. It was not my box, but I was stupid enough to stamp in with a stamp containing my trail name which was traceable back to me. I think we all know the risks of both planting and finding urban boxes, and hopefully know where common sense must prevail and the reputation of the hobby should be of higher priority than nabbing that risky box.

SpringChick
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913125 by Mizscarlet
Nov 2, 2015 10:48pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Dang, where did I put that lemur?

Zee lemur? Vas zat vhut ve skeened und ate?
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #912794 by Raven
Nov 3, 2015 4:10pm
Thread (disabled) Board
You don't have to get every box!

You don't??
Re: So close...yet so far...
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #913141 by SpringChick
Nov 4, 2015 12:40pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Wow, Springchick!

There were some locations I also felt were MUCH too risky too search for a letterbox at. It just didn't seem fun to worry about being arrested, nor did it seem fair that the planters put people at risk. So I didn't attempt those few boxes. Sorry you had that experience! Must have not been very fun!

I've had police and security run-ins on 4 different geocaching trips. (Only one of them was I totally surprised at). Some people just don't think before they plant.