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Once again . . . we return to regular programming!
Board: Virtuals
Jul 31, 2005 12:49am
Thread Board
Ok...so there are good things about my site host and there are bad things.

The good things are that they stay on top of things and upgrade. The best thing is that the hosting cost is free! The bad thing is that they stay so on top of things that they seem to be constantly upgrading and dumping my account when they add new servers. <gg>

So, once again . . . The Great WDW Treasure Hunt should be back up and in working order now. If you still run across problems or broken links, please let me know and I'll fix them.

I've seriously thought about switching host sites, but to tell you the truth, I just can't seem to bring myself to totally redoing every single link (read as: redoing every single page almost from scratch). So, I'll keep making sure it stays online and redo it when it goes down.

I am so sorry for the hassle and any inconvenience this causes.

Letterbug @D<
Re: Flying with a compass?
Board: Atlas Quest Announcements
Reply to: #6727 by Amanda from Seattle
Jul 31, 2005 2:48am
Thread Board
Quote The newest thing that you can't carry on the Aircraft are cigarette lighters. They have signs up because this is relatively new, I think they started banning them in April. You can carry a couple of books of matches, but no lighters.


About two years ago, I, a non smoker, was stopped and thoroughly searched at the Philadelphia airport after my boyfriend, a smoker at that time, asked me to carry his lighter in my purse. They knew that the lighter was the issue when it went through the scanner but insisted that I take off my coat and ran that lovely little detector thingie over me and then made me take off my shoes and looked inside them and tried to see if the soles were removable. I was extremely embarrassed and more than a little annoyed with my boyfriend since it wasn't even my lighter.

I have been surprised since then to discover that lighters are a recent addition to the "don't take on planes" list.

Jan of Team Little Dog
Re: Hummmm.....I be Confused.....
Board: Event News and Planning
Reply to: #6738 by Amanda from Seattle
Jul 31, 2005 6:38am
Thread Board
Quote The XML page cannot be displayed
Cannot view XML input using XSL style sheet. Please correct the error and then click the Refresh button, or try again later.
An invalid character was found in text content. Error processing resource


Amanda, you have to love getting THIS kind of question when Ryan is gone *grin*

I don't really know anything about webdesign and may turn out to be completely wrong on part/all of this, but I did take a look at Silent Doug's site.

According to the code on it, the calender list is loaded through a JavaScript link back to AQ and if the person's computer does not run the script then the second message that MissMoon received pops up, so you can click the RSS link.

From the little bit of reading I just did, it seems that in invalid character message HAS to come from the AQ side. One example I saw there was a GBP symbol inside one of the messages and when it was changed to "pound" instead, it worked. So the only place I can take you from here is in the error, does it direct you to a certain place it had a problem?

But then again, I don't do web page design so am just theorizing here...
Re: Conn./NC and temporary box scavenger hunt
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6553 by Get Smart
Jul 31, 2005 8:42am
Thread Board
I felt that way for a long time. I think it's all in just finding the tool and material you feel most comfortable with. Many people I consider amazing carvers gave me tips and showed me what to do but it never helped. I kept gouging whatever I carved so deep the stamp wasn't stable. One day, though, I feel like I just kind of got it. Now, I am so excited about carving and it's became my favorite part of boxing.

Desi
A few things
Board: State: North Carolina
Jul 31, 2005 8:47am
Thread Board
First, we would love to do some night boxing. We've never done that before. Second, looking forward to the amazing letterboxing race. It sounds great!

Also, i know I claimed carving the two NC presidents, but I'd also like to do Dale Earnhardt if no one else is yet.

Desi
Schedule
Board: Event News and Planning
Jul 31, 2005 9:27am
Thread Board
I was wondering, is it good to have a schedule for an event?
-CatGirl
This reminds me of Ryan!
Board: Reading Room
Jul 31, 2005 9:32am
Thread Board
Just finished a great book called WorldWalk by Steven M. Newman. This is the story of the first man who walked around the world alone. He started in 1983 and it took him 4 years. The man is a journalist by trade so it's decently written.

LW
Gathering Clue Book//directions
Board: State: North Carolina
Jul 31, 2005 12:39pm
Thread Board
I'm thinking about putting together a gathering clue book with maps to different sites from McDowell Park. Since I probably know this area better than anyone I'd be happy to leave my phone # for anyone that is coming to the gathering and scared about getting lost. Or anyone that intends to venture around Charlotte and is scared about getting lost. Just e-mail me prior to leaving for the gathering and ask for my phone# if you want it.

The clue book would have all the posted letterboxing (and at least one WOM-- there is another two unposted 2003 boxes but I need to check them out again and check with the owner first). I know of 4 mystery boxes within a driving range (two of them would depend on the direction you are coming from) but you would need to probably figure them out ahead of time since I cannot disclose the location, of course.

I could place additional helpful driving landmarks and group them by location (Pineville area, Matthews area, Latta--north side, nearby SC, Reedy Creek, Monroe, Gastonia, Concord, Downtown). I'd indicate boxes that are "quick" (practically drivebys) for those that need to "maximize" their time here. The booklet would not be fancy but very practical, informative, and a quick reference guide. I would charge a dollar or two though for the printing (printer ribbons and copying and folders don't come free). I'm also thinking of making a large map to post up with locations that have boxes in them (this would just be an open "exhibit" of sorts).

Is this something that people would be interested in?
Re: Gathering Clue Book//directions
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6749 by The Wolf Family
Jul 31, 2005 12:52pm
Thread Board
You'd have my $2! Sounds very helpful!!

Liz
Re: Gathering Clue Book//directions
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6749 by The Wolf Family
Jul 31, 2005 1:53pm
Thread Board
This sounds really helpful!
Re: Gathering Clue Book//directions
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6751 by drgdlg
Jul 31, 2005 2:44pm
Thread Board
I'm definately in on that! Great idea! :-)

GreyCrazy
Re: Gathering Clue Book//directions
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6749 by The Wolf Family
Jul 31, 2005 4:20pm
Thread Board
Count me in.

Knit Wit
Re: Gathering Clue Book//directions
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6753 by knit wit
Jul 31, 2005 5:17pm
Thread Board
Hmmm $2 .... can you arrange payments?
If not, I can probably scrape it together.

Get Smart - Max & 99 - Concord, NC
Oct 22 - List of theme boxes spoken for ...... where?
Board: State: North Carolina
Jul 31, 2005 5:31pm
Thread Board
If I missed this, remeber my future epitaph ....
" He was never in doubt ....... often wrong."

Was someone keeping and somewhere posting a list of which boxes and stamps folks had claimed and were creating?
If so, where can I find it?

Thanks...

Get Smart - Max
Looking for tutoring .... carving tight corners like "V
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Jul 31, 2005 6:14pm
Thread Board
I am trying my hand at my first stamp. It is my personal stamp shown as MAX in our profile for Get Smart. So far, I seem to get the idea for the smooth lines and straight lines. But at the places where two lines form a "v" for example at the verticies of the letter "X" - what is the recommended way to attack this and keep the "slope away from the line effect" - so a cross section of a line does not have right angles at its top, but rather more shallow angles for strength. Also, inside the top part of the letter "A"
... is it best to use an Exacto knife on these? Perhaps outline the letters and the pick the material away with a #1 gouge?

And then there are the tight places where there nees to have material removed, but the inlet to the bay (to use nautical analogs) is much smaller than the bay and the bay has many tight coves in it.

Lot of questions in one place. Sounds like an opportunity for someone to make (and sell) an instructional video. Thanks for any and all help,

Get Smart - Max & 99 - Concord, NC
NC gathering theme stamps
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6755 by Get Smart
Jul 31, 2005 6:19pm
Thread Board
"Was someone keeping and somewhere posting a list of which boxes and stamps folks had claimed and were creating?
If so, where can I find it?"

I think this board is the only location but it's getting more difficult to find them. Here's what I have:

Amanda: Scotch Bonnet
Drgdlg: Presidents Polk & Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt
Knit Wit: Ray Hicks (story teller)
Penguin Patrol: Box turtle, gray squirrel, bass

I'm doing a large launching of cooties for kids, some kids activities, and a clue book. I'm also planting another stamp next week that will be available at McDowell(Copperhead-- seems that NC has the dubious distinction of most snake bites in the US!).

I could have missed someone, though.
Re: Gathering Clue Book//directions
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6754 by Get Smart
Jul 31, 2005 6:23pm
Thread Board
"Hmmm $2 .... can you arrange payments?
If not, I can probably scrape it together."

Oh, you can have a discount book... but I can't guarantee where the directions will take you (or what you will find in the box with the clues I give you). ;)
Re: NC gathering theme stamps
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6757 by The Wolf Family
Jul 31, 2005 6:28pm
Thread Board
Thanks Ms. Wolf ...

I guess we ain'ta gonna git inta the deebate 'bout how Andy Jaxson wuz really borned in NC..... lest wise - I ain't a fixin tah.

...
Re: Looking for tutoring .... carving tight corners like &qu
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #6756 by Get Smart
Jul 31, 2005 6:29pm
Thread Board
What I like to do with these is outline in an exacto. The knife should be angled into the area you're carving away. With small things, like the inside of an "A", it should just pop out. If the area is larger, I like to use an exacto. However, I think it's whatever feels most comfortable. I do think the exacto provides smoother lines.

Desi
Re: NC gathering theme stamps
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6757 by The Wolf Family
Jul 31, 2005 6:30pm
Thread Board
Quote I'm also planting another stamp next week that will be available at McDowell(Copperhead


Oh, I wish I coulld have found this one during my McDowell outing this week! After almost stepping directly on a NC copperhead the week before, it would have been perfect!

Maybe next time.

DebBee
Re: NC gathering theme stamps
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6759 by Get Smart
Jul 31, 2005 6:31pm
Thread Board
I know you said you're aren't getting into it, but since you brought it up...

I kept finding a lot of controverisla information about whether he is or not. So, if any of you NC people want to clear that up, it would be nice. Because if he's not a real NC man, then he's not a Tarheel Treasure.

Desi
Re: NC gathering theme stamps
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6757 by The Wolf Family
Jul 31, 2005 6:32pm
Thread Board
Hey! My mom is going to be able to come with us to the gathering. She is going to do an "AT" box.

Desi
Re: NC gathering theme stamps
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6762 by drgdlg
Jul 31, 2005 6:46pm
Thread Board
Desi,

They don't really know if he was born in NC or SC. The state line was moved multiple times and so it just isn't possible to know. Both states claim he was born there, and historians seem to sway back and forth.

Sorry but there just is no definitive answer.

jen
Re: NC gathering theme stamps
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6764 by Jensgreycar
Jul 31, 2005 6:56pm
Thread Board
Jen is correct ... I think they had the same lousey surveyer that screwed up the state line around Charlotte. I forget the details, but since they didn't have a GPS handy back then but they had a LOT of whiskey, the state line kinda wobbled all over the place. All we know for sure was that he WAS born, and that birth took place "in the Waxhaws" which is described as a wooded frontier region between NC and SC.

But hey, fer sure James K. Polk was born right next door in Mecklenburg county and Andrew Johnson up in Raleigh. So that make 2 fer sure POTUS's ...

Get Smart - Max
Re: Looking for tutoring .... carving tight corners like &am
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #6760 by drgdlg
Jul 31, 2005 6:59pm
Thread Board
Thanks... makes sense... just to clarify ... when you say "... The knife should be angled into the area ..." do you mean AWAY from the line that is being left? So for the center of the "A" there would be three cuts aimed at the "center" of the center of the "A". I wouldn't think I'd want to UNDERcut the lines..

Get Smart - Max
Re: NC gathering theme stamps - claiming a stamp ...
Board: State: North Carolina
Reply to: #6757 by The Wolf Family
Jul 31, 2005 7:06pm
Thread Board
I think it fitting that I try my (shaky) hand at carving a tribute to a critter that has the distinction of being the most plentiful in the nation right here in NC. In particular it is Cabarrus County, NC that has the most of these little darlings. And what a perfect time to mee them in the heat of the summer!

I intend to make this one mimic this critter's behaviour and make him a hitch hiker.

The Brown Dog Tick.

Get Smart - Max
Re: Schedule
Board: Event News and Planning
Reply to: #6747 by CatGirl and 00
Jul 31, 2005 7:22pm
Thread Board
It depends on what's going on at the event. The one thing you might want to have on the schedule, besides start and end, is a time for a group photo. Check out the hints on hosting events on letterboxing.info

Scarab
Re: Schedule
Board: Event News and Planning
Reply to: #6768 by Scarab
Jul 31, 2005 7:44pm
Thread Board
Quote The one thing you might want to have on the schedule, besides start and end, is a time for a group photo.


Yep, I was going to say just that! We still had one person off boxing when we took the picture at the Flamingo Fiesta, even though I told everyone when we'd do the picture.

If you've got expret teachers doing classes on carving or bookbinding or whatever, I would think they'd pick what time is good for them to do the class and anyone who wanted to attend would work their schedules around that.

I think a schedule is okay, but be prepared to be flexible on most things. There can be a lot of ebb and flow at a gathering.

DebBee
Re: geocaching popularity versus letterboxing
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #6564 by MoonBunny
Jul 31, 2005 8:07pm
Thread Board
I use my gps unit when letterboxing on unknow trails so that I don't get lost. Gives me a sense of security.

R of JARS
Vacation Event boxes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Jul 31, 2005 9:42pm
Thread Board
Our family takes a weeklong vacation every year, generally in May, and this has become known as the "May Trip". This year we went to Destin, FL, and i carved a stamp to commemorate the trip. I stamped this stamp along with my signature stamp into some (can't remember if it was all) of the letterboxes i found while i was down there. I thought i would expand the tradition to include doing this every year on our trips.

Then when i saw the Harry Potter release party limited-time stamp, i wondered if people would be interested in such a thing for someone else's family vacation. Like if i put it on the front porch of the vacation house or something and posted it for the week we were there. I thought it would be a neat way to meet other letterboxers from the area. If i was around the house when people came, we could exchange stamps, chat for a bit, etc.

I wouldn't do something like this at my own house with everything that's usually going on, but it seems like fun on "vacation time".

Has anyone done anything like this? And what do you think of the idea?