You know, I'd rather forgotten one of the points of all this: Admiring a well-crafted stamp. Let me explain...
I'd been gathering the impression (mostly unfounded) that there's some folks that are only interested in "getting their numbers up" - that is, power-walking through areas, ignoring the rgeat places, to get as many finds in an hour as possible just for the bragging rights of a big F#. I thought it'd be a shame to dis' such appreciation of what others have put together for our enjoyment. I had similar thoughts about the hitchhiker "feeding frenzy" described in a previous posting. Just another way to "get my numbers up".
That whole line of thinking totally ignores a few things. Firstly, some people enjoy the thrill of the hunt. The object is almost irrelevant to the speedy conclusion of the puzzle, thus giving the same feel as one who can finish a crossword puzzle before others - it's just a goal that some folks enjoy. Whether it's my cup of tea or not is irrelevant!
Secondly, some folks only get a small amount of free time. Goodness knows I've had my letterboxing time cut short by Uncle Sam having the nerve to keep scheduling Reserve drills (the nerve!). They collect stamps and appreciate them at home when they can.
Thirdly, the areas described are often old terrain for many letterboxers. If Schmedley Park has thirty letterboxes in it, and you've been there twenty-eight times, then the glamour has probably worn a bit thin.
Then in re: the hithhikers at gatherings, well, I still would avoid those.
BUT! After seeing the LOVELY crafting of Mad Mary's Bass (in the 'Just Bass' LB), I'm all in favor of collecting impressions of as many stamps as possible out of the sheer appreciation of the artwork. I may not count a hitchhiker from an event pile on a table as a real Find (until I really Find it), but I'd sure like to take an impression to show my family and friends! They get as much of a kick out of them as I do, and some of my family can't get outdoors.
So I'm going to be kinder of thought in the future. I'll happily accept that others' strange ways are their way of enjoying a game with no rules, anyway. And I'm going to enjoy the fruits of others' labors, try to emulate them, and thank them for the wonderful places they lead me.
Thanks, guys!
Dave
von der Insel
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The Reason (kinda long)
7 messages in this thread |
Started on 2004-01-25
The Reason (kinda long)
From: dave & diane (vonderinsel@cox.net) |
Date: 2004-01-25 09:38:12 UTC-05:00
Re: [LbNA] The Reason (kinda long)
From: Rayvenhaus (rayvenhaus@myndworx.com) |
Date: 2004-01-25 07:33:00 UTC-08:00
Thank you for sharing those words Dave, I really appreciate hearing that
someone else feels as I do. Yes, I post my PFX count, but that's not why we
do this hobby. And our reasons for doing this are way different that yours
or anyone else's, but, the basis is the same as what you just said... I love
seeing places others have found and I love seeing their stamps. I consider
myself to be on the low end of the carving ability and certainly not an
artist at all, I can barely hold a pencil, let alone draw and create
something from a blank piece of paper. My abilities in creating things
laying with the wood I work with, the clocks and other items I make. Even
the stained glass RayvenMom and I do comes from a pattern. But to see some
of the images that others make... To have the pleasure of seeing a stamp
hand carved by ScoutDogs or by Chuck and Molly (As we did when they sent
boxes down here for Fright Fest '03) or, more often, to see the stamps of
the wonderful carvers we have in this area is such a treat.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, they were greatly appericated
this early sunday morning.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-+> Steve of Team Rayvenhaus <+-
"We leave nothing but an image to mark our passage......"
A Letterboxing Upcoming Events Calendar is available at
http://www.myndworx.com/modules.php?name=Kalender
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(This is a randomly selected tagline, your mileage may vary.)
Don't confuse me with facts, my mind's already made up!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
someone else feels as I do. Yes, I post my PFX count, but that's not why we
do this hobby. And our reasons for doing this are way different that yours
or anyone else's, but, the basis is the same as what you just said... I love
seeing places others have found and I love seeing their stamps. I consider
myself to be on the low end of the carving ability and certainly not an
artist at all, I can barely hold a pencil, let alone draw and create
something from a blank piece of paper. My abilities in creating things
laying with the wood I work with, the clocks and other items I make. Even
the stained glass RayvenMom and I do comes from a pattern. But to see some
of the images that others make... To have the pleasure of seeing a stamp
hand carved by ScoutDogs or by Chuck and Molly (As we did when they sent
boxes down here for Fright Fest '03) or, more often, to see the stamps of
the wonderful carvers we have in this area is such a treat.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, they were greatly appericated
this early sunday morning.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-+> Steve of Team Rayvenhaus <+-
"We leave nothing but an image to mark our passage......"
A Letterboxing Upcoming Events Calendar is available at
http://www.myndworx.com/modules.php?name=Kalender
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(This is a randomly selected tagline, your mileage may vary.)
Don't confuse me with facts, my mind's already made up!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Re: The Reason (kinda long)
From: ndnboxing (ndnboxing@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2004-01-25 16:22:39 UTC
I totally agree. Living in Georgia, I knew a long time ago that I would
never be in the big leagues as far as PFX numbers go, unless I
travelled around the country. Since that's not possible, I decided to
simply accept the limitations on the number of boxes available and to
create the best stamp images I could. Like others, I wasn't the world's
best stamp carver naturally, so I had to work on it. But I was
determined to "upgrade" the artistry level of the stamps I planted. I
figured that if, again here in GA, you would only get maybe 2 boxes a
month (b/c you don't want to exhaust the entire state too quickly),
they better be worth it. Each stamp I carve for a letterbox gets better
and better. I would rather have one great stamp than 20 so-so stamps.
Quality, to me at least, is better than quantity.
Thanks for reading,
Mark
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "dave & diane"
wrote:
> You know, I'd rather forgotten one of the points of all this: Admiring a well-crafted stamp. Let me explain...
>
and
>
> BUT! After seeing the LOVELY crafting of Mad Mary's Bass (in the 'Just Bass' LB), I'm all in favor of collecting impressions of as many stamps as possible out of the sheer appreciation of the artwork. I may not count a hitchhiker from an event pile on a table as a real Find (until I really Find it), but I'd sure like to take an impression to show my family and friends! They get as much of a kick out of them as I do, and some of my family can't get outdoors.
> So I'm going to be kinder of thought in the future. I'll happily accept that others' strange ways are their way of enjoying a game with no rules, anyway. And I'm going to enjoy the fruits of others' labors, try to emulate them, and thank them for the wonderful places they lead me.
>
> Thanks, guys!
> Dave
> von der Insel
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
never be in the big leagues as far as PFX numbers go, unless I
travelled around the country. Since that's not possible, I decided to
simply accept the limitations on the number of boxes available and to
create the best stamp images I could. Like others, I wasn't the world's
best stamp carver naturally, so I had to work on it. But I was
determined to "upgrade" the artistry level of the stamps I planted. I
figured that if, again here in GA, you would only get maybe 2 boxes a
month (b/c you don't want to exhaust the entire state too quickly),
they better be worth it. Each stamp I carve for a letterbox gets better
and better. I would rather have one great stamp than 20 so-so stamps.
Quality, to me at least, is better than quantity.
Thanks for reading,
Mark
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "dave & diane"
wrote:
> You know, I'd rather forgotten one of the points of all this: Admiring a well-crafted stamp. Let me explain...
>
and
>
> BUT! After seeing the LOVELY crafting of Mad Mary's Bass (in the 'Just Bass' LB), I'm all in favor of collecting impressions of as many stamps as possible out of the sheer appreciation of the artwork. I may not count a hitchhiker from an event pile on a table as a real Find (until I really Find it), but I'd sure like to take an impression to show my family and friends! They get as much of a kick out of them as I do, and some of my family can't get outdoors.
> So I'm going to be kinder of thought in the future. I'll happily accept that others' strange ways are their way of enjoying a game with no rules, anyway. And I'm going to enjoy the fruits of others' labors, try to emulate them, and thank them for the wonderful places they lead me.
>
> Thanks, guys!
> Dave
> von der Insel
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: The Reason (kinda long)
From: Memlili (memlili54@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2004-01-25 17:48:55 UTC
One of my favorite finds had a spiral bound, lined log book and a
purchased stamp. It was special because it was created and planted
by two children who learned about letterboxing through me. They were
so excited after their first couple of finds they planted one of
their own. The clues were simple, the letterbox itself was also
simple, and it is a favcorite find for me. We all came to this hooby
from different places and continue for different reasons. Isn't it
wonderful that there is such diversity as to allow so many varied
personalities to enjoy this outdoor activity?
~ Memlili
purchased stamp. It was special because it was created and planted
by two children who learned about letterboxing through me. They were
so excited after their first couple of finds they planted one of
their own. The clues were simple, the letterbox itself was also
simple, and it is a favcorite find for me. We all came to this hooby
from different places and continue for different reasons. Isn't it
wonderful that there is such diversity as to allow so many varied
personalities to enjoy this outdoor activity?
~ Memlili
Re: [LbNA] Re: The Reason (kinda long)
From: (StDebb@aol.com) |
Date: 2004-01-25 13:13:38 UTC-05:00
I value all the stamps in my book, whether simple, complex, or store-bought.
Each of them reminds me of the hike where I found them, and so it doesn't
matter what the quality. The memories still come back.
That's my objection to geocaching. You get the hunt, but I miss having the
stamp image to remember the experience by!
DebBee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Each of them reminds me of the hike where I found them, and so it doesn't
matter what the quality. The memories still come back.
That's my objection to geocaching. You get the hunt, but I miss having the
stamp image to remember the experience by!
DebBee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[LbNA] Re: The Reason (kinda long)
From: Cheryl (teammaddawg@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2004-01-25 18:34:58 UTC
I agree. My favorite stamps come with the memories associated with
the hunt. Such as the ones I found with my Marine son when I met
him when he came home from Iraq. We spent a day in the SoCal area
boxing, and just enjoying the fact he was safe and home. Store-
bought stamps are fine with me. It is the memories that count!
Cheryl
Team Mad Dawg
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, StDebb@a... wrote:
> I value all the stamps in my book, whether simple, complex, or
store-bought.
> Each of them reminds me of the hike where I found them, and so it
doesn't
> matter what the quality. The memories still come back.
>
> That's my objection to geocaching. You get the hunt, but I miss
having the
> stamp image to remember the experience by!
>
> DebBee
the hunt. Such as the ones I found with my Marine son when I met
him when he came home from Iraq. We spent a day in the SoCal area
boxing, and just enjoying the fact he was safe and home. Store-
bought stamps are fine with me. It is the memories that count!
Cheryl
Team Mad Dawg
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, StDebb@a... wrote:
> I value all the stamps in my book, whether simple, complex, or
store-bought.
> Each of them reminds me of the hike where I found them, and so it
doesn't
> matter what the quality. The memories still come back.
>
> That's my objection to geocaching. You get the hunt, but I miss
having the
> stamp image to remember the experience by!
>
> DebBee
Re: The Reason (kinda long)
From: Warrior Woman (warrioringilead@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2004-01-27 00:42:09 UTC
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "dave & diane"
wrote:
> You know, I'd rather forgotten one of the points of all this:
Admiring a well-crafted stamp. Let me explain...
> BUT! After seeing the LOVELY crafting of Mad Mary's Bass (in
the 'Just Bass' LB),
Dear Dave,
This is the reason why I am so anxious to "adopt" those so very
special boxes when the original placer has either gone on to bigger
and better things, or is too busy to keep up with their boxes (as is
the case with Mary - future plumber to be!).
I have the pleasure of being the maintainer of both of her boxes
(Just Bass and Point Judith). I have had to replace the container,
the log book, the ink pads, just about everything on Point Judith
about four times in the last year.
And, as you know, how can you *not* stop at Just Bass? The location
is absolutely spectacular and the image stamp is beyond compare.
I am so glad that you enjoyed this box.
And I agree with your philosophy. At the upcoming New England Event,
I am deliberately hosting a hitchhiker hostel so that all the
hitchhikers that are brought are not all over the table. You bring
one, you get to take one - no stamping frenzy.
And I now have a very *very* special personal traveler that I carry -
a hand carved gift from Funhog. And who will get the image of this
stamp? Those folks that *truly* appreciate hand carving, not just
someone who wants to up their X count. My signature stamp will have
to do.
Warrior Woman
The Letterboxing Meanie!
> You know, I'd rather forgotten one of the points of all this:
Admiring a well-crafted stamp. Let me explain...
> BUT! After seeing the LOVELY crafting of Mad Mary's Bass (in
the 'Just Bass' LB),
Dear Dave,
This is the reason why I am so anxious to "adopt" those so very
special boxes when the original placer has either gone on to bigger
and better things, or is too busy to keep up with their boxes (as is
the case with Mary - future plumber to be!).
I have the pleasure of being the maintainer of both of her boxes
(Just Bass and Point Judith). I have had to replace the container,
the log book, the ink pads, just about everything on Point Judith
about four times in the last year.
And, as you know, how can you *not* stop at Just Bass? The location
is absolutely spectacular and the image stamp is beyond compare.
I am so glad that you enjoyed this box.
And I agree with your philosophy. At the upcoming New England Event,
I am deliberately hosting a hitchhiker hostel so that all the
hitchhikers that are brought are not all over the table. You bring
one, you get to take one - no stamping frenzy.
And I now have a very *very* special personal traveler that I carry -
a hand carved gift from Funhog. And who will get the image of this
stamp? Those folks that *truly* appreciate hand carving, not just
someone who wants to up their X count. My signature stamp will have
to do.
Warrior Woman
The Letterboxing Meanie!