I applaud the enthusiasm and creativity, but I see a few
problems with the idea. The main one being the fact that there is
usually a lack of space anyway and adding yet another stamp
and logbook could leave tight lids and more vulnerability to
leakage. I'm not thrilled about the idea of trying to coordinate
three boxes in one swoop, much as I love any new stamps.

Also there are many, many areas that see very few gatherings
and may not meet a hitchhiker hostel. I'm still amazed that
hitchhikers make their way in and out of here every now and
then, but it is rarely through gatherings.

My final concern is with changing the meaning of "parasite." The
reason they are occasionally called that is because it is proper
terminology with our letterboxing cohorts across the pond. I'd
rather not create further confusion with what is meant by what.
To Brittish letterboxers, some of which letterbox here too, a
parasite is a hitchhiker.

These are just a few of my thoughts. I'll let others chime in too.

Happy Presidents' Day!
Cadenza

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Leapin' Lizards <
emptyenergy1@y...> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> We had an idea that we thought was interesting and
> wanted to share it with everyone to see what you
> thought of it. Our idea was to make parasites...I
> know that on Silent Doug's site that he makes
> reference to hitchhikers sometimes being called
> "parasites", but we think this is somewhat different
> than the ordinary hitchhiker. Here is our
> idea...Parasites would attach themselves to or
> "infect" a "host" hitchhiker. It would then travel
> with that hitchhiker, until a) it was placed in a
> hitchhiker hostel, where it would infect all other
> hitchhikers with it's stamp and move to a new host
> hitchhiker...and then travel again. Or until, b)it
> finds a new host hitchhiker by chance in a letterbox.
> Such as finding a hitchhiker when you are dropping one
> off too. It would then change hosts and be stamped in
> the letterbox log also, and then travel again.
>

I think it's an interesting idea. To add my two cents as for the packaging,
I would use a film canister. That way, it won't take up too much space in the
letterboxes.

Music Woman


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Leapin' Lizards
wrote:

> We had an idea that we thought was interesting and
> wanted to share it with everyone to see what you
> thought of it. Our idea was to make parasites...


There are no rules as we always say, but the terminology in my opinion
is not very classy and in keeping with the spirit of my approach. This
is just strictly in my opinion (keep in mind) but I would never use
the word "parasite" especially in the case of small children and in
outdoor places where there are really such things. The crossover for
me also being a scientist is just way too familiar. Perhaps this is
just a reflection of our all too familiar government imposed scare
tactics, but I'm NOT comfortable with this idea AT ALL.

I'd agree with Cadenza, boxes are already small enough and to add more
than a hitchhiker into that equation becomes quite confusing for all
involved. Best to keep it simple.

Adding my two cents worth on this subject:


While it is true that this 'whatever' we call it, be it Hobby, sport or
whatever, has no rules, it is also true that there are the unspoken rules.
I believe, in my own opinion, that the additions of 'parasites' are both
misnamed and is something that is duplicating what already exists.
Hitchhikers are, in a sense, parasites, in that they inhabit the body or
home of another letterbox, not having one themselves. So, as I see it,
these 'parasites' are nothing more than 'bugs' and that strikes to close to
Geocaching for my tastes. I don't think this is a good workable idea as it
sits currently.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-+> 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.)
I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was going to blame you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

>
> We had an idea that we thought was interesting and
> wanted to share it with everyone to see what you
> thought of it.
>

What a creative idea! We love it. Way back when, we were lucky enough
to find the Y2K Bug, the first US hitch hiker, and the creator called
it a "parasite." I think your more virulent parasites will be very
popular with finders and placers alike. Kind of reminds me of the
recent Gang of Eight project: at first glance a stamp of Pol Pot or
Hitler might seem a bit creepy, but those have become VERY desireable
collectables. I've seen perfectly normal adults go ape over
them...surely folks will be eager to catch an infection from the
newest parasites.

Jay in CT (who just ran a test here at work for ova & parasites on a
patient back from Sri Lanka with a certain uncomfortable personal
condition)

Hey, I say if you want to try it, try it! I also think your parastie series
would make a great boxing series!

Hoping to come across one sometime....



Mama Stork
aka Pam in Cinci


>
> Any opinions on this??...We think it would be kinda
> cool to see if your hitchhiker, letterbox, or personal
> logbook had been "infected" with a parasite. To start
> this, we have just finished creating nine stamps of,
> what else? Parasites! Kinda gross, kinda funny. We
> have a tick, bedbug, mosquito, tapeworm, flatworm,
> roundworm, flea, chigger, leech, and a roundworm ready
> to infect hitchhikers. They are all very small
> stamps. About 1/2 square or less.
>
> Anyhow...just wanted to throw that out there for
> comments.
>
> Happy boxing!
>
> Leapin' Lizards
>
>>

Go ahead and try it - what's the hurt? One of the appealing things
about this activity is the opportunity for creativity. It sounds
like a very creative twist to me! I'd like to find one someday.

Bigguy
> >
> > Any opinions on this??...We think it would be kinda
> > cool to see if your hitchhiker, letterbox, or personal
> > logbook had been "infected" with a parasite. To start
> > this, we have just finished creating nine stamps of,
> > what else? Parasites! Kinda gross, kinda funny. We
> > have a tick, bedbug, mosquito, tapeworm, flatworm,
> > roundworm, flea, chigger, leech, and a roundworm ready
> > to infect hitchhikers. They are all very small
> > stamps. About 1/2 square or less.
> >
> > Anyhow...just wanted to throw that out there for
> > comments.
> >
> > Happy boxing!
> >
> > Leapin' Lizards
> >
> >>

I think you're on to something. So a parasite would be a hitchhiker
on a hitchhiker? Might be a little confusing at first, but I'm sure
the finder would figure it out. I haven't seen any HH hostels (or
HHs for that matter :) out here in CA, but I like the idea of a
parasite getting into one and "infecting" all the HHs. The fact that
the parasite needs another hitchhiker to travel adds something new to
the fun. I think it's cute that they're tiny stamps too! Just make
sure they're clearly labeled (maybe with a wee laminated tag) that
explains what to do with it. If you could find some 2"x2" ziplock
type baggies (like the kind attached to women's blouses that extra
buttons come in), those would be good to hold the stamps.

Since it doesn't seem like too many folks call HHs "parasites" these
days, I don't think it's wrong to use the term in a new way.

If you can dream it, do it!

I have also heard of "parasites" as being a sort of bonus box that
is placed near an existing box, and the clues to find the parasite
are inserted into the nearby already-existing box. You don't know
the parasite exists until you find the host box. These differ from
cukoo clues in that the clues don't move from box to box, and always
refer to an extra box in the immediate vicinity.

JeLyBean

I don't know why everyone always mentions the "unwritten rules" of
letterboxing. I've been doing my best to get them written as quickly
as possible! But sheeze, it's not like this is my JOB! ;o)

-- Ryan

What a fun idea! These little critters could easily
fit into the small baggies that are available in
crafts stores and wouldn't even need a hard container.

I hope find one of these little bugs!
catbead

I've been thinking about it and the possibilities for parasites are
endless:

there could be boxes right next to other letterboxes that would be
para-sites...get it?

or ParisKites that are attached to the tails colorful kites flown
over the capital of France

Or half of a stamp in one location and the other half in another,
that would be a pair-of-sites

or letterboxes hidden in your pantyhose, they'd be in a pair-o'-
tights

you could hide them in umbrellas and they'd be parasolites...Ok that
was a stretch

If you hide them in pear trees they could be pearsites or in your
fathers house they'd be peresites....

under 2 cute pictures of puppies, they'd be pair-o'-sighs

In Luke Perry's pants they'd be Perry's-thighs

Poison Ivy suggested:

Hide two in an eyeglass store, they'd be pair o' sights.

And correction, hiding them in your panty hose would be the stretch.

Put them in Della Street's panty hose and it's Perry's Site.

Carve two suns and they'd be pair o' sols.

And we thank you for that Ryan, for, without you to tell us how to do it,
we'd surely be lost!



> I don't know why everyone always mentions the "unwritten rules" of
> letterboxing. I've been doing my best to get them written as quickly
> as possible! But sheeze, it's not like this is my JOB! ;o)
>
> -- Ryan

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-+> 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.)
Please don't let your mind wander, it's much to small to be outside by
itself!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

WWWAAAHHH AH HAHAHAHA, WWWAAAHHH AH HAHAHAH, laughing so hard I
can't breathe!!!!






--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Lady Hydrangea Prisspott nee
Hedge" wrote:
> I've been thinking about it and the possibilities for parasites
are
> endless:
>
> there could be boxes right next to other letterboxes that would be
> para-sites...get it?
>
> or ParisKites that are attached to the tails colorful kites flown
> over the capital of France
>
> Or half of a stamp in one location and the other half in another,
> that would be a pair-of-sites
>
> or letterboxes hidden in your pantyhose, they'd be in a pair-o'-
> tights
>
> you could hide them in umbrellas and they'd be parasolites...Ok
that
> was a stretch
>
> If you hide them in pear trees they could be pearsites or in your
> fathers house they'd be peresites....
>
> under 2 cute pictures of puppies, they'd be pair-o'-sighs
>
> In Luke Perry's pants they'd be Perry's-thighs
>
> Poison Ivy suggested:
>
> Hide two in an eyeglass store, they'd be pair o' sights.
>
> And correction, hiding them in your panty hose would be the
stretch.
>
> Put them in Della Street's panty hose and it's Perry's Site.
>
> Carve two suns and they'd be pair o' sols.

Write poor directions twice and you'll have a Pair of fights?

TT
----- Original Message -----
From: carie78504
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 4:49 PM
Subject: [LbNA] Re: New aspect to letterboxing??? Parasites...


WWWAAAHHH AH HAHAHAHA, WWWAAAHHH AH HAHAHAH, laughing so hard I
can't breathe!!!!






--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Lady Hydrangea Prisspott nee
Hedge" wrote:
> I've been thinking about it and the possibilities for parasites
are
> endless:
>
> there could be boxes right next to other letterboxes that would be
> para-sites...get it?
>
> or ParisKites that are attached to the tails colorful kites flown
> over the capital of France
>
> Or half of a stamp in one location and the other half in another,
> that would be a pair-of-sites
>
> or letterboxes hidden in your pantyhose, they'd be in a pair-o'-
> tights
>
> you could hide them in umbrellas and they'd be parasolites...Ok
that
> was a stretch
>
> If you hide them in pear trees they could be pearsites or in your
> fathers house they'd be peresites....
>
> under 2 cute pictures of puppies, they'd be pair-o'-sighs
>
> In Luke Perry's pants they'd be Perry's-thighs
>
> Poison Ivy suggested:
>
> Hide two in an eyeglass store, they'd be pair o' sights.
>
> And correction, hiding them in your panty hose would be the
stretch.
>
> Put them in Della Street's panty hose and it's Perry's Site.
>
> Carve two suns and they'd be pair o' sols.


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