Mail for Wheelie August 25, 2010 5:01 PM   Subscribe

Send me mail!

Inspired by Divabat's post, I too would love to get randomness in the mail. I can open a PO Box, and see what happens! I recently moved from my parents into my own place so I figured why not? I can set up a PO box next week and we can start our exchange. Any takers?
posted by wheelieman to MetaFilter-Related at 5:01 PM (95 comments total) 11 users marked this as a favorite

MeFi isn't enough randomness for you, you greedy bastard???
posted by jonmc at 5:05 PM on August 25, 2010


Beware: three weeks ago, I sent out 50 postcards to random MeFites. I have only gotten four in reply. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
posted by ColdChef at 5:09 PM on August 25, 2010 [6 favorites]


I NEED MORE DAMN IT! Plus MeFi is just words on a screen, not stuff I can overcrowd my apartment with. I am interested in trinkets, knick knacks, postcards, etc.
posted by wheelieman at 5:11 PM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


ColdChef, send me a body of a person who has donated to science, and we may work something out. That is, if the college doesn't get it first.
posted by wheelieman at 5:13 PM on August 25, 2010


ColdChef, you will soon have five!
posted by amro at 5:16 PM on August 25, 2010


YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

I could be guilty. I know I have one to go back out, but that's also not you! Almost every card I got in response to an earlier postcard exchange lacked a return address. I just posted my address here and said anyone that sent me something would get something in return. Well, I replied where I could!

If I owe you one let me know. You can even fake it. memail me your address and I will send something. I have a stack of postcards!

This goes for anyone. ColdChef included.
posted by cjorgensen at 5:16 PM on August 25, 2010


I've been saving boogers in a mason jar for the past 18 years for just such an occasion. I also have some earwax sculptures available, but shipping's a bitch you know.
posted by carsonb at 5:17 PM on August 25, 2010


ColdChef, send me a body of a person who has donated to science, and we may work something out. That is, if the college doesn't get it first.

So here's a story about that. In Louisiana, you can't guarantee which university or group will get your body after you donate it. So when a young LSU fan died a few years back, before the donation group took possession of her body, she had the funeral director write "Tulane, Kiss My Ass" across her backside in indelible ink, in case she ended up anywhere other than her alma mater.

True story.
posted by ColdChef at 5:18 PM on August 25, 2010 [36 favorites]


I do this in another forum, it is loads of fun to get random mail.
Please do count me in :)
posted by Grlnxtdr at 5:19 PM on August 25, 2010


I'll send you something if you promise to send me something back. I think it would be nice to get something in the mail that isn't some variant of "you suck."
posted by Gator at 5:19 PM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


ColdChef: Beware: three weeks ago, I sent out 50 postcards to random MeFites. I have only gotten four in reply. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

And YOU never replied to my package containing a SHAVED BADGER (alive) with a K♥CC tattoo!
posted by Kattullus at 5:20 PM on August 25, 2010 [2 favorites]


For those interested, MeMail me and we will do the address exchange when said PO box is up and running
posted by wheelieman at 5:21 PM on August 25, 2010


First person to MeMail me with their address gets a "Red Beans and Rice" postcard with a magnet attached.
posted by ColdChef at 5:23 PM on August 25, 2010


I volunteer to mail all my bills to anyone who wants to pay them.
posted by amyms at 5:24 PM on August 25, 2010 [6 favorites]


Kattullus won.
posted by ColdChef at 5:24 PM on August 25, 2010


yes
posted by ersatzkat at 5:25 PM on August 25, 2010


I will send people mail until I run out of Christmas stamps with the old postage amount on them.
posted by smackfu at 5:27 PM on August 25, 2010


Hello wheelieman,
And thank you for signing up for Mark Zuckerberg's Beta Email Tracking. My name is Matt Haughey Jr. Here at MetaFilter we are working with Facebook which has just compiled an e-mail tracing program that tracks everyone to whom this message is forwarded to. It does this through an unique IP (Internet Protocol) address log book database. We are experimenting with this and need your help. Forward this to everyone you know and if it reaches 13,000 people, 1,300 of the people on the list will receive a complimentary tea cozy, and the rest will receive a free trip for two to SXSW for one week during the summer of 2011 at our expense. Enjoy.

Note: Duplicate entries will not be counted. You will be notified by email with further instructions once this email has reached 13,000 people.

Your friends,
Matt Haughey Jr., MetaFilter, Mark Zuckerberg, & The Linden Labs Development Team.

posted by Smart Dalek at 5:28 PM on August 25, 2010 [5 favorites]


Is this something I would need a physical location to understand?
posted by DU at 5:29 PM on August 25, 2010 [2 favorites]


I got an unwrapped chocolate glazed chocolate doughnut in my mailbox last summer. There was no return address on it. So which one of you sent it?
posted by maudlin at 5:37 PM on August 25, 2010 [2 favorites]


Send me your address and I will mail you some randomness, with a return address so you can send me a postcard. Deal?
posted by Quietgal at 5:40 PM on August 25, 2010


Oh, we were supposed to send one back to you, Cold Chef?? I missed that part. Will begin to hunt for an offbeat postcard for you . . . soon . .. really.
posted by bearwife at 5:42 PM on August 25, 2010


How convenient, I've got a small bag of leftover election leaflets. Who wants to receive informative material about why they should vote for Anthony Albanese and Labor in the electorate of Grayndler?
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 5:44 PM on August 25, 2010


Is it ok if see hardcopies of the photos?
posted by nomadicink at 5:45 PM on August 25, 2010


"If I SEND hardcopies..."
posted by nomadicink at 5:49 PM on August 25, 2010


What photos? Is this a dirty joke?
posted by wheelieman at 5:50 PM on August 25, 2010


Will a random 12' disco single fit in your P.O. Box? I got 'em, I don' need 'um.

It's a standing offer for everyone actually.
posted by fuq at 5:57 PM on August 25, 2010


Fug YES YES YES MeMail is on the way
posted by wheelieman at 6:00 PM on August 25, 2010


I love mailing random things out! I'm not a very good postcard mailer...but I'm an awesome random stickers-or-bookmarks-or-old-pictures-or-other-flat-things mailer. If anyone is interested, send me your address and I will send some randomness your way.!
posted by kro at 6:09 PM on August 25, 2010


Oh hey, I travel a lot and have a running list of Mefites to send postcards to when I do cause that can eat up an afternoon waiting for the train. You want in?
posted by The Whelk at 6:22 PM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


I will be in Georgia, the republic not the state, in a month. I would love to exchange postcards with someone. Memail me por favor
posted by nestor_makhno at 6:24 PM on August 25, 2010 [2 favorites]


Man...this actually sounds kind of awesome, although in my case, I'd be just as happy with random MeMail. I love unexpected communication!
posted by Diagonalize at 6:24 PM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


count me in! I was too late for the post card thingie (but i'm with post crossing now, so I'm getting my fix), but I think the people here are the cat's meow and I would love to receive mail from y'all. I'll send either letters or postcards.
posted by patheral at 6:25 PM on August 25, 2010


Will a random 12' disco single ...

It's getting harder and harder to find those twelve foot turntables.
posted by flabdablet at 6:57 PM on August 25, 2010 [4 favorites]


a) i will send people things from the u of toronto
b) wheelieman--chose an image from my flickr (memail for address), and i will send an original 4x5 print.
c) also, i would like a disco single.


i love you all.
posted by PinkMoose at 7:02 PM on August 25, 2010


I have a lot of old receipts and business cards and skateboard-company stickers and thank-you cards that I would be happy to pack up and send to you guys if you MeMail me your addresses. And thank you in advance for helping me clean out my home office!
posted by headnsouth at 7:21 PM on August 25, 2010


coldchef
why did i recieve a postcard of "the best of Boise'z in blue"?
posted by clavdivs at 7:22 PM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


Why don't we set up a MeFite Mail Art exchange?
posted by codswallop at 7:33 PM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


why did i recieve a postcard of "the best of Boise'z in blue"?

Seriously dude consider yourself lucky compared to what *I* got.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:34 PM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


...the 2010 Library pin-up?
he sent me the 2004 edition....noah wyle is HOT.

runs...FAST
posted by clavdivs at 7:45 PM on August 25, 2010


I am a postcard offender.

But random memail I can get behind. Memail me randomly, and I'll random you back.
posted by angrycat at 7:49 PM on August 25, 2010


I will send you postcards in exchange for whatever you care to mail me. Hooray postcards!
posted by beandip at 7:50 PM on August 25, 2010


Seriously dude consider yourself lucky compared to what *I* got.

...

did it involve a chicken
posted by nanojath at 7:51 PM on August 25, 2010


Can someone explain exactly what it is we're doing here? Because I'm in for sure, but in what? do I memail my mailing address to wheelieman then await instructions from the Cabal?
Or do I just choose some people at random to send shit to?
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:18 PM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


codswallop "Why don't we set up a MeFite Mail Art exchange?"

Seconded. I wanna play too.
posted by faineant at 8:33 PM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


"Finn Ronne was a Norwegian immigrant who later joined the United States Navy and was a member and officer in Admiral Byrd's earlier expeditions to Antarctica. In 1946-8, he led a privately-financed expedition to Antarctica, following upon the heels of Operation Highjump. Ronne's expedition was to the Marguerite Bay area, where he reoccupied Byrd's 1939 Base. One of the most important results of this expedition was a showing that the Antarctic peninsula was connected to the rest of Antarctica, thus solving one of the last great public mysteries of the continent.

Writing in his book entitled "Antarctic Conquest", he stated:


"Although no one knew it, I had been operating a United States Post office too, but for reasons of state (emphasis added) had been compelled to keep it secret."

Secrecy seems to be in no scarcity as it relates to several Antarctic expeditions; perhaps in no small way due to a continued concern that the Nazis had a remnant left in Antarctica from their infamous 1938-9 "New Schwabenland" colonization of Antarctica. Note carefully the Swastika in the following photo of aircraft aboard the Schwabenland, the vessel that took them south."

THE GODWIN CABAL LINK TO POSTAL TRUTH
posted by clavdivs at 8:38 PM on August 25, 2010


Is this a good place to mention that the shopping bag exchange (whose thread is now closed) was sort of a bust for me. I sent out 10 shopping bags to 6 different people, and I think I've only received 3 in return.
posted by crunchland at 8:57 PM on August 25, 2010


I'm in for whatever this thing is. Sorry about your bags, crunchland, that's annoying.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:08 PM on August 25, 2010


Now I'm paranoid that my postcards aren't amusing enough or are too amusing.

Fine! Everyone gets happy babies with war time German poetry. That should split the difference.
posted by The Whelk at 9:12 PM on August 25, 2010


the whelk

can i get victorian porn featuring mustaches instead
posted by PinkMoose at 9:30 PM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]


I can send you stickers about marijuana legalization or ending the drug war. Send me a memail with your address if you want some.
posted by gingerbeer at 9:31 PM on August 25, 2010


According to Martha Steward Living you can put those stickers on hard boiled eggs for a festive twist on Easter decorations! just make sure you dye them a uniform color before hand!

vie read all my books and it's there is a stack of them in the bathroom. Never have crafts seems to desperate. the recipes are okay
posted by The Whelk at 9:39 PM on August 25, 2010


Man the iPad keyboard sucks.
posted by The Whelk at 9:40 PM on August 25, 2010


...do I just choose some people at random to send shit to?
Just make sure you wrap it carefully. I can picture the look on the face of some poor customs official if you send any overseas, as they feel the squishiness of the package and read the description. 'Maybe I should open this and check?' 'Nah, I'm sure it's fine, I'll just pass it along'.
posted by dg at 9:49 PM on August 25, 2010


OK, now that I've checked, I'm all out of election crap (although you can see 'em all here).

I do have bookmarks though. Memail me for a bookmark.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 10:40 PM on August 25, 2010


can anyone tell me how to get this Mercury switch from under the stamp...
posted by clavdivs at 10:49 PM on August 25, 2010


Back in college I was a member of the now defunct PostCardX.net. The concept was pretty simple- put your address (and only your address) along with an alias. Whenever you visited the site, a random address would appear and you could send a postcard to that address.

Upon receiving a postcard, you could send a return postcard to whomever sent you one. I got lots of interesting postcards through the years and even made it a mission of mine to actually go into gift shops to look for obscure-looking postcards while traveling. Some of the postcards were handcrafted, some didn't include return addresses or just included an alias.

Later on the site allowed for basic profiles that didn't use passwords construed with simplistic message boards for people to digitally thank their senders. You could technically go in and edit any profile and deface the entire site sort of wiki-style, but the community was small enough that stuff like that didn't happen.

It's the first time I've even thought about or remembered this site in several years.
posted by liquoredonlife at 12:05 AM on August 26, 2010 [1 favorite]


I'll send a postcard to anyone who memails me. Most likely a postcard of a handsome mountie, but no guarantees!
posted by Rumple at 12:23 AM on August 26, 2010


Postcrossing.com is a site that let's you send postcards (5 at a time) to random people everywhere. And different, random people will send postcards to you. It's pretty nifty if postcards are your thing.

I like the idea of sending random letters and knick knacks to people too.
posted by patheral at 12:28 AM on August 26, 2010 [1 favorite]


Oh yeah, and I have a zillion postcards looking for a home. Seriously random in nature. I'll send one to anyone who memails me. All my friends graduated and moved so I have serious time on my hands.
posted by patheral at 12:33 AM on August 26, 2010


I like the idea of postcrossing.com but I'm not sure if I want to give my address to random unknown internet people. Is that too paranoid? Post carding here seems .... safer, somehow.
posted by Eumachia L F at 12:54 AM on August 26, 2010


Eumachia, that's what PO boxes are for :) I've been a Postcrosser for a while now and I haven't had any letterbombs or anything.

But count me in if you want a random postcard from Holland while I'm here...
posted by geckoinpdx at 2:13 AM on August 26, 2010


I will send a post-card with a piece of kangaroo or wallaby poo taped to it to anyone who memails me their address.*

*Actual species of macropod poo attached is at the discretion of the sender.
posted by Kerasia at 2:15 AM on August 26, 2010


Memail me your address if you want some random African mail goodness which will likely take months to arrive.
posted by allkindsoftime at 3:38 AM on August 26, 2010


I'm doing a cleanout. Do you want some half-used biros and a white silk stocking with a run?
posted by mippy at 4:41 AM on August 26, 2010


I think setting up a Postcrossing-esque site, open only to MeFites, might be the best way of sharing information around. So you get one pick from the hat.
posted by mippy at 4:42 AM on August 26, 2010 [2 favorites]


I can send anyone who asks a box full of old wires, an alarm clock, and a one pound slab of Play Doh.
posted by backseatpilot at 5:30 AM on August 26, 2010 [1 favorite]


I like the idea of postcrossing.com but I'm not sure if I want to give my address to random unknown internet people. Is that too paranoid? Post carding here seems .... safer, somehow.
posted by Eumachia L F at 2:54 AM on August 26 [+] [!]


I have been a member of Postcrossing since 2007 and have never had a problem. As a matter of fact, I now have several pen pals which is pretty cool in this era of emails and texts.
posted by govtdrone at 5:33 AM on August 26, 2010


Another Postcrosser here. We're a good sort, really.

I've already sent Wheelie a message, but if anyone else wants mailbox surprises memail me and I'll see what I can do!
posted by alynnk at 8:11 AM on August 26, 2010


I am also in favor of random mail but didn't really think about the PO Box angle. I even have a university mail box that gets quite lonely.
some days I engage in asshattery
This opens up a whole new world for me.
posted by Eumachia L F at 8:13 AM on August 26, 2010 [2 favorites]


Wow, this is such a great idea. We should set up a separate blog or something for this. I'd love to get/send crazy mail! I want in!
posted by two lights above the sea at 8:30 AM on August 26, 2010 [1 favorite]


Now I finally way to dispose of my used syringes.
posted by crunchland at 8:50 AM on August 26, 2010


This is excellent. I love random mail!
posted by Acarpous at 8:56 AM on August 26, 2010


Now I finally way to dispose of my used syringes.

A few years back, I got a case of these at a discount and I mailed them out to about forty MetaFilter members, suggesting that they should all develop a HUGE heroin addiction.


Okay, here's the offer: MeMail me your address (non-US addresses are welcome and encouraged) and I will send you a postcard, newspaper clipping, sticker, or something. I only ask that you send me something in return. Anything. I've got a TON of postage that my dad bought before he died, so come one and come all. MAIL!
posted by ColdChef at 9:08 AM on August 26, 2010


Cool! Ten addresses so far!

What I plan to do is this: pre-stamp and pre-address a stack of postcards and then just keep them in my briefcase, and when the mood strikes me or I've got a quick story to tell, I'll write it and then just drop in in mail to someone randomly.
posted by ColdChef at 9:39 AM on August 26, 2010 [2 favorites]


I have rather a lot of old party drug information cards from a group I used to volunteer for. I'll bet they'd make *excellent* postcards.
posted by ApathyGirl at 10:41 AM on August 26, 2010


I have rather a lot of old party drug information cards from a group I used to volunteer for. I'll bet they'd make *excellent* postcards.
I don't have a PO Box, so I'll have to be content to give instead of receive.
posted by ApathyGirl at 10:44 AM on August 26, 2010


I lost my mailbox key, just bear with me.
posted by StickyCarpet at 12:03 PM on August 26, 2010


A few years back, I got a case of these at a discount

I bought a bunch of these recently, and we've been amusing ourselves imagining a party, where the police are called, and they arrive to find the floor covered with 'em. Heh heh, wtf?
posted by StickyCarpet at 12:12 PM on August 26, 2010 [1 favorite]


If anyone else wants mail, memail me! I'm going to get a PO Box soon, so I'll memail you back as soon as it's up and running.

Woo!
posted by two lights above the sea at 1:17 PM on August 26, 2010


Cool! Ten addresses so far!

you're more popular than i am, I got nuthin'

Come on people, I don't bite, and I do have a ton of post cards just waiting to be mailed out. I also have a jar of rusty screws... anyone want a screw?
posted by patheral at 1:43 PM on August 26, 2010


St. George is my patron saint!
posted by ColdChef at 2:04 PM on August 26, 2010


Alright, I'll leave off the macropod droppings. But I still want to send postcards to folk! From Australia! How can you resist?
posted by Kerasia at 3:10 PM on August 26, 2010


We could spark the revival of the USPS with this.

(Spoken as one of the GOLDEN FOUR who got right off their asses and mailed back to this fine citizen.)
posted by Danf at 3:55 PM on August 26, 2010


I'm getting my P.O. Box tomorrow. I'll be memailing it to those who asked. Please memail me yours, too!
posted by two lights above the sea at 6:21 PM on August 26, 2010


My address in the video is still valid - heck, I just got a random Mefite postcard the other day!

so feel free to *still* send me mail!
posted by divabat at 3:29 AM on August 27, 2010

A few years back, I got a case of these at a discount
What the hell was that? I suddenly understand the American confusion between basting and injecting. It's a horrible new world.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 5:11 AM on August 27, 2010


It's a horrible new world.

It's pretty old world, they just used to call them "larding needles," which are V shaped narrow swords, the V is loaded with fat, stabbed into the meat, and pulled out leaving the fat behind. That would be a "larded roast," much desired before fat became stand-offish.
posted by StickyCarpet at 7:07 PM on August 28, 2010


Oooh, I love mail. I have a PO Box in my profile, in fact. Send me something with an address, I'll send something back. I am starting school, so I have no idea when it will be, but it will be. ColdChef, I like your idea of pre-stamping and just sending. I was doing Postcrossing for a while but I got obsessed over matching interests and finding local cards and then lost interest.

(Also, my bag swap bags are going out this week to the two people who responded to my me-mail. For shame, group 8.)
posted by cobaltnine at 12:12 PM on August 31, 2010


I just got the worst BEST postcard in the world!
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:29 PM on September 1, 2010 [1 favorite]


I think the key is to have spare postcards around. Because I feel bad that I haven't responded yet.
posted by smackfu at 8:10 AM on September 4, 2010


Postcard from ColdChef today, woo! Mailed things out to everyone I have an address for, too. :-)
posted by Acarpous at 10:43 AM on September 4, 2010


Checked my PO Box today and found a delightful postcard (addressed to METAFILTER MEMBER "GATOR" OR OCCUPANT) from ColdChef featuring "The Early Days of Scouting" sponsored by Ogden's Cigarettes. Nifty! Now to figure out what to send back.
posted by Gator at 4:30 PM on September 5, 2010 [1 favorite]


Got one from ColdChef too and now I have to come up with something suitable to send back. The pressure!!
posted by widdershins at 11:29 AM on September 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


I got a postcard from ColdChef! He seems to have the exact same handwriting as my best friend, who was on a vacation at the time so I initially assumed it was from her. He's all going on about the Barnes exhibit and how he'd like to visit Philly and see it someday and I'm still thinking it's from my friend, who lives like 5 blocks from me, so I was massively confused. Then I got to the signature and squealed. My SO looks at me and I go, "It's a postcard! From the INTERNET!!!"

Thanks Coldchef! I need your address (if it's not the one stamped at the bottom of the card) so I can return the favor.
posted by 8dot3 at 6:29 AM on September 9, 2010 [1 favorite]


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