secret quonsar: planning time! October 9, 2014 8:06 AM Subscribe
Presents are fun... so let's plan for this year's secret quonsar swap! The secret quonsar swap is - for the uninitiated - our holiday-adjacent wintery gift exchange. Read About it on the Wiki. We need to settle one key question before we start to swapping.
… Timing!, Specifically. we should discuss the proposal to start the quonsing earlier in November. Traditionally, the swap info has gone out on, or after Thanksgiving. Last year, we pulled it back a week or so (earlier) pretty late in the process, and I promised we'd revisit the question of schedule this year. This is my proposed schedule for quonsing:
November 1-12: Swap Signup Period.
November 13: Randomization Hamster Wheel Fired Up
November 14: Folks get notified who they drew (This is a Friday).
(November 27: American Thanksgiving (Thursday))
December 1: Shipping Deadline (Monday)
December 26: Second Chance Senders will not be needed because all gifts will have arrived*
In this model, Americans still have two weekends in addition to the Weekend of Shopping Mania. It avoids exam weeks at most colleges, allows for 4 weeks before Christmas to give many internationally-sent gifts a semi-decent chance at arriving before Christmas, and allows many senders the options to either take advantage of the aforementioned Mania OR avoid it by shopping early.
What do folks think?
If you are concerned you might miss the announcement of the swap signups being open (due to exams, Halloween hangovers, creeping holiday stress, record-breaking pie-making attempts, work demands, or possible alien abductions), you can sign up to be notified when secret quonsar signups are open. Every year, when the signups go live, you will get an email letting you know. Signing up for this list is NOT signing up for secret quonsar - just to be notified when sq opens each year.
*we can dream! If a gift has been eaten by the customs/postal machinery, one of our wonderful second chance senders - volunteers who send someone whose gift never arrived a second gift. These folks are the unsung heroes of quonsing, and should be lauded near and far.
… Timing!, Specifically. we should discuss the proposal to start the quonsing earlier in November. Traditionally, the swap info has gone out on, or after Thanksgiving. Last year, we pulled it back a week or so (earlier) pretty late in the process, and I promised we'd revisit the question of schedule this year. This is my proposed schedule for quonsing:
November 1-12: Swap Signup Period.
November 13: Randomization Hamster Wheel Fired Up
November 14: Folks get notified who they drew (This is a Friday).
(November 27: American Thanksgiving (Thursday))
December 1: Shipping Deadline (Monday)
December 26: Second Chance Senders will not be needed because all gifts will have arrived*
In this model, Americans still have two weekends in addition to the Weekend of Shopping Mania. It avoids exam weeks at most colleges, allows for 4 weeks before Christmas to give many internationally-sent gifts a semi-decent chance at arriving before Christmas, and allows many senders the options to either take advantage of the aforementioned Mania OR avoid it by shopping early.
What do folks think?
If you are concerned you might miss the announcement of the swap signups being open (due to exams, Halloween hangovers, creeping holiday stress, record-breaking pie-making attempts, work demands, or possible alien abductions), you can sign up to be notified when secret quonsar signups are open. Every year, when the signups go live, you will get an email letting you know. Signing up for this list is NOT signing up for secret quonsar - just to be notified when sq opens each year.
*we can dream! If a gift has been eaten by the customs/postal machinery, one of our wonderful second chance senders - volunteers who send someone whose gift never arrived a second gift. These folks are the unsung heroes of quonsing, and should be lauded near and far.
Sounds good --- two weeks to acquire/pack/ship ought to be enough; if I recall we only had a week or so last year which is what led to panicking. If anything gets changed from your proposed schedule, maybe make the signup period Nov. 1-10 instead of 1-12, back the Hamster Wheel to the 11th and the notifications to the 12th? (And I want video of the Hamster Wheel in action....)
(And thanks for taking this on again, Julen!)
posted by easily confused at 8:33 AM on October 9, 2014
(And thanks for taking this on again, Julen!)
posted by easily confused at 8:33 AM on October 9, 2014
I think it sounds wonderful! Thanks for all your hard work on this. I joined last year for the first time and had such a good time.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:41 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:41 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Julen - sounds great and thank you for all you do for the most quansiful time of the year!
posted by Sophie1 at 8:42 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Sophie1 at 8:42 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Sounds awesome! I'm so excited to participate this year!
posted by ChuraChura at 9:09 AM on October 9, 2014
posted by ChuraChura at 9:09 AM on October 9, 2014
The schedule looks great to me -- I totally woke up thinking about Secret Quonsar today. I spent an inordinate amount of time putting together what I thought was a mighty fine SQ package last year, but I never found out if it even made it through the international post, so I fear it may have been lost to the wilds of Canada. I hope to make up for it in spades this year.
Many thanks to the second chance sender who was likely tasked with covering my mail fail last year, and many thanks to you, julen!
posted by divined by radio at 9:10 AM on October 9, 2014
Many thanks to the second chance sender who was likely tasked with covering my mail fail last year, and many thanks to you, julen!
posted by divined by radio at 9:10 AM on October 9, 2014
How fun! I'm all up in dis bitch!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:42 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:42 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
I fear it may have been lost to the wilds of Canada
Now I'm just imagining a bunch of mooses and geese totally tearing into a box and having a grand old time getting up to various metafilter-related shens in a lovely, snowy glen of birch trees. Super idyllic but also like this totally geeky bacchanal.
Also the moose are wearing hats.
(Obviously.)
posted by phunniemee at 9:51 AM on October 9, 2014 [5 favorites]
Now I'm just imagining a bunch of mooses and geese totally tearing into a box and having a grand old time getting up to various metafilter-related shens in a lovely, snowy glen of birch trees. Super idyllic but also like this totally geeky bacchanal.
Also the moose are wearing hats.
(Obviously.)
posted by phunniemee at 9:51 AM on October 9, 2014 [5 favorites]
I'm always tempted to do this but I have no idea what I'd get anyone and I am anxious about that. I mean it would just be miscellaneous crap which is GREAT for me because I LOVE miscellaneous crap but like do other people really want tiny stuffed animals and snow globes from cities they've never visited? I don't want to disappoint anyone who receives stuff from me.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 9:54 AM on October 9, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 9:54 AM on October 9, 2014 [5 favorites]
do other people really want tiny stuffed animals
Um yes do other people not want this? I will fight them.
posted by phunniemee at 9:56 AM on October 9, 2014 [11 favorites]
Um yes do other people not want this? I will fight them.
posted by phunniemee at 9:56 AM on October 9, 2014 [11 favorites]
Mrs. Pterodactyl, are you kidding me? Those sound awesome, and much better than my go-to gift, which is a box of rocks and socks. Cool rocks, though. Ok socks, however.
posted by barchan at 10:00 AM on October 9, 2014
posted by barchan at 10:00 AM on October 9, 2014
Okay I will participate if I can have phunniemee (I know this is not how it works).
Alternatively, you could just come over; I get bored and anxious and it really helps me to have a crochet project that's simple and easy to complete and doesn't require a pattern. I hate having to pick new projects and I love the feeling of completing something so I just make the same thing over and over again and it's little octopuses because 1) I like octopuses 2) octopuses are great, and I like sharing stuff with people and feeling generous so I put them in a little bowl on our front hall table to invite people to take them (here is a picture of the current bowl). It makes me feel nice to do that and I figured if I had a secret quonsee I'd just send them like five octopuses and a nice DC snow globe.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 10:07 AM on October 9, 2014 [32 favorites]
Alternatively, you could just come over; I get bored and anxious and it really helps me to have a crochet project that's simple and easy to complete and doesn't require a pattern. I hate having to pick new projects and I love the feeling of completing something so I just make the same thing over and over again and it's little octopuses because 1) I like octopuses 2) octopuses are great, and I like sharing stuff with people and feeling generous so I put them in a little bowl on our front hall table to invite people to take them (here is a picture of the current bowl). It makes me feel nice to do that and I figured if I had a secret quonsee I'd just send them like five octopuses and a nice DC snow globe.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 10:07 AM on October 9, 2014 [32 favorites]
The signup form's blue background totally clashes with the mefi blue.
*runs away, fast*
posted by infini at 10:15 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
*runs away, fast*
posted by infini at 10:15 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Mrs. Pterodactyl, those octopuses (octopusii?) are AWESOME and I bet anyone would totally be chuffed to receive them as part of SQ
also, the new timing makes sense to me - I tend to stress about the international shipping so knowing it had more time to reach would be super helpful
posted by darsh at 10:20 AM on October 9, 2014
also, the new timing makes sense to me - I tend to stress about the international shipping so knowing it had more time to reach would be super helpful
posted by darsh at 10:20 AM on October 9, 2014
(here is a picture of the current bowl)
I feel like so many of my life's problems have now found their answer.
What am I doing with my life?
-Bowl of octopuses
What are my long-term goals?
-Bowl of octopuses
Am I contributing enough value to the world?
-Bowl of octopuses
What is my greater purpose?
-Bowl of octopuses
posted by phunniemee at 10:21 AM on October 9, 2014 [18 favorites]
I feel like so many of my life's problems have now found their answer.
What am I doing with my life?
-Bowl of octopuses
What are my long-term goals?
-Bowl of octopuses
Am I contributing enough value to the world?
-Bowl of octopuses
What is my greater purpose?
-Bowl of octopuses
posted by phunniemee at 10:21 AM on October 9, 2014 [18 favorites]
ponders how to bribe julen into making me mrs p's SQ this year
posted by infini at 10:23 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by infini at 10:23 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
I know! Mrs P sends octopii to all and in return we smother her with gifts from all over the world!
posted by infini at 10:25 AM on October 9, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by infini at 10:25 AM on October 9, 2014 [4 favorites]
Mrs P I LOVE THOSE OCTOPODES (sry, had to)
Sorry, you are now going to be the only SQ. You'll be sending out, like, 100 of them :)
posted by gaspode at 10:32 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Sorry, you are now going to be the only SQ. You'll be sending out, like, 100 of them :)
posted by gaspode at 10:32 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
ohmygod I will pay for a tiny octopus and call it Squishy and be its best friend I promise
*cough* The timeline looks great, julen! Fantastic planning as always.
posted by Phire at 10:38 AM on October 9, 2014 [2 favorites]
*cough* The timeline looks great, julen! Fantastic planning as always.
posted by Phire at 10:38 AM on October 9, 2014 [2 favorites]
All good. I've been hoping to see this post for at least a week. Let the SQing begin!
posted by angiep at 10:49 AM on October 9, 2014
posted by angiep at 10:49 AM on October 9, 2014
I like this plan. It is always good to have extra shopping/shipping time.
The octopi are adorable.
posted by AllieTessKipp at 10:51 AM on October 9, 2014
The octopi are adorable.
posted by AllieTessKipp at 10:51 AM on October 9, 2014
So the consensus is that we go earlier, and everyone gets a tiny squishy octopus?
I'm in.
posted by xingcat at 10:52 AM on October 9, 2014 [5 favorites]
I'm in.
posted by xingcat at 10:52 AM on October 9, 2014 [5 favorites]
I love that bowl and the octopuses contained therein!
posted by Area Man at 11:00 AM on October 9, 2014
posted by Area Man at 11:00 AM on October 9, 2014
I'm always tempted to do this but I have no idea what I'd get anyone and I am anxious about that.
The great part about this is that people will tell you what they like, and often it's just a variation of "something random"
posted by Gygesringtone at 11:05 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
The great part about this is that people will tell you what they like, and often it's just a variation of "something random"
posted by Gygesringtone at 11:05 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm in favor of the accelerated schedule!
posted by ocherdraco at 11:31 AM on October 9, 2014
posted by ocherdraco at 11:31 AM on October 9, 2014
Octopodoi are the best. If you are on ravelry, you can see my large knitted one.
posted by julen at 11:43 AM on October 9, 2014
posted by julen at 11:43 AM on October 9, 2014
Looks good to me. I've missed participating in SQ, so I'm back in this year and I'm setting up calendar alerts so I don't miss out again!
posted by Julnyes at 11:48 AM on October 9, 2014
posted by Julnyes at 11:48 AM on October 9, 2014
Is this where I sign up to get a guaranteed bowl of crochet octopi to keep all to myself?
But seriously, the new schedule sounds great.
But even more seriously, I hope I get some squishy crochet octopi.
posted by sockermom at 11:49 AM on October 9, 2014
But seriously, the new schedule sounds great.
But even more seriously, I hope I get some squishy crochet octopi.
posted by sockermom at 11:49 AM on October 9, 2014
I've signed up for the third year in a row to be Assistant Quonczar to julen. It really is one of my favourite times of the year and everyone is super wonderful and generous and loves their presents.
For a nominal fee, I will rig the hamster wheel so everyone gets an octopus. No-one tell Mrs P where I live (unless it means I get an octopus).
posted by arcticseal at 11:50 AM on October 9, 2014 [5 favorites]
For a nominal fee, I will rig the hamster wheel so everyone gets an octopus. No-one tell Mrs P where I live (unless it means I get an octopus).
posted by arcticseal at 11:50 AM on October 9, 2014 [5 favorites]
Oh, my god. OCTOPUS BOWL. That is the most amazing thing ever.
I have never participated before. I think I would like to this year. Not entirely in the hopes of getting an octopus of some sort, but not entirely NOT in those hopes either. Assuming I do in fact get brave enough to participate, that timeline will work just fine for me.
octopusoctopusoctopusoctopusoctopusoctopus
posted by Stacey at 11:50 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
I have never participated before. I think I would like to this year. Not entirely in the hopes of getting an octopus of some sort, but not entirely NOT in those hopes either. Assuming I do in fact get brave enough to participate, that timeline will work just fine for me.
octopusoctopusoctopusoctopusoctopusoctopus
posted by Stacey at 11:50 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
My god, we've created a monster!
julen, you've got to find a way to satisfice us all... *looks meaningfully at Mrs P*
posted by infini at 11:54 AM on October 9, 2014
julen, you've got to find a way to satisfice us all... *looks meaningfully at Mrs P*
posted by infini at 11:54 AM on October 9, 2014
I'm just saying, I already have this octo-puss on my desk and she's SO LONELY. Don't you think she needs a friend? I think she needs a friend. (She had to come and live at work instead of staying at my house because she does NOT need cats to be friendly with her. She is a delicate snowflake.)
posted by Stacey at 11:57 AM on October 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Stacey at 11:57 AM on October 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
TOO LATE. Broke into Mrs Pterodactyl's place and helped myself to all the tiny octopi.
posted by zennie at 11:57 AM on October 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by zennie at 11:57 AM on October 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
TINY OCTOPI FOR EVERYONE!
um yes I am ready for SQ, why would you ask?
posted by corb at 12:05 PM on October 9, 2014
um yes I am ready for SQ, why would you ask?
posted by corb at 12:05 PM on October 9, 2014
[Also, apologies for the word salad in small text. I was, uh ... too overcome with praise to finish a sentence? Yes! That's it. ]
posted by julen at 12:06 PM on October 9, 2014
posted by julen at 12:06 PM on October 9, 2014
Secret Quansar already? But it's still sum... wait... it's October?
Um, yeah, that schedule sounds swell.
I am now disappointed because I have never once walked into a domicile and found a sign that said "Help yourself to an octopus".
I'm always tempted to do this but I have no idea what I'd get anyone and I am anxious about that.
Oh, it is super fucking anxious to have to pick something for a total stranger, even if they sort of kind of tell you what they want. That said, I'm a big believer in looking one's fears in the piehole and saying "Fuck you, fear, I'm gonna do that thing I'm afraid of anyway!" and the Secret Quansar is the perfect fear to do that with because it's not like fear of spiders or airplanes or heights where you could actually attempt to conquer your fear and then tragically and comically die in the process.
In this case there's not really anything bad that can happen. You just pick something, send it, and that's it. Very little possibility of dying tragically!
posted by bondcliff at 1:00 PM on October 9, 2014 [9 favorites]
Um, yeah, that schedule sounds swell.
I am now disappointed because I have never once walked into a domicile and found a sign that said "Help yourself to an octopus".
I'm always tempted to do this but I have no idea what I'd get anyone and I am anxious about that.
Oh, it is super fucking anxious to have to pick something for a total stranger, even if they sort of kind of tell you what they want. That said, I'm a big believer in looking one's fears in the piehole and saying "Fuck you, fear, I'm gonna do that thing I'm afraid of anyway!" and the Secret Quansar is the perfect fear to do that with because it's not like fear of spiders or airplanes or heights where you could actually attempt to conquer your fear and then tragically and comically die in the process.
In this case there's not really anything bad that can happen. You just pick something, send it, and that's it. Very little possibility of dying tragically!
posted by bondcliff at 1:00 PM on October 9, 2014 [9 favorites]
Sounds good to me!
posted by Room 641-A at 1:20 PM on October 9, 2014
posted by Room 641-A at 1:20 PM on October 9, 2014
Is it okay to play if you haven't been around very long? I've been lurking forever so sometimes I forget I'm new!
posted by Pardon Our Dust at 2:35 PM on October 9, 2014
posted by Pardon Our Dust at 2:35 PM on October 9, 2014
I use my ice tray from last year all the time. Whoohoo!
posted by oceanjesse at 2:47 PM on October 9, 2014
posted by oceanjesse at 2:47 PM on October 9, 2014
So far (with one exception) Quonsmas has been a great experience. I look forward to it every year. I'm in! and the deadlines work for me!
posted by patheral at 2:58 PM on October 9, 2014
posted by patheral at 2:58 PM on October 9, 2014
Pardon Our Dust: "Is it okay to play if you haven't been around very long? I've been lurking forever so sometimes I forget I'm new!"
Yes! If you (or this incarnation of you, in the cases of Brand New Days) are relatively new or prone to lurkdom, there's a bit more of an onus on you to provide helpful guidance since the person who gets your name won't have a long digital trail of posts/comments/favorites to follow and become your biggest fan (sorry Mom!)
One of the beautiful things about secret quonsar is that it doesn't matter how new/old/famous/infamous/prolific/beloved/hated/favorited/notorious/unknown/lurky/subsite-preferring you are: you just have to be a MeFite.
posted by julen at 3:12 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Yes! If you (or this incarnation of you, in the cases of Brand New Days) are relatively new or prone to lurkdom, there's a bit more of an onus on you to provide helpful guidance since the person who gets your name won't have a long digital trail of posts/comments/favorites to follow and become your biggest fan (sorry Mom!)
One of the beautiful things about secret quonsar is that it doesn't matter how new/old/famous/infamous/prolific/beloved/hated/favorited/notorious/unknown/lurky/subsite-preferring you are: you just have to be a MeFite.
posted by julen at 3:12 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Sounds good except I propose a tiny shift in the shipping deadline. Can it be moved to December 3rd? Wednesday gives people two whole days to get back from Thanksgiving travel and drama and regain enough functionality to schedule space in the day to get to the post office. There should be plenty of time pre-turkey to get everything sorted but we all know how things fall through cracks. Also sometimes ~people~ go to interesting places with brilliantly weird souvenirs that are perfect for Secret Quonsar for Thanksgiving, but want to be home to do elaborate fun gift wrapping before mailing it out and would really appreciate the extra two weekdays.
I'm gonna go crochet a couple octopus now (octopi octopuses octopodes?) so no matter what whoever I get for quonsar (and the inevitable second chancer I'm assigned) will get one in addition to whatever else.
posted by Mizu at 3:14 PM on October 9, 2014 [8 favorites]
I'm gonna go crochet a couple octopus now (octopi octopuses octopodes?) so no matter what whoever I get for quonsar (and the inevitable second chancer I'm assigned) will get one in addition to whatever else.
posted by Mizu at 3:14 PM on October 9, 2014 [8 favorites]
I'm in. Bondcliff, thanks for the liberation/inspiration.
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:20 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:20 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm in, but I want a non-us person.
posted by cjorgensen at 3:26 PM on October 9, 2014
posted by cjorgensen at 3:26 PM on October 9, 2014
I have, no joke, been wandering around our new neighborhood thinking about possible Quonsar presents. It's the best way to explore!
posted by jetlagaddict at 3:27 PM on October 9, 2014
posted by jetlagaddict at 3:27 PM on October 9, 2014
I now need a tiny table and a bowl full of crocheted octopi.
posted by Sophie1 at 4:13 PM on October 9, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by Sophie1 at 4:13 PM on October 9, 2014 [2 favorites]
Julen, thank you and all your elves for all the work you to to make Seeeeeecret Quonsar a success.
Do Not Be Afeard, the fun of Sekrit Quonsmas is in getting a gift from a stranger from the Internet. Plus, everyone really wants a chia pet.
posted by theora55 at 4:19 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Do Not Be Afeard, the fun of Sekrit Quonsmas is in getting a gift from a stranger from the Internet. Plus, everyone really wants a chia pet.
posted by theora55 at 4:19 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
p.s. I don't really want a chia pet.
posted by theora55 at 4:21 PM on October 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 4:21 PM on October 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
Hey, Mrs. Pterodactyl, don't sweat it. Sometimes I make octopuses, too!
I think you are in serious danger of Secret Quonsars filling up your house with stuffed animals now. 📫📦🎁🐙❤️😃
posted by misha at 4:31 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
I think you are in serious danger of Secret Quonsars filling up your house with stuffed animals now. 📫📦🎁🐙❤️😃
posted by misha at 4:31 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Also, I was really and truly thinking of Secret Quonsar today, and wondering when it would be! Julen, your timing could not be better!
When are are we going to do a cookie swap, though?
posted by misha at 4:33 PM on October 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
When are are we going to do a cookie swap, though?
posted by misha at 4:33 PM on October 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
I'm in. I had so much fun last year as a giver and as a receiver!
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 4:54 PM on October 9, 2014
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 4:54 PM on October 9, 2014
Very seriously considering participating in my first secret quonsar. Hooray! Thanks for organizing.
(The octopus bowl is the best idea ever. Must replicate.)
posted by cellar door at 5:00 PM on October 9, 2014
(The octopus bowl is the best idea ever. Must replicate.)
posted by cellar door at 5:00 PM on October 9, 2014
Very much in favor of this schedule!
Also, I should note that I have the considerable privilege of having my own Octopus from Mrs. Pterodactyl's octopus bowl. His name is Norbert, and he hangs out in my purse and makes me happy with his presence. Occasionally he entertains small children on the subway.
posted by ActionPopulated at 7:40 PM on October 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
Also, I should note that I have the considerable privilege of having my own Octopus from Mrs. Pterodactyl's octopus bowl. His name is Norbert, and he hangs out in my purse and makes me happy with his presence. Occasionally he entertains small children on the subway.
posted by ActionPopulated at 7:40 PM on October 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
Yes to this schedule and yes to a bowl of octopuses.
posted by shiny blue object at 8:33 PM on October 9, 2014
posted by shiny blue object at 8:33 PM on October 9, 2014
I'm in for the sending Mrs. Pterodactyl presents so that we all get octopuses in return.
posted by Margalo Epps at 9:53 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Margalo Epps at 9:53 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Woo-hoo! Unlike last year, I'm not starving and struggling to feed my kids and pay the rent and do all that boring stuff that keeps you alive, happy and healthy, and so I don't need to sadly skip the Quonsing Call. You have no idea how much pleasure it gives me to be able to say that.
I am in, and whatever deadline works for y'all works for me.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 11:27 PM on October 9, 2014 [6 favorites]
I am in, and whatever deadline works for y'all works for me.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 11:27 PM on October 9, 2014 [6 favorites]
I just Quonz as I'm told, bossman. I loves to quonz.
posted by jadepearl at 5:12 AM on October 10, 2014
posted by jadepearl at 5:12 AM on October 10, 2014
I've experienced a bowl-of-octopuses phenomenon myself. We have a 3d printer at the studio, and I downloaded an exceptionally cute elephant and printed it. Then it occurred to me that whenever nobody else was using the printer, I could push a few buttons and have another elephant. It keeps happening.
posted by moonmilk at 5:57 AM on October 10, 2014 [8 favorites]
posted by moonmilk at 5:57 AM on October 10, 2014 [8 favorites]
Ooo I haven't done this. Are there dollar limit rules?
posted by showbiz_liz at 8:10 AM on October 10, 2014
posted by showbiz_liz at 8:10 AM on October 10, 2014
Yup. I think like $10 or $15 is the max? I forget.
I forgot to mention, in my octopus-related excitement above, that this timeline looks good!
posted by gaspode at 8:16 AM on October 10, 2014
I forgot to mention, in my octopus-related excitement above, that this timeline looks good!
posted by gaspode at 8:16 AM on October 10, 2014
moonmilk - now i want a 3-d elephant AND a squishy octopus for quonsmas.....
posted by darsh at 8:51 AM on October 10, 2014
posted by darsh at 8:51 AM on October 10, 2014
I am IN. First secret quonsar ever for me!! (I may or may not knit a whole slew of teeny tiny animals for my swap partner. An army of tiny chickens or something.)
posted by sarcasticah at 10:36 AM on October 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by sarcasticah at 10:36 AM on October 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
With the fun I had last year, and the extended planning time, I'm in for an international swap. Knitted animals around the world!
posted by Liesl at 11:28 AM on October 10, 2014
posted by Liesl at 11:28 AM on October 10, 2014
More time would be good, my international gifts always end up arriving in January.
posted by biffa at 12:06 PM on October 10, 2014
posted by biffa at 12:06 PM on October 10, 2014
Hm, just realized I can send canned reindeer from over here.
posted by infini at 12:10 PM on October 10, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by infini at 12:10 PM on October 10, 2014 [4 favorites]
Sounds great! I really enjoyed SQ last year, on both giving and receiving side. Also more lead time is always appreciated.
posted by maryrussell at 5:37 PM on October 10, 2014
posted by maryrussell at 5:37 PM on October 10, 2014
More lead time would be better, I think, so I will cast my lot with the aye's: "I am Early Sparta-Quonsar-mus!"
posted by wenestvedt at 6:55 PM on October 10, 2014
posted by wenestvedt at 6:55 PM on October 10, 2014
I'm torn. I love the idea of quonsmas. Last year didn't work out well though. The package to my quonsee got lost (was later returned) and I had to resend another gift. My secret quonsar was kind of odd, gifting me something I explicitly asked not to send please and then never responding to the thank you note I sent them along with a pink butterfly magnet. Guess they had bigger fish to fry.
Although personally my quonsmas mojo kicks into high gear around mid-December, that
timeline looks good and leaves enough time for international shipping. And I know many people love prepping gifts waaay early.
posted by travelwithcats at 7:18 PM on October 10, 2014
Although personally my quonsmas mojo kicks into high gear around mid-December, that
timeline looks good and leaves enough time for international shipping. And I know many people love prepping gifts waaay early.
posted by travelwithcats at 7:18 PM on October 10, 2014
Wooohoo! Quonsmus is coming! This schedule works for me. : )
posted by SisterHavana at 9:41 PM on October 10, 2014
posted by SisterHavana at 9:41 PM on October 10, 2014
Yes, the schedule looks lovely! Can't wait.
Would also like an octopus or octo-puss... :)
posted by needlegrrl at 5:27 AM on October 11, 2014
Would also like an octopus or octo-puss... :)
posted by needlegrrl at 5:27 AM on October 11, 2014
Ooh, I just realized that I also got an octopus as part of my gift last year! It's a mounted photo of a real octopus and it hangs in my kitchen. (I also just realized that I'm a moran because I named it Squidly.)
posted by Room 641-A at 8:55 AM on October 11, 2014
posted by Room 641-A at 8:55 AM on October 11, 2014
I have had mixed results with various MeFi swaps. I suspect this is common. But I am feeling positive! In answer to this thread:
1. Bowl of octopus -yes; 2. Chia pet -no; 3. 3D-printed elephant - yes (bright blue one!)
posted by Glinn at 2:58 PM on October 11, 2014
1. Bowl of octopus -yes; 2. Chia pet -no; 3. 3D-printed elephant - yes (bright blue one!)
posted by Glinn at 2:58 PM on October 11, 2014
First octopus down. If someone sends me yarn in MeFi colors (particularly I've never found yarn in askme green much to my annoyance) I'll just keep churning 'em out. No wool if you can manage it, please.
posted by Mizu at 4:57 PM on October 11, 2014 [9 favorites]
posted by Mizu at 4:57 PM on October 11, 2014 [9 favorites]
Quonsar is the best and Julen is the best and this all looks EXCELLENT.
posted by bibliogrrl at 6:16 PM on October 12, 2014
posted by bibliogrrl at 6:16 PM on October 12, 2014
Love the new schedule ! Would love to participate this year (and yes to a cute little octopus)
posted by seawallrunner at 7:52 PM on October 12, 2014
posted by seawallrunner at 7:52 PM on October 12, 2014
I am so in again. Thanks Julen for organizing again! Also, secretly hoping Ms. Pterodactyl has an octopus making class/meet up for those of us who don't know how to crochet.
posted by NikitaNikita at 10:49 PM on October 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by NikitaNikita at 10:49 PM on October 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
Yes now I need to improve on my crochet skills so I can knit tiny stuffed octopi and we can have a stuffed octopi exchange in addition to Secret Quonsar.
posted by IndigoRain at 5:50 AM on October 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by IndigoRain at 5:50 AM on October 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
A lot of octolove going on here! But is it octopi, octopuses, or octopodes?
posted by travelwithcats at 7:24 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by travelwithcats at 7:24 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Oh julen, I just noticed the tag "holidaycreep". Care to explain?
posted by travelwithcats at 7:26 AM on October 13, 2014
posted by travelwithcats at 7:26 AM on October 13, 2014
Yes! This is awesome. I can shop for my quonsee on my upcoming trip with this schedule!
posted by pointystick at 7:41 AM on October 13, 2014
posted by pointystick at 7:41 AM on October 13, 2014
Oh julen, I just noticed the tag "holidaycreep". Care to explain?
Holiday Creep simply means that starting to talk about the holidays seems to creep earlier and earlier on the calendar each year.
posted by phunniemee at 8:24 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Holiday Creep simply means that starting to talk about the holidays seems to creep earlier and earlier on the calendar each year.
posted by phunniemee at 8:24 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Thanks, phunniemee! That makes sense, and creeps me out (the stores in my area started stocking Christmas themed goods around a month ago....way too early for my liking).
posted by travelwithcats at 9:03 AM on October 13, 2014
posted by travelwithcats at 9:03 AM on October 13, 2014
There was a commercial for some store's layaway program (I want to say maybe Kmart?) that had a literally creepin' gingerbread man lurking behind some woman's office desk about to sneak up on her that aired in like September last year, encouraging people to make their purchases now before the holidays could sneak up on them. It was a pretty good commercial.
posted by phunniemee at 9:19 AM on October 13, 2014
posted by phunniemee at 9:19 AM on October 13, 2014
Wow, thanks for sharing. Have to admit though, I'm disgusted by the celebration of consumerism and the fact that we shall shop even if we don't have the money (the whole layaway thing is just as bad as those buy now and pay later schemes). Yeah, I'm old school. :-)
posted by travelwithcats at 11:17 AM on October 13, 2014
posted by travelwithcats at 11:17 AM on October 13, 2014
phunniemee: "Oh julen, I just noticed the tag "holidaycreep". Care to explain?
Holiday Creep simply means that starting to talk about the holidays seems to creep earlier and earlier on the calendar each year."
Exactly. But it's also a joke on me. I'm casting sq as part of an overall western/US cultural impetus to push holidays earlier for commercial reasons, as if I am just thrust ahead like a bobbing cog on an ocean of commercial waves, but the implicit secondary focus/meaning of the phrase "holiday creep" is an indictment of my own personal culpability - I'm the one who chose to post the sq. I'm the holiday creep.
Yeah, it's not a funny joke.
posted by julen at 3:35 PM on October 13, 2014
Holiday Creep simply means that starting to talk about the holidays seems to creep earlier and earlier on the calendar each year."
Exactly. But it's also a joke on me. I'm casting sq as part of an overall western/US cultural impetus to push holidays earlier for commercial reasons, as if I am just thrust ahead like a bobbing cog on an ocean of commercial waves, but the implicit secondary focus/meaning of the phrase "holiday creep" is an indictment of my own personal culpability - I'm the one who chose to post the sq. I'm the holiday creep.
Yeah, it's not a funny joke.
posted by julen at 3:35 PM on October 13, 2014
Ah, don't be too hard on yourself, julen. You did it all for us! People are loving your timeline! :-)
posted by travelwithcats at 4:04 PM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by travelwithcats at 4:04 PM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
And, one of the coming years we could maybe do a DIY themed sq. Just to cut out the whole shopping part.
posted by travelwithcats at 4:30 PM on October 13, 2014
posted by travelwithcats at 4:30 PM on October 13, 2014
This sounds like a fine schedule except that I'll leave it to the last minute like always. Heaven only knows if anyone liked my previous gifts.
posted by GuyZero at 6:14 PM on October 13, 2014
posted by GuyZero at 6:14 PM on October 13, 2014
As someone with exactly zero DIY skills, I am often appreciative of those talents in others, but I would hate to get either pushed out of SQ or pushed into creating something less than awesome-- just as I would hate for someone who loves knitting to feel left out from SQ, as their talents are clearly often loved and adored! Perhaps if you feel strongly about this, a separate DIY adjunct could be created, the way the cookie sharing one works?
posted by jetlagaddict at 6:24 PM on October 13, 2014
posted by jetlagaddict at 6:24 PM on October 13, 2014
Jetlagaddict, if you're talking to me, I have no intention to force it on people. It was a suggestion and it would need some community input before we would decide if we wanted to do it or not. It was also meant as an one-off thing, we could even have a different theme for different years just to mix it all up a little.
posted by travelwithcats at 6:37 PM on October 13, 2014
posted by travelwithcats at 6:37 PM on October 13, 2014
Or you could do a separate exchange from SQ altogether like the CD swaps.
posted by IndigoRain at 6:21 AM on October 14, 2014
posted by IndigoRain at 6:21 AM on October 14, 2014
I have never done Secret Quonsar, though I have taken part in a few of the music swaps in the past (and loved them, even if Chicago Postal Service tends to eat EVERYTHING I SEND ANYWHERE EVER). So, in honor of this coming December marking my ten years as an "official" site member (plus also getting a decent job and so forth), I am all up in SQ this year.
BRING. IT. ON.
Oh fucking hell what am I getting myself into
posted by tzikeh at 10:10 AM on October 14, 2014
BRING. IT. ON.
Oh fucking hell what am I getting myself into
posted by tzikeh at 10:10 AM on October 14, 2014
i just like saying bowl of octopii.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 10:16 AM on October 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 10:16 AM on October 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
I vote YES. And also a gigantic round of applause to julen for again organizing this awesome event.
posted by bearwife at 12:56 PM on October 14, 2014
posted by bearwife at 12:56 PM on October 14, 2014
Now I'll just be disappointed if I don't get a tiny octopus. :(
posted by HFSH at 4:02 PM on October 15, 2014
posted by HFSH at 4:02 PM on October 15, 2014
I'm glad to hear the widespread support for the schedule change! You folks are awesome.
My next step is to set up the spreadsheets/forms for the signup, check the notification list for duplicate entries (so you don't get notified twice if you signed up 3 years ago and then again this fall), look over the notes arcticseal and megami and I made last winter as we were quonsczaring, and finish training my cats to bat numbered ping pong balls to me to help ensure a very feline randomization. If they choose to be lazy jerks, my back up plan is to hire that octopus that was picking world cup winners a few years ago.
posted by julen at 7:37 AM on October 16, 2014 [4 favorites]
My next step is to set up the spreadsheets/forms for the signup, check the notification list for duplicate entries (so you don't get notified twice if you signed up 3 years ago and then again this fall), look over the notes arcticseal and megami and I made last winter as we were quonsczaring, and finish training my cats to bat numbered ping pong balls to me to help ensure a very feline randomization. If they choose to be lazy jerks, my back up plan is to hire that octopus that was picking world cup winners a few years ago.
posted by julen at 7:37 AM on October 16, 2014 [4 favorites]
Some days I love metafilter more than other days. This is one of those days. I would like to give everyone a big hug.
except for the people who don't like hugs. You guys get a good handshake or an enthusiastic smile & wave- your preference.
posted by small_ruminant at 9:44 AM on October 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
except for the people who don't like hugs. You guys get a good handshake or an enthusiastic smile & wave- your preference.
posted by small_ruminant at 9:44 AM on October 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
except for the people who don't like hugs. You guys get a good handshake or an enthusiastic smile & wave- your preference.
High five
posted by patheral at 1:42 PM on October 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
High five
posted by patheral at 1:42 PM on October 16, 2014 [1 favorite]
Fair warning, there's no way this year's gift could ever match the one Kabanos sent me last year! Such a fabulous example of internet creeping to make a personalized gift for someone you've never met.
posted by raisingsand at 10:22 AM on October 19, 2014
posted by raisingsand at 10:22 AM on October 19, 2014
my back up plan is to hire that octopus that was picking world cup winners a few years ago.
Erm, I have some bad news about that. Sorry, I got peckish.
posted by arcticseal at 5:13 PM on October 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
Erm, I have some bad news about that. Sorry, I got peckish.
posted by arcticseal at 5:13 PM on October 19, 2014 [2 favorites]
Me: "my back up plan is to hire that octopus that was picking world cup winners a few years ago.
arcticseal: Erm, I have some bad news about that. Sorry, I got peckish."
Well, dang. Now my new back-up plan are some local tomato-stealing groundhogs who owe me big for their summer of high living.
posted by julen at 8:44 PM on October 19, 2014
arcticseal: Erm, I have some bad news about that. Sorry, I got peckish."
Well, dang. Now my new back-up plan are some local tomato-stealing groundhogs who owe me big for their summer of high living.
posted by julen at 8:44 PM on October 19, 2014
I still think it's hilarious that julen means Christmas in the Nordic languages.
posted by Harald74 at 1:01 AM on October 21, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by Harald74 at 1:01 AM on October 21, 2014 [4 favorites]
You can sign up for secret quonsar 2014 now! (MeTa Thread)
posted by julen at 2:22 AM on November 1, 2014
posted by julen at 2:22 AM on November 1, 2014
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posted by daisyk at 8:30 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]