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Anonymous postcard exchange

 
  

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bitchiekittie
13:15 / 10.05.05
I really love to get mail, and sending it is just as fun.

I know many of you feel the same way, and are fools for stationery and accessories just like me. for this reason, I'd like to share with you an idea I have to do something I've never tried - anonymous postcards. you create a postcard - either a completely unique creation from a blank card, or something simply added to a storebought postcard, it's up to you. you offer no clues as to your identity, other than the postmark added by the post office. everyone who is interested, please PM me with your name and address as soon as possible - I will be distributing information in the next few days.

please don't join if you aren't sure you can send your postcard in a reasonable amount of time (I'd say less than a month). please also remember to be respectful and sensitive to the recipient of your item or items, try to keep rude things on postcards to a discreet minimum (as who knows who will see it before the intended does), and keep an open mind as to what you might receive. I think if everyone keeps these things in mind, this could be a lot of fun!

I've already posted this idea in my livejournal (that particular post is locked, sorry), and people have expressed that they are ready to start sending their postcards. you may take on as many addresses as you like (providing I have that many to give) and you are invited to tell me if there is someone who has responded that you would like not to have your information. in keeping with the spirit of mystery, you cannot, however, request a particular recipient or sender. I will not be offering screen names along with real information, though feel free to offer a fictitious name with your addy.

I realize that giving out your real info to someone on a message board is a bit of an uncomfortable idea to many people (and, really, for good reason), so I am willing to receive and foward along postcards to anyone who requests it (only once per person).

ETA: if you would not like to send to international addresses, please let me know. but the price of sending a postcard is still less than 1 USD(, which is .53GPB - I am only assuming it is comparable in the UK, etc), so I think you'd be severely limiting your possibilities if you didn't. additionally, please let me know if you are interested in sending/receiving multiple postcards.
 
 
grant
16:28 / 10.05.05
Ooo! Postcards!
 
 
HCE
16:58 / 10.05.05
In, and producing cards already. I'm assuming that addresses will be handed out with a reasonable measure of care re: known or suspected miscreants. Have been on the receiving end of some nasty business, and not eager for a repeat.
 
 
bitchiekittie
17:13 / 10.05.05
yes, absolutely. I've been here (on the internet/barbelith) long enough that I know to be cautious; however, if any of the mods REALLY suspect anyone currently posting of being someone suspect, I would appreciate a PM of warning. (please, no public arguments on the matter!)
 
 
bitchiekittie
17:22 / 10.05.05
er, the "I've been here long enough" bit sounds snippy upon re-reading - it wasn't meant to be!
 
 
Triplets
18:03 / 10.05.05
Yo, I am in!
 
 
HCE
19:43 / 10.05.05
No sweat. Very much looking forward to what people come up with. I've gotten lots of these from similar exchanges elsewhere and it's always a nice treat.
 
 
Whisky Priestess
20:12 / 10.05.05
sounds fun!
plus I have a shitload of postcards I never get to send, seeing as how I never go anywhere
 
 
Squirmelia
20:58 / 10.05.05
I'd like to join. (For some reason, it didn't quite make sense to me on LJ, but does more now!)
 
 
Baz Auckland
22:31 / 10.05.05
Sounds like fun!
 
 
bitchiekittie
22:41 / 10.05.05
for anyone who has PMed me - if I have sufficient information from you, I haven't yet responded to you, but will when I distribute info. I was going to start tonight, but I think I'll wait a couple more days and see if I can't get just a few more.

I'm so excited that you like my idea! I hope it's as fun for everyone as I think it could be.
 
 
Olulabelle
23:40 / 10.05.05
*Jumps up and down with hand in the air.*

I am so in. Should I post that here or on your LJ?
 
 
Olulabelle
23:41 / 10.05.05
Forgot to say, it's a lovely idea.
 
 
mondo a-go-go
14:36 / 11.05.05
Hmm, why aren't you on my LJ friendslist? Huh. Well, I have added you now.

I am definitely in. This is similar to a mail-swaping idea I had, but didn't get around to posting yet, since I am usually online only once or twice a week. (My idea didn't involve anonymous postcards, simply because of all the reasons to be cautious that everyone else is concerned about...)
 
 
HCE
15:53 / 11.05.05
Postage from US to UK is $0.70

Detailed information from the fascinating USPS.com:

Postcards must be made of cardboard or paper that meets the material and color specifications in 142.

142.1 Color
Light-colored envelopes and cards that do not interfere with the reading of the address and postmark must be used. Do not use brilliant colors.

142.2 Quality
Envelopes and cards must be constructed of paper strong enough to withstand normal handling. Highly glazed paper or paper with an overall design is not satisfactory.

142.3 Shape
Rectangular.

142.4 Minimum Size
a. Length: 5-1/2 inches.
b. Height: 3-1/2 inches.

251.14 Privately Manufactured Postcards
Privately manufactured postcards, except picture postcards, must bear the heading Postcard.

251.15 Permitted Attachments
The following may be glued on the left half of the address side of a card, or on the side opposite the address side, if they are made of paper or other thin material and adhere completely to the card:

a. Clippings of any kind.
b. Illustrations or photographs.
c. Labels other than address labels.
d. Stamps of any kind, except stamps likely to be confused with postage stamps, must not be placed on the address side of the card.

251.16 Nonpermitted Attachments
a. Cloth, embroidery, or spangles.

142.6 Bordered Envelopes and Cards
Envelopes and cards that have green-colored bars or red- and blue-stripped borders may be used for the sending of airmail letter-post items.

153 Placement of Postage
a. Postage stamps and postage-paid impressions must be applied to the address side of mail in the upper-right corner.

b. Nonpostage stamps, labels resembling postage stamps, or impressions resembling postage-paid impressions must not be placed on the address side of international mailpieces.
 
 
STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK
15:56 / 11.05.05
Sounds ace. Count me in.
 
 
bitchiekittie
21:34 / 12.05.05
nightclub dwight - thank you, that was really sweet of you to give us all of that! I need someone to come up with the practical aspects for me, because I never think of them until much later.

tomorrow (friday) I'm going to start giving out addresses, so for anyone still interested, please let me know as soon as possible. I am also doing a package exchange, but I'm reserving that exclusively for people I know pretty well, so if anyone fits that description and would like to trade packages (with me or others), too, give me a PM.

thanks for all of the interest! after all is said and done, I hope those of you pleased with your postcards will scan or take pictures of them to share with us.
 
 
bitchiekittie
15:40 / 14.05.05
yesterday I sent out addresses to anyone. I was pretty careful to make sure that everyone got an address and everyone's info was distributed, and also that I tried to keep folks from getting people they have likely corresponded with. but there's still a chance I messed up, so if you have any problems with the info you've received (or have decided you don't want or are unable to participate), please let me know ASAP and I'll take care of it. if you don't receive your card in the next few weeks, let me know, and I'll prod your sender, or get you a new one. I know that at least one person has hers ready to be posted right now.

it's not too late to join, so send me a PM if you're interested. when you get yours, if you like it and have the time and ability to do so, please scan or photograph your postcard and share it here!

thanks for everyone for playing. have fun!
 
 
grant
14:24 / 16.05.05
All done.

Mine turned out rather nicely.

I hope the post office likes it.
 
 
HCE
17:32 / 16.05.05
Sent, please enjoy.
 
 
mondo a-go-go
15:23 / 17.05.05
Is there going to be anyway to find out whether or not the postcard(s) reached the destination? I suppose that's kind of hard if it's an anonymous exchange. Maybe you could set up a public thread on your LJ, bitchiekittie? Y'know, just for people to say when they got their card(s) -- I think your LJ is better, since not everyone on your postcard exchange list is on Barbelith...
 
 
bitchiekittie
15:40 / 17.05.05
great idea - done!
 
 
mondo a-go-go
15:49 / 17.05.05
I'll get mine sent off at my Giant Trek to the post office at the end of the week. (I hate not having a local post office anymore!)
 
 
Triplets
17:17 / 17.05.05
I've not sent mine off yet but! i have wednesday and thursday off. so it is written, so it shall be done.
 
 
HCE
22:21 / 24.05.05
first card received!

thanks, mystery friend
 
 
Whisky Priestess
04:30 / 25.05.05
Got mine a few days ago. And very lovely, artistic and enigmatic it is. I will scan if I can find somewhere online to put it and link.
 
 
STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK
07:13 / 25.05.05
Got mine... (and one will be winging its way to a lucky lither on Friday...) now I just have to figure out how to USE my scanner...
 
 
Katherine
10:01 / 25.05.05
Is it too late to join?

Didn't see this before, serves me right for going on holiday!
 
 
bitchiekittie
11:13 / 25.05.05
hurrah! positive response so far, including those from non-barbelithers.

unfortunately, it is too late to join right now, as all info has already been distributed. we can do this again, though, if people are still interested.
 
 
Olulabelle
11:30 / 25.05.05
Nightclub Dwight, what a lovely card to get. I don't want it to be a mystery, I want to know whodunnit! (It wasn't me by the way, although I wish it was with that skill.)
 
 
bitchiekittie
14:33 / 25.05.05
I love that image, too.

for those of you who want to keep track of the images as they are submitted, including those not from barbelith users, I've started a public livejournal entry here.
 
 
grant
14:46 / 25.05.05
I got mine over the weekend -- it's a "visit Ocean City, Maryland" touristy postcard. Not really adorned, although it does seem earnestly happy.

Sigh.
 
 
bitchiekittie
14:51 / 25.05.05
aw, I'm sorry, grant!
 
 
grant
14:55 / 25.05.05
At least the children were not frightened.
 
 
HCE
16:10 / 25.05.05
Don't know if you can tell from the image, but it's drawn with pen and marker (I think) -- somebody put effort into this, which I really appreciate. I only wish I had some kind of artistic skill ...
 
  

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