livedarklions

I think you're new to this game, so please excuse me if I'm telling you something you already know. We have run into the problem before where someone has inadvertently assigned a mission that is proving impossible, and when that happens, the mission assigner changes the mission somewhat to make it more practical. We call that the "Mr. Bill Clause". As DrIsotope noted, this is not a typical year, and there appears to be a lot fewer people boating right now than usual. So now, not only do you have to go to a boat launch, which I did last weekend, you also have to find someone there with a boat which is quite tricky to do if no one is vacationing, etc. Despite my 100 mile round trip, I couldn't find a soul there. Can you please modify the mission to something that doesn't require some really lucky timing? How about just assigning a boat launch? Or a boat out of the water anywhere?

Notso_fastLane

There's a boat launch right off the major bike trail here, but that's ~35 miles away. Relatively flat, but I won't have time to get down and back this weekend.

I also don't know how busy it is, since I never go that way.

I might take a quick ride out to Antelope Island this weekend, though.

livedarklions

Correction--it's been 6 days since the mission was assigned. Just pointing it out because it makes the reason for it even stronger.

_ForceD_

Since we're at a bit of a standstill in the game, I want to just speak my opinion on a couple of aspects about it. It's not a big deal, but some of you probably will disagree with me. I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings. I have played along and followed the game since it began in early November of '19. Still following, but I began to lose interest a couple of months ago because: 1) some of the missions were becoming too complex, in some cases involving more than one picture to complete the mission. And in some cases not general enough for everyone. For example, in the winter, there were requests for winter setting pics. That pretty much rules out anyone below the Mason-Dixon line (in the U.S.). Or, pics of palm trees, for example, that northerners can't get. When assigning missions...I have tried to make them simple, and something everyone has access too -- "A street sign with a name beginning with a certain letter"; "An electrical substation"; etc. And 2) side discussions and "non-entry" pics began to clutter the thread extensively. Instead of searching back through pages of non-entry posts for the current mission...I just didn't bother. So...I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings. But I think if we kept the game simple, general, and 'to the point' that it would keep the game moving along, and more people would take interest.


Dan

livedarklions

I'm only going to agree with part of that--

1) I don't like the complex, multi-part missions and would also add I don't think it's ok to demand some sort of essay as part of the submission. This is, in essence, a scavenger hunt and I think people should stick to assigning a single photographic mission, no more, no less.

I don't mind sitting out a mission because x is not in my area and some of that regional stuff keeps the missions from becoming TOO mundane. We just had tower cranes, for example, and there's absolutely none of those in my general area. It was fun seeing how fast someone else could turn one up.

2) Maybe people should ease up on the non-entry pics because they do make the thread harder to follow, especially on a phone, but I think the textual digressions have been pretty limited and for me a lot of fun. This is a game, a remote social activity, I just think it's a lot more fun if we can have some banter and small talk between the participants. We already made the missions easier to spot by bolding them so I don't think it's too hard to skip past someone's little story or joke if you just want to get on with it. I have a reaction to this that's pretty much the opposite of yours, if this turns into a really rule-bound, "just the facts, maam" thread, I'm going to see little reason I'm going to want to participate. The people on this thread have generally been people I've really enjoyed chatting with, and I'd like to see that continue.

Threads do have a life-cycle, rarely do they last as long as this one, and inevitably, people will come and go. I'm going to continue to play it as I have and hope you stick around. I've enjoyed your postings and your assignments.

merrman

I have been following the game for a while just not participating till now. I figured this would be an easy one. I have several boat launches near by and it wouldn't be to hard to catch someone launching as they are pretty busy in the summer but these are strange times so lets simplify it.

Mission adjusted: Pic of a boat launch. No boat required.

_ForceD_

Concur with your points. Thanks.

Dan

Thruhiker 

Thruhiker 

If the above photo won I would like the next mission to be
AN ADVERSITEMENT WITH A BICYCLE FOR A PRODUCT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CYCLING.
It can be a poster billboard but not on a tv/or computer.
an example is I recently saw a billboard for replacement windows the picture was taken from inside the house and there was a patio set pool and bicycle in the back yard.
I've followed this game for a long time I think it's fun. I'm always a couple days late I didnt even read this challenge till last night. If this is too obscure or difficult Mr Bill can correct or start a new challenge as he sees fit

edit. Fat tire ale not acceptable

merrman

Thanks for the boat launch pic. I thought i had brought the game to a grinding halt.

Thruhiker 

Your welcome. That was the Potomac river in williamsport MD. I took a 2 night trip on the c&o canal.
It seems I've brought the game to a halt this time. Should the mission be changed?

flangehead

I'd say not yet. It's a very reasonable mission. I recall seeing these in the area, though I did not succeed in finding one yet while riding. Someone else will probably bag it sooner, but I'm pretty sure I will find one in the next few days.

I-Like-To-Bike

Last billboard I recall seeing that would have met this mission was 19 years ago in Heidelberg, Germany, selling West brand cigarettes. This billboard was so wacky that I saved the picture ( note the ad text was entirely in English, the legalese in German) but alas the picture was snapped 19 years ago and no longer meets the mission rules.

3S1M

LOL Nice billboard.

flangehead

Originally Posted by Thruhiker
Next Mission: AN ADVERSITEMENT WITH A BICYCLE FOR A PRODUCT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CYCLING.



Next Mission: Exterminator truck or service vehicle. Extra credit for a giant bug on top.

DrIsotope

No giant bug, but I do has this fella:

The Western trucks used to be yellow, and each one had a smaller version of that dude on the back, with a little mouse looking up at him. Now the vehicles are green and white pickups with camper shells, and are SUPER boring.

mr_bill

I think that gets bonus points just because:


-mr. bill

livedarklions

Is that a truck behind the guy? It's a little hard to see.

DrIsotope

The splotches of yellow-ish are the tail ends of some of the trucks. There was one closer to the front entrance, but, booooring. Always go for the big guy.

I would have loved to have gotten a pic with a Truly Nolen car, but alas, the nearest franchise is some 30 miles away. The 18 miles each way to Western was plenty for an August Wednesday, 90º by 9am.

livedarklions

That car is almost creepy.

Mission?

3S1M

Wow, this thread just got interesting. LOL. Nice finds!!!

I'm guessing it didn't completely fulfill the requirements though.... eh? It was pretty darned close though. I can't believe they would've used the same dude from a Van Halen T shirt.... LOL.

flangehead

I've been busy with a hurricane. Mission fulfilled. Frighteningly close to being a muffler man..

Please post a new mission.

cyccommute 

Truly Nolen has an astounding number of classic cars with their name on them parked throughout Tucson. They have the funny yellow cars for running around...the little ears are hilarious... but the number and variety of classic cars just parked at intersections is amazing.

DrIsotope

As I seemingly ride past one on every other ride,

Next Mission: a Gentleman's Club.

As I don't think it's unique to SoCal, bonus points for the "strip club in a strip mall" of which we have... many. Now's the time, as they're all shuttered due to COVID, so no one will look creepy wheeling their bike up to a strip club.. Okay, at least less creepy.

_ForceD_

LOL...not here in Rhode Island. They're allowing the 'ladies' to do their work outdoors (masked, of course).

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/...ot-showing-up/


Next Mission: a Gentleman's Club.


Dan