Podcacher 502: I'm a Winner!

I received a message on Monday from a geocaching friend in Australia (FireSafe), asking me if I had listened to this week’s Podcacher.  Nope.  It’s not Tuesday.  A creature of habit my podcast rotation is Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me for Monday’s commute and Podcacher for Tuesday. (I won’t bore you with the rest of the rotation, but now I have to insert The Moth somewhere.  Have you heard of it? I’m thinking Wednesdays).

So, curious at Firesafe’s enigmatic message, I loaded Podcacher episode 502 and started to skip through the episode.  Have you used the handy 15-second fast forward button on your player?  It’s a great way to bypass overly long segments on any podcast (sorry, like the News from the Northwest.  It feels like one long infomercial).  I must admit on some podcasts I listen to it at 1.5x speed for the same reason.

Big moment at minute 50:30

Ok, where am I going with this (in case this post’s title didn’t clue you in). 

I’M A WINNER!

I need a profile picture.  I look like a
deranged bowling ball!

Several week’s ago I entered the 2014 Compass Rose Geocoin contest and was one of 5 lucky winners!  I was too late to claim the limited edition Cosmos coin, but I did win my second choice: The Immortality Coin.  I’m so grateful for Firesafe reaching out to me when he did!  Isn’t it beautiful? 

It’ll pair beautifully with the Compass Rose Protection Geocoin I won earlier this year on the GeoGearheads show!  

Oh Beep! It's Geo-Resolution Time Again!

I had quite the chuckle on my drive in this morning.  Dr. D, of The Oh Beep! Geocaching Podcast (UK), tried to do a female American accent! Better yet…. MINE! (There’s a reason I’m a blogger and not a podcaster).

Mark (aka Banana Source aka Dr. D’s Dad) asked Facebook followers to post how they did with their 2014 Geo-goals.  Here were mine:

On this week’s episode, Welcome to 2015 (the one where we talk about geocaching goals), they read them off.  Now, normally Dr. D’s offensiving of Americans and our accents can get…. well… let’s just say a little tiresome… But I thought this was a hoot!  Listening on my way into work, I swerved & gasped when I realized he was “speaking me”.

Check it out!  That part is around minute 32:50 in the show. 

A big THANK YOU to Mark for pronouncing my name correctly – that was almost as big of a shock as hearing my resolutions on air.

I did have a laugh at Dr. D’s expense though.  Mark was playing sound clips from past shows talking about their 2014 goals.  Boy, can you hear the change in Dr. D’s voice! Priceless. 

Since we're on the topic of geo-resolutions...

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Scrapcat’s 2015 Geo-Resolutions

1. Pass the 3-year mark of my cache-a-day streak (I only have 53 days to go).

2. Claim at least 6 more Earth Caches, bringing my total to 30.

3. Qualify for the Historic Caches of Michigan Counties MetaChallenge GC30JWA.  TaGeez and I have completed 7 of the 10 challenges required to qualify.

4. I only have 4 squares left on my JASMER.  As we’re unsure of TaGeez’s work status, I will target only two (but hope for all 4) for 2015.

Wish me luck!

How To Puzzle Cache - a New Geo-Wonder Book

I’m SO geeked!  I ordered myself a geocaching Christmas gift today!

This week’s Podcacher featured an interview with Cully Long, the author of the newest geocaching wonder book “How To Puzzle Cache”.

I LOVE puzzle caches (just shy of finding my 1000^th puzzle-cache smiley) – we have some phenomenal puzzle craftsmen here in Southeastern Michigan.  I’m continually surprised each time a new one publishes – there’s just so many ways to create and solve puzzles.  And then you have that moment when you solve it…. nothing sweeter! I thought the book might help with those stubborn blue ?’s on my map and maybe even inspire more puzzle hides on my part.

Several of the biggest selling points stemming from the interview:

• It’s in a textbook format so you learn and then try with each chapter.
• I ordered the spiralbound version so it will lay flat and not fall apart.
• One of the reviewers is Jennifer (of Teamajk), who has the fabulous puzzle-a-day blog.  She also did a great interview on puzzles for the GeoGearheads Cache-a-maniac podcast recently.
• Cully has promised that once the book is out there he will continue to update his website with book excerpts, additional tips, etc

If you get a chance, visit the Podcacher link and enter for your chance to win a free copy (no affiliation with Podcacher or the book).

Geo-Podcasts

I can't believe after two years I've finally caught up on my podcasts! In addition to many mainstream podcasts, I subscribe to 9 geocaching podcasts:

USA

Chicago Geocaching Podcast - I refuse to believe this show has truly ended. If you've never heard it, visit the archives. I can't listen to them while driving - I tend to veer because I'm laughing too hard to focus. Truly a blast watching them in person broadcasting their 100th episode!

Podcacher - Grandaddy of them all. I just wish Sunny would read my post about LPC'ing in the Michigan Winter and stop berating them.

The Geocaching Podcast - Getting my Scott Berks fix. Best episode EVER was the Glympse show with Scott and Corey caching LIVE. Scott, did you ever go back and find that cache?

GeoGearheads - Co-hosted by one of my good friends, DarrylW4. I've spent a lot of money in the App Store because of them.

UK

The Podcacher Show - My first UK download. The Amasons are a hoot. Plus I love their "in the field" excursions and local interviews. I feel I'm walking the trails and attending events when I hear them. I've learned a lot about their local caching culture.

The Oh Beep Geocaching Podcast - I'll admit... the constant "offensiving" of Americans gets old quickly but listening to Banana Sauce trying to keep Doctor D on track is a riot. And, of course, the takeover for one episode by Walt & Scott (Chicago Geocaching Podcast) was genius! Pure brilliance! On a serious note, I think everyone should listen to the episode about depression - most moving, honest podcast I've ever heard.

UK Geocaching Podcast - I just started listening to them. I wasn't sure about this one, but now that I understand the dynamics and humor between Collin and LJ I welcome each episode. I love that they don't take themselves too seriously.

Chasing Smilies - I like the concept (sort of the British version of The Geocaching Podcast). I can't wait to see where this goes.

Australia

GeoTalk - This one hasn't produced a new show in awhile due to the host's health issues (I'm sending positive thoughts his way). I LOVED the roving reports and accents. Well worth downloading back episodes.

It's a given that I listen to any podcast that Dave DeBaereMaeker appears on. Smart, funny, informative. Follow him on his "Only Googlebot Reads This Blog". Native Texan also is a good listen - learned a lot from her.

I would love to subscribe to a German podcast, but... well... there's this little thing called a "language barrier".

Any others you would recommend?

2013 NSW Geocoin - Winner!

I received my envelope from Australia yesterday!  I told you a few weeks ago that I was the lucky GeoTalk podcast’s winner.  My 2013 NSW geocoin arrived in the mail!

Isn’t she a beaut?  It celebrates the Wasp Head Earthcache in Murramarang, NSW.  

Do you know what’s ironic?  I won it because I submitted my 2014 geo-goals for the podcast.  What was my main goal?  To visit more Earth Caches this year!

I’m so geeked to add it to my collection!

The Podcache Show Winner!

Awesome!  I received an email this past week from Pete of The Podcache Show (in the UK) letting me know I won the April challenge! 

You had to find 5 caches that spelled out “APRIL”.  I decided as it was a good caching month for me to add a bit more to the challenge and use 5 different cache types, too!  And look at where they were – all over the place!

 My friend, DarrylW4, let me know this morning that the Episode 33 has been aired, announcing me as the winner.  My prize?  I get to pick May’s challenge.  As May 4-10 is Be Kind to Animals Week, the challenge is to find 4 caches in the month of May that include animals in their name like Tiger, Wolf, Elephant, etc.

Part of Pete’s email had me chuckling:

“I've also noticed that you won a competition on another podcast and they pronounced your name correctly. Is it pronounced with an 'S' or a 'Z'? I can't have Australians bettering me at English pronunciation!”

He was also very complimentary about this blog.  He has an interest in “active geocaching bloggers” so stay tuned! He appreciated the link to his show and also the link to Red Ruth Riddle Tools (I used that link myself several times this week!).

I’m a big fan of The Podcache Show because Pete and Tracey are a lovely couple who invite you into their geocaching world with sincerity and humor. They, alongside with their kids and geofriends, share the world of UK caching: the series, local events, walking trails, and history, too.  I just love the way they don’t take themselves too seriously and have a bit of fun.  Some of my favorite experiences on their shows (sorry, I don’t remember episode numbers):

1. Pete’s son telling him a joke.  Then, 30 minutes later in the podcast, Pete finally understood the punch line.
2. The running commentary on an Earth Cache.  Pete and Tracey were waiting at the site of an Earth Cache for a geological phenomenon that only occurs several times a year (solstice, was it?).  There’s all this build up while waiting for this wave on a river… and then it was over.  Very dry humor.
3. They also feature interesting series (railroad series or village sign series) and interesting events (24 hours of caching?!?)

What an awesome way to kick off May! 

5/5 LPC's and Winter-Friendly Attributes

I listen to many geocaching podcast shows include Podcacher.  As much as I learn and enjoy that podcast, I do get a little touchy with Sonny's issue about LPCs.  I've seen some remarkable ones (PaRaDiZ has a nice Christmas vignette in one).  I've also hugged a few during my 2-year Cache-a-day streak.  This winter has been particularly brutal!  Wind chills of -26 degrees F!  Even the lamp post caches have been rather challenging!

Wixom

Here are a few LPCs plus some other challenging finds from just the last couple of weeks!  And it's been a LONG Winter!  All of these were deemed "park and grabs!

Berkley

Westland

Hamtramck

Farmington

Rochester

Redford

Livonia

Sterling Heights

Luckily, TaGeez is always a good sport!

Just a side note about Attributes.  I admit that I generally don't look at them except when I'm "streaking in Winter".  All the above caches had "Available During Winter" attributes listed on them.  I think, during snowy Winters like this one that cache owners need to really re-evaluate this attribute on a cache-by-cache basis.  Change them if it no longer applies. And, in many cases, just use them!  We've added a lot of unnecessary miles to the cachemobile when there were no attributes on a cache only to discover it was definitely NOT Winter friendly.

I (Heart) Geocaching Experiment

I'm so geeked! It's on all the podcasts! Geocaching.com is making personal LAB caches available in February! The "I (Heart) Geocaching" experiment is available to all Premium members next month.

The Geocaching Vlogger explained it best on YouTube.

You get a smiley AND a special icon! 

TaGeez and I are going to do something for each other so we each get the icon under Hides and Finds! Now to think of something special.....

Sighter in Birmingham

What a fun (and cold) adventure today!

I heard about the newest location-based game called Sighter on a recent GeoGearhead's podcast.

Sighter, found on both iOS and Droid, is a cross between Wherigos, Virtuals and Munzee. The app, using distance, a compass and hints, directs you towards "places of interest". Once there, you use your smartphone app to take a picture of the object. If you do so correctly (the right angle and zoom), you get a point for the find and (hopefully) additional information. To ensure you've met the qualifications, the site compares your captures to the original capture and checks your GPSr location.

Today, members of Team Free Range Lobsters (TaGeez, WikidKriket, SnakeyLicks, and myself) met up with GeoGearhead's DarrylW4 in downtown Birmingham, MI. Darryl just released one of the first Sighter trails in the US, and we were trying it out.

This tour centered around the sculptures of Marshall Fredericks, Birmingham legend whose work is part of the Smithsonian Art Collection. It was a fabulous 7-stop art tour around downtown and a nearby cemetery. The group shot was taken at Frederick's grave site underneath his famed piece, Leaping Gazelle.

It was a gray, 20°+ degree day ("feels like" in the single digits thanks to the wind). As well as the tour, we also grabbed additional "sights" like the Birmingham Theater, the old Edison building and Royal Oak's wooden Mad Hatter statue.

We were victorious. Snapping away, we found 22 sights and each created another 2. As there aren't many playing the game yet, we topped the weekly leaderboard for both Michigan and the World.

I have several observations:

- Don't do this on a 20° day. Brrrr..... However, snow didn't effect the capture/verification process.

- It worked well on the 4S, 5 and 5C iPhone, for the most part. However, the 4S kept crashing in the creation process.

- At different times, each of us were unable to capture a sight. Even in the exact spot and trying different angles, we would get the "Sorry" message. Once, I walked in the HOT zone (as in "you are getting hotter"), and snapped something totally different and got my point.

- There is no social aspect, currently. No way to see if my sister had been there, etc.

- Although you use your phone's camera, it doesn't actually take a picture or save it to your photo library.

- It was fun and the interface was easy to use. However, don't get "caught up" in capturing sights that you forget the art you came to see.

I can't wait for Spring so that I can create many more. This will be fun as we explore new places while geocaching.

Happy Sightering!
Elisa

Lucky, Lucky Day!

Wow!  Great drive home yesterday.  I love listening (and sending in listener feedback) to Geocaching podcasts.  Some of my local geo-buddies laugh at me each time they hear my name mentioned on a show.  It’s not that it’s “all about me”.  It’s just that I learn so much, and it’s like hanging out with peeps with my same passion.

My favorites are (in no particular order) The Podcache Show (folksy fun out of Britain), GeoSnippits Reboot (Andy can be VERY enthusiastic at times – totally hyped on sugar), GeoGearHeads (all-things geo-tech and the source of my Wallabee addiction), Podcacher (the granddaddy of them all), GeoTalk (monthly Australian fun), and Geocaching Podcast (I like the panel of rotating hosts lately).

As I was driving home last night, GeoGearHeads had their drawing for some geo-prize packs on their 100^th episode.  If you blogged, FB’d, tweeted, etc about their show recently you were entered into the drawing, and I was picked!  I’m not sure what I won… I’ll find out in a week, but it was an awesome surprise!  I have been so lucky lately!

And, much to DarrylW4 and my sister’s joy, I did pull off the road before I emailed GGH with my mailing address.

Podcaches!

Woohoo! I listen to several geocaching podcasts, and I was mentioned one two!

Podcacher http://www.podcacher.com/2013/11/show-443-0-cache-me-if-you-can/ read off my letter about caching with mementos and "caching without assumptions". There's a picture of "scrap cat" on their site.

And then the GeoGearheads show mentioned my blog and listener feedback http://cacheamaniacs.com/ggh-095-randomize-xvii .

That's awfully cool!

iPhone Keyboard Trick: The Degree Symbol

I learned a really cool keyboard tip on the GeoGearheads podcast show #94.  To enter a degree symbol on an iOS device (like an iPhone), hold down the number 0 button on the keyboard.  A pop-up window with the degree symbol will appear.  Handy when entering coordinates or discussing weather.  (Sorry for the sloppy mock-up image, I was in a hurry and didn't see anything online I liked).

You can find the GeoGearheads podcasts on iTunes or http://www.cacheamaniacs.com/ - they also have an official website at http://www.geogearheads.com/ .  You will learn a lot about iOS and Android devices (plus a little bit about everything else) on this show.

Oh, and another note of excitement: Today is my 600th straight day of caching!  Woot!