Mb
 

By the way, Presleyterian: I'll be sending you George's address shortly, if you haven't already got it!
 

Here's where the itinerareareare... itenear... list of destinations stands.

Sven's already been with:
GillH (London)
Fiona-Jane Brown (Aberdeen)
David Rayner (Melbourne, Australia)
Dana (Nr. Pittsburgh, PA)

And is currently with:
Presleyterian (Washington DC)

And has yet to visit:
George in Montreal (Montreal… duh) this is
a detour, by the way...
Renee (Colorado)
Tim Colton (Kansas)
Rachel Lam (Minnesota)
Kirsten (California)
RuthW (California)

Brickbat (Plymouth)
Starbelly (Exeter)
Sean and Bronwyn (Exeter)
Wibblethorpe (Eastbourne)
Beethoven (Abingdon, Oxfordshire)
Angel (Cambridge)
Maddie (Basildon, Essex)
Clare (Sheffield)
Lev / Mags (Manchester)
Oodzook (Crewe)
Pam (Coventry)
Chris ‘Teaboy’ Taylor (Batley, West
Yorkshire)
'Frin (who knows?)
Carys (Aberystwyth)
Babybear (Tenby)
Rosemary (Cardiff)

And then to meet the Swansea massive:
Chalky
Al
The Hapless Boy Rhys
Wood and Tracy

[ 30 May 2001: Message edited by: Wood ]
 

And Wood I do think you've confused Dinbych-y-Pysgod (Tenby) in Pembrokeshire with Dinbych (Denbigh?????) in North-East Wales, where the Eisteddfod is this year.

Carys
 

quote:

---

Carys says: And Wood I do think you've confused Dinbych-y-Pysgod (Tenby) in Pembrokeshire with Dinbych (Denbigh?????) in North-East Wales, where the Eisteddfod is this year.

---

I may well have done... but I'm afraid that I'd never heard of 'Dinbych' (only being familiar with the Welsh names of placea in Glamorgan and Rhondda, I'm afriad), so I asked my Welsh speaking source, who assured me it was Tenby. If, however, it's Denbigh, I'd REALLY like to know.
 

I would not want him to miss out of this fantastic occasion!

-Starbelly
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wood:
If, however, it's Denbigh, I'd REALLY like to know.

---

Carys is right. ) I live in Denbigh, Dinbych in Welsh, not Tenby, or even Denby. Although there is a "Denbigh Pottery" which confuses visitors.

Sorry for the confusion, I normally only write my address in Welsh.

bb
 

Will I have time to make him a mini dalmatic?Hmmm. Maybe he'll have to enjoy the ordination experience in civies -- or just wear a fur coat, so to speak.
 

-Starbelly
 

It looks like he's going to be in the US touring. Perhaps he could visit Michigan?

~Elizabeth
 

You've got another one!

Jus to fill you in on the real basics Elizabeth (welcome by the way ) Sven is a... well I want to call him reindeer but I am afraid I may be wrong there, my mind is suddenly blank.

"Suddenly"? I hear you cry - ssshhh the neighbours might hear.

Anyway he has been on tour for a while and Wood will tell you what his movements are.

Gosh I AM helpful.

Anyway it was a pleasure Elizabeth.

Mad (der by the minute)
 

OK he is a moose

What can I say - even saints are human!

Mad
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Maddie:
A moose

OK he is a moose

What can I say - even saints are human!

Mad

---

Pssst... it's always helpful to check the title of the thread.
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wood:
By the way:

Here's where the itinerareareare... itenear... list of destinations stands.

Sven's already been with:
GillH
Fiona-Jane Brown
David Rayner (DAVID - EMAIL ME!)
Dana (Nr. Pittsburgh, PA)

And is currently with:
Presleyterian (Washington DC)

And has yet to visit:
George in Montreal (Montreal… duh) this is
a detour, by the way...
Renee (Colorado)
Tim Colton (Kansas)
Rachel Lam (Minnesota)
Kirsten (California)
RuthW (California)

Brickbat (Plymouth)
Starbelly (Exeter)
Sean and Bronwyn (Exeter)
Wibblethorpe (Eastbourne)
Beethoven (Abingdon, Oxfordshire)
Angel (Cambridge)
Maddie (Basildon, Essex)
Clare (Sheffield)
Lev / Mags (Manchester)
Oodzook (Crewe)
Pam (Coventry)
Chris ‘Teaboy’ Taylor (Batley, West
Yorkshire)
'Frin (who knows?)
Carys (Aberystwyth)
Babybear (Tenby)
Rosemary (Cardiff)

And then to meet the Swansea massive:
Chalky
Al
The Hapless Boy Rhys
Wood and Tracy

---

WOOD---I'm not giving good odds that Sven will survive all these peregrinations (itinerary) without losing some fur.
Hope he does, though
 

Sven is a rather small, furry, perhaps Norwegian, moose. He is a world-traveler and on intimate and/or friendly terms with many shipmates worldwide.

Since his US itinerary takes him to Minnesota, which is not that far from Michigan, how can I arrange to invite him for a brief stay. I realize it would have to be a quick visit as others are already eagerly awaiting his arrival.

I also realize that I'm a total stranger, but I make friends with small mammals on a regular basis and am mainly vegetarian and harmless, so perhaps Sven wouldn't be averse to a brief detour.

Any suggestions on how to issue an invite? Will pay travel expenses if he's really as small as I imagine. However, airfare for a large, full-grown moose would probably be well beyond my budget.

~Elizabeth
 

I'm on lunch break from work right now, but later on, I'll post the rules up...
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Maddie:
A moose

OK he is a moose

---

As in he's not much of a looker?

Well, that's not very kind, is it? he can't help it. And make-up is soooooooo difficult to apply to fur.

fs
 

Anyway, as promised, the rules for Sven's trip.

Sven is a small cuddly toy.

(just don't tell him that)

He's been sent to various people around the world. These people keep him for one week and send him on, having taken pictures of themselves with the moose, which should then be posted up on the board (you can find some examples of piccies on the 'Wanna Know More?' thread on the old All Saints Board.

If you want him, you send me your address by email.

You keep him for about a week, and then send him on.

The legal bit: If you send me your address, I agree to release your address to one person, and only one person, namely the person in front of you on the itinererea... itinerareereereraaa... itennerea... list of places to go.

If you want me to delete your address once I've released it, I will do after Sven's gone on his furry little way.

And, ummm, that's it.

By the way, the email address you send your addresses and queries to is: sventhemoose@btinternet.com

[ 30 May 2001: Message edited by: Wood ]
 

Thanks for the instructions....I've sent off my invitation to Sven. Judging by the length of the visiting list, he might actually make it here by the time the snow flies, which would probably be best given his furriness.

I did check out the old board and catch some snapshots of Sven, so I'll recognize him immediately.

~Elizabeth
 

He may have to settle for just visiting Montreal...

Arrrgh!
 

Poor Sven (the MOOSE!) will be so disappointed.

Maddie
 

Mb
 

Congratulations George.

bb
 

(oh, and congrats either way, george!)
 

Tim, gossipmongering fishwife
 

I'm sure Sven will appreciate it, too, having missed the event in person.

~Elizabeth
 

I'm a bit worried...
 

And then to meet the Swansea massive:
Chalky
Al
The Hapless Boy Rhys
Wood and Tracy
-----------------------

um. . .hi. . . this might be a good place to jump in with both feet and say hi, and um, wood. . . can sven come to my flat too? i'll take him to see the park, and i promise i won't let the cats chase him.

nessa, who's new here, cause wood kept telling me to join.

If you must...
 

Wood, with the strange markings on Sven's passport, all the more strange because the last stamp was Washington D.C.--what else can the authorities imagine but that dear Sven is an international spy?

Let's sing!!!

..."There's a moose who leads a life of danger..
and everyone he meets, he stays a stranger
Every move he makes, another chance he takes...
Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow...
 

First, thanks for all the prayers and support. The ordination was glorious and the presence of the Holy Spirit was real indeed!

Thanks to Tim for posting the picture.

An update on Sven: on Wednesday I received an e-mail from Presleyterian who advised me that she was on the road and had asked a neighbour/friend to mail the Moose to me and was unaware if this person had followed through on her request. Since Sven still hasn't shown up, I can only assume that Sven is still rusticating in Washington.

In fairness, as I will be leaving on Wednesday for vacation perhaps Sven's visit to Montreal should be (sob)postponed to a later date.
 

Next... errr... let me check...
 

Renee
 

Anyway: at long last, pictures from Australia, courtesy of David...

[corrected crappy UBB code errors... because I can ]

[ 11 June 2001: Message edited by: Wood ]
 

Renee
 

From Renee's place (Colorado), Sven is provisionally set to visit:

Elizabeth (Michigan)
Rachel Lam (Minnesota)
Kirsten (California)
RuthW (California)
George in Montreal (Montreal... duh)
 

By the way, everybody: about sending Sven.

Registered is best, first class and Air Mail (for those pesky international packages) second preferable. I've discovered that IKEA doesn't make little Svens anymore, so he's got a fair amount of sentimental value.

I would actually like him back one day!
 

And I was thinking that our Sven came from a specialty shop like Cartier! Didn't we, shipmates?

You mean I could have my own "SVEN" ?

(running to the car to drive to Ikea in Pittsburgh to see!)

Mb
 

JB
 

Sven has decided that the high-country wetlands favored by his rural cousins are no match for world travel by post, so after a photo-op, he'll be on the road to Elizabeth in Michigan.

Renee
 

JB - if you want Sven, you know what to do...
 

Fortunately we live in a chocolate-free environment, but we will keep a watchful eye out, especially with the fudge.
 

Get in car and drive to Pittsburg?

working back......
"Registered is best, first class and Air Mail (for those pesky international packages) second preferable."
OK transport level specification understood.

"These people keep him for one week and send him on, having taken pictures of themselves with the moose, which should then be posted up on the board (you can find some examples of piccies on the 'Wanna Know More?' thread on the old All Saints Board."
Interaction protocol is identified.
I'm beginning to catch on......

"If you want him, you send me your address by email."
Aha! Here it comes.

BTW, how about a "Story of Sven the Moose" with FAQ, goings, comings, and picture-archive as a ship feature, just like the "Fruitcake Zone" and "Gadgets for God"?
 

As for a Sven Page... I'll go and ask Simon...
 

Wood, Sven would like you to send along his Vaio laptop with the wireless modem and the docking bay, and the digital video camera. Oh, and a rather large crate to bring home his souvenirs, which may or may not include several American shipmates. Sven would also like some chocolate and has already looked through my refrigerator.

You didn't tell me he was so...inquisitive and....er....demanding.

Moosily yours,
Elizabeth
 

Renee
 

He's quite the moose, isn't he?

I think a permanent Sven page is absolutely perfect! He's an international STAR for heaven's sake and more than deserves it!

I see we now have more members of the A.O.S.O.S. now, don't we, girls?

Mb
A.O.S.O.S. North American Chapter
 

Anyway. Business: nicolemrw, are you able to look after Sven in a week or so?
 

Does that help?
 

Sven's got plenty of places to go in the States
 

(not early august though, i'll be away on vacation and i wouldn't want him to sit in an envelope on my desk til i get back)
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sean:
Oh well, doesn't sound like Sven is going to make the "Wedding of the Millenium" as someone in the Cafe (Paul Vickery?) called it.

---

Well he missed George's ordination so that is par for the course.

Maybe Sven does not participate in sacramental worship?
 

millennium = mille (thousand) + annus (years)

millenium = mille (thousand) + anus (bums)

So we get, the Wedding of a Thousand Bums! Most appealing.

bb
 

Oh well.
 

If people started commenting on my spelling then we would need a new board just devoted to the bear.

dd
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by babybear:
Aww, come on, you can't expect a dyslexic bear to let that one get passed can you?

If people started commenting on my spelling then we would need a new board just devoted to the bear.

---

bb
 

Moose business: I've compiled a revised list of people who should be getting the Moose on North American continent...

How about we do it like this?

George in Montreal

Siegfried (CA)
RuthW (CA)

and then back to the other side to

Nicolemrw (NY)
JP (NY)

before coming back onto this side of the Atlantic... ?

Comments, my people?

By the way, anyone else want Sven in the States or Canada (of South America for that matter)? Speak now or forever hold you peace.
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by babybear:
All creatures great and small?

bb

---

Love
Angel
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wood:
Any pics of Sven yet, Elizabeth?

Moose business: I've compiled a revised list of people who should be getting the Moose on North American continent...

How about we do it like this?

George in Montreal

Siegfried (CA)
RuthW (CA)

and then back to the other side to

Nicolemrw (NY)
JP (NY)

before coming back onto this side of the Atlantic... ?

Comments, my people?

By the way, anyone else want Sven in the States or Canada (of South America for that matter)? Speak now or forever hold you peace.

---

This works fine for me!

Sieg
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Angel:

All things wise and wonderful - that would have to be Erin, Mb, Bb, Maddie (for putting up with me on IM), and Gill H/Hugal

---

Oh Angel - I hadn't even thought of it like that - I am just so sorry I am useless.

Take Care

Love Maddie

(delayed editing of code)

[ 03 July 2001: Message edited by: Maddie ]
 

So far he's kept out of the chocolate, Renee, but it's been a struggle without his sponsor, Mr. Chimp. Unfortunately my cats aren't very good sponsors and will beg for any food or catnip at any time. Very poor examples for Sven!
 

Thanks, both of you

I've sent on George' address now...
 

RuthW (CA)
Siegfried (CA)
Rachel Lam (MN)
Nicolemrw (NY)
JP (NY)
 

Ah well, I am sure that he has been enjoying himself meeting up with shipmates old and new.

bb
 

RuthW (CA)
Siegfried (CA)
JB (New Mexico)
Rachel Lam (MN)
Nicolemrw (NY)

Why I thought JB was in New York, I haven't the faintest. duhhh.

Oh and BB... I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever see Sven again
 

what's worse is that i also have a load of last year's st simeon meet pics that i just got back today. so that's, um, 11 months. heck.
 

I see from the pictures above that Sven is gaining a stylish new wardrobe!

Rosemary
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by rosemary:
I could mail Wood some pictures of Sven's baptism - at the last girlie meet - if he would be kind enough to put them up.

---

Happy to. And I have to say that I've seen Chalky's pictures. They're brilliant. They'll be up as soon as poss.
 

He's traveling first class, wrapped in bubble wrap (control yourself, Lev) with the big bubbles.
 

Will post em soon.

Also shows my extremely long hair, have now cut it short. Not as short as Brian from Big Brother! - Dean the Demon Razorman!

FJ
p.s. if anyone else suggests renting out my flat, they don't know Aberdeen students!

we hope
 

While we wait, we are trying to find someone to translate our national anthem "O Canada" into Moosish, as it is one of the less challenging requirements for citizenship in what, sorry Scandanavians, might just be his country of origin.

We are optimistic that his arrival this week will allow us to take him on a field trip to the Granby Zoo planned for next Monday where, if we are lucky, he might meet some relatives.

A search of the canons of the Diocese of Montreal has come up blank. We are unable to determine if moose can receive communion!
 

Given the reputation of the US Postal Service (my spouse is an employee), GPS might sound great but probably stands for Goes Pretty Slow.
 

don't look too closely
 

bb
 

And babybear, I sadly cannot claim that my town of residence was named after me in thanksgiving for my presence, moral rectitude (hah!) or sober good living.

While Saint Lambert, or so I have been told, was an obscure Bishop from Belgium who was martyred for some reason in the early middle ages, the town is really named in honour of Lambert Close, an early adventurer in French Quebec who ended up owning a huge chunk of land hereabout.

Stay tuned for Sven's Canadian exploits!

George in Montreal (well, really in suburban Saint Lambert
 

By the way - if you've got photies, send them to me as soon as you can, because there will soon be a Sven's Travels special coming up...
 

Elizabeth followed the letter of law, writing on the customs form that Sven was worth $15 US (although we all know he is really priceless) and that he was accompanied by $15 worth of goodies picked up along the way. She also wrapped and shipped him very professionally. So professionally, it would appear, that Canada Customs decided that I was buying Sven and charged GST & PST (VAT) and a $5 handling fee.

A suggestion: perhaps describing Sven as "gift -- used stuffed animal with no commercial value" would also be telling the truth and might arouse less interest from authorities thereby saving the next recipient some money. Obviously this only applies when he is being shipped internationally.

Oh yes, Sven slept well, but I am a little concerned that the level of the contents in my bottle of single malt seems to have dropped significantly overnight....
 

I shall reimburse you, of course, as it was my error.

And Wood, please don't be offended that I valued Wood at only $15US. I realize that no price could ever be put on his moosey little being, but think how awful for poor George if I had put down thousands and thousands.

International money order heading your way, George.

Actually, Sven cost me 50p (that's about 85 cents, last time I checked) in a sale at IKEA.

You value him anyway you like, guys.

Just don't tell him how much. he gets touchy
 

Kirsten (CA)
RuthW (CA)
Siegfried (CA)
JB (New Mexico)
Rachel Lam (MN)
Tom 'The Gimp' Beckwith (CO)
Nicolemrw (NY)
 

But Sven will get a little reminder of the UK when he visits me -- I'm going to take him to see the Queen Mary, which is in the harbor here in Long Beach -- so if you're lucky he'll get a bit homesick and start agitating to be returned to the UK.
 

FJ
 

By the way - email all pictures to me anyway. I'm currently compiling a Sven gallery for publication somewhere on the Ship.
 

bb
 

Ditty, indeed! Did you hear the horn-work on the tape?
 

Sven also went to church (I'm sure this wasn't a first) but settled for a blessing rather than receiving communion.

He's suffering from heat prostration at the moment -- it has been 35 C (high 90s) for the last few days with nights of 27 C, so neither Sven nor his hosts have slept well.

Hopefully he'll find better weather and air quality when he reaches Kirsten in California!
 

The Sven Moosepad

Actual size and shape are the regular moosepad dimensions.
 

Love
Angel
 

Will he get offended? Dunno. haven't asked him.

Anyway, Kirsten: have you received Sven yet?
 

Kirsten (California)
RuthW (California)
Rachel Lam (Minnesota)
Tomb (Colorado)
nicolemrw (NY)

And at some point will cross the ocean to:

Brickbat (Plymouth)
Starbelly and Amanda (Exeter)
Sean and Bronwyn (Exeter)
Wibblethorpe (Eastbourne)
Beethoven (Abingdon, Oxfordshire)

Maddie (Basildon, Essex)
Clare (Sheffield)
Lev (Manchester)
Oodzook (Crewe)
Angel (Newcastle?)
Chris ‘Teaboy’ Taylor (Batley, West
Yorkshire)
Pam Smith (Coventry)
'Frin (in marital bliss, presumably )
Carys (Dudley?)
Babybear (Denbigh, and not Tenby as you may otherwise have thought )
Rosemary (Cardiff)

And then to meet the Swansea massive:
Chalky
nessa
The Hapless Boy Rhys
Wood and Tracy

Nicole, this may mean that you'll have to stump up for airmail. We can reimburse you if you like.

I haven't missed anyone, have I?

If you want to be included, you know what to do.
 

He's travelling by air, so he should be snuffling the fresh Pacific breezes by early next week.

I hope Kirsten can understand him -- he's now speaking English with this weird combination of Swedish and French-Canadian accent..

Mea culpa..maxima mea culpa...but the journey continues.
 

You go after RuthW, and JB goes next. Then the list carries on.
 

If Sven arrives before the snow flies, we have a mountain expedition planned. I thought we'd climb a 14er and perhaps see some longhorn sheep on the slopes of Mt. Bierstadt. If he arrives later in the season, we shall go to Rocky Mountain National Park to hear the Elk bugle.

Renee, what think'st thou of a regional Shipmeet in honor of Sven?
 

R.
 

When Sven arrives is up in the air, but I hope it will be at least by the end of September, and perhaps we can have a shipmeet up at the cabin when the aspen are turning. We can announce the transference of St. Simeon's feast day to whatever day is convenient, eat beans, and generally cavort in an appropriate SoF fashion. Shoot, I go to a parish so low it even anticipates major feasts and celebrates them on Sunday, which sorely travails my little anglo-catholic soul; so a transferred feast will be a model of propriety.

When the date gets closer, I'll announce it on the board and let you know so you can call shipmates.

We'll have a grand old time.

tomb
 

We could do Siegfried, and RuthW next, then... then JB in New Mexico, if my geography is not completely wrong...
 

Sieg
 

Sieg
 

Rosemary
 

Trust me, Siegfried and kirsten are doing the right thing!
 

Neither taste great. (this was in Chicago - tried a few different places - the italian owned one was the best, and NYC)

Love
AotN
 

So better make that a full-strength espresso.
 

Love
Angel
 

Sieg
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Siegfried:
Well, actually it looks like the hand-off will be over smoothies at Jamba Juice. What could be more Bay Area than that?

---

Wait till the little critter get's to Manchester!! I have a digital camera, Manchester has a thriving gay nightlife, I know some excellent joints... and I will finally have Sven blackmail pictures!!!! ::Lev throws his head back and cackles demonically "Mwuahahahahahaha!!!!"::

....Lev
 

Sven isn't "into" designer coffee or tea. He prefers booze. He may be small, but he made one hell of a dent in my single malt scotch. I warned Kirsten to lock her liquor cabinet and suggested that if she is unable to do so that she get a "net nanny" software program for her computer...I learned the hard way....after Sven left, I clicked on the "history" button and discovered he had surfed every moose porn site that Google identified and had purchased, using my Visa card, a variety of "toys" (batteries not included) that will make my wife blush when they arrive.

Just a word to the wise for future hosts...
 

Sven has a busy week ahead--a birthday party tonight, coffee tomorrow night, and then a weekend camping trip up near the Oregon border! I'll make sure to get lots of pics.

Oh, and Ruth--I'm going to have to upgrade him to a larger box when I send him to you--his current one is a bit small, what with the various souveniers folks have added to it. Woe to the person who next ships him overseas!
 

Anyway, Sieg, I'll send you RuthW's address shortly.
 

Sieg
 

Rikter and Sven:

Rikter and Siegfried and Sven:

I'll post some more pics later.

Sieg

[possibly blown code....]

[ 29 August 2001: Message edited by: Angel of the North ]
 

Enjoying the beach:

Sitting by the fire:

A new friend!

Sieg
 

Also glad to get a look at the Real Sieg!
 

Do you have Ruth's address?
 

No, really.
 

[edited code]

[ 03 September 2001: Message edited by: Angel of the North ]
 

Sieg
 

Local jaunting about will begin tomorrow.
 

How many more stops does Mr. the Moose make before he returns to Wales' green and pleasant land?

bb
 

Next stop after Ruth is JB in New Mexico... Still there, JB?
 

I think that when Sven does eventually arrive I shall take him to Sunday School or youth group. With a big world map I shall plot all the places where Sven has been. And then talk about "go into all the world2 stuff.... maybe. Or maybe we shall just sit by the fire and eat chocolate.

bb
 

Already planning.
Do I send mailing address to RuthW?
 

Anyway, I'll sort out a current list of destinations shortly.
 

"Sorry, either the user or the board administrator is blocking access to this email address."

It even applies to me. Thanks to the administrators for protecting our privacy.

I hope it is temporary.

Meanwhile, we can work around it. It seems best for Wood to e-mail Ruth using his Host privileges. If that fails, there are other ways.
 

I will also reset my e-mail acceptance flag. I had no idea that I was being uncommunicative.
 

Sven will visit:

JB (New Mexico)
Rachel Lam (Minnesota)
Tomb (Colorado)
nicolemrw (NY)

And at some point will cross the ocean to:

Brickbat
Amanda and Mr Amanda (AKA Starbelly)
Sean and Bronwyn
Wibblethorpe
Beethoven
Maddie
Clare
Lev
Oodzook
Angel (don't have an address)
Chris ‘Teaboy’ Taylor
Arietty
'Frin (no address here, either)
Carys (or here)
Babybear
Rosemary

Chalky
nessa and ianf
The Hapless Boy Rhys
Wood and Tracy
 

Eek Wood is watching us

Mad
 

I was thinking I'd put him in the mail Monday. The postal service has been throwing everything onto trucks while the planes have been grounded, so even if it's a little bit slower than usual, there's no reason to think he won't make it to JB in New Mexico. And the planes are up and running now anyway. But if you'd rather not chance it Wood, I'll just keep him here.
 

One notice: my recent computer problems did cause the loss of my email folders. Which included everyone's address.

So, if you still want Sven, please mail me...
 

I will email this Wood guy. Hopefully he stays away from fires.

You all really are a good bunch.
Duckie
 

bb
 

I think I should do a precautionary visit prior to Sven to make sure it is all OK for him to visit...

How are those beaches?

Maddie - only concerned for Sven of course...
 

The beaches, sadly, are largely empty these days, so Sven isn't too likely to get in trouble for stealing people's liquor while they are out swimming.

There have been a few reports in recent months of 7-10 foot (I'll let you do the metric conversion) sharks near shore, but no one has been attacked. Honolulu's mayor had this insightful bit that I am sure inspired lots of kids: (I wouldn't want Sven to get any ideas)

quote:

---

“I swim with them [the sharks] all the time, I get right up to them. There really is nothing to worry about.”

---

And if they haven't gone after scummy like that, I don't think Sven has to worry.

Naturally if you are really concerned you are more than welcome to make an inspection.

I wish Duckie could have stuck with Duckie's original line of work, but if not at least Duckie had the sense to ask the best (Sven) for help.
 

Sven's always fancied having one of those flower garlands draped over him by a scantily clad maiden in a grass skirt...
 

i'll e-mail when i have a chance.
 

Also, I have started promising myself something like a vacation when I get the snakes back in the basket. One vacation idea is to visit the son in Boulder (Colorado) and that might be a time to make a Rocky Mountain Moose Toss, perhaps an top of some (technically easy) fourteener.
 

That might work, depending on the time of year and the weather. The closer it gets to October the less likely we are to get to the top of a 14er.

If the road isn't closed, we might arrange a handoff at the top of the road up Mt. Evans. I'd been hoping to climb Bierstadt w/ Sven, but that might not be feasable.

Failing that, perhaps we can put together an imprompu Shipmeet, invite Renee and the other Colo. shipmates. We have a cabin not far from Boulder west of Nederland; it's only at 9500 ft, so should be able to get there w/o having to resort to snowshoes or skis. I'll bring the beer.

Howzza sound?

tomb
 

Considering the order of Sven's visits, I could be on the receiving end of the Rocky Mountain Moose Toss. After some beach time Sven would probably find a (snow) climb a memorable contrast. Do they make ice axes in his size?

As for the location, I have not climbed in Colorado for almost 30 years - so the fourteener was probably wishful thinking. A cabin below 10,000 feet sounds much more reasonable.
 

or hawaii to tomb, and then to JB?
 

Hawaii, with Islandexile and Duckie, is about 900 miles out in the Pacific from RuthW in the Los Angeles area (Long Beach, I think).

Rachel Lam is in the northern midwest, about 1200 miles north-northeast of here.

Nichole and New York you know.

With apologies to Rachel Lam for delaying her a turn, how about:
RuthW
Islandexile and Duckie
Tomb
JB
Rachel Lam
NicholeRW

And in case Ruth has already mailed Sven, we just go back to the original order.
 

OK, after that we have (addresses I still have after the week before last's computer-destroying disaster are in bold):

Brickbat (I've got his addie because I'm related to him... duh)
Amanda and Mr Amanda (AKA Starbelly)
Sean and Bronwyn
Wibblethorpe
Beethoven
Carmel
Maddie
Clare
Lev
Oodzook
Chris ‘Teaboy’ Taylor
Arietty
'Frin and Dyfrig
Angel
Carys
Babybear
Rosemary

These people live in Swansea, so I don't need an address:
Chalky
nessa and IanF
The Hapless Boy Rhys
Wood and Tracy
 

I guess we have to!

Neil
 

I've got JB's address, but can post Sven to Islandexile in Hawaii just as easily -- let me know which it should be, and if Sven's going to Hawaii I'll need the address.
 

I've got a couple of ideas about places he can visit ... and the Calvados is sitting right on top of a shelf I'm sure he can't reach without my help.
 

Don't underestimate Sven. He's really far quite wiley. Keep the Calvados under lock and key is my advice.

And Wood worries that we'll corrupt Sven! Pah!
 

He quite liked the Queen Mary, but is now turning up his nose at California beaches since he's gotten wind of the plans for adding a Hawaiian leg to his trip. Just a bit more grousing about how the sand here is too coarse and I'm gonna turn the cats loose on him!
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by JB:
What is Wood celebrating? Can we help?

---

Yesterday was my 26th birthday, and unless you can make to my house this Saturday night for a party, probably not.

Ruth, I've mailed you the address...
 

And the Chimisa below 7000ft are already gone to seed.
The Aspens are past their peak.
The Cottonwoods have just begun to turn yellow.

They will all be gone before the Moose Toss, so here are the mooseless pictures and you can imagine antlers in appropriate places.
__________________________________________
Aspens up around 11000ft peaked about last week, as you can see from the leaves
Aspen Leaves

But they still manage to show up when the sun shines on them:
Aspens in the Sangre de Christo Mountains
Aspens in the Sangre de Christo Mountains, nearby
Aspens in the Sangre de Christo Mountains on the Hyde Park Road
__________________________________________
Chamisa flowers made yellow dye and the roots made a tea good for coughs and congestion. The tiny flowers were also dried, mixed with tobacco and smoked.
Chamisa in front of the Jemez Mountains, San Ildefonso Pueblo lands in foreground
Chamisa bush by the Nambe (River) Arroyo
________________________________________
Nambe River (well sometimes-river) hosts cottonwoods just starting to turn yellow.
Cottonwoods in the Nambe (River) Arroyo
________________________________________
Roadside memorials are part of the Hispanic tradition, comemorating not only where a death took place but the places where the pall bearers rested on the way to the church.
Roadside Memorial
____________________________________________
Did you imagine the antlers in each picture?
If so, where?

When he shows up we will find someplace else to go, completely different. (If he agrees, of course.)
 

I saw the antlers down in the corners of the pictures, as if Sven were standing a little in front of you to the right while you were shooting...

Perhaps Sven will get to see some snow when he visits you, which should make him feel right at home after visiting the tropical climes.
 

revised list coming soon!
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Siegfried:
Picked up a lug of gravensteins

---

I have not seen gravensteins since I left California. I forgot how much I miss them.
 

::wanders off to ponder this unfathomable mystery::
 

Speaking of which.
I have a Sven TM in my class on a monday afternoon. He likes travelling on international exchanges. Born in East Germany, living in Sweden. over for 3 months, living in Castle Leazes.
short guy, dark hair.

And I have to keep a straight face, and work with this guy. Life's not fair!
 

In the spirit of JB's posts, he took some pictures so that people could see what Sven was missing.

This is tomb's office. Notice the computer and imagine little antlers in front of it. tomb has been desperately trying to find a filter that will block ungulate cyberporn, but so far with no luck. tomb will therefore be vigilant.

This is the stream tomb crosses on his way to work. About this time of year, elk have been known to come down from the highcountry along this particular drainage.

tomb will do his best to guard Sven from bugling elk, who do not take kindly to invaders in their territory--particularly viking ones.

Down the street from tomb's house, and not far from the celebrated microbrewery. tomb suspects Sven will become familiar with the route.

If he ever gets here!

tomb
 

The pictures are quite nice, JB, but it doesn't do any justice to what the scenery in Pennsylvania is doing right now! The leaves are hues of colors that only God could devise. It makes you know that HE is God and the magnificence of HIS work is enormous.
Praise be the Lord.

Sorry, you are missing this, Siegfried. We had a bit of a drought this summer, and it is making the foliage even better. Get on the state PA website for a better look.

Mb
 

bb
 

GillH
FionaJane
David
Dana
Presleyterian
Renee
Elizabeth
George in Montreal
Kirsten
Siegfried
RuthW

New list (addresses I still have are in bold)...

Islandexile and Duckie
Tomb
JB
Rachel Lam
Nicolemrw

(anyone in the US who wants to be added to the list should mail me before he's left JB)

Brickbat
Amanda and Starbelly
Sean and Bronwyn
Wibblethorpe
Beethoven
Carmel
Maddie
Clare
Lev
Oodzook
Chris ‘Teaboy’ Taylor
Admiral Holder
Arietty
'Frin and Dyfrig
Angel
Carys
Babybear
Rosemary

These people live in Swansea, so I don't need an address:
Chalky
nessa and IanF
The Hapless Boy Rhys
Wood and Tracy

Which means that Sven is barely a third of the way through his journey!

Also, I have a number of pictures which, since the death of my old computer, are without attribution:

Remind me who took these... please?
 

Bet Cosmo's drooling over that one!

tomb
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by tomb:
Check out the tat box!

Bet Cosmo's drooling over that one!

---

He isn't the only one!

Now, using my powers of deductive reasoning the date stamp of 12 5 01 cannot mean 5th of the Dec 01, cos it hasn't yet happened (I am discarding the ideas of time travel and of an incorrect camera clock). This leads me to believe that the camera is an American one, and given the date of 12/5/01 I deduce that the picture was taken by an American shipmate before Sven visited the Motherboard.

And would the shipmate who took the photograph please got back to that church with a zoom camera and take some more photos.

bb
 

Babybear I think you got that date thing completely back-to-front. By the way, do you knwo anyone in Denbigh by the name of Gwyneth Kensler?
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cuttlefish:
Babybear I think you got that date thing completely back-to-front. By the way, do you knwo anyone in Denbigh by the name of Gwyneth Kensler?

---

So what is tyour explaination about the date thing then? How's piccies are they?

And Gwyneth is the Mayor.

bb
 

I'm sure these pics are earlier on the thread...
 

(I do love long rambling sentences that don't neccissarily make more sense when you reread them.)
 

Gwyneth is a relative of mine.
 

The second is Sven outside the Royal Opera House - I tried to make him look as if he was sitting inside, but it didn't really work. The third is Sven trying to play an imaginary French horn - don't ask me why...

Have you got the ones of Sven at Pizza Express with the Shipmates? Where he's suffering the after-effects of his first taste of Chianti?
 

I think
 

I won Second Prize in the office lottery:
****two weeks in Washington****
(DC, not the pretty state)
(First Prize is one week.)

So what can we do?

Plan 1:
If Sven arrives in the Santa Cruz (NM, not CA) Post Office before 10/13, he can see Washington with me. I think I saw a thread for a Washington Shipmeet we could attend 10/20.
Pro: Shipmeet
Con: Picture Plans disappear

Plan 2:
Sven dallies on the beaches of Hawaii and arrives about 10/27.
Pro: Two items
1.Sven may enjoy that
2.Planned pictures get taken
Con: Delays rest of list

Plan 3:
Sven spends two weeks in post office box
Pro: Sven may be tired
Con: Sven spends two weeks in post office box

Plan 4:
Wood reschedules to put JB later (or never)
Pro: Keeps the Moose World Tour going
Con: May not get pictures.

His Cowboy hat awaits him.

[BTW That`s not Whimsy.]
 

Islandexile and Duckie
Tomb
Rachel Lam
JB
Nicolemrw

I now have all of these addies - except for Rachel Lam's... anybody seen her?
 

bb
 

Fall is rapidly deepening here in Colorado. Critters are coming down from the mountains, and Sven may have some competition when he gets here.

tomb
 

I have plans for Sven. He's been getting soft all these decadent places he's been visiting. Hawaii indeed.

I think a short course in Muscular Christianity in Colorado will be just the ticket to get him back into shape.

Sven needs to re-engage with his wild side. None of this sneaking gin at RuthW's. We're gonna go trekkin'!

tomb
 

Veteran followers of the peripatetic moose may recall that she left Sven unattended in her residence with an unlocked liquor cabinet for two weeks while she was on the road. Of course, I didn't know this at the time (or to be truthful, chose to ignore it) with the resultant significant reduction in my modest inventory of single malt scotch whiskey.

Perhaps all the clean living in Hawaii and the regime proposed by Tomb will dry out the moose once and for all.
 

I can either get him underway this weekend or take him island hopping with me next week. (Has Sven ever seen a volcano?)
Either way. Just let me know by Saturday...or early Sunday morning GMT... if he ought to be sent before the middle of next week.
 

Tomb- I will be sending the Moose to you tomorrow (Monday) via priority mail so he should be there in a couple of days.
 

(mooseless
 

Mb
 

As a warning: Sven was doing quite well for most of his visit. Since I didn’t have any alcohol around, he was getting dried out and aside from being irritable he wasn’t too much trouble.
Then my mother arrived (from Missouri) to visit me. Apparently my warnings to her about Sven and alcohol were not strong enough. Saturday evening while I was at work Sven talked her into taking him and Duckie out to get some drinks.
I came home to find Duckie passed out on top of the TV and Sven working on his fourth beer of the evening.
After that I wasn’t about to take him with me on a plane or to a hotel room with a bar. But the only way I could get him into the box so I could make my Monday morning flight was to stick in the last bottle of beer.
Sorry Tomb.
 

bb
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Islandexile:
They told me at the Post Office that (for reasons I don’t understand) priority mail is taking “3-7 days” to go from Hawai‘i to the US mainland so Sven might not make it until Monday.

---

I can attest to this. I had occasion to order a couple of Hawaiian shirts online about 2 weeks back. They shipped a day later, and took a full week to arrive via Priority Mail.
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Siegfried:
I had occasion to order a couple of Hawaiian shirts online about 2 weeks back.

---

u needed two???

i mean, i thought one was bad enough...
 

Why the *hell* would anybody need even *one* Hawaiian shirt, let alone two? For heaven's sake, don't broadcast this sort of thing on the Internet. You never know who will be watching.

I am happy to report that Sven has arrived in Coloradooo. {hick} ooops. Shorry. A few too many oooos there. We schelebrated Skven's arrival.

Ackshully, Sven arrived while I was picking up shipmate Louise from the airport. My son called me on my mobile just as we were leaving the airport. Conversation went something like this:

"Hi, Dad!" {tentative voice}

"Hi, Mark. What's up?"

"Uh, well, this package was delivered. It's from Hawaii."

"Oh great! It's Sven the Moose!" (Louise begins to bray.)

Mark: "Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Sven. Sven the Moose. You know..."

"Uh, no." (When I got home, Mark confessed he was afraid someone was sending us Anthrax.)

My wife liked that idea. "First Tom Daschiel, then Tom Brokaw. Now my Tom. It's a Tom thing!"

(She doesn't respect me very much.)

Anyway, now that Sven is here, Mark is going to take him on his Colorado Mountain Club Wilderness Trekking School climb up Long Scraggy Peak. (It's too late in the season for a climb of a 14er like Bierstadt. Too much snow, though the Elk have finished rutting, thank God.)

In the meantime, Sven and I are hoping to take in a symposium that Louise is moderating on Scottish witches at the Denver Marriott and perhaps hear her paper on the Covenanters. I can hardly wait; Sven looks a little less enthusiastic, courtesy, no doubt, of the bottle of beer that was packed up with him. (Katie, it was empty, alas, when the box arrived.)

Louise, her friend Julian, and I all drank a Sapphire gin toast to Sven at the hotel before I had to leave. When I got home tonight (after spending the evening singing Palestrina), I protected Sven from the rest of the gin by putting it inside myself. It was a noble gesture I may regret latter.

Sven looks glum and exhausted. We must find some nice entertaining things to Cheer Him Up.

More later. I will break out the digital camera tomorrow and begin documenting Sven's Colorado adventures.

Yee haw!

tp,b
 

I hope that you head has not fallen of in the middle of the night, and we all really appreciate your kindness is safeguarding the Bombay Saff. What a hero you are!

Please keep in touch abuot all Sven's adventures.

bb

p.s. You say your wife doesn't respect you, does your son? Or do you only get 'concerned looks' from him?
 

What head?
 

We had a terrible quarrel this evening over gin. I got some; he didn't. He's dehydrated quite enough without the additional affect of alcohol at 6,000 ft.

I got a call today from City Hall. It seems they're all in a tizzy over a British Moose being in town. They had that local one come down from the mountains last week and
chase a cop.

It was terrible, and they don't want Sven going crazy on them, too. Livestock are so undependable these days.

Well, I explained to the cranky woman at the city that Sven was a Good Will Ambassador from the United Kingdom. She didn't believe me and said that someone would Be In Touch. It didn't exactly sound like the sort of "in touch" that greeting card companies advertise.

Pretty soon I had this good ole boy on my doorstep. "Ah hear you gotta Moose livin' wichyou." I just knew he had little piggy eyes behind those mirrored sunglasses.

"I have a moose visiting me," I replied.

"Ah gotta meet hiyum," the cop said.

So I invited him in, and he and Sven hit it off right away. "Ah need to have a little Prah-vut convursashun with mah good buddy here," said the cop.

"I don't think so," I replied hotly. "This is a British subject legally in this country!" (Just about then, I remembered that Sven had arrived in a Box and didn't have a passport. I wondered if I were harboring an Illegal Alien.)

And then I remembered from the Urban Myths thread that the British Royal Family were really 7-foot high lizards in disguise and I just knew my boat was sunk. What if Sven were one, too? What if all British were really lizards? We're having enough difficulty in this country being tolerant right now. I couldn't imagine the Powers that Be putting up with any more fuss.

The cop insisted on having "a littul tawk" with Sven, so I left the room for a while. When I came back, the cop was flushed with excitement and said that he was going to (actually, he said "gonna") recommend that Sven be given the keys to the city and have a special (speshul) sign erected in his honor.

I'll believe it when I see it. The cop finally left, and Sven was quiet for the rest of the day (except for getting in a snit when he didn't get any gin). He refused to tell me what had gone on in the conversation.

If the rest of the week is like this, I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm meeting entirely too many peculiar neighbors.

tomb
 

While he was here, he was a perfect gentlemoose! Had not one drink and loved meeting all kinds of new people-THEN, he travels to California and Colorado and he becomes a changed moose!

A totally incredulous Motherboard
 

quote:

---

How'ya gonna keep 'em
Down on the farm
After they've seen Paree?

How'ya gonna keep 'em
Away from Broadway
Prancin' around
And paintin' the town?

How'ya gonna keep 'em
Away from harm?
That's the mystery....

---

Dana, that song was written right after WWI. To quote the Preacher, "there's nothing new under the sun."

Poor Sven. He'll find his true Moose one of these days.

tomb
 

quote:

---

How'ya gonna keep 'em
Down on the farm
After they've seen Paree?

How'ya gonna keep 'em
Away from Broadway
Prancin' around
And paintin' the town?

How'ya gonna keep 'em
Away from harm?
That's the mystery....

---

Dana, that song was written right after WWI. To quote the Preacher, "there's nothing new under the sun."

Poor Sven. He'll find his true Moose one of these days.

tomb
 

It's a lizard conspiracy.
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by tomb:
Why the *hell* would anybody need even *one* Hawaiian shirt, let alone two? For heaven's sake, don't broadcast this sort of thing on the Internet. You never know who will be watching.

---

To wear with my ferret fursuit, of course!

Btw, I notice Sven is now sporting a rather nice lei. What other goodies has he acquired since he left the Bay Area? Does he still have his coyote mask?

Sieg
 

Seig, don't tell us any more, please.

bb
 

SIEG!! YOU DRESS UP AS A FERRET IN A HAWAIIAN SHIRT!!

Err. sorry. Got a bit

Anyway, noticed Sven has yet another different T-Shirt and a hawaiian flower garland this time. Blimey.

Tomb, Sieg, I was having a bad day, but frankly, this has just made it

By the way, Islandexile... you got any pictures?
 

I am personally overwhelmed.
 

Well, Sven has survived his second day in Colorado.

The above link is to Sven's Colorado Adventures home page, and it will take you to his Day Two adventures if you scroll down and hit the link.

There is a lurid subtext to all this, but quite frankly, I'm too tired to try to sort it out right now.

Off to a meeting (and some rest) for me!

tomb
 

any idea when that might be?
 

Sieg, before you come out this way in July, let me just tell you that we have a dog.
 

If we can manage to get together with Louise for dinner, we will certainly bring Sven.

Of course, if it's snowing, I suppose all bets are off....
 

Anyway, Renee, I've PMd and e-mailed you that I'm picking up Louise and Julian Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at their hotel. If I hear from you before then, and you're amenable, we'll head up the freeway in your direction. If you're silent, Julie and I will take them to El Rancho for prime rib and a view of the Continental Divide. Mark is taking Sven climbing tomorrow (in hopes of coaxing him out of his Moosefunk). If the two of them are back in time, we'll feed them beef too.

Renee: call me on my cell phone. You have the number. I'll be practicing, but I'll have the phone on "vibrate" so I'll take the call even in the midst of Bach or Verlain.

tomb
 

I do have pictures. I hope to get them scanned in the next week or so.

I wanted to get Sven a little Hawaii print shirt to wear, but I couldn't find one. Instead he settled for the USS Missouri souvenir shirt.

(The lei around his neck is a traditional Hawaii thing, given to guests when they arrive, to celebrate a birthday, for lu‘aus (parties on the beach frequently featuring roast pig and hula dancing) and for almost any other occasion (and worn by both males and females).)

Aside from a few postcards I don't think he picked up anything else while he was here.
 

Puns like that make life worthwhile.

Tomb, let us know when you feel like sending Sven on, and I'll mail you JB's address.
 

I'll be off to live in Hamburg (work reasons) by the end of the year so I'll have to, sadly, relinquish my position on the rota of Sven's alcholic tours of the world.

Keep the stories coming; they're a riot.

Admiral H.
 

After all, after various lysergic trips (er, journeys I mean), Sven could certainly do with a visit to Woodstock!
 

I can't believe it.

I can't BELIEVE IT!

Sven has run away.

He's been mopy these past few days, but I though it was just trying to adjust to the altitude and recovering from his 20 mile hike up Long Scraggy Peak. And my son tried to teach him to Ice Climb. You ever see a moose with crampons?

And I must admit that the Bible study, not to mention the tapes that I lent him, did not go over well.

Then I confided to him the other day that I was going to be sending him on to JB very soon, because I was going to be leaving for Rome. He got very excited.

"Take me with you," he said.

I snorted. "I'm not even taking my wife. I'm certainly not taking you."

He almost sobbed. "Oh you must take me! I suppose you're going to see the Pope?"

"Well, yes. Part of the plan is to have an audience with His Holiness."

"Well," said Sven, "I want to get blessed by the Pope."

"Oh, Sven," I said, "that's impossible. It would be terribly embarassing to whip you out of my pocket, dressed in a lei, a USS Missouri shirt, and a mask, and ask the Pope to put some juju on you.

"Besides, Wood's a Baptist. It would be a terrible scandal to have you show up back in Swansea having converted to the One True Church."

Sven pouted. "I promise I won't tell him if you don't. I won't pray rosary beads or anything like that. I'll count rocks instead."

"That's hardly the point," I replied.

"I need to find my true Moose. I need to become self-actualized."

"Wherever did you learn a term like "self-actualization?" I asked. "Certainly not in this anglo-catholic household.

He leaned over and whispered to me, "I've been reading things."

"What things?" I whispered back.

"Oh, just things," he said. End of confidences.

"Well, anyway, my wife is sending you priority mail to New Mexico on Monday," I said.

"Omighosh," he said, "not another friggin' foreign country."

"New Mexico is part of the United States of America," I replied with some acerbity.

"Do they have weird water there? I don't think I could stand any more weird water."

"It's just like water in Colorado," I said. "You adjusted to that well enough after those two Unpleasant Incidents."

Sven hung his head, and his antlers scraped the antique furniture. "I'm still embarassed about that. You brought it up to make me feel bad."

"I did no such thing. I meant it as encouragement."

"Well, I'm not encouraged," he snarled. I was surprised that ungulates could snarl. "You're denying me the possibility of personal development."

"Sven," I sighed, "If you're set on becoming a Roman Catholic moose, you don't need to go to Rome to convert. Any priest will be able to help you."

"Who said anything about becoming Roman Catholic?" he snorted. "I just want to get blessed?"

"I don't understand," I said.

"Well," he explained slowly, as if I were a slow child, "If the Pope lays some juju on me, then Wood can set me up on the mantle with a yellow votive candle burning next to me. Yellow's the papal color, you know."

"I know," I said.

"Then, he can charge people a quid to come see me and be close to my holiness. It will be a great boost to Wood's exchequer."

"Now I know I'm not taking you to Rome. You're nothing but a simoniac."

"Oh, not at all. I prefer female moose."

Well, the conversation degenerated after that and endedup with a blazing row.

This morning, Sven was gone.

And so was the gin.

I am devastated.

I only hope he's all right. He's cute, in spite of his problems.
 

Tomb, I hold you responsible for his well being.

Go forth and FIND THAT MOOSE!

Neil
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Islandexile:
Milkman-
Did you get the Sven pics from Hawaii?
I sent them last week to the sventhemoose@btinternet.com address.

---

I did... but I've been away for the last week. Promise I'll get them up in the next 24 hours.

Err, tomb? Have you gone and lost my moose?

 

As far as I know, your Moosie is fine. There wasn't that much gin left (I had drunk most of it), so I can't imagine that he's lying passed out in a ditch. Even with the mile-high altitude here, Sven tolerates the juice pretty well.

It's just that he isn't *here.* I feel sure, however, that he will come back once he's over his Moosesnit.

tomb
 

or prehaps he's hit his rockbottom and has checked himself into a rehab....
 

Sieg
 

And I have this horrible feeling that something spooky is going on. Some Psycho has Sven.

Angel
 

Anyway, here's a picture of Sven in Hawaii, and here's another one...and this is a third.
 

He may be in trouble...
 

bb
 

Made me wonder where Sven would be for Christmas.

bb
 

After a week eating my way through Italy and making the country safe for American choirs, I logged on in hopes that the dear, dear moose would have appeared and forgiven me.

But I must say, I am SHOCKED. SHOCKED do you hear?

I'm sitting in front of my computer, jet-lagged out of my mind and weeping, weeping for the moose.

And might I interject a bitter complaint--hellish though it might be--against Gatwick Airport--undoubtedly the Last Place God Made? And if the Almighty ever needs to give the world an enema, I know where He will Stick The Hose.

But end of rant. I'm just so worried since Sven has fallen in among undesireable company. And I feel so guilty (I've been in a catholic country, and it's rubbed off). What if I were the one who sent Sven over the edge.

I really thought he'd be moved by Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."

How was I to know?

tomb
 

Now he's gone and got married!
 

I must not have taken him climbing enough.

T
 

Get that little moose back into civilisation, PLEASE! He needs to see the bright lights of Swansea, and dabble his toes in the sea at Mumbles. He needs to run around in the green valleys.

If the cost of the airfare is too steep for you I am willing to donate funds to the Save our Sven appeal.

a worried bb
 

Sven
 

Wood, how do I extend my invitation to Sven?
 

Shattered, do you hear?

Shattered.

As I explained to my wife the other day, in spite of my recent travels, I will never "swim the Tiber" (i.e. convert to Roman Catholicism), because, if I did, I would be inevitably become guilty because of the Bad Choices that Sven is making.

I hasten to emphasize, these are Sven's Bad Choices. I am Not Responsible.

I did not make Sven run away. I did not force him to marry a bimbodoll.

I wanted Sven to Experience God's Creation at eleven thousand feet (or twelve or thirteen or fourteen. At this altitude, who's counting?). It was Not My Idea that he drink from a stream at that altitude.

I think Sven is suffering from a Colorado Intestinal Parasite that has Gone to His Brain.

There is no way those two will be ever happy together. She's Hard Plastic; he's IKEA stuffing.

If Sven comes back here, I will welcome him with Open Arms. (But, I hasten to add, my HMO will not pay for cosmetic tattoo removal. And it will only pay for piercing repair if it interferes with, well, "marital issues.") And my premiums will go up if Sven makes a claim, so the issue is moot.

I never signed up for weirdness; merely for plushie cutesiness.

Wood should be ashamed of himself.

But I have pointed this out to him before, to little effect, so I don't expect this indictment to have any effect.

I am devastated. In agony.

Don't gloat. I'll recover.

devastatedtomb
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Joan the Dwarf:
Sven, honey, you get yourself out of that mess then get over here to England - we'll take care of you here.

Wood, how do I extend my invitation to Sven?

---

easy. Send your address to
sven@johnheronproject.com or sven@missmonica.org and you'll be included in the itinerarereraa.

Oh, and Tomb... can I just gloat a little bit?

A teensy bit?
 

Wait 'til Mattel goes after you (as webmaster) and MM for messin' with the Barbie cultural icon.

You'll wish the only thing they were using to punish you were MM's whips 'n' chains.

Then we'll see who gets to gloat.

And, by the way, who signed that moose up for a SoF membership? Sven can't type any better now than when he was at my place and trying to browse the ungulate porn sites.

Anyone ever see ungulate porn? I'd rather watch pigs being butchered....
 

quote:

---

my HMO will not pay for cosmetic tattoo removal.

---

No problem, Tomb, I can do it for him for free. I think I have some fuzzy fabric and a little seam ripper somewhere.
 

In order to add to your reading pleasure, Miss Monica has supplied me with a translation of the Spanglish the story contains:

quote:

---

- Ey, homie, es el mini-venado who tagged en el territorio.
[I say, comrade, it's the mini-moose who wrote grafitti in our neighborhood.]

- Ey, mini-s**t, you got huevos comin' down here!
[I say, small piece of excrement, you're very brave to come to this neighborhood!]

- I don't see no huevos, Spooky. Ey! Fool! You got mini-huevos to go with that mini-brain?
[I see no evidence of a source for his bravery, Spooky. I say! O foolish one! Have you testicles the size of your brains?]

- What we gone do wit' you, ponque?
[Whatever are we going to do about you, young ruffian?]

- We could chutiar his ass.
[We could shoot him.]

- That sounds all right. But it's messy. Venado s**t all over the place.
[A good suggestion, but dreadfully messy. Moose innards everywhere.]

- Stomp his ass, Clever!
[We could squash him.]

- Hell, no! Chale, homie. My shoes are new.
[Not a good suggestion! Perhaps you should calm down, my compatriot. After all, these are Gucci loafers I wear.]

- Ey, homie. Feed him to Creeper.
[I say, my friend. Let's feed him to the terrifying dog with the equally intimidating name.]

- No le gusta esa chingadera pa comer. Es stinky.
[The dog doesn't care for spicy food -- the moose is too aromatic for his taste.]

- Ese, he eats anything.
[My dear chap! That dog would eat my grandmother.]

- Esta pendeja! La Barbie jumped into his mouth!
[The Barbie doll jumped into the dog's mouth! I marvel at her stupidity!]

- Es la chota! Let's get the fuck outta here!
[The police approach! Let us flee at once!]

---

I hope this is of some use...
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by tomb:
who signed that moose up for a SoF membership? Sven can't type any better now than when he was at my place and trying to browse the ungulate porn sites.

---

That what Sven wanted yøu to think.

quote:

---

anyone ever see ungulate porn? I'd rather watch pigs being butchered....

---

Nø. Sven never seen any.

An' anyøne whø say øtherwise be hearing frøm Sven's lawyers.
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wood:
....

In order to add to your reading pleasure, Miss Monica has supplied me with a translation of the Spanglish the story contains:

I hope this is of some use...

---

Er, Wood. I am seriously worried. Uh, how do I say this? Um, Miss Monica's translations weren't exactly, uh, accurate?

Either Miss M doesn't know what some of those words mean, or she was choosing not to translate them in order to protect our sensibilities.

I don't know which explanation terrifies me more.
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by tomb:

Either Miss M doesn't know what some of those words mean, or she was choosing not to translate them in order to protect our sensibilities.

I don't know which explanation terrifies me
more.

---

She was choosing not to translate them in order to protect our sensibilities.

And yes, it is scary
 

quite possibly dodgy?

Looks like he's on his way back to Colorado, Tomb...
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wood:
She was choosing not to translate them in order to protect our sensibilities.

And yes, it is scary

---

I have been in touch with the divine MM through the agency of tin can and string (since my high-speed internet provider is no more).

She has protested bitterly about being characterized in such a slanderous fashion, and she told me, Wood, who *really* changed the words.

Or perhaps we should rename you the Revd Bowlder?
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wood:
...
Looks like he's on his way back to Colorado, Tomb...

---

Yes. And in a box addressed by God.

Perhaps I can auction the autograph off at Christies?

If he's in good shape, I'll bounce him down to JB in New Mexico for Christmas.

I wonder if Sven likes posole?
 

Where does he get to spend the holiday? Shouldn`t he winter here in the tropics and recover from all this experience?
 

I would like to invite Sven into my life.

If Sven would come and sup with me, and I can touch the holes in his eye-sockets and stroke his furry antlers, I would believe that he exists.
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wood:
...I think it best, Sven stays with you for Christmas... maybe you could send him (to Rachel?) afterwards...

---

Christmas in New Mexico is a bit different. I wonder how he will like the Mexican tinwork Christmas tree. And posole y enchiladas y frijoles. And las Posadas. Maybe we can improve his Spanish with the Castilian kind. (Many of the old settlements retain Spanish from the colonian period, not the subsequent Mexican era.)
 

Sven has already visited:
GillH
FionaJane
David
Dana
Presleyterian
Renee
Elizabeth
George in Montreal
Kirsten
Siegfried
RuthW
Islandexile and Duckie
Tomb

And has had an unfortunate dalliance in LA.

he has yet to visit...

Sara
JB
Rachel Lam
Nicolemrw

And then that's it for the US (anyone in the US who wants to be added to the list should mail me before he's left Rachel).

In the UK:

Brickbat
Amanda and Starbelly
Sean and Bronwyn
Chorister
(note: all the above people live in Devon... maybe they could meet up?)

Wibblethorpe
Beethoven
Carmel
Joan the Person of Diminutive Stature
Maddie
Clare
Lev
Oodzook
Chris ‘Teaboy’ Taylor
Bongo
Arietty
'Frin and Dyfrig
Angel
Carys
Babybear, the Gremlin and their cute kids
Rosemary

And then, at home in Swansea...
Chalky
nessa and IanF
The Hapless Boy Rhys
Rameses Niblick III
Wood and Tracy
 

I've added you to the list.

JB: do you have Sven yet?
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Miss Nomer:
Have sent in my address in hope Sven can come & visit Calvin, Matthias & me at the end of the Met line....

---

In which case a met line meet is in order.

[thinks] If I manage a moose-toss with Carys, I can also manage another one with the metline moosetossers...

Angel
 

quote:

---

If I manage a moose-toss with Carys, I can also manage another one with the metline moosetossers...

Angel

---

Methinks we could be heading for a moose-flavoured tongue-twister here...

how much moose can a moose-tosser toss, if a moose-tosser must toss moose

Anyhow, since I'm located not very far from the end of the Met Line (in West Herts), Sven may fancy a visit here as well - I'll send my address along...
 

Neil
 

The first thing to do is get a cowboy hat.

Sven gets a hat

And the next thing is to catch up with the Ship

Sven tracks his adventures
Sven checks on the cooperative

BTW, what ever happened to the moose clone auction? I will miss the little fellow already.

And also checking out the SETI calculations on the screen saver. He seemed excited about something.

Sven checks SETI progress

He was having such a good time with the computer that I converted his picture into Windows wall paper
Sven Wallpaper
Sven looks at Sven Wallpaper

If I can reach some sort of deal with the Ship Managenent, say for contributions to the organ fund, would anyone like the wallpaper files?
 

Genius. Absolute sheer genius.

Especially the little cowboy hat.
 

The next thing to do is discover the local food

The local food is a mixture of Spanish and Indian influences. The most distinctive part is the use of chiles picked green, as a vegetable, instead of red, dried, and ground as a spice. Depending on location and the weather before picking, these can be mild to (very) hot. Also local is the layered flat enchilada, instead of rolled. It is often served with a fried egg on top. Finally, the best local corn (maize) is blue and retains the color when made into tortillas. Therefore Sven had to have a "flat green blue-corn enchilada with egg".
Sven meets enchilada
(at Roadrunner Cafe, Pojoaque NM)

Sopapillas are puffed fried bread. In other parts of Mexico they are desserts, but here we put honey in them and eat them with the chile (to protect the stomach lining...)
Sven and sopapillas
(at Roadrunner Cafe, Pojoaque NM)

And sopapillas can be filled with beans and meat and chile to make a stuffed sopapilla.
Sven and stuffed sopapilla
(at El Pinto, Albuquerque NM)

And there are excellent Mexican beers, such as Negra Modelo.
Sven meets Negra Modelo
 

And then to see some local churches

Nambe, an area where the Spanish Crown granted land to a sargent and his five soldiers back in the colonial period, about 1620. The families are still there...
Sven visits Nambe

Then Sven drove the Porsche through the Nambe Pueblo lands over to Chimayo (and Cundido and the High Road to Taos), one of the most worthwhile drives in the area.
Sven driving through the desert

And in Chimayo, theres el Santuario, a sort of Southwestern Lourdes.
Sven visits Chimayo

He paused alonside the road. He was having such a good time with the computer that I converted his picture into wall paper
Sven Pause Wallpaper
 

Hope the little guy has a marvy Christmas with you, JB - and I hope very much that you do too.
 

Motherboard
 

Christmas is Coming!

Sven practiced some Christmas music
Sven Practises

Sven helped wrap presents
Sven bringing the bow

Tired Sven relaxed among the presents.
Sven among the bows

And then it was time to light the Mexican tinwork Christmas tree. Sven took his place on the fire extinguisher as Mary lighted (only) the front half of the tree.
Sven and Southwestern Christmas Tree
(It`s not Boutros Boutros Pine Tree)

A Southwestern tradition is to light the path to the house for Mary and Joseph on Christmas Exe. This can be small bonfires (usually called Luminarias) or paper bags (weighted with sand) containing candles. These are usually called farolitos (but sometimes luminarias). Whole neighborhoods decorate themselves. In the nearby town of Espanola the Boy Scouts decorate the main streets and people drive through town with their lights off.......
Sven and cat discuss farolito
Sven and cat with operating farolito
Sven inside farolito
 

Neil
 

What do you do on Christmas Eve in New Mexico? Ride!

Sven contemplating a ride; Whimsy going about her own business, and the Sangre de Christo mountains in the background.
Sven Contemplating

Introducting himself, Sven sugested a ride
Sven got her attention

Sven got a carrot to tempt Whimsy
Sven ready to strike a deal

Whimsy noticed
Sven was noticed

Sven lost the carrot very quickly
Gone in one bite

Sven got into the saddle. This was Whimsy`s first time with western tack; she was an angel about the unfamiliar equipment. (Especially the enormous western saddle.)
Sven sitting back in the saddle, handling the rein like an experienced rider

And so Sven got a ride
Authentic Southwestern Sven

And afterward they shared a flake of this year`s alfalfa/grass hay, imported from Colorado.
Sharing a flake after the ride

It was a moment of herbivore solidarity
Herbivores forever
 

What do you do on Christmas afterneen in New Mexico?
Take Sven to see the views. Just for Motherboard: Views with antlers in the foreground.
The trip: Up the High Road to Taos, Back on State Road 503. About a 20-mile loop.

Sven Views Jemez from Jeep on the High Road to Taos
Sven Views mini-church at the intersection of the high road and 503
Sven Views Lake Peak and Santa Fe Baldy
Sven Views Truchas Peaks
Sven Returns on State Road 503
Sven Looking toward Chimayo
Sven looks back at Truchas Peaks
 

This moose has had some blissful, happy days with you, and the scenery ain't bad either. I just love the Sven wallpaper!

Thanks so much for all your running around and taking the superb photos. It's been great being a computer sighteseer from the comfort of our homes.

Motherboard
 

Sieg
 

What do you do on the day after Christmas in New Mexico?
Play Tourist and go to Los Alamos

First a stop for Motherboard, the scenic view on the `Front Hill Road`

The Sangres received their name from the original Spanish colonists, from their color at sunset. These a granite upthrust mountains, the southern tips of the Rocky Mountain range. The smudge of white at the far left are the Crestones, about 130 miles away in southern Colorado. The snow-covered peaks on the far right are the Truchas peaks Just to their left is Wheeler Peak, tallest in New Mexico. Taos is just below Wheeler.
Sven looking east toward the Sangre de Christo Mountains, toward Taos

The air polution smudge at the base of the mountains on the far right is Santa Fe. Above Santa Fe are Lake Peak and Santa Fe Baldy. Note the snow fron about December 7, hiding out in the shadow on the north side of the ridge. There are three means of heat transfer: Conduction, Convection, and Radiation. At 7200 feet elevation above about 28% of the atmosphere and with relative humidity of 10% to 20%, radiation becomes the dominant method. Snow on north sides or under bushes can hang on into early June.
Sven looking east toward the Sangre de Christo Mountains, toward Santa Fe

And up at the Laboratory Museum (not the town museum, which has exhibits of life at the pre-war Ranch School and the Manhattan Project days) there are some unique exhibits.

Sven perched on the B-61 and waved his hat just like Slim Pickins. Who would have thought he was a movie fan?
Sven Perched on the B-61 just like the scene from Strangelove, but the original probably used a B-28

The museum now has a sign: "Do Not Sit on the Bomb". Tourists used to take pictures of their children draped over it..............
Sven Straddled a Little Boy to get his picture taken, just like the tourists used to

No, Fat Man (at about 6 feet in diameter and 9 feet long was too big even for Sven.
Fat Man, without Sven

And afterwards a stop at the fountain outside the museum to collect a few thoughts.
Sven sitting and thinking

[ 27 December 2001: Message edited by: the Angel of the North ]
 

Thanks for the last fix, Angel; maybe next time I will get the url pointer syntax right.
 

Where`s the next stop?
 

Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!
 

Yes, George, it is good that our dear Sven has the Canadian flag pinned to him,
just a question here......
er, but where is the American flag pin
I gave to him?

Motherboard
 

so whens it my turn?
 

bb
 

Actually, now there are many many pics of the dear chap around, how about a screensaver/set of wallpapers/presentation etc? If no one else is volounteering I would like to take this on. Are Mr Wood and Mr Moose in agreement with this? I have other ideas as well... musical as well as graphic...
 

Concerning photos, four items.

• There was once talk of a "Moose World Tour" webpage. Maybe WOOD is already working on it.
  
• I have some Windows Wallpaper pictures and I am negotiating making them available to the shipmates; originally I proposed that they could be available for donations to the "Organ Fund".
  
• I am trying to get the original Sven pictures (1600x1200) from this visit onto Zip drives (about 200MB) to accompany him. If so, the collection will be available to future hosts.
  
• Anyone who wants to download the 640x480 internet display versions can use the Private Message utility and we can talk about an FTP from the Public_Html section on my ISP.
  

Now I think I will go add a can of Green Chile to Sven's box. It is actually for some adventerous future host; the easiest way to start the addiction is a teaspoon full with sharp cheddar in an omlette (With toasted sour-dough french bread, please...)
 

Anyway, next up is Rachel Lam, followed by Sara Strand. I'll send on the address ASAP.
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wood:
JB... are you ready to send the little guy on?

---

I have the package ready to go.

What about the SvenClone project? Will there be a clone auction? I already miss the little guy.
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by JB:
I have the package ready to go.

What about the SvenClone project? Will there be a clone auction? I already miss the little guy.

---

That's actually not me. You want to talk to Angel about that.
 

Louise
 

Only I know that members of the A.O.S.O.S. (Ancient Order of the Sisters of Sven for the uninitiated ones) and a few adjunct members have a small Sven. He's so darn cute and keeps me company while typing this.

Motherboard
 

quote:

---

here's a moose on the loose in the US
navy - enjoy!

---

Is that you, Sieg?
 

Sieg
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Louise:
Just in case Sven's ever looking for a new career, here's a moose on the loose in the US navy - enjoy!

Louise

---

I find this story absolutely terrifying. I don't even want to begin to deconstruct the subtexts of this one.
 

Nope.

Never.

Not me, no way, no how. Nosireebob.
 

I feel that your joke would be in the good taste and would never border of the lewd and tacky.

OR, would it?

I have faith that you would keep it clean and dignified here befitting our peripatetic mascot, Sven.......right?

Love and saintly hugs, Mb
 

as a side note, pertaining to the navy moose article courtesy of louise...wherein it is stated that alcohol is not allowed on us naval ships...i'm happy to report that my husband (and all others onboard) was the grateful recipient of two bottles of budwater after a long 6 month sail-about without pulling in to shore in the indian ocean...he claims that after 6 months, even bud tasted good...then they sailed around another 5 months...i remember that...it was so quiet. (of course, jimmy carter was president then.)
 

No alcohol?
 

You don't look a day over 20!

Mb

(Just a little thing!)

[ 21 January 2002: Message edited by: Maddie ]
 

We're going to Target in a few minutes to drop off the film. Assuming all goes well, he'll help me type up his adventures tonight and then fly on to his next wonderful host. (I need the address, though.)
 

Day One

Sven makes a snowmoose

Sven contemplates eating a Nut Goodie but decides to keep it as a souveneir and protect his "moosish" figure. (He & Brigit also feel a bit guilty at being tempted by said candy, since said candy's manufacturer did not even call Rachel for a first interview when she applied at their plant a number of years ago.)

Aidan and Brigit intoduce Sven to the joys of catnip. Sven gets a little crazy.

Sven is very mellow for the rest of the evening.

[ 22 January 2002: Message edited by: the Angel of the North ]
 

The next day Sven decided to sleep in and have a quiet morning. (At least, I believe that's what he said when my alarm woke him from the 'nip induced hangover. I was guessing at what some of those moose curse-words meant.)

Sven shows Brigit all of his loot.

Brigit helps Sven write a postcard to the shipmates.

They then check his e-mail and see if people are saying nice things about him online.

We go out to run some errands and Sven is horrified to see a parking ticket on my car. He offers to pay it (what a nice guest!) but I don't think the DMV will accept his check.

Groovie man! We love the carwash.
 

Astute viewers will notice that Sven is always accompanied by one cat. This is because Aidan the Wonder Cat decided to show off her hitherto unknown super powers of magically making every photo that she's in turn completely black.

Out and about......
Sven hangs out in front of Governor Jesse Ventura's mansion, hopin' for a little wrestling action. Unfortunately, Jesse's not home.

Then we visit F. Scott Fitzgerald's house. Sven is disappointed to find that he's not home either. (I don't have the heart to break it to the little guy.)

Sven then checks out the cathedral, where we take a lovely tour and admire the renovations.
Fortunately, God is home.

After all of this excitement, Sven is looking forward to a few days' rest in his box as he flies to his next destination.
 

The next person on the list is Sara Strand, in Connecticut.

But when my computer went down last week, I lost her address.

Sara, if you're reading this... could you send me your address again?

Please?

Pretty Please?
 

Brilliant pictures, all of them...
 

clare
 

I suspect my downstairs neighbors will be glad to stop hearing rowdy moose hooves galloping above their heads. (Personally, I think it just pays them back for making me listen to their awful music at all hours.)
 

And the cats seemed to like their new friend, too.

Love and Hugs, Mb
 

Unfortunately, she's having some kind of problem posting, so any correspondence will go through me. Watch this space, as they say.
 

he was appropriatly appreciated in church, and participated in choir rehersal, where his deep bass, lowing, was greatly enjoyed.

i hope to have some pictures posted tomorrow.
 

Ignore all the stuff about this guy's dog and scroll to the bottom of the page to hear how Sven really sounds.
 

however, i have got some pictures, though of dubious quality.

go here and then click where it says "friends", then click on "svens visit" (the two thimbnails next to "svens visit are pics from the manhatten shipmeet in december, if anyones interested)

under sven's visit, there should be, at this point, four pictures.

the first one, sven at the library.

the second, sven arrives in college point.

the third, sven goes to church on sunday. thats him sitting on the railing.

the fourth, sven at choir practice, with the choir director and several choir member visible. sven's on the piano. honest. i know he's hard to spot.

tuesday night sven went to an alanon meeting. there, obviously, no pictures of that, but sven reports that it gave him much to think about.
 

Thank you, Nicole. You can keep him a few more days if you like; meanwhile, I'll sort out Mr. The Moose's international mailing post for you...
 

Following evaluation by NASA (Notional Astro-Sven Association), Sven was cleared for sub-orbital flight only. Fortunately, that was all that was available.

The local club has an arrangement with the Bureau of Land Management to fly rockets from a recreational area offering several thousand acres of high desert. Longest personal recovery walk is about 1.5 miles. It is a bit of an expedition, but Sven joined in and took his seat for the drive to the launch site.
Sven on the way to the launch site

On site, Sven posed with his suborbital vehicle. In the interest of Sven recovery, we decided for him to remain with the rocket the entire flight. Besides, I had left at home the little blue parachute intended for his ejection at apogee for seperate descent.
Sven with launch vehicle

Launch. Motor is Aerotech G64 reload, providing a takeoff peak of 18 lbs thrust, averaging about 14 lbs over about 1.8 seconds. Total impulse 27 lb-sec.
Sven liftoff

The election delay was a nominal 7 seconds, ocurring just after apogee.
Sven flight: parachute ejection near apopgee (telephoto from launch site)

Winds were light; layers moved the descent in three different directions and once offered to make the launch site the landing site. Final descent was easily tracked and close enough to allow telephoto photography. Final recovery distance was only about 1500 feet.
Sven descending, (telephoto from launch site)

Sven greeted the recovery team, He seemed to have had an enjoyable experience.
Sven safely down.
Sven greets recovery team.

No post-flight physical was required.
 

nothing near so exciting to report here. due to unseasonably warm weather today, sven spen a nice day in the local park.

go to the same site as above, here

and do the same thing, (click on friends, then svens visit)

picture five is sven investigating where we were. its a nice park, on the east river, with a lovely view of the manhatten skyline, (picture six, though not as nice as reality) and, in the other direction, the whitestone pridge (picture seven)

sven played in the playground for a bit (picture eight), and then finally had some refreshments (picture nine).

then alas, the batteries in my camera wore out, so before we have any more pictures, i'll have to replace them.
 

Mb
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by nicolemrw:
then alas, the batteries in my camera wore out, so before we have any more pictures, i'll have to replace them.

---

I don`t know which is worse, buying film or buying batteries.
 

on tuesday sven joined my daughter and i on a trip to flushing meadows - corona park. for those who don't know, this was the site of both the 1939 and 1964 worlds fairs.

so as always, go to the link here, click on the link for friends, then the one for sven's visit.

picture 10 is with the map of the park. picture 11 is sven investigating the mosaic that marks the site of the two time capsules which were buried at the fairs. picture 12 shows sven reading the plaque which describes one of the most famous of worlds fair landmarks, and queens sites... the unisphere, picture 13. after we saw the unisphere, we went ice skating at the old worlds fair rink. alas, there were no moose-sized skates to rent (pictures 14 and 15) so sven had to watch from the side-boards. afterwards we walked around the park some more, and found a site that should be of intrest particularly to roman catholic shipmates (picture 16). lastly, a stop in the dinosaur playground, and a meeting with a new friend. (picture 17) (picture 17 is on the next page)

a good time was had by all!
 

The final address should be on its way now (and, now I'm back from my holiday, I'll post up the last set of pics from Sara Strand).
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by nicolemrw:
i think theres a battery vampire attacking my camera...

---

Digital cameras can be very hungry. The expensive batteries (the lithium ones) actually seem to cost less per picture.
 

About a year ago or so I was about 7th in the list to have "his mooseness" in Manchester... now I know he's had an atlantic detour, but any chance of him coming to Manchester this Summer? I have plans for the poor little thing! ::evil grin::

Love, pixies, and mooses!

....Lev
 

You know, this is possibly the oldest thread still currently running...
 

bb
 

there will be more pictures soon, too.
 

however, what i really wanted to say was there is now one more picture at my sven album. once again, click on "friends" the "svens trip", and the second picture on the second page is sven enjoying my daughters basketball practice last week.

tomorrow i will probably have the last ones ready.
 

once again, pictures are at this site, click friends then svens visit. the new ones are all on the second page, they start with the third picture.

we took the long island railroad from bayside where my church is rather than the bus for the sake of speed. you can see two pictures of sven looking out the train window. the second one shows a bit of flushing. the train took us to penn station, and we took the subway form there. sadly the pic of sven on the subway didn't come out for some reason. from battery park you take a ferry to liberty island.

a few words here about our current situation and the statue of liberty. liberty island is off the downtown end of manhatten. up until 9/11 the twin towers loomed over battery park, and were the major part of the skyline there. now there is far to much open sky, and more tourists taking pictures of what isn't there then of what still is. since 9/11 the statue has been closed to visitors. liberty island itself was reopened only recently, and boarding the ferry has the same security as an airplane now... bags must be x-rayed, people must go through metal detectors. a handful of change in my daughter's pocket set off the metal detector and she was wanded. it was a very strange sensation to go through all this.

but eventually we got on the ferry (picture 5 on the page), and got underway. the statue of liberty is a very potent symbol of both my country and my city to me, and i'm not ashamed to admit there were tears on my face as we approached the island. we walked around the statue (picture 6) and sven was very impressed (picture 7). we took time to read the historical material, and sven was particularly impressed byt the one relating to the symbols of liberty, especially the emma lazerus poem, the new colossus, (the one with "give me your poor...." etc). (pictures 8 and 9)

at that point once again the vampires struck the batteries in my camera, so alas i do not have pictures of the rest of the day. after the statue of liberty we returned to battery park and walked around for awhile, looking at the momuments there. sven was impressed by a man feeding the pigeons and squirrels, and was unhappy that we couldn't find the norwegian maritime monument, whatever that is... it was on the map, but not in the park.

after battery park, we found the financial district bull statue, and sven was impressed (its a several times larger than life statue of a charging bull... as in "a bull market")

our last stop of the day was grand central station, and the site thats being called "new york's wailing wall", the 9/11 memorial site established by the mta (mass transit authority).

and that was it for svens trip, except that on monday he went to school with my daughter and had a few words to the class at show and tell time. the teacher was quite impressed!

sven was packed up in the same box he arrived in, which is starting to be a bit small now, along with all his souvenirs, including his new york ones, and departed around 4:00 pm tuesday.

i already miss the little dear....
 

Sven's day at the cleaners #1

Sven's day at the cleaners #2

Sven gets excited about the superbowl

Sven gets a bit lost on superbowl day

Sven hangs out with some relatives

On top of the world

getting ready to move on

Sven plays the blues

Sven on a boat
 

When he arrives, he'll spend a few days at ours, and then continue his journey, this time around Britain.

Would those people who still want a visit from Sven the Moose in the UK post here?
 

Neil
 

Sieg
 

Cuttle.
 

I am sad however that Sven didn't manage to go back to visit tomb and get taken to visit the pope.

Is Sven going Ozzie at any point?

bb
 

Carys
 

I'll probably be of No Fixed Abode at some point over next few weeks/months. And of No Bloody Job. Plus, I don't have a scanner.

Sorry Sven. You'll have to seek your thrills elsewhere.

Bongo
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Erin:
So Wood, are you going to send him with what I can only describe as the most impressive collection of crap that I have ever seen?

---

I still haven't seen it... but I suspect that to save on the postage, I'll be justs sending on the Antlered One...
 

clare

(new address, pm me when you need it)
 

Kirsti
 

This, if I am not mistaken, is possibly the chronologically longest thread to have hit the board so far.

But all things must come to an end. Now that Sven's back, shall we start a new one (and, of course, archive this one, hosts, please, pretty please )?

I think so...