Jump to content

World Wide Flash Mob - Birmingham


bikermel76

Recommended Posts

To clarify this a little further - the meeting beforehand is for those that are helping to organise the event to ensure that everything is sorted.

 

The meeting afterwards is in case people wish to continue conversations not finished at the flashmob event. This effectively ensures that the flashmob event stays as close to the principles of flashmob as possible, whilst having a preagreed place to socialise seperately afterwards if you wish.

 

It's a fairly simple choice too - if you don't like the principle, then don't come - but don't criticise others for wanting to take part.

 

People have often been criticised for setting drive by caches, 35mm micros, earthcaches, virtuals and, frankly, not everyone is going to like every cache. The answer is simple - stop trying to sabotage it for everyone who plays the game in a slightly different way to you, and only do the things you are interested in. That way, you don't have to worry about the poor deluded people who want a flashmob event, and we don't have to feel negatively towards pompous spoilsports.

 

:laughing: I think that people are perhaps losing sight of the fact that geocaching should be FUN!

Link to comment

My my all I can say is enjoy if you are going don't enjoy if you are not. My sister needs to learn how to type so she does not have to edit it and be caught before doing so and I agree with everyone!! There now no one can pick on me or say I can't type or say events are this and that. I have been having a jolly good look at it all and agree with every point made. Go to what you enjoy and stay at home if you don't. I am looking forward to more camping weekends in Spring which I enjoy. :santa::santa::blink:;):o:o;):laughing: LOL from the Sonatellas

PS. Hi Sis

 

I am waiting for sis to notice I have forgotten the speech marks and edited this!!! Will she bite!! Reel her in!!

Edited by sonatellas
Link to comment

Who was it who said 'the only bad publicity was no publicity'? It seems that this event is getting plenty anyway.

 

I am familiar with the concept of flash mob events, and I have to say I find the idea quite amusing. When I first saw flash mob events in a geocaching context I was in two minds about whether I thought this was a good idea or not. My initial thought was that I could go out an create a series of flash events, each lasting 15 mins and hosted in a different layby on the A41... participants could drive from one to another and grab a bunch of smilies. My next thought was nah!.

 

An analogy: The very best cache I have ever done was Pharisee's 'Your Mission'. It took myself and JollyJax three full caching days and lots of brain strain to get round it and complete the cache. The result: we got a smiley. This is the same as we had got if we had done a drive by 35mm in a rubbish strewn layby. Am I bitter and twisted about this fact?... No. The reason why is that the long and difficult cache was such good fun and so clever that the pleasure of doing it was what counted, not the smiley.

 

So yes, I could go out and set a carp (oh my spelling is so bad) series of flash mob events.... but then again, I could similarly set a series of really dreadful nanos in the woods (with the clue "to the right of the tree")... but I don't think I will be doing either of these things.

 

I am still not sure what I think about geocaching flash mob events, and I can see that allowing such events could be subject to some abuse (I have looked for those nanos in the woods!!), but for now, I am keeping an open mind.

 

ps. If we are opening up caching to new ideas, great... is this a good time to mention virtuals again?!! :laughing:

Edited by Alibags
Link to comment

I'll be holding a virtual event here at 9pm tonight. All welcome :laughing:

 

I'd like to wish the Brum event organisers luck- I hope the 15mins/day go/es smoothly for you. I've been to a flash mob event before now and found it... short, but fun. I'd consider going to another, but prefer something a bit more sit-down. Especially if there are chips. Or a bit more 'stand up and go somewhere', such as the climbing/walking/adventure events I've attended (inc. my own!) - My point being, as others have said, if you don't like the concept of flashmob gc events, don't go. Or better still, go, and find out if your prejudices are valid. Not every event/cache is -or can be- for everyone.

 

Edit: There was an 'e' in there that didn't want to be.

Edited by Simply Paul
Link to comment

I'll be holding a virtual event here at 9pm tonight. All welcome :santa:

 

I'd like to wish the Brum event organisers luck- I hope the 15mins/day go/es smoothly for you. I've been to a flash mob event before now and found it... short, but fun. I'd consider going to another, but prefer something a bit more sit-down. Especially if there are chips. Or a bit more 'stand up and go somewhere', such as the climbing/walking/adventure events I've attended (inc. my own!) - My point being, as others have said, if you don't like the concept of flashmobe gc events, don't go. Or better still, go, and find out if your prejudices are valid. Not every event/cache is -or can be- for everyone.

Hear hear! Incidentally Paul, there will be no chips at the Caching Christmas Cracker this year - however if you decide to join us, I might just push the boat out and get some especially for you :santa:

 

Edited to add message for Sonatellas: :laughing::o:blink:;);):o

Edited by The Cache Hoppers
Link to comment

I remember how much crap (my spelling is OK :D ) I got when I started off my first posting TBs almost three years ago, as TBs "had to go into caches and travel that way not be posted from cacher to cacher" but loads of cachers added their names to the list to receive them and several are still going :D

 

Theres nothing wrong with trying something new, if it passed the reviewer blokies then it must be OK, it either works or it don't, nothing ventured nothing gained :D

 

M :D

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmm posting TBs not done one for a while, must get me thinking cap on :D

Link to comment

Thought forums were for expressing view not making personal attacks!

 

So did I...

 

Having had a particularly bad nights sleep

 

And how do you think I felt after reading the initial responses to my thread? I suggest you go back and re-read your posts - you might just see why I got upset! I have no problem with people saying 'I wouldn't want to go to this it seems pointless' but I'm afraid that isn't what you typed...

 

In fact I mailed the other guys and basically asked them why we were bothering. I then decided to never come on this forum again, because I wasn't at all sure that Geocachers were nice people any more. That was until someone pointed out that actually some people were being supportive, so I came back to see.

 

Thank you to everyone who's signed up to come :D and to those who have shown support on here too :D hope to meet you someday out in the field or at another event.

 

BTW, Sarah. May i suggest you DO go and organise a Flash Mob. You think it's SO simple? We will be using the full 4 weeks (and plenty of personal expense, especially our fab sponsors [please visit aforementioned hideous commerical page if you want to know who they are. I am SO sorry that I feel it neccessary to thank people who are giving up profits and time to support our sport]) that we have to get this ready - I just hope those of you that DO attend enjoy it. And if you don't, let me know. Chances are (especially after this thread) I will never bother to waste my time organising an event for ungrates again anyway, sorry I thought I was giving SOMETHING back to Caching (BTW have I mentioned that mine & schnarff's hide ratio is 22%? :D ), but I would like to know what you think. I think it could be fun (and it looked like no-one over here was gonna do one, so I figured 'if you want something doing, so it yourself')...however, we won't know until we try it!

 

As for it not being a true Flash Mob because we're meeting up afterwards, then I assume that the Swindon Science Event wasn't a true event because I went Caching afterwards with some people I met there....? People will gather from nowhere at 5pm. People will leave at 5:15pm. Flash mob endeth. The muggles wont know we've met again in a pub half a mile away, ergo the mob will have flashed (no JimJinks, I don't mean LITERALLY, you'll scare the children...) :wub:

 

Dorsetgal, I'm so sorry you & Caesar can't be there, we had all Victoria Sqare's steps flattened so we could get the 'Wheelchair Accessible' Attribute specially for you :( Would have been good to meet you - love your I Pledge coin, it's an awesome project!

 

ONC be good to put a face to the name, seeing as we seem to play FTF tag all the time, so if you can make it that's great!

 

mongoose? I said a LITTLE chaos. We deliberately aren't holding it IN a station because it could cause concern! The public will be bemused, not afraid (as long as JimJinks observes my warning above) :D

 

BTW, If anyone's train IS late? We'll be in the slug and lettuce afterwards...come find me. BUT don't try to log the event because you were in the square that day, by accident, but no-one saw you. The event is a Flash Mob. If you don't MOB you werent really contributing to the event, were you? As someone said, that's like driving into an event, signing the log and leaving...we'll be there a bit longer than that, and doing lots of stuff you would traditionally do at an event (even more so than most Flash Mob GCs which DON'T have new caches released or coins and bugs for spotting)

 

Right. /Rant off. Please don't bother to have a go back at me, I really wont be bothering to come back to read it. Thanks to all the ne'er do wells for the publicity, and thanks again for everyone's support.

 

See you on the 10th

 

Mel

Link to comment

Not that the OP is going to read this...........

 

I've already voiced my opinions on the fact that those who don't make this event in the 15 minute time frame will not be allowed to log it; but how's this for an idea.............

 

Why not submit an event cache for the pub meet afterward, so then those who don't meet the logging requirements of the Flashmob Event can still get an event smiley?

Link to comment

I have to admit that when this first came up I was in two minds as well as to whether it was a good idea or not so have decided to hold one in Newcastle Blue Carpet on the 10th of November along with over 40 other similiar events around the world happening at the same time and judge for myself.

 

Not meant to be self promotion of the event cache. :)

Edited by G Force
Link to comment

My wife and I hosted a Flash Mob event in front of the Alamo (San Antonio, Texas) back in May. As you can see from the logs, everyone who attended had a great time. A local cacher that attended organized an after event luncheon so we could spend more time together. Just seeing the looks on the muggles face when we all converged in one spot made the event well worth it.

 

Unfortunately, we are in the process of moving from Germany to the U.S. and won't have time to organize one this time. I wish you guys the best of luck with your event!

 

Dwayne

Link to comment

I thought I read somewhere in the main forums that the "linked event" rules has been relaxed, the guidelines seem to suggest that too:

 

For geocaching events that involve several components, such as a full weekend event that includes a geocoin trading session, a seminar and a potluck dinner, multiple event listings may be submitted if they each stand on their own merits as events meeting the listing guidelines.

Link to comment

Just goes to show how difficult it can be sometimes when considering a cache for publication which is on the edge of acceptability :) !

 

What does "linked" mean? It could be a lunchtime event at a pub followed by an evening gathering at the pub across the road. I would consider these two "events" as being linked. Alternatively there could be a lunchtime event at the pub followed by an evening gathering at another pub on the other side of town. I would probably publish both.

 

In the case of the flashmob/pub "events" I see one as a natural progression from the other and would consider them linked. Others may disagree and I can understand why. However, in trying to uphold the guidelines we have to draw the line somewhere and in the case of linking of events we have to use our judgement. Hopefully you will understand that we cannnot provide hard and fast "rules" as to what will and what won't be acceptable. We just try to be consistent.

Link to comment

Please don't think I'm having a go here, I'm just struggling to reconcile the published guidelines against the interpretation.

 

The guidelines state that linked event will be published if they would stand "on their own two feet" as events meeting the guidelines.

 

The flash mob has been published, therefore is clearly OK.

 

I can see no reason why in the absence of the flash mob, a pub event nearby would not be published.

 

It therefore follows to me that as the events would meet the guidelines separately and the guidelines state that if this is the case they they're OK.

 

I think the problem here is the clarity of the guidelines rather than anything else!

Link to comment

I'll miss the event even though I'll be in Birmingham (briefly) the evening before (at a railway station, funniliy enough). I hope it's well-supported: looks like a great idea!

 

And I really don't know why people have to comment when they see others doing something that doesn't appeal to them.

Edited by Happy Humphrey
Link to comment

For what it's worth, I'm hoping to get there. It will be my first event, so should be interesting whatever happens.

 

As an aside, if it's linked in with other geocaching flash mob events, and the total number of participants is over 500 worldwide, do we get a mega event icon? (sorry if this has been raised already and I've missed the post).

Link to comment

Doesn't this just take the mick out of the event organisers who spend weeks and months ensuring their events are enjoyed????

 

I for one don't see the point!!!

 

Anyone else??

 

Sarah

 

It actually takes a fair bit of planning and organising to put on a flashmob event. So in answer to your question, no this does not take the mick out of the event organisers who spend weeks and months ensuring their events are enjoyed.

Link to comment

Doesn't this just take the mick out of the event organisers who spend weeks and months ensuring their events are enjoyed????

 

I for one don't see the point!!!

 

Anyone else??

 

Sarah

 

Full agreement here...waste of time me thinks,Hopefully a fad that will die the death it deserves

 

I am confused by TDW's comment, it doesn't take much trust me. TDW posted a note viewable here on my flashmob event in Oxford that seemed to indicate he was well up for a flashmob event.

Now what's with the sudden change of heart? Don't get me wrong you're entitled to change your mind about anything you like.

Link to comment

I must admit, my flash mob was easily planned. However, thats not to say it wasn't enjoyed, and from the logs i know it was. Some people attended a nearby cache afterwards that was placed on the night. Perhaps some of you should go to a FME before you judge them. Dont judge a book by its cover, i think the saying goes.

Link to comment

I really don't see what all the fuss is about!! -_-

Having been offline for a while I only found out about on Friday afternoon and decided to attend. Travelled for three hours to get to Birmingham and had a good day's caching; bumped into a few cachers around the city, then met lots more at the event plus a few "old" acquaintances; swapped bugs and discovered coins. Isn't this the point of events?

 

Camping events are great and a lot of organisation goes into them, but even they have drawn criticism, they become more complicated to set up and some people expect to have everything laid on for them. It seems like anyone who tries to do anything is knocked for it. Just goes to show you cant please all the people all the time. :lol: Anyone who bothers trying has my admiration!

 

During the winter months its nice to have an event where we can get together without having to sit in a pub or buy a meal somewhere, (albeit only for 15 minutes in this case :anicute: )so thanks to Bikermel and all concerned with the organising of what turned out to be a fun event!!

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...