Ars Sekrit Santa 2025 Loot Thread!
- Thread starter Thorvard
- Start date
Continuing from the Rules Thread we waited until the snow started sticking:
And everyone was cleaned up, had done their chores, and where ready to rummmble!
Everyone needed to be involved so each got a part of it to open.
It came with a strange battery that neither of them had seen before, but with reassurance they powered it up and set out to see what gave readings.
The present was another bit of metery that I did not have, a EMF meter!
The kids have already found that the microwave makes it read the highest so far and we got to have a chat about how just because something alarms, that doesn't mean it is dangerous. You need to know what assumption it is making and if it is following a standard or making things exciting!
I jacques, iSpy!
There wasn't a clue from the package or the not but the comment from the rules thread makes me suspicious enought to take the leap!
And so it begins. Bravo, Speedy Santa, you haveth supersonic reindeer and have landed your ordnance deftly. Seriously, Loot thread on Nov 9th? Somebody was champin’ at the bit!
Yes, it was me. I looked at your list and was like, if he likes to play with those kinds of gauges, he needs a meter. I hope you and your kids like it and get a lot of good use out of it. I have the same meter, and it comes in handy when trying to troubleshoot stuff.
interesting, what kind of troubleshooting do you use them for?
I've only used a EMF meter for establishing safety before working around antennas.
Working on antennas is what I got it for.
But this year, I was trying to find out why I was no longer picking up FM radio, TV stations, Police Scanner frequencies, and NOAA Weather Radio from inside my apartment. With all the troubleshooting I've done, it turns out it was my new "11.5" Large Talking Clock with Voice Talking Date and Time, Calendar Clock on the wall, putting out some very bad interference. I unplugged it, and all was good. It made me mad going through all that because of a clock. The interference coming off of it was very wild.
But this year, I was trying to find out why I was no longer picking up FM radio, TV stations, Police Scanner frequencies, and NOAA Weather Radio from inside my apartment. With all the troubleshooting I've done, it turns out it was my new "11.5" Large Talking Clock with Voice Talking Date and Time, Calendar Clock on the wall, putting out some very bad interference. I unplugged it, and all was good. It made me mad going through all that because of a clock. The interference coming off of it was very wild.
Note to self - send clocks to people I don't like.
Already got a shipping notice from my Santa, I need to get on the ball and decide on my gift.
The Soviets were ahead of their time https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(listening_device)
We’ve been getting 2W or 2Mo as the standards for the past year or so and lately? Well, maybe have a friend bring it?
Please forgive how many edits this might take I am bad at Internet.
BUT WE HAVE A PACKAGE.
A reliable border guard has been despatched.
Ok well clearly it's suspicious, I shouldn't open it.
DAD YOU IDIOT YOU OPENED IT
The inspector has detected an intruder.
IT'S A TURTLE. I went to the university of maryland and am I deeply turtle positive person. Perfection. Now for stalking.
BUT WE HAVE A PACKAGE.
A reliable border guard has been despatched.
Ok well clearly it's suspicious, I shouldn't open it.
DAD YOU IDIOT YOU OPENED IT
The inspector has detected an intruder.
IT'S A TURTLE. I went to the university of maryland and am I deeply turtle positive person. Perfection. Now for stalking.
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Quick show-and-tell of my Sekrit Santa haul!
Package shows up yesterday. I open it without even glancing at the label and immediately think: “…this isn’t something I ordered.”
Then I see my Ars handle on the label and it clicks: Secret Santa time! Followed instantly by the mild panic that I haven’t even looked at who my victim is yet.
Anyway, on to the loot:
LEGO F1 sets and racing socks. This is awesome!
I cracked open one of the mini F1 builds immediately because waiting is for people with impulse control. And after putting one together I had a thought... "Did LEGO just straight-up convert @Diabolical pixel F1 cars into brick form?”
Whoever sent this, thank you. Perfect gift. And completely stealth as there was nothing in or on the box to indicate who my Santa was. I love the mystery that I will never solve.
This gift also brought the funny as I left everything sitting on the kitchen table, and my son found it this morning and assumed the whole pile was for him.
Nope.
Dad’s toys…
That answer did NOT make his morning, but we will build them together.
Package shows up yesterday. I open it without even glancing at the label and immediately think: “…this isn’t something I ordered.”
Then I see my Ars handle on the label and it clicks: Secret Santa time! Followed instantly by the mild panic that I haven’t even looked at who my victim is yet.
Anyway, on to the loot:
LEGO F1 sets and racing socks. This is awesome!
I cracked open one of the mini F1 builds immediately because waiting is for people with impulse control. And after putting one together I had a thought... "Did LEGO just straight-up convert @Diabolical pixel F1 cars into brick form?”
Whoever sent this, thank you. Perfect gift. And completely stealth as there was nothing in or on the box to indicate who my Santa was. I love the mystery that I will never solve.
This gift also brought the funny as I left everything sitting on the kitchen table, and my son found it this morning and assumed the whole pile was for him.
Nope.
Dad’s toys…
That answer did NOT make his morning, but we will build them together.
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I need to get my lawyers on the phone.
For…. Reasons.
That is all very cool. First idea? Stop-motion animated races on the living room floor….
oooohhhhh... I already picture the epic crashes in true LEGO movie style.I need to get my lawyers on the phone.
For…. Reasons.
That is all very cool. First idea? Stop-motion animated races on the living room floor….
And something else? My kind santa, you spoil me. 'turtles and sports team apparel' definitely fit the bill, even if UCLA and Maryland are now somehow conference opponents.
It appears my quick stalking worked quite well! =D Glad you're enjoying it all like the big kid you are!Quick show-and-tell of my Sekrit Santa haul!
Package shows up yesterday. I open it without even glancing at the label and immediately think: “…this isn’t something I ordered.”
Then I see my Ars handle on the label and it clicks: Secret Santa time! Followed instantly by the mild panic that I haven’t even looked at who my victim is yet.
Anyway, on to the loot:
View attachment 122376
View attachment 122377
LEGO F1 sets and racing socks. This is awesome!
I cracked open one of the mini F1 builds immediately because waiting is for people with impulse control. And after putting one together I had a thought... "Did LEGO just straight-up convert @Diabolical pixel F1 cars into brick form?”
View attachment 122378View attachment 122379
Whoever sent this, thank you. Perfect gift. And completely stealth as there was nothing in or on the box to indicate who my Santa was. I love the mystery that I will never solve.
This gift also brought the funny as I left everything sitting on the kitchen table, and my son found it this morning and assumed the whole pile was for him.
Nope.
Dad’s toys…
That answer did NOT make his morning, but we will build them together.
My package arrived and it’s just what I needed.
It’s the DND handbook and a new set of dice!
Well except. I think these dice are cursed. My first roll was a nat 1.
Based on some comments I assume this was @jschmeling idk how to tag a user.
Regardless thank you so much! I no longer have to borrow this off a friend. And the dice are an awesome pattern!
It’s the DND handbook and a new set of dice!
Well except. I think these dice are cursed. My first roll was a nat 1.
Based on some comments I assume this was @jschmeling idk how to tag a user.
Regardless thank you so much! I no longer have to borrow this off a friend. And the dice are an awesome pattern!
Attachments
Good research. It was me. Enjoy - I used to get a lot of enjoyment from playing but it's been decades. A natural 1! Save those for your DM days sometime in the future!
Sorry for the delay in posting, I actually just got back from a trip in my trailer! Got some very nicely done wooden coasters of the back of an airstream. Nice, although not quite my trailer, but definitely in the vicinity given my vintage trailer is aluminum skinned. Will be put to good use!
Apologies to me Santa for the delay in posting. The crew took a while to determine whether or not this was safe to proceed with, yes Sekrit Santificarion has been inspected and approved!
The process required Entish deliberations:
Rasczak ordered the squad aside in order to check for Bugs:
Lt. Zim fell inline.
Johnny Rico thought about making a move…
Then ahah! Brain Bugs! Frankly, I find the idea offense. Not to worry as ohmagawd, Daddy, it’s a Tamiya hobby knife-saw-handy hobby tool! You wanna live forever?
Break out the party favors.
Zim: Boss says it’s AHMahhhhgoodness, Daddy, it’s teh Aardvark and not a brain bug, it’s teh Sekrit Aardvark habanero sauce! Now, who wants to see if they have what it takes to knock me down?
Johnny Rico and his bright ideas for working with Carl to improve Games and Theory:
Yeah, yeah, now listen up! Everybody fights, nobody quits. If you don’t do your job I’ll kill you myself…err, oh well my goodness that’s not very polite leadership at all is it, let me look handsome and moody for Teh Lounge instead.
Thanks Santa, all really useful items and will be gratefully utilized in the fight ahead. No idea on the reverse stalk but a fun haul indeed. Would you like to know more?
The process required Entish deliberations:
Rasczak ordered the squad aside in order to check for Bugs:
Lt. Zim fell inline.
Johnny Rico thought about making a move…
Then ahah! Brain Bugs! Frankly, I find the idea offense. Not to worry as ohmagawd, Daddy, it’s a Tamiya hobby knife-saw-handy hobby tool! You wanna live forever?
Break out the party favors.
Zim: Boss says it’s AHMahhhhgoodness, Daddy, it’s teh Aardvark and not a brain bug, it’s teh Sekrit Aardvark habanero sauce! Now, who wants to see if they have what it takes to knock me down?
Johnny Rico and his bright ideas for working with Carl to improve Games and Theory:
Yeah, yeah, now listen up! Everybody fights, nobody quits. If you don’t do your job I’ll kill you myself…err, oh well my goodness that’s not very polite leadership at all is it, let me look handsome and moody for Teh Lounge instead.
Thanks Santa, all really useful items and will be gratefully utilized in the fight ahead. No idea on the reverse stalk but a fun haul indeed. Would you like to know more?
Apologies to my Santa for the delay in posting. As was communicated by secret squirrel discussion, I was away for work. But, fear not, I have returned! And there is a package!
Ms Cognac had already partially opened the package (presumably due to my misspelt name), but then refrained from opening further after noticing the card inside.
But what could it be? The package inspectors had apparently been very interested when it arrived last week, but they are both snoozing in their various high places around the house at the moment. It's hard to find good help these days. Oh well, I guess I'll have to take the risk...
Oh my, this is very, very cool. And makes it multiple F1-themed presents already in the loot thread! The book is well designed and well presented, and from the few pages I've perused so far it is very interesting!
But wait, there's more! An e-book? An Adrian Newy e-book? About How To Build A Car? Amazing. Excuse me while I nerd out a little with my new reading materials!
Apologies to my Santa, I did not get around to loading the book onto my Kobo during my travels, but I have now done so.
Thank you Santa! Excellent stalking and choicing!
Ms Cognac had already partially opened the package (presumably due to my misspelt name), but then refrained from opening further after noticing the card inside.
But what could it be? The package inspectors had apparently been very interested when it arrived last week, but they are both snoozing in their various high places around the house at the moment. It's hard to find good help these days. Oh well, I guess I'll have to take the risk...
Oh my, this is very, very cool. And makes it multiple F1-themed presents already in the loot thread! The book is well designed and well presented, and from the few pages I've perused so far it is very interesting!
But wait, there's more! An e-book? An Adrian Newy e-book? About How To Build A Car? Amazing. Excuse me while I nerd out a little with my new reading materials!
Apologies to my Santa, I did not get around to loading the book onto my Kobo during my travels, but I have now done so.
Thank you Santa! Excellent stalking and choicing!
Got some truly stellar loot - the non-physical part arrived a bit ago. A series of sudoku variants, available virtually (perfect b/c of wrist issues) and including several puzzle twists I hadn't seen before. I've been alternately enjoying them and cursing at them, as one does with good puzzles! I meant to ration them out and enjoy them over a few weeks, but they've been too much fun to resist.
Then I realized the tracking detail for the other part of my gift said it had arrived today. Cue immediate rush to check the porch. Sure enough, a parcel!
... it looks like a book, but I'm not going to assume: I come from a family where misleading packaging is sometimes considered part of the fun.
Ah, but sure enough:
It's the excellent Engineering In Plain Sight, by the equally excellent Grady of Practical Engineering.
And as if that weren't cool enough....
... it's signed.
My wife says that instead of all these pictures, I should have taken an audio recording of myself cackling gleefully when I opened it.
This is freakin' awesome. This was my first year doing sekrit santa, and holy cow. Way to set a tough benchmark for any future years to follow!
Then I realized the tracking detail for the other part of my gift said it had arrived today. Cue immediate rush to check the porch. Sure enough, a parcel!
... it looks like a book, but I'm not going to assume: I come from a family where misleading packaging is sometimes considered part of the fun.
Ah, but sure enough:
It's the excellent Engineering In Plain Sight, by the equally excellent Grady of Practical Engineering.
And as if that weren't cool enough....
... it's signed.
My wife says that instead of all these pictures, I should have taken an audio recording of myself cackling gleefully when I opened it.
This is freakin' awesome. This was my first year doing sekrit santa, and holy cow. Way to set a tough benchmark for any future years to follow!
Very cool.
I guess here's a question. Is Grady on Ars, and thus your secret santa, or is it merely a purchased signed copy. /tinfoil.
A big apology to my Santa, your package got mixed into a pile of Amazon packages to be opened. I've been back and forth to DC cleaning out my Dad's condo the past week and finally got around to opening up my mail.
Yessssss, I've had this on my wishlist for a while and just hadn't gotten around to pulling the trigger. I'm hoping to give it a go with my son this coming weekend.
No note, or invoice, or anything so I'm at a complete loss!
Thanks!
Yessssss, I've had this on my wishlist for a while and just hadn't gotten around to pulling the trigger. I'm hoping to give it a go with my son this coming weekend.
No note, or invoice, or anything so I'm at a complete loss!
Thanks!
Alas, my loot has arrived and is safely ensconced at home... But I am on vacation until December! The anticipation! It burns!
Belated apologies to my Santa-- wanted to say thank you!!
I will post photos later, but the Star Trek: TNG Illustrated Handbook is awesome.
I will post photos later, but the Star Trek: TNG Illustrated Handbook is awesome.
An amazon package came in mixed in with a Vine purchase. Pics coming soon as Ice Hockey is going to be dominate this weekend!
I neglected to post that I had received my gift. Santa must have been hanging out in the Home Improvement thread, where I was talking about some projects I was going to tackle at our new house. One thing I was going to do was some crown molding and molding and trim around some cabinets to give them a built-in look.
Santa got me some hangers and clips to make the job easier for a solo amateur.
Thanks Santa! I look forward to using them.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Santa got me some hangers and clips to make the job easier for a solo amateur.
Thanks Santa! I look forward to using them.
Merry Christmas everyone!