The Stuff Project

Craig's List attack zone:

2006-08-07T09:24:00.000-05:00

Philadelphia

Typical local Stuffs:

Pretzels
Historical Things
Disgusting Sandwiches

Tweaks

2006-08-07T08:48:00.000-05:00

First off I'd like to apologize to Craig's List. You guys ain't so bad. I just wish you made it a little easier for people like me...Or just me. Forget about all those other cheap projects like Post Secret, and, and, ummm....or like ratemypoo.com..., all those other projects.

Tweak #1: I will now be including the city and state/country that I get stuff from along with the person's first name in the title of the post. I hesitate in call this a "tweak" because it's really a groundbreaking addition for me. You see, this will now allow people to know where something came from. Example:

#58 Bob (New York, NY)

If you look closely at this you will notice several things.

1. It's the 58th Stuff received since 2005.
2. It's from someone who calls themselves Bob. (You might also notice that I never post last names. That's an unspoken confidentiality agreement I have with Stuff Senders)
3. This Stuff was sent from New York City in the state of New York.

I hope this new info will enhance the Stuff Project experience for everyone.

Tweak #2: For years my simple ad read as following:

Send me stuff!!!
I'll send you a thank you note.

I decided to take a leap of faith and made some major changes:

Send me stuff!!!
I'll write you a thank you note.

If you look closely you'll see that I changed the word "send" to "write". I hope people don't get confused by this. I think using the word "write" adds a personal touch to what I'm doing. This way people will know that I am going to sit down and personally right them a thank you now. The problem is excluding the word "send". When using "send" people knew I was going to send them thank you note. Even if I didn't personally write it, they knew they would be getting something. Now I'm just telling them I am going to be writing a thank you note. They could very well think that I will ust write a note and not send it to them. I just have to hope that they have enough trust in me to know that I will be sending them the written note.

#14 S (Las Vegas, NV)

2006-08-06T19:36:00.000-05:00

The stuff:

-Medium sized white envelope. Postage label for 87 cents from Las Vegas 89119. A black plastic "Halloween" cat and bat are taped to the front. And orange "PAXIL- Paroxetine HCI" head is taped to the back.
-About two cups of square-shredded paper
-Four "Dum Dums" Mystery Flavor suckers.

Thank you note:

S,

Thanks for the stuff!

AND THANKS FOR MESSING MY SHIT UP!!!

I’ve got stink paper all over.

-Jason

Craig's List attack zone:

2006-07-24T22:09:00.000-05:00

Las Vegas

Typical local Stuffs:

Booze
Chips
Whores

#13 Ben

2006-07-24T21:05:00.000-05:00

The stuff:

-Medium sized white envelope with a train stamp.
-Five "collector" wine labels for 1985 TEXAS Chenin Blanc from the Ste. Genevieve Winery
-A sheet of paper with a design of a sign for the "Library" bar in Minneapolis. Has note printed in the upper left corner:

JOSH,

THESE ARE COLLECTORS LABELS FROM A WINER IN TEXAS. ABOUT 20 YRS OLD IN MINT CONDITION. NOT SURE WHAT THEY'RE WORTH, BUT THEY SHOULD QUALIFY AS "STUFF".

BTW: OUR COMPANY (IN AUSTIN, TEXAS) IS BUILDING A NEON SIGN FOR A NEW BAR AT 1301 EAST4th ST. IN MINNEAPOLIS. NOW YOU CAN TELL YOU WIFE/GIRLFRIEND YOU WENT TO THE LIBRARY AFTER WORK...

BEN

The thank you note:

Ben,

Thanks for the stuff! Do you know that you addressed your envelope to “Jason”, but your letter to Josh? What’s up with that? The labels do count as stuff, as does your letter. Wanna know what would be some super duper stuff? Yeah that’s right, one of those signs you’re workin’ on down there. Heck, I’d go against my rules and even pay for postage!

DO IT!

Oh jeeze…I gotta tell ya’: I’ve got a fascination with hot air balloons that just doesn’t stop. Lemme see more of those bastards in the sky! Know what I’m sayin’? What’s better than looking up at the deep blue sky and seeing a colorful dot floating along? Nothing.

-Jason

# 12 Heather

2006-07-24T20:52:00.000-05:00

The stuff:

-Brown mailing envelope with 5 American Flag Stamps. From Heather in Austin, Texas with no return address
-Two "My Little Ponies”. One "Full Sized", white with light green hair, and one smaller sized with pink and orange hair with key chain attached.

Typewrite this!

2006-07-23T17:57:00.000-05:00

Things are not going as planned.

I got a typewriter and things were good. I went and got a ribbon for the thing. They didn't have the exact one, but I notice the width of the ribbon was the same so I just wound it up on the previous spools. Things were still good, but shortly after the thing just stopped working. I won't get into detail, because that would just be boring. I fancy myself pretty good at figuring out what's wrong with things (I might not be able to fix it, but I can at least figure it out), but this has got me stumped. I have a few theories, but they are boring.

Don't worry! I'm not going to keep you guys waiting. I've decided to go ahead without the typewriter for now and kick it old school. I am still going to take a picture of the previous thing received and send it along with the note. I was going to take pictures with a digital camera and print them out, but opted to go with another old school technique: the Polaroid. Yup. I'm sending along a one of a kind "trading card" of stuff to the lucky people who send me some. I don't want to make you guys jealous, but those things are gonna be worth some cash. Phat cash.

I hope to be posting the new items later tonight.

In other news I posted an ad on Craigslist in London. Not sure why. It was just the first city I saw. It looks like they don't have a problem with me, but I doubt they'll send me anything.

You don't want to read this.

2006-07-21T08:25:00.000-05:00

I got a typewriter. It's not quite what I was looking for, but it's free. I was hoping for an old school manual one with key directly connected to the typebars. This would allow the my type documents to have more of a personal touch to them. Instead I got an older electric typewriter. It still has the typebars (as opposed to those typeballs) but it's got a motor to them strike the paper with ease and consistency. It's a Smith Corona for those you who are wondering.

I need to get a new ribbon for it. That should happen tonight. I hope to have some stuff posted here tomorrow. Who knows, maybe there be more stuff in my box and we can start this off again with record number...

Like most of you people out there, I work in a building. For that past few days I've been coming into work and I see a paper sign posted to a wooden pillar in the lobby of my building. It says:

Sample Sale Downstairs
$1.00 Stuff

This bugged me. In a perfect world all stuff should be free. What make this stuff so good that it can be classified as "$1.00 Stuff"? This crossed my mind so I headed on down to check it out. There was peg board about six feet high by four feet wide holding all sorts of non-brand name items, all $1.00. I found out that the sample sale was not all $1.00 stuff, but had other "high-class" items such as lamps and....lights. You know, things that get bright. I ignored the bright stuff and looked over the $1.00 stuff. It was very dusty and everything had a green cardboard package. Now, at this point I'm writing this and I'm finding out that this post is going nowhere and is waste of time, but I'll keep going. I don't really have anything to say about this "$1.00 stuff". I just don't think it should cost $1.00. Also, today the sign as changed to:

Sample Sale Downstairs
Lots of $1.00 Stuff

That's about it. This sign of course implies this place has several lots, all containing $1.00 Stuff. This is not the case. I would consider it only one lot. One lot of $1.00 stuff.....Maybe I'll go change the sign.

No. I can't. I now remember seeing the maintenance guy install a security camera in lobby yesterday. I overheard him say to some one"....they were trying to get into the elevators...". Who? Should I be worried about this? We get the occasional homeless guy walking around the place, but it's nothing to worry about. In fact, we get a steady stream of homeless people walking past this building. About a mile down the street is an aluminum scrap yard/plant/place. So you get all these guys carrying bags and bags of cans and scrap metal to go cash in there. This is where is gets complicated. That stuff is stuff. It's stuff all the way up until the point that they sell it. And that point it loses it's stuff status only to quickly regain it again after the sale. Why? I don't know. I don't make this shit up, I just follow the guidelines.

To clarify:
Something at a point of sale is not stuff.

That's the basic rule to live by. It does get more complicated than that, like if it's stolen or floats out of a window during a flood, but that's for another time.

My toe is swollen

2006-07-19T22:29:00.000-05:00

Ughh...My hot lead on a typewriter was pushed back to tomorrow or Friday. It's not that big of a deal but if it doesn't go through I gotta buy one. I if do that it's going to be Monday or Tuesday until I get it. Is it worth the wait to write a thank you note? Maybe not. If I don't have a typewriter in hand by Saturday I'm doin' it old school (with the ol' left hand). I'm still going to send a photo of the last thing received thought....Here's the deal: Of the two things I got, only one had a return address. I'm going to take a photo of the stuff without the address and send it to the one with...Kinda convenient actually. I don't have to go into the archives or anything.

In other news:

-I gotta take out my garbage. Something smells funky.....Did you know that most of America is way off with their knowledge of what kind of trash is contained in out landfills?

-I hurt my leg playing soccer and some fool stepped on my big toe with some cleats. I checked the brand: Adidas hurts likes shit. Through the grapevine I've heard that Adidas feeds it's excess cowhide to man eating plants in attempt to create a new organic "super materiel."

-I renewed my www.sendmestuff.org website. I own the domain for three more years and the hosting service for one more year. The only reason I did it only for one year is because they word stuff oddly on their website and make me wonder what they are offering....It seemed more clear of what I was getting when I first set it up. When renewing the service they changed their wording and specs....A dog move if you ask me.

That's about it.

V

2006-07-18T20:07:00.000-05:00

Say what you will about backing out of the CraigsList war, but it looks like I won.

That's right mudderfukurs, I gots two stuffs from the Austin, Texas!

According to my new rules nothing can be posted as of yet. I've got a hot lead on a manual typewriter (I hope to find out tomorrow), and then we can get started.

In the meantime I'd like you all to think about how much the City Pages sucks. I posted the CraigsList ads a little after the City Pages (which I PAID for) and I ain't seen nothin' yet.

The war has ended.

2006-07-13T11:24:00.000-05:00

I got bored.

Fuck Austin.

And CraigsList.

The war continues

2006-07-12T10:32:00.000-05:00

My ad has been taken out of the Austion section of Craigslist about six times now. I just posted another and also asked for whoever is flaggin it to please tell me why and I put in my email address. Let's see if these asshole have any sort of dignity and speak up.

I ain't quitin' this...I may even need some help from you guys down the road.

Austin, Texas is the worst city in the world.

2006-07-11T16:38:00.000-05:00

Austin, Texas....What a bunch of dicks.

They kicked my ad off of Craigslist, and I have no idea why. I posted my ad i the "Items wanted" category. That makes sense, right? I'm not a big craigslist user so I just noticed that you can have a user account now. I signed up for that a reposted the exact ad i the same place to see if it gets kicked off again. I'm hoping since I have an account now it will give a little more insight into why Austin, Texas doesn't like me....Don't people have better things to do than to annoy the Stuff Guy?

The problem with classifieds

2006-07-10T10:49:00.000-05:00

I just posted another ad on craigslist.com. This time I put it in Austin, Texas. It seemed like a good idea.

The problem with Craigslist and any classified system is the categories. The only place for my ads to go are in the "wanted" section. Who the hell reads that? I personally don't care what other people want....What a dumb idea...It has happened in the past where I tried to put my "stuff" ads in a more high traffic section and then some idiot complains about it and it gets taken off. People do what they gotta do I guess. I've never been that type person. One of my childhood friend's family would always call the cops if they saw some kids hangin' out in the neighborhood park after 10pm. If you stopped your bike in front of their house for what ever reason, within 10 seconds you'd see a head poking thought the curtains watching to make sure you didn't cause any trouble...This family was also very hairy. Probably one of the hairiest group of people I've ever seen. They all had dark black thick hair all over their bodies. A disgusting group of people. Their house had a weird smell that was a cross between laundry detergent and the smell of someone who just wet the bed.

What was I talking about? Austin? I don't know...I'm hungry so I'm go to go deal with that now.

Wait for it...wait for it.........

2006-07-09T00:08:00.000-05:00

II sit here waiting for stuff. I can't say I put much thought and/or energy into my last move, but it at least got me moving again. While I sit here waiting I thought I'd give everyone one the current state of the Stuff Project.

Throughout this thing I've heard several people explain to other people what the Stuff Project is: "It's great. He asks people to send him stuff, and then he makes fun of the stuff that people send him."

Is that what this has become? I'd like to think not, but I can see why people think so. I always intended to try to get uninfluenced stuff from strangers knowing only that they would get a thank you note in return. Some might consider it some sort sociological experiment or artsy project, but the truth is I just like getting stuff in the mail. There's no need to pin some sort of extra meaning to it, so please don't. Ummm...Where was I?....Yes, in this previous attempt to get stuff I did tend to get a little testy, but that was because the people that were sending me stuff were not strangers...For the most part I did not know them, but I knew who they knew and so on....In other words it bored the shit out of me and I ended up writing ill willed thank you notes in response. I think that phase is over...Or at least I hope it is.

I think I could call this the third phase in this project. The 1st was successful and the 2nd was a failure....Let us see how the 3rd pans out. I do have a few changes that will be taking effect:

-As soon as I can find an manual typewriter, my thank you notes will begin being typed. I'm not quite sure what I will type the notes on yet, but it will be either a post card or some sort of "send me stuff" stationary.
-People who send me stuff will now receive a picture and maybe list/description of the last thing sent me. People always wonder what kind of stuff I get and this will answer that question while giving them a little bonus. It might even drive them or someone else they know to send me some more stuff.
-I will not post thank you notes on this blog until the actual note is already in the mail. I tend to write the note on the computer and then write it out by hand afterward. I can't think of anything more dumb than that. Hmmm...I might just start posting a picture of the note itself...I'll have to play around with that....

I've always got more ideas in my basket, but that's all I'm stickin' to right now. I've got four weeks of ads. If I don't get something in that four weeks we're going to see some major changes.

For the record: With my past knowledge and my current type of promotion I am predicting I will be receiving stuff on this coming Wednesday, Thursday. and/or Friday.

Somethin' smells dusty.

2006-06-28T17:59:00.000-05:00

Joes,

I'm back in it!!! Cheer for me! Cheer for me!

I'm sitting here at work with nothing to do because I'm stuck in limbo. I need to be somewhere later and it's not worth going home because I just need to come back this way in a lil' bit. This gives me about an hour to kill. I'm sitting here thinking about what to do and I thought about putting a little bit of life back into this thing.

The first time I did this project about five years ago it had a definite end because it had to. This time around I new the project would be more open ended and it would have it's ups and downs so a I tried to structure things in a way that I could pick things up again at any time. I think ahead my brothers and sisters.

The Stuff Project never died, it was just sleeping...

Anyway, I'm sitting here at work and go to the Stuff Project's old friend the City Pages. I see that you can put an ad in their online classifieds for free. Why not? I go through the process and see that for 50 cents a week I can make it a sponsored ad and give a little presence on the website. I did that, yo. (It's here by the way... backpage.com > buy, sell, trade > want-trade). Then I see that you can get a print ad in that section for $19 for four weeks. Why not? For $21 I've got four weeks of ads running. It's not the fancy back page of the City Pages, but it will do, and it's about all I can afford right not.

The first print ad runs next Wednesday. The web ad is already up. I'm not planning on a huge response, but I should get something. Maybe one of those little wind up plastic walking chickens...Yes. That would be good.

for my old school homies

2006-03-16T20:06:00.000-06:00

At this very moment on the television in the background is the show "My Name is Earl". Did you know that there is a character named "Crab Man" on that show? Fuck that...

For those of you that don't know, with my first attempt at the "Stuff Project" I would create fake press conferences. The attendees of the conference were my friends I would make up their dialogue in attempt to insult them. I also had a character that had no explanation that was the Crab Man. He was an unruly type that would cause troubles and/or shenanigans.

Crab Man.

I just want my props.

#11 BMH

2006-02-14T19:02:00.000-06:00

The stuff:

-Small wooden "produce" crate for Clementines. Wrapped in a Finnish newspaper. Sent from Columbia Heights, MN, but return address is from N.E. Minneapolis. Paid $3.93 in postage.
-Open splenda box and 17 packets of Splenda
-a 45 of Julien Clerc. A side: Lili Voulait Aller Danser, B side: Blaspheme
-White plastic bag containing a lock of light brown hair with parts died blonde and held together with a "hair stretchy thing"
-Two ultra thin trojan condoms (in package)
-Wet-nap moist towelette
-State Farm Insurance card for Gail & Richard S----
-Package of Fender 80/20 Bronze guitar strings.
-A sheet of paper with aprox. 100 Cities written in alphabetical order. They all appear to in Chile. www.turbus.com is written in the corner.
-A receipt from Medicine Chest and Sun Color Photo. Looks like it's for film developing. $25.22.
-A customer comment card from Kowalskie's market:

Have you thought about putting natural grass on top of your groceries to cut-down on energy costs (like the new Minneapolis public library)? That'd be great. Also, how about putting the receipt stub donation boxes out front for the Minneapolis public schools. That'd be great as well.

-A pink index card titled "Monies" with a budget. Items listed :P.D., cash, rent, cigs, elect, grey hound. Paid $375 for rent and 14.00 for cigs and 22.05 for grey hound.
-Six check "duplicates". Gibberish has been written on them and you can't really ready what they say.
-Paperback copy of "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin. Inside front cover is written in thick black pen "This is the fucking WORST book of all time, no joke." From the color of the ink it looks like it was written a while ago.
-Inside of "The Awakening" is a copy of "official" direction to the Gurthrie Lab.
-A Verizon cell phone (made by LG). Owner is "Crazy Bridgette". Contains phone numbers, text messages, etc...Last call was made on November 1st. Has belt clip.
-Charger dock for cell phone and power adapter.
-A red and silver painted CO2 powered wooden car (like I made in 7th grade shop class)
-A large orange "W" patch. I'm guessing it's from for a highschool. It was in a plastic Meca Sportswear bag
-An almost empty bottle of Kikkoman LITE soy sauce
-An empty bottle of Parfum du Monde perfume.

The thank you note:

BMH,

Thanks of the stuff! I have to say that I am GLAD to hear from you, BMH. This field work is harder than it sounds and your supplies are much appreciated. Just yesterday I had to lose two "Tom"'s :) by out maneuvering them in the skyway and then catching the 4 to get out of downtown. The two "Tom"'s thought I was going into the movie theatre. They even bought popcorn! It was a sight to be seen!

Sending me the contacts in a cell phone was a good plan. (I can tell you're going to go far. Informacios Hivatal!!!.) As planned I will place the lock of hair inside a condom and flush it down the toilet for Irisko to retrieve. I'm thinking this will happen next Tuesday.

-"Jason"

P.S. I'm looking forward to the chance of sketching you at the Royal Palace, BMH.

I see some red tape

2006-02-13T08:22:00.000-06:00

I thought I'd let all of you know about my new policy:

I will not post any stuff on this blog until I have physically written the corresponding thank you not.

I know, I know. That's some pretty hardcore shit, but I gotta be stern. Knowing that people may be reading their thank note online before they get it in the mail really kills me. That's one of the reasons why I was hesitant to do this blog thing to begin with.

So....I've got some stuff. It's all logged and ready to go, I just need to write the note. That'll happen tonight.

I will tell you that it was wrapped in newspaper. Since I love my conversations with the post office workers, here it is:

Jason: Can I pick up this package for box 24042
POW: 24042?
Jason: Yeah.
POW: Okay.
[He leaves and returns moments later holding a package wrapped in slightly ripped news paper]
POW: It looks like it took a hit.
Jason: Yeah...
POW: Should be alright though.
Jason: Yeah, it'll be fine.
POW: That'll teach you to wrap your parcels in newspaper.
Jason: I guess so. Thanks!

Post office workers are nerds.

Hey...Yo...Wassup?

2006-01-03T23:35:00.000-06:00

It might interest some of you to know that I found stuff #10 when I was at the post office to renew my PO Box. It was due by Dec 31st or I would lose it. I went there and was informed that the PO Box rates go up on January 8th along with the postage. If I wanted to save money I should renew it for a year instead of six months. I signed up for a year.

I 'm dedicated homies...Even if it doesn't seem like it...

I've been thinking about advertisement. There are two types that I think will be effective. The first is very specific. I need to single out individuals and ask them for stuff. Much like Operation: Death Row of a few years ago. The other is the kind that you see over and over again and need to absorb. You need to sit there and wonder what the hell this is all about. An ad in a paper is one thing, but seeing it week after week will build curiosity. One ad in one newspaper for one week doesn't do much good.

I'll figure this shit out....Don't worry....Or worry...I don't care. I'm the guy who's gonna be gettin' stuff.....

#10 E.A.B.

2006-01-03T19:24:00.000-06:00

The Stuff:

-A cubical cardboard box sent from Denver, Co. $9.20 paid in postage. Contained for pieces of newspaper from a Dec. 22nd issue of the Post News for packing
-Colorado state map
-A fake leather daily planner from Franklin Covey. Appears to be new.
-Book: "The Time Traveler's Wife". Contains 8 photographs of what appears to be Italy and a boarding pass/receipt containing sender's real name for the date of Sep 21st from Denver to LA. on Frontier Airlines.
-Book: "Middlesex". Contains 5 strips of photo negatives (color, w/ 4 pictures on each). When scanned with a negative scanner they reveal what appears to be a family gathering. Mostly women.
-An HP iPAQ pocket PC (hx2000 series). Slightly used. When turned on it says "Owner: Jason's Stuff Project" and there is a task listed "Write thank you note."
-Charging base/dock for iPAQ
-Manual and warranty information for iPAQ
-Plastic contain full of Peppermint Pillows (candy)
-Two "mix" CDs containing 17 songs on one, and 18 on the other. Put in slim jewel cases with insert contain pictures of the bands on the CDs.
-Unexposed roll of super 200 Kodak color film (24 exp), in plastic canister
-Six pieces of Dove chocolate. 3 in gold foil and 3 in blue. (Will throw out)
-Colby portable radio with earbuds. No batteries.
-Key to a mini-bar for the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (Los Angeles).
-Letter on a white postcard in an envelope that says "Stuff Project '06" The letter reads:

12/21/05
EAB

J-

Here is new stuff for a new year! This "stuff" is thanks to not envy [???] me, but also Bob. Well, I call him Bob, his other alias is "Charon." I'd also write him [???] a thank you note is I were you! Enjoy, EAB.

Words in question are follow by a "[???]"

The thank you note:

E.A.B.

Thanks for the stuff!

Hey, Beth...I often times sit here and point out what's wrong with the stuff that people sent me. The problem is that you sent me some pretty good stuff and it's been a while since I received some. I think that people need to learn lessons in life though, so I am going to send along list of everything you did wrong. This is to help you for when you send stuff to other people.

You seem like a gal who is opposed to being organized, or you really like to promote it. Either way, it's dumb.

I went to Colorado on a family vacation when I was 13. We went driving around the mountains searching for old ghost mines. Through the whole trip I was entertained by this old school handheld LCD game where you drove a tank and shot some stuff. It was a good game and was incased in a red plastic shell. I sold the game to an Indian kid name Sasheen on the bus on the way to school for five dollars. Five fucking dollars. If I saw Sasheen right now I'd kill him for five fucking dollars. You in?

Thanks for the iPAQ.

-Jason

[Attached Note]

Things you did wrong:

-You sent chocolate. I'm not going to eat your food. It will end up in box. It might melt and therefore needs to be tossed. A waste of stuff.

-You're note was dated 12/21/05, but the newspaper you used to pack the package was dated 12/22/05. That shows that you don't care.

-You sent an iPAQ...'Nuf said.

-You paid $9.20 in postage. I was thinking about reimbursing you. I was going to send you $9.00 because I don't do change and I don't round up. Then I realized that I only reimburse people who are on death row.....$9.20....Isn't that a waste of money to spend on someone you don't know? I think so.

-You addressed the package to "Stuff Project '05" yet your letter was addressed to "Stuff Project 'o6". Very inconsistent and it may have ended up in the wrong hands. You're lucky this time.

-You threatened me in you letter! I write thank you notes to who I want to! You have no say! NO SAY! Shame on you....

Deleted!

2005-11-09T07:03:00.000-06:00

I just deleted a post criticizing some people that have sent me stuff...

Then I got to thinking "What the hell do I care?"

I don't.

Send me stuff.
I'll send you a thank you not.

#9 ?????

2005-11-08T20:49:00.000-06:00

The Stuff:

-Hand made envelope wit two stamps: 23cent G. Washington stamp, 37cent Orion stamp. "Anti-Alien" sticker on back.
-Square piece of cardboard from a priority mail package for support. A Yahoo email address is written on it.
-2 CDs in paper sleeves with "MP3CD" written in the corner-Data side is a bright red. One CD has a sticker that says "ALEX JONES, Conspiracy Collection, MEDIA2017 Archives", the other has a sticker that says "Occult Collection, MEDIA2017 Archives". Both CDs contain multiple .mp3 files (one or two video files) about conspiracy and occult theories. Most files appear to be from the radio show "Coast to Coast", but I have not listen to most of them yet.
-One large "Anti-Alien" sticker (round) about 4"x4"
-A strip of smaller "Anti-Alien"stickers (round) about 1"x1". Contains 8 stickers
-Square piece of paper with "Anti-Alien" logo. Says"
FIGHT
[LOGO]
the Good Fight.
Say NO to deceptive alien entities
For FREE stickers send self-addressed stamped
envelope to:
V2, Box911, Stanwood, WA 98292, USA
Fear not.
Spread the Word.
For international addressees, please send two postal replay coupons.
www.freestickers.net

Thank you note:

Media 2017,

Thanks for the stuff! Looks like you've got quite the archive. I've got a pretty nice one myself. I like to keep rubber in it. It's pretty cool, you should check it out sometime. Hey, what's your archive made out of? You guessed it! Mine is made out of rubber. I am a firm believer that archives should be able to be archived themselves. I don't want that job, I think that's something we should leave up to the Smithsonian or some crap ass organization like it.

You sound like someone on a mission. A mission to find a safe place for your archives. I'm going to send a letter on your behalf to the Smithsonian seeing if they would take on your archive. Let me know what they say because I might need some direction in the future when my archive becomes ready to be archived.

I'm really glad you contacted me about this! We're finally going to make some progress.

-Jason

Inclosed Letter:

Media 2017

[address]

November 8, 2005

Smithsonian Information

PO Box 37012

SI Building, Room 153, MRC 010

Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to inquire about archiving archives. Throughout the years I have established a very large archive. I must say that it has outgrown itself and I would prefer not to care for it anymore. I am wondering what the process would be for allowing you to archive my archive. I am not asking for payment of any kind. Don't let that make you think that these archives are not worth your time. I assure you they are.

I would appreciate you letting me know what the next step in the process would be. Perhaps you could send me the paperwork? I should also mention that you don't need to worry about the delivery of my archives to you institution. I know many people and transportation is not a problem. If worse comes to worse I can always take the bus.

Sincerely,

Media 2017

Woes in Advertisement

2005-10-23T21:45:00.000-05:00

Your posting has been removed by the craigslist community.
Several craigslist readers flagged it for the following reasons:

-SPAM: posting appears to have been posted too frequently, OR in too many categories, OR is being regarded as commercial spam. To advertise a business or service, please post under "services offered"
-PROHIBITED: posting appears to conflict with craigslist Terms of Use http://www.craigslist.org/about/terms.of.use.html#conduct
-MISCATEGORIZED: posting appears to be in the wrong category
The flagging system is a work-in-progress, with all the pros and cons of a democracy - Please post suggestions for improvement in the feedback forum:
http://forums.craigslist.org/?forumID=8

After reviewing your posting and our policies, if you are convinced that those flagging your post were mistaken, please feel free to repost.

Sorry for the hassle! and thanks for your understanding.

I like the word "fuck". Fuck this fuck.

Because of recent changes in my life I find myself with less cash that can be thrown at a project like this. That doesn't mean the project is over, it just means that we have to do some different tactics. I guess you can't blam Craig's List for denying me to do multiple posts, but I wish they were more specific why the original post was denied...Two days after it was posted. Sexual content? Possible, but doubtful. Miscatergorized? Maybe. I put it in the artist category thinking that they would be desperate to contribute to something. Spam? Naw....They already got me for that.

I haven't been to my PO box in a week. There could be something there, but probably not. I blew the whole beard and mustache competition thing in Berlin. I did all the research, I just never sent out the letters...I may have another plan...

I'm going to New Orleans at the end of the week. I could travel down there with a stack of promo cards and thumb tacs. Is it worth it? Is it appropriate? Is it a waste of time? I cold post a bunch of shit all over the place down there. But who will care? I'm guessing no one. I might bring some cards for the heck of it, but I'm not expecting anything. I guess I don't have a plan.

I've asked you guys before, but never got a response. I need suggestions on good, cheap ways to get this out there. You guys are proving yourselves to be not very useful.

Mofo back and ready to roll....

2005-10-20T23:59:00.000-05:00

Craig's List....

What a bunch 'o crap!

I finally get ready to pepper the world with the Stuff Project and I get denied! I post a listing in Minneapolis and go to post the same one in San Fransisco. I get some bullshit message:

Similar Posting Already Submitted: Error 2183916

The posting you're trying to submit is very similar to one you've recently submitted.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ats/105588090.html

You may only post your listing in one category and on one site at a time.
We consistently hear that craigslist readers strongly prefer not to see the same posting listed multiple times.
Please help us out by not overposting your listing.

Fuck that....I'll get it done.

I'm a Professional.

2005-09-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

There was a going-away-party for an old professor of mine. As with many parties, there were people, snacks on little pieces of bread, and beer.

I ran out of people I knew to talk to. They became boring. I wandered around the party looking for new people to speak to. This became easier to do as I consumed more beer. After a few failed attempts, I found my man. I can't remember his name.

We started to talk about people in New York City that are professional party goers. Their job is to become the life of the party. Make things spicy. We pretended to be professional party-goers as we hung out by the keg.

"We deserve a raise"

I mentioned that it would be a good idea to post an ad saying "Invite me to your party." and film a documentary about it. (Did I mention that party was full of filmmakers?) Imagine all the crazy and/or deadly boring parties you'd be invited to? Maybe none...Doesn't matter.

The obvious direction the conversation went was towards the Stuff Project. He liked the idea. He liked hearing about. He liked giving me suggestions.

This man was about a foot shorter than me. Not that big of deal because I'm 6'2". A foot is not that rare. He was about forty years old. Had greasy hair that was oddly straight. Wore a hip blue shirt that became not so hip with his belly pushing through. He also had very squinty eyes that always looked from side to side.

We talked about targeting specific people to send me stuff. Maybe putting a disclaimer at the bottom of some ads saying something about it not being a scam. I spilled my beer on someone who I wished I didn't spill my beer on.

He called over an artist. He makes things out of stuff he finds in the trash. He couldn't comprehend the project. He was either too drunk or too far out there to rationalize it. I enjoyed talking to him, but it became boring fast. How much is there to say about the cabinets you've made out of refrigerators?

I excused myself and climbed the twenty-foot-long ladder that lead to the roof of the building that we weren't supposed to be on. I mingled around up there and then made my way back down. I started talking to the artist again. This time the two us were more intoxicated and the conversation was quite entertaining.

My fellow professional party-goer made his way towards us and he held a joint up to my face.

"A donation to the Stuff Project."

Thanks, professional party-goer. Thanks.

Hello.

2005-09-19T20:32:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile. How ya' been? You're lookin' pretty good.

Stuff.

Where have we gone wrong? Do you not enjoy my company any more? Have you found someone else?

Where do you go? Who delivers you? Is it a nice PO Box? I hope so. You deserve a good box. It's probably bigger than mine. I could only afford a size #2.

Are there thank you notes? I bet there are. Nice ones, too. Good handwriting? Cursive? Nice.

Stuff.

I'll get you back. One day you'll decided to make your way back to my PO Box. I'll prove myself.

#8 Christine

2005-08-28T19:05:00.000-05:00

The Stuff:

-Brown paper packaging. Sent from Madison, Wisconsin.

-Christmas wrapping paper with trees and snowman. Words say "Let it snow!"

-Inside wrapping paper was a "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" 2005 desktop calendar

-Note on green patterned card:

So once upon a time it was requested that I send stuff to you. I hate this show (yes yo can open the gift), but one of my friends loves it so I got this for get last Christmas. I've seen her pleanty of times since Christmas, but I always forgot to give her the gift. I didn't know what to do w/it besides throwing it away....Until now.

-Christine

P.S. You should put the address in a more easy to find spot.

Thank you note:

Christine,

Thanks for the stuff!

I want you to know that I live in a huge house.

-Jason

Farked

2005-08-26T06:18:00.000-05:00

The ad has been posted in the Fark classifieds. Under "stuffmaser" of course....Errr....

But, as I expected it is not being welcomed with kindness, and why should it? It's not like I treat all the stuff I get with kindness...

I'm switching gears and I'm off to go battle some Farkers.

#7 Anne

2005-08-25T21:22:00.000-05:00

The Stuff:

-Brown envelop addressed to "Jason's 'Stuff'". Sent from Lansing, MI. Sent with six Dr. Seuss stamps.

-Inside envelope is an issue of "Hammer & Dolly" magazine, August 2005. The "19th swimsuit issue" It appears to be a regional (Washington D.C.) auto-body industry magazine.

-Hand written letter on lined notebook paper:

Dear Jason-

I hope you will enjoy this magazine as much as I have. Actually, I'm lying. I didn't enjoy this mag & in fact, I haven't even looked inside.

About 2 weeks ago, I found myself in a deep depression. I missed 3 days of work and I was worried to come back. When I walked in after my "vacation," this horrible thing was waiting for me, propped up against my computer. No one is really sure how it got to our office. I think it's totally inappropriate and very disturbing. Be careful when you look inside for I fear it might be about either (1)bestiality or (2) really lame porn. With all this build-up, I hope the inside pages aren't a disappointment.

Finally, say "hi" to Patrick & give him a hug for me- if that's what you do. [Sentence omitted].

All my best,

Anne

Thank you note:

Anne,

Thanks for the stuff!

Oh, hey! I've got a question for you: Do you hate me, lady?

You send me something you don't even like and think is "inappropriate". What's the deal? Am I your trash can? 'Cause I'm guessing you have one by you "computer". I suggest you use it next time.

Here's the worst part: There isn't anything inappropriate inside. Maybe a little dated, but not inappropriate. In fact, one might call it wholesome. Pictures of kids in swimming suits standing by cars are wholesome. Very wholesome.

If you think your sending me filth the least you can do is make sure that it's filthy.

-Jason

I'm a fuck up.

2005-08-22T22:22:00.000-05:00

Get this:

The website is done. "Good enough". It'll grow and advance in time, but you gotta know when to move on.

www.sendmestuff.org

Go ahead....Check it out....I told you it was nothing fancy....

Time to get a move on, right? Wrong. I went to www. fark.com to submit a link/ad. I had to create a user account and then pay by credit card. After that they let yo submit you link/ad....I messed that one up. My display name is: stuffmaser. Who's that?

An idiot. That's who.

Of course it's supposed to be "stuffmaster". I can't post a link with a stupid mistake like that. Normally I'd just recreate the user account but they made pay already...Errr.....So I wrote to Drew and asked him to fix it...I threw some questions about further advertising with graphics 'n stuff just so he'll think I'm serious and get it done.

Dumb.

Faith.

2005-08-20T22:02:00.000-05:00

Hunter S. Thompson gets shot out of a cannon tonight.

A crazy person threw something at my head while I was riding my bike today.

There was no stuff in my PO Box.

Obviously nothing much has been going on with the Stuff Project. I apologize. Here's where we stand:

My main man Nate finished his end of the website. I've still got a few issues I'm dealing with about it getting up an running. It could be up tonight, tomorrow or a week from now...But it's gotta happpen soon. I wish computers had gears. What's a better tool: A keyboard or an oil can? Oil that fucker up and keep movin'.

In case you were wondering, I still check my PO Box everyday. I know nothing will be in it, but I gotta do it. There's always that chance of someone having an old copy of the City Pages and gets the urge. I do it for the fans.

In High School I had an English teacher, like most people. One day he came up to and said "Jason, do you believe anything can happen?"

"Uh, yeah..." I was upset at the time because he gave me an "F" on a paper I wrote. It was a damn good paper, but apparently it didn't fit the criteria of the assignment. Personally, I think he was dumb. It was on how Keny Kesey and the Merry Pranksters related to Confucius. Is this obvious to only me? I don't think so.

"Keep the faith," he said as he walked out of the room. Keep the faith? You just gave me an "F" you bastard. Fuck your "F" and fuck your god damned scented candles...Did I mention that he had scented candles in the classroom? Homo.

Stuff will soon be on it's way, I promise.

Keep the faith.

#6 Rebecca

2005-08-14T19:39:00.000-05:00

The Stuff:

-Brown envelope with a "Click-N-Ship" mailing label. Addressed to "Jason 'Stuff'"

-White boxed wrapped in brown paper. Written on brown paper is the PO Box address and addressed to "Jason 'Stuff'" surrounded by a square. Same address is on the inside of wrapping, but is not visible from the outside. It is not enclosed with a square.

-Inside white box is a clown figure about six inches tall. It's head is made of plastic and is dressed in purple and blue. It seems to be tightly filled with sand.

-A note enclosed in the box:

Jason,

There are people who love clowns, hate clowns and are indifferent to them. Personally I hate them. I've never liked them. They gave me nightmares as a child. I've never found them funny and most that I have met had some sort of evil hidden behind their painted face. But then I think the same things about Disney World characters, mascots, etc. They just give me a bad feeling. You gotta trust that.

Someone snuck this in my bag once when I wasn't looking. I reached in to get my phone nd pulled it out. It was a little funny and freakish at the same time.

I have been trying to decide how and where to get rid of it....

You want stuff, it is stuff and seems a perfect way to rid myself of it.

Enjoy.

I will look for my thank you note on your blog.

Rebecca

Thank you note:

Rebecca,

Thanks for the stuff! I don't know if you know this, but you gave me a dancin' clown! This girl doesn't miss a beat!

She's got a good density, too. Unfortunately when placed in a plastic bag she still floats.

People don't say it, but I know that when people send me stuff that they are asking for my advice and/or guidance. My advice to you:

Clowns (and other types in costumes) are the people's soldiers of fun. Their mission: turning frowns upside down. Don't let the clown get you down, my dear.

Jason

Stuff Test:

Hypothesis: This clown will not float.

Test: Placed clown in zip-lock plastic bag. Squeezed out as much air as possible. Filled sink with water and placed clown in sink.

Result: This clown floats.

Lake Calhoun

2005-08-11T23:05:00.000-05:00

This is getting pretty boring, isn't it?

No worries, my friends. Stuff is on it's way. The website is almost done. I know I've been sayin' that for a while, but it's true. The problem is that it's not in my hands...My Main Man Nate who is putting it together has, of course, better things to do. Like actual work. You can't really argue with that. So...It gets done when it gets done. (Not to mention that I was having him do something else for me....You can't get be greedy...)

In the meantime I shall share a lame story that happened today and make it relate to Stuff as best it can:

The plan was to take my bike around a couple 'o lakes by my apartment to get some exercise. I was across the street from Lake Calhoun waiting for a traffic light with this other guy sitting on his bicycle. He had a white rage tied around his head that looked like bandage, blue shorts, blue shirt, fanny pack, and was smoking what must have a tasty cig.

"This pack is screwing me up."
"I'm sorry, what?"
Grabbing his fanny pack, "My weight is off because of this pack."
"I can see that."
"I had some left over spare ribs and didn't want to waste them."
"Ahhh..."
"It's a great day to be out. I haven't even broken a sweat."

I was embarrassed at first because I was in fact sweating, but then I noticed that he was also sweating.

"Yeah It's nice, but it's pretty humid, too."
"This is a great day"

The light turned and we crossed the street and proceeded to ride along the lake. Not sure what to do I rode along side of him while he smoked a cig.

"You get these regulars out here and they can zip past you on their roller blades like it was nothing!"
"Yeah, they..."
"I'm from Hopkins and I get down here when I can."
"Yeah?"
"I really thought about wearing a helmet today. I can be pretty dangerous on this thing."
"That's probably a good idea"
"This bike is dangerous, too. The bars are loose and the seat used to be loose. I actually had to go to a bike shop to get it fixed because I didn't have any tools to tighten it."

At this moment another bike came along"

"On your left!"

I went off to the side, but my new friend continued to weave back and forth along the path causing an almost collision that caused the other biker to swerve off the path.

"See, I'm dangerous on this thing."

More like stupid. We continued along at our slow pace having more engaging conversation. We covered about half the lake and suddenly he said "I'm going off this way," and turned off the path, never to be seen again.

I was thinking the whole time about the spare ribs he said he had in his fanny pack. It sure didn't look like he had spare ribs in there. The pack seemed kind of flacid. Maybe it was just a few spare ribs, but how could that throw off his balance? How many spare ribs would it take to throw off someone's balance on a bike? I can imagine it would take quite a few...But what it comes down to is this: I want those spare ribs. How do you get a guy to send you spare ribs that are in his fanny pack?

Fanny packs are the treasure chests of stuff.

A Day in Stuff History.

2005-08-08T22:27:00.000-05:00

(Charles Warner)

For those who are wondering, here's a letter from Operation: Death Row.

Charles Warner
201 N. Shartel
Okl, OK 73102

9/11/2001

Helllo
I hope all is well for you and your family.
For give this letter, I have very little information on who I am writting! :) But I love to write, and I do want your friendship. I come by your address and one name "Jason" sent to me today. It was forwarded to me from McAlester. I alway write back as soon as possible. Same day I receive a letter. This so I can wait for a response. Today is not a great humor one only because of the attack on USA. I have a sister that is in the Navy stationed at Washington D.C. and my little niece Audrianna. So I am concerned for their safety. And her ex boyfriend who is a doctor lives by Central Park which is near the area of the attack. So I am concerned for him as all the people. I have my radio on listening to music. Trying to let that calm me. I am all right. I did try to call home to find out the word on my sisters health. Only I could not get through. The answering machine came on. I think? As this place implicated a new phone system and it was my very first time using it. Well this is a strange way of starting a new friendship. I pray for a good trustworthy friendship. Well let me introduce myself. My name is Charlie Warner. All my friends call me "Sweet." Be my friend and call me "Sweet". It is a nickname I have had since childhood. It is even in the yearbooks. I am a 34 year old male and I am not from Oklahoma. I am a big believer in Jesus. I don't smoke or drink or use drugs. I have never tried them. I don't even use foul language. But I encourage you to be yourself. Speak freely and you rmind, and send love and friendship! :) I will respect you. I do find it a blessing to hear from you male or female. Just good friendship. I love people. Only I do distance myself from other inmates. I disagree with too many wrong behavior. I have only been in trouble one time my entire like. Luckily the lord loves me. My dream was to become a cop. I have a wonderful family only I don't have any here in Okla. I am all alone, as far as having family able to vist without being out of state. I am presently trying to learn Spanish. As my friend named Ben visists me. He has stuck with me. And I am so grateful. He bought be a spanish book and I am TRYING!! Forgive my wirting as I got a very late start with my day. Thinking about my family throughout the nation. I will explain more about my family in future letters. I am using a pencil so small I can barely hold it. We are not permited pens. Well I only request pictures. I love pictures. I tell my busy brother in Los Angeles if he don't have time to write send pictures. That is what he do! Only this place has dumb rules. 5 pictures limit per envelope, so my family send 10 pictures in 2 differ envelopes 5 per each, and I cant get photos without people inside. Not a little dog without a person. Which happens to by my favorite animals! Especially dogs! I love big rough neck dogs. American Pitbulls American Bull Dogs, Bull Mashtits [??], Persh Canarion [??], but I have never had american dog. I am named Sweet! Well tonight I have to send for the letter you sent to McAlester. It was held due to stickers/decals. Well I will love to hear from you. I am a big sports fan.
Well, love and friendship
until next letter
Write soon please.

I never wrote him back. Friendship isn't stuff.

Two operations for the price of one.

2005-08-08T21:58:00.000-05:00

Operation: International Stuff

I always said that when I get something from another country other than the U.S. or Canada I would kick off Operation: International Stuff. The goal is to get some stuff from every country. Not that exciting, but a good goal. With Bob's recent addition from Germany I'm on my way.

The List:

United States
Canada
Germany

Not a long list, but it's a start. Don't expect it to grow very fast.

Operation: Barbatus Fossor

I have been trying to think of a group of people that I could target and solicit stuff from. I did this in the past with Operation: Death Row. That of course turned out to be not so fun. So in attempt to try something a little lighter and more fun I have decided to target contestants of the World Beard and Moustache Competion. Once again, Bob is responsible for this one. Thanks.

I'm not only going to target the contestants of the competition because that might be somewhat limiting. I've discovered that throughout the world the are numerous beard and mustache clubs. They all post their members listings and all that needs to be done is a little research to find out what their addresses are. So far I've tracked down about 10 addresses from German contestants. The next step is to get some British guys and then move onto the Americans. I'm saving the easiest for last.

I hope to send out about 50 letters requesting stuff. I'm going to wait to send them out until the website is up and I modify my strategy a bit.

In a related note I went to trim my beard today. The trimmer was set to 6 (out of 10). I started goin' at it and the next thing I know the trimmer slipped down to 2! Where's my beard! Level 2 is no beard at all, it's stubble. I was about to register my beard here, but now I have to wait. What a sucky thing.

#5 Bob

2005-08-07T21:06:00.000-05:00

The Stuff:

-Postcard showing the picture of a beast made from what looks like a bird and fox with antlers. It says "Original bayersicher WolpertingergruB!"

-The back of the card is full of kids animal stickers. Some are the "raised-puffy" kind. Sent via the Deutsche Post. Written on the back of the card is:

Attention: J.A. Stuff.

--> bobbyblogsit.blogspot.com

Thank you note:

Bob,

Thanks for the stuff! Bob, I like you, but I have to bring up a few points:

1. You gave me no return address. I'm not sure, but it may be against the rules to write the thank you note in a blog. I know I make the rules, but something doesn't feel right about this.

2. You sent a post card. That's pretty risky. Most postcards are not considered stuff. You saved yourself by adding the stickers.

That's one heck of a beast. What might be the American version, the Jackalope, is no where near as cool:

There's not much to say about 'em: a cross between a jack rabbit and an antelope. One thing I can tell you for sure is that I DO NOT want to have sex with a Jackalope. I hope you're with me on that one. Nothing but trouble can come out of having sex with a Jackalope. I admit that they're kinda sexy, but it's forbidden fruit, my friend.

Forbidden fruit.

-Jason

(P.S. I think this will be my last "blog only" thank you note. No offense, but it's not same when you don't actually write something with a pen.)

Primo Stuff

2005-08-03T21:49:00.000-05:00

While we are waiting for the next wave of stuff to come I figure I'd right about some stuff that I would like to get. This is in no way an attempt influence what I get. It's just an excuse to write about some cool stuff.

1. Something from a dumpster

I've recently been riding my bicycle on a path that goes by the Nordic Ware plant. Since it's Summer they have several doors open and you can get a glimpse of what's inside and you can hear the machine stamping out product. You can see some dumpsters sitting by a loading door. Can you imagine what kind of cool stuff is inside one of those dumpsters? One can only hope, but there's got to be some pretty sweet pieces of metal...

2. Photographs

You can't go wrong with photographs...Well...You can. I'd prefer not to get some picture you took of the pretty forest on your trip across the country. I want something with a human element. Such as this:

Yup. Those are my Grandfather's feet (and my brother's cat). Can you think of getting a better picture than this? You got some nice shoes, socks and pants...(All blue I might add)...You got a cane....You got box off to the side...Whoa! Check out that pink chair!

3. Heavy items

This item may relate to item #1. Heavy stuff is more expensive to mail, therefore less common. Some nice heavy things include: rocks, liquids, some balls, chunks of glass, some wood, books with glossy paper, meat and/or body parts, electrical transformers, good quality rubber (at least 4" x 4"), wet grass, and salt.

4. A mustache

What could be more personal than a mustache? I have a beard. I've gotten used to it and like it most of the time, but the main reason I have it is because I HATE shaving. I used to let my beard grow until I couldn't stand it anymore and then shave it off. This would normally happen on a Monday. I would shave off different parts of my beard and see what I look like. More often than not I would save the mustache for last. Then I'd think to myself "How often do you have the chance to take advantage of a mustache?" Mustache Monday was born. About once a month on Monday I would walk around with a mustache and then shave it the next day. If you're wondering, I looked like a porn star and it was good. How awesome would it be to get those Tuesday mustache shavings in the mail? It's a big deal for most people to shave off their mustache....Behold the envy of all mustache collectors, the Rollie Fingers:

5. M.U.S.C.L.E. Men

These guys were so damn cool. I know I could just buy some on eBay or something, but someone has to have some that they want to send to a stranger. The kid that lived across the street from me had this huge bucket of 'em. I only had twelve. (They came in four-packs). His parents were divorced. His mother was Catholic and his father was Jewish. That equals a mondo amount of presents and therefore a mass amount of M.U.S.C.L.E. Men.

I bet that fuckin' son-of-a-bitch has 'em tucked away in an attic somewhere....

Operation: Stuff Packets

2005-08-02T21:10:00.000-05:00

The web site is underway. My main man Nate has agreed to build a Flash site. It's gonna be simple. The plan is to have the site randomly show one of the eight promo cards that I have created. The text will probably change, but that's about it.

Operation: Stuff Packets

Step 1: Finish Website
Step 2: Advertise on Fark.com
Step 3: Pepper Craig's List with ads and links
Step 4: Research morecheap/free web options
Step 5: Depends on what I come up with in step 4

As I said before, I'm open to suggestions on where to advertise on the web.

For those of you who don't know, whenever I create strategy that strays from the standard newspaper ad it takes the form of an "operation". Previous examples have been:

Operation: Foot Soldier
Operation: Death Row

That's about it. Not much is going on.

#4 ?????

2005-07-31T13:28:00.000-05:00

The Stuff:
-Pocket Prophecy Edition of the New and Old Testament
-No name to be found, looks like address written by a male, sent from Roseville, MN

Thank you note:

Mr. Roseville 2005,

Thanks for the stuff! I agree, we need to gather support in the community. I think organized block parties are a good way to get the word out. The problem that I have is your idea of bringing in outside resources to organize. Funding is short. We should have individual neighborhoods select leaders to head the parties.

I also contacted City Hall: April 26th, 27th, May 4th and 5th are our possible dates for the kick off. Let me know when you decide and I'll get it Greg to put it on the web site.

I have a good feeling about this!

-Jason

Notes from a postal patron.

2005-07-29T08:01:00.000-05:00

Some of you might be wondering what's goin' on. Here's a quick update:

-I moved the city pages ad into the regular classified section for two weeks. I was going to pull it out all together but I figured since I paid for the bulletin board I might as well take advantage of any momentum it created. The new ad is in "Merchandise Wanted"It's the only thing in that section so it stands out as much as a classified ad can...

-I'm slowly working on a simple web page for internet promotion. Web pages aren't my thing, but I hope to have something within the week.

-I looked over some notes from the 2001 attempt and noticed that the ads I put in the City Pages said "Send Me Stuff!!!", instead of "Send Me Stuff." Could those three exclamation points have made such a big difference? I wouldn't be suprised if they did.

That's about it. I'm guessing it's going to be pretty slow for the next couple of weeks while I come up some new strategies.

#3 ???? @ Robot Love

2005-07-26T21:07:00.000-05:00

The Stuff:

- Postcard from the store Robot Love. Small message:

Here ya go-
[drawn smiley face]

-37cent American flag stamp (on a postcard)

Thank You Note:

Manager/Owner,

I'm writing to let you know that someone employed at your store sent me a postcard from your business under the assumption that it would be considered stuff. They were wrong. It was in fact an advertisement. I don't appreciate getting your crap.

If you want me to continue to shop at your store I expect you right this wrong. I want you to send me some real stuff....PRONTO!!!

Do you want to know what else you did wrong? You put a 37 cent stamp on a postcard. What a waste of money! If you're throwin' around that kind of cash you gotta have some stuff to send me. Want to know something else? Your hours are dumb. How is someone supposed to remember all of those? How 'bout these new hours:

Monday through Sunday: BURNT

-Jason

(PS: I included some extra cards for you to place in you store. Maybe you could tape one to the cash register.)

Note:

I sent along the seven other card designs.

How creepy can I get?

2005-07-25T21:13:00.000-05:00

In case your wondering how I tracked down what Joellen sent me:

- Mica. Had to be part of something electrical. I was going to go with that, but decided to look further.
-Googled her name and found a testimonial she had with this Alpha-Stim company. They create products that treat depression, chronic pain and anxiety with electricity. Who wouldn't see the connection between this place and the fact that mica is primarily used as an electrical insulator?
-I took a look at their products. They offer a few different types of electrodes to attach to you body. They have probes, ear clips and these:

You can't really tell in this picture, but in another not-so-clear picture you can actually see the outline of the mica disk underneath the surface.

In case you are wondering, Joellen suffers from chronic pain and Fibromyalgia that caused her to have very little energy and became very depressed. She started drinking and eventually started to mix it with codeine. Then came along Alpha-Stim:

"I almost never use pharmaceuticals any more, and my desire for alcohol has faded to the “occasional beer with pizza” level."

Way to go Alpha-Stim!

#2 Joellen

2005-07-25T19:56:00.000-05:00

The Stuff:-Envelop with Bambi stamp
-Approximately two dozen mica circles 6/8 inches in diameter wrapped in kleenex
-A letter printed out on white paper:

Hi Jason!

Send you Stuff?? OR, can you guess what these are?
RSVP
Jo

Thank you note:

Joellen,

Thanks for the stuff! Can I guess what they are? Now, I don't want you to freak you out, but you challenged me and I went with it. My guess is that they act as the electrical insulator in Alpha-Stim's Self-Adhesive Silver Electrodes. Do I get a prize?

Hell, I don't need a prize! You just gave me mica! Did you know one of the major uses for mica is in toasters? I bought a toaster about six months ago and it broke after a month. Now I've been burning my bread on the burner of a gas stove. I think it actually tastes better. Gives it more of a campfire taste. The problem is that it takes more time and you have to pay attention to it. That's why I don't make BLTs for anyone but myself.

I hope you keep feeling better.

-Jason

I am haunted by stuff.

2005-07-24T21:47:00.000-05:00

This is turning out to be a pretty lame project:

But I'm in it for the long run...

In other news I've gotten a website and a domain name. I'll let you guys know about it when I get something worth looking at.

Stuff on the Bathroom Wall

2005-07-21T21:30:00.000-05:00

The ad is in it's second week in the City Pages and I've gotten one thing. My prediction is that next week I will see a good amount of stuff. Why? The ad needs to sink into people's heads. They need to wonder about it for a little while before they act on it. That is my problem. I can't afford to keep the ad in the City Pages for it to be effective and who's to say that for that amount of money I can't be more effective elsewhere.

The obvious answer is the Web. The World Wide Web. The plan is to get a web site containing only one page. That page would of course carry the "Send me stuff" message with a good ol' graphic or two. I would then go around and find ways to link to that page.

Shhhhh.....I hear something.....

Holy shit! The ground's breaking!

Yup. I'm doing some cutting edge stuff here. You might wonder (or maybe not) why I seem reluctant to advertise on the web. There's something kind of romantic about kicking it old school with the Post Office and newspapers. What's cool about posting in a forum or newsgroup asking for stuff? I would much rather spend my time writing in bathroom stalls with a black pen. Not that I have, but I feel it's more respectable. I don't spend that much time in women's bathrooms so I don't have much knowledge of thier artwork, but I do know about the men's bathroom. Who doesn't like looking at someone's odd two-dimensional rendition of a penis? Or perhaps finding a thoughtful message about your mom? I expect it and I'm disappointed when I don't get it. Who feels that way when you don't get your daily porn advertisements in your email account?

Flyers? Postcards? Stickers? I've thought about all of 'em, but they also cost money and take a good amount of time to do it effectively. At this point in my life I don't have either.

I'm open to any ideas people might have, but at this moment it looks like the World Wide Web is the answer. Hopefully people will get the connection between seeing something on their computer screen and putting stuff in their mailbox.

I'll keep you posted.

#1 Wayne & Shaieera (?)

2005-07-20T21:26:00.000-05:00

The Stuff:
- Square paper packaging with red flames drawn on it. To and Return addresses written in black and silver. Three 37 cent "sickle cell" stamps. $1.33 postage due sticker. A few notes are written on it: (1) Join the party get a I-POD... (with black Apple logo), (2) "Sauez" Original "05", (3) "Live long live strong" "4 Jason".

-The Ultimate 4X4 2005 Calendar in original plastic wrapping. Taped on the back is a piece of paper that says: Jason P.O. BOX 24042 MPLS, MN 55424. Jason is written in multiple colors surrounded by bubbles.

A letter on lined notebook paper:

To Jason:

Hope you like the "free" gift from Wayne and Shaieera

Enjoy...

Wayne

Thank you note:

Wayne & Shaieera,

Thanks for the stuff! First off, you wrote "Shaieera" twice throughout your stuff. I couldn't tell what the fourth letter was either time so I guessed "i". Work on that.

Second, you referred to your stuff as a "'free' gift," yet I ended up paying $1.33 in postage due. I do not see how this is free OR a gift. Work on that.

Other than that, you sent some good stuff. I bet you made some kick-ass text book covers in high school. You gotta protect, if you want the intellect.

You know what I'm talkin' about.

-Jason

What the Shit?

2005-07-18T14:54:00.000-05:00

No Stuff.

Bored.

If I do get stuff what will it be? I was convinced the first time I did this that I was going to get a box full of shit. How could I not? It's almost like I'm asking for it. Send Me Stuff. Send Me Shit. Same thing.

I was checking out www.fark.com (a possible advertising option in the future) and found this link What's up with this guy? A better question would be: how? How do you pack shit? It's gotta stink and/or leak. How far would a box full of shit get in the postal service before someone realized what it was? What would happen to it if they found out what it was? Would they alert the person it was addressed to that someone sent them some shit? That would be odd. Does it have to be documented? They have to dispose of it. Where? In the dumpster out back? Isn't there some law that the post office can't throw away a piece of mail unless it's gone through all the proper channels?

I'm not saying that want to get a box full of shit, but it just seems obvious. The first thing I ever got was package of cock rings. After that, an envelope full of dried flowers. After that, two semen stained Polaroids of transsexuals performing oral sex. After the excitement from the fact that I actually got stuff I started to feel a bit ill. I thought I just opened up a new service for perverts: a drop box for filth. The next day I accepted my destiny and went to my PO box armed with rubber gloves for protection. I got two crumpled up pieces of paper with stamps stuck on 'em. I had to pay 22 cent extra for postage. Shit HAD to be on it's way.

But, it never came.

Where's my stuff?

2005-07-18T09:24:00.000-05:00

It's kinda sad. PO Boxes aren't meant to be empty...

My guess was that I'll get something today or tomorrow. No reason to be upset yet.

I'm a Bussiness Consultant!

2005-07-14T21:11:00.000-05:00

Check this guy out:

It's him, Jason A. Seriously. I tracked the fool down. How? Skillz.

So what am I going to do? I thought about it for awhile. I know everything I need to know about this guy. He runs his own consulting business and it looks like he moved his office out of his home into and actual office building. Sounds like he's on the up.

I could send him some nasty letter, make some bad phone calls, touch him...But I won't. I figure the best way to get a decent response from him is to send him a card explaining the use of his old PO box and ask him to send me stuff. Of course I can't send anything directly to his home or office because that may seem creepy...I mean, who would actually track down the previous owner of a PO box? Plus this guy looks like he means business.

So I'm going to do something extra sneaky. I'm going to send a letter addressed to Jason A. and send it to my own PO box. My thinking is that this guy seems like he knows a thing or two about staying in touch with his clients so he must have his mail forwarded to his new office.

Here's my less than climatic letter:

Jason,

I'm just writing to you to let you know what your old PO box is up to. I got some junk mail from Dell Computers addressed to you and noticed that we share the same first name and middle initial. It struck me as kinda interesting.

If you feel up to it, send me some stuff. If not, I just want you to know your old PO box is in good hands.

Stay golden, Jason A. Stay golden.

-Jason

That's the letter. Let's see what happens. I'm sending it out tomorrow.

Couple of notes:

-I didn't put a return address on the envelope because I was afraid of the the post office getting confused. I don't know if it matters, but I figure I'd do the safe thing. I hope this doesn't confuse them in the future.

-If I get the letter put in my PO Box I'll think of another way to get it to him.

Strange Turn of Events

2005-07-14T14:30:00.000-05:00

The ad in the City Pages started to run yesterday. It's in the upper right corner. I think it's a pretty good spot.

I decided to check my PO box to see if by the off chance someone was on the ball and was really itchin' to send me stuff. Nope. I did find something disturbing: Junk Mail. What the fuck? A Dell Computer ad! I took a closer look and it was addressed to Jason A. *********. I was disturbed. The sum' bitch that had the box before me has the same first name and middle initial as me!

I'm not sayin' it's going to happen, but there is a chance that someone could send something to Jason @ PO Box 24042 and it wouldn't be for me. So of course now I have to find out who this guy is. What's going to happen when I find him? Not sure.

Cheap as Free.

2005-07-12T22:52:00.000-05:00

I found about this site:

www.craigslist.com

It's a free classified site with listing all over the country/world. I posted an ad in Minneopolis, but will probably post in other cities to see what happens. I was able to put picture on my post (the one I put on this blog yesterday) and the ad will be on the site for 45 days.

Photography

2005-07-11T23:10:00.000-05:00

I figured this blog needed a picture. You know, to spice things up. This is a promo/thank you card that I will be using. It is one out of eight cards that I created. I will be placing them around town and also writing on the back of them for the thank you note.

Just try not to send me stuff....

How to get stuff.

2005-07-11T22:25:00.000-05:00

Here are a few stepping stones on the way to getting stuff:

Friday, July 1st:

Went to a post office by my work to get a PO Box. They said that they had to send something to my address to confirm that it exists and they would give me a call, probably next Thursday. Fuck that.

Saturday, July 2nd:

Went to a post office by where I live. They said the same thing because the address on my driver's license was different than my current one. They said I'd get a call on Tuesday. I filled out the application and went on my way.

Wednesday, July 5th:

The post office called at the end of the working day.

Thursday, July 6th:

Went to get my box:

"#24042. That's the same forward as it is backwards. You'll be able to remember that."

"Yeah."

Monday, July 11th (today):

Called and posted an ad in the City Pages, a local Twin Cities newspaper. It will be on the Bulletin Board, which is the back page of the paper. It will be there for two weeks. It was way too expensive, but it will be a good kick off. It will be printed this Wednesday. I'm guessing I won't start getting stuff until that following Monday or Tuesday.

If anyone can think of good ways to advertise on the cheap please let me know.

I also published this Blog.

Stuff Project 2005

2005-07-11T20:08:00.000-05:00

At the moment I'm not going to bore people (or myself) by telling the history of the Stuff Project. Instead I'll give you a quick summary of what it is and then I can get started.

The basic idea is this:

Send me stuff.
I'll send you a thank you note.

I have a PO box and post ads in local newspapers saying exactly that. Every now and then I might find another way to promote it but I always stick to those two lines .

I started the project for a brief period of time in 2001 and it was a relative success. This time I am starting it up with hope that it will stick around for awhile and evolve as it gets older.

This blog is will act as the documentation of the project and not for the promotion of it. I will post pictures, thank you notes and all that stuff. I will also post any interesting tidbits that happen along the way.

I just read what I wrote. Could that have been more boring? Whatever.