The Dawning of a Great Pin Adventure

[AZ JazzyJ]

The golden sunlight slowly eased into the western sky. The once white billowing clouds had become a kaleidoscope of colors dancing across the horizon. There on the desert, the shadows lengthened making the majestic saguaro cacti seem larger than life. Among the solitude, the silence was broken only by the occasional howling of a coyote far in the distance. The air was still and clear as day turned to night. Suddenly the desert became completely quiet. Brief clouds of dirt arose to cover the worn boots of a trudging adventurer. The man was weathered but at ease in the harsh environment. He stopped and as he did the dust settled gently upon the brim of his fedora hat and within the folds of his rolled up sleeves. He reached into the bag that was slung over his right shoulder and retrieved a parcel. With the exhale of a deep breath he blew the desert sand off the envelope and gently opened the flap. Slowly he unfolded the parchment and using the last slivers of daylight, he read the message over again for the countless time.


Arizona Jeff,

It has been quite a while since we last spoke. I so miss the grand adventures that we used to share. The times we spent with Oliver P. Phinnius are some of my fondest memories. As I sit back and recount all that we experienced, I realized that you have become like family to me. So as a family member, I am writing to you in hopes that my letter finds you in good spirits and good health. As you know Ollie is now employed at the university teaching ancient linguistics and metallurgy. His health is suffering and the doctors have said he is in need of rest. The years of adventure have taken their toll on him and he has reached near exhaustion. So I am writing to ask for your help once again. Please come east and meet up with the other adventurers to share in the stories and the revelry of this family event.

Sincerely,
Mean Laureen

Arizona refolded the letter and placed it back in its envelope and slid the parcel back into the pack. The sun was nearly down and it would be night soon. A soft breeze began to blow from the west moving due east. He turned to face the wind. The golden sunset light seemed to dance as it hit his eyes. Jeff let out a sharp whistle. From a gully behind him came another figure. The young girl strode up to her father, her blonde hair floated gracefully in the wind. As she approached, Arizona Jeff began to speak, “So far, your mother and I have kept you fairly protected. But the time has come for that to change. There is much about me you don’t know but now that you are a young woman I think I need to explain a few things to you. You see I once roamed the land searching for treasure. Not just any treasure, but the treasure of pins. During my travels I met many great and wonderful people. It is now time for me to introduce you to them.”
Arizona Jeff grabbed his gear and began to head for the Jeep. They had little time to lose if they were going to meet their pin friends in the wondrous land of pins. As he walked towards the vehicle, his voice sliced through the night, “Pack your things, It’s Adventure Time!”

[Raulandpinboy]

Its about time dude!! let do this :teeth:

[MeanLaureen]

Originally posted by AZ JazzyJ


Arizona Jeff,

It has been quite a while since we last spoke. I so miss the grand adventures that we used to share. The times we spent with Oliver P. Phinnius are some of my fondest memories. As I sit back and recount all that we experienced, I realized that you have become like family to me. So as a family member, I am writing to you in hopes that my letter finds you in good spirits and good health. As you know Ollie is now employed at the university teaching ancient linguistics and metallurgy. His health is suffering and the doctors have said he is in need of rest. The years of adventure have taken their toll on him and he has reached near exhaustion. So I am writing to ask for your help once again. Please come east and meet up with the other adventurers to share in the stories and the revelry of this family event.

Sincerely,
Mean Laureen



It's like having the brother I never asked for ;) ;) ;) :teeth: Just kidding Jeff... you know I'm kidding... right? You aren't going to lock me in the closet all night again until mom gets home are you? Oh man, no more noogies!!!!!

Okay everyone! Who is ready for one wild pin collecting ride in WDW in September????

Say YEAH!!!!!

[Cheshire Figment]

JudySue and I will be there.

Unfortunately, Pintrader Figment will not make it. He is sleeping in a box in storage, waiting anxiously for our new house to be completed some he can come out and trade also.

[daber]

I just love dawn! I'm asleep.

Yeah! Another pin adventure.

And don't worry about Pintrader Figment....We'll bring him.

[NHMickey]

It would be worth going just to enjoy the adventure.

[RamVA]

Well, Nat, it isn't sold out, and you know we first met at Chef Mickeys 2 years ago.....................................we could do it again!!!

Yeah!! A pin Adventure!!!:Pinkbounc :bounce:

[Eeyore's Pal]

There is much about me you don’t know but now that you are a young woman I think I need to explain a few things to you.

<i>Oh yeah</i> . . . And then we'll tell her <b>the truth.</b> :earseek:

<i>Be afraid. Be <b>very</b> afraid. :scared1:</i>

[MeanLaureen]

Don't worry Robyn... after dear old Dad goes to sleep, Mallorie and I will have a nice long talk.

I'm talking dirt baby and lots of it. Hmm.. I wonder if I email her now if I can get her to bring embarassing baby pictures of Arizona Jeff with her?? :smooth:

[AZ JazzyJ]

So with the September pin event now less than a month away plans are starting to become finalized for the Great Pin Adventure 3 (http://www.nowhitting.com/disney2004/) and all the activities. I have created a Registration (http://www.nowhitting.com/disney2004/registration.html) page to allow people to begin signing up. Please fill out a registration form for each person attending so we can get an accurate count. Also be sure to check out the list of Activities (http://www.nowhitting.com/disney2004/activities.html) to see what fun and games we have in store for you. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and I'll post more details as the time gets closer.

Jeff

[Eeyore's Pal]

OK, I read everything on the GPA website, and now I am so overcome with the need to pintrade and/or go to WDW that I can't focus on anything else! :earseek:

Who care about work ! (Just because they <b>pay</b> me so I can afford to go to WDW and trade pins.) :rolleyes:

Who cares that two weeks from today I will have one kid on his way to college and two starting school! :teacher:

Who cares that I have to kick-off our PTA's largest annual fundraiser next week! ::yes::

<i>I am telling you: </i>

<b>
I need to pack my pins and go now! </b> :moped: :teleport: :sad: :boat: :earboy2:

[MeanLaureen]

Huh.. I don't think Robyn is excited. :hyper:

So.. who else is coming!?!

[MadStrawberry]

I'll be there, just call my name out - I'll be there.

It is gonna be another great pin event, we miss you guys last year - although we carried you (your heads that is) around all thru the event.

I am still waiting for Mean Laureen to change me from a California pintrader to a Texas pintrader............but otherwize I am ready to trade.
See everyone soon,
Barbara
MsMad :crazy:

[Figgy]

I am soooooooooo There!!!!

I can't wait to see you guys. We really missed you last year. I have my mother's family in town so I might be in and out but definitely plan to play.

figgy

[LynniethePooh]

Barbara
Did you move to Texas? I am so out of the loop!

[AZ JazzyJ]

The Great Pin Adventure 3 List Adventurers (http://www.nowhitting.com/disney2004/list.html) link has been updated with all registrations received through 08/17/2004 at 10 PM PDT. If you have registered, please verify that your information appears on this list. If any data is wrong or missing, please let me know. The first set of 20 lanyard cards are scheduled to be printed on Friday August 20 so make sure all spellings are correct. I'll try to keep the site updated as new registrations are received so please check back and make sure the system is working correctly and you have been accounted for. Only a few weeks remain until the meet and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.

Jeff

[MadStrawberry]

Well, I should say my hubby moved me - kicking and screaming. I didn't really want to go, but I am here. We arrived June 17th. Don't get me wrong, it is okay.........just not home and I miss my friends and DLR.
Barbara
MsMad :crazy:

[daber]

Jeff,
I hope you are going to let Mean Laureen lead......Interstate 9, if it did exist would run North/South. All Interstate odd numbers run N/S, all Interstate even numbers run E/W......Which makes I-4 very confusing.

[AZ JazzyJ]

Originally posted by daber
Interstate 9, if it did exist would run North/South. All Interstate odd numbers run N/S, all Interstate even numbers run E/W......Which makes I-4 very confusing.

Interstate 10 runs North/South through Phoenix so it is always strange to tell people to get on East I-10 heading south to reach our house. That is why Trina's license plate is so appropriate when it says "IBLOST".

The Interstate number is a subtle running joke that has a part of all the Great Pin Adventures. It came about due to the fact that the number 9 has stalked me my entire life. I was born on the ninth of March. When I began playing baseball, I was issued uniform 9 as it was the only one small enough to fit me (I played on a team made up of players 2 years older than I was so I was always the smallest one). At the age of 9 I won a state art contest. I once won a trip on a raffle ticket whose numbers added up to 9. When I was in high school my baseball uniform number was 32. Trina's basketball number was 22. We started dating and found that our numbers added to a nine. Trina's birthday is on the 27th of December. The day adds to a 9. When we got engaged, we decided to be married on my grandparent's anniversary as a tribute to them. That was June 18 which the day is a 9. When I went to work for the Department of Energy, my employee number added to a nine. When we moved to Arizona, I bought a lot for our house before there were streets or addresses. When we moved in, we found that our house number was 4905 which adds to a nine. Our checking account number at 2 different banks each add to a 9. After having four daughters, Trina gave birth to our son Dakota when we were 36 which is a nine. His birthday is April 27 which is also a 9. The Arizona Diamondbacks were awarded a franchise on March 9, 1995 making that date also a nine. At first you just kind of laugh it off and think "what are the odds" but after so long, it just starts to get kind of creepy. So I have decided rather than let it freak me out, I would try to incorporate it into my writing or my graphics just for fun. There have been times that I have been accused by school teachers of being possessed by the devil but rather than 666 I would probably be 999 which I guess is like the upside-down dyslexic devil or something. Good catch on the sign post though, I think you deserve an Adventure Dollar for being so observant.

Jeff

[MadStrawberry]

is this 9 thing ............a good thing or a bad thing. I was born August 27th, so that is a nine. I was just wonder if I should be worried.
Barbara
MsMad :crazy:

[JudithM]

Originally posted by AZ JazzyJ
... the fact that the number 9 has stalked me my entire life ... When we moved to Arizona, I bought a lot for our house before there were streets or addresses. When we moved in, we found that our house number was 4905 which adds to a nine.

Interesting to read about the nines that have "creeped" into your life :)! One little tidbit ... your house number - 4905 - adds up to a MULTIPLE of nine (9, 18, 27, 36, ...).

Keep writing those interesting, funny stories!

[AZ JazzyJ]

Originally posted by JudithM
Interesting to read about the nines that have "creeped" into your life :)! One little tidbit ... your house number - 4905 - adds up to a MULTIPLE of nine (9, 18, 27, 36, ...).

That is another weird thing about nine. Any multiple of 9 also adds to a nine (18 = 1 + 8 = 9).

Originally posted by MadStrawberry
is this 9 thing ............a good thing or a bad thing.

I'm not sure. In my life, the times where nine comes up have been pretty good. It has gotten to the point where I can almost count on a nine being involved if my luck takes an upward turn. Of course your milege may vary.

Jeff

[MeanLaureen]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think a 7 is stalking me, too. I saw it peeking in my window. Can't be positive because it could be one of those typewriter style 3's with the flat top.

Either way - :eek: If nobody hears back from me in 24 hours.. call a numerologist!!!!!! (I'd say 911 but the first number is out stalking Jeff)

[JudithM]

Originally posted by AZ JazzyJ
That is another weird thing about nine. Any multiple of 9 also adds to a nine (18 = 1 + 8 = 9).Jeff

And you know your divisibility rules, too!

[Raulandpinboy]

I'm registered... Cool video you all so young and cute. So what happened?

And whats with the number 9 with me its the numder 6 which is an upsidedown 9 but mine come in3 sets of 3's which add up to 9 again.... Hmmm weird. Must be an omen.

Think about it Damien :teeth:

[AZ JazzyJ]

Originally posted by JudithM
And you know your divisibility rules, too!

Me and Jethro call 'em "gazinta rules".

Jeff

[AZ JazzyJ]

We now have 35 people signed up for the Great Pin Adventure 3 (http://www.nowhitting.com/disney2004/) and I am beginning the manufacturing of the lanyard cards. If you are registered, please look over the cards to make sure they are correct. If you have not yet registered, please do so. Everyone is welcome and there will be fun and games for all whether they are pin traders or not. I am also working on a few activities for those who are location challenged so you can join in on-line and share in the fun. This should be a lot of fun and we'd love to have you involved. And the best part, no RSP's.

Jeff

[AZ JazzyJ]

Ok so this number nine thing is starting to get out of hand. Last weekend Trina had to work so while she was training people to climb rock walls, I was home with the kids. So I was surfing around the Internet trying to find pictures and items for the activities of the Great Pin Adventure3. While surfing I took a detour on the information superhighway and landed at harley-davidson.com. Since Trina had nixxed the idea of a Corvette I was looking for an alternative form of adreneline-based transportation. So I was looking at models and stuff and decided I really wanted to see a Night Train in Black Cherry Pearl. So I left the kids at home and I went over to the dealership to check things out. Well they didn't have a Black Cherry Pearl bike in stock but they did have a Black Pearl Night Train so I started talking to the dude. Once we started talking, strange things happened. First off you guys all know me and how reserved I am so talking to complete strangers is kind of a new thing for me. Second, it wasn't just conversations. It was like story time at the library. These guys started talking about experiences they had had and so I started telling them about adventures I had had and before long there was like a group of people sitting around laughing and telling tales. Well in the mean time I am sending the sales guy back and forth with questions about bikes. Before I know it, I am in an office and signing ownership papers on a bike. I told them that if I didn't get a helmet, Trina would pretty much kill me. So they sent me to see Robin the Helmet Chick (I am not sure if that is her full name, that is just what I kept calling her). First I asked if maybe I could talk to Batman since I really didn't want a sidekick helmet I was more interested in the full Super Hero helmet. This is about the time I realized I was probably not a normal Harley-Davidson rider. Anyways, I got this cool black full-face helmet and they gave me a couple of shirts that say Harley-Davidson on them. So after three hours of being in the dealership I come out owning a bike. When they hand me the keys they said it was a pretty cool day and that mine was the ninth motorcycle they had sold. Is that weird or what? So really it was not my fault that I bought the bike. Nine made me do it. Not sure if Trina would buy that as a defense or not. Trying to explain this whole situation to Trina was an adventure in and of itself.

Jeff

[MadStrawberry]

pretty scarey thing.
Barbara
MsMad :crazy: