[wzbt03]

Normally I am not a big fan of synchronized swimming but please let us all know when your first show is and I am sure a lot of us will make it Jeff.

[wzbt03]

I almost hate to reply to your thread Randy since quite a few people tend to cringe at some of my posts. However, I feel the need to continue to express my opinion even if some of my thoughts have been the subject of a few pointed jabs as of late.

My expectations are as follows:

1- A board who is more likely to express opinions rather then hide in the shadows on issues raised by members. Yes I know we have a few who speak but but I feel the entire board should log opinions on topics raised in the forums. Pro or con.

2- When the board is out of touch with the general membership, such as when event caches were being discussed as COTM, I would like to see more of what Brian did – Forum polls rather then board edicts.

3- I would like the board to be more of a sounding board back to Geocaching.com on issues the membership expresses.
I assume geocaching.com cares what WGA and it members think but do not know this for a fact.

4- Have the board lay out what it expects to accomplish and not have it be things that others are doing who are not on the board. Promoting geocaching with land managers is something that we all do. More specific items would be of interest.

I know what your thinking John, How can someone with such good intentions …….

I am keeping my day job, don’t worry.

[wzbt03]

Sorry – thought the thread had been exhausted.
No mystery – I deleted it as I often do when a thread is at its end.

[wzbt03]

I would highly recommend Asolo Hiking boots.
Gore-tex and they don’t need a break in before a long hike first time in them.
They are on the high end of the price spectrum but well worth it.
REI carries them for around $200.
Guess it just depends on how often and in what conditions you decide to use them.

[wzbt03]

Allow me to be the first to ask a few questions of the candidates for the board.

1- Since the main board function is the two WGA events, campout and picnic, what do you intend to offer as a board member over the next 2 years to these events?

2- How do you intend to help mentor the other cachers in the state who might struggle with the accepted ethics of geocaching?

3- Since it is the caches in Wisconsin that make us what we are, what caches do you currently have out there that would be considered assets to Wisconsin (including past events you have hosted)?

I think these topics could help the rest of us understand what your vision for the board might be.

[wzbt03]

On a challenge in my younger years while living in Australia I went into an enclosure with 15 Kangaroos of the type found recently and attempted to feed them.
While they were very friendly guys, their claws are quite large and they will grab you and take your food. Once relieved of your food they will promptly ignore you.
Perhaps if Thorson was to have his garage open he could have trapped this fellow himself.

[wzbt03]

With all the snow on the ground, I will wait until January 31st to archive them.

[wzbt03]

Lets see….

I gave up on GSAK first time I went out and found that it had only loaded 1/4 of the caches I requested.

I agree that checking all hidden caches should be on everyones list.

I think a breakfast or two this year would be a good thing to have on everyones list.

My own would be to try more of the recommended caches of the message board in 2005.

[wzbt03]

Wait till it is frozen or you may not enjoy this particular cache.
There is also another cache in the same area if I remember correctly.

[wzbt03]

I know you have not updated December yet but for the rest of the year 2004 there are 38 different caches listed that made your tally.
I glanced down the list today thinking I had done most of them and was surprised to see I had only done 18 or less then half of what others had identified as some of the best caches in Wisconsin this year.
I really hope to do a little bit better in 2005 and put quality ahead of quantity.

[This message has been edited by wzbt03 (edited 01-02-2005).]

[wzbt03]

I guess a thanks is in order.
I started placing caches a little less then 2 years ago and started with Owl Be Right Back.
I was shocked when a bunch of people actually drove to Janesville to find it.
Such strange names the people who found it had, Trudy & the Beast (I was sure that the beast was a dog), Pharmteam and The Lil Otter.
The positive feedback made me put out more.

Then I did a Thorson cache and realized that you could do some really cool things with multi-caches.

I have tried to make many of them as different as possible but also have tried to create some that everyone could do.
I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart who has tried one of my caches and an extra thanks to those who have helped me through some of the problems on my caches. Those few who have found a glitch here or there and have been kind enough to help me make it better for the next finder.

I have some other ideas that still creep into my mind that I want to try.
I archive a few and place a few.

Thanks again for the kind words.

[wzbt03]

First off, yes we all error and to forgive is divine. I don’t even think forgiving is something most of us need to do because it really didn’t matter a lot to begin with.

The subject if this thread was always ethics, not lets get those who violate.
It was asked that those who violated the ethics to explain why they felt this was okay.
Three have come forward and explained and it appears they realize what they were doing was wrong.
From an ethics standpoint I have just a bit of trouble with the explainations of “it was getting dark, the gates were about to lock” etc, but they apolgized subject closed.
The bottom line is they were wrong, they have deleted the logs and its time to move on.

What would be the proper way to address this if you thought it was happening?
1- How about pointing it out to our board members to discuss.
2- Taking their advice on the best way to approach it if they elect not too.
3- Following that advice in the way you feel is least invasive to the people directly so they might get the hint.

Hmmm wonder if that all happened.

Now its time to move on and go out there and find some hidden tupperware.

[wzbt03]

quote:

---

I try to stay out of these boards because why discus such negative things? So far I’ve met a lot of wonderful people through geocaching that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I consider it an extended family in a way. That would explain the ‘bickering’ of such things as ethics in caching. Caching is what we make it. Who is to say why/how a person is doing it is wrong?

Just food for thought.
-Bushwhacking Queen[/B]

---

To defend this unethical behavior of logging caches not found is beyond belief.

Please do not take this too personally but I think you do not understand this activity quite yet. Read some of the threads that Grousetales comments lead you to and you may take a different look at how the game is suppose to be played.

If you are, and I am not saying that you are, one of the people logging these finds incorrectly please share the reasons on why you think you should be able to do this while the rest of us have to find the caches.

[wzbt03]

Okay, I posted a couple of subjects to get our “mentors” to give some guidance.
Many have stepped forward and offered what they feel geocaching is about.
I sort of knew what direction a discussion of ethics would take and was pleasantly surprised, as I have been in the past, that our leaders have stepped forward to help guide.

Are the people who logged false caches bad people, no. Do they need to correct the wrong, yes.

I have often been confused on what the WGA board does do and does not do. It is now quite obvious that their main function is to mentor us all and when we go astray, point us in the right direction.
We probably all thought about numbers at some point and thank god you grow out of it. Some sooner then others.

Often it is hard to get the mentors to speak up since it will always be heard two different ways. No one (including me) likes controvery on the forum but some of these discussions are needed so the mentors can chime in.

Lets continue our support of our board of mentors and also give them our input so that we can see things in the light of those whom we have elected.

There a pretty amazing bunch who have told me when they think I am wrong and patted me on the back when they thought I was right. Its helped me play the game they way I want but also the way it should probably be played.

My back and backside have both be patted and chewed lately but in a very constructive way.

[wzbt03]

Thanks to the WGA board for taking this issue into the discussion and implementation phase.
I think most people that responded to the thread will be happy with your decision.

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