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The Official Atari Age Secret Santa 2018 thread


Grig

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My package hasn't arrived yet. Tracking has it "in transit to destination" since Dec 14. I am not worried at all yet. Package travel times across the pond are erratic - it may take a while, or it may take an even longer while. Also within Germany during the season. Package delivery services are notoriously overworked around christmas.

I will be travelling in the next few days, but not long enough that the package is in danger of being sent back to the sender. So I'm comfy and look forward to receive a late gift, which is always fun.

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Well, look at that! About 15 minutes after I submitted that last post, it arrived! Is that perfect timing, or what?

 

I must say - my Secret Santa was very very generous, and did some serious research. So, dear Mrs. Santa, let's go through what we've got here:

 

- Haribo Goldbears. Love those. These are especially interesting to me, because in the US, they still have the strong colours I remember from my childhood. In Germany, Haribo changed their Gold Bears many years ago due to harsh safety regulations concering artificial colours. They also taste a little different, if I'm not mistaken, and they are just a tiny bit more stiff to the bite. A very special treat for me, and a really nice trip down memory lane.

 

- A variety of Atari video game catalogues, which are always great fun to read. I especially love the green one for its weird artwork, which has nothing to do with the actual box artwork - which in turn has nothing to do with the look of the game. Those were the days.

 

- A Space Invaders piggybank in form of a little arcade cabinet, which conveniently needs no key to open. You never know when you might need some small change, right?

 

- A Space Invaders something - don't know how to call it in English. Like a little cushion. It will most probably find its place hanging from the rear view mirror in my car.

 

- One of Osgeld's Tactile Switch Controller Boards for the Atari CX-x joysticks. My Secret Santa probably found out that I mentioned I am interested in one of these, but was held back by shipping costs, which were considerably higher than the price of the unit itself. Now I have a board, and I am very happy about it.

 

- Last... holy shit! Toyshop Trouble cart with manual! Apart from the fact that it fits the Season and it's hard to get here in Europe because of high shipping costs and possibly extra tolls via German customs, this item is even more awesome than you think, Mrs. Santa. Incidentally, in the Atari 2600 High Score Club, we currently have "Homebrew Holidays" Weeks, and Toyshop Trouble is one of the three games we are playing. I'm so happy that I can submit a score for this one played on real hardware now. The only catch is that from this day on I can't blame my pathetic scores on playing with keyboard controls on emulation anymore. Ah well, can't have everything...

 

In conclusion, I am super happy with my Secret Santa package. It certainly is one of the - if not the - highlight of this year's Christmas for me. Thank you very very much, Mrs. Santa!

 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment with my junior. With my Atari Junior, to be precise. There are some bad scores to achieve in Toyshop Trouble :-).

 

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I also have not seen a post that my Secret Santa got their package, although according to tracking it was delivered,

 

I also am really curious to know who sent mine, since there was no hint of that person in the contents!

Some don't post but that is not a requirement for participation ... though I do wish everyone would post pics of their Secret Santa loot because IT'S AWESOME!!!

 

I have not received any PM's about someone not receiving their Secret Santa gift except the one individual who is being rescued as we speak.

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I got mine. Sorry no pictures but the charger port of my phone burned up. I got an Iron Maiden t-shirt, a couple ps2 pinball games (I will have to get our the ps2. I haven't played it since I got Rule of Rose a few years ago), a Dokken cd, candy, a hot wheel Honda motorcycle (you must know where the Accords are made). Thanks Santa.

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I've decided to do a little scientific experiment to establish the difference between US and German Goldbears.

 

In the attached photo, you can see the flavours side by side. The most pronounced difference in colour is definetly the green ones, followed by red. Throughout, the US Goldbears are a tad stiffer to the bite than their European brothers. A difference in taste is also there, but slight. I would not be able to tell which one tastes more "artificial", because let's face it: they all do - which is exactly how I want them to be :-).

 

If anyone wants to repeat this experiment: I am afraid these particular specimens are no longer available. They have been destroyed in the course of the experiment.

 

Gee, I love Science!

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I've been shamefully incommunicado through this whole thing, and I'm finally here to fix that. First, I want to thank Grig for squeezing me into the festivities after I missed the deadline. I figured I'd at least volunteer to be a Rescue Reindeer if needed, and next thing I knew I was on the list! Sorry I made you nervous with the late send-off, Grig!

I must also apologize to my Secret Santa. Your gift arrived in plenty of time, but I was too busy running my tail off and wondering why Christmas was coming six weeks ahead of schedule (I swear that's what it felt like). Now I'm back home and able to breathe, and so, the box...

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...has been opened!

I do not consider this "lacking" at all! This is an awesome collection of goodies, from the new Atari joystick (you can never have too many!) to the collector's DVD set. I'm looking forward to seeing how my collections compare to the "ideals". And...

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One of my current "10 most wanted"! A little extra personal effort that made me smile. Thank you so much!

I have to say, though...

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This is just plain wrong. And I love it. :D


No clue who my Secret Santa was...


You mean the return address didn't give it away? :)

And the cardboard was a very personal touch. :lol:


I tried. :)

You're very welcome, and thank you for my stuff too!


Oh, and by the way...

 

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I think I figured out where he moonlights when the holidays are over. Keep it under wraps.

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Thank you Grig for another successful AtariAge Secret Santa Exchange! I look forward to this every year now and have already picked up the wrapping paper for next year's event! (Can't beat 90% off clearance. :) )

 

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By the way - Just my 2 cents but if anyone is interested in doing it next year and worried they'll miss the announcement (this has been mentioned a few times) then FOLLOW this topic! Even if it's April and you just found this click the FOLLOW at the top. You'll see the notification for the 2019 SS if/when it's announced. :)

Edited by ClassicGMR
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Never heard back from my recipient, and he hasn't posted in this thread since about a couple of weeks before Christmas. I hope he's doing fine.

 

Merry Christmas (again) to everyone!!!

 

dZ.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

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