The Official VirusMas 2020 Thrift/Care Package Exchange Thread

[txwoodworker]

So thanks again for @txwoodworker doing this actually twice, its really appreciated! Lets get to it.

Box came packed tighter than (fill in your own TWSS)

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I mean the guy legit let me thrift a whole roll of packing supplies (thanks!)

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First thing I see is a pair of white orb type things....hmmmm

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some kind of pottery, with an unusual kind of drawing inside. Ancient testicular cooling pots?

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More bubble wrap and then WHOA! An expertly carved wood box with my logo on it. The wood (what kind is it?) is super dense and heavy and the craftsmanship is top tier. Like a bespoke suit. Whats in the box?

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Some Texas Sotol! I have no idea what that is but I am going to find out, love trying new and unusual spirits - this one I have never even heard of before, so super curious to see what it is.

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Not sure what Im going to use the box for after the booze is gone, its a slide off coffin of sorts, I have a thing for boxes and trunks of all sizes so its certainly going to be used and displayed. Thank you SO much!

There is a card in there with a quick explanation; The idea was to get the person who has everything, something he can't get (outside of Texas). The box is made from Texas mesquite from a local band saw mill. Side note on that, I went to the mill and the guy who was just leaving had left a bottle of Tito's on the counter. I made a joke about serving shots with my lumber purchase, and the lumber mill guy the man that just left owns the company that made this vodka. So the guy ahead of me in line was local billionaire Tito Beveridge.
I appreciate the props on the craftsmanship, I've been out of the actual making stuff business for more than 10 years, so I was rusty, and missed having a fully equipped shop to lean on. Though, as we all know, that was the second box. I worked out all the kinks with the first one, so this one was even better. There's always a silver lining.
The Sotol was distilled just a few miles from my house, and as @drlivingston said- it's not so smooth as a shot (try the sipping cups that came with) but makes amazing margaritas, really like you've never had before. Even with that distillery only being a few miles from my house, I passed 3 other distilleries, at least one brewery and 2 vineyards on the way, it's a thing out here, and keeping with the theme- they don't ship their stuff, so the only way to get it is to go to them.

Glad you like it, and maybe when we can all travel again, I'll come up there with my favorite margarita mix and raise a glass to all the great people that inhabit this thread!

 

[dadjeans]

I have a thing for boxes and trunks of all sizes

TWSS

 

[California Dreamer]

Tito Beveridge

Apt, for somebody who makes beverages.

 

[Thrift Vader]

Okay lads, confession time.
I am the Corona Santa for:

@California Dreamer

The conundrum is, Australia isn't accepting flights from Japan. so no EMS air mail.
His box is going on a voyage. it has been sent on the slowest post possible. "Cargo ship".
I can not track it, or be sure it arrives. all i know is, estimated delivery is 3 months,if he doesn't get it? 3 months back. then i might be able to air mail it.

Hopefully there is a miracle, and he gets it within a month. sorry dude. your box is on it's way.

 

[California Dreamer]

Okay lads, confession time.
I am the Corona Santa for:

@California Dreamer

The conundrum is, Australia isn't accepting flights from Japan. so no EMS air mail.
His box is going on a voyage. it has been sent on the slowest post possible. "Cargo ship".
I can not track it, or be sure it arrives. all i know is, estimated delivery is 3 months,if he doesn't get it? 3 months back. then i might be able to air mail it.

Hopefully there is a miracle, and he gets it within a month. sorry dude. your box is on it's way.

No problem at all Vader; these things happen.

I've had the same problem in reverse. My express parcel took three weeks to clear Melbourne. Fortunately it has now arrived in NY, but it still has a long way to go before it reaches its destination. (I'm pretty sure he knows it's coming from me).

 

[Thrift Vader]

Hopefully the contents are worth the wait.
I when it gets there, you will have 2 weeks to claim it.

 

[California Dreamer]

Hopefully the contents are worth the wait.
I when it gets there, you will have 2 weeks to claim it.

How will I know when I need to pick it up?

 

[Thrift Vader]

How will I know when I need to pick it up?

it should arrive by Australia Post. I ticked the box to wait 14 days before return to sender. there was no "just leave it" option, hopefully someone will most likely be home. or, you can call/go to your local post office, and let them know it's coming, and leave your number with them.

you will know when you see it. there is a card taped to the top.

 

[capnwes]

No problem at all Vader; these things happen.

I've had the same problem in reverse. My express parcel took three weeks to clear Melbourne. Fortunately it has now arrived in NY, but it still has a long way to go before it reaches its destination. (I'm pretty sure he knows it's coming from me).

Nah. New York is usually only a 1-2 day delivery time to PA.

Although I’ve been waiting 21 days for a set of guitar strings I ordered from 1 state over. So who knows.

 

[California Dreamer]

it should arrive by Australia Post. I ticked the box to wait 14 days before return to sender. there was no "just leave it" option, hopefully someone will most likely be home. or, you can call/go to your local post office, and let them know it's coming, and leave your number with them.

you will know when you see it. there is a card taped to the top.

AP tends to be just leaving stuff at the door these days anyway, to minimise contact. We're both retired and normally home, so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[California Dreamer]

Nah. New York is usually only a 1-2 day delivery time to PA.

Well it's in LA now.

 

[Thrift Vader]

sorry, i gotta laugh at the adventure your box is having.
i can, because mine is also adventuring.

 

[capnwes]

Well it's in LA now.

Spectacular!

 

[capnwes]

Well it's in LA now.

Looking more closely at the tracking, the NY scan was either a glitch or a new intercontinental air speed record was just set. 1 Minute coast to coast, not bad!

 

[Thrift Vader]

it multiplied?