Time to break out your fake mustaches and kale again
October 20, 2012 7:21 AM Subscribe
Supernatural supporting actor Misha Collins is holding another international scavenger hunt this year. Called GISHWHES (for Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen), last year's attempt broke the standing world record for largest scavenger hunt (the rhino hunt (previously) was only a test run).
This year's list has not yet been released, but there is a video featuring selections from last year's, including the Christmas tree that flew into a Canadian airport's airspace (which was not the same Christmas tree that mysteriously appeared on a farmer's field.
I wish I'd heard about this a bit earlier than 13 hours before the registration deadline.
posted by hippybear at 7:32 AM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 7:32 AM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
Well, I just signed up. I'll consider it carefully later.
posted by Trivia Newton John at 7:46 AM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Trivia Newton John at 7:46 AM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
Yeah, I think this is one of those things that is best done as a rash impulse. Sorry for not getting this up sooner, though! I sort of forgot about it for a while.
You can select your teams this year (somehow, different mechanism from last year), so there can be a Team Metafilter, if that'd appeal to anyone.
posted by dinty_moore at 7:51 AM on October 20, 2012
You can select your teams this year (somehow, different mechanism from last year), so there can be a Team Metafilter, if that'd appeal to anyone.
posted by dinty_moore at 7:51 AM on October 20, 2012
How do you pronounce "GISHWHES"?
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:52 AM on October 20, 2012
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:52 AM on October 20, 2012
How do you pronounce "GISHWHES"?
Decidedly differently from how cortex does, I'm sure.
posted by hippybear at 7:53 AM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
Decidedly differently from how cortex does, I'm sure.
posted by hippybear at 7:53 AM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
Rash impulse here....
I didn't even finish reading it before I signed up. I have to go out and won't be home before the registration deadline. lol
Sounds like some weird fun. Misha is a nut. Love him. Just wish I had enough money to waste to get the level where he sends you a personal message. It appeals to the geek in me.
I signed as an individual for now but would join a team if there is one.
posted by Jalliah at 8:03 AM on October 20, 2012
"Hey Dinty, do you want to do insane things to win a trip to Italy with a C-list celebrity
I'm pretty sure this was my answer to the " what do yu want to be when you grow up?" question.
posted by The Whelk at 8:05 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'm pretty sure this was my answer to the " what do yu want to be when you grow up?" question.
posted by The Whelk at 8:05 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
I've formed team Quonsarites. Join at will.
posted by Trivia Newton John at 8:06 AM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Trivia Newton John at 8:06 AM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
For me, right now in my life, it's more a matter of budgeting than interest in particpation. If I'd known about this a few weeks ago, I would probably have the money (not the registration fee, the money to get materials) to participate. As it stands now, there's no way I could contribute in any meaningful way.
Living as a member of the working poor sucks. But this looks like fun, and I'll definitely be budgeting it in for next year.
posted by hippybear at 8:10 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Living as a member of the working poor sucks. But this looks like fun, and I'll definitely be budgeting it in for next year.
posted by hippybear at 8:10 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
It is long past bedtime here and now I'm all hepped up and listening to Desmond Dekker. Thanks ever so much, Metafilter.
posted by Trivia Newton John at 8:15 AM on October 20, 2012
posted by Trivia Newton John at 8:15 AM on October 20, 2012
From what I remember of last year, a lot (though, admittedly not all) of the projects were things that were either very, very cheap to put together, or items where you really just had to know someone, and money wouldn't really help. Like, get some lawyers to play musical chairs, or law enforcement to pose with a biker, or a cat eating kale.
Though you'd have to have some way to photograph or videotape this, which admittedly cost money.
posted by dinty_moore at 8:22 AM on October 20, 2012
Though you'd have to have some way to photograph or videotape this, which admittedly cost money.
posted by dinty_moore at 8:22 AM on October 20, 2012
Let' s do this, Trivia Newton John!
posted by Freyja at 8:52 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Freyja at 8:52 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Team Metafilter? I'm in.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 9:58 AM on October 20, 2012
posted by [insert clever name here] at 9:58 AM on October 20, 2012
TEAM QUONSARITES WOOOOOOOOOOO
(Which is to say, I'm in.)
posted by bakerina at 10:02 AM on October 20, 2012
(Which is to say, I'm in.)
posted by bakerina at 10:02 AM on October 20, 2012
Just to give you an idea, I spent about twenty-five dollars on this last year, most of which was on gold foil, parking quarters, some craft supplies and kale. Other people in my group spent more. However, I did know and called on:
A Russian translator
A phone sex operator
Some lawyers
My vet
Canadians
A Nobel prize winner
Musicians
A mall Santa
And we could have really used a gospel choir.
So while money can help, being able to call up on people and get them to participate is also a really useful skill.
posted by dinty_moore at 10:18 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
A Russian translator
A phone sex operator
Some lawyers
My vet
Canadians
A Nobel prize winner
Musicians
A mall Santa
And we could have really used a gospel choir.
So while money can help, being able to call up on people and get them to participate is also a really useful skill.
posted by dinty_moore at 10:18 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
"What is this, what’s it all about" is what I was thiking. Is there a part that explains it a little more?
posted by bongo_x at 10:22 AM on October 20, 2012
posted by bongo_x at 10:22 AM on October 20, 2012
"What is this, what’s it all about" is what I was thiking. Is there a part that explains it a little more?
I think it's pretty clear what it's about. It's a giant scavenger hunt, although instead of going door to door and collecting buttons and paperclips from neighbors, you create stunts or outlandish props and then videotape/photograph them and upload them to complete items on the list.
Ultimately, it will end up being 10 days of participating in tasks which take you outside your normal life, force you to be creative and use innovation to achieve goals, will cause you to seek out people with whom you may not normally have contact and ask them to do things for which you can provide no other explanation other than "it's for a game" and otherwise will distract you from mundane existence in ways which can only be achieved through allowing an outside force (the game) to dictate what you focus on for a few days.
Watch the video linked in the first comment above. It will give you a tiny glimpse of what people did last year.
posted by hippybear at 10:27 AM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
I think it's pretty clear what it's about. It's a giant scavenger hunt, although instead of going door to door and collecting buttons and paperclips from neighbors, you create stunts or outlandish props and then videotape/photograph them and upload them to complete items on the list.
Ultimately, it will end up being 10 days of participating in tasks which take you outside your normal life, force you to be creative and use innovation to achieve goals, will cause you to seek out people with whom you may not normally have contact and ask them to do things for which you can provide no other explanation other than "it's for a game" and otherwise will distract you from mundane existence in ways which can only be achieved through allowing an outside force (the game) to dictate what you focus on for a few days.
Watch the video linked in the first comment above. It will give you a tiny glimpse of what people did last year.
posted by hippybear at 10:27 AM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
Okay my outing got cancelled. Read some more and am in for sure.
Just joined team Quonsarites. :)
Oh and if there is any Canadian stuff this year I got that covered.
posted by Jalliah at 10:38 AM on October 20, 2012
Just joined team Quonsarites. :)
Oh and if there is any Canadian stuff this year I got that covered.
posted by Jalliah at 10:38 AM on October 20, 2012
I think it's pretty clear what it's about.
No, it wasn’t clear at all, everything just says how awesome it is. Your explanation, on the other hand, was simple and clear. Thank you. Sounds interesting.
posted by bongo_x at 10:44 AM on October 20, 2012
No, it wasn’t clear at all, everything just says how awesome it is. Your explanation, on the other hand, was simple and clear. Thank you. Sounds interesting.
posted by bongo_x at 10:44 AM on October 20, 2012
Ah. I guess I come from a group of friends who participate and design these kinds of events for each other on a regular basis and have done so for decades. It never occurred to me that others wouldn't immediately know what was going on with this.
I'm glad my description helped. If you participate, I hope you have a blast!
posted by hippybear at 10:56 AM on October 20, 2012
I'm glad my description helped. If you participate, I hope you have a blast!
posted by hippybear at 10:56 AM on October 20, 2012
Representin' NYC for Team Quonsarites!
posted by miss-lapin at 11:16 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by miss-lapin at 11:16 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
I love Misha Collins. That is all.
posted by kmz at 11:47 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by kmz at 11:47 AM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Question. If our team isn't full do they fill it up with individuals that sign up?
posted by Jalliah at 12:07 PM on October 20, 2012
I think the answer is yes, they do. Teams are fifteen people, and if you signed up as an individual, they'll add you to a team.
Uh, if you guys really need a fifteenth person, I'll be it. It just so happens that talking about how awesome this scavenger hunt was last makes one want to participate again, despite things like 'grades' and 'job searches'. Who knew?
posted by dinty_moore at 12:16 PM on October 20, 2012
Uh, if you guys really need a fifteenth person, I'll be it. It just so happens that talking about how awesome this scavenger hunt was last makes one want to participate again, despite things like 'grades' and 'job searches'. Who knew?
posted by dinty_moore at 12:16 PM on October 20, 2012
Okay cool dinty. It looks like we only have 5 so far on team Quon so was just wondering.
I have someone I just talked to so that's one more and my sister is thinking about it.
Got a women from work so I have someone here to do stuff with. :) She got so psyched when I told her about it. This type of thing is right up her alley. She's nuts and she loves Misha. We're in a small town and rural area so it should be some fun times. lol
posted by Jalliah at 12:21 PM on October 20, 2012
I've emailed a few people to join. If only I'd known sooner!
posted by miss-lapin at 12:31 PM on October 20, 2012
posted by miss-lapin at 12:31 PM on October 20, 2012
I've emailed a few people to join. If only I'd known sooner!
Yeah me too. I doubt they'll get it in time though.
I'm just happy I saw it in time at least.
posted by Jalliah at 12:35 PM on October 20, 2012
Slightly off-topic, but does anybody know why they keep writing Collins out of Supernatural for long stretches? Castiel is clearly a fan favorite, but he keeps dropping out of the plot for months at a time. Do the show's creators say the character is too hard to write for, or is Collins difficult to work with, or what the heck?
posted by Ursula Hitler at 1:28 PM on October 20, 2012
posted by Ursula Hitler at 1:28 PM on October 20, 2012
ANGEL CASTIEL: "It's not funny, Dean. The voice says I'm almost out of minutes!"
I'm not the biggest Supernatural fan by a long shot but something about that scene makes me lose my shit every time.
posted by Justinian at 1:41 PM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
I'm not the biggest Supernatural fan by a long shot but something about that scene makes me lose my shit every time.
posted by Justinian at 1:41 PM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
I suspect they're really not sure what to do with such a powerful character. I mean, they keep on depowering him, repowering him, then killing him off.
It does ruin some of the tension if anything that Sam and Dean can hunt can easily be killed/exorcised by castiel. And I know that Ben Edlund, at least, seems to really really like writing Cas.
posted by dinty_moore at 1:46 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
It does ruin some of the tension if anything that Sam and Dean can hunt can easily be killed/exorcised by castiel. And I know that Ben Edlund, at least, seems to really really like writing Cas.
posted by dinty_moore at 1:46 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Speaking of Supernatural I should get back to watching season 7. I only just recently started watching it on Netiflix. Part of me was, 'oh look what I've missed for years' and the other part was 'Cool, I now get to watch season after season like one big epic movie.' Season 7 just recently was released so I'm watching it before delving into this season 8 which I've been recording.
Cas is my favorite character by far.
posted by Jalliah at 1:55 PM on October 20, 2012
Just joined team Quonsarites! I am a bit worried I will be a shite team member, but I will aim to do my best.
posted by Acheman at 2:06 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Acheman at 2:06 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
So...a bit of a derail, but would Supernatural fans mind answering a question I have about the series? I started watching it because I heard lots of recommendations from people who like the kinds of series I like (Joss Whedon's oeuvre, BSG etc.). But half way through S1 it seems incredibly episodic. I mean, kinda fun, but utterly without any of the long-narrative-arc payoffs that seem central to my enjoyment of those other series. It's also without a single continuing female character--so the only women in it serve somewhat the same function as the "hot female alien" in the first Star Trek--someone for one or other of the boys to fall a little bit in love with and then promptly forget.
So, my question...does this change radically? And how long do you have to persist before you get to the change?
posted by yoink at 2:33 PM on October 20, 2012
So, my question...does this change radically? And how long do you have to persist before you get to the change?
posted by yoink at 2:33 PM on October 20, 2012
In terms of the long story arcs, it begins towards the end of season one and finally climaxes at the end of season 5 with a very wicked ending. As far as women go, there's a mother/daughter team that surfaces in the show but the boys love interests are pretty episodic. Oh, and Meg the demon. Some have complained that all the important women get killed in this show but the thing is, EVERYONE important gets killed. Ben Edlund and company must be GRRM fans because if you come to care about a character it is certain that something very bad is going to happen to them.
posted by Ber at 2:43 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Ber at 2:43 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
SPN has always been ... problematic when it comes to women characters. The constants are the two brothers and the car--everyone else is up for grabs. Seasons 4 and 5 are my favorites--5 ends with a whopper. Season 3 is my least favorite. The post-season 5 episodes suffer a bit because they've already had a huge climactic arc that could very well have been a great ending to the series, but they're still fun and there are some very fun nods to the fandom.
posted by lovecrafty at 3:07 PM on October 20, 2012
posted by lovecrafty at 3:07 PM on October 20, 2012
Even the brothers die but of course they have to be back somehow. With SPN it would be easier to list which characters don't have something really bad happen to them or die. I can't however think of one off the top of my head though.
posted by Jalliah at 3:19 PM on October 20, 2012
how long do you have to persist before you get to the change?
I hear it starts with hot flashes. Are you getting those?
posted by hippybear at 3:29 PM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
I hear it starts with hot flashes. Are you getting those?
posted by hippybear at 3:29 PM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
I hear it starts with hot flashes. Are you getting those?
I think you get stuck to the ceiling before the hot flashes start. That's my limited S1 understanding.
posted by yoink at 3:31 PM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
I think you get stuck to the ceiling before the hot flashes start. That's my limited S1 understanding.
posted by yoink at 3:31 PM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
how long do you have to persist before you get to the change?
I hear it starts with hot flashes. Are you getting those?
If the hot flashes are caused JDM getting a lot of screentime (and understandably so!), that sounds about right.
posted by dinty_moore at 3:33 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
I hear it starts with hot flashes. Are you getting those?
If the hot flashes are caused JDM getting a lot of screentime (and understandably so!), that sounds about right.
posted by dinty_moore at 3:33 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
So, I can't see from the outside... how many members does Team Quonsarites have now?
posted by hippybear at 3:58 PM on October 20, 2012
posted by hippybear at 3:58 PM on October 20, 2012
So I found the list of items from last year because I was curious what I got myself into. Here it is.
Of particular interest in the video category:
148. Someone tapping out in Morse code: “This Hunt has destroyed my family.” (9 points)
(What have I done?)
posted by miss-lapin at 4:52 PM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
Of particular interest in the video category:
148. Someone tapping out in Morse code: “This Hunt has destroyed my family.” (9 points)
(What have I done?)
posted by miss-lapin at 4:52 PM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
Ha ha. Oh dear. That list is nutz. Can't wait to see this years list. Looks like we're in for some fun.
posted by Jalliah at 5:16 PM on October 20, 2012
I look at that list, and realize that I truly don't have the resources to join up this year and make any meaningful contribution to a team. (I was reconsidering my earlier position as I watched the clock count down.)
I WILL be doing this next year. So I'll keep an eye on the calendar and will make a timely announcement to bring together Team Quonsarites a bit earlier and we'll all have a blast and will rock this thing.
posted by hippybear at 5:25 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
I WILL be doing this next year. So I'll keep an eye on the calendar and will make a timely announcement to bring together Team Quonsarites a bit earlier and we'll all have a blast and will rock this thing.
posted by hippybear at 5:25 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Signed up.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 5:29 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 5:29 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
i have never watched this show but i love this guy for the way he interacts with his fans & audience. he has one of the most engaging celebrity twitter accounts and is not shy to call out a fuck you or two to politicians and celebrities alike. really love his swagger.
posted by liza at 5:33 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by liza at 5:33 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'm in. And I'm going to use this as my excuse to scavenge the hell out my neighborhood. Whether I need stuff from around here or not.
posted by quin at 5:33 PM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by quin at 5:33 PM on October 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
What the hell, it's one week. I'm in.
posted by dinty_moore at 5:47 PM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by dinty_moore at 5:47 PM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
I had to google who Misha Collins was, but anyone who supports Good Times With Strangers is okay with me.
Are any other Australians going to join, or are you all just going to leave me hanging?
posted by Trivia Newton John at 5:49 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Are any other Australians going to join, or are you all just going to leave me hanging?
posted by Trivia Newton John at 5:49 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
So that appears to be 10 people signed up for the team.
I would be willing to toss in $5 to purchase a gift MeFi account for anyone assigned to the Quonsarites who isn't already a member.
posted by hippybear at 5:52 PM on October 20, 2012
I would be willing to toss in $5 to purchase a gift MeFi account for anyone assigned to the Quonsarites who isn't already a member.
posted by hippybear at 5:52 PM on October 20, 2012
Well my friend just joined,Trivia. She's Aussie but is here in Canada right now so that sorta counts? :)
posted by Jalliah at 5:52 PM on October 20, 2012
We could also to with some more continental coverage. Asia, continental Europe, Sth America... where you at?
posted by Trivia Newton John at 5:56 PM on October 20, 2012
posted by Trivia Newton John at 5:56 PM on October 20, 2012
My payment went to Conglomerated Ubiquitous Multinational. Keep it classy, Misha.
posted by dinty_moore at 6:01 PM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by dinty_moore at 6:01 PM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
I'm in Ontario, but could likely call some people for help on the West Coast.
Hopefully if the team isn't full by deadline the individuals we'll get will be from some of those places.
posted by Jalliah at 6:01 PM on October 20, 2012
My payment went to Conglomerated Ubiquitous Multinational. Keep it classy, Misha.
lol
I didn't notice that.
posted by Jalliah at 6:02 PM on October 20, 2012
lol
I didn't notice that.
posted by Jalliah at 6:02 PM on October 20, 2012
hot flashes are caused JDM getting a lot of screentime
mmmmm
posted by elizardbits at 6:33 PM on October 20, 2012
mmmmm
posted by elizardbits at 6:33 PM on October 20, 2012
2h8m left to register. How are the numbers now? 10 or 11 on the team?
posted by hippybear at 7:01 PM on October 20, 2012
posted by hippybear at 7:01 PM on October 20, 2012
10.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 7:03 PM on October 20, 2012
posted by [insert clever name here] at 7:03 PM on October 20, 2012
23 minutes left to register. The team is stuck at 10?
I wish I could commit to this, but in good conscience I cannot.
I will still pay for a MeFi membership for a recruited member to Team Quonsarities if they want one. That much I can do.
posted by hippybear at 8:49 PM on October 20, 2012
I wish I could commit to this, but in good conscience I cannot.
I will still pay for a MeFi membership for a recruited member to Team Quonsarities if they want one. That much I can do.
posted by hippybear at 8:49 PM on October 20, 2012
We just got #11 from my network. I have someone within 1000kms of me now!
posted by Trivia Newton John at 8:53 PM on October 20, 2012
posted by Trivia Newton John at 8:53 PM on October 20, 2012
For any interested onlookers, I will be giving public updates on quonsarites.tumblr.com there is also a post in the Metafilter group on Couchsurfing.org
Considering last year's list there needs to be a coordinated global offensive just to put a dent in this thing.
posted by Trivia Newton John at 4:33 PM on October 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
Considering last year's list there needs to be a coordinated global offensive just to put a dent in this thing.
posted by Trivia Newton John at 4:33 PM on October 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
So, I just realized that this whole thing is going to all begin the same week I'm supposed to start working with a lady that wants me to teach her some photography stuff. I'm thinking that [insert clever name here] and I should neglect to mention that we're on a scavenger hunt, and just try to convince her that this is what all photographers do.
"Yeah, see; the Christmas tree needs to be in the air so that you can learn to shoot at something moving, and it needs to be on fire so it looks interesting. Don't worry, I filled that ballon with Hydrogen, so it won't go far, and we'll be able to find it based on the giant expolsion..."
posted by quin at 8:22 PM on October 21, 2012 [4 favorites]
"Yeah, see; the Christmas tree needs to be in the air so that you can learn to shoot at something moving, and it needs to be on fire so it looks interesting. Don't worry, I filled that ballon with Hydrogen, so it won't go far, and we'll be able to find it based on the giant expolsion..."
posted by quin at 8:22 PM on October 21, 2012 [4 favorites]
So hurricane sandy is supposed to hit when this starts. This is going to make my hurricane prep plan more interesting I'm sure.
posted by miss-lapin at 8:34 PM on October 28, 2012
posted by miss-lapin at 8:34 PM on October 28, 2012
For those interested, Misha's holding another event Christmas Will Never be the Same. There are no details, but I've signed up and already received an email instructing to prepare my "holiday helmet" while I await further dispatches. I can't wait.
posted by miss-lapin at 11:23 AM on November 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by miss-lapin at 11:23 AM on November 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
« Older Not your usual cute kitty video | Grandpa Jones Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
I participated last year ("Hey Dinty, do you want to do insane things to win a trip to Italy with a C-list celebrity?" "DO I!"), and while I'm not participating again this year, it was a ton of fun, and meant that I got everyone I know involved. Seeing the ridiculousness come together was pretty damn awesome.
I was not responsible for either flying Christmas tree.
posted by dinty_moore at 7:26 AM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]