Re: A Modest Proposal

["Cartwright" <scottnvix@home.com>]

Hi all,
    I thought I would try to get a quick email in before my computer decides
to put its "head" back you know where (still.... in fact another error
message just popped up... they seem to be spontaneously generated.... having
trouble with the computer).  We are going to have to get some computer
consultation.  I've never had so many errors come up with a computer before.
So we are a little spotty with being able to retrieve email (never mind that
the ATT cable internet service goes down now and then.... ah computers).
    Anyway, Victoria and I had similar sentiments about the auction (it
really went smoothly and I would like to congratulate and thank everyone
that helped out and especially Erik who designed the entire auction
system...WELL DONE!................................. but everyone noticed
that a particular bidder or two were sucking up all the plants.  We just
wanted (like other people mentioned) to see everyone have a chance to get
some plants for a decent price.  In particular the dad (Peter) and his two
kids (Molly and __?) who sat through the entire auction.  At least they got
a few (thanks to Steve for that quickest bidder gets the plant).
    Some good ideas were mentioned about how to handle this in the future
and we can discuss those at the next board meeting.  Maybe we need to check
that bidders are not drunk or high before they get a bidder number :)  (I
believe that Sasquatch was the latter at the auction)....

----- Original Message -----
From: "Erik Olson" <erik@thekrib.com>
To: <gsas-board@thekrib.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2001 6:59 AM
Subject: A Modest Proposal


> I don't know about the rest of you guys, but Kathy and I both left the
> auction feeling "used".  Though things were moving way too quickly DURING
> the auction, after it was over those feelings started creeping in.  We can
> tell others must have been feeling similarly by the way everyone cleared
> out so quickly instead of the usual lingering, talking, etc.
>
> The purpose of the plant auction is to provide our memberS with some cool
> plants that the otherwise might not have access to.  This was undermined
> by the the two people in the front who outbid everyone else, irregardless
> of the specimen being offered.  While I am sure Heather will take care of
> the plants she bought, I have no doubts that many of the rare specimens
> will end up as Arrowana food in Sasquatch's tanks.
>
> I would like to propose two things to the board.
>
> First, by way of apology to the members, I propose we order 20 or 30
> potted Anubias nana (wholesale around $2-3) to distribute free to anyone
> who attended the auction and who actually shows up next month.  Kathy and
> I will bring some of our own cuttings for free as well. Also, I propose we
> order a set of "unusual" anubias (like that A. congo) for each of the 10
> runners, recorders and auctioneers & others who helped that night. This
> would be contingent on Sasquatch's check actually cashing.
>
> Second, I propose that we amend the rules of the auction to "cut people
> off" at, say, $300 or 25 items, whichever is more.  Kathy suggested
> another possibility of voluntary cutoffs value to be entered at
> registration time.
>
>
> Anyway, that said, everyone did an excellent job running the *&!@ thing.
> We were supposed to have four computers, which would have handled the
> registration simultaneously with the bidding, but two of the computers
> didn't work with the scanners.  I promise to test the "extra" systems
> BEFORE borrowing them next time!  I didn't see how the runners managed
> with the tagging system; maybe Don or Bob can comment on how that ran.
>
> From memory, we cleared just over $1600 -- $400 of this was in splits, and
> $300 is owed to Delaware Aquatic, and about $100 to Sam for the driftwood.
> So if Sasquatch's check clears, we will have netted around $800.  (If his
> check bounces, we will net about $100).
>
> Hey, just thought of something -- we could accept payments via PayPal in
> the future.  We can talk about that at the board meeting.
>
>   - Erik
>
> --
> Erik Olson
> erik at thekrib dot com
>
>