ROUND ROBIN #2 is as follows:

1) Dennis Whelan - Trenton, NJ
2) Bob McKeon - North Attleboro, MA
3) Jennifer Coburn - Sacramento, CA
4) Bob Scroope - Mount Sinai, NY
5) Me - Brooksville, FL

Please post here when you receive and send the Round Robin. Thanks!

BonnieJean

Package recieved yesterday (9-17) and mailed out to Bob today(9-18).

Dennis

The package was not in my mail box today, but hopefully it will arrive tomorrow. I have my cards ready to go to replace as many as I take from the package.

Will two first class stamps cover the postage? I'd rather just drop it in a mail box than go to the P.O. to figure the exact postage cost.

Bob

Two first class stamps equals 74¢, the package only needs 60¢. I think you got it covered!

Bob, I went to the post office yesterday and asked if they had a 60 cent stamp. The postal clerk said 37 + 23 = 60, duh... Then she asked how many of those did I want and I told her none!
Just put one first class stamp and one postcard stamp and you should be all set!

If you want to go to the Post Office to drop it off, just go up to their desk and they will give you an exact postage label to put on your envelope. Or, like Mombo stated, just put a First Class 37¢ stamp and a "makeup" stamp, also known as a postcard stamp and vola! You got your postage!

I received the package when I returned home from work today. I kept 7 cards and replaced them with 7 great east coast cards. The envelope is going back into the mail tonight.

As far as postage expense, Dennis apparently went to the Post Office and they charged him 83 cents. I will play it on the safe side by attaching two 37 cent stamps and a 23 cent stamp. I have those in stock and I'd rather not run to the P.O. tonight before it closes.

Jennifer, the cards are on their way!

Bob

I had some other things to mail anyway so I took it to the Post Office and that's what came up on the scale.

Dennis

I think it will depend on the cards inside the robin. Some are thicker then others and there by the need for more postage.

Stephanie

Hey Jennifer, ...Did the cards arrive yet? They were put in the mail box on the 20th. I hope they didn't get lost.

Bob

Bob M, I think that Jennifer is having problems with her computer. Bob S, please let us know when you receive the Round Robin. Thanks!

I was wondering too? Thanks for info, I'll be looking. I haven't seen them yet.
Bob

Still no word from Jennifer. Now I am getting concerned. I do hope those cards didn't get lost in the mail.

Hey Bob (Scroope), ...Let us know if you receive the package from Jennifer. It can be very frustrating to have your computer crash when you need it to communicate.

By the way I purchased 77 more postcards at the Lighthouse Depot yesterday. They were different than other cards I had in my collection. Now I'm ready for any postcard exchange or round robin!

Bob

Still NADA, Bob (M).

Does anyone know the current status of Round Robin #2?

Inquiring minds on the east coast, where it's very dark and very warm, and I'm soon on my way to haul It's Only Money, would like to know.

Bob

It Stands as it did on 9/20!
I'm waiting for the cards you sent to Jennifer on the West Coast to return to me on the East Coast. Hopefully, it's just a Post Office snafu. We don't know if Jennifer got yours since her pc crashed. BonnieJean knew her pc crashed. So I'm patiently waiting, and will post when I get them.
Bob S.

Unfortunately, this "round robin" has become a "flat robin" because it has failed to continue. This long delay is taking the fun out of it.

We must locate the problem before total interest is lost. The way I see it, either Jennifer hasn't had a chance to get replacement postcards for the ones she wanted from the envelope I sent her, or she never received the envelope I sent.

Bonnie Jean, you were the originator of this fun thing to do, what would you suggest? I'm willing to put another ten cards in an envelope if you think my original package got lost in the mail. The only other option would be to call Jennifer and find out if the problem lies with her. Even if her computer crashed, you really don't need to use your computer to forward the package to the next person. All the instructions and addresses are in the package.

Let's do something, soon. This was a great idea until now.

Bob

From the main Round Robin topic:
'posted 10-02-2002 12:28 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BonnieJean has been in the hospital. That is why she has not been on the forums for several days. Be assured (I know BonnieJean) as soon as she is up to it, she will be back in FULL force!

Nothing serious folks, just some elective surgery. You should be hearring from her in a few days.

Stephanie'

I'm sorry for the delay in replying to this problem. As my friend Stephanie noted, I did have surgery, but am back up and running now.

In regards to the Round Robin "Problem". Bob M, as long as you mailed out the robin, then you are no longer responsible for them. I will contact Jennifer C by Snail Mail and ask her if she ever received them and if she did, what is the problem. Bob S, please let me know if you do receive the robin from her. Do to my surgery and getting ready for it, I put Round Robin #5 on hold. I will put your name on the top of the list and will mail the robin out to you tomorrow. This way you will be able to trade and if Jennifer does finally send Round Robin #2 to you, you will have 10 more postcards to pick from.

Again, I am really sorry for the delay, this is why I started the robins out small - it's easier to find and weed out those that aren't serious about trading. Unless Jennifer has a good excuse, I will drop her from our robin. I hope everyone else enjoyed the Robin - I will send it out either as soon as it arrives back from Jennifer/Bob or I will put 10 more postcards in and will send it out.

BonnieJean

BonnieJean,

Glad you are feeling better. It went from BonnieJean all the time to no BonnieJean in no time.

Just about the time I was wondering what happened- tired fingers, etc., I heard about the surgery.

This will probably not be a problem, but don't forget I'll be out of town from 10-6 until 10-13 so if you do get RR #2 going again push me back into the pack a bit.

Dennis

Good to see you back at the forum, Bonnie Jean! I hope we can get Round Robin #2 back on track. It's a great idea and I'm glad you thought of it. The only detrimental part is when there is a lapse in mailing and no communication regarding the stopage.

Bob

Thank you Dennis and Bob M for your "Get Well's". I promise you will hear a lot from me again. And ya'll thought you got rid of me - not that easily! LOL :p

Dennis, I will have the Robin sent to you second to last the next round so it doesn't arrive during your trip.

Bob S, I have added you also to Round Robin #5, so you should be receiving a Robin within the next couple of days - Tuesday or Wednesday. I have written a letter to Jennifer, explaining the situation and clarifying the rules. Hopefully she will respond in a timely matter and will send the postcards she received from Bob M back to me. I will then send them on to you Bob S, so that you can have your chance at the cards. If you happen to receive Round Robin #2 from Jennifer, please let me know. If I get no response from Jennifer and you do not receive the robin from her by the end of next week, I will put 10 more lighthouse postcards together and will send them out to you.

I hope this doesn't happen again - the other Robins seem to be doing well. *Knock on Wood!* {Knock, Knock}

BonnieJean

Thanks for the update BonnieJean. As things develope, I'll post asap. Glad you're back and all is well. Things happen which I understand. No Biggie here. Thanks for getting these RRs going. Your efforts are appreciated. This is a great new idea to the Forum to bridge the lull in the other lighthouse exchanges.
all the best,
Bob

Saturday 12noon mail - still MIA RR2

Is there still a RR #2?

RR2 still not received by me. Below is BonnieJean's resolve to get it back on track. I will update when we're back in business. - BobS.

Since I've heard nothing encouraging about the future of Round Robin #2, can I make a motion it be declared over after such an extended period of time in limbo? Perhaps RR#2R (revised) should be attempted with an altered cast of characters.

Bob

I have not heard anything from Jennifer, so I guess those postcards are now either in the middle of the ocean with the anchored ships waiting to dock or they have a new home with Jennifer. Either way, she has been dropped from the Robin. I have enclosed 10 new postcards.

Round Robin #2-1 is as follows:

1) Bob M. - North Attleboro, MA
2) Sweetpshirin - Norwalk, CT
3) Wheland - Trenton, NJ
4) rscroope - Mount Sinai, NY
5) Randy Kremer - Mason, OH
6) Me - Brooksville, FL

I guess it is true what they say - "The squeakiest wheel always gets the oil." Bob M, I have picked you to be the first to receive the robin. I hope this helps with the delay you have had to endure.

All of you have been on a robin before, so you know the rules - please post here when you receive the robin so we all know when to expect our turn. Thanks.

The robin will be mailed out tomorrow since there will be no USPS pickup or delivery today due to Columbus Day. Thank goodness he sailed the ocean blue - we may not have lighthouses and we on here would have nothing to do.

Many thanks, BonnieJean, for getting RR#2 back with the program. I'm looking forward to receiving the package and forwarding it on to the next person on the list.

Bob

I thought I was next? And what happened to Randy?
So much for patience?

Bob S, I figured that some one might get upset due to the fact that you were the first on Round Robin #5, plus that you wouldn't get a fair chance at new postcards due to the fact that I am pretty much sending out the same postcards as I did on Round Robin #5. If you have a problem with this, please let me know - I know that you didn't get your fair chance the first go around and I plan to make that up to you outside of the robin.

About me forgetting to add Randy - you are right about that, I have cut open the envelope and included his name on the Robin - check out my last post on this thread - I have edited it to show Randy on the list. Thank you for reminding me.

I hope that everyone else is okay with the list. If not, please let me know. Thanks!

OK, thanks for the explanation.
Bob

Hey BonnieJean, ...Will you be changing the address mix every once in awhile? Many of us have been involved in several, if not all, of the postcard exchanges. There will be a lot of duplicate cards coming especially with four people in this exchange coming from the east coast. It would be nice to go back and forth from west to east and north to south to provide the best variety of cards.

I always look for new and different lighthouse cards whenever I'm at the coast or the islands. Usually I see the same cards all the time. I'm afraid I will eventually receive ten cards and have all of them be duplicates.

Bob

Hey Bob, do you read these topics?

See above

The orders are posted for
round 1
ROUND ROBIN #2 is as follows:

1) Dennis Whelan - Trenton, NJ
2) Bob McKeon - North Attleboro, MA
3) Jennifer Coburn - Sacramento, CA
4) Bob Scroope - Mount Sinai, NY
5) Me - Brooksville, FL

and round 2
Round Robin #2-1 is as follows:

1) Bob M. - North Attleboro, MA
2) Sweetpshirin - Norwalk, CT
3) Wheland - Trenton, NJ
4) rscroope - Mount Sinai, NY
5) Randy Kremer - Mason, OH
6) Me - Brooksville, FL

Looks like a shuffle to me! I think BonnieJean has been doing these for awhile.

Bob

Bob S., I think what Bob M. means is sending say the RR 1 to the RR 2 folks, etc. as I alluded to some time ago.

But with some folks joining more than one RR this won't necessarily help much, but it would certainly help some.

Seeing we're only on the 2nd round perhaps just rotating the order within the robins will work for now. It's early days yet. And keep in mind only one group, the RR 3 folks even got it right the first time!

(Man this is confusing enough without having to remember which Bob is saying what! )

"M to S", "M to S"...."Do you read me S?" (Note: one Bob talking to another Bob, because Bob spelt backwards is Bob.)

RR#2 involved the states of MA, CT, NJ, CA, & FL.

RR#2(revised) involves MA, CT, NJ, NY,OH, & FL.

I realize the mailing list isn't the same order but a lot of the postcards will probably be the same because the MA person often visits the area frequented by CT and NY, and maybe even NJ. Most of us have been involved in several postcard exchanges with the nice folks from Florida.

My buddy from OH (Hi Randy!) may have some different cards, but the rest of us will probably have the same cards from previous exchanges.

What I was proposing was a round robin that went from MA to OR to NJ to CA to TX or something like that. Postcards from neighboring states are easily obtainable. Postcards from opposite sides of the country are usually a little more difficult.

My dream would be to find ten postcards I don't have in the package and not nine cards I already have. I bought some great cards at the Lighthouse Depot earlier in the month that the next lucky person after me will love to have. But, in order for me to put those in the package, I have to take some out of the package. (Special note: I won't remove any cards I already have from the package.)

I know, I know ..K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid!) I'm just speaking my mind and hoping for the best out of BonnieJean's efforts.

"Bob M is not an attorney, is not attending law school, and has no desire to become a bottom-feeder. Bob M is not associated with any law firm nor do I sell items on the Home Shopping Network. Bob M does enjoy mixing it up with my fellow lighthouse friends at an undisclosed location ( www.lighthousekeepers.com )"

That's it for now, and you will not be hearing from my attorney!

Bob

Bob,

I agree with you. It would be nicer if the states represented were more mixed up.

BonnieJean please don't take this a criticism of your fine efforts.

Here's an idea- the next time you start the Round Robins if possible maybe you could mix them up a little more.

I think the problem was that this was started and just kept growing because so many wanted to get into the act and the Robins were just set up with whoever chimed in first.

The basic idea is a great one, we're just talking about a little tweaking here and there. Again, your efforts are greatly appreciated BonnieJean.

Dennis

Dear judge, Forum Prosecutor(s), and members of the jury! Due to the fact that I do not have money to pay for a lawyer (because I am usually buying Harbour Lights or visiting lighthouses), I have decided to defend myself in this trial.

Regarding the case - the Forum vs. Round Robin #2 - I hereby promise to testify honestly and bluntly. I would love to be able to "mix up" or "Tweak" the mailing order a bit more to give the members of Round Robin #2 a bit more of a variety, but if you will notice from Exhibits (Round Robins) # 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 (both original and revised) the following number of individuals have applied for the Round Robins:

Alabama – 1
Arizona – 1
California - 1
Connecticut – 1
Florida – 2
Georgia – 1
Indiana – 2
Ohio - 1
Oregon - 1
Maine – 1
Massachusetts – 1
Missouri – 1
New Hampshire - 1
New Jersey – 1
New York – 4
North Carolina – 1
Texas – 1
Utah – 1
Virginia - 1

If I take out all the participants from the East Coast of the US, I am left with:

Arizona – 1
California – 1
Indiana – 2
Ohio – 1
Oregon – 1
Missouri – 1
Texas – 1
Utah – 1

As you will note from prior posts:

Arizona – John C. is currently on Round Robin # 1, he has not contacted me to request to be placed on an additional robin. As a matter of fact on the thread titled “Lighthouse Postcard Round Robin” post # 29 – John C. made a comment referring to being placed on additional Round Robins. And I quote “I understood that if you were in #1, for example, by the time ran through the 6 people, it would be sent on to the first person again and should have 10 new cards, depending on how many each person took and replaced.” Posted by John C. on 9/19/02 @ 12:45 p.m.

California – Jennifer C. – as all of you on Round Robin #2 are aware, she is the reason Round Robin #2 took a severe nose-dive. I hope no more explanation is needed.

Indiana – John & Karen, which are on Round Robin #1, have not expressed any interest at this time to join another robin. And the second participant in Indiana, Stephen, is still new and hasn't even received his first Round Robin (#5).

Ohio – of course is your friend Randy K – which I have to say slipped by the cracks and is now on 3 round robins while I was trying to limit everyone to 2 at this time.

Oregon – JoAnn – is on Round Robin # 5 (her first) and the robin has yet found it's way to her.

Missouri – Chris – see comment about Oregon (different name, same situation).

Texas – Tom & Joyce are on Robin Robins #3 & #5 – as with my comment about Ohio – I am trying to limit everyone to 2 robins so that everyone has a fair chance at being on a robin.

Utah – Lorie Roe is on Round Robin #4 and has not yet expressed the interest of joining a second robin.

As the evidence has been shown to you of the jury, the fact that most of the respondents for the robins are from the East Coast, the mixing of the robins is not my fault. True, originally the robins were started as the names came in. True, some have been add to the robins as they have come in. True, I do plan to add more names to each robin as they come in. But it is false to say that it's my fault that the Robins aren't mixing up enough – it seems that the people on the West Coast just aren't interested in trading with us on the East Coast. If anyone should be on trial here, it should be all of the Lighthouse Lovers/Wackos on the West Coast that haven't contacted me to enter the robins.

I have stated, repeatedly, that I started the Round Robins off small to make sure everyone understood the robins and so that I would also have room to add more partipents as they came in. I can not send them to people in different areas if people in different areas do not respond to my posts.

One final thought for the members of the jury before they come to a decision – On the thread titled “Lighthouse Postcard Round Robin” post # 17 on 9/13/02 @ 7:00 p.m., I posted a summary of the participants of the round robins. I then mentioned that we had the whole East Coast covered (especially New York) in postcard traders, but needed more from the West Coast to join. The response I was given was from John C on post #19 on 9/15/02 @ 12:55 p.m. And I quote, “You are assuming, I think, that individuals will be including cards with lighthouses from their 'home' state. I gather my exchange post cards from my travels -- or by special arrangement from individuals who live in states with at least one more lighthouse than we have here in AZ.”

Now tell me, how can you argue with a Saint? :p

Many folks do travel and pick up extra cards from these trips so their home location does not necessarily mean that all their cards will be from "home" lights.

Bob M just has to get out of the Northeast once in a while.

Case dismissed for lack of evidence.

I would think the solution would be to:
(1) allow participation in only one round robbin
(2) as each robbin is returned to BonnieJean, restructure the entire robbin. Move folks around so they exchange with different folks each robbin.

Randy and I live only a couple hundred miles apart in the midwest. Randy has been to the east coast of FL and is going to Cape Romain. Not sure where else he is traveling. I have been to northern CA, OR, WA, WI, MI, PA, NY, CT, NJ, FL & GA (and IN) this year. My point is, just because we live reasonably close to each other, chances are our card inventory is different. Bob's point about being regional is valid, but the bigger issue is that the more robbins you are in the harder it will be to interface with a continually new group of people. Stick to only one and mix up the members.

IMHO,

Dave

My three albums of postcards and the other 100 of so I have lying around, pretty much cover the popular lights of the east coast from Maine to Florida. I also have quite a few from the Great Lakes area. What I don't have is a lot of west coast cards, Texas, Louisiana, etc.cards.

I have right around 200 brand new cards that I purchased for postcard exchanges and the round robins. I search hard to find different cards wherever I travel. I'm delighted if a find a card of some obscure light that never gets any real attention. Hopefully, the RR#2 revised will bring something different into my collection.

I like this project!

Bob

For the record counselor:
RR2 round 1 involved Fla, NJ, MA
(BonnieJean is resolving the NY part - FL,NY, FL)

It might be a good idea to post the number of cards you take and replace (as some other RRs are doing), to give BonnieJean some feedback as to how the robin goes. Since the RR always goes back to BonnieJean she has the ability take cards from one RR to another RR or add 10 new ones.
The concern about everyone from the same region is something to watch. I expressed this to BonnieJean privately by email about a week ago.

Now can we just get along?

Okay, put simply - I will be adding new people to this robin when I get an interested participant. I would love to add someone from outside the East Coast area, but frankly only a few outside of this area seem interested in joining in on the fun. I will also be changing the order the list is sent out in so that no one keeps getting the same cards from the same people. Of course everyone is always picking up (or ordering online) new cards, so their robin cards may always be different. Plus you may get new cards that you've never seen from an area you have a lot of cards (I just received RR#4 back and received a FL Lighthouse card I didn't have, from a person from NH no less - you just never know). As Bob S also mentioned - I do switch cards from one robin to the next to keep things lively.

At this time I am starting to wonder if I have upset you Bob M. I notice that you are only on this Round Robin, were you wanting to be on another robin and I didn't put you on one? I don't remember you wanting to be placed on another one, but I can easily add you to you if you like. Or is it that you just don't like this robin? If you would like to be moved to another robin, please let me know. Or if you would like to be placed on another robin, please let me know. If you have a certain robin you would like to be on, please let me know. I want everyone to enjoy the robins and not have to complain all the time while doing so.

Until I get someone from outside the East Coast, I will continue to mix up the mailing order and send it out. I do not believe you want to wait any longer than neccessasry for me to send the robin, as Bob M. has expressed repeatedly. Trust me, I want to receive as many new cards as possible also - I will work as hard as possible to make sure everyone is receiving new cards, but this is still a new exchange and every thing new has it's ups and downs. This will get better as we go and get more added into the system. I am also very concerned about people getting duplicates, but with more input on what kind of cards you are interested in or are trading, we can keep that from happening. Just keep the lines of communication open as to what you need and have.

I guess that East Coast Lighthouse Lovers are just more interested in collecting and trading Lighthouse postcards than West Coast Lighthouse Lovers! :p

Hi BonnieJean, ...In answer to one part of your latest post here: From Lighthouse Round Robin -"Hi Bonnie, ...If you have no takers to fill this round, please put my name and address on the list. I'm already in round robin #2, but I wouldn't mind being in another." Posted 9/16/02

Hey Bob S, ..I posted what I took from the RR#2:
"I received the package when I returned home from work today. I kept 7 cards and replaced them with 7 great east coast cards. The envelope is going back into the mail tonight." Posted 9/20/02

Bob

Okay Bob M, I stand corrected - I will place you in another robin - do you have one that you would like to be placed in? I'm sorry that I didn't place you in another one before now - with work, the robins, the floods of email, and the FLA - I've been kind of busy - it just slipped my notice. Easy to fix - just tell me where you would like to be placed!

7 cards in a good number. As each of us visit other Lighthouses I'm sure are supply will change. I may be going to Michigan next month and can get some wonderful lighthouse postcards then. If duplication gets to be a problem I will do something, but for now I will wait and see if we can get any one from the West Coast interested in joining us.

By the Way, I got a package today - you're not going to believe who it was from!!! The package had a postmark from California. Jennifer returned the robin - stating that she was currrently going to college and didn't have time to participant as she thought she would. So I again have 10 postcards, all is well in Round Robin World! Hope this Robin goes well, but I believe it will because you are all Pros now. :p

Thanks BonnieJean for your Herculean efforts in starting and maintaining the RR.As you know I'm signed up for #5.Please sign me up for another RR as I purchased 25 cards when we were in Alaska.Ok you Westcoasters does this wet your appetite?
JoAnn

Postman just arrived at the house and I found Round Robin #2-1 in my mail box. Great cards, BonnieJean! I kept six and replaced them with six cards that I bought at the Lighthouse Depot a couple of weeks ago.

The package is going to the Post Office this afternoon. You should have it by mid-week, Shirin!

Now this is a little more like it!

Bob

Thanks for the heads up Bob. I'll make sure to post the robin's arrival and when I send it back out. I'm looking forward to seeing the cards you've picked up from the Depot.

shirin

Well, the middle of the week came quicker than I thought. The robin arrived today! I've already decided on the 7 cards I'm taking and replacing with new ones. I'll be mailing out the package tomorrow to Dennis.

Shirin

Shirin,

I'll be on the lookout for it in my mailbox.

Dennis

WOW! This is really a little more like it! Are you proud of us, BonnieJean?

Bob

Good! I'm glad that this Robin is finally on track, as I knew it would. I received a couple of emails from some of our fellow Wackos from the Central or West US Coastline. I will add Oregon to your list and we'll see where everthing leads from there. I wasn't that worried about duplicates this soon into the robins, but they would have become a concern the further we got into them. I believe we will be fine, as new people will be added as we go.

I'm glad that you are finally enjoying the robin Bob - I just hope the other Bob enjoys it as much (or at least receives it :p ).

At the rate this robin is going, we should be on our third round before any of the other robins. Keep up the good work!