GWJ Secret Stan 2018: Who Was That Masked Elf?!

I don't want to bring the mood down in here, but I want to emphasize just how perfect the timing on this gift was. I've had a crap day. A really crap day. I've been dealing with funeral preparations for my grandfather, and trying to gain approval to take my final exams at a later date. After many phonecalls, chasing up 5 days worth of evidence supporting my claim, the exam coordinator still failed to make themselves available. For FIVE days, they were "on a break" "out of the office" or "too busy" to assess my claim each time.

So in short, today I found out I am required to sit my most important exam at the exact same time I should be at my grandfather's funeral. No exceptions. The kicker? My third exam clashes with my partner's grandmother's funeral. I can't believe what is happening.

I was on the phone, almost in tears when my partner walked in with the gift which was (apparently) humorously wedged in our tiny letterbox. Thankyou, Aristophan, this couldn't have come at a better time. I really mean that.

Tastefully giftwrapped!

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/pR8lL4S.jpg)

And WOW this couldn't be more perfect! Thankyou so much for your generosity, I'm honestly lost for words.

I was literally just googling Ys reviews last night and asking "where do I start?" because the series looks really interesting. I can't wait to try it! It's going to serve me very well on the 2 hour train trips to university.

And the comics! Amazing picks! I loved the personal touch (which I'm not sure if I should mention here, but you know what I mean )

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/wpZW665.jpg)

Shalalm al Baskur, friend.

Wow, A_Unicycle. I'm so, so sorry, for your loss, and the stuff you have to deal with regarding your exam. Fingers crossed you manage to get a hold of the exam coordinator and that they're reasonable.

On my end, another package has made its way to me! Still at work, but I plan to do another unboxing tonight. Thank you so much, Stanta!
Wow... It's kinda heavy...

Edit: It's OFFICIAL! Bonus_Eruptus is the best Secret Stanta in Goodjer history! On top of gifting me Unavowed for my birthday two days ago, I have received two absolutely drop dead gorgeous art book: The Art of Dragon Age Inquisition and the Art of Mass Effect: Andromeda. And as if that wasn't enough (because let's face it, you've already spoiled me silly, Bonus), a note mysteriously promises that there's another "another gift coming." Bonus, THANK YOU, I am not worthy!!!

IMAGE(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dt1M5snXQAESNyv.jpg)

bhchrist wrote:

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/YlouwaX.jpg?1)

You have surprised a kobold.

Ah! In the lands around Sokal Keep are full of 'em!

After a 14 hour workday that included a 5 hour drive home, a package was sitting on my kitchen table last night. A wonderful concluding gift from my generous (and still mysterious, outside of IRL name and address) Secret Stanta. Thank you so much. It shall be worn for this Sunday's session along with an Advent cocktail. Cheers!

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/wFCWUb3.jpg?1)

UPS Santa has received the gift and should be delivering it next week.

A_Unicycle - thanks for sharing, and I'm so sorry for your loss. Honestly my week has been rather emotional as well, and seeing that the gift actually made it across the Pacific made my day.

Before this summer I had never played a Ys game either, but Ys VIII is going on my top 10 list this year. It is great!

Trichy, are you checking PMs? Just want to make sure mine didn't get overlooked

Santee, the last of your assortment of really quite inappropriate gifts arrives tomorrow and I plan to get them repackaged and sent along their merry way early next week.

Good news. The pizza resistance has left the USPS carrier facility in NYC and is traveling southward toward Bodymore, Murdaland. I expect to have it in my hands by mid week. From there it will make its way to you, Victim.

DeThroned wrote:

Trichy, are you checking PMs? Just want to make sure mine didn't get overlooked :)

I am, and it was not! Instructions were followed.

Whoaw somebody's getting pizza !!?!?!?!?

ok, secondary package contents acquired. Just need to finish [BLANK] and maybe throw in some [BLANK] and it'll be ready to pack up and ship out. Fingers crossed!

pyxistyx wrote:

ok, secondary package contents acquired. Just need to finish [BLANK] and maybe throw in some [BLANK] and it'll be ready to pack up and ship out. Fingers crossed!

BLANK! BLANK! You're not looking at the bigger present!

Third package mailed this morning, Dee. Incoming! (Allow a solid week for it to cross the Atlantic)

I have gotten 1 item for my santee.
I may want to speed up...

All goodies wrapped and 3D tetris-ed into a USPS box!

Skraut wrote:
Rahmen wrote:

Dear Stantee,

Your gifts are on the way and two of the three may arrive quickly with the third sometime before Dec 11th.

- Rahmen

So, today I went up on my roof to hang Christmas lights. I don't remember any packages being at my front door when I went up, and I think I would have noticed a delivery while I was up there, so I'm not sure how Rahmen's elves did it, but there was most definitely a package on my front porch when I came down.

Spoiler:

IMAGE(https://i.ibb.co/cLY43KW/IMG-20181202-181651.jpg)
First up is Blood Sweat and Pixels, the story of how many of today's biggest games were made. As someone who worked in game development almost 20 years ago, it's interesting to see how some of these stories will compare with my own. Really excited to read this.

IMAGE(https://i.ibb.co/nbdPWs9/IMG-20181202-181718.jpg)
Next up is Level Up, which seems like a huge 500+ page college textbook on game design. I haven't done much game development in the past year due to some life constraints, so perhaps this book will help get me back into hobby game development again

Thanks so much Rahmen, I still don't know what wizardry you used to make these appear on my front porch, but I'm definitely looking forward to reading both!

Rahmen strikes again, this time he apparently had a portrait of me commissioned, and it came out pretty well

IMAGE(https://i.ibb.co/nfFkZvf/IMG-20181208-171415.jpg)

Spoiler:

I switch to Bastion so often while GWJ'ers are playing Overwatch that Bastion has affectionately been renamed "Skraut." Even if someone on the other team switches to Bastion, someone on voice coms will yell "They have a Skraut"

Thanks again Rahmen, all these gifts are awesome!

And to my Stan, please keep being patient I'll soon be able to complete construction of my evil masterpiece

Glad it made it. Enjoy the holidays!

Eleima wrote:

Third package mailed this morning, Dee. Incoming! (Allow a solid week for it to cross the Atlantic)

Wait, third? I already received 3 packages! The notebook, the cursive workbooks, and the fountain pen and ink! You're getting ridiculous now.

Christmas card mailed yesterday, Amelie. (Allow a solid 7-21 days for it to cross the Atlantic.)

sometimesdee wrote:
Eleima wrote:

Third package mailed this morning, Dee. Incoming! (Allow a solid week for it to cross the Atlantic)

Wait, third? I already received 3 packages! The notebook, the cursive workbooks, and the fountain pen and ink! You're getting ridiculous now.

Christmas card mailed yesterday, Amelie. (Allow a solid 7-21 days for it to cross the Atlantic.)

Well the first two were supposed to arrive together, that was phase 1.
Phase 3 was mailed from my neck of the woods. I'm horribly disappointed, though, because my brain short-circuited, and I forgot to add a little extra something... Kinda bummed.

But not Murderbummed.

ok. i have a couple of things to print out and then I think I can finally get around to packaging this thing up. Next couple of days, tops!

Eleima wrote:
sometimesdee wrote:
Eleima wrote:

Third package mailed this morning, Dee. Incoming! (Allow a solid week for it to cross the Atlantic)

Wait, third? I already received 3 packages! The notebook, the cursive workbooks, and the fountain pen and ink! You're getting ridiculous now.

Christmas card mailed yesterday, Amelie. (Allow a solid 7-21 days for it to cross the Atlantic.)

Well the first two were supposed to arrive together, that was phase 1.
Phase 3 was mailed from my neck of the woods. I'm horribly disappointed, though, because my brain short-circuited, and I forgot to add a little extra something... Kinda bummed.

I'm not sure the Murderbutts would get by customs.

Finally finished my final finishing touches. It's all boxed up for an after-work drop-off tomorrow, from which it will proceed up (depending on how you hold the map) toward the abode of my stantee. Hoping for a later-in-the-week delivery.

Posted. From outback Australia....to somewhere....not close. Lets hope it gets there in time, Stantee.

And shipped! Stanta is on his way Stantee.

STantee,

Gifts acquired, but a couple inches of snow have managed to completely paralyze my home city, so package will be in the mail later this week once the riots and cries of apocalypse have died down.

Stantee- Your gift is out for delivery. Enjoy. Should you desire inspiration for it’s use, I suggest the following:

http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/slo...

OK, contents for secondary package are collected and boxed, I just need to get off ma butt in the next couple of days and get it properly sealed up and out for delivery.

Gifts are away. ETA Friday. Here’s hoping they’re enjoyed.