GRcade Secret Santa 2016 - Full Reveal pg22 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Hyperion wrote:

LewisD wrote:My recipient hasn't posted yet. He hates his presents :'(

My one from last year hasn't posted since

I really loved the Transformers game - sorry for the late response. Really late.

Partridge Iciclebubbles wrote:

Falsey's Sack wrote:Also thanks for running it Super Nintendo Chalmers.

Seconded, Chalmers did an amazing job.

Thanks guys. Got a new found respect for buffalo with the work that he did. Hopefully it all went ok for everyone.

Hopefully I'll get to do it again next year.

Massive thanks for running this, Super Nintendo Chalmers!

Yep. Massive thanks and respect for running it mate.

xx

Pattybean wrote:

Super Dragon 64 you are a total legend. Can't describe how happy I am with these.

The state of that rug

Well done Chalmers, you've done a tremendous job!

Green Gecko - I'm so sorry for being a reverse Vesp and not being around to receive my gift! I hope you'll forgive a later reveal!

Egg Knog wrote:Thank you so much, Dan.ta Claus. Now I know why you suddenly started following me on my twitter account that I hardly use.

I'd already sorted your presents by then! I went through some of your post history instead The Twitter follow was just because I thought you were posting some decent stuff! Glad you liked your gifts. Merry Christmas!

Yeah after opening my highly disappointing work secret Santa, it's made me realise how much effort goes into this one. Charmers did a great job co-ordinating, thank you! And it's wonderful to see not only the extravagant expense that's gone into presents, but how personal they are for Internet strangers browsing a post history.

Omg I have to be the latest opening, spent all day with my granny who has dementia and had a lovely time, my family didn't do presents as we're basically modest (got a copy of my cousin's EP, chocolate etc).

But this has to be one of the most thoughtful gifts of all time. I thought my dad (who I saw separately) guessing what I might like based on stalking my business pages was intuitive as he's usually clueless but this took a long look back at my art school days at least 4 years ago and things I really should do more. Creative gifts are the best as I'll make so much more with these things.

Anyway, onto the dark room in the middle of an Essex cottage near a reservoir after everyone has gone to bed and literally had to sneak upstairs. No, I don't live in total darkness...



Sequential opening is new to me. But my girlfriend said this was probably wrapped by a man. None the less



It's a USB microcontroller turn things into doey thing thing, which you can carry around on your key chain so you always have something to programme to turn random objects into switches, synthesisers, etc. My santee probably knew I made art installations using similar things, and I'm probably going to make a banana synth tomorrow. I literally spent 2 years of my life going things like this, and somehow got a 2:1 degree in it, but haven't done anything since then. Because jobs and blah. I deeply regret this

The package explains it better



I've never heard of this chip, but have wanted to try one with integrated buttons for ages. It seems to work with a phone somehow too, I'm sure I'll try that. Touchscreen plus programmable thing plus inputs = basically anything. Well good.

Now the tiny one



Some excellent film stock. ALL of my ISO400 film and B&W film is gone since my brother stole all of it for his a level, and my girlfriend is a photographer/tech. I have a vintage 1960s SLR that belonged to my late granddad as my only heirloom, that I learnt manual film photography on in 2008. But I've barely done film, or photography in general, because I can't really afford film and never remember it. My partner however can process film at work. So this will be great to be able to go on a photo trip together again where you have to be a decent photographer and squeeze the best shots out of just 36 exposures. Such a great gift in such a small box.

I was a bit at a loss what the larger gift could be. It rattled around so I thought maybe lego or miniatures/model (I even brought a scalpel, pot of paint and files to prep and prime pieces while here) but the box didn't feel right. Instead it'd quite a logical progression, and I was part right (the blade and files will help me construct this with the tight tolerances needed).



It's a build your own SLR film camera kit from Lomography! Basically lofi, back to basics photography. This was a massive movement/craze while I was at art uni and it was always a bit pricey; I bought my partner a comparable Olympus XA1 compact but I've never had my own arty camera which is all about the film effect (none of this instagram filter stuff that this inspired). Not only that but it's a kit and I can build it! The old SLR weighs about 1.5KG so is too heavy to really take anywhere. My other brother took the lightweight one I had in 2011 leaving me with no practical film cameras.

With my CNC machine, I'll probably be able to build my own lenses (they're interchangle!) and upgrade to some metal parts. The great thing about doing kits like these, like my cnc, is you learn how everything actually works. I have a rough idea, but it's hard to explain how educational this process is. I'm really looking forward to what comes out of it, and with the film I can make it tomorrow and get some unique snaps of my family, instead of the same old ones from my digital compact I've had for ages. It may even be the last time I can capture my grandma, and we were looking at old square photos from the 60s only yesterday. I can get similar effects.

A really lovely selection that already gave me ideas and I'm very grateful to my Santee.



I'm only bummed out my gift for my santee was 4 days or longer late. Cheers RM. I posted it before my own customers who have received their items next day. I really hope it isn't lost, thankfully I can make a claim if so as I got a certificate. And I can redo some of them. When I get back from the family next Wednesday hopefully we can sync up. Sorry man.

Edit: Dan just saw your post, no worries man it just makes Xmas last longer and it's still the season.

Edit

LewisD wrote:!

dude thanks so much! I'm going to be tinkering all Xmas.

Now to read the thread which is half the fun and happies.

GeeGee!
Corr, nearly had a tear in my eye reading that

Mate I'm so thrilled you love them.
It was a challenge, because what do you get a man who could potentially make himself anything!

Glad you like the camera when I saw you posting about photography, I knew it was a good choice. Coupled with the model building aspect.

Enjoy taking photos of your family. And hopefully you'll send me a photo or two to my inbox, dying to know how the photos come out.

Advent7 wrote:

Pattybean wrote:

Super Dragon 64 you are a total legend. Can't describe how happy I am with these.

The state of that rug

It's 3 weeks old and has toys on it. Over exaggeration much?

Pattybean wrote:

Advent7 wrote:

Pattybean wrote:

Super Dragon 64 you are a total legend. Can't describe how happy I am with these.

The state of that rug

It's 3 weeks old and has toys on it. Over exaggeration much?

"State of that..." is Ad7's meme. He lives in a van so don't take anything he says personally.

I actually have no idea why I bit over our lasses rug!

Pattybean wrote:I actually have no idea why I bit over our lasses rug!

If a man can't defend the honour of his ladies rug then he is no real man.

Coraben said his stuff had turned up, but he's not posted yet o_O

I'm still waiting on mine, but I believe my Santa was sent away by work.
At least I've got something to look forward to still!

DML wrote:Sorry, first time I've managed to get the laptop out. Photos will come tomorrow, but I got a Pompey mug and glass. Thank you Corazon!

I had another gift cancelled by Amazon - I'm trying to get a replacement sorted for you so keep an eye out after Christmas.

Cheers SD for the TPB - Spider-Man/Deadpool has been on my list of ones to buy for a while now! And the playing cards were ace! Pics to follow.

JChristmas wrote:With the loss of Buff...RIP...it's time for someone to take over and save GRcade Christmas this year and I thought why the hell not return and be that angel sat at the top of the Christmas tree for the festive season.

JChristmas. You did become the angel. Thank you so very much for taking the time to organise and coordinate Secret Santa for the GRcade team. I know I sent you quite a few emails so multiplied by X participants I know you would have been very busy. Secret Santa is always fun and it has become an important part of Christmas for me! Buffalo did some good work and now you saved the day this year I think you did a great job. Cheers man!

Massive thanks to Falsey for my little hamper of goodies!!

Beautifully wrapped with ribbons and cute Christmas confetti:


And then inside I got:


An LFC scarf and desk calendar, a lego rally car and a pack of chocolate coins. The card is an adorable Star Wars one with Rey and BB-8.

Thanks Falsey!

Edit: Nothing from Gaminglegend to so much as confirm receipt yet. He hasn't actually posted since Dec 1st.