A few days ago I posted on Twitter, Facebook and elsewhere that I had a metal detector.  I never expected to get much of a response but so far six people have expressed interest.  So I have decided to come up with a way to decide who gets it.

I'm calling this a noncash auction.  The rules are simple: propose to me what you will give me in exchange for the metal detector.  The offer I like the most gets the metal detector.  The only catch is you cannot give me cash.  Not US cash.  Not foreign cash.  Fake money is acceptable but I probably won't take just that.

So if I don't accept cash than what can you use as payment?  Well, whatever you can come up with.  Something you have at home you don't want.  Offers to do some kind of favor or chore for me.  A date with your attractive single female friend

So here are the rules:

1) I'm not totally sure how well this thing works.  Keep in mind that it's old.  As in it was my grandfather's and he has been deceased for 18 and a half years.  But I do know that it turns on and does detect metal (it went off when waved near my refrigerator).  Anyone who wants to look at the metal detector before making a bid is welcome to.  Here is more info on it:

The metal detector is a Jetco Huntmaster GTX.  It is a hand-held device with a an extended arm that contains the detecting base.  The control unit contains a signal strength meter, a power dial, and an on/off dial that is also the volume control.  The device can use either one 9V battery or six AA batteries.  The AA batteries can be used with the provided adapter but as I have not tried to power it on with that I don't know if it works.  The control unit is gray with black handle.  Base is black and the connecting pole is silver.  Controls are black and silver.  Pictures of the unit:





2) Anything you propose you must deliver on.  That is you have to be able to actually give me what you say you will.  Failure to do so will invalidate that bid and another bid will be selected.

3) Multiple bids are OK.  That is you can make two or more totally unique bids.  This is where the advantage of having a cashless auction lies as there really is no way to identify the best bid.  Also along these lines you can make an N choose R bid.  For example, you propose three things and I get my choice of two.  If multiple people want to collaborate for a better bid that is acceptable.  I will then leave it to the winning parties to negotiate sharing of the metal detector.  I will not be publishing the bids or who bid but you can feel free to publicize your own bid or discuss your bid with others.  You can do that in the comments of this blog if you like.

4) Submit bids by emailing trouwnarve@garrifulio.mailexpire.com with your bid.  I will just need a way to contact you so if you don't have regular access to email you will want to include a phone number that I can call you at.  NOTE: for some reason mail sent from gmail (possibly Hotmail as well) either isn't getting to this address or is arriving late.  I will try to respond to all bids with an acknowledgement of receipt.  However I did verify that mail from Yahoo accounts does get through.

5) Bidding will close at 11:59 PM on Monday August 17 2009.  At that time I will select the winning bid.  I accept the right to not make the exchange if a suitable bid is not made.

6) This is open to anyone.  However if I can't make a local delivery or you can't pick it up you will have to pay for shipping.  Yes I know I said this was cashless but you're not paying the fee to me so it still counts.  The winner will also have to cover any shipping costs in getting any items to me.

I think that takes care of it.  Email that address or comment here if you have any questions.  I will leave you with a few hints as to what may help your chances:

- I think knowing my likes and dislikes is going to be key to winning this.  So the better you know me the better your chances.

- I like clever things. So you will get props if either your bid or your strategy for winning is clever.

So I am moving at the end of this month.  I don't know exactly when or where yet as I'm currently looking for a place. I'll be moving to Lake Castleton.  I'm currently coordinating the moving so you'll find out where when I ask you to help me move.

I'll be updating this blog post with things that I need for the move, things that I need after the move, and a request to help move when I know exactly when (probably evening of May 28 27-evening of May 31, but I'm hoping to actually get it all done by May 29).

Currently I am in need of for the move:
boxes for packing
shoe boxes (I'll be using them for storage after the move and possibly during)
people to help me move (I'll be sending out an invite on this later)

Things I will need in my new place
microwave-safe plates and bowls
cups
microwave

Things I would like to have:
George Foreman grill

As many of my readers already know a lot of unpleasant things have happened to me and those close to me over the last year and a half.  The issue with having one thing after another happen is that I don’t feel that I’ve had sufficient time to cope with one thing before the next one hits.  What ends up happening is my emotional priority queue gets full and I don’t know how to handle things.

 

This past weekend things had become so bad that I was seriously considering pulling away from everyone for an extended period just to insulate myself a bit and lick my wounds.  Upon further reflection I think that an extended break is neither feasible nor helpful.  However I think that a short break when needed may help.

 

I feel the need to define what I mean by break.  This does not mean I’m necessarily angry with anyone.  It doesn’t mean that I’m irritated with group dynamics.  It doesn’t mean that I think I’m better than anyone.  What it does mean is that I will not be engaging in social events when in a break.  It means that I won’t be talking to people in any form.  I may choose to go to some social events and engage with some people of my choosing.  If you are still on break status with me when I do this, again, this has nothing to do with you; for whatever reason I am choosing to engage with only specific people at that time.

 

As far as practical application I think the easiest way for me to announce when on a break is over Twitter as most of my friends have one.  The same will be the case when ending a break.  For those concerned about me getting depressed and possibly suicidal when taking a break and not being able to get in touch with me I ask that you go through Kathy.  She is in a unique position to 1)be a very good and old friend, 2)know a lot of the issues I am going through, 3)not be involved in any way with any of my drama, 4)be in a place where her life is relatively stable, and 5)have a key to my apartment.  In the event of an emergency that I need to be notified about I will continue to check texts, voicemail, and email but if it’s not an emergency I will not respond immediately.

 

I also ask for your permission to break down in front of people if I feel the need.  I feel that due to some recent events I’ve had to be strong to survive and help others.  But now that the dust is settling a bit I feel like I may need to start unloading my burdens on others to help me carry them.

 

I hope you can understand where I am coming from and that we can continue this journey of bearing with one another in love.