Quonsarmas November 24, 2011 5:23 PM Subscribe
Secret quonsor wtf?
So, in the Secret Quonsar swap I seem to have drawn someone who turns out to have done their PhD (last year) in my husband's department. Is there something in the algorithm that makes that more likely than the absolutely bizarre unlikelihood I would have thought it had?
Every see a discussion of the "birthday paradox"? You just won the game.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:45 PM on November 24, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:45 PM on November 24, 2011 [6 favorites]
Not deliberately, but the ZorpTech® BlortFinder™ is still in beta, so.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:46 PM on November 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:46 PM on November 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
Unless every person in the swap is going through my posting history to try and work out where my husband works, it's still secret. Also, even if they figure out I'm talking about them, I'm pretty sure they don't know me. I only know them through him. And he and I don't share surnames.
posted by lollusc at 5:47 PM on November 24, 2011
posted by lollusc at 5:47 PM on November 24, 2011
I guess I was wondering whether the person or computer matching people up is doing it truly randomly, or whether they wrote a script that made it more likely to match people who are geographically nearby or who have similar interests mentioned in the "about" field, or something.
posted by lollusc at 5:48 PM on November 24, 2011
posted by lollusc at 5:48 PM on November 24, 2011
My quonsee is a lot closer to home than I expected, I'm at least guessing they tried to contain to country even if you selected 'anywhere in the world'.
posted by Trivia Newton John at 5:50 PM on November 24, 2011
posted by Trivia Newton John at 5:50 PM on November 24, 2011
In a group this large, with such a commonality of interests, it was bound to happen to someone. You just happened to be the lucky one.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:53 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:53 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
My secret quonsar seems like a really awesome person, and *I'm* a really awesome person! The coincidences are amazing!
posted by xingcat at 5:54 PM on November 24, 2011 [15 favorites]
posted by xingcat at 5:54 PM on November 24, 2011 [15 favorites]
My quonsee is on the other side of the planet. We have absolutely nothing in common, except for Metafilter.
That said, it is an amazing coincidence that I drew this person because they are one of the few that I know something about, so I am slightly confident that I can get them an awesome gift that will suit them down to the ground.
This is so much fun.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 5:54 PM on November 24, 2011
That said, it is an amazing coincidence that I drew this person because they are one of the few that I know something about, so I am slightly confident that I can get them an awesome gift that will suit them down to the ground.
This is so much fun.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 5:54 PM on November 24, 2011
OPERATION RED GREEN CABAL
posted by The Whelk at 6:11 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 6:11 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Just for the record, the randomization didn't factor in location, wishes, or anything else. The only constraints were a) the region chosen, and b) that you not draw yourself.
So it's entirely possible that you could draw your spouse (as someone did last year), your pal, your mother (if she signed up), your second cousin...
posted by julen at 6:14 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
So it's entirely possible that you could draw your spouse (as someone did last year), your pal, your mother (if she signed up), your second cousin...
posted by julen at 6:14 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
My SQ is miles away but interests match up so much that I think we were matched by hand by elves.
Also, they put a hell of a lot more effort into their "this is what I'm interested in" comments than I did, so thanks SQ and apologies to whoever got me for my lame-ass few lines.
posted by arcticseal at 6:25 PM on November 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Also, they put a hell of a lot more effort into their "this is what I'm interested in" comments than I did, so thanks SQ and apologies to whoever got me for my lame-ass few lines.
posted by arcticseal at 6:25 PM on November 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
My SQ is super awesome and I'm so so excited about this.
posted by ColdChef at 6:49 PM on November 24, 2011
posted by ColdChef at 6:49 PM on November 24, 2011
Dude, I'm just back from the new Queens casiono and I'm up $40. Luck is in the fucking air tonight.
posted by jonmc at 7:02 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 7:02 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Casino. I guess a 'casiono' would be like a toy gambling hall that made twee noises.
posted by jonmc at 7:02 PM on November 24, 2011 [8 favorites]
posted by jonmc at 7:02 PM on November 24, 2011 [8 favorites]
Mine is so perfect for me that I can only hope I do justice to their fantastic request...but otherwise extremely random.
I also have "interested in" regrets, now. dangit.
posted by batmonkey at 7:03 PM on November 24, 2011
I also have "interested in" regrets, now. dangit.
posted by batmonkey at 7:03 PM on November 24, 2011
My sekrit quonsee is so geographically close that magical quonsmas elves may deliver their package directly to their doorstep, no post required. No need to consider weight limitations! Now off to buy a personalized bowling ball.
posted by Go Banana at 7:03 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Go Banana at 7:03 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
My SQ is super awesome and I'm so so excited about this.
You've mentioned this twice, now, and if I didn't have a quonsee of ebullient and ample terrawesomeness, I would be getting jelaous.
posted by smoke at 7:39 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm confused as to who is getting banned.
posted by eddydamascene at 9:01 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by eddydamascene at 9:01 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Is this the thread where I ask other mefis with enough reputation in their cooking.stackexchange.com account to add a should-I-eat-it tag? Those guys have really boring tag names like food-safety and storage-lifetime.
posted by jeffburdges at 9:11 PM on November 24, 2011
posted by jeffburdges at 9:11 PM on November 24, 2011
Metafilter at large *does* have the info that my quonsee is appropriate, so I can't say *why* said quonsee is appropriate--- but this ought to be exciting.
posted by nat at 9:37 PM on November 24, 2011
posted by nat at 9:37 PM on November 24, 2011
I wish I'd made me "Interested in" a little bit more...interesting!
I already have a good idea of what to get my quonsee though, based on their suggestions and a bit of digging.
posted by addelburgh at 9:43 PM on November 24, 2011
I already have a good idea of what to get my quonsee though, based on their suggestions and a bit of digging.
posted by addelburgh at 9:43 PM on November 24, 2011
Could we possibly see the "interested in" lists without seeing who they're attached to?
posted by b33j at 10:24 PM on November 24, 2011
posted by b33j at 10:24 PM on November 24, 2011
May I ask a question? How many have signed up to be SQ's?
posted by malibustacey9999 at 11:10 PM on November 24, 2011
posted by malibustacey9999 at 11:10 PM on November 24, 2011
I thought it was kind of neat that the person I drew last year and the person I drew this year are different people but live in the same city in the US. I used to live fairly close to that city when I was a kid and used to enjoy visiting it on weekends, so my love for that city must have affected the Secret Quonsar luck of the draw.
posted by misozaki at 11:47 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by misozaki at 11:47 PM on November 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Of course you may ask a question. However, said question must be selected from the Officially Official Cabal Approved Question List. Erm, I mean, what cabal?
posted by addelburgh at 11:51 PM on November 24, 2011
posted by addelburgh at 11:51 PM on November 24, 2011
Um... okay, dg, here's my other question.
Does anyone else feel like an unsupervised kid in a classroom? Thanksgiving is fun (for those of us who don't have to endure family gatherings).
posted by malibustacey9999 at 11:52 PM on November 24, 2011
Does anyone else feel like an unsupervised kid in a classroom? Thanksgiving is fun (for those of us who don't have to endure family gatherings).
posted by malibustacey9999 at 11:52 PM on November 24, 2011
Oh shit.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 11:52 PM on November 24, 2011
posted by malibustacey9999 at 11:52 PM on November 24, 2011
Stats from the other quonsar thread
posted by book 'em dano at 12:45 AM on November 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by book 'em dano at 12:45 AM on November 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
My pick is not even on the same continent, and may not even have the same genitalia as me.
posted by biffa at 12:48 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by biffa at 12:48 AM on November 25, 2011
Of course, if they did have the same genitalia as you, they would probably be your conjoined twin – and that would be a truly unbelievable coincidence.
posted by taz (staff) at 1:03 AM on November 25, 2011 [15 favorites]
posted by taz (staff) at 1:03 AM on November 25, 2011 [15 favorites]
Thanks, book 'em dano.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 1:03 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by malibustacey9999 at 1:03 AM on November 25, 2011
I am so excited about my first Quonsar I have already bought part of my gift!
Also, I see now the helpfulness of the gift suggestions field, and repent my judgemental "but why narrow down the potential for awesomeness" ways.
posted by greenish at 1:55 AM on November 25, 2011
Also, I see now the helpfulness of the gift suggestions field, and repent my judgemental "but why narrow down the potential for awesomeness" ways.
posted by greenish at 1:55 AM on November 25, 2011
Heh, also, if we're talking funny Quonincidences, I just looked up my Quonsee and she has the same birthday as me!
posted by greenish at 1:58 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by greenish at 1:58 AM on November 25, 2011
Yes, you may ask a question. Well, another question.
You're going to have to wait a week though.
posted by timsteil at 2:09 AM on November 25, 2011 [3 favorites]
You're going to have to wait a week though.
posted by timsteil at 2:09 AM on November 25, 2011 [3 favorites]
Is there a place where those of us NOT doing SQ can register interest in stepping up in case someone drops out? I could do that.
posted by pointystick at 5:31 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by pointystick at 5:31 AM on November 25, 2011
Does anyone know what should be the timeline for ensuring small packaged is mailed from Asia to the US to reach a city in time?
posted by infini at 5:48 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by infini at 5:48 AM on November 25, 2011
Man. I just checked out my giftee and we have so much in common it's a bit creepy. But in a good way! Looking forward to finding the exact right thing...
posted by miratime at 5:52 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by miratime at 5:52 AM on November 25, 2011
This is the first year I've drawn a Quonsee I actually sort of know, and since I think they're the bee's knees I could not be more excited to scheme. Hurray Quonsmas!
posted by Phire at 6:02 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by Phire at 6:02 AM on November 25, 2011
My quonsee is Kind Of A Big Deal. It's almost like that year I got Jessamyn in my MeFi Swap list. Exciting! Good thing my quonsee is a nice dude/lady.
posted by arcticwoman at 6:05 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by arcticwoman at 6:05 AM on November 25, 2011
I got someone who seems to be living the exact opposite life to mine as far as intersts and lifestyle are concerned.
So enjoy your half-used iTunes gift certificate and a zip-loc bag full of buttons, guy!
posted by griphus at 6:25 AM on November 25, 2011
So enjoy your half-used iTunes gift certificate and a zip-loc bag full of buttons, guy!
posted by griphus at 6:25 AM on November 25, 2011
Buttons are nature's candy.
posted by The Whelk at 6:55 AM on November 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 6:55 AM on November 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
After Quonsmas I'm going to read back through all these threads in search of my SQ's "holy crap I got someone AWESOME" comment.
Or I'll keep an eye out for a ziploc bag of buttons.
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:59 AM on November 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Or I'll keep an eye out for a ziploc bag of buttons.
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:59 AM on November 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Anyone have any tips where to go for the best shipping rates from the US to the UK? You know, hypothetically....
posted by argonauta at 7:04 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by argonauta at 7:04 AM on November 25, 2011
Buttons sometimes make great gifts. I'm just saying. *wink*
posted by ColdChef at 7:05 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by ColdChef at 7:05 AM on November 25, 2011
Important Announcement
Google has suspended the secret quonsar account. I'm trying to get it back, but it is refusing to accept my other gmail account (that I have open on another machine right now) as a real account. GRRR. Will update when I have an update.
In other news, I'd ship from Asia as soon as possible, preferably before December 1.
posted by julen at 7:06 AM on November 25, 2011
Google has suspended the secret quonsar account. I'm trying to get it back, but it is refusing to accept my other gmail account (that I have open on another machine right now) as a real account. GRRR. Will update when I have an update.
In other news, I'd ship from Asia as soon as possible, preferably before December 1.
posted by julen at 7:06 AM on November 25, 2011
In other news, I'd ship from Asia as soon as possible, preferably before December 1.
*contemplates Saturday shopping crowds in downtown Singapore and girds self
posted by infini at 7:07 AM on November 25, 2011
*contemplates Saturday shopping crowds in downtown Singapore and girds self
posted by infini at 7:07 AM on November 25, 2011
My Quonsee is getting buttons. I just thought you guys should know.
posted by ColdChef at 7:12 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by ColdChef at 7:12 AM on November 25, 2011
Buttons sometimes make great gifts. I'm just saying. *wink*
I can track how old I'm getting by what socks and underpants represent to me as a holiday present:
"Socks and underpants? Am I being punished for something?"
"Oh. Socks. And underpants. How, uh ...thoughtful. (Sigh)"
"New socks? New underpants? How many dozen? Oh fuck yes."
posted by griphus at 7:13 AM on November 25, 2011 [10 favorites]
I can track how old I'm getting by what socks and underpants represent to me as a holiday present:
"Socks and underpants? Am I being punished for something?"
"Oh. Socks. And underpants. How, uh ...thoughtful. (Sigh)"
"New socks? New underpants? How many dozen? Oh fuck yes."
posted by griphus at 7:13 AM on November 25, 2011 [10 favorites]
julen: "Google has suspended the secret quonsar account. "
Ugh, why? Do they think it's spam?
posted by IndigoRain at 7:49 AM on November 25, 2011
Ugh, why? Do they think it's spam?
posted by IndigoRain at 7:49 AM on November 25, 2011
Buttons are nature's candy.
I think they're Cadbury's actually.
Fellow Brits might like to know the last posting day for surface mail to Canada and the US was Oct 18th.
posted by biffa at 7:56 AM on November 25, 2011
I think they're Cadbury's actually.
Fellow Brits might like to know the last posting day for surface mail to Canada and the US was Oct 18th.
posted by biffa at 7:56 AM on November 25, 2011
if you can't get Google to restore service, perhaps consider Zoho?
posted by batmonkey at 7:59 AM on November 25, 2011
posted by batmonkey at 7:59 AM on November 25, 2011
Google hates Quonsarmas! Occupy Google (assuming we can get logged in again).
Don't you oppress me!
posted by arcticseal at 8:06 AM on November 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Don't you oppress me!
posted by arcticseal at 8:06 AM on November 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
We're hopeful we're going to get the secret quonsar account back today (or tomorrow, depending on how speedy/staffed the gmail team is) . Allegedly all mail and the spreadsheets will be intact when a suspended account is revived. So, yay, probably.
From what we can tell, it looks like an errant misclick on our part flagged the account for suspicious behavior, and it's reversible with a back and forth and back and forth with the gmail folks.
This tinge of excitement/faux-danger adds a delightful frission of tension to the otherwise unfilmable plot of "Person Draws Name. Person Sends Delightful Gift. Other Person is Happy". Now I can turn this into the blockbuster movie, Dangerous Embrace: The secret quonsar Story. Ripped from Real Life! You will gasp! You will swoon! You will shake your fist! You will go right out and buy exactly what that guy got!.
Seriously, I'm going to be SO VERY RICH and will turn into a total Hollywood jerk.
posted by julen at 8:27 AM on November 25, 2011 [10 favorites]
From what we can tell, it looks like an errant misclick on our part flagged the account for suspicious behavior, and it's reversible with a back and forth and back and forth with the gmail folks.
This tinge of excitement/faux-danger adds a delightful frission of tension to the otherwise unfilmable plot of "Person Draws Name. Person Sends Delightful Gift. Other Person is Happy". Now I can turn this into the blockbuster movie, Dangerous Embrace: The secret quonsar Story. Ripped from Real Life! You will gasp! You will swoon! You will shake your fist! You will go right out and buy exactly what that guy got!.
Seriously, I'm going to be SO VERY RICH and will turn into a total Hollywood jerk.
posted by julen at 8:27 AM on November 25, 2011 [10 favorites]
I'm really excited as my SQ is someone I've admired for quite some time! Is the protocol that we just send the package anonymously? Or can we supply our identity in the form of a return address? Or?
posted by jasper411 at 12:14 PM on November 25, 2011
posted by jasper411 at 12:14 PM on November 25, 2011
You can stay anonymous or identify yourself, jasper411, whatever floats your boat.
That said, I was very frustrated last year when I couldn't read my quonsar's signature, and I resorted to posting on Metatalk because I was just so utterly thrilled with the gift, I had to thank them personally somehow. (Thankfully, fairytale of new york outed herself as my quonsar in that thread.)
posted by malibustacey9999 at 1:37 PM on November 25, 2011
That said, I was very frustrated last year when I couldn't read my quonsar's signature, and I resorted to posting on Metatalk because I was just so utterly thrilled with the gift, I had to thank them personally somehow. (Thankfully, fairytale of new york outed herself as my quonsar in that thread.)
posted by malibustacey9999 at 1:37 PM on November 25, 2011
I signed up & got a confirmation email, but never got a match. Is this due to the Google issue, or am I just assigned to The Island of Misfit Posters?
posted by anastasiav at 2:02 PM on November 25, 2011
posted by anastasiav at 2:02 PM on November 25, 2011
Anastasiav, I know you have a match. As soon as we get access back (or the spreadsheet), we'll send it to you. I foolishly did not make an immediate backup of the swapping and tracking spreadsheet onto my local drive.
In the meanwhile, if you'd check your spam filters, just to be sure, that' would be great.
posted by julen at 2:25 PM on November 25, 2011
In the meanwhile, if you'd check your spam filters, just to be sure, that' would be great.
posted by julen at 2:25 PM on November 25, 2011
Julen, no rush. It's nowhere in my gmail, that I'm sure of.
posted by anastasiav at 4:11 PM on November 25, 2011
posted by anastasiav at 4:11 PM on November 25, 2011
Dangerous Embrace: The secret quonsar Story. Ripped from Real Life! You will gasp! You will swoon! You will shake your fist! You will go right out [and pepper spray everyone to ]and buy exactly what that guy got!.
posted by infini at 4:29 PM on November 25, 2011
posted by infini at 4:29 PM on November 25, 2011
If Law and Order was still on the sir this would be an episode but with a MURDEROUS END.
posted by The Whelk at 5:10 PM on November 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 5:10 PM on November 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Last year I got a MeFites who I coincidentally knew from 10-15 years ago on Prodigy. Small world.
Except this year I got someone who I've never heard of. So, not so small.
Man, I tell awesome stories.
posted by maryr at 5:27 PM on November 27, 2011
Except this year I got someone who I've never heard of. So, not so small.
Man, I tell awesome stories.
posted by maryr at 5:27 PM on November 27, 2011
If my person doesn't like what I'm giving then I'll gladly accept the shipment back.
posted by theichibun at 9:29 PM on November 27, 2011
posted by theichibun at 9:29 PM on November 27, 2011
I have a budget problem, please advise - my little parcel to the US, from Singapore will cost more than the value of the items if its anything other than surface mail. Otoh surface mail will take weeks...
I wasn't participating last year so I dont recall if there were any discussions on international postage and how to manage that additional cost.
posted by infini at 9:37 PM on November 27, 2011
I wasn't participating last year so I dont recall if there were any discussions on international postage and how to manage that additional cost.
posted by infini at 9:37 PM on November 27, 2011
Sadly, International costs of shipping are one of the challenges of international shipping. We'll/They'll have to do a better job of explaining the issues next year in the announcement/form.
People have tried to manage the issue in a number of ways. Buying/shipping online, picking light things, eating the extra costs, etc. If you are shipping internationally, we would be happy to drop your sq a note saying "Your gift is coming from someplace fabulous across the seas, so it will take a while to arrive. Don't worry: you haven't been forgotten!"
posted by julen at 6:30 AM on November 28, 2011
People have tried to manage the issue in a number of ways. Buying/shipping online, picking light things, eating the extra costs, etc. If you are shipping internationally, we would be happy to drop your sq a note saying "Your gift is coming from someplace fabulous across the seas, so it will take a while to arrive. Don't worry: you haven't been forgotten!"
posted by julen at 6:30 AM on November 28, 2011
My SQ seems super cool and I am HOPING s/he likes the gift, which was mailed off a couple of days ago from the seller. I too paid more for the shipping than the gift, but figured that's what happens when you indicate you're fine with an SQ whose present needs international postage.
posted by bearwife at 9:34 AM on November 28, 2011
posted by bearwife at 9:34 AM on November 28, 2011
Finally, finally, FINALLY we've got our account back again!
Any questions you've got for your Quonsees can be sent to secretquonsarswap@gmail.com and either Julen or myself will act as a go-between. Business as usual.
For those who have contacted us saying they didn't receive their swap assignments, I'm looking into it. Expect an email soon!
posted by phunniemee at 1:07 PM on November 28, 2011
Any questions you've got for your Quonsees can be sent to secretquonsarswap@gmail.com and either Julen or myself will act as a go-between. Business as usual.
For those who have contacted us saying they didn't receive their swap assignments, I'm looking into it. Expect an email soon!
posted by phunniemee at 1:07 PM on November 28, 2011
*delightful frisson*
OH YEAH.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 5:34 AM on November 29, 2011
OH YEAH.
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 5:34 AM on November 29, 2011
Hi everyone!
There are a number of requests for more information from your quonsar out there. Please take a moment to check your email and send us a response if you have an outstanding email from us (or if it's average, ba dum dump.)
If you know your gift will be running a bit late or have any special messages, we're happy to pass that mention on to your quonsee, too.
Thank you everyone for your good humor and for putting up with our unscheduled delay. As always, the folks who participate in this are a kind, interesting,supportive, fun group of people.
posted by julen at 8:04 AM on November 29, 2011
There are a number of requests for more information from your quonsar out there. Please take a moment to check your email and send us a response if you have an outstanding email from us (or if it's average, ba dum dump.)
If you know your gift will be running a bit late or have any special messages, we're happy to pass that mention on to your quonsee, too.
Thank you everyone for your good humor and for putting up with our unscheduled delay. As always, the folks who participate in this are a kind, interesting,supportive, fun group of people.
posted by julen at 8:04 AM on November 29, 2011
There is 1 instance in which person A is sending to person B and person B is sending to person A.
That also turned out to be me. I am QUEEN of coincidences this year!
posted by lollusc at 7:17 PM on December 9, 2011
That also turned out to be me. I am QUEEN of coincidences this year!
posted by lollusc at 7:17 PM on December 9, 2011
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posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 5:38 PM on November 24, 2011