BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: curmudgeon
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 08:10 PM

Thanks again. We still haven't figured out how he made the connection. He got the Press Room address right, but it's not the PressRoom Bar. And we prefer the correct spelling, shanty, not chanty night as he put it. Plus, we only do the shanty sessions monthly, and they star in the afternoon.

Curiouser and curiouser - Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 07:43 PM

Don't you folks remmeber that weird thread from an alleged new Mudcatter who talked all about Portuguese Cod and similar stuff to this Gruetopia guy? Maybe it's related to this.

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: GUEST,Feral
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 05:09 PM

Grue, AKA LeGrue, AKA James Haren II was the founder of Amtgard, a live action RP group that started in El Paso TX in 1983. Amtgard started as an amalgam of other LARPs, mainly Dagorhir and Emarthngarth. He stole most of the rules from them and started his own game. Unfortunately, he lasted less than a year before the people who joined it sent him packing.

He left El Paso to go back to Maryland in 1984. We haven't seen him since other than to hear rumors of him, like this one. I can say that the man is a loon. He's paranoid, and has a megalomaniac streak a mile wide. As most of you figured out, he's not worth your time.

But, if you happen to be interested in Amtgard, shoot me an email at [e-mail] I've been in it since 1994 and love it. It is now a national organization that is larger than any of the games that preceeded us (except SCA, of course).

In service,
Feral

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Jeri
Date: 06 Dec 07 - 02:16 PM

I have an idea as to an appropriate response, Tom, and I have some time on my hands.

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 10:11 PM

Many years ago, as far as my experience is concerned, at least a few large corporations (you didn't get much bigger than GM then, but that's changed some) had a "management tool" consisting of a "letter" written in unintelligible non-words but structured so that they might form sentences and paragraphs, especially if from an ESL writer. (They may be still using it, for all I know.)

In the form used in Engineering departments, there was just enough "sense" - perhaps - to this letter to give the appearance that the writer had made some great scientific or tecnological discovery and might be attempting to communicate his willingness to "share it with Big Company."

The explanation always was "The Admin Dept has received this and can't decide if something should be done about it. Can you figure out anything from it?"

Of course the correct answer to "can you figure out anything from it?" was "No;" but it actually was intended to be a test of how you - perhaps as a potential(?) "manager" - would "handle" something with no obvious "traditional responses." You were thus expected to "take some action" and to "evaluate proper procedures" and - perhaps - find some other sucker to whom you could "delegate" the creation of a response, all probably without wasting a lot of otherwise productive time at the office(?).

As only a raving lunatic would construct a test of this kind, it's almost impossible for a "competent" person to figure out what kind of response would "get the best result," even given that most were able to figure out what it was and what the purpose was in the first quick scan of the material.

From observation of the management at the three separate places where I've seen this little "quiz," perhaps verification of a "total absence of competence" was a particular managerial quality they were looking for; but I never saw the "answer sheet," so I can't suggest an acceptable resonse that will get you into a promotion.

But you say it was "handed to you by the manager" ...? ? ?

John

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 08:16 PM

A grue is a mock-dreadful creature, well known to almost anyone under the age of 30. Think of it as the modern-day equivalent of a boojum.

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 07:50 PM

Mostly on the Internet, Tami.

You need to poke around in there for a few hours. Read all about Dick Cheney, or as he's called in there, Grand Emperor General Secretary Dickard Schwartz Jefferson Jackson Bush "Hippable" Crabapple III Cheney

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 07:45 PM

Jeri, where do you find these things? Or do they just naturally find their way onto your computer?

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 07:41 PM

A riddle wrapped in an enigma, shrouded in mystery and dusted with a light coating of bread crumbs, then deep-fat fried and served with a balsamic anchovy-rhubarb reduction. Or ketchup.

I Googled, and I found this page in the Uncyclopedia, "the content-free encyclopedia that anyone can edit".

The deeper you look, the weirder things get.

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: bobad
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 07:12 PM

It appears that you are one of the chosen few.

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 07:09 PM

I'm still hoping for some relevant input. Or am I truly the sole recipient?

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: alison
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 01:56 AM

Grues quite often appear in text type adventure games, especially when you do something daft like walk into somewhere dark without a lamp.

they are usually the beasties who dispatch you out of the game in a variety of not so nice ways.

I guess its a "role play" " adventure game" type event

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: curmudgeon
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 04:08 PM

In this house, at this time of year , the fish won't rot. Maybe it's a "grueper?"

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 04:05 PM

Tom-

I'd worry about taking too much time to decode the message on the fish, unless you've placed the fish in the freezer, or on your porch.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Peace
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 09:51 AM

The guy likely reads mystery/adventure stories by people like Jenkins and Buchan.

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 09:31 AM

"Grue" ??



ok





I have to outside and shovel some snow.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Grab
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 08:47 AM

"Grue" is from the adventure game Zork - there's a famous description of tunnels saying "It is dark. You may be eaten by a grue." Given the other activities, it sounds like an invite to an SCA event.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Metchosin
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 03:56 AM

I thought at first it might be a reference to Groo too, but alas, no Ruferto.

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: open mike
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 02:17 AM

perhaps it is a mystery note from your secret santa?

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:16 PM

I was going to suggest Groo - mispelled too, LH.


Hey! I'm a poet,
and I dldn't even knowet!

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: curmudgeon
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 08:21 PM

I'm not going to let this thread drop off until I get some feedback from other recipients of same or variants thereof.

I cannot believe that I'm the only folkie/shanty singer thus afficted -- Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Little Hawk
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 02:16 PM

At first I thought it was a mispelling of "Groo", as in "Groo the Wanderer"...the protagonist of a series of amusing comic books with great art and funny stories. More info here:

Groo the Wanderer

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: curmudgeon
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 01:52 PM

Thanks for all the input thus far.

I'm really hoping that someone else on the forum has recieved similar note and that together we can figure out the message on the fish and the meaning of the drawing - Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Amos
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 12:07 PM

Oh, I take my grammatical carping back...in the examplre posted in Peace's link the sentence ends well--(...would be gruetopia)--if somewhat obscurely.



A

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Peace
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:57 AM

Portal Of Evil Forums - 10:37amJames Haren II" looking to recruit me for something called 'Gruetopia'. Looking up Gruetopia, I came up with this blog, which proves this guy's been hitting ...
friends.portalofevil.com/sp.php?pi=1000710517 - Similar pages - Note this

Portal Of Evil Forums - 10:37am[quote]Okay, so as some might have seen in my previous post, I got a weird letter about "Gruetopia". There was a name on the letter, Dr. James Haren II. ...
friends.portalofevil.com/post.php?pi=1000710517&Q=Y - Similar pages - Note this

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:53 AM

Well, a search on Piratz Tavern shows that there is indeed such a place....so I suspect that this is some sort of complex advertising stunt.

I drove right past it several times this week, but never noticed it.

I doubt I will be heading there.

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Peace
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:41 AM

It could be he's in dire need of his 15 seconds . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Peace
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:40 AM

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight. The guy looks a bit strange--can't figure out why.

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:35 AM

Sounds like coded invitation.

Those who are suited to the event can figure out that it is an invite, and attend. Those who remain mystified (or offended), don't.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: curmudgeon
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:34 AM

Based on my Google search, it appears that we are not the only recipients of similar missive.

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: Amos
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:32 AM

WHoever it is they would do well to learn how to complete a basic sentence. The clause they provided is not only rambling and disjoint, it is not even a complete thought.

I have no idea, but it impresses me as a piece of spinny fictitious ramblin'.



A

Subject: RE: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:24 AM

Lots of Catters in Maryland, and one in particular has a penchant for GRUEsome puns, AND postal connections.
G

Subject: BS: Mysterious Message - Gruetopia
From: curmudgeon
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:18 AM

Last Friday, upon arriving at the Press Room, I was handed a letter by the manager. It was addressed to: The Press Room Bar, Attn: Chanty Night. The contents were most bizarre.

"Gruetopian - A believer in the idea that the perfect place for fencers, paintball, nerf gunners,fast draw shootouts, mystery theatre meals, pictographic phone spys, tennisball bombard duels, and live adventure wargames combined with the great and powerful Grue." (all in caps)

There were some other equally meaningful words and phrases and a cartoon of sorts.

Enclosed was a cutout fish with the message: 007, Walt's Grand Fromange and Mariner Floating Bank of Herenlaw Freehold (L.A.W.) Bank Note.

A Google search for "Gruetopia" yielded few results except that thre seems to be a connection to the SCA and Piratz Tavern in Siver Spring, MD.

The letter was sent in folded paper as opposed to an envelope and postmarked "Suburban Maryland 208"

Has anyone else recieved anything similar? O have any idea what this is all about?

Thanks in advance for your help - Tom