To the Forum regarding the XMTSAS Saltire

**Tartan Hiker** · 25th January 11, 06:01 PM

Alan has it just right.

And you know what? There is no rule that says that there has to be only one thingamabob!

What if several members decide "Hey, that Saltire was a great idea! I think I'll send a (insert meaningful icon here) to (insert random XMTS member here). What if 50 of us did this. 100?

What if after a while the mail service was choked with all these various icons traveling to all parts of the globe...even to (dare I say it?)....Australia!

No need to discuss it, vote on it, dissect it into oblivion. As Alan said...if it's such a great idea, just grab the gator by the tail and do it!

If this comes to pass, then I think that the Saltire would rest easy in retirement, knowing that it was just the first of an armada of tokens of friendship traveling the globe and bringing a bit of fun and excitement to all the Ladies and Gentlemen of X Marks the Scot.

And I expect that Jamie would be pleased by that.

**Nighthawk** · 25th January 11, 06:15 PM

I was on my way to the post office today to mail a hip flask that I had made for one of our members when it popped into my head- a flask is an almost universal sigh of friendship! Why not an X Marks flask to send around, and at gatherings, to pass around? The recipients fills it with his beverage of choice (which in my case is water) and gets together with other X Markers and friends, and takes a lot of pictures, etc, and when it's empty, cleans it well and sends it on! I would be more than happy to create and donate the flask. I thought perhaps someone could send me a scrap of X Marks to sew onto it. I have a few design ideas in mind already. I personally think that the wee Saltire was a brilliant and unifiying thing, and something that I thought was an important part of this community. IF I do this, it's with the understanding that this flask, and it's accompanying log book, will be no one's property, that it is to circulate for as long as it exists, and as long as this forum exists, or until we all get bored with it and collectively retire it. What do you all think?

**gary meakin** · 25th January 11, 06:30 PM

I think this is a great idea Nighthawk, and it appears we have the same beverage of choice

**Nighthawk** · 25th January 11, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by gpmeakin

I think this is a great idea Nighthawk, and it appears we have the same beverage of choice

I do love my Highland Park, but I only take my flask to festivals. Alcohol + Colorado sun = bad things! At least, when you're a participant...

Originally Posted by CDNSushi

Made a comment, but changed my mind.

Yeah, I was opposed to a new thingamabob myself. But then this idea hit me, and it seemed like something that really fit the spirit of what I thought the Saltire was.

**Bugbear** · 25th January 11, 06:52 PM

How nice of you, Hawk.
Good luck.

**CDNSushi** · 25th January 11, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

IF I do this, it's with the understanding that this flask, and it's accompanying log book, will be no one's property, that it is to circulate for as long as it exists, and as long as this forum exists, or until we all get bored with it and collectively retire it. What do you all think?

Although I understand why you would make this stipulation (in light of the fate of the Saltire), I still think that it's best if something like this has an actual end goal... (As I mentioned in the thread I started in the Comments & Suggestions forum).

A part of this is because I do agree with Jamie's thoughts about current members doing something that is significant for them... Then, that opens the door for a future "generation" of XMarker friends to exchange and send something else in the future as well... I would really like it if, at some point in the future, once the goal of the thingamebob has been met, to have the option to have a memento (such as a coffee table book that has been printed from the original pages of the logbook and photos).

What do you think?

**Nick the DSM** · 25th January 11, 07:18 PM

May look suspicious with people under 21 IE: me!

**macwilkin** · 25th January 11, 07:30 PM

Perhaps one of our forum members who are also USPS employees (Woodsheal comes to mind) might weigh in on regulations concerning liquids in the mail, especially via international post.

I think a quaich is a better vessel, and a historic symbol of Highland hospitality. Scott Chalmers at Gaelic Themes might be able to put one of the Xmarks badges in the bottom of the bowl.

T.

**AFS1970** · 25th January 11, 08:38 PM

As tempting as it is to have a flask nicely wrapped in lather, I think it would need to be shipped empty for a couple of reasons. First would be carrier regulations, second would be different people have different beverages of choice. Even within scotch, we all have our likes and dislikes. Then there is the fact that many stops on it's way will be at kilt nights held in bars and restaurants, who usually take a dim view of bringing your own in.

So I think a quaich is a better idea, in that it can be filled with whatever, either one's own or from the location. It can be washed (possibly easier than a flask) and sent on it's way without violating any shipping regulations.

I like the idea of a set goal, if we also understand that once that goal is met, a new goal can be set and a new mission can begin with the quaich going back out. For that matter the goal could be really big like circling the globe five times.