Help Chicazul Go On JoCo Cruise Crazy II
UPDATE
I am now on a cruise! Thank you all! (Will not be responding to email for a week.)Hi! I'm Sara Chicazul. In January 2011 I flew across the continent to go on JoCo Cruise Crazy, despite it being 3500 miles from anyone I knew. It was even crazier than the name implies and I absolutely could not afford it—but it ended up being six of the best days of my life. Don't tell Jonathan Coulton, but half the reason I love him is because his friends and fans are my kind of people. I want to be near them (you!) always.
I cried when the cruise ended. I had spent all my money and maxed out my credit cards to go, and I knew I would never be able to experience this magical voyage again.
But...hope springs eternal. More than one Sea Monkey has said that JoCo Cruise Crazy won't be the same without me, and offered to help me out. With hundreds of people going, I could get $10 or $20 from everyone to make my dreams come true.
But why should you give me any money?
Reasons You Want Me On JoCo Cruise Crazy II
I volunteer to be your Community Ambassador
If you're talking about JoCo Cruise Crazy on Twitter, Facebook, or the JoCo forums, you've probably seen my name. I spend a lot of my free time connecting with past and future Sea Monkeys.
I'm not one of the organizers; I have no inside knowledge or special powers. I just love logistics, and I love the community of JoCo fans—especially the sense of camraderie that arose among the first generation of Sea Monkeys. If there's any way I can make this cruise better for fellow fans I'll do it.
In my self-appointed role as community ambassador, I'll continue tracking the minutiae of plans, parties and booking processes; answering questions; and generally connecting people and information.
Don't want to dig through nine pages of forum threads to find the answer to your question? Having trouble finding a roommate? Want to know what "unofficial" events are planned? I can help!
...but only if I get to stay involved in the planning.
I come bearing gifts
Last cruise I stayed up all night making Nanaimo bars for 400 people. For two successive years I've made cupcakes for everyone in the audience at Jonathan Coulton shows, because it was my birthday and I wanted everyone to have cake. This year my birthday falls during the cruise.
It must be fate.
I don't know the details yet, but I'll bring something for every Sea Monkey on the ship.
That's in addition to the thank you notes, small tokens, and unlimited hugs for anyone who helps me out. Look at the rewards piling up!
It won't be the same without me
We also had a group on board who I think added a little something to the cruise, without them I think it may have been much more boring without their colorful hair and creative outfits.
—ebkallen, a non-JoCo fan who mentioned us in her review on Cruise Critic
I don't know that ebkallen was referring to me, but I was certainly one of the people with colorful hair and creative outfits. I make offbeat clothes for my own amusement, but I wasn't the only one whose vacation was enlivened because of my costume changes.
Given that seeing what you'd be wearing to each event was one of the highlights of the last cruise, and that the next one would be sadly lacking if you weren't there, I think they should pay your way as one of the entertainers.
—stitchinthyme, on the JoCo forums
I made enough friends on the last sailing to hope that my fashion sense is not the only reason people keep me around. (Any veteran Sea Monkeys want to write me a testimonial? I could really use some about now...)
So come on. You know it's going to be more fun with me around!
Convinced? Help me out by donating, or purchasing a fundraising item!
Okay, fine—no one has actually asked me anything (except the one about Kickstarter.) But these are some of the answers I have.
How do I measure my head for a fez?
The measuring tape should go around your forehead and the bump at the back of your head, roughly parallel to the ground. Hold the measuring tape taut to get an accurate reading. Measuring to the nearest quarter-inch is enough precision; your fez will be flexible enough to accommodate slight variation.
What is JoCo Cruise Crazy?
Wait, you mean you're not a Sea Monkey and you're thinking of helping me? You're amazing! And you probably want to go on this cruise with me. (If you're asking this question, I should probably mention that "Sea Monkey" designates someone who's attended JoCo Cruise Crazy.)
JoCo Cruise Crazy is a Caribbean cruise hosted by internet superstar Jonathan Coulton and many of his famous friends. In addition to the typical cruise things like unlimited free food, a week on a giant boat, and stops at various tropical islands, this cruise includes a sizeable chunk of the internet brought to life.
JoCo Cruise Crazy II will sail February 19-26, 2012 and tour the Southern Caribbean. There will be 24-hour tabletop gaming, swag from ThinkGeek, and nightly concerts starring JoCo, Paul and Storm, and a host of talented celebrity guests. Formal wear is optional at the exclusive formal party, but moustaches and fezzes are highly encouraged. There will be ukuleles and Rubik's cubes and geocaching and possibly dance lessons. You will have an opportunity to sing JoCo songs at karaoke in front of Jonathan Coulton himself, and better yet in front of a crowd of his fans who will all sing along and cheer you all the more when you make a mistake.
It is, in short, the best kind of vacation a geek can take.
Why aren't you using Kickstarter?
Three main reasons:
- Kickstarter doesn't work in Canada
- Even if they did, this fundraiser doesn't meet their criteria of a creative project
- All donation sites take a percentage off each transaction, and I'm trying to ask for the absolute minimum I need in order to go on this trip.
What's in it for me?
Everyone who donates will receive:
- A personalized thank-you note
- A hug the next time I see you (unless you are not the touchy type, that's cool)
- My undying gratitude
- The warm, fuzzy feeling of having helped out someone who really appreciates it
Everyone who purchases an item receives all of the above, plus an awesome handmade thing! What's not to love?
If you are going on JoCo Cruise Crazy II, my success comes with the added bonus of spending a week on a ship with me!
When will I get the item I purchased?
In order to fundraise as fast as possible, I'm going to accept more orders than I can process in a timely fashion. Please be patient with me! At this point I can be sure of the following:
- Handmade items will be shipped no later than four weeks from date of purchase.
- Custom art/written work will be delivered digitally no later than 90 days from date of purchase.
- Personal delivery aboard JoCo Cruise Crazy will always be an option.
Once I know how much work I have to do I'll be able to give you a better estimate.
What happens if you don't make $2000?
If I can't reach my fundraising goal, I won't be on JoCo Cruise Crazy II. Period. The financial hole I dug by going on the first cruise means that my regular income is dedicated to more serious things—I won't be in a position to save for a vacation for a long, long time.
If I can't go, everyone will still receive their purchased items; profits from handmade items will be put to the "paying rent" fund instead of the "cruise" fund.
In the event that I fall short and can't go on the cruise, anyone who donated money directly will be offered a full refund.
What happens if you make more than $2000?
In the unlikely event that I surpass my funding goal, I'll stop accepting direct donations. I will continue selling handmade items as long as there is interest in them.
What sort of things am I making? I'm glad you asked!
Fezzes
Prepare to wow the Paul F. Tompkins Memorial Moustache Formal and Fezstravaganza with your very own custom fez! Lovingly hand made in materials and colours of your choice. Don't show up without your own unique accessory!
All fezzes are approximately 5.75" high and come equipped with a cotton lining and hand-wound tassel.
Classic FezAn elegantly simple soft-sided fez with hand-made tassel. The basic felt (made from 100% recycled pop bottles) is available in an assortment of colours beyond traditional red. Heavy Pellon interfacing provides shape without losing flexibility, so your fez won't take up too much precious luggage space. Stock tassel colours are black and off-white but the fibre can be hand-dyed to suit. $25 + $10 shipping For a little more luxury, upgrade your fez to wool or plush velvet! A more subdued colour selection is made up for by the knowledge that you are a real gentleperson with a taste for fine things. $30 + $10 shipping In order that your fez arrive in prime condition, it will be shipped in a protective box. Please contact me if you'd like to arrange alternate shipping arrangements. |
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Extra-Awesome FezWant to stand out from the crowd? Custom colours aren't enough for you? Add a little flair to your ensemble with custom decorations! All the same choices as a Classic Fez, but for an extra $10 you get a unique appliqué or trim added. Suggestions:
Don't limit yourself to the list! Every appliqué is made individually by hand, so no two will be exactly alike. This is a feature. $35/40 + $10 shipping |
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TOTALLY CUSTOM Designer FezWant something totally crazy? If you want zebra-print with fur trim, I can do that. Let's talk unique designs! $50 + $10 shipping |
Stories
Do you like stories? Of course you do! Now you can have a story of your very own—that's right, written just for you. Currently available in two flavours.
Micro Fiction About JoCo Cruise Crazy
Purchase your own piece of "A Fictional History of JoCo Cruise Crazy": a collection of vignettes that may or may not have happened aboard a ship in the Caribbean. Read a sample online to get a taste of what you're in for! $10
Short Stories
Full-length short fiction in a genre of your choosing. Your story will be at least 2000 words of adventure, whimsy, and/or drama—with an unlimited non-commercial license, so you can do whatever you like with the result (except sell it.) Caveat: Some genres are going to go better than others. I am never going to write a prize-winning horror story, but I promise to try if you ask. $100
More!
Arriving soon: plushies, artwork, and more! Now's your chance to let me know if there's anything you'd like made...
