Barbecue TV

One Bread Machine

2008-10-02T07:17:00.004-04:00

They said it couldn't be done. I was mocked several times. In fact, there were times that I had given up myself. I mean, I traded for the computer monitor on June 30, 2006!!!!

That was over 2 years ago!

Since then, I've had a few inquiries, but nothing serious. I've put my ad up on Craigslist a few times, and had little to no response, and the response I've usually gotten was negative. As in, "Nobody wants your stupid monitor" (near direct quote from one email). And, as you can imagine, the longer this has gone on, the even less that people want a big (non-flat-screen) monitor.

But a few weeks / months ago, I got an email from Robert, in West Union, OH. He wanted the monitor and had a bread machine. I thought about it for like 2 seconds and said "YES!" I mean even if I wasn't sure about the bread machine, I was certainly sure that the monitor wasn't going anywhere.

It took us quite awhile to arrange logistics for the trade, but finally last night we met up at UDF in Newtown and swapped.

You can even see the corner of his Ron Paul sticker in the car, which gave me the chance to use a joke I heard on the radio yesterday ("Which do you think will recover first - the economy or the Bengals?")

And here's some pics of the bread machine itself.

Don't you want some hot, tasty, homemade bread? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Monitor update

2008-08-15T07:47:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it just seems like this project is dead, don't you think?

But, just like a phoenix, it rises from the ashes!

I posted an ad over on Craigslist once again for the computer monitor and I got a hit. Too early to definitively tell, but I think I've got a track on trading the monitor for a bread machine.

Stay tuned for further updates!

Still alive

2007-05-11T07:04:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to let you know that I am still alive, and so is this trade. I put a note up on craigslist. I got one offer, for a CPU chip. I decided to turn that down, because the market for a CPU chip isn't very fluid, and I think it would be pretty hard to trade that. Even harder than it is turning out to be to trade this monitor.

Still, I will persevere! Who needs a 19" computer monitor!!!?!?!?

19" Computer Monitor

2006-06-30T17:42:00.000-04:00

Yes folks there is movement! I know you've all been anxiously awaiting another post in the high flying world of Barbecue TV. But the truth is that there just hasn't really been that much to say. I mean what do you want - 50 posts that all say "No real news here", etc.

I'm afraid I'm just not a rock star like some people. Neither Alice Cooper nor Corbin Bernsen have contacted me wanting to get involved. Though even if you look at the "paperclip guy", his site trades started out with some degree of infrequency. A few trades in July 2005, then one in September and then one in November. So back off people!

In any case, this afternoon I traded one train set for one computer monitor. You can see my friend Jeff loading the computer monitor in my car in the pic below.

Jeff came down from Columbus to catch a Reds-Indians game. I was going to go with him originally but then decided not to. We met in the parking lot of our friendly Staples and made the trade. I then left the parking lot, and celebrating by blowing the most pointless stop sign in the world (that I hate), which is located on the back side of said parking lot.

Details of the monitor: It is a 19" Hewlett Packard M90 monitor. Yes, it works. It is a bit dusty but if you're nice, maybe I'll dust it off for you. Here's a pic of it sitting in my car

Isn't that a nice monitor? It's a little heavy, but if you've been staring at a too-small monitor for too long, this is your chance! In fact, it's bigger than the monitor of the computer on which I am currently typing this blog entry. It's made me reconsider if I want to even give it up, that's how cool and awesome it is.

So make me an offer! I've already had some talks of a custom golf club from a guy I work with, but you can beat that, right? You can contact me by leaving a comment here to this post

Updates

2006-04-23T18:07:00.000-04:00

Hey folks this is still going on. Just because I'm not getting interviews on ABC and CNN and such like some people, doesn't mean that I've given up. I still have the outstanding offer of the computer monitor, but my friend won't drive down to Washington-Ch-ch on a weekday lunch break.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch

2006-03-02T11:21:00.000-05:00

So someone from Washington Court House commented on this post, where I talked about how the correct pronounciation was "Washington CH". I just found it funny. He said that he found my site by googling for Washington Court House, though I did not find any listing when I googled it. Maybe he was talking about a blogger search where I do show up (about 7 down).

In any case, it's ch-ch-ch baby! :-)

Update

2006-02-16T13:53:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update. I am still doing this. The train set is still up for trade, and sitting on my desk.

People at work keep asking about it as if there is some kind of pressure to get this thing moving, but I don't work on a timetable here. I'm not famous like oneredpaperclip.com with the whole regular CNN video appearances and such.

I think the computer monitor is still a go once my friend gets his booty on down to the Nati.

Further bulletins as events warrant, as Calvin might say.

Pity trades?

2006-01-26T08:42:00.000-05:00

An update - I still haven't gotten the computer monitor that I have mentioned previously, so the train track is still on my desk at work and still up for trade. I have had some offers / interest, but nothing concrete has gone down just yet (you know, if you've been waiting for just the right moment before offering up your car, or something).

I did want to put out the question of pity trades. I know that way back in the day (my first post I believe) I mentioned that I was against pity trades. I still kind of am. But let me just explain why I'm feeling the need to revisit the issue. My mother-in-law is soon moving out of state. As part of the moving process, she is buying new appliances (stove, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher) so as to aid in the selling of her house.

So, the last time we were over there (a week or so ago), she asked if we knew anyone that wanted them, or she also offered them to me as part of my trading. I think that this would clearly be a pity trade, at least from the standpoint that it seems that a train set does not have the same intrinsic value as a major appliance, and my MIL doesn't really want the train set (at least as far as I know). On the other hand, she doesn't really want these appliances either, and probably just wants them out of her house so she can get the new ones.

And of course, I certainly won't feel bad about this trade when I'm sitting back and watching my big ol' TV....

Train update

2006-01-12T11:51:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd write a quick post to keep people in the loop. My friend Jeff has said that he will be here in the Nati next Tuesday for work, actually only 5-10 minutes from where I work. So it looks like the trade for the computer monitor will go down then, that is, if he verifies that said monitor actually works. There's nothing I want less than a defective monitor. Well, probably a few things but anyways.

With Jeff coming down here, that means I won't have to actually drive anywhere to get this monitor. We had made plans to have some lunch in Washington CH, which is located about midways between here and there. So in some ways, it's a bummer that I won't be going to Washington CH, because hey, bonus trip to Washington CH. As a side note, as you are reading this post, please be pronouncing the name of that city not as Washington C. H. nor as Washington Court House, but as Washington "Ch" like choo choo train (which I coincidentally have on my desk!). I don't care who tells you otherwise, it's Washington "Ch". Of course, in other ways, it's not a bummer that I won't drive to Washington CH, IYKWIM.

Someone at work was commenting on my train set and said "You can't trade this - it's so awesome". I suggested that she then make an offer for it, but she said she had nothing to offer. I suggested that maybe she had a car or perhaps an HDTV, but she didn't seem to be willing to trade those things, though I'm not sure.

I will keep you updated, as always. I've had some talks with Kyle from one red paperclip, and I may even more of an Internet rock star than I already am.

Famous-osity

2006-01-04T11:20:00.000-05:00

Yes I continue to be an Internet rock-star. I was mentioned once again over at One Red Paperclip. The quote was:

"There is currently a guy named Dan Miller who is trying to turn a bottle of barbeque sauce into a TV. Dan Miller is exactly the kind of guy I want to see on the new oneredpaperclip.com."

In trading news, my friend Jeff has offered a 19" HP computer monitor for the train set. In the absence of any better offers, I think I'm likely to take him up on that within the next few days. It seems like a good trade for me.

Choo choo!

2005-12-31T09:35:00.000-05:00

After much intense looking for that perfect trade, I have given my Pez dispensers over for a train set. I think that this is a perfect trade for me on my way to a TV.

There have been accusations that this was a "pity trade" which I have been on record as being against. Now, before I tell you who did this trade with me, let me point out a few things in my defense:

This person had just gotten a new train set and was going to give this one to the Salvation Army. So they had no need for this train set and was trying to get rid of it (the perfect situation for me)
When asked what she was going to do with the Pez dispensers, she replied "Eat Pez with them". Who could go wrong with that!
Even if it was a pity trade, that won't bother me too much when I'm watching my giant TV.

So, the person I traded with was my mom :-). When we went up there for Christmas, she had this train set and offered it up for the Pez dispensers. As I just mentioned, it seemed like a great fit.

I took it into work, where I set it up running around my cubicle. There wasn't enough room to safely make a complete circular track (the turning radius of the curvy pieces wasn't big enough). But there are 2 stop pieces that prevent the train from falling off my desk. Here's a picture.

It runs around the whole semicircle - I just didn't take a picture of the other side. There are 3 cars (an engine and 2 other cars) along with lots of extra pieces and town sets (like the orange depot that you can see in the picture). Instructions are included as well. This is perfect for any train-loving child or adult.

Let me know if you have anything that you don't want or need and want a train set!

Pez Dispensers

2005-12-09T17:31:00.000-05:00

The swap for the Pez dispensers went off without a hitch. Well, there may have been one or two minor hitches, but nonetheless, now up for trade are a set of C3PO and R2D2 Pez dispensers. Above you see the dispensers in their full glory. In the bottom picture you see my co-worker Ramon (on the left) and I making the swap.

There was some discussion that this was actually a down-trade for me, but I have confidence that I am well on my way to an HDTV. In fact, I have already been offered a New Husband Voodoo doll for the Pez dispensers, though I am still accepting any and all other offers.

You can all say you knew me back when

2005-12-09T09:31:00.000-05:00

Folks, I would like to call to your attention that this endeavor has, already, in its infancy, been called, and I quote, "semi-successful". I would also like to point out that the first sentence of this blog had 6 more commas than the second sentence.

It's on the Internet, so it MUST be true.

Yes, I think I can agree with one red paperclip afficionado Kyle when he says "This is officially getting out of hand"

Josie and the Pussycats

2005-12-08T19:04:00.000-05:00

I am now the proud owner of one Josie and the Pussycats VHS tape. In case you are wondering, and I know that you are, and in the special case that you are legally blind and "reading" this blog with special auditory scanning software (so as to not be able to see the episode title in big letters in the picture above), or possibly you have a special aversion to run-on sentences and have had your brain dis-engaged, I will tell you it is titled The Melody Memory Mix-up. Though you can't see this from the picture of the front cover, it also contains the episodes Chase, The Great PussycatNever Mind a Mastermind and Strangemoon Over Miami. I should also point out that this is shrinkwrapped and never been opened!

I have to say that when my co-worker Mark was mentioning this tape yesterday, I thought that it was the live-action movie version of Josie and the Pussycats, although in hindsight he never specified one way or the other. Either way, I was happy to make the trade.

I had been talking with Ramon, another co-worker of mine, about trading the Josie and the Pussycats tape for a set of C3PO and R2D2 Pez dispensers. After making the BBQ sauce / Josie trade, I went over to Ramon and told him that he shouldn't feel obligated to trade with me if he was wanting the live-action version. He said no, that he wanted the cartoon version. So stay tuned to this same bat-channel for further trading action!

Scandal!

2005-12-08T17:51:00.000-05:00

There was scandal as the Barbecue TV project got underway this morning. I had brought in the "saucy" bottle of Open Pit Chilé Lime flavored barbecue sauce to trade it. Yesterday, Mark, a co-worker of mine, had agreed to exchange his VHS copy of "Josie and the Pussycats" for the barbecue sauce.

I put the BBQ sauce on my desk and went about my day. Sometime in the 9:00 hour, I returned to my desk and the BBQ sauce was gone! I immediately went into a tirade and launched the biggest witch trials this side of Salem Mass, in an attempt to recover my missing bbq sauce. I questioned co-workers, looking for anyone that had perhaps made large purchases of pulled pork. I made shotgun accusations of everyone I came into contact with, hoping that the guilty culprit would crack under the strain.

My efforts, while not completely successful in rooting out the evil-doer, did bear some fruit - some time around 10:30 or so, I returned to my desk and the BBQ was back on my desk. Sensing a plan, I locked it in my desk drawer, and went around still looking for the guilty party. The thought was to keep asking people in the hopes that someone would say something to the effect of "I took it but I put it back on your desk an hour ago so I don't know who has it now" at which time I could leap out at them and yell "Aha!". Unfortunately I am more Mr. Watson than Sherlock Holmes (my middle name is even Watson).

The next big break in the case came when a co-worker that sits next to me, who shall remain nameless but for story-telling purposes we will call Don, mentioned that he did not take it but that he knew who had. He would not give up the prankster but did clear another co-worker of mine that sits next to me, who we will call Larry. Larry had been my chief suspect and was grateful that he had been cleared. Afterwards, "Larry" said that he was very intimidated by my interrogatory techniques and, although innocent, was about to cop to the crime nonetheless. "Don" would still not give up the culprit, even though we threatened to reveal long-haired pictures of him in his formative years.

Eventually we were able to determine and confront the guilty party. Even though he/she did not openly admit to the incident, I believe that there would be enough evidence to convict in a court of law.

As you can see below, the trade did go through this afternoon. That's me on the left and Mark on the right.

I would like to state, for the record, that I have no hard feelings about the whole incident, though I will say that the potential candidacy of Pappu / Miller for the 2008 Presidential race has certainly taken a big hit.

Open Pit

2005-12-07T17:45:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures of the barbecue sauce in question.

Closeup of the Barbecue sauce before the first trade.

Here we have my saucy wife Vanna-ing the BBQ sauce. Yes that is a good one. You know, "saucy". :-)

Barbecue TV

2005-12-07T15:06:00.000-05:00

Alrighty then. Inspired by this wonderful blog, not to mention "The Great Brain", I've decided to set up this additional blog to catalog my wonderful adventures through wacky hijinks to turn one bottle of Open Pit Chile Lime BBQ sauce into a big screen HDTV.

To start off, some initial thoughts / rationale.

Ending trade: I did not want to rip off Kyle's (from one red paperclip) idea of ending from a house. He's doing a house, so more power to him. Plus, I already have a house. Not that I would turn down a better house, should I be able to get one, but I thought I'd try something else. I eventually settled on a big-screen HDTV. I don't know anything about what makes a good TV, so when I get closer to that, I'll have to find someone who is knowledgable about these things.
Beginning item: I wanted something trivial, yet something that might have *some* trade value. Plus, it being in my house to begin with was a huge positive. I settled on Open Pit BBQ sauce. Point #1 - I have about 200 bottles in the basement that I've gotten for free (see here for an example). Point #2 it's something cheap / trivial. Point #3, It at least has some trade value (Retail price: $1.79). Point #4: I have now punctuated my 4 points in 4 different ways (hyphen space comma colon) and until you just read this sentence you didn't even notice. I also thought about taking the worst gift received at next week's Christmas Gift Exchange and starting with that but decided not to. I may do a separate one with that at some point.
Pity trades: I don't want no steenkin pity trades. By pity trades I mean someone that trades with me just to help me out or trades me something worth much more than my gift. For example, someone offered a Star Wars original trilogy VHS set for my barbecue sauce. I turned him down for being a pity trade. Plus he may have been kidding. But if I can turn my BBQ sauce into something a step or two up, I may revisit the trilogy tapes.
Taxes: As a seasonal tax associate, this came to mind. I'm not a tax expert, but it would seem to me that something like this might run afoul of the IRS. I would imagine that regular trades would not have tax consequences, but if someone gave you a house for a paperclip, I feel 99% certain that the IRS would treat that as a gift and require you to pay income taxes on it. But I'm not sure about the trading multiple times. You could argue that a paperclip and a fish pen have equal value (hence the trade), and therefore no income needs be declared. But then could you also say that a fish pen has equal value with a doorknob? And a doorknob a Coleman stove? This is where I'm not so sure. In any case, because you can give somebody up to $11,000 tax-free each year, I'm going to say that I am going to be okay, since my TV will not cost that much. I may ask someone at one of my next classes. But you can be sure that if I do, I will ask before or after class, and not waste class time with something so off-the-wall because ARRRRRGGGGH IT IS SO FRUSTRATING THE STUPID TIME-WASTING QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE ASK! Not that I just spent 3 hours last night having people ask these types of stupid questions. "Yeah, so what if someone came in, and they said that they got this house and they paid for it with a paperclip? Would they have to pay taxes on it?"

So, I will keep you updated. Right now - up for trade - one bottle of BBQ sauce!