50th picture, Russ in the game and moves to fourth place

Above is the 50th photo submitted.

Russ submitted some pretty classic photos to earn his month one bonus decal and surge to 4th place. He was able to have his stickers distributed as well, one down 11 others to go.

We are now at 50+ photos submitted and over 50% participation in the challenge.

I'm guessing a few more photos will be coming in tomorrow to close out the month.

1. Perry 91 earned* (86 to be sent)
2. Guy 37 earned* (32 to be sent)
3. Temke 35 earned* (30 to be sent)
4. Russ 31 earned*
5. Horton 27 earned* (22 to be sent)
6. Kevin 26 earned* (21 to be sent)
7. Barbs 25 earned*
8t. Grant 19 earned* (14 to be sent)
8t. Max 19 earned* (14 to be sent)
10. Todd 14 earned (9 to be sent)
11. Pretti 9 earned (4 to be sent)
12. Joe 8 earned (3 to be sent)

Perry Correction, New Photo to vote, late vote hurts Hodag entries

After reviewing and updating the spreadsheet to add up achievements there has been a few stickers earned corrections pending, Perry is down for only 91 for some reason, I've added in the 20 stickers Barbs and I get for donating and a couple other completions of the scoring to update.

I was about to take down the Hodag voing booth and then at the last minute someone threw a 4 vote in dragging the total earned down from 10 to 9.

With a few photo submissions in, we are at 49... ...Perry has one last wild card to vote on which is now up. And I know of atleast one participant will photos to be submitted tomorrow for a late month surge into action.

Sunday will be a busy day of confirming submissions, retiring some achievements, giving out some new ones and beginning month two of the challenge.

1. Perry 91 earned* (86 to be sent)
2. Guy 37 earned* (32 to be sent)
3. Temke 35 earned* (30 to be sent)
4t. Horton 27 earned* (22 to be sent)
5. Kevin 26 earned* (21 to be sent)
6. Barbs 25 earned*
7t. Grant 19 earned* (14 to be sent)
7t. Max 19 earned* (14 to be sent)
9. Todd 14 earned (9 to be sent)
10. Pretti 9 earned (4 to be sent)
11. Joe 8 earned (3 to be sent)

* Monthly decal earned

A Closer Look at the Hodag Submissions

New player, 45 photos in, Sticker distribution

With the end of the month surge of submissions, I'm lifting the every other rule in order to get all of the achievements graded and the final monthly scores updated.

Also I have removed the Jet Fighter photo submission and put Todd's first effort up for vote. Todd and Kevin have both submitted this really hilarious photo so they will get the same amount of stickers after the vote is complete. Remember the fact that the visor is being worn is already accounted for in the voting choices.

Congrats to Grant who earned his bonus decal, the 7th player to do so for the first month.

We have 45 photos graded, with four left up to vote, so the goal of 50 submissions this month is probably going to happen, that is most excellent. Kevin and Grant will be getting 12 stickers each tonight at bowling as I start distribution.

1. Perry 104 earned (99 to be sent)
2. Temke 35 earned (30 to be sent)
3. Horton 25 earned (20 to be sent)
4. Max 19 earned (14 to be sent)
5. Kevin 17 earned (12 to be sent, 1 for vote)
6. Grant 17 earned (12 to be sent)
7. Guy 16 earned (11 to be sent)
8. Pretti 9 earned (4 to be sent)
9. Joe 8 earned (3 to be sent)
10. Todd 5 earned (1 for vote)

Standings update, New photo to vote on, End of First Month Nearing, New Player Enters Standings

Well the recovery of my work hard drive was completed but it didn't really help get the challenge back on track. Last night however I was able to do a bunch of submission grading, some uploading and also some photos of my own for once.

Perry had some great ones again and is really putting together a great month, Horton and I completed the facebook task of 10 friends each on our pages (although I haven't accepted the friendships yet, I'm taking the stickers and will do so later) and last night I took four photos as well.

We have had 37 photos submitted this month, six of us have earned our bonus decal already and I'm hoping there might be a surge at the end of the month to get to 50 photos for the month. We shall see.

I am working on retiring a few of the achievements, perhaps those that have been completed by 5 or more people will be the level at which it will be retired or maybe 3 or more. Haven't decided on that. Also will be compiling some new tasks based on January submissions and suggestions.

Stickers will be handed out or delievered very soon, Perry is going to have alot of doubles so those rules are definately gonna have to be ironed out. I know Perry will be a good sport with the stickers, he is easily the MVP of this thing at the moment. I don't know how realistic the current doubles rules are though based on the fact I'm shipping a metric ton of them to Madison next week.

New photo to be voted on is the stickerbook with a fighter jet in the background, taken by Perry, it's pretty cool. Enjoy!

Let's get to 50 photos!

1. Perry 103 earned (98 to be sent)
2. Temke 35 earned (30 to be sent)
3. Horton 25 earned (20 to be sent)
4. Max 19 earned (14 to be sent)
5. Kevin 17 earned (12 to be sent)
6. Guy 16 earned (11 to be sent)
7. Pretti 9 earned (4 to be sent)
8. Joe 8 earned (3 to be sent)

Let the Recovery Begin!

Took a photo of my screen as a UHC Tech was recovering the lost files from late last week, it's a giant step forward in getting the GAS Challenge back on track. More to come!

"I don't believe what I just saw!"

He's done it again folks.

On a day when Brian made a significant push in to second place, Perry has again answered the bell.

In the mail, after the long holiday weekend, he came home to a letter from Topps baseball recognizing the GAS Challenge. An achievement worth 15 stickers in the challenge and is a significant advancement of the Challenge!

Yet to be determined is whether Perry gets double the stickers for the odd clipping of the visor that Perry sent Topps, which they sent back along with an equally odd photo of a hat.

I think that will go to vote, I'm giving Perry 15 for now... Enjoy the image of the package they sent back. Click on the picture above for an enlarged version or click here for a PDF complete with the response from Topps, Perry's initial letter and a picture of the postmarked envelope and visor clipping.


Congrats Perry, another unreal achievement!

1. Perry 89 earned (83 to be sent, 4 photos waiting)
2. Temke 35 earned (30 to be sent, 2 photos waiting)
3. Horton 20 earned (15 to be sent)
4. Max 19 earned (14 to be sent)
5. Kevin 17 earned (12 to be sent)
6. Pretti 9 earned (4 to be sent)
7. Joe 8 earned (3 to be sent)

SCORE CORRECTION - Temke to 2nd place

Temke reminded me that the photo that was being polled today was actually him out of the country, that's a 20 point achievement with the visor on... ...new photo will be in the poll later today, Perry has some more stickers coming as well because the out of country achievement opens up a spot for one of his cued up photos.

1. Perry 73 earned (68 to be sent, 4 photos waiting)
2. Temke 35 earned (30 to be sent, 2 photos waiting)
3. Horton 20 earned (15 to be sent)
4. Max 19 earned (14 to be sent)
5. Kevin 17 earned (12 to be sent)
6. Pretti 9 earned (4 to be sent)
7. Joe 8 earned (3 to be sent)
8. Guy 5 earned (20 purchased, 1200 donated)
9. Barbs 5 earned (20 purchased, 200 donated)
10. Matty, Sean, Aaron, Russ, Evan, Paul, Todd, Grant, Jake, John, Jay and Ed tied at 5 earned (no tie breakers)

Temke moves into 5th place with some photos to be voted on, Perry extends his lead with photos waiting

FYI - I've figured out how to easily extract photos from my phone now so text photo submissions are perfectly fine if that is a prefered way to submit photos.

Some really great ones this past week from Perry and Brian, take a look see at the latest one to be voted on, it's a classic.

1. Perry 73 earned (68 to be sent, 4 photos waiting)
2. Horton 20 earned (15 to be sent)
3. Max 19 earned (14 to be sent)
4. Kevin 17 earned (12 to be sent)
5. Temke 15 earned (10 to be sent, 3 photos waiting)
6. Pretti 9 earned (4 to be sent)
7. Joe 8 earned (3 to be sent)
8. Guy 5 earned (20 purchased, 1200 donated)
9. Barbs 5 earned (20 purchased, 200 donated)
10. Matty, Sean, Aaron, Russ, Evan, Paul, Todd, Grant, Jake, John, Jay and Ed tied at 5 earned (no tie breakers)

Long day, standings update coming tomorrow...

Worked a full day, including covering a game tonight, beat tired, looking for some inspiration and a pick me up... ...open the stickerchallenge email account wham, it never fails... ...I haven't scored the new photos yet, I will hopefully do that tomorrow.

I can't help but host this one as a preview... F-ING CLASSIC!

Max regains sole possesion of 3rd, Temke moves to 7th, Kevin falls to 4th

Perry and Temke have photos waiting, I've moved Temke into 7th because his photo will earn him stickers at some point in time today. I'm realizing today that we have 21 participants, I for some reason though it was an even 20, perhaps I have someone's name listed twice. Either way I think 21 is enough. It's looking like we may have 50% participation by the end of the month so that is a good start.

If you know of anyone that might want to enter the game, let me know, based on this count I have one slot open because I am saving an unused sticker book for the prize package.

Max moves to third getting 2 stickers for the small baby reading the stickerbook.

1. Perry 67 earned (52 to be sent, 4 photos waiting)
2. Horton 20 earned (15 to be sent)
3. Max 19 earned (14 to be sent)
4. Kevin 17 earned (12 to be sent)
5. Pretti 9 earned (4 to be sent)
6. Joe 8 earned (3 to be sent)
7. Temke 5 earned (1 photo waiting)
8. Guy 5 earned (20 purchased, 1200 donated)
9. Barbs 5 earned (20 purchased, 200 donated)
10. Matty, Sean, Aaron, Russ, Evan, Paul, Todd, Grant, Jake, John, Jay and Ed tied at 5 earned (no tie breakers)

Newcomer enters the fight, Perry still way out, Horton moves to second

Russell Horton earned 15 stickers in his first weekend of submissions and had some brilliant ones, definately worth a look. Perry continues to build on his lead, however the first photo from Brian came in from the airport, this could be a big week for him as soon as I can extract the photo from my phone I will score it.

1. Perry 67 earned (52 to be sent)
2. Horton 20 earned (15 to be sent)
3. Max 17 earned (12 to be sent, 1 picture waiting)
3. Kevin 17 earned (12 to be sent)
5. Pretti 9 earned (4 to be sent)
6. Joe 8 earned (3 to be sent)
7. Guy 5 earned (20 purchased, 1200 donated)
8. Barbs 5 earned (20 purchased, 200 donated)
9. Matty, Sean, Aaron, Russ, Joe, Evan, Paul, Todd, Grant, Jake, John, Jay and Ed tied at 5 earned (no tie breakers)

Kevin moves into a tie for second...

There are more pictures to vote on and to be posted... ...it's possible they will be added tonight but most likely tomorrow.

1. Perry 41 earned (36 to be sent, 2 pictures waiting)
2. Max 15 earned (10 to be sent, 2 pictures waiting)
2. Kevin 15 earned (10 to be sent, 1 picture waiting)
4. Pretti 9 earned (4 to be sent)
5. Joe 8 earned (3 to be sent)
6. Guy 5 earned (20 purchased, 1200 donated)
7. Barbs 5 earned (20 purchased, 200 donated)
8. Matty, Sean, Aaron, Russ, Joe, Evan, Paul, Todd, Grant, Jake, John, Horton, Jay and Ed tied at 5 earned (no tie breakers)

Standings Update

Joe gets 3 stickers for his facebook stickerbook page and 10+ friends... ...Pretti with the first at the movies photo. A few hours left on Kevin's pending photo, more to come.

1. Perry 41 earned (36 to be sent, 2 pictures waiting)
2. Max 15 earned (5 to be sent, 2 pictures waiting)
3. Kevin 12 earned (6 to be sent, 2 pictures waiting)
4. Pretti 9 earned (4 to be sent)
5. Joe 8 earned (3 to be sent)
6. Guy 5 earned (20 purchased, 1200 donated)
7. Barbs 5 earned (20 purchased, 200 donated)
8. Matty, Sean, Aaron, Russ, Joe, Evan, Paul, Todd, Grant, Jake, John, Horton, Jay and Ed tied at 5 earned (no tie breakers)

Poll is now up, two days to vote on Kevin getting Renee in the dentist's chair with the visor and sticker book. I think this will max out at 5 and down from there.

Standings update, new photo to vote on, Max and Kevin close the gap slightly

The votes were added up and divided by the amount of voters and Max has been awarded 5 stickers for his gansta video. There are a few pictures still pending out there, that will be graded and put in place... ...A poll to grade out one of Kevin's waiting photos will be put up in a minute.

1. Perry 41 earned (36 to be sent, 2 pictures waiting)
2. Max 15 earned (5 to be sent, 2 pictures waiting)
3. Kevin 12 earned (6 to be sent, 2 pictures waiting)
4. Pretti 7 earned
5. Guy 5 earned (20 purchased, 1200 donated)
6. Barbs 5 earned (20 purchased, 200 donated)
7. Matty, Sean, Aaron, Russ, Joe, Evan, Paul, Todd, Grant, Jake, John, Horton, Jay and Ed tied at 5 earned (no tie breakers)

Perry continues early lead...

Perry continues with some great submissions, almost already to the point of earning an exemption into the 2011 GAS Challenge. Also the only person to have already earned his monthly bonus decal which will be worth an extra 5 stickers at the end of the year.

1. Perry 41 earned (36 to be sent, 2 pictures waiting)
2. Kevin 11 earned (6 to be sent, 1 picture waiting)
3. Max 10 earned (5 to be sent, 1 video, 2 pictures waiting)
4. Pretti 7 earned
5. Guy 5 earned (20 purchased, 1200 donated)
6. Barbs 5 earned (20 purchased, 200 donated)
7. Matty, Sean, Aaron, Russ, Joe, Evan, Paul, Todd, Grant, Jake, John, Horton, Jay and Ed tied at 5 earned (no tie breakers)

All of the packets are now officially out, 20 competitors, not to bad.

No someone needs to take a charge at Perry.

Also - prize package has begun to shape up, more details to come.

Perry's trip to the laundromat

A brief story of one GAS Challenge player's trip to the laundromat, as told by Perry himself...

While I was waiting for my comforter to wash in an extra large capacity machine, I figured I’d take some time to capture a couple of challenge pictures. And you'll probably see the ones I got in the coming days...

But what you won't see is that I also tried capturing a high score on a video game stationed at the laundromat. It was a “Neo Geo” system and had two games built in. One of them was forgettable and the other was called “1945” (the sequel to 1944, which was the sequel to 1941, which was a sequel to 1943, which was the sequel to the classic arcade game 1942).

Anyway, I dang near shot down every single airplane in that game but still fell short of the high score by hundreds of thousands of points. Not to be deterred, I asked the shop clerk if I could unplug the game and plug it back in. He obliged but I was dismayed to find out that didn’t erase the high scores. Whoda thunk 1991 Neo Geo technology was so advanced?

I should have spent my goodwill with that worker fella by asking him if I could pose behind the counter with the book. But after my question of unplugging the game, I didn’t want to push my luck.

Max's GAS challenge movie

The movie for which you're voting on in the poll to your right can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1103479806630&ref=mf

If that link doesn't work, just do a facebook search on 'great american sticker challenge' and you'll find it real easily.

More photos rolling in...

Current Standings, Perry out to an early commanding lead in the stickers earned category.

1. Perry 28 earned (23 to be sent, 2 pictures waiting)
2. Kevin 11 earned (6 to be sent, 1 picture waiting)
3. Max 9 earned (4 to be sent, 1 video, 3 pictures waiting)
4. Pretti 7 earned
5. Guy 5 earned (20 purchased, 1200 donated)
6. Barbs 5 earned (20 purchased, 200 donated)
7. 13 others tied at 5 earned (no tie breakers)

I'm going to update this as I have time to post pictures throughout the day, so as not to constantly have Standings posts... ...Kevin sent a great one in via his phone so I had to share it and update the standings for such a solid effort.

Early Leaders Emerge

Pretti and Perry are the first to submit photos, while Maxwell has submitted a yet to be scored video.

Pretti gets 2 stickers for a visor worn insturment picture, while Perry shoves the book in someones face with the visor being worn by another person - 3 points.

Barbs currently owns the tie breaker for those tied at 5 stickers, having purchased 20 and donating a significant amount the sticker pool.

I think it'd be best to lock the purchased sticker amount to 20, if that sounds fair to you guys, it was the number Barbs picked to keep out of his stickers so it seems fair. If that's the case I'll take 20 purchased from the 1200 I originally got.

Purchased and donated will only count in tie breaker situations for now, if we can all agree to that as well. Truthfully with 18 people in the contest and only about 1400 stickers in the pool it's not as if we are all gonna have full sticker books but at the end of the year, midnight at Ed's, we can dig through the extra stickers and get as close as possible.

We can argue about what I've just posted I'm open to the discussion.

So the top 5 right now looks like this...

1. Perry 8 earned (4 pictures waiting)
2. Pretti 7 earned
3. Max 5 earned (1 video waiting)
4. Guy 5 earned (20 purchased, 1200 donated)
5. Barbs 5 earned (20 purchased, 200 donated)
6. 13 others tied at 5 earned