Care Package Exchange

Chatterbox: Chirp at Cricket

Care Package Exchange

Care Package Exchange

This is an experiment. I'm not really sure how it will work, but here goes…

So most of you know about my Care Package threads, and those of you who've been here over a year are likely to remember compliment threads. Due to the drama compliment threads tend to cause, we haven't really had one in a while. But I really like the idea, so I've been trying to come up with something better, and we're going to see how this goes.

Essentially, the general premise is similar to Care Packages. Leave a comment. You can talk a bit about yourself if you like, but it's not necessary so you don't have to. Then, I was thinking people could reply with media recs or compliments or inspirational quotes or just whatever they want, and we can see how it goes. Unlike Classic Care Packages, this is a bit less centered around advice in my mind. 

Anyone can comment, of course, but maybe try to reply to someone else's comment if you do? That way everyone who wants something gets something.

What do you all think about this? I don't want to stir up drama or boss anyone around, I just thought this might be a nice thing to do for the holidays.

submitted by Periwinkle, age Pi, Somewhere in the stars
(December 4, 2023 - 5:45 pm)

back to the Chirp at Cricket
submitted by top
(December 4, 2023 - 7:38 pm)
submitted by Top again
(December 4, 2023 - 8:10 pm)

Now that we got the top glitch out of the way, let me explain my thoughts on this.

First. That is a great idea. However, I am a bit unclear. Is it that just ANYONE responds with the Care Package? Because if so, more people could respond to one CBer and others could feel left out (this is what happened with another one of the compliment threads, I remember). I think it's fine if just you or another person do it, or if each person specializes in one of them and gives it to each?

Maybe different CBers who can do the job manage different "departments" of the Care Package (which should be called more like a "Holiday Package" nowadays to distinguish from the Classic ones as you call them) and give each person a different thing? IDK. You're the expert, Peri, so I'll let you plan this out.

Joe cool said "orica". THAT IS EXACTLY LIKE "orca"! I think Joe Cool is saying that we should respect orcas more as orcas instead of killer whales (which is an offensive name) as in the wild orcas never hurt people, unless REALLY provoked. 

submitted by Sinusoidal
(December 4, 2023 - 9:15 pm)

I think this is a cool idea, but we should probably make extra-special care to not leave anyone out, because than instead of making people feel better, it would be making people feel worse. Anyway, I think this is a great idea, and we should work out the details so we can make it work. 

submitted by WildWolf
(December 5, 2023 - 12:13 pm)

For clarity: yes, anyone can reply. 

Why do I think less people would feel left out? Because instead of anyone picking who they're complimenting and others being upset that nobody remembered to compliment them, you can literally state if you want to get something. If we have the rule that you need to reply to someone else's before posting your own, that solves that. I'm going to do my best to reply to everyone's so everyone gets something, but I am not doing this alone. It's too draining for me. 
I think the clarity between "Care Packages" and "Care Package Exchnage" shows the difference. Calling it "Holiday Packages" suggests that it can only be done during the holidays, so I don't really want to do that.
This does leave the fact that some people might get different amounts, of course, which I have considered. But is it really a problem if one person only gets two whereas others get five? Some CBers have been here longer than others and by default are better known. I don't really think it's possible - or fair to anyone, to be honest - to try and stop that. What do you think?
submitted by Periwinkle, age Pi, Somewhere in the stars
(December 5, 2023 - 4:05 pm)

I think you bring up a lot of good points, Peri! I do think that this Care Package Exchange (which is a really sweet idea, btw <3) will cause less people to feel left out than a regular compliment thread would because you don't necessarily need to know a lot about a person to give them song recs or whatever the way you'd need to in order to give them a sincere compliment. Like Peri, I'll also try my best to respond to everyone who posts on this thread so that no one feels left out.

I appreciate Sine and WildWolf for being so considerate and looking out for other people, though :D

submitted by pangolin, age she/they, Outskirts of the Galaxy
(December 5, 2023 - 5:11 pm)

I love this idea! It's such a good way to spread some love and support and it has all the good parts of compliment threads and none of the bad parts and it's just really wonderful <3 I'll definitely be responding to others as much as I can!

I've been feeling a little stressed and down lately, and kinda unappreciated with everything that's going on irl... it's like no one has the time or inclination to actually think about how I'm feeling for once. I won't ramble on, but anyway a care package would be much appreciated :')

submitted by Poinsettia, a sea of crystal waters
(December 6, 2023 - 4:57 pm)

I think you are an interesting person with a unique way of seeing the world, Poinsettia! I hope you feel better soon <3

Here are some song recommendations:

seven - Taylor Swift

Dreams - chloe moriondo (this is a cover; you'd probably like the original version by Fleetwood Mac as well)

Closer to Fine - The Indgio Girls

Love Story - Taylor Swift  

We don't have super similar music taste so this is the best I could do, but I hope you like them!

submitted by Periwinkle, age Pi, Somewhere in the stars
(December 6, 2023 - 7:08 pm)
submitted by Top
(December 6, 2023 - 7:33 pm)

Thank you so much! I'll check out those songs when I get a chance. I think I'll probably like them a lot! Anyway, thank you again, I really appreciate it <3

submitted by Poinsettia, a sea of crystal waters
(December 7, 2023 - 2:14 pm)
submitted by Top
(December 7, 2023 - 8:14 pm)

what is up, never done a care package before, but this is a real sweet idea, so why not?

song recs:

Nobody But Me by the human beinz

-my favorite upbeat lift-me-up song

Spotted Pinto Bean by the residents 

-this one is kind of weird, i'll be honest

Thank You Mario But Our Princess is in Another Castle by the mountain goats and kaki king

- it's about that little mushroom guy, whats not to like? 

compliment time! i haven't gotten the privilege of reading very much of your writing, but i know i've read some of your stuff for a couple writing contests, and it all feels real. like, really real. it's awesome and so are you. keep rockin' dude. 

submitted by Lord Entropy
(December 7, 2023 - 9:55 pm)

i'm sorry you're feeling like that, Poinsettia. feeling unappreciated and ignored is never a good feeling <3 i think you're a wonderfully kind and creative person, with a gorgeous and vivid writing style (your solo write was literally so good?? the worldbuilding and characterizations were incredible. i really want to get around to rereading that sometime!). perhaps writing a poem or short story or even just a rambly bit of prose might help if you're feeling stressed or sad? and if you ever need to rant, i'm here <3

here are some song recs you might enjoy~

Nikt by Lor (this one's in Polish, and it's really pretty! i really love their music--it's so beautiful and calming, so if you like this song, i would definitely check out their other music! they have songs in both Polish and English)

Ghost by Indigo Girls (i know Peri already recommended a song by them, but i absolutely adore their music. Galileo and Airplane are some other favorites of mine)

Runaway by The Corrs (i don't listen to them as much as i used to, but i still really love their music! it's kind of Celtic but more modern. i also really like their song Forgiven, Not Forgotten)

Crowded Table by The Highwomen (they have a lot of cool songs i think you might like! some of my favorites are Highwomen and Loose Change)

i hope you like these songs! happy holidays! :D 

submitted by pangolin, age she/they, wherever books are sold
(December 7, 2023 - 9:55 pm)

@LE and pangolin, thank you so much! You made me feel amazingly better <3 I've looked up some of those songs, and they're really nice! Currently listening to the Mountain Goats one :) (going off on a tangent here but it makes me feel so connected to you guys to be listening to the same songs you've heard?? it's really cool to be hearing the exact same sounds that you have, even though we've never met...) anyways, thanks again! love you sm /p

submitted by Poinsettia
(December 9, 2023 - 5:35 pm)

oh and happy holidays to both of you too!

submitted by Poinsettia, a sea of crystal waters
(December 9, 2023 - 5:36 pm)