Liberties taken

Luis has nicely asked people not to take anything from the refrigerators that is not theirs.  Sadly, his gentlemanly approach has gone unheeded.  I bring lots of things for free usage by people at the games, including, but not limited to, coffee, milk and cream.  It all is there for others to use as well, and there is no problem with that.  However, when a half gallon of milk that I bring each month for Luis to take home with him (it is from a local farm that uses no growth hormones, antibiotics, etc.) is repeatedly opened and consumed, despite being in the frig in a sealed condition, I must speak up.

IT IS THEFT, pure and simple.  It is sealed, which indicates that it is not for common use.  Please respect other peoples belongings/properties.

If I may, a simple suggestion - put a label on personal stock that says "Personal."  Many items in the fridges are NOT personal, and it can be hard to tell which is which.

I can think of no one at KR who would disregard a label clearly marked on a bottle or carton.  Much like we respect other people's OOG belongings when under a bunk, as opposed to on an open table, labeling your items should prevent confusion while still allowing people to enjoy any public commodities.

The month before, Geoff, the bottle said LUIS in black on one side.  Last month I tried putting it in the back.

Fair enough.  The only other suggestion I will make is to keep it in a bag that is tied shut (as well as labeled), as the barrier of needing to open the bag will act as a deterrent.

Otherwise, you are absolutely right.  Clearly marked personal items should not be used by the community without permission.

Shoot, I was in the kitchen most of the time, I don't remember anyone grabbing milk except the bottle you poured for Marketplace, though people may have been mistaking the other for provided for Coffee, I would hate to think they were taking it intentionally. I didn't mark any of my stuff and had no problems... except for an empty bottle  I was using.

I lost about 30 ice pop from the freezer, other than the a few which was sold. I guess they just got up and walked away?

So the organic milk has been taken every month since you brought it, or only this past month has this issue occurred?

Past two months, Paul.  I bring two half-gallons of it.  One I sell at market faire and then what is left allow to be used for coffee.  That was a touch over a quart this past event.  The other is for Luis.  Been doing that for six months and the problem has only been the last two.

Cream is always for coffee.  I recently doubled the amount I bring, from one to two quarts.  It lasted through Saturday night, which is fine.  The pound of Blue Mtn lasted until Saturday night (I used the last because Crimson and I were having a nice conversation and her desire for a cup arose).  Both the cream and the Coffee are brought to be used, so I have no problem with them being consumed.

Interestingly, the little things I brought, like yogurt and bagels and cream cheese, were not taken.  Those I consume myself or give to people who are hungry as"gifts of the bounty of Valos."

I can sort of understand if it was at the last event at Sac... not excusing it.  Sac's kitchen is small and frig space is at a premium there.  Also, with all the bags and such, confusion can happen.  However, if the bottle said LUIS on it, then it's no excuse.  If it was at Daddy Allen, there should be enough frig space to have seperated space for what's feast and what's personal and personal to have labels or seperators.  Oh well, it's a sad thing and I hope the person(s) now know better.

Makes me glad I am lactose intolerant. 

As for Paul Belles' ice pops... that's really bad.

In all fairness, Matt D. had brought a box of Ice Pops at a previous event, and they were open to the public once Fair was over.  An expectation had been set that they were public.

Again, I will stress this for everyone:

The Fridges at the camp are NOT private.  You may place personal foods in there, but priority is for A) Feast, B) Drinks for the bar, and C) Medicine or other medical needs that must be kept cold.

If you DO place something personal in the fridge, you should A) Label it clearly as being personal, preferably with the word "Personal" on it, and B) keep it in its own bag, box, or container that is closed or sealed.

Failure to do the above runs the risk that someone will make a mistake and assume your food or drink is for public consumption.  People do bring food to share, and keep it in the kitchen.  Food will be moved around as the feast and fair are prepared, and it is possible your food may be moved or accidentally removed from a bag (This is why I specify "closed or sealed").

If you are particularly concerned, please make sure Luis knows you are keeping something private in the Fridge, so he can alert the rest of the Kitchen staff.  We'll do our best to help, but KR does not take responsibility for personal items stored in a public area.

I think Geof hit it spot on. I will continue to make the announcement before lay-on and maybe we might have to mention that if we cannot satisfy the burden of keeping things "safe" that maybe it would be best if nobody outside of staff be allowed access without expressed permission from someone in the kitchen. Which would be totally ridiculous in my opinion as we are not children that are unable to show a little impulse control.

Not to completely butt in here guys but I can think of a very simple solution.

We more often than not have quite a bit of fridge space, would it be too hard at the beginning of the event to designate what section/s of the fridges are for what type of use.

For example have a section for drinks and feast ie: Game use only
A section for ppl's market fair goodies and only market fair
and then a small section reserved for everyone else's personal food/beverage.

All it will really take is some tape printer paper and a sharpy to make it obvious enough and hopefully idiot proof and if we catch an idiot well then deal out punishment as the situation deams.

Just a thought

T

I think that is easily done at Hickory Run, but in Sac there really isnt that much space in the fridges. 

Roy hit it on the head.

yea summer time at sac can be an issue because of the day camp stuff but during the winter i still think it's doable.



T

Well I'll try anything to stop all these Shenanigans with the fridges.

If someone opens a bottle of milk with LUIS written on it, I do not think anything will prevent them from doing it again.

Speaking of the gallon of apple cedar that was on the counter at the beginning of the Find Lore Pyre mod, I'd like to know who took it.  It prevented a nice RP opportunity with myself, Aidy and Zach.  It was almost intact when I left and gone upon my return.  KR does not provide cedar.

On a related topic, sealed bottles in the frig are not for public use.  Once again someone stole milk I brought for Luis to take home.  It was his and not for public consumption.  What makes it worse was that there was an opened bottle next to it on the shelf.

Maybe the folks who have personal drinks/bottles in the fridge should tape that bottle firmly shut to make it a bit more obvious that that bottle is not for public consumption?  Of course, once the owner starts to drink from that bottle...well, could they just tape it shut again?  Then, bottles without tape are available for anyone to drink; bottles with tape belong to someone specific...?

Sadly, the only bottles for public consumption are the wine bottles with water, fruit drinks, or Gatorade in them.  they are all open.  Everything else has been brought to the Event by someone, and thus it is privately owned and should be off limits to any who respect private property.

Seems we have an influx of Socialists here.

In spite of in some cases fridge space being at a premium. "we" could Cordon off one portion of thefridges at which ever site we are at for "PRIVATE" food stuffs. and have it labled such... for unfortunately the only thing i can see working if that wont cut it... is making the fridge off limits to anyone other that "kitchen staff" so to speak. I know it seems Draconian... but what else can one do when people continually refuse to respect other people's belongings?...

If this is becoming a huge problem, all I can suggest is people stop bringing personal drinks to game, or never leave personal drinks in open areas.  Other folks can carry their personal drinks with them and anything left in the open without labels is at risk of being drunk by any passerby.  As for the milk for Luis... if you're willing to pack it with your stuff and carry it, maybe it be best to spend the cash to just ship it to him directly.  A hassle for sure... but hey... it's probably the safest way to go.

I don't know what to tell you or say... but if this really bothers you, then maybe alternative means are in order for a while.

Shipping milk is not a very bright idea, Paul,especailly as the containers are glass.  Spending $30 or so a gallon is counterproductive.  I sell the cider along with my other goods at Market Faire.  A gallon weighs 8 pounds, so again, carrying 32 pounds of liquid along with 5-6 pounds of cheese, sausage, etc. is more than impractical. 

I think I will go on doing what I am doing, and hopefully the very smnall number of people who steal from others will get the idea.

Never said it was a bright idea.    However, if the issue is so bad that you need to /rant on the boards about it, then alternatives are offerred.  Is the issue of people taking stuff so bad that it's worth the cost of shipping a simple gallon of milk?  That is the question...

If you are okay with continuing on and hoping that the situation changes in the future, as you posted... so be it.  I wish you luck and that the situation does change for you.  If it doesn't... reevaluate the situation and decide how you want to handle it and what is it worth to you in cost, headache, and tolerance.

We all make decisions based on our own set of priorities.  I don't larp during the Summer as its hot and I'm lazy.  My laziness outweighs my love and desire of coming to events and taking part of this.  Undoubtedly I miss out on mod, loot, story, and critical moments that I wish I could be a part of... but my own creature comfort outweighs that.  It's selfish, but I made my choice and priority.  Now I must abide by it.

If you wish to do the milk and other wonderful stuff you bring and some of it gets "misappropriated" by folks, then you have to decide how much you wish to bring and how you wish to keep it from being taken or decide how you wish to work with folks to make sure they understand what's for IG/OOG use and what isn't.

Its still sad that you lost some cider and such.  I hope the people who took it didn't do it maliciously and that a mistake was made in honesty.  I hope the person(s) were dying of thirst and just needed a drink after the long chase after Pyre.

While I think it was perfectly fine for Charlie to raise his concern here, I think any potential remedy beyond hoping for the better angels of our natures is something that Charlie (and other concerned parties) should work out with James and Luis. Only they can really say what is possible logistically in the kitchen as far as accommodating private items, and only James can speak to the issue of theft of OOG belongings at events.

In the event that a system of labeling or isolating private items is decided upon, James or Luis will publicly notify everyone. Until then, don't take something if it isn't yours, or if the person that it belongs to isn't standing there saying "go ahead". It's a simple rule, I think...

*twists his moustache* Nyaaa! The milk is mine! Despite my lactose intolerance I have a healthy appetite for evil! If I can no longer drink of its silken delciousness then neither can any of you!

- This is definately not Craig and is probably his virtually unknown stupid alter ego, with an appetite for inconvenience.

Valos has the best Bagels .... thanks again charlie... you really saved me i probably would have passed out from not eating. I was feeling rather ill until i ate that bagel. the long lasting carbs really helped. I don't think i could thank you enough charlie! and i'll keep ym eye open when i help in the kitchen washing dishes for the milk thief

This praise from a woman whose BF thought I was 85!!.

The bounty of Valos is available to those in need. :)

Thanks for the kind words, Adi.

85!?!?!?!?  You don't look a day over 84!!!!! (in base 7) (which I still a little high)



Michael Smith - who is soon to turn my 12th prime number

Why not decide on a commonly agreed upon color..  say -- Purple.  And have a LARGE purple sticker on private property that is not to be used by the public, then announce it at the beginning of the event?  "Items marked with a purple sticker are private stock and not to be used without ownership or permission."