FOM Queequeg Mug to benefit the MS Society - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

http://www.northeasttikitour.com/msmug/

The link to purchase will be active at NOON Eastern time today, October 1st.

Why a mug to benefit the MS Society?
An explanation of motivation by Suffering Bastard in Maine, aka Jon Bartholomew

Traci I met Traci ten years ago while living in Tacoma. Besides an instant physical attraction, we quickly found we were the absolute best possible match for each other. It didn't take long for us to fall in love. About a year after we met, we moved into an apartment together and one of the first things we added to it was a really cool bar we found in an antique/retro shop in town. This bar had a fantastic shape to it, but needed something. I bought some bamboo and added it to the exterior, and voila, a tiki bar! I already had a couple of tiki mugs but this was really the start of our mutual enjoyment of the tiki culture.

Since then, the bar has come with us as we moved around the country (currently in Portland, ME) and we have had a great time participating in the tiki world. We have traveled to Tiki Oasis in San Diego, we have gone on the first Northeast Tiki Tour (and will be on the second!) and have met tons of great people through all of our activities. Many of those great people are here in New England where I have been honored to be part of the Queequeg Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Moai.

About three years ago now, we were delivered a blow. Over a Thanksgiving weekend, Traci rapidly lost sight in one of her eyes. After going to an eye doctor, we were referred to a neurologist who soon confirmed that Traci has Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a strange disease that nobody knows the cause of, but at least today there are some treatments. Unfortunately those treatments involve regular shots she has to give herself. Every other day. And Traci hates hates hates needles!!

MS is basically the body's immune system attacking the coating of nerves. Therefore the impact can be many different things. It can be a lack of balance, it can be numbness or tingling in a body part, it can be blindness, lack of energy, or forgetfulness. You don't see someone and say, "Oh, that person has MS," as it's not that obvious. However, many people with MS end up in wheelchairs because of the permanent damage it can cause to the nervous system.

For my part, it's difficult to watch the woman I love so much have to give herself shots, suffer from symptoms, and have the fear that she may one day lose her mobility. And there's nothing I can do.

But there is.

The National MS Society was there right from the beginning offering a support group for Traci. They provided information that made this easier for both of us. They have been advocating for increased research into the causes and treatments for MS. The MS Society does a great amount of work to make those living with MS have better lives.

So the one thing I can do to battle MS is to support the National MS Society. And what do I have at my fingertips to help with that? I have a connection to the big ol' Tiki Ohana!!

I proposed the idea of doing a mug to benefit the MS Society to my fellows in the FOM Queequeg Chapter. Everyone thought it was a great idea. We hashed out a design and I took it to Holden at Tiki Farm. Holden was happy to work with me and has bent over backwards to make this work out! He wanted to make sure it was great, so he connected us with Squid who took our ideas and turned them into this freaking awesome mug! Both Holden and Squid have reduced their rates as they are truly part of the Ohana as well. Thank you guys!!!

The mug itself has a few interesting features you might not realize right off the bat. The basic design is that of a Moai, because, well, we are the Fraternal Order of MOAI! And our Queequeg Chapter was named after the character in Moby Dick who had Maori-style tattoos all over him. Therefore, we included tattoos that symbolize health and life (the sun) and rebirth/renewal (the "koru" swirls). Since this is to benefit the MS Society, we figured that symbolism was appropriate. Another little bit is that the mug has feet. We know Moai don't have feet, but these Moai in New England have walked together in the MS Walk, so we figured, hey! We're the walking Moai! Give the mug some feet!

So today, we offer this mug to you in the spirit of fellowship, friendship and love. We hope you will buy at least one, perhaps donate a little extra and tell a friend.

And to you I say a humble MAHALO! for supporting the cause.

Only 200 of these mugs will be made!

Price: $40.00 (plus shipping)
Capacity: 12 oz.

Each mug will come with a hand-signed, hand-numbered Certificate of Authenticity AND the recipe for the Queequeg's Harpoon cocktail. According to Jeff "Beachbum" Berry, author of Sippin' Safari, The Grog Log, Intoxica! and Taboo Table, the Queequeg's Harpoon "is like a Nantucket sleigh-ride on the high seas with Ahab at the helm. It's not just a drink, it's an adventure!"

The proceeds from the sale of these mugs will be donated to the National MS Society - Maine Chapter. The first $15 of each mug purchased will go to recouping expenses (design and production costs), with the balance donated directly to the MS Society. Once all expenses are recouped, the entire purchase price of the mugs will go to the MS Society. A detailed breakdown of expenses is available upon request.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease of the central nervous system most often diagnosed in young adults. While there are FDA treatments that alter the underlying course of the disease, there is no cure. Symptoms range from blurred vision, numbness in an arm or leg to total paralysis. The Society funds more MS research, offers more services for people with MS, and provides more professional education programs than any other MS organization in the world.

Mahalos and acknowledgments

Huge thanks to Tiki Farm for their work in producing this mug at a significantly reduced cost so that we could offer it at a decent price and make as much money as possible for the MS Society.

We also extend a huge MAHALO! to Squid for significantly reducing design fees and working so well with us on making this incredible design.

BEAUTIFUL MUG!!!!!!!!!

& for a GREAT cause, too!!!!!!

It's 9:03 PST, doesn't that mean noon EST?

Want to buy, but can't find link!

:)

paaaaatience!!!

I don't have control over it. it should be soon. it's not automated.

the link will show up right where it currently says that the purchase link will be updated at noon.

it's live!!

Sorry it was late.

Go buy one, folks! A really cool mug for a very good cause!

Suzanne

I got mine! woo-hoo!

Ordered! Good luck!

I just ordered my mug. I'm contacting my brother right now so he can buy one too. It is a gorgeous mug and best of all, it is for an extremely important cause. I will display it proudly.

Standing ovation for all those involved.

..got mine!! a very cool mug for a good cause.....it's win-win!!!

..now....will someone tell me where the hell you got that bad-ass stardust casino font that you use for the heading on the web page??!!.....I want it!!!

Piha pono!

beautiful mug, and tribute to your lady, SBIM.. truely she's a lucky gal to be stuck with YOU!

On 2008-10-01 12:47, dogbytes wrote:
beautiful mug, and tribute to your lady, SBIM.. truely she's a lucky gal to be stuck with YOU!

elicia you never fail to make me laugh! SBiM is kind of a nice guy too!

Got my mug, glad the link came up I was getting nervous that I would miss out on getting one.

Beth

we've had an excellent response, but there are still mugs available!!
so BUY BUY BUY!!!!

..sb

SBM & Bargoyle

these mugs are awsome! I will vouch for their coolness I saw the prototype at the super secret facility and as awsome as they appear in photos they are better in person! I'm in for two, come on TC lets make them a sell out!

On 2008-10-01 10:09, Tipsy McStagger wrote:
..now....will someone tell me where the hell you got that bad-ass stardust casino font that you use for the heading on the web page??!!.....I want it!!!

http://www.fontdiner.com/

Click on Font Menu, then select Casino Buffet font set from the drop-down menu.

for all those who want to buy more than one, we didn't make it too easy for you.
you have to buy them one at a time.

but we still have enough for you to do that!!
they are going fast, but they're not gone yet.

MAHALO!!

..sb

I just ordered mine. Great looking mug and for a good cause too!
Thanks Holden and Squid for helping out with this we all appreciate it.

I know how Tracy feels with the shot part anyway, I've been giving myself 3 shots a day for the past 2 months for my cancer. Hopefully over time modern treatments will help with the symptoms if not cure MS all together.

how many are left? curious.

What a great idea for a fundraiser. Just ordered mine.

Thanks!

On 2008-10-02 06:23, Johnny Dollar wrote:
how many are left? curious.

i'm not sure, Bargoyle has that list.

We've sold a lot, but there are still some to be had. It hasn't even been on sale for a day, so I wouldn't expect us to be all out already.

I thought it would take at least a couple weeks to sell them all.

they aren't cheap and times are tough.

BUT

When the going get tough, the ohana come together!

I really want to give a huge MAHALO to everyone who has ordered a mug! I know they're not cheap, but that's why we put so much effort into giving you a fantastic mug.

And if you buy a mug, you get the secret recipe for the Queequeg's Harpoon! and that is a drink you HAVE to try!

..sb

And if you buy a mug, you get the secret recipe for the Queequeg's Harpoon! and that is a drink you HAVE to try!

..sb

and try we will... and if we don't get it right, we'll be forced to try it again... and again... and again... and again... and ...

The mugs are roughly half gone.

On 2008-10-02 08:45, pappythesailor wrote:
The mugs are roughly half gone.

Does that mean that there are still 50% left?

Keep buying it's for a good cause!

I shipped out about the first dozen this am.

Will ship another 20 or so tmrw as time allows, and 20 the next day, etc etc.

You should get a confirmation email & a tracking number when it ships.

Once again, thanks to everyone who bought one, and keep on buying!!

Its for a great cause, and indeed, the Queequeg's Harpoon is one hell of a good drink!

A great mug for a great cause...glad to have one comming.

Let me get this straight... Not only will I be receiving an unbelievable limited edition mug designed by SquiD with my order I placed BUT also a secret recipe for a new drink??

And All For A Great Cause...

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on Ohana let's order these up before it's too late!!

[ Edited by: beachbumz 2008-10-02 13:49 ]

I got mine! Great work by Squid and Holden, mahalo. The QueeQueg's Harpoon is an awesome cocktail too.

On 2008-10-02 10:57, Bargoyle wrote:
I shipped out about the first dozen this am.

Will ship another 20 or so tmrw as time allows, and 20 the next day, etc etc.

Wow, They're going out already?! Right on!

Hey!
For all you who get paid on Fridays, don't forget to buy a mug today!!

http://www.northeasttikitour.com/msmug/

..sb

This is awesome. I can't wait to see mine! Yay.

Suzanne

Only got out another dozen today. Too busy here at work.

Will try to do better on Monday.

Thanks for your patience everyone.

Mine arrived in the mail today.... absolutely gorgeous!

Y'all must be sold out by now, yeah?!

No actually, we aren't sold out, and I really really want to be!!

There are a couple key reasons for wanting to sell out as fast as possible.

1. it means we can give a big fat check to the MS Society! It doesn't make much sense for us to be sitting on all these mugs.

2. The way we set this up, I can't recoup my expenses fully until we have sold about 175 of them. I was making sure that for each mug only $15 would go to recoup expenses and $25 would go to the MS Society. It's not like I am taking the first chunk of money to recoup my expenses and then whatever is sold after that goes to charity. We wanted to make sure that if we sold 10 only, the MS Society would make money. At least at this point, I am better than half paid back. But I don't make a lot of money so getting fully paid back (minus my own donation) would be nice!!

Will we eventually sell them all?

I am confident of it!

Mugs this cool won't last, especially limited edition ones!

but they also aren't cheap, which is the key reason they haven't all gone yet.

So please, buy the mug so we can present a nice big check to the MS Society!!

..sb

Mugs this cool won't last, especially limited edition ones!

but they also aren't cheap, which is the key reason they haven't all gone yet.

So please, buy the mug so we can present a nice big check to the MS Society!!

I haven't read through this entire thread, but I did buy my mug. SB says these mugs aren't cheap but when you compare the price to what many of us here pay for Munktiki or vintage mugs, they are a bargain. I saw one at the Sacramento Swanberg's event and they are nice mugs. Plus, some of the cost is tax deductible since charity is involved. It's a win-win for everyone so go buy one of these mugs if you haven't already!

Ordered it:)

On 2008-10-05 09:36, Chief Bartender at Brenda's Tiki Hut wrote:

Mugs this cool won't last, especially limited edition ones!

but they also aren't cheap, which is the key reason they haven't all gone yet.

So please, buy the mug so we can present a nice big check to the MS Society!!

I haven't read through this entire thread, but I did buy my mug. SB says these mugs aren't cheap but when you compare the price to what many of us here pay for Munktiki or vintage mugs, they are a bargain. I saw one at the Sacramento Swanberg's event and they are nice mugs. Plus, some of the cost is tax deductible since charity is involved. It's a win-win for everyone so go buy one of these mugs if you haven't already!

Tax deduction you say? That makes them even more desirable! Do a good deed and declare it @ the end of the year! Oh & you get a cool mug too! So buy a mug right?

Thanks SB for doing this and thank you to all who've bought a mug.

My wife has MS. I'll just say that it is not easy to confront a disease for which there is not yet a cure and one which causes you to wake each morning uncertain what the day might bring.

Thanks again and oh yes, I've got my mug ordered!

On 2008-10-05 17:05, Bongo Bungalow wrote:
Thanks SB for doing this and thank you to all who've bought a mug.

My wife has MS. I'll just say that it is not easy to confront a disease for which there is not yet a cure and one which causes you to wake each morning uncertain what the day might bring.

Thanks again and oh yes, I've got my mug ordered!

BB, you are the third person I know on TC with a wife with MS! Maybe we should form a club?

..sb

Well.. I think we just did... that is, you just did by putting this all together and including a whole lot of support!

bumping for charity!

Got mine in the mail last night! It's the cats ass!
Love the cool glaze color - totally unique from any in my mug collection. Gonna make me up some Queequeg's blood tonite, so I can commence drinking!
Nice Job Queequeg, SBIM, Sully, Squid and Holden! Best of luck to Traci - she's a sweetheart!
JP-dog

Welcome to Squid's Guilt-Trip Corner.

If you are reading this and you haven't ponied up for a mug (and I know who you are because I have super squid powers that allow me to see you RIGHT NOW!), shame on you! Get on it!

I thought I missed out on this, Ordered mine earlier today though.

Got mine today! Love it!!

Thanks so much for the opportunity to participate in this great cause! Bottoms up!

Woot! Got mine just in time! :tiki: