I just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed the discussion on the list of late. I read the BC forums often, but it's a lot easier to follow discussions when they arrive in my mailbox, and it's been fascinating to see how other people register and release.
It's also interesting to hear that a lot of you make release notes ahead of time. Once in a while I will do that, when I'm sure I'll be able to do a drop. But usually I make them afterwards because more often than not someone is sitting on the bench where I'd intended to leave the book, or the wind picks up, or there are too many people around, or I see a better place to leave it, etc. Usually I'm able to make release notes within a half hour to an hour after dropping off a book, and then I can be much more specific about where and how I left it. Anyway, about the act of releasing. lately I've been trying to work out the fine line between stealthy and suspicious. I don't like being obvious when I release because I'm shy and don't want to have to explain things to someone who notices- I don't want to be yelled at for littering ,either :-) There's another reason for me to be careful when releasing, though: I don't want to look like I'm dropping off a bomb. I live a stone's throw away from Washington D.C. and people can be pretty paranoid these days in the US concerning items lying about. If I look too sneaky or nervous when slipping a book on top of a payphone or onto a bench, I am seriously worried someone might think it's an item that could be dangerous and call me on it (or, worse, call the authorities). I have a purse that's big enough to fit a book or two and I laughed when reading the earlier entry from someone because my usual method is to put my purse and the book down, then walk away with my purse and leave the book behind. Or I'll use my body to block the action. And I definitely do try to do it when no one is watching. But I've stopped looking nervous about it and now leave books here and there boldly. If I think there's a chance I could be seen, I smile and place the book on the bench with purpose, as though it's something everyone does. Why should we be nervous or embarrassed about leaving a gift for someone to find? Though, I must admit, I do feel a little rush of nerves when I leave a book somewhere- maybe because it's a strange thing that's not really part of the culture of the place where I live or how I've grown up. Or maybe (as I've said) I'm scared people will think I'm a terrorist. But after about 350 wild releases, my nerves aren't as bad as what they once were. A few days ago I left a book on top of the return slot at the video store and a man and woman walking by MUST have noticed me doing so (even though their heads were turned at the moment I left it there) because, as I was walking away, they stopped and went right over to it, reading the bright orange BC post it out loud. "I'm a traveling book. Pick me up!" They didn't make fun of it, and looked sort of curious as they paused in front of it, but they didn't pick it up either. Then again, if I saw a book in the wild and didn't know about BCing, I'd probably be suspicious. I would notice it and walk past it twenty times before I considered picking it up. But that's a whole different discussion, I think. Happy & safe releasing, all! KateKintail ************************************************************ Work: http://www.awpwriter.org, http://www.unzippedart.com Personal: http://www.kintailscape.com, http://katekintail.bookcrossing.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Have you told a friend today? http://bookcrossing.com/tellafriend Archives and email list settings: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BookCrossing Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BookCrossing/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BookCrossing/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
