I just have to say, I think this is so freakin cool. I am inspired to figure out how my camera’s timer works. 
I changed some of the point values that I listed for E.R.'s suggestions. Just all of the 100’s to 200s since, on second thought, some of them would be a bit harder…or more effort to get them.
The location list:
In any State or Country’s Capital city 10
Note: Rule 3 STILL applies to the location.
[please have yourself near a sign or SOMETHING that verifies you’re in that place]
The Growing Point score: Each time you get a photo of yourself in a NEW State or Country or Province, the points will increase by 5. This is the ONLY thing on the list that does not apply to rule number 3.
[please have yourself near a sign or SOMETHING that verifies you’re in that place]
In a classroom 20
In a wheelchair 20
On a playground 20
On a football field 20
On a baseball field 20
On a hockey rink 20
On a basketball court 20
Rest stop along a major interstate 20
On a motorcycle 20
In a bar 20
[del]In your car 20[/del] DONE
On a subway 30
On a farm 30
In an arcade 30
In the snow 30
In a pool 40
In a cornfield 40
With a live snake around your neck 40
On a miniature golf course 40
On a Merry Go Round 40
On a Ferris Wheel 40
On top of a mountain 50
In a court room 50
On a Rollercoaster 50
On a boat (that is on water) 50
With the Mississippi River behind you 50
[del]While taking a shower [important notice, please do not have any nudity visible. Either be clothed or have bubbles or other things that “sneakily” hide your bits. Remember, PG-13] 50[/del] DONE
[del]While taking a bath [important notice, please do not have any nudity visible. Either be clothed or have bubbles or other things that “sneakily” hide your bits. Remember, PG-13] 50[/del] DONE
With a lighthouse behind you 50
On a trampoline 50
M.I.T., Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, Bell Labs, NASA, Any Major College or University 50
Nuclear Power plant in the close background. 50
In a movie theatre 50
In a carriage/racing sulky/high perch phaeton 60
Washington DC, in front of:
Capitol Building 50
Washington Monument 50
Lincoln Memorial 50
White House 100
In front of a Hard Rock Cafe 100
On a plane 100
In a limo 100
At Niagra Falls 100
At the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 100
With any dam in the background 100
Space Shuttle in the background 100
At the top of the Empire State Building 100
With the Sears building behind you: 100
At the Alamo 100
At a zoo standing outside of the Tiger pit/cage 100
With these bodies of water behind you, or you in them:
Pacific Ocean 100
Atlantic Ocean 100
Gulf of Mexico 200
Indian Ocean 200
Caspian Sea 300
Mediterranian Sea 300
Black Sea 300
Red Sea 300
Yellow River 200
Nile River 400
Amazon River 400
Berring Strait 400
Gulf of California 400
Arctic Ocean 1500
[please have yourself near a sign or SOMETHING that verifies you’re in that place]
In a hot air balloon 200
In an operating room 200
In a coffin 200
In a caboose or engine 200
In a submarine 200
helicopter 200
air traffic control tower 200
Dressed as a pirate 200
Flying a plane 200
At the Grand Canyon 300
With the Las Vegas Strip behind you 300
At Knott’s Berry Farm 300
In a space capsule (real one) 300
At Ground Zero 300
With a windmill behind you 300
With the St Louis Gateway Arch behind you 300
With Mount Rushmore behind you 300
On any of the following:
Horse 100
Donkey 100
Llama 300
Elephant 300
Ostrich 600
With the Statue of Liberty behind you 400
With the Kremlin behind you 400
On top a flagpole [if somebody can really do it, however don’t get hurt, professionals only] 400
Standing next to a giant Redwood 400
With the Golden Gate Bridge behind you 400
In the West Edmonton Mall 400
With Big Ben behind you 400
In front of the Taj Mahal 400
In front of the Effiel Tower 400
In front of the Sydney Opera House 400
On a Venice Canal 400
In front of an Egyptian Pyramid 400
With part of the Berlin Wall behind you 400
In front of the Colosseum 400
With any part of the Great Wall of China behind you 400
At the Leaning Tower of Pisa 500
At the Panama Canal 500
At Stonehedge 500
By any other work of art in the Louvre other than the Mona Lisa 500
At Disneyland/world/Eurodisney (with Disney character in costume) 600
On a glacier 700
By the Mona Lisa 700
In TubaDiva’s House 700
While skydiving 1500
Any place or landmark mentioned in one of Cecil’s Articles/Staff Report. [If you can link to it, then sure] I hesitate putting a point value on this because, like with the celeb, it all depends on how hard it is to get there.
Various other photos:
[the following photos don’t need to have you or anyone else in them]
SDMB written in chalk on a sidewalk 100 [Not large, in chalk that can be washed off, preferribly near or at your house]
SDMB typed on a peice of paper and tacked up on a pole 100
SDMB as a “high score” name on a video game 200
[del]SDMB written on a one dollar bill (or form of currency)[Not large] 200[/del] DONE
[del]SDMB written on a banana 200[/del] DONE
SDMB written in the sand 200
SDMB written on a chalkboard in a classroom 300
Well now, in first place is still Anastasaeon with 450 points.
And now, in second place with 70 points, bouv. Will he be able to give Anastasaeon a run for her money?
That is the best shower picture* EVER*.
banana (200) + dollar bill (200) + bathtub (50) = 450 without leaving the comfort of home
Compare:
Mt. Rushmore = 300?
12 state capitals = 450?
On an elephant = 300?
Kinda odd.
Yeah, why are writing on a banana and a bill so much more than other things? Not that I’m complaining…jsut wondering where this point scheme came from. 
I mean…writing on a banana more than going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Or the Seas Tower? Or the Alamo? :dubious:
(Basically, I’m just upset that Anastasaeon has more points than me. 
)
How about extra points for holding up a bona fide Straight Dope book or newspaper article instead of, or with, the “SDMB” paper?
The corn is already gone 'round these parts, so can we also add in (maybe): cottonfield? Orange “field”?
Also, unless someone knows something about bandwidth restrictions, I’d be willing to consolidate all these pictures into a Flickr account. Can’t guarantee I’d be too timely, but I could update at least once a day.
SDMB as the high score on a video game: png (300K)
If you meant “arcade machine” and reject it, that’s cool.
Hey, Idle Thoughts, how about a range of points by category and you can assign specific points to each item accordingly? Although the categories are not exclusive or perfect, I suggest the following:
Common Indoor Residential Setting (10-25 points)
Shower
Bath
SDMB written on a one dollar bill (or form of currency) [Not large]
Unique Indoor Residential Setting (25-75 points)
SDMB written on a banana
Common Urban Setting (50-200 points)
Playground
Football Field
Baseball Field
Basketball Court
Motorcycle
Bar
Car
Pool
Movie Theater
SDMB written in chalk on a sidewalk
SDMB typed on a peice of paper and tacked up on a pole
SDMB written on a chalkboard in a classroom
Classroom Inside
Unique Urban Setting (100-300 points)
Hockey Rink
Subway
Arcade
Miniature Golf Course
Merry-go-round
Ferris Wheel
Courtroom
Rollercoaster
Tramploine
Airplane Inside
Limo Inside
Tiger Cage at Zoo
Operating Room
In a Coffin
In a Submarine
In a Helicopter
In an Air Traffic Control Tower
Atop a Flagpole
SDMB as a “high score” name on a video game
Common Rural Setting (50-200 points)
Farm
Snow
On Horseback
SDMB written in the sand
Unique Rural Setting (100-300 points)
Interstate Rest Stop
Cornfield
Mountaintop
Floating Boat
In a Train Caboose or Engine
Common Activity (10-100 points)
Wheelchair
Rare Activity (100-300 points)
Live Snake Around Your Neck
Dressed as Pirate
Flying a Plane
On a Donkey
Carriage/racing sulky/high perch phaeton
Unique Activity (300 & up)
Hot Air Balloon Inside
Skydiving
In a Space Capsule
On a Llama
On an Elephant
On an Ostrich
General Locations (100-300 points)
State Capital City
Major University
State Capitol Building
Hard Rock Cafe
Madrid, Spain
Libson, Portugal
Istanbul, Turkey
St Petersburg, Russia
Hamburg, Germany
Oslo, Norway
Ottawa, Canada
Brussels, Belgium
Sofia, Bulgaria
Tokyo, Japan
Mexico City, Mexico
Los Angeles, California, USA
South Africa
Sepcific US Urban Landmark (200-500 points)
NASA
Wash. DC Mall with US Capitol, Wash. Mon., Lincoln Mem., White House
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Top of Empire State Building
Sears Tower
Alamo
Las Vegas Strip
Knott’s Berry Farm
Ground Zero
St. Louis Arch
Statue of Liberty
Golden Gate Bridge
Disneyland (with costumed character)
TubaDiva’s House Inside
Specific European/Australian Urban Landmark (200-800 points)
Big Ben
Eiffel Tower
Sydney Opera House
Berlin Wall
Roman Colosseum
Kremlin
Venician Canal
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Louvre Artwork Not Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa
Eurodisney (with costumed character)
Specific Canadian Urban Landmark (200-800 points)
West Edmonton Mall
General Rural Setting (100-300 points)
Lighthouse
Nuclear Power Plant
Dam
Windmill
Glacier
Specific Rural or Large Landmark (100-300 points)
Mississippi River
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Gulf of Mexico
Giant Redwood
Remote Landmark (realtive to most Dopers) (500-1000 points)
Niagara Falls
Space Shuttle in background
Indian Ocean
Caspian Sea
Mediterranian Sea
Black Sea
Red Sea
Gulf of California
Mt. Rushmore
Grand Canyon
Stonehenge
Extreme Location (relative to most Dopers) (1000 & up)
Nile River
Bering Strait
Yellow River
Amazon River
Arctic Ocean
Taj Mahal
Egyptian Pyramid
Great Wall of China
Panama Canal
Other (TBD)
Any place or landmark mentioned in one of Cecil’s Articles/Staff Report. [If you can link to it, then sure].
So, after seeing this thread this morning, I first went down to the Dutch Windmill, at the western end of Golden Gate Park, and had my picture taken by a nice couple who looked like they were visiting from not too far away.
After that, I headed up the hill a bit to Merrie Way, which overlooks the Sutro Baths, the Cliff House, Seal Rock, and The Pacific Ocean.
From there , I headed through the Presidio to Eagle’s Point at Land’s End, which offers a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as the rest of the gate.
While I was there, I took advantage of Mile Rocks Lighthouse, which has definitely seen better days, but is still in (automated) service.
It’s not far from Land’s End to the Lincoln Park Playground, at 33rd & Clement, a place where I wasted many a day in prior years.
From there, it was off to Big Rec Ballfield in Golden Gate Park. There were two games in progress, but I was in live territory in this picture.
After that, I tried to go to Kezar Stadium, fromer home of the San Francisco 49ers, but it was hosting a soccer game at the time (and charging $5 admission), so I was thwarted. And what better way to drown one’s sorrows than to have a beer at Murio’s Trophy Room, better known as the bar next to Amoeba on Haight St at Stanyan?
All of these pictures can been seen more clearly via the “All Sizes” button on the linked pages.
I assigned them depending on many various things…one of which is how hard it would be to get there or do it.
So therefore I equate writing it on a banana (which is fairly easy, yes) with going to, say, the Rock and Roll Hall of fame or the Alamo, because some people may actually love right there or down the street from it. So those things I don’t really se as being too hard either.
I upped the points a bit for any Exotic locales…but for the most part, places and locations that could be, well, just right next door to someone or a few blocks away (on the way to work maybe) are lower.
Things like on a banana and dollar, I thought, well, maybe people wouldn’t want to ruin their food too much or would be hesitant to do it. After all, I think that doing things (what the various things photos are) rather than going places when you’re out makes people more apt to be lazy.
And yes, the Video Game score/name meant on a public arcade game. I’m sorry I didn’t make that clear before. On a home game, now that WOULD be too easy.
I like the way you have it set up, but I just don’t like the headers and points that way. I prefer each one having the points listed right next to them.
As for the way it’s listed, I do have it (or tried to for the most part) going from least point value to most).
So yeah, I’ll probably use your headings and style of posting the list, so thank you for doing it, however, I’d like to keep the layout of points and point values how they are.
Cool. Great idea! I look forward to the pics!
You bet. Same point amount.
Troy McClure, thank you for offering to make a site for it. And about your question, I like people actually having to do a BIT of work rather than just have the photo taken or taking it themselves, thus the writing on the paper thing.
I also don’t want to make too many changes to the game, cause, well, there’s already been a million since I started. I’m just going to stick with adding new suggestions and all that rather then changing any technical rules and stuff.
The word you’re looking for is ‘grove.’ Orange Grove.
Can we add ‘on a fire engine’?
I know I can get that one. It’s gotta be worth some good points, right?
Then why are pictures of some locations that are easily accessible to those living in major urban centers (e.g. Statue of Liberty, Las Vegas strip) worth the same amount of points as others (e.g. Grand Canyon) that are way out in the middle of nowhere? A location being right down the street is also kind of relative, too. Someone who travels a lot for work will be much more likely to half-ass the contest and still win, while someone who travels on his own time (and dime) could end up putting ten times more effort into the chase and still lose. I have no idea how you’d work around that one, though. I suppose that no matter how you set things up, it’s going to seem unfair to somebody. Oh well. No biggie.
Of course, these are just minor quibbles. Overall, I think this is a really neat idea and sounds like it will be a lot of fun. Great job coming up with it, Idle Thoughts! I know I have no chance of winning, since I rarely travel, but it will be fun trying.
Oh, BTW, is the nuclear power plant picture worth more points if it’s a famous one, like, oh, say (glances at own location), Three Mile Island? Chernobyl should be worth 5,000 points since you’d have to bathe yourself in radiation to get that shot. 
And I still don’t see the relation to writing on a banana or bill and The Alamo. While yes, some people might live close by and can take a picture of it easily, everyone can take a picture of a banana, and odds are, they don’t have to leave home. Also, for those of us who live in rural areas next to no major cities or any of your specific locales, it seems almost unfair. As seen, Troy McClure SF as able to get seven items in one outing. The best I could have done from that list is just the playground, ballpark, and bar. Not that I expect you to list any places near me as places to go, since there is nothing here of interest…save for maybe the old Olympic stuff at Lake Placid.
I’m not sure of any way to remedy this, though, and I still enjoy going around getting photos of me in strange places, just some thoughts.
Great idea, Idle Thoughts! I do have one quick observation, and it’s about this:
I think the first category should read “In any State, Country or Province’s capital city,” since rule two seems to imply that’s what you mean. Right?
Because certain other things might have to be done to get there. For example…For the Statue of Liberty, one must take (and presumably pay) for a ferry there to the island. For the Las Vegas Strip, they’d have to wait until night when it was all lit up…and then find the end of it (or a good place where a lot of it would be in the background) to take the photo. So it kinda even’s out.
I dunno, maybe I was bad with the point assigning. I just did whatever made sense in my own head.
I also tried to include a lot of “little” things that are only about 40 or 50 or so…that way someone could easily come up from behind with just “easy” stuff.
And I see that Troy McClure and bouv have scores to be added. I’ll update it in a day or two.
BiblioCat, on a fire engine? Ohhh… 100 (and I’ll add that and other things that have been suggested since I last posted the full list to the next posting of it).
Thanks for the point out, Treviathan, that’s what I meant.