Table of Contents

Cover Page

The World of Geocoins

Confessions of an Addict

"Yes, Officer, ..."

An Interview with Baad Daata

Regular Features

Chuckles

Credits

Back Issues of the UTAG Magazine

I've recently suffered the tenacious grasp of an insideous addiction. I'm on the road to recovery, yet I'm still struggling with my rehabilitation as each day may bring additional temptations to again partake in the same activities that almost destroyed me in the past.

It is all too often the case that we will begin an endeavor innocently enough, enjoying the immediate rewards while remaining blissfully unaware of the dangers that our actions may bring upon us. Such was the case for me.

"Hello, my name is SirGerald. And I'm an addict."

It is an addiction that I entered into innocently enough early last year. UTAG was producing their first geocoin and I was helping where I could. When it was time to place an order, I reserved 10 coins just as many others did. I was sure that I'd be able to trade them away to other collectors in the coming months, and indeed I have, save for the one I still have available. "Anyone care to trade...?"

I soon became much more aware of other geocoins that were being produced and would gladly place and order for 4 or 5 coins, confident that I was in control of my actions and finances as I was building up a collection of some of the most interesting and beautiful pieces of art around. The extra coins I was ordering were simply to be used in future trades with other collectors. The addiction grew. The bank balance didn't.

In order to help ensure that I didn't miss out on the order date for any new geocoins being produced, I helped organize a group of like-minded individuals who were also becoming addicted to collecting geocoins. Together, we divided up the investigative, financial and managerial responsibilities of the group and helped each other gain that which we most wanted...more geocoins. And more geocoins. As a programmer, I even put together a website we used to list the coins we were interested in, track our expenses, and to communicate amongst ourselves.

I confess that I even took the plunge and had my own geocoin made. It was still at a time when a person could produce a design, announce in the geocaching forums that his coin was going to be made and take preorders from any and all who wanted one. This I did and was able to collect enough money in advance preorders to completely pay for my order by the time the mint was ready to begin production. My production run included 300 coins in a polished silver finish that I sold to whoever wanted one. It also included 100 coins in a polished gold finish that I used exclusively for trading, plus I had 10 coins made in an extra-special two-tone finish of gold-on-silver. These ten extra-special coins have been used as gifts and for that extra-special trade. So I now had a good supply of unique geocoins I could use to trade for other unique geocoins without having to pay the asked sale price. And, even though the bank balance felt a minor reprieve for awhile, the addiction grew.

As time passed and my trading efforts continued to bear fruit, my collection continued to grow. I was beginning to spend more and more time at it to the detriment of other aspects of my life. Granted, it wasn't too bad yet. But, still, there were probably better things I could have been doing with my time.

As with most addictions, the afflicted simply doesn't feel the pain very much in the early stages. However, as time goes on and the affects become more noticeable, the pain and anquish soon become undeniable. I was beginning to feel twinges of guilt and remorse as I once more signed on to PayPal to transfer funds from my checking account to pay for another order of beautiful geocoins. I was beginning to look over my shoulder, fearful that my loving spouse would notice that I was spending more money on more geocoins, and would begin to berate me for the seeming excess.

Eventually, however, there came a time when even I realized that something had to be done. I wasn't alone either. For one reason or another, usually having to do with family finances, other members of the coin buying group had already reduced or eliminated their standing orders. I was encouraged and strengthened by their actions and, with some little difficulty, decided to be more selective in the coins I ordered. I didn't quit cold-turkey, mind you. I wasn't yet ready to go that far. But I did decide I really didn't have to buy every coin that came available. And I certainly didn't need to have one of every variation in metal or finish that was offered.

As time went by, I realized that I really didn't miss not having every geocoin made. After all, so many of them were being produced with little or no connection to geocaching anyway. And the prices were climbing way beyond the levels that I considered reasonable. I could see that others were in it solely for the money and I wasn't about to contribute to that cause.

So, slowly, I was able to wean myself from the need to have every coin available. I'm not cured yet. I'll still make the occasional trade with the dwindling trade resources I still have, but I'm getting better. I can begin to feel good about my actions again and only rarely do I feel I need to look over my shoulder as I sit at the computer browsing through the Geocoin Discussion forums.

Wish me luck! And take my advice. Think twice before you buy another geocoin.