The Objective:

What is the point?
Create a website featuring the travels of Bud the Puna Gnome featuring photographs, postcards, video and anything else that seems to fit.

A small tiki (Tikiyaki Jr AKA Tiki Jr) has now become a permanent traveling companion.

This concept is organic. It will grow in many different directions. The general attitude that it has taken at this point is fun with a little sarcastic humor here and there.

What are Bud's travel goals?
Bud's first goal is to visit all 50 states and may run for political office one day.

Bud's Perspective & Outlook:

What is Bud's life philosophy?
I am willing to try most things at least once and look at the experience as a learning adventure. If the thing I tried turned out to be a mistake, and I lived through it, I add that bit of wisdom to my uncommon sense.

What's his personality like?
I don't swear (much) or use drugs. I am real easy going with the general attitude that being flexible in life is the path of least resistance.

People have referred to me as sarcastic, however, I try not to use that sarcasm in a spiteful or ugly way.

What sort of things does he like?
Travel and meeting new folks. Music (prefer hard rock but listen to all kinds).

Reading (Fantasy - Obviously Tolkien. Barbara Hambly, Robin Hobb) I like the concepts of improbability that Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, uses in his writing.

Movies - LOTR, Merlin, things like that. Pirates of the Great Salt Lake is an indie he likes.

Food - You name it as long as I can identify it.

What does he dislike?
Nasty people that need to get a life.

Participation Guidelines:

Does participation cost money?
Yes and no. First and foremost, YOU must be willing to incur (pay) the cost of shipping the gnome to his next destination within the United States.

There is no fee to have Bud come and visit with you.

Are there any requirements for him to visit?
You must be willing to email akonidesign@yahoo.com photographs taken of Bud while visiting you. These photos can be whatever your imagination comes up with. Be creative within the guidelines set forth.

How long will he stay with each person?
Ideally Bud will visit a "host" for 3 or 4 days, travel via the U.S. Postal system for a few days, and so on. This would put him in a new place 2 or 3 times a month.

In some cases I am allowing for a longer visit so that he can travel around with several people in the same area. In other cases I will be adjusting his itinerary when the next logical destination is in the same general vicinity or state.

When will Bud arrive at my location?
When the gnome actually arrives to visit you will vary. Requests to receive him at a certain time will be considered, however, I make no promises due to the nature of people and the USPS.

What kind of details should I email you regarding his stay?
You must be willing to send along a few details regarding where/why the images were taken, if applicable. Sending me these details will help me create his travelogue entry.

You are welcome to submit images and dialogue for each day of his visit. You can even send them the same day. I may be able to update it at that time.

Can I write the dialogue for his visit?
Absolutely. Jim in LA wrote the dialogue for his LA visit and I added things here and there and edited content.

On the other hand, images were submitted by Metro Mint, and I wrote the dialogue based on the submitted images.

I reserve the right to edit any content submitted for the sake of continuity, sanity and good taste. Call it censorship if you like.

Can I talk about myself in the dialogue?
Absolutely. In a way his visit is your stage to be creative, tell us about yourself and even promote your own products.

The general idea is not to turn this in to a huge advertisement, but on the other hand, the more exposure we can all get online the better.

Can I sign or paint on Bud or Tiki Jr?
Do not alter the gnome please. This means do not carve, paint, write on, glue or otherwise change his appearance in any manner that becomes permanent.

Can I suggest a participant?
I welcome participant suggestions. This person must agree to the above guidelines and send me an email requesting participation. I will then put them in the itinerary. I cannot guarantee specific arrival dates or order in which he will be received.

Images, Postcards & Anything Else:

What type of photographs are you looking for?
Once you receive Bud you are encouraged to be creative. Cruising around with him to tourist locales is great, however, shots around the house, at a party, wherever.

Nothing is off limits except sexual depiction's, altering Bud and putting Bud in a position where he can be broken, stolen or lost. Please do not leave him out on your lawn overnight. (Photographing him on the lawn is good.)

How many photos can I submit?
There is no maximum regarding the number of photos that can be submitted, however, I reserve the right to limit the number of images appearing on the website. I am requesting at least 5 images related to his visit with you. Again this can be anything within the suggested guidelines.

Please keep in mind that an image that you may think isn't worth submitting may have creative value in my eyes.

Are suggestive photos ok?
No. Suggestive photos will not be accepted for use on www.PunaGnome.com.
Let's keep this concept G/PG rated overall.

Can I use photoshop to create photos of his location visits?
Composite images created in Adobe Photoshop or related software are cool, however, it is more important that the gnome visit actual places rather than a website full of doctored images. If you want to add filters, etc. go for it. I may start a separate page for that type of image.

Do I need to crop or edit the photos before sending?
Photos do not need to be edited or cropped prior to sending. I will format the images for the site.

Can I submit video?
Yes - I would prefer to receive this sort of thing as a DVD, CD or Mini DV cassette. Due to the remoteness of the area in Puna I live in, my only online option is dial up.

This video footage may end up incorporated into a video idea I have. You will of course be given credit for your footage.

What else can I submit?
There really is not an answer for this. Use your imagination. Postcards, drawings, poems and things I haven't even thought of. Have fun.

Want Bud to interview someone? Go for it. You get the idea.

What happens to the photos, video or anything else I submit to you?
All images, video and any other content submitted becomes the property of PunaGnome.com. Where and whenever possible you will be given submission credit, to include any submitted materials used for publicity, on this site, or in any marketing and/or products which may evolve in the future.

Any items submitted, by you, for the Puna Gnome website are submitted freely and without monetary gain.

Shipping/Handling & Packaging:

How much does Bud weigh. etc.?
Weight & Dimensions - 11.5 inches tall, approx. 4.5 inches wide, and approx. 1.5 pounds without packaging.

How will I know where his next destination will be?
You will receive an email with some general information and the next destination prior to his arrival.

Does Bud/Tiki Jr come with their own box? How do I repack them for shipping?
- You will notice that his base fits into the Styrofoam in bottom of box. Wrap the gnome, just above his feet in the provided bubble wrap.
- Repack gnome in his traveling box and squeeze in the bubble wrap to make it all fit.
- Repack in another box or the larger box it came in with some newspaper and tape it up.
- Please do not mail him in his traveling box. Please place it into another box.

How do I mail Bud/Tiki Jr to the next participant?
1. Please write your return and the recipients address clearly on the box.
2. Box has no choice but to be sent Priority Mail. Cost was $9.00 from Hawaii to Los Angeles.
3. You may purchase Delivery Confirmation as an option. This will assure you that the next person got him. Delivery confirmation is .50.
4. You are welcome to ship Fed ex or UPS but it may be more expensive.

Website Disclaimer:
This website and concept are in no way affiliated with any individual, corporation and/or website represented on this site unless otherwise specified. Any individuals mentioned in the dialogues, unless specified or pictured with the gnome or tiki, most likely, did not actually participate in this website.

This website and concept are solely intended and represented for entertainment purposes, in other words, not everything portayed on this site actually happened. It is meant to amuse you.