Simone in Austin says a coworker at her office invited several people over to a house for a game night, and helpfully distributed hand-drawn maps to help people find their way. Later that day, she found of those hand-outs back on her desk, along with the following bit of anonymous feedback. What a peach!
related: silent protest
extra credit: the hand-drawn maps association
254 responses so far ↓
#1
Sheila
lol – you have it tagged right “just an asshole”
May 17, 2009 at 9:39 pm rating: +28
#2
edicius
I hate to admit it…but the anonymous feedbacker has a point. Handwritten maps are just a bad idea these days, especially when they look like they were drawn by a 5-year-old.
Admittedly, though, I prefer Google Maps over Mapquest.
May 17, 2009 at 9:40 pm rating: +10
#3
mamason
I really want to hate the note writer but I just can’t! That”map” looks like it was hand written by a retarded monkey.
May 17, 2009 at 9:45 pm rating: +11
#4
jfruh
Ads that start playing audio unbidden — NOT COOL, passiveaggressivenotes!
May 17, 2009 at 9:54 pm rating: +61
#5
Liz
Yeah, there is something a little bit weird about distributing hand-drawn maps these days. Still, the hostility of the note-writer would lead one to believe that s/he is somehow prevented from seeking the advice of Mapquest by the very existence of the hand-drawn map.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they were both unstable. Team Nobody.
May 17, 2009 at 9:56 pm rating: +27
#6
annoyed reader
I love PAN, but until you get rid of of the audio ads, (both that start talking at once!) I don’t think I’ll be back. Way too obtrusive. I don’t use ad blockers because I think you should be able to generate some kind of revenue, but this is just ridiculous.
May 17, 2009 at 9:57 pm rating: +32
#7
Goldie
The truth, as usual, is hidden from us behind the black square. Did the coworker list her address on this drawing or not? If yes, then the note writer should shut up and enter it into MapQuest, GoogleMaps, GPS and wherever else he desires. Personally when I invited coworkers over, I just emailed them the address and some basic directions, and trusted them to do the rest of the work. Then again, I work with smart people.
I’ve got to say it will be an interesting game night, sitting at the table with a group of people, not knowing which of them wrote the note. Maybe a game of drunken Truth or Dare is in order.
May 17, 2009 at 9:59 pm rating: +26
#8
Marrock
I remember mapquest, that’s the site that had me making a two mile loop just to cross the highway I lived next to.
They wanted me to go north on this highway for a mile, then get off on a side street, come back and turn down the street I lived on, then go across the north bound side to the south…
A two mile loop to go a couple hundred feet… yeah, mapquest sure is useful.
May 17, 2009 at 10:00 pm rating: +27
#9
oi!
This is classic PA behavior. you see, behind this decorum of help lies an agenda of making your guest lose the way and never reach to destination. Lesser the guest more money saving.
May 17, 2009 at 10:02 pm rating: +3
#10
jamesbondq
The map kind of assumes that you are as familiar with the persons area as they are. I mean, they show a main highway, but it appears that you have to go under and around to get to the location? Plus i dont know what one would do coming from the south(?) since there is apparently inconvenient highway access.
May 17, 2009 at 10:02 pm rating: +3
#11
rainyday
Who even uses mapquest anymore? Is that even still a real site? i thought we had all moved onto google, or perhaps invested in tom toms. The note writer is only slightly less behind the times than his/her map-drawing co-worker.
May 17, 2009 at 10:10 pm rating: +4
#12
leftfoot
It’s just not PA enough.. I mean, there should have been something about not playing pictionary with someone who can’t draw a map..
May 17, 2009 at 10:12 pm rating: +5
#13
TheOldSchool
Back in my day, we didn’t have parties.
May 17, 2009 at 10:50 pm rating: +4
#14
bibberly
I hate that everyone assumes googlemaps and mapquest are the best way to go. Often they are not. My street was just added a couple of months ago, and I’ve lived here almost three years already. The school where I work (also in its third year) continues to be in the wrong place on both navigation sites, leading to lots of cursing from the opposing team’s parents whenever we host sporting events. Not to mention that I got lost going there myself on the first day. If mapquest (or googlemaps) are not going to give your guests good directions, I say go with the hand-drawn maps.
May 17, 2009 at 11:02 pm rating: +15
#15
leftfoot
Is that Slaughter Lane??
Is her neighbor Freddy Kruger?
May 17, 2009 at 11:20 pm rating: +10
#16
Kass
Awwe, I love hand drawn maps, altho in saying that, my hand drawn maps are far superior than that..in colour and all!
May 17, 2009 at 11:28 pm rating: +1
#17
TastyPrawn
Eh, I can read this map well enough. So well that I can guess the place the game night is being held at is either near either where my sister lives, or at the apartment complex where my sister works.
I guess if you’re unfamiliar with the area, MapQuest would be better. But the place of work is in the same area as the place the game night is at, so this map should work. (From the lines drawn, I am assuming that the place of work is at William Cannon on the southbound side of I-35.) If you work near there, this map does okay. It’s no work of art, but it works.
May 17, 2009 at 11:29 pm rating: +2
#18
lb
I’m from Austin, and I can follow that chickenscratch just fine. Anonymous coworker needs to take the stick out.
May 17, 2009 at 11:43 pm rating: +9
#19
Neeners
What a turd? If it were me they’d be disinvited to the game night! Sorry no free chili cheese dip and beer for you buddy!
May 18, 2009 at 12:08 am rating: +1
#20
Canthz_B
I’ve seen better maps on the backs of Cap’n Crunch boxes.
At least there you have a fighting chance of finding the treasure!
May 18, 2009 at 12:34 am rating: +5
#21
Kyra
Wow…sure, Google Maps (far superior to MapQuest, I think) and such provide more legible maps, but anyone who knows how to use that can do so. I mean, sure the map’s kind of scribbly, but since when did trying to be helpful become rude?
May 18, 2009 at 2:41 am rating: +6
#22
Johan Aulin
For its purpose, the map looks fine.
Note to note writer: Haven’t *you* heard of Google Maps? Who uses MapQuest nowadays?
May 18, 2009 at 3:57 am rating: +3
#23
cheeky
I think the most distressing part is that someone holds game nights for their colleagues.
Team I Hate Having to Spend Any of My Free Time With People From Work, I Get Enough of Them AT Work
May 18, 2009 at 4:21 am rating: +6
#24
Geek Goddesss
Why Google Maps™ should be used with caution:
http://xkcd.com/461/
May 18, 2009 at 5:17 am rating: +3
#25
Geek Goddesss
Gigglebrax failure.
*hangs head, blames lateness of hour*
May 18, 2009 at 5:53 am rating: +3
#26
niknak
Umm…didn’t handing out maps to your house go out at around the same time as passing out printed invitations to your birthday parties? Somewhere around grade three or four?
On the other hand, I really wouldn’t want that map maker on my team if we were playing Pictionary!
May 18, 2009 at 6:08 am rating: 0
#27
Woman on the Verge
Here is the second map she handed out:
Go to
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
Hell
May 18, 2009 at 6:44 am rating: +7
#28
Susannie
One would think gamers would enjoy an adventerous map? I mean, MapQuest kind of sounds like a game in it self.
Walk to Slaugherstreet, talk with a dwarf holding an axe. Run from said dwarf to exit 28 where you will meet a fair maiden. Say no to a BJ and ask for directions to her friend. Pick up som blue flowers. Greet your host.
Nb, it’s all about shiny armours tonight.
May 18, 2009 at 7:38 am rating: +13
#29
TTMS
I get that the map is a bit crudely drawn, but there’s no need for such harshness! I’m glad I don’t work in her office. If it were my games night I’d do a handwriting check and turn the PAN writer away at the door. Actually I couldn’t be bothered to do that but i would certainly THINK about it.
May 18, 2009 at 7:50 am rating: +3
#30
MissNikki930
This person lives between “Overpass Slaughter” and “Slaughter Lane”, do they really want to stop by for a visit anyway?!
May 18, 2009 at 8:40 am rating: +5
#31
MaggieV357
Long time lurker. I have to say that Pan-Anon Writer has trouble reading maps, and is peeved that step by step driving directions weren’t given. I live where directions once included “go straight down the paved road, turn left on the blacktop, (there IS a difference) and go til you get to where the black dog is standing in the middle of the road. My trailer is on the left.” And by all that is holy, I swear there was a damn black dog standing in the middle of the road in front of her trailer, every time I went there! I never could figure out how come it didn’t become “go to where there’s a dead black dog in the middle of the road…”
May 18, 2009 at 8:55 am rating: +20
#32
ashmeadow
Velocity? Austin has a street named velocity? OR is the map writer also giving speeding tips?
May 18, 2009 at 9:58 am rating: +1
#33
claw71
Game night? Look, breaking out Crainium and playing with the kids is one thing, but getting together with coworkers is just dorky. So dorky, in fact, that I’m surpirsed that the directions to the house weren’t conveyed via an elaborate geochache search.
If I’m getting together with coworkers the only game I’m interested in playing his hide the python with that intern who looks like Jessica Alba.
May 18, 2009 at 10:12 am rating: +4
#34
woot
Now that i have the map, I’m there!
May 18, 2009 at 10:14 am rating: +1
#35
Mishee™
I can’t believe 110 comments on this note and not one mentions me.
I see what happens when I take a weekend off.
Ok. That’s a lie. I’m never here on weekends.
May 18, 2009 at 10:35 am rating: +5
#36
oi!
nevermind
May 18, 2009 at 10:43 am rating: +1
#37
aaa
WHAT IS THIS? HAVEN’T YOU HEARD OF RAINBOW FONT, REFERENCES TO JESUS/YOUR MOTHER, OR INCONSISTENT FORMATTING?
May 18, 2009 at 10:46 am rating: +3
#38
aaa
A question for Simone in Austin. Did her coworker include an address or step-by-step directions along with her delightfully DIY map?
May 18, 2009 at 10:57 am rating: +1
#39
ClearlyDemented
This is all just a misunderstanding. Sheila in accounts receivable’s four-year-old son shouted this at her from the back seat one day, exacerbated that she couldn’t find the toy store. Sheila and her friends say it often, sort of their latest catch phrase (they’re dope like that.) The rest of the office says it because they know Sheila’s kid is a brat and it’s sort of an inside joke making fun of Sheila and her clan for being so high-school to begin with as to have a catch phrase. Simone must be new.
May 18, 2009 at 11:15 am rating: +1
#40
Sirius¤
Tonight’s game is called “See If That Map Can Lead You To Safety Before My Playmates Catch You”
– The Girl Who Lives On Slaughter Lane
May 18, 2009 at 11:26 am rating: +7
#41
Beth
How do they know she didn’t use MapQuest/Google then trace it to get the homestyle look?
Also, as far as the accuracy of MapQuest and Google Maps goes, to find my parents’ house, you have to enter a wrong address because neither mapping system pays any attention to the house’s postal address. Yep, they’re so much better than hand drawing…
May 18, 2009 at 11:36 am rating: +4
#42
Lildonbro
I am distracted by the road named “Slaughter”
May 18, 2009 at 11:41 am rating: +1
#43
Brunogirl
The truth is this: Gertrude in Accounting is the MapQuest scrawler. She found the note on a co-workers’ desk and in a blind rage at not being invited to play Jenga with the ‘cool kids’ she lashed out at the party organizer with whatever criticism she could find.
Now she knows the awful truth about ‘party night’ and has another reason to secretly hate Felicia in Purchasing.
May 18, 2009 at 12:52 pm rating: +7
#44
pix
Another Austinite, here to answer your questions.
1) Ashmeadow: Velocity is a local credit union.
2) Goldie: I think Simone’s house is behind the box and she’s afraid we’ll all show up. I know I would, she plays games and lives less than a mile from me. Clearly we should be best friends. In fact, why wasn’t I invited to the party? I mean sure, we’ve never met, but I’m super. I wouldn’t write some kind of douchebag note criticizing her cartography skills.
May 18, 2009 at 12:56 pm rating: +8
#45
brooke
whoa i live freakishly close to the map artist!
May 18, 2009 at 2:10 pm rating: +3
#46
claw71
I always get calligraphy and cartography mixed up. It’s not as bad as you might think, when I give people directions they like the classical flair, but the last time I made a batch of wedding invitations it didn’t go over so well.
May 18, 2009 at 3:46 pm rating: +4
#47
sugarlips
My friend needed driving directions from my place to his place. He used Googe Maps. He didn’t like the map/illustration used so he clicked and dragged the route to the route/roads he wanted to use. His map worked perfectly.
Team Google Maps!
(However, the note writer is still an asshole and deserves to stay home alone with his grumpiness on Games Night)
May 18, 2009 at 3:50 pm rating: 0
#48
oi!
I love all the street names in Austin.
May 18, 2009 at 4:25 pm rating: +2
#49
Jo
I have a friend who lives in that complex and I would prefer a hand-drawn map to it. It’s kind of in the middle of no where… the complex is set back from the service road and is hidden by trees.
There’s also a Whataburger by the Velocity Credit Union. Mmm mmmmm.
May 18, 2009 at 11:55 pm rating: +1
#50
AuntyBron
I live in Michigan. I Mapquested for an address in Davison and I got directions to Simone’s game night in Austin, TX. WTF?!
May 19, 2009 at 11:22 am rating: +3
#51
Kate
Hey, this lady lives right around the street from me!
May 19, 2009 at 5:23 pm rating: 0
#52
Dagoberto
People in South Austin are just rude in general. That’s why I live here… in South Austin.
May 20, 2009 at 12:05 pm rating: 0
#53
leah
i’m more concerned about the fact that this map includes a “Slaughter Lane.” wtf?
May 20, 2009 at 1:11 pm rating: 0
#54
leenie
at least it wasn’t on convict hill rd.
May 20, 2009 at 3:03 pm rating: 0
#55
Michelle
I’m in Austin and there are about 8 new apartment complexes in quadrant of the map (E of I-35/S of Slaughter…so I can easily understand that the google maps/mapquest hasn’t kept up. Now, if she drew individual maps for each of her co-workers, that would be over the top.
May 21, 2009 at 2:09 pm rating: 0
#56
Amy
yeah.. who really wants to live somewhere called Slaughter Lane? hmmmm
May 21, 2009 at 3:43 pm rating: 0
#57 one can only hope you won’t be giving the wedding toast
[...] related: taboo: the game of unsolicited douchebaggery [...]
Jun 28, 2009 at 9:11 pm rating: 0
#58
Missing Lunch
Don’t think I’d want to live on “Slaughter Lane.”
Jun 29, 2009 at 10:50 am rating: 0
#59
Megan
I pass this area every night on the way to work. Perfectly readable to me.
Jul 6, 2009 at 11:46 pm rating: 0
#60
Abby
This map is in Austin, TX…. I’m pretty sure it’s a map to my bank!
Jul 8, 2009 at 5:27 pm rating: 0
#61
Suzanne
Maybe that person should’ve been given a different map, to a non-event! If I used MapQuest or GoogleMap for my house, people would end up in the wrong place because something’s not been updated in a long time and my address shows two blocks from where I live. People are to the point where they firmly believe that because something’s been “technoed” it has improved accuracy. It’s only as accurate as the idiot who put it in….so the hand-drawn map is probably the most accurate, in my opinion.
Jul 8, 2009 at 6:47 pm rating: 0
Leave a Comment