[meteorite-list] Something serious

[Michael Farmer]

I have a serious concern to discuss here. It is nothing new, but rather 
annoying.
I have been home from Oman for all of 5 days, 4 of them in bed sick. I have 
received 3 phone calls now, and been told by 3 different people that
"the Germans" are really mad at me in Oman.
It seems that "the Germans" told someone that I called the Omani police on 
them and got them into trouble.
"The Germans" also found my campsite, "covered in trash and feces" (exact 
quote from three people here).

Let's get to the point here. Someone, and I am sure I know who, seems to 
live their life for spreading stupid rumors and gossiping trash about me and 
others. I find this to be really juvenile and pathetic.

Of course, "the Germans" were unnamed people.
I asked the callers a few logical questions and they realized just how dumb 
such a comment is.
I mean really, I am in Oman hunting meteorites, so I would go talk to the 
police and get someone in trouble for hunting meteorites? I know all of the 
Germans who go to Oman, get along well with all of them, have never seen any 
of them in Oman etc etc etc.
Next, these  "the Germans" found my dirty campsite?
That's nice, I have got to be the only meteoritehunter in the world who 
stops and picks up virtually every piece of garbage in the Oman desert that 
I drive upon. 1st, it is good to remove it, since garbage often looks like 
meteorites from a distance, 2nd, I hate garbage blowing around, driving in 
Oman is like driving the rovers on the moon, and the illusion is destroyed 
when you pass by a plastic bottle or sardine can. 3rd, I like big campfires, 
and we have very limited wood to burn so the garbage helps pump up the fire 
while cleaning the desert.
Anyone who has hunted in Oman knows that 20 times a day you get your heart 
pumping only to circle a tin can. I hate that, so I am not sure what would 
possess me to ever add to that misery.  As I have hunted in Oman with 
numerous people, perhaps they can all attest to how fanatical I am about 
trash.
    Now, I would like to know how "the Germans" found my campsite (I never 
stay in the same place twice) and how they would know it was mine? Please 
enlighten me.
      I would also like to know why my campsite would be covered in feces? 
Anyone who has ever camped should know how to use the toilet in the 
outdoors, we have plenty of shovels and no shortage of sand. I don't know 
about the person who is spreading that driveling lie, but I don't generally 
crap where I sleep, so I am not sure why any campsite would be covered in 
feces, much less mine.

Now, how do they identify the campsite as mine? I hope the person has the 
courage to explain this here, as they seem to have the courage to spread it 
around. What, do I leave my business cards in the sand? Luggage left there? 
DNA or taste tests on the feces they found? What leads these nameless "the 
Germans" to know a campsite is mine?

Let me tell you about my campsites in the desert. I put up my tent, set up 
my cookstove, build a campfire, and that is about it. The fires are made 
with lumber (usually with nails) that we scavenge long before we get near 
the desert. Since there are nails, and since we are driving vehicles 50 and 
60 kilometers from the nearest road, punctured tires are a real nightmare, 
so we bury our fire deep before we leave the site. When I leave a campsite, 
there is not a trace to be found that we were there other than tire tracks.

I am really annoyed to be harassed and have stupid rumors that are even 
dumber than most things you would expect from 10 year old kids being spread 
about me to my customers, scientists, and other dealers.

If you are dumb enough to believe that sort of ilk without proof, then you 
are pretty darn gullible and I have some great oceanfront property in 
Arizona to sell you.

To the person who enjoys spreading this sort of crap, I know you have no 
life, and you are jealous of my adventures and success around the world, but 
there is a solution. GET A LIFE.

I mean, this is really the edge of pathetic having to post about feces and 
dirty campsites and police, but when I get three phone calls from three 
different people, it is clear that it needs to be addressed.

Michael Farmer