Special Weather Report

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Greetings elves of Sector 5,

As we continue to work here at North Pole Flight Command (without a Regional Tracking Center to our name), I’ve been asked to put forth a special request.

Test flight planners are looking for forecasted bad weather within Sector 5 around the middle of September. I know it might be hard to find, and that there are no guarantees, but if you could use our standard weather report to share any information from your area about possible storms of any kind starting around September 15th they would appreciate knowing about it.

Right now they don’t know for sure what direction the test flights will take starting this weekend but it could be towards our sector if there is active weather.

The test flights are entering a critical phase and they need BAD weather to test things completely, at least that’s what I’m hearing.

As for the latest on a Regional Tracking Center for us, I have no new news. I hear that Elf Roger Star is back in Canada this week talking to some people, however.

If there is news with that I will, of course, share it as soon as possible.

Thanks, Elves!

Elf Engagement

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Yesterday I shared with you some very big numbers. Today, sadly, I’m going to share something just the opposite – a very small number.

One of the things we measure is something we call Elf Engagement. It is a number that estimates how many of our active elves – both North Pole elves and Freelance elves – who engage with the official North Pole websites (such as this one).

Right now, that number is super low.

And it makes sense that it would be. More than 125 days remains until Santa launches, it’s summer in some places, winter in others, and people are busy doing regular life stuff.

But, as you would expect, with the calendar soon to turn to September, you’d think elf engagement would rise.

After all, the News Department at the North Pole is busy publishing news on SantaUpdate.com, SantaTrackers.net, and NorthPoleFlightCommand.com.

All of these sites have now been around for years. And do you know what the Elf Engagement number is? Look at these numbers:

August – 0.034%
September – 5.2%
October – 13.2%
November – 21.1%
December 1-15th – 56.3%
December 16th-24th – 98.4%

Shocking isn’t it?

On the other hand, isn’t elf life just grand? What other kind of job out there lets you check out for most of the year and not get fired?

Yeah, Santa’s not going to fire you.

But I think Elf Engagement is something Santa will be talking about a little bit this weekend.

Again, this is just my opinion, but I think that number can really improve. In fact, I think it needs to. But that’s me, your little bean counter elf. It’s in my nature to always want to see a better number.

Is it bad that engagement among elves on official North Pole websites is so low until the last few days before Santa’s flight?

I will let Santa answer that question.

In the meantime, I think it is good if you ask a question of yourself:

Am I a good elf? Am I a year round elf? If Santa needed my help at any time other than the last few days before Christmas, would I be ready to help him?

That’s all for today, elves. Don’t answer those questions out loud. Just ask them of yourself, okay?

Coming Numbers to Follow

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Hello Fellow Elves!

Santa, Elf Crash Murphy and Elf Roger Star met with the Accounting Department last week to discuss a report I sent them some time ago. Based on our discussions in that meeting, I have been charged with sharing with you via SantaTrackers.net some important numbers.

Numbers are a very important part of Operation Merry Christmas, or any other important enterprise. Numbers measure success. They point to action that has to be taken to improve. Nobody goes to watch a sport anywhere without numbers because numbers are how we know who wins. We have all kinds of numbers we follow at the North Pole and we watch them religiously.

Santa wants you to be aware of these statistics BEFORE his chat with you later this month.

Both he and Elf Crash Murphy believe that if you know this data, and understand it, you will be better prepared to do your job as a tracker elf this season.

I’m going to need a few days to put this all together. But what will follow from me will be information about elves, tracker elves, reindeer, sleighs, time, North Pole Flight Command and the North Pole (and by extension, Santa) that may be interesting to you.

I realize some of you, especially younger elves who are new to tracking Santa in this way, may struggle to know what to do with this information. That is why I’m giving you a heads up that this information is coming. We are a community. As you read things that are posted by elves like me it is okay to share that you don’t understand it or that you have questions. Other elves here can help and your Elf Supervisors will also be available to answer your questions and to share what they think the numbers mean.

All of this is designed to help your chat with Santa which is later on this month. (And what hasn’t that been officially posted yet?)

Anyway, my name is Elf Flip Beanz and I’m your number elf. It’s my job to gather and keep this data. I usually send my reports to Santa and other elves like Crash and Roger. But for whatever reason, for the next couple of weeks, they want me to focus on you.

So please know this stuff is coming and that’s it is okay to ask questions about it.

Thank you.

Santa Chat is Scheduled

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Santa Claus is coming to Elf Chat on August 24th at 9am EST.

This long-touted chat is anticipated to bring a lot of elves. Santa has a message for elves everywhere and this is the time slated for him to present it to tracker elves.

Please note that this chat will precede another chat scheduled at 10am EST at SantaUpdate.com with Elf Ernest.

The planning of these chats back to back is on purpose. The North Pole wants elves to attend these chats and to get their questions answered before the season gets underway. It is expected to be a very active season this year as Santa has some special missions lined up.

According to Elf Max, the chat room at SantaTrackers.net has been remodeled and is fully functional. You may want to familiarize yourself with the new set up in advance of the chat.

We hope to see you there.

Who’s Retiring?

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I was in Crashes chat on Saturday then I heard them talking about Santa’s whereabouts. They said he was at the North Pole Navy talking about things and one of those things was the Elf Retirement.

The one things i’m wondering about is who is retiring? Because I haven’t seen anything suspicious lately. This guy is keeping this real secret till I heard about it. but who could it be? Is it Elf Hugo, head of the North Pole Post Office? Is it someone from the Workshop of making toys? Is it Bernard? Although this might be true this is a really big thing.

But who is retiring? I know a lot of elves I would not even know which one to expect! I have 47 friends! That would take me For-Ev-er! So who’s the elf? I know an elf would never be happy that they were retiring because they love the North Pole! They love working for kids but why do they want to retire? Is it because they are getting older and they think its a great time to do so? That’s fine but why? And who is retiring?

Thank you for reading and get your grill going i’m wishing you all a very merry Christmas in July!

Have a great week and remember!…

STAY JOLLY!

 

Hello from Hamburg

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Fellow elves of Sector 3 – I send you greetings from Hamburg, Germany where we have arrived just hours ago via express sleigh from the North Pole. We are fresh off the Elf Supervisors Meeting and we’re excited to be in what will be our home for the next three months.

When I left, I was told that North Pole Flight Command would make the announcement. They did! So now we can get down to business.

I have roughly 440 elves here with me – and we’re anxious to get to work. Santa has asked that we get up and running by August 1st, but I plan to get there earlier than that if we can. There is much to be done.

This is a big city. It’s lovely here. I’m told it’s a Christmas city, one of the biggest and the best in all of Germany. So we are very excited to learn about the area and get settled in.

It’s surprising. The cities being chosen this year are bigger than ever, and no where near as remote. I’ve never worked in a place so big.

It’ll be interesting. I’m a little concerned that the public might find us. North Pole Security is meeting with us first thing this week to talk about that. We are a large team here in Sector 3. It might prove difficult for them all to keep quiet about where we are. We’ll see.

In any event, I’m confident in our prospects going forward. It will be great to get setup, get connected and start with the business of Tracking Santa for Santa.

India Here We Come

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Greetings from the sleigh! We’re in flight right now, headed to our new Regional Tracking Center home for Sector 2 this year – Kochi, India!

Kochi is so ideally suited for us in Sector 2. It is fairly central to the middle of our sector, which just happens to be the biggest in the world.

We have access to everything here: great food, high-speed fiber Internet, a local eggnog producer, full reindeer facilities, sleigh repair, and some of the biggest artificial Christmas trees in all the world. Yes, Kochi knows how to celebrate Christmas.

We have all the plans in place and we’ve been charged with getting it all set up by the end of July. But here’s a news flash for you kids: we’re going to get this baby up in under a week.

I have been here so much the past several months that I know everything that needs to get done. I’m guessing we’ll be the first sector with a fully functional Regional Tracking Center set up. That’s how confident that I am.

So hang tight. We’re going to be in business here real fast. And once we get up and running my plan is to put you trackers to work right away.

Santa Tracker Map is Back Online

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The tracker map at SantaTrackers.net has been re-activated.

Starting Monday, July 1st, tracking of test flights of Santa’s sleigh “go global” according to Elf Buck Sanchez, Director of Flight Operations at North Pole Flight Command.

Flight Command has been pretty tight lipped about the exact schedule in the days or weeks ahead. However, I’m told the first week will be dedicated to “speed trials”.

Speed trials are a test of the high end speed of the sleigh. The sleighs doing these flights will be empty. The test is to push the sleigh as fast as it can go and to see how it handles.

They want to do these tests in fairly stable weather. So they will be running west to east, just north of the equator. Those flights start Monday July 1st.

Of course, weather forecasts are being watched and those plans could change.

The sleigh will be taking a more conventional course of test flights beginning next week. We are awaiting word of which sector they plan to fly in.

We will keep you posted.

Christmas in July Chat for Trackers

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Happy Leon Day from the North Pole! On the direction from Elf Crash Murphy I have been asked to announce the first tracker elf chat of Christmas in July. It will be happening this Saturday, June 29 at 11am EST in Elf Chat here on SantaTrackers.net.

Elf Crash Murphy will host the chat and is announcing he will be having a secret special guest to kick off this Christmas in July celebration.

The general theme of the chat will be “How to get started Tracking Santa for Santa 2024”. Crash will be happy as well to answer any and all questions you might have.

Also, announcements will be forthcoming from SantaUpdate.com relative to Christmas in July celebrations both at the North Pole and around the world.

We hope you can join us for these events.

North Pole Navy Deploys

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The good ships of the North Pole Navy have been dispatched to the oceans of the world.

According to Elf Buck Sanchez, Flight Director at the North Pole, North Pole Flight Command is prepping to start tracking sleigh flights soon. He said that began with the North Pole Navy receiving orders to deploy.

Last Christmas Eve, six ships of the North Pole Navy were used to support Santa’s Christmas Eve flight. Elf Buck Sanchez said he could not disclose which ships were deployed or where they are being sent. This is normal for the test flight phase of Operation Merry Christmas. The ships left ports near the North Pole this week.

What this really means is that test flights are beginning soon. We have known about for several months that the first week of June was the original target to begin the test flights.

We have had hundreds of reindeer in training at the North Pole, nearly all of them part of the test flights teams assigned to power the test flights of Santa’s new sleigh.

All of this is a very good sign. It means that Operation Merry Christmas is on track and going well.

This is, of course, good information for Santa trackers. Test flight operations mean that the Santa tracking season has begun. Elf Buck did not say when the tracking map might be open but we’re expecting an announcement any day now.

As more news becomes available we will, of course, update you.

Santa Tracker Update 2024

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Santa Trackers Podcast
Santa Tracker Podcast
Santa Tracker Update 2024
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A Santa tracker update comes to you in the form of a new podcast episode from Elves Frank Myrrh and Crash Murphy.

This discussion focuses on the details of Santa’s record-breaking flight last Christmas and what it means for future flights for Santa. Crash discusses why Santa is so quiet right now and why he is hesitant to say many things publicly.

Also addressed are concerns for Elf Frank Myrrh, who took some time off to deal with an illness, and an update of this year’s North Pole Radio News schedule.

Elf Crash talks a bit about the road forward for tracker elves and how this year will move forward.

Elf Chat Recap

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Elf Crash Murphy stopped in to Elf Chat this week for a brief discussion to catch up on things. Talked about was St. Patrick’s Day, a weird airplane flight to LA for Crash, and answering difficult mail that comes in from non-believers.

sugarcookie77Good morning!
Elf Crash MurphyHey y’all
sugarcookie77How are you, Elf Crash?
Elf Crash MurphyDoing really well! How are you sugar cookie?
sugarcookie77Glad to hear it! I’m doing well, thanks!
Elf Crash MurphyFrank seems to be having trouble getting on
sugarcookie77I hope he’s able to figure it out! It took me a little while to find Elf Chat with the new website layout.
Elf Crash MurphyThat’s why we do the chat!
Elf Frank MyrrhWell, that was fun.
Elf Crash MurphyAh, there you are…!
sugarcookie77Good morning, Elf Frank! How are you?
Elf Frank MyrrhI’m doing very well. Nice to see you Sugar Cookie! How are you?
sugarcookie77I’m glad to hear that, and thank you, it’s nice to see you too! I’m doing well, thanks!
Elf Frank MyrrhCrash, do we have a plan for this chat today?
Elf Crash MurphyYou mean like a theme or something?
Elf Frank MyrrhYeah, what are we talking about?
Elf Crash MurphyI dunno. No theme really. We haven’t shared any news for a while, cause we haven’t had a chance to. But really I think this was meant to be more of a check in and how-do-you-do kind of affair.
Elf Frank MyrrhIt is not like there has been a great deal to share either, Crash. Pretty normal for this time of year.
Elf Crash MurphyYessir. We’ve got at least another month of this kind of quiet.
Elf Frank MyrrhRight. It’s amazing what happens in May. All of a sudden people start to remember Christmas is coming.
Elf Crash MurphyYes. Even my mail has become slow. I never thought it would go back to normal again, but it has the past couple of months.
Elf Frank MyrrhI know you were a bit worried about that at one time. Got a handle on it now?
Elf Crash MurphyWell yes and no. I’m still getting some questions and things that are new to me. Stuff guys like Santa get all the time that usually pass me by. So I still struggle with how to handle all of it.
Elf Frank MyrrhReally? Like what?
Elf Crash MurphyI think the hard ones for me are those who write in to say Santa didn’t visit them or did not bring them what they wanted for Christmas. Those are not fun to deal with.
Elf Frank MyrrhSo how do you deal with them?
Elf Crash MurphySome of them I talk to Elf Ed Zachary about. He’s dealt with those things a lot.
Elf Frank MyrrhOh boy.
Elf Crash MurphyYeah, he’s gets a little impatient with some of those letter writers.
Elf Frank MyrrhIs it because they can sometimes be a little bitter or mean?
Elf Crash MurphyYes, and he has no problem throwing it back at them. But that’s not me. I’d rather tell them a knock knock joke or something. You know? Something to lighten things up.
Elf Frank MyrrhYou’re definitely not a confrontational kind of guy, Crash. Do you get a lot of back and forth when you answer this stuff or do you just end the conversation?
Elf Crash MurphyI don’t end it…but after I explain what I can that usually ends it. They usually don’t write back after I respond. Except this one kid from New Jersey. Little Roscoe. Dude won’t leave me alone. He doesn’t believe in Santa but his questions are ENDLESS.
Elf Frank MyrrhMaybe he just believes in Elf Crash Murphy.
Elf Crash MurphyOh good golly, no.
Elf Frank MyrrhGive yourself a little credit, Crash. A lot of people out there really appreciate your work.
Elf Crash MurphyIt’s not really work, Frank. I don’t know how to be anyone but me. And I find it challenging sometimes to be me and do the job Santa wants. I don’t know how he does it.
Elf Frank MyrrhWell, how is Santa? I still haven’t seen him yet since he’s been home. I know he’s super busy.
Elf Crash MurphyHe is, Frank. I think Santa has a big agenda and he’s getting around to people as best he can. I have seen him a little but not really that much more than you. I suspect our time is coming.
Elf Frank MyrrhCrash, I keep getting questions from people – tracker elves – about Santa’s message for them.
Elf Crash MurphyOh yes, I do too.
Elf Frank MyrrhWhen is Santa going to speak?
Elf Crash MurphyI think he’s waiting until more trackers are around – like May, Frank. I haven’t been able to talk to him about it.
Elf Frank MyrrhMaybe you should say something about it.
Elf Crash MurphyI’ve had that thought. Even talked to Elf Ernest about it. But I keep feeling like I need to wait.
Elf Frank MyrrhSo what about all the messages some elves are sending you?
Elf Crash MurphyI’m telling them to just be patient. That Santa will speak up when the time is right.
Elf Frank MyrrhIs that satisfying them?
Elf Crash MurphyNo.
Elf Frank MyrrhLOL. I thought it was just me.
Elf Crash MurphyYou get mail, Frank?
Elf Frank MyrrhJust about you and Santa, Crash.
Elf Crash MurphyHahaha – yeah, right!
Elf Crash MurphyElf Sugar Cookie, do you have a question for Frank and I today?
Elf Frank MyrrhI’m not the one doing questions, Crash. This is all about you.
Elf Crash MurphyOh be quiet, Frank. If Sugar Cookie has a question I know you’ll answer it if you can.
Elf Frank MyrrhI’m just a little old radio elf, Crash. I’m only here because Max couldn’t come today.
Elf Crash MurphyWhat’s up with Maxy?
sugarcookie77I’m not sure! I think you guys covered a lot! I was going to ask if Elf Trixie was ok, as we hadn’t heard from her in a while, but I saw she posted something today. Other than that… do you guys have any plans for St. Patrick’s Day? I know not every elf celebrates.
sugarcookie77Oh, is Elf Max ok?
Elf Frank MyrrhOh we knew he’d have some time problems this time of year with school and all. He’ll be back soon.
Elf Frank MyrrhMy St. Patrick’s Day plans are simple. I’m checking to see if Crash wears green. If he doesn’t I get to pinch him.
sugarcookie77LOL
Elf Crash MurphyMy only plans are to throw potatoes at Frank’s house.
Elf Frank MyrrhHahaha!
sugarcookie77LOL- watch out, Elf Frank!
Elf Frank MyrrhWhat about you Sugar Cookie?
Elf Crash MurphyYeah, do you do anything for St. Patrick’s Day?
sugarcookie77Not much out of the ordinary! I’ll probably just wear green and eat Lucky Charms cereal. Lol
sugarcookie77Thanks for asking!
Elf Frank MyrrhCrash, I heard you were experimenting with some things for St. Patrick’s Day.
Elf Crash MurphyYes, I made green milk and put it on my Cheerios. Kind of disgusting.
sugarcookie77Lol, how did you make green milk?
Elf Frank MyrrhUh…oh. Wow, Crash. Words fail. You don’t do Lucky Charms, too?
Elf Crash MurphyJust used some food coloring. But it made my Cheerios look kind of barfy.
Elf Crash MurphyNo, I should have done Lucky Charms. That makes so much sense to me now.
Elf Frank MyrrhDo it change the taste?
Elf Crash MurphyNot really. But it didn’t look appetizing, Frank. I had a hard time choking it down.
Elf Frank MyrrhI guess we better work on our St. Patrick’s Day game a little bit.
Elf Crash MurphyYes, it’s not really a tradition most elves at the North Pole get into. I think that disappoints some people out there.
Elf Frank MyrrhElf Ed Zachary was going to write an article about it but Elf Ernest killed it.
Elf Crash MurphyHe did?
Elf Frank MyrrhYes. Elf Ed Zachary told me Ernest said he was being too harsh in the article.
Elf Crash MurphyWow. I didn’t think anyone shut down Ed Zachary.
Elf Frank MyrrhWell if anyone could do it, it would be Elf Ernest.
Elf Crash MurphySo I take it Elf Ed Zachary is not a fan of St. Patrick’s Day?
Elf Frank MyrrhNope. I read the article. He slammed it pretty good.
Elf Crash MurphyOh. Well, I guess it’s a good thing it’s not out there then. A lot of people really have a lot of fun with St. Patrick’s Day.
Elf Frank MyrrhI think that’s the gist of what Elf Ernest told him. You know, not to spoil it for others.
Elf Frank MyrrhBut, Elf Ed Zachary was approaching it from a North Pole perspective. I get why he might have been upset a little bit.
Elf Crash MurphyHas anyone ever confused you for a leprechaun, Frank?
Elf Frank MyrrhNo. Has that happened to you?
Elf Crash MurphyYes. I had to take a flight about a week ago – you know, a regular airplane? – from Sydney to Los Angeles. I was asked if I was a leprechaun.
Elf Frank MyrrhNo way!
Elf Crash MurphyWay. It was awkward.
Elf Frank MyrrhYou were not dressed…well, as yourself?
sugarcookie77That sounds very awkward. If you don’t mind me asking, what was the flight for?
Elf Crash MurphyI was. I’m a fairly normal looking person, Frank. It was warm, kinda. Had on Birkenstocks and shorts. T-shirt. How is that like an leprechaun?
Elf Frank MyrrhYou’re not a normal looking person, Crash.
Elf Crash MurphyHey
sugarcookie77Ouch
Elf Frank MyrrhNo, I’m not being mean here, Crash.
Elf Frank MyrrhWhat I mean, and maybe its because we’re elves…you have a unique look. I don’t know anything about leprechauns but maybe you look like one and don’t know it?
Elf Crash MurphyFrank, I didn’t have a stitch of green on. No glittery hats. Nothing leprechaun like at all.
Elf Frank MyrrhSo why did they think you were a leprechaun.
Elf Crash MurphyI have no idea. Although he was drinking quite a bit on the flight. I don’t think it was water, either.
Elf Frank MyrrhOh. Did you mention to him you are an elf?
Elf Crash MurphyWeeeeellllllll, I maybe kinda sorta could have let that slip a little tiny bit.
Elf Frank MyrrhOh….I see
Elf Crash MurphyOk, it was my fault.
Elf Crash MurphyAnd he asked me about my pot of gold.
Elf Crash MurphyAnd I told him to go drink green milk.
Elf Frank MyrrhLol, so this guy really irritated you, Crash?
Elf Crash MurphyYeah, he got on my nerves and I made the whole thing worse.
sugarcookie77LOL!! Between you telling him you’re an elf and (especially) the non-water part, I understand the mix-up. Sorry that happened to you
Elf Frank MyrrhWhy did you take a regular airplane anyway?
Elf Crash MurphyBecause I got done there early and I had sent my sleigh off with the reindeer to South America for a few days for the reindeer. Didn’t think I would need them.
Elf Crash MurphyAnd I just was really ready to get out of Australia.
Elf Frank MyrrhAnd go to LA???!!!
Elf Crash MurphyIt was the first flight I could get. I couldn’t get any closer to South America than that quickly.
Elf Frank MyrrhWhat business did you have in Australia?
Elf Crash MurphyA meeting with Elf Randi. We were going to scout some islands near Samoa. But she had a family thing come up and I was suddenly done there.
Elf Frank MyrrhAh, I see. Adventures of the International Director of Santa Trackers
Elf Crash MurphyYes, that’s my world now….sick weirdos on a flight to LA….
Elf Frank MyrrhFolks, any last questions for Crash?
Elf Crash MurphyFrank, we need to finish our last podcast
sugarcookie77Come to think of it, are you guys doing anything for Easter? That’s coming up pretty soon!
Elf Frank MyrrhYou mean start over?
Elf Crash MurphyYes, I mean that. I promise not to talk about that stuff again.
elf radarHi Elf Crash. Sorry I was so late. Thanks for doing this chat.
sugarcookie77Hi Elf Radar! Good to see you!
Elf Crash MurphyHi Elf Radar! Nice to see you, friend!
Elf Frank MyrrhYeah, Crash. We need to stay on topic. This week?
Elf Crash MurphyLet’s do it, Frank. Weenies, my office. Wednesday.
sugarcookie77I’m looking forward to hearing the podcast!
Elf Crash MurphyI’ll bring the green milk.
sugarcookie77LOL
Elf Frank MyrrhHahaha – I’ll pass, Crash.
Elf Frank MyrrhOkay everyone, thanks for being here today!
Elf Crash MurphyYes, thank you elves Sugar Cookie and Radar!
Elf Frank MyrrhBye all!
sugarcookie77Thank you both for doing this chat! It was so nice to be here with you!
Elf Crash MurphyAdios!