Chat with Elf Crash Murphy

Elf Crash Murphy came to Elf Chat today, despite a mix up in the scheduled times. He was supposed to talk about plans for tracking Santa in 2024 but he admitted that he has yet to meet with Santa this year and does not yet have a lot of specific information.

But there are things going on that he was able to update us about. Here is a transcript of that lively conversation:

Elf Crash MurphyHowdy
Elf MaxHi Crash. I apologize. I messed up the time of the chat today
Elf Crash MurphyYa did? I am I here at the wrong time?
Elf MaxYes, we’re an hour late.
Elf MaxI posted it for 9am EST but told you 10am
Elf Crash MurphyWell good golly. I’m not sure I could have been there that early! This is early enough
Elf UlanHello! XD
Elf TrixieI didn’t even look at the time, I just assumed it would be 10am
Elf MaxThat’s what I did too
Elf Crash MurphyWell there’s 4 of us here. We can talk anyway
Elf MaxHi Elf Ulan. I’m so sorry!
Elf Crash MurphyI just looked at that events thing and I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about Santa’s plans this year anyway
Elf TrixieYou don’t know Santa’s plans either?
Elf UlanNo problem! Please don’t be sorry, Elf Max. I’m here, lol
Elf Crash MurphyNot yet, no. Well, not exactly I should say. I know we’re flying.
Elf MaxYou haven’t met with Santa?
Elf Crash MurphyNo, he’s taking his sweet time of things. I think it is another week until my appointment with him.
Elf TrixieThat’s the story with everyone. I think Santa is making up for time he missed last year
Elf MaxSo you have heard this too, Trixie?
Elf TrixieYes! That’s kind of why I came today. I’m snooping around for some answers
Elf Crash MurphyHahaha. You won’t get much from me!
Elf MaxThen what are we going to talk about, Elf Crash?
Elf Crash MurphyI dunno.
Elf TrixieHahaha
Elf MaxI thought we would have a new podcast from you and Elf Frank by now.
Elf Crash MurphyWell, funny story about that.
Elf UlanTell us!
Elf Crash MurphyWe sat down, had a list of questions and stuff, and started talking
Elf Crash MurphyAnd we got into about a 25 minute discussion about ramen.
Elf UlanLol
Elf TrixieRamen? You mean…noodles?
Elf Crash MurphyYeah, and we realized it was a weird tangent and decided to scrap the whole recording
Elf Crash MurphyThen Frank got laryngitis and lost his voice and we put it off until he got better
Elf MaxOh, I’m sorry to hear he got sick
Elf Crash MurphyHe’s better now but he’s been off at some knitting championship or something
Elf TrixieKnitting?
Elf Crash MurphyYeah, that’s a thing he does
Elf MaxI didn’t know they had championships for that
Elf TrixieKnitting?!!!
Elf Crash MurphyI know. Frank is a deep guy….
Elf MaxWe need to schedule another chat with him!
Elf UlanWhat did he knit?
Elf Crash MurphyHe’s going to kill me for sharing that….
Elf Crash MurphyYou know what, Elf Ulan? He’s never shown me anything that he works on. I don’t know what he makes.
Elf UlanNice! Interesting!
Elf TrixieThere’s a story here….
Elf Crash MurphyOh boy…put your reporter hat off, Elf Trixie. I’m not sure Frank wants that in the news.
Elf TrixieToo late!
Elf UlanI’ll ask him someday. I knit too! XD
Elf MaxWhere do they hold knitting championships?
Elf Crash MurphyI dunno. Minnesota maybe.
Elf TrixieMinnesota?
Elf Crash MurphyYeah, they got a lot of old ladies there….
Elf TrixieHahaha
Elf MaxOh boy….that’s a scream
Elf Crash MurphyReally, you guys. Don’t tell him I told you. I’m gonna have to deny it.
Elf TrixieHe’s going to know Crash
Elf MaxWow, ramen and knitting. You guys cover a lot of ground.
Elf Crash MurphyDagnabit.
Elf TrixieHahaha. This is better than Santa’s plans for 2024.
Elf UlanKnitting is great!
Elf MaxYeah, we can just have Elf Crash come dish on everyone at the North Pole.
Elf Crash MurphyNow you know I won’t do that.
Elf MaxWhy wouldn’t Frank want to talk about this hobby of his?
Elf Crash MurphyProbably because he’d get teased about it, like we’re teasing him here.
Elf UlanElf Crash, did you eat ramen on Christmas Eve?
Elf TrixieI’ll admit – I’m surprised. Frank has always seemed to be kind of a burly dude, you know?
Elf Crash MurphyI’ve eaten ramen on Christmas Eve but I wouldn’t say it is a habit or a tradition.
Elf Crash MurphyWe started talking about it because Frank was visiting with some family in the USA and went to a Costco where they have all these fancy ramens.
Elf Crash MurphyHe bought one of everything they had and ate nothing else for like a week. Said he loved it.
Elf Crash MurphyI eat ramen not because I like them a ton but because I live alone and I don’t like to cook much.
Elf MaxSame here.
Elf TrixieYeah, me too
Elf Crash MurphyBut I guess Frank is a next level ramen eater.
Elf UlanMe too! Lol
Elf MaxWell, Crash – we’ve all been out of touch for a while. What IS going on for this year so far?
Elf Crash MurphyThings are happening Max. There just hasn’t been a lot of stuff shared in the news.
Elf Crash MurphySanta has been spending a lot of time with the workshop teams and he’s only getting to us and the teams from Flight Command now.
Elf MaxSo what have you been working on…besides ramen and knitting?
Elf Crash MurphyWell, I got the Elf Supervisors together and we’re wrapping up points and evals from last year. We’re talking some stuff we can do before Santa gives us plans.
Elf MaxOk. Like what?
Elf Crash MurphyThe Elf Supervisors would like some suggestions from each sector about where to put the Regional Tracking Centers this year. Those scout teams go out soon to start the selection process.
Elf MaxOh, that would be cool.
Elf Crash MurphyI think it is a great idea as well.
Elf MaxWhen do the regional tracking centers have to be ready?
Elf Crash MurphyUsually by the end of July. Last year Santa wanted them announced as part of Christmas in July and we did that and it worked out great.
Elf MaxYou think he will want to do that again this year?
Elf UlanI’m curious about where they put the tracking center!
Elf Crash MurphyI have no idea, because we haven’t talked about it. That’s why the Elf Supervisors have held off on asking for suggestions.
Elf Crash MurphyWe want more input from trackers on this .
Elf Maxthat’s honestly way cool. I hope you tell Santa that.
Elf Crash MurphyIt’s on my list.
Elf MaxWhat else is on your list?
Elf Crash MurphyWhat SHOULD be on my list?
Elf MaxA bigger server for the website.
Elf Crash MurphyThat is on my list!
Elf TrixieDo you really think Santa will want a lot of new or different things this year?
Elf Crash MurphyNo, Trixie. I don’t know what he’s thinking, honestly. I’ve seen him exactly twice since Christmas.
Elf Crash MurphyHe was really happy with how last year turned out. I think if he had huge concerns we would have met already.
Elf UlanDo you think Santa will replace the elves with another department thus year?
Elf Crash MurphyI don’t think so. We made a lot of changes last year and I think Santa wants to keep things fairly static for a while, Elf Ulan
Elf Crash MurphyI hope he won’t fire me.
Elf TrixieAwwwww….
Elf MaxWhy would he do that?
Elf Crash MurphyI’m still a rookie at this whole director thing.
Elf MaxI think you’re doing great.
Elf TrixieYes, you did an AWESOME job last year.
Elf Crash MurphyThanks you guys. I was worried I was going to have to take up knitting.
Elf MaxLOL
Elf UlanThank you, Elf Crash. All of the elves at the North Pole are very important for Santa!
Elf TrixieSo when do you meet up with Santa?
Elf Crash MurphyFebruary 29th.
Elf MaxOh, that’s about two weeks away still.
Elf Crash MurphyYes, very late. Santa is moving at a different pace this year.
Elf TrixieSo is Mrs. Claus.
Elf MaxReally, Trixie?
Elf TrixieReally.
Elf Crash MurphyMrs. Claus is having fun. Santa is giving her a break. She worked very hard last year.
Elf TrixieYes, night and day difference this year versus last year.
Elf MaxDo you meet with Mrs. Claus?
Elf Crash MurphyI did a lot last year because Santa was gone. But now…no. She’s occupied with other stuff. Trixie could tell us what’s she’s doing. But she’s not meeting with me.
Elf TrixieIt’s true. She’s leaving all the reviews and meetings to Santa. So far Mrs. Claus is really focused on the North Pole this year.
Elf UlanElf Trixie, do you know what Santa gave to Mrs. Claus for a Valentine?
Elf TrixieNo Elf Ulan, I don’t. Santa took her away somewhere and they were gone for TWO days.
Elf Crash MurphyThat doesn’t surprise me.
Elf MaxWhat do you mean, Crash?
Elf UlanOh, so they had a wonderful time! XD
Elf Crash MurphySanta and Mrs. Claus are crazy about each other.
Elf TrixieYes, this is true
Elf MaxSo Santa gave Mrs. Claus a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day?
Elf TrixieYes, I think it is safe to say that.
Elf Crash MurphyWell, that’s nice.
Elf MaxCrash…dare I ask how your Valentine’s Day was?
Elf Crash MurphyRamen.
Elf TrixieHahaha!
Elf MaxIs that bad?
Elf UlanRamen? To who?
Elf Crash MurphyNo. Just another day.
Elf Crash MurphyRamen just to me.
Elf TrixieYou’re an elf after my own heart.
Elf MaxMy Valentine’s Day was Pop Tarts.
Elf TrixieHahaha.
Elf MaxCrash, we’re out of time for today. But can we do this chat again…maybe after you talk to Santa?
Elf Crash MurphyYeah, that’s a good idea. Maybe we can get Frank to come on to tell us how he did at the championships.
Elf MaxHahaha – that would be great too. Thanks for being with us today and again, sorry about the mix up on the schedule.
Elf UlanYeah, let’s do that!
Elf Crash MurphyNo worries, Max. You’ve been a busy elf. The website is looking awesome.
Elf TrixieIt really is, Max. I love it!
Elf MaxThank you. I’ll touch base with you on a date to do this again.
Elf UlanI love it too!
Elf Crash MurphyOkay. Bye everybody!
Elf TrixieBye Crash!
Elf UlanThank you, Elf Crash!
Elf MaxBye Crash. Thanks everyone for being here today!
Elf UlanThank you Elf Max!
Elf TrixieThanks Elf Ulan and Elf Max!
Elf UlanThank you Elf Trixie!

Elf Community Upgrades Begin

The first in a series of Elf Community upgrades is in progress. As you login you might notice some new features while other regular site offerings are suspended.

The following are features not currently operational that will return very soon:

– Elf University
– Tracker Reports
– Elf Jobs
– Tracker Elf Registration
– Elf Points Summaries (points building has returned and is being renewed)
– Sector News Pages

The Elf Community software has been upgraded and these new features are now active:

  • All new Elf Wall
  • All new Elf Groups
  • All new Elf Events
  • New profile features and upgrades
  • New messaging system
  • New friends and followers features
  • New News Page
  • New Podcast Page
  • New emojis and elf role icons

Our desire right now is to continue working while the Elf Community is open. We have spent the past two days working to get to this point, but we know a lot of work remains to be done.

We encourage you to help with this project doing the following:

  1. Update your profile. There are many new items not previously available.
  2. Update your avatar. (Many have lost the avatar they were using)
  3. Update your profile cover image to something Christmasy.
  4. Try everything. Tell us what works and what doesn’t for you.
  5. Ask questions.

We greatly depend upon your feedback to test everything out as we go along. Don’t be shy in posting on the Elf Wall or sending me a message.

Thank you!

Take our 2023 Survey

My Fellow Trackers of Santa,

Thank you and Merry Christmas! Santa’s record-breaking ride in 2023 came as a result of a lot of work.

Much of that work came from you, the unseen and unheard-from heroes of Operation Merry Christmas.

North Pole Flight Command took in over 30 million reports from trackers in the past year, which represents billions of tiny bits of information fed to Santa so that he could move more efficiently and safely on Christmas Eve.

In setting a new record this year Santa gave credit to his trackers first.

Ahead of the Sleigh Designers, ahead of the reindeer, ahead of anything and everything else. I want you to know that.

I also want you to know that you hung with us despite some problems we had.

We will get together next week to begin sorting through everything that went right, everything that went wrong, and just what we can do better in our efforts ahead.

To that end, I’m posting a survey we would like you to take.

We want to know not only about your tracking experience but also your ideas for doing better going forward.

I look forward to your candid responses to this survey.

I want to especially give a tip of the elf hat to Elf Max, who likely hasn’t had any kind of sleep for more than a week. That guy not only pulled out all the stops in supporting SantaTrackers.net but he worked tirelessly behind the scenes with issues at SantaUpdate.com. And I know he has lots of ideas for the work going forward too.

I also want to thank you for all the personal things left for me this Christmas. So many of you made sure there were cookies and eggnog and candy canes and other treats marked for me, just as you do for Santa.

That touches me like you would not believe and I’m grateful you would remember me. I’m overwhelmed by it all (and I don’t know how Santa eats all those cookies). Thank you as well for remembering MY reindeer, too. They, like me, were so surprised by your kindness.

I’m excited already for next year and can’t wait to track Santa for Santa again.

Time to Stand Down Sector 5

Trackers in Sector 5 – I know Santa’s not even touched our sector yet but Flight Command just sent the word that we can start to stand down. This will vary – those in the east are nearing bed time, while those way out west in Hawaii and Tahiti are going to be up for a while.

For those out west, we’re not anticipating any needs, so your judgment is best for when you need to stand down. Santa just requests that you don’t stay up too late tonight!

Thank you all for an outstanding year!

Merry Christmas!

Sector 4 Can Stand Down Now

Friends in Sector 4 – the official word has come: it’s time for us to call it a year. The stand down order is in.

Fortunately, our work in the preseason make it so we didn’t have much to do today. It was fun just watching Santa cross the world.

Thank you for your many efforts this year!

Merry Christmas!

Standing Down in Sector 3

Trackers,

As the bedtime advisories pile up so do the orders to stand down in Sector 3. It appears our work for this year is over as Santa is advising us to call it a night.

Merry Christmas, elves and THANK YOU for your merry efforts.

Stand Down Coming for Sector 1

Trackers it’s been a long but fun day. But as always it comes to an end and word is starting to come down from Flight Command for trackers in our sector to Stand Down.

As you hear or read of the bedtime advisories via North Pole Flight Command or Kringle Radio for your area you will be considered “logged out” for the day.

Thank you for your service. It appears, so far, that Santa’s flight in our sector has been successful. This can only happen with your help. Good work!

Merry Christmas!

Air Traffic Report Needed

Elves of Sector 2, North Pole Flight Command has requested an air traffic report for all areas of our sector. Please supply the information requested below if you can:

Just look out the window and look up!
Check all that apply
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
This is optional

We are in the Red Zone, Trackers

Tracker friends of Sector 5 – finally! – we are in the Red Zone! Santa will soon be on the way and we’re ready to rock.

I do not have any requests from North Pole Flight Command for you at this time. Please get some rest. I think we’ve got a full day ahead of us for tracking Santa for Santa.

Sleighs All Over Sector 1

Sleighs are thick in the skies over Sector 1 at this time, according to North Pole Flight Command. If you see one, can you please take photos or videos and report it below?

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
If you have a photo of this sighting please share with us.

Sector 4 in the Red Zone

Elves! Sector 4 is now in the Red Zone. We’re on the clock, on the big board, in the spotlight – whatever it is you want to call this, it’s just our time.

Are you ready to track Santa for Santa?

Let’s get ahead of things. If you’re up and able, please send in the Weather Report, updated for your area, via the form below:

If you do not know or remember your sector, please see this link
Check all that apply

Cyber Attacks Continue Against the North Pole

Cyber attacks continue to plague North Pole websites as the hours to Santa’s launch continue to count down. North Pole Security is currently working on restoring service to SantaUpdate.com as well as a new threat to servers at the Regional Tracking Center for Sector 1 in Fiji.

North Pole Flight Command assures that none of this affects Santa’s launch and that Santa is still scheduled to take off a little more than six hours from right now.

Kringle Radio appears to be up and working properly.

For the moment, SantaTrackers.net will serve as a back-up news source as best we can.

This is a developing story.