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Travelocity gnome stolen from Northwestern!

by Bob Sassone, posted Oct 16th 2007 2:05PM

Travelocity gnomeThe Travelocity gnome (not sure if he has an official name), that little guy with the accent and hat who tries to help travelers on those TV commercials but usually just ends up being kicked, run over, or electrocuted, was stolen from Northwestern University. The company brought the gnome to the university while they conducted on-campus interviews.

So far there are no leads, and there have been no ransom or demands made either. Officials say this is the first time such a thing has happened at Northwestern. All the other times that fictional gnomes visited the campus everything went smoothly.

The school was actually really excited about having the gnome visit. This is my favorite quote from the article, from Diana Marek, Assistant Director of the Transportation Center:

"People here went nuts. We really wanted the gnome - we were just thrilled the gnome was in the building."

That's going to be my catchphrase for a while. Whenever I want to do something badly I'll just say "I really want the gnome."

[via Obscure Store and Reading Room]

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robin


HOLY COW!! check this out!!!

http://www.gnomeswithouthomes.com/gnome_photos.html

October 18 2007 at 7:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
robin

in europe there are groups of people who "liberate" gnomes and other dubious yard adornments. the "freed" garden knick-knacks are sometimes found in forests and meadows in fanciful arrangements. i think the name of the "organization" was something like "gnome liberation front" or some such. maybe i'll google it later!

another theory, anyone who's seem the movie "amelie" is already halfway there with me... he's just off seeing the world. cheaply.

October 17 2007 at 11:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jennifer

Clearly, someone feels the gnome should travel by itself. You know SOMEONE is taking pictures of this and moving the gnome around to various places and will be slapping them online shortly...

October 16 2007 at 5:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Darren

I really hope that means NO MORE STUPID COMMERCIALS!!!!!

October 16 2007 at 4:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dukrous

I don't do business with Travelocity because they took the gnome thing way too damned far. If this means they can't do anymore gnome commercials, then I think the kidnappers should be given congressional medals.

October 16 2007 at 3:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chuck Lawson

Found him -- turns out he was hiding on The Sartorialist:

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html#8070151419071548258

October 16 2007 at 3:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
superbagman

What a sad day...what kind of rapscallion would do such a thing.


BTW his name is The Roaming Gnome.

October 16 2007 at 3:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ac

This reminds me of a story I heard on the news about a pink flamingo. These guys stole a plastic pink flamingo off a couple's lawn, and then using photoshop sent postcards to the couple of the flamingo in exotic locations. One day the jokesters put the flamingo back on the lawn with a suitcase and later told the couple of their joke.

October 16 2007 at 2:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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