The 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."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-16-2007 @ 3:20PM
ac said...
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.
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10-16-2007 @ 3:17PM
superbagman said...
What a sad day...what kind of rapscallion would do such a thing.
BTW his name is The Roaming Gnome.
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10-16-2007 @ 5:13PM
Chuck Lawson said...
Found him -- turns out he was hiding on The Sartorialist:
http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html#8070151419071548258
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10-16-2007 @ 3:25PM
dukrous said...
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.
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10-16-2007 @ 4:59PM
Darren said...
I really hope that means NO MORE STUPID COMMERCIALS!!!!!
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10-16-2007 @ 6:17PM
Jennifer said...
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...
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10-17-2007 @ 11:14AM
robin said...
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.
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10-18-2007 @ 7:59PM
robin said...
HOLY COW!! check this out!!!
http://www.gnomeswithouthomes.com/gnome_photos.html
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