Unfortunately I am unemployed right now so I have been unable to give anything. Sorry about that
tenacitus --
Back in the day... (if this were a military story, it would start, "now this ain't no shit") ...Gilly straighted me on this.
I too, was in a place in my life where I simply was not positioned to be able to donate come fundraising time. I felt I owed Gilly an explanation (this was incorrect, but I didn't know it yet) because I was such an active commenter, yet, he was asking people to make a contribution to maintain our, well, our home on the web... and here, I simply could not do so.
Gilly straightened me.
He told me -- we weren't really friends yet; I was a regular commenter, but we weren't friends, although the exchange was private -- that I was ALWAYS to put my own needs and concerns above his. That to do anything else was silly. He would be fine and I wasn't too worry, and I was always welcome at The News Blog, regardless of if I donated.
He and I had that same fucking conversation probably four or five times over the next 18-24 months. Because I was flat busted.
Then... and Steve and I had become friends by this point ...my money situation improved. The election was starting to roll around. I found I was dissatisfied with pretty much all the candidates. So I took the $100 per month I HAD been sending to Candidate X, and I started giving it to Steve Gilliard.
The election came and went. George W. Bush stole the fucking thing. Again.
I continued giving Gilly his yard a month.
We never talked of it. He never thanked me directly, except with a card from him and Jen I think, once a year. And he sure as hell didn't put up any more of the shit I sent him. *laughs*
Here's my point.
We will be fine, whatever happens between now and Tuesday night. Promise.
You take care of you and yours. I'm the Publisher of this motley rag, and I can tell you our intent is simple: to leave you saying to yourself reflexively, "Wow... that was really something. They really took care of me."
We want to take you for a ride, leave you having been moved, inspired, changed, altered, or challenged. And while we're honored when you think of us as one of your homes away from home, family and life away from the computer has to come before dropping some bills in the donation jar.
You're always our first concern. And we thank you, deeply, for caring enough about everyone here to tell us what's going on in your life.
Best,
I just chipped in a bit...it's not much, but it ought to at least get someone a nice dinner (at a cheap restaurant 
for one night. Good luck w/the rest of the fundraising!
Woo-hoo...
Updated the POST @ 12:30 pm / 9:30 am ET/PT.
jesse, i just hit the button again. yesterday, i made an offer to send somebody who sends $30 my just finished copy of Nixonland.
the next person who sends $30, and includes shipping information, pass that on to me and i'll stick the book in priority mail.
what the hell, if they prefer i'm almost finished with "The Great Derangement" and i'd rather pass that one on than have it collect dust.
so there's your challenge folks. if you don't mind used books, if you would like a little something back. here it is. make sure to include your shipping information.
when the weather cools off we'll be talking truffles.
Jesse,
I'll be sending something -- probably $25 -- by mail.
Just so you know it's coming.
Regards,
rmkrist
(aka PurpleGirl)
PG --
Thank you. We appreciate your donation deeply.
So you and everyone else know, we operate kinda Old School regarding updating the money board/money ticker: also known as the money thermometer or tracking board, i.e.: the ticker which tells folks how close we are to hitting our goal...
We move the board (update it up or down) on confirmed news only.
Examples include emails from PayPal, transactions notices from the bank, or an email to me from a reader/donor, saying a check or money order is in the mail for amount X.
It's totally fine of course to simply put in comments, "Yo GNB Staffers: I'm sending a check" or even to simply let the rabid wolverine in the Amazon Box be a surprise. You're the one donating. Who the hell are we to be picky?
(No one, duh.) I'm only saying that we appreciate donations always, and the only time we update the confirmed list is when someone gives us their word that the check is in the mail.
An intent to mail a check is not confirmed funds, even though we're thrilled to hear of the intention. A check which has been mailed for X amount on date Y; that we can put on the ticker board; it's countable.
Why?
Fair question.
a) Because I know better than to count my chickens before the eggs are hatched especially when one doesn't know what unexpected expenses are waiting around the corner of the next month (or convention. *sighs*)
b) I've run too many small business in my life. I understand cash flow to my bone.
c) It's the retired medic/flight medic (and former soldier) thing for that matter as well... All the fracking world of difference between a weapon which someone tells you is loaded and one which you've checked yourself; between an helicopter which someone else has done the preflight and one which you've checked yourself; between a rig where you have personally checked every ampule of narcotics and medicine against their expiration date and done a complete walk-through of the rig and all equipment...and one where you take someone's word.
If you survive long enough (if you don't kill someone first) you reflexively clean your gear and start your walkthrough every time you come off a run/land your bird. Practices. Automatic practices. Comes the day, good practices save everyone's life.
Truth.
Thus, not updating the ticker till someone tells me they've personally seen it drop in the mailbox, the date, and amount. It's a good cashflow practice.
*hugs* and appreciation,
Just "PayPalled" you all $50.
Keep up the good work
I mailed out a small check on Friday 7/11. You should be getting it Mon or Tues.
*smiles*
Jesse,
That was the sweetest thing that you have ever written. I felt very touched by the story that you shared. Thank you.
I reached into the giving account that I split money into. What did I find?...a brand new Canadian $20 bill - the green one with the Queen on the front. I rolled it up and shoved it through the intertubes to you. If you see a USD paypal transaction for $19 and change...it's my appreciation
Keep up the great work and looking forward to more great work...from all of you!
Commenting by HaloScan
