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I Just Gotta Say This

afaceinthecrowd

afaceinthecrowd

Gold Meritorious Patron
At the risk of buttin’ my nose into Emma’s “business”, or offending any of Y’all, I got something I want to say or, I guess re-say. I’ve been debating with myself for a day now whether or not I should post this but, ah hell, “Let ‘er Buck!”

To date the Pledges are plus $320 of what Emma needs for ESMB Hard Costs for the next year and I am confident that Emma is thrilled and thankful for that. So far 24 folks have donated an average of $76.67 each. :clap:

A couple of days ago I made the following post on the “Oh no - it’s here again…” Pledge Thread and I'm not the only one that has expressed these sentiments.

afaceinthecrowd said:
A day or so ago I made a donation to ESMB. Emma may use my donation for whatever she wishes.

While I was in the process of making my donation I got to thinking about all that ESMB and all Y’all have meant to me over this last 18 months or so and all that has been given, so freely, by others here that has taught me, encouraged me, touched my heart and made me laugh, cry, angry, frustrated, pensive, shocked, amazed, happy, disturbed, silly, warm, thoughtful…in short, enriched my life beyond words.

I got to thinking that 25 Cents a day (US) can’t even buy a candy bar, a soft drink, a beer, a bottle of water, etc, etc.

25 Cents each day for 365 days is $91.25. If just 50 of Us donated $91.25 to ESMB that would equal $4,562.50.

If 100 of Us donated 12.5 Cents a day for 365 days it would be $45.63 each to equal $4,562.50.

If 150 of Us donated 8.3 Cents a day for 365 days it would be $30.41 each to equal $4,562.50.

$4,526.50 is 3 times what Emma needs to cover the “Hard Costs” for ESMB for another year.

As I write this I see that the donations have passed the $1,500 mark.

So, what’s the point of this post?

ESMB--unlike the CofS--has no “measure" of your "value”. What you post and how much you post is not a "measure" of your “value” on ESMB. Reading, reflecting, learning, and going forward with and having your life back cannot be measured by a monetary or capricious and arbitrarily assigned "value". I think Emma knows that--if I may be so bold as to proffer an opinion of what I think Emma knows--and I think all of Us know that, as well.

$1,500 is the “Hard Costs” for ESMB for the next year.

What about the “Soft Costs”? What about the “Soft Costs” over all these years? Years and years of all of Us freely speaking our Hearts...permanently, for the record...what is that worth?

Emma’s never ever gonna say nothin’ ‘bout that folks…you know that and I know that…she’s not doing this for the “dough”…she’s doing it for all of Us.

I’m not here for the “dough” and you’re not here for the “dough” and Emma, sure as Hades, ain’t here for the “dough”.

I’m just sayin’ that for a few pennies a day a hundred of Us, more or less, could give Emma a little “breathing Room”.

“And, that’s all I have to say ‘bout that.” Forrest Gump

Face :)
Click to expand...

Not everyone here is in a position to Pledge and that’s A Okay as far as I’m concerned. To me, personally, whether or not you pledge has nothing to do with your “value” here . But, there is great power in numbers and 10 or 20 bucks from a hundred of Us would be another Grand or two.

I’d just like to see Emms get a little breathing room…Lord knows she deserves it. I sure enough am “breathing” better since arriving here and I’m sure I’m not the only one that is.

Face :)
 
Free to shine

Free to shine

Shiny & Free
I agree. I didn't get a chance to gather my dollars as the target was reached so quickly. Perhaps an ongoing PayPal button is needed again?
 
Petey C

Petey C

Silver Meritorious Patron
afaceinthecrowd said:
...

Not everyone here is in a position to Pledge and that’s A Okay as far as I’m concerned. To me, personally, whether or not you pledge has nothing to do with your “value” here . But, there is great power in numbers and 10 or 20 bucks from a hundred of Us would be another Grand or two.

I’d just like to see Emms get a little breathing room…Lord knows she deserves it. I sure enough am “breathing” better since arriving here and I’m sure I’m not the only one that is.

Face :)
Click to expand...

I'm in, Face, great idea.
 
HelluvaHoax!

HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
...

Shit! More crush regging! :hysterical:

You crushed me with good sense. $100 added just now.

Thanks my friend. It was a great idea, so happy to be part of it.
 
afaceinthecrowd

afaceinthecrowd

Gold Meritorious Patron
HelluvaHoax! said:
...

Shit! More crush regging! :hysterical:

You crushed me with good sense. $100 added just now.

Thanks my friend. It was a great idea, so happy to be part of it.
Click to expand...

Alright HH!!! :thumbsup:

Every reg needs a 1:59 Thursday “go to guy”!! :biggrin:

Your Leather Bound Autographed Gold Embossed Bio Degradable Limited Edition Copy of “The Affirmations” By El Ron El Rey is on it’s way. :coolwink:

Face :)
 
Voltaire's Child

Voltaire's Child

Fool on the Hill
What's odd is I was thinking about the amount needed vs what was collected and was going to ask advice on what to do. (that's not sarcasm. I really was thinking about that and was glad to see this thread.)
 
Emma

Emma

Con te partirò
Administrator
Hey guys :)

Face, thank you for your support & sentiments expressed on this thread (and others).

Having a few hundred extra is always great for me because things do pop up through the year & I often need the helpdesk to put it right. Last year it was when we were hacked & I spent about $300 to get things put right again. Fortunately we had about $300 extra from the Pledgie last year, plus what people added ad hoc along the way. This year I need to do some upgrades & prefer the tech guys to do it for me (both for the time it takes & also the expertise they have that I don't).

If I do have any left over after the expenses are all covered for the year I do bring it forward & use the following year.

Having said all that, I really don't want to get thousands ahead. It will just sit there & I'll feel bad about taking money I don't need. It's tricky to work out what I'll need for the year ahead (I should try renting a crystal ball) but $300 - $400 usually covers it and also means I don't have to worry about spending a few hundred during the year when it's necessary.

I'd close the Pledgie right now but I have a couple of people who've specifically asked me to keep it open for a little longer as they very much want to contribute but are waiting for pay day.

People often say to "have a beer on me" or "Spend this however you like" but I really can't do that. I believe it's a slippery slope that I don't want to ride down. For a few years now I've never been out of pocket regarding ESMB costs & I'm happy with that. As long as it doesn't cost me anything I'm happy to put in the hours to run it. It's my baby after all :)

This will sound really sucky, but honestly my reward is getting PMs & emails from people & reading posts that tell how much ESMB has helped them. There is nothing more satisfying.
 
Sindy

Sindy

Crusader
I hope it's known that my $50 donated to the legal expenses that weren't needed went to this new need. Right Ems? If not, let me know. :heartflower:
 
Emma

Emma

Con te partirò
Administrator
Synthia said:
I hope it's known that my $50 donated to the legal expenses that weren't needed went to this new need. Right Ems? If not, let me know. :heartflower:
Click to expand...

Hi Syn,

The legal donos were broken up roughly as follows:

- Those that wanted refunds were refunded
- The balance was distributed as follows - 40% covered my costs, 40% was given to Nick Xenophon & 20% was used to cover this years ESMB's costs.
 
afaceinthecrowd

afaceinthecrowd

Gold Meritorious Patron
Emma said:
Hey guys :)

Face, thank you for your support & sentiments expressed on this thread (and others).

Having a few hundred extra is always great for me because things do pop up through the year & I often need the helpdesk to put it right. Last year it was when we were hacked & I spent about $300 to get things put right again. Fortunately we had about $300 extra from the Pledgie last year, plus what people added ad hoc along the way. This year I need to do some upgrades & prefer the tech guys to do it for me (both for the time it takes & also the expertise they have that I don't).

If I do have any left over after the expenses are all covered for the year I do bring it forward & use the following year.

Having said all that, I really don't want to get thousands ahead. It will just sit there & I'll feel bad about taking money I don't need. It's tricky to work out what I'll need for the year ahead (I should try renting a crystal ball) but $300 - $400 usually covers it and also means I don't have to worry about spending a few hundred during the year when it's necessary.

I'd close the Pledgie right now but I have a couple of people who've specifically asked me to keep it open for a little longer as they very much want to contribute but are waiting for pay day.

People often say to "have a beer on me" or "Spend this however you like" but I really can't do that. I believe it's a slippery slope that I don't want to ride down. For a few years now I've never been out of pocket regarding ESMB costs & I'm happy with that. As long as it doesn't cost me anything I'm happy to put in the hours to run it. It's my baby after all :)

This will sound really sucky, but honestly my reward is getting PMs & emails from people & reading posts that tell how much ESMB has helped them. There is nothing more satisfying.
Click to expand...


Sometimes I just can’t help myself and get carried away with what I feel in my Heart. :redface::redface::redface:

If I knew how to do the music thingy I’d be cueing up Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” right here. :yes::yes::yes:

Ogs has said it all for me. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Gosh, I love being here with all Y'all. :bighug:

Face :)
 
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Petey C

Petey C

Silver Meritorious Patron
Emma said:
Hey guys :)

Face, thank you for your support & sentiments expressed on this thread (and others).

Having a few hundred extra is always great for me because things do pop up through the year & I often need the helpdesk to put it right. Last year it was when we were hacked & I spent about $300 to get things put right again. Fortunately we had about $300 extra from the Pledgie last year, plus what people added ad hoc along the way. This year I need to do some upgrades & prefer the tech guys to do it for me (both for the time it takes & also the expertise they have that I don't).

If I do have any left over after the expenses are all covered for the year I do bring it forward & use the following year.

Having said all that, I really don't want to get thousands ahead. It will just sit there & I'll feel bad about taking money I don't need. It's tricky to work out what I'll need for the year ahead (I should try renting a crystal ball) but $300 - $400 usually covers it and also means I don't have to worry about spending a few hundred during the year when it's necessary.

I'd close the Pledgie right now but I have a couple of people who've specifically asked me to keep it open for a little longer as they very much want to contribute but are waiting for pay day.

People often say to "have a beer on me" or "Spend this however you like" but I really can't do that. I believe it's a slippery slope that I don't want to ride down. For a few years now I've never been out of pocket regarding ESMB costs & I'm happy with that. As long as it doesn't cost me anything I'm happy to put in the hours to run it. It's my baby after all :)

This will sound really sucky, but honestly my reward is getting PMs & emails from people & reading posts that tell how much ESMB has helped them. There is nothing more satisfying.
Click to expand...

Emma, Emma. :bigcry: You're never gonna be a corporate Master of the Universe with this attitude! Go lease yourself a huge Beemer 4WD!
 
Gadfly

Gadfly

Crusader
Emma said:
Hey guys :)

Face, thank you for your support & sentiments expressed on this thread (and others).

Having a few hundred extra is always great for me because things do pop up through the year & I often need the helpdesk to put it right. Last year it was when we were hacked & I spent about $300 to get things put right again. Fortunately we had about $300 extra from the Pledgie last year, plus what people added ad hoc along the way. This year I need to do some upgrades & prefer the tech guys to do it for me (both for the time it takes & also the expertise they have that I don't).

If I do have any left over after the expenses are all covered for the year I do bring it forward & use the following year.

Having said all that, I really don't want to get thousands ahead. It will just sit there & I'll feel bad about taking money I don't need. It's tricky to work out what I'll need for the year ahead (I should try renting a crystal ball) but $300 - $400 usually covers it and also means I don't have to worry about spending a few hundred during the year when it's necessary.

I'd close the Pledgie right now but I have a couple of people who've specifically asked me to keep it open for a little longer as they very much want to contribute but are waiting for pay day.

People often say to "have a beer on me" or "Spend this however you like" but I really can't do that. I believe it's a slippery slope that I don't want to ride down. For a few years now I've never been out of pocket regarding ESMB costs & I'm happy with that. As long as it doesn't cost me anything I'm happy to put in the hours to run it. It's my baby after all :)

This will sound really sucky, but honestly my reward is getting PMs & emails from people & reading posts that tell how much ESMB has helped them. There is nothing more satisfying.
Click to expand...

You are just WAY COOL!!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

It's funny how you talk about how you don't want to "take in too much money". I remember back on Factnet about 6-7 years ago when OSA dupes were constantly attacking posters with the line that they "the critics spent so much time posting and making noise about Scientology because they were profiting from doing so".

The OSA goons must have figured out that it was a "button" for people to act as "paid for hire nasty critics", and that it was commonly thought that critics MUST be nasty and greedy, because they were "hired guns" who were spending time making web sites and spending time saying bad things about them.

OSA tried to paint all critics as some sort of "in-court paid for authority". As if it was impossible for someone to actually simply choose that Scientology SUCKED, and that they were simply exercising their free right to TALK ABOUT IT HONESTLY!

I remember getting run off of BeliefNet because it was so sickenly moderated.

But, I LOVE IT HERE!!!!!!!! :happydance: :happydance: :happydance:

I can speak freely, which was something one could NEVER do while a Church of Scientology member.

Emma, YOU have provided this wonderful space where free people can say whatever the hell they want! :thumbsup:

And, of course, I am sure, the Church of Scientology leaders and decision-makers HATES such places where free speech can continue unabated.
 
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