THIS IS SOMETHING NEW TO EVEN A VETERAN INTERNET JUNKIE SUCH AS MYSELF.
BUT WE REALLY HAD NO CHOICE. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO--IF WE INTEND ON SURVIVING THIS MONTH UNCHALLENGED.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING FROM OUR FELLOW NET SURFERS IS NOT A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY. $5 HERE, $10 THERE...ANYTHING THAT WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE US WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE OUR ENDS MEET. FOR THIS MONTH.
AFTER THAT, THIS DRIVE WILL BE OVER--AND I WILL BE BACK TO DOING WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING THESE PAST 8 YEARS: LIVING ON MY FIXED INCOME THE BEST I CAN.
BUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH OUR CAT, KIVA--WE BOTH UNDERTOOK THAT ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO MAKE SURE THAT HE COULD LIVE.
I REALIZE THAT THERE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING AND I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. MY WIFE AND I ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP, ASSISTANCE, AND TO DONATE A LITTLE MONEY FOR OUR BILLS AND OTHER NEEDS, OR SNAIL-MAIL US ONE OF OUR LISTED ESSENTIALS.
AND IT'S NOT EASY. IT'S NOT EASY GOING ON THE INTERNET AND PETITIONING COMPLETE STRANGERS FOR ASSISTANCE IN WHATEVER FORM THEY CAN LEND TO US.
BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAD TO DO THIS PAST THURSDAY. I MAY NOT HAVE THE BEST APPROACH THERE IS TO RALLY OTHERS TO A CAUSE AS IMPORTANT TO THIS ONE, BUT I AM HOPING THAT MY WORDS ALONE WILL MAKE SOME UNDERSTAND THAT MY INTENTIONS ARE SINCERE, MY ACTIONS ARE NOTHING SHORT OF PURE, AND THAT WE INTEND TO USE YOUR GENEROSITY FOR THAT EXACT STRICT PURPOSE.
NO SCAMMER I KNOW WOULD ABASE HIMSELF TO THIS LEVEL BY...UM...PLEADING FOR HELP. WE ALL KNOW THE TRICKS AND THE STUNTS THEY USE TO TRICK PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HARD-EARNED FUNDS.
BUT THIS IS NO TRICK. THIS IS NO SCAM.
EVEN THOUGH I AM DESTITUTE AND LIVING IN POVERTY, I HAVE MADE IT MY MISSION TO HELP OTHERS IN ANY WAY I CAN. I HAVE GIVEN MYSELF TO OTHER PEOPLE--EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF MY NEEDS.
I HAVE SPENT ALL MY TIME ON THE INTERNET THESE LAST 6 YEARS COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE, CHALLENGING THEIR PERCEPTIONS, AND ALWAYS GIVING THEM SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
A SPAMMER DOESN'T DO THIS. MY WIFE AND I ARE FLESH AND BLOOD PEOPLE WITH NEEDS--JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS LIVED THE LIVELIHOOD LIKE WE HAVE.
BUT MY WIFE AND I PRIDE OURSELVES IN WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED AS A MARRIED COUPLE--EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE IT A LOT WORSE OFF THAN THOSE WHOM ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP A ROOF ABOVE THEIR HEADS, TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET ON THEIR OWN, OR TO FEED THEIR LOVED ONES.
BECAUSE ONCE EVERYTHING IS ALL SAID AND DONE, WE WILL STILL BE THE ONES STRUGGLING AND EKING OUT WHATEVER MEANS WE HAVE TO SURVIVE.
AS I SAID IN MY PREVIOUS POST: "WE AREN'T ASKING FOR THE WORLD. WE ARE SIMPLY ASKING FOR YOUR HELP AND ASSISTANCE."
THAT ISN'T ASKING FOR FREE MONEY OR A HANDOUT, OR TO FREELOAD OFF OF ANYONE.
MY WIFE AND I ARE CALLING ON THE INTERNET COMMUNITY AND OUR FELLOW 'NET SURFERS TO PLEASE FIND IT IN YOURSELVES TO GIVE TO TWO PEOPLE WHOM NEED HELP MORE THAN EVER.
THAT'S ALL WE ARE ASKING.
THAT IS ALL WE ARE LOOKING FOR FROM YOU AND ANYONE YOU KNOW.
I APOLOGIZE IF MY PREVIOUS POST HERE WAS LACKING IN CLARITY AND DIRECTNESS. BUT WHEN YOU'RE FACED WITH THE LOSS OF A CLOSE PET, NOT EVERYTHING IS SO CUT AND DRY.
I DON'T THINK WELL WHEN I'M UNDER SUCH DURESS.
I DID WHAT I COULD TO PROPERLY ADDRESS OUR NEEDS AS BEST WE CAN. AND IF IT DOES LOOK LIKE THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT LOOK OUT OF WHACK (LIKE MY COMICS AND THE FEW MUSIC CDs THAT I WOULD ENJOY LISTENING TO WHILE I WRITE MY TOMES), IT'S BECAUSE THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT BRING ME HAPPINESS AND ENJOYMENT.
IT GIVES ME A SENSE OF FULFILLMENT AND SERENITY. THERE ARE SO FEW MATERIAL THINGS IN MY LIFE THAT DOES--AND THESE ARE JUST 2 OF THE THINGS THAT DO.
BUT WHAT WE HAVE LISTED ARE NEEDS THAT MUST BE MET FIRST ABOVE ALL ELSE. THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE ON A RESTRICTED BUDGET: YOU MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO DO FOR THE NEXT MONTH AND THEN YOU SEE WHAT CAN BE MET OR ACCOMPLISHED.
GO AND LOOK AT THE LIST AGAIN. CLICK ON IT HERE:
http://skysbooknewsandotherthings.blogspot.com/
Look at the order in which we have our needs listed. This is what we have which are gravely in need from you the internet community. We would really like it if you could send some of the spares lying around the house: An extra roll of toilet paper, a couple of kitchen scrub pads, an extra tube of toothpaste, even a small bottle of mouthwash would be welcome.
Our money needs is also critical. I can't pay for this on foodstamps. After I pay my portion of the rent with my disability check each month ($226), I am left with $311 to play with. 90% of that goes towards whatever basic bills we have.
What's left to get basic essentials is roughly $80 to $90 per month on average.
And given how expensive things are...? You don't get a lot to show for it. But we do what we can to stretch even that much.
But like everyone else I know, times are tough for everybody these days.
I know this! Foreclosures, high energy and gas prices, rents that are kicking us where it hurts the most. And so on.
Which is why $5 isn't a terrible amount to part with.
My wife and I are not asking for a lot from anyone. By itself, this amount wouldn't be enough, but together collectively...?
It goes a long way. It helps us in ways that you can't imagine. It gives us hope and a peace of mind--knowing that there are people out there who still care about the plights of others.
But it has been hard on us especially these last few months. With all the rent increases in our area, it has been especially tough for us to make ends meet. And I've been doing all I can by myself--with no help from anyone else--to make sure that my wife and I have a place we've called home these last 8 years.
I know the inherent hostility people have doled out towards others whom ask for anything involving money. I'm guilty of that too. I'm not perfect by any means.
But my intent here is sincere. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think it was well worth the sacrifice.
And Kiva was worth it. Ask anyone you know who has a cherished pet what they would do for their beloved little ball of fluff and love. Ask!
I'll bet you a box of chocolate-glazed doughnuts here and now, that there isn't anyone who wouldn't move heaven and earth to see that they are taken care of in any possible way.
Even Oprah herself is a devoted animal lover. She recently lost her beloved cockerspaniel (Sophie) after 13 years of companionship and love! And this woman has more money that I ever will have in 10 lifetimes!
And you know what she did? She gave herself and her time, money, and dedication to that cockerspaniel.
Did anyone question her motives when she recently dedicated her show to her lost pet? No.
But for the life of me, some people have questioned mine because of my status as being one of the impoverished millions of Americans currently under the thrall of poverty.
They can't understand why it is, the way I do things with my life, with my money, and whomever I have associated myself with in the past, present, or future.
So why can't I have a little happiness and furry companionship of my own? What makes me so underserving of not having a cat? A dog? A rat? A hammie? Or even a ferret? Why should my wife and I be made to suffer because of the one choice we made this past week to save the life of one of our furry children--left us severely depleted of what little money is available to us each and every month?
Can anyone explain to me that?
I never have asked for help from anyone in the past. I have personally suffered from a lack of compassion and understanding from people whom don't even know the circumstances surrounding my meager life and lifestyle.
They treat me with such insensitive indifference that I am at a loss as to how one of the wealthiest nations on Earth can turn its back on its own citizens in their individual times of need.
So I want to buy a few comic books, a couple of CDs--even an anime movie--along with our basic needs.
Is that so wrong in some people's eyes these days? Is spending money on ourselves to make us happy in this harsh and uncaring world of ours--that much a burden?
I wonder.
I'm also surprised that nobody has called me out wanting assistance on this month's editing fees for my book, The Starchild. Why hasn't anyone nailed me for that?
I had the $115 ready to go Linda over the wire. But Kiva needed the surgery on his hindquarters more than I needed to pay my editor for this month--so that in a few years--I could finally have closure on this 15-year journey to getting published. To have something in my hands which I worked so hard completing.
That is a sacrifice that I made for me. I went out of my way to delay the release of my own book a little more so that my cat could live.
This is why I am asking for help from everyone on the internet. Because over the internet, I could reach thousands, even millions. I could connect with people, and they could connect with people who they knew--and spread the news of my wife and I's plight so that we could at least make it intact over the next 24 days.
And see what they can do.
That's all we are asking here. See what you can do to help us. Give us your time, your love, your assistance, and whatever you can afford to part with--either money or basic essentials--so that my wife and I can get through this most difficult period of time.
That's what giving and sharing is all about, isn't it? This is the reason behind this drive of ours. Not to deceive. Not to lie. But to unveil to you what is the most important to us.
Because we are hurting. And all we ask for so little of your time. And your love.
So please help us any way you can by getting the word out about this. Talk to your family, your friends, your co-workers. Donate whatever you can to my wife and myself. Because you will be doing yourselves a big favor by giving to those who are struggling and in need.
Even in times as tough as these. You can still do it. I know you can. I have faith in you and your numerous contacts.
An extra roll of toilet paper, a $5 donation. It's not asking much.
If you were in my position and you asked, I would do the same in a heartbeat. I may not have a ton of money, I may not be the wealthiest hobnobber on the planet, but when I give myself to others, when I donate for a good cause (such as this one), I feel 110% happier than I ever have in my entire life.
Because for one moment, I am making a difference in someone else's life. Someone whom is a complete stranger to me, and I don't know him from Jack in the Beanstalk.
That's what I am doing today. On behalf of myself, my wife April, and our furry children. I am asking you to give to us, to help us through this rough patch--so that next month, we can go about our normal lives--with the knowledge that we were fortunate to be so blessed by so many people whom gave because it was the right thing to do.
No spammer would do this. But I would. Because I am Schuyler Thorpe.
A starving artist and a struggling husband--whom could easily teach the government a thing or two about living within your means.
This is what I want everyone here to know from me--so that it settles any lingering doubt in your mind that what my wife and I are asking from the community is nothing short of a miracle today.
For tomorrow. And for the rest of the month of April.
Thank you for reading this.
May many blessings be upon you. :0)
