quote: New Info: We have decided to make Christmas contribution to First Book (scroll down to see details). If you would like to participate, please let me know.
I already posted a query about this in the Gift exchange thread but I thought that maybe it was more appropriate to start a new thread.
Are there any who would be willing to contribute $10 - $20 dollars to a pool that we could donate to some worthy cause (Maybe a homeless shelter or food bank or maybe a libray) in the name of Hatrack River?
Please let me know. Also, if you have any suggestion on where the money should go, post them and we can pick something we all like.
[ December 31, 2003, 05:36 PM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
There was a charity auction of christmas trees for the local children's hospital. A controversial entry was made of beer cans. But it was bought already.
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
I think that's a great idea Rabbit! I'd love to participate in such a thing!
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
[ December 04, 2003, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
What about the heifer project?
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
I don't have a particular charity in mind, but I would like to put in a plug for selecting a program that is involved with literacy. I know there are more pressing needs, perhaps, but even despite the fact that we are here because of a mutual love of one author's fiction, I think a decent case could be made for the long-term importance of literacy as opening opportunities for solving many of the more serious problems in the world as well.
Just my $.02. But I will donate to whatever cause the group agrees to. Unless it is for building churches. (Unless it's a church for dkw, of course). Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Great idea, but if we're all sending money to one person to send on to the charity, it had better be someone I trust. Organization would probably be a good skill for that person to have as well.
Speaking of literacy, there are many schools where the students can't afford basic supplies. You might also consider donating money directly to schools. Instead of buying each other gifts, the adults in my extended family are buying school supplies for everyone in my aunt's class (she teaches at an extremely poor inner-city school) as well as getting clothing and food for a few of the poorer families.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Do you suppose the Cards would take the donations? I like the idea of a literacy emphasis, myself - like Reading Is Findamental (RIF) comes to mind . . . tell me where to send money! What a great idea!
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
I'm for it! Literacy is a great idea. Maybe we could buy books for needy kids. We could pick the books we all liked best to buy for them, so we know they get really good ones!
I'll put in $50.
The Rabbit is a good choice for someone to handle the money, I think, if she's willing to do it, or I would do it if people wanted me to. I know that Barnes and Noble gives a 30% teachers discount for stuff like this. I used that plus my readers advantage card to get 40% off the new books I bought for the needy kids here.
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
And, hey, we could all probably comb through our libraries and come up with some good stuff, too. I think when you send things book rate the shipping is much less.
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
Or we could do stuff for Iraq. This is going to be a hard winter there. There's not enough heating oil stockpiled. Maybe blankets and stuff would be a good idea.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I think it's a great idea. I'd do it.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Here’s a Christmas giving calendar from Alternatives for Simple Living. It gives a different charitable organization for each day of the four weeks before Christmas.
The Credit with Education program of the United Methodist Committee on Relief does literacy work with women in developing countries and then gives them micro-loans to start small businesses. UMCOR also does a lot of disaster relief, hunger relief, refugee assistance, etc. A cool thing about it is that all of the administrative and overhead is funded through church offerings, so 100% of donations go to the designated project.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
That last one sounds like the winner to me. I like not funding overhead. Not that some overhead isn't legitimate, but I've seen so many groups get very top-heavy and end up giving only a small portion of their donated money to the cause they are promoting.
United Way seems like a good example of top-heavy charitable organizations.
<dodges bullets>
Bob
[ December 05, 2003, 09:45 AM: Message edited by: Bob_Scopatz ]
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I thought we already had a Hatrack River charity going -- $20 each to bring Kama over....
This is on top of that?
Farmgirl
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Yes, this is so once we bring Kama over, we can teach her to read.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
I'm in. Maybe we can set up something through the sites store, so that credit card donations can go straight to the agency, without us having to worry about checks and cash.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*thinks* I think this is a great idea, but I'm not sure if we need to use Hatrack as a middle man.
This is a great thread with lots of links to places that need our resources. Can we just say "Think of it this Christmas" and trust to Hatrackers to give what they can?
Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :
Might I suggest the Salvation Army? They have one of the best track records you're liable to find anywhere.
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
I like the idea of pooling the gift and having it be Hatrack's christmas present to the world, but I'm for whatever you guys want to do.
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
Well, that's a thing I can do and that will be less expensive than sending a gift through an ocean... I will do it for Médecins sans frontières . EDIT because I can't type
[ December 05, 2003, 06:09 PM: Message edited by: Anna ]
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
I like the literacy and the UN charities.
I would respectfully request that we avoid religious charities.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Just a thought-how about saving the forests in New Zealand. I hear that's the LOTR boys' fave charity..... Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
One of my friends asked for one of these for christmas:
Those mercy kits look really cool! Your money seems to go a long way!
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Those are cool!
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Wow, there have been lots of good ideas. Kat has a good point, but I still like the idea of making a gift as a community rather than individuals. It builds the bond between us and helps us to feel that we are more than just words in cyberspace. It also makes me feel like my gift is more than just a drop in the bucket because I can see how much difference we are able to make as a group. Of course we can all donate on our own, and I think many of us do and will. For our group action, we should pick a charity that really reflects what we have in common as a group.
After reading everyones comments, I think would should choose some sort of literacy/book project because that is something we all have in common. It should preferably be non-religious since not all of us are religious and some are uncomfortable with giving to churchs even for non-religious programs and it should probably be a national or international groups since we are from all over the place.
The best I have been able to come up with is First Book. They are a national non-profit organization with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. If someone can find an international equivalent that would be even better.
We do need to make a choice. Could the people interested please e-mail me your vote and then we can put the plan in action.
As to logistics for making the donation. If you trust me, people could send me the money via paypal (all you need is my e-mail address). I would then make the donation anonymously on-line and in honor of "Hatrack River". I would then forward the e-mail saying they had received our donation to everyone. If you that doesn't work, we could each individually make credit card donations in honor of "Hatrack River". The organizations will general send out an e-mail to the honoree. We might want to designate on e-mail address for this so we could get some sort of final report on our efforts.
Let me know what you think.
[ December 06, 2003, 05:36 PM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
I vote in favor of all of that, Rabbit. That solution sounds ideal.
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
Rabbit, will you explain how to use pay pal for those of us who have never done it?
Posted by Julie (Member # 5580) on :
That really does sound like the best way.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
What a great idea! Thanks for volunteering, Rabbit!
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
I like Rabbit's idea as well.
Count me in.
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
This sounds like an excellent charity to support. I'm in.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
For those of you who haven't used Paypal, here is the idea. Once you have set up an account, you can send money to anyone with an e-mail address. You simply transfer money electronically from your bank or credit card to your Paypal account and then you can send it to an e-mail address. That person will recieve an e-mail. They then go to paypal and can transfer the money electronically to their own bank account. If they don't have a paypal account they will have to open one to claim the money. If there is a dispute over the transaction, paypal will arbitrate and often return your money.
Go to www.paypal.com and set up an account. You will have to provide a credit card number and a bank routing number. After you have done this, paypal will make two small deposits to your account. You then have to enter information about those deposits to validate your account. This is relatively simply if your bank has online access to your account information. If it doesn't, you may have to wait for a statement.
If you can't get access to paypal, make your contribution directly to First Book. Dedicate the donation to Hatrack River and send an e-card to HatrackForum@yahoo.com. I will keep a tally of all the donations made and make a report.
[ December 08, 2003, 07:40 PM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Rabbit, if we use PayPal, who do we pay? Don't we need an e-mail address to send the payment to?
Are we sending it to you or someone else?
Did you already answer this in an e-mail back to me?
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Bob, If you use paypal, send the money to the e-mail address in my Hatrack profile. I will then make a donation for the group and send you all a copy of their e-mail confirmation that the donation has been made.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Cool!
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Rabbit-I just sent you my PayPal contribution of $10.00. Let me know you got it.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
We are off to a roaring start. We now have $80 in the pool.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Could you send me an e-mail for confirmation, once the money from me shows up in your account. I mean I trust paypal to deliver it but I'm always paranoid that something might go wrong at the same time. <grin>
AJ
[ December 08, 2003, 09:15 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
Thanks so much for organizing this for us, Rabbit!!! *giant hug*
And I think it's great that you updated the thread title so we can all the see the combined effect our little donations have!
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Ooh, I'm totally throwing in. Just gotta figure out this PayPal thing. I have an account, but never used it before.
*edit* hmmm, how long are you waiting on this? I just realized that I've got to wait 2 to 3 days to confirm my bank account, and then it might take longer to do the whole transaction thing.
*editx2* In true engineer fasion, I just realized that I was making the process more complicated that it needed to be.
[ December 08, 2003, 09:57 PM: Message edited by: Happy Camper ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
*refrains from making an engineering and technology jab at Happy because it is so easy it isn't fair*
Has anyone sent this thread to KACard yet? I think she would be interested!
AJ
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I'm definately in, I just have to figure out how to be in.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Look, Happy Camper, if an english major can figure out how to use paypal, then CERTAINLY a damn engineer can figure it out. Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
I've got my account but am waiting to verify my bank info (probably tomorrow night) and I will send you my gift.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I did it!
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
*refrains from pointing out that I was merely commenting that I had not yet gone to the site and actually set up my account information*
oh, wait... Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
--I--
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
but you said you had an account, how do you have an account if you haven't set it up.... makes no sense
AJ
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Well, I registered, with the intention of making some transactions, but never actually got around to setting any of it up. And now I think I'm going to have to wait again, looking at all this crap. Unless there's something on that page that allows for instant payment, that I'm just not seeing.
P.S. - I'll be the first to admit that a lot of times I miss the obvious.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
you can do it via credit card without having to be *verified*
AJ
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
He's like a monkey with a math problem.
Oh wait...
isn't that what all engineers are?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
to spell it out because I just realized ak may have done the same thing since she is waiting for verification
you don't have to be verified, I'm not. All you have to do is click on the send money tab, fill out the information of where to send it and how much, then hit continue and it will go to a screen where you input your credit card info. I use my debit card info, it doesn't matter.
AJ
[ December 08, 2003, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
(_|_)
*edit* that was directed at Mack, AJ just got caught in the crossfire.
[ December 08, 2003, 10:22 PM: Message edited by: Happy Camper ]
Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :
The only downside is that First Book doesn't seem to be listed on the Better Business Bureau's Charity Guide. Their Annual Report 2002 seems okay, with $266,000 spent on Management and General, and $150,000 for Fundraising. Monetary contributions were about 3 million.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
the problem with mooning either Mack or I, Happy is that we'd enjoy it too much. AJ
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
but suneun if you go to www.firstbooks.org it is ranked by forbes and charity navigator.
AJ
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
That's weird, it won't give me that option, all that happens is it tells me that the transaction exceeds my sending limit (which happens to be $0.00) and I need to get *verified*.
Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :
shruuuuug. while i couldn't find the Forbes article, the Charity Navigator said nice things about it. I just found it a shame that it's not listed on BBB Wise Giving Alliance as that's my favorite charity background checker.
(btw, it's firstbook.org, not plural! =)
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Well maybe it is because they are cracking down or something. I had an account for something that I bought so long ago that I don't even remember what it is I bought. They definietly weren't so paranoid when I started my account. My sending limit is a weird number like $1,946 which makes absolutely no sense because I know I wouldn't have ever done a transaction that large through pay pal anyway.
AJ
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
Sent mine via paypal.
Thanks, Rabbit!
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
quote:the problem with mooning either Mack or I, Happy is that we'd enjoy it too much.
Now I know I've been reviewing a report for too long. First thing I thought when I looked at your post was that it should read "the problem with mooning either Mack or me..."
edit - cause I forgot the end quotes
[ December 08, 2003, 10:35 PM: Message edited by: Happy Camper ]
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Hey, Engineer, the grammatically correct way to say that would've been, "The problem with mooning either Mack or me."
*pat pat*
*smacks Happy's bare bum*
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
jinx.
you owe me a coke, HC. Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Thank you Mom, well Mom(s) plural I guess. Considering I've only passed two formal english classes in my life I'm not doing too bad.
AJ
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
badly.
*pat pat*
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
ok I really can't win tonight! Maybe I need that coke to make my brain start up again.
AJ
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
And my mother would have her shotgun out by now too for screwing up so badly when she home taughted me. AJ
(Yes Mack, the taughted was on purpose... it is a bad homeschooling joke, and stop ridiculing me on IM and then signing off!)
[ December 08, 2003, 10:44 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Now I'm trying to figure out if you wrote "taughted" on purpose or not.
Damn, it's really hard to tell.
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
*passes Mack and AJ cokes*
*Looks innocent and waits for one of them to open it *
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
just so long as you didn't pee in it...
AJ
(blackwolve said she figured out how to make Paypal work on IM so I'm hoping she comes over here and explains it to you poor shmucks.)
[ December 08, 2003, 10:51 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
It confused me for a while, but on mine, right next to where it gives you your spending limit, $0.00 if you're waiting to be verified, it should have an option to increase your spending limit by using your credit card, then you click on that, and it should be self explanatory.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Click on the "Send Money" tab. Next to your $0.00 limit is a link that says "Add credit card to raise limit." Click on it.
Send lots of money to rivka@UCLA . . . um, nevermind.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Rabbit, I found a site with a bunch of international reading/book charitites:
Maybe we can find one that is on the BBB, so everyone is comfortable.
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
I guess I'm not as stupid as this is making me out to be. I tried all those things, but the credit card is insisting on an expanded use number, which is going to take some time to get to my statement. It just won't work quite as quickly as I thought it might. Guess I'll just have to wait a while.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
The expanded use number is on the back of the credit card, neh? Worked for me.
Erm, I have a question for the givers that I'm a feeling a bit awkward about asking. Does anyone mind if we call this a "Holiday Gift"? I would like to contribute, but don't feel comfortable doing so with the current religious overtones. But maybe some prefer it the way it stands?
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
I was just thinking since I've already given this thing my whole life, including bank numbers and mother's maiden name, I would wait and let the confirmation go through and use that method. That way if this thing goes berzerk and starts spending my money, at least I have one thing that spends (my credit card) which is still okay. I know that's paranoid, and this is paypal and all, that zillions of people use, but I live off my debit card and don't keep any cash so if I get hung up right at Christmastime, I'm in bad shape. I've had one credit card stolen off the computer already. (I hypothesized it was off the web because who else but computer geeks want to charge up a lot of domain names to someone's stolen account?)
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Wow, that musta been some coincidence, because that number didn't work for me. Says it has to be 4 digits, and the only 4 digit number on the back of my card is also the last 4 digits of my CC#. The other number is 3 digits.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Riv-I think that's a great idea, I buy gifts this time of year but don't go all out with the religious icons (no tree for me thanks!).
Rabbit, would that be ok?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Weird. For Visa, MC, and Discover, it's a 3-digit number. Don't know about Amex.
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
Ah, I realized after I typed that, that I could use my debit card as a credit card and do it that way. So now it still only has my bank account and I have my credit card somewhat safe. So mine is sent! Woo hoo!
Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :
oh I totally don't think people should back down and try to choose another charity. This charity is fine, really.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Are we keeping the donation plate open until Christmas? Is there a deadline or anything?
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Is it possible that PayPal just hates me? I think you're referring to the 'Card Verification Number', not this 'Expanded Use Number' that it's insisting I input.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Sure thing Rivka. We will call it the Hatrack Holiday gift to First Book.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
You're right, HC. That is what it was.
I have no idea what an Expanded Use Number is. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Thanks. Mine's on its way.
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Every time I try to do something out of the ordinary for me, this is the kind of resistance I get. It's a wonder I do anything at all.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I will wait until Dec. 19 to make the donation. I don't want to set the date later than that because I may not be at my computer regularly after the 19th. If people would like to donate after that date, you can give directly to First Book in honor of Hatrack River. I've already added one donation made this way to our total so feel free to take this route if Paypal doesn't like you.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Thanks Rabbit. This was a great idea. Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Do you think that we're the first online community to do this?? It doesn't seem like this would happen very much. I guess that makes us SPECIAL!!
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I won't be back online until tomorrow afternoon. If you send in a donation and you don't see the numbers updated, don't worry.
I hope the rest of you are having as much fun with this as I am. You people are fantastic.
BTW: I think that anyone who donates can automatically be considered "real".
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Happy don't give up, it will come out in the wash.
AJ
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
I believe sending money from your credit card costs the person recieving it money. Like 2% of the amount sent.
You can setup paypal to send money directly from your bank account, but that takes a couple days. I believe sending money from that is free for both sender and reciever.
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
This has been really fun! All these threads tonight that are almost in chat mode, they're being posted to so often. But I've got to go to sleep now, guys. Y'all don't do anything else interesting or fun until tomorrow, okay? Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
bump
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
This is very exciting!
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
If you want to bump up the excitement, we start by saying who ever donates the most gets a Wench of their choice as a one day minion.
Then you'll see some great big donations.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Dan, The main logistical problem with your suggestion (aside from its obvious gender bias), is that all sane male hatrackers would pick Ralphie. But since Ralphie is a JW, I assume she does not celbrate any holiday during this season and therefore would be unlikely to cooperate.
(Can you confirm or deny this Ralphie?)
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
See what I miss without the internet at home. *sniff*
This is a great idea, Rabbit. Thank you for organizing it. It is particularly apropos for a book forum. Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
There's also the minor consideration that Ralphie might not be interested in prostituting herself that way. <laughs> Her minionship may not be purchasable.
And if we did that, what would motivate the girls?
[ December 09, 2003, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: ana kata ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
While Ralphie's minonship might not be negotiable, Ralphie does have minions of her own. She can just assign a few of them to the project and it is all taken care of!
AJ
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
But what about us women?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Ralphie has male and female minions...
AJ
Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :
Besides, what if you ARE a Wench?
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Hi, I just found out that when you make an online donation in honor of "Hatrack River", it doesn't automatically report with the e-card how much you donated. If you would like your donation to add to our tally, please put the amount in the note you send.
Thanks
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
It's true - I cannot whore myself out for Christmas based on deeply held theological beliefs.
I can, of course, whore myself out any other time of the year.
"It's not that we're against whoring, it's that we don't like the roots Christmas has."
-My mother, every parent-teach conference, with some negligible modifications Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Ralphie, Does it help at all that we changed this from "Christmas Gift" to "Holiday gift" or do the roots of the word "Holiday" make that problematic as well. What if we called it an end of year gift -- or is that just disembling?
[ December 09, 2003, 03:23 PM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Maybe we could offer a door prize to the person who brings us over the $600 mark (or am I thinking too small -- the $1000 mark).
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I'm not a Wench, dammit.
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Yay! More hobbits for me... Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Bump
Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
I'm a dirty tramp. I'll whore myself out any time including Christmas.
"2 bucks, cold cash, up front." -Calvin and Hobbes
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*starts counting nickels* Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
oh kate you know that for you it's half price.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*blushing with delight* I knew we had something special.
[ December 10, 2003, 12:20 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
but of course. I dont go giving my phone number to just anybody.
..that ive never met.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*glances wistfully at her non-ringing phone* But the reverse didn't seem to work...
Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
It'll likely come when you least expect it. In the middle of a rainy boring workday.
Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
well, it's rainy here. and boring, so i gave you a ring. But alas, no answer.
[ December 10, 2003, 12:44 PM: Message edited by: odouls268 ]
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Oh no!! My phone isn't actually in my purse - which begs the question of where it is, and I couldn't quite say. I do lose it often, but I always find it again.
I'll call you when I find it. Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Hey Kat, are we going to see a landmark at 10,000 (which you are speedily approaching)?
Hobbes Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
wow you are at 9800 even on posts kat!
I think the handy dandy gadget that will solve all your problems is this!
It has literally cut at least 10 minutes off of my morning routine. I have one on my purse, one on my keys and one one my cell phone. The pager base sticks to your refrigerator, making it more difficult to lose as well.
AJ
Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
well, im at work right now, so you wouldnt be able to get me. but, post when you find it and ill call you. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
dave: Deal.
AJ: My all-time favorite piece of furniture is my cherry-wood and marble stand by the door. I have a little ceramic bowl I got from the ceramics club, and it's just big enough to place the bowl (for my keys) and my purse on top. I attached a couple hooks on the wall above it for my coat, and I absolutely love it. This is the best investment I've made. I never lose my keys anymore, and everything on the wall instead of the couch and floor...
But my phone is another story. I haven't had it long enough to work all the kinks out yet. It will find a place soon, I suspect. As soon as I get tired of losing it constantly.
Hobbes: I've thought about a 10,000. I haven't done a landmark post yet - not a proper one. On the other hand, I talk about myself all the time, so I'm not really sure if there's much left to tell.
[ December 10, 2003, 03:05 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
Phones would be easier if you didn't have to put them somewhere else from where they usually stay to recharge them all the time. I'm always forgetting mine on the charger, or else forgetting to PUT it on the charger and letting it run down. It may take a while for me to get the bugs out of that little subroutine in my brain. It's enough of an inconvenience if I ever forget it, though, that I'm definitely hard coding it into place, over and over.
In the "what were once luxuries are now necessities" category, the cell phone made the jump on about day 2 that I had it. How did we live without them? I use mine a dozen times a day, at least.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I tried that stand by the door technique. It doesn't work for me, I'm too scatterbrained and not consistent enough when I barge in the door when I arrive home, stuff just ends up flying everywhere!
And even if I try to get in a consistent habit, there will be the one day tha tI need something that I managed to put it somewhere else, normally at the worst time!
AJ
Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
Kate: I saw on my caller ID that you tried to call me last night. The first time since my 17th birthday that I go to bed before midnight, and thats the night that you call. ::curses forces of fate::
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
It turns out I'd left my phone on the charger, so I called when I got home. I'll try Take Two tonight. Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
did you end up talking to my father? or just hung up when the answering machine picked up?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I hung up when I realized it was past midnight there and it had rung four times. There was the Great Debate of whether or not to be rude and call late when I found my phone, or to be disingenous and call the next day at a reasonable and not mention finding the phone. Hanging up after four rings seemed a reasonable compromise. Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
haha, indeed. wouldnt have been an issue any other day of the year. i wouldve been awake and picked up the phone. unless i was out barhopping.
of course our outgoing message often makes people reluctant to leave messages. Its my voice when i was like 17, grumpily asserting "you reached us. leave a message."
unfortunately, the only people that still leave messages are bill collectors. Maybe i should changed the message. "Youve reached me. I still have no money. Piss off. Leave a message"
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*laugh* Now I want to call back just to listen to the message. I didn't quite get that far.
Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
maybe ill give you a call and do the voice for ya Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Your 17-year-old voice? *grin* Are you sure?
Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA dont know if i could do the 17 year old voice. but i can do the gruff voice still. i think. its been a while. im even polite when im bouncing these days.
ive gone soft. Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
You know it looks like our dollar count has stopped rising for the charity. Do you think we need to pull out Mack's thumping stick, or if we've just maxed out Hatrack generosity for this season?
AJ
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Has Rabbit posted recently? Maybe it's still coming in, and she hasn't posted.
Or maybe we've tapped all the regulars. Considering the general age of this crowd, that's not bad.
I'll bet we can make it to $600 though.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I think she said she was going to be gone for a day earlier. She didn't post on the 10th and hasn't posted today so maybe she's just busy.
AJ
Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
alrite, time for the hatrack bachelor auction to raise funds for the charity. ive got my fuzzy gstring ready to dance. Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
1) If you didn't get my total Rabbit, on the card, it was a wopping $10.
2) The gender bias in my humorous motivational post was deliberate. Men are more likely to be interested in obtaining minions by $, while most of the females here, do not need such lowly ploys to aquire their minions.
If you women need motivation to donate, figure it out yourself. (I suggest the most donated is elected Queen Wench of the Day)
Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
"That was deliberate, that was deliberate." -Gimli
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Hi Folks, The count is now up to date.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Great stuff!!!
I just heard an NPR report on a UNICEF study about literacy. They said that the best way to improve the economy of struggling nations was to educate girls. It had some strange data in there that I can't recall, but it was basically that for every girl you educate, the overall health of the people of that country improves by a measurable amount. The infant death rate drops measurably as well.
In other words, by our donations we are not only helping to educate other people, but we are making it possible for them to become parents of healthy babies.
Who, I assume, will also become educated, having more healthy babies...
etc.
It's a freakin' snowball!!!
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
bump
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
quote:They said that the best way to improve the economy of struggling nations was to educate girls.
That's fascinating. Brigham Young said if he had to choose between educating a daughter and educating a son, he'd educate the daughter.
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
quote:They said that the best way to improve the economy of struggling nations was to educate girls.
That makes perfect sense to me, since, in most of the world, it is the women who are responsible for the raising/educating children. If a mother is educated, it is more likely that her children will be educated.
Posted by odouls268 (Member # 2145) on :
Well, ma taught me how to read. dad taught me how to add. You figure it out.
Of course, im an excellent reader and shitty at math so...
But i tell ya, i watch movies like a champ.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
quote: But i tell ya, i watch movies like a champ
That's funny, I watch movies like a chimp!
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
That's what I want to do with the Relief Society. Educate girls and women all over the world, focusing on the poorest and most at risk.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Me too Anne Kate. How much money do you think it would take for us to found a girls school in some developing country. Rich and I would be willing to teach at it for a very minimal fee.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
BTW, No one has made a donation in the past two days. Go out and harange/bribe your fellow Hatrack citizens. I really want to break $600.
[ December 12, 2003, 03:58 PM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
The check's in the mail, so to speak.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Um...don't pressure people into giving. It should be because they want to and have the money to give right now.
People, give until it tickles!!!
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
If I have to bribe someone, wouldn't it be more cost-effective to donate the bribe money instead?
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
It depends on what you bribe them with.
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
Rabbit, I don't know what it would cost. Do you think we could work a PEF type deal where it sort of snowballed and paid for itself over time? Whatever we do has to snowball somehow, doesn't it? In order to build up and keep on going? That's what I interpret the mustard seed to mean. Not just size increase, but regenerative capacity, something that reproduces itself. That's how I'm thinking it has to work.
That is my life's work. Iraq is just training for that. I'm not planning to go myself to teach, though, when the time comes. When I get home from Iraq I'm going to stay put for a while. I am going to do organization and planning and logistics back home for this project.
What would you say the first step is? Writing up a "business plan", a model on which to base the creation of new schools?
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Teaching has in and of itself a snowball effect. You teach children, and they grow up to teach children. If you do it well, it grows and grows.
My knack (if I have one) is in being able see the connections that others miss and in being able to teach them to others. I wish my mission in life were to change the world, but I am coming more and more to accept that my mission is only to change some small part of it. If I do it well, perhaps God can work my bit into his plan to change the worldl.
What is the status on you and Iraq Anne Kate? Any progress?
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
I have taken this contract job in San Francisco first, and the schedule has slipped on that some. I'm supposed to go Jan. 5th, 2004 to start it up now. In the meantime I'm doing the programming and engineering stuff here.
I got a bite for a job as a design team leader with the local power company here, and I'm trying to decide whether I should look into it at all. I'm about to decide not to. I want to go to Iraq. Many of the contractors have pulled out, though, or are doing so now, until such time as the situation over there gets safer. So I don't know what the prospects will be like short term. I may have to take another contract gig here while waiting for a slot to go.
That's the way things go. Everything always takes longer than you expect. But in no way have I dropped my plans to go. There will be lots of work to be done over there for a long time to come, I am sure.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
*bump*
Posted by ana kata (Member # 5666) on :
Rabbit, I do have to save the whole world. My little piece won't matter if the whole thing sinks. It's way beyond me, of course, and I'll probably fail miserably, which is why I really hope God has a backup plan. Remember how before the ring came to Frodo it landed with Gollum?
Posted by Dead_Horse (Member # 3027) on :
*Another Bump*
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Sorry I haven't been here to update the total. I will make the contribution tomorrow so if get your money to me by then.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Great! Thanks for handling this for us all. I'm impressed with the total $ amount too. Pretty darn cool if you ask me.
So...when do we get a photo and bio of our child??? j/k
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
We don't. We get a photo and bio of our book.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
I'm so glad that we broke $500! Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Dan, LOL.
I'm really glad we did this.
Rabbit, is there actually any kind of follow-up from the charity?
Posted by Zevlag (Member # 1405) on :
Bob, your post count is ALMOST 12345. Cool!
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
Gosh dangit, i finally get my paypal account authorized and this thing is over!
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I just finished making the donation to first book. Here is the e-mail reciept I recieved.
quote:Thank you for your generosity!
Thank you for your tax-deductible contribution using the Network for Good Giving System. You may save or print this receipt for your records. It certifies that you have made this donation as a charitable contribution and you are not receiving any goods or services in return. This receipt may be useful to you when completing your tax return.
Your credit card will be billed as Network for Good instead of the names of the charities receiving the funds. All donations are final and may not be refunded. Your donation will be processed as follows:
Nonprofit Organization: First Book Address: 1319 F St NW Ste 1000, Washington, DC 20004 Designated Project: Dedication: Hatrack River Amount: $505.00
An additional $40 were donated directly to First Book and dedicated to Hatrack River, bringing our grand total to $545.
If you would still like to participate, make a contribution directly of First Book and dedicate it to Hatrack River. If you send an e-card to HatrackForum@yahoo.com with the amount, I will add it too our grand total.
Thanks to everyone who joined the project. I am overjoyed with the love and trust all of you show.
Bonnie
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Here is a link to the e-card sent to Thank us for the donation Thank You Card Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
WooHoo!!!
I just checked the HatrackForum e-mail and we are now at a total of $600 donated on behalf of Hatrack River to First Book.
You people are fantastic. Your love, trust and generosity have made my Christmas season extra special.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Rabbit, I hope you can use the tax deduction. IMHO, this is small compensation for doing all the coordination on this effort. If you can't use it this year, you might be able to carry it over to a future year. I'm not sure how the tax laws work in this regard.
Anyway, the neat thing is that this worked. I'm very impressed!
- Bob
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Hey! Bob! Over here! Yeah, you do remember I do taxes, right?
Charitable contributions go on a Schedule A, and you can only deduct up to 50% of your Adjusted Gross Income. Any amount that is above that, you can certainly carry over to next year.
Of course, very few people actually donate this much of their money. Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Oh yeah, Boon like does taxes for everyone within a 150 mile radius of her place. She knows it all!
(hi Boon! )
So, basically Rabbit, if your adjusted gross is more than $1200, you can deduct the entire contribution this year. And welcome to it!
And if you are audited, you can give them Boon's Social Security Number.
***-**-****
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
Actually, Bob, I have a PTIN so I don't have to give my SSN to anybody...even you! Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
We had one more donation dedicated to Hatrack River. I can't update the total because the online card didn't give me the number. If you want the total to be accurate, e-mail me and let me know the amount. Otherwise I will just leave it at $600+
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