Discussion Topic |
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This thread has been locked |
Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 13, 2013 - 11:40am PT
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The original thread went missing and was deleted. You can read it here: http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=2090428&tn=0&mr=0
A somewhat well concealed thread popped up in its place.
So, here is the link to the new Help Blitzo Thread with some instructions on how to donate etc.
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=2091149&tn=20
Edit: Some posts and threads got deleted or messed up. Here is a pasted summary post for Blitzos present situation:
I posted this last night... before the thread got sacked. Here it is again, with a foolproof way to send him some cash:
Mar 11, 2013 - 11:35pm PT
Ok...
This fundraiser stuff is once again running rampant and misinformation and half-cocked ideas are swirling the bowl, not just for the Bloot, but others as well.
As for Blitzo and other really broke folks. There are a lot of obstacles in the way for a guy in his position. Real people that have jobs and function at a level somewhere above the hard deck don't realize just what a ball ache it is to be really poor. I'll outline some of it for you:
1. Bank account. They cost money. $15 a month for them to hold your money. Some months there is not $15 even available, never mind a continuous bleed off month after month. A spotty financial history makes it so you can not even get an account.
2. Car: insurance, registration, past due registration, upkeep, parts, labor, and then gas. This big package gets him down the road, but with no money for gas, and where is he going? Not to a job, because he has no car. Can't have a car, because he has no job. It is a cycle. Joyriding around without a purpose is expensive and does not produce income.
3. Food and county services are somewhat taken care of, but if ya earn any money they will take your benefits. If you don't earn any money, then you need to roll down to the office on occasion to fill out some paperwork or maybe go to the doctor. No car? No bus fare? Bike usually has a flat? All of these apply. Miles of walking are involved, usually pushing the bike that has a rip in the sidewall. Tires aren't cheap when you are in this position, so I guess more walking is in his future. Bus pass? We tried that. Pass was never purchased since he decided walking 2 hours to get one hour of work was a better deal.
4. Work: This is a tough one. Can't get to work without a car. Pay is so low that after working all day, you can almost afford the gas to get back home. Work is sporadic at best. Jobs in these bottomfeeder towns are hard to find and the pay is low. And in reality, Blitzo is not running a huge skillset when it comes to generating cash. Past employment history does not show a shining example for employee of the month. Drug testing is a small problem at certain times. The no money thing usually takes care of that last one though. As for getting paid, the employer can't really give him a check, and must go to the ATM to get cash. Not always that easy to do or available for legit sources.
5. Selling prints. Sounds great on the surface. This is something being actively pursued by his "agent" and others. But of course, the images will have to be found, a printer sourced that is willing to ship for him, a web page that is maintained with his images, and since they are doing all the work, they want the biggest cut. For example, all you guys on here that say they will buy a print... just how is that going to work? Who is printing the image? How is it getting to you? How are you going to pay so that the funds are even accessible? He has a computer that randomly shuts down and restarts sometimes 20 times an hour. He has no real internet access unless he stands outside with a long extension cord (because the laptop battery is fried) and foil wrapped on his head to get 1 bar from a leaking Wifi down the street. How is that uploading images or emailing files to anyone?
6. Shelter etc: So far the beyond generous Will has this covered, but nothing lasts forever. The Pit? That is usually the next stop on the gonner tour. Having less resources will not help things and the Pit is batting zero in financial success stories.
There are plenty more roadblocks in the way for all these poor guys with problems. The whole dynamic is very complex and different for each person. So, what can really help? Is a fundraiser going to cure all of the above? Hardly. Will it get him over a hump? For sure. So, if you want to send Blitzo some money, so he can maybe get set up to run Wills' car, and have enough gas to drive it, send it. If you want to make sure he has a spare bike tire so he can get to the store or rake weeds on some sand lot for $20, send it. If it makes you feel good, send it. If Jesus tells you to send some money, send it. If you want to buy a print, hold that thought until some sort of gallery is in place that can actually process, serve, and ship images.
I'm sure ya'll are bumming out with my Debbie Downer dose of realism, but that is the situation right now.
So, for PayPal, do the usual routine of going to http://www.PayPal.com and in the send money tab, choose "personal" so there are no fees, put in
RevBlitzo@Hotmail.com This is his account that he can't really use since they will not give him a Debit card or allow any withdraw of funds since he has no bank account. But, as a workaround, he can transfer it to me from his PayPal account, and I can give him the cash or make purchases for him. Of course anyone who donates and wants to see where the money is, goes, or gets siphoned off to will be supplied with that information. Unlike some of those other black ops, nobody is behind the curtain on this gig.
Want to send a check? Don't. Cashing checks is a problem and costs a fair bit of money. Blitzo has a PO Box, and I'll edit in that info when I get it so you can send a sawbuck or two in the mail.
Questions? Email me. Got solutions? Post them up.
Thank you and have a lovely day.
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John M
climber
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Mar 13, 2013 - 02:38pm PT
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What??? You asking for wealth redistribution?
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Norwegian
Trad climber
the tip of god's middle finger
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Mar 13, 2013 - 04:49pm PT
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russ i'll offer to the highest
bidder one of my mountain zealot items:
not this lamp exactly,
though they are all lovely.
the stone is all legally (?)
gathered from the violent drainage
of some sierra watershed.
they cost like 50 bucks to ship
so minimum 100 bucks.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Mar 13, 2013 - 05:37pm PT
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Weege, that's a $200 lamp, minimum.
Shipping is extra.
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Mar 13, 2013 - 08:34pm PT
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Very nice Ron. Bump for blitzo
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Jingy
climber
Somewhere out there
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Mar 13, 2013 - 09:59pm PT
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Bump for Blitzo.
Hang in there bra
something is on its way
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mhay
climber
Reno, NV
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Mar 13, 2013 - 10:09pm PT
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Bump for killing starlings.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Mar 13, 2013 - 11:45pm PT
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That's a beautiful positioning you worked up for that bird.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
the crowd MUST BE MOCKED...Mocked I tell you.
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Mar 14, 2013 - 01:37am PT
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I'm not much for mounted animals. Just don't get it.
But that starling is really well done!
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Elcapinyoazz
Social climber
Joshua Tree
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Mar 14, 2013 - 10:43am PT
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Nice work there Ron.
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James Wilcox
Boulder climber
The Coast
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Mar 14, 2013 - 03:55pm PT
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Thanks for all the info, Russ. As needs arise please Keep us updated. I'll kick in when I can.
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The New Age Blitzo
Social climber
Joshua Tree, CA
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Mar 14, 2013 - 04:43pm PT
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Thanks so much, everyone, for helping out!
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Jingy
climber
Somewhere out there
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Mar 14, 2013 - 10:37pm PT
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Bump
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drljefe
climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
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Mar 15, 2013 - 09:34pm PT
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bump
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Mar 15, 2013 - 11:10pm PT
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Yeah, bump for da bloot!
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Mar 15, 2013 - 11:38pm PT
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Hey Bloot ya wannA go climb tomorrow?
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Jingy
climber
Somewhere out there
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Mar 16, 2013 - 06:06pm PT
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bump
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Fletcher
Trad climber
The great state of advaita
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Mar 16, 2013 - 07:02pm PT
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That's great to hear locker... Bloot and locker in Santanas... pretty, pretty, pretty gud!
Eric
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Mar 16, 2013 - 10:19pm PT
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Nice work and Post Ron
Good will Blitzo~
Peace
Karl
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Sioux Juan
Big Wall climber
Costa mesa
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Mar 17, 2013 - 01:00pm PT
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wishing you the best Billy.......call or E-me sometime
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