Last year, a DU'er from Oregon bought me a star. This year, I'd like to return the favor.

[Uncle Sinister]

If you would like a star, or know someone who would, but can't afford it let me know.

[Tom Kitten]

1. I would not mind !

back in better days I bought a few stars for folks here (one even started a group forum)
I've been unemployed for over a year, unemployment has run out, and I'm facing homelessness squarely in its face...Right now I'm hoping I can find a holiday job, hopefully I can find even a temporary job for a couple of months after that !

[Trajan]

2. Hey Uncle ... It's been a while ....

I hope all is well with you ....

Hey Tom ... Where ya been ? .... We miss you Bud .... Last time we saw you. we were waving goodbye from Bud Clark's Goose Hollow Inn .... I hope YOU are doing OK as well ...

Uncle ? ... I would offer a strong recommendation on Tom's behalf .... He was one of our early members, and we consider him a friend ...

Hope to see you all soon ... When are we going to meet again ?

[Tom Kitten]

3. hi Trajan

I remember the conversation we had about the "good" Roman emperors and you being at the top of the list!
I was offline for two years but bought a laptop...thank God for wireless!

I live in a nice apartment in the Woodstock neighborhood...Things are OK for now but I'll be out on the streets or living in my mom's spare closet if I don't get employed soon! Unemployment ran out, I have zero income, plus I owe my credit union...Food stamps help, though! I suppose I could cash out my IRAs so I can continue to live here in case (nobody seems to want to hire a 52 year old man it seems, I've been looking for a job over a year, jeesh! Got my statements last week, lost about 25% of their worth last quarter!)I have no other available option. It's interesting, a year ago I was full of optimism, now I'm full of foreboding because I know the hammer is going to fall sometime soon...

Other than that, things are fine! How are you doing? How is Viva, haven't seen any posts by her since I came back?

[Tom Kitten]

4. On second thought, I need no star...

better to save it for someone who really needs it, I can get by fine without one...

[Uncle Sinister]

5. Hi Tom, Trajan

Sorry it took me a bit to get back, combo of crappy hijacked wifi connection, illness, and mondo work stress.

Tom, I'll get your star this weekend. Nobody actually "needs" one, but it sounds like you surely as hell deserve one. And since another DU'er bought me a star last year when I was really scraping, I really would like to return the favor. I'll pick up a prepaid debit card this weekend (you don't even want to hear the tale of woe regarding my lack of a bank account). Anyway, consider it done, probably on Saturday, I'll PM you.

Trajan, Hiya after too long! When's the next F2F? I'd love to jump "back in the loop". Even though I only met with the PDX DU squad once at the Luck Lab, it was a most excellent meet.

Pax, Richard

[Tom Kitten]

6. I truly thank you

And I apologize for having a nasty attitude at times and I promise I won't just waste it in the Lounge!