A thread for anyone who's experienced (or spread) the generosity and joy of DU - donor stars!

[Maru Kitteh]

I want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, the person who was kind enough to donate a star for me. We usually donate a 2-4 times a year, but I couldn't do it this time because we are helping my disabled mom, who was facing forclosure.

I myself donated a star to someone about a year ago, back when things were a little better for our family. It felt really good to share that with a stranger, who I also thought of as a friend.

We cuss like sailors. We fight like cats and dogs with extra cats on top. We swear tomorrow we're going to spend a little less time on DU and actually clean the house/fix the car/mow the lawn/write that paper. But here we are. We're here because DU is a special place where even though we argue and disagree with such passion, an underlying care for more than just ourselves, a concern for the condition of our fellow human and the earth we inhabit unites us - and that - thank God, or FSM, or the Universe, or Goddess or Darwin or whoever you want to thank - separates us from the true animals, otherwise known as conservatives.


Thanks person who donated my star. :hug:

And thanks, DU, for everything. :grouphug:

Here's to us! :toast:

[tavalon]

1. I usually donate 5 stars each donation period.

But I didn't donate yours. I haven't had time yet to pick out the people I'm going to give stars to.

[Maru Kitteh]

3. Thanks for those donations to others. I loved donating a star to someone

And it was very touching to receive one as well.

[Hydra]

2. My donated star just ran out

But I was grateful to the person who donated it. Things have been bad for the last few years, and spare cash, even for worthy causes has been non-existent. The fact that someone supported a Cassandra like me touched me in a way I didn't expect and encouraged me to fight harder.

Thank you to all the donors.

[Maru Kitteh]

9. I see somebody picked up your star too! YAY!

That's great!

[Hydra]

15. Yes, I just saw that

:party:

Thank you generous donor!

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. I gave a couple but not yours

Started last period, giving a couple stars.

In a way, if I ever cannot afford it, I hope somebody else will pick it up, like Karma.

[Maru Kitteh]

5. You contribute to this community in so many ways, Nadin!

I for one, would be happy to cover you if you needed a star and I could do it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. :blushes:

[lapfog_1]

7. For now the third fund drive, I find that I can't contribute.

I've been out of work for almost a full year now. Getting to the point where I don't even bother to submit my resume anymore.

Anyway, I've had two generous people in the past do the deed for me, and each time I promise to pay it forward when I can.

I guess I'm stuck with that same promise yet again. But it sucks to even type those words.

[Maru Kitteh]

10. God, I'm sorry you've been out of work so long. If that happens to us the shockwave will be

terrible. I imagine you've considered every possible option (school, relocation, etc.) by now and more I couldn't think of so all I can really do is lend you my best wishes and heartfelt sympathies. I hope things do get better soon.

[lapfog_1]

12. I helped out my family when I had bucks...

now they are helping me... but their help is VERY limited. So I subsist on about $200 a month, no rent. Internet is shared, as is sat TV. No place to go, not much to do. DU keeps me sane. No money for gas or movies or "entertainment". And no work here in SE Arizona. Especially for an over 50+ former computer "executive". Folks around here take one look at my resume (that I won't lie about stuff on it) and they see someone way over qualified who will jump ship at the first real opportunity (and they would be right). Not to mention they all stopped hiring anyway, except for the DOD contractors... and I've applied to all of those too, but I don't have a clearance anymore...

Sigh.

[Maru Kitteh]

13. May I ask you an honest question? Is there anything that would bring your job,

or at least a job for you, back tomorrow? I was wondering specifically about all the H1B's in your field. Do you feel this issue has contributed to your situation?

[lapfog_1]

24. Yes, outsourcing and H1B have killed the software industry.

The last two companies I worked at had 50% or more of the software development done in India, and at least 40% of staff here in the US were also Indian or Chinese here on H1B visas (plus the occasional Russian and or other).

Still, I don't hold it against the people that I worked with, after all, they worked hard to get an education and to move away from their families and culture and they want to work too.

I don't know what's "fair" anymore. Is it fair for the US to keep those high paying jobs all to ourselves? OTOH is it fair for corporate interests to play us off one another like this, to make this a "race to the bottom".

But there are still software jobs here, but it's my former positions (CTO, VP Engineering, Director of Engineering, Chief Scientist) plus my age (50+) that I think make it harder for me to find work. Not to mention that my actual programming skill set is now rather dated (Linux kernel, storage systems, C, device drivers, file systems). And if we get to a discussion of salary history (which, when I was at NASA, was a matter of public record - so I can't even downplay that), well... My last true salary (which was in Silicon Valley, so adjust for sticker shock) was over $150K.

You might ask... why don't you have any savings? Good question. I started my own company in 1999, got some funding, got bought by another startup, sold the whole shebang to a public company for $12.5M (about 8 percent of which went to me!). OK, so now I'm rich (at least compared to most Americans). But I owe a lot of money to those that backed me when I started, and I want them all to share the wealth. And then there is the list of people that have their struggles that wanted help... (remember my family...). So you convince yourself that you need MORE, that $1M isn't enough to really do all that you want (btw, in those times I was a much bigger democratic contributor, I got on a *lot* of fundraiser lists). So I used a lot of my money and started yet another company... only this one didn't do so well... $300K later and it's good night charlie. And then I used another big chunk to start yet another one... which didn't lose all that money, but most of it. Now, I haven't "worked" in 5 years... and I need to get a job. But I'm "known" in the industry so I find a job. But financially, things are already going south in a hurry. And that company doesn't last (it was a startup). On to another startup, and they fold up shop 6 months after I join. Storage startups are dying right and left. And that was two years ago and I'm broke... so I retreat to my family home here in Arizona (that I helped pay for, so that's why the rent is free). Find a job at IBM Tucson, but only as a "contractor"... and about 1 year ago, they eliminated ALL contractors here in Tucson... about 200 got axed. And they are about the only game in this area. Interviewing in Silicon Valley is difficult. But I've been flown out there three times since then, but no job offer (they want a seasoned programmer, not a former CTO with 3 patents and a large body of published research).

So I'm stuck. Literally.

In retrospect, when I cashed in on my first company, I should have simply retired to a comfortable but very modest lifestyle. Oh well. Wasn't married, no kids, so I wasn't risk averse.

[tavalon]

8. Thank you for this thread

It's been helpful.

[Maru Kitteh]

11. Thanks for the nice things you've done here!

[SeattleGirl]

14. I almost always donate for someone. This time, however, I

can't even donate for myself. But, soon as I am able, I will donate, and will do so for someone else, 'cause I love doing that.

[omega minimo]

16. I've been blessed twice by anonymous donors

one who revealed identity later.... I am ready to pay it forward, looking for threads and clues as to who needs a star.

Thank you to my star angels including the very recent gift which came at the PERFECT time, so FWIW -- THANK YOU!!

Thank you Maru Kitteh for this beautiful OP. We might also invite those who need stars to post here or other ideas?

[X_Digger]

17. I gave out two..

.. and I picked two people that I vociferously disagree with who have fallen on hard times. They'll never know it was me, but I will. :)

[SmileyRose]

18. I was given a star and still have no idea who it was. I really did cry for a whole day.

My life was particularly horrendous at the time and the gesture just floored me. Whoever you are, if you are reading this. I will never forget you. You threw me the lifeline of human kindness -- so much much more than a star.

It will be another year at least before we can dig out financially. But I do, you can bet I'm going to be handing out some stars - whether it's fund drive time or not.

[Maru Kitteh]

20. It's just crazy how meaningful and touching it is, isn't it?

[NoSheep]

19. Thanks again to the sweetie who gave me a star!

[SoCalDem]

21. I donate monthly, but during sticky time I make multiple $10 ones for others

:)

gott aspread it around:)

[NuttyFluffers]

22. this student on a budget dearly appreciates all my past donors.

:grouphug:

:loveya:

times are tough, so i'm doubly impressed by givers.

[Broken_Hero]

23. Good post, my first star was given to me

back in 05 or so by I Have A Dream...I think, my memory warehouse isn't all that great.

I just spread some donor love this past weekend in the good ole Lounge. :hi: