Shameless begging

[shmokes]

I'm desperately hoping to do a study abroad program in France this summer.  The program I'm trying to get accepted into for my law degree requires that I be fluent in French.  I'm getting pretty good at French, but I've got a way to go for fluency.  This study abroad program would help tremendously.

It would be two weeks at a language institute in Paris and two weeks at a language institute in Nice (in the south of France).  I would be living with a French family, and eating meals with them and speaking french exclusively.  Anyone who's ever learned or studied a foreign language knows how important it is to spend time in a country that speaks the language you're studying.  You can only get so much from classroom study.  Unfortunately, it isn't cheap.  Room, board and classes alone will run approximately $3,000 and I'll have to tack on about another $1,000 for a plane ticket.

Anyway, if you feel like helping (or even if you rather dislike me, but you want to impress someone who's watching with how charitable you are), there's a PayPal donate button on my MySpace page (where you can also see pictures of my wife and my new baby girl, Stacy and Madeline -- my top-two friends on my friends list).  Any amount is more than I'm owed - I'd be grateful for a dollar.

Anyway, thanks to anyone who donates.  It means a lot to me.  And thanks to anyone who wants to help but is too poor.  I'll make list of donors here if this thread isn't tossed out as inappropriate (just names, not how much was donated, so make sure you let me know what your BYOAC handle is).  Also, let me know if you make a donation but would rather remain anonymous.

I'll also try to put a donate link in this post, but I'm not sure if I can use straight HTML tags in these things.  At any rate, you can't miss the link on my MySpace page and Maddy's blogs are first-rate.  Head over and see what a 2-week/1-month old baby has to say about herself.  Worth a look even if you don't want to donate.

Thanks everyone.


edit: Okay, yeah.  That didn't work at all.  I don't know how to put a donate button in my post.  Sorry. 

Big love to the following, incridibly generous people:

CheffoJeffo
Bones
Saint
Patrickl
JolleyRogers
Silver
nostrebor
tonmazz

[RayB]

I don't think Paypal, or whatever system you use allows Donate buttons to be placed in forums. You'll just end up with getting your funds frozen and will not receive them.

Next thing, you need to be fluent in France french of French Canadian french? Yes, there is a difference.

[thebrownshow]

Just like a liberal.  Expecting someone else to pay for something you want.

No seriously, good luck with that, shmokes.  It'd be an awesome experience for you, plus it'd get you out of the country for a while. 

[horseboy]

plus it'd get you out of the country for a while.

If only it were you. 

[thebrownshow]

I can set up a paypal link so you can donate some money to that cause if it's so important to you, horseboy.

[CCM]

My wife and I really want to go on a 7-day cruise next spring, but funds are  tight.  You all know how important vacations are.  So please donate to my paypal account and help us achieve our dream vacation.

[shardian]

  Head over and see what a 2-week/1-month old baby has to say about herself.  Worth a look even if you don't want to donate.

Hmm...spend my money taking care of my newborn child, or spend all my money, plus the money of some  people who are trying to help me out, so I can go hang out in Paris for a few weeks just to boost my resume'.
Nice to know you have your priorities all straightened out.

[Gambit]

I want to visit Japan and learn Japanese. You can donate some money to me too.

[Dartful Dodger]

Going to France to study American law.

No wonder your parents aren't paying for your education.

[thebrownshow]

It would be two weeks at a language institute in Paris and two weeks at a language institute in Nice (in the south of France). 

Maybe we should start a fund to send Dartful to Reading Comprehension school?

[Goz]

Before I decide on donating... just a quick question.


If you are in France will you have an internet connection while you are there?

[JackTucky]

Before I decide on donating... just a quick question.


If you are in France will you have an internet connection while you are there?

More eloquent than my idea Goz.   I say, "how much to keep you quiet?"

Jacktucky

[screaming]

So what happens if you don't raise enough money and can't go?  Do I get my money back?

[nostrebor]

So does $1000 buy a round-trip ticket to Frenchville, or is that a one-wayer?

[TOK]

Sacrifice builds character (I'll leave that comment at that). Sell your MAME cab. You'll be able to afford an entire game room when you get your law degree.

Good luck. 

[shmokes]

The law program I'm hoping to get into would be two years at Cornell or Columbia (the only two schools in the nation that offer the program) and two years at the University of Paris.  It would give me a practicing law degree in both countries.  My parents don't pay for my education because they have fifteen kids and don't make much money.

I think it's funny how many people have pointed out that I am basically begging, shamelessly even, for money.  I don't deny it.  But I've got little enough shame, and a big enough desire to try just about anything legal to help me earn the money. 

And don't worry about the wife and daughter.  I'll have enough vacation time accrued at work that they will keep getting my paycheck the entire time I'm there.  All the bills will be paid and they'll be just fine.  Better than fine if I get into the law program I'm shooting for.  You have to understand that anything that makes me more likely to get into this law program makes my wife more likely to get to live in France for two years.  Not to mention that it would ensure that our daughter would grow up bilingual as she'd spend her preschool years in the foreign country.

At any rate, I don't expect any donations.  But that doesn't mean I don't hope for any.  And seriously, it's not like this is a room full of strangers.

[shmokes]

I'll go.  What I don't raise will go on a credit card.

[Dartful Dodger]

It would be two weeks at a language institute in Paris and two weeks at a language institute in Nice (in the south of France). 

Maybe we should start a fund to send Dartful to Reading Comprehension school?

The law program I'm hoping to get into would be two years at Cornell or Columbia (the only two schools in the nation that offer the program) and two years at the University of Paris.  It would give me a practicing law degree in both countries.

I am so smart, I am so smart, I am so smart, I am so smart, S-M-R-T.

[shardian]

You know, I watched an episode of the show House M.D. last night. House borrowed $5000 from his friend to buy a motorcycle. Later, House straight up wrote him a check for the money. The guy asked him why he borrowed the money if he didn't need it. House said "I have been asking you for incrementing amounts of money over the last two years as a test of our friendship. Don't worry, you passed."

So you are now saying you don't really need the money, you just wanted to see if anyone would give it to you. Boy, that's classy. I remember when Peale was on here and said he was having trouble supporting his family. I, along with alot of other people helped him out. He actually had a cause (and is a nice to guy to boot). You have basically just insulted everyone on this board now. Congratulations! You are definitely well on your way to being a lawyer. If that don't work out, you can always be a crooked businessman. You are bound to succeed at either one.

[shmokes]

Seriously . . . chill out. 

Putting thousands of dollars on a credit card is not the same as having the money.  I'm just fund raising.  I'm also writing letters to local businesses to ask for donations.  I'm setting up a cr

[DeLong20]

  And, sue me, I'm asking friends and family to help out if they can and want to. 

  "sue me"  Thats funny comming from a future lawyer.  Anybody?  This thing on?

Also, which of the following are you pleading your case to?  Friends or family?  Cause after this thread, I seriously doubt you have either here.

[shmokes]

After this thread?  What are you talking about?  This thread is completely benign.  Saint even linked to it on the main news page.  The only real problems with this thread are that a couple of people from the religion and politics forum are trolling in it.

[screaming]

I'm outta here then. I don't want to be associated with those asshats! 

[saint]

I will state categorically Shmokes can consider me a friend. 

[JackTucky]

  The only real problems with this thread are that a couple of people from the religion and politics forum are trolling in it.

I thought you were from PNR?

Jacktucky

[shmokes]

I am.  But I'm not trolling here.  And I don't troll there, for that matter.  I point out that they're from PNR because their problem with me isn't this thread, it's the fact that I'm politically liberal.

[saint]

I will not, however, let him have my beer.

I will state categorically Shmokes can consider me a friend. 

[shmokes]

That's no kind of friend at all!

[Zakk]

I will not, however, let him have my beer.

I will state categorically Shmokes can consider me a friend. 

Not after what was put in it the last time. 

[Dartful Dodger]

I point out that they're from PNR because their problem with me isn't this thread, it's the fact that I'm politically liberal.

I'd like to point out that only one guy(two if you count me, but I don't have a problem with this thread, nor do I troll, for that matter) is a regular on the PNR thread.

[nostrebor]

You know, I watched an episode of the show House M.D. last night. House borrowed $5000 from his friend to buy a motorcycle. Later, House straight up wrote him a check for the money. The guy asked him why he borrowed the money if he didn't need it. House said "I have been asking you for incrementing amounts of money over the last two years as a test of our friendship. Don't worry, you passed."

So you are now saying you don't really need the money, you just wanted to see if anyone would give it to you. Boy, that's classy. I remember when Peale was on here and said he was having trouble supporting his family. I, along with alot of other people helped him out. He actually had a cause (and is a nice to guy to boot). You have basically just insulted everyone on this board now. Congratulations! You are definitely well on your way to being a lawyer. If that don't work out, you can always be a crooked businessman. You are bound to succeed at either one.

The difference between this and Peale's thread (because you brought it up) is that Peale did not ask for money. I suggested that he post a paypal addy. He did it, and folks gave. Secondly the circumstances of need are different.

With the above said, schmokes did not insult anyone here with his thread. He respectfully asked for help, he did not bring up previous (read: peale's ) threads. He has remained very civilized in his comments. He did not deserve your comments.

Worst Theonly thing any of us could do up to this point in the thread, is say "meh. I don't think the cause is worthy". We can't point fingers at how it was requested.

(Edit: strike "worst" didn't convey well.)

[DrewKaree]

I will state categorically Shmokes can consider me a friend. 

Ditto!

I will not, however, let him have my beer.

I'll buy you a beer, but like Saint, I'm not letting you have mine.  Next you'll want me to change my name to Hector Jr and drop hints about a thong or something

I'ma shoot you something snail mail, but I'd like to state for the record right now, that I expect this to be viewed as my retainer for your legal services should I ever need them, and if you ever get into trouble yourself and need me to testify, this will buy me out of that obligation!

Oh, and I'd like to remain anonymous.  Just call me "DrewKaree" or something like that.  No real names, please

And shmokes isn't his "views", he's one of us who happens to believe something different in another aspect of his life.  Nobody would be under the impression that I agree with his political views, but it doesn't stop me from thinking of him as a friend.  He's a good ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- in ways some of you aren't privy to.  I'll vouch for him, even if it doesn't change your opinion of him.

[mccoy178]

I don't understand why you would want to ask for money to go to France to learn French when you just had a baby girl.  Friends with the big dogs or not, it knocks you down a level of respect in my eyes.  I don't care if you don't care about my opinion, it's obvious it's about you.

[shmokes]

Well, if it helps, this study abroad program is next summer, between when I finish my undergrad and start law school.  So, depending on your definition of "just" I may or may not have "just had a baby girl".  She'll be about a year old.  I didn't realize it until now, but I didn't make that very clear in my original post.  I'm a full-time student between now and then so going earlier than that wouldn't even be possible for me, even if I was willing to leave my daughter for that long this early on.

And, while I don't deny that studying in France is about me, it's also about developing a career that will provide for my wife and daughter, as well as open up opportunities for her that most children don't have.  If we're keeping track, she also misses potential time with her daddy every time I'm at work or school.  But I don't think you you would say I should quit my job or drop out of school because it's obviously "about me".  Hell, if you want to click on the donation link and give me a million dollars I'd be ecstatic to hang with my little girl all-day every day.

I'm working toward a career in international law -- specifically French/American relations.  I'm not just going to France for pictures of the Eiffel Tower.

For what it's worth, I went relatively quiet over the last few months, but in the last couple weeks my activity on these boards has picked up again.  It's because I took a month off from work for paternity leave to be with my newborn.  To be frank, that's not something many guys do.  My wife couldn't ask for a more devoted father and I guarantee she'd agree with that in a heartbeat.

[Chris]

Just call me "DrewKaree" or something like that.  No real names, please

You mean you're NOT really DrewKaree? Man, I'm SO disillusioned... *sob*

[mccoy178]

If we're keeping track, she also misses potential time with her daddy every time I'm at work or school.  But I don't think you you would say I should quit my job or drop out of school because it's obviously "about me".  Hell, if you want to click on the donation link and give me a million dollars I'd be ecstatic to hang with my little girl all-day every day.

Good comparison.     I just don't get coming on here asking for money for a trip when you have a family to feed at home.  I'm sure it will pay off for you someday.

[shmokes]

I just don't get coming on here asking for money for a trip when you have a family to feed at home.

Because the alternative is to simply feed my family less and apply the savings to the study abroad trip.  Please help my family!  Think of how hungry they might become if you don't. 

[mccoy178]

 

[ChadTower]

Aren't you the same guy who has been counting down the moments to the Wii release for the last few weeks?  And the one who just became a father?  Your priorities are astounding.  Grow up and be a ---smurfing--- man.  You want to go to France?  Get a second job.

[Dartful Dodger]

Sorry, I work 5 days a week and at least one night every other weekend, so I don't have time to sympathize for you.