I apologize for my need to post this type of diary now with the nation and the world in crisis, but my life and need goes on.
O’Hai!
This diary is an update on my life, including my ongoing adventures in substitute teaching, earning my teaching credential, life with my critters, Covid-19 precautions AND a request for financial assistance.
I will cover here my current and future needs and justification.
I will explain ways to help, incuding direct funds via GoFundMe, PayPal, Ko-Fi, and direct mail.
I will explain ongoing subscription aid via Patreon, Paypal subscriptions, Kickstarter and my online digital creations.
I will also discuss my future plans for fianancial indpendence via my Teaching Credential progress.
Please ask any questions you may have in the comments.
If you do not like such diaries, please move along.
Thank you.
THIS MONTH’S LIVING NEED: In June 2020, I am asking for $2400 for my living expenses, i.e. housing, gas, food, utilities, bills, et cetera. This will be from direct contributions via GoFundMe, PayPal, or Ko-Fi, OR via monthly subscriptions via Patreon.
TEACHING CREDENTIAL TUITION: I need to start raising funds for my Tuition for Fall Semester: $4363.00. I am going to set up a payment plan with three payments of $1,248.50, with the installments due 7/31; 8/30; 9/30.
ONGOING SUPPORT via SUBSCRIPTION: While my main purpose in this diary is to meet this month’s needs, I also ask that you consider pledging monthly subscription via PATREON. Ongoing support gives me more security over time and reduces, and one day may eliminate, my need for additional fundraising.
SPECIAL PROJECTS: As an additional method of raising funds, I am doing special projects via Kickstarter. Kickstarter is a website that allows creators to propose some sort of creation, such as writing a book or making a video, and people who want to support those projects can choose to support them or not. If enough people pledge, then the project happens, or of not enough people pledge, then the project dies, or has to be reworked & reposted.
UNEMPLOYMENT NOTE: I have applied several times for unemployment, both before and after the laws that should make me eligible. However, I have been declined as “not eligible”. I have not been able to get through via either email nor phone to a human to find out why. I have tried on multiple occasions to call, but I have been left on hold for as long as six hours with no answer. Why? This is the era of Trump, so assume everything is screwed up. I am going to continue to try to get through and if I ever do get unemployment, I will adjust my request.
To Summarize:
June Living Need: $2400.00
Fall Tuition 7/31: $1248.50
Fall Tuition 8/31: $1248.50
Fall Tuition 9/30: $1248.50
HOW TO HELP:
No-Cost Ways to Support: REC, TIP, COMMENT, SHARE This Post
ONE TIME SUPPORT
• GoFundMe • Ko-Fi •
• PayPal (James at JamesThomasGreen.com) •
ONGOING MONTHLY SUPPORT
• Patreon •
Sending me Pet Supplies and other gifts means I don’t have to expend my scarce funds
Amazon Wishlists: Pet Supplies • Clothing • Random Gifts •
Follow Me: Email List Signup • DKos • YouTube • Facebook • Twitter •
HOW ARE THESE FUNDS USED?
These funds will be used in the following ways:
* Living expenses including housing, utilities such as water / gas / electricity / internet / phone, food, medical needs not covered otherwise, et cetera.
* Tuition, books, & other educational expenses.
* Transportation costs including gasoline, automobile maintenance & repairs.
* Pet support including food, medicine, random supplies.
* Marginal funds for unexpected & emergency expenses.
MEDICAL JUSTIFICATION:
In April I had a stent put into my heart in a just-in-time procedure before a probable fatal heart attack. I had a 95% blockage in a major artery. After a test to detect it, my doctor told me to get to the ER right away. I had a cardiac stent inserted into my heart and it has both saved and changed my life, and I have been told I would likely be dead at this moment had I not had this procedure. Before the cardiac stent implant, I had been getting very tired and weak, as the blockage has been there for years slowly getting more obstructionist.
Those of you who have been reading my posts over the years will be familiar with my accounts of coming home from a hard day of teaching only to passing out in my chair at home as soon as I got home. Sometimes I would fall asleep in my car, sometimes in a school parking lot, and sometimes parked outside my home. One time a neighbor knocked on my car window because I had been motionless for several hours and he thought I might be dead.
In addition, I am disabled and have a wide range of risk factors for Covid-19. I am 60 years old, a cancer survivor, diabetic, obese, asthmatic. I have multiple very large surgical hernias that prevent me from safely lifting more than 20 pounds at a time, thus limiting my ability to do jobs where lifting is required. I had the surgery to remove my colon cancer and I have had a permanent colostomy for the past 26 years.
I have been at home recovering from my cardiac surgery. I am recovering well, but I have a long way to go. The increased blood flow has given me more energy, but years of increasing inactivity have atrophied both my body as a whole and my heart specifically. I have to take things slowly, and I have yet to begin my cardiac physical rehab due to COVID19 restrictions. Some days are good and some days are bad so much that I have a hard time staying awake.
TEACHING CREDENTIAL:
One morning in the teacher’s lounge
I am currently enrolled in a teaching credential program at California State University Monterey Bay.
This fall I will be in a one-year student teaching program at a local elementary school. I will be working with another teacher who will observe me teaching their class. I will be in these classes 20 hours a week, Monday through Thursday until lunch. Then I will have my classes for the credential, which due to COVID19 will be mostly or entirely online.
Note, this student teaching is UNPAID, and indeed I have to pay my tuition, books, living costs, et cetera. I am not eligible for most student grants or loans due to having exhausted my eligibility during my undergraduate days. I have applied for financial aid anyway, but I have no illusions nor much hope of getting anything, so this will be almost entirely on what I can raise here.
HOW I CAME TO THIS POINT IN MY LIFE:
Following the death of my late father, after having been his live-in caregiver for fifteen years, I was left without an income. The story of Dad and our time together is one I am in the process of telling and I will talk more about this later in this post.
Student drawn fan art of Mister Green
I discovered after Dad’s death that having 12 college degrees, 1 BS and 11 Associates as well as ¾ of an engineering B.S., did not automatically translate into employment. In the time after Dad’s passing, I sent out several hundred resumes and applications and heard mostly silence. I got very few callbacks and even fewer interviews. I learned that having a long period of non-paycheck-living, i.e. 15 years of caregiving with my father, prior years of recovering from cancer, more prior years of being a university student, were dismissed by most potential employes as unemployment time. All those years were dismissed as though I'd been sitting on a beach doing nothing.
To make a long story short, I eventually stumbled upon being a substitute teacher, which I have been doing for the past four years. Again those of you who are familiar with my recent writings will know this. I am in the process of writing a summary of all that for a book and series of videos which I will be entitling MISTER GREEN’s SUBSTITUTE TEACHING DAZE, and I will be setting up a Kickstarter for that in the next few weeks.
I put my name on the whiteboards when I arrive and then ask the students to guess my name.
PATREON
NOTE: PATREON is NOT a charity, but is rather a way to support digital creators. You will be paying to support the things I do which give you some benefit, either directly in that you enjoy reading about my life, support the things I am doing for the public good, enjoy viewing my digital art and videos, and such admiration of me ongoing existence.
As part of a longer range of support, I have and will be setting up various Patreon and Kickstarter accounts.
Patreon is a way for Patrons (you) to support creators (me). Patreon accounts come in two types, monthly set amount and per-creation-payment, each of which are billed monthly.
Patreon Monthly: You set how much you want to pay per month to support a creator (me) and once per month you will be billed that amount no matter how much or little is actually posted that month. This option is good for general support, especially when not everything created is posted in the Patreon account, i.e. here in Daily Kos, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, other social media, and places.
Patreon Per-Creation: This option is to support specific types of work that is posted in the Patreon account. For example, in my case, in addition to my Monthly account, I have currently Patreons for JTG Politics, JTG’s Critters, Mister Green Teacher, and others to come.
In my case, I encourage you to support me, initially at least, in my JTG Monthly account at some rate, $1, $5, $10, $20, $100, et cetera. This gives me ongoing support for everything I do wherever I post it. I will post some, but not all, of my work in the JTG Monthly account, but you are also supporting my writings and digital creations wherever I post.
MAXIMUM AMOUNT: You can, and I encourage you, to set a maximum amount per month you would be billed. For example, if you pledge $1 per creation and during one month I post 45 items, you would normally be billed $45 for that month. However, if your limit was $20, you could still pledge $1 per creation but set a limit of $20 (or whatever) and you will not be surprised by a big amount one month.
My Monthly Patreon Account:
JTG Patreon: This is the Patreon I encourage my general supporters to subscribe for the ongoing support of my creative activities. Patrons pay a set amount per month no matter how much or little I post, either here or elsewhere. Eventually, much of what I post elsewhere, including the Patrons listed below, may also eventually be posted here, days, weeks, months, or years later. Patrons will get early access to some things, and higher-contributing Patreons will get early and/or exclusive access to some very personal items.
I will post examples of my digital work and various Patreon works in the comments, so check them out.
I will post more information about Patreon in the comments and in future diaries.
KICKSTARTER
NOTE: KICKSTARTER is NOT a charity, but is rather a way to support digital creators. You will be paying to support a specific project with a specific end goal and product as defined in each individual Kickstarter project.
KICKSTARTER BASICS: Kickstarter is a way to support specific projects with a specific goal, timeline, and defined final project. The Kickstarter process includes a proposal period when the basic proposal is posted on the Kickstarter website for a set period ranging from several days to several months. Then, if and only if the base amount needed is reached, then the Kickstarter project proceeds and some set period later, generally a few weeks to a few months later, the final product is delivered. What is delivered can range from something being posted online to a physical product being delivered to those who pledge the amounts to be eligible for such products.
MY PLANNED KICKSTARTERS: I have several Kickstarters planned in the coming months. The first two, which I will post one or both by June, are:
Student drawn Mister Green Fan Art
MISTER GREEN’S SUBSTITUTE TEACHING DAZE: I have been a substitute teacher for about four years now. I will be writing a story about how I came to become a substitute teacher. I will write about some of the adventures and experiences I had as a substitute teacher while redacting the names of districts, schools, students and other teachers to protect privacy.
I have taken many pictures of various school art such as murals that I will include in this story.
In addition, I will write about some teaching theories and techniques I learned and developed. I will have a section for other potential substitute teachers to learn from, as well as a section for regular teachers to help them write effective substitute teaching plans. I have seen some very good sub plans, and some that we're crazy, such as a kindergarten class sub-plan that had the day divided into 8-minute increments. Perhaps the regular teacher ran their class that way, but it was absurd to think that a sub would be able to do that.
This will be a book, probably available via Amazon Kindle, as well as, depending on contributions, an audiobook, and video on Youtube.
.
...
Dad in boot camp, San Diego, 1945.
Dad Ate Radioactive Coconuts: This will be a book telling the story of my father’s life, including the time he ate radioactive coconuts on Bikini Atoll in 1946 a few months after the first post-war atomic bomb test. I’ll talk about his childhood in Heber Springs, Arkansas, his joining the Navy in WW2, his nuclear experiences, moving to California post-war, marrying my mother, having me and my siblings, becoming a prison guard, his near-death coma and recovery following cardiac surgery in 2000, and how he and I were together for almost 15 years before he finally passed at 88. There are a lot of stories I will include during the writing period.
I have several hundred hours of audio recordings I need to digitize and go over in order to write this story.
I will include many pictures I and others took over the years.
I may change the title by the time I finish the project.
This will be a book, probably available via Amazon Kindle, as well as, depending on contributions, an audiobook, and video on Youtube.
.JTG’s CRITTERS
My critters have been a big part of my life since Dad died, and even before. I have always had some sort of pet since I was born except for a few months after my dog Norman died a few months after Dad died, but before I found my puppy Delight.
Currently, my pride and pack of critters include mama Delight’s four puppies, Dorcas, Zorrita, Brunhilda, and Fenris as well the kittahs Anubis, Apophis, and Na’at.
Kittah Apophis is very patient with his puppy Fenris, who he watched being born.
They have been a big part of what has kept me going in the past few years of pain, grief, isolation, and moving from one existential crisis to the next. There were many days and nights where I cuddle with them during times when I felt that I had no hope nor any future and it was only them that kept me feeling like I had any reason to go on at all.
For people who do not have animals and many who do, this may sound strange or even weird, but for me it is true.
I have set up a dedicated Patreon for my critters and I intend to in future write and create books about my critters.
Any help you might provide in terms of sending me pet food and/or other supplies (flea meds) would help me keep my roommates and furbabies alive and healthy would be appreciated, using my Amazon Pet Supplies Wishlist.
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END THOUGHTS
Each time I have to do a needs fundraiser, I get nervous wondering if this is the month my supporters won’t contribute enough to cover my expenses and I will start the slide down towards losing everything. I am in a very precarious position right now and it would not take much to push me over the edge. This is especially true now with all the chaos going on and with the Trumpster in charge. Who knows what insanity will happen in the coming months, but I have to continue as though I will make it through this.
Fortunately, so far my supporters have always come through, at least enough to squeak by.
This is a very stressful time with COVID, my Cardiac surgery and issues, the lack of substitute teaching work, and the increasingly likely probability that I will have to take the UNPAID student teaching route which would mean I would have to raise funds successfully each month until October 2021.
I will be posting a new update each month. I will post in the comments until comments are closed as well to reflect my progress or lack thereof in reaching the goals.
Thank you all for your continued support.
#jtg
HOW TO HELP:
No-Cost Ways to Support: REC, TIP, COMMENT, SHARE This Post
ONE TIME SUPPORT
• GoFundMe • Ko-Fi •
• PayPal (James at JamesThomasGreen.com) •
ONGOING MONTHLY SUPPORT
• Patreon •
Sending me Pet Supplies and other gifts mean I don’t have to expend my scarce funds
Amazon Wishlists: Pet Supplies • Clothing • Random Gifts •
Follow Me: Email List Signup • DKos • YouTube • Facebook • Twitter •
Tuesday, Jun 9, 2020 · 6:13:38 PM +00:00
·
jtg
FUNDRAISING RUNNING TOTAL
I’m running down a dream that never would have come to me.
Goal: $2400.00
Raised: $0700.00
PATREON: $0101.00
Remainder: $1599.00
-------—
I also need to raise an additional $1248.50 tuition money by July 31.
Please consider monthly support via PATREON.
CONTRIBUTIONS ARE SLOW THIS MONTH. ☹️ IF THINGS DON’T PICKUP SOON MY TEACHING CREDENTIAL COULD BE AT RISK.
YOU HAVE NEVER LET ME DOWN BEFORE. :-D
LINKS:
ORIGINAL NEEDS DIARY
PayPal (James -at- JamesThomasGreen.com)
GoFundMe • Ko-Fi • Amazon Pet Wishlist • Patreon
Kosmail for postal address
….
Thursday, Jun 11, 2020 · 6:14:44 PM +00:00
·
jtg
FUNDRAISING RUNNING TOTAL
I’m running down a dream that never would have come to me.
Goal: $2400.00
Raised: $1120.00
PATREON: $0101.00
Remainder: $1179.00
-------—
I also need to raise an additional $1248.50 tuition money by July 31.
Please consider monthly support via PATREON.
I know many people are having hard times and needs are great. However, my future teaching credential is at great risk without further contributions and/or pledges. ☹️
LINKS:
ORIGINAL NEEDS DIARY
PayPal (James -at- JamesThomasGreen.com)
GoFundMe • Ko-Fi • Amazon Pet Wishlist • Patreon
Kosmail for postal address
….
Saturday, Jun 13, 2020 · 6:10:08 PM +00:00
·
jtg
FUNDRAISING RUNNING TOTAL
I’m running down a dream that never would have come to me.
Goal: $2400.00
Raised: $1120.00
PATREON: $0101.00
Remainder: $1179.00
-------—
THERE HAVE BEEN NO CONTRIBUTIONS IN SEVERAL DAYS. I know many people are having hard times and needs are great. However, my future teaching credential is at great risk without further contributions and/or pledges. ☹️
I should know what elementary school & classroom I will be assigned to within two weeks for my teaching credential.
LINKS:
ORIGINAL NEEDS DIARY
PayPal (James -at- JamesThomasGreen.com)
GoFundMe • Ko-Fi • Amazon Pet Wishlist • Patreon
Kosmail for postal address
….
Monday, Jun 29, 2020 · 5:50:30 PM +00:00
·
jtg
FUNDRAISING RUNNING TOTAL
Goal: $2400.00
Raised: $2250.00
PATREON: $0101.00
Remainder: $0049.00
-------—
I am still needing funding to pay for my first tuition payment of $1248, due July 31, and additional payments due Aug 31 and Sep 30. If I can’t raise that amount, my teaching career will be over.
I am almost out of dry cat food. • Amazon Pet Wishlist •
I am still waiting for a school placement, which I might not know for several weeks due to COVID19 plans.
LINKS:
ORIGINAL NEEDS DIARY
PayPal (James -at- JamesThomasGreen.com)
GoFundMe • Ko-Fi • Amazon Pet Wishlist • Patreon
Kosmail for postal address
…
Monday, Jun 29, 2020 · 5:54:50 PM +00:00
·
jtg
FUNDRAISING RUNNING TOTAL
Goal: $2400.00
Raised: $2250.00
PATREON: $0101.00
Remainder: $0049.00
-------—
I am still needing funding to pay for my first tuition payment of $1248, due July 31, and additional payments due Aug 31 and Sep 30. If I can’t raise that amount, my teaching career will be over.
I am almost out of dry cat food. • Amazon Pet Wishlist •
I am still waiting for a school placement, which I might not know for several weeks due to COVID19 plans.
Please consider long term support via a monthly contribution via PATREON. It would be helpful for me for long term planning.
LINKS:
ORIGINAL NEEDS DIARY
PayPal (James -at- JamesThomasGreen.com)
GoFundMe • Ko-Fi • Amazon Pet Wishlist • Patreon
Kosmail for postal address
…