UMMM...did I explain the economy of this well enough? Or the reason?
Okay, I will explain.
I was challenged to bring this project in on a budget. I accepted that. This year isn't like the others, it was meant to be in memory of Larry. There is one piece reflecting his legacy and that wouldn't have been there otherwise had he survived.
It took a lot of negotiations and figuring things out...that's not out of the ordinary. The final component of the packages is coming soon and I will be able to finish the packages and get ready to send them.
Now, the cost for the postage of the US mailings is about $3 each. A normal card and CD only mailing cost about $2.25 but that was about 2 or 3 postage increases ago. The main trick to get them out inexpensively is to keep them
machine sortable for USPS...otherwise they are somewhat more expensive.
At this time $3 a piece for the US is a pretty good price, considering the contents and packaging. Pretty damned good, in fact.
There are between
60-65 packages for the US.
There are maybe six for Canada.
For Europe somewhere between 5-8 and OZ/NZ 3 or 4.
Miles. I'm even packing your replacement Synth Challenge tape with yours. I remember how dismayed you were about the cost to send the last one and it was cheaper to send a BOX of 6 entire mailings to Canada, maybe similar for Europe.
THAT ISN'T THE POINT.
The point was that I did this especially to try and honor the man who jumpstarted my stereo and taping hobby at a time when I couldn't find enough new tape worth an affordable beam and made me happy...he cared about me about like a son and always asked what they gave me for medications etc...
This year I just had to get it done for him. The last one didn't make it there until after he had passed away, which made me feel sad on top of feeling sad enough.
So there is a part of his legacy in every envelope this time, and there never will be again. If I've gotten you upset about something, I'm very sorry but I've done what I knew to do. Lee and I floated some ideas about regional distribution for the last couple years...I had to try and figure it out this time from necessity.
You bring up the question of why I want to send to a person or three that doesn't post much anymore.
The honest answer is that I LIKE those persons and maybe some will visit more often, maybe you guys ribbed a couple others a bit much, maybe God only knows where one is...but they have been part of this family during it's history and most of them do post now and then. There is no real hard and fast rule about this for me, it's a guideline. Some people are really gone from our ranks, I didn't include them as it's been two years or more.
And some people just joined recently and came charging from the gate, they still post regularly. I'm still waiting for Des_Lab to give me an address...there is no crap floating about here and we have all grown older and wiser.
I've spent my own money to get supplies and get started and it I want to spend some more it's mainly my prerogative...all of my bills are in for November and I certainly have enough to do that. If you really want proof I will be glad to send you the budget numbers. I'm not worried about it, I bought more than enough food and supplies, repaired both of my bikes and I'll be ready for the up[coming winter, all the people I owe will be paid in full and that means the rest of the RT-707 as well.
So please. There is NO DIFFERENCE between North American members, Africans, Europeans, Australasians or Marvin the Martian, IF HE JOINED PHOENIX. No sacrifices, I don't even care for Mom to do that anymore...she's worth it as much as you.
This was a first time for me. I'm not sure there's another CD in me next year but you'll get a card if I do this again.
I'm practically done now, let's get done. The next Rose Parade is planned from the day after and I did about the same.
Okay, that's about all I had to say. It's not too deadly to me.
Rebel Elf