There I was, just getting into Shanghai on an orchestra tour. I fire up the laptop and check stuff. Facebook, of course, is censored so I can't get that, but then I log on here.
And I find I've been overwhelmed with a gift subscription.
Me.
Who am I to deserve this?
What have I done?
I mean, I'm not someone like slinkerwink, TomP, or teacherken, whose work is researched, thought provoking, and of superlative writing quality. I'm not even one of the community hosts like triciawyse, CityLightsLover, Dumbo or Cordelia Lear, who provide a huge community of interests for people of all tastes.
So as I'm sitting in this freezing hotel room at 4am local contemplating this, the most overwhelming thing that occurs to me is that I'm appreciated. Not just for my writing (who knew?) but for just being me.
Another reason I'm up writing this instead of sleeping is because there are only FIVE, count 'em, FIVE (Four in China. It's Wednesday here) more days of the subscription drive.
I don't have all the linkys and stuff at my fingertips, but there is a list of people who are far far far more deserving than I am of receiving a lifetime subscription. And, the diary I link to also has a link to the small donor pool for those who want to give but can't afford the lifetime subscription.
Me? I'm going to pay this forward a couple of ways. I will write a couple of picture type diaries of my trip--look for them after the new year when I get back.
I'll have a couple of posts ready about my continuing weight loss journey.
I'll jump right back into the Thursday Classical diaries. (The Planets, anyone?)
And I'll help out the community and Markos by getting renewable yearly subscriptions for one person per quarter of 2012. Since there won't be lifetime subscriptions available next year, this is the best I can do considering my current financial situation.
And $40 a year is a small price to pay to give a Kossack all the benefits that come with a subscription.