CALLING ALL MGOCITIZENS: Donate and Support MGoBlog
CALLING ALL MGOCITIZENS:
Donate and Sustain MGoBlog
(Disclaimer: This thread was invented and created by profitgoblue alone, with no prompting from Brian, Tim, Tom, or any other "officer" of MGoBlog. I post this thread as a concerned member of the MGoCommunity, one MGoPerson wanting to preserve the content that I hold so dear. Again, no one "put" me up to posting this thread and I am not affiliated in any way with Brian and/or Tim, other than being a faithful follower of his work product.)
Imagine a blustery winter night, deep in an evergreen wood somewhere in Northern Michigan. The wind is whipping through the trees, blowing snow against the walls of a small log cabin. The temperature dropped well below freezing hours ago, yet a dim light emanates from one of the small cabin windows.
Inside, an unkempt (no offense!) young man sits in a far corner of the one-room cabin. The only light comes from a small kerosene lamp hanging from a rafter and the glow from the monitor of an outdated laptop computer. The man's wife twitters around the room in her worn slippers, tidying up and preparing for sleep while the man types and types on his laptop until his fingers can type no more.
It didn't used to be like this. The young man once lived in a nice apartment with his then-fiancée. He was the talk of the blogosphere and adored by thousands of Michigan fans. But alas, just as all good things come to an end, so too did this existence. The man, unable to sustain his trade without outside help, was forced to cut back and cut back until there was nothing left to cut. Defaults on rent payments, credit card obligations, student loans, and utility bills forced him into seclusion and a life of solitude, removed from society. On the brink of complete collapse, the man is moments away from agreeing to sign his one last prize away . . . The man is about to sell the rights to his website to the Detroit Media Partnership - the agency that oversees the operations of the Detroit Free Press - in order to avoid losing his log cabin and the rest of his life as he knows it . . . NO!!
IT DOES NOT HAVE TO END LIKE THIS!
JOIN ME IN THE FIGHT TO PREVENT THIS OUTCOME!
How many of you have thought to yourselves, "self, if I ever meet Brian or Tim or Tom, I'm going to buy them a drink"? How many of you have decided that if you ever run into either you'll buy them two drinks? Three drinks? A keg? That thought has crossed my mind several times recently, most often while reading UFRs and learning something new about the Denard-led spread offense. But, alas, I resigned myself to accepting that I will likely never be in their physical presence. But that does not mean I cannot have a personal impact on Brian, Tim, Tom, and MGoBlog!
Yesterday, while sitting here at my desk, avoiding work to the best of my abilities, I had an epiphany in the form of a post by VideoTom. See http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/tomvh-quick-chris-bryant-update#comment-821293). And I said to myself, "EUREKA! That's it! I'll buy Brian, Tim, Tom, and MGoBlog.com a virtual drink and donate to the MGoHumanFund!"
One click on the "Beveled Guilt - Make a Donation" button (located in the upper right of MGoBlog.com) . . .
a few more clicks in PayPal . . .
and it was done. Imagine my immense feeling of satisfaction? It can be yours too!
Join me in the good fight to keep our beloved Brian, Tim, and Tom in our employ for the foreseeable future! Below is a guide for those who might not be sure how to proceed:
- High schoolers: You're too young to drink. (Damn kids.)
- Undergrad students: Buy Brian/Tim one drink ($5).
- Graduate students: Buy Brian/Tim two drinks ($10).
- Young members of the workforce: Buy Brian/Tim three drinks ($15).
- Tenured members of the workforce: Buy Brian/Tim four drinks ($20).
- Investment bankers and hedge fund managers: Buy Brian/Tim an entire bar ($100,000). (You can't fool me. I know your bonus this year will cover it!)
Because, really, how can you say no to a needy face like this???
December 8th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
In a lot of alumni communities Brian is sort of a mystery. Now we have a face to add to the name.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
That and a lot of hair.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:39 AM ^
I have always wondered if that's really him or not. I have seen this picture many times before but I always thought that it was fake (maybe it is and profitgoblue is just screwing with us all).
December 8th, 2010 at 12:17 PM ^
That is actually Brian. I knew him in college, worked on the Every Three Weekly with him.
December 8th, 2010 at 4:32 PM ^
This is one of those moments where you realize things are nothing like you imagined them. My mind has been blown. I've always imagined Brian with a halo around his head, but who knew he actually looks like Jesus?
December 8th, 2010 at 12:40 PM ^
What that picture doesn't show is that in real life, he's really tall.
I always thought celebrities are supposed to be shorter in real life than you imagined them (this has been the case for most celebs I've met), but Brian's a good 6'4 to 6'5 if he's an inch. Misopogal's 5 feet, and the two next to eachother looked really funny, especially because apparently the thing that stuck out the most to him that I'd told him about her was that her family's from the meat industry. So Misopogal is meeting THE FAMOUS BRIAN MGOBLOG (she uses MGoBlog as the last name for anyone I talk about on here) and he says..
"So.....meat."
I had a nice ride home on M-14 hearing about "So....meat." Not "oh, so you work with children," or "I hear you love baking; you know my fiancee has a baking blog," or "that maize sweatshirt looks amazing on you; you really belong with Michigan," or "do you want a beer?"
Honestly, you could tell Brian really wanted to talk about LeShoure's rushing stats on SportsTap and whether Illinois could actually hang on against MSU.
This is all a long way of saying, while I'm sure he appreciates donations from fans (the donations typically go toward improving the site FWIW), Brian's not going to sell out the blog any time soon, because he was born to be the kind of guy who wants to operate an independent Michigan football blog. He's just a dude who's obsessed with college football whose family has a tailgating spot and generations of Michigan football tickets where others had a grandpa and uncle and father and father-in-law and family friends in the meat business.
December 8th, 2010 at 1:00 PM ^
So....meat. Is she the heir to a great meat fortune?
December 8th, 2010 at 6:05 PM ^
Yeah, her daddy was Abe Froman: Sausage King of Chicago.
Google moment: Holy shit, the Internet has like 30 different t-shirts and logos for that.
Google moment II: Is there anything you can search for on the Internet that does not turn up some guy dressed as a stormtrooper?
No, no money. We did inherit the contents of her grandpa's liquor cabinet so....score?
December 8th, 2010 at 11:24 PM ^
In the near future she'll be heir to Misopogon's meat... that's gotta count as great fortune right (you know the saying, the longer the post about diaries, the longer the...)
December 8th, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
Awesome, well thank you.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^
"Brian" you speak of
December 8th, 2010 at 10:37 AM ^
Thanks a lot, profitgoblue...
(joking of course)
December 8th, 2010 at 10:38 AM ^
You inspire me, I donate $20 (really I did).
Thanks to Brian for all that you do, your contributions to this site are second to none. Our need for everything Michigan is fulfilled by you and this site.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:44 AM ^
Can someone shed more light on this situation? I know that Brian had eluded to it in a post some time awhile ago but so far I have not seen a definative post or thread (till this one) mentioning the impending doom of our beloved site.
Unfortunately I have been apart of not one but two forums that decided to undergo radical changes of the $$$ kind (not implying that Brian is a sellout, as the goal of any entrepreneur is to eventually make money of something they put blood/sweat/tears into) and it splintered the user base so much that I have stopped visiting those sites as its all a bunch of whiny internet toughguys.
Thanks for the info and thank you to Brian, Tom, Tim, and all the mods who make this site what it is.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:58 AM ^
I thought I was telling an entertaining story in my narrative. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE IS NO REAL IMPENDING DOOM!!!
December 8th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
So you're THE_KNOWLEDGE!?!?!?!?!
December 8th, 2010 at 12:17 PM ^
No, but I do know a lot of stuff. Nothing worthwhile, but there is a lot of stuff stored away in my brain for some future reference. I'm at the point where I'm going to have to buy a PODS for extra storage space . . .
December 8th, 2010 at 1:04 PM ^
What is the difference between soil and dirt?
I gave up the not-a-weed-but-a-flower argument a long time ago.
December 8th, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^
Soil is the stuff in the ground from which turf, flowers, etc., grow.
Dirt is the stuff in your vacuum bag.
Also, "turf" is the green stuff in your yard and on a golf course. "Grass" is rolled and smoked (or baked into brownies, I guess).
Hope that helps...
December 8th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^
lol, trust me I understood what you meant. I was just using the same vernacular as you did but it has been a vauge rumor on the site and trust me we should all be doing whatever it takes to keep our fearless leader in place.
This site provides me with plenty of "me" time when I should be getting other things done. :)
December 8th, 2010 at 10:48 AM ^
Your 1,000,000 MGoPoints back, don't you?
December 8th, 2010 at 10:57 AM ^
Hahahaha! That's an awesome response. I wish I was being that selfish in this case. But, alas, the season of giving has its grips on even this selfish b-stard.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^
I've supported before by buying some MGoShirts, and I'd still recommend it to everyone. My "Worst State Ever" shirt gets a lot of love, even in East Lansing (booo job making me live in east lansing)
If you don't want to write an e-check (credit card):
December 8th, 2010 at 10:56 AM ^
Brian - please email me at [email protected]
I have a UofM related project that would like to buy ad space on the website. I don't know much about running a website but my understanding is the ad revenue helps and this project I work on is ready, willing and able to buy. Just contact me.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:19 AM ^
at [email protected] because its doubtful brian is able to read most diaries/comments
December 8th, 2010 at 11:19 AM ^
he's handling the advertising end
tomvh at mgoblog dot com for info
December 10th, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
You have AOL.
December 8th, 2010 at 10:57 AM ^
What, are you campaigning as the new Fundraising Chair?
December 8th, 2010 at 11:10 AM ^
Thanks for the nudge, Profit. As an avid reader and almost-never poster, I sometimes feel like a mooch on the site.
At least now I am a mooch that put up a Jackson.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
When I first started following MGoBlog, I was so impressed that I soon made a cash donation.
Not that long ago, however, I made a post that was completely on topic, had no profanity, and addressed an actual football question, and for some reason drew the ire of a few people who decided that they would neg me and make sure that I would never have a chance of accumulating enough points to start a thread. I considered that to be unreasonable and thuggish behavior, and concluded that this board is run by a clique who enjoy exercising their "power".
Go ahead and neg away...I have an actual life and can live happily without starting threads here.
Sorry, Brian - I think that you do excellent work, and would be happy to support you if cicrcumstances were different.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:22 AM ^
Now you've got me really curious about what you posted.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:29 AM ^
I wish I grew up in your neighborhood. Also, link to the post please
December 8th, 2010 at 12:41 PM ^
It would be interesting to see it.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^
I, too, find myself curious about why you allegedly got negbanged to Bolivian.
Nevertheless, the silly misuse of "MGoPoints" by random jackwagon posters on the site's message board shouldn't be the stick by which you measure the quality and usefulness of the site. The primary reason why you're here is probably for the information that you gain from the main page. Which, in my opinion, is usually more insightful and reliable than anything you'll find in the MSM. It's the job of Brian and his staff to assemble this quality information, and it's not unreasonable to encourage their continued efforts with some compensation (paltry or otherwise).
Personally, I look at it like this. I gave up the Freep a long time ago. The News, while not jihadist, leaves a bit to be desired. So I come here -- far more often than I care to admit -- for my Michigan sports information fix. If it were a newspaper, I'd need to subscribe, which costs money. Granted, you and I can both read the Freep and the News for free online (thanks to advertising), but that's an argument that I can't really win, so I hope you'll just let it go.
Don't let the Board diminish your valuation of the site and the information (or amusement) that you gain from it. Like you said, you have an actual life, so MGoPoints are pretty meaningless.
Now go throw a 20-spot at the Beveled Guilt button, ol' chap.
December 8th, 2010 at 1:36 PM ^
You aren't getting negged for this comment... in fact people can sympathize and they are showing that by voting for you!
It can be a valid point at times, and, frankly, depend of the collective "mood" of the board.
Don't let it deter you from continuing to post thoughtful comments and threads.
What will get you negged, at times, are disparaging remarks like this:
I have an actual life...
I would avoid those unless sarcasm is intended.
December 8th, 2010 at 1:29 PM ^
You're refusing to donate to Brian's website because the board negged you?
Seems rather childish and thin-skinned to me...
December 8th, 2010 at 6:28 PM ^
But he can refuse to donate to me if that will make it even. Then he can donate to Brian with a clear conscience.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:16 PM ^
I couldn't think of any worse fate. Picture the heading "MGoBlog.com powered by Freep.com" at the top of the site (similar to "Rivals.com powered by Yahoo.com" on the Rivals site). Avoid this outcome at all costs! Donate today!
December 8th, 2010 at 11:22 AM ^
He obviously needs it... seeing how far he has fallen...
December 8th, 2010 at 12:06 PM ^
Love the Ron English statue (the artist, not the former D.C.) in your profile picture.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:26 PM ^
Honestly, it sums up my experience in china better than any one picture I have ever seen.
Now I re-submit for your approval the dangers of running mgoblog...
(I appologize but I am litterally mezmorized by this... yea I know I am weird...)
December 8th, 2010 at 11:22 AM ^
What does that have to do with the Blog. When you post, you open yourself up to criticism and praise. Its called life and it isn't fair. Get over it.
EDIT:see maybaum's post above
December 8th, 2010 at 11:34 AM ^
...is that other peoples' unreasonable behavior is costing him money.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:41 AM ^
Those are other people's opinions and thoughts, not Brian's. Don't make it seem like it is Brian's fault that others negged you.
December 8th, 2010 at 11:56 AM ^
This blog gets thousands of visitors every day. I'd say that maybe 20% have active accounts (WAG). So of the 80% remaining, they cannot see your negative points. They can read your post and the comments, but most of the 80% could care less about the comments.
I'd even go as far as saying most of that 80% only read the front page posts, as that generally has all the information you need (Brian and team often read all the MGoBoard and Diaries and link to on-topic and off-topic posts that are most relevant)
December 8th, 2010 at 12:27 PM ^
I feel your pain about being negged. Regardless, as others have said, while extremely unfortunate, your contributions to the Board and lack of receptiveness by certain individuals is separate and apart from the information you enjoy absorbing from MGoBlog and at least some of the MGoParticipants. I think you would be quick to admit that, in particular, the UFRs and picture pages have deepened your knowledge of the game of football and Michigan's offense/defense exponentially. What I would suggest is that, if so, and if you are in a position to give, it makes sense to reward MGoBlog for this service in hopes of ensuring that this content continues in the future. But that is just one man's opinion to take or leave at your leisure.
December 8th, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^
So, all Brian has to do to get a donation from you is control the behavior of each of the thousands of folks who post/vote on this site? Can you give him some sort of checklist or guidebook so he knows exactly which sorts of conduct he needs to prohibit to win your approval?
December 8th, 2010 at 11:44 AM ^
in for $20... just needed some encouragement
December 8th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
I was just like you until yesterday (except that I felt the need/right to spew my biased opinions and nonsense on the Board for several months before I realized that this kind of entertainment and socializing should never be free). Kudos and happy holidays to you and your loved ones!
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