Im going to sound like an idiot but can I request a mailing address?

I am too lazy to update my paypal info (created years before I got married and switched bank accounts etc) and you guys dont even have to send me a decal to show my support!

Im going to sound like an idiot but can I request a mailing address?

You can email me for a mailing address or use the "contact form." Thanks.

Done! :)

I get paid at the end of the week..so keep it open till then please.

ANNA wrote in another thread:

And Neale, if you can't figure out what American-born desis think after reading an entire WEBLOG devoted to such things, written BY and FOR ABDs, surf elsewhere.

Is FOB money kosher enough for you guys ?

Sepia Utopia? That's FOBulous! I will send you money simply for the awesome verbiage.

Friggin' paypal - I'll have to reset my password tonight when I get home.

Is it tax deductable (my desi girlfried made me ask this) you are kind of a non for profit spreading the good word about what's happening in the community...I do have your MOFO's linked to my blog...spread the word of SIPA MUTINY!!!!

ANNA wrote in another thread: And Neale, if you can't figure out what American-born desis think after reading an entire WEBLOG devoted to such things, written BY and FOR ABDs, surf elsewhere.

Is FOB money kosher enough for you guys?

Look, I wrote what you quoted because a certain commenter was getting on my (and a few others') nerves by asking for what is abundantly here, as if it were something...er, foreign. It's not.

To wit:

What i miss in these posts is a gripping, personal take on the ABD experience.[link]

Some may not consider it "gripping", but I think it's fair to state that almost ALL of my posts are a very "personal take on the ABD experience". I apparently inadvertently alienated people when I used the words "for ABDs" and for that I apologize; this is a space welcome to all who think what we cover is interesting. But I do think it's accurate to say that we don't claim to write for or represent the audience IN any other country but this one. We would be liars (and terrible bloggers) if we did.

do you promise to be nice to people who send you tips :-)))?

Done. I want a sticker damnit.
For those of you having problems with Paypal...just pay with a credit/debit card for petes sake!

who is pete?

Tips? Hey Tilo, they're not working for us, but generously allowing us to be a part of their community/space :)!

Is FOB money kosher enough for you guys ?

You will see. Once Sepia Utopia is executed even the FOBs will rejoice. In a utopia there is a place for everyone. :)

do you promise to be nice to people who send you tips :-)))?

Like how? I could ask you out on a date ;)

Is it tax deductable (my desi girlfried made me ask this)

Probably not. I am not certain how it works but I think you have to apply for official non-profit status and such in order to be tax exempt. Someone else might know better.

I have done my small part in the hopes that you won't keep me on the edge of my seat for months waiting for these new developments!

Guys (and I use that in a gender non-specific way :))...I'm going to apologize for not contributing this time around (going through totally broke jobless crazy-finishing-diss stage right now) but promise to in the future.

Thanks for this wonderful, wonderful site and all your fantastic work.

Guiltily,
Finkie

Probably not. I am not certain how it works but I think you have to apply for official non-profit status and such in order to be tax exempt. Someone else might know better.

I believe you have to apply for a 501(C)(3).

Remember, every time you visit our site it costs us money.

I feel bhery bhery bad that my SM obsession costs you all money...and even though I feel like contributing, I'm broke as a mo' fo', I ain't go no dough. It's not because my Desi Ass is Cheap, it's because I'm a starving student...

Hey, I have an idea: why don't you guys ALSO add my name to this post and ask for donations on my behalf?

Much like NPR and PBS hold an annual pledge drive, we are asking you to donate whatever you can via our Paypal link both for Sepaia Mutiny, AND, most importantly, to raise money for Cheap Ass Desi.

Then, 10% of whatever is collected on my behalf will automatically go as proceeds to SM. The rest--90%-- will go to me, paisa that I'll be using to take a cruise around the world pay off my student loans.

Sound good?

#18
What a cheap ass desi!

You had to do this right after a weekend.

This semi broke guy contributed the very little that he could. I hope every penny helps ...

Why are you pretending that you don't get funding directly from Islamabad and University of Chicago Divinity School?

Don't try and double-bluff me or put me off your scent.

I smell you.

You stinky cabal.

Hail Mogambo!

I am getting paid tomorrow--I'll pay for all my hits.

My contribution is small but it comes from a meager work study fund :) If anyone from Sallie Mae asks, this site is essential to a well rounded medical education, mkay?

Chandi:

I am getting paid tomorrow--I'll pay for all my hits.

LOL.

FYI, you have 325 hits. We'll see how much you think each one is worth.... ;)

Thanks a lot!

FYI, you have 325 hits. We'll see how much you think each one is worth.... ;)

Can you really tell how many times a person visits SM? Whoa. And I thought my obsession was my own little secret...

"Can you really tell how many times a person visits SM? Whoa. And I thought my obsession was my own little secret..."

Tell me about it, after all those posts on the NSA tapping phones... but seriously guys, I *try* not to spend my whole day here, its just a way to quit smoking. I'm serious, really :)

I gave this afternoon. By the way, why no ads? you can make the $1000 in a few months, now that you have marshalled this overly educated, cleanly niche-ified audience. Why not spare us the annual PBS-style guiltdrive?

Web stats are just like any other statistics: inaccurate. Notice that the term used was "hits" and not "page views". When you open a webpage, thats one "pageview", but loading each and every picture(or other elements) on the page generates an additional "hit". So any given day the number of "hits" depends on the pictures(or other elements) on the front page.

In other words, your obsession is still secret.

Allright, enough geek speak for this blog.

By the way, why no ads? you can make the $1000 in a few months, now that you have marshalled this overly educated, cleanly niche-ified audience. Why not spare us the annual PBS-style guiltdrive?

Because then you'd have to fill out demographic surveys, and look at ads.

By the way, why no ads? you can make the $1000 in a few months, now that you have marshalled this overly educated, cleanly niche-ified audience. Why not spare us the annual PBS-style guiltdrive?

Thank you so much for donating, but guilt-drive? Seriously?

Anyway, some of us have very strong feelings about advertising on this site.

Abhi: My check is in the mail ! Keep up the lively dialogue, and don't let random trolls discourage your team of doing a great job. Love......Dad

argh, currently broke...horribly guilty of visiting, ah, frequently. next year, guys next year! or just keep the paypal link up, i'd gladly donate another time!

I feel bhery bhery bad that my SM obsession costs you all money...and even though I feel like contributing, I'm broke as a mo' fo', I ain't go no dough. It's not because my Desi Ass is Cheap, it's because I'm a starving student...

And yet, their operating costs for the next five years would be covered if there were somehow a way to charge you a dollar for every word you wri... j/k

Okay, I donated. I despise Paypal as well, but I've learned to work with it in the full expectation that someone, somewhere will come up with something better.

I, too, feel a little exposed knowing someone's watching my page hits. Yet it's somehow erotic.

OK this isn't directed to any one comment in particular but I can't hold back. I have known what it's like to be a starving student but how much is giving $5 for a site that we know a lot of people are addicted to really putting a dent in your pocket? It's like stealing cable or wireless, it's unethical in my books. If you use something pay for it especially when someone else is and it truly isn't free and the benefits are great.

And people are just damn cheap when it comes to stuff like this. I recently had a happy hour to raise money for the Asthma Walk in NYC. It's something I do every year. It took some work and effort to organize a crowd of 70 in NYC and I threw in a huge gift box from Kiehls as a raffle for people that donated. There were two particular chicks that showed up, drank the discounted booze, pimped themselves and threw in $2 each. One's a doctor the other a lawyer. Shame on you, carrying a Gucci bag and throwing in a couple of $$ so you could win something free. I took it out, took their cards out handed it to them and told him to keep it and not show up at any of my events again. I didn't need that kind of charity.

I can't help but feel like some of the people here whining about how they can't donate probably snuff away $5 on a Starbucks latte or a pack of cigs on a daily basis. Skip it one day. Jeez. OK end of rant.

Amen, Jane. Believe me, I remember what it was like to be so broke that I had a whopping $20 left before I got paid again in a week...but I still gave whatever I could to causes that meant a lot to me. SM doesn't have to be your cause, but whatever is, give it something.

Also, sometimes just knowing your heart is in the right place is gratifying, too. Thank you, to everyone who's given and everyone who wishes that they could.

Hi Abhi,
Erm, another stupid question, I guess:)
I tried paying using my credit card; but, I can't complete the "Billing Information" as the country that I live in is not mentioned there - actually, none of the countries in the Middle East are listed! Is this a mandatory field? I didn't want to submit an incomplete form and compromise my credit card information. Please let me know.
Peace

Done. Keep up the good work guys.

Done. Ah, the satisfaction in contributing more than just a few lame comments every now and then: priceless. Thank you guys, you do a great job.

With Manish gone, did you guys feel a slowdown in getting pledges? Just curious, great work you guys.

With Manish gone, did you guys feel a slowdown in getting pledges?

Actually our pace of pledges is double of what we got last year. Thanks everyone for being so generous!

With Manish gone, did you guys feel a slowdown in getting pledges?

What Abhi said, and here's a potential "why": now that his plethora of male and female fans are no longer dazzled daily in to a vicious swoon by his Rushdie-related, anti-exoticism wordplay, they're actually conscious and coherent enough to manage a paypal transaction. Oddly enough, the monkeys are more productive, too...Hmmm.

Thank you so much for donating, but guilt-drive? Seriously?

I wasn't the first one to mention guilt here. Looks like others felt it too. Not to say that guilt is unwarranted. Just uncomfortable.

thank you for keeping this place ad free :)

thank you for keeping this place ad free :)

Thank you for appreciating it. :D

I just did my good deed for the month. Thank you guys...for keeping it real! And yes...Ad-free.

WOW..you guys are almost there in just a day..nice going. keep up the good work.

My pledge, she is in. Thanks to all of you for helping make this site my favorite timekiller at work!

JOAT,
In response to comment #35. I'm raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society this year. I cannot begin to describe the many ways that my Indian acquaintances have shied away from donating. From, "OH! I wish you had emailed me yesterday - I just gave [insert an amount equal to my monthly salary] to [insert random organization] this morning" to, "Oh, ya - can you send me the link again? I know I've asked you 5 times - but my emails are getting deleted from my inbox." This one was the most ridiculous one though: I sent Mr.FriendfromCollege an email telling him about my cause. He email's me back saying - "I have a better cause - I'm trying to get my apartment complex to install a cricket pitch. Do you want to donate to that?" Jigga wat?

My boyfriend cautioned me against this when I signed up to do this and the naive girl that I am - didn't heed his advice. I feel like everyone and anyone can give $10. Drink one (or two if you don't live in NYC) less drink(s) this weekend. How hard can that be?

/End rant.

Dunnit. A measly sum, but think of the 6.8% interest on that sum...;)

Now, seeing that I am part shareholder, I suggest a little makeover. How about changing to the name to "Sepia Mutiny & CAD"? Nice ring to it, no?

JOAT:

OK this isn't directed to any one comment in particular but I can't hold back. I have known what it's like to be a starving student but how much is giving $5 for a site that we know a lot of people are addicted to really putting a dent in your pocket?

I can't help but feel like some of the people here whining about how they can't donate probably snuff away $5 on a Starbucks latte or a pack of cigs on a daily basis. Skip it one day. Jeez. OK end of rant.

Listen JOAT, every time someone has gotten personal with you, I've always refrained from doing that. So, cut out the personal swipes and extend the same consideration to me, too. If you would like to make a personal attack, e-mail me.

Anyway, back to the post: SM is Vunderfool!
Seeing that it is possible to now check how many hits I am making, I still comfort myself in the knowledge that having an addition to SM and needing to have my hourly fixes is better than being a heroine or crack addict. I mean, SM is harmless, no?

Joking aside, I think you guys are doing a great service to the global Desi community. "SM Zindabad"!!

Another thing:
Yo, ya'll don't know how to take a joke re: #18.

But I'm serious about adding my name to this blog and raising money on my behalf...
Help a sista out!!

seeing that I am part shareholder, I suggest a little makeover. How about changing to the name to "Sepia Mutiny & CAD"? Nice ring to it, no?

Thank you so much for finding it in your student budget to give, but I still vote a firm NO on both the name change AND your valiant attempts to threadjack a charity post and make it about fundraising for you. ;)

:+:

By the way, on a more serious note: I'm sure I could be wrong about this, but I actually KNOW JoAT, both IRL and through someone whom I really adore, who grew up with her and I REALLY don't think she was singling you out. As an ex-non-profit-slave, I think her concerns are 100% valid and they've just been echoed by another reader who agrees. Let's not commence a petty party, shall we? Not when this post is otherwise filled with such sweetness.

:starving student but how much is giving $5 for a site that we know a lot of people are addicted to
:really :putting a dent in your pocket

damn...i "over donated". can i get some refund pleez.

Enivhsay,

I hear ya sista. I'm just sick of cheap desis who are total couture whores but won't fork over some generosity towards a good cause. Incidentally I hate to say it but my white friends were extremely generous with zero drama and the more bling bling the more cheap people are. I'd like to donate to you. Stick a link here. You never know.

CAD get over yourself. That's all I got to say to you. Quit tripping yourself to assume anytime anyone has anything to say it somehow is about you. Who are you again? I don't know you from the nail on the wall. If I have a problem with your POV(the tanning/smoking) I had no issues stating in the post it was relevant to. I don't participate in catty unrelated sidebar bitchfests.

I just wanted to say w00t SM for almost achieving the yearly goal in 48 hours! It speaks to the growth of the mutiny and the value we have for you. And thank you for keeping the space irritant-free (banners and ads and pop-ups, not so much commenting, haha)

I'm glad my SM sponsorship dollars will go to feeding and watering Ennis, and slowly weaning him off his diet of canned spaghetti-o's and stale makki roti.

Oh shit, dudes, in case the $1000 is reached...please don't take the paypal link off just yet, give me 2 1/2 hrs, until I get to my home comp, I don't trust this Rajni's box....I WANT TO PAY TO PLAY, bluds. Please please please, grovel grovel grovel.

I WANT TO PAY TO PLAY, bluds.

...just for shorty bang bang to look your way? ;)

JOAT and Enivhsay - If you're asking for "voluntary" donations for a good cause, you should not complain if someone declines to "pay up" (as long as they do not question the cause itself).

Thanks JOAT!

Here's the link: www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/vinee

I'll be sure to send you some goodies in the mail (and to anyone else who donates)!

JOAT and Enivhsay - If you're asking for "voluntary" donations for a good cause, you should not complain if someone declines to "pay up" (as long as they do not question the cause itself).

If I may, I think what they're complaining about is poor priorities/general obnoxiousness. If you're going to flaunt a $1500 purse at a charity event, you can obviously afford to throw more than three bucks in the pot. For heaven's sake, you get a TAX DEDUCTION...if that doesn't get the wealthy to part ways with their cash...

Of course, no one HAS to donate anything...but I think it's incredibly tacky to use such occasions to get drunk on the cheap and show fuck-all concern for the cause which got you subsidized champagne in the first place. And THEN to drop your three dollars because you're trying to get lucky with some schwag? Wow. That's so kind. I think it's ALWAYS tacky to try and use a charity event/fund drive for your own purposes, whether it's to score liquor, men, giftbags or all of the above.

I tried to raise scholarship funds for a non-profit in '02 and I loved getting turned down by Uncles who had just finished bragging about how rich they were, Benz keychain conspicuous. I think that's what they're bothered by and good for them, for it.

JOAT and Enivhsay - If you're asking for "voluntary" donations for a good cause, you should not complain if someone declines to "pay up" (as long as they do not question the cause itself).

I understand and wouldn't want to force someone to pay when they can't. Please then refrain from showing up at a fundraiser with your Pradas and Monolos and strut your shyt for men and drink my alcohol and fawn over how good you feel about yourself. Thank you. :-) Generosity is a state of mind and a character trait. You don't need to have oodles of dough to be generous. Queen ANNA said it better.

Enivhsay no goodies required :-)

Done.

Please then refrain from showing up at a fundraiser with your Pradas and Monolos and strut your shyt for men and drink my alcohol and fawn over how good you feel about yourself.

damn joat, you need to start running with a different crowd!

rich people suck. it's axiomatic.

damn joat, you need to start running with a different crowd!

I'm grateful that not everyone is so self absorbed.

Finally I found the thread where I can show my appreciation for Sepia Mutiny and the people who keep it running. I really feel I should contribute but fear it will be too less for a student like me. Whats the benchmark?
How do you keep it running BTW?

ANNA- I like the way you work it ;)

but seriously, it's a fine line I suppose, asking for charitable contributions. At a former job, it was accepted that guilt and all sorts of other ill-feeling-generating tactics were employed to do almost everything except coerce employee participation in company-selected charity fundraising. I found it a bit invasive as A) they have no idea what charitable donations I give of my own free accord and B) there may be circumstances in people's personal lives that prohibit participation at the level the company may have felt was acceptable. I think a polite no, once, should be enough in workplace fundraising situations.

As for SM demanding pay for play, that's totally cool, seeing as I made most of last year's income while lurking here ;) My only guilt is for hitting refresh 800x a day.

Paypaled in some bling. It ain't much, but hopefully it helps. A government salary, tickets to India, attending wedding of friends, and GAS prices in so. cal have drained reserves here.

seriously, guys, would it be possible to keep the paypal link up for voluntary contributions over the year anyway? i've thought from the time i started here that it would be nice to contribute at some point. or can we just email you?..or do you only want to cover that particular cost?

You're blowing my mind, maybe in time
Baby I can get you in my ride!

Hey yo hey yo hey yo hey yo.

Done deal, SM, you be the baddest click up on this thing.

...but I still gave whatever I could to causes that meant a lot to me

We all believe in some cause(s) or other (I HOPE) but we all also find that we have to end up choosing which to donate to in any particular year. So just because someone says in a NICE post that they cannot afford it this year ...
(1) that does not imply they have not donated to any cause they think vital and WITHOUT adequate donators (that last is important). (I donate generously every year to underfunded things) whether or not I can 'afford' it.
(2) Anna, you are wonderful, but always stand up for JOAT...however, until her post all the entries were warm-spirited. I feel her post was calculated to make those who had taken the trouble to 'explain' their position feel cheap and bad.

Anna, you are wonderful, but always stand up for JOAT...however, until her post all the entries were warm-spirited. I feel her post was calculated to make those who had taken the trouble to 'explain' their position feel cheap and bad.

Ouch. I simply am not that cunning to make anything "calculated" Ms FN seriously. What you see is what you get at face value. There is no deception involved. I was simply voicing my feeling about something that popped up in my head at the time having gone thru a fundraiser for my own cause in the past two weeks. Your objection makes it sound like no one is allowed to rock the boat.

JOAT,

Perhaps the use of the word "calculated" was ill-advised. But so was insulting implications like the one below:

I'm just sick of cheap desis who are total couture whores but won't fork over some generosity towards a good cause.

It was clear who you were addressing your comments to, but just because you recently worked at some fundraiser did not give you leave to demean people who said they could not currently contribute and assume all sorts of things about them, including that they never donate.

Ms FN you are being sensitive. There was no malice involved towards any one or all people who didn't want to donate. I was making a sidebar statement about cheap people and still stand by it. IMO if one has wealth, flaunts it, indulges in excesses they lose the right to complain about how they can't donate. Those were the people I was speaking about.

JoAT

IMO if one has wealth, flaunts it, indulges in excesses they lose the right to complain about how they can't donate.

JOAT,
okay, peace :)

Anna, you...always stand up for JOAT

No, I always stand up for what I think is right. I thought her strongly-worded comment was dead-on...

however, until her post all the entries were warm-spirited.

I consummately disagree. If you want me to be blunt, I think the threadjack preceding JoAT's response is what actually inspired this unnecessary clusterfuck. Dearest Ms Fink, unless Joan is talking about you (and if you'll pardon my assumption, I don't think from your past comments that you are that kind of shallow, heartless, clueless...woman), why take it personally?

I knew that my gut reaction of approval was right when another reader echoed Joan's experience-- I think it's a common frustration for people who've worked with our community (hell, any community) and I was glad that they were sharing their thoughts, since the situation they were decrying was one I feel passionately about, due to my own heartache with similar efforts.

I was at a criminally low-paying job just two months ago. I know what it's like to think paycheck-to-paycheck is an awesome thing. That is why I said that to me, just expressing that you would donate was as good as actually doing so. I loved the intention as much as the act.