I wish I didn’t have to sell mt whistle but it’s the only way I can find Christmas for my Children this year.
I have it listed on ebay, if you have ever wanted a Copeland but didn’t want to wait months to get it… now would be a great time to get your whistle and help provide a christmas for my children.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=927710313
Always post the eBay ad as it saves folks time searching.
Thank you for your advice!
This is the first time I’ve placed a message on the board or sold anything on ebay!
I don’t know, Resident real bluesy…
I’m not American, so my values may differ. Does Christmas have to be all big expenses ? How old are the kids ?
I mean, do you really have to make yourself unhappy or bluesy so as to provide children with more things.
Or, turning it around the other way, what’s best for them, more things and you stripped of an instrument which is part of a passion, or you being a happy parent ?
Here in America, Christmas is totally commercialized and people do get the message that without big spending, we are not expressing holiday spirit. I was very saddened by the text of the eBay listing, especially to see that the youngest child is so young. If I were looking for a Low D Copeland whistle, I would buy this one. My heart goes out to you, man.
~Jessie
edited to fix typo
[ This Message was edited by: JessieK on 2002-12-10 15:03 ]
Hmm . . . Zubivka, I know it’s easy to sit in Europe and think everyone in the US is shallow and materialistic. But as Jessie points out, he’d like to sell it to get money to buy clothes and other things for his kids.
Eh, I guess the wording of your message touched a nerve. I lived in France about 10 years ago, and gosh, did I get sick of hearing about what awful consumers we all are. I noticed, though, that the longer I was there, the less I heard it, as I think my French friends realized we weren’t all that different. French kids like presents just as much as American kids.
Meaning, French kids like to RECEIVE presents just as much as American kids like to receive presents . . . not that French kids find receiving gifts or American children to be equivalent. 
Stuart
On 2002-12-10 14:14, sturob wrote:
Hmm . . . Zubivka, I know it’s easy to sit in Europe and think everyone in the US is shallow and materialistic.
Why do people always say it’s easy to sit in Europe? When I was there, all the seats were taken.
On 2002-12-10 14:18, Bloomfield wrote:
Why do people always say it’s easy to sit in Europe? When I was there, all the seats were taken.
Guess 'cause there’s so many armchair experts on things American there…
Thanks Jessie. I do have trouble understanding all this…
If you’re a Christian, that should be time to get back to the roots.
If you’re an atheist, then why bend to the rule of Mammon ?
Sorry, Residentblues, I’m not trying to hijack your thread, I’m just puzzled. By this compulsory system party, guaranteed to leave you with a hangover of the worst kind.
I’ve been once through something similar to your story (but with less kids). All I remember was $400 were not a solution, just a bandage. I was lucky to sudenly take great conscience at that time that my spirits may be more useful to the home than the missing luxury.
If you’re out of work, or partially lacking some, use your extra time for those unpaid things that kids do value if I’m not a complete fool.
On 2002-12-10 14:24, The Weekenders wrote:
On 2002-12-10 14:18, Bloomfield wrote:
Why do people always say it’s easy to sit in Europe? When I was there, all the seats were taken.
Guess 'cause there’s so many armchair experts on things American there…
Oh, you want to rule the world AND be left alone? 
Yeah, I wake up every morning and ponder who to oppress next!!!
I’d be happy to rule my own house!!!
On 2002-12-10 14:14, sturob wrote:
Hmm . . . Zubivka, I know it’s easy to sit in Europe and think everyone in the US is shallow and materialistic. But as Jessie points out, he’d like to sell it to get money to buy clothes and other things for his kids.Eh, I guess the wording of your message touched a nerve. I lived in France about 10 years ago, and gosh, did I get sick of hearing about what awful consumers we all are. I noticed, though, that the longer I was there, the less I heard it, as I think my French friends realized we weren’t all that different. French kids like presents just as much as American kids.
Meaning, French kids like to RECEIVE presents just as much as American kids like to receive presents . . . not that French kids find receiving gifts or American children to be equivalent. >
Stuart
You’re too touchy, Stuart. This is not what I meant. And yes, French kids do like (etc.) and generally we’re part of the exact same system. And when I can afford it, of course I submit to this corny ritual. What I try to convey is that there may be some resistance that kids could understand, too. That the mood–spirits–of the mother (father?) may be more important than $50 more/less spending per kid.
Now, if I did specify I’m not American, it’s because I don’t know how much social pressure there is around this goddamned Xmas spendings issue, I mean specifically around Residentblues social and family surroundings.
JessieK definitely isn’t on the side of people who care for me–we’ve had our quarrel–yet she did understand me right, and I think I understood her, and I did relate to what she said.
Now, what you Stuart said seems more to me like 1) OT on a thread where we were trying to express help or at least compassion 2) The expression of your own frustrations.
Now, if you ask me, yes Christmas has turned into something really shallow and materialistic, and this thread is a sad social proof of it.
Also, I’m afraid this goes particularly in your country (don’t worry, we’re catching up…) and your reaction is a proof to it because if someone contests what’s became of a mystic celebration, you take this as anti-Americanism.
PS: Weekender, I probably know more of the Bay Area reality than you of our “armchair”, ok?
[ This Message was edited by: Zubivka on 2002-12-10 15:01 ]
To Clarify;
I am not caught up in the american nightmare passed off as “christmas”
This past year my children and I lost their Mother, she abandoned the family is drunk most of the time living on the streets. Prior to this we owned a company with 43 employees… She emptied the bank accounts and went through our life savings in under a year. I was forced to close the company and file for protection for the company and myself.
I was forced to sell our home, cars, boat, most of the furniture, to survive the nightmare that has been our lives since this began.
I have just recently landed a job with one of my former clients at 35% of my our former combined income and Thank God for that.
I have 4 children at home, when you divide the money I’m asking for my whistle by 4 it’s not going to go far… if I wanted to get something for anyone else…
I’m amazed at how many people will voice an opinion about a situation without finding out what the situation really is…
I hope this will help to open some eyes, hearts, and minds to dig a little deeper, find out the real motivation behind the actions of another person…
I will gladly provide the names of some of my former staff and clients if you think I’m feeding you a line of BS…
I am so sorry to hear of the extent of your troubles. I’m sure your whistle will sell and that you’ll be able to get one to replace it soon. Life can throw us some crazy curve balls. Good wishes to you and your kids.
~Jessie
I just purchased this whistle at the ‘Buy-it-now’ price and feel blessed that I can help out a fellow chiffer and also get a fine instrument.
I must now gather up some of my own whistles to sell in order to pay for it. That shouldn’t be a problem around here 
RedidentB… Sorry to hear about your situation. I see that you have sold the whistle and I am sure that it will make a big difference. Man, you’ve got to do what ever you can to make Christmas special for your kids. You sound like a decent man who has been through a lot of sadness at one time and who is doing his best to keep his family together. My heart and prayers go out to you, buddy. May you and yours have a wonderful holiday and a much MUCH better year in '03.
-Paul
(edited for typos)
[ This Message was edited by: paul on 2002-12-10 15:24 ]
Residentblues, thanks for explaining. No-one asks you for evidence when it certainly takes you a lot of courage to spell it out.
All I can say is I went through something rather similar (bar the drinking), also surviving at first thanks to a former customer offering me a shop salesman position.
Just in case, which I don’t wish to you, your auction wouldn’t meet your expectations (i.e. reserve), then let it known here in this thread and I’m sure people here will help.
Corrected to ad I just read you did sell your whistle, and I’m glad you managed so fast. You did ring at the right place. Please let us know of your ongoing, when you have time.
Bravo WhistlingGipsy, you did what I intended to, if the auction hadn’t been restricted to US+Canada residents. So much the better : the money will transfer faster.
[ This Message was edited by: Zubivka on 2002-12-10 15:33 ]
On 2002-12-10 15:26, Zubivka wrote:
Just in case, which I don’t wish to you, your auction wouldn’t meet your expectations (i.e. reserve), then let it known here in this thread and I’m sure people here will help.
That’s right!
Corrected to ad I just read you did sell your whistle, and I’m glad you managed so fast. You rang at the right place: probably someone here did help. Please let us know of your ongoing, when you have time.
Yes. And good luck to you & your kids!
I want to thank all of you for the thoughts, prayers, and Gerry for purchasing my whistle. It has been a year beyond anything I would have ever imagined possible.
I know time will heal a lot of things and am looking forward to a time when I can wake up and go through a day without having the grief of what has happened and is still happening take up such a large portion of my daily thoughts…
Thank you again for your support!
Jeff
On 2002-12-10 15:00, Zubivka wrote:
You’re too touchy, Stuart. This is not what I meant. And yes, French kids do like (etc.) and generally we’re part of the exact same system. And when I can afford it, of course I submit to this corny ritual.
No, I’m not too touchy. When you start a post with “I’m not American so my values may be different,” and go on to talk about materialism, you’re making the thread not about a whistle sale to get cash, but about taking a swing at the US for being capitalist pig-dogs. Or something.
But can’t we all just get along?
I’m over it.
Stuart