What's going on? Blitzo thread gone

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Messages 1 - 54 of total 54 in this topic
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 12, 2013 - 01:14pm PT
I feel like such a derelict!

No Blitzo, you are not. Many if not most of us are falling on hard times.

We all have to stick together as a community.

I swear on my mother's grave, if I ever, ever win or make a fortune (let's not hold our breaths), the Taco Standers that need assistance will be the first to benefit.
The New Age Blitzo

Social climber
Joshua Tree, CA
Mar 12, 2013 - 01:21pm PT
I don't know why it got deleted. I think because I would lose my medical coverage if I got over $900.00 a month. I emailed Locker, but haven't heard back.
It would be nice to sell some prints though.
kennyt

climber
Woodfords,California
Mar 12, 2013 - 01:43pm PT
CASH
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Mar 12, 2013 - 01:49pm PT
Blitzo, I'm no expert but I don't think you need report gifts as income.
Furthermore, I would put the gifts in a separate bank account that only you
and your closest 500 friends know about.
philo

Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
Mar 12, 2013 - 01:52pm PT
What about S&H Greenstamps? Remember those or have I just dated my self again? Hey ShutterBug Yours are some of the finest pics posted so you git sellin' them beauties you artiste'.
darkmagus

Mountain climber
San Diego, CA
Mar 12, 2013 - 01:52pm PT
That is correct, "true gifts" don't need to be reported as income. I believe there is some upper limit though (maybe $100,000?) but I'm not sure on that.
Hardman Knott

Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
Mar 12, 2013 - 01:54pm PT
Locker nuked the thread.

-cue Couchmaster to add him to his official list of thread deleters...
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Mar 12, 2013 - 01:55pm PT
That $900 is "reported" income....wink, wink...nudge, nudge.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Mar 12, 2013 - 01:57pm PT
You're allowed $14K per year tax free as 'gifts'. I hope Blitzo has to
worry about exceeding that. If so let me know and I'll hook you up with my accountant.
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Mar 12, 2013 - 02:01pm PT
PM'd you knewAgeBloot!
John M

climber
Mar 12, 2013 - 02:09pm PT
You're allowed $14K per year tax free as 'gifts'.

Not true when concerning some of the programs to help the poor. This only applies to federal tax on income. Not for many of the help programs for the poor.

Blitzo wrote,

I think because I would lose my medical coverage if I got over $900.00 a month.

Which program are you on Blitzo? The article below is for Social security disability and SSI. Everything depends on which program that you are getting help from. They can get your bank records. One work around is to have the money go into someone elses bank account and then use it to pay the auto insurance. Don't put Blitzo's name on the checks.. or paypal.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/dnewsblog/2009/06/when-you-are-applying-for-social.html



What If You Receive Property or Income After You Apply for Social Security Disability?
Receiving assets can disqualify you from SSI but not Social Security Disability (SSD).


The answer to this question depends upon which disability program you are applying for. The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages two disability programs with their own rules of eligibility. Most individuals who apply for disability benefits through the SSA will be evaluated for both Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility.
Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability (SSD) is based upon an individual's work activity. Individuals who have worked enough to be insured for their age (the number of quarters it takes to be insured depend upon an individual's age) will receive a disability benefit if they are found to be medically disabled. Owning or receiving property does not prohibit an individual from winning Social Security disability benefits, because the SSD program has no resource limits. Nor does SSD have a limit to the amount of unearned income you have, such as money from investments, interests, cash gifts, or inheritance. So if you receive any of these items after you apply, your eligibility won't be affected. (However, if you go back to work after you apply and earn over $1,040 per month, you won't be considered disabled unless you are in a trial work program.)
Supplemental Security Income
The second disability program administered by the Social Security is SSI. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a need-based program that is designed to help individuals who have not worked, not worked much, or not worked recently, if the individual meets income and resource limits. Each year Social Security establishes income and resource limits for this program. Since the resource limit is currently $2,000, property ownership may prevent you from receiving SSI. However, the land that you live on and your house and your most valuable vehicle are excluded from the limit. Resources that count toward the limit are bank accounts, cash gifts, retirement plans, stocks, bonds, inheritances, jewelry (except a wedding and engagement ring), and household goods and personal effects over $2,000.
If your property is clearly over the SSI resource limit when you apply for SSI at the Social Security office, you will most likely be denied when you complete your initial disability interview (unless you qualify for SSD). If your income and property are under the resource limit, your claim will be sent to Disability Determination Services (DDS) to evaluate your disability. After DDS says whether you are disabled or not, your claim will be sent back to your local Social Security office for an end-line review to determine if you still meet the income and resource limits of the SSI program. So even if you are approved, you could still receive a denial because of too many resources/assets at an end-line SSI review if your financial circumstances have changed.
You are required to tell the SSA if your financial information changes after you apply. For instance, if, after you apply, you receive some unexpected income, such as child support, or you receive property, you have to tell the SSA. Failing to tell the SSA of changes in your finances, even after you start to receive benefits, can result in your having to pay back overpayments, and possibly be charged with penalties and fraud.


Locker must have run into the OOPS.. "I didn't talk to the recipient about what he needs" problem.
philo

Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
Mar 12, 2013 - 02:35pm PT
The Dude Abides. :)
philo

Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
Mar 12, 2013 - 02:39pm PT
The Buddha Dies.
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Mar 12, 2013 - 03:52pm PT
So why haven't you answered my fone call, glue head????
philo

Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
Mar 12, 2013 - 03:58pm PT
Steve, did you miss the "Locker answer your phone" thread?

To Re-Cap (Pun Intended) he can't when he is recapping in the garage with his glue and his rubbers. Something about time sensitive materials or some such nonsense.
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 12, 2013 - 04:11pm PT
Locker, I understand the deletion of the thread. Perhaps I should not have brought it up, but then, I show a lack of good sense many times.

Philo, jaysus, S&H Greenstamps, are those still around? Or am I showing my age?
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Mar 12, 2013 - 05:39pm PT

Sheesh I'm reallllllllllllly HURT
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Mar 12, 2013 - 06:07pm PT
If the issue is keeping your Medi-Cal coverage then there ways around that. Medi-Cal establishes a $2,000 limit for eligibility. A house and vehicle are excluded when calculating that amount. However, you can get around the cash aspect of that by establishing a special needs trust. Parents will often establish one for a disable child so they can receive an inheritance that they can use to supplement whatever they receive from Medi-Cal, but because it's in a separate trust controlled by a third party trustee (such as a family member or trusted friend) it is not counted toward the person's $2,000 eligibility limit.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Mar 12, 2013 - 06:21pm PT
Project New Bloot reboot!
Russ Walling

Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
Mar 12, 2013 - 06:41pm PT
I posted this last night... before the thread got sacked. Here it is again, with a foolproof way to send him some cash:


Mar 11, 2013 - 11:35pm PT
Ok...

This fundraiser stuff is once again running rampant and misinformation and half-cocked ideas are swirling the bowl, not just for the Bloot, but others as well.

As for Blitzo and other really broke folks. There are a lot of obstacles in the way for a guy in his position. Real people that have jobs and function at a level somewhere above the hard deck don't realize just what a ball ache it is to be really poor. I'll outline some of it for you:
1. Bank account. They cost money. $15 a month for them to hold your money. Some months there is not $15 even available, never mind a continuous bleed off month after month. A spotty financial history makes it so you can not even get an account.
2. Car: insurance, registration, past due registration, upkeep, parts, labor, and then gas. This big package gets him down the road, but with no money for gas, and where is he going? Not to a job, because he has no car. Can't have a car, because he has no job. It is a cycle. Joyriding around without a purpose is expensive and does not produce income.
3. Food and county services are somewhat taken care of, but if ya earn any money they will take your benefits. If you don't earn any money, then you need to roll down to the office on occasion to fill out some paperwork or maybe go to the doctor. No car? No bus fare? Bike usually has a flat? All of these apply. Miles of walking are involved, usually pushing the bike that has a rip in the sidewall. Tires aren't cheap when you are in this position, so I guess more walking is in his future. Bus pass? We tried that. Pass was never purchased since he decided walking 2 hours to get one hour of work was a better deal.
4. Work: This is a tough one. Can't get to work without a car. Pay is so low that after working all day, you can almost afford the gas to get back home. Work is sporadic at best. Jobs in these bottomfeeder towns are hard to find and the pay is low. And in reality, Blitzo is not running a huge skillset when it comes to generating cash. Past employment history does not show a shining example for employee of the month. Drug testing is a small problem at certain times. The no money thing usually takes care of that last one though. As for getting paid, the employer can't really give him a check, and must go to the ATM to get cash. Not always that easy to do or available for legit sources.
5. Selling prints. Sounds great on the surface. This is something being actively pursued by his "agent" and others. But of course, the images will have to be found, a printer sourced that is willing to ship for him, a web page that is maintained with his images, and since they are doing all the work, they want the biggest cut. For example, all you guys on here that say they will buy a print... just how is that going to work? Who is printing the image? How is it getting to you? How are you going to pay so that the funds are even accessible? He has a computer that randomly shuts down and restarts sometimes 20 times an hour. He has no real internet access unless he stands outside with a long extension cord (because the laptop battery is fried) and foil wrapped on his head to get 1 bar from a leaking Wifi down the street. How is that uploading images or emailing files to anyone?
6. Shelter etc: So far the beyond generous Will has this covered, but nothing lasts forever. The Pit? That is usually the next stop on the gonner tour. Having less resources will not help things and the Pit is batting zero in financial success stories.

There are plenty more roadblocks in the way for all these poor guys with problems. The whole dynamic is very complex and different for each person. So, what can really help? Is a fundraiser going to cure all of the above? Hardly. Will it get him over a hump? For sure. So, if you want to send Blitzo some money, so he can maybe get set up to run Wills' car, and have enough gas to drive it, send it. If you want to make sure he has a spare bike tire so he can get to the store or rake weeds on some sand lot for $20, send it. If it makes you feel good, send it. If Jesus tells you to send some money, send it. If you want to buy a print, hold that thought until some sort of gallery is in place that can actually process, serve, and ship images.

I'm sure ya'll are bumming out with my Debbie Downer dose of realism, but that is the situation right now.

So, for PayPal, do the usual routine of going to http://www.PayPal.com and in the send money tab, choose "personal" so there are no fees, put in
RevBlitzo@Hotmail.com This is his account that he can't really use since they will not give him a Debit card or allow any withdraw of funds since he has no bank account. But, as a workaround, he can transfer it to me from his PayPal account, and I can give him the cash or make purchases for him. Of course anyone who donates and wants to see where the money is, goes, or gets siphoned off to will be supplied with that information. Unlike some of those other black ops, nobody is behind the curtain on this gig.

Want to send a check? Don't. Cashing checks is a problem and costs a fair bit of money. Blitzo has a PO Box, and I'll edit in that info when I get it so you can send a sawbuck or two in the mail.

Questions? Email me. Got solutions? Post them up.
John M

climber
Mar 12, 2013 - 06:55pm PT
Thanks Russ. As usual, you cut right to the chase.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber
Joshua Tree
Mar 12, 2013 - 07:00pm PT
At a minimum, I'll get the bike tire/tube situation sorted out this weekend.
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Mar 12, 2013 - 07:13pm PT
Miss Information doing the laundry.
phylp

Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
Mar 12, 2013 - 08:48pm PT
Russ, thanks for reposting that info.

couchmaster

climber
pdx
Mar 12, 2013 - 10:24pm PT
Hardman said:
"Locker nuked the thread. -cue Couchmaster to add him to his official list of thread deleters..."
Sorry, I canknott list it as it's such a fine example of good fellowship with pure intentions.

Locker is right on here, but I think it would be fine. Still - better safe than sorry. Good of you to worry over a friend Locker, damned inspiring.
"I deleted the thread because Blitzo emailed and was worried that it might fuk him up..."

Wishing the best to all, but especially Blitzo. Sadly, The Blut gets screwed again as the money I donated went to a "Walter Serniuk". Crap, and I have a sh#t load of bike tires in my basement thanks to the kid who was starting a bike shop down there and then abruptly moved out. Thanks for the email address Russ. I tried.
MisterE

Social climber
Mar 13, 2013 - 12:12am PT
Message sent.
Mr Roy

climber
Seattle
Mar 13, 2013 - 12:23am PT
I never report anything. I leave that up to someone else.

But I live in my shop & there's not much to report.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Mar 13, 2013 - 01:53am PT
Bump for Blitzo.

Hope to be creedlin' in some shady recess in Josh again soon.
bmacd

Trad climber
100% Canadian
Mar 13, 2013 - 01:56am PT
Wishing the best for you Blitzo ...
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
bouldering
Mar 13, 2013 - 02:12am PT
If you say money isn't the answer, you look like a chump.
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Mar 13, 2013 - 08:44am PT

Russ, did you get my message?
Check your spam box. . .
guyman

Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
Mar 13, 2013 - 11:52am PT
Russ... Thank you for the low down.

I do have a idea that I think might work.

Invest any of the small donations into:

Make some really nice prints, good paper, something one can look at really see....

And take them to that Farmers Market/Art Show thing that goes on on saterday, and try to sell some. I know that the farmers market might want a cut, I bet they would maybe give you a spot to sell for free if he helped clean up the farmers Mkt.

One needs to go with your strong points, and he sure does take fab photos....

nature

climber
Boulder, CO
Mar 13, 2013 - 11:55am PT
If it would help I can host a site for blizto to display his images. can't really help on the creation of the images and I can't promise the site would be very fancy. It would be very usable and I'll do all the set up. I'd also be willing to pop for the $9 domain name if that would help.


And if Blizto plans on making it to sushifest he's covered on the food costs. I'll add him to *that* list ;-)
Ken M

Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
Mar 13, 2013 - 12:29pm PT
Which program are you on Blitzo? The article below is for Social security disability and SSI. Everything depends on which program that you are getting help from. They can get your bank records. One work around is to have the money go into someone elses bank account and then use it to pay the auto insurance. Don't put Blitzo's name on the checks.. or paypal.

Be careful.

This comes dangerously close to conspiracy to defraud the gov't. That is a kind of trouble that no one wants to get involved with.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Mar 13, 2013 - 12:31pm PT
Wait a minute, the guvmint has been defrauding us lo these many years!
But you do have a point unfortunately. So I will delete my post soon.
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Mar 13, 2013 - 12:32pm PT

Russ
I just sent you an email to your icloud addy.
But I had sent you one through the taco email earlier--that's
why I said to check your spam box.

Just some $$ to the bloot.
looking sketchy there...

Social climber
Latitute 33
Mar 13, 2013 - 01:51pm PT
Bump for Blitzo.

Fletcher

Trad climber
The great state of advaita
Mar 13, 2013 - 02:51pm PT
Bump and Blessings for Blitzo!

Eric
Mtnmun

Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
Mar 13, 2013 - 03:57pm PT
Thanks for the Paypal info Russ. Donation sent.
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Mar 13, 2013 - 03:58pm PT
hey there say, russ... or to anyone...


i can't do this to help, but perhaps someone that does similar things can:

lulu.com will let you upload for making books, putting trip stories into
books, etc... OR--making calendars...
you all could POST the new calenders ever year just before christmas holidays,
they do print the out very nice...


once you DO this YOU YOURSELF do NOT have to buy or do anything...

folks can buy them, but sadly, it TAKES a long time for minor sales to add
up... however...


if someone uploaded the pics and made the calendars... EACH year then
he'd get a bit of sales each year, at least for gas, or whatever???


also, if he WANTS to make a book, on his past climbs, etc, or, his
adventures doing his photos, someone COULD upload the files,
once they are up... ME, OR anyone else, could either design the book cover, or whatever...

if folks know of the book here, surely they buy a blitzo book, as it
is related to what you all have done all these yearrs...


(mine don't sell, due to advertising and not much word of mouth, but i
think the climber-in-your-midst as well known as blitzo all these years,
could possible get the books sold)...


also, if he wanted to just DICTATE onto a tape...
i would volunteer to type out the book, and put it into form...
this is more LONGRANGE for him, but if it's help him have a book to
sell you all, i would gladly do it...


warning = i have transposing type, dyslexic quirks that HAPPEN when i do anything too fast, :( so i would not be best at the edit part...

i DO know what i am doing, as i studied that for a bit, BUT:
my brain will 'refix the glitch' and i will over look it and NOT
see it, for the most part, unless--i go very slow, :(


but, i AM WILLING to volunteer to do the work there for him...
if he would like that... all free of course...

(lulu will do great photo books too, but when they print in color,
the price is outragious... NOW BLACK IN WHITE, though, THAT may work
for NEAT AFFORDABLE BOOK... someone would just have to upload them
for him... ) (takes me forever and many failures before i get my jake books uploaded, :( so again, sorry i can't do that part... )



email if anyone wants to do that...
god bless to you blitzo!

:)
Michelle

Social climber
Toshi's Station, picking up power converters.
Mar 13, 2013 - 04:29pm PT
been down there before, it really sucks. Russ hit the nail on the head. I wish I had some wisdom beyond join the army (thats how I solved my problem). survival stress is the absolute worst. while I can't send any sheckels right now, I can send good vibes. sleazing around the process in order to survive may be one way to make it work but that method is stressfull too.

I don't know the facts but is relocation an option?

good luck bro.
Norwegian

Trad climber
the tip of god's middle finger
Mar 13, 2013 - 04:50pm PT
i'll offer to the highest
bidder one of my mountain zealot items:

not this lamp exactly,
though they are all lovely.

the stone is all legally (?)
gathered from the violent drainage
of some sierra watershed.

they cost like 50 bucks to ship
so minimum 100 bucks.
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Mar 13, 2013 - 04:56pm PT
hey there say, norwegian...

wow, very nice work!...


just checked to make sure my dial up got my post here...
it's been doing better with the new browers...


MisterE

Social climber
Mar 14, 2013 - 09:22pm PT
Check sent!
nita

Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
Mar 14, 2013 - 10:39pm PT
i keep checking back for an addy, did i miss seeing it somewhere?.....pobox.


sethsquatch76

Trad climber
Joshua tree ca
Mar 16, 2013 - 12:30am PT
How do I get in touch with Blitzo???? I sent him a FB message with no response...... I will put him to work pre-party.......Lots of labor needed at the Sethspool......

Somebody tell him to call me or something.....209 743 1785 or email @ cliffhangerguides@gmail.com or tell me where to find him...

My wife just finished a mega fundraising campaign and I feel the need to pay a bit forward....

Seth
BLUEBLOCR

Social climber
joshua tree
Mar 16, 2013 - 12:56am PT
Seth
He lives right nextdoor to "The Little Feller" (Alexis).
He's home right now. Locker is suppose to show up any minute!!!!
We're all going to the mating grotto then the goldwall this weekend
Ya wanna come ?
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Mar 17, 2013 - 11:20am PT
Bump for da Bloot!
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
Mar 17, 2013 - 04:43pm PT
I hope Naitch gets that gallery site going for him when he gets back!!

I'm sure lots of people would love to buy his prints!!
Fluoride

Trad climber
West Los Angeles, CA
Mar 17, 2013 - 10:42pm PT
Steve and I had such a great time climbing with you guys again. Miss you locker and Billy. Have had so many good times with you.


Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Mar 17, 2013 - 10:58pm PT
And who can forget this day? Eh Beth?
nature

climber
Boulder, CO
Mar 17, 2013 - 11:00pm PT
I hope Naitch gets that gallery site going for him when he gets back!!

I'm sure lots of people would love to buy his prints!!

It's nice to know someone is paying attention...
Patrick Sawyer

climber
Originally California now Ireland
Topic Author's Reply - May 15, 2013 - 04:12pm PT
Bumpity bump
Johnny K.

climber
May 15, 2013 - 04:15pm PT
Never met Blitzo,saw him a couple times in jtree. Always been impressed and appreciated his photos. Good vibes and prayers for the good man.
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