Ama (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} city_glitter) wrote,@ 2005-07-06 19:43:00 |
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I believe this has gone quite far enough, so I shall now explain myself.
My cat was not set on fire. That is the important thing to know here- though such things have happened in this neighborhood, neither he nor I was so unfortunate. I'm sorry to all of you who were hurt by this, who cried, who were deeply worried, who were angered, who gave up things big and small to support me. I never intended any harm, and that is about the best I can say for myself- it does not excuse my behavior.
From here, you have the option of being extremely angry with me without listening to my reasoning. If you'd care to hear it, please read on.
I long ago ceased to be cynical about human beings. I believe we are a well-meaning, essentially good species with the capacity for endless love and compassion, and that we're born with a depth of empathy that living life in an individual-focused world tends to beat out of us over time. However, I also believe there are many more loving, compassionate, empathetic people out there than most people give our species credit for.
In this case, I'm referring to my family. I recently attended a family reunion where I received the usual ribbing about my making friends with people I've never met face-to-face and probably never will. My father in particular was astonished and disbelieving of the way so many people had pulled together to help the kittendaysgoby rescued from the freeway recently- not only could he not believe that the whole thing wasn't a hoax, but to him the idea of putting that much money and effort into one small life was ridiculous.
So, I proposed an experiment. Something that we personally could control, that would prove my point about at least large parts of humanity beyond a shadow of a doubt. It is important to add that he did not agree to this- all my actions therein were mine and my own. I told myself that if I could raise even half of the $5,000 imaginary vet bill, I would sell my three Thomas Kinkade lithographs (I have pictures of them, for those of you who are skeptical of that also) and donate all the proceeds to the SPCA in the name of all the people who helped restore his faith in humanity.
He really did cry. I've only seen him do that once or twice in his life.
The experiment was a success. I clearly did not accurately estimate the amount of backlash, however- that was very stupid of me, as was not thinking out the long-term social consequences of this entire thing. I know most, if not all people, will see this as a scam despite my intentions. I would never have dreamt of spending all that money on myself, though, and thanks to PayPal fees it's going to cost me a good $100 extra, a minor financial burden I bear gladly. If you wish to file police charges against me for my actions, I will provide my information and accept the criminal penalties as punishment for my thoughtlessness.
Beyond everything else, it has been proven that at least in this sector of the world, humans are very good people.
To those of you who believed me, I'm sorry for not telling you the truth immediately. I was afraid you would be rightfully indignant and blow my cover. To those of you who didn't believe me, I'm sorry for defending myself so vigorously.
I'm not going to leave it at this- there will be the said donation to the SPCA, and also letters to the Dallas Morning News, Star-Telegram, and any other wide-circulation newspapers anyone suggests.
I want to clear up a few misconceptions:
-"At least I'm not on fire" was not intended as humor. It's a catchphrase for me throughout life, really- no matter how bad it is, even if you're dying of it, you're at least lucky not to be on fire.
-None of the money donated will be spent. I had at one point considered giving it directly to the SPCA, but vetoed that as that would still be fraud.
-I do not expect forgiveness or even any kind of acceptance. Just please, no mail bombs.
It's important for everyone to realize thatmanhattan and hangedwoman supported me out of good faith- I ordinarily am a very private person who only rarely pulls stunts, and never anything on this scale before. So please do not lower your opinion of them, or anyone else who defended me- it was my deceptiveness that colored the entire situation.
My cat was not set on fire. That is the important thing to know here- though such things have happened in this neighborhood, neither he nor I was so unfortunate. I'm sorry to all of you who were hurt by this, who cried, who were deeply worried, who were angered, who gave up things big and small to support me. I never intended any harm, and that is about the best I can say for myself- it does not excuse my behavior.
From here, you have the option of being extremely angry with me without listening to my reasoning. If you'd care to hear it, please read on.
I long ago ceased to be cynical about human beings. I believe we are a well-meaning, essentially good species with the capacity for endless love and compassion, and that we're born with a depth of empathy that living life in an individual-focused world tends to beat out of us over time. However, I also believe there are many more loving, compassionate, empathetic people out there than most people give our species credit for.
In this case, I'm referring to my family. I recently attended a family reunion where I received the usual ribbing about my making friends with people I've never met face-to-face and probably never will. My father in particular was astonished and disbelieving of the way so many people had pulled together to help the kitten
daysgoby rescued from the freeway recently- not only could he not believe that the whole thing wasn't a hoax, but to him the idea of putting that much money and effort into one small life was ridiculous.So, I proposed an experiment. Something that we personally could control, that would prove my point about at least large parts of humanity beyond a shadow of a doubt. It is important to add that he did not agree to this- all my actions therein were mine and my own. I told myself that if I could raise even half of the $5,000 imaginary vet bill, I would sell my three Thomas Kinkade lithographs (I have pictures of them, for those of you who are skeptical of that also) and donate all the proceeds to the SPCA in the name of all the people who helped restore his faith in humanity.
He really did cry. I've only seen him do that once or twice in his life.
The experiment was a success. I clearly did not accurately estimate the amount of backlash, however- that was very stupid of me, as was not thinking out the long-term social consequences of this entire thing. I know most, if not all people, will see this as a scam despite my intentions. I would never have dreamt of spending all that money on myself, though, and thanks to PayPal fees it's going to cost me a good $100 extra, a minor financial burden I bear gladly. If you wish to file police charges against me for my actions, I will provide my information and accept the criminal penalties as punishment for my thoughtlessness.
Beyond everything else, it has been proven that at least in this sector of the world, humans are very good people.
To those of you who believed me, I'm sorry for not telling you the truth immediately. I was afraid you would be rightfully indignant and blow my cover. To those of you who didn't believe me, I'm sorry for defending myself so vigorously.
I'm not going to leave it at this- there will be the said donation to the SPCA, and also letters to the Dallas Morning News, Star-Telegram, and any other wide-circulation newspapers anyone suggests.
I want to clear up a few misconceptions:
-"At least I'm not on fire" was not intended as humor. It's a catchphrase for me throughout life, really- no matter how bad it is, even if you're dying of it, you're at least lucky not to be on fire.
-None of the money donated will be spent. I had at one point considered giving it directly to the SPCA, but vetoed that as that would still be fraud.
-I do not expect forgiveness or even any kind of acceptance. Just please, no mail bombs.
It's important for everyone to realize that
manhattan and hangedwoman supported me out of good faith- I ordinarily am a very private person who only rarely pulls stunts, and never anything on this scale before. So please do not lower your opinion of them, or anyone else who defended me- it was my deceptiveness that colored the entire situation.
