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Rachmaninov Inner circle 1076 Posts |
Hello magicians of the world,
Vlad is an awesome guy, and people who read his threads on the café know it. He is in trouble at this time and I’m trying to help him via GoFundMe so he can save his magic library. My message on the following link says it all. https://www.gofundme.com/save-vlad-library Thanks for him |
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tenchu Inner circle Europe 1117 Posts |
Well, situation like this obviously sucks...
Now, is the 5000 euro (which is a lot of money) the total shipping cost of all of the books from Netherlands to USA? How come the books can be dumped in the garbage? Where are they now? Anyway, I hope everything will have a happy end. Mike |
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Nicolino Inner circle 2893 Posts |
It's true, I always appreciated reading Vlad's contributions and I wish him all the best personally.
Starting a campaign is a classy and admirable move of yours, hands down. However, if I may suggest so, the campaign listing does NOT say it all, actually. "...he had to leave very quickly and return to the US..." sounds quite enigmatic, honestly, and I could imagine that possible donors would want to learn more about the reasons for the sudden escape (unless they are too personal to be publicly stated, of course). My hope is that with a more detailed description you might raise more funds than with the listing in its current form!
The Mati Envelope
A brandnew peek device for the working mentalist! Chance's Token Tarot cards in a scenic piece of mystery..... |
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landmark Inner circle within a triangle 5194 Posts |
Done.
Click here to get Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years
All proceeds to Open Heart Magic charity. |
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Rachmaninov Inner circle 1076 Posts |
Your questions are all legitimate.
Vlad gave me an estimation cost of 3000 $ for bringing back all his books and magic stuff to the USA. I didn’t know which amount to fix for the goal. But when I saw on the website that the amount can easily be changed, I put more than needed. Maybe it’s a bad strategy. It’s the first time I’m doing that sort of thing so any advice would be much appreciated. You are right, the text doesn’t tell everything. I’ve tried to suggest, not give every details, because of privacy. My personal past can enlighten the story. Sometimes, marriage can be one of the most wonderful thing in your life. Sometimes, it doesn’t work. At times, it can be an awful experience. For me, I entered hell, without completely knowing what was in front of me...My ex wife told me that if I left her, she would burn all my magic books. And her insane eyes was telling that she could do that, and worse. And she has done so… Too much on myself. His library is on its way to be safe, to my knowledge. |
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camron Regular user 160 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 30, 2018, Rachmaninov wrote: One of my ex-psycho's said the same thing!! She said she'd destroy all of my books and make false accusations against me to prevent me from travelling. She made the allegations, the police saw right through her stories and threw the case out!! I'm praying for you Vlad! |
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arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
Years ago, I was also in a very bad relationship. When I finally managed to escape, my partner actually burned all my belongings!
I would be glad to help Vlad. However, I can only donate via PayPal. Is there a way to send money directly to Vlad? |
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Rachmaninov Inner circle 1076 Posts |
Hello Arthur,
I’m going to ask him if there is a way to reach him via PayPal. Thanks to all of you for your generosity. I’m surprised to see that my psycho ex wife was not a rare state. I felt so alone at that time. Camron, it seems you know exactly what I endured. |
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camron Regular user 160 Posts |
Quote:
Camron, it seems you know exactly what I endured. I really do... there's a lot more to the story, believe me! I almost lost my life.. |
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tenchu Inner circle Europe 1117 Posts |
Woah. Burning books? That's Hitler-level evil.
Mike |
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Rachmaninov Inner circle 1076 Posts |
Tenchu,
You have no idea what those women can do. I’m 6 foot 4, she was 5, I’m athletic, she was in very poor shape. It didn’t prevent her to beat me ! And for no reason ! |
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Rachmaninov Inner circle 1076 Posts |
Vlad sent me an email with the actual cost he has calculated. It’s arnound 2000 euros. So I’ve just reduced the goal down to 2000. We have never been so close !
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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Hi guys,
What I am going to write is very hard to do but, as there are questions I feel I should answer them, but, I would like to clarify a few things. First off, I want to thank Rachmaninov for his very kind offer. Sometimes in very bad situations one feels very alone. Then I received a message from him and it consisted of much more than magic. Merci mon ami as I feel less alone now. I want you all to know that I am not good at asking for help and my post here is not meant to ask for help or create some sort of guilt tripping. Rather, I just feel I should share. Lastly, and most importantly, no matter how things turn out, this community has been AMAZING and I owe you a deep debt of gratitude for making me a better performer and a better person. So, here goes. I am a survivor of 18 years of horrific physical and sexual abuse. The abuser, whom I am loathe to refer to as my "father" was the abuser. He is currently serving two life terms plus 67 years for two murders, racketeering, kidnapping, and other RICO offenses. Anyhow, the abuse was so bad that I suffer from PTSD and have to depend on clonazepam just to be able to get through the day. The only time the symptoms disappear is when I am performing magic or music or pursuing academic studies. Life has dealt me some bad hands but I refuse to give up. I also refuse to become bitter. Except for him, I have no hate in my heart and I believe in doing good for others. When people enjoy my magic and music it makes me happy because perhaps I have helped them, at least for a brief time, to escape whatever darkness may be haunting them. My elder brother had cerebral palsy and I learned recently that he too was abused. To say I was hit in the gut is a gross understatement. Anyhow, thanks to EMDR treatment, the nightmares that manifest from PTSD have lessened. I am also an artist. I work in traditional and digital media. My mom was a bank teller and back in the day, they didn't make much money. She scrimped, sacrificed, and saved for my first year's tuition to the Pittsburgh Art Institute. I was so excited for that autumn! Then, she sat me down one day and told me that he stole the money. For quite a few years I quit creating because it just seemed that nothing was going to work. I had been involved in live theater and was spotted by a director who had a show starting off-Broadway. I was 17 at the time and Pennsylvania law required that both parents - even divorced parents - had to sign a waiver allowing a minor to leave home. My mom signed. My "father" said, "you're a ******* bum, you will never amount to nothing and I am not signing this ****** paper. The director wanted me so badly in that role; he considered the performance he saw as my successful audition. He tried everything but my "father" finally threatened him. I guess you know how that ended. My Irish great-grandma was a huge reason I didn't end up dead or in prison or on drugs. She taught me never to give up and to always do good. May her memory be eternal. When I moved here to the Netherlands in 2012 I really thought that my life could turn around. I taught my step-daughter how to play piano, I taught my step-son to draw and to write and he will be a fine novelist. I helped my partner learn to sing. I'm not perfect but I was always faithful and always trying and all I wanted was just a thank you. In 2014 I was offered a very rare thing: a free ride PhD. I had graduated magna cum laude at Penn State and finished my Master's and ranked among the top ten percent of all graduate students in America in all disciplines. They say that hindsight is 20/20 and truer words were never spoken. I returned to America to start the PhD but she begged me to return and that things would be better. Like a FOOL I believed her and declined the PhD and the assistantship. When I returned, there was not even a syllable of thanks and things got a lot worse. I am no more than a butler here yet I have to tread carefully or she'll not allow me to get the medication I need. If you look up withdrawal symptoms from clonazepam, you'll see that they can literally be deadly. I want to get home, get on my feet and off the meds because they are a constant reminder of the hell I lived through. But I am no victim nor do I want pity. I am a survivor and I know there are others who are far worse off than I. Guys, I cannot do this anymore. I hate to seem selfish but I need to live again and that means coming home and starting over. I have sacrificed too much: my future, my Orthodox Christian (Greek Orthodox) faith, and I feel at times I have sacrificed my soul. I have some things that keep me going while in survival mode: God, my mom and step-dad, my dogs, music, and magic. Magic was one of the things that literally saved my life growing up. So much so that it is as much a part of me as my limbs. This community has been for me more than a place to exchange ideas. It has become a haven for me. I have met some remarkable people here. The list is very long and I am so very thankful. Some have told me that some of my posts have helped them. That REALLY makes me happy. I know that I have learned SO much from this community that the debt I owe would amount to something beyond the dreams of avarice. I am still in the Netherlands and because of the meds issue I must get enough for a few months until I navigate the American healthcare system. I don't know what lies ahead for me when I get home in December but I DO know I will do all I can to make my life worth living so I can help make the lives of others in need better. Magic is a way to do that and for me to hit the ground running and make a few bucks so there is that prosaic consideration. But you see, these books are not just resources to me, they are part of who I am. They saved me and through the words from their creators I just know that life can be amazing. To lose them would be devastating but if that happens, then, still I must soldier on because I believe that giving up is not an option. I don't know what else to say. I look over at them and I am afraid I will forever lose them and the thought terrifies me. I would never have asked for help because there are others more deserving. When Rachmaninov messaged me it was like some sort of miracle because he shared his story and I am blessed because he chose to share. I just learned today that he initiated the fund page. I saw this thread and there it was, and, your questions which, you are right to ask. I have weeded out some stuff and I think 2000 USD will cover getting most of what's left back and safe. Geez that was even hard to type because I feel like a pathetic beggar. So, I want you to know that I do appreciate all the help, and, I don't mean just the money. I've received PMs from a few people offering their hopes and prayers and those mean SO much. Why? Because you took the time to make sure I was okay and to offer your hopes. You are the people my Irish great grandma told me about. Thank you for reading this and if I could ask just one thing, it would be for anyone who has negative comments to please keep them to yourself? I realize I made wrong choices and I'm paying for them. My apologies to Larry Barnowski and Rick Holcombe. I'll be getting my review and impressions of your upcoming products done ASAP. Right now, I am just trying to get home. Blessings to you all. |
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Bobby Forbes Inner circle virginia beach, VA. 1569 Posts |
Keep your head up Vlad, with a masters degree, ranking among the top ten in all disciplines in america! Man, you can be super wealthy if you put a little bit of effort into it. You have a huge advantage most people don't! don't forget that! I wish you the best my man.
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fonda57 Inner circle chicago 3078 Posts |
You've always been a nice dude, Vlad. A very positive outlook. I always look forward to talking with you. I'll throw in for sure
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arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
Vlad, you are one of the most knowledgeable, generous and intelligent people I’ve “met” here on the Café. And I applaud you for opening up about your situation. That took an amazing amount of courage.
Years ago I was in a similar position and due to a vicious divorce, ended up walking the streets of NYC for 8 months, homeless, penniless and friendless. I lost everything, including my magic books. So if today I can help a fellow magician in need, I will do so gladly. To all Magic Café Members: I want to encourage everyone to contribute whatever they can to help Vlad. If anyone truly deserves our support, he does. |
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Nicolino Inner circle 2893 Posts |
Thanks for your oh-so-open words, Vlad. Must have been hard to write them down...
The Mati Envelope
A brandnew peek device for the working mentalist! Chance's Token Tarot cards in a scenic piece of mystery..... |
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Rachmaninov Inner circle 1076 Posts |
I’m overwhelmed by Vlad’s story. It took me time to fully realize all the difficulties (some of them are extreme) he had to overcome. He definitely deserves help from our community and beyond.
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Maxyedid Special user Panama 843 Posts |
Wow - no words. I will try to share this link on Facebook as well.
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Montana76 Inner circle I hope I one day reach 1177 Posts |
Vlad I s the reason I come to the Café. He is always incredible helpful and knowledgeable.
I hope things turn around for you Vlad! I value you!! |
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