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Cog's wife is going to need reconstructive eye surgery following the Accident in which she was struck by a speeding driver. (As talked about in this thread.) This has been a pretty tough year for Cog and he doesn't have the cash for the medical bills.

So let's help him out. I know there's a lot of us with money issues. I'd be lying if I said I'm totally in the clear myself. But if you have any you can spare, I'm sure he'd appreciate it. I know we're (probably) not going to reach the $1,500 goal, but we can give it the old college try.

Some notes:

• Because he doesn't live in the US, he can't take PayPal directly. So the money is coming to me and I'll figure out some way (Western Union?) to get it to him. If you have ideas on the subject, please by all means let me know!
• The donation button on the side says, "Goal amount for this month". Ignore that. I had to get a new donation manager since our old one was not compatible with the updated software.
• I've never used the new software, so if you run into any issues, please let me know and I'll get it fixed.
• I will be adding $100 to the pot when this is all said and done, but it's not going to show up here since sending money to myself would be stupid.

Thanks for listening and thanks for helping out even if it's only a little.[DOUBLEPOST=1506550569,1506550519][/DOUBLEPOST]You can donate either by hitting the tab at the top of the page or the button in the sidebar. If you are on mobile I have no idea how it'll show up.

Done.

By the way, apparently the donation thing updates daily. So if you donate but it does nothing, it'll show tomorrow.

Are you sure you couldn't use a digital wallet of some kind? Ecuador uses the US Dollar as its currency, so I think you could get around the currency conversion issues.

Please excuse me but I'm going to write this is spanish, because I don't think I can express how I feel if I use english (Please don't expect something more expresive, I'm just not good with words in any language):

Primero quiero agradecer a todos por su apoyo. Nunca he sido parte de un grupo como este, tan dispuesto a sacrificarse y apoyar a un total desconocido como yo. Más aún porque a pesar de que he sido parte de Halforums desde hace años, nunca he participado en la parte social del grupo, utilizando el foro principalmente para quejarme y mostrar fotos de mi hija y mascotas, rara vez formando parte de la conversación. Son un grupo de personas inteligentes e interesantes y siempre me siento frustrado por no sentirme capaz de ser un miembro más en un 100%. Siempre he sido una persona tímida y no sé como expresarme ante los demás. Parte de mi todavía quiere pedir a Dave que se olvide de todo y esconderme del grupo por lo avergonzado que me siento.

Pero, estos son tiempos difíciles y debo concentrarme en el bienestar del amor de mi vida, por lo que debo olvidarme de mis traumas y de mi orgullo y debo acudir a ustedes, que ya más de una vez me han tendido la mano cuando la he necesitado, pero sólo es ahora que me veo en la necesidad de tomarla. Mi agradecimiento no tiene límites.[DOUBLEPOST=1506559365,1506559272][/DOUBLEPOST]

blotsfan said:

Are you sure you couldn't use a digital wallet of some kind? Ecuador uses the US Dollar as its currency, so I think you could get around the currency conversion issues.

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I've tried to register my bank accounts in paypal, but it's not possible. Paypal doesn't exists inside del banking system in this country. I don't know of any other service. I'm able to register my credit cards, and that's how I buy games, for example, but you can't put the money back in the card.

From Google translate:

First, I want to thank everyone for their support. I've never been part of a group like this, so willing to sacrifice and support a total stranger like me. Even more so because even though I have been part of Halforums for years, I have never participated in the social part of the group, using the forum mainly to complain and show pictures of my daughter and pets, rarely being part of the conversation. They are a group of intelligent and interesting people and I am always frustrated because I do not feel able to be one more member in a 100%. I have always been a shy person and I do not know how to express myself to others. Part of me still wants to ask Dave to forget everything and hide from the group for how embarrassed I feel.

But these are difficult times and I must concentrate on the welfare of the love of my life, so I must forget my traumas and my pride and I must go to you, who have already stretched out my hand to me when I have needy, but it is only now that I find myself in need of taking it. My thanks have no limits.

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First, it's fine. We've all been there.

Second, if I can get you the money some other way than Western Union I will. If not, I'll just have to eat the fees, whatever they are.

I'm just so sorry that this is happening to your family, Cog. You have our support

I'm strapped until payday, possibly until after the first week of next month... but whatever I can scrape up, he's got it.

Cog said:

Primero quiero agradecer a todos por su apoyo. Nunca he sido parte de un grupo como este, tan dispuesto a sacrificarse y apoyar a un total desconocido como yo. Más aún porque a pesar de que he sido parte de Halforums desde hace años, nunca he participado en la parte social del grupo, utilizando el foro principalmente para quejarme y mostrar fotos de mi hija y mascotas, rara vez formando parte de la conversación. Son un grupo de personas inteligentes e interesantes y siempre me siento frustrado por no sentirme capaz de ser un miembro más en un 100%. Siempre he sido una persona tímida y no sé como expresarme ante los demás. Parte de mi todavía quiere pedir a Dave que se olvide de todo y esconderme del grupo por lo avergonzado que me siento.

Pero, estos son tiempos difíciles y debo concentrarme en el bienestar del amor de mi vida, por lo que debo olvidarme de mis traumas y de mi orgullo y debo acudir a ustedes, que ya más de una vez me han tendido la mano cuando la he necesitado, pero sólo es ahora que me veo en la necesidad de tomarla. Mi agradecimiento no tiene límites.

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In case Google or whomever murders the translation, here's my go at it:
"First, I want to thank everyone for their support. Never have I been part of a group like this, so willing to personally sacrifice and support a total stranger like myself. Especially because even though I have been part of Halforums for some years, I have never participated in the social aspect of the group, using the forum mainly to vent and show pictures of my daughter and pets, rarely participating in the conversation. [The forum] is a group of intelligent and interesting people and I am always frustrated [-ing myself] that I do not feel able to be [more than] just another member in [of] a 100%. I have always been a shy person and I do not know how to express myself [before/in front of] others. Part of me still wants to ask Dave to forget everything and hide from the group for how embarrassed I feel.

But these are difficult times and I [have a duty to] concentrate [my efforts] on the welfare of the love of my life, thus I must needs forget my trauma and [swallow] my pride and I must go to you [all], who have already reached out to me repeatedly when I have needed it, but it is only now that I am realizing how much I need [this]. My thanks have no limits."

Oh, hey, Dave already ran it through Google while I was trying to simultaneously translate and yell at my kid to get back in bed a dozen times.
Well.

--Patrick

Did it.

Done. We've all been in tough spots. Love you man, hope this can help what little I can contribute.

I don't know about the others but I consider the Halforumites my family (actually, more than just family), which makes you my brother, so I will help you any way I can.

Payday was last week, groceries are tomorrow, we will see how much is left afterwards.
(I don't want to seem insensitive, but my first priority has to be for my more immediate family here at home)

Oh and @Dave, there's always the option of international money orders, though they max at $500-700 (depending on where they're going) I think, so you'd need to purchase a few of them, and then there's the question of getting them there reliably. He may want to let us know the best way from his end.

--Patrick

PatrThom said:

Payday was last week, groceries are tomorrow, we will see how much is left afterwards.
(I don't want to seem insensitive, but my first priority has to be for my more immediate family here at home)

--Patrick

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I don't think that's insensitive. Of course you have to take care of your immediate family first.

Emrys said:

I don't think that's insensitive. Of course you have to take care of your immediate family first.

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I have to keep reminding myself that I shouldn't feel guilty for doing so. It's saved me (us!) quite a few times. Wish I'd learned it sooner.

--Patrick

I get paid tomorrow, I'll donate what I can.

Again, I don't know how to say this. I appreciate all your help, but please don't over exert yourselves for us.

Cog said:

Again, I don't know how to say this. I appreciate all your help, but please don't over exert yourselves for us.

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Medical expenses have an annoying habit of running over, sooOOOooooo....



--Patrick

PatrThom said:

I have to keep reminding myself that I shouldn't feel guilty for doing so. It's saved me (us!) quite a few times. Wish I'd learned it sooner.

--Patrick

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Never feel guilty for that.

Dave said:

If not, I'll just have to eat the fees, whatever they are.

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Not a lot, especially when sending to another country. I don't know the exact rates off the top of my head, but it should be around $10 for up to $1000. More than that I'd have to double check, because things get wonky with anti money laundering laws.

Source- western union agent is one of my many hats.

The amounts are not updating with the cron job. Don't know why.

Right now the donated amount is $600. (Although after PayPal fees this drops to $550.37.)

That's an awesome start!

Damn, PayPal takes a bigger cut than I realized.

Looking at the addon itself, there's a couple of items that haven't hit my PayPal yet. Probably because they are coming from somewhere other than the US. If you add those in, the total is sitting at $1405 BEFORE PayPal fees. And I have no idea what that would take it to. And that is also NOT counting my $100.

So we're almost there already! Then I have to figure out how to get it to him.

I'm speechless. Thank you!

Dave said:

The amounts are not updating with the cron job. Don't know why.

Right now the donated amount is $600. (Although after PayPal fees this drops to $550.37.)

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Do you mean that the amount getting to YOU is dropping due to PayPal's fees? Or is that how much will go to Cog after taking out the fees?

--Patrick

PatrThom said:

Do you mean that the amount getting to YOU is dropping due to PayPal's fees? Or is that how much will go to Cog after taking out the fees?

--Patrick

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Yes. PayPal takes fees and then there’s going to be fees to send it to Cog. So if you donate $100 I get $95 or so to send.

For future reference venmo (owned by PayPal) doesn't have a fee like that. There are certain ways people can scam with it but if you trust everyone, that'd be something you could do.

blotsfan said:

For future reference venmo (owned by PayPal) doesn't have a fee like that. There are certain ways people can scam with it but if you trust everyone, that'd be something you could do.

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I did not know that, but more importantly the addon only goes to PayPal. I suppose for next time I can see if there’s a Venmo app.

Dave said:

I did not know that, but more importantly the addon only goes to PayPal. I suppose for next time I can see if there’s a Venmo app.

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It's meant to be transactions between friends and whatnot so you'd have to give your real name out. However your're kinda past that point. Just a thought.

Dave said:

I did not know that, but more importantly the addon only goes to PayPal. I suppose for next time I can see if there’s a Venmo app.

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It's acceptable to give us a username, e-mail, or other means to send the stuff--the extra step is way worth 5% more cash ending up where it's needed. It's not like the forum hasn't donated to crowdfunding sites before.

blotsfan said:

...so you'd have to give your real name out.

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You do that anyway with paypal. The recipient gets your name, address, and a few other bits of information.

I'm fine with sharing my name

Or am I not getting all of the issue?

Is there a way I can donate without using PayPal? They randomly froze my account a couple of years back and I never bothered to get it fixed

I'm trying to download Venmo now but it never lets me do it here at work. Which is annoying.[DOUBLEPOST=1506615317,1506615150][/DOUBLEPOST]All right. I now have Venmo. www.venmo.com/David-Nihsen, oddly enough.

Hylian said:

Is there a way I can donate without using PayPal? They randomly froze my account a couple of years back and I never bothered to get it fixed

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You can use a debit or credit card to donate without signing in.

drifter said:

You can use a debit or credit card to donate without signing in.

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Thank you! I didn't know they had that

drifter said:

You can use a debit or credit card to donate without signing in.

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Or that.

There are still some that have not posted to my PayPal that show up in the Admin Panel that the donations have been made. An IM have been sent to the donating individuals to make sure that the numbers were correct and that they didn't get any error messages. If everything looks good on their end, it's just PayPal being squirrely, probably because of the fact they are outside of the US. (Hope this doesn't roach my PayPal account!)

If and when those come through, we've actually hit the $1500 mark Cog needed for the surgery. Which is frickin' amazing! I'm going to leave it up for a day or two just in case, though. If anyone wants to give still they can. All money (after fees) will go to Cog and his family.

Love you guys.

Hola, soy Verónica, la esposa de Cog. En estos momentos mis ojos se llenan de lágrimas de agradecimiento porque gente que no me conoce se ha preocupado por mi situación. Esto restaura en gran medida la fé en la generosidad de los demás que es tan difícil de encontrar en estos tiempos. No tengo palabras para expresar todo lo que siento. Solo puedo decirles mil gracias a los amigos imaginarios de mi esposo que es como yo los llamo. Mil bendiciones para ustedes y sus seres queridos. Siempre los buenos actos tendrán recompensa.

PD: Me pueden explicar como es que se interesan por mi esposo ? Literalmente nadie lo aguanta acá.

Via google translate:

Vero said:

Hi, it's Veronica, Cog's wife. At the moment my eyes are filled with tears of gratitude because people who do not know me have cared about my situation. This greatly restores faith in the generosity of others that is so difficult to find in these times. I have no words to express everything I feel. I can only say a thousand thanks to the imaginary friends of my husband who is what I call them. A thousand blessings for you and your loved ones. Good deeds will always have a reward.

PS: Can you explain to me how you are interested in my husband ? Literally no one can stand it here.

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Isn't she great? The only bad thing she has is her taste in men.

She is in home now. She cried when she wrote that. First for emotion, then because it hurts her to cry.

Vero said:

PD: Me pueden explicar como es que se interesan por mi esposo ? Literalmente nadie lo aguanta acá.

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Somos un grupo de inadaptados, por lo que encaja perfectamente.

stienman said:

Somos un grupo de inadaptados, por lo que encaja perfectamente.

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Sí, lo que dijo.

Yo no hablo español.

Somos loco en la cabeza, es la verdad.

High school Spanish, fuck yeah!

Vero said:

Me pueden explicar como es que se interesan por mi esposo ? Literalmente nadie lo aguanta acá.

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A pesar de conocernos, el se quedaba.

--Patrick

Nos gusta Cog porque és un hombre honrado y de buén caracter, el amor que siente por ud. y su hija és admirable. También escribe el Inglés muy rarillo, cosa que nos divierte

Je suis une bibliothèque

Dammit, French! Why are you so useless?

Dave said:

I'm going to leave it up for a day or two just in case

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Good, cuz I can't confirm my amount until after work tonight.

--Patrick

General Specific said:

Je suis une bibliothèque

Dammit, French! Why are you so useless?

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Je parle au piscine!

Tress said:

View attachment 25636

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ʻAʻole pilikia, e ka maikaʻi!

General Specific said:

Je suis une bibliothèque

Dammit, French! Why are you so useless?

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The joke I was going to make like a billion years too late.

I'm ashamed that I'm so broke right now thanks to some ongoing money issues that I can't help. All I can do is wish you and your wife the best in hard times.

El bandido de gas no esta en su oficina. Desea dejarle un mensaje en el correo de voz?

No está en su piscina, también.
That guy sure gets around.

--Patrick

GasBandit said:

El bandido de gas no esta en su oficina. Desea dejarle un mensaje en el correo de voz?

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*beeeeeeeeeeeep*

Yo queiro taco bell.[DOUBLEPOST=1506707057,1506706834][/DOUBLEPOST]

Denbrought said:

*beeeeeeeeeeeep*

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My Spanish II professor played Daddy Yankee in class all the time. He also liked Maná, which more my speed.

Quest.

EDIT: I try to type ONE word in Spanish and get auto-corrected off the cool kids bus.

Frank said:

I'm ashamed that I'm so broke right now thanks to some ongoing money issues that I can't help. All I can do is wish you and your wife the best in hard times.

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No need to feel bad, my dude. We got you covered.

Hoy por ti, mañana por mi.

'All-yay re-ay illy-say.

永遠會不放棄你，永遠不會讓你失望

Today I arrived home and find Vero with a 104° fever. Went to the er again. She was hospitalized again. This will likely delay the surgery that is suposed to be urgent. If it weren't for you all I would start to think that nothing good is happening to me.

Well then we're glad we're here!

Money update!

• Amount in PayPal transferred to my account: $1152
• Amount remaining to be donated: $500 (a couple of donations erred out and they are trying again Monday).

I have Cog's information and will be sending it as soon as the last couple of donations come in. I do have to leave the button up so they can use it Monday, however. But we've hit the goal. Y'all are amazing.[DOUBLEPOST=1506779338,1506779210][/DOUBLEPOST][DOUBLEPOST=1506779498][/DOUBLEPOST]For the record, the total amount donated so far was $1300. PayPal got $148. Next time we'll use Venmo. I apologize I didn't realize there was an alternative that didn't take so many fees.

Oh, we weren't done yet.

EDIT: @Dave I forgot to put in a comment what my payment was for, I assume you'll know it was for this. I also assume you'll know who it was from.

--Patrick

Dave said:

Well then we're glad we're here!

Money update!

• Amount in PayPal transferred to my account: $1152
• Amount remaining to be donated: $500 (a couple of donations erred out and they are trying again Monday).

I have Cog's information and will be sending it as soon as the last couple of donations come in. I do have to leave the button up so they can use it Monday, however. But we've hit the goal. Y'all are amazing.[DOUBLEPOST=1506779338,1506779210][/DOUBLEPOST]View attachment 25642[DOUBLEPOST=1506779498][/DOUBLEPOST]For the record, the total amount donated so far was $1300. PayPal got $148. Next time we'll use Venmo. I apologize I didn't realize there was an alternative that didn't take so many fees.

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It took me a moment to figure out you blurred that, I thought my eyes had broken.

I use my PayPal for my business as well, so I blurred that out.

Anon had no message, but for Cog.

@Dave : I think our Paypal is under Mr. Z's name, but that's me. I hope things get better soon, Cog!

Just saw a video of the accident.

There's video? Well at least now those questions about speed and distance can be answered.

--Patrick

Strange question. Are you going to be recouping ANY of this from the driver at fault?

Maybe in time. The guy is already free and declared without fault of his own. That's how things work here.

How is Vero? In your last post about her, she had to go back to the hospital after having a 104 fever.

Still in the hospital. She has a nasty infection caused by the urinary catheter they used while she was in er.

[DOUBLEPOST=1506905970,1506905948][/DOUBLEPOST]If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all....

Okay, all. I have removed the donation button and will be sending the money probably Wednesday. All known donations have been received.

I have transferred money from my PayPal to my bank in the following amounts:

• $768.70
• $383.30
• $1077.52

The final tally comes out to...$2,229.52.

@Cog & @Vero : Merry Christmas.

Thank you so much. Vero can't reply herself but she says that she is grateful and that she is trying very hard to get better.

Sent.

And now you have two stories to tell.
One about someone who didn't care.
And another about a bunch of people who do.

--Patrick

By the way, the reason the stuff is just a bit different is because PayPal took $.25 to send the money to my card.

If anyone needs to see accounting details like donation amounts, etc. just let me know and I'll take screen shots. Hopefully I've done everything transparently enough to satisfy.

Dave said:

By the way, the reason the stuff is just a bit different is because PayPal took $.25 to send the money to my card.

If anyone needs to see accounting details like donation amounts, etc. just let me know and I'll take screen shots. Hopefully I've done everything transparently enough to satisfy.

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You've built the sort of reputation here that even if you skimmed $50 I'd be like, "Eh, he probably needed it."

--Patrick

Yeah, I would not be able to live with myself if I did that.

I didn't even know about this thread or I would have sent something. Is it too late to send anything?

Yeah. The fees taken by PayPal and Western Union would just be too much.

Dave said:

Yeah, I would not be able to live with myself if I did that.

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We know, Dave.
I'm intimately familiar with the feeling.

--Patrick

Dave said:

Yeah. The fees taken by PayPal and Western Union would just be too much.

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We don't see eye-to-eye about some stuff, but you're a good man, Dave. Doing good work.

I'm so proud to be part of this community right now... @Cog, I hope your wife feels better and quickly.

Did you get the money, @Cog?

No. Things aren't going well. Vero was exposed to kpc baceria in the hospital and she will have to be tested. I desperately need some rest from all this.

Good god, man.

I couldn't sleep last night. I just want this nightmare to end.

Cog said:

I couldn't sleep last night. I just want this nightmare to end.

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My life is currently somewhat sucky and I'm super stressed out, but I sincerely mean it when I say that if I had means of sending some good fortune from me to you, I would. You deserve a break, man.

Cog said:

I couldn't sleep last night. I just want this nightmare to end.

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I'm so sorry some of us don't live closer. I'd really love to be able to do something to help lessen your burden, even if it was making a few meals for your family or helping out with your daughter. Your mind must be going in 50 different directions, it's no wonder you can't sleep.

Dammit I just saw this now.
I hope things get better soon Cog! And that your wife's health improves swiftly and without further complications.
Thank you for keeping us posted. You've got a lot of people rooting for both of you.

Dave said:

Did you get the money, @Cog?

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I finally had the time to get the money. Thank you again to all of you. I hope we can have that surgery soon with no further surprises.

The tests came back negative and Vero is home again! No more surprises please.

Keep getting stronger, Vero!

I can't believe the whole experience only lasted two weeks. It felt like an eternity.

Those hugs are for both of you, mi amor.

I hope she's feeling better soon. I'm really glad that there was something that we could do to help you all. Will she be able to have the surgery soon, now that she's been released?

I really wish that we were closer though. It sounds like you could use a hug! And no more surprises!

Squidleybits said:

I hope she's feeling better soon. I'm really glad that there was something that we could do to help you all. Will she be able to have the surgery soon, now that she's been released?

I really wish that we were closer though. It sounds like you could use a hug! And no more surprises!

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We'll have to check with her doctor. I'm worried about all the time that's passed.

Update: We can't have the surgery here in Portoviejo. We will have to travel to Guayaquil next week and see another doctor. Also, Vero's fever is back.

Well, we know you have the money for it, so that's one less thing to worry about!

Give her our love, will you?

Dave said:

Give her our love, will you?

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DISCLAIMER: OurLove is intended for use as a supplement only, and is not intended to replace CogLove. Please continue to supply CogLove whenever possible.

--Patrick

Traveling to Guayaquil monday morning. We have to be in the clinic by 10 am, so we are leaving at 5 am. We are no having the surgery but we are going to schedule it.

Did I mention that I hate to travel? For some reason I can think of a lot of worst things so I'm ok with it now.

Get plenty of sleep and DRIVE SAFELY!

--Patrick

PatrThom said:

Get plenty of sleep and DRIVE SAFELY!

--Patrick

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I can't drive. We had to hire someone who will take us there and back.

I'm missing a lot of work. December is going to be very stressful for me and the people who depends of my work to do theirs.

Cog said:

I can't drive. We had to hire someone who will take us there and back.

I'm missing a lot of work. December is going to be very stressful for me and the people who depends of my work to do theirs.

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When you say you can't drive, do you mean:

a: you yourself do not know how to drive an automobile;
b: you are in no fit condition to drive an automobile;
c: something else which forced you to hire a driver.

I'm sorry if this seems too inquisitive, I just thought pretty much everybody knew how to drive, even if they don't own a car.

Anonymous said:

When you say you can't drive, do you mean:

a: you yourself do not know how to drive an automobile;
b: you are in no fit condition to drive an automobile;
c: something else which forced you to hire a driver.

I'm sorry if this seems too inquisitive, I just thought pretty much everybody knew how to drive, even if they don't own a car.

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I don't know how to drive. I'm honestly afraid to do it. I lack of senses of direction and measure.

Anonymous said:

When you say you can't drive, do you mean:

a: you yourself do not know how to drive an automobile;
b: you are in no fit condition to drive an automobile;
c: something else which forced you to hire a driver.

I'm sorry if this seems too inquisitive, I just thought pretty much everybody knew how to drive, even if they don't own a car.

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My wife didn't know how to drive until she was 27. She didn't have a reason to get a license or drive a car until then. I don't think it's all that unusual.

I don't have a car driver's license. My brother got his at 29. My dad is in his 50's and has no license of any kind (mopeds ftw). We're all able-bodied.

Anonymous said:

When you say you can't drive, do you mean:

a: you yourself do not know how to drive an automobile;
b: you are in no fit condition to drive an automobile;
c: something else which forced you to hire a driver.

I'm sorry if this seems too inquisitive, I just thought pretty much everybody knew how to drive, even if they don't own a car.

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Outside of the US and Canada there are lots of people who don't drive and never get a drivers license.

Ravenpoe said:

Outside of the US and Canada there are lots of people who don't drive and never get a drivers license.

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Hush, you. If word gets out, it can only end one of two ways: more freedom for the rest of the world, or better public transportation for North America. AND WE CAN'T HAVE THAT NOW CAN WE

--Patrick

I learned to drive stick at 15. YOU CAN DO EET

The not having a sense of distance would be a problem. I don't blame him for not putting others at risk.

My son is scared of driving and wants nothing to do with it. I'm probably going to work" getting him a permit, but I don't know that he'll even use it.

I lived overseas when I turned 16 and I had no interest in driving. There was no need. There was excellent public transit.

I got my license when I was about 26 when we moved here because the transit here is terrible and I needed to drive for my job. Where we live now, I have to drive. We're super far from everything.

I was a mess when I turned old enough to learn to drive. I refused to learn because the public transport where I live is good enough and I was pretty sure if I did drive then one day I would wrap the car around a tree at speed and it probably wouldn't be an accident. Two decades on and the fear of deliberately crashing isn't a concern any more but the public transport is still good enough so I've never got round to learning.

GasBandit said:

I learned to drive stick at 15

Click to expand...

...phrasing?

--Patrick

Living here would be a goddamn nightmare if I couldn't drive. I'd love to live in a city where you don't have to though. Its such a hassle.

I have vowed to never live anywhere that requires parallel parking.

GasBandit said:

I have vowed to never live anywhere that requires parallel parking.

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Living out on the street would suck.

Dave said:

The not having a sense of distance would be a problem. I don't blame him for not putting others at risk.

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Depends on the context. I don't have a good sense of distance as in I can't estimate in yards how far it is from my house to my neighbor's. I have no problem with depth perception though.

When I was a teenager, I had to put a compass in my car so I could find my way around. I've gotten better but I still praise the invention of GPS.

Emrys said:

When I was a teenager, I had to put a compass in my car so I could find my way around. I've gotten better but I still praise the invention of GPS.

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Some people really do have no sense of direction. Pauline often confused left with right, and frequently got lost in malls.

I have the mountains, I don't need a compass.

WasabiPoptart said:

I have the ocean! And not too far to go in any direction.

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Yeah, but in Hawaii every direction leads to the ocean.

Update. Vero can't have the surgery until her urinary infection is cleared. Also, she needs a new tomography. Also, because of the passed time, her eye is now cicatrized and it's going to be a more difficult (and expensive) operation. Luckyly, you gave us more than enough for it. Thank you again.

Dei said:

Yeah, but in Hawaii every direction leads to the ocean.

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I was trying to be funny.

GasBandit said:

Some people really do have no sense of direction. Pauline often confused left with right, and frequently got lost in malls.

Click to expand...

Kati has the same problem.
Fortunately she's married now, so she has a mnemonic.

--Patrick

Vero's infection continues. Time to find an Infectiologist

I thought this phase was over. Worst case scenario, she is going back to the hospital (this time a private clinic). Best case, more antibiotics. Still the surgery keeps being postponed.

Update: Another 10 days of treatment and the test for infection came back negative. The doctor says that we need to wait another month and test again. If that test results are negative, finally Vero will have her surgery.

She is doing a lot better and told me to say hello to all of you.

Tell we said hi back and send her our love.

Not.... literally sending it, you understand, as the postal services frown on that sort of thing.

But we can expect you to act as our hug-proxy.

No, I meant that literally. So when the box arrives, Cog, make really sure you want what's inside before you open it.


rofl[DOUBLEPOST=1510935060,1510934986][/DOUBLEPOST]Whoa. That's weird. You can't put the rolling emoji inside parenthesis. It reverts the image back to the : rofl : (without the spaces) and so it reads the : & ) each way as normal smilies.

Dave said:

You can't put the rolling emoji inside parenthesis. It reverts the image back to the : rofl : (without the spaces) and so it reads the : & ) each way as normal smilies.

Click to expand...

Use brackets: []

--Patrick

PatrThom said:

Use brackets: []

--Patrick

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Or spaces
( )

Or other rolling faces.

I'm feeling a little motion sickness now

( )

He does that enough, he’s gonna be swimming in it, since it can’t drain anywhere.

—Patrick

Denbrought said:

Nos gusta Cog porque és un hombre honrado y de buén caracter, el amor que siente por ud. y su hija és admirable. También escribe el Inglés muy rarillo, cosa que nos divierte

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Pensándolo bien, mi español también te debe sonar muy rarito.

Cog said:

Pensándolo bien, mi español también te debe sonar muy rarito.

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Mucho menos ahora que he pasado una década en los EEUU, donde casi todos los hispanohablantes con los que hablo son de México, Ecuador, etc. Ya me acostumbré a que se restrieguen el castellano de la RAE por el forro

A month has passed and the new test came back negative. Let's see if we can do this before the new year.

We have a date with the anesthesiologist the 15th.

Best of luck, Cog. The very best.

Appointment postponed to the 22nd

They changed the date again. The appointment was today. Just came back from Guayaquil. The surgery will be next Monday. Thanks to all of you again.

Vero is having her surgery right now

I hope everything turns out well for you both.

We are back. It was three hours of surgery and everything went ok. I'm bad at relating things but please ask if you want to know something about today.

Cog said:

please ask if you want to know something about today.

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Not counting the inevitable recovery period, are you guys all done with the surgery part now?

--Patrick

PatrThom said:

Not counting the inevitable recovery period, are you guys all done with the surgery part now?

--Patrick

Click to expand...

Unless something else happens. Yes this part is over.

Send our love to Vero. Glad the surgery went well.

The doctor removed Vero's stitches today. She says everything looks ok and she hopes that Vero will cicatrize correctly. I haven't see Vero yet. I'm still nervous because she has to travel alone to Guayaquil. (Well, not alone, the driver and a friend of her are with her but still). The doctor will remove the small tube in her lacrimal next month.

Does she have to wear a cone so she doesn't chew on the stitches?

Cog said:

cicatrize

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"heal up/heal over/scar" (of a wound)

--Patrick

Dave said:

Does she have to wear a cone so she doesn't chew on the stitches?

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Next to her eye? That would be interesting to see.