This was one of the funnest reads 🤣 and definitely classic Jenna. You literally are the absolute best on Substack. ❤️❤️
I won’t be participating primarily because my extroverted, social butterfly self of 50 years became a born-again introvert/hermit overnight about 10 years ago (yeah I turn 60 this year 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🥸,) and these days I don’t even want people seeing me walk my dog much less know anything about me or my real name. 😆 I overly embraced anonymity and feel comfortable in my cocoon/hobbit hole these days. So I wouldn’t be able to answer your questionnaire with anything but snark, wise cracks, and misdirection. 🤣
But - you are more than worthy of my support regardless. I’ve bough a couple of your books to do that and I’ll try to remember to do a tip donation here and there. I recommended your Yankee Doodle Soup book to at least six people so far too. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to handle a recurring subscription, like when I grow up and find a job - errrr get another paying job I mean, (stay at home mom for 27 years now so I had to leave my career and am no longer marketable…) and the finances are too tight with only one income. But I already know you understand those in my position and am eternally grateful that you offer your glorious, humorous words for free. ❤️❤️❤️
As usual, you never fail to put a smile on my face and a snicker, snicker, snort, snort in my mornings!!!
Um, I last saw that ice cream truck running downhill with no brakes, and we're having chicken for dinner as there was a chicken in the middle of the road that had stilettos on and couldn't get out of the way quick enough!
It is totally awesome that you do not stick up a paywall, I was following many stacks that slowly dwindled because of the paywalls.
John, you may have hit on the solution! Everyone with a substack, reach over and put your hand in the pocket of the guy the-next-substack over, until it comes back around and completes the circle! I'll call it "chain-stacking."
However it could be more like the story the fellow told about driving across sparse and parched west-most of West Texas, where from horizon to the other one could only be seen scrub, thorn, and scrawn. The first sign of humanity he saw was a leathery old stretch of a cowboy mending fence along a dusty lane that led up to a ramshackle falling-down cabin made of century-plant stalks and balin' wahr where a fellow in a rocking chair sat on the porch. (He was rocking, as far as the story-teller remembered.) The passer-by, who was from somewhere I forgot, decided to pull on in to satisfy his curiosity, and when he pulled up to the porch, he said, "Hello friend, I'm from Pocatello, Idaho" (that must've been where he was from then that I forgot) "and I have never-in-my-born-life seen a land so utterly sorry and god-forsaken as this land around here. How, please tell me, how does a fellow make a living on land so barren??!" (I added a second '?' which was not in the original, but I'm trying to emphasize the sheer consternation the fellow was going through. The '!' is a typo.)
The fellow on the porch returned the greeting with a "Howdy, pahdnah." and commenced to answer, "You saw that fellow workin on the fence when you drove in? Well, that's my foreman, Slim. The way it goes is that Slim works for me, but one day when I finally go bust, I'll work for Slim."
I don't think this is a perfect analogy, but I think it captures the sense that a lot of what happens depends on a lot of inter-dependencies. It could be something else however and I've completely missed the point and wasted a perfectly good story.
The issue I have with all of us being (paid) subscribers of each other is that basically we pass money around in a circle and with every transaction the Stripe service takes a cut (2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction). Certainly I appreciate that Stripe provides a service and they should be paid for it (how much is debatable though).
Stripe was called "sales tax" in an earlier life. I understand completely. I'm a compulsive c̶o̶l̶l̶e̶c̶t̶o̶r̶h̶o̶a̶r̶d̶e̶r̶collector/slight hoarder and am constantly facing the danger of becoming fascinated with an item that proves to have infinite variations. (In fact, that's what all of us want; namely, to land a customer who'll over and over keep buying the same thing because we make the copies "different" somehow and we must "collect them all!": like baseball cards.) Stacks, while the initial idea was great, are growing-without-bound and I don't have mailbox big enough to hold the latest post from everyone everywhere. In fact, stacks fall down on the processes of searching for good content (word-of-mouth seems to be the default) and winnowing the finds to a manageable number.
In the end, I think it will be a zero-sum game: at some point: if I support you because I love you, I'll have to love you better than someone I then used-to-love. (There's a free country song there for anyone who wants it.)
You nailed it! I've only got so much time each day to spend on various "priorities". So while I love my fellow substackers, I don't have time to read all of them. So even when they are free, they are "competing" for my attention (and many are too darn repetitive). That's a major reason why I try and keep my articles short and fast to read. I want to stimulate thought and conversation. I didn't get into this to earn an income (although I do *love* it when someone is a paid subscriber!).
A sales tax, in theory, funds a government, which again in theory provides services I desire (again highly debatable). Sales taxes vary but most are well below 10%. Stripe approaches 20% (too much in my opinion).
PS My dear friend, Christine bought a copy of your book for me and had you sign it— to me. She couldn’t help herself and read it before she gave it to me but she pinky swears I’ll
IN MY HEAD, maybe! 🤣 Dude I drop my age and birth year all the time (not to mention countless references to the 1970s of my childhood)… Maybe not ancient but definitely not young. 👵🏻
Oh admit it, we are ancient... at least according to the calendar (even if our minds are still sharp as a tack and we can still play football with 23 year old athletes.... wait... that a was a really dumb idea which I now regret).
Your mind, attitude, and spirit are CLEARLY young, vibrant, and beautiful. Age is nothing but a number and I'm 99.9% sure that you claimed to feel like a 30 something old in one of your recent substacks, so that's what I'm referring to! 😀
Anyways, the only real difference between cryptocurrencies and your bank is that the technology behind crypto is decentralized, transparent, and doesn't require a "middle man" like a bank. The technology itself is the middle man so a financial institution is completely removed from the equation. I have faith that you'll figure it out!
This is a great program you have planned. The only way to get exposure is via other activists. The MSM is not going to promote any contrarian substacks.
Oh my Lord! I'm now presented with an opportunity! Do I take it or submit to the fears the trickster presents me: "Dude! Do NOT expose yourself like this! Think of it: Someone might not like something about you. You absolutely must coast along with the idea that you are not imperfect!"
I confess I'm so techno-dumb I don't know how to get the embroidered patch to print from those icon-thingamabubs. But that's my problem. You keep on doing what you're doing the best because people can't get enough. Don't you worry I'll make my own dang patch.
I've got some ideas you maybe haven't thought of for rewarding Paywall-stavers. Just spitballin here: I remember Bill Clinton donated his lightly used, but laundered anyway, underthings to strangers. You on the other hand at least know your paid subscribers a little better than Bill knew those anonymous people. You don't need to know sizes; nobody's gonna wear anything. It'll all be framed anyway. If you wanted you could even arrange to send them anonymously so it wasn't creepy. Or even send other people's from the thrift store for some misdirection. Something could just come in the mail and only the paid subscribers would wonder if maybe that came from Jenna. Or you could sign a Two Dollar Bill and send that if that was easier assuming that doesn't cost more than old underwear. That's what I'd do if I had any paid subscribers and old underwear laying around I didn't need right away.
Omygosh! I’ve not even had coffee yet and I can just see some rather worn, yet perfectly framed double matted (in coordinating colors) underthings hanging on the wall…with a visitor coming by for coffee asking “what’s THAT all about???!!” Insanity, David? yes…. But certainly a way to possibly get more readership?
(I’d better go get my first cup of caffeine! I for one, Jenna, am so VERY grateful for brightening my day with your humor! On an oh so very serious note? We need you and what you offer more than ever! DEEPEST HEARTFELT GRATITUDE!💗🙏🌷🌻🌟❤️
Thanks for not having a paywall to read your fantastic posts!
😊😊😊
This was one of the funnest reads 🤣 and definitely classic Jenna. You literally are the absolute best on Substack. ❤️❤️
I won’t be participating primarily because my extroverted, social butterfly self of 50 years became a born-again introvert/hermit overnight about 10 years ago (yeah I turn 60 this year 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🥸,) and these days I don’t even want people seeing me walk my dog much less know anything about me or my real name. 😆 I overly embraced anonymity and feel comfortable in my cocoon/hobbit hole these days. So I wouldn’t be able to answer your questionnaire with anything but snark, wise cracks, and misdirection. 🤣
But - you are more than worthy of my support regardless. I’ve bough a couple of your books to do that and I’ll try to remember to do a tip donation here and there. I recommended your Yankee Doodle Soup book to at least six people so far too. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to handle a recurring subscription, like when I grow up and find a job - errrr get another paying job I mean, (stay at home mom for 27 years now so I had to leave my career and am no longer marketable…) and the finances are too tight with only one income. But I already know you understand those in my position and am eternally grateful that you offer your glorious, humorous words for free. ❤️❤️❤️
THIS COMMENT is better than any paid sub ever! I adore you and I am so thankful for your support.😊
'65 was a good year to be born 😁
Hey juju! My sister from another mother :-) I love to see you on here! I am now just figuring out Substack! Ha ha
As usual, you never fail to put a smile on my face and a snicker, snicker, snort, snort in my mornings!!!
Um, I last saw that ice cream truck running downhill with no brakes, and we're having chicken for dinner as there was a chicken in the middle of the road that had stilettos on and couldn't get out of the way quick enough!
It is totally awesome that you do not stick up a paywall, I was following many stacks that slowly dwindled because of the paywalls.
Thanks for the chuckle (and for being here)! :)
Ooh. I checked out your survey. That will take some time for me to complete. Stay tuned. 🥰
I can’t wait for yours! 😊
Paywalls !?! Sure it's the writers Sandbox ... But that's when I click "unsubscribe"
Dang, now I might actually be motivated to become a paid subscriber. 😇
What’s it gonna take to get you into a subscription today John?🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
A magic wand that creates more time to do everything I want to do! (or perhaps a few paid subscribers to my Substack). 😇
John, you may have hit on the solution! Everyone with a substack, reach over and put your hand in the pocket of the guy the-next-substack over, until it comes back around and completes the circle! I'll call it "chain-stacking."
However it could be more like the story the fellow told about driving across sparse and parched west-most of West Texas, where from horizon to the other one could only be seen scrub, thorn, and scrawn. The first sign of humanity he saw was a leathery old stretch of a cowboy mending fence along a dusty lane that led up to a ramshackle falling-down cabin made of century-plant stalks and balin' wahr where a fellow in a rocking chair sat on the porch. (He was rocking, as far as the story-teller remembered.) The passer-by, who was from somewhere I forgot, decided to pull on in to satisfy his curiosity, and when he pulled up to the porch, he said, "Hello friend, I'm from Pocatello, Idaho" (that must've been where he was from then that I forgot) "and I have never-in-my-born-life seen a land so utterly sorry and god-forsaken as this land around here. How, please tell me, how does a fellow make a living on land so barren??!" (I added a second '?' which was not in the original, but I'm trying to emphasize the sheer consternation the fellow was going through. The '!' is a typo.)
The fellow on the porch returned the greeting with a "Howdy, pahdnah." and commenced to answer, "You saw that fellow workin on the fence when you drove in? Well, that's my foreman, Slim. The way it goes is that Slim works for me, but one day when I finally go bust, I'll work for Slim."
I don't think this is a perfect analogy, but I think it captures the sense that a lot of what happens depends on a lot of inter-dependencies. It could be something else however and I've completely missed the point and wasted a perfectly good story.
There’s no such thing as a wasted story that contains the phrase “balin' wahr.” 🤣
Good story.
The issue I have with all of us being (paid) subscribers of each other is that basically we pass money around in a circle and with every transaction the Stripe service takes a cut (2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction). Certainly I appreciate that Stripe provides a service and they should be paid for it (how much is debatable though).
Stripe was called "sales tax" in an earlier life. I understand completely. I'm a compulsive c̶o̶l̶l̶e̶c̶t̶o̶r̶h̶o̶a̶r̶d̶e̶r̶collector/slight hoarder and am constantly facing the danger of becoming fascinated with an item that proves to have infinite variations. (In fact, that's what all of us want; namely, to land a customer who'll over and over keep buying the same thing because we make the copies "different" somehow and we must "collect them all!": like baseball cards.) Stacks, while the initial idea was great, are growing-without-bound and I don't have mailbox big enough to hold the latest post from everyone everywhere. In fact, stacks fall down on the processes of searching for good content (word-of-mouth seems to be the default) and winnowing the finds to a manageable number.
In the end, I think it will be a zero-sum game: at some point: if I support you because I love you, I'll have to love you better than someone I then used-to-love. (There's a free country song there for anyone who wants it.)
You nailed it! I've only got so much time each day to spend on various "priorities". So while I love my fellow substackers, I don't have time to read all of them. So even when they are free, they are "competing" for my attention (and many are too darn repetitive). That's a major reason why I try and keep my articles short and fast to read. I want to stimulate thought and conversation. I didn't get into this to earn an income (although I do *love* it when someone is a paid subscriber!).
A sales tax, in theory, funds a government, which again in theory provides services I desire (again highly debatable). Sales taxes vary but most are well below 10%. Stripe approaches 20% (too much in my opinion).
CLEVER!
PS My dear friend, Christine bought a copy of your book for me and had you sign it— to me. She couldn’t help herself and read it before she gave it to me but she pinky swears I’ll
love it. I can hardly wait to read it. Thanks!
Subscribing as soon as my little barn fills up.
“She couldn’t help herself and read it before she gave it to me but she pinky swears I’ll love it.” 🤣🤣🤣
I can’t wait for you to read it, too!💕
Happy Friday Jenna and thanks for always being your awesome self! So did you get the crypto wallet set up yet? 🤗
Ughhhhhhhhhh it's on my to-do list. Crypto confuses me. (You know I'm old, right?) Thanks for swinging by and making me smile. ;)
Whoa there! You've told us your thirty something years young, but now you're "old"?! Mmmm hmmm...
IN MY HEAD, maybe! 🤣 Dude I drop my age and birth year all the time (not to mention countless references to the 1970s of my childhood)… Maybe not ancient but definitely not young. 👵🏻
Oh admit it, we are ancient... at least according to the calendar (even if our minds are still sharp as a tack and we can still play football with 23 year old athletes.... wait... that a was a really dumb idea which I now regret).
🤣
Your mind, attitude, and spirit are CLEARLY young, vibrant, and beautiful. Age is nothing but a number and I'm 99.9% sure that you claimed to feel like a 30 something old in one of your recent substacks, so that's what I'm referring to! 😀
Anyways, the only real difference between cryptocurrencies and your bank is that the technology behind crypto is decentralized, transparent, and doesn't require a "middle man" like a bank. The technology itself is the middle man so a financial institution is completely removed from the equation. I have faith that you'll figure it out!
😊😘😊😘😊
This is a great program you have planned. The only way to get exposure is via other activists. The MSM is not going to promote any contrarian substacks.
I really need to choose my verbiage wisely.
I love your posts and appreciate you! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Oh my Lord! I'm now presented with an opportunity! Do I take it or submit to the fears the trickster presents me: "Dude! Do NOT expose yourself like this! Think of it: Someone might not like something about you. You absolutely must coast along with the idea that you are not imperfect!"
Jenna, you are such an absolute doll!
Doll: I am thinking, confidently, that this is more Boomer Speak.
🤣🤣🤣
You rock!
I want an embroidered patch to put on my hat.
I mean, I aim to please.🤷♀️🤣
Thank you.
I confess I'm so techno-dumb I don't know how to get the embroidered patch to print from those icon-thingamabubs. But that's my problem. You keep on doing what you're doing the best because people can't get enough. Don't you worry I'll make my own dang patch.
I've got some ideas you maybe haven't thought of for rewarding Paywall-stavers. Just spitballin here: I remember Bill Clinton donated his lightly used, but laundered anyway, underthings to strangers. You on the other hand at least know your paid subscribers a little better than Bill knew those anonymous people. You don't need to know sizes; nobody's gonna wear anything. It'll all be framed anyway. If you wanted you could even arrange to send them anonymously so it wasn't creepy. Or even send other people's from the thrift store for some misdirection. Something could just come in the mail and only the paid subscribers would wonder if maybe that came from Jenna. Or you could sign a Two Dollar Bill and send that if that was easier assuming that doesn't cost more than old underwear. That's what I'd do if I had any paid subscribers and old underwear laying around I didn't need right away.
You are insane and I am here for it🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
(So much for telling my mom what I've been doing with my life...)
Omygosh! I’ve not even had coffee yet and I can just see some rather worn, yet perfectly framed double matted (in coordinating colors) underthings hanging on the wall…with a visitor coming by for coffee asking “what’s THAT all about???!!” Insanity, David? yes…. But certainly a way to possibly get more readership?
(I’d better go get my first cup of caffeine! I for one, Jenna, am so VERY grateful for brightening my day with your humor! On an oh so very serious note? We need you and what you offer more than ever! DEEPEST HEARTFELT GRATITUDE!💗🙏🌷🌻🌟❤️
Brilliant. Ignore SteveO. Just brilliant.
SteveO is a paid sub! I was so surprised by his comment… still hoping it was a mistake! 😭🙏
Oh dear! I hope he stays…not sure what he objected to 🤷♀️.