Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
        
(Message started by: Carl_D on Feb 23^rd, 2004, 6:55pm)

Title: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by Carl_D on Feb 23^rd, 2004, 6:55pm

Last year, I got the hairbrained idea to do a fundraiser benefit for OUCH. I figured, "Hey, clusterheads want to get the word out, fund research, help each other, etc."
I was quickly disheartened at the lack of support, and even more taken aback at the extremely low attendance (the raffle fizzled, and 3 CHeads were in the room...DJ, JDH and myself.) I spread myself very thin, and the amount raised for OUCH was too embarrassing to even post.
I felt like I failed.
The question was posed, "What about having OUCHFest '04 in Nashville during convention?" After some input, it was decided that too much will be going on as it is than to add another event there.
I have an established band I am talking with whose lead guitarist is a good friend of mine and my brothers best friend since school days. They are 'The Well Hungarians.' They pack the house everywhere they play, and are becoming the midwest's best country rock band. (check out thier website at wellhungarians.net
I told Todd I would like to shoot for September or October. He has witnessed firsthand what clusters have done to me, and I know would be more than happy to do the gig.
Now to step on some toes!
We did OUCHFest in December. Everybody's lack of participation didn't really hit me until the midwest meet & greet. A bunch of CHeads gathered to hang, party, etc. That thread was like 20 pages long. It struck me kinda funny, like "Okay, we can hang out, but we can't support an organization like OUCH by either contributing or attending a benefit to raise funds to help further the cause?" What if your doctor decided to stop treating you due to lack of interest?

In closing, the only reason I want OUCHFest '04 to happen and succeed is because I have this thing called CLUSTERHEADACHES that most folks have no clue of.
The whole reason I wanted to do a benefit to raise funds for OUCH was to give something back to an organization that gave me so much in its early inception. When I became chronic in '98 after being episodic for 12 years, it was to the extreme, and I lost everything, including my dignity as a human being. I found this site a year later and it basically saved both my life and my sanity. In 2000, I was reduced to no income and living in a friends basement. I had no money and couldn't even afford a doctors visit or meds. Elaine and Phil C. started up a medical fund for me, which was contributed to by many Clusterheads. It helped me immensely - beyond words. Once I had medical coverage and was getting back on my feet, I told Elaine to take whatever was left in the fund to help someone else who needed it. I'll tell you one thing - I have to meet Elaine! I just hope she isn't uncomfortable with a 10 minute hug.
Now I am a poor writer/musician, and as Peter and Paul said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give." So, I decided to give my time and talent. THAT is why I wanted to do a benefit for OUCH.

Now I have a question. Who wants OUCHFest '04 to happen?

Sincerely,
Carl D

P.S. - If this post pisses anybody off, as my mama used to say, "Better to be pissed off than pissed on." ;;D

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by Renee on Feb 23^rd, 2004, 7:34pm

Carl,

You held OUCHfest in December? I was very new to the site at that time and suffering a WHOLE bunch BUT...could planning an event during the holiday period possibly have played into the lack of attendance?

I would love to make any gathering of CHer's, especially those that are fundraisers for our cause including OUCHfest, but the events would need to be outside of the holiday period for me to attend due to work. I'm sure funds are also tight for many during the holiday period.

Just a thought and only the opinion of one!
good luck
Renee

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by Linda_Howell on Feb 23^rd, 2004, 7:42pm

Carl,

I think you're starting to get the picture.

But.........December was a bad time to have your OUCH fest. DJ was there though... and that alone was enough.

If you can be there for the convention, why not just bring your hungarians. ??

LindaH

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by KarynG on Feb 23^rd, 2004, 7:49pm

I wouldn't necessarily assume that the low attendance was a lack of support. My husband is in the military (one year until retirement though-yea!) and I am a stay at home mom with a five-year old son and a ten-year old step-daughter. We do not have a lot of extra money, but we were able to attend the meet and greet in North Carolina because it was only a few hours away from our home and because Debbie and her family graciously allowed everyone to make themselves at home in thier home. We will hopefully attend the Nashville convention on the way to my mother-in-laws home as part of our family vacation this year, but even then Joe will be off taking care of the kids so that I can go to the lectures. So, even though we might really want to, we are not always able to be there to show support due to financial concerns, distance, my husbands work schedule, kids, school, etc.

That said, if at all possible, we will be there. This, despite the fact that country music makes me gag- [smiley=laugh.gif]
Karyn

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by Carl_D on Feb 23^rd, 2004, 8:20pm

on 02/23/04 at 19:42:42, Linda_Howell wrote:

DJ was there though... and that alone was enough.

Very True Linda. It made the whole night worthwhile; though I think DJ might assume that OUCHFest was just a setup so I could meet him. ;;D hehehe - I aren't THAT clever.

Yeah, early December was a bad idea I must confess, but was the only booking we could get.
I am totally open for ideas. I NEED input on this.
One man who rows a boat goes around in circles.

Peace,
Carl D

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by cootie on Feb 23^rd, 2004, 10:22pm

Dude you didn't fail......so STOP saying that !!! People failed "to be able" to make it cuz of too may other trips or commitments gone past by that time of year that's all. We'd of loved to of went..........but we were tapped out time wise and fundwise.....there was jus no way for us......had somethin goin on every weekend from May thru Dec it seem'd.....jus could not swing it with a house/kennel sitter either again so soon. And I think that is why most could not attend.....you did not fail !! Remember that Pam

* Your commitment and dedication is much appreciated tho.....................

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by TxBasslady on Feb 24^th, 2004, 2:28am

Carl,

Your post does not piss me off......however, I do think that you are being a bit judgmental. You used the words; lack of participation....and can't support an organization like OUCH by either contributing or attending. You make a direct reference to the Mid West meet and greet.....bring up the fact that over 20 pages of posts were made.

Well, when I think about it...there was alot of $$ spent by all of us who went to Davenport. Figuring in costs of hotel rooms, food and drink, gas for those who drove and air fare for those of us who flew. That $$ would have made a sizeable contribution to OUCH.

IMO, the Davenport meet was an opportunity to meet my brother and sister CHer's. To me, and for me, it was a show of support. There were alot of tears shed in Davenport. For many it was the first time they had met another sufferer. Through these meet & greets, IMO, more support and donations are given to OUCH. I honestly feel that when a face is placed with the name, it encourages everyone to become more dedicated to each other and to the cause.

If you recall.....you posted a few times in reference to OUCH Fest and stated that things were falling apart. Some of the bands had pulled out and you, at one point, were going to call it off. Also, alot of folks here on the board had posted that the timing of OUCH Fest was not condusive to their schedules. I feel that your dedication to this event was honest. It was something you wanted and needed to do to show your appreciation to DJ and to OUCH. Your determination to pull this off is admirable. When most folks would have called it off.....you went forward. I disagree with your statement that you failed.

I do, however, take offense to your thinking that noone
cares to support, or contribute or participate. We ALL have our own ways of supporting, contributing and participating. There are many here who are unemployed. Not everyone has the money to travel. Some have no extra funds to make donations to OUCH, as much as they would like too.

I only ask that you keep an open mind. Remember that there are many here in the same boat as you. CH has taken a toll on so many.

It is not my intention to piss you off, or hurt your feelings. I just feel that some of the things you stated were unfair. Timing of an event or meet & greet is imperative. When the timing is right......everything falls into place. But it's just not fair to bash a successful get together and insinuate that there is a lack of support, contribution or participation.

I suppose I should have passed on posting to this thread....but I needed to state my opinion.

No harm intended.....and I hope I haven't offended you.
Hope things get better for you....I know you have had a really rough time lately.

PF vibes,

Jean

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by JDH on Feb 24^th, 2004, 9:51am

on 02/23/04 at 18:55:35, Carl_D wrote:

Now to step on some toes!
We did OUCHFest in December. Everybody's lack of participation didn't really hit me until the midwest meet & greet. A bunch of CHeads gathered to hang, party, etc. That thread was like 20 pages long. It struck me kinda funny, like "Okay, we can hang out, but we can't support an organization like OUCH by either contributing or attending a benefit to raise funds to help further the cause?" What if your doctor decided to stop treating you due to lack of interest?

Sincerely,
Carl D

You're WAY out of line on this Carl.
You talk about lack of participation. Guess what dude, a Sunday night in Dec is NOT a good time for people to travel great distances. And besides, as wishy washy as you were about planning the whole thing and this on again offagain BS who could've made plans? so STFU about "EVERYBODY'S" lack of participation.
And the Meet n Greet in Iowa was a LOT more than just "hanging and partying" and if you would have been there you would've seen that. There were friendships made that will probably last a lifetime. And there were people there who have supported OUCH a whole lot more than you have so again STFU!
GET OVER YOURSELF DUDE!

Jim

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by Woobie on Feb 24^th, 2004, 11:02am

:-X

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by Patrick_A on Feb 24^th, 2004, 1:43pm

Well.....Thursday night in nashville, I will be looking for place to hang. Too bad you decided to cancel that event!

Patrick

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by River_Rat on Feb 24^th, 2004, 4:38pm

Hey Carl, We planned on comming even though Sunday night was going to be tuff, but as I told you the little one was sick and we didn't want to leave him.

As far as The midwest Meet & Greet, Lots of people took lots of time (months) To come up with dates and locations that would work for lots of people, there for lots of people could make it.

Your event on the other hand, was set by one person in one location and one date in a month that I personally had 9 christmas party's to attend, not counting family comming in and out of town. I would have loved to come and meet you and DJ and hangin with Jim.

If I were to throw in my input I'd say leave the date open for suggestion until you get everyones input to see if the timing will work for most, either that or throw out 3 or 4 dates and take a vote.

PFDAN

Take care Carl

NORM

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by Carl_D on Feb 24^th, 2004, 6:41pm

on 02/24/04 at 09:51:19, JDH wrote:

You're WAY out of line on this Carl.

You know, the more I thought about it and re-read my post, I have to bite my tongue and admit that you are absolutely right Jim. And Tx, you are right; I was being way too judgmental.
I'm sorry if I hurt some feelings. After giving it much thought, I am dropping the whole idea of doing another OUCHfest. No one knows how much work I put into that event or the pressure it put me under. Prior to the event, I went for days without sleep; and the only breaks I took were the CH-forced ones. I recant. I'm sorry.

Carl

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by Linda_Howell on Feb 24^th, 2004, 6:48pm

and this is why I love Carl D............

Now Carl? Gonna bring those Hungarians?

We will need music, dancing, drinking and of course smoking. I mean....Mr. Happy can only do soooo much.

Linda

(who is never again gonna post an "H")

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by Carl_D on Feb 24^th, 2004, 6:50pm

Oh yeah - I also made the decision today to quit my band. It has put me under way too much stress and pressure which has added to my depression. Tired of butting heads with the guys and working too hard to get nothing done.

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by jonny on Feb 24^th, 2004, 8:00pm

I think I have a great idea, Carl....give up this bullshit and just make it to the convention.....You!!!, just you hanging with the peeps with no stress doing it.

Time to take some fucking time for you dude, am I wrong?

.....................................................jonny

Title: Re: This will only work if CLUSTERHEADS support!
Post by cootie on Feb 25^th, 2004, 12:02am

Yeah and bring yer guitar.......we'll do a lill 'porch' re-enactment . Friend circle Pam