Good Afternoon Everyone,
First of all, I would like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for being a part of something that I have a such a strong passion for.
Exploring and dissecting news in an effort to illustrate the big picture that haunts me to the rest of the world is something that has always driven me for as long as I can remember. A few months ago, I began this site and as time passed it began to develop quite a following. Last month, we experienced over 20,000 visitors. I have to tell you, to be someone who has always had so much to say, coming from a desperation of wanting to make the world a better place, but having no platform to shout from; I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me that voice. It is one of the most rewarding feelings in the world, and it wouldn't have happened without you.
That makes what I am about to say so much harder. It is an extremely bittersweet moment when you realize what you have to do in order to achieve what you want. When you break it down, what you want is usually obtainable, but almost always with a sacrifice.
What I want is to live a life I can be proud of. This, coming from a minimalist, must mean my current existence is pretty miserable. That is an understatement. I live in an RV. (I know what you're thinking...Guy runs a conspiracy blog, where else did we think you lived?!) No water. Two working electric outlets. No fridge. No heat or air. It is a place where hope goes to die.
Since, I lost my only steady job at a construction company in 2008, I have bounced around aimlessly, simply attempting to get by. It has left me in a very dark corner of the earth. Luckily, nothing makes you realize that you need to do something different like a lengthy stay in a dark corner. It took me a while. I am stubborn and addicted to routine and comfort (even if it isn't comfortable). But I finally realized what I want and what I have to do to make it happen.
I want to move to St. Louis, Missouri. Just so you know, I didn't just point at a map with my eyes closed. There are many reasons why Missouri is the place for my wife and I. My best friend and creative partner, Jeff, lives in Missouri. I enjoy being creative independently, but everything I do could only be half as good as it would be if it were completed as a collaboration with Jeff, and that includes this website. We challenge each other in life and in creative projects and it always results in the best outcome. Also, my wife and I have a piss poor social life in Jacksonville and we have evolved into an extended family with Jeff and his children. We sense a feeling of family in Missouri, and we would like to be closer.
We worked out a budget and it will take around $2000 to get us to St. Louis and provide some cushion time for starting new jobs. Like I said, I am a minimalist.
The sacrifice involves this website. If I continue working on this site as actively as I have been, I am going to rot away in this pathetic existence; And I can't let that happen. I need to dial back the activity on here A LOT. Which pains me very much to admit because we just started building momentum, but it is something that has to be done.
I recently lost my job and my wife is our main source of income. If we are going to have the ability to put the money away that is required to get out of here, I am going to need to contribute. And, there is no such thing as 50% when it comes to this material. When I dive into the kind of news and information that Toilet On The Roof offers, it takes over all of my thoughts. So, unfortunately, I have to switch it off temporarily in order to save myself.
I must devote my time and energy (especially mental energy) to finding work and saving money. I would like to make this happen as quickly as possible because it gets very hot in that RV starting in July. Our goal is to have the means to get to St. Louis in 90 days. During those 90 days we will be eating the bare minimum, cheapest foods, no extra spending, no leisure activities, all extra money will be going towards our goal. The sooner we get there and begin our balanced life, the sooner I can return to the things I am passionate about, such as developing this website.
I am writing this because I like to think that we have developed a relationship, or a bond between writer and reader, and I didn't want to just bail on the good thing we had going without at least leaving a note. I hope that you will keep the page bookmarked and check in every once in a while, I promise to return, a better version of myself.
During the 90 days, I will try to post interesting articles whenever I can, but it will not be very often. If you are a contributor, I will still be sure to get your articles posted and shared, and will be in touch with you when the site returns to its fully functional state.
Beyond that, I'd just like to thank you once again for making this such a gratifying experience, I appreciate it so much.
If you would like to see us off to St. Louis quicker, my friend, Jeff, set up a donate page. Any contributions are greatly appreciated!
David Petlansky