What ever happened to laurentyvan and...

OchoReales · February 10, 2012 2:13AM

all the board monies he collected for Rob S.'s England trip?

Hussulo · February 10, 2012 2:22AM

I don't know?

I asked a similar question and got these answers at the end of 2010:

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=788571&highlight_key=y&keyword1=laurent

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=797286&highlight_key=y&keyword1=laurent

FilthyBroke · February 10, 2012 2:39AM

Yeah, I hope nothing bad has happened to Laurent. Maybe someone has heard from him recently?

Here's the last I can find with any news about him. Thread from Jan. 4 2011.

secondrepublic · February 10, 2012 2:47AM

the whole thing is weird. as I wrote on the thread over at the US coin forum, even if they didn't collect enough to fund the trip, whatever money was collected should go to LordM. there's no way the organizer should keep it. health reasons or whatever are no excuse to just keep the money and disappear.

3Mark · February 10, 2012 2:50AM

There is a thread on the US forum about this now here

This is a old thread with new comments and is near the top.

OchoReales · February 10, 2012 3:16AM

I Pm'ed John (olmanjon) to see if he has heard anything.

FilthyBroke · February 10, 2012 3:21AM

Let us know if you hear anything, so one of us can tell those other guys to put off the pitchfork mob.

wybrit · February 11, 2012 12:08AM

Let us know if you hear anything, so one of us can tell those other guys to put off the pitchfork mob

I have to disagree.

Pitchfork mobs are those who react to a situation spontaneously and without reason. There is nothing reactive or unreasonable about this. I think most people have exhibited a nearly infinite amount of patience on this particular matter, giving the benefit of the doubt a thousand times over. It has been nearly two years since the majority of the pledges were made, and I've heard nothing about any updates since about this time last year, when it was stated that about $3000 was in "storage." I was not among the donors, but if I had been, I most assuredly would have been all over this a lot sooner.

Despite the good intentions of the effort and the good will of those who did donate, it's this sort of thing that can make one very cynical about fundraisers on message boards. Regardless of health status and other circumstances, and I certainly hope Laurent is OK, there is no real excuse for this. In order to restore good faith, the money should be returned to the donors ASAP.

Omega · February 11, 2012 12:16AM

I agree with Wybrit 100%. I did send $ and would like an accounting.

Zohar · February 11, 2012 12:24AM

Lordmarcovan - why dont you reach out to him on this issue?

FilthyBroke · February 11, 2012 12:35AM

<< <i>Let us know if you hear anything, so one of us can tell those other guys to put off the pitchfork mob

I have to disagree.

Pitchfork mobs are those who react to a situation spontaneously and without reason. There is nothing reactive or unreasonable about this. I think most people have exhibited a nearly infinite amount of patience on this particular matter, giving the benefit of the doubt a thousand times over. It has been nearly two years since the majority of the pledges were made, and I've heard nothing about any updates since about this time last year, when it was stated that about $3000 was in "storage." I was not among the donors, but if I had been, I most assuredly would have been all over this a lot sooner.

Despite the good intentions of the effort and the good will of those who did donate, it's this sort of thing that can make one very cynical about fundraisers on message boards. Regardless of health status and other circumstances, and I certainly hope Laurent is OK, there is no real excuse for this. In order to restore good faith, the money should be returned to the donors ASAP. >>

Oh, I agree that questions should be answered, it's just the method of conviction that bothers me a llittle. A little time may be required to contact those in charge to see what happened, and I see that Rob hasn't even been on here in days.

olmanjon · February 11, 2012 1:12AM

As one of those that actually donated to the Lord M effort, and one of those that who has actually met Laurent in person, I will try to find out what is going on with him and report back to the Forumn. May take a while so have patience. Will get back as soon as I have something.
Olmanjon

TwoKopeiki · February 11, 2012 9:35AM

I honestly don't remember if I donated or not, but I am worried by Laurent's prolonged absence. Let us know what you find out, John.

FilthyBroke · February 11, 2012 9:44AM

<< <i>I honestly don't remember if I donated or not, but I am worried by Laurent's prolonged absence. Let us know what you find out, John. >>

HERE ia a link to the page that was set up for the donations, along with a list of contributors.

Hyperion · February 11, 2012 11:57AM

wow, never realized it went as far as donations and auctions.

Stork · February 11, 2012 7:40PM

I hope all is well with Laurent...and I hope this all still ends up with LordM getting to England. Perhaps (other than letting us know if Laurent is okay) this could be handled off line/via PMs amongst the contributors and involved parties. Rob certainly had no idea this was getting set up in the beginning and it would be great if he gets to still go.

Cathy

Omega · February 11, 2012 10:23PM

I don't feel any need for a pitchfork. An accountant would be more useful. I would just like to see LordM on his merry way!

Dentuck · February 12, 2012 5:06AM

I almost forgot about this!

I drew a cartoon on the back of the envelope when I mailed Laurent my donation:

Syracusian · February 12, 2012 7:36AM

I never had or will have the slightest doubt about Laurent's intentions. On the other hand, I understand wybrit's concern and I tend to agree. The only person that never asked for anything here is Rob, and now I think that I can speak freely and say that I've always thought that this plan was over ambitious and the timing couldn't have been worse. The reason I weren't among the donors, unlike other charity projects on these boards, was that I strongly believed that it was more wishful thinking than reality.

Laurent took a break from coins and his visits here are very rare. The trouble with these projects ,when they do not materialize, is that it will take too much effort to organize and reimburse the donors, only to get back to square (not even one but) zero. Other than that, I wish to Rob from the bottom of my heart, who never even asked for that to begin with, that he eventually realizes this trip at a more appropriate time.

Completely OT, Athens is literally burning as I'm writing this, but I'm still standing. The unpopular fat but eloquent Finance Minister has just finished speaking to his colleagues in Parliament, and the new temporary banker PM took over. No matter what he says or does, no matter what the future elections will result at, it is more and more likely that Greece will be forced among others, to accept a (German) "high commissioner" whose job will be to reinforce the laws voted in that building. 111 years ago, and just before the island of Crete was annexed by Greece, it too had a (Greek) high commissioner, until Greece and Turkey found a final solution for the island.

Right outside the Greek Parliament building, that used to be King Otto's ex palace, a few coward hooligans ,with their faces hidden by hoods, that somehow manage to penetrate every single reasonable and otherwise peaceful protest or football game, (and Lord only knows on what chemicals they are on), are throwing Molotof bombs to the SQUAT forces and have yet again found the way , to burn historical buildings, burn and loot shops, banks ,cars ,a historical theatre, and to create mayhem and chaos.

I've just remembered that 2 years ago, the Bildenberg club was meeting in a luxurious resort right outside Athens, and I can't help but wonder if they were discussing the turn of events that we are now living, as it is a well known fact that it's in these meetings (of this and other such exclusive clubs) that the world's future is decided in advance. It is the beginning of an era that I never thought or dreamed that I'd live to see.

They are now voting. Every single new austerity measure will receive the majority of votes and maybe Athens will be no more by tomorrow morning when I wake up.

wybrit · February 12, 2012 8:10AM

Nice post Syracusian - worthy of its own thread (two threads, in fact).

I hope Athens surivives the insanity that has descended upon it. I also hope it survives the inanity that has led to the rioting. I'll refrain from being more political than that!

coinkat · February 12, 2012 8:31AM

Hope things get better in Greece-

TwoKopeiki · February 12, 2012 9:35AM

<< <i>Hope things get better in Greece- >>

As do I. Stay safe, Dimitri.

lordmarcovan · February 12, 2012 3:11PM

<< <i>Lordmarcovan - why dont you reach out to him on this issue? >>

I will, probably tomorrow. I have a phone number in my PM history. Last time we traded PMs was February 18, 2011, so it's been a year this week. I accept a large portion of the blame for letting this hang in limbo as long as it has. For all I know he's been sitting on the funds all along, waiting for word from me, and I let it slide to the back burner (WAY back, as it happens.) So I will keep y'all updated.

I posted a status thread myself tonight, when this came back to the forefront. (Funny, it had just crossed my mind again this very morning.)

Sorry I've let things slide and not contacted Laurent before now.

FWIW, I've never had anything but the best experiences with him and as of this moment I still have little reason to doubt his integrity until proven otherwise. Could just be that when he didn't hear any concrete plans from me, he forgot about it and let things slide to the back of the closet like I did, who knows. We'll find out soon enough, in any event.

I've pretty much decided that though this offered a glimmer of a chance at a lifetime adventure for me, it probably needs to be done on my own nickel if and when it happens. English fields and ancient and medieval relics sleeping in the soil still form a large part of my internal dreamscape, but when you get right down to the nuts and bolts of making a dream HAPPEN, it takes WORK- even when you do have generous support.

Dentuck- Hey! I remember that little doodle, now. Fun!
Dimitri- you and your nation shall be in my prayers.

Stork · February 12, 2012 3:22PM

Dimitri, my thoughts are with you...and I'm old enough to understand that no matter the issue there very often seems to be a group that acts out for the sake of acting out regardless of the issue.

LordM--I haven't read your thread yet, but this is not on you. If I read in that thread you plan on 'paying people back' I will have to decline. Let Laurent figure it out, and I hope he is okay enough to untangle things. In fact, I'm fine with letting my meager contribution stand.

Okay, I'll go read the other thread now.

harasha · February 12, 2012 6:34PM

The unpopular fat but eloquent Finance Minister

I actually enjoyed listening to the Finance Minister (in translation, on EuroNews). He made a wonderful analogy, describing the crisis as a hydra without any Heracles in sight.

TwoKopeiki · February 12, 2012 11:56PM

I'm with Kathy on this one. You are not on the hook for any of it - Laurent is. Has anyone tried to get a hold of him yet?

What ever happened to laurentyvan and...

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