The Final, Final Update On The Amazing sjb3 Windfall

[simnettpratt]

I know I've posted about this a lot, but I don't care - I think it's good for all of us to be a part of it. For you new guys, I'm disabled and can't work and had a cellar of half a tin. Some guy posted he was quitting smoking, show up and you could have his tobacco and pipes. I was the only one to show up.
This guy (I don't even know his name) GAVE me 60-70 unsmoked! pipes and maybe 60 POUNDS of tobacco, all jarred and hand labeled. Here's a pic of some of it. In the pic, my bro who's paying for the house I live in, had already taken seven full tubs and a number of pipes, plus there's tobacco in the other room that wouldn't fit in the pic. He gave me more than this. Here's the awesome pic:

Unreal, right? We're talking thousands of his hard earned dollars. I had half a tin. Because he gave it to me 'in the spirit of piping', I decided the only proper thing to do, was start giving it away to deserving pipers. I had some boxes but didn't have any money for the damn postage, so forum members started sending me cash for the postage. Specifically sparrowhawk, who's not fantastically wealthy but one of the most generous members on the forum, andystewart in England, who gives a lot and tried to stay anonymous until I outed him, msandoval, who came by the house and brought me a bottle of 12-year old Scotch!, and claypipesarchaeologist, who is just finding out now some of the money she sent me to send her a pipe went to a CARE pack. I hope I didn't forget anyone.
Also, the incomparable shaintiques sent some CARE packs of my tobacco for me to folks I don't know, for his awesome Free Pipe Project.
I PM'd the guy who gave me the stuff to let him know it was being distributed and he was happy.
This is the final, final update on the incredible windfall. Here's what the tubs look like now. These were all full when I started, and the flakes and the Dunhill are by far my favorites of all the tobaccos. I don't know how many pipes I gave away, but it was a significant number (I still have plenty left).

So, that's it; I think I'm done. Barring an emergency, I'm keeping the rest for ME!! My bro will get whatever he wants, but basically I'm done. fnord gave me some excellent advice and said remember, this was a gift for you, and don't give it all away, because I'm actually just as broke as the CARE pack recipients, so I'm done.
I'm humbled and incredibly grateful to all the amazing pipers on this site, who would literally split their last damn flake with you. Thank you to everyone.
David Simnett-Pratt
PS I had half a tin.

 

[snagstangl]

It sounds like you did well in the same spirit that it was given to you. I respect you giving of yourself, its not how much or what, it is what you give in comparison of what you have. YOU gave till it hurts and then some.

 

[andystewart]

Dave - congratulations again on your windfall and thank you so much for your generosity. I know from your very kind gift to me that you went to great lengths to give to all those you thought you could. You went way above and beyond. That you have done this while suffering from serious illness yourself speaks volumes about your kindness and determination to do what you believe to be the right thing. I hope very much that you enjoy the remainder of your 'hoard', surely made all the sweeter by knowing the good things you have done and the respect and admiration in which you're held in these forums.
Andy

 

[ejames]

Enjoy! I'd say you were deserving of this "windfall",especially since you have shared it with others !

 

[ejames]

Enjoy! I'd say you were deserving of this "windfall",especially since you have shared it with others !

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Better than a million dollars.
Most people who win the lottery go broke soon after, because they lose sight of how to manage their lifestyle.

This just subtly improves your lifestyle, without giving you unrealistic expectations.

 

[msandoval858]

David,
The fact that you freely chose to share that pipe and tobacco windfall with fellow pipes speaks volumes. I'm quite sure that nobody here would have thought any less of you should you have chosen to keep most, if not all, of that stash for yourself. It could not have gone to a more deserving person.
Now kick back and enjoy the rest of it! I hope that sometime in the near future I can swing by again for another afternoon of smoke and drinks. You deserve it my friend

 

[sparrowhawk]

Dave, I'm frankly worried you didn't leave enough for yourself! Now, I've been the ridiculous beneficiary of many tins of Sutliff Private Stock--I don't think these appeal to you, but if you'd like some, let me know. I don't know if anyone here read my postings last week, but on one day--1--I received 3 boxes from different individuals of Sutliff's for minor deeds. I'm sure I have enough now to last me into well into the next year. So keep me in mind, Dave, and God bless.

 

[CherokeeBilly]

I said it yesterday and I will say it again. Everyday I come on here and read an uplifting story about how somebody took care of somebody else on here. The random acts of kindness never cease to amaze me around here. Good job Sir.

 

[cortezattic]

What a great group of people we have here! This renews my faith in humanity. :clap:

 

[wyfbane]

What an AWESOME uplifiting story! This really made my day, since my BFF and I work in an office full of self centered *****s who probably wouldn't even be able to fathom the honor and integrity you have displayed here.
You. Rock.
=D

 

[simnettpratt]

See how pipers are? I've been the recipient of the biggest single windfall ever, did the right thing, and you guys are already offering me tobacco. Unreal. Gentlemen, it would be both humbling and an honor to receive some tobacco when I need it, but that won't be for a long, long time. Send your extra to some guy who has half a tin.
I've been telling this story of the windfall's journeys for three months now. This post was to show what I got, what was left, and to tell the end of the story - CARE packs are complete, I'm keeping the rest for ME! I'm as broke as any of the recipients and need to remember that.
Two new guys read this post and have already asked for stuff. One very nicely asked if he could buy a pipe or two. Brother, I have given away more than half the pipes and this post was to say I'm done; if I wasn't done I'd gladly GIVE you some pipes and a healthy assortment of tobacco, if you could pony up the postage cash I don't have. But, I'm afraid you're too late; the beautiful Nording Horn was the last pipe going out, and it went to a very worthy recipient.
Another guy called frodobaggins, who has been a member for six whole days, asked for stuff. frodo, that's not how it works. First, this post (with pictures even) showed how I've given away more than half of what I got, and said I'm DONE. Second, even if I wasn't done, I'd want to scout you for a bit to see if you just want the free stuff and don't want to participate in the forum, or are in genuine need and willing to give back of what you have (comments, observations, etc). You made your first post after PMing me for free stuff. frodo, I'm sorry, but you are too late. I'm done. You should not expect to show up and immediately get free stuff; the free stuff will be GLADY given if you show you're cool and willing to hang with us.
If you send out CARE packs, to get to the good guys, you will occasionally get an unappreciative scammer. Mine was pflan. He asked for tobacco and I Google Earthed his house and it was a really nice ranch house on a bunch of land, so I said I was really looking for poor or deployed folk. He got really offended, said he only rented a room of the house, was $30,000 in school loan debt and made $13/hr.
First off, $13/hr is precisely $13/hr more than I make. Second, a lot of folks would love to be $30,000 in school loan debt, because they were able to get a degree, but couldn't afford to go to college. I however, backed down and sent him an assortment of pipes and several pounds of tobacco, including some of my precious flakes. He waited a few weeks and put the lot (plus tobacco Dave had sent him from the FPP) up for sale for $200. Some new guy eventually bought it for $140.
Do you realize when the last time I had $140 was? I could really use $140, and I would buy FOOD (ok, and some beer) with it. Do I understand I could have sold the windfall? Yes, but 'in the spirit of piping', giving it away was the right thing to do. It really hurt to see my handwriting on the bags of flakes in his For Sale pic.
But it was worth it. I don't know exactly how many folks got free tobacco and pipes from this incredible windfall, but I'm guessing about 40-50lbs and 40-50 pipes went out, almost all to appreciative, deserving people. Totally worth it. Plus, I got to know sparrowhawk, andystewart, msandoval, claypipesarc, oh screw it, archy, and Dave shaintiques on a personal level, and they are the cream of the crop. I heard you already offering me tobacco, and will humbly accept at some time way into the future. Not now.
And finally, you guys saying nice things about me means more than you realize. This forum is the only place in my life where that happens. Worth more than a million dollars.
Thank you to everyone.
Dave

 

[simnettpratt]

@andy: Thank you for the kind words. Dudes need respect more than just about anything.
@sandy: Yeah, you know where I live, so you're welcome anytime. I promise I'll remember what a lightweight I am now and won't get so drunk. Probably.
@sparrow: I hear you bro and know you're serious. Thank you. I am NOT the guy who needs tobacco right now; maybe in a few years. What you could do right now is show up for fishin'! Or mail me that damn bass boat, you bastard!
@trailboss: I hear you also. Thank you. Give me a few years to run low though! You could also come over for fishin' or mail me that damn bass boat

 

[natenice1]

That sucks sorry guys but I just have to say this, if he's renting a room why would it have to have a Professional series electric range, I know how much they cost because I just bought one for my sis's B-day! Off the topic but had to vent +1 to trailboss Good riddance!

 

[simnettpratt]

I didn't know about the range. He has access to the fancy range because he obviously lives in more than his one room. $120 not $140, ok, but still. Put bluntly, fuck him. But for all the good, poor and deployed folks that had a little luxury added to their lives, totally worth it. Taking and taking without giving wears on your soul. The windfall had, and will continue to have, an awesome run. Dave happy. Smoking me some of my favorite Luxury Navy Flake in the just cleaned Brigham 3-dot Mountaineer right now, and my brother-in-law just came over and got me some tasty beer and some food. Probably should have put food first. If I make any more posts tonight, you guys should probably just ignore them.

 

[simnettpratt]

Thanks, sparkers
He's not trash, he just doesn't have a clue.

 

[simnettpratt]

chispa also saw a meer lined algerian and tobacco get sold by pflan. You did the right thing chispa, to get to the deserving folks, sometimes you get burned. But your hands are clean.

 

[snagstangl]

Meer lined algerian, so successful sold that? Then they may be magic.

 

[lonestar]

You know you can't let a few jackasses change what you do my friend. Good job with the whole thing, and you deserve what is left.

 

[andystewart]

Dave I saw the ad by pflan but didn't realise what had happened. What a wanker.
Andy