Pasteblog dump thing

I've been on edge for the better part of 2 months now. I admit to being rather vague about everything, and feel it is time to go forward and explain some things I have been mum on to this point. I will warn you, some of this stuff is a bit heavy, and it's a lot to digest. Read only if you truly wish to have an idea of what's going on.

"So what is going on?"

Simply put, a lot. It dates back to December, when my brother got a DUI. As a result of that, he lost his driver's license until the end of May. During the first week of January, he and our other brother were involved in a car accident. My brother, having already lost his license, was now unable to work for the rest of the month due to injuries caused by the accident. My brother is also my roommate, though he is currently not living with me, I helped him cover his bills when they came in as he is family and short on cash.

"Wait. If your brother is your roommate, why is he not living with you currently?"

This is due to another incident that involved him, our brother, and myself. Without going into detail, I wound up needing a trip to the hospital. My money was tight prior to this, especially I had just helped him with his own medical bill. After the event, he temporarily moved back in with our parents while he attends rehab for his drinking problem.

"So what happened to your car?"

My car was stolen a few weeks back from the parking lot of the offices I work at. Normally, I work at home, and just do stuff server side from the comfort of my own PC. However, sometimes I am required to do things that require me to physically go there or other places. I also do PC repairs and the like on the side for people in the company.

"Say what?!"

Yeah, it happened.

"Did they ever find your car?"

They did, but it was missing half the engine, the wiring was completely destroyed, and it had no tires. Needless to say, for the cost of parts and labor, I may as well get a newer used car, as mine was from '98.

"Didn't insurance cover anything?"

Yes, but they only gave me roughly half of what I'd need to get a decent used car.

"How does that happen?"

I'm the same guy who had a car stolen out of the transmission shop it was being worked on, so I'm somehow not as surprised by this as most would be.

"Enough about that. What's this about your aunt and uncle?"

In November, my aunt Cathy passed away. I played Zelda 1 with her numerous times, though I never beat it during that time. And then right before they found my car, my dad informed me that my uncle Frank had passed away that morning. He was a good man, and was instrumental in his wife's/my aunt Virginia's care. Without him, there would be no one to care for her, as she is unable to even drive herself. Needless to say, I was an emotional wreck.

"What is wrong with your aunt Virginia?"

She suffered some major medical complications several years ago, and had to have the tips of her fingers and her feet amputated in order to save her life. Her mobility is very limited, and she cannot drive herself around to her doctors.

"So between all the bills and the car, I hear you're having financial problems."

Yes. To explain, I don't need a new car just yet. My brother is allowing me to use his car while he can't drive. I need one by the time my brother gets his license back in May. However, given that is not living with me, nor is he able to earn any money until he finishes a certain amount of his rehab (a direct result of the 2nd incident he had), my living expenses have doubled. On top of that, I only have about half of what I'd need for a decent car, and since I'm now covering the bills by myself, saving money is difficult. I also need to buy food and the like.

"Can't your brother pay you back?"

Yes, and he will. Or so he says. Given that he won't be back into work until probably March or April (or later, if his job decides to let him go), I can't say for certain when he will do that. He also promised to pay for my travel fare on a trip, but again, there's no way for me to know when this will happen. Or if it will happen.

"And your parents aren't helping you out? Didn't you ask them?"

I did. And though they took my brother in for reasons that I will not disclose here, they have told the both of us that we are on our own financially.

"I've heard about a 'Parathon' being organized. That doesn't seem like your style. What's this all about?"

Indeed. A friend of mine had offered to organized a marathon to try and help me out a bit, either financially or emotionally. I was always reluctant of the idea, but at the behest of a few close friends, I decided that I had nothing to lose at this point. I gave him the ok to organize it. He and a few others are doing most of the legwork on this. All I've done so far was ok the dates. I've been trying to have minimal input with this marathon, as I have many things in real life to deal with at this time. I also have briefly spoken with a few people about games being submitted. I'm not ok'ing or denying anything unless the people setting it up wish for my input.
What it's about is simply a weekend of hanging out with people and watching some games being played. I mainly look at it as a weekend for me to forget about all the things going on, and just have some fun with friends. If any money is raised at all, I'll be very grateful, but the money is not the point to me.
There is a topic about it on SDA. Go there if you want to submit anything or want to help in some other way.

"If I were to donate, where would the money go?"

To me, obviously.
In all seriousness, the money would be put towards buying a new car and paying bills if need be.

"You said you ok'd some dates. What were the dates?"

February 27th and 28th, though I left enough leeway to push it back a week if it's better for others.

So that covers just about everything going on. After this, my mentions of "Parathon" will probably be minimal. I have too many other things to focus on, and my emotions have been out of whack for a couple months now. If there's anything you want to say to me, regarding anything I've mentioned here, or if you want clarification on anything I've said, feel free to message me privately. If you've taken the time to read this far, thank you.