"What is this?" you're saying to yourself. I've been visiting Omega for years and John always said this site would be free forever and now.... he wants a buck???? What is going on? Well.... read on dear visitor, and you'll find out. It gets better and better as you go on.

I confess! I indeed have always said everything within Omega was free, free of any fee, free, free, free, and it would remain so until I no longer enjoy producing it and closed the site. And I still intend to keep my promise!

But..... for a long time now, I have been getting e-mail from repeat visitors wishing to know why I didn't join the bandwagon and charged a fee. As one kind soul wrote: "It would make me feel so much better if I contributed 'something' toward your expenses etc etc. I would sleep better at night. Even if you only asked for a measly dollar... at least I'd feel like I was contributing something toward your efforts etc etc" He asked for my snail-mail postal address, swearing he would indeed send his dollar.

Naturally, I replied to the kind soul, as I do to all my e-mail, and, not thinking twice about it, included the requested snail-mail address.

Would you know it.... a short while later, in comes this letter. I didn't recognize the stamp (translation: it wasn't a Canuk stamp) so, just like a kid at Christmas, I tore the envelope open and low and behold.... would you believe it, there was a fiver !!! OK! It wasn't in Canadian funds but eh! who's complaining? I didn't mind getting a 35% bonus when I exchanged it at the bank.

Well..... as someone famous was prone to utter on the odd occasion, that got me thinking. What if.... what if everyone who so felt inclined could actually send me a dollar (or the equivalent in their currency, as over 50% of the yearly 300,000 visitors hail from outside Canada and North America). What if?

Well... it doesn't take a degree in rocket science to come to the obvious conclusion: I might even be able to upgrade to a Pentium from the old 486.... gosh! I said to myself, what if?

So.... not wanting to keep anyone awake all night by forbidding them to send that measly dollar, I broke down. I will provide the requested snail-mail address but not before reassuring all those who do not share those kind folks' opinion they should send their buck that yes.... Omega will remain Free and everyone will be able to continue accessing the site, whether they 'contribute' or not.

You 'may', but don't have to, send all beauty sleep donations to:

John Sauvageau
P.O. Box 913
Crofton, BC Canada
V0R 1R0

Please, read on... it gets better

Not everyone wishing to contribute, if only so they can sleep better, can do so by sending a dollar bill. Why, some countries don't even have a paper dollar bill anymore. Take Canadians for example. If they were to send a metallic 'Loonie', or, God forbid, a 'Toonie', the thing is so heavy they would have to pay more in postage then the content is worth. So, in order to accommodate those who might not have the odd buck or would prefer to send some other type of donation, I have listed below a few 'acceptable' items/services I would be most happy to receive:

Any of the following will be gladly accepted, in lieu of...:

Coins, stamps, rare manuscripts, bonds, parchemins, scrolls or any other exhibit of museuum quality; An enclosed certificate of authenticity would be much appreciated.

Used vintage car(s) in good condition. Preferably from pre 1935 era;

Precious stone(s), mounted or otherwise, of 1/4 carat or more;

Any 26 to 45 footer sailboat or power yacht in good condition. Preferably post 1990 era;

Two-week free use of condominium or vacation retreat at a recognised popular location such as Cote d'Azur or Val. Furnished if possible and with option to sublet;

Lifetime pass (for two) on Amtrak and/or one of the major international airlines;

Real estate parcel of 1/4 acre or greater. Preferably with a house on the premise and on the West Coast with ocean view.

Sufficient number of Air Miles to circle the globe. Preferably for two. First Class preferred but will settle for Business Class in a pinch ;

A bonafide current Swiss numbered bank account with adequate fund balance. In any currency but U.S. dollars preferred. Please include all required documentation;

A Western Union fund transfer of any amount in any domination would be gladly accepted;

Last but not least.... a simple e-mail message letting me know that you have visited Omega and enjoyed it.

And if you should insist to send a monetary donation, please... nothing over $1,000. This would have the detrimental and annoying result of catapulting me into a higher tax bracket, thus causing untold problems and I would prefer you don't; But thanks for the thought anyway.

Sweet dreams,

John

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