For those who have followed my journal, I recently had the opportunity to win a contest and fulfill a dream to visit the Australia Zoo ([link]). Unfortunately, I didn’t win; however, I did win an $800 travel voucher which could be used in Australia. The problem is that I have to get to Australia to use it or it will expire! Since I couldn't get a job to support myself last summer, it makes things difficult.

I don't want all your efforts to help me get to Australia to be in vain. As a result, after considering some suggestions I have dusted myself off and decided to try and raise some money to help me get there the only way I know how: no, it isn't sexual favors, it is:

...a PRINT SALE !

• Get your favourite HeWhoWalksWithTigers photos as a print or a set!


• Get your holiday shopping done without breaking a sweat!


• Help a fellow deviant realize a dream!


• Win a subscription and eat some whipped cream!

Yes, the last point is correct. If you, a member of deviantArt, purchase any of my photos or a calendar, you will automatically be entered into a random draw to win a free 3-month subscription. Feel free to eat whipped cream as well...it's delicious.

Pricing

11 x 14 Print

1 for $30 each
2 for $25 each
3 for $20 eachv

8 x 11 Print

1 for $20 each
2 for $15 each
3 for $12 each

5 x 7 Print

1 for $10 each
2 for $7 each
3 for $5 each

4 x 6 Print

1 for $5 each
2 for $4 each
3 for $3 each

2010 Calendars!

12 months, 12 of your favourite HeWhoWalksWithTigers photos customized by month!

1 for $25 each
2 for $20 each
3 for $18 each

Prices are in US dollars. Shipping will be calculated based on buyer's place of residence to ensure the lowest possible cost. I will ship anywhere in the world. Prices will change subject to any changes in production costs, including those which drive costs down.

Payment

Paypal is preferred. Please contact me by note or email (hewhowalkswithtigers [at] gmail.com) to discuss alternative methods. My Paypal account is the same as my email so on the off chance you feel like throwing money at me, that's the place to send it.

How Can I Help?

If you would like to help, feel free to contact me. The biggest help would be to advertise this either by including it in your journal or linking friends and family to the site. This would be particularly helpful if framed within a holiday shopping context. Buying prints or encouraging others is an easy way to help make holiday shopping quick and painless while simultaneously supporting a reasonably good cause.

Another way to help is to donate an adCast account ([link]). AdCast is an investment in advertising on DeviantArt which would help bring more people to the print sale and thus, increase the chances it could be successful.

Why buy from you? What do you have to offer that others don't?

The way I see it, you could either buy a print from someone else and possibly be supporting murder or you could help make someone's dream come true while also getting an awesome print!

If you are doing some holiday shopping, you could either support huge multinational corporations that rape the Earth while they give their top employees huge bonuses or you can support someone who is fighting for the conservation of tigers and could use a little R&R.

In all seriousness, I don't foresee any way I could afford to use the voucher that I won otherwise. I would be flying the cheapest airlines possible...all I want to do is find a means to get there.

Why aren't your selling prints through DeviantArt?

As much as I love DeviantArt, they love to take the lion's share of print profits. For example, I recently made a sale where I made a total profit of 14 cents. That's pretty sad.

In most cases, buying directly from me will not only be cheaper for you, but it will also mean more fair profit for myself, which means an increased likelihood I'll be able to make the trip!

How Many Purchases Will It Take to Get You There?

Good question! The cheapest flight I have found is $1000 round trip. It is entirely dependent on what's purchased but I would be able to afford the trip if:

• 50 people buy an individual 11 x 14 print


• 70 people buy an individual 8 x 11 print


• 125 people buy an individual 5 x 7 print


• 225 people buy an individual 4 x 6 print

That's not really a whole lot, so it is well within the realm of possibility. 1,475 people currently watch me so I could afford the trip even if only 15% of watchers bought the cheapest possible print. Conversely, only 3.3% would be needed if each person bought an 11 x 14 print. If people are as generous as I've seen they are, I might have a chance.

Every purchase, no matter how small, matters, just as each vote in the Khaki Contest mattered.

Is there a deadline?

Not really. However, I am aiming for early May since that is when the cheapest flights run. As for the subscription, it will be awarded if I can raise half of my goal. If I reach my goal, more subscriptions may be given out, particularly in consideration of those who contributed the most either financially or in advertising (so contact me if you are actively helping out).

You're being selfish! I should donate to a real charity

Yes, you should and you are right... I've decided to be selfish, but given all my non-selfish behavior after all these years, I think it's okay. After donating to charity, if you have any money left over that you can spare, please consider helping me out. I'd really appreciate it.

There you have it! I would very much appreciate the help in any form you can imagine.