Randy Cassingham's Blog

Last week, as I was writing the announcement of the new archive site for the Honorary Unsubscribes, I mused about how I have "spun off" all the sections of True's web site that didn't really have anything to do with True's "mission". Then it hit me: I had spun off all the unrelated content except for the Bonzer Web Site of the Week. Since that's nearly a clone of the new Honorary Unsubscribe archive, it was very simple to do "Bonzer" too: it was up and running by Monday! Another great job by my site programmer, Leo of Ask Leo. There are some great sites that are well worth your time: http://www.BonzerSites.com

If you have any links to the old Bonzer OR Honorary Unsubscribe archives, please update them: they're both now gone from the True site.

I write and publish True for a living, but sometimes the letters from my readers are better "pay". Clinton in Pennsylvania's wife didn't sign her note, but she writes: "My husband recently renewed our Premium subscription and added a note to say that what started out with one family member reading it had wound up with all 5 family members reading it, including our children. You replied that you would like to hear more about the family that reads together and laughs together. Originally, there were only two of us and my husband read your publication when it was still called 'This Just In' [That makes you really old timers! It changed to 'This is True' in 1995. -rc]. Over time, our family grew first with a son, then a daughter and another son. Wanting to spend as much time as possible with them, we decided to homeschool them, and your publication became 'Understanding Human Behavior 101' in our curriculum! When they were younger, I read it aloud, 'editing' as I went. Now I still often read it aloud, but the editing isn't needed, though an occasional explanation is. Through your articles, my children have learned of human folly and courage, stupidity and ingenuity, and what happens if you don't plan ahead (the lesson I'd most like them to learn!) While we don't always eat breakfast at the same time, most of us do read it at breakfast and it makes for great conversation for the rest of the day, and sometimes the rest of the week!"

Brian in Texas: "You give me hope, Randy. My job involves monitoring world and local news all day, and it's all so deadly serious. Life is much too short and much too silly to be taken seriously. Reading your stuff helps me remember that sure, probably 90% of the world's population is completely helpless and will never wake up, but they sure are entertaining. Thanks so much." Paul in Tennessee: "Please renew my Premium subscription for two years -- which expresses confidence in you and lack thereof with the rest of the human race."

Traci in California: "Thanks for your great work with This is True. I look forward to it every week. My husband always knows I have a new issue when I start laughing out loud at my laptop. I end up reading about half of the stories to him ('no, wait, I have to read you just one more...oh, you have to hear this one too'). I'm happy to be renewing for two years."

And Mike in California: "I get a kick out of every issue. The best value anywhere. Thanks for providing so many laughs over the years. PS: I would have signed up for 2 years even without the discount."

The bottom fell out of the newsletter advertising market in 2001, but True is still going strong. How? Because the people who love True support it with their upgrades. For $2/month you get a full year of expanded issues -- about double the stories in this free edition. And you get discounts on the True book collection, your issues arrive earlier in the week, there is no third-party advertising, and there are several "extras" that never make it into the free edition. But most of all, the Premium subscriptions make True possible in the first place. If you love True, I'd appreciate your supporting it either by upgrading or, if you can't afford that, by recommending True to your online friends so it can continue to grow. Thanks!