by Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C.
Member since:
January 8, 2007

Tuesday WE: AJ Tinker's letter to Doyle

March 04, 2009 03:13 PM EST (Updated: March 23, 2009 01:11 PM EDT)
views: 133 | rating: 9.3/10 (13 votes) | comments: 77

 

This letter was received by Doyle from Mr. Tinker in response to a bulk mailing sent to all the homes in the community inviting them to a free Joint Genealogy Workshop and Presentation Series by the local Family History Center and Brighton Beach Genealogy Society.

 

________________________________________

 

Dear Sir,

 

Thank you very much for your kind invitation.  I can already trace my family history to the moment they set foot in this country as I was the first person in my family born in this country.  You may be familiar with the history of my country in the early 1940s and will likely understand why I have very little desire to seek more information on my family tree than I already have at my disposal.

 

As a businessman enjoying the support of this community, though, I can understand that other people may need or want more information.  So, while I'm not interested in either attending your event or using your information for any personal search I am more than willing to help out your organization in the interest of community relations.

 

Enclosed is a check for $500.00 to help the BBGS.  Perhaps this will help to make your event a successful one.

 

 

(Signature)

 

AJ Tinker

Tinker & Tinker

 

________________________________________

 

 

In fact, the check was enclosed.  It was also a personal check, not a business check.  I brought the check and letter to the board meeting.  It was strange, though.  Who responds in writing to bulk mailings?  And why the generosity?  I am seriously considering going to Tinker and Tinker and talking to this guy.

 

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Comments: 77

Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 3:18pm EST
Tinker and Tinker is probably just one guy. But he talks to himself all day long so he thinks there's two of him.
Sheryl O. Mar 4, 2009, 3:24pm EST
"I am more than willing to help out your organization in the interest of community relations."

Can I have his address so I can send a letter requesting a donation for my concert series? I like this guy's attitude.
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Mar 4, 2009, 3:24pm EST
are you sure the check is real? Id be afraid to cash it LOL, it may bounce
Sheryl O. Mar 4, 2009, 3:24pm EST
Joseph - maybe the company is not named after Mr. Tinker at all. Maybe it supplies various types of tinkering services.
Pat D. Mar 4, 2009, 3:29pm EST
for some reason this makes me think go Dracula
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 3:33pm EST
maybe it's...............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rIRUK6DydQ&feature=related
Kimber L. Mar 4, 2009, 3:34pm EST
HHMMM.... interesting!
Michael the #2 Ninja Kitteh Mar 4, 2009, 3:38pm EST
Remember: by cashing this check you agree to renew your AT&T contract.
Michael the #2 Ninja Kitteh Mar 4, 2009, 3:40pm EST
I think it was called Tinker & Belle before the messy divorce.

I must say, the letter does have the earmarks of an incredible story. Could you have stumbled onto one of Boys From Brazil?
Sheryl O. Mar 4, 2009, 4:00pm EST
Perhaps he shortened his name from Mr. Tinkertrain to Mr. Tinker because he was too cheap to pay the extra costs of signage. This is a fascinating individual.
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:03pm EST
that's how he saved up $500 to give to Doyle's fake business!
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 4:10pm EST
"Can I have his address so I can send a letter requesting a donation for my concert series?"

Are you sure you want him to know how to contact you?
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 4:11pm EST
"are you sure the check is real? Id be afraid to cash it ..."

How funny is that? Originally I had mentioned that the check didn't bounce but edited it out as I thought it seemed rude to impugn his integrity.
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 4:12pm EST
"...for some reason this makes me think go Dracula "

Really? Wow. :o)
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 4:13pm EST
Joseph...de-LAZE and learn how to do Clickety Links!!!
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:15pm EST
I know how. It's just easier to c and p
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 4:15pm EST
Thank you, Kimber! :o)

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 4:19pm EST
"I think it was called Tinker & Belle before the messy divorce."

LoL! And Mr. Tinker looks a little like Gepetto too, eh? Thanks for the Disnyfied...I mean dignified comments!

"Could you have stumbled onto one of Boys From Brazil? "
Ooooh. You mean someone from Mouse-shwitz?
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 4:21pm EST
Thank you Sheryl. His name was shortened. It was not, however, Tinkertrain and I seriously don't think he'd listen to Ozzy Osbourne. :o)
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 4:23pm EST
"that's how he saved up $500 to give to Doyle's fake business! "

It was a non-profit organization.

" I know how. It's just easier to c and p "

I know you know how. That's why I said De-LAZE. The "learn how" was sarcasm. Damn the inability to convey tone of voice in text!
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:25pm EST
was? so it's been shut down already?
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:26pm EST
ok...how about this...

no.
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:28pm EST
tell Lainie's boo Tom Gerace to put a clickety link button on the comment boxes like you can do in Posticles and AIM and MS Word and every other computer program that's been written since 1995. Then I'll gladly do it. Because then it will be easy enough for me.
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 4:32pm EST
In your own words...well, they're community words and inherent elements of the English language as spoken by Americans living in the United States, but I digress, "ok...how about this...no."

You're not the boss of me. YOU tell her what to do! I believe you already have experience making the ladies jump through hoops...should be a piece of cake. :o)
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:37pm EST
Lainie! Do that!

<~~~~~~ Regards, Joseph
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 4:38pm EST

[ *rolls eyes* ]

Thanks. That oughta' work.
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:39pm EST
anytime, Doyle.
Sheryl O. Mar 4, 2009, 4:43pm EST
"like you can do in Posticles and AIM and MS Word and every other computer program that's been written since 1995.:

Wait...you mean how YOU can do MS Word? LOL!
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:44pm EST
I can do that in Word.
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:44pm EST
Word sucks.
Sheryl O. Mar 4, 2009, 4:45pm EST
Yeah, well, maybe Tom G. will take your Word Perfect suggestion. ;-)
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:45pm EST
I've been doing to weird stuff with Word. Not basic stuff. Lots of tables and pictures and things like that.
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:45pm EST
I hope he does.
Sheryl O. Mar 4, 2009, 4:47pm EST
"I've been doing to weird stuff with Word. Not basic stuff. Lots of tables and pictures and things like that.
Joseph H., Mar 4, 2009, 4:45pm EST"

Oh, you mean the almost-easy stuff...not Basic, but not Advanced.
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Mar 4, 2009, 4:50pm EST
Nice. I didn't expect that from Mr. Tinker. He's a complex character.
Lainie - Just Lainie Mar 4, 2009, 4:50pm EST
I'm not talking to anyone for anyone.
Sheryl O. Mar 4, 2009, 4:51pm EST
Lainie's a smart woman.
Joseph H. Mar 4, 2009, 4:51pm EST
I think it's simple. Word thinks it's a nightmare. So it becomes a nightmare.
Sheryl O. Mar 4, 2009, 4:55pm EST
Be a Master of technology, Joseph, not the other way around. You can do it. I know you can.
Sue * Mar 4, 2009, 5:52pm EST
So is Mr. Tinker generous and civic, is he trying to impress someone, or is he trying to pay to make them leave him alone?
I am rather sure that I need not remind you that charity funding, grands, donor funds etc. are way down. Please give me Mr. Tinker's phone number. I am a board member of a local charity that is truly feeling this crunch. We need Mr. Tinker. I will even offer him a position on the board............lol.
So, Mr. Tinker is capable of generosity? I think there are a few strings attached to this money. I just wonder where the strings go.
Mark N. Mar 4, 2009, 9:54pm EST
I would also like Mr. Tinker's address, so that I may send him a bulk mailing. He won't actually have my address since I can easily take out a PO Box. Many non-profits have them. The town isn't that small.

Strings are harder with a PO Box, aren't they?
Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Mar 4, 2009, 10:19pm EST
Hmmm ... he sounds almost ... nice in this letter. What gives? He sounded scary before.
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 11:06pm EST
"Nice. I didn't expect that from Mr. Tinker. He's a complex character. "

Without knowing motivational factors influencing behavior, people often appear more complex than they are. ;o)
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 11:07pm EST
" I'm not talking to anyone for anyone. "

You'll do what you're told. ...And like it!
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 11:10pm EST
"You can do it. I know you can. "

Like the little engine that could.... :o)
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 11:13pm EST
"So is Mr. Tinker generous and civic, is he trying to impress someone, or is he trying to pay to make them leave him alone? "

Excellent questions! ...And the right ones to ask! :o)
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 11:14pm EST
"We need Mr. Tinker. I will even offer him a position on the board............lol. "

I really think he would pay more NOT to be on some board, somewhere.
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 11:16pm EST
"So, Mr. Tinker is capable of generosity? I think there are a few strings attached to this money."

All people are capable of generosity. As to the strings, I'm thinking that there are always strings...but the nature of the strings...in some cases the string is to be left alone...may surprise even you.
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 11:17pm EST
"Strings are harder with a PO Box, aren't they? "

Depending on the string, I guess. Generally, yes.
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 4, 2009, 11:19pm EST
"...he sounds almost ... nice in this letter. What gives? He sounded scary before. "

Perhaps you're not completely aware of what is influencing him?
phil w. Mar 5, 2009, 12:12am EST
Don't look a gift Tinker in the mouth!
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 5, 2009, 9:28am EST
I would never Phil...:o)
Vicky Duggins Mar 5, 2009, 9:51am EST
This of course screams, WHAT? This guy has lots more under the surface than I first thought. Sorry if this is redundant, I didn't read the other comments.
Lainie - Just Lainie Mar 5, 2009, 9:53am EST
I think it's interesting that he wrote a personal note in response to a bulk mailing. It makes me wonder about his motivations... If you have to explain your generosity, perhaps you're being less generous and really looking for a pat on the back...
E. M. Mar 5, 2009, 10:00am EST
I didn't see this coming from Mr. Tinker, either, but I read him (perhaps incorrectly) as not having an abundance of cash--$500 is a lot of money. Now I wonder what his finances are like and if he came by his money in a legal way.
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 5, 2009, 10:24am EST
"This guy has lots more under the surface than I first thought."

Absolutely. :o)
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 5, 2009, 10:26am EST
"It makes me wonder about his motivations..."

Exactly, Darling. One cannot fully understand a person's actions without knowing something about what motivates those actions...
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 5, 2009, 10:27am EST
" I read him (perhaps incorrectly) as not having an abundance of cash..."

I am constantly fascinated by what people read into a character. Thanks E.M.!
adam w. Mar 5, 2009, 10:29am EST
Tinker almost sounds like tinkle. I find that funny! :.)
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 5, 2009, 10:43am EST
"Tinker almost sounds like tinkle. I find that funny! "

Shocker.
Sheryl O. Mar 5, 2009, 10:53am EST
I just read the book "Broken for You" in which one of the character's father amassed a large collection of expensive ceramics and glass during WWII in Germany by basically stealing it from people who were being deported by the Nazi's. Hmmm.....
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 5, 2009, 11:05am EST
Are you implying Mr. Tinker is less than honest...possibly a thief even?
Jean E. Mar 5, 2009, 1:30pm EST
64 comments I do not have time to read ~ but I am betting tinker AND tinker are real....and the check is real.......only the reason for writing the check is questionable.....will respond more later dear doyle....am short on time here in "jean-world" but always interested in tinkering around in gather world~j
Sheryl O. Mar 5, 2009, 1:41pm EST
I would never be so bold as to imply anything about Mr. Tinker! What do you take me for, sir?!?
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 5, 2009, 2:49pm EST
...am short on time here in "jean-world"

Take your time my friend. Hope Jean-world is treating you well!
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 5, 2009, 2:50pm EST
"What do you take me for, sir?!? "

A Hmmmmm'er. :o)
Is Tinker paying off some guilt?
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 5, 2009, 4:08pm EST
"Is Tinker paying off some guilt?"

I haven't asked him. :o)
kelldogg ! Mar 5, 2009, 4:12pm EST
Mr. Tinker sure is a generous individual! I enjoy him!
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Mar 5, 2009, 4:14pm EST
Thanks Kelldogg...he seems very generous, indeed!
Jean E. Mar 6, 2009, 8:04am EST
another facet to the diamond of a character you have created dear Doyle ~ I had a glimpse into his thoughts, when he said he already knew more than what he wanted to know....and then the original posting, he deleted the message from his mom ~~ interesting....okay, gone to read any more work you done with/for Mr. Tinker ~ good job dear friend ~j
Ron (in complete sheeple overload) W. Mar 8, 2009, 4:22am EDT
He seems conflicting, in that if he's trying to stay under the radar, he wouldn't have done something that ostentatious on the basis of a mass mailing, and yet, it would seem he's afraid they will delve into his past. Hmmm..... something's not obvious about this guy, what you see is definitely not what you get, I suspect. Nice job, Doyle. I'll be trying to keep up with this one.
Kathleen ♥ L. Mar 23, 2009, 12:51am EDT
Curiouser and curiouser...
Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Mar 23, 2009, 3:50pm EDT
If he's giving them money to leave him alone, then he doesn't understand groups who ask for money! :) If he's doing it to seem more of a "community figure" that might be to keep suspicions at bay, and to "throw off the trail" so to speak.
Apryl Just Apryl Mar 27, 2009, 9:14am EDT
Keep writing Doyle, I'm hooked on this storyline and character

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