I realize my creation over the weekend of "The Loyal 77" line of merchandise may have confused some of you, especially as our search engine isn't what it should be. So, a brief recap for our newer readers....
Since we relaunched YBNBY in May with a new design, and enhanced comments and profiles, our following by regular commenters has increased substantially, something that only intensified with the launch of our forums. Since then, those that comment (even semi-regularly), or those that comment rarely but visit regularly, have collectively come to be known as "The Loyal 77".
How and when this meme started is a little harder to pin down, although I think our writer in absentia, Johnny Wright, is probably to blame. The first mention I can find in any article comes in a Caption Competition on May 30th, followed by this string of posts. The first commenter to follow the meme was Dave on the main site, and by Bigus Dickus over on the forums.
As to the formallty of whether you are "in" or "out", I kind of like the idea of there only being 77 spots on the roster, so let's start assigning numbers. First come, first served, and as soon as we hit 77, new inductees need to wait for someone to die. But - of course - you need to send us a picture of you wearing a Loyal 77 t shirt to confirm your membership ;)
(Oh, and I added a thong just for Vicky.)
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I think of it as a state of mind Scara.
If you check out the caption competitions and your reaction is, "Man that is some funny shit." You're in a 77 state of mind.
If you check out the caption competitions and your reaction is, "What the hell? Where do these people go at night? Isn't there a law or something?" You are not in a 77 state of mind.
Dibs on #13.
Dibs on #1--it's part of my name!
Dibs on #77.
I think our Loyal 77 concept just got hijacked for cash.
C'mon, Scara ... what you're proposing is like going to the Special Olympics and forcing the athletes to buy an "I'm Special" T-shirt in order to participate.
But, I will take a number.
I love the idea but I like my anonymity more....
someone in this town once said it's a "burp and everyone knows it" kind of place...and he was right.
With my silhouette it's hard enough getting people to make eye contact w/me...add a L77 tee shirt and I don't stand a chance!!!
Tim, I'm assigning you #14...and I think alex and Vicky will agree....
a thong ? .. oh yeah ..
Actually, #14EEE would be more precise.
that won't fit in a thong tim
For those who may feel that they have been sold out, I am starting a new group called the UNNA 10.
No purchase required, just loyalty. A concept that once meant something as a member of the Loyal 77.
If you would like to join the UNNA 10 you have to be chosen by me. Once a member, always a member, if someone feels deserving of the UNNA 10 Tag there has to be a majority vote by all of the UNNA 10 members. If voted in it will be the UNNA 11 and so on and so forth. YOU CANNOT BE A MEMBER OF THE LOYAL 77 IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE UNNA 10. You have to choose.
I will not require a photo of yourself, and I will send you a shirt out of my closet and it will smell like Dave, which is probably the best smell in the world. Your number will be written on the shirt.
I would like to know who is in before I institute this rebellion.
hang on .. we have to send in a pic wearing our purchase ?
I'll take a hoodie too ... nothing like a hoodie and a thong in the same pic
do you have any UNNA 10 thongs dave ?
Jeebus, that's like asking me to choose between being an American or being a dues-paying member of my Homeowner's Association.
I choose UNNA!
Tim, did you not get the email where Scara promised the real members of the L77 a kickback from the sales proceeds?
alex, are you asking Dave for a previously worn, smells like Dave thong? just wondering...
(and if you were, were you planning on taking the dna sample from the item in question to use to track him to his exact location in Wyoming?)
btw...we need to support Scara (in theory, at least) otherwise he might dismantle the (forum) treehouse....
I support Scara by posting random, meaningless comments that serve no other purpose other than to juice comments.
(No he doesn't.)
I meant juice the numbers, not juice the comments.
I prefer to juice the commentors.
Wait, I mean ... nevermind.
Dammit!
That's my job!!!!!
Ummm....I was trying to agree with your prior post, now I'm not even sure what my job is around here....
Maybe I'll just sit here and look pretty....
An organized list and clear definition of who is or isn't a L77 seems to me like the kids in the military with Anarchy stickers in their cars. It just seems to go against the principal of the thing.
That being said, I have requested one for Birthday / Fathers Day.
Sigh.
Just so we're clear, YBNBY makes about $2 profit for every T shirt we sell. Conversely, the Cafepress store costs us $60 a year, and the two fonts I used to make the graphic cost about $110. So, we don't actually even break even, even if we sell 77.
To put this in context, in the last 90 days, including the rush over the last 48 hours (!) we've sold a total of 6 t shirts, 3 of which have been to YBNBY writers to give away as prizes.
Just so we're clear.
Scara, after the holocaust that was the Bush administration, I congratulate you on being able to make money at all. My Loyal 77 shirt is going to look great, I'll wear it alternately with my Coloradoans for Obama shirt. Yes We Can!
Scara, it's okay...we just have to give you a hard time...we're the kids who act out when the parents neglect us (we're experts at attention getting mechanisms!!!)...any attention is good attention.
but since you are the Chief Contradictor, the L77 has to consist of a bunch of mini-contradictors...or private contradictors...or? Not sure what our rank is....
ah well...
I want so badly to be part of the group. I want to feel accepted in ways that will make me feel validated by society.
I call dibs on #67! That's my racing number, jersey number, and all around number.
Good one Eddy. I remember the first time I read Naomi Klein too.
I like 69.
That's rule #1 of the Loyal 77....
Not to be confused with rule #1 of YBNBY...
That's nice, Brother Bill ... would you like a Loyal 77 number?
We better put our L77 orders in now, Brother Bill ... cause Jim Cantore and the Weather Channel Doomsday Bus just showed up in Kentucky.
An Icy Hell can't be too far behind. Pray for us everyone, we're going under the Cantore Ice Shield.
Not Jim Cantore!!!!!!!!!
Nooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He seems like a very nice person, but he is the LAST person on the planet that I would invite to my wedding--especially if it were outdoors--because he brings out the worst in Mother Nature...
Dibs on 42
I definitely don't want to be 43....(not a reflection in TeaFizz, but on GWB)
I wish I was kidding, E. I actually meant that in a sort of awkward, geeky, soul-bearing sort of way instead of anything sarcastic.
It's all good Eddy. Sorry for misassumtions.
I think it's a cool logo, cool site, I need a t-shirt. If you see me around Denver in my 77 shirt say Yo. Not happening anytime soon. It's freezing here. Thats Colorado though. Next week it might be tshirt weather again.
wait..wtf...make it the loyal 81 so i can have my number
Ooh, can I be pi?
Well Tim, The UNNA 10 may have to wait. Membership would include a guided Deer hunt.
Scaramouche, So if I were to purchase a Loyal 77 thong and sent a picture of me wearing it to you, would you guarantee that you would post the picture????
I'd pay to see that one....
Well my wife told me that when she gets a job I can buy a piece of gear. I like the look of that girls hoodie with the blue sleeves. I wish they made one like that for a guy. Let's just hope she finds a job before the numbers run out (5 months and counting).
I'd pay to not see that one.
me and white tshisrts dont go down well, no matter how hard I try.
can we have a colour choice?
I think I'm more in the "Who the hell is that guy" 78-87... Doesn't really have any kind of ring to it.
However, considering that I have just finished re-watching The Prisoner, all I can say is:
“I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered! My life is my own.”
“I am not a number, I am a person.”
Speaking of which, has anyone claimed number 6??
I want my L77 tee. But not as a requirement to be on the board. I want it just because I want.
I just need to wait for the USD exchange rates to go down here... In my new in-home currency (that is Diaper$) a tee+shipping would cost me the equivalent of 1 and a half week of my daughter's dry and comfortable ass. Three weeks if I chose priority shipment. Let's wait the USD prices to go down...
Scara, as has been stated by all the loyal readers, it's all in the name of fun and love, we're not crucifying you. We are the brat kids who rebel in search of attention (I couldn't put it better Sarcky).
And where's the fun on having us all as lambs, saying baaaa to everything and shaking our necklace bells? That's what I don't expect to find here. Contradiction is what I want to see everytime I log on.
I'm not questioning your values, man. I know how hard is to keep a business running when you have lots of holes draining pieces of your retail price on the way to your pocket, leaving a low amount in the end. Specially in these dark economics days.
My rant may have come out confusing, but I had to throw my 2 cents.
Although I'm not giving up on my L77 membership, I'm with Dave on his rebellion.
I think Scara wanted to motivate us by putting this idea of send a pic with the shirt, but really sound as we've been sold. Maybe I'm being a cry baby but to me, the whole idea of a contradictor's club like the L77, is not following any conventional rules. And this idea looked a little too "MySpacic" to me.
We're like the fight club. You're in for the ideas, for the fun, for all the rants and flames, for all the tangential jokes and nonsense comments, and not for the "Class of '09 Tea Party".
Dave, guessing you're the #1, save me #2. I'll get my tee when I arrive there for our kickass-spanking-without-sweat-session. Or maybe you want to send me in advance so you'll find me easily at the airport.
Love,
Leo Carvalho
Leo, I better send the shirt to you.
Your shirt will definately have the sleeves cut out of it. It may be a button up with the buttons cut out. I'll have to think about it.
UNNA 10 shirts will be customised for each member.
Mouche, you should have looked at my idea in the forums a little closer. It was a fun low pressure sell. Plus it didn't sell out L77'rs that didn't want to buy a shirt.
You changed the Loyal 77 into the Elite 77, perhaps the shirt should change to the reflect the new E77.
Nex time you steal my idea and take credit for it, steal the whole thing instead of putting a British twist of taxation without representation.
Love always,
Dave
By the way I am smiling as I write this.
Dave,
I was secretly hoping I could find a good use again for my "I'm Special" T-Shirt that I was coerced into buying at last year's Special Olympics Ball. I'm sure that the opportunity will present itself in due time. Perhaps I can go retro at this year's fundraiser.
Once again, you prove your wisdom ... it would be best that the UNNA 10 wait to form until nerves have calmed.
Leo,
I hear you on the diaper currency, man. Just wait, that turns into a direct cash pipeline to Limited Too and Old Navy which, in turn, becomes a direct cash pipeline to Aeropostale and Hollister.
Don't know if you have those clothing stores in Brazil, but I'm sure you have the equivalent.
I'd like to think I'd get a place on the list, for sending in the first piece of fan-mail to YBNBY. And for being part of the moblog project (remember the moblog?) for about 10 minutes.
If necessary, I can track down a photo of boobies wrapped in bacon to cement my place.
I would like to sponsor and submit the L77 application of MOL and her bacon-wrapped boobies for consideration.
MOL - Please send all pictures for review to the webmaster. He will forward them on to the L77 application committee and we will assemble a proper portfolio for submission to the voting community.
I'll take ummmmm....hell, just give me any # or are writers exempt on this?
Amen Tim, bacon wrapped boobs need to be voted by our commitee before airing.
I know what you're saying Tim. We don't have these stores around here--at least I haven't seen them--but sure we have our equivalent. And before the cash pipelining to the fashion stores we have Fisher Price, Mattel and Hasbro taking their amount of the share.
Oh Jeebus, kids are just so cute until they learn what's money for. And it gets just worse when they learn to ask for their allowance.
Dave, I'll send the address to the shirt shipment. My size is S, by the way. But nevermind that because as Mark Twain once said: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."
Leo, the downside to not ordering from Scaramouch is the fact that the UNNA 10 shirts are limited to two sizes, XL and XXL. I do not think that a size S. shirt exists in my closet. Along with the shirt, I will send you a vial of Sustenon 250 and a vial of Deca Durabolin, with perhaps a few tabs of Anadrol 50. Take as directed along with a rigorous workout and you will fit the shirt in no time.
I would suggest cutting the Anadrol tablets in half at first and try to think happy thoughts to overcome the aggression.
Tim, testosterone and nor-testosterone supplements will not be included in your t-shirt shipment because I don't want to ruin your chances of being a special olympic hopeful. Nothing pisses off a special olympic comittee like a failed piss test.
well seeing as i need a 3 or 4XL shirt dave i guess that rules me out.
I got my shirt on order. I need #20 though. that was my HS basketball number.
As for Elite 77....dave, i'm pissing myself with laughter over here.
I Live in a trailer park, i drive a '92 ford econoline van/bus, and make about 800 dollars a month. I am anything but Elite.
Dave,
Thanks for the thoughts, but I am already an XL. Like you, I am somewhat of a man-beast. The "I'm Special" T-Shirt I was referring to is actually two size Medium shirts cut and sewn together. So, in reality, my shirt says "I'm SpecSpecial".
I will take the testosterone supplements, however. I can use them to overcome the estrogen-filled air that dominates my house. Do you have any documentation on grinding them into a fine powder and disbursing them through the air ducts as an air freshener?
I just want to lower the estrogen level a bit, not cause a sudden outbreak of mustachioed adolescents. Although that could make their dating years a little less stressful for Dad ...
Bigus, due to historical matters your tee (or toga) may read "Fidelis LXXVII".
SP, at least you're Elite here.
Dave, I can get someone to fix the shirt's size. I prefer not putting all those substances in my system. But thanks anyway.
Tim, great move. But in the other hand, you may end up with muscular male-like women at home, like that one in one of the previous caption competitions. Be aware, you may test the effects of the testosterone on your girls little by little.
Pablo, all the better reason to Join the UNNA 10.
We don't expect you to give us money to show your loyalty, we just expect you to show loyalty to your friends as your friends show loyalty to you.
Oh and take a little oath...
and sign a paper giving Me all rights to your soul after you are dead.
I'll get to that later.
Dave,
For those of us that already have a lien against our souls due to previous transgressions, will you accept a second lien with first right of refusal?
Tim, I go by many names, you are already taken care of. You will not need to sign any more papers.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Love Dave
I was just about to ask the same Tim. Same problem here.
- The priest on the church I used to attend as a kid said that my soul was bounded to Satan and I deserved to go to hell hanging upside down, due to my custom of taking the girls of the Sunday school to the church's backyard and doing non-church things with them. Note: I haven't forced any of them, so they should be blamed too, but nooooo, blame on the testosterone carrier;
- My wife says my soul is hers, it's stated in the marriage certificate;
- One of my friends told me I have no soul, just because I didn't share my last beer with him;
- To get that beer I didn't share--it was a premium limited edition ultra-tasty--I had to lien my soul to Satan (again).
I think I can't bind it to anything else (if I still have one).
correction... on "bounded to Satan" read "bound to Satan".
Damn... when you write over something already written that kind of shit happens... hate typos.
Sounds like a plan (and a few beers) will take care of my t-shirt!
As a loyal lurker (365) I've now registered. Scara, is this the response you wanted? Do I qualify for the 77?
Cool name.
TRYING TO TAKE MY DAMN MONEY WITH SHIRTS, EH?!
I WON'T HAVE IT!
Plus, I'm broke. Put me on the "alternate" list.
Lame name- come to the dark side. Trust your feelings. Joining the L77 is for loosers.
The Unna 10 offers you verbal protection from any attack directed towards you.
Besides that, you are a chef. We like to eat. We like a woman that will feed us.
Sal-as alternate list did you mean the UNNA 10?
Actually, Lame Name, you are number 737. Which means there's only 40 to go to the loyal 777.
Can i still join the UNNA 10 and be a L77er too? i'm a greedy bastard.
Oh Scara, you added a thong, just for me???
I'm feeling some tears coming on....... skimpy panties always make me sentimental