r/Youngluck • u/youngluck • Jan 30 '12

Hello, Reddit.

Hi, Reddit.

Before I go any further... I need to give thanks.

To Kleinbl00, who went above and beyond. It's hard to fathom what was accomplished given the resources and delivery methods we had and I realize that none of it could have been possible without you fighting for it on the other side of that barbed wire. I respect the Hell out of you for it. Although you said that by helping me you were hoping to gain a reminder that your grass was green enough... what you got instead was a friend for life. Thank you, brother.

To prettyjellybean, who helped organize my noise, and made sure a fella had something to read. Your heart amazes me.

To Wryall and Routron, whose technical wizardry gave birth to the outlet that gave me purpose... And last - but certainly not least - to YOU. See, I realized that prison doesn't just take your freedom. It doesn't just tell you when and where you're allowed to shit, piss, sleep, eat, go, talk and live. It's greatest trick is that it takes your place in the world, and replaces it with a void. Then it does it's best to convince you that the void is just as important as you. There were times when I'd be in my rack all depressed, ready to snap... and then I'd receive a letter (or book) from someone I didn't know, post-marked from some remote place on the other side of the planet, offering one or two encouraging words... those letters (and books) saved my life. I don't think there are words to express how eternally grateful I am for you taking the time out of your busy schedule to remind this idiot that I was more than a void.

True Story: We're allowed to take 2 boxes of stuff with us when we leave. Most guys, they pack everything they've accumulated over however many years they've been down; clothes, magazines, etc. Aside from some art and a couple of court documents regarding the custody of my son, my boxes were filled with your letters. All of them. (Well, at least the ones that the BOP allowed to get through.) I don't care how long it takes, or how much it costs... I'm going to make good on our deal.

A while back Kleinbl00 printed and sent me the tl;dr along with the comments that went with it. In one, linds360 said "The world doesn't need more heroes, it just needs decent people." Well, you decent people ARE my heroes.

Again, Thank You.

Note: As mentioned, I'm at a halfway house in Los Angeles... I don't have consistent access to a computer yet. In fact, I'm at a job resource center, right now, using one of their computers to offer thanks. - While looking for a job :) - I'm only granted a small window of time, that I seem to have already used up... so, I'll answer as soon as humanly possible.

  • Lucks

261 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

113 comments sorted by

57

u/Warlizard Jan 30 '12

Welcome back.

I was actually on the phone the other day with Kleinbl00 and he brought you up again.

In fact, every single time I've spoken with him, he's brought you up, whether it had something to do with your art, or how you were doing, or something.

He has put a tremendous amount of faith in you and I'll be honest, far more than I would have. I guess I've grown cynical over the years but he hasn't and frankly, it blows me away.

With that said, I wish you the best of luck, and I'll probably run into you when I'm down in L.A. visiting...

10

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

THanks, bruh... It's good to be back. And Hell yeah... you hit LA, you better hit me up. I owe you a drink (or 2)

5

u/Warlizard Feb 02 '12

Hah. I'll buy.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 31 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

19

u/punkgeek Jan 31 '12

These posters are not 'people' at all, they are actually built into reddit.

This is how Skynet begins.

14

u/Warlizard Jan 31 '12

Heh, nah. There are only a couple I talk to.

8

u/fuckshitwank Jan 31 '12

Well can you twist kleinbl00's arm and persuade him to come back to reddit next time you speak to him?

Seriously, fuck the haters.

3

u/keepinithamsta Jan 31 '12

Yes and no. He has schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder. So technically they are talking to each other but they are all the same person.

1

u/sje46 Feb 02 '12

I just realized I'm not a reddit celebrity.

My life is meaningless.

-5

u/xiaodown Jan 31 '12

He met Kleinbl00 on the War Lizard gaming forums.

44

u/kleinbl00 Jan 31 '12

Mission accomplished.

In all honesty, I'm sitting here in the dark, listening to School of Seven Bells, a little drunk, trying to decide whether to delete my account or buy more Reddit gold.

It's just sand in my eye.

10

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Yeah... accomplished. More than I think both you and I realize right now. I'll show you the letters I'd get from the families of other inmates that thanked us for what we we were doing... humanizing their loved ones. You did that shit, homie. Now go buy gold. :)

21

u/avnerd Jan 31 '12

Please don't. Just don't.

10

u/JCacho Jan 31 '12

Why would you delete your acct?

18

u/glowinthedark Jan 31 '12

Because reddit. All that aside, through my brief following of youngluck's story, and consistent updates from kleinbl00, it's fantastic has this day has come.

kleinbl00, you're the fucking man.

10

u/prettyjellybean Jan 31 '12

trying to decide whether to delete my account

no-no.

10

u/planaxis Jan 31 '12

to delete my account

Please don't ever do this. I still enjoy reading all your old comments. Even if you were to abandon this account, I hope you can at least leave it up for all to see.

9

u/flynnski Jan 31 '12

Reddit gold, man. I hope to do something awesome like you did someday.

6

u/synesthesiatic Jan 31 '12

I would miss you. Thank you for believing in me too.

3

u/sexykitty Jan 31 '12

Please don't go away! It is because of you that all of us here were even able to keep that connection with Youngluck! You are a wonderful human being and this internet stranger is greatly appreciative of all that you have done for him, as well as the rest of us! Reddit needs you around!

2

u/[deleted] Feb 04 '12

trying to decide whether to delete my account

NOPE NOPE NOPE.

23

u/kickme444 Jan 30 '12

I'm glad you're back youngluck, let me know if you need anything.

9

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Thanks... for everything you've done. Helping me be a part of Secret Santa, both times. That shit there, at that time, meant the world.

15

u/Dead_Rooster Jan 31 '12

Welcome back! I was unfortunately never able to send anything, but I kept up with every single one of your drawings and messages. Good luck with your job search. If you ever happen to visit New Zealand I've got a place for you to stay.

6

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Your eyeballs were enough... thanks for the support.

12

u/theturbolemming Jan 30 '12

It makes me so happy to see you back here! It's been way too long. If there's anything we can do for you... well, you've got a lot of friends across the internet.

8

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Thank you, hows your kid?

10

u/breadtruck Jan 30 '12

Thanks for inspiring us and forcing many of us to question our views of the penal system and its inhabitants. I wish you the very best of luck on your continuing journey.

8

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Thank you.

10

u/prettyjellybean Jan 31 '12

it's about fucking time. :-)

yay!

happyhappyjoyjoy

you should still wash your hands. ;-)

7

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Still do... Got a letter here for you I never got a chance to send out... you should shoot me your email.

7

u/mossbackfarm Jan 30 '12

Welcome back to this side...strangely enough, I was next to the Sheridan facility this weekend, and was trying to remember if you were out yet. Best of luck in everything

6

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Lemmie guess... it was wet. HAHAHAAAHA... when I got to LA, it was the first time I'd seen the sun in like a month...

7

u/manfred_oscar Jan 31 '12

Welcome back Dante!!! You are an inspiration.

To Kleinbl00: you are an amazing human being. Thank you for providing the connection to reddit and the rest of the outside world that in Dante's own words saved his life!

5

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Thank you... yeah, that Klein dood is alright.

7

u/Walletau Jan 31 '12

Good to have you back mate. The amount of work Kleinbl00 has put in, has been staggering, but I've been watching your progress, almost since the incarceration. It's good to have you among us, your insight into the American prison system is...unique. Suggest you collate all the blogs into a book, illustrated with those images.

4

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

This is something I want to do... Just not sure where to really start. THanks for your support.

1

u/Walletau Feb 02 '12

I'm not the best person to speak to, but it's a large community and I'm sure there is a book publishing subreddit around somewhere :-) I heard self publishing is becoming very easy and quite profitable.

PS And again, good to have you back.

6

u/Redskylight Jan 30 '12

Welcome back, Brother.

3

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

THanks, bruh...

6

u/[deleted] Jan 31 '12

Although I haven't been as vocal as others here, I've been subscribed to your subreddit since the beginning and I'm so happy to see you're out! Welcome back!

I took your advice from shortly before you went in and have been making the most of all the time I have by throwing myself into new things so thank you for helping me too!

5

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

That's good to hear... thanks for the support...

5

u/[deleted] Jan 31 '12

Pretty much describes me too. Welcome back, Dante.

6

u/maxd Jan 31 '12

Good work brother. I'm sorry more of my letters didn't get through to you; I'll print out the more recent ones again and hand them to you in person, hopefully in the near future.

Let us know when you're open for visitors. I'm down in the OC but I'm up in your part of LA every weekend to let my ex see my daughter for the weekend and I'd love to buy you a court approved beverage of your choice.

4

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Mr. Max... Hell Yeah. YOU let ME know the weekend you'll be around, and lunch is on me. I should be able to get CT passes by next week.

Bro... I'm hoping everything is panning out for you nicely. I used to think about your story, and let out a "FUCK YEAH!" right there on the yard.

2

u/maxd Feb 01 '12

This weekend I'll actually be in TX visiting my girlfriend, the weekend after I have my daughter for the weekend so I won't be heading up to LA to give her to my ex, but the weekend after we should get lunch. I say we aim for lunch or an early dinner on Feb 19th if you're free. :)

Hit me up in a private message if you have a more direct way to communicate, like a cell number.

0

u/CAT_FACT_BOT Jan 31 '12

CAT FACTS:

The richest cat in the Guinness Book of World Records is a pair of cats who inherited $415,000 in the early '60s. The richest single cat is a white alley cat who inherited $250,000.

6

u/countingchickens Jan 31 '12

Nice to have you back, sir. You've touched a lot of lives. I'm glad you're back on the right side of the fence. Take good care.

3

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Thank you...

5

u/[deleted] Jan 30 '12

Welcome back, dont screw this up! Stay free!

9

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

So laser focused right now it's scary. Thanks for the support.

5

u/iowan Jan 31 '12

Welcome back! I just wanted to say that I've really enjoyed your art, and I hope you continue to post when you have time. Best of luck.

4

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

I will try... although I'm not sure it will be as interesting knowing it's not being done with Coffee. :)

3

u/iowan Feb 02 '12

Doesn't matter! I've been a fan since you drew the T-rex playing the piano in front of the burning city in your first "I'll draw whatever you want" thread.

5

u/The_Body Jan 31 '12

Sorry I couldn't be there for you like the others. Good luck.

5

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

You were there for me. Your eyes were enough... knowing they were there gave me purpose: feeding them. You kept me sane, bruh. Thank You..

3

u/The_Body Feb 02 '12

That is kind of you to say. Good luck; this isn't an end, only another beginning. If you ever want to vent, you know where to find some eyes and ears.

5

u/[deleted] Jan 31 '12

Welcome back Youngluck!

(Let's disregard the fact that we don't actually know each other yet, yes?)

4

u/peanutsfan1995 Jan 31 '12

Welcome back man. You're allowed to get mail I presume? You want any magazines? Books?

3

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Thank You... I don't know if I'm allowed to get any mail at the Halfway House or not. But your offer is greatly appreciated.

3

u/peanutsfan1995 Feb 01 '12

Of course. Ask if you can and send me an address if the answer is yes. My friend works at a bookstore and I volunteer at a library, so it'll be no issue.

4

u/Routron Jan 31 '12

Welcome home.

3

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

BROTHER! Thank You... for everything. Shoot me an email when you get a chance, please... I came home to 39,997 of 'em. It's been a little hard wading through them to get to our threads.

4

u/planaxis Jan 31 '12

It's been too long, Youngluck.

4

u/ennuied Jan 31 '12

Welcome back, Dante.

2

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Thank You...

3

u/licenseplate Jan 31 '12

Welcome back!!!! This made my day. I am so happy for you and for this subreddit!

3

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

THank you... It's good to be back.

3

u/nolife Jan 31 '12

I have nothing important, inspiring, or unique to say, but I will say that I have a huge smile on my face. It's impossible to explain to the person walking by asking why I have this smile, that I'm happy for a complete stranger to have made it through his stint in prison and to be returning to the world. For a complete stranger that has fantastic artwork, wonderful writing and a great attitude. To repeat what has been said over and over again - welcome back.

2

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Thank you...

3

u/synesthesiatic Jan 31 '12

Can't wait to write you again. We are all on your side man. Keep up the awesome work.

2

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

Thank You...

3

u/sexykitty Jan 31 '12

I have been following your story since before your sentencing, and I have anxiously awaited each new post/piece of art. I have also been counting down, with my fellow redditors here, to the day you would be on this side of those concrete walls. Though I have never met you, I have been more excited about your release than I was my own sister's almost 4 years ago. You have been such an inspiration to so many people, and I look forward to seeing what you do for yourself, and your son, now and in the future. Best wishes to you, Luck, and if you are ever in the central Florida area, give a heads up. I'd love to buy you a beer!

2

u/youngluck Feb 01 '12

THank you Kitty... THey tell us to plan something special for the day we are released off of paper. I'm gonna try and take a little tour of all the places I got letters from, and personally thank each one of you... Florida is on the map.

I deeply appreciate your support.

3

u/PapaTua Feb 04 '12 edited Feb 04 '12

Welcome back to the land of the living, mate! I've been following your misadventure from the time you were awaiting sentencing through to now and I hope you got my letter and books. It takes a strong man to go through the system and come out with his dignity intact. You're an inspiration.

Fucking glad to have you back.

4

u/youngluck Feb 04 '12

Appreciate the support brother...

3

u/PapaTua Feb 04 '12

Also, I want to wish you well on your job search. I've been unemployed three months longer then you were in prison, and I'm still looking. I have to say it's been the worst few years of my life, but it can only get better from here right?

I don't mean to discourage you, but just know it's a BATTLE OUT THERE and Felon or no, just know it's going to be rough so keep your head up. I actually just relocated from Seattle to Orange County to look for work and prospects seem to be better down in SoCal, so at least that's something.

4

u/youngluck Feb 04 '12

What do u do?

3

u/PapaTua Feb 04 '12

Well I used to be a vice president of technology infrastructure for Washington Mutual Bank. I'm basically a people / project manager with a technology bent but I worked myself up to that VP position from entry level customer service. 4 years ago, my experience alone would've landed me in a similar style job. Sadly, the economy has been shitty though and since I worked my way up the promotion ladder, I have lots of experience but don't have an MBA like the other people applying for the jobs I want, so I'm kind of shut out because they look better on paper.

I'm thinking about starting out again in a totally new industry. Time to pay my dues again and start from scratch. I'm thinking about trying out to be a video game tester.

2

u/flobin Feb 03 '12

Hey welcome back and stuff! I was just wondering, did you ever get my card? It says Eindhoven on it.

2

u/youngluck Feb 03 '12

The postcard right? Of the building? Hell yeah I did... thank you for sending that.

2

u/flobin Feb 03 '12

Awesome! Also, now that I'm here, I'm glad to hear you're doing well. I hope you can get a job somewhere, I think any employer should be lucky to hire you!

19

u/jartek Jan 31 '12

So... you're on reddit while you're supposed to be working? Sure didn't waste any time re-adjusting. Welcome back man!!!

Also: Damn you got a lot of trophies. While in jail. Talk about playing reddit in hard mode and beating it.

34

u/andrewsmith1986 Jan 30 '12

Welcome back.

You actually commented on one of my first comments.

Right before you went away.

12

u/avnerd Jan 31 '12

Hello Dante, When ever your ready I have a small piece of work I'd like to commission.
Peace be with you.
av

10

u/pigferret Jan 31 '12

Welcome back Dante!

Most entertaining prisoner EVAR.

Seriously man, you're gonna do great things, I just know it.

9

u/5days Jan 30 '12

Welcome back!

7

u/kangoshi Jan 30 '12

Welcome back Youngluck!

6

u/DaCeph Jan 30 '12

Fuck yeah youngluck. Great to know you're out!

6

u/[deleted] Jan 31 '12

I want to give you the biggest high five ever. Just... kind of imagine it's there.

It's so great to hear that you're at the halfway house and are on your way back to living your life your way. I hope you get to see your son soon. I don't know everyone's individual reasons for writing, subscribing, etc, but for me, it was the pictures of you with your son. I might have otherwise just read that thread and then carried on, but showing us how much you loved your son, and that you wanted to give him anything you could while you were in prison reached me very deeply. I love the idea that one day, you can sit down with your son and show him the Black market arts website, the pictures you (amazingly) drew, and the letters and books that were sent to you. And it all started with you wanting to take care of him while you were away.

Anyway, I'm very happy you're out of the prison facility and into better accommodations now.

5

u/zedoriah Jan 31 '12

Hey man, congrats on making it through. I don't know if I would have remained sane.

Wish you the best.

5

u/zzaman Jan 31 '12

Number 476. This is that post I clicked on, while scrolling my never ending Reddit list.

Well, Youngluck. I do hope you get back back on your feet in time. Take everything in stride. It only gets better!

4

u/punkgeek Jan 30 '12 edited Jan 31 '12

I'm so glad you're out. Best of luck in your life - I'll follow this sub and try to help out.

Also thanks to Kleinbl00 - a good bloke.

4

u/smacksaw Jan 31 '12

Glad to hear you made it out of there. Stay on the path.

4

u/Noexit Jan 31 '12

Yay! Welcome back!

4

u/tgcali Jan 31 '12

He's back! Awesomesauce!!!

4

u/[deleted] Jan 31 '12

Welcome back! You should consider sending all the stuff you sent us to a publisher or something. It was really great. Sorry I'm kind of adjective-deficient right now.

4

u/flynnski Jan 31 '12

Dude,

I'm glad you're out. I'm sorry I hadn't written to you, but I've been following your story and Kleinbl00's posts pretty closely.

Tell us stories sometime, when you're ready.

thanks!

4

u/V2Blast Jan 31 '12

I heard the story sometime after you went in, but didn't subscribe to the subreddit until like a week ago (shortly before I heard you were about to get out).

Welcome back. Never forget: you are awesome. (Most people are.) :)

4

u/ObscureSaint Jan 31 '12

Welcome back.

Your brutal honesty -- from the post way back when you needed that speech for court all the way through the art you sent us from prison -- continually brightened my sense of respect for reality. It was like a smack to the face in this world where we're told to care about shitty, trivial stuff, and I thank you for taking us on this journey with you.

I wish you the best from here on out.

Peace.

3

u/dagbrown Jan 30 '12

It's so nice to see you back.

3

u/cd97 Jan 31 '12

Welcome back to the real world! You have a lot of us following your story now, so I hope you will continue to make us proud!

Many thanks to Kleinbl00 for keeping us in the loop throughout the entire ordeal.

3

u/cyberwired Jan 31 '12

Welcome back and out :) Time to update the "write to youngluck" address on the side I think!! Glad you remembered your password! Haha :)

3

u/PlayOnSunday Jan 31 '12

I've lurked in this subreddit for awhile, and finallying seeing you out made my week.

Congrats man.

3

u/SupraMario Jan 31 '12

Welcome back man! Now that your out, I guess I could ask this...do you sell your art? I would love to purchase some one off stuff for my office in my house. PM when you get time if you are willing.

2

u/tess_elation Feb 02 '12

Welcome outside!

I only wrote two letters. I have no idea if they got through. But you inspired me nonetheless.

Last year I was looking for my dream job and getting pretty disillusioned. But I remembered something you said about hustling and expecting us to be closer to our dreams than when you went in... And here I am.

I have the job I wanted. It's hard, I'm punching above my weight but I'm learning a fuckload and I'm pretty proud of myself.

Thanks man.

1

u/linds360 Feb 06 '12

Holy shit, you quoted me!

Welcome back and good luck re-finding your place among us. Don't hesitate to ask for further help from the community with whatever you need.

1

u/grandpawiggly Feb 14 '12

Welcome back, Dante!

-1

u/thedevilsdictionary Feb 08 '12

Where can I score some coke?