There was a time when I thought that con-men only existed in old movies.
Then a few years ago I was conned.
There I was, walking along in the springfield mall (don't worry, the grifters have moved on) When some kid, slightly older than I, and quite adorable came up to me with a clipboard and started talking. He talked alot, threw in a number of compliments to my looks and character. He told me that he was participating in a DJ contest and that in order to win he needed to get votes. How could one vote for him? by signing up for these "totally legitimate" magazine subscriptions, of course! He was very charming and there were a number of competitors in the mall at the time, so i believed him, of course. He told me all about how the company he was working for was backed by the better business bureau and how if he won he'd get to be a dj on some show or another. The paper i filled out seemed very official.
It was, of course, a lie.
In reality, some twenty-two year old fast talker made thirty bucks and a very naive nineteen year old learned a valuable lesson.
A few weeks later i told someone the story and they informed me that i was never getting said magazine. They were correct. I'm pretty sure this once happened to my mom as well, since she told me a very similar story and that magazine also somehow never made it to my door.
So today when two good-looking, friendly, and very talkative girls knocked on my door, I was a bit more guarded about the whole thing. They gave me, almost word for word, the same spiel i heard two years prior at my hometown mall. When I told them I had been scammed before, they told me they were backed by the better business bureau. I didn't tell them that Mr. DJ had said those exact words as well. After dragging it out for a few minutes I politely declined their offer.
Then I called the cops. They were gone already, but at least this time without my money.
Magazine scams, perpetrated most famously by the Universal Subscription Agency, are a very lucrative business. But not for those kids who knock on your door. Those kids are trained to remain almost eerily up-beat at all times, and to talk their way out of any situation. They are brainwashed into not asking where the money they make is going or whether the customers get what they pay for. They work 10 or more hours a day and are often given less than $15 in food money. Many are runaways. All are lured in with the promise of money and the ability to travel. But somehow, most likely because of the fines that managers place upon them, these kids never actually get their money.
So I guess the point of this post is that con-men still exist. And don't ever buy things from door to door salesmen. It is really easy to photoshop official looking documents if you are only showing them to people who don't know what to look for in official documents. And anyone can say that their company is legit.
Or, in the words of mad-eye moody:
Constant Vigilance!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Spinto Band blew my mind, and now i can no longer form intelligent sentences...
Although some might say my sentences aren't really that eloquent to begin with.
Anyways...
I cannot even explain how amazing The spinto band was tonight. words like "Awesome," "Wicked Cool," and "Fan-Freakin-Tastic" just don't seem to cut it. I'd prattle on about how great it was... but i'm afraid i can't do it justice. Truth be told I haven't been feeling very witty as of late so i will simply say this.
I Love This Band.
Listen to them. Love them. The end.
http://www.myspace.com/thespintoband
<3
Cynthia
Anyways...
I cannot even explain how amazing The spinto band was tonight. words like "Awesome," "Wicked Cool," and "Fan-Freakin-Tastic" just don't seem to cut it. I'd prattle on about how great it was... but i'm afraid i can't do it justice. Truth be told I haven't been feeling very witty as of late so i will simply say this.
I Love This Band.
Listen to them. Love them. The end.
http://www.myspace.com/thespintoband
<3
Cynthia
Monday, March 16, 2009
SciFi Channel to change name, annoy nerds everywhere
As an advertising major and lover of all things dorky (with the exception of lost), news like this always piques my interest. SciFi, the network most known for dorky shows about space and stuff, is preparing to change its name.
To what?
SyFy.
Whoa there guys. I think that might be a little too different, you know? (joke)
Honestly, I think this is bull. SciFi was raised to it's current status by the very trekkies it is now trying to distance itself from. While I understand that they want to appeal to a broader audience without alienating themselves too much from their base, I don't think that this particular tactic will work. The name change is too subtle to change the opinions of those who aren't predisposed to watch the channel. Phonetically, it's exactly the same. While it is true that the SciFi channel does air more than just sci-fi shows, i think it is important to note that most of their shows are still in that same vein.
What i think the change will do is annoy those who already watch the channel. like me. So here I will speak directly to the company:
I am saddened, I watched your x-files, your firefly, MSTK, dark angel reruns, painkiller jane and eureka. And now what? you don't want to be associated with me anymore because you need to "reach out" and have "something for everyone." Well, i gotta tell ya, I don't watch your channel because i want to see gossip girl reruns. I watch it for three things, aliens, spaceships, and adam baldwin. You get your high ratings because people enjoy the niche you occupy. So stop trying to escape that.
Okay. that's it.
check out this sweet cake!
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/16/wedding-cake-made-from-80-pac-man-cupcakes/
Cynthesizer
To what?
SyFy.
Whoa there guys. I think that might be a little too different, you know? (joke)
Honestly, I think this is bull. SciFi was raised to it's current status by the very trekkies it is now trying to distance itself from. While I understand that they want to appeal to a broader audience without alienating themselves too much from their base, I don't think that this particular tactic will work. The name change is too subtle to change the opinions of those who aren't predisposed to watch the channel. Phonetically, it's exactly the same. While it is true that the SciFi channel does air more than just sci-fi shows, i think it is important to note that most of their shows are still in that same vein.
What i think the change will do is annoy those who already watch the channel. like me. So here I will speak directly to the company:
I am saddened, I watched your x-files, your firefly, MSTK, dark angel reruns, painkiller jane and eureka. And now what? you don't want to be associated with me anymore because you need to "reach out" and have "something for everyone." Well, i gotta tell ya, I don't watch your channel because i want to see gossip girl reruns. I watch it for three things, aliens, spaceships, and adam baldwin. You get your high ratings because people enjoy the niche you occupy. So stop trying to escape that.
Okay. that's it.
check out this sweet cake!
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/16/wedding-cake-made-from-80-pac-man-cupcakes/
Cynthesizer
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Trips!
I'm blogging from La! It's 1:22 here. I'd say "this means its (some time) back home," but i don't actually know which time that is because i still don't understand time zones. I keep calling/ texting people at really awkward times.
So, anyway I'm staying with my good friend Erin. Every day with her is an exercise in awkwardness. The first night I went to club Kress, where i stood awkwardly in the background of Snoop's new show Dog after Dark. Then we tried to dance. Just so you know, I'm not really good at dancing if it's not the white boy shuffle. So we'll see how that looks when the show is aired. hopefully they cut it out. Still, she always takes me on strange adventures.
In other news, i'm pretty sure i want to live in Seattle. I was there from Sunday until Wednesday and it is pretty much the best city in the world. Though i'd like it more if there were less homeless people.
That's pretty much all i can think of right now...
listen to greg lasswell! he's great! if you like acoustic-ey stuff.
So, anyway I'm staying with my good friend Erin. Every day with her is an exercise in awkwardness. The first night I went to club Kress, where i stood awkwardly in the background of Snoop's new show Dog after Dark. Then we tried to dance. Just so you know, I'm not really good at dancing if it's not the white boy shuffle. So we'll see how that looks when the show is aired. hopefully they cut it out. Still, she always takes me on strange adventures.
In other news, i'm pretty sure i want to live in Seattle. I was there from Sunday until Wednesday and it is pretty much the best city in the world. Though i'd like it more if there were less homeless people.
That's pretty much all i can think of right now...
listen to greg lasswell! he's great! if you like acoustic-ey stuff.
Friday, February 20, 2009
We now return you to your regular scheduled programming...
Expect this entry to be a little disjointed. It's been awhile and I have a few things to say that aren't at all related to each other.
I call this The Good, The Sad, and the God-awful.
The Good:
First, a quick summary of things that i think are awesome.
I love Four Year Strong. Honestly, I haven't listened to punk music since high school (though i was pretty obsessed back then). I told a friend of mine this and his reaction was "really? the same person whose favorite band is margot and the nuclear so & so's?" uh... yeah, i guess it's possible. My two favorite tracks are "Bada Bing! Wit' a Pipe!" and "Wrecked 'em? Damn near killed 'em!" But really the whole album (Rise or Die Trying) is really good.
Another band i recently fell in love with... The Howlies. They can only be described as surf punk. I saw them last wednesday. despite the small crowds, they put on a fantastic show. That means a lot to me, because i feel like too often bands get pissy when there isn't a "big enough" crowd and don't really give it their all. The Howlies were great; the lead singer was just precious, and their harmonies were fantastic. Some clutch songs were "Aluminum baseball bat" and "angelina"
Random songs to give a listen-
M. Ward- never had nobody like you
Ivan Ives- got it
overnight- I know
golden bloom- doomsday devices
The Sad:
When i went out to buy paste magazine the other day, i was a little saddened to find they've decided to stop putting cd's in their issues. You still get music. But you have to go to their website and enter in a little code that can be found in your issue. This gives you access to a zip file with all the songs on it (and album art too). While I understand the logic of it (most people immediately rip it onto their computer, they are wasting a lot less plastic, etc.)I'm still going to miss having something tangible. Long after everyone traded in their cd cases and sony disc players for a sleek little ipod I've still got my alphabetically ordered cd collection. It's sad to know that i'll never get to add another Paste cd to that section. I really liked watching the cd art evolve. I'm just being overly nostalgic, i know. But the free cd was what drew me to the magazine in the first place. If i had the money i'd probably go back and order the thirty issues i don't already have so that i could have them all. yes, like pokemon.
The God-awful:
I would like to commend Hipster Deathmachine for duping me into seeing their horrible horrible set. This may seem obvious to some, but i think the band needs to be reminded that just because your band has a trombone does not mean you can call yourselves a ska band. It's been a long time since i've sat through something that...painful.
yeah... that's it.
:/
I call this The Good, The Sad, and the God-awful.
The Good:
First, a quick summary of things that i think are awesome.
I love Four Year Strong. Honestly, I haven't listened to punk music since high school (though i was pretty obsessed back then). I told a friend of mine this and his reaction was "really? the same person whose favorite band is margot and the nuclear so & so's?" uh... yeah, i guess it's possible. My two favorite tracks are "Bada Bing! Wit' a Pipe!" and "Wrecked 'em? Damn near killed 'em!" But really the whole album (Rise or Die Trying) is really good.
Another band i recently fell in love with... The Howlies. They can only be described as surf punk. I saw them last wednesday. despite the small crowds, they put on a fantastic show. That means a lot to me, because i feel like too often bands get pissy when there isn't a "big enough" crowd and don't really give it their all. The Howlies were great; the lead singer was just precious, and their harmonies were fantastic. Some clutch songs were "Aluminum baseball bat" and "angelina"
Random songs to give a listen-
M. Ward- never had nobody like you
Ivan Ives- got it
overnight- I know
golden bloom- doomsday devices
The Sad:
When i went out to buy paste magazine the other day, i was a little saddened to find they've decided to stop putting cd's in their issues. You still get music. But you have to go to their website and enter in a little code that can be found in your issue. This gives you access to a zip file with all the songs on it (and album art too). While I understand the logic of it (most people immediately rip it onto their computer, they are wasting a lot less plastic, etc.)I'm still going to miss having something tangible. Long after everyone traded in their cd cases and sony disc players for a sleek little ipod I've still got my alphabetically ordered cd collection. It's sad to know that i'll never get to add another Paste cd to that section. I really liked watching the cd art evolve. I'm just being overly nostalgic, i know. But the free cd was what drew me to the magazine in the first place. If i had the money i'd probably go back and order the thirty issues i don't already have so that i could have them all. yes, like pokemon.
The God-awful:
I would like to commend Hipster Deathmachine for duping me into seeing their horrible horrible set. This may seem obvious to some, but i think the band needs to be reminded that just because your band has a trombone does not mean you can call yourselves a ska band. It's been a long time since i've sat through something that...painful.
yeah... that's it.
:/
Friday, February 6, 2009
I'm bored.
If anyone has checked facebook lately, they'll have seen the "25 facts"trend. I am not immune. But i'm not putting it on facebook, because i really don't need three hundred people knowing how strange i am! The way i see it, most of the people who read this (all four of you!) already know that.
1. I've wanted to do this for a week now, but it seemed rather silly.
2. When i was little i would wear frilly dresses with timberland boots.
3. One of my favorite childhood memories is when my grandpop, the ninety pound, 4'11 italian, tried to convince me he was saint nick.
4. I also really enjoyed crumbling saltine crackers into my campbell's soup. the crunch was really satisfying.
5. I have drawn a picture every day since new years. This is the longest i've ever stuck to anything.
6. Unless you count 13 years of dance class, but my dad was paying for that.
7. I did softball for two years, i was the only person on my team to hit a home run in those two years.
8. I quit because i didn't like being on a losing team, and no one would let me switch.
9. The most influential person in my life has always and will always be my uncle, no offence to anyone else.
10. My first kiss gave me this cute little teddy bear with a red bowtie. It's one of only a few cuddly things i own.
11. I don't like it when people tell me secrets, because i feel like i should confide in them too. I rarely do.
12. I rarely voice my anger, because i've found that the things i get mad about are unimportant in the long run.
13. I once accidentally rode my bike into the deep end of my pool.
14. In elementary school I spent my weekends in a cemetary. But only cuz my dad was the groundskeeper!
15. The clawed foot bathtub gave me nightmares. Even though i told people i thought it was really cool.
16. I think it's kind of dumb to believe in ghosts. But i still talk to people i've known who died years ago.
17. In 6th grade i beat up a boy. in 10th grade i dated him.
18. I've only gotten in fist fights with people who pick on my brothers. When people picked on me i just whined.
19. I'm a sucker for any boy in a cute sportcoat. or funky hat.
20. I only had to share a bedroom for six months in freshman year. That is the extent of my experience of "sharing"
21. Most days i think the whole notion of marriage is unnatural.
22. I love cooking for other people, but when i'm by myself i'll probably just order pizza.
23. I honestly doubt there's an engagement ring I could like more than the one i wear on my middle finger. It's not perfect, but it has meaning to me.
24. I'm not very good at starting conversations, but i love chatting with people!
25. I'm more girly than i like to admit.
1. I've wanted to do this for a week now, but it seemed rather silly.
2. When i was little i would wear frilly dresses with timberland boots.
3. One of my favorite childhood memories is when my grandpop, the ninety pound, 4'11 italian, tried to convince me he was saint nick.
4. I also really enjoyed crumbling saltine crackers into my campbell's soup. the crunch was really satisfying.
5. I have drawn a picture every day since new years. This is the longest i've ever stuck to anything.
6. Unless you count 13 years of dance class, but my dad was paying for that.
7. I did softball for two years, i was the only person on my team to hit a home run in those two years.
8. I quit because i didn't like being on a losing team, and no one would let me switch.
9. The most influential person in my life has always and will always be my uncle, no offence to anyone else.
10. My first kiss gave me this cute little teddy bear with a red bowtie. It's one of only a few cuddly things i own.
11. I don't like it when people tell me secrets, because i feel like i should confide in them too. I rarely do.
12. I rarely voice my anger, because i've found that the things i get mad about are unimportant in the long run.
13. I once accidentally rode my bike into the deep end of my pool.
14. In elementary school I spent my weekends in a cemetary. But only cuz my dad was the groundskeeper!
15. The clawed foot bathtub gave me nightmares. Even though i told people i thought it was really cool.
16. I think it's kind of dumb to believe in ghosts. But i still talk to people i've known who died years ago.
17. In 6th grade i beat up a boy. in 10th grade i dated him.
18. I've only gotten in fist fights with people who pick on my brothers. When people picked on me i just whined.
19. I'm a sucker for any boy in a cute sportcoat. or funky hat.
20. I only had to share a bedroom for six months in freshman year. That is the extent of my experience of "sharing"
21. Most days i think the whole notion of marriage is unnatural.
22. I love cooking for other people, but when i'm by myself i'll probably just order pizza.
23. I honestly doubt there's an engagement ring I could like more than the one i wear on my middle finger. It's not perfect, but it has meaning to me.
24. I'm not very good at starting conversations, but i love chatting with people!
25. I'm more girly than i like to admit.
Monday, February 2, 2009
things that make me double over in laughter
So, my itunes is on shuffle (like usual when i draw) and flaming lips came on. I have to say, that every time i hear the line "every time you state your case, the more i'd like to punch your face" i burst into laughter. I'm not sure why.
Anyway, the thing that really made me laugh today was cake wrecks. It's this blog where people send in pictures of just... awfully designed cakes. At first i thought it's only funny because i used to work at a bakery. But then i saw the wedding cake topped with a deer, a man, his wife, and their shotgun. There was also a red truck driving up the side of this otherwise pretty little cake.This was not some sort of hunting cake(?), mind you. It was a Wedding cake. A few pages later there was the birthday cake with a naked tom selleck.
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/
oh yeah... New art on the deviant art page.
http://luckpushedme1st.deviantart.com/
Also, if anyone wants to buy me a valentines day present, I would really enjoy a Pocket shark. These bad boys are perfect for both taking notes in class and moonlighting as a masked vigilante.
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/02/02/pocket-shark-pocket-shark/
toodles
Anyway, the thing that really made me laugh today was cake wrecks. It's this blog where people send in pictures of just... awfully designed cakes. At first i thought it's only funny because i used to work at a bakery. But then i saw the wedding cake topped with a deer, a man, his wife, and their shotgun. There was also a red truck driving up the side of this otherwise pretty little cake.This was not some sort of hunting cake(?), mind you. It was a Wedding cake. A few pages later there was the birthday cake with a naked tom selleck.
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/
oh yeah... New art on the deviant art page.
http://luckpushedme1st.deviantart.com/
Also, if anyone wants to buy me a valentines day present, I would really enjoy a Pocket shark. These bad boys are perfect for both taking notes in class and moonlighting as a masked vigilante.
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/02/02/pocket-shark-pocket-shark/
toodles
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