Monthly Archives: January 2008

It has GOT to be Illegal

Credit CardsOk, I’m all for making a living as the next guy, but for the last few MONTHS, my wife and I have been getting messages on my answering machine saying (Paraphrasing):

Hi, We’re from your credit Card company, We’re calling about Your Credit Card Bill! Please hit 1 for an Operator!

Can we say “possible FRAUD, Boys and Girls?

They’ve called us during Dinner a few times too. I’ve asked repeatedly for our number to be taken Off the F____ing list and they say “OK” and hang up.

Today, On Martin Luthur King Day, They called YET again! Wits END
Un-F___ing-Believable!

Ok, I calm down , Steel myself, and Hit “1”.

Operator: “Hi, are you interested in Reducing Your Credit Card Bills?”

Me (Smiley Voice): “Sort Of, I always looking out to save money in this time of Economic Gloom, but which one of My Credit Card Company do you Represent??”

Operator: “Well, We’re from Your VISA Card!”

Me: “Really? Which ONE Exactly? Would that be My Wa Mu Card?”
(NOTE: I don’t have a WaMu Card)

Operator: “Why, Yes, That’s the one. We represent ALL your Visa Cards!”

After going back and forth a few times, he would NOT identify the company.

Me (Slightly Annoyed Voice): “That’s Interesting, but What I REALLY want to know is, Why am I being called when I asked for my number to be removed three times already?? The Automated machine talking to my Answering machine is really annoying…”

Operator: “(sigh), Sir, all you need do is hit the ‘2’ Button…”

Me: “Really?, The Recording did not say that. It only said to hit ‘1’ to speak to someone.”

Operator: “Yes sir, It did. If you listened for another 20 seconds, you’d hear it”

Me: “Um, Noooo, I don’t think so, But What-Ever. Will You remove my number NOW???”

Operator: “Just hit the ‘2’ Button.”

Me: “What? Now? I don’t want to buzz it in your ear or anything…”

Operator: “Yes Sir, Now…”

Me: “(Stabbing The ‘2’ Button) Ok, Am I off the List?”

Operator: “Yes Sir.”

Me: “That’s great, have a nice day.”

Operator: “You too.(click)”

I swear, If I get one more call on our answering machine, I’m making an MP3 File and posting it online. I have nothing against the Operator. He’s just trying to make a living but this is ridiculous.


NOTE:
I’m on the “Do NOT Call List”! I have the sneaking suspicion that one of our credit cards is up to this. If I find out which one, I’m canceling my card…

Music I’m listening to right Now:
Suspicious Minds” by Fine Young Cannibals from the “Fine Young Cannibals” Album.

Keeping busy with a hobby

Group shot


One of my hobbies is building plastic models, usually Gundam models, but I also build an occasional plane. It’s fun, requires patience and is relaxing. I have a queue of models taking up space so I’m building them a little at a time. As I build them, I’ll take photos and update the blog. Above is a photo I took of three of the models I built. The two on the right were completed last week.Next on my plate is this:

And now for something different...

I’ve had this for a while and never got around to building it.

This is Bandai’s Perfect Grade Evangelion model. This is the 1st Perfect Grade in the series from 1998 and the only one in the series that is not based on the Gundam Franchise.
To put it mildly, it requires paint and glue to look good.

Fortunately, Tamiya colors (Water soluble) work fine and is easily available from Image Anime on West 30th Street.
The colors I’ll need:
X-1 Black (Optional Might just polish the Black parts)
X-2 White
X-5 Green
X-6 Orange
X-16 Purple

Building it will be straight forward, I’ll test fit everything, glue seams where needed, mask and paint.
Should be fun.
;)

Music I’m listening to right Now:
Makes Me Wonder” Maroon 5 from the “It Won’t Be Soon Before Long” Album.