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.

Catching up

Gothamist Party
Been very busy this past month, but here is a partial rundown:

Life:

Politics:

  • Sadly, Sen. Reid was putting forth a bill that gives Telecoms Immunity for breaking the law but at the moment, it’s stopped.
  • Congress is sending a War Funding bill requiring no change in strategy in Iraq. Wasn’t the Democratic Party brought in to change things?

Odd:

Music I’m listening to right Now:
Big Bang Baby” by Stone Temple Pilots from the “Tiny Music…Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop” Album.

Best Use for a Tesla coil

Red Alert!As people may know, Photography is a hobby I indulge in. I like to think of doing different things such as a long exposure shot.

So, when I read “Awesome Red Alert Tesla Coil Makes Quick Work of Allied Soldiers” on Gizmodo, I had to read about it.

Peter at tesladownunder.com was nice enough to document how he did it. Basically, he replicated the scene from the game in real life with a Real Tesla Coil.

See his work here.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
Wild by Seal from his “SEAL [1991]” album.

Wireless Memory Card

Eye-FiLast year, I had a conversation with Nina, a friend of mine who’s a Professional Photographer (See her excellent work here) about the advantages of having a Nikon WT-2A wireless adapter for a D2x. At the time, I thought it was overkill, but Nina pointed out that during a Studio or Field shoot, this would be very useful as the LCD screen on the camera is not a good way to tell if a shot came out right or not.

Along those lines, I saw this on Engadget and found it to be an interesting idea. 2 GB and Wireless in an SD card? Great idea and nicely priced too. At the same time, a little scary! That Wireless card is the size of a postage stamp. I would likely not get one, but I’d recommend it for other people. From the review, it apparently does not create a big power burden on the camera and certainly is good for people who want it without having to plug a card reader in.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
1973 by James Blunt from the “All the Lost Souls” album.

Greenwich Village Halloween Parade 2007


Lost Playmate Bunny?

Originally uploaded by S.D.
To Recap:

  • 4 sets of AA batteries (3 sets of rechargeable NiMh) for the flash.
  • 540+ Photos over 3 2gb SD cards.
  • Incredibly tired afterwards.

Needless to say, it was a blast, despite being crushed against a Police barricade.

The photo on the right was from the people gathering at Spring Street and 6th Avenue. I met other people from Flickr early on, but we got separated as we each got good vantage points.

Next time, I have to get there earlier so I can get into the starting area.

Things I learned:

  • Keep all memory cards in my jacket pockets. Getting memory cards out of my backpack was a chore to say the least.
  • Use the 18-200mm lens at a High ISO. The Sigma was great at f2.8, but from the results with the Flash, I think I could have used the slower lens.
  • Wear a costume and march in the parade. I got photos I’m happy with, but walking about would have been better.


Music I’m listening to right Now:

I Don’t Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem) by Good Charlotte from the “Good Morning Revival” album.

PhotoPlus Expo 2007

D300Not much to write home about this year, but I did manage to check out the new Nikon D300. To be succinct, It’s NICE and definitely on my wish list. It’s not too heavy and very comfortable in the hand. Also checked out some Manfrotto tripods too. I like my Sprint pro but I need a better ball head with a quick release plate.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
Make Me Over by Lifehouse from the “Who We Are” album.

Tom Mabe is an Evil Genius…

I saw this via Reddit.com (Best.Productivity.Killer.EVER) on Saturday and was nearly in tears by the end. My Wife and I have been getting a lot of Telemarketers lately, so when I heard about this, I could not resist listening to it.
Music I’m listening to right Now:

First Time by Lifehouse from the “Who We Are” album.

Oddest thing…

SPAMSeems like another website isn’t just hotlinking, but stealing entire posts! While going thru my log, I found a site (I’m NOT posting a link but will say it uses words like “Wealth”, “Investment”, etc) that has stolen at least one entire post from my Blog. Other than to pad it against SPAM filters, I don’t see the point.

Turns out not just mine, but whole content from other sites. I’m dying to know WTF is the idea. I’ll email the site owner, but I bet he/she doesn’t reply.


Music I’m listening to right Now:

On Her Mind by Duncan Sheik from “Daylight“.

Potential Future Darwin Award winner

Darwin Award Art Supplies: $15
Black Sweatshirt: $10
Actual Construction: $0
Getting loaded guns pointed at you for wearing what looks like a Bomb at a major Airport: Priceless.

As per the NY Daily News:

Star Simpson, a nineteen-year-old from Hawaii, cobbled together a
computer circuit board, wires, and the Play-Doh into a contraption that
she wore in plain view over a black hooded sweatshirt, Pare said.

IMO, that wasn’t the smartest ting to do especially since this is the city that flipped out over guerrilla marketing back in February 2007.

Art or Not, going to an airport wearing a Black Sweatshirt with Wires, circuitry and playing with Playdoh was just asking for trouble.


Music I’m listening to right Now:

The Taste by Five for Fighting from “The Battle for Everything“. Five for Fighting is John Ondrasik.