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December 26, 2008 (Friday): Ok... so I've been scammed. Yes, me... the Internet guru who gives people advice on how NOT to be scammed. I still can't believe it. I did two things wrong... I used Craig's List and I wired money. The top two "no no's". But this guy was GOOD. He was only 3 hours from me, not in a big town, was a seemingly great country guy who was just trying to give me a good deal on an alto saxophone. It wasn't one of those "too good to be true" deals. It was slightly lower than what I could buy one elsewhere, and I was so excited to get it. He was in a hurry so (like a moron) I wired the money to him so he could ship it immediately. He even called me to tell me it was shipped and he was sending it out 3 day. Well, the days came and went. To make a long story short, two weeks later the guy wants to send me "another" package that will include my refund that he "isn't obligated to give me". He swears someone "signed" for the package at the address I gave him. However, they signed for it 15 minutes after my shipping location closed... there's no one there by that name... and the "confirmation number" he gave me from the post office is invalid. Not only that but the USPS says they don't even require a signature on delivery confirmation. Anyway - I'm filing a police report and they're taking it from there. So, what's the moral of this story children? NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER wire ANYONE money for a purchase. No matter how nice they seem or how close to home they are. Scammers come in all shapes, all accents, and all parts of the United States. April 24, 2006 (Monday): Phase Three. I don't want anything...just a bank account with a positive balance. :-) Not only do I not want instant gratification items...I now find myself not wanting to spend anything...just for the simple fact of knowing it's still there. For the first time, I want to build something up...not just watch it pass by. I'm ready to slow down...and pick up the pace at the same time. I need a steady change of pace. Clear as mud? Sure it is. February 5, 2006 (Sunday): Phase Two. That's what I'm calling it right now. It's my term for "ready for the next step in my life." Not that I'm unhappy with what I've done and where I've gone so far...just that I feel like something's ready to change. I feel myself not needing the things that racked up my credit cards, gave me instant gratification, and a lot of bills. I feel like I need to prepare...for what I'm not sure, but I'm preparing for Phase Two. I'm ready to take on the next step, and I feel like I know what it is, even though I really have no clue. I'm ready to stop floating around trying everything and focus on the things that are working for me...because for the first time in my life, things ARE working for me. I feel grounded and stable, yet ready for change. I can't explain it, but I love it. It's mysterious, fun, and I can't wait to get wherever it is I'm going.
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Illustrations by my favorite artist, Alfred Gockel. Visit his site at gockelfineart.com. |
