I've been spending a fair amount of time getting things going for Triangulation: End of the Rainbow. This has involved things such as getting a budget approved, getting the guidelines put together and online, scheduling the first sessions, etc.

I hate to shop. For a long time, I used to think it was just a personal thing, but I'm starting to think that's its really not my fault.

The other day I tripped over a song my Micah Wolf that impressed me so much that I decided to buy the CD. (remember CDs?)

Micah isn't quite Aerosmith, so finding someone who was selling his older album was a little difficult. Amazon had it, but I don't like Amazon, so I looked around a bit in the hopes that someone else would be selling it to no avail. So, back to Amazon.

I've been getting mystery calls on my cell phone for a few weeks now. I haven't answered them, assuming that if the call were important, the caller would leave a message. No messages were left.

Finally, today, I answered the call. Lucky for me, it was a criminal telemarketing scam. This gives me an opportunity to do my civic duty and warn everyone about this.

First off, the number the call came from was 612-808-5643. The company claims to be "Freedom Choice Financial".

Let's look at their crimes:

They may have pushed me over the edge. They may have just made it so easy to steal that I can no longer resist.

I just heard an advertisement on the radio that some bank or another is offering "text message banking."

Thank you. I mean it. Thanks to everyone who tries to use this feature. I'm going to be taking your money now.

Really, when you leave it lying around on the ground in public, I'm not sure it's even theft any more.

I'm trying to imagine how text message banking could possibly be a good idea, and I'm drawing a blank. Good luck keeping your money, people.

If you ever stay up late at night and end up watching those late-night advertisements, you've probably noticed the formula they use:

1. Tell you that you have a problem. Do your friends think that you stink?
2. Establish that their competitors don't solve the problem, and are actually embarrassing or dangerous to try. Normal deodorants can't mask your stench, or they smell too strong and freak everyone out. Some of them actually cause nasty rashes, requiring months in intensive care to recover from.
   

I had pancakes for breakfast this morning. They were delicious.

To most people, this ordinary act wouldn't seem like much to write about, but it was important to me. Symbolic. It was the lifting of a curse.

See, last year when I invited a good friend to be my roommate, I started making pancakes for breakfast on weekends. I tried doing this a few times, and she seemed grateful but never ate much. Later, she admitted that she didn't really like pancakes.

As the holidays approach, it's a good time to write about scams.

Or maybe it isn't, but I'm going to do it anyway.

Saw an ad in a magazine lately for tree trimming/removal services, which interested me because I have some trees that I might need some professional work done on. Lo and behold, it includes a coupon: "$250 off any service of $600 or more."

Sounds like a good deal ... except ...

"Must present coupon prior to quote."

Perhaps I'm a bit paranoid, but if I were to whip out said coupon, wouldn't the quoter:

It's tax time. That means pain and suffering. For the first time in quite a while, however, I don't feel like it's my fault.

I tried using a service called TaxAct Online. They (allegedly) offer a free service, as well as add-on services for a fee.

I decided to use the free service, because my 2007 taxes should be simple (I didn't do anything fancy with my money in 2007, so the taxes shouldn't be difficult).

I was going to see "I am Legend" this weekend, but I thought better of it. Instead, I'm going to find something entertaining to do that doesn't involve crossing the picket lines of the writer's strike.

My 1995 Toyota Celica died this past Wednesday. Those who know me can imagine my insufferable grief at the loss of this vehicle, which I've been driving for so long because I absolutely love it.