Uncategorized

A Victory & A Dilemma

A month ago, I wrote about another home I own that had been burglarized. For the past month, I’ve been going round and round with Farmer’s Insurance about my claim. Even though I had faithfully paid my premiums, they chose not to pay my claim because of a fine print loophole that said I was liable if the property had been vacant for more than 30 days. Besides, disputing their fuzzy math and the 30 day claim, I made it quite clear to them that not paying the claim would be the WRONG thing to do:

Carey Anthony

Burglary

From: Carey Anthony
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 10:24 AM
To: Property Manager
Subject: Burglary

Farmer’s Insurance called me this morning to say they’re not covering anything, because the house was vacant for more than 30 days at the time of the robbery. This is absurd. Unless you have another suggestion, I am writing a strongly worded letter to let them know they had better review this again and do the right thing. Please advise. –Carey

From: Property Manager

Thu, Oct 30, 2008 at 11:19 AM

To: Carey Anthony

I received a copy of the letter they issued. I love the insurance industry, they love to take your money and then give you no return on your money when something goes wrong.

We will lay the carpet and will hold off on the stove purchase until I receive an approved application. I will lease with the stove only and any new tenant will have to provide their on refrigerator or stove. Thanks…K

From: Carey Anthony

Fri, Oct 31, 2008 at 11:38 AM

To: Wes Roberts – Farmer’s Insurance

Mr. Roberts,

As I stated on the phone, your calculations regarding the vacancy of my property do not add up. Furthermore, even if it was vacant for 30 days, why should that invalidate my insurance? We have a contract. I pay my premiums and you insure my property. It is reprehensible that your industry must resort to hidden loopholes and chicanery to deny your customers in good standing the services they rightfully paid for. We live in an Information Age of unprecedented power of the people. With a few clicks of a mouse, I can ensure that the phrase “Farmer’s Insurance Customer Service” comes up with an extremely damning series of hits on Google. I have already provided you with links to blog posts about other companies that have dared to infringe on my rights as a law abiding consumer. I trust you don’t want to end up like Honda of Hollywood, or eFax. Now stop playing games with me and please do the right thing. It’s the 21st century, and you can no longer act like greedy corporate robber baron’s and get away with it anymore. The reason I pay you premiums is to protect me against this type of loss. Thank you.

Last week, they sent me a certified letter, which I refused to sign for, and sent back to them. (I don’t do snail mail!) Then yesterday, I got this voice mail on my cell phone (click the play button):

	Voicemail You’ll Love Share this …

I won!! Not only are they paying for the stolen refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer, carpet, and damaged garage door. They’re also reimbursing me one month’s lost rent for the nonsense they put me through the last 6 weeks. (I didn’t even ask for that!). So, THANK YOU Farmer’s Insurance for doing the right thing. You have shown that corporate America can put their customer’s needs ahead of profit (albeit with some threats from the blogosphere). I will continue to do business with you and I hope that you have learned a valuable lesson. LOL.

Now for the dilemma:

Since the burglary, I haven’t been able to rent the house. In this economy, it’s not proving to be easy. We’ve been showing it for weeks with no luck This morning, I got a call from my Property Manager. She told me that she had a girl who really wanted to rent the house. However, her income alone was not sufficient. She worked at a grocery store, and didn’t make enough to pay the rent. So she wanted her boyfriend to be on the the lease with her. We ran a background check on the boyfriend and he’s got a felony on his record for selling marijuana and a pending case for selling cocaine! My property management company has a policy not to rent to convicted felons, but since it’s been so hard to rent, she wanted to know if I wanted to make an exception. Apparently the girl has a baby, and is currently living in a very bad area of town and wants to get away from all of that. The boyfriend hasn’t been convicted of the cocaine charge yet, and they really want to make a fresh start.

My first reaction was no, absolutely not. The property manager told me to take a week to think about it, but the more I do, the more I think it’s a bad idea. Of course, the longer it’s not rented, the more money comes out of my pocket to pay the mortgage. What do you think? The house is in Oklahoma City, OK of all all places. It’s a brand new, single family home. So if anyone reading this lives in Oklahoma City and needs a house to rent, let me know. Please don’t be a drug addict!

Deadly Sushi & High Heeled Goats

We went to Blowfish Sushi To Die For for dinner tonight and had a decent (if overpriced) meal. The name of the restaurant is a take on Fugu, a type of pufferfish that, if not prepared properly, will kill you instantly. From Wikipedia:

Pufferfish contains lethal amounts of the poison tetrodotoxin in the internal organs, especially the liver and gonads, and also the skin. Therefore, only specially licensed chefs are allowed to prepare and sell fugu to the public, and the consumption of the liver and ovaries is forbidden. However, a number of people die every year from consuming improperly prepared fugu. The poison, a sodium channel blocker, paralyzes the muscles while the victim stays fully conscious, and eventually dies from asphyxiation. There is currently no antidote, and the standard medical approach is to try to support the respiratory and circulatory system until the effect of the poison wears off. Non-lethal quantities of the poison remain in the flesh of the fish and give a special desired tingling sensation on the tongue.

I’ve never been a huge fan of this place. It’s overpriced and too loud, but it’s where a couple of friends were meeting, so I went since it’s so close to my house. Coincidentally I’ve been reading this book on the history of sushi called The Sushi Economy by Sasha Issenberg. He’s a bit of a sushi snob, but the book is fascinating as it traces the provenance of different types of sushi and how they affect the global economy, especially in light of the popularity explosion of sushi in in the West in the past 20 years. It educates consumers on the effects of overfishing and the individual bacteriology of different types of sushi. I just finished reading about how tuna fish are really too smart to be farm raised. Who knew that tuna was so smart?

Another thing I learned from the book is just how endangered Tuna are. In fact:

A study released last year found that all seafood populations face collapse by 2048 (Science), meaning “clambakes, crabcakes, swordfish steaks and even humble fish sticks could be little more than a fond memory” (WashPost). Read more…

So I may not be having any big sushi parties any more at my house, like this one. Daniel and Beate were our sushi chefs extraordinaire, and amazingly, they created this entire feast for 21 people, in my tiny little kitchen. I hope we can do it again before too long you guys!!! Love ya’ all

Can you believe they made enough sushi to feed this motley crew? And that my house held this many people!!??

I find these cultural shifts in tastes and trends fascinating. Last year there was an excellent series of reports in the Chicago Tribune called “China’s Great Grab” about how China’s exploding appetite for natural resources is reshaping the the world. In one feature, “Your Cheap Sweaters Real Cost“, we learn that America’s desire for cashmere has increased exponentially in the past 10 years. The effect of this cashmere demand has produced dust storms that travel to the United States. In fact some estimates say that up to 60% of the dust in Los Angeles originated in China from high heeled goats with “stiletto like” hooves, trampling the land:

The country’s enormous herds of cashmere-producing goats have slashed the price of sweaters. But they also have helped graze Chinese grasslands down to a moonscape, unleashing some of the worst dust storms on record. This in turn fuels a plume of pollution heavy enough to reach the skies over North America.
The Acrid Smell of Smoke and Stench of Greed

Thanks for all the emails of concern about the fires here. They’re all pretty far from me still, but the air is heavy with ash and a horrible smell. It smells different than last year somehow, more chemical. I took these pictures from my roof just before sunset. I’ve never seen a sky this crazy color. I took a few with the flash too, and all you could see was ash suspended in the air. It’s a good night to stay in with the air conditioning on, and time to break out the gas masks again!

So I’m checking my footprints today and I had over 10 hits from eFax corporate headquarters. Some of you may remember that eFax is a company I blogged about exactly year ago today. They must have some type of annual review process or something (or maybe they’re burning me in effigy on the one year anniversary of this saga!). So I’m reposting this just to give them some bad publicity. Basically I’ve had a free fax number from eFax for 10 years. Last year I decided to respond to a special free trial that expanded my free service and allowed me to receive faxes as PDFs. Then they pulled a bait and switch on me and said they were raising the price of the PDF service to $16.95 a month (before I had even started paying for it). So, I tried to cancel it on their website, but my only options were to use their “live chat” or to call or email Customer Support. I chose the “chat” option, and this is what happened.

Apologies in advance to the entire country of Bangladesh. I’ve got nothing against you, really. I was just trying to get what I wanted. The moral of this story is that if you’re persistent enough, you can almost always get what you want. Customer service reps. can’t hang up on you as long as you’re not swearing or yelling. They are paid to close as many calls an hours as they can, and if you keep them on the phone (or chat) longer than normal, it affects the company’s bottom line and their performance. So the longer you stay on and the higher up the food chain you go, the more likely you are to get what you want.

Apologies too for the length, but it gets juicier as you keep reading.

Welcome to chat.

The session has been accepted.

{- Shane P.} Hello, Carey. Welcome to j2 Global online support. I am Shane, your online Live Support Representative. How may I assist you?

{Carey} Please cancel my Plus membership and refund my remaining balance, but keep my existing number

{- Shane P.} I’m sorry to hear that you wish to leave our services. Could you please provide me with your Fax number and PIN associated with your account for verification?

{Carey} 413-208-9536 xxxx

I just want to leave the Plus service and go back to the free service with my same #.

{- Shane P.} Thank you for providing your information. Please give me a moment while I go through your records. In the meantime, please type the number corresponding to your reason for cancellation:

1) Moving to another provider

2) Bought a Fax machine

3) Business or role changed

4) Short term project completed

5) Financial reasons

6) Problems with Faxing or Billing

7) Dissatisfied with Quality of service

8) Too Costly

{Carey} 5

{- Shane P.} Appreciate your feedback. Please give me a moment.

{- Shane P.} Thank you for waiting. I have just located and verified your account.

{- Shane P.} Unfortunately our network architecture does not allow an eFax Plus number to be converted to Free. When you contact us to request a downgrade, your Plus number will be cancelled, and you may sign up for a new eFax Free account from our website, efax.com after the closure of your eFax number.

{Carey} that’s not true

{Carey} I’ve already researched this online

{Carey} and you’re wrong

{Carey} so transfer me to a supervisor

{Carey} immediately

{- Shane P.} In that case, I suggest you to contact our Customer Support over the phone at 1-323-817-3205 (Available 24*7), as they will be able to assist you better with your issue.

{- Shane P.} Please do not select any option or extension when you call. Please wait for our Customer Service representative to attend your call. They would be able to assist you further.

{Carey} I am prepared to list this chat on my blog which gets over 10,000 hits a day. I will make sure no one uses your service ever again. (Editors Note: OK, I fudged the hits a little, LOL)

{Carey} I don’t want to call. Your website directed me here, you are customer service, so serve me. If you can’t, find someone who can. I’ve wasted enough time

{Carey} If you’d like I will forward you a copy of the Consumer Bill of Rights

{Carey} You cannot rape your customers, it is against the law

{Carey} Please cancel the Plus membership as requested, keep the same # I’ve had for over 10 years, and refund my unused balance immediately

{- Shane P.} Carey, this department is basically for cancellation of fax account.

{Carey} that’s not what your website says

{Carey} so get someone to help me

{- Shane P.} If you have any issues, I suggest you to contact our Billing Department over the phone, as they will be able to assist you better with your issue.

{Carey} nope

{Carey} please do as I said

{Carey} this is going on my blog as we speak

{Carey} if you don’t want that negative publicity, I suggest you do as I asked

{Carey} immediately

{Carey} I’m prepared to stay here all night…I’ve got my laptop on my sofa, and I’m not going anywhere until you cancel my plus account, refund my unused fee, and keep my existing # that I’ve had for 10 years. PERIOD

{- Shane P.} You can also e-mail to our e-mail teem at help@mail.efax.com as they will get back to you within 24 hours.

{Carey} Trust me, you do not want the negative publicity this will cause you

{Carey} for example:

http://www.idealog.us/2007/03/web_services_th.html

{Carey} and that’s not even mine…it’s just another consumer who felt raped by your greedy corporate politics

{Carey} I am a human being. I deserve the same respect that you do. How do you sleep with yourself at night, knowing you work for a company that is responsible for the misery of thousands of people?

{- Shane P.} Alright, I respect your decision and will cancel your number immediately. This is the affirmative confirmation that your account has just been cancelled.

{- Shane P.} I’m sorry that you are leaving eFax. At eFax, we are continuously improving our products and services. Please do consider us if your faxing needs should change in the future.

{- Shane P.} Please be assure that, I have cancelled your account as of today to respect your request.

{Carey} I did not request that you cancel my #

{Carey} Don’t you dare do that

{Carey} So is my plus canceled now? and my existing # still works?

{Carey} I have a transcript of this, and I never told you to cancel my whole account. Read up.

{- Shane P.} Carey, please be assure that I have cancelled your eFax number 14132089536 we cannot guarantee, you will be assigned the same number as before, since all inactive numbers are eventually returned to our system for reassignment

{Carey} You better not have canceled my #

{Carey} Read the first sentence of this chat

{Carey} I have 5000 business cards with that #

{Carey} You cannot cancel it

{Carey} I’ve had that # for 10 years

{Carey} and I’m not giving it up

{Carey} PERIOD

{Carey} confirm

{Carey} What is the name of your supervisor, and their #

{Carey} I’ll be back in a minute, I’m going to go vomit

{- Shane P.} Please give me a moment.

{Carey} OK, I’m back, now where were we? Oh yeah, you were confirming that my existing fax # still works, that you’ve canceled the PLUS portion of the account, and REFUNDED my remaining balance

{Carey} This is going to look amazing on my blog…I’m afraid people will think it’s a joke, but you can’t make this crap up. It’s the most disgusting display of corporate greed I’ve ever seen in my life.

{Carey} I feel some more puke coming…brb

{Carey} oooh, false alarm

{- Shane P.} Carey, there is only one number in this account which is 14132089536 as this number is under 30 day trial period there is no refund applicable, however if you have any other number that will remain active.

{Carey} I only have that #

{Carey} and I need to keep that #

{- Shane P.} If you could provide me the e-mail address with which the account is registered and also provide me with the last 4 digits of your credit card account on which you are charged for this account for verification purposes.

{Carey} careygly@xxxxx.com

{Carey} xxxx are the last 4 digits

{- Shane P.} Please give me a moment.

{Carey} please hurry, my mouth tastes acidy from all the vomit your coporate greed is producing.

{- Shane P.} Please be online with us.

{Carey} what do you mean “please be online with us”

{Carey} has the stench of greed in your office gone to your head? It sounds like gibberish to me. What are you talking about?

{- Shane P.} Carey, I will keep your eFax number 14132089536 active without making any changes, however you will not be charged for the monthly fee for this account as it is under 30 day trial period.

{Carey} ok, that’s good…was that so hard??

{Carey} I mean, it’s not like you’re curing cancer, right?

{Carey} Why on EARTH do you make it so miserable for your CUSTOMERS?

{Carey} It’s the worst business model in the world.

{Carey} So, let’s confirm:

{- Shane P.} Carey, after the completion of your 30 day trial period you will be charged the regular monthly fee only if you wish to cancel.

{Carey} Huh?

{Carey} What regular monthly fee?

{Carey} I just told you I don’t want the Plus service

{Carey} 30 days or not

{Carey} I want it gone, now

{- Shane P.} The eFax Plus account has a monthly fee of $16.95. This monthly fee of $16.95 goes toward the maintenance of your account in our records and does not depend on the usage of your account. This amount will be charged every month to your credit card irrespective of whether you use the services of your account to send or receive faxes. This charges will be made until your account is active in our records.

{Carey} and I want to keep the same #

{Carey} I refuse to let you take one cent of my money

{Carey} I don’t want the Plus account. I want the FREE account I’ve had for 10 years.

{- Shane P.} Unfortunately our network architecture does not allow an eFax Plus number to be converted to Free. When you contact us to request a downgrade, your Plus number will be cancelled, and you may sign up for a new eFax Free account from our website, efax.com after the closure of your eFax number.

{Carey} That’s a lie.

{Carey} That greed must really be messing with your head. Why don’t you go outside and get some air, and let your supervisor chat with me for a while, because I’m obviously not getting through to you.

{Carey} I’ve researched this, and your “network architecture” DOES allow you to do this.

{Carey} It’s your corporate politics that don’t.

{Carey} Take your head out of the Customer Service manual for one minute, and SERVICE me. After all, I AM the customer.

{Carey} Network Architecture huh? That’s rich. I assume you have a hotkey to type that nonsense? Who do you think you’re talking to? An 80 year old woman in Hoboken?

{Carey} Maybe I’m not making myself clear enough. Do you speak English?

{- Shane P.} Carey, I won’t be able to help you, however for further assistance I suggest you to contact our Customer Support over the phone at 1-323-817-3205, as they will be able to assist you better with your issue as they have more rights then us.

{Carey} What am I thinking, of course you don’t speak English!

{Carey} You’re probably in Bangladesh or God knows where.

{Carey} You should know that outsourcing American jobs during a time of WAR is tantamount to treason.

{Carey} Why would I call Customer Support, when I’ve got you here and I’m the customer and you’re here to support me?

{Carey} Let’s review, shall we?

{Carey} This was the first sentence of this chat:

{Carey} Please cancel my Plus membership and refund my remaining balance, but keep my existing number

{Carey} So, now, 30 minutes later, what have you done for me???

{Carey} I’m guessing the answer is NOTHING, but please enlighten me.

{Carey} Oh wait, did I call the “Customer No Support Department”?

{Carey} Nope…just checked it…It says Customer Support. Hmmmmm

{Carey} OK, I’m going to the refrigerator to get a glass of milk to get rid of the acidic taste in my mouth. Too bad you guys don’t have something in your refrigerator there in Bangladesh to take the acid out of your SOULS!

{Carey} Ahhhhhhhhh, that helped. OK, I’m back, now where were we?

{Carey} Oh yeah, you were supposed to be telling me what you’ve accomplished in the last 40 minutes…

{Carey} Remember the initial request?

{Carey} Please cancel my Plus membership and refund my remaining balance, but keep my existing number

{- Shane P.} You had upgraded to 30 day paid number and our system does not allow a paid number to be converted to a free number. As your account is under a free trial you will not be charged any monthly fee during this free trail. If you wish to use your account you can use it for this 30 day without paying any monthly fee, after the 30 day is over you will be charged the monthly fee.

{Carey} I’m not paying a monthly fee. Do you want to start over?

{Carey} I’d be happy to copy and paste…like I said, I’ve got all night, and I’m quite comfortable, save for the lingering vomit in the back of my throat.

{Carey} By the way, you never gave me the name of your supervisor. Still waiting…

{- Shane P.} If you want to convert this paid number into a free number, then you can call our customer service department over the phone at 1-323-817-3205 or e-mail us at help@mail.efax.com

{Carey} Why should I have to do that?

{Carey} When you can do it for me?

{Carey} Remember? Me: Customer

You: Customer Service

It’s not rocket science dude

{- Shane P.} I can either cancel this number or you can keep this account for a one-time non-refundable fee of $6.95 for 90 days instead of paying $16.95 every month.

{- Shane P.} It’s just $6.95 for 3 months instead of $16.95 per month.

{Carey} WRONG! I am not paying you one red cent. And I will make sure that no one who reads my blog does either.

{Carey} You’ve got some guts I must admit…trying to SELL me something at this point in our relationship??? You’d have had more luck actually raping me.

{Carey} How DARE you!!

{- Shane P.} I am sorry there are rules that need to be followed and I will not be able to convert the 30 day trial account to a free number. These are only the option that are available or you can contact our customer support over the phone at 1-323-817-3205

{Carey} Nope, I don’t accept your answer. Either figure out how to bend the “rules” or let me chat with your supervisor, or have them call me right now.

{- Shane P.} Carey, please be online with us, while I transfer you to our supervisor.

{Carey} Do they REALLY have you so brainwashed that you actually BELIEVE you can’t convert a trial account with a free number I’ve had for 10 years, back to a free account?

{Carey} Dude, you really need to get some air. If the flight to Bangladesh wasn’t so long, I’d come myself and rush you to the hospital.

{Carey} And there you go again with that “please be online with us” mumbo jumbo. Newsflash: That sentence makes NO SENSE.

The session has been transferred.

{Frank D.} Hello, Carey. I am Frank.

{Carey} I’ll give you a minute to catch up Frank, and read every word I’ve written in the last 45 minutes. After that I expect to read one sentence from you, and that sentence should say, “Thank you Carey, I’ve reviewed this case, and I will be converting your account BACK to a free account and you can keep your existing number. Thank you for your business. Love, Frank:

OK, you can leave out the love part, but you get the idea. Waiting…

{Frank D.} I have read the chat. I am sorry we will not me able to convert your paid number into a free number.

{Carey} Then transfer me to someone who can. I’ve got all night.

{Carey} Plus I’m blogging as we speak…you guys are looking REALLY bad at this point!

{Frank D.} You can call our customer care at 1-323-817-3205 or send us and email to help@mail.efax.com

{Carey} By the way, you’re a quick reader…you must have a high school education? Very impressive. So hopefully you’ll be able to cut the corporate nonsense and do as I asked. I am NOT calling Customer Service (or is it Support, or is it CARE?). So, read up, and do as I asked.

{Frank D.} I sorry Carery, but a 30 day paid number can not be changed back into a free number.

{Carey} Wanna bet?

{Carey} Seriously, how much?

{Carey} Because I GUARANTY you that it can.

{Carey} and that you are wrong

{Carey} so why don’t we skip the bull, and you can start “caring” for me.

{Carey} By the way, my name isn’t Carery, it’s Carey.

{Carey} But, why should I expect you to “care” enough about me to even get my name right?

{Carey} I feel more VOMIT coming on….brb

{Frank D.} Carey, I appreciate your sense of humor, but I am really sorry. We can not change paid number to and free number.

{Carey} Phew, that was a gross one…I had meatloaf for lunch. Anyway, I’m back. Where were we?

{Carey} You ain’t seen nothing yet…I’m here all week. Now, let’s make a deal. You “can’t” use the words “can’t” or “cannot” the rest of your CAREER, and I’ll try not to VOMIT for the rest of this session. Deal?

{Frank D.} I am sorry, Carery. I suggest you to call Customer Care Department at 1-323-817-3205.

{Carey} The fact of the matter is that you CAN convert a paid number to a free number. It’s a few simple clicks of your mouse. If you can’t do it, transfer me to someone who can.

{Carey} I’m not calling anybody. I shouldn’t have to. I’ve already wasted an hour of my life I will never get back.

{Carey} So figure it out…or transfer me to someone who can.

{Carey} By the way, besides being posted on my blog, I’m sending this transcript to all the major business news outlets, as well as the Better Business Bureau and the Consumer Protection Agency…so keep chatting away…again, I’ve got all night

{Carey} By the way, I’ll need the name of your supervisor as well. Correct spelling please.

{Frank D.} Carery, please try to understand, if you upgrade to a free number to and paid number it can not be converted back to free number. How ever I am giving you 2 options, you can call Customer Care Department at 1-323-817-3205 or, if you don’t want to call you can send us an email to help@mail.efax.com

{Frank D.} Over the chat we can not convert a paid number into a free number.

{Carey} Why do I have to “try to understand”? You’re the one who needs to try to understand. I am your customer. I’ve used this fax # for 10 years. I have 5000 business cards with this # on it. I get an email from you today, saying you’re increasing the price of something I just wanted a FREE trial for to see how I liked it, and you’re telling me you can’t switch it back “over chat”????

{Carey} Then WHY, pray tell, was that not the FIRST response to the FIRST question I asked over an hour ago!!!!!!???????

{Carey} This is UNACCEPTABLE.

{Carey} You’ve now wasted over an hour of my time to tell me something you should have told me an hour ago.

{Carey} You CANNOT keep chatting with someone for over an hour, just to tell them they should have called or emailed in the first place.

{Carey} It’s deceptive, it’s immoral, and it’s quite frankly it’s disgusting.

{Carey} If it has to be done over the phone, or email, then YOU do it. You have my #, my PIN, and my credit card (Oh God, I hope I don’t see a charge on my next bill for Bangladesh Bar & Grill). So, you’ve WASTED my time, now FIX it.

{Frank D.} Shane did tell you that our system can not change and paid number back to and free number. He had to ask for the fax number and PIN first to verify the account.

{Carey} Read what you just wrote:

{Frank D.} I am sorry for the typo.

{Carey} Shane may have told me that he couldn’t do it, but he did NOT tell me that it couldn’t be done over “chat” like you just told me.

{Carey} I know that English probably isn’t your first language, but what you wrote implies that since it can’t be done over “chat” that it can be done via phone or email…

{Carey} if that’s the case, then why wasn’t I told that 75 minutes ago???

{Carey} Shane was clearly negligent, and I’m at the point now where I’m ready to forward this to an attorney. How DARE you!?

{Carey} So, FIX it. If you need to call, call. I’m not going to. Let me know when this is resolved. I will wait.

{Frank D.} Okay, Carey, I will try to change your number back to a free number.

{Carey} BINGO! That’s a good start…

{Frank D.} I will need to review you account.

{Frank D.} Please give me a minute.

{Carey} But remember, I’m just sitting on my couch eating bon bons and watching TV. I’ve got all the time in the world. I suspect you are evaluated by the length of time it takes you to resolve support issues on these chats. I suspect also, that longer chats are reviewed by your superiors. A customer “care” rep. who can’t handle a lot of chats in an hour might not look good to his superiors, especially in the booming Bangladeshi job market…but I’m waiting, so take your time

{Carey} You still there Frank?

{Frank D.} Please give me a moment.

{Carey} OK

{Frank D.} I have changed your paid number back to an eFax free number.

{Carey} Thank you very much. Why in the world was that SO difficult??

{Carey} Hopefully you people will learn from this, and not make other customers have to go to such lengths to not pay you their hard earned money!

{Frank D.} Carey, since you have been a very old customer, I had to bend a few rules.

{Carey} I just got the email telling me about my free account, so thank you again. I trust there will be no charges on my credit card, correct?

{Carey} Rules are meant to be bent! Thank you.

{Frank D.} We can not convert paid numbers back free. I could only do it with the help of my network team.

{Carey} It takes a village.

{Frank D.} Please to go through this page.

{Frank D.} http://home.efax.com/customerAgreements/efax/customerAgreement.html

{Carey} So are we done? No charges to my credit card right? If so, thank you. Have a good evening, and I hope you can sleep tonight knowing you decided to crack the corporate greed mold one time. I’m going to go brush my teeth now, my breath smells of corporate puke and my back end really hurts. Good night.

{Frank D.} Yes, Carey. Is there anything else I can assist you with?

{Carey} Nope, I’m good. Ciao

{Frank D.} Bye and take care.

The user has ended the session.

Incidentally, the whole time we were chatting, this bitch was moving back and forth across the screen telling me to chat with her about eFax Plus! The nerve!

Fuck corporate America!!!

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
“People in L.A. have been participating in an earthquake drill. Authorities are saying the drill has been a huge success — apparently people in L.A. are used to things being fake.” — Craig Ferguson
A Charter For Compassion

“The task of our generation, whether we are religious people or secular people, is to build a global community where people of all persuasions can live together in peace and harmony.” The Golden Rule is fundamental to compassion. Visit http://charterforcompassion.com/ to learn how. I’m thinking of contributing the story of what “GLY” stands for. It’s a story I’ve never fully documented, but those who know me have heard it many times. Also, I participated in a video shoot yesterday for an exciting project that will foster peace on earth. That’s all I can say for now, but stay tuned for details in the next week or so.

A special thanks to Jech for reminding me of this classic West Wing clip that still gives me goose bumps when I watch it. President Bartlett, meet President Obama:

Aaron Sorkin Conjures a Meeting of Obama and Bartlet

By MAUREEN DOWD

Published: September 21, 2008

What if Barack Obama turned to former President Jed Bartlet of the “West Wing” for some fatherly wisdom? Read more…

A Fresh Coat of Hate – “Faggots”, “Niggers” & the Paradox of the Christian Right

I wrote about this over a year ago, but with the recent events surrounding Proposition 8, I thought it would be a good time to revisit this topic.

god hates fags Back in March of 2007, before Proposition 8 and a black President Elect, I wrote a post called “Perceptions” about a woman I know whose father didn’t let her listen to Diana Ross & the Supremes when she was little, because he said it was “nigger music“. As a child she did not perceive this as a racist remark. (Just as I grew up hearing my own mother routinely use the expression, “Who was your nigger last year?”, when I asked her to get something for me. It was a phrase her mother used to say to her and so on…) Similarly, my older relatives who lived through World War II have very different perceptions of Germans and Japanese people than I do. No one is born with perceptions. They come from our upbringing and our life’s experiences; and the older we get, the harder they are to change. (Though apparently it is possible, as several of my elderly family members voted for Obama!!)

This is why a large majority of younger voters have traditionally voted the political party of their parents (see graph). Since just roughly 60% of Americans live in the same state they were born, it stands to reason that voting patterns remain consistent in states throughout the years. (Indeed the 40% who move away, typically move to more traditionally liberal and urban areas.) So perceptions may not be as easily changed as one might think.

The book “Talking Right – How Conservatives Turned Liberalism Into A Tax Raising, Latte Drinking, Sushi Eating, Volvo Driving, New York Times Reading, Body Piercing, Hollywood Loving, Left Wing Freakshow”, tells the story of a “a subtle linguistic campaign whose architects – from Spiro Agnew to Karl Rove, have altered the meaning of our everyday political vocabulary. ‘Values’ has strayed far from its dictionary meaning to become the exclusive property of the right; liberal has become a designation for people whose taste in cars, cheese, and coffee puts them “out of touch” with real Americans; the “ownership society” has become a pretext for apportioning wealth to the haves and have-mores.” After reading the book I had a better understanding of the divide, and how it happened. I understood the whole “red state/blue state” thing much better. What I still couldn’t put my finger on however, was how the perception of love could be so different between groups of Americans. The divide in America between right and left is growing, and it’s evangelical Christians that are leading the way. (People like Peter Singer, the so called ”Blue State Philosopher are rarely in the media, perhaps for good reason.) From gay marriage to racism, I could write pages about how the Christian Right’s positions (perceptions) on so many of these issues is patently “un-Christian” and hardly reflects the “Love Thy Neighbor” dictum.

Some of you may have already seen this Keith Olberman video that’s been circulating widely regarding Prop. 8.

Today, I sent this video to a conservative Christian friend of mine (who believes that being gay is a choice), wondering how he could counter such an impassioned plea. This was his response:

I’ll take him on! Liberals just don’t get it. They think it is about denying happiness and rights. It is not “Hate” (which is interesting given that a group who hates others for taking away something where they tried to do a total end-around by having four judges invalidate a proposition on a technicality then didn’t have the guts to bring the issue to be people and explain their position before opening the floodgates… and then complain about something being “ripped away”) Please, it’s a little disingenuous to see people who abuse the democratic process accuse anyone who does not hold their position of hate. I guess people who don’t like smoke being blown in their face “hate” smokers (oh but that is a liberal thing… that can’t be hate), and anyone who would like to see a child born rather than aborted “hate” women (though I guess if it is the other way, do I “hate” unborn children?). It’s solely about procreation and protecting the child’s stability and environment. Going back to my Biblical soapbox, Genesis 2:14 says:

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Nothing about this is about all of the self centered adults (either divorced or gay).

Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you think like this and believe the Bible is infallible, I suspect no amount of protesting or arguing will change your mind. If you remove the religion from this argument (to level the playing field), at least it’s articulate. The Mormons take it to a whole other level. Case in point: Listen to this incredibly ignorant Mormon woman who called Michelangelo Signorile today. It’s about 15 minutes long, but she starts getting really goofy at about 8 minutes.

Whenever I hear this kind of rhetoric, I think of the musical “Rent” and how its message resonates in my life. When I first saw the play in 1996 in New York City its philosophy was so profound that I went on to see it more than 15 times in 7 countries. The story is an old one, 156 years old to be exact. 1851 was the year that Henri Murger published the book Scènes de la Vie de Bohème a story about his friends; so called “Bohemians” or “starving artists” living in the Latin Quarter of Paris in the mid 1800′s. His friends had the same names as the central characters in “Rent” (with American updates; Rodolpho became Roger, Marcel became Mark, etc.). 50 years after the book was published, Puccini turned it into the famous opera La Boheme, which in turn, 100 years later became the musical “Rent“. The central themes of all three were the same. Wikipedia presents this chart:

Character in La bohème	Character in Rent
Mimi, a seamstress with tuberculosis	Mimi Marquez, an S&M dancer with AIDS
Rodolfo, a poet with TB	Roger Davis, a musician with AIDS
Marcello, a painter	Mark Cohen, a filmmaker
Musetta, a singer	Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist
Schaunard, a musician with TB	Angel Dumott Schunard, a gay cross-dressing drummer with AIDS
Colline, a philosopher with TB	Tom Collins, a gay computer whiz and Anarchist philosopher with AIDS
Alcindoro, a state councillor	Joanne Jefferson, a lesbian lawyer
Benoit, a landlord	Benjamin ‘Benny’ Coffin III, also a landlord

No matter how hard the characters try to fight it, they all come to the realization that love is the strongest force we know. Stronger than heroin, AIDS or even death. Be it the “starving artists” in the Latin Quarter of 19th Century Paris, the American Bohemians like Jack Kerouac in the 50′s or the drug addled, AIDS victims in Jonathan Larson’s masterpiece “Rent”; they all knew this “fact”, and they lived their lives accordingly. Even in this age of social networking and a truly wired global technosphere; it’s good to be reminded that we are all connected by the powerful force of love, and that a broken heart universally hurts. “We don’t own emotion, we rent.” How ironic, that Jonathan Larson, the composer and playwright of “Rent”, dropped dead of an aortic aneurysm the night before the show opened on Broadway in 1996. After all, “Rent” is about living for today, because you never know what tomorrow might bring.

Last year I had a conversation with the same woman I spoke of in the first paragraph (she’s also an evangelical Christian). She told me that I would be proud of her, because she finally watched the movie, based on the musical “Rent”. I asked her how she liked it, and she basically thought it was “disgusting”. At first I was taken aback by her response. I know the movie wasn’t nearly as good as the play, but it was unfathomable to me how anyone could find these ageless, central themes anything but life affirming and beautiful. She admittedly shed tears at the sad parts, but implied that all of the tragedy and sadness of the movie was a result of the characters (“Lesbos” was one of the words she used), not seeking the love of God. They were seeking love in the wrong place. Their addictions, (heroin) and diseases, (AIDS) were their own doing. I fail to see the Christ-like thinking in this sentiment and told her so. It’s like the Pope’s recent proclamation that only Catholics can go to heaven. Excuse me?

She quoted Matthew 6:33

6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

After reading my original blog on this subject, the same woman wrote to me and said the following:

Ok, Carey, I read your blog and my quotes, which I really don’t remember using the word “disgusting” but rather the word “sad” in regards to RENT. Anyway, read your own blog and tell me what is wrong with this picture? Compare the characters of the two casts.

Today, it is…

Dancer with AIDS

Musician with AIDS

Bisexual artist

Cross-dresser with AIDS

Gay computer whiz with AIDS

Lesbian lawyer

What does this cast say about the state of the world today? How messed up are we? Oh, but I’m sure that all those that march in the Gay Pride parades will be happy when all of society looks like this, and there are no healthy heterosexual people left. Hey, come to think of it, Africa is starting to look a lot like this today.

But of course, it’s not their fault, and they are only seeking love and feeling good, whether that comes from drugs or a readily available sexual partner, no matter the cost, because the cost is not worth giving up the pleasure. Hey, I understand. I felt the same way. No way was I going to give my heart to Jesus because I just knew it meant I was going to have to give up the good times. But I realized that there was only heartache at the end of those good times – a hangover, infection or unwanted pregnancy, lung cancer. A lot of wonderful things to give up, and still I hung on – you know that, Carey. I still do not want to give up some of those “fun times,” but now I find myself having more fun in seeking a different kind of joy, so it is not “giving up” but “desiring” something else more.

By the way, your blog only tells half the story & I resent that you present me & my perceptions being handed down and totally accepted by what my parents said. Just because my father called our music “nigger” music and told us not to hang out with those niggers at church and that we couldn’t even be in the same house as my cousin that married an African, didn’t mean that we didn’t recognize these as unfair racist beliefs, and believe me we didn’t stop playing our music, hanging out with the colored kids, or visiting my cousin. You have to remember Martin Luther King Jr. was a hero of ours also, because he stood up for what was right and fair and did so without violence. Those perceptions were part of my environment too.

And, let me say this about what you call “un-Christian” attitude and not showing love to our poor “it’s not my fault” homosexuals. I have not, nor have I ever not cared for a friend or family member (yes I have them in my family too) because they were homosexual. God’s Word tells us to speak out against sin, but never the sinner. You know, we don’t have Christian Right parades. We don’t have “all white” colleges. We don’t have Heterosexual Pride parades. But somehow we should accept what is an abomination to God as ok, and before long MANBLA (or whatever that organization of men with little boys is called) will be trying to convince you that the little boys “like” what is happening to them, that they “want” done to them what these men are doing & they will convince the little boys too. If God says fornication when not married, with the same sex, or with animals is wrong, forgive me, but I cannot say that God is wrong, and I only have to look at the way we were beautifully and wonderfully made for our own species to realize He cannot be wrong.

Sorry, I went on too long, but you know I love you, little brother..

– M

My response:

Thanks M,

I’m going to try to reproduce in writing what you and I talked about on the phone after you sent this email. As I explained, I didn’t say you “said” Rent was disgusting, I said you “thought” it was disgusting. That is what I gleaned from the contempt in your voice when we discussed it. That contempt was what initially took me aback. Much of what you say boils down to the fact that you think being gay is a choice. I do not believe this is true, and since we have talked about this many times, I won’t rehash it here.

I do apologize if my words implied that you agreed with what your father said, or did not recognize it as racist. I simply meant to imply (through my examples), that most people form their initial perceptions of things from their parents, and many children grow up not knowing any other way. Though I don’t consider you or I racists, I’m sure that there are people who would, simply because of some of our beliefs (just like one of the comments already posted here, called me a “nigger lover”). Your point about Martin Luther King is well taken. I wonder how you would feel if there was an equivalent leader fighting for the rights of gays?

I think you’re such a good person M, and I know you think the same of me. You’ve never tried to strongly impose your beliefs on me as others have, and I enjoy our debates. I know that neither of us know all the answers, and I’d like to think we’re both living our lives the best we can. As I grow older and continue to lose my religion, I take solace in the fact that there are people like you that help bring another perspective to the matter. I’m also comforted by the fact that there are other things in this world besides religion that help people to understand we’re all connected by common bonds. Be it simply a musical that teaches us to live for today and that love does indeed conquer all, or a global event that unites all humans as one (the tsunami for example).

I know that we both agree that the websites and videos referenced above, represent evil and the worst kind of hate; and whether or not you believe in God, no one deserves such vitriolic rage directed at them. I’ll end the way I began. There’s a song from Rent that talks about this “Bohemian” life which some find so repulsive, called “La Vie Boheme” (The Bohemian Life):

To sodomy
It’s between God and me.

To faggots, lezzies, dykes, cross dressers too.

To me….To you….

To people living with….not dying from disease.

Let he among us without sin,

Be the first to condemn.

La Vie Boheme.

Anyone out of the mainstream.

Is anyone in the mainstream?

Anyone alive with a sex drive.

Tear down the wall.

Aren’t we all?

The opposite of war isn’t peace.

It’s creation.

La Vie Boheme.

Viva La Vie Boheme.

So that’s the paradox. The older I get, the more this kind of thinking is what roils me about organized religion. Be it movies like “Jesus Camp” or websites like www.lovegodsway.org or www.godhatesfags.com; I think I’ll stick to “The Golden Rule“.

godhatesfags3

I rest my case:

It’s A New Day

“I” woke up this morning with Garbo on one side of my pillow and Ruby on the top against my head. LOL. I wish I could have taken a picture, it was so cute. Anyway, Seth and Jessica came home today, so I’m sleeping alone again. I had a good time with the dogs as usual. Here are a few photos:

They always need a vacation after leaving the Hotel Careyfornia

I taught Garbo & Ruby a new trick this week. It’s called “Pretend you’ve been shot by Sarah Palin“:

Please Sarah, don’t shoot!!

What do I look like, a moose??

Best of the rest…

Lisa thinks I’ve been wasting too much negative energy on Sarah Palin of late, but I respectfully think that we must remain vigilant, so that Governor Avon Lady never gets so close to the presidency again. Bill Maher really sums up my feelings perfectly here. “I’m trying not to be mean, but I’m sorry, I can’t…” It’s worth watching to the end:

If only she went away this easily:

This bit about Prop 8 appeared on the same Bill Maher show, and brings up some good points about the “elephant in the room (Religion…you can’t poke in the naughty place…)” at about 2:35.

So yes, it is a new day…but we still have a ways to go!
Magic Hands at the Magic Castle

My friend Tyson flew from New York to LA earlier this week to make a special presentation at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, and he was nice enough to put me on the guest list. For those of you who don’t know, The Magic Castle is a members only private club whose membership boasts the best magicians in the world. It’s ridiculously expensive and very “old Hollywood”. Tyson was there to teach some of the magicians how to solve the Rubik’s Cube. After all, it was Tyson (and his brother) who taught Will Smith how to solve the Rubik’s Cube in the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness“.

And even though he was featured as one of the “geeks” on the hit TV show “Beauty and the Geek”, he’s definitely not your typical geek. Tyson has a unique ability to explain complex things in layman’s terms. In other words, he’s the geek that all the cool kids look up too. He transcends geek barriers and is equally comfortable talking to Jay Leno or Martha Stewart or Anderson Cooper (he’s appeared on all of their shows), as he is to his fellow astrophysicists from CalTech. He can also solve the Rubik’s Cube anywhere! Whether in front of 60,000 screaming fans while singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at a Giant’s game or in my living room or on Space Mountain at Disneyland. Oh, and one more thing, he can do it blindfolded.

Tyson & Carey at The Magic Castle November 3. 2008

Because of Tyson’s ability to relate to everyone, he was tapped by the Rubik’s company to create an instructional DVD to be sold with Rubik’s Cubes exclusively by Barnes & Noble. It makes a great Christmas gift for young and old and is only $15 if you buy it online!

Here’s Tyson at The Magic Castle the other night, explaining the first two steps in solving the Rubik’s Cube. If you want to learn the rest, buy the DVD!

Tyson is actually responsible for my Xanga. He’s had a Xanga for years, and in order for me to leave comments in the old days, I signed up. I would have never started blogging if it weren’t for Tyson. He’s also the reason I met Macky, who’s amazing in his own right, as this video I took this past summer will attest:
Click below to play the video and be amazed! If it’s not working, click here.

The “cubing” community is full of wonderful people, old and young. Kids like Daniel who at such a young age is really trying to make a difference in the world. They give me hope for the next generation. I’ll leave you with another video I took on Monday of Dan Dzoan and his brother Chris solving the Rubik’s Cube with one hand, and then doing it again with one in each hand.

Best of the rest…
LAPD on Tactical Alert

Andrew Sullivan wrote this on his blog today, and it’s worth clicking through to read the whole thing:

Heart-breaking news this morning: a terribly close vote has stripped gay couples in California of their right to marry. The geographic balance shows that the inland parts of California voted for the Proposition and the coast and urban areas voted against it.

Yes, it is heart-breaking: it is always hard to be in a tiny minority whose rights and dignity are removed by a majority. It’s a brutal rebuke to the state supreme court, and enshrinement in California’s constitution that gay couples are now second-class citizens and second class human beings. Massively funded by the Mormon church, a religious majority finally managed to put gay people in the back of the bus in the biggest state of the union. The refusal of Schwarzenegger to really oppose the measure and Obama’s luke-warm opposition didn’t help. And cruelly, a very hefty black turnout, as feared, was one of the factors that defeated us, according to the exit poll. Today this is one of the solaces to a hard right and a Republican party that sees gay people as the least real of Americans. Read more…

I received emails about this all day long from friends all over the world. They were shocked and dismayed that this could happen on such an otherwise historic day in America. Tonight however, the citizens of Los Angeles decided to march. I’m dog-sitting for Garbo & Ruby this week, and since the march was right outside my home, I decided to let the dogs witness a little history!

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (CNS) — The Los Angeles Police Department declared a tactical alert Wednesday night in an attempt to handle opponents of Proposition 8, who marched from West Hollywood to Hollywood to protest the passage of the initiative defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Read more…

Here’s a short video I took as I marched with the dogs down the middle of a closed off Santa Monica Boulevard:

And some of my photos:

The intersection of Santa Monica Blvd. and La Cienega. One of the busiest in the city.
Happy Days Are Here Again

HOPE vs. FEAR

The history of America is studded with great breakthroughs followed by decades of consolidation and occasional regression. Tonight’s victory proclaims the end of the dark years of the Bush regression. It’s time for another American breakthrough. Click here to read more.

So long sad times
Go long bad times
We are rid of you at last

Howdy gay times
Cloudy gray times
You are now a thing of the past

Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So let’s sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again

“Happy Days Are Here Again” is a song copyrighted in 1929 by Milton Ager (music) and Jack Yellen (lyrics). The song was recorded by Leo Reisman and His Orchestra, with Lou Levin, vocal (November 1929), and was used in the 1930 film Chasing Rainbows. Today, the song is probably best remembered as the campaign song for Franklin Delano Roosevelt‘s (FDR) successful 1932 Presidential campaign. Since FDR’s use of the song, it has come to be recognized as the unofficial theme of the Democratic Party. The lyrics suggest optimism and buoyancy.

Even though I supported Hillary Clinton in the primary, I was proud today to cast my vote for President Elect Obama. The line wasn’t bad at all:

But my vote almost didn’t get counted!

Election Worker: You can’t take photographs in here.
Me: Sure I can. I just press this button. Snap….blinding flash.
Election Worker: You CAN’T
Me: I did last time I voted: (http://weblog.xanga.com/CareyGLY/641073173/making-history-herstory.html)
Election Worker: It’s a federal offense. Here’s your ballot. You can take that booth (pointing).

Election Worker: I told you that you couldn’t take pictures!
Me: Gayle King said I could. (http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081031_tows_fridays)
Election Worker: Who’s Gayle King?
Me: Who’s Gayle King??
Election Worker: Yes, who’s Gayle King??
Me: She’s Oprah’s best friend!! She told Oprah to take a camera to her polling place and take a picture of her ballot.
Election Worker: I don’t care, it’s against the law.
Me: So arrest me.
Election Worker: I will.
Me: See ya! (Walking away a la Tina Fey past Sarah Palin on SNL…snapping this photo behind me as he follows me.)

Oh well, at least I stuck my ballot in the box!

Here’s hoping that vapid, idiotic, reprehensible, repulsive, moronic waste of a woman, Sarah Palin, is never again on a national stage.

The LA Times said it best when they endorsed Obama:

Indeed, the presidential campaign has rendered McCain nearly unrecognizable. His selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate was, as a short-term political tactic, brilliant. It was also irresponsible, as Palin is the most unqualified vice presidential nominee of a major party in living memory. The decision calls into question just what kind of thinking — if that’s the appropriate word — would drive the White House in a McCain presidency. Fortunately, the public has shown more discernment, and the early enthusiasm for Palin has given way to national ridicule of her candidacy and McCain’s judgment.

And if you recall, I said it seconds after he introduced the crazy gun toting whack job on August 29th:

President Obama & The Beauty Queen

I wish I was home, in Chicago right now. Doesn’t it look great? For more, check out my blog entry from my trip home last summer:
http://weblog.xanga.com/CareyGLY/660904934/the-prettiest-city-in-america.html

Speaking of the Spruce Moose:

From Newsweek‘s Special Election Project comes the real Sarah Palin. She met staff members in a towel:

At the GOP convention in St. Paul, Palin was completely unfazed by the boys’ club fraternity she had just joined. One night, Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter went to her hotel room to brief her. After a minute, Palin sailed into the room wearing nothing but a towel, with another on her wet hair. She told them to chat with her laconic husband, Todd. “I’ll be just a minute,” she said.

She raised William Ayers before the campaign signed off on it:

Palin launched her attack on Obama’s association with William Ayers, the former Weather Underground bomber, before the campaign had finalized a plan to raise the issue. McCain’s advisers were working on a strategy that they hoped to unveil the following week, but McCain had not signed off on it, and top adviser Mark Salter was resisting.

And she spent far more on clothes than was reported:

NEWSWEEK has also learned that Palin’s shopping spree at high-end department stores was more extensive than previously reported. While publicly supporting Palin, McCain’s top advisers privately fumed at what they regarded as her outrageous profligacy. One senior aide said that Nicolle Wallace had told Palin to buy three suits for the convention and hire a stylist. But instead, the vice presidential nominee began buying for herself and her family–clothes and accessories from top stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. According to two knowledgeable sources, a vast majority of the clothes were bought by a wealthy donor, who was shocked when he got the bill. Palin also used low-level staffers to buy some of the clothes on their credit cards. The McCain campaign found out last week when the aides sought reimbursement. One aide estimated that she spent “tens of thousands” more than the reported $150,000, and that $20,000 to $40,000 went to buy clothes for her husband. Some articles of clothing have apparently been lost. An angry aide characterized the shopping spree as “Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast,” and said the truth will eventually come out when the Republican Party audits its books.

Finally, Steve Schmidt (who reportedly picked Palin as VP) would not let her speak on election night.

McCain himself rarely spoke to Palin during the campaign, and aides kept him in the dark about the details of her spending on clothes because they were sure he would be offended. Palin asked to speak along with McCain at his Arizona concession speech Tuesday night, but campaign strategist Steve Schmidt vetoed the request.

Read more highlights here. Read the Newsweek story here.

And now FOX News of all outlets has this incredibly damning report on Caribou Barbie!! (Update 11/13/08 – Apparently some of this stuff about the Spruce Moose was made up as a hoax. (To be clear, none of this means the Africa story is false.) See what happens when you trust Fox News (where I first heard this story)?? She’s still a dangerous MORON, and I’m getting tired of her sexed up cutesy act on TV. Save it for your white trash boyfriend Sarah, maybe you can double date with Cindy McCain.) Gosh, it feels good to vent. LOL
The Abba Reunion Tour

When Halloween is on a Friday, it makes for a very long weekend. After surviving several assassination attempts on Friday night, I headed up to Oxnard to photograph Claudio, Ryan, Julia and Susan’s transformation into Abba! Ryan made the boy’s outfits, and he really outdid himself.

The GRAND entrance….Take a chance on them…They even did better than me!!

Luckily, the Sarah Palin at the party on Saturday night came with her own moose, so she didn’t have to shoot me!

More dancing, featuring The Spice Girls, Abba, Sarah Palin & friends, performing
such classics as Xanadu, Dancing Queen, It’s Raining Men and more.

Best of the rest…

After returning to LA, we went to a No on 8 rally at the bottom of my street. Then, Luis and David drove from Las Vegas to pay a visit to the world famous Hotel Careyfornia. We just had time for a quick dinner before they had to jet off to D.C. All in all it was a great weekend, but I’m tired! Tomorrow night I’m going to see Tyson at The Magic Castle. Should be fun!

Here’s some video I shot walking down Santa Monica Blvd. I was encouraged by all the supporters honking their horns, but then again, this is West Hollywood.