So, Wednesday, Wig's cousin JT flew in from Mississippi. He's originally from Texas, which is where his mother - Wig's crazy aunt Marilee - moved back in the 80s, but didn't spare any time moving away from her once he was 18. So, he moved to Mississippi where his father is. Anyway, he's up here for the week and is staying w/Wig. Wig's mom Susan has his grandmother's van for the time being because she (Phyllis, the grandmother, not Susan) isn't in the best of health right now, so Susan went to pick up JT from the airport and Wig and I went on for the ride. I stayed w/the van while they went into the terminal to find JT and everything was fine until literally a minute before they came out when a statie told me to move. So I think I'm just going around in a circle, but I somehow ended up on the far end of the terminal, then spent about 10 minutes following signs until I got back to where they were. Fucking Logan airport. Then we went to Phyllis' for pizza. Phyllis had two mild strokes about 2 weeks ago, but you wouldn't be able to tell just by seeing her. She looked really good considering her recent health. Apparently, she also had a stroke back in November and didn't bother telling anyone, not even her 3 children. Wig's family is fucked up, but more on that some other time. I think her deteriorating health has mellowed her out, because when she saw me, she gave me a big hug and I don't think she's ever hugged me once in the 8 1/2 years I've been with Wig LOL.
So Wed we just chilled since it was about 8PM by the time we got back and JT was kinda tired. We played some video games and watched TV and the boys smoked. JT likes pot too, and he's into the same kind of music and video games as Wig and Gahm, so there was no awkwardness at all. I finally played Portal - which is an awesomely addictive puzzle/shooter game for the PC/360/PS3. If you've ever heard the phrase "the cake is a lie!" or the song "Still Alive" (not the Pearl Jam one) this is the game they're from. Basically you have a gun that makes holes in walls, ceilings and floors that transport you to other areas and you use these portals to get through mazes and move cubes around to unlock doors. The computer, GLaDOS, says some really bizarre, funny things and then sings the ending credit theme, "Still Alive" which is incredibly catchy and has some fucked up lyrics.
Today we wanted to show JT some of Boston so we took the train into Fanuiel Hall. We just walked around and looked at the shops and bought some Boston Chipyard cookies. We watched one of the street performers - an escape artist get out of a straitjacket and ropes while hanging upside down. Then we came back and got some subs and then I dropped Wig, Gahm and JT at Jack's house - which is where Wig and Gahm go every Friday and Saturday night to hang out and play video games.
Also this week Wig, Gahmstead and I made the best investment of our video game collectors' lives. Toys R Us was having the greatest sale ever: Guitar Hero: World Tour Super Bundle (that's the full setup w/drumset, guitar, microphone and game) for $99.99 regularly $189.99. But that's not all. You also got at $10 gift card. Then factor in my 10% employee discount plus a 15% off coupon and a $10 off coupon. It ended up coming to $61. That's split 3 ways between me, Wig and Gahmstead. While my mom and Heather would definitely play Guitar Hero with me (they loved the PS2 version), I don't really have the room in my room or in the living room for a drumset, and I'd play it more frequently w/Wig and Gahm anyway, so we're keeping it at their house. That also decided whether we get the Wii or the 360 version. If we got the Wii version, I could take it to my house whenever, I don't have a 360. But Wig and Gahm do, and the 360 has a lot more downloadable content so we settled on the 360 version. Sunday we christened it and me, Wig, Gahmstead and his girlfriend Janice rocked the shit out of it. Then Wednesday I finally got the AC/DC Live Rock Band track pack (yes, Guitar Hero and Rock Band instruments and games are 100% interchangable, at least on 360). My only beef is the pitch recognition on the mic for both Guitar Hero and Rock Band isn't very accurate. Or I'm just a shitty singer...No I can sing all right if I don't overdo it, but trying to follow the pitch bars can throw you off, especially if you naturally sing lower than the pitch bars want you to.
But I can't do my Brian Johnson impression as usual because it doesn't register as the right pitch, which sucks cuz I can't sing AC/DC songs without doing a Brian Johnson or Bon Scott impression.
Speaking of AC/DC, the concert at Foxboro Stadium is next Tuesday and I CAN'T WAIT. First time in 8 years seeing them! And I'm going to be completely decked out in AC/DC gear. I got the limited edition AC/DC Chucks, I have an AC/DC shirt, AC/DC skirt, AC/DC hat, AC/DC hairclips - even AC/DC underwear :) Then Thursday I'll be leaving for ConnectiCon, the last convention of the year unless we go to Another Anime Con in November. This is the big one, as almost everyone in our anime circle goes and we have the Artist Alley Networking Party. We book a suite just for Saturday night and get tons of pizza and booze and everyone shows up and just networks and draws and gets drunk. Expect tons of pictures on my Flickr, and when I get the chance I'm going to upload pics from past ConnectiCons too.
Tomorrow Wig's sister comes back from Texas where she's been staying w/Marilee - the crazy aunt and JT's mom. Marilee's coming back with her to see Phyllis. I wonder if I'll finally get to meet Marilee. From all the stories I've heard of her, I kind of want to avoid her at all costs, but it's been 8 1/2 years and I have to meet her sometime. It's kind of a morbid curiosity, like "I have to see for myself how bat-shit insane she is." Examples: She "doesn't believe in" cellphones. Something about brain tumors I guess; in high school, she lied about having cancer just to get attention; she tried tightening something broken on her car with her teeth and broke all her teeth; she shot at her cheating husband and HE went to jail for kicking out her car windows; she attacked a carjacker with a field hockey stick. Yeah...so I'm gonna just leave on that note there, cuz this woman's too fucked up for words. Talk to you later blogland.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Semantics
So I get home from work tonight and check my email and I got a message from eBay that they removed my listing for an extra Gravitation (an anime series) DVD I'm selling. Here's the message:
"Dear nintendofanatik (kawaiirocker@hotmail.com),
You recently listed the following auction-style listing:320396012230 - Gravitation - Vol. 2: Stars on the Rise (DVD, 2004)
Unfortunately, we had to remove your listing because the following information violates our policy:
Item Condition: "Like New"
Please refrain from using "like new" in your listing for items that are already used. This is because buyers who are looking for brand new items are directed to your listings. To make it easy for buyers to find what they're looking for, sellers need to make sure their titles and item descriptions accurately describe what they're selling in the listing. That's why listings can only include keywords and other information that are directly relevant to the item for sale, and sellers should clearly describe both the item and the terms of the sale. Here's more information on our search and browse manipulation policy: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/search-manipulation.html
Please note: violation of this or other eBay policies may result in forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings, limits on account privileges and account suspension.
Your listing(s) may be eligible for relisting through My eBay. If your listing is eligible, you will see the listing in your Unsold Items page within My eBay. Listings that are not eligible for relisting will not be visible in the Unsold Items page. To relist your item, sign in to eBay, go to My eBay to your Unsold items, and select the item that was canceled -- it's highlighted with a yellow banner. Before relisting, please make any changes necessary to ensure that your revised listing is in compliance with the law and eBay policies. You might want to check your other listings for similar violations as well.
You can review our listing removal policies and seller rules by clicking the links below.
Thanks for your understanding.
Sincerely,
eBay Trust and Safety team
Why eBay may remove your listing:http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/questions/listing-ended.htmlKnowing the rules for sellers:http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/policies.html
H5477"
Now, here's the description of the term "Like New" from eBay themselves: "Like New - Item still in shrink wrap or looks as if it was just taken out of shrink wrap, no wear and tear, all facets of product flawless and intact."
The DVD in question has only been played two or three times and has absolutely no scratches or blemishes and no damage to the packaging. It definitely fits the "looks as if it was just taken out of shrink wrap" It is the the poster child for Like New. So what did I do wrong? I wrote them back and tried to be as civil and professional about it, stated my argument and asked for clarification, more information, and proof that I violated something. I wanted to ask - or demand - that they relist it or reimburse me the fees but I didn't want to push my luck. eBay can be industrial size douche nozzles sometimes. But on the plus side, a 3-pack of EA Sports golf balls that were a promotional giveaway with the Tiger Woods video game that I got for a penny is currently at $2.18, and on the Etsy side I sold a Brain Slug to Australia.
In other shit news, my Grand Prix broke AGAIN. It was the something something valve, I dunno my dad had Hogans' Heroes on too loudly in the den for no reason. Saturday I came back w/Wig after a fun day of going to Garment District and Harvard Sq w/Wig and Inyx and I drove it fine to and from Revere, but an hour later when I went to drive Wig home the car wouldn't start. Later, it started long enough to move it out of the driveway so I could take my mom's car to work the next day, but yesterday when my dad drove it around to see what it was, it would just stop running. It was fixed today, but it's costing me $215. Between my last Grand Prix literally falling apart on me and this one having a $200+ repair every 2-3 months, I've finally lost all faith in Pontiac and GM in general (some of you are probably like, "What took you so long?" but I had a lot of misdirected pride as my dad used to be a GM mechanic). It's moments like these when I really really miss my Dodge Spirit, and I realize, I have way too much emotion over a plain ol' early 90s sedan.
Anyway, Wig finally got a flickr. He's in my contacts as Wiggimus. Right now he's only got pics from this year's Digital Overload, but more'll be coming. There'll also be an Umbilical Cord flickr as soon as there's band pictures.
Sleep now, then tomorrow shipping sold things, stitching, bitching, and who knows what else.
"Dear nintendofanatik (kawaiirocker@hotmail.com),
You recently listed the following auction-style listing:320396012230 - Gravitation - Vol. 2: Stars on the Rise (DVD, 2004)
Unfortunately, we had to remove your listing because the following information violates our policy:
Item Condition: "Like New"
Please refrain from using "like new" in your listing for items that are already used. This is because buyers who are looking for brand new items are directed to your listings. To make it easy for buyers to find what they're looking for, sellers need to make sure their titles and item descriptions accurately describe what they're selling in the listing. That's why listings can only include keywords and other information that are directly relevant to the item for sale, and sellers should clearly describe both the item and the terms of the sale. Here's more information on our search and browse manipulation policy: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/search-manipulation.html
Please note: violation of this or other eBay policies may result in forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings, limits on account privileges and account suspension.
Your listing(s) may be eligible for relisting through My eBay. If your listing is eligible, you will see the listing in your Unsold Items page within My eBay. Listings that are not eligible for relisting will not be visible in the Unsold Items page. To relist your item, sign in to eBay, go to My eBay to your Unsold items, and select the item that was canceled -- it's highlighted with a yellow banner. Before relisting, please make any changes necessary to ensure that your revised listing is in compliance with the law and eBay policies. You might want to check your other listings for similar violations as well.
You can review our listing removal policies and seller rules by clicking the links below.
Thanks for your understanding.
Sincerely,
eBay Trust and Safety team
Why eBay may remove your listing:http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/questions/listing-ended.htmlKnowing the rules for sellers:http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/policies.html
H5477"
Now, here's the description of the term "Like New" from eBay themselves: "Like New - Item still in shrink wrap or looks as if it was just taken out of shrink wrap, no wear and tear, all facets of product flawless and intact."
The DVD in question has only been played two or three times and has absolutely no scratches or blemishes and no damage to the packaging. It definitely fits the "looks as if it was just taken out of shrink wrap" It is the the poster child for Like New. So what did I do wrong? I wrote them back and tried to be as civil and professional about it, stated my argument and asked for clarification, more information, and proof that I violated something. I wanted to ask - or demand - that they relist it or reimburse me the fees but I didn't want to push my luck. eBay can be industrial size douche nozzles sometimes. But on the plus side, a 3-pack of EA Sports golf balls that were a promotional giveaway with the Tiger Woods video game that I got for a penny is currently at $2.18, and on the Etsy side I sold a Brain Slug to Australia.
In other shit news, my Grand Prix broke AGAIN. It was the something something valve, I dunno my dad had Hogans' Heroes on too loudly in the den for no reason. Saturday I came back w/Wig after a fun day of going to Garment District and Harvard Sq w/Wig and Inyx and I drove it fine to and from Revere, but an hour later when I went to drive Wig home the car wouldn't start. Later, it started long enough to move it out of the driveway so I could take my mom's car to work the next day, but yesterday when my dad drove it around to see what it was, it would just stop running. It was fixed today, but it's costing me $215. Between my last Grand Prix literally falling apart on me and this one having a $200+ repair every 2-3 months, I've finally lost all faith in Pontiac and GM in general (some of you are probably like, "What took you so long?" but I had a lot of misdirected pride as my dad used to be a GM mechanic). It's moments like these when I really really miss my Dodge Spirit, and I realize, I have way too much emotion over a plain ol' early 90s sedan.
Anyway, Wig finally got a flickr. He's in my contacts as Wiggimus. Right now he's only got pics from this year's Digital Overload, but more'll be coming. There'll also be an Umbilical Cord flickr as soon as there's band pictures.
Sleep now, then tomorrow shipping sold things, stitching, bitching, and who knows what else.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
