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.
Showing posts with label Umbilical Cord. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Umbilical Cord. Show all posts
Monday, July 13, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
PortCon, Wheel of Fortune, and the Death of Many Legends
So I didn't have a chance last week to blog about PortCon Maine, which was actually 2 weekends ago, so time to blog about it now.
It was just Inyx and I, as Wig had the opportunity to make $120 and get some of his old parking tickets paid off and get his license renewed in exchange for working with his father and uncles. We got up to Portland quickly and checked in. The convention was back in its old location, which was the South Portland Sheraton but is now the Wyndham, which is a much better location than where it was last year. It's right across from the Maine Mall and only a few blocks away from a lot of major restaurants and a Hannafords.
After an easy set-up, we headed over to the Maine Mall for a quick dinner at Panda Express. There was a David's Bridal there and Inyx thought it'd be fun to look around. I saw a couple on display that I kind of liked because they had old-fashioned elements, but I didn't see any I really wanted to try on, but Inyx weaseled her way into getting a fitting and tried on a dress herself and sent a picture to her boyfriend in Maryland to see if he'd freak, but nothing fazes him. We also went to Michaels because I forgot to pack my glue gun. Then we went to the hotel's pool and hot tub.
Sin arrived the next day after a delay because her friend Ed's car was in the shop and business went as usual. Friday night we went to Old Country Buffet with a group of other Artist Alley people. It was us, Sin and her group, Zodi-ack! a mother/daughters business also from Massachusetts, and a couple of Zodi-ack!'s friends. The food was decent, because OCB is really luck of the draw, depending on when you go there's shit to choose from or there's a good spread. At one point, someone got a taco, and another said "They serve tacos? At a Chinese food place?" And her friends are like "This isn't a Chinese food place! What made you think that?" and I go "Did you think the 'Old Country' was Thailand or something?" And hilarity ensued. I think the staff was happy when we finally left. Then we went swimming and hot tubbing with Sin and her crew.
Saturday after Artist Alley closed we all went to Olive Garden. Instead of squeezing into Ed's car, we threw Sin, Ed and Anzu into Inyx's truck bed, because it was only around the corner. I don't know if it's illegal in Maine to ride in the bed, but it is in Mass. But Anzu kept making Mexican migrant worker jokes and talking in a bad Mexican accent. On the way back from Olive Garden Sin's sitting up on her knees and dancing and waving her arms and when Inyx took a wide turn she flew forward and landed in Ed's lap. I have 4 videos of the entire trip to and from Olive Garden with the stop at Hannaford's to buy booze, including Sin's spill. They'll be up on YouTube eventually. Hannaford's wouldn't let us purchase the alcohol because not all of us had ID.
We all decided that the entire crew for PopCult and Plastic Love are going to dress in steampunk for ConnectiCon so now the race is on to get some Victorian-ish clothes and accessories that look like they came out of a Jules Verne novel. It's going to be fun. ConnectiCon is alway the big con because we have the Artist Alley Networking Party. Fortunately, it's not until July 31 so I have a lot more prep time.
After I got back from PorCon, Wig and I met up at Dunks w/Flav, Ricky, Alison, Jay, Gantz, Tony and Joey. Alison was down in Boston to celebrate her birthday. Mark and Katie also arrived and later Doug. We spent most of the time looking through yearbooks and photo albums reminscing about high school. Wig and I left early because I was exhausted after 2 conventions in a row and very little sleep. I've actually been out of it for a while, sleeping til 1130 and noon most days. I'm trying to get myself up at 9 to get shit done, but 10/1030 is all I can muster.
Yesterday, I drove an hour to Marlborough to Solomon Pond Mall because the Wheelmobile was there holding try-outs for Wheel of Fortune. As everyone knows, I'm too good at that game and it's my goal to get on there and/or Jeopardy. The ride was easy, just 93 and 495, but long, but it took me 20 minutes to find parking. But I only had to stand in line for an hour and a half before they began to call out names from my application group. Alas, they didn't call me :( But while I was at the mall I took the opportunity to get the AC/DC Chucks and also ended up getting Thundercats Season 2 volumes 1 and 2 for $9.99 each and Season 1 volume 1 for $20. Considering when they first came out, each volume was $60 each, this was a great value.
Of course, you all know that last week was the Week o' Celebrity Deaths with Ed McMahon dying at 86 on either Monday or Tuesday and Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson dying Thursday. Then yesterday while in line at the Wheel of Fortune event, Wig's brother texts him to say Billy Mays died. At first I insisted it was a prank because so many deaths already happened last week somebody's starting a rumor. I couldn't look it up on my phone because internet on my phone sucks. Wig called his friend Guru to look it up online from a reputable news source and it's unfortunately true. The report so far is that he was unresponsive yesterday morning but no foul play is expected. Saturday he was in a minor plane accident and hit his head, but he insisted he was fine and didn't go to the hospital. My theory is he had a concussion that he didn't treat and fell asleep and you know you're supposed to keep concussed people awake. But we'll see what the autopsy says. I'm devastated, he was an icon. Easy to parody, very memorable. I won't be able to laugh at the YouTube poops anymore. Would it be in bad taste for Wig to continue on with his spot-on impression? What will become of the reality show Pitchmen? And who will promote products like OxiClean and Mighty Putty now? Vince is good, but nowhere near the same caliber of Billy Mays. Incidentally, Wig wants to create a tribute song in the style of Dethklok, the death metal band from the Adult Swim show Metalocalypse. One of the suggested titles is "Sinfomercial" I'll post lyrics as soon as they're written. He already has one line about Zorbeez sopping up your blood or something. Meanwhile, jokes about Michael Jackson molesting small boys continue on even after his death while simultaneously everyone praises him for his memorable music...much like when he was still alive. And Farrah Fawcett's death seems merely a footnote. Who's going to die next? With all the rain and celebrities dropping like flies, someting apocalypic is going on...It's been a fucked up summer.
It was just Inyx and I, as Wig had the opportunity to make $120 and get some of his old parking tickets paid off and get his license renewed in exchange for working with his father and uncles. We got up to Portland quickly and checked in. The convention was back in its old location, which was the South Portland Sheraton but is now the Wyndham, which is a much better location than where it was last year. It's right across from the Maine Mall and only a few blocks away from a lot of major restaurants and a Hannafords.
After an easy set-up, we headed over to the Maine Mall for a quick dinner at Panda Express. There was a David's Bridal there and Inyx thought it'd be fun to look around. I saw a couple on display that I kind of liked because they had old-fashioned elements, but I didn't see any I really wanted to try on, but Inyx weaseled her way into getting a fitting and tried on a dress herself and sent a picture to her boyfriend in Maryland to see if he'd freak, but nothing fazes him. We also went to Michaels because I forgot to pack my glue gun. Then we went to the hotel's pool and hot tub.
Sin arrived the next day after a delay because her friend Ed's car was in the shop and business went as usual. Friday night we went to Old Country Buffet with a group of other Artist Alley people. It was us, Sin and her group, Zodi-ack! a mother/daughters business also from Massachusetts, and a couple of Zodi-ack!'s friends. The food was decent, because OCB is really luck of the draw, depending on when you go there's shit to choose from or there's a good spread. At one point, someone got a taco, and another said "They serve tacos? At a Chinese food place?" And her friends are like "This isn't a Chinese food place! What made you think that?" and I go "Did you think the 'Old Country' was Thailand or something?" And hilarity ensued. I think the staff was happy when we finally left. Then we went swimming and hot tubbing with Sin and her crew.
Saturday after Artist Alley closed we all went to Olive Garden. Instead of squeezing into Ed's car, we threw Sin, Ed and Anzu into Inyx's truck bed, because it was only around the corner. I don't know if it's illegal in Maine to ride in the bed, but it is in Mass. But Anzu kept making Mexican migrant worker jokes and talking in a bad Mexican accent. On the way back from Olive Garden Sin's sitting up on her knees and dancing and waving her arms and when Inyx took a wide turn she flew forward and landed in Ed's lap. I have 4 videos of the entire trip to and from Olive Garden with the stop at Hannaford's to buy booze, including Sin's spill. They'll be up on YouTube eventually. Hannaford's wouldn't let us purchase the alcohol because not all of us had ID.
We all decided that the entire crew for PopCult and Plastic Love are going to dress in steampunk for ConnectiCon so now the race is on to get some Victorian-ish clothes and accessories that look like they came out of a Jules Verne novel. It's going to be fun. ConnectiCon is alway the big con because we have the Artist Alley Networking Party. Fortunately, it's not until July 31 so I have a lot more prep time.
After I got back from PorCon, Wig and I met up at Dunks w/Flav, Ricky, Alison, Jay, Gantz, Tony and Joey. Alison was down in Boston to celebrate her birthday. Mark and Katie also arrived and later Doug. We spent most of the time looking through yearbooks and photo albums reminscing about high school. Wig and I left early because I was exhausted after 2 conventions in a row and very little sleep. I've actually been out of it for a while, sleeping til 1130 and noon most days. I'm trying to get myself up at 9 to get shit done, but 10/1030 is all I can muster.
Yesterday, I drove an hour to Marlborough to Solomon Pond Mall because the Wheelmobile was there holding try-outs for Wheel of Fortune. As everyone knows, I'm too good at that game and it's my goal to get on there and/or Jeopardy. The ride was easy, just 93 and 495, but long, but it took me 20 minutes to find parking. But I only had to stand in line for an hour and a half before they began to call out names from my application group. Alas, they didn't call me :( But while I was at the mall I took the opportunity to get the AC/DC Chucks and also ended up getting Thundercats Season 2 volumes 1 and 2 for $9.99 each and Season 1 volume 1 for $20. Considering when they first came out, each volume was $60 each, this was a great value.
Of course, you all know that last week was the Week o' Celebrity Deaths with Ed McMahon dying at 86 on either Monday or Tuesday and Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson dying Thursday. Then yesterday while in line at the Wheel of Fortune event, Wig's brother texts him to say Billy Mays died. At first I insisted it was a prank because so many deaths already happened last week somebody's starting a rumor. I couldn't look it up on my phone because internet on my phone sucks. Wig called his friend Guru to look it up online from a reputable news source and it's unfortunately true. The report so far is that he was unresponsive yesterday morning but no foul play is expected. Saturday he was in a minor plane accident and hit his head, but he insisted he was fine and didn't go to the hospital. My theory is he had a concussion that he didn't treat and fell asleep and you know you're supposed to keep concussed people awake. But we'll see what the autopsy says. I'm devastated, he was an icon. Easy to parody, very memorable. I won't be able to laugh at the YouTube poops anymore. Would it be in bad taste for Wig to continue on with his spot-on impression? What will become of the reality show Pitchmen? And who will promote products like OxiClean and Mighty Putty now? Vince is good, but nowhere near the same caliber of Billy Mays. Incidentally, Wig wants to create a tribute song in the style of Dethklok, the death metal band from the Adult Swim show Metalocalypse. One of the suggested titles is "Sinfomercial" I'll post lyrics as soon as they're written. He already has one line about Zorbeez sopping up your blood or something. Meanwhile, jokes about Michael Jackson molesting small boys continue on even after his death while simultaneously everyone praises him for his memorable music...much like when he was still alive. And Farrah Fawcett's death seems merely a footnote. Who's going to die next? With all the rain and celebrities dropping like flies, someting apocalypic is going on...It's been a fucked up summer.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Heavens to Etsy!
Yeah like I'm not the first person in the history of that website to make that joke. Anyway...
I just made my first Etsy sale! Yay! Some nice gal in Ohio bought my wood bead hemp anklet. I say it's about time, I've had the jewelry up since October. But I guess people are not as quick to purchase something so easy to make as friendship and hemp bracelets. I was sure the guitar pick earrings would sell fast since they're just so sweet but *shrug* I'm hoping the crocheted stuff will start to pick up, especially the amigurumi, because while they are in theory easy to make (most patterns are just single crochet stitches done in a spiral) they're time-consuming to make and frustrating if you lose count or your stitch marker falls out (you don't know how many rows I've had to redo...). Right now I'm working on a slime (from the video game series Dragon Quest aka Dragon Warrior) amigurumi, but this particular one is a late birthday gift for Gahmstead. I'm going to make more though, but I think I'm going to relegate them only to selling at the anime conventions this summer because the person who made the pattern is on Etsy and I don't want her to recognize her pattern and get upset that I'm technically using it for profit. I'm still working on the Waldo scarf. I haven't done much more work on it this week because I was preoccupied doing other things, then I picked up the slime the past 2 nights. But I should get that done soon. Then maybe another Gryffindor scarf while I still have tons of crimson and gold. A better one this time. Maybe I'll copy Flav and do one in the newer style (it's only fair...she copied the Gryffindor scarf from me first LOL) And of course, more amigurumi. I think I'll eventually gain much success selling the amigurumi - especially at conventions. If I can find or come up with patterns for a lot of the more popular anime and video game plushies, they'll sell like hotcakes at the conventions because people would rather buy cheaper handmade ones than the commercial ones that can go for up to $25-$30. I also have to make some more jewelry. I haven't made any since the Christmas gifts I made. Since those take a lot less time, I should just take one evening and crank out a good chunk of earrings and bracelets. The good thing is I have until May to stock up for the first convention (AnimeBoston).
So I mentioned earlier this week that Wig and Gahmstead's band, Umbilical Cord, would be playing at a concert in memory of their friend Joe who died last September. Yeah, well, last night they were told they were not playing. This wouldn't be such a huge kick in the ass if it wasn't planned for months and on top of that, Joe's brother Chris was saying all week how he wanted Wig andGahm to play this one particular song - that they spent all week learning. But Chris wasn't calling the shots, it was his cousin, so I can only surmise that he didn't take Umbilical Cord into consideration when planning the concert. Still, as Joe's brother, Chris could've stepped in and said something. I mean, I don't think any of these bands had a close connection to Joe (although I wouldn't be surprised if they did personally know him, this kid did nothing but go to concerts) and Wig and Gahm were close friends. I wonder if they even tried to get the band Hostile Takeover - they knew Joe really well. Maybe it did have to do with the fact that Umbilical Cord still isn't a full band, but it shouldn't because that hasn't stopped them before and their music can hold its own without a drummer (although it does help). Whatever the reason lies in Joe's cousin, not his brother. I'm actually surprised it was a cousin planning the whole thing, I thought Chris had a lot more to do with it. If he did, this problem would'nt have arisen and we'd have some more material for Umbilical Cord. But shit happens. On the bright side, I have 25 Umbilical Cord business card magnets to give out. So if you want to see a really bizarre band logo on your fridge everyday and be reminded of the website address let me know.
I just made my first Etsy sale! Yay! Some nice gal in Ohio bought my wood bead hemp anklet. I say it's about time, I've had the jewelry up since October. But I guess people are not as quick to purchase something so easy to make as friendship and hemp bracelets. I was sure the guitar pick earrings would sell fast since they're just so sweet but *shrug* I'm hoping the crocheted stuff will start to pick up, especially the amigurumi, because while they are in theory easy to make (most patterns are just single crochet stitches done in a spiral) they're time-consuming to make and frustrating if you lose count or your stitch marker falls out (you don't know how many rows I've had to redo...). Right now I'm working on a slime (from the video game series Dragon Quest aka Dragon Warrior) amigurumi, but this particular one is a late birthday gift for Gahmstead. I'm going to make more though, but I think I'm going to relegate them only to selling at the anime conventions this summer because the person who made the pattern is on Etsy and I don't want her to recognize her pattern and get upset that I'm technically using it for profit. I'm still working on the Waldo scarf. I haven't done much more work on it this week because I was preoccupied doing other things, then I picked up the slime the past 2 nights. But I should get that done soon. Then maybe another Gryffindor scarf while I still have tons of crimson and gold. A better one this time. Maybe I'll copy Flav and do one in the newer style (it's only fair...she copied the Gryffindor scarf from me first LOL) And of course, more amigurumi. I think I'll eventually gain much success selling the amigurumi - especially at conventions. If I can find or come up with patterns for a lot of the more popular anime and video game plushies, they'll sell like hotcakes at the conventions because people would rather buy cheaper handmade ones than the commercial ones that can go for up to $25-$30. I also have to make some more jewelry. I haven't made any since the Christmas gifts I made. Since those take a lot less time, I should just take one evening and crank out a good chunk of earrings and bracelets. The good thing is I have until May to stock up for the first convention (AnimeBoston).
So I mentioned earlier this week that Wig and Gahmstead's band, Umbilical Cord, would be playing at a concert in memory of their friend Joe who died last September. Yeah, well, last night they were told they were not playing. This wouldn't be such a huge kick in the ass if it wasn't planned for months and on top of that, Joe's brother Chris was saying all week how he wanted Wig andGahm to play this one particular song - that they spent all week learning. But Chris wasn't calling the shots, it was his cousin, so I can only surmise that he didn't take Umbilical Cord into consideration when planning the concert. Still, as Joe's brother, Chris could've stepped in and said something. I mean, I don't think any of these bands had a close connection to Joe (although I wouldn't be surprised if they did personally know him, this kid did nothing but go to concerts) and Wig and Gahm were close friends. I wonder if they even tried to get the band Hostile Takeover - they knew Joe really well. Maybe it did have to do with the fact that Umbilical Cord still isn't a full band, but it shouldn't because that hasn't stopped them before and their music can hold its own without a drummer (although it does help). Whatever the reason lies in Joe's cousin, not his brother. I'm actually surprised it was a cousin planning the whole thing, I thought Chris had a lot more to do with it. If he did, this problem would'nt have arisen and we'd have some more material for Umbilical Cord. But shit happens. On the bright side, I have 25 Umbilical Cord business card magnets to give out. So if you want to see a really bizarre band logo on your fridge everyday and be reminded of the website address let me know.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Paul Geary doesn't have it this hard
So Wig and Gahmstead have a gig this coming Friday. It'll be the first performance for Umbilical Cord since Medford High's "Night of Noise" (a battle of the bands type show hosted by the Gay/Straight Alliance who were nothing but a bunch of whiny "I have to have things my way" fuckheads) in Gahm's seinor year. The show is a memorial concert for their friend Joe Tilton, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack last September. This show is something Joe's family - specifically his brother and cousin - has been trying to get going since the wake, and it's finally been set for Friday, January 30th at 7PM at the Sons of Italy in Woburn. Umbilical Cord is not the only band playing, and the big problem is I can't get any other information about the show. Is it open to the public or is it just family and friends? Is there a cover charge? Is there a website or information on MySpace? Who else is playing? And Wig was supposed to ask Chris, Joe's brother and Chris said he didn't have any new information, but that's because Wig's an idiot and didn't ask the right questions. But there's nothing on the Joe memorial MySpace page, Chris' MySpace page is private, there's nothing on Joe's cousin's MySpace page and Sons of Italy doesn't have a website. How are you a business and not have a website in the 21st century? So now I'm doing my job as Miss "Behind the Scenes of Umbilical Cord" doing the not-so-fun stuff that keeps the band running. As unofficial temporary manager and official PR and Promotions and Everything-Else person I got to keep the website updated and do publicity and promotional advertisement and such. Which means I'm now on a wild goose chase for information on the show - at least until Wig gets out of work tonight and I can talk to him and see if he got any more details out of Chris. But it looks like I got some headway now - I found the MySpace pages of a couple of the other bands playing at the show: a Godsmack cover band called Smack This and a Stone Temple Pilots cover band called Big Bang Baby. Smack This had a picture of the show's flyer on their page but it was too small to read all the band names and details. But now I know at least 3 other bands that are playing and that the cover is $20. So if you like metal, knew Joe, and aren't doing anything Friday night and have 20 bucks, come see the show. More information will be available at www.umbilicalcordtheband.com either tonight or tomorrow.
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