Operation Starfish: November 2007

Friday, November 30, 2007

Visual DNA

Thanks to Mandy who got this from a blogger bud. I couldn't resist; it was too much fun.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Friday, November 23, 2007

Wow. I hit an all-time low today. I got rejected, and I never even met the guy. I mean, I can understand if he at least saw me and then rejected me. But noooooooo. It was over the phone.

Say and think whatever you want. But this is my blog, so I'm entitled to write whatever I want. And besides, it's quite humorous, and I like making people laugh!

The story goes something like this:

I need a wireless router. Since it's Black Friday, I figure I could find a good deal. Circuit City online had a deal where I could get a router for $49.99 plus a $30 mail-in rebate. Then, as a special, they had a package with a printer for $79.99 with an $80 mail-in rebate. Duh. No-brainer, right? However, I felt a little apprehensive ordering online without talking to a real-live human being. I mean, I wanted to make absolute 100% certain that I was getting the printer for free. Otherwise, I'd just do without.

So I called. And this is the conversation after punching several numbers to navigate me through the automated part.

(In a very foreign accent): Hi, thank you for calling Circuit City. May I help you?

Me: Yes, I'm looking for a router and printer package.

Him: Ok, tell me the product numbers.

Me: HQ45RT

Him: 8, Q as in Queen, 4, 5, R as in Robert and T as in Tom.

Me: No. H as in Hot, Q as in Queen, 4, 5, R as in Robert and T as in Tom.

Me: (Waiting for five minutes while he searches and tells me that it's like looking for a needle in grass. His words exactly.)

Him: Ok, I found it. Yes, you get both rebates. May I have your email address?

Me: Faith******@*******.com

Him: That's S as in Sally, A as in Abe, I as in Igloo, T as in Tom, and H as in Howard.

Me: No, that's F as in Father.

Him: Faith. Are you a Christian?

Me: Yes, I am.

Him: What sect?

Me: What denomination?

Him: Yes

Me: (Hesitating. Certain ones can have a certain connotation. So, I decided to go with...) Reformed.

Him: Reformed? Do you worship idols?

Me: No, no!

Him: I'm a Christian. I'm Baptist.

Me: Well, I'm a mix between Baptist and Presbyterian.

Him: Oh, Ok. How old are you?

Me: 28.

Him: I'm 24.

Me: Oh, that's my sister's age. Were you born in America?

Him: No, the Philippines.

More information gathering took place for my order to be processed.

Him: The problem in America is that a Christian girl cannot find anyone to be her life partner.

Me: True. Very true.

Him: So, have you found yours?

Me: No, I haven't. I'm still waiting.

Him, laughing: Me, too!

(By this point, Emily is out in the living room whispering, "He's totally hitting on you! I can tell what the conversation is from the other room!")

Him: Ok, let me confirm your order. Hold on just a second...

Silence.

The phone went dead. We got cut off. I looked at Emily and asked what I should do? I mean, he had all my information. He could call back. Good grief...he even knew my address, email, age, religious affiliation, and marital status. After five minutes, nothing. So, I decided to call back and ask for the Filipino guy.

Me: I'm sorry, I got cut off from the guy I was ordering with.

Him: Oh, I'm so sorry. How may I help you?

Me: Well, I'd like to continue speaking with him, but I don't know his name.

Him: Ok, tell me the product numbers. (Totally ignoring my request.)

Me: HQ45RT

Him: 8, Q as in Queen, 4, 5, R as in Robert and T as in Tom. (At this point I think it's him.)

Me: No. H as in Hot, Q as in Queen, 4, 5, R as in Robert and T as in Tom.

Him: Ok. Can I have your email address?

Me: Faith**********@********.com

Him: That's S as in Sally, A as in Abe, I as in Igloo, T as in Tom, and H as in Howard.

Me (What the crap?!): No, that's F as in Father.

Him: Ok. (Then he repeats it back.)

The more he talks, the more I'm convinced this is the SAME Filipino guy I was speaking with before. I mean, what is that wrong with me over the phone?

I've come to the conclusion that there could be a couple reasons for this Twilight Zone experience:

A. His short-term memory is the equivalent's of Dorie's, and he has no clue.
B. He heard something in the tone of my voice that totally turned him off, and I was rejected without him ever laying eyes on me.

I'm thankful for God's Providence and a sense of humor. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Received

I received this email from a friend in N. Africa. Wow...makes me miss it!

"So we were in a taxi on our way to school last weekwhen two men on the side of the road held out their hands to catch a ride. I noticed that they had a sheep on a leash. My first thought was-How in the world are they going to get the sheep into our taxi? Our taxi driver pulled over and got out of the car to open up the TRUNK. The three men pick up this big sheep (which by this point is flailing and baaing like crazy) and put the sheep into the trunk of our taxi. For the remainder of our ride we could hear faint sheep sounds from behind us. It was one of those times when you know you shouldn't laugh and you have to use every ounce of strength to stifle it. Needless to say, once we got out of our taxi, we exploded in laughter."