myspace screwjob, part II

Posted as a myspace bulletin on Jan 31 @ 2:21 PM

The myspace powers-that-be have finally stepped up after a four-day standoff, no doubt because of the mounting pressure put upon them by the scatching commentary on their company included on my new myspace profile page, and permitted me access to my previous, classic account.

So what exactly happened to prevent me from getting access to my previous account?

Well, I’m happy to report it wasn’t because I’m a failure as an internet user. It appears it was indeed a database error. When I attempted to change my password on 1/27, one letter was omitted from the new password. I might buy that this was a mistake in my entry of the new password, but what are the odds that I would omit the same letter twice (considering, like most websites, myspace makes you type in your new password once and then a second time to confirm it)? I imagine they aren’t very good.

In spite of this, the myspace powers-that-be didn’t have the chutzpah to admit to me in their e-mail response that they messed up and simply sent me the messed-up password that they had in their database for my account.

But I’m happy anyhow because this means that a, I didn’t actually get phished and b, myspace’s stature as a paradigm of bad design is further cemented. Everyone wins really.

I could start using my old page again, but since I went through the headache of creating a new page and in turn made all of you good people re-add me on this account and insert this new profile into your top friends (you did that, right? because I love you all and want the world to know that you love me too), I’m going to say “to Hades with it” and keep using this one. I’ll log into the old one periodically, however, so I don’t suggest using the old account to send me any angry diatribes against my character when I slight you or any heartfelt confessions of your true, undying love for me when you realize I’m the the best thing that has and ever will happen to you that you’d never send if you knew I’d actually read them.

Much love and such,
Chris

“social networking screwjob” or “early onset dementia”

I’m pretty sure my myspace account was phished.

This bothers me for two reasons.

Firstly, it means that I was stupid enough to get phished.

Secondly, since I’m a far more saavy user of the internet than most people, it means that it has to be extremely easy for people to get phished. I’m extremely paranoid about the internet, and now I’m even more paranoid.

(A third reason would be that I actually am not that sure that my account was phished. I think a database error of some sort occurred when I attempted to change my password yesterday, and the clowns who run myspace are too bogged down with their clown users’ moronic inquiries to deal with a legitimate inquiry like my own.)

So as I sat here brooding this evening, hopped up on lattes and bearing a toothache after a visit to the dentist early this morning (I know, what typical irony), I decided to forego waiting for what will likely never happen (i.e. getting into my account) and created a new page. The address is myspace.com slash inthewry. I typed that out because, like I said, I’m increasingly paranoid about bots and such. If I haven’t added you already on the new profile, please do me the courtesy off adding me yourself.

Your friend (at least on social networking websites),

Chris

USPS: We’ll pillage your package

I usually take old college textbooks to the local bookstores during “buyback” time, but usually there are one or two books that none of the stores will buy. They are not needed because a new edition is already out or the professor hasn’t yet told the bookstores their students will need it. I’ve sold 3 of these “leftover” books on Half.com in the past month. It’s a good system because all you do is list what books you have and the price for each item, and Half.com will notify you when someone wants to buy it. The books will stay in your inventory until they are sold (or you remove them), and Half.com handles all of the payments (no messing with PayPal — the buyer pays Half.com and they send it, minus their commission, on to you).

The problem with Half.com is the shipping; mainly, the fact that sellers must provide the option of shipping via USPS’s “Media Mail” service, and most buyers choose that option. Media Mail is very cheap, but also very slow. And since it can only be used to send books, CDs, and simiar media, the USPS reserves the right to open your packages and make sure you’re not sending something else inside.

Three days ago, I got an email from someone who bought one of my books saying that they still haven’t received it after nearly a month. Then today, I got a letter from the USPS saying that they found my shipping envelope empty; somehow, the book got “separated” from the envelope in transit.

Here’s my guess: the USPS opened the envelope to make sure I was actually sending a book, and didn’t seal it back well enough. Then the book got lost. Oh well, they’re not responsible for it. I can file a claim and hope that they find the book, but if they don’t, I’m out of luck. Now I’m waiting for Half.com to tell me what my options are. If they can’t do anything about it, I can either send the buyer a refund and be out the cost of the book, or risk them leaving me negative feedback (Half.com shares its feedback system with eBay, so it will appear on both sites).

Everybody (in Yuma) knows it’s windy

I feel obligated to write something now that Chris has honored me with an administrator position to this esteemed literary establishment. I don’t have much for now, but trust me, you will get an interesting and most likely long-winded account of my short trip to Mexico on Tuesday at some point. As for now I leave you this nugget about weather in Yuma, Az.

While the Southwest region has an amazing climate there isn’t much to complain about – as no one can argue with temperatures in the mid 70s in January – but here is one thing that blows my mind. We have wind here like nobodies’ business. It usually isn’t too out of control, but as of lately the Yuma area has been getting hit by constant gusts of wind in the 30-40 mph range. If this doesn’t seem to odd for you perhaps you should try to pedal a bicycle through these winds at 11:45 at night. As I clocked out for the night at The Sun I could hear the wind whipping around the building and dreaded the mile and a half ride back to my apartment. Then I stepped outside and it hit me, literally. The wind blew the hat off my head almost immediately and I could see how this trip home was going to be. I already thought the gusts were strong, but once I pedaled my bike to the parking area I got a taste of how powerful they really were.

I started north (the direction the wind was coming from) and regretted my decision ASAP. I only had a block and a half to go before I could turn left on 19th St. and not have to pedal directly into wind, so I manned up and fought the gusts. This part was the worst of the trip as it took all of my energy to fight the wind which could have blown me backwards. Now if you’ve never tried to brave 40 mph winds I imagine it’d be the equivalent to running on a treadmill with the knob turned all the way to “get ready to have your ass handed to yourself” setting. I wouldn’t know as I’ve never wasted my time on a treadmill. If I am going to walk, I think the Earth’s surface will suffice.

I burned up almost all of my energy getting to 19th. Once there the trip did not get any easier. I wanted to get home quickly, but the faster I pedaled the harsher the wind got. I pushed on and dodged the random cardboard boxes, empty pop bottles and other debris that flew in front of my path and simultaneously mirrored a sound I’d equate with someone chasing me in attempts to rob and or kill me. While I did avoid any muggings and drive-bys I eventually made it back to my apartment complex with a mouthful of sand and grit (for those of you that are unaware, Arizona doesn’t really have grass so all the ground is either sand or pavement). Despite my constant spitting I couldn’t get the taste of sand out my mouth until I downed a Gatorade. A few minutes later I found it difficult to breath from all the sand I had ingested and had a small coughing fit. At this moment I felt glad that I am not a smoker as this must be what it feels like to them all the time. I had some slight wheezing, but my coughing soon subsided and I was able to get back to normal breathing. A couple of chicken sandwiches later and I looked back at my survival experience. At the end of the day, I guess I’d take the wind any day before the rain.

Cincinnati 2015

If everything goes as planned, Cincinnati could look like a totally different city by 2015.

Right now, there are more simultaneous improvement projects around the city—in various stages of development—than one can easily keep track of. Queen City Square will replace the Carew Tower as the tallest building in the city by 2011. The Banks will turn a riverfront parking lot into an entertainment destination that will rival Newport on the Levee, keeping Ohioans’ spending money on our own side of the river.

Moving Uptown, the prime real estate between Calhoun and McMillian on the south border of the University of Cincinnati will soon be developed into retail, restaurants, office space, and housing, after having sat empty and unkempt for years. East of campus, the current University Plaza could be demolished, allowing Short Vine to be reconnected to Taft, and more appropriate urban buildings to be constructed. And on campus, a new basketball facility, remodeled football stadium, and new College of Applied Science (currently located off campus) could finish up the University’s decade(s) of construction.

In Over the Rhine, dozens of old, deteriorating building are being refurbished into condos and apartments. And up I-71, new high-rise towers are sprouting up, most notably Kenwood Towne Place, which will bring some vertical growth to the otherwise sprawling horizontal growth of Montgomery Road.

If that isn’t enough, studies are underway to remodel or totally replace the aging Brent Spence Bridge (I-75/71), upgrade the Daniel Carter Beard “Big Mac” Bridge (I-471), entirely reconfigure I-75 through Cincinnati, and upgrade parts of I-71 and I-471. The proposed streetcar system, if approved, will better connect Downtown, including the newly remodeled Fountain Square, and eventually reach UC’s campus and Northern Kentucky.

The question now is whether all of these projects will go on as planned. Several of these projects are already started or will be breaking ground within a few weeks. Others, such as the streetcar, are yet to be approved.

How will all of this positive urban development go over in this one-newspaper town, where all of the major media outlets seem to be anti-city? You can bet these projects will not generate nearly as much publicity as the opening of new big box retailers in West Chester or Anderson Township. (Remember, the Enquirer has its money on Cincinnati-Dayton.)

I guess the media expects blogs to cover these stories.

Comments or questions would be much appreciated.