Category Archives: Gorram…

Riding RTD is a Crapshoot

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For the second day in a row, the 0 failed to show at 6:50 at 17th and Market. The 6:40 left early again and so three express buses came and went before the 0 at 7:00 was ready to leave.

RTD for the Denver metro is one of the worst run bus systems in the state. Drivers often don’t know their routes, and niether do the dispatches. Buses can not be tracked, route posters are indecipherable. Every long time rider knows the dreaded beep of a bus break down, where drivers are ignored until they can no longer use gravity to keep the bus going.

The bus system isn’t cheeper or faster than driving a car. The dispatchers are often rude and never seem to know what a stop number is. I’ve had drivers try to charge me double, give me expired transfers, and refuse to stop.

When I started riding the bus regularly two years ago, I could take a bus downtown and it took about an hour to get across town. Now it takes three buses and three hours to for a trip across town at leat two to get down town, one which must be a regional or an express.

We’re all waiting for fastraks, which should be called maybe one day traks. Rtd can’t write off late trains at least.

Check Fraud Scam Masquerading as Job Listing on Craig’s List

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The Modem I was to buy with the check Mr. Scott would send me.

I woke up this morning to find a job offer in my email. It looked funky, but I’ve had job offers and legitimate interviews over Yahoo Messenger for real paying jobs, some of which I were hired for. It didn’t take long to find out that this was check fraud scam. I’ve reported it to Google, Yahoo and the US gov as well as a few scam watch sites. Part of the reason I’m posting this is because I want this information to be found if some one else is contacted by this scam. The information that they asked for was in the email I sent applying for the job so that was the first flag in the email itself, which Mr. Scott reiterated in the YIM conversation. He repeated questions asked in the email and once I started asking questions, either ignored them or answered them strangely (meaning he no longer had a script to copy and past from). Eventually He logged off YIM completely.

So here’s the email. Headers included:

Received: by 10.236.70.167 with SMTP id p27cs21912yhd;
Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:27:37 -0800 (PST)
Return-Path:
Received-SPF: pass (google.com: domain of teamemploy411@gmail.com designates 10.216.4.208 as permitted sender) client-ip=10.216.4.208;
Authentication-Results: mr.google.com; spf=pass (google.com: domain of teamemploy411@gmail.com designates 10.216.4.208 as permitted sender) smtp.mail=teamemploy411@gmail.com; dkim=pass header.i=teamemploy411@gmail.com
Received: from mr.google.com ([10.216.4.208])
by 10.216.4.208 with SMTP id 58mr43121wej.8.1322580455280 (num_hops = 1);
Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:27:35 -0800 (PST)
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
d=gmail.com; s=gamma;
h=mime-version:in-reply-to:references:date:message-id:subject:from:to
:content-type;
bh=U1qGeancbAeTBCOcXmmZG80oMtVennlYdEYqpy+77Pg=;
b=vR9LVNOfUsRBQgTMqaUlEVqoT28Ck/JsZcXasFhqzVdrPIPoOtcaKD/pyA7rdRe2+n
iyHA/NqZFvsU6FMgHAC03Ifk+yrSHt8TdByepW3XhpZZsCmSHdcAhEyMHI0VCbh7ykC7
pTBSACdKemR3qI+iQB14eN380ThxuFQoClw8o=
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
d=google.com; s=beta;
h=mime-version:in-reply-to:references:date:message-id:subject:from:to
:content-type;
bh=U1qGeancbAeTBCOcXmmZG80oMtVennlYdEYqpy+77Pg=;
b=JzPnDmhbXry+55TZTEh10vbrHXTWkJuqcjKQvwQYnSnKPDi8nKK04UswCrlNwA964T
fCIa/5gDbQVLJz2l+5ew==
MIME-Version: 1.0
Received: by 10.216.4.208 with SMTP id 58mr43121wej.8.1322580455274; Tue, 29
Nov 2011 07:27:35 -0800 (PST)
Received: by 10.216.121.194 with HTTP; Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:27:35 -0800 (PST)
In-Reply-To:
References:
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:27:35 -0800
Message-ID:
Subject: Re: Customer Service Postition
From: HR Team
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=00163646db7039385404b2e142e6

–00163646db7039385404b2e142e6
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

We have approved your resume posted to us by(Craigslist.com) and think that
you are appropriate for the job.

You are required to perform the following tasks:* Provide responsive
and competent customer support and service within a call center
environment. Ensure that all customer issues are resolved at the first
instance.* Continuously work for exceptional customer experience, resulting
in high customer satisfaction scores.* Deliver and exceed
customer-specified service levels for handle time.* Learn, understand,
retain and regularly update and demonstrate product/process knowledge.*
Track, document and retrieve information in call tracking database.* Adhere
to shift schedules and maintain acceptable attendance. Provide required
notification of absence according to company policy.* Extend contact to
promote and sell products or services as required by assigned queue.Your
work is supervised by the personnel wing.You may work as a:Bookkeeper who
maintains and reconciles records of financial transactions(such as sales,
wages and petty cash) and prepares regular statements showing receipts,
payments and balances of accounts.

Name of Hiring Company (T.Mobile)PAYROLL & WORKING SCHEDULE
You are requested to send in an Email Subject ** Duration & Payroll **This
would contain answers to the Following:1. How many hours are you willing to
Work per day? ( 8 Maximum )2. What time range? ( Morning Section 8am-12noon
or Afternoon section3pm-6pm )3. Payroll Interval? ( Weekly or Bi-weekly )4.
Payroll Method? ( Bank transfer or cheque )5. Full time Or a Part time
Job?Basic Duties Include:- Book keeping- Data Entry- Outbound calling-
Making payment arrangements on past due accounts Salary commensurate with
experience SALARY for this job starts at $20 per hr for 8 hrs a day; 5days
a wk. The benefits include Holidays, Vacation, Work leave and other that
would be discussed after employment.
Benefits / Health Plans:* Medical insurance, dental coverage and life
insurance* Flexible spending account allows employees to pay for certain
health care expenses with pre-tax dollars* will match 50% of employee
401(k) contributions up to 4% each year* Employees are 100% immediately
vested for both the employee and employer 401(k)contributions* Holidays and
personal days: 12 paid days* Vacation : 2 weeks starting year one* Weekly
pay periods

REQUIREMENTS: You need a PC (vital as this is an online job), and a
printer.You would also need to setup a yahoo instant messenger ID (this is
very important and this would be the major means of communication) You need
to have adequate knowledge of your calculator; micro soft access, Excel
Spreed sheet; Microsoft word. As soon as you have fulfilled all the
requirements, We would setup you up for an interview. If you are cleared we
start the training process.

This is a work from home job opening and your location do not matter.
Whatever is spent for the setup of your mini Office (PC, printer and a fax
machine).
We have set you up for an interview today. If you have setup the yahoo
instant messenger ID, I would like you to Instant Message (IM) me with your
yahoo instant messenger at this ID (franksscottplace@yahoo.com). I will
provide you with the time for the interview and all the necessary details
you would like to know about the company.

Frank Scott.
Personnel Manager
T.Mobile

And here’s our YIM Conversation (I’m Jasdyn):

Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:24:42 AM): Hello
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:24:47 AM): Hello
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:25:59 AM): How you doing today?
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:26:19 AM): I am doing well today. How are you doing?
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:26:31 AM): Great
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:26:35 AM): Are you for the interview?
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:27:06 AM): Yes, I would love to set up an interview.
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:27:29 AM): 1)Tell me about yourself(including your name and location) 2)Have you ever worked as a customer service specialist? 3)Are you aware that this is a work from home job offer? 4)Do you know your clerical/office speed? 5)How good are you in multi-tasking? 6)Are you a team player? 7)Briefly explain the meaning of “Confidentiality Code of Practice”how does it apply to customer service ethic?
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:33:59 AM): My name is Michelle Norton. I have background, in reception, administrative services, customer and technical support, and web design. I have worked from my home for the past year and a half. I have worked as a customer service specialist. Most recently, for Alpine Access as a Customer Service Professional providing support for Microsoft Xbox, including billing, software, hardware and networking. I am aware that this is a work from home offer and I do have a home office. My speed is prompt, I type over 50 words a minute, answer all calls immediately and I am very good at multitasking. I love working with a team. Confidentiality Code of Practice means that work practice, data, or any other type of information provided for or by a company is
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:34:41 AM): confidential and may not be shared with anyone. I may be provided with customer information which may not be shared by an means.
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:35:28 AM): Let me know when you are done
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:36:00 AM): It is integral to the customer service ethic as both the company and customer may provide me with sensitive personal information which must not be shared or kept in any unlawful manner. I am done. (NOTE: All of this was in the initial email I sent which included my resume).
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:38:05 AM): Okay
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:38:13 AM): Are you comfortable with the salary?
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:38:54 AM): It was listed, I am comfortable with that amount.
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:39:04 AM): Okay
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:39:15 AM): Can you work 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week?
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:39:24 AM): Yes, I can.
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:39:40 AM): Do you have criminal Record?
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:39:51 AM): No, I do not.
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:40:50 AM): For you to get started with this job,firstly you have to get connected to our secured network
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:41:26 AM): Geting connected to our secured network will give you access to our database and on our database you will be able to carry out your daily tasks perfectly
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:42:07 AM): Okay.
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:43:05 AM): Also there will be a three days paid training that will be held on our secured network also
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:43:15 AM): Alright.
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:46:54 AM): Also for you to get started with the whole process,you will be needing a specific secured modem
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:47:11 AM): this modem will link you up to our secured network
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:47:43 AM): Okay.
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:47:55 AM): let me send you an image of the secured modem
You have received 1 photo from Frank Scott.
Lead City.jpg
Open (Alt+Shift+O)
34 Share
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:48:51 AM): you there?
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:49:21 AM): Yes, I have just downloaded the picture.
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:49:56 AM): The Company will be sending you payment that will enable you purchase the secured modem
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:50:00 AM): is that okay
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:50:46 AM): So, I would purchase this modem with the funds the Company sends me. Okay, I can do that.
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:50:54 AM): Very Good
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:51:24 AM): The Company will be sending you a payment in form of a check
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:51:43 AM): Can i have your full names,contact address and your direct phone number including email address
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:52:51 AM): May I have some more information about the company please? Where is it based? Is this for Tmobile or for a company contracted by Tmobile?
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:54:21 AM): The Company will be sending you a payment in form of a check
Frank Scott: Can i have your full names,contact address and your direct phone number including email address
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:55:57 AM): That information was sent in both emails I sent. May I ask some questions about the company before I commit to this?
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:56:09 AM): Okay you can
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:56:52 AM): Is this position is for Tmobile or is a company contracted by Tmobile to perform customer service?
Frank Scott (11/29/2011 10:57:19 AM): Exactly you will be working with Paul Smith Computers
Last message received on 11/29 at 10:57 AM
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 10:58:25 AM): Okay, and will I be filling i-9 information or have any phone interview before I am sent this check?
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 11:02:33 AM): Is there a link where I can read about the company?
Jasdyn (11/29/2011 11:08:35 AM): The only Paul Smith Computers I am finding is based in the UK and does not outsource to other companies. I live in the US and cannot accept foreign payment for services without documentation.

Whee! So that’s how I spend my morning. Now to apply for real jobs, and clean the house.

Northglenn Ambulance and Adams County Fire Protection District – Watch Out For Random Bills

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A week and half ago I was in a car accident. 270 was closed and traffic was routed to 76 Northbound. Since no one going south on 270 wants to north on 76, everyone was getting off at the 74th ave exit. Long story short I was the last car in a four-car pileup. No one was hurt and I was the only not able to drive away from the accident. Once everything had cleared, I was next to my car waiting for the tow truck.

Then the accident happened again with 5 other cars.

These folks were going much faster than we had only an hour ago. Two cars took off and one had it’s airbags go off. I called 911. When asked if anyone was hurt, I told the operator I don’t know.

A few minutes later an ambulance appeared. It was marked as a South Adams County Fire Protection District ambulance. Later I was told it was from Northglenn Ambulance.

Three people got out and started doing their thing. A woman approached me and I told her that I called 911 but that I wasn’t in this accident. She left for a moment and then came up to me with a clipboard. “I’ll start with you since your info is out,” she said. I had all my info out because I didn’t want to leave it in the car.

She asked for my info, which I assumed she needed because I called 911. However when she asked for my social security number I stopped. “Are you billing me?” I asked.

“Yes.”

I picked up my license and refused to sign the document. She said that this was because it was a volunteer fire department. Upset I raised my voice so everyone could hear that she was trying to bill me. The yellow image on the left is my copy of the form. Take a look at the clause at the bottom.

By this time the police had arrived. Two of the officers were the ones that handled my accident an hour before. Incredulous, one told the woman, “she thinks you’re billing her”.

“That’s right,” she said.

“But she wasn’t in this accident.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said.

The new officer told me to be quiet or he’d put me in his police car. The woman then piped up:

“If she doesn’t shut up, she’ll be put in my ambulance.”

Angered and threatened, I shut up.

Everyone at the scene said was shocked. Emergency professionals I’ve talked to have never heard of this practice either. Every single one has said wow, calling 911 means you’re responsible for the bill, since when? And even if the service wasn’t used.

No one left in that ambulance. I have never heard of anyone charged when the ambulance was not needed. Northglenn Ambulance and South Adams County apparently think differently. I have not received any bill as of yet. If you read the paper it does say I will receive a bill regardless if I’ve signed.

This practice is abhorrent. Do they stop people on the street and have them sign up to pay the bill? I know that several BBB complaints have been filed against this company for billing issues. I’d suggest not giving any billing info to any ambulance driver / EMT unless you are put inside the thing and taken to a hospital.

Others I’ve talked to who have used Northglenn Ambulance recently did not have this happen. Was it just this woman? I don’t know. When someone is hurt, the last thing you think about is the bill. The last thing you think about when you are trying to help someone is that you’ll be responsible for paying for emergency services.

Let me be clear. I am not talking about the ambulance bill you receive later, after being transported to a hospital in one. No one was transported in this ambulance and no treatment had been given. I was just the first sucker they came across to pin their expenses on.

Hey Zhang, You’re Pissing Me Off

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So apparently my account at battle.net is suspended for 36 hours.

I don’t have a fucking battle.net account. It’s Zhang the gold farmer again. I finally managed to get an email to the correct email address about this crap. Now I have a number to call on Monday. Oh yes, I will call it.

Looks like I’ll never be playing World of Warcraft. This idiot, who does not have access to my email address, keeps using it on battle.net. If I can figure out who to call in the Pentagon to get recruits to stop calling my cell phone, I can figure out how zap this looney.

 

Don’t Let Your Children Grow Up to Be Internet Stupid

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Look, I know you don’t understand this whole internet or the whole gaming thing. You think it’s just a kid thing. Wake up. It’s the 21st century and you are raising your children to be illiterate. They will lose all their money, they will be locked out of accounts they paid for and worse of all they will be unable to function.  Take responsibility, tech support can’t help you if you’re stupid. Your kids will need to learn these skills if they are to survive in this world. Computers and internet are not going away.

Lesson 1:  WRITE IT ALL DOWN

It doesn’t matter if it’s for Super Poke Pets or your bank. Write down the Name on the account, the billing address, any credit cards, the phone number, the email address, the profile name, the secret questions, passwords and any information you put into that account. Why? Because there will come a day when you need to provide that information to get access to your account and if you don’t know it you will be out of luck.

Lesson 2: DON’T MAKE SHIT UP

I know you think you’re being all secure by putting fake information in your account? No, you are shooting yourself in the foot. When you have an issue with your internet account or you’re gaming account you will be shit out of luck. Tech support can’t enter your account with your information. They cannot reset passwords without valid answers to questions or email address. This practice ensures you will never see your account again and will probably get you banned.

Lesson 3: READ ALL TERMS OF USE, SERVICE, ETC

Have you ever been in front of a judge? Try saying I didn’t know what the speed limit was..just try..I’ll wait here.

Out of jail yet?

There internet is just not just some pretend game. It’s real life. Not knowing the rules of a community, a game or a service gets you the same treatment you are banned, kicked out or worse you go to jail. Treat the internet, games and everything else online as if you were talking to a real person because you are.

Lesson 4: WHAT YOU DO ONLINE IS FOREVER

You can’t delete the information. Canceled accounts, old web pages, forums posts, pictures, anything you do online is forever. Delete a crazy post about how you like being a bigot and it will be all over the place in an instant. There is even a name for this: the Streisand effect.

So before you start calling people names, be racist, trash another person, company, product or race. Before you lie, cheat and steal. Think. Sit down and say, “If I was going to say what I’m about to post in front of a 250lb man would I die?” If the answer is yes, don’t post.

Ignore this advice and one day when you need help people will Google you and your name and ids your old mistakes will come up and you will be shunned. This is real life people. Get it straight.

Lesson 5: IF IT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU THEN ACT LIKE IT

Do you love your Xbox gamertag? Would you die with access to WOW. Then fricking act like it. Write down all the information to your account. I don’t care if you are 4 or 94. Write it down. No one can help you if you can’t be bothered to use a real email address or write down a password. You will be screwed. Then keep it SAFE. Don’t give it your buddy, don’t post the information online. Don’t expect that your 8 year old will be responsible with your credit card if you just hand it to him or her. They will all abuse it.

It seems like common sense, but it is not. Anyone can act like a moron. Only a few actually protect themselves. Take responsibility and realized that the internet is not a toy. This is real life.

A Letter to Zhang – Gold Farmer

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Look, I know you have one of the suckiest jobs in the world. You probably don’t know that this is something you shouldn’t be doing as you are ruining the game for other players and it’s against Blizzard’s policy.

Just don’t use my email address to sign up for battle.net. It pisses me off. Get your own. It’s not that hard. If your in a country that does allow for that, I’m sorry, but you need to consider getting another job instead working on an international criminal profile.

Cause I will find you. And that’s not something you or I want. Trust me on this. I will only cause you pain.

Waking Up in Pain

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Trying to make a medical decision is difficult enough. When all you have is three choices and none can be fixed anytime soon it’s worse. All decisions in this case lead down the same road.

I’ve been waking up in pain and have severe head pain that is making my eye twitch all day, most days. When I say pain, let me put this in perspective. If, the day before, I had lifted weights, gone on a 14er hike, road all day, or danced all night this would be a good pain. Consider now that yesterday I did morning stretches, say in my office and worked, then cooked dinner and played a video game and woke up feeling like I had climbed a mountain, this is not what you’d expect. Now if I do something silly (re: silly for me to do now) like ski or hike, I wouldn’t be able to move at all.

Though it’s been over a year and a half since I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, continuing weakness has prompted my doctor to send me to a neurologist. That visit is next week and I’m not sure I want to go.

It is possible I have MS or I might have a spinal cord injury. For those of you that remember when I throw my back out last late November/early December, it turns out I didn’t throw my back out. Something else happened. Spinal cord or disk injury is more likely. I can now crack my lower vertebrae whenever I choose to, much like I can dislocated my hips at will without too much pain. However, things I could do last year I’m finding harder. When I cleaned out the garage a few weeks ago I could not move the refrigerator. I put that fridge there. I did not have the strength to push it myself and I could not lift it on the dolly with straps.

Similarly, I cannot move dresser anymore. I clean out behind it every few months and this last time I could not make it budge…so I emptied it out. I still cannot move it.

Scary right?

I went to a friend’s memorial the other day. I only knew her briefly; she was already sick when I met her but we shared a PCOS diagnosis and has similar issues. She did not survive those issues. I have altered my diet drastically over the last six months and I do use light exercise. However, sitting at her memorial, I thought I should go to the doctor. I should make sure. Just in case.

 

Looking for a New Bag – Namaste Disappointment

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I was in lust with the Namaste Hip Holster. So when I found one in a local yarn shop, I snapped it up. I loved it, from the hematite hard wear to the twist snaps on the pockets. I’ve had the bag for two months.

Too bad it’s poorly made.

The strap clips started pulling apart a month ago. I could bend them back but I almost lost the bag every other day. Two weeks ago one of them snapped in half completely. I have a chapstick, a small stuffed squirrel, cards, keys, gum and my phone in the bag. It’s not stuffed tight. There is no reason those clips should be bending out of shape and snapping in half.

I tried using the belt flap but the snaps that hold that on keep coming undone. The bag has no handle. So now I have ugly carabiners holding the strap on and I am unhappy.

So I need a new bag. I love my FUL backpack but it is unrealistic that I keep using it and carrying that much. At the same time I need a new bag for my laptop as well. I’m unwilling to buy a more expensive Namaste bag at this point. I’ve not found anything nice for my 12 inch laptop in the local box stores. I’ve heard good things about Sherpani. Any other suggestions?

Health Insurance is not Health Care

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Health insurance is not health care. Obama’s health care package is really a boost the health insurance. Apparently folks don’t know the difference. Let me just clarify.

Health insurance is bet that you will get sick. You are betting against the health insurance company. If you don’t get sick, they win, and you pay. If you do get sick, you win, but they don’t have to pay. Let me just repeat that:

They don’t have to pay.

Your money would have better odds in a slot machine.

Health insurance is crutch that bad doctors use to limit treatment or as an excuse not to treat you at all.

If you have been denied treatment because a health insurance company won’t pay or told your cured when you are not cured because health insurance is done paying, then you have a bad doctor.

Do you want to fix health care in this country. Then stop paying health insurance. The money you save you need to put away for emergency care or other health problems. Doctors can’t foist the the cost calculations to you and you won’t be locked into paying what insurance wants to make you pay.

Fixing health care in the US is going to be hard. The only way to do it is to first stop paying health insurance companies. Stop betting on your health and take responsibility for it. Once health insurance companies are out of business, doctors and hospitals will be force to actually price health care. Nine times out of ten, your cannot get a real price or answer on health care involved with health insurance.

So recap:

Stop paying health insurance. The money you save will pay for your health care.

Stop visiting doctors who refused to help you without insurance.

After that’s done we can start dealing with doctors who do nothing, making a condition worse, but still require you pay them. Next step is to stop paying doctors who lie.