When I opened the front door to my Bubby's apartment this morning I was greeted by an unusual sight: my Bubby was standing near the phone instead of sitting in her chair where I usually find her on my visits. I asked her what was going on.
I'm so glad you're here, she said. I didn't know what to do.
What's wrong, Bubby?
I got a call from your cousin Nora about an hour ago. She said she was in jail in Mexico.
What? Why?
She said she was just vacationing with some friends in Mexico when their car got pulled over and they were all searched and the police found drugs in the car--they weren't Nora's--
Of course they weren't.
But she didn't even know they were there, her friends had bought them--but the police arrested them all and now she's in jail and she was crying so hard--she's so scared--and she told me she couldn't call her mother, she didn't want to upset her--
All right.
And then she put this other man on the phone and he said that she was going to be held for up to two months if someone didn't pay the bail. I said I would pay it, it was only $2,700.15. Of course I'd pay.
Of course you would, Bubby.
But then he said he had to put me on hold and then the phone cut out and he hasn't called me back and I don't have his number and I have no idea how to reach him or Nora. That was over an hour ago and I've been standing by the phone waiting for him to call back--why hasn't he called back? I'm so glad you came. I wasn't sure what to do.
Don't worry, Bubby. Don't panic. We'll figure it out. There has to be something we can do.
Cue three hours of panicked phone calls with family members while we all try desperately to find my cousin Nora and try to get her out of a Mexican jail--wherever it was in Mexico.
Where did we eventually find my cousin? In northern California staying at a friend's house with poor cell service.
Not in a Mexican jail.
Not needing bail.
She's just fine.
So what happened?
My friends near and far--my Bubby was nearly the victim of a scam. It is in fact a well-documented scam but it's not one I've ever heard of before. And it is so easy to believe.
It's called The Grandparent Scam, and it seems to have reared it's ugly head not so long ago but it's quickly become very sophisticated thanks to the internet and all the information that's out there on all of us.
Someone calls a Grandparent and claims to be their grandchild or niece or nephew and begs them to send money because they've been arrested/gotten in a car accident/been mugged. And don't tell my parent's because I don't want to upset them.
That all sounds horribly familiar to me who just spent three hours with my Bubby trying to figure out what had happened to my cousin.
The strange part about the phone call is the fact that they didn't actually get to the part where they told my Bubby how to send the money. She said that the man on the phone (whom she thought was a lawyer/representative/police man) asked her a few questions and then put her on hold before they got to the money part. When I asked her what the questions were, they sounded all right enough--but then she said something that surprised me. She said that somehow her age had come up (she's 101 years old, soon to be 102) and it was right after that that the man had placed her on hold.
Whereupon he hung up on her not much later.
These people are successful criminals. They steal money from old people all day long. They seem to have no qualms about it. They cry and they lie and they take your money and it's lost forever.
So why did they stop this time? Why didn't they continue the scam and steal my Bubby's money? I mean, I'm so very grateful that they didn't--but why did they stop?
Is it possible that they have scruples about stealing from a 101 year old, but not a 70 year old?
I just don't get it. But I'm grateful all the same.
So please everyone--I beg of you--tell your grandparents about this scam. Let them know that someone could call them pretending to be you and asking for money. And if they tell you that of course they would never believe it, that of course they would know that that wasn't your voice--please tell them that they're wrong. It is so horribly easy to mistake one voice for another on the phone. Especially when that voice is crying and sobbing and begging you to help.
It's enough to make me want to start using secret pass codes when I talk to my grandparents: just to let them know that it is indeed me.
Because I never want to spend another day the way I did today. And I don't want anyone else to go through this horrible experience of worry and fear and terror.
Tell everyone you know about this. Tell them to tell everyone they know. And maybe we can put these people out of business for good.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry
From our lofty vantage point of forty years we find it very easy to make fun of the 70's. The funny shaggy haircuts. The bellbottom pants. Disco.
But several good things did come out of the seventies. (namely some of us). Also a tv show that hasn't gotten a lot of attention recently but just might come back into style. For a few good reasons.
This tv show is titled The Incredible Hulk, and follows the adventures of Dr. David Banner as he searches for a way to cure his condition that makes him turn into a dangerous green monster.
Now onto the reasons why this show will/should see a comeback.
Reason number one: The Avengers movie has been a roaring success by any standard, making people curious about other adaptations of Marvel characters.
Reason number two: It has been stated in several places by Joss Whedon and Mark Ruffalo and even Robert Downey Jr. that the Dr. Banner in The Avengers was meant to resemble the Dr. Banner in the 70's tv show rather than any of the more recent movie adaptations of the comic books.
Reason number three: the show was actually very very good--and still is.
Reason number four: it's streaming on Netflix right now. Easy access!
You know, you might be getting the idea that I'm promoting this old show--and you'd be right. :) I'd seen random episodes of it years ago on scifi reruns and I enjoyed it then. But for some reason I enjoy it even more now and I'm excited to be able to watch it all from start to finish.
All right, it's campy a bit. (although far less than most shows of that era let me tell you) And seeing the changeover from Bill Bixby into Lou Ferrigno (or back) is hilarious and just plain odd. (don't even get me started on how strange Lou Ferrigno is. All those exactly torn shirts!) And if you start on the first episode (which I always advocate) you'll have to get past the 70's love montage at the beginning. I know--I feel your pain. But it takes a surprising and twisting turn and hooked me solid.
So take a chance, watch an old show, and rediscover one of the better parts of the 70's. (aside from some of us of course).
Check out the awesome intro!
'Within each of us ofttimes, there dwells a mighty and raging fury.'
(I love it that they still used 'ofttimes' in the seventies)
Traveling man you make me so sad.
But several good things did come out of the seventies. (namely some of us). Also a tv show that hasn't gotten a lot of attention recently but just might come back into style. For a few good reasons.
This tv show is titled The Incredible Hulk, and follows the adventures of Dr. David Banner as he searches for a way to cure his condition that makes him turn into a dangerous green monster.
Now onto the reasons why this show will/should see a comeback.
Reason number one: The Avengers movie has been a roaring success by any standard, making people curious about other adaptations of Marvel characters.
Reason number two: It has been stated in several places by Joss Whedon and Mark Ruffalo and even Robert Downey Jr. that the Dr. Banner in The Avengers was meant to resemble the Dr. Banner in the 70's tv show rather than any of the more recent movie adaptations of the comic books.
Reason number three: the show was actually very very good--and still is.
Reason number four: it's streaming on Netflix right now. Easy access!
You know, you might be getting the idea that I'm promoting this old show--and you'd be right. :) I'd seen random episodes of it years ago on scifi reruns and I enjoyed it then. But for some reason I enjoy it even more now and I'm excited to be able to watch it all from start to finish.
All right, it's campy a bit. (although far less than most shows of that era let me tell you) And seeing the changeover from Bill Bixby into Lou Ferrigno (or back) is hilarious and just plain odd. (don't even get me started on how strange Lou Ferrigno is. All those exactly torn shirts!) And if you start on the first episode (which I always advocate) you'll have to get past the 70's love montage at the beginning. I know--I feel your pain. But it takes a surprising and twisting turn and hooked me solid.
So take a chance, watch an old show, and rediscover one of the better parts of the 70's. (aside from some of us of course).
Check out the awesome intro!
'Within each of us ofttimes, there dwells a mighty and raging fury.'
(I love it that they still used 'ofttimes' in the seventies)
Traveling man you make me so sad.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
What is your favorite sound?
I only ask because someone else has been asking it a lot recently and I still don't know what my answer is.
Hmm?
Who's been asking?
Why James Lipton of course.
Who? You don't know who he is?! (kidding. I barely know his name)
He's the man who hosts Inside the Actor's Studio. And I feel like he's been asking this question a lot lately because I just watched a whole slew of the episodes.
What is the show about, you ask? I tell you.
Famous actors and actresses and sometimes directors are put on a stage in front of theater/film students and asked questions about their lives and careers etc. If you have any interest at all in film etc it's a gold mine.
Such aforementioned actors etc. include Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Kate Winslet, Steven Spielberg, Anthony Hopkins, and on and on and on.
And seeing as we live in a wonderful modern age I found all of these on Youtube. Happy hunting!
Now to figure out what my favorite sound is...
Hmm?
Who's been asking?
Why James Lipton of course.
Who? You don't know who he is?! (kidding. I barely know his name)
He's the man who hosts Inside the Actor's Studio. And I feel like he's been asking this question a lot lately because I just watched a whole slew of the episodes.
What is the show about, you ask? I tell you.
Famous actors and actresses and sometimes directors are put on a stage in front of theater/film students and asked questions about their lives and careers etc. If you have any interest at all in film etc it's a gold mine.
Such aforementioned actors etc. include Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Kate Winslet, Steven Spielberg, Anthony Hopkins, and on and on and on.
And seeing as we live in a wonderful modern age I found all of these on Youtube. Happy hunting!
Now to figure out what my favorite sound is...
Monday, May 14, 2012
Music Monday: Moonlight Sonata
Beethoven's Piano Sonata #14 in C Sharp Major. Commonly known as Moonlight Sonata.
Or in my parlance: a piece of music so beautiful and haunting it's like getting stabbed in the abdomen with a glass knife filled with a thousand unborn souls. (don't be sad--they're just not born yet. But they will be)
I've been listening to it on repeat for over an hour and I've yet to get bored of it or feel it's been overplayed. You're the man Beethoven. You are so the man.
(this is not Beethoven. Ignore strange looking man and just click play)
Or in my parlance: a piece of music so beautiful and haunting it's like getting stabbed in the abdomen with a glass knife filled with a thousand unborn souls. (don't be sad--they're just not born yet. But they will be)
I've been listening to it on repeat for over an hour and I've yet to get bored of it or feel it's been overplayed. You're the man Beethoven. You are so the man.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Avengers! AvengersAvengersAvengers--
Avengers. Oh yeah.
Unlike most of the world who turned out for opening weekend last week (sad face) I had to wait soooo long (a week!) to see The Avengers.
ButIjustsawitandtherewerethesegiganticflyingturtlemonstersandohmygoodnessalltheshinycolorsbutintheverybestwayanddiyouseethegiganticflyingturtlemonsters??!!
Whew. I just had to get that out before I tried to formulate a more coherent response to this movie.
JOSS WHEDON RULES THE WORLD!!!
Umm. 'cough.' Think I'm good now.
The worst part about a movie like this is the waiting and the hype. You want it to be good, you so desperately want it to be as good as everyone says but until you sit down and the lights go out there really is no surety that it's as good as you want it to be.
So I went. I sat down. The lights went out. And as I waited through the commercials (btw, I do think Prometheus deserves the best trailer of the year award. Because every time I see it I get utterly pumped for it--and it's not even high on my list of movies to see in theaters. And Dark Knight Rises--which I do intend to see in theaters--its trailer seems weak and puny comparatively. Go figure.) I was hoping and wishing that Joss Whedon wouldn't let me down. Not that he ever had--but there is always a first time for everything.
Happy to say it still hasn't happened. :)
The movie--to put it plainly--rocked. It rocked so hard it made real rocks feel unmanly for not rocking this well. It had style. It had panache. It had heart.
And it had gigantic flying turtle monsters. From space.
(try saying that in the 40's announcer voice: Gigantic Flying Turtle Monsters: From Spaaaace!!!)
I know some people will argue that the monsters were more eel-like than turtle-like, but my first view of them was of the head and flippers which were undeniably turtle like.
I know that if I talk about the big fight at the end some people might get in a miff because they haven't seen it yet (I'm so so sorry) so I'll just do a quickie paragraph with a lot of space before and after it so you can skip the semi-spoilers.
Geek out moment! So when the GFTM showed up I was bouncing up and down in my seat because it was the coolest thing I'd seen in a long time. This kind of makes it sound like the rest of the movie wasn't cool--but the GFTM was so amazingly designed and it looked like it was swimming midair and it was soooo cooool!!! And then when the Hulk smashed it (hee. fun.) I was kinda sad because although I knew it was a good thing it was dead--no more killing New Yorkers--it was just too cool to die. But then I saw something to make my heart swell up so much I must have annoyed the person behind me with all my bouncing: GFTM had friends. :)
Okay. No more spoilers. I think.
Perhaps I should list a breakdown of all the truly excellent things that Joss Whedon did in the Avengers.
Character Development (of course. No Joss movie is complete without character development). Every character got their time in the sun--some more than others as pertaining to what we needed to know about them: ie Black Widow and Hawkeye. We got to see each character being themselves and really that's what we wanted to see.
Humor (of course). So many good moments of both subtle and not-so-subtle. (and if you haven't seen Avengers already--although I shouldn't have to tell you this--stay to the very end. The very end. I do think it's the best joke in the entire movie)
Action. There was so much going on all throughout the movie and there were so many different main characters that it could have easily become a confusing explosion fest where you're not quite sure who's fighting whom or where or even why. It didn't. And that's a testament to good planning and execution on behalf of the pre-vis staff and Joss. And although I think I've seen more amazing action sequences in my life this movie still ranks really really high. Besides--Gigantic Flying Turtle Monsters. (thank you weta)
Everyone truly did an amazing job bringing their characters to life and weaving them together in this very intricate and difficult movie. I don't think I can say enough good things about it.
I can however mention a few things I wish had been a little different. I'm quibbling really. There's no glaring holes or horrible decisions so all I'm left with are little bits of things that weren't quite spot on.
For one: Captain America. Why did this character get so little development? Or personality? I know he's the staid boy-scout type who's a personification of all that is good and right; I'll admit it's hard to move a character along an arc when they seem to have already arrived at 'perfection.' But it bums me out that we didn't get to see anything out of him as a person. At least, not like the other characters. In fact the closest thing we see to character development wasn't even directly about him. (okay, another spoiler moment, but not really all that big in terms of importance. Seriously this will ruin nothing)
In the big fight scene at the end we see a blond women run for cover into a building and then look out the window in shock at the explosions and aliens etc. Pretty standard. Then a few minutes later we see the same woman again inside a building with lots of people who are about to be incinerated by the aliens. Captain America is there in time to save the day etc etc--but! When he is outside the building and the hapless civilians are evacuating we see the same blond woman again staring meaningfully/gratefully at Rogers--and he takes a second to look back at her. This moment isn't long, mind. It was extremely quick and as not-a-thing-like as possible. But it was so a thing. And then! And the very end of the movie we see a news feed of that same blond girl! And she's very thankful and cute and sincere etc etc. Now if you're me you start getting suspicious at his point. (actually you got suspicious back at the pause) This is three separate times we've seen this same 'random' civilian. That to me means it isn't random and we just saw a love interest go walking by. Any comic book fans able to yea or nay me?
So as we can see--this was development. Not really his development--at least not yet. But still I'm a bit disappointed we weren't given more. (quibbling, I know)
As for more quibbling I could say some of the scenes were a bit rushed. Some of the dialogue too expository/should have been more expository to really get the point across. But there was no time where I winced at a line and despaired at the writing. (George Lucas I'm looking at you!) But then it's Joss. I didn't expect there to be any real trouble.
I could geek out all day long. Tell you my favorite moments. In great detail no less. But I'll save that for a time when I don't feel so awful for 'spoiling' things.
But all the same--Gigantic Flying Turtle Monsters! From Spaaace!!
Unlike most of the world who turned out for opening weekend last week (sad face) I had to wait soooo long (a week!) to see The Avengers.
ButIjustsawitandtherewerethesegiganticflyingturtlemonstersandohmygoodnessalltheshinycolorsbutintheverybestwayanddiyouseethegiganticflyingturtlemonsters??!!
Whew. I just had to get that out before I tried to formulate a more coherent response to this movie.
JOSS WHEDON RULES THE WORLD!!!
Umm. 'cough.' Think I'm good now.
The worst part about a movie like this is the waiting and the hype. You want it to be good, you so desperately want it to be as good as everyone says but until you sit down and the lights go out there really is no surety that it's as good as you want it to be.
So I went. I sat down. The lights went out. And as I waited through the commercials (btw, I do think Prometheus deserves the best trailer of the year award. Because every time I see it I get utterly pumped for it--and it's not even high on my list of movies to see in theaters. And Dark Knight Rises--which I do intend to see in theaters--its trailer seems weak and puny comparatively. Go figure.) I was hoping and wishing that Joss Whedon wouldn't let me down. Not that he ever had--but there is always a first time for everything.
Happy to say it still hasn't happened. :)
The movie--to put it plainly--rocked. It rocked so hard it made real rocks feel unmanly for not rocking this well. It had style. It had panache. It had heart.
And it had gigantic flying turtle monsters. From space.
(try saying that in the 40's announcer voice: Gigantic Flying Turtle Monsters: From Spaaaace!!!)
I know some people will argue that the monsters were more eel-like than turtle-like, but my first view of them was of the head and flippers which were undeniably turtle like.
I know that if I talk about the big fight at the end some people might get in a miff because they haven't seen it yet (I'm so so sorry) so I'll just do a quickie paragraph with a lot of space before and after it so you can skip the semi-spoilers.
Geek out moment! So when the GFTM showed up I was bouncing up and down in my seat because it was the coolest thing I'd seen in a long time. This kind of makes it sound like the rest of the movie wasn't cool--but the GFTM was so amazingly designed and it looked like it was swimming midair and it was soooo cooool!!! And then when the Hulk smashed it (hee. fun.) I was kinda sad because although I knew it was a good thing it was dead--no more killing New Yorkers--it was just too cool to die. But then I saw something to make my heart swell up so much I must have annoyed the person behind me with all my bouncing: GFTM had friends. :)
Okay. No more spoilers. I think.
Perhaps I should list a breakdown of all the truly excellent things that Joss Whedon did in the Avengers.
Character Development (of course. No Joss movie is complete without character development). Every character got their time in the sun--some more than others as pertaining to what we needed to know about them: ie Black Widow and Hawkeye. We got to see each character being themselves and really that's what we wanted to see.
Humor (of course). So many good moments of both subtle and not-so-subtle. (and if you haven't seen Avengers already--although I shouldn't have to tell you this--stay to the very end. The very end. I do think it's the best joke in the entire movie)
Action. There was so much going on all throughout the movie and there were so many different main characters that it could have easily become a confusing explosion fest where you're not quite sure who's fighting whom or where or even why. It didn't. And that's a testament to good planning and execution on behalf of the pre-vis staff and Joss. And although I think I've seen more amazing action sequences in my life this movie still ranks really really high. Besides--Gigantic Flying Turtle Monsters. (thank you weta)
Everyone truly did an amazing job bringing their characters to life and weaving them together in this very intricate and difficult movie. I don't think I can say enough good things about it.
I can however mention a few things I wish had been a little different. I'm quibbling really. There's no glaring holes or horrible decisions so all I'm left with are little bits of things that weren't quite spot on.
For one: Captain America. Why did this character get so little development? Or personality? I know he's the staid boy-scout type who's a personification of all that is good and right; I'll admit it's hard to move a character along an arc when they seem to have already arrived at 'perfection.' But it bums me out that we didn't get to see anything out of him as a person. At least, not like the other characters. In fact the closest thing we see to character development wasn't even directly about him. (okay, another spoiler moment, but not really all that big in terms of importance. Seriously this will ruin nothing)
In the big fight scene at the end we see a blond women run for cover into a building and then look out the window in shock at the explosions and aliens etc. Pretty standard. Then a few minutes later we see the same woman again inside a building with lots of people who are about to be incinerated by the aliens. Captain America is there in time to save the day etc etc--but! When he is outside the building and the hapless civilians are evacuating we see the same blond woman again staring meaningfully/gratefully at Rogers--and he takes a second to look back at her. This moment isn't long, mind. It was extremely quick and as not-a-thing-like as possible. But it was so a thing. And then! And the very end of the movie we see a news feed of that same blond girl! And she's very thankful and cute and sincere etc etc. Now if you're me you start getting suspicious at his point. (actually you got suspicious back at the pause) This is three separate times we've seen this same 'random' civilian. That to me means it isn't random and we just saw a love interest go walking by. Any comic book fans able to yea or nay me?
So as we can see--this was development. Not really his development--at least not yet. But still I'm a bit disappointed we weren't given more. (quibbling, I know)
As for more quibbling I could say some of the scenes were a bit rushed. Some of the dialogue too expository/should have been more expository to really get the point across. But there was no time where I winced at a line and despaired at the writing. (George Lucas I'm looking at you!) But then it's Joss. I didn't expect there to be any real trouble.
I could geek out all day long. Tell you my favorite moments. In great detail no less. But I'll save that for a time when I don't feel so awful for 'spoiling' things.
But all the same--Gigantic Flying Turtle Monsters! From Spaaace!!
Friday Apology. Again.
What can I say to excuse myself? I have once again let myself down and forgotten to post.
So perhaps if you'll all be obliging I'll take us on a journey to the past and you can just pretend you're reading it yesterday.
'hopeful eyes' please?
Cute picture time!
Is that not one of the most adorable things you've seen in ages?! The green, that cute pink tongue! The hedgehog!
I wish to cuddle. Carefully.
It's a turtle! A tiny turtle! And a strawberry! A huge giant strawberry as big as the turtle!
Say it with me now: aaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!
How could any post on cuteness be complete without the ultimate cutenesses--sloths! And not just that--baby sloths! Inna box!
I melt.
I melt again.
I want a sloth.
'hopeful eyes' please?
So perhaps if you'll all be obliging I'll take us on a journey to the past and you can just pretend you're reading it yesterday.
'hopeful eyes' please?
Cute picture time!
Is that not one of the most adorable things you've seen in ages?! The green, that cute pink tongue! The hedgehog!
I wish to cuddle. Carefully.
It's a turtle! A tiny turtle! And a strawberry! A huge giant strawberry as big as the turtle!
Say it with me now: aaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!
How could any post on cuteness be complete without the ultimate cutenesses--sloths! And not just that--baby sloths! Inna box!
I melt.
I melt again.
I want a sloth.
'hopeful eyes' please?
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Mmm...
Dill Triscuits.
Yes. They exist. And they are soooo very tasty.
You should eat some.
Unless you are somehow allergic to dill. Which is very sad.
Can one be allergic to dill? I suppose...one seems able to be allergic to just about anything.
(pause for internet search)
One can! Lookie!
Apparently Dill is from the carrot family (I had no idea dill was related to a carrot. Huh) as well as parsley, coriander, parsnip, celery, fennel, and anise. (yuck, anise)
Did you know that people in this world are allergic to pumpkin?! Sad day! (especially sad Thanksgivings) And pumpkins are related to cucumber and watermelon!
All the things I am learning today!
Now I will go and eat a Dill Triscuit.
Sorry all of you with dill allergies. They taste so good.
Yes. They exist. And they are soooo very tasty.
You should eat some.
Unless you are somehow allergic to dill. Which is very sad.
Can one be allergic to dill? I suppose...one seems able to be allergic to just about anything.
(pause for internet search)
One can! Lookie!
Apparently Dill is from the carrot family (I had no idea dill was related to a carrot. Huh) as well as parsley, coriander, parsnip, celery, fennel, and anise. (yuck, anise)
Did you know that people in this world are allergic to pumpkin?! Sad day! (especially sad Thanksgivings) And pumpkins are related to cucumber and watermelon!
All the things I am learning today!
Now I will go and eat a Dill Triscuit.
Sorry all of you with dill allergies. They taste so good.
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