your band is crappy

I got a friend request today from this "band" (a girl in panties who sings to electronic type music)  and it had a personal note stating something like "We are not just another crappy LA band".

so I took a listen and wrote back. Here's the email exchange (you have to start from the bottom up):
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Body:

2:43 AM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

For You and Your Loved Ones

One of my most favorite people in the world says it much better than I ever can:

HEART OF A CITY
Janis Ian

THERE STOOD THE OBSERVATION DECK
WHERE NONE HAD STOOD BEFORE
WE STARED DOWN AT THE SMOKING GROUND
AND ONE MAN TOOK THE FLOOR
HE SAID "YOU KNOW, I'M JUST FIVE BLOCKS FROM HOME
"I WAS IN IT FROM THE START
"AND THEY MIGHT HAVE STRUCK THE FLESH AND BONE
"BUT THEY DID NOT STRIKE THE HEART

'CAUSE THE HEART OF A CITY
IS THE SOUL OF A MAN
AND IT RUNS LIKE A RIVER
THROUGH THE HEART OF THE LAND
YOU CAN TEAR DOWN A BUILDING
YOU CAN TEAR DOWN A PARK
YOU CAN STRIKE AT A SYMBOL
BUT YOU CAN'T TOUCH THE HEART

THERE WERE ASHES ON THE WINDOWSILLS
AND ASHES ON THE LEAVES
THE WERE ASHES ON THE TONGUES
OF EVERYBODY WHO STILL BREATHED
AND FLAMES SO HIGH THEY BLOCKED THE SKY
'TIL ONLY CINDERS FLEW
BUT THE PHOENIX RISES FROM THE ASH
AND I'LL BE RISING, TOO
THE PHOENIX RISES FROM THE ASH
AAND I'LL BE RISING, TOO

'CAUSE THE HEART OF A CITY
IS THE SOUL OF A MAN
AND IT RUNS LIKE A RIVER
THROUGH THE HEART OF THE LAND
YOU CAN TEAR DOWN A BUILDING
YOU CAN TEAR DOWN A PARK
YOU CAN STRIKE AT A SYMBOL
BUT YOU CAN'T TOUCH THE HEART

I HEARD THE LADY'S TORCH
ACROSS THE HARBOR CALLING ME
AND A HUNDRED THOUSAND IMMIGRANTS
WHO CAME HERE TO BE FREE
AND I THOUGHT ABOUT THE COWARDS
WHO WERE CLAIMING VICTORY
WELL, IF YOU SEE THEM ON THE STREET
YOU CAN TELL 'EM THIS FOR ME

'CAUSE THE HEART OF A CITY
IS THE SOUL OF A MAN
AND IT RUNS LIKE A RIVER
THROUGH THE HEART OF THE LAND
YOU CAN TEAR DOWN A BUILDING
YOU CAN TEAR DOWN A PARK
YOU CAN STRIKE AT A SYMBOL
BUT YOU CAN'T TOUCH THE HEART

Copyright © Janis Ian/her co-writer(s) if any/their publisher(s). All rights reserved.
Re-printing these lyrics for limited personal use is fine. Using these lyrics to make money is a violation of lots of laws; do not do that please!
Permission to quote in books, magazines, etc. may be obtained by writing to rudegirlpublishing@janisian.com

3:56 PM - 89 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Go Fuck Yourselves Southern California Gas Company!
Category: Blogging

In order to get gas service all one has to do is call them, give an address, social security number and name.  Somebody used my personal info to do exactly this.

I'm not a lawyer but this isnt half bad and totally accurate. Fuck these assholes. The best part is that in the future they will still HAVE to give me service if I need it.  I'm gonna harass them for money and closure on this every fucking day starting Monday.  They threatened to have their "security" people contact me. I welcome it. Cause I'm gonna go straight to the press if they fuck with me.  Please feel free to repost this all over the internet. Any negative press they get from facilitating identity theft and rediculous costs in time, money and grief serves them right. They're gonna raise your rates cause they lose money from theft that they incurred by their own ignorance.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Ms. Brown and Southern California Gas Company,

            Under penalty of perjury I hereby proclaim that I, Jeff Gray, have never resided at ***************  St. Los Angeles, CA 90003 nor have I had gas service in my name from Southern California Gas Company (SCGC) or any utility for that matter since June of 2006.  Your claim against me for $610.42 is erroneous and without merit or proof that I incurred this charge.  Your failure to act with any due diligence in activating this account and thereby incurring a debt owed to you is wholly your fault and responsibility.  I contacted your supposed fraud department and requested you investigate this matter as you placed a collection note on my credit report without ever contacting me.  Your response letter to me indicating your demands and expectations as a result of your folly is insulting and ludicrous in your suggestion that my failure to prove identity would hold me accountable for this fraudulent debt.   Your failure to secure valid proof of identity when setting up this account is your responsibility. Making this my responsibility to prove my identity is ludicrous and possibly illegal.  You have no photographic identification, signature or other certificate(s) required to even attempt to collect a debt you claim is mine.  

            I am hereby notifying you again in accordance with the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 that this account you claim as mine is in fact a result of identity theft.  I have filed a police report claim regarding this fraud and identity theft (see attached documents).  You are hereby notified that according to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 you will immediately identify this account as fraudulent and remove it from collections. In addiction as per the aforementioned act I demand that all documents and claims regarding this account be sent to my attention immediately.

Attached are documents that show beyond a doubt that I have never resided at: ************ St. Los Angeles, CA 90003.

These documents are:

a) Police Report

b) Bank statements

c) Letter from reputable employer

These documents and my statement above are all legal and binding in any state and any court of law and sufficient to assist you in your investigation.  Regardless of your policies or claims these documents will suffice to immediately have this debt identified as fraudulent and have this removed from my credit report.

I expect that in a timely manner you will review these documents and then immediately notify your collection agency to remove this mark from my credit report.  

You may make copies of these documents for research purposes only. I demand that all documents be returned to me at the conclusion of your investigation.

In addition I have enclosed an invoice for my costs incurred as a direct result of your lack of due diligence in this matter. I expect SCGC to fully reimburse me for these costs in a timely manner. 

I expect to hear back from you within 36 hours of receipt of these documents regarding the eradication of this claim and your steps to process rectification of my credit report and reimbursed expenses. Failure to do so will result in further exploration of my legal options regarding your attempt to collect an illegal debt.

Sincerely,

Jeff Gray

4:23 PM - 89 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Fanboy

I can’t stop raving about this record. Www. myspace. com/kenotia

check out the track "Dug Your Own Grave" and work backwords.




It’s not the highest art and it’s not revolutionary but this singer Carly soars with conviction.  I’m pretty sure her voice is rich and natural with ZERO autotuning.

This is a Paramore killer. it couldnt come soon enough.

1:39 AM - 89 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Your Stupid Entertainment Cliches Are Trite

"It has no stars and an unknown director.

They're somebodies to their parents, but the rest of us wouldn't recognize them if they waited on us at Indochine. Michael Stahl-David? Mike Vogel? Lizzy Caplan? Shouldn't a big monster movie be able to wrangle some stars?"

This was put in print regarding the new Cloverfield Movie and why it could be a dud.

3:09 PM - 89 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment

Death Imminent

I read A LOT of news and watch television news. I'm have a voracious appetite for current events and human interest stories.  I read a lot about murders, car accidents, suicide attempts etc.

I'm noticed a new phrase popped up recently to describe the condition of a person in news articles.  Instead of "critical condition" the new phrase is "Death Imminent". 
I kind of like this because anybody can come out of critical condition and it's vague.  A compound fracture of a bone with protrusion can be critical yet it's very survivable with care.  So I like Death Imminent.  it lets me know that there is no way someone will survive their predicament. 

I'm not saying i like to see people described in this condition. I'm just saying somebody in medicine (apparently) decided to be more direct and honest (albeit formal) about someone's medical status.


example:

WHITTIER, Calif. (CBS) ? Detectives are investigating a shooting in unincorporated Whittier that left a man with life-threatening injuries, sheriff's officials said on Wednesday.

The unidentified victim's condition was listed earlier as "death imminent," said Sgt. Edmundo Hummel of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's headquarters bureau.

The shooting occurred about 9:50 p.m. Tuesday night near the intersection of Greenleaf Avenue and Reis Street, sheriff's officials said. The gunshot victim was transported to a local hospital.

No suspect information has been released.

4:00 AM - 89 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

My first

Long before I ever met a real rock star or celebrity I met Detective Jerry Mahoney.  I was best friends with the son of his partner John Cascella.
I knew Jerry from stories as the big police officer who busted down doors, dodged bullets, & busted punks.  I also knew him as a really positive beam of light to those around him and later the whole community.  Somewhere when I was around 12 years old or so they stopped being narcotics detectives and got promotions etc. Jerry went on to work in the juvenile devision. It would seem he'd be happier trying to prevent kids from becoming his next collar.
I don't want to bore you with details but I wasn't an amazing friend of Jerry's or someone who talked with him even monthly.  I remember him being around and visiting him (right after his son was born). He knew me, I knew him. We didnt interact cause I didnt get busted by him and I drifted from my friend.

What I can tell you is that everybody I know knew him and everybody went out of their way to say hello to him or engage him or just be near him. 

Jerry was the first person I can really remember being worthy of the title of Rock Star (before it was popular to call non-musicians this) or celebrity.  He's the first person I can recall meeting of that caliber.  I know kids in his D.A.R.E. program would have him autograph their shirts, books and other materials from the program.  Just like a rock star or celebrity I imagine he will be celebrated for years to come. Possibly his own memorial and statue in town. I know there will be streets and parks renamed or created for his memory and name. 

Rest in Peace Jerry. I know your work and legacy here will continue. thank you for laying the groundwork and map for so many.





PISCATAWAY COP SLAIN
Son charged in shooting, motive remains unclear
 
By JOSHUA BURD STAFF WRITER

PISCATAWAY — A 19-year-old township man has been charged with the murder of his father, a veteran police officer and respected community figure who was found shot to death early Thursday morning.

Jerry Mahoney, 49, a police officer for 26 years, was found dead in his Gibson Street home after a 911 call was placed by his son, John, at about 7:34 a.m. to Piscataway police.

John Mahoney, who lived with his father, was found in the home with a self-inflicted, nonfatal gunshot wound to his left arm, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan.

The body of the elder Mahoney was found in a living-room chair with multiple gunshot wounds to his face.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:34 a.m., the prosecutor said.

John Mahoney was charged as a result of a police investigation that included evidence found at the crime scene, the prosecutor said.

Authorities believe the weapon used in the shooting was Jerry Mahoney's .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun, a weapon he was allowed to carry off-duty as a police officer. The weapon was recovered at the home.

There were no signs of a break-in or items stolen from the home, nor was there any evidence of a struggle before the homicide, according to the investigation.

Bail was set at $800,000 with no 10-percent cash option for John Mahoney, a Middlesex County College student. He was being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick.

Assistant Prosecutor Nicholas Sewitch said a motive is being investigated. He was unable to comment on whether the son had a prior criminal record or whether there were previous incidents reported at the home. Sewitch said Jerry Mahoney and his wife were divorced.

The younger Mahoney has a MySpace.com profile that is set to private and could only be viewed by his friends. The Web site listed Thursday as the most recent day he had logged in.

An autopsy was performed Thursday on Jerry Mahoney. Results are pending.

A Middlesex County Medical Examiner van arrived at the Mahoney house at about 12:15 p.m. and the body was removed at 1:07 p.m. The van backed up across the lawn to the front of the house, and officers held up tarps on both sides of the front porch as the body was placed into the van. Neighbors watched in silence, most with their hands folded in front of them.

"That's sad," one finally said.

John Mahoney was treated at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and released Thursday afternoon.

As a drizzly rain continued to fall Thursday, the quiet neighborhood formerly known as Irishtown was a hub of activity. The entire block was sealed off with yellow police tape, and Mahoney's body reportedly still was inside his home — a beige-tone ranch with brown trim.

The Middlesex County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit had been at the scene, and the township's Mobile Command Unit was nearby. A number of law enforcement officers wearing civilian clothing, but with their badges clearly visible, also were at the scene.

In 2003, Jerry Mahoney, along with Piscataway police Sgt. Ken Blair, negotiated with an 83-year-old man over the phone during a two-hour standoff with police. They then began talking through the living room window, and the officers finally were able to persuade the man to put down his gun.

Jerry Mahoney began his law-enforcement career as a uniformed patrol officer, then went on to vice and undercover drug busts before requesting a transfer to the juvenile section.

Mahoney also served as the Piscataway Police Department's public relations officer, a Piscataway Turn On Youth Coalition representative and a Piscataway Municipal Alliance Substance Abuse Task Force member.

Contributing: Staff writers Michael Deak and Bradley W. Wadlow.

1:13 AM - 89 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

My fun with internet check scams

I'll try to make it as brief as possible.  I listed something for sale recently and I got a form email from one of these foreign check scamming persons.

Bascially the scam is they want to buy the item sight unseen. They then say they've sent too much money to you and to please send them back the difference minus a cut for my trouble. 

It's a joke because any money they send is always bogus and will come back as a bounced check etc. leaving you short the money you sent back and returned check fees etc.

I'm surprised anybody has ever fallen for this scam as the english in the emails is very confusing and annoying let alone it all seems to easy.  But alas hundreds to thousands of people have fallen for this.

So anyway I got one of these emails and I responded saying "great, here's my address to send payment (fake address in some other state)".  Then the guy writes back with the "i paid too much please send the difference to this person's address"
I then respond with "This has already been too much trouble. I'm going to keep all of your money for annoying me".  Well Mr. Prestto doesnt give in and call it a loss. He wants his money. I tell him back and forth "no, i'm keeping all of your money"  Today I got this in my email (notice I have been using a fake name and they keep addressing me by it too):

1:13 PM - 89 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

"Waves To The Fat Guy"

Last night I met Jody Gnant.  if you're familiar with Red Paperclip you might recognize her name.

Go here:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jody-gnant-live

and Here: www.jodygnant.com

I ended up on her live webcast stream and immediatley got this message from a user

"waves at the fat guy".

I will never use the internet again.

10:33 AM - 89 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

To the defense of Underdog

I'm less disgusted with Brittney Spears' antics and behaviour than I am with the american public's obsession with trying to tear her down.  I don't know who's sicker and in need of more help?

I see a regular person suffering internally and externally for all the world to critique.

She's a product of her upbringing and she's not lacking in love for her children or herself.  She was just never given an example of exceptional parenting and real humility.

This is not a broad excuse for  any antics or behaviour.

Brittney Spears is just unfairly criticized by a public at large that I don't believe could even suffer through a month of what she goes through daily being Brittney.

P.S. if you called her fat and really believed it you're pathetic.  We're approaching a 30% saturation of obesity in this industrialized nation and there are people with serious weight issues who would kill for her current figure forever.

P.S.S. if any of you American people are that unhappy with Brittney Spears' lifestyle, appearance, parenting skills and general behaviour and mental state then I dare you to do everything in your power to help her.  If you care that much, prove it; spend all your time and resources helping her get to where you think she needs to be.  I have a feeling most of you just want her to shut up and go away.  I know her being in the spotlight must keep you from living and getting on with your own lives.

1:55 AM - 89 Comments - 18 Kudos - Add Comment