Car Warranty Phone Scam!

I believe some people are trying to scam me. I keep getting calls on my cell from numbers beginning with (416)000-... I haven't answered them because I don't know who they are. Finally they left an automated message. It was fairly urgent saying that my car warranty was about to expire and I need to renew it before my file closes. It then instructs me to press one to renew the warranty, or two to get off of the follow-up list.

Some things came to mind quickly: First of all, I don't own a car. So I thought they might have the wrong number.

But then I remembered hearing about a phone scam awhile ago. They would leave an urgent message to call them right back. They would then keep you on the line as long as possible. At the end of the month you get a big surprise on your phone bill. Some people have been charged thousands of dollars. And because you called them, and it wasn't a toll free number, you get the bill.

Right away I thought this must be a scam too, especially because each time the phone number was slightly different (i.e. 000-7935 and 000-7945).

Next, I did some research: It turns out that a lot of people are getting these calls (I think only in Canada). Some people think it's a company trying to get people for telemarketing lists. Some have tried to call back but got 'number out of service'. People have had sketchy conversations with them where they asked for personal info. I also read about 'caller ID spoofing'. This is the practice where unethical (i.e. telemarketers) or dangerous people can make a different number display on caller ID then the call is originated from.

My Conclusions: This must be a scam. I don't own a car, the calls are fairly frequent and always different (the caller ID spoofing explains this). I don't want to call them back or press one or two because I have no idea who I'm calling!

What are your thoughts?
Should I answer next time and bitch them out?
Should I report it somehow.
Has this happened to you or someone you know?

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Movie Trivia/Mistakes

I love movies. But I am one of those people that sometimes can't keep my mouth shut. I love to point out things in the movie that don't make sense or are not realistic. But cartoons drive me crazy because I'm constantly trying to guess the actors that do the voices. That's why I like the IMDB website so much because I can look up the voices if I want to see if I'm right.

Can you tell which actor plays this character in Tropic Thunder?

IMDB also has movie trivia!

Another website that's cool is movemistakes.com. It can be really interesting. Some movies, like the Titanic, Labrynth, and the Shining, have hundreds of mistakes. But, in the past, I have read some movie mistakes that I didn't think were mistakes, but deliberate. And some of the mistakes are stupid - - - who cares? I guess some of these people don't have lives and can pick out some of the smallest mistakes.

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Reading Week

For some students Reading Week is just ending. But for my school it has just started! Horray! Actually this Reading Week is gonna suck. No vacations for me. Everyday is going to be booked with work, group meetings, studying, and homework. But I am going to fit in some down time and a couple of drinking nights (I can't let the whole week go to waste). My overall goal is to get as much done this week so I won't be freaking out because of deadlines and midterms in the weeks after that.

York Update:
I'm so greatful for Reading Week, especially because not all students get one this semester. York Univeristy has decided that students won't get the break because there is no way then can catch up with it.

If you are in the same boat as me and have a lot of homework to do for reading week I suggest that you revist some of these older posts:
1. If you have a busy week --> Keeping an Organized Schedule
2. If you have midterms to prepare for --> Don’t Wait to Write Study Notes and 8 Exam Preparation Tips

Or if you have a lot of time to kill check out the featured Everday Living and Entertainment posts in the right column of this page. I recommend Alien Adoption Agency, a free online game, or pick up a book/watch a movie (refer to Recommended Reads and Recommended Movies).

My overall advice about Reading Week, if you are not going on vacation, use this time to catch up or get ahead in your work, but also remember to take some time to relax because final exams will be here before we know it!

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Holy Water. Hallelujah!

Today I thought I would share my favourite drink with you. It's called Holy Water, and here's how to make it:

Holy Water

One Part Red Sour Puss
One Part Blue Caraco
Sprite

Mix together in a glass and serve with ice.

You can make adjustments to the drink in terms of measurements. For example, I have had this drink in the form of a shot, also very yummy.

Want a stronger drink? Add vodka . . . my favourite.

If it sounds good to you, next time you're at a bar give it a try! And let me know what you think.

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Recommended Read: The Notebook

Since Valentine's Day is tomorrow I thought I'd talk about The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. I actually saw the movie first and I really liked it. Then about a year later I found the book in my house. It seemed short so I decided to read it. It's a mushy romantic story (which I'm not normally in to). But I liked it because of the sad (yet sweet) parts with the elderly couple (in the book this part is even sadder). I don't know if I liked the movie or the book more. I'll have to watch the movie again, maybe tomorrow with my boyfriend because I'm sure he'd be thrilled with that.

Anyways, it's a nice, quick read. Even if your not into romance you should check it out, I found it to be a nice change. It's not like Harlequin, it's really clean.

From the Editors

Noah Calhoun is haunted by images of the love he left behind when he went to war. But now the war is over and he is back in coastal North Carolina. Unfortunately, his lost love is about to marry someone else. Socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry, but she can’t stop thinking of the boy who stole her heart so long ago. This story of love shows that we can turn tragedy into triumph and that miracles really can happen. The Notebook is based on the story of Nicholas Sparks’ wife’s grandparents. - - - from chapters.indigo.ca

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Jury Duty? Are you kidding me?!!!

I got jury duty! I can't believe it. I received a letter at the end of January with a date, time and location for the selection process. But I'm in school and don't have time for this bull that can take weeks (it could blow my whole semester).

So I called the juror office and they said that they didn't know that I was a student and they would postpone the date. I got a call a couple of days ago . . . it was extended until June (which falls in the beginning of my summer break).

That may sound fine but now my problem is that I need the summer to work my ass off so I can pay back loans and save for the fall semester. I don't think they'll care about that though. And even if I was lucky and it was postponed until after my schooling, I still need to work my ass off to pay back the rest of my loans before serious interest kicks in.

So I'm screwed. I'm relieved that I don't have to do it during school but I still need to work in between. I know it's my duty but it f***ing sucks! They have made me so mad by putting me through all of this worrying. If it had happened at a good time I would have loved the experience.

So I have been researching some ways to get out of it. It should already help that I'm going to be in a miserable mood. I heard that you should act really smart, stubborn, over confident, unstable and you should jump to conclusions and make assumptions.

You must think I am an ass for bitching about it like this, it has just come at the worst time.
Has anyone else had an experience with jury duty? Do you know of any ideas to get out of it (I wont do anything drastic, I can be pretty shy)?

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Recommended Movie: Step Brothers (2008)

Will Ferrell (Brennan Huff) is one of my favourite comedians. I just think he is hilarious. The movie kinda surprised me with the language. I was expecting the brothers quarrels to be more innocent. At least it wasn't as disgusting as the movie Super Bad at the beginning (I almost turned it off). I have seen Step Brothers a few times and it doesn't get tired (actually I'm going to watch it again tonight).

A favourite quote:

"Brennan Huff: I'm not gonna call him Dad.
Nancy Huff: Brennan, you're 39 years old. I wouldn't expect you to call him Dad.
Brennan Huff: Well I'm not going to, *ever*! Even if there's a FIRE!"
(more quotes from IMDB)

Movie Plot from IMDB:

"Brennan Huff and Dale Doback are both about 40 when Brennan's mom and Dale's dad marry. The sons still live with the parents so they must now share a room. Initial antipathy threatens the household's peace and the parents' relationship. Dad lays down the law: both slackers have a week to find a job. Out of the job search and their love of music comes a pact that leads to friendship but more domestic disarray compounded by the boys' sleepwalking. Hovering nearby are Brennan's successful brother and his lonely wife: the brother wants to help sell his step-father's house, the wife wants Dale's attention, and the newlyweds want to retire and sail the seven seas. Can harmony come from the discord? Written by jhailey@hotmail.com"



I love this movie, it so funny. If you like Will Farrell then you should definitely watch this movie, you'll laugh your ass off.

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What can we do about textbook prices?

As you may have noticed, textbook prices are outrageous! I spend around $500 on books every semester, that's about average for all students. My most expensive book was more than $160. And I didn't use it once! The professor said, "I know its expesive but you'll need it". And guess what . . . I DIDN'T NEED IT! What a waste of money.

If you are pissed at the prices you're paying for books there are some things you can do to help:

1. Buy used books when you can
2. Sell your books, but make sure you won't need them in the future
3. Share with a friend, only if you can depend on them
4. Buy online copies if available

There is a group in the USA that are trying to fight against high textbook prices. They say that the prices are so high because, #1 the want to make as much money as they can, and there are no competitors to force price reductions. But another cause of this problem lies with the faculty, because ultimately it is the professor that picks the required book. And of course the pick the newest, most expensive edition, that often don't have used copies available to buy.

So this group started the Make Textbooks Affordable campaign. They have researched the textbook market and are trying to get the prices to go down. I personally think that the government should regulate these prices. If the government wants a future of educated citizens they need to make it more affordable, and textbooks are just too costly. They are scamming students!!!

Anyways, you can check out their website to learn more about their cause. I know that this is just in the US but may encourage the same efforts in Canada. Also you can find other resources to reduce your textbook costs.

The video below is about this issue.

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Nina Conti and Monk

Sometimes you just need a good laugh. I saw this Irish comedian on comedy central, Nina Conti. I have only seen one of her routines so far but I love her. First of all she is a great ventriloquist, but her act is so original and creative. This one is funny and the end gets a little strange, it's hilarious.

So take a 5 minute break from your rigorous studying and check out this video. And let me know what you think.

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