Long & Foster Realtor Valerie Coleman Took My Money

This is my account with what is defiantly the worst landlord, I have seen since I lived in America. Her name is Valerie Coleman. This to tell an account and opinion about Ms. Coleman who is a nice dresser, smooth talker, and a smart business woman. Among her weaknesses however is her open apatite for money and easy money. Good for her she is a Realtor, has a government job, owns property and rents and now she can add another title, deposit scam artis. I have lived in more than a dozen of places,  all my landlords have always given back their deposit after I did the cleaning of the unit upon departure.

She rented us a home through Long & Foster (May 2011 to Oct 2013), she had listed her property on 2216th 11th St NW Washington, DC 20001 for rent. We rented it for tow and half years. First year she would do maintenance, but occasionally she would ask us to pay--and then she would get angry. She never uses professionals, she uses a nice guy who tires to fix things but he cannot do much. So get ready for leaking and what's not.

And yes, she charges 50 dollars for water? Do you know a place where people pay fifty dollars for water? So she used to keep some change claiming to pay 50 dollars for each unit--it was 20 when we moved in and then she made it 50!

Then there's that little thing (it's not little, they are big) rats all over the building, I though we were the only apartment that had this problem, but my upstairs neighbors confirmed, they had to deal with rats as well. Valerie, made a habit of ignoring our requests, and I have written communications with her where I had to go buy rat traps and kill the poor creatures.

All because she refused to close cracks in the wall where the rats would get in. It was gross, I swear I took out four rats that I trapped. Even one of them was not dead and kept screaming. She did not want to do anything, and it was obvious she stopped caring about her own property. I should have called the DC inspections on her, where they would see her violations and slap her with fines--but I thought (wrong) she deserved better. She charged a good rent, but she just wanted to keep it all to herself and not invest in the property. She would say stuff like this "I'm losing money", "You should pay for that", "I will bill You" etc. At first, I thought maybe because we cook, the rats get attracted to our place, but then I check with the neighbors and they confirmed having whether confronted or heard rats in their units.

If I wanted to pay for such things, I would buy a home and deal with that, but she seems not understand that she should take care of her tenants. I think she showed little class when our check would be a day late because of the mail. Never have I sent her the rent late, Always sent it on time, and I have records--now in one occasion it took the post office two days to deliver the check to her--she wrote and was all (whinger cry baby bleater groaner) and it was not even the third of the month.

And on March 22, 2013 at 12:07 pm there is also an incident when she allowed herself unannounced into our home, without emergency or need, and then she wrote back after complaining about something obscure. I let her know that was not right and she seems not to care. We weren't there and she had no reason to get into the apartment.

Since we got sick and fed-up of her inaction, we put in our notice and she was kind to work with us until the day of the checkout came and she started nitpicking, and looking for tiny little things, and she started saying "would you live in a place like that?" No, Valeria you care so much that you left us with a huge crack in the wall and rats running around the building. Then right away she said, "I am deducting 200 dollars from your deposit for this...and that" Then when I said, "you will do no such thing", she responded "sue me" "and I will take pictures" and started all bullying me. She took her smartphone and started snapping pictures. She even dared to tell me the carped is not new! I did clean the place, but what seemed to me is her way of making more money. I did not think that was fair, she wanted us out and I left. And by the way she is litigious, she sued the next door people over some random issue, but she won.

Again I had a horrible experience with this lady and I would make tell people, to think twice before they rent or use her as a Realtor. This is opinion of Valeria Coleman and her likes. I think Long & Foster owes us an answer for hiring a greedy person who makes a comfortable living sucking the blood of hard- working people like me. I do not understand why Long and Foster a reputable company continues to employ someone with character flaws. I would warn you to rent from her and make sure you bring up these issues. I cannot imagine how messed up buying a house she is listing would be.

Let's hope she won't sue me for stating my opinion of the way she does business.

  

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On Jewish Christmas And Jet Lag

1. Jet lag is not too complicated to explain, it is exactly feels like when you watch a midday manatee movie, and once you step out of the theater, you realize "ops, there is still more to this day than you remember."
2. Why would a Jew wish a Muslim Merry Christmas?! Neither celebrate this day religiously  but both agree on one things--it's always great to have a good time. I wish people happy Easter, and Merry Christmas, because things do not always have to be about me.   

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American Visa, Green Card, And Citizenship!

America liked immigrants and have always liked food. Now think of the two at the same time. there are different stages to the American dream and I like to think of them in terms of food.

1. Having an American visa is like eating at a cafe! You can get many things, but there are limits
2. Having a Green card is like eating at an all you can eat buffet, dig in
3. Having an American citizenship is like owning the restaurant. You can eat, but at the end of the day it's you who has to pay the bill

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Smell This! Dead Bodies, Feces, Raw Sewage

I am reading an interview with a smell guru working with a company with the name Scent Air, a company that develops smells for big companies  Not the kind you sell, but rather the kind the company pumps through their system to communicate their message to your nose. Some retailers even use the trick to get potential buyers to feel happy. This is about branding and making the customer feel something. I have heard about this before, but when he spoke about one of his clients, I had special interest: He was asked about his clients whom have also included entertainment and the military. What are some examples?

For training our troops, the government would ask for smells of things like dead bodies, burnt bodies, feces, raw sewage, gunpowder, cordite. They’d use these to in a way desensitize the troops, so if they walk into a war zone and they see these things, the training helped them to be better soldiers. We've also developed scents for flight simulators. Depending on the smell, the pilot knows it’s burning wires, or fuel. “Oh, I smell fuel: I have to do these things to keep myself alive.”

I think this is an interesting take on scents, using them to train people for combat, and unpleasant surrounding  Surprises suck and no one likes them, I am glad someone had the foresight to develop such stench. I think the use for pilots and the burning wires is something no one wants to live through.    

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Mom With Benefits vs. Friends With Benefits

You have heard the term friends with benefits before, they even have a movie with that title. This morning, I was at the gym thinking about some of the posts I have written about dating and marriage in the Arab/Muslim communities and realized many of those guys are always on a search for a girl to take home. Most--not all Arab men are good boys, they love their mothers and often times get spoiled by them.

It's only natural for them to look for what they know, someone like their own mother. I know ladies hate this idea, of guys shopping around for a mother they can have a different relationship with. It's not twisted or anything, and it's not limited to an ethnicity. Many guys love a woman that can cook, keeps the house tidy and is a fun person. And down the road to rare their child. On their mind, their own mothers come to mind. Hence, comes the term mom with benefit.

Feel free to disagree with me, but many of us realize that soon but only come to admit it later in life. You may not marry your friend with benefits  but you certainly will snag the mom with benefit on the earliest opportunisty you have. After-all  she cooked you dinner for a reason.   

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For The GOP, Being Arab Is Controversial

Ever since the embarrassing loss of the 2012 elections, the GOP is wondering how they can win over minority voters. I feel that they are genuine and well meaning in their quest to widen their base and attract those voters who have traditional sided with the Democrats.

Yet when the GOP and its loudmouth media has a chance, they insist on giving such communities the middle finger. I see this as I read the nutty reports in conservative publications. This week, right-wing media outlets aggressively harassed the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), a group I have worked for in the past, to release video footage of Chuck Hagel, President Obama's pick for Defense Secretary, speaking at their convention in 2008. ADC has changed offices (naturally they have storage space), gone through personal and leadership change since that date. The videotape in question was in the storage along with the archive.

It seems that reports for online publications like Free Beacon, Fox News, Breitbart.com, and The Weekly Standard have been waging their own war against a civil rights groups that was founded in the 1980s by a retired U.S. senator who wanted to combat discrimination. It appears as if those publications are giving themselves the right to be hostile toward ADC, and its employees, as they try to uncover yet another conspiracy they have cherished. The spokesperson on behalf of ADC, Abed Ayoub, told the press, "They came to our offices -- threatening us, demanding information, arguing with security. They got very abrasive, very aggressive.. IIn fact, the FBI was in here last week because of those type of threats."

When ADC found the video they placed it on their website, but the joke was on those right-wing extremists who found nothing controversial in the video. Instead, those seeking a scandal found Hagel having an intimate conversation with American voters who come from places like Michigan, New Jersey, California, Virginia, and other places who want to be informed about their government. His broad-themed speech emphasizes activism and the importance of America’s role in the world. ADC has worked with a number of US administrations where they have enjoyed cordial collaborative efforts with various government agencies who have come to appreciate the work ADC does on behalf of its constituents.

Perhaps these conservative voices are upset with former Senator Chuck Hagel because he was able to do something they have not figured out how to do: speak to people from a background different from their own. Senator Hagel has been attacked over and over merely for speaking to Arab Americans. Most GOP leaders invited by the Arab American groups do not bother to come, and I am certain Arab Americans are not the only minority the GOP bails out on. Frankly, this is a prime example of their exclusionary tendencies and the GOP needs to know this by now. The good senator from Nebraska was doing what the GOP, now four years later, is talking about doing: talk to every American.

Such ill-advised media campaigns, orchestrated by xenophobes, racists and misguided talking-heads, are aimed at bullying the Arab American community. What good does it do to label an American organization  as controversial? There are more than 3.5 million Arab Americans in the United States, and they vote just like any other American. Something tells me the GOP did not win any votes by insulting the community and its leading organizations that stand for the US constitution. I urge the GOP not to stand for such tactics if they really wanted to win a national election again. Whether the nomination of Senator Chuck Hagel goes through is another conversation to have, but the GOP is already derailing the American democratic process and they are certainly not winning any friends in the process.

As for ADC and the community it represents, they will be around as we move forward and as the GOP continues on its road to self-destruction. With a growing population of minority voters, they will make sure there will be fewer GOP politicians. The GOP will only have themselves to thank for that.    

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I Would Never Buy A Gun, But The Right Is Sacred

After the news broke of the mass shooting in a school in Connecticut, it seems it has become in style to attack gun owners and advocate of American's right to carry firearms. Adam Lanza did a horrible thing and he had clear mental issues, those close to him should have seen it coming. The innocent who have been murdered are not the first and I hope they would be the last. Many Americans do not ask for much, they know however, that the second amendment is on of the rights they cherish the most.

I tend to find myself a purist when it comes to the US constitution, it's a sacred document for many and has worked and been working for a long time. My concern is if you start getting into intentions behind the law and what the founders had on mind, you start getting into muddy water.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 

Freedom of speech could be on the line. Those who want guns will get them--the Oregon Mall shooter stole his, the guy in Norway bough his online from America. I think the issue is mental state of Americans. I understand the fear of guns, but people living in the cities do not understand the value in rural America where hunters live and making a living. They have the right to feel protected, and by owning a firearm, they are saving tax payers money.  There is a reason why America works, too many laws that mock the US constitution are no needed.

Look no further, than Israel. People there have so many guns, but you do not see many of them engaging in mass shooting--the do that in Gaza and the West Bank. But in their cities, they do not have many incidents like the ones we do in America. I also think that most Americans are not violent by nature, many American homes where loving families dwell own firearms. I know those people are not heartless, and they feel for the victims of mass shootings. The solution is not in arming everyone and certainly not in disarming everyone.

I hope they would not make any dumb laws that would infringe on the American right to bear arms, and I see eye to eye with justice Scalia "I take that to be any weapon you can carry." I hope American politicians won't instate knee jerk solutions for a problem that would only cure the symptoms but not the real disease--mental illness.

And for conservatives, do not cut any more funding for metal illness programs--otherwise, you would have to deal with people like Adam, Holmes, and Virginia Tech massacre guy.    

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How Do You Sum America In A Hundred Question

I have read that the test for becoming an American citizen has 100 question which each applicants has to study. The questions are in both US history and government, all applicants have to study up--those who are 65 or older can be exempted.

In the interview you are only to be asked 10 questions out of those one hundred. You would need to get at least six correct in order to move to the next round in the citizenship journey. The questions are pretty basic and most people would pass them, but the disturbing thing is when I read some American born do not know the answers to such questions.

But my biggest concern is with the complexity of America and its history. A 100 question barely scratch the surface of anything. And yes some figures and events are a topic of debate and discussion. White Americans and other Americans agree on certain events, but when opinions and perceptions are sometimes mistaken for facts. This is not to say, there is no consensus among Americans, it does exit and there are things are shape the unique American story. Many are proud to be Americans, but they may disagree on what that term means, hence you have two major parties with two different mindsets.

I do not know, but I sure would like to find out this Tuesday what Americans value the most.

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Hurricane Sandy Vs. Outdoors Crazy People

It's easy for people to say, hunker down at home during the storm  I think it makes sense not to put oneself in danger. Being selfish never helps make anyone better off especially if you have to be rescued. I tried to stay home but I get sick of the indoors, I do not know what it is, but I cannot lock myself in. If I was able to do that, I would move back to Gaza and live in such a confined space. Glad, no cop was in the street urging us to go home. This is America, you can be stupid if you want too--not on planes though.

But I also understand people who want to get out and be in the outdoors. While I did not do any crazy stunts, I tried to walk around the block and it was no walk in the park. The wind blew my umbrella way, my glasses had so much rain water on them and on top of that it was really cold. But the good news 7/11 was open, so hot chocolate it was. I did also watch a lot of movies and comedies, they came in handy. I did also work on my music blog which was something I am always up for.

So, do not lock me in, I had to take a walk, glad to have run into two other people who were walking their dogs. Luckily, we did not lose power, it did flicker once and the street lost power for a second. I could not see us going to work on Monday, but Tuesday was the end of it at least here in the District.  

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DC's Dog Parks And The Easily Irritated People

Each morning like every morning  I walk to work. Thus, I pass by the famed 17 and S street dog park on the borders of the Dupont Circle and U Street area every day twice. Today was a little different, as I strolled down the street heading for work this morning, some guy who lives in a building across the street form the park was screaming from his bedroom---"Enough parking already!"

People in the park were giggling as few dogs gathered--one particular dog was being loud and obnoxious. There were attempted to stop the dog parking, 30 seconds later, the same voice comes, "Make It Stop Please!". I think it was funny to hear this kind of exchange in the early morning.

Seconds later the dog stops parking, and the same voice shouts "Thank You!" I wasn't the only one to notice, others including bystanders could not miss it. I consider myself as a dog friendly person which means, I do not pet them as they pass by, I only smile and stay out of their way.

I thought it was funny that people pay top dollars to live in that particular neighborhood, only to be awaken everyday by parking dogs. You might not hate dogs, but you may appreciate your sleep a little bit more than you appreciate those fuzzy creatures.  

I find it intersting that some people tolerate parking dogs, but when it comes to crying babies, they get easily worked up. Thus those people are often the first people to complain in a restaurant if a baby cries.    

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On Selective Faith, Muslim Rage And Spitting

I find is interesting that most people of faith are so quick to have faith when it comes to their our religion yet they are so quick to dismiss it when it comes to other people’s religion. I am talking about the mainstream, and not the vocal extreme that always makes it to the news editing room.

The Koran is filled with stories and examples of miracles and issues pertaining to faith, we as Muslims are thought many stories form the Jewish, the Christian  faith as well as other religions too. We are asked to believe them. Noah, Moses, Abraham  Joseph, Mary and many more. In my observations, Muslims tend not to be as selective about other faiths.

Sure many Jewish and Christians may think that Prophet Mohammed is fraud, but in his teachings they are both revered in Islam and so are the books they came with. Muslims take all the stories of the prophets--the ones we know of and the ones we are unaware of to be true. Most choose to believe miracles and blessings God has passed on to certain individuals even if they had to suspend the rules of physics.All Muslims believe in the Virgin birth, even though a lot of Christians question it.    

So, next time you see an angry Muslims projecting intolerance  know he does not understand his religion very well. A gloried movie trailer, an ad on the subway or Metro, a guy burning a copy of the Koran are nothing to be alarmed about. They should know that any insults and disrespect for Islam, its teachings and its main prophet is nothing more than a spit in the sea. It does nothing and changes next to zero!

Sami Yusuf - It's a Game

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Sorry Subway, But I Hate Your Sandwiches

Subway is one American chain I can care less for. I have tried few times and each time. I try to really like it, but I fail to fall in love with America's biggest sandwich chain. The food tastes bland, it lacks flavors and it almost always comes with an after taste in one's mouth. I did get sick once at college after eating Subway, but I do not hold that against them. Yet, I am still not too pleased with their subs. I am certain, they have a huge budget for adverting and they are everywhere, but nothing makeup for a sub-par taste.

At best it tastes like chewable cardboard. The bread lacks that distinct bread taste, and has a strange texture. The meat is anything but fresh--now we know they do not slice their meat in the back of the store but in some factory in Iowa. And the fresh produce are really fresh, but fresh does not always mean good tasting. It's if Subway has pledged to purchase only the freshest produce in exchange for a good taste. Mass production sacrifices the flavor of the food.

Then all those  lackluster combinations they make--the best thing about the sub is its creative marketing name, but the end product often disappoints. This is not an issue of healthy food--even the fattening versions of Subway creations disappoint in the taste test. I think they have also made it a lot more confusing with their different charts and prices for foot long, it's like gambling, you never know what to order.

I do not have any of those experiences at their rival stores--Quiznos and Arby's offer plenty of taste and freshness too without that after taste I only seem to get at the Subway. I am hardly the only one to write about this, just to be sure about it, I asked Roa to join me for a lunch in two different occasions, and every time she gets upset by the food we order from the Subway.  And the sad part is, neither of us are food snobs.     

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Old Dominion Speedway In Manassas, The Good And The Bad

Finally, I get my chance to see a real NASCAR race. Roa and I ended up going to the Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Virginia. A 45 minutes drive from Washington, DC. I wish to go back again, as we had to leave earlier due to the very cold night and us wearing short sleeves.

The Weird Vibe

1. The website for the speedway is outdated and needs a complete redesign. It did not give me a good vice about this adventure.
2. The seats are made out of good and they seem to be 60 years old--the year the track was originally founded. They are OK, but you cannot help but be a bit worried.  
3. A local church had volunteers talking to people about "changing their lives" and "Jesus", they offered to give me a free book too.
4. It's fun to see crashes and people being out in danger. 
5. Really long lines at the food place and it seems to lack organization. Lines cross each other and
6. Bathrooms do the job, but nothing fancy. Men stall are kind of a communal experiences--no individual stalls. 
7. I wish the track was better at getting people to bring food to the seating area. I would pay a little bit more to avoid the line. This is an area that can bring extra cash.  

The Good Stuff

1. There is plenty of parking, no worries there. We had good parking karma
2. You will actually find tourists coming to enjoy this experience--Asians, Indians and few Muslims also attend this world famous sport. 
3. It's very easy to get into the game and cheer for your favorite race. No need for complex rules and detailed scoring systems. 
4. Food is cheap and there's plenty of it.
5. Lots of smoking all around--I get that we are in Virginia
6. Everyone is friendly and super nice. They actually smile.  
7. Jeans is what everyone at the tracks wears. Nobody seems to try to outdo the other, simple look.
8. Big families and lots of kids attending and providing free often lovable commentary.     

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Zipcar Offered Me Neither Flexibility Nor Convenience

Please Note this is my true story with Zipcar and it has been documented with Zipcar on July 22, 2012 1:30 PM to 2:20


Zipcar, is a care rental company that allows people to rent card by the hour anywhere in the city. Thus, it seemed like a good idea that works, so I singed up for their services. I joined the company because, they have so many places near my Washington DC home. Anyhow, I made a reservation and was ready to go get my car.....

I went few minutes early and did not spot the car, I waited few minutes till the time, but no car was on sight. So I called the company who confirmed the car should be there. I told them there is no Nissan in the Zipcar parking space. They tried to get a hold of the guy who had the car last, they were unable to reach him.

The agent told me I should go get different car, five blocks away. I said ok! I went to pick up the car and once I called back Zipcar, they told me sorry, the car can be only driven for 40 minutes, as someone will have to pick it up. I reserved a car that wasn't there....and then when they tell me of a replacement car, it's no good for me.

They agent asked me to go back to the original location, as they car would be there for me to use. Again, I go back to the parking space and the care is not there. Keep on mind I am observing the fast of month of Ramadan. So, my car which I was supposed to pick up at 1:30, wasn't there. The company could not locate it and they wanted one of their local partners to go try to locate it for them. The guy who had it before me, told Zipcar, I had parked it only three spots away from where he has pick it up. But Myself, my wife and another Zipcar member were looking for the same car, we walked a block searching for the blue colored car....no luck

I am sure Zipcar is a great company that works for a lot of people by giving something they really need. But the third agent ended up canceling the reservation (she said, we won't charge you late fees!) I thought thaw was patronizing. I hope Zipcar manged to track that elusive Nissan that I had to book.

It might be that I am all new to this Zipcar business and that what happened to me is just a regular things or business as usual, if it is then this is might be a bad karma. In fairness, Zipcar offered to give me driving credit to makeup for wasting my time and for not knowing where their car is. It's really nice, but if today's ordeal was a standard, I do not think I would need them

But I still had no car, and by the way that was my first experience reserving a car with Zipcar. I do not know what I am going to do next...may I have to move out of the city now.

Update: Zipcar DC manger has called me and explained to me that what has happened to me is an extremely rare incident, where one member does not lock the car, and another member take the wrong car. They have explained to me what has happened and apologized. 

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Would Jesus Mary A Muslim Girl?

This is a stupid title that has so many things going wrong for it. But I wanted to raise a point that I feel a lot of people misunderstand about Islam. Muslim males can marry non Muslims and their spouses do not have to convert to Islam. However, most Muslim females are not supposed to marry men of other faiths. While there are many Muslims who might disagree with this principle, it seems that most accept it as such.

So, few weeks ago, some internet troll, kept arguing that Muslim women cannot marry non Muslims and he is right for the most part. The troll kept asking name one couple where the wife is Muslim and the husband is non. I really could thing of any examples--sure many might exist in India and the West, but I do not know of any.

Now, enter the stage Pat Robertson, a man of faith who was on a show and was asked the following questions, watch the video and decide for yourself.

Pat Robertson: Dump Your Muslim Girlfriend


It seems that when a Muslim girl accepts to marry a non Muslim, Christians leaders are not too happy about that and they plea with the man to dump his Muslim girlfriend--as Muslims are heathen. While Pat Robertson does not speak for the entire Christian nation, he does have a rather large fellowship. So his opnions and sermons carry a certain weight with many in the States and beyond.  

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Nature and Trees Must Love My Tablet

I do not feel that I need to print anything anymore....all my emails, PDF, documents and data can go with me wherever I go. I do not seem to need a printer as most places now accept a smartphone or tablet picture, image of whatever document one needs to share.

I like the feeling that this little device saves so many trees. For example, when I work on a project and want to view a document....more people can view it with me, and thus the trees are not being butchered.

Needless to say, internet connections makes this all possible. Imagine having a tablet that does not connect to the internet! We would have to use a flash drive or sync it with another computer to update it. And if the trees do not keep you up at night, then you will love the savings it come with. You no longer have to shell big bucks for printing such papers.

I must thank Steve Job for making tablets popular and making them come alive--I do not like Apple. But he deserves the credit. I am using a Blackberry Playbook! I have read somewhere that by 2016, tablets will be taking over the notebook business by 2016. I think this is fair as certain things would be music easier on a laptop--typing and certain software won't work with certain tablets. Hello? I still cannot use Skype on my Playbook.

Tablets are a promising industry because such devices are getting cheaper and better. They can do wonders, keep you entertained, and informed. So people now can pay a 100 dollar and get a tablet that does the job of making printing irrelevant.

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How Capital One Bank Tricked Me

When I first came to the States more than a decade ago, it took me a few months to understand the concept of debit vs. credit cards. It was so confusing at the start because why would they credit me when I am borrowing money, or use my card to debit me when I have cash in the bank? But later, I figured out, cards are more about the bank and less about the consumers.

I did not want to get a credit card until my friend Adnan, who is an educator, told me you need these things to build a financial report in this country to show that you are financially responsible. If borrowing money is the only way to show that you are responsible financially, then all my broke cousins would be kings in this country. I could never get a credit card at home because for starters, few vendors (if any) accept them. And there is also the part where I do not talk like a city boy and that disqualifies me from rolling with that suit wearing crowd resented by pious people. My college bank gave me a credit card with a 500 dollar credit limit, then a year later it became 700 dollars and it went bigger and bigger. Wells Fargo also offered me one, and it seemed that everyone wanted to give me money and a free t-shirt, too.

Plus, as someone who came from a war zone that has virtually no mail or postage system, getting stuff in the mail was an out of this world experience. I loved getting stuff in the mail, even junk mail was exciting at the beginning. Until a few years ago, when Capital One offered me a credit card that would earn me airline mileage every time I use it. Nevermind that I am a Palestinian and few countries would want me to travel to them anyway. And there is that thing about flying as a tall and dark man in today’s security-obsessed world. I applied for the card and got it.....but the miles never started coming as fast as I had hoped they would come.

Unlike many, I have not lost a home in my dealings with the bank. I just feel that I was cheated. Recently, I got a new Mastercard from Capital One that I do not recall ever applying for. Up to that point, I only had Visa cards, and it was exciting to add one to my collection of credit cards where my name is inscripted. I started using the card as needed, but then I learned the card does not actually earn any miles yet it charges the same interest rate as the one that earns miles. Since both cards are linked online to the mile/award system that they both earn miles. But why would someone with a head on his shoulders use a card that gives them nothing back? My Discover card is pretty good about giving cash back, even the Capital One Visa credit card that I initially had was giving something back.

When I called, the first line of defense for the bank could not figure out why they would send me a card I never applied for. Then comes the second line of defense, with the name of Chris and radio worthy voice.  He did not figure out why I would get the card, but he offered to upgrade my account so that I could start getting air miles. It took them two years to figure out that people prefer getting something back. Chris said he was really sorry about the confusion and the miscommunication. I was really frustrated because I would chose to use Mastercard over all other cards, assuming my miles were adding up and my next trip seemed so soon (I really do not like to fly, something tells me I am not the only one). When I asked Chris to close my account, he understood why as a follow consumer. He tried to talk to the managers, but they came back with nothing. Ultimately, I spoke to the big cheese, a lady with the name Marty (or something really close). She is the senior manager. She could not figure out why I would get that card either and suggested giving me an address where I can mail them a letter. C’mon, lady, a mailing address, what am I, do I sound like I am 80 years old?

Right before I ended the call, I asked her, consumer to consumer, do you see my frustration? Why would I use your card that does not give anything back over your other card that comes with perks? She validated those remarks. Even mighty Marty was no help, though.

My negligence and faith in the credit card issuer combined with the bank’s greed ( some may call it incompetence) managed to leave a bad taste in my mouth. Even for someone like me who came with the understanding that a bank is a place where you put your money to keep it safe, who has no need for credit cards, have been sucked into this system. A system that if you want to leave, you are told your credit rating will take a hit. No wonder some of those banks thinking they are too big to fail really believe that. I do not hate all banks, I love my college bank in Utah where I still have an account. I am all for the creation of wealth and prosperity.

I did not realize the twisted logic of credit cards I started to explain the concept of credit cards to my wife. It really sounded ridiculous, so together we’ve agreed not to go down the rabbit hole. I like one particular quote from Gordon B. Hinckley on this matter “Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from bondage.” as told by

I am sure some fat bank executive is sipping a tropical drink on a beach somewhere in Barbados courtesy of poor people like myself. I am sure he did not have to worry about mileage, I only hope the good people at the TSA gave him a very close encounter.

             

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Why Facebook Really And Truly Sucks?

I think Facebook is a great tool to connect with people you do not see often or people who have moved away or live away from where you live. I do not deny that is brings people together and helps people keep tabs on their friends-and their foes.

But in general, I do not like Facebook, for one reason. It's a place where people share happy news, and exciting things in their lives. A trip they took, a party they had, a picture of something nice they have spotted. Such collection makes viewers thing, that life is all happy and everyone's life is so much more fun that our own. When in reality, we might have a one good day in the week where we smile and look happy, but the six other days, no one would be able to tell how hard life really is.

For example, few people would post a picture of themselves at work--if they do they might get fired. They cannot badmouth their office because someone is watching and bad news travels fast. Plus Facebook is not a place to broadcast all the things going wrong with your life. No body wants to find out about your tumor, or about your liver and kidney failure. You would not share that. And you certainly, would not tell your virtual friends, that your mom just passed away.  I am sorry it just does not seem sincere nor proper to use Facebook as a for to commiserate when others are posting pictures of them at some concert or their seaside BBQ.

So in that sense, Facebook gives you a false indicator about other people's life. It makes you think your life really stinks and everyone is cooler than you. Some of course go invite a cool life for themselves and start making up stuff to keep up with their virtual friends. This makes Facebook a place where people try to outdo one another in having the most time to waste.

To sum, Facebook is like that party you go to, everyone seems to be happy with the usual awkward few. I might be different or see it from a different vantage point, but I know life is never as exciting as Facebook makes it seem to be. Even though I consider myself to have a perfect life, I know things are not as shiny as they may look form the outside. 

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The Illusion Of Absolute Freedom In America

I love America, and I like the many things we can do here. However my idea of America has never been that in which I dub America is a free for all society where anything goes. I once left a place because the lawless land can never be a free one. Freedom does not mean chaos, which seems what people mistake for democracy. For democracy to work, we have to have order.

Think about this:

You will never live in a free country and you will never find one to call home. If this is a problem for you then you have been looking at nothing but mirage. In America you are not free to incite violence, you are not free to tell jokes on airplanes now are you free to park in the middle of an intersection and block traffic. You are not supposed to walk naked in the streets even though technically you are doing no harm. And I think such things make America a better place. You do not have the absolute freedom to do anything you want in America, and that's a good thing, because living somewhere with absolute freedom means you live in a little place called Somali.

There are countless different laws and rules that come with existing in American, and the people have put such rules for a reason. Why else would we have stupid laws if it was not for someone making it necessary to pass such laws and ordinance. As a collective, people have to give their consent for such rules even they might overturn them or strike them later. In a republic doesn't scream "Hey you, go do whatever the hell you want." To me it means that no one else is supposed to step on your rights, violate you or wrong you. If that happens then the society with its institutions will make it right. This was defined a civilized society. But if stop being civil, then we really have no use for a civilization.

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Great! I Love Baseball Now

I am open to changing my mind, this time, I have changed my mind on what I think of Baseball. In the past I thought it was a boring game. I was coming from a mentality that the game should draw you in every single second, like soccer, something it always happening and you are on the edge of your seats. It's a game you go to to relax and get excited once in a while, you do not really have to watch every second of the game, you can take a break and come back and the game still would make as much sense as it did before you have  walked away.

But in baseball that factor is largely missing, there are moments when you are on the edge of your seat waiting for something exciting, but in general Baseball is a slow game. Then it hit me, the game itself should be only one part of the experience. I have concluded that going to baseball game at a ballpark is a true cultural experience. It turn out that it's a place where memories are shaped where young and old flock to see a game, but entertain themselves with various kinds of food--hot dogs is the all time original.

But for me, being with my friends and talking about the game and different things, then sharing a laugh over that drunk guy who is screaming various chants including but limited to "Let's Get Sexy!" all counts for the experiences. Then the giant screen they have, various movie clips they play, and the camera rolling showing dancing and all sorts of activities among the fans. The music they play also contributes to that atmosphere. Kids can be kids there, and couples can do what couples love to do....it's sort of bringing an entire community and letting them be themselves altogether in public.      

But perhaps the most fun part was dressing in my hometown baseball team color with a cap, only to be talked to by strangers who feel strongly about their team who just beat my own. It was a fun exchange on the metro like none I have ever had.

Sure, there are things, I still do not enjoy like overpriced mediocre foods and crowded everything, but at least for me this was a rare and beautiful outing.   

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