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''Brief'' Shopping Expedition
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*** FAREWELL FRlENDS ***
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Go Scott!
from 35 reviews.
from 23 reviews.|
Elizabeth Emerald: A few hours ago, my PC got infected by the virtual equivalent of the coronavirus, consequential to which was mandatory isolation. It was locked down, purportedly for my protection. "Microsoft" generated an ominous message: "Windows Defender Security Code - threat detected - Trojan spyware - call tech support 888?896?8213 immediately to unlock your PC - do not attempt to restart." The warning notwithstanding, I turned off the power and attempted to restart, alas, to no avail. The message was especially obnoxious given it was accompanied by nonstop back-up vocals that repeatedly recited the text of the manically flashing pop-up error box. I was rightly suspicious that the lockdown program itself was the Trojan horse. I'd recently learned - profuse thanks due to a fan's post - can't recall whose - that as tech support "helps" they scoop information as to your passwords and credit card (and I didn't want to pay regardless). I called the number provided and expressed my suspicions. Though the technician seemed sincere -instructing me to use F1 to quash the vocals and offering the option to call the geek squad at Best Buy if I was "uncomfortable" - I declined to proceed with his assistance. Luckily, I had another PC at my disposal and Google found malware.tips.com, which confirmed this was indeed a scam. Even better, the site provided step-by-step instructions - with screen shots - as to how to unlock the computer by using CTRL-ALT-DEL to invoke the task bar and close down the browser - then restart - after which, be sure to DECLINE the restore option. |
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Elizabeth Emerald: What Are "My" Pronouns? The answer is obvious to "me." Here's how "I" see it: This PC replacement for "nice to meet you" has no relevance in the context of the exchange of introductions between two people. Notwithstanding the particulars of the parties' genders or the ambiguities thereof, each will naturally proceed to address the other as "you." Reserve the pronoun query for large group interactions, wherein its awkwardness is trumped by the potential for distress due to genders being misconstrued. |
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Elizabeth Emerald: SAD NEWS: Raffaelina Lowcock, aka Ralf, died on January 22, 2022. Ralf was a loyal fan, a prolific reviewer, and a fine writer. Amongst her portfolio is a stunning novel "Learning to Swim." Each chapter title is a clever play on the theme. Check it out. Thanks to Judy Lawless for googling OBITs Ralf made it to 90. RIP |
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Elizabeth Emerald: Per my profile post of last month, I was canned as editor by "Dicktor," the demented despot owner of an online publication. I'd stepped in when his one-and-only remaining editor, Raffaella, resigned --on account of family concerns-- after years of loyal, unpaid, service. Dicktor told Raffaella he was "disappointed" that she was leaving; never once did he follow up to express support as to her stressful circumstances. Fast forward one month. Dicktor -- desperate to get her back now that he'd got rid of me -- emailed Raffaella, filled her in as to my departure, and implored her to contact him immediately. In light of how dismissively he'd treated her, Raffaella declined to respond. Virtual vengeance is mine! Epilogue: Dicktor's one-man show is circling the drain. |
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Elizabeth Emerald: I just underwent an ugly implosion of a short-lived intense connection wherein I failed to live up to the exalted intellectual and ethical standards of an erstwhile fervent fan on another site. I am shaking as I write this, sickened that this person blasted me for ignorance and laxity as to exploring nuance amidst what he construes as incontrovertible truth. Have you had a similar experience either here or in another context? |
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(And tell him try go &%#& himself!) Just sayin! - | |
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Elizabeth Emerald: February blues, Marching ahead ... I want to post-date my birthday, the 17th, by a month. As it is, I get gypped because my birthday gets conflated with Valentine?s Day. Though at present, alas, the issue is moot. Add to my wish-list: fast-forward my birth-year from 19xx to 19xx+40. |
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Regardless, I hope you had a beautiful, joyous, peaceful day... and hey(((((((, Happy belated wishes. Health, harmony and happiness always dear friend! - | |
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Elizabeth Emerald: File this under: THE PERILS OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS I just read an article by an editor off-site, who began by saying she bailed out of a story after being put off because the word "like" appeared twice in one sentence. She segued to a general admonition as to laziness and carelessness. It was an impressively impassioned and on point exposition, notwithstanding which it was rife with typos (tactfully speaking) and punctuation omissions I didn't say run-on sentences infer what you will I take grate care too elinimate tpyos, and aslo ass well, not to mention, it goes without saying I strive to aim to avoid and eschew needlessly extraneous superfluous redundancy Cheers LIZ |
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Grin... Karenina - | |
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Elizabeth Emerald: Backstory below as to my having been suspended from my role as editor of "Genius in a Bottle." I've been mulling on variations of my "you can't fire me, I quit" letter. Here's the sneak preview of my favorite: I am awed by your lenient sentence for this unforgivable breach of protocol. I deserve nothing less than permanent banishment. Be assured: This ignoble idiot will nevermore disgrace the Genius in your Bottle. Best of luck working with him going forward. Cheers. LIZ |
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Meant every word! - | |
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Elizabeth Emerald: The despot publisher of the virtual venue "Genius in a Bottle," alias Dicktor, canned me as editor (for starters: "suspended for a fortnight") for transferring "his" log entry of a published piece from the "pending" section to the "published" section. Dicktor blames me for pushing the "Publish" button (a technicality in this case, given that he'd marked it as good to go). I told Dicktor the piece had been published hours earlier; thus, I assumed he had done it and neglected to log it. As to how it got published -- there WERE just the two of us -- the mystery remains. Moot, alas, now that Dickie is left to fiddle with himself. |
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How does he manage to shave without injury? With those two faces! Peter Principle: He has risen to the level of his own incompetence... (I almost wrote "incontinence!) - | |
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Elizabeth Emerald: I just completed the second half of a virtual marathon. I didn't have to get off my backside--but it was an effort indeed! I am appalled to confess that I was 407 review responses in arrears. Yesterday, I knocked them down to 176, and I responded to the rest this evening. Whew! Apologies to all for my tardiness. |
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Rest time! - | |
Rest time! - | |
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Elizabeth Emerald: As to the catch-22 below, another avenue to for ID is obtaining a passport--alas, the same dilemma applies. My game plan is to get a notarized letter from my lawyer as to vouching for my identity and go to a nearby passport office--IF they aren't closed on account of coronaphobia--I shall call tomorrow. I do have my birth certificate (no certification stamp as required) and I have SSN cards in both names and an expired license with my photo (different hair color). I'm hoping I can charm the clerk to accept these documents as proof. If I can't muster sufficient charm in the face of bureaucratic constraints (scratch the "IF") I will lie and say I was told when I called that given my special circumstances, they would accept my documentation-- --though there would be a processing surcharge of $50, payable in cash--which I would wave in the face of the clerk, and hope s/he would take the bribe. |
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How often do you renew your driver's licenses in the US? None of the ID you mentioned would be accepted in Canada as proof you are who you say you are. - | |
Doubly ironic dilemma, given I that I neither travel nor drive. - | |
I find a passport the best ID of all, and unless you are Jason Bourne you only get one. Here you need three references who are professionals and also part of a society. For example the engineer's society, or the law society because they have to vouch for the person they are representing and a false claim can result in them losing their license to practice in their field. Those references are scrupulously followed up on before a passport is issued. Canadians can't cross the border into the US without a passport, or an enhanced driver's license. All increased security after 9/11. I expect you will achieve your goal, and have a great story to write about after all is said and done. - | |
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Elizabeth Emerald: File this under: Circularity Sucks As to renewal of my driver's license, I am faced with two dilemmas: 1) I cannot renew my license without my birth certificate, and I cannot get my birth certificate without a license. 2) My current name is not my birth name. I cannot produce the requisite legal documents. My name change was not processed through the courts (it is not required to be), nor was it consequent to marriage or divorce. The irony is that I don't drive; I need the license as an ID. |
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What state do you live in? How long has your drivers license been expired and have you been to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the county of which you were born? Are your parents still living? You can get one of your parents to get your birth certificate. Do they have a photo ID. Also, if you can get to the county you were born in and apply there, taking your SSN and expired license, they should be able to help. Call them directly. The county clerk should be a great help. Again, better success in the county you were born in. As for your name change, inquire about the procedure. Usually they are closed documents and the clerk can assist you through listing the correct name of your parents on the application. - | |
I live in Mass, born in NYC. Not feasible to go in person; regardless, no walk-ins allowed due to coronaphobia. My parents are dead. We have to renew every 5 years. If we let it lapse more than 2 years, we have to retake the road test. There's no way I can get things together by the 2-year mark--my birthday is Feb 17--and there is no way I would pass a road test. So, the license route is moot--that's why I'm focusing on a passport (despite that I don't travel). If you care to see my devious plan, look above ... Cheers. LIZ - | |
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Elizabeth Emerald: DOES ANYONE HAVE NEWS OF RAFFAELINA LOWCOCK (RALF)? Two months ago, she posted about a dire diagnosis of leukemia. We'd been corresponding regularly--in her last communication, at least a month ago, she said she'd decided not to pursue treatment, except for blood transfusions. She has not responded to my recent messages. |
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Whoever hears from her, please let us know how she's doing! - | |
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Oh, never mind...just be happy as I am for you! Woohoo! Congratulations! - | |
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Congratulations my friend!!!!! - | |
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Julia - | |
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Cheers! Happy New 2022! Sesha - | |
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