Junk Mail

I just realized that the only pieces of mail I get everyday now are junk mail. I guess no one sends things in the mail anymore. E-cards, E-mail, E-bills, E-this, and E-that. Everything is electronic nowadays. I actually don't mind getting junk mail. Well, maybe only certain kinds. I like the colorful and full print advertisements for upcoming sales and discount coupons. Even restaurant menus are Ok. Those especially come in handy when ordering take-out.

What I hate the most of all junk mail are those annoying re-finance interest rate notices I get day in and day out. First of all, they usually have on the envelope the words, "IMPORTANT: DATED MATERIAL," underlined. They try to make the letter more important than it really is. Inside the letter, the typical words:

"We can save you hundreds on your current mortgage from ABC Bank! 30-year fixed interest rate is only 6.8%, blah blah blah. "

I guess it would have been important to me if I can actually save a few hundred bucks for the next 30 years. But the truth of the matter is that I've already re-fied multiple times since I took out a loan with ABC Bank. Since then I have had loans with DEF Bank, GHI Bank, all the way down to XYZ Bank already. And why would I refinance against a 6.8% rate if I currently have a 5.3% rate??

I suppose that the word, "dated," on the envelope refers to how dated the information they actually have on their records! My two cents to those people sending me those junk mail is that if you really want to extract business from me, get your numbers straight!! Get your records current!! It's nothing more embarrassing than to have your customers think that you are stupid. Or outright incompetent. So unless you can get your records straight, it's best to divert your investment from buying stamps for junk mail to upgrading your system instead. Now, that's the smart thing to do.

Aggh, today is finally Thursday! This week seems really long. I guess whenever we get a short week at work, we mentally think the days will go by fast. But reality is that the anticipation for the weekend simply makes the waiting even longer than it really is. A hard concept to comprehend, but the truth indeed.

I don't know if you've been watching the gameshow Jeopardy!, but I've been catching it everyday after dinner for the past couple of weeks. This is this one guy on it who has been champion for 27 straight days. Yep, 27 days! They used to have a 5-day limit, but the gameshow has since lifted that rule. He has won over $800,000. It's really amazing how minute and how obscure some of the details this guy knows. First he's fast with the buzzer, and second, he knows every subject from A to Z. I totally think that he might be a genius! The gameshow hosts should definitely bring back some of the previous 5-day champions to compete against him. I wonder when will he lose, and who will dethrone him? That would be so interesting!

On a side note, here are some more hearts for you. These I found along the Embarcadero during my daily lunchtime walks. I'll upload more next time... meanwhile, enjoy!

Heart #7: Trapped Heart - this is one of my favorites so far. This heart is covered with thick steel wires all around. It's 3-D...different from the other painted ones I've seen. This was located across the street from the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero.

Heart #9: Map Heart - This is one of the steel interlocking hearts. This is a rough sketched map of the San Francisco.

Heart #8: "I Left my Heart" heart - A scared look on the person's face, but it should be a happy thought... This heart was found in the plaza along Embarcadero. This one was found across the street from Herman Justin Plaza.

Heart #10: "Artist at Heart" heart - This heart was on Market St. near First St.

Happy Birthday

June 27th was my blogspot's 1st birthday. Sorry, I'm a few days late. It has been a wonderful 1st year talking and writing to you. I am looking forward to another year and many years to come. Happy Birthday!!