Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Craig's List Humor


Let me know what you think.....

Last week Leon and I posted an add on Craigslist for a futon sofa and futon arm chair.  (As our dog Benni said in his blog, we bought a new couch that we needed like a hole in the head).

Our asking price was $425 for the two solid oak mission style pieces.  As anyone who's done Craigslist knows, people negotiate and haggle.  We expected an offer, but not this.  


First Email: This person expressed an interest and asked if she could buy only the sofa for $100.  

My reply: I replied that $100 was too low, besides, we wanted to sell the two pieces together.  Then the following exchange occurred: (Complete with uncorrected spelling/typos):

On Feb 18, 2013, at 10:41 AM, CTbuyer wrote:
Hi
It i Marisa again.  I really want this.  Let me know if there is a way of negotiating.  Note - I have 2 mission recliners for sale on Craigslist, they are brand new.   Almost 600 plus tax and shipping.  I have only literally sat in one a few times.  Selling them for 450 each.  Too large for my tiny place.  Willing to trade with you one of the recliners - the one I never used if you wont sell for 100.00. Let me know.  On craigslist title is mission recliners.  Photos are in the ad.  They are solid oak.

My reply: Sent: Mon, Feb 18, 2013 10:56 am
Subject: Re: 2 Mission Style Futons - $425 (Bristol)

No thank you; selling as a complete set for price listed;  I will give to charity if I cannot get a serious buyer.

On Feb 18, 2013, at 11:00 AM, CTbuyer wrote:
I am a serious buyer.  You will give to charity and not make a penny vs. make money.  Well if it means anything..............   I have a cat rescue organization.  I do cat rescue and adoptions.  Hey, i am trying.  I really love that futon.  Please consider it.  Let me know how negotiable you are...   if it does not sell as a set you are just getting rid of it?  does not make sense.   You wont do 100 for the sofa?  If not, what are you willing?  Pleasee work with me.  It would go beautiful in my living room, but I already have two recliners I have to sell, I cannot take in your chair.

[Like I will donate it to her cat rescue organization so she can put it in her living room?]
[I'm trying to discourage further discussion here]

My reply: Sent: Mon, Feb 18, 2013 4:28 pm 
Subject: Re: 2 Mission Style Futons - $425 (Bristol)

Complete set only - price is firm.

On Feb 19, 2013, at 11:06 AM, CTbuyer wrote:
So what happens if no one wants to buy it or spend that much money?  Your than just giving it away?   Does not make sense.  Well good luck.  If you look on craigslist you wont find a futon anywhere above 150.   Your futon is gorgeous, and looks good quality, but it is a shame.   if you change your mind, let me know.  I tried negotiating with you.  You should put in your ad, no negotiations.........  it is like a teaser.  Well, there is someone else in (TOWN) that is selling theres for 50.00 so I guess I will go with that, but I really wanted yours being it goes with my furniture.  If I bought your futon, and than you sold your chair separately you could probably make yoru 400 that you are looking for........  Alot of people like mission chairs.......I have them, but mission futon chair........... there is a ton of them on craigslist.  

[this woman cannot take a hint, and I had another reply from someone willing to pay full price, so this was my reply]

Sent: Tue, Feb 19, 2013 12:01 pm
Subject: Re: 2 Mission Style Futons - $425 (Bristol)

IT'S BEEN SOLD AT THE PRICE I ASKED - NOW LEAVE ME ALONE

[but it didn't end there]

On February 19, 2013 5:24:11 PM EST CTbuyer wrote:

wow, glad I did not give you my money.  YOU ARE A PRICK!

RUDE SON OF A BITCH. FUCK OFF.

[My bitch side got the better of me and I couldn't help replying, stooping to her level and suggesting she look in the mirror...I don't know if there was more as I blocked any further emails from her]







Monday, February 18, 2013

No Fan of The Pope - Apologetics From a Rebel

Anyone who knows me or reads this blog knows that I am no fan of Joseph Ratzinger aka Pope Benedict 16.  And I have been critical of the Catholic Church for their cover-up of child abuse and their stance on homosexuality, women's ordination and marriage equality, birth control, use of condoms, etc.  My criticism extends to many other Christian and non-Christian religions as well.

However there is currently an unsubstantiated "news" story being repeated in gay blogs and anti-Catholic circles that links the Pope's resignation to some alleged "arrest warrant" issued by an international organization on behalf of some "undisclosed" European nation.  The reports are suspect on many levels and just reading the source/sources one would think it obvious that it is either a hoax or an exaggeration of a kernel of truth. These blogs use the story as a basis to editorialize and express a deep-seated hatred for the Catholic Church.

As I commented in one such blog:

This story is apparently a hoax.  There are no credible references to the content of this story that I can find.  The fact that there are so many who are eager to believe this "news" speaks ill for our community as well as for all whose hatred for the Catholic church is such that facts don't matter.  We talk a good talk when it comes to others spewing hate toward the gay community, but stop and reflect on how we do the same to them.  There is justifiable anger toward the RCC and legitimate demands for accountability but using unsubstantiated stories to further our cause is irresponsible. 

All of you who feel compelled to criticize the Catholic Church (and I count myself among you) please do so responsibly.  The Catholic Church, like other religions, has done lots of good and has produced countless individuals whose work with the sick, the poor, the imprisoned and disenfranchised are indisputable and exemplary.

Those of us brought up to admire and emulate the values of love, service and compassion that we learned from the Church and its teachers, feel most acutely the hurt the church has caused us and  others and at the same time we feel the profound sadness of a child who wished for a more consistently understanding and affirming and parent.

Please temper your hatred for my Mother with a modicum of respect; she may not be perfect, but she had a good side; and in your condemnation of the Pope and all you think he stands for, remember that when your whip lashes out, it may strike some of the very brothers and sisters with whom you claim solidarity.

You do the "cause" no favors when you speak hatred for the sake of shock or revenge or political correctness.  You embarrass us and the cause of LGBT rights when your hatred and ridicule overshadow your intelligence and ability to check the facts.

So criticize hypocrisy, expose the truth, demand accountability, express anger, describe your personal hurt and outrage, but please do so with some degree of thoughtful regard, with responsible journalism, with respect for the truth and, dare I say, with humility.  Hubris is unbecoming no matter whose "side" you are on.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

We Have a Great Dog

We couldn't ask for a better boy.
Check out Benni's new post on Benedict Bentley.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Exchanging Valentines in the Age of Frugality

Leon mentioned that he was at the pharmacy and had planned to buy me a Valentine but by the time he picked up some other items it slipped his mind.  So much for romance!

I told him I'd been at the pharmacy the other day and had actually picked out a card but there were ten people at the checkout and, well, I am not a patient person.  Given that the card was priced at $4.99, the decision to put it back on the rack was easy.  So much for romance!

The interesting thing, as I told Leon, was that I had found a card suitable for two men and whether that was the intent or not, it worked for me.

We decided to go back to the pharmacy and do our usual temporary shopping routine, only with photos: we would pick out and exchange Valentines right there, take some photos of the event, return the cards to the rack, walk out and put the $10 we just saved toward a dinner out.

Now, as I said, this is not a new tactic for us.

I started this kind of "shopping" years ago when we would go to KMart or other big box store.  I would put things into the shopping cart - a nice jersey with a breast pocket, two new folding beach chairs, a waffle maker, some new bath towels, whatever.

We would continue walking around the store shopping.

Then I'd say something like, "I really don't care for the color of that jersey and for that price I can do better.  I'll wait till it goes on sale." Then we'd walk back to the Mens Dept. and put the jersey back on the rack.

And then I would get to thinking and comment, "Gee, we already have some perfectly good beach chairs, do we really need to spend $45 on two more?  We'd walk over and put them back.  Then I'd make some excuse for the waffle iron and the bath towels and they'd go back on the shelf too.

We'd walk out of KMart without buying anything and go out for pizza.  It was a perfectly good shopping trip and very satisfying.  And I think I enjoyed the pizza so much more as a result.

Now we've never done this with greeting cards, but it makes perfect sense.  After all, what do you do with a card once you open it and read it?  Put it on the credenza for a few days?  Toss it in a drawer?  Throw it away? This way, we have a nice photo and a lasting sentiment.

OK, here's the card I chose for Leon:



And here's the card he chose for me:



This one was also a contender in the M4M category, a bit more sentimental and meaningful; probably the one I like best:


And we're looking forward to dinner out tomorrow evening.  Nothing fancy mind you, we only saved ten bucks.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY HONEY!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Pessimistic Rebel and Papal Politics

Years of the Rat Coming to an End
I don't know what it is, but I feel like crap.  The winter is so tiring.  I  am weary and uninspired.  This thing called aging sucks.  I'm not doing it gracefully.  Got a bill from the liver biopsy that almost gave me a stroke...and that was AFTER the insurance paid what they thought it was worth.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all pay our bills for the amount we thought the commodity was worth?  Oil delivery, I think it's worth about 60% of the charge; groceries, 75%, cell phone and satellite TV, maybe 20%, dinner out...

So I went and changed a number of upcoming appointments until after my Medicare kicks in.  It all got me in a nasty mood and I didn't sleep well last night.  So I feel like crap today.

In another life I might comment on the Pope's resignation.  All the gay blogs are just a twitter, so to speak: how wonderful that the Rat is resigning.  But don't get all excited, boys.  The Catholic Church has a long and distinguished history of persecuting gays, and no matter who is elected, don't expect that to change.

There was only one John XXIII, and he is long dead and they've done their best to have him forgotten.

It all comes down to politics. The vultures waiting in the wings are likely no better than the Rat and will certainly not have great changes on homosexuality or women's ordination on their priority list.  In other words - don't hold your breath.  Thanks to Jayden Cameron at Gay Mystic for a link to a Papal Contender Lineup at Business Insider, complete with profiles and the betting odds, if you're interested.


Right now, I could care less.


There was a time when I naively believed that the church was above politics.  There was a time when I actually believed that God worked in mysterious ways, that the Spirit guided the church...I can't see it now.

It is a dark and ominous church, and the Spirit, if ever there was one, is barely alive or visible.

So, we are here, surrounded by piles of snow several feet high and the consistency of fresh cement.  Leon shoveled part of the roof yesterday and we had to then remove that snow from the walkway.  Southern climates look better every year...

Well, I've got to get out today and find a place where I can actually walk or hike with Benni the dog.  The snow is even too deep for him and he is a tall boy.


Saturday, February 9, 2013

Like You Really Want To See Pics Of Snow

Leon Being Leon
The Barbie 
The Camper Next to the Snow Pile




The Vehicles

Trails for Benni 
Our Driveway from the Road
The Ford
A town truck plowing the street in front of the house

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Flag Against A Blue Sky, Fresh Baked Bread, and A Little Stir-Crazy

Winters are way too long.  At least here in New England.  And longer the older I get - that seems to be a sentiment shared by others in my age bracket.
Even though I go hiking every day with Benni and often with Dottie and Leon too, the routine is getting monotonous.  Walking the dog, cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning house, reading blogs and news, writing, watching the TV, fighting with remote controls and every other electronic device, sealing grout, recycling the recyclables, doing laundry....I am feeling stir-crazy.  The Senior Center where I volunteer is closed for renovations, so I don't have that diversion either...
This winter we've not gone South at all.  Or North. Or East or West.  I think we need a little break.  I've been waiting on a doctor's appointment (annual check-up) which is coming up on Wednesday;  it was booked two months ago and was the first available appointment (adventures in Health Care), so we've been waiting, but haven't made any plans.  I hope we can do a four or five day jaunt to somewhere, maybe up to the Gargoyle House or even out to Cape Cod.
Meanwhile the sky here is a deep winter blue and the home made bread just came out of the oven a while ago.  Leon is in NYC at a Lambda Car Club Event so Benni and I are about to go off on a little hike.  It's not so bad, really, but a change of scenery would be nice...





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