Super-Duped

I've become very entertained lately by the contents of my bulk mail inbox (hey, what can I say? It doesn't take much.) Usually I dump the bulk mail before even seeing what's there, but there have been quite a few lately that have provided some entertainment. My favorites have included these subject lines:

* prosecutor butcher
* pissy sandwich
* antagonize unfeeling
* pigheaded standardization
* sassy subterfuge
* frivolous pancake

Ok, well, I did make the last two up, but I know they're sure to appear sometime soon.

In other entertainment news, I've been duped from a recent Craigslist posting where I was (attempting to) sell our old upright piano that we inherited with the house when we bought it. The first interested reply I got seemed relatively normal, so I responded. In the next thread, though, this "person" wrote this lengthy email about how they were going to send me a money order for about $1500 more than the asking price for the piano. There were then detailed instructions with what I needed to do in terms of cashing the money order and working with their shipper, and that they looked forward to my timely reponse. Needless to say, after a few forwards to the Craigslist abuse dept. & the FTC (yowza!) I've had no further contacts. The husband said that if people are stupid enough to actually respond to stuff like that, they get what they deserve. I, however, disagree. I just picture this lonely old lady who just got a computer and is learning to web surf, trying to sell her teacup collection to pay for her medications or a new transmission on her 1978 Crown Victoria... then poof! Duped.

I wonder what sorts of studies have been done outling the successes of spammers and the effects they've had on people. Dang, that woulda been a good thesis for grad school.....

In other news, the house is officially for sale. Everything must liquidate!! I had a great open house yesterday afternoon. About 25 people or so came through. No firm leads, but lots of people seemingly interested. Lots of compliments and remarks on the neat old character the house has. We'll see how it goes. From experience, I know that open houses are loads of fun but I could pretty much tell if a house was a contender or not within the first two minutes of being there. So, who knows. There was quite a mix of visitors, youngish to older, even a fellow equestrian lady who was still in her breeches & riding boots! Also some visitors from Chicago and Michigan. Now to see if any leads come of the visitors this week.....