Cacophony

I saw this ad on Facebook today when I was looking at a friend's picture. I wonder why this "personalized" ad showed up because nowhere on my profile do I talk about playing World of Warcraft. Ignore the fact that the ad is incredibly misleading and caters acutely to the desperate nature of many gaming nerds for one second and think analytically as to how you would know I was interested in gaming at all if you didn't know anything about me. Is it because I'm a 15-34 year old male? Maybe it checks my browser's site history? This would also explain the massive influx of dating advertisements, although I always assumed that happened because my status says "single" on Facebook. I wonder if all people who are single see those ads. I certainly hope it's not indexing information from links posted on my Facebook profile (I post the link to this blog there as a shameless attempt to get people to read it, obviously), and the notion that it seems to be going off of my browser history is even more intrusive, although it only has potential to become a problem if that information gets shared in other ways besides delivering these personalized ads, especially without my permission.

I guess I should read the terms of service more often, Facebook probably has a "thanks, we now own you" clause when you sign up.

**********************************************

It hasn't been a great week. I was heading downtown to meet Erika and her cousin for a drink but stopped to get cash first. I first planned to deposit a check, but that was the beginning of my trouble. As I searched for envelopes, I figured out that this new ATM required no envelopes. You simply slide the check into a slot, it scans it and marks it as deposited, then kicks it back out to you. This was completely befuddling to me, for several reasons. The screen indicted I had done everything correctly and that my money was now in my bank account. The check was ejected from the machine, along with a receipt I didn't ask for, which said "System Error 74, Contact Your Institution". In my state of confusion, I hastily withdrew the money I needed, and asked for a receipt to verify that the money I had just deposited had actually been accounted for. I normally don't take receipts from ATMs (save a tree and all that) so my entire ATM routine had been torn asunder. Looking at the receipt was depressing enough, but for whatever reason, I felt like taking the cash and receipt was my cue to leave.

It was only when I reached the gas station a mere 10 blocks away that I realized in horror that I no longer had my debit card. I still needed gas regardless of the misplaced card, so goodbye half of the $40 I had just withdrawn. I tried to play it cool, making awkward small talk with the gas attendant (man I'll be happy when I can pump my own gas again), then raced back to the bank. The ATM machine was back to the welcome screen, and my card was nowhere to be found. I recalled as I drove away that a young man had gone up to use the same machine. Whether or not he cleaned out my account (or even had a chance before the ATM swallowed my card for security purposes) is unknown, as I can't remember my online banking info at the time either. My memory is failing me miserably the past few weeks, probably due to stress. I did remember to set out the trash and recycling for my parents tonight though (but forgot last week >_<).

I get so off topic when I write, I can't imagine this being enjoyable for anyone to read. But it helps clear my head, which is very relieving in times when there is already too much in there.

10 things I need to do in the next week:

1. Get a replacement debit card.
2. Find an apartment in SJ.
3. Divide and conquer the ungodly amount of stuff I have in my apt, as far as what comes with me and what gets sold/put in storage.
4. Get on a NORMAL sleep schedule.
5. Re-establish a routine.
6. Continue the job search.
7. Say my farewells to people.
8. Get my relationship with my parents righted so that I know I am leaving with their support (this may be difficult).
9. New brakes for car.
10. Submit CA vehicle registration before March 28th.

There are probably a hundred other things I need to do, but this is a good start.

Bye now.