cindy's world

Tah-dah!!!

As you can tell, I did it. I got an offer that I couldn’t turn down. My ex came through BIG TIME. (No, not that one.) Through some connections, I got an offer (through the phone) from Longo Lexus for an IS350 with navigation system, which I wasn’t even considering because I couldn’t afford it (it was either gonna be the IS250 with nav or IS350 without), and the offer was lower than what I’d expected to pay for the 250. Just on a whim, I then called another dealership that had internet sales specials, and that guy gave me a quote on the same car for $200 less than the connection’s quote! I was pretty set to go on that, but I called the connection guy back as a courtesy to let him know to not bother running financing numbers for me. That guy, once I told him the offer I got from the 2nd dealership, told me to hold on while he checked for permission to go below what he’d been authorized, then called me back within minutes and beat the last guy by $111. So we took off and drove there. The car was being primped and gassed while I signed some paperwork that was already laid out for me, credit check was run and my amazing credit score was 127 points higher than what qualified for their best financing offer, so I got the lowest APR ever offered to me by any Lexus dealer I’ve spoken to, with 5 work days to find a better offer to switch over financing without penalty. Costco’s car loans, by the way, seems to be 2.5% lower than the best dealership offer on Lexuses. So I’m gonna get that going in the beginning of the week and drive up a check to the dealership.

I bought that car sight-unseen without a test drive. The drive home was amazing. It was quiet, the dealership guy programmed my home as the first hot-key destination for the navigation system, my cell phone has been synchronized to the car via Bluetooth and I can now take calls thru the car’s speakers without ever taking the phone out of my purse, the ride was smooth and the car is incredibly responsive to the gas pedal. There are so many luxury things inside and around that car that I’m having trouble absorbing it all into my head. Perks like starting the ignition with a push-button instead of a key-turn, and oh yes, oil changes that will come to YOU, at your home, place of business, school, wherever, without an additional fee. So I can have my oil changed while I work and have it done before lunchtime, and I don’t miss a beat in my day. The navigation is wonderful, too, the way she talks to me and dings at me to alert me to when to turn and how many lanes are on the freeway, and which side the freeway entrance is on. My only complaint is that gas mileage is crap compared to my Accord, but everything else is so sweet I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I haven’t even seen my new car in daylight yet. Can’t wait.

Many thanks for doing research, listening to me contemplate the decision aloud, offering advice, tolerating me re this car purchase, to Mr. W, Gary, James, Dwaine, Diana, Jordan, Vicky. And of course, all the blog readers who had to read all these posts. The salesguy, Martin, is awesome; extremely efficient, no-nonsense, funny, informed and informative. Let me know if any of you want his info for your own purchase!

Yesterday after work, I went over to Mr. W’s house, we grabbed his daughter and went to a local college where she was taking Geometry as summer school to fulfill a HS requirement, she dropped off a transcript request order, and we went to dinner at Orange Mining Company. In those drives, I must’ve passed 6 or 7 Infiniti G35 Coupes on the road. When we were parked at the restaurant, there were two immediately next to us! I don’t want to buy a car that has apparently already saturated the SoCal driving market! Okay, Lexus IS it is.

Yeah, I’m thinking of cars again. #1 enticement is that Mr. W wants to buy my current car as a starter car for his kids, and he could pay a tad more than a dealership would give me as a trade-in, but less than if he were to buy this car off the market. #2 enticement is that my ex (no, that THAT one) has some connections to car dealership people and he’s trying to find me a good deal. I hope that happens. I also discovered that if you’re a Costco member, you can go thru Costco to affiliated dealerships and pay just $500 over dealer invoice for a car. So it looks like the most I’d be paying is $500 over invoice even if my ex’s connections don’t go thru. AND…I think I can do this without touching my prior fund that I was gonna break to make this purchase with.

Strangely, tho, the car that still keeps turning my head is the new Civic Coupe (2006 North American Car of the Year). I can’t get a Civic, tho, it’d be like trading down; I’d lose 10 horses, it’s still 4 cylinders. It IS darn affordable, tho, and it gets 30 miles in the city, 40 miles on the highway.

I got a comment on my site from someone who received a letter from Ms. Elizabeth and decided to do some research on her online, and the search engine brought him to this post of mine.

Curious how high up I ranked in the search engine for him to have stumbled upon my site, I googled “Miss Elizabeth.” All the hits were on some recently deceased wrestler named Miss Elizabeth. I then added the word “psychic” to the end of my search words and voila!, directly underneath the 2nd hit of Miss Elizabeth’s solicitious (I know that’s not a word, but it should be) web page itself, were my two posts on her in Cindy’s World.

I also found this scam site listed right after mine, 4th one down on the list, which lists her and 3 other mail “psychic” scammers. I’ve already received a similar mail solicitation from a Dr. Marissa Von Trapp, which means I’m likely waiting for 2 more, from a Skye Alexander and a Maria Duval. Because those 2 names sound familiar to me, I’m not sure I didn’t already receive solicitations from them in the past and just discarded them because they were SO poorly written.

I guess my spirit guide saw to it I got more of my curiosity answered: how many people are getting letters from Marissa Von Trapp, and are they identical? I guess they’re identical enough, and have reached a broad enough audience, to have made a discussion thread on its infamy google-able.

The sky was cloudier till later this morning, making the day cooler overall. Even when the white gave way to blue, the winds that played with my hair kissed me with coolness. A car salesman shook my hand as Mr. W and I strolled by, greeting me as “Smiley.” The man and I walked about the neighborhood for almost an hour and wandered through the many blocks of car dealerships displaying their colorful mechanical wares like an exotic bazaar. Bargaining was going on around us, but we were content with just the air slipping through our fingers of one hand with the other’s hand in the other. Commenting on the different cars, appearances, gas mileage, improvements (or not) over the years, we ended the talk on how all that is needed to feel content sometimes is a walk in the sunshine with your loved one, and a breeze to dry your sweat off.

I picked up another letter this morning (delivered yesterday) from our psychic solicitor, Miss Elizabeth. It is the exact same letter as last time. I opened it and looked all the contents and little notes over, just in case Miss Elizabeth had gotten a second and more urgent prompting from the archangel Michael to help me. Nope. Even the opening is the same. Apparently at 9:30 p.m. this past Tuesday night as well, I’d unconsciously cried out in despair for help. In reading this, I even briefly entertained the possibility that the first letter was clairvoyant and premature and THIS letter was a real response to my actual dilemma. So let’s see… when was I emotionally distraught this past week? I believe it was Sunday night. Tuesday night at 9:30 p.m., I was bored to heck watching V for Vendetta with Mr. W in his living room, and around that time would’ve been when I’d given up on the movie and gone to take a shower, whereas Mr. W was still intrigued in the darkness of all the unsympathetic characters. So yeah, strike 2, Miss E. And it again reaffirms my earlier decision not to believe all the mumbo jumbo scare tactics she used in her letter to con money out of me. My spirit guide speaks louder than her letters claiming she rubs elbows with archangels.

I must be on 2 separate mailing lists she bought, or maybe my name appears differently so it looks like 2 different people. Like maybe one had a middle initial on it or something. Or maybe a higher power simply answered a question I had — how many people does she send this to, and are all the letters exactly the same? Apparently, she sends out tons of these and yes, they’re all the same.

Coincidentally or ironically, I also got notification in my email this morning that someone had commented (can’t tell if it’s spam) on the original post about Miss Elizabeth’s letter. I’ve left that comment up on that post.

Is it just me, or are hot men who wink at you even hotter for doing that?!

Okay, I test drove the Lexus IS250. I didn’t feel that it had any more power with its 54 more horses than my current Accord. James had suggested that I don’t have power to pass cars on the freeway because I’m not stepping hard enough on my gas. He said the power comes after 85% of the pedal is pushed, and I’m supposed to feel a click or something. I’ve never felt a click. Well, after that disappointing test drive (the only thing that disappointed was the power not being that different; the car itself and the navigation system was very nice. Oh, and the interest rates that Lexus is offering, 7%-8% regardless of credit score, was disappointing also), I decided to experiment with my car. I pushed the gas pedal down on the freeway, and my car had a little burst of speed! Holy moly. I feel just a little bit lame.

I still want to test-drive the Infiniti. Just to see.

I spent a lot of time this morning researching sporty luxury cars. I’m leaning heavily toward the Lexus IS 350 or 250, depending on whether the 100 extra horses feel worth the $5000 price difference during a future test drive. A close second, possibly also to be decided during a test drive, is the Infiniti G35 Coupe. It’s got less horsepower (-26) than the Lexus IS 350, but it’s also 500 lbs lighter, so it may not need as much torque to get going. It’s also $3000 less than the IS 350. But it’s $1500 more than the IS 250, and way less fuel efficient than both Lexuses.

Here’s what’s holding me back:
– can’t justify new car when my current car is running just fine
– haven’t had a car payment in 6 years and don’t really want to start again
– my cousin services my Honda and I don’t want to give up maintenance perks to switch to a non-Honda
– spending 35 Gs on a car means no investment real estate for me for awhile
– there’s no tax/financial benefit to spending dough on a car! I can’t write that sucker off.
– I feel sorry for my poor faithful car, which is in great condition presently

Here’s what’s pushing me toward it:
– my current car is 8 years old, and my parents are saying it’s about time I got something new
– I can spare the money; I’m not supporting anyone, mortgage pretty low, no debt (except the mortgage), not saving up for anything special/big
– I want a new toy

But 3-4 years of payment is a long commitment. =( And I don’t need a new car. Maybe I’ll go visit some dealerships and see if they make me a deal I can’t refuse.

I got a most amazing letter in the mail yesterday from a “Miss Elizabeth.” The envelope contains a long computer-generated letter (single-spaced, longer than legal-size length, front and back, with lots of bold-faced type scattered over the sheet); a pink Post-It sized paper with the pre-printed header of “A personal note from Miss Elizabeth” except that instead of being a personal note, the note was computer-printed in a different color ink in a font that looks like handwriting; a 1/3 page flyer entitled “Miss Elizabeth’s $1,000.00 Challenge!” on which she challenges any psychic to “match their skills against” her own and “the first psychic who can reveal powers that stronger, faster, more accurate or effective in any manner than Miss Elizabeth will receive $1,000.00 on the spot” and a statement that all five $1K challenges she designated to each corner of the globe remain unclaimed; an actual contract she claims is legally binding printed on a little slip of paper that says her prophesies and miracles will come true; and a return envelope (not self-stamped).

In her letter, Miss Elizabeth apparently employs the scare tactic. It opens with “You’re in serious trouble Cindy, Tuesday night at 9:30 I heard your desperate scream for help.” I thought back to Tuesday. I was irritated at work, complained to my friends while at the grocery store after work, came home, made myself soup because I was too late for jujitsu, and fell asleep in front of the TV at oh, about 8:45p. So if I cried for help, it must’ve been in a nightmare that I don’t recall having. Miss Elizabeth then gets more specific with what she meant by my scream for help. “I felt your loneliness, heartache, despair and betrayal.” Oh, that’s so two years ago. “Most of all I felt your worry and frustration.” Can you come up with any other negative adjectives and hope that you’ll hit upon ONE coincidentally that a stranger may be feeling? Let’s play the odds. Unfortunately for her, I was feeling none of these things. My life’s actually going along peacefully, and I’m happily content. “Then the Archangel Michael grabbed me and said out loud, ‘Cindy [my last name] needs a miracle!‘ ”

Another paragraph: “It’s no wonder all the others failed you so miserably.” What others? “Your case is serious business. One of the more difficult I’ve come across lately. I’m surprised it took this long for you to get to me. I’m the savior of lost causes.” Why, I never! Did she just call me a lost cause?!

“Given my stature and the tremendous demand for my miraculous intervention, I accept new clients on only the rarest of occasions and then only by the strongest of referrals. It is rare for even I to receive a vision of Archangel Michael requesting intervention on one’s behalf. As such, you come to me with the highest possible reference, Cindy.” I wonder how many other people the Archangel Michael is supposely intervening on behalf of according to Miss Elizabeth’s solicitations. Let’s see…the postage stamp on the envelope is labeled “Presorted First-Class,” so doesn’t that mean it’s a bulk mailing? If Archangel Michael were a regular human in the United States, he’d probably sue for her wrongful and unauthorized use of his name for her personal gain.

Scare tactic again: “I’ve done some home work so I know what we’re up against, Cindy.” Oh, we’re a team now! “Many negative energies are impacting you. Years of minor jinxes, curses, negative thought forms and even a spell are weighing on you. None are tremendously powerful alone but together they are bothersome and the cause of your current struggles.” I’m currently struggling? “Of greater concern is a dark spot I see in your aura. This appears to be a malicious entity that is growing in power. If not dealt with, this will begin to cause you pain and heartache in approximately six weeks.” AUGH! Get it off! Get it offfff! *stomp stomp*

Here is where divine intervention, if any, steps in to tell me she’s a fraud and to not buy into this: “I know that your heart is heavy concerning finances. Take comfort in the fact that I have seen tremendous wealth miraculously coming your way. During prayer, I uncovered one wealth miracle after another for you, Cindy. I have seen you first awestruck by your amazing instant prosperity. Then I have seen you celebrating. Finally I have seen you happy and content with the absolute peace of mind that unlimited resources provides you.”
“The wealth I speak of comes from such surprising places that you are shocked. However, I am absolutely, positively certain about what I have witnessed for you. This prosperity immediately changes your life. The wealth miracles begin within 72 hours of our working together. They grow in size on a daily basis until your riches are of biblical porportion.” If anyone knows me, they know that 1) my cross in this life is not financial. It is emotional. I don’t have money issues. 2) If anything, tremendous wealth turns me off in others, and scares me if it’s my own. Money has a way of changing people around you and changing your character if you’re not strong enough. Money brings problems. Money brings drama, and I definitely don’t want more drama.

Another place in the letter says “I am a world famous miracle worker of all affairs of the heart. My secrets create instant love miracles. I reunite lovers, absolutely stop divorces and return lost loves forever. 36 hours and anyone you desire will be faithfully devoted to you for life. No matter how severe your broken heart, I will instantly solve your every need.” You know how terrifying this is to me? Imagine if someone had hurt me so badly, nearly killed me in a relationship, and I crawled through hell and back finally with barely enough strength to drag my bloodied tattered carcass out of a bad situation, to have gone through intensive therapy and cocooning for emotional and psychological recovery, and just because this jerk found some psychic, they can manipulate me to go back to that crap hell-hole? No one should have that power. No one. And that includes me. We are all here on our personal journeys, no one is better than another, we all learn and we all deal. There’s not a person who’s “meant” to be someone else’s love slave and to give up their own personal and spiritual journey to be someone else’s pet, especially when that someone else was dumb enough to mess up the relationship and lose the person to begin with.

So anyway, Miss Elizabeth wants to offer me this “perfect life,” “perfect” as defined by a flawed human. “Now there is only one thing you must do in order to live this perfect life. You must answer this letter, today. Replying to this letter is the most important thing you will ever be asked to do. Immediately upon receiving your reply, I will begin my work to destroying evil and filling your life with answered prayers, fulfilled wishes, love and wealth.” Okay, so she’s hit upon everything an average person could possibly be unhappy about: despair, loneliness, betrayal, money problems, love problems, curses. Oh yeah. She’s really “done her homework” on me.

I’m supposed to return the bottom of the form with a $25 fee. She invites me to wish for anything to test her out, claims that she won’t fail, no matter how outlandish the wish. It’ll come true in 36 hours pursuant to her “contractual guarantee”. So let’s see. If I wish I’d win millions in the state lotto and it doesn’t come true, I’ll go to her and complain, and she’ll give me the maximum of my investment back. $25. So she loses $25 on me, but maybe 100 other people roll their eyes at not having won the lotto either, chalks it up to “I knew it was too good to be true, it was an outlandish wish anyway,” and don’t bother to bug her about her “contractual guarantee.” She gets to keep $2500. It’s not like she’s asking for $1000 that people would actually bother to claim when their “miracles” don’t happen. People would let $25 go, feeling stupid for falling for it to begin with and they wouldn’t even admit to anyone they lost $25 to a mail order psychic. Plus, the other things she says she’ll do, cleanse the aura, rid you of curses, give you a sacred prayer, how do you verify any of those things?

I think the miracle of the receipt of this solicitation is that it made me evaluate my life and made me realize that I’ve got it good right now. So thanks for that, Miss E.

One of the girls in belly dancing class blurted out, “If you guys want [Indian] skirts you can get ’em at Susie’s Deals for five bucks! They have a whole rack of ’em!” So that’s where Vanessa and I went after class and caught the place 20 minutes before it closed.

I went NUTS. 5 Indian skirts, beautiful fabric and colors, some with bells on them, some with metallic weave; 3 ribbed cotton tanktops; 1 satin beaded spaghetti-strap tanktop, $40.95 out the door.

Good thing those skirts are in style now, too. I get double use out of ’em.