I stopped by the Fred Segal (FS) on Melrose on Friday afternoon and then Fred Segal in Santa Monica on Saturday afternoon. Some overlap, but different stores and selection of stuff at each Fred Segal since Fred Segal consists of many different boutique-like stores. Some of the prices are way overpriced like t-shirts at $100, with a sale price of $50. I would never spend more than $20 on a good quality t-shirt. I just purchase a whole bunch of long-sleeve crew neck and scoop neck t-shirts (mossimo) at Target for $7.99. It's not the softest t-shirt or the best quality, but I'm willing to compromise for the price. Pants/slacks were $150-300 original price. Shirts were $100-300. To be honest, it was rare to find anything less than $150 original price. You could tell that some clothes were made of cheap material and cheaply made, but it was still $200-300? Perhaps you're paying for the design? I'm such a hypocrite. I just paid $96.34 for a pair of jeans.
Fred segal boutique stores-jewelry, mens store, sunglasses, beauty, childrens, jeans, shoes, bags. Santa Monica FS has more boutiques at 2 separate buildings across the street from each other. I think the main boutique on Melrose had a better selection of clothing than any of the stores in Santa Monica, but as I only bought a pair of jeans. Clothing was scrunched together so tight in such a small space, it was hard to look at them and maneuver around with others shopping right next to you, plus blasting music. oh well, i'll probably re-visit next week when the prices are discounted even more. Usually, the discount at the end of the sale is almost 90% off, but you have to buy 5 items. At these prices with a discount plus 5 items, you still end up spending a couple hundred. oh well, it's only once a year.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Killer Brain Eating Amoeba - MNSBC article
A rare killer amoeba (naeglaria) living in lakes enters the victims' body through the nose and attacks the brain where it feeds until you die. More prevalent as water temp goes up.
People become infected when they wade through shallow water and stir up the bottom. If someone allows water to shoot up the nose — say, by doing a somersault in chest-deep water — the amoeba can latch onto the olfactory nerve. People who are infected tend to complain of a stiff neck, headaches and fevers. In the later stages, they’ll show signs of brain damage such as hallucinations and behavioral changes. Once infected, most people have little chance of survival. Fatal within 2 weeks.
The easiest way to prevent infection is to use nose clips when swimming or diving in fresh water.
People become infected when they wade through shallow water and stir up the bottom. If someone allows water to shoot up the nose — say, by doing a somersault in chest-deep water — the amoeba can latch onto the olfactory nerve. People who are infected tend to complain of a stiff neck, headaches and fevers. In the later stages, they’ll show signs of brain damage such as hallucinations and behavioral changes. Once infected, most people have little chance of survival. Fatal within 2 weeks.
The easiest way to prevent infection is to use nose clips when swimming or diving in fresh water.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
IRS Warns Taxpayers of New E-mail Scams
Below is the sneaky scam email I got today. The link takes you to a website that looks exactly like the official IRS website. This page this link takes you too asks for your SS# as well as Debit card information where the refund will be made to. Too bad the website address was http://196.12.43.105/refunds, not irs.gov. So I figured it out. I wasn't expecting a refund anyway, but be careful.
Scammers are smart. The email address even said it was from the address refunds@irs.gov.
IRS WEBSITE states that Recipients of questionable e-mails claiming to come from the IRS should not open any attachments or click on any links contained in the e-mails. Instead, they should forward the e-mails to phishing@irs.gov. You can also forward suspicious e-mails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov .
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=170894,00.html
Phishing, as it is called, is the act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.
----- Original Message -----
From: Internal Revenue Service (refunds@irs.gov)
Cc: recipient list not shown:
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 5:19 AM
Subject: You are eligible for a refund - Internal Revenue Service ( IRS )
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $211.Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.
You can apply for your refund online here (takes you to a link to website that looks exactly like irs.gov page).
A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline. Please be carefull when entering your data.
Regards, Internal Revenue Service
© Copyright 2007, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A..
Scammers are smart. The email address even said it was from the address refunds@irs.gov.
IRS WEBSITE states that Recipients of questionable e-mails claiming to come from the IRS should not open any attachments or click on any links contained in the e-mails. Instead, they should forward the e-mails to phishing@irs.gov. You can also forward suspicious e-mails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov .
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=170894,00.html
Phishing, as it is called, is the act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.
----- Original Message -----
From: Internal Revenue Service (refunds@irs.gov)
Cc: recipient list not shown:
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 5:19 AM
Subject: You are eligible for a refund - Internal Revenue Service ( IRS )
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $211.Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.
You can apply for your refund online here (takes you to a link to website that looks exactly like irs.gov page).
A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline. Please be carefull when entering your data.
Regards, Internal Revenue Service
© Copyright 2007, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A..
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars (DWTS). I have to admit I've been watching this show on and off for the past couple of seasons. Occasionally entertaining. This show has so much air time. Is it really necessary to have an hour long show on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday? I guess the ratings are pretty high. My tivo is so outdated and can only record one show at a time. I did not know that this show would be on (3rd day) the same time as the new show Back to You (2nd episode) which I missedm because tivo was recording the 1 hour elimation show of DWTS. Damn. I knew that Apollo Ohno was going to win last season on DWTS. You could tell Ian Ziering wanted to win desperately. I wish he had won. That's how bad I felt for him. It is a show for all ages. Unfortunately, they have a lot of wasteful time-fillers which drag the show. I like it much better than some other reality shows like American Idol which I saw last season. I still think Melinda should have one. Jordan was ok, Blake was awful in my opinion, so was his "style". Who did he appeal to?
Entry Level Sound System
Entry Level Home theatre combo to be set up this weekend:
Denon DRA-295 A/V Receiver
Bowers and Wilkins DM 303 Speakers
Denon Dp-29F record player
I'm a newbie.
Denon DRA-295 A/V Receiver
Bowers and Wilkins DM 303 Speakers
Denon Dp-29F record player
I'm a newbie.
Tropical Island Vacation
Just came back from a 4 day vacation on a tropical island. Water was warm. Sun was strong. Very relaxing. Snorkeled and saw a variety of fish, unfortunately I did not see the sea turtle like some others. Half-boogie boarded. Stayed at beautiful house. Merriman's for lunch only $10-20 open M-F from 11:30 to 1:30. Pretty good. Terrible dinner food at Huggos on the Rocks. Over priced restaurant, location great - right on the shore. I ate mostly cooked food I purchased from Costco on first day of my arrival.
Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles Again
Take out from Roscoe's again. Had the 5 drumsticks plus a waffle. Drumsticks were not good yesterday- were refried or were cooked in very old oil. So disappointing. Oh well. I'll still eat here again.
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