I don't like liars and thieves, or people who pull a bait and switch

My son spotted a game Steam was selling a game, under the guise of "Pre-Order to save money!" that he requested for his birthday. So, I purchased it for him.

Imagine how we felt when just 6 weeks later, they are selling the game for $20 less and it's a deluxe edition with game packs and addons.

.Hereby transpires my emails to them, their lame assed reply, and my rebuttal.

1 « Message by you on Sat, 29th May 2010 7:31 pm »
I pre-ordered this game as a gift for my son. The adverts gave the impression that to pre-order would save money. Now find that you are NOW selling it for $46 and you get extra games and the deluxe edition of the game.

Not happy at all about this. Had I known you were going to drop the price by so much in just a month or so, and have gotten the entire shebang.

Lame assed reply:

2 « Message by Rudy on Sun, 30th May 2010 1:35 pm »
Hello Sandra,

Thank you for contacting Steam Support.

The terms of the transaction, including the price, were outlined at the time of your purchase. Unfortunately, our billing system is automated and we have no option to offer a partial refund on a game or to apply a credit to your account.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and appreciate your understanding.

My rebuttal:

3 « Message by you on Sun, 30th May 2010 4:25 pm »
Hello Rudy,

Thank you for contacting me.

No inconvenience, but what you did is called a either a "bait and switch" or "sandbagging". You sold the game under the guise that pre-ordering would save money, then turned around and sold a deluxe version for less. You should have offered an upgrade to those who have purchased the lesser version, especially since the game was purchased 6 weeks ago. I don't want a refund.

The excuse of blaming your billing department is lame. I, and the person I purchased the game from, will inform others to not fall for your 'pre-order early to save!' line, and with the word of mouth, especially with online gamers like we are, it will spread.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and appreciate your understanding.

Unfortunately, I was right

Doing another 3.5 hrs of walking around yesterday was too much. Everything from mid-lower back on down was a train wreck. I caved in and took some pain meds, pre-warmed the bed, crawled into it before 10pm, and passed out until almost 9am.

Anyone who knows me knows how unusual that is.

Anyhooo, I got up... slowly, and have been hobbling around the house, using walls to keep me upright. Can't find my old cane, or I would be using that instead.

Maybe *now* he will understand that forcing me to walk up a lot of stairs, up inclines, and ground pound on cement sidewalks for over three hours isn't going to make me all better. It's going to set me back. But you know, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Wow, I am exhausted

But very happy.

Mega Thanks to Bunny_M for taking me to Perth Zoo, and for understanding that my mind wants my legs to run, but a slow steady walk is all they can both do.

Got many good photos, but if I am going to use the telephoto lens, I really need to bring my monopod.

Dayam that Estuarine Crocodile aka Simmo the Salty is a biggun, and it's only 4 meters long! (yeah, right, only).

Bunny, this is the panoramia I made. Full sized image is 40 megs.

It must be that time of the year, because we saw many birds exhibiting courting behavior.

Black Spoon Bills

As much as I fully say kids have the right to visit the Zoo, parents really need to teach them manners. Headed into a few places, where there are signs that say "SHHHH", and the kids would go clomping through, hollering, screaming and yelling. Too many little girls allowed to shriek for no reason in an enclosed building isn't easy on the ears of humans, so can only imagine how the Ghost Bats felt. Also, chasing the birds isn't really all that cute.

And then there was the idiot, that in spite of all the "THIS IS A SMOKE FREE PLACE" signs all over the place, lighting up, and attempting to cup it in your hand to hide it is stupid. The smell of it is very distinct, as is this photograph I took of you trying to hide it.

Even with the screaming kids, and idiot smokers, I still had a great time. And I hope to do it again soon.

Ziggy and Loki

Even though Ziggy isn't snuggling up to Loki, she is never far from him. I think if we move her 'comfy cloth' closer and closer, she will find "Mutually Assured Warming" is a good thing.

Ziggy's eye is improving on a daily basis. There is only a slight difference in the color of the graft compared to the rest of the eye.

Here she is with her favorite 'victims': A roll of paper towels, the phone, a battery charger (whohuhwha?) and an empty treat can. Love the look on Loki's face. How dare she disturb his nap!

KILL IT KILL IT KILL IT!

Interesting question he asked

Aikidomayland asked me, two weeks after the fact, how could I watch my arm being tattooed, and why didn't I flinch when it hurt.

"Dear, after waking up in screaming agony, clawing at the brick walls pain, the slight sting of the tattooist needles was nothing."

Decision time

At the none to gentle insistence of family and friends, I applied to enter some artwork for NatCon50. I submitted a few pieces as my 'job application' and they were accepted.

Now, I am going through all of my digital work. The titles of the ones in the running for submission so far are:

String Theory Rose, Proxima Station 2 ,Anime Mask Graphic Design, Objects May Appear to be Closer, Kneeling Moon Child, Contagion, Seed of Life and Helios Flaring.

Next, will have to check photographs, or maybe even start a project specifically for NatCon50

And he wonders why

The Great Nubbin Hunt hasn't gone all that well, due to the umm selective amnesia of
Aikidomayland
. I wanted to go before pillaging yesterday as I knew that over 2 hours of pillaging (that includes shopping, putting things away, etc) we would be too tired to go out and about.

He kept saying it wouldn't be a problem, so after we came back, put everything away, I waited and waited. He came in and said (care to guess? Nah, too easy) he was tired so could we do it tomorrow.

Silly me, I agreed. So, today, I got up early got everything ready and waited... and waited... and waited. I remind him about it and he nods, and I see him getting into street clothes. So I wait. He starts to fix himself lunch. So I wait. Then he starts watching a movie??!! WTF?

I got angry. Not loud angry, but that cold quiet. That don't-you-dare-even-look-at-me quiet. Suddenly he's all "What?"

When I mention his selective amnesia, he suddenly remembers and off we go! Of course, the shots are rushed, not too great, and I didn't get to most of the well known Perth/Fremantle landmarks.

So, after we came home, and I calmed down, I said "So there is no misunderstanding, I want to go to Perth city, to certain known landmarks, ie the Bell Tower, the 'Giant Cheese Grater", the odd funky modern sculpture, maybe the Zoo." and a few other places.

I'm gonna see about getting into Perth, and maybe the Zoo, and to not let
Aikidomayland
sabotage yet another thing he isn't to interested in doing. So, if there are any
Sanctuary
fans out there local to me, who would like to play, let me know?

The Gleam in her eye

As you can see, Ziggy's eye is just fine. The only evidence of the surgery is a small area that reflects the flash. That area was twice that size just 10 days ago, and and completely opaque. Dr Sherry said the graft will get clearer and clearer, to the point she might only have a slight fog discoloration, and with luck (and we have had a lot of that with her) none at all.

On thing the injury and subsequent surgery has done: made her a helluva lot friendlier with the family here. She isn't ducking when being petted, and is much more out in the open. She and Loki are getting along well, as a bonus. She'll never be a lap cat, but she is affectionate.

Sanctuary Fans.. anyone?

I am taking part in a fannish Sanctuary bit of fun. The Great Nubbin Hunt. These are nubbins

One of these is a globe trotter, and it's latest port of call is with yours truly here.

Nubbin with it's 'passport'.

Now, the object of "The Great Nubbin Hunt" is to take photographs of the Nubbin playing tourist, taking photos, getting a post card, some local stamps, and to send it to it's next port of call.

Had to put the Nubbin back in its 'travel box' as Ziggy seems very interested in it.

Ziggy home, happy and coneless!

I don't know who is happier. Ziggy, or Aikidomayland .

Ziggy with her human. and her favorite toy... a sheet of bubblewrap to pop.

YAY!

The stitches! They are out! The graft is firmly healed, it will take a while before it goes transparent, but it's no longer in danger of detaching. Dr Sherry said that Ziggy was so well behaved, and the eye so well healed, that she didn't even need anesthesia to remove the stitches.

And... The Cone Of DOOOOOOOOM is gone!

Aw dang

Black Sabbath singer Ronnie James Dio dead at 67

RONNIE James Dio, solo artist and former vocalist for Black Sabbath, died yesterday following a battle with stomach cancer at the age of 67.
In a statement on Dio’s official website, his wife Wendy Dio wrote that her heart was broken.
“Today my heart is broken," she wrote.

"Ronnie passed away at 7:45am [on Sunday] 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.”
“Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all," the statement continued.

"We so appreciate the love and support that you all have given us.

"Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss. Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

Dio began his career in rockabilly and doo-wop bands before performing with the hard rock bands Elf and Rainbow. In 1979, after leaving Rainbow, Dio replaced original vocalist Ozzy Osbourne in the pioneering U.K. heavy metal band Black Sabbath. Dio formed his eponymous solo project in 1982, scoring a big hit and popular MTV video with Rainbow in the Dark. Dio returned to Black Sabbath temporarily in 1992 to record the album Dehumanizer.

In 2006, Dio and his former Sabbath bandmates recorded an album and toured under the moniker Heaven and Hell, also the title of Black Sabbath’s first album with Dio.

Wendy Dio announced Dio’s stomach cancer diagnosis in November 2009.

Waiting to hear from the vet

We are hoping that Ziggy's corneal graft has healed enough for the stitches to come out, and the cone to be removed.

I think Loki is keeping her place warm for her.

Think Ink!

Yesterday, after many months of planning, drawing, redrawing and finalizing designs, Aikidomayland and I went to Holdfast Tattoo and had our tattoos done.

So, with no futher ado...

My new tattoo: Native American design depicting the Sun and Wind.






Aikidomayland
new tattoo: The characters are Ai Ki Do. (ignore the shipping parcel on the floor behind him)

I had to

Oh yum

A chocolate kitty, in a chocolate basket, with chocolate bedding.

Purrrrrrrrrrr

Ziggy, a little over 2 weeks post op

The eye is healing nicely. Some parts of the graft are turning clear, and there is no sign of infection. With luck, the "Cone of DOOOOOOOOM!" will come off next Tuesday.

Here is the patient. Colors are muted as I didn't use the flash on the camera, as her eye is a bit touchy with bright lights.

Wow, did that go by fast

Just finished up my 5 week study with Pro photographer. So much learned in such a short time! Now it's a matter of putting the instructions and lessons to use.

Also, he will be holding another one for intermediate/advanced. Oh yes, I will be signing up for that one when the time comes.

See, they can get along

Now that Simba has learned what a bed is for, he has decided that snugging up with the other boys (Loki is the one using Keito's rump for a pillow) on a cold night is a good idea.

Lucy showed up some time later that night, and I was pinned under the blankets because of two adult cats on either side of me. It was like being under restraining sheets. Will be teaching Lucy and Simba that 'human needs to shift position every once in a while'.

*sigh* Hefty dose of self pity here

I don't get along with my mother. There are good sane reasons for me to not have contact with her. Even so, I sent her a bouquet of flowers and a card for Mother's Day.

Maybe sometime after my funeral, my kids will remember me on Mother's day, but yanno, I kind of doubt it.

And I'm not the only one pissed off at this.

A message to LJ Admin

I am annoyed.. no, angry, that LiveJournal is tracking my activities on LJ via "outboundlink.net". And if I block that invasion of my privacy, links to photographs and sites posted in entries don't work.

I know that LJ Admin has pulled some pretty nasty shenanigans (censorship, purging blogs for erroneous reasons), but this is just going too far.

I don't want my browsing tracked by you, or anyone. Remove the new code. Please (said with teeth gritted). I would rather not have the links work, than have my activities monitored. No, I am not doing anything illegal or immoral, but neither do I want total strangers keeping track of me!

TwistedBrush Mother's Day special sale!

TwistedBrush Pro Studio is available at a special reduced price of only $89 until May 31st!

Visit the Pixarra order page at http://www.pixarra.com/order.html to take advantage of this special.

You can still download it and try it for 90 days (first 30 days, then ask Ken Carlino for a special extended trial key.)

No, I don't work for them but I do like this painting program. And with the latest program updates makes it a photo editor on par with many of the big guns.

In the interest of preventing another injury to Ziggy

Or to Simba, for that matter, we have arranged a 'time share' of the house for the cats.

Weather permitting, between 7am+/- to 7pm-ish, Simba and Lucy go out to the pet enclosure and Ziggy has free run of the house. 7pm-ish until the following morning, Ziggy is in the lounge with door closed, and Simba/Lucy have run of the house. It's working nicely.

We have also had another breakthrough with Simba. He has finally learned what a bed is for, that it isn't a litter tray, but something to sleep on.

I saw him slowly climb up on the bed, considering his past history on my bed, and the fact he has been snugging up to my legs at night, I decided to take a chance and left him to his own devices.

He was using my handbag as a pillow. :)

Adobe Photoshop CS5

I have been experimenting with it, and all I can say "It's about time!" What I do find funny is that it's incorporated some features I have already been using for about a year in TwistedBrush.

I kind of like how the big guy is trailing behind the smaller company.

So far the only irksome things:

1: there is no Lens presets for Lumix cameras. I have all the info how to make a custom preset, but still, they really needed to add Panasonic cameras to their list.

2: Still need to use a custom action to remove purple fringing from back lit photographs.

I think between PS and TB, I am good to go for just about all photography and artwork.

10 years ago today

When I was living in the US, Aikidomayland 's nickname was 'Roo'. That nickname stuck, and our net friends still call him that.

After corresponding with each other for the better part of 4 years, and then visiting, we both decided to fly me and mine over to RooLand. I arrived on the 4th of May, 2000.

I guess you could say "May the Fourth Be with Roo!"

Happy Anniversary to us!

You'd think I would learn, yes?

A few years ago, as many know, after doing some house cleaning (I got tired of the constant promises to help and the growing mess so I did it all myself in one day. Left me gasping in pain by the end of the day) and less than a week later, the damaged disc from a motorcycle accident collapsed. You'd think the males living at the same house would remember this too, and not want to have a repeat performance, yes?

Aw hell no. So yesterday, I went to Tai Chi. For the first time in a while, my back started spasming and it was so tight, it hurt to take a deep breath. Why? Because on Sunday I got tired of waiting for help to clean, and couldn't stand the condition of the floors anymore. So, I vacuumed and mopped.

You'd think I'd learn, yes?

Ouch

Ziggy, 4 Days Post Op

Dr Sherry was thrilled with how well and fast the graft is healing. Blood supply is feeding all the way to the edges and the edges are holding nicely.

He did say that the graft will look worse before it gets better, but looks is the operative term. It will get redder in appearance due to more blood supply while it heals. Once the healing is all done, all that will remain is a pinpoint of white scar tissue.

Ziggy looked relieved when he took the cone off to examine her eye... and very peeved when it went back on.

Three days post op

Ziggy's eye has progressed to the "maddening itch of healing" stage. Poor muffin is shaking her head, trying to find some way to rub her face/eye, all to no avail.

All I can do for her is get a warm, lightly soaped paper towel, and clean out the "Cone of DOOOOOM", and maybe rub her cheek under the eye. It seems to soothe her a little bit.  She hates the eyedrops, but they're for her own good.

Still, even with all this discomfort and misery, she finds time to 'have a happy'.

Here she is padding on her blankie.