Really... I'm not THAT cool.  You really don't wanna me ME?!?!?!

So, today when I checked my voice mail, I had quite the surprise.  Someone was misrepresenting themself as me.

Here's the deal...

There's a fairly common scam out there where some jerk posts an ad for a rental - usually it's a really awesome place for really cheap.  The ad rarely has a phone number to call, but sometimes will post a fake foreign number.  Not wanting to call the uber long distance number, an interested party will email the person posting the ad.  It usually goes something like this:

Innocent: I'm interested in your place for rent.

Jerk:  I'm a foreign owner and out of town.  Walk by and check the place out but don't bother the residents; they don't know I'm kicking them out.  They're really horrible tennants.

Innocent: Oh... okay.

The innocent person checks out the house.  The house is great.  It's an awesome price. They totally want it!

Innocent:  I really liked the place!  How do I apply?

Jerk:  You sound nice and responsible.  If you send me the deposit I will send you the key to the address you tell me to.  If you want, I can email you a copy of the deed (fake fake fake and did I mention fake) to prove I'm the owner.

Believe it or not some people have fallen for this.

Today, someone posted one of these ads using MY NAME and created an email address using "myname" @ emailprovider.com.  Fortunately, the jerk posting the ad posted my ACTUAL phone number (I'm sure he lifted it from past Open House ads); so, when people called about the ad I was able to warn them about the scam.

The only thing that bothers me is that s/he has an email using my name.  I contacted the email provider.  I let my company know.  I filed a police report.  I'm certain if any unfortunate soul should fall for the scam I've protected myself from liability; however, it still sucks to know that there are bastards out there who would do things like this... sucks even more to think they're trying to use my name while doing it...

-Daniel.

Alright, so it's just about 2:30 and I just got home a little while ago from my bestest friend Jenn's birthday. 

We went to Bonsai for dinner and stayed afterwards for when it transitions into a lounge/club; it was my first time and I think it's pretty nice for a smaller establishment.  The atmosphere is fairly laid back but they do have a dress code, "Casual Chic" ...  Vague much?  I ended up wearing slacks and a short sleeve button down.  They let me in, so I must have been within the acceptable critera.  Oh, I should also mention that there's a $10, post 10pm.

Our group had to have been easily 30 heads but everyone kinda sorta knew everyone else to some extent or another; so, even though there were so many of us it still ended up feeling pretty intimate.  Until...

At just about 10:30ish, this dude rolls in with a full entourage - I'm talking tons of people including a videographer and a few photographers.  He strut in, hit the dance floor and started busting a mad move with SEVERAL girls.  I'll admit they were pretty good dancers; however, it was a little too much when he started grinding up on a girl who straddled across a banister.  Anyway, everyone started wondering who the heck this guy was.

Decent looking, well dressed, black dude with an entourage...  Who's in town that fits that description?  The whispers that started to cross the room were that he might be a well known musician, who just happens to be in town for a recent concert... Tons of people start swarming him and I'm amused as hell at the spectacle that's arising.  I'm not easily star struck since I've met a few celebrities and I can't help but giggle a little watching people trying to get near him and (no doubt) in his camera frame.

Through all the chaos one of my past colleauges Jin finds me and is like, "Dude what's the story with this guy? Is that... Neo?"  Just as he's completing his sentence a cocktail server who's standing next to him chokes back a laugh.  Nice try, but we caught the tip off and press her for information.  She tells us that the guy is no one special...

Apparently, there's a service that will book you a limo, an entourage, photogrpahers and even dancers, so that you can experience "celebrity"; oh yeah, and they also make you a MUSIC VIDEO!!!  Jin and I looked at each other like two kids who just found out the BEST SECRET EVER. "So he BOUGHT his cool?!?!?!"  We're both floored and start laughing our asses off.  The next thing you know, the two of us are filling in our other friends on the details.  I think the prize for best reaction goes to Maybelle who buckled over in laughter and I swear had to fight back a few tears from laughing so hard!

After that, the rest of the night was pretty calm in comparison. The DJ was decent but you really can't do much damage playing top 40; it was a bit more mainstream than what I have in my iPod, but I'm easy to please.  As long as I can dance to it, I'm good and boy did I dance!

The lady of the evening, Ms Jenn, seemed to have a blast.  She danced, drank, socialized and even managed to flirt with a few boys.  She might have ended up talking with at least one more hottie but someone we'll call... Fera... accidentally C*Blocked him as he was trying to say, "Hi.".  It was an honest mistake; so, we'll have to give her a break.  Hehe.

The burning question is probably how old the birthday girl turned; however, I'd prefer not to be crucified.  Thus, that information shall remain undisclosed.  I will say that she's really quite young at heart and within months of my own age.  I am 27 or at least that's what people say...

All in all, it was a great time.  I hope Jenn had as much fun as she seemed to be having and that tomorrow will be a smooth day free of a hangover!