Bought and Sold by Earthlink

I just cancelled my Earthlink account, after 6+ months of not using it (and now I have DSL and loving it). When I signed up for the Earthlink account 3 years ago, I received an email address, but since I already had a yahoo account, I never used it. I'll repeat that: I NEVER used the Earthlink email account. For anything. Ever.

Can anyone explain to me why this email address that I never used has more than 100 spam messages in the inbox? I never signed into any website, signed up for any program, or ordered any product using this email account, so the only way that it could have been added to any spammer lists is if Earthlink itself sold it. Funny that they were charging me 22 bucks a month for the account when they were making money off this email address that I never used. That is lame.

Ever gone back and read your diaries?

I did, and it was a weird and enlightening experience. To see who I was so long ago...for instance, I just read the diary I was working on when I got my current job, 6 years ago. It is funny, when I saw the job announcement, I wasn't too excited about the job, then I interviewed and was certain that I didn't get the job, and secretly hoped that I wouldn't because I didn't think I was completely qualified. I read about, and re-lived the day that they told me I got the position, and showed me my office--that was the part I emphasized, not the people I met, but that I had an OFFICE (a word that was underlined about 6 times). I can't believe how childish I sound, when I thought I was so mature back then (I was 24 at the time).

I even read some of the stuff I wrote in high school and college. I was so full of angst. How very 90's of me...

Pickle it up!

I just had lunch at Mr. Pickle's Sandwich Shop. I am a huge fan--really tasty sandwiches. Their menu is great. I had the Golden Gate today, a warm chicken sandwich with jack cheese, teriyaki sauce, jack cheese and veggies. So yummy! It is drippy, so you have to assume the hunch position to eat it or wear it home with you.

There are lots of interesting options--I might try the Got Beef next time (roast beef, pastrami, and melted jack cheese) or the Hot "T" (hot turkey, melted pepper jack, baja and cranberry sauces). There are many sandwiches that center around avocados, but alas, I will not be able to experience them (deathly allergic to avos). They also offer warm fresh chocolate chip cookies, a wide variety of chips and all sorts of drinks.

My niece likes their mascot, a 6 foot tall pickle in a chef's hat. The place, which opened a few months ago next to the new Starbucks on Adobe Rd. is usually packed, though on a weekday around 1:30 or later it seems to quiet down. The first time I went, on a Saturday around lunch time it was a zoo--but everyone always greets you as you walk in, no matter how busy they are.

I have a confession...

I am letting you know...this is hard...that I really, really like Harry Potter. That's right. I am a giant Harry Potter nerd. I have read all of the books a couple of times now, watched the movies countless times, listen to www.mugglenet.com podcasts and check the site at least a couple times a week to see if there is any new Potter news. I sometimes even find myself pondering the wizarding world. It is sad, pathetic. I know it. I am seeking help.