Shane Holden » Rants/Opinions

Credit Card Fraud

Shane — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:14:23 +0000

I received a call this evening from a 800 number that was supposedly fraud detection for a credit card I have. I’m always reluctant to give a recording any information that it asks for, like my social security number, full account number, etc. so I just called the number on the back of my card to verify. I listened to all of the recent charges, and sure enough, there was an unusual charge for $280ish from a sports place international or something. It amazes me how they were able to suspect fraud, considering this card has been used from all places between Dalton and Chicago in recent days. Not only this time, but even with the recent trips to Missouri and Minnesota.

And to the scammers out there, you guys are good. I wouldn’t even know what to do with someones credit card number if I were even interested in trying to rip someone off, especially considering if you are trying to buy something you would want to be able to receive it. So how you guys get away with this is beyond me, but when you do get caught for scamming someone, I hope you get busted, big time.

Eminem: Recovery

Shane — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 02:16:15 +0000

The latest release from Eminem, Recovery, has quickly become my favorite album from him thus far. I do as I always do, and pick a few songs that quickly become my favorites, which include Going Through Changes, Space Bound, 25 To Life, and Love The Way You Lie. Eminem is one of those artists that I think you either love or hate, whether it be because of the type of music, or the language or lyrics in his songs, but one thing is hard to deny, most all of his songs have a great beat to them. It’ll be interesting to see whether this release can help prevent the music industry from collapsing, as some have predicted.

GM Dumps Chevy Name

Shane — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:06:28 +0000

General Motors has banned the use of the Chevy name in all of its corporate communications. From now on, the bow-tie brand will go by its proper name, Chevrolet.

Personally, I think this is a great move. While nicknames are always great, they can be confusing and/or misleading to those that have no idea about them, and may actually cause someone to think that there are two different brands entirely. I also feel that the proper name of ‘Chevrolet’ has much more of a professional feel to it rather than ‘Chevy’, especially when preceding a model, such as Chevrolet Corvette.

Season/Series Finales

Shane — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:52:37 +0000

The only thing I hate about getting caught up in a show is it’s finales. Whether it’s a season finale with a hiatus between the seasons, or an entire series finale, they are inevitable and no fun.

Survivor’s finale was last night, and while they called it their best season yet, I don’t think I can necessarily agree. But it is hard to choose a best season when the dynamics change so much between the players, their strategies, the elements, and the players personalities. I hated to see that the final 3 were all quite possibly millionaires, given that Russel was without a doubt one, and Parvati and both Sandra already having won the game of Survivor previously. Of course though, that was already a gripe of mine when the season started, and one of the negatives that come with letting people play the game multiple times. Regardless, it was a great season, and I’m glad to see that there will be a 21st season in the fall.

There’s only 3.5 hours left of LOST, and I’m anxious to see how it all ends—how many questions are going to be left unanswered, and whether the ending that they choose for it will give the show the justice that it deserves.

Dear Uncle Sam

Shane — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:46:55 +0000

I’ve enclosed a check for the remainder of taxes that I owe you. Please use this money as best you can to ensure that our current wars are continued indefinitely, you continue your expansion and takeover of our medical system and whatever other private sectors you deem necessary, and you continue to pay our legislatures their high price tag to pass such wonderful and much needed legislation. Please continue to erode away our liberties and freedoms, because I know you have my best interests at heart, and please don’t forget to spend much more than what I’m sending you on my behalf to ensure that our National Debt continues to rise as fast as it has in recent months.

With much sarcasm,
Shane

Crazy Credit Card

Shane — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:21:48 +0000

Check out this payment information from the statement on one of my credit cards. I’ve never ever been late on a payment, and have actually never carried a balance on the card, because I thought the regular APR was too ridiculous to pay in the first place. Much less the Penalty APR. Minimum payments would make a measly $1100 balance drag out for 21 years!

I Ride For Me

Shane — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 02:58:38 +0000

One of the reasons people dislike, or maybe even want to not associate with the crowd that ride sport bikes, is because of their completely cocky attitudes. I’m sure not all of them are like that, my brother and I are great examples of not being, but I must admit that a lot of them are complete douchbags. I had one guy critique my front tire today, which royally ticked me off the more I thought about it. I ride for the fun of it. I ride for me. Not to push it to the limits just so my buddies can get a good laugh. This one guy is the exact reason I never want to meet up with any other local riders and go on a group ride. I’d rather just ride alone, with close friends, or w/ my brothers and dad.

G35 Test Drive

Shane — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:13:48 +0000

Yesterday we stopped by the local Chevy dealer and test drove a 2007 Infiniti G35. Billy thought they might be interested in it, since they both love the looks of the car, so we figured why not take it for a spin and see how it was. Power-wise, the car seemed very nice for a rear wheel drive V6 and was actually pretty peppy. The interior was nice and the large bolsters on the seats felt great. What was not impressive at all was the amount of road noise from the car. When I imagine Infiniti, I think higher quality of a car and a very quiet compartment, similar to that of a Cadillac. But with the G35 this wasn’t the case at all. The noise was pretty bad while just riding, but while breaking was much worse. I’m sure it wouldn’t bother some, and it wouldn’t me if it weren’t for the fact of what car it is. It’s the amount of road noise I expect in a Corvette, or other true sports car—not an Infiniti. I think that’s scratched it off his list of possible cars, especially since it would probably be a car for the both of them.

Payback In November

Shane — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:07:28 +0000

Passage of the health care bill last night was completely ridiculous. The bill is immoral and unconstitutional, as well as the way it was passed. Not to even mention the costs of such a plan. Deals were made, and dollars put in people’s pockets, in order to ensure that they voted ‘yes’ for this heap of junk of a bill. The Congressmen know good and well that a larger number of people would rather see nothing passed than what they are proposing, yet they get Obama to issue an Executive Order in order to appease their concern so they can get that extra vote or two. If it wasn’t obvious before to some, it should be now, those that are in office do not care about the people. And I guess Obama will be proud of the jobs this bill will create as well. 16,000 more IRS employees to enforce the theft of our hard earned money for those of us that do not have health insurance.

I agree that our health care system is most certainly broken, but I don’t think that more government involvement is the answer. The answer is to make the costs more affordable. Let the providers compete with one another for our business, which would drive the cost down.

Hopefully states will take a stand and nullify the bill. There’s also still a slight chance that the Republicans in the Senate can derail the bill, and here’s to that happening. But even if it doesn’t, hopefully when November comes, we can show those that voted ‘yes’ how we really feel, and make sure that they don’t have the opportunity to screw America again.

Come On, LOST Writers!

Shane — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:12:39 +0000

LOST is no doubt one of my favorite shows ever. There are so many questions currently left unanswered, that were supposedly going to be answered before the series finale. Now they say that some of them won’t be answered, ever! I understand running out of time, but there have been quite a few episodes in some of the seasons that get absolutely no where. But it’s not like griping about it will change their minds, because I’m sure they’ll keep fans talking about it for years to come by not answering some of the most prominent questions.

Many of the questions posed during the run of “Lost” that have been keeping you up at night are never going to be answered on the show but will instead be tossed on the compost heap like an old turnip, because, the writers say, they have run out of time.

And if you’re expecting they will nonetheless come through with some kind of post-finale TV special, online chat, tweet — anything! — to answer their rabid fans’ lingering head-scratchers, you need to think again. They have no intention of discussing the show after the finale airs on May 23… Source