So, one of my classes is doing some design work for the Reid Park Zoo. We got to go on a behind the scenes tour before the zoo opened. They showed us the “hospital” where they treat all the animals, which was just a room with an operating table and some other specialized equipment. They also showed us where they make all the food for the animals based on their dietary needs. There was a nice, big tray of carrots and meal worms. Very tasty. We were able to go back where the Rhinos are kept during the night before they are let out for the public. Rhinos loved to be scratched and pet, so the will come right up and let you scratch their ears and run the sides. Very interesting textures, but their ears are surprisingly soft. We also got to feed the giraffes which was very cool. By far the coolest tongs in existence, dark purple and very slobbery. All in all, it was a very informative trip. While working on the project I have free range of the zoo, just have to call ahead. I may go back in a week or so. Lots of fun.

A while back I got asked to volunteer to help out an advertising class with a competition that the Yellow Pages puts on every year for academics. The competition involved creating three ads for a fictional dental practice. I met with the team, which, sad to say, was a little disappointing as I had hoped they would know more about advertising. Honestly, the most they contributed to the ads was a packet containing information on the company along with, “We like the color blue.” That was pretty much it as far as the concept of the ad. They had this stupid slogan,”Get the best, priced like the rest.” When dealing with anything health related, you never want to make bargain your main point. People generally don’t go for it.

The thing that was so frustrating with them was how they contacted me in the first place. “We don’t want you to take over our concept”, is basically what they said to me, “We just need you to create the artwork for our idea.” I thought that was a bit arrogant and somewhat rude to say right off the bat without even meeting with me. Well, when I got to the meeting they had no concepts or ideas me to take over. That plus the time frame I had to do the three ads. “When is this do?”, I asked them. “In a week”. Well, they had contacted about having me help them almost a month before they actually set up the meeting, so that was a bit irresponsible as well. Two weeks is the general minimum for design work like this, anything shorter and you pay extra for expedited work.

They also made some jokes about giving me $50.00 of the $2500.00 prize if they won. If they win, or rather we win, I expect my fair cut, and to make jokes like that is neither professional nor appropriate. My teacher was not happy with them through out the whole thing and felt they should have acted more professionally.

So, I got an e-mail today from Bank of America notifying me that they had detected some unusual card activity on my checking account. I logged in to check it out, and sure enough there was a couple of new transactions that I didn’t recognize. They were done from Russia of all places. One of the transaction was for a $170.00 at this site, http://cashtabz.biz/. Yes, someone in Russia used my check card information to buy Viagra. That is all the site sells pretty much. I have to say, this is the funniest identity theft story I have ever heard.

Matt