Fakes, Frauds and Fools

2007-01-20T17:46:00.000-08:00

Press Release: Admission of Guilt

Pre-publication Offer: Admission of Guilt

Admission of Guilt is a collection of short stories from behind the walls of a men's prison. This is an intense and provocative look at this subculture.

C.M. Jourdan is referred to by friends and family as a gypsy and a dreamer. She has been writing for many years and finally decided to follow her passion of writing fiction. Her thought provoking style of writing gives us three-dimensional characters that you won't soon forget. She says her inspiration comes from many sources, but always from people she has known and places she has been. Her inspiration for this compelling book came when she worked for ten years at a men's medium security prison.

Visit http://www.lulu.com/content/543248 and take advantage of this pre-publication offer. When the book hits the retail market it will have a MSR of $13.98. You can get it now for $9.98

2007-01-20T17:45:00.000-08:00

R.C. Publishing is a small hybrid publisher just starting out. The owners are authors and so they understand your need to see your project in print. They consider themselves a 21st century publisher, linked with a print on demand press, they do not stock books. They publish for business so they have professional looking publications and they publish books for those whose work has been turned down by traditional publishers. Unlike vanity presses who charge you and make you buy your own books and do absolutely no distribution, no editing, nothing; they actually assist you in your self-publishing endeavor. They take care of everything for you, because they know how daunting the task of self-publishing can be. R. C. Book Publishing will copy edit your manuscript for errors, get your ISBN and barcode, get you listed in catalogs and online retailers as well as get you a domain and get it set up for you. They say they do all of the things they wanted done when they were seeking a publisher. R.C. Book Publishing is currently seeking submissions from authors who want to self-publish as well as corporate submissions. There are no contracts to sign and you keep ownership of your property. Visit them at http://www.rcbookpublishing.com or email them at rc.publishing@yahoo.com.

2006-10-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

Make money blogging

Here's an opportunity I'd like to share....BlogtoProfit says they are expanding quickly! They currently have more and more advertisers who want to sponsor your blogs and they need more bloggers! There are many opportunities for everyone! If you or fellow bloggers would be interested, simply gp to www.BlogtoProfit.com and and please put my email address, cathyjourdan@yahoo.com, into the referrer field.They are most interested in blogs that have their own unique domain rather than shared blog services such as blogspot, livejournal, etc. But if they like your blog they will make you an offer. I've been with them for about 8 weeks and they pay promptly and do not require much.

I wanted to add that once you sign up, they check out your site which could take a couple of days, but once they approve you, they immediately send you jobs that you can do...as soon as you send them the links to your blog proving that you did them, they paypal you almost instantly. When I get a job (which is normally in multiples of five ($25), I do them right then and email them back immediately. I have my money usually in less than two hours. And the rate is $5 per post which only needs to be about a paragraph.

2006-10-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

I wish I knew how to redirect, but I don't. Here again is the link where you can find my latest blog posts. Please come visit, you'll be glad you did.

www.fakesfraudsfools.com

See you there!

2006-09-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

Fakes, Frauds and Fools

I just got a domain set up, so I will be moving there soon and deactivating this blog. I do hope you'll come see at:

http://www.fakesfraudsfools.com

2006-09-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Okay, Let’s Talk

So, here we are. The blog is set up and working. There are four posts so far. The name of the blog is very definitive and paints exactly the picture I wanted to paint. Now, let’s see if we can get this rolling.

What I want from you, the reader, is your comments. I want your stories that expose those undesirables out there that are taking your money and mine for goods and services that are not as advertised. I’d also like to hear about some good stuff that’s going on out there in the real world.

Come on, I know you’re busy, but this is an important challenge. This is your chance to say what you have to say to someone other than your co-workers and spouse. Let’s put the cards on the table. Maybe our ongoing banter can help someone.

One of the things I’d like to do on this site is either add a ticker or a scrolling block (actually four blocks) that could be located in the sidebars. Each would contain names put forth by myself and you all. One block would be labeled Fakes, one Frauds, and of course, one labeled Fools. The fourth block needs to contain names of good people, good companies, good things. Not sure what to call it. So, if anyone out there knows how I can make those blocks appear in the blog, I’d love to hear from you. In the mean time, if anyone has any nominations for these various blocks, feel free to list them in a comment.

2006-09-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

Disasters are Such a Disaster

Okay, its time to get serious. As the Blog name indicates this blog is dedicated to examining and exposing fakes and frauds. I’d like to say it is a real shame that at a time when people need each other more than ever, the waters are filled with sharks. It is so sad and really affects me in a deep way.

Katrina destroyed a huge section of our Gulf coast and people from all over have come here to help communities rebuild, one house at a time. God bless these compassionate and kind people! It’s an awesome thing to watch and participate in. But, lurking on the fringe of it all are these dark souls who apparently have no conscience or scruples at all. They pose as do-gooders, knocking on the doors of storm victims who are desperate, elderly who are helpless and any other vulnerable individuals they can find. They make them big promises and then rob them blind. Here in Biloxi, WLOX and the SunHerald have done an admirable job of sticking up for these victims and trying to expose the scammers. But, it’s just too big. Expose one and ten more of these low-lives’s roll into town.

And then there are the individuals who feel compelled to “get theirs” via the government and non-profit programs in place to help victims. Some of them are victims of the storm just trying to get a little extra. Many were not even residents of the stricken areas…until they saw an opportunity to cash in. It’s mind boggling. FEMA has taken a beating of huge proportions that are truly undeserved. I don’t know about you, but I am totally entertained and get this warm, fuzzy feeling of satisfaction when I see a story about someone being arrested for fraud in regard to their FEMA application. I hope they throw the book at them and I especially hope they have to pay restitution. (I wonder if anyone is keeping track of these arrests and the total dollar value?) The SunHerald recently ran a story about the FBI offering rewards for tips leading them to people taking advantage of government funds and the follow up story said, the phones were ringing off the hook. I applaud the people who step up for what is right. And who knows, the rewards from the FBI alone may rebuild a neighborhood. Y’all know I’m a reality TV freak and this is the best show yet!!! YEA FBI!! GO FEMA!….You’re the best Mississippians….keep those phone lines busy.

2006-09-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

Fat People, Weak Defenses

I’ve got to tell you that I could hardly wait for the new television season to start. I am a huge reality show fan (I watch them all!) and at the top of my list right now is Amazing Race. I enjoyed the first episode so much! Last night, though, was the premier of Biggest Loser. If you detect a slight solemn note to that, you are very perceptive. Don’t get me wrong, I love the show, but it is the one show that always provokes conversation at my house (or maybe I should say, confrontation). Last night, was no exception. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Oh wow, there are 50 of them!
Son: That’s gonna suck…there’s no way we’ll get to know them personally. I don’t believe they’ll do it that way. Damn…what’s with dude’s hair?
Caroline announces that there will only be 14 at the ranch.
Me and my Son: Ahhhh.
Husband: Man they have some fat ones this time!
Me: I can’t hear the TV.
Everyone gets quiet while we watch the fireman cry.
Son: Jesus, it’s only the first day!
Me: Battling fat is a very emotional thing
Husband: I’d cry too if I looked like that.
Son laughs.
Me: I don’t think that’s funny.
Husband: That’s because you’re fat.
Son: chuckles.
Me: Since I was a kid.
Husband: So, what’s your point? All it takes is eating less and exercising more.
Son: Yeah, look at me, I started gaining weight when I got married because I ate too much, but I took it right back off.
Me: Well, it’s not just about that…it’s been proven that there are some genetic issues involved. Look at my mom and dad.
Son: Oh please, you’re saying that you can’t help that you are overweight?
Me: Shut up! Yes, that’s what I’m saying.
Husband: I don’t have any problems with weight because I eat reasonable and I walk three miles a day.
Me: Shut up, Richard Simmons! I can’t hear the TV.
Commercial comes on…..
Me: Anybody want some ice cream?
Son: Why yes!
Husband: Mint chocolate chip.
Son: My biggest question is why do they make them dress in the smallest spandex outfit they could squeeze into?
Me: (as I go to get the ice cream) I forgot to tell you, I signed up for Wife Swap.

2006-09-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

Who’s a Sucker????

Uh….I think that would be me. I hate to admit it, but, at times, I lose sight of reality. Now mind you, I’m considered by those who know me as fairly intelligent. I have a good job, I read a lot and have helped a bunch of people end up with better jobs than me, by doing their resumes. However, when someone approaches me with an opportunity to make money, the cognitive side of my brain must simply shut down. I know I’m not alone, but it sure feels like it sometimes. I must admit that I think this year I finally grew up and learned something. First off, don’t believe anyone if they tell you that their husband who was royalty died at the hands of an assassin and now they need to get the money out of the country and you are the one they picked to help them, based on a referral from a prominent businessman in the UK. Hmm, I really didn’t think I knew any businessmen in the UK, but you know, I’m always on the internet and always looking for a way to make money. Maybe our paths did cross somewhere and he liked me and referred me to this person. I can laugh at this one, because the only thing I lost was a hundred dollars (after I sold the offshore account I had set up on Ebay). Looking back, I feel really stupid for falling for it, but in my defense, this was in 1998 or so and people weren’t onto this Nigerian scam thing.

Okay, so I wised up to that type of scam, but then along came an investment broker with lots of good advice on how to turn my measly little $5k into hundreds of thousands if I made a monthly allotment and let the interest reinvest. This was actually pretty cool and worked for a while until things got crazy in 2000. I had become obsessed with investing, putting every last quarter in and watching it grow in leaps and bounds. Then just as quickly as it went up, it started going down. I kept asking my advisor, “Should I pull it out?” And he kept saying, “You’re in it for the long haul…it’s has to turn around eventually.” Well, I ended up having less than a thousand dollars in my account and that ended my Wall Street adventure. Investing is not for the little guy. My new strategy is to only invest in real estate…it’s tangible and if you lose all your money at least you have a place to sleep.

Some other things I’ve learned over the years are…nothing you put in your bathwater can make you lose weight, wearing a sling around your head does not eliminate a double chin, taking carotene pills do make you have a nice tan, and forwarding an email to ten people will not make a popup window come up telling you that Bill Gates is tracking it and will pay you for doing it. Too bad…I’d like to get a check from Bill Gates for email forwarding.

2006-09-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

Gotta Have It!

I happen to be one intense shopper and there is never a shortage of new-fangled gadgets to buy…just a shortage of dollars to buy them with. My favorite shopping list contains an endless array of electronic gadgets. I recently dug through old papers and found some lists I had created over the past few years. I thought it would be interesting to combine these lists into one large one and to check off the items I had actually purchased. Creating this list made me painfully aware that my husband’s never-ending bitching about what I buy had more validity then I cared to admit. Nonetheless, as Christmas approaches, so do the ads of all the new items that I just have to have and my list just gets longer like Pinocchio’s nose.
The earliest list I had on hand began with an Apple 2E computer! Ah, those were the days. DOS software, no internet and no idea how to use the thing, but it was the first of many things I could put a check next to as having purchased. Looking back, it was a satisfying purchase (albeit extremely expensive back then) that actually changed my life. That $1800 machine (in 1980 something) allowed me to throw away the typewriter, carbon paper and correction tape. Next on the list was a VCR. I was, at the time, stationed overseas in the Air Force. German television was pretty entertaining even without understanding it, but it just wasn’t enough. VCRs were relatively new and extremely BIG. I remember so clearly that dreary day at the Base Exchange buying that Panasonic monster. Everyone I worked with was buying one as well…only problem…they had no movies to buy to play in it. But as is always the case with GIs, someone came up with the idea to have a “club”. It was awesome. Each member bought a VCR tape from some catalog to the tune of about $180 per movie. Then when they all came in, they belonged to the “club” but could be checked out by any member. It was amazing to see how fast this club grew and thanks to the wherewithal of one creative person we had entertainment the entire five years I was there…..
Okay, lets see, we have the Apple 2E computer for word processing, VCR for entertainment, check, check. List continues…Commodore 64 for the kids, check, Atari for me and the kids, check, IBM computer, check, dial up Internet, WOW, check, check, check…that was so exciting. Then Scriptware to make my screen writing easier, check, first digital camera a Vivitar VGA, check, next three digital cameras, Kodak, HP and oh yes, finally (for now anyway) Canon Rebel, check, check and check. Let’s not forget the first 32 inch television, then the 40 inch Sony, a projection TV, HD TV, and currently a 61 inch RCA DLP TV (all checks in that order). In between all these things were things like sound machines to help me sleep, aroma machines to help me relax, musical instruments to help me seem more cultured, a mind-machine to do something, but I really can’t remember. I try to console my husband by assuring him that none of this was money wasted. I learned, I grew and I usually got a good bit of the money back when it bored me or was out of date by putting it on EBAY. Thank God for Ebay!