I hope this isn't the new telemarketing approach for 2015

Yesterday's call was just plain weird. A heavily-accented male voice called to offer me a loan. I went with my standard, prompt reply: "No thank you. Please remove my number from your calling list."

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Please remove my number from your calling list."

"Please be my girlfriend."

"Please remove my number from your calling list."

"Please be my girlfriend."

"Please remove my number from your calling list."

"Please be my girlfriend."

"Please remove my number from your calling list."

We went through another round or two with each of us playing broken record until I finally added "Good day" to my side of the conversation and hung up.

Okay, that "good day" was overly generous given how I was feeling toward the caller at that point. I wish I'd asked to speak to his supervisor. That wouldn't have gotten me anywhere, but it might have sent a clearer signal that the telemarketer's behavior was not welcome or appropriate.

The phone rang a few minutes ago. The business name wasn't discernible to my ear, but it wasn't the same as yesterday's name. Again, a heavily-accented male voice, the same accent I associate with scam calls for Windows security fixes. Not the same voice as yesterday; this one was a bit lighter/higher in pitch. Again, an offer for a loan, this time with an amount attached: $5,000.

"No thank you. Please remove my number from your calling list."

"You don't want it?"

"No. Please remove my number from your calling list."

Followed by an immediate, polite goodbye...and "love you!" at the end.

Not as obnoxious as yesterday's call, but, still, WTF?

Caller ID is $138/year, so I don't bother with it. In fact, looking up the price just prompted me to drop Call Waiting, which I've been paying $102/year for. It used to be worth it, but these days I'm at the edge of dropping my landline all together. Anyone needing to reach me when I'm on a landline call most likely has my cell number and can try that if the call is urgent. Otherwise, a busy signal pretty clearly suggests calling back later.

I won't credit the telemarketers with saving me $102/year (plus whatever taxes were on that $8.50, which are likely to be rather a lot given the $16.24/month taxes and fees currently added to my $21.20 phone bill). But I will thank LJ readers for the excuse to post about it here since the process of doing that directly led to the savings.

Cats Laughing Kickstarter Countdown to Sunday 12:59 AM EST

The Kickstarter clock just turned over to 28 hours to go on the campaign for the Cats Laughing reunion concert at Minicon 50.

The campaign currently has 282 backers and is just over $20,000, which means that not only will the reunion concert happen (complete with rehearsals beforehand), it will be Livestreamed, there will be a concert CD, and a concert DVD! They're aiming for Stretch Goal Tier Four, which would include an Opening Act (to be named later, IIUC), various audio and video improvements, and a T-shirt cannon. They're already well enough along on the 4th Stretch Tier that they've added Scott Keever as an additional Cat, bringing the band to its original Cat 5 size.

Beyond the sheer fact that it's happening, I'm most excited about the Livestream of the concert because that's the only way I'll be able to see it in real time. I'm jumping at the unexpected chance to attend Eastercon thanks to the Corflu Fifty (fan fund) sponsoring my trip to Tynecon III: The Corflu in Newcastle upon Tyne the weekend before. I've only wanted to go to Eastercon for 25 years and then some. It's pretty much the only thing I can imagine voluntarily keeping me away from Minicon 50 even before plans were hatched for the Cats Laughing reunion there. Meg Frank and I will be at Dysprosium and plan to watch the concert in whatever wee hours it runs. I hope we're able to turn it into a viewing party with others there. Twenty-four hour fandom lives!

So, yes, I'm supporting the Cats Laughing Kickstarter. For $73, of course. $19.73 would have worked, but I wanted to support (and get a copy of) the concert DVD even before I knew if they'd hit the funding level needed to create it. $197.30 and other likely permutations were appealing, but beyond my current means so I resisted temptation.

Most people reading this post have likely already supported the campaign at whatever level works for them. But a few could be reading about it for the first time here. If so, and if you're so inclined, please head on over to the Cats Laughing Reunion Concert Kickstarter page before midnight Saturday Minnesota time and kick in whatever works for you. Or just add a comment telling Dee & Corwin Brust how awesome they are for launching the campaign in the first place. You can also follow the updates on the Cats Laughing Facebook page, open so those of us not there can see it.

Whoohoo! Yay, Cats Laughing!

(Why, yes, the reunion concert makes me extraordinarily happy. So glad it's happening, and to be helping make that so.)