Off to the Common Inbox!

Remember how I have a common name and snagged that common name on Gmail and how I get a lot of email intended for other people with that same name?

Usually I write back and say - hey, you've got the wrong Lauren, hope you find the right one! and then sometimes I point them to my blog links that show that plenty of other people have done the same thing.

Well, one of those mistaken email senders told their intended recipient Lauren about my blog posts, and she wrote to me a few weeks ago, curious to read about it.  Funny!  We may actually meet up soon, since the intended recipient Lauren and the mistaken sender actually live near me.  When schedules allow, I wanna make that happen.

I realized that it's been over a year since I updated these types of posts, so let's dig through the inbox for some gems, shall we?  Here are previous posts, to refresh your memory:

Part I - http://drpepperchica.blogspot.com/2006/07/sorry-think-youve-got-wrong-one.html
Part II - http://drpepperchica.blogspot.com/2008/10/sorry-youve-got-wrong-personagain.html
Part III - http://drpepperchica.blogspot.com/2011/01/make-it-stop-already.html
Part IV - http://drpepperchica.blogspot.com/2011/09/little-visit-to-my-mailbox.html

My car is in pieces somewhere in a repair shop.

Apparently I have a South African lover?

I'm a crazy coupon lady!!

I'm trying to get rid of my apartment.

I'm going to Hawaii this month!!

I don't even know what this means.....but the sender's email address is cracking me up.  

I want to teach kindergarten!

I got a meeting invite to interview for a job.

My dad has a new email address.

Back to my car being in pieces, I guess I had a good enough wreck and my license is going to be suspended!

A Little Visit to my Mailbox

Yep, it's that time again.  Time to look at all the funny emails I've received lately for other people.

In case you are unaware:

Part I - http://drpepperchica.blogspot.com/2006/07/sorry-think-youve-got-wrong-one.html
Part II - http://drpepperchica.blogspot.com/2008/10/sorry-youve-got-wrong-personagain.html
Part III - http://drpepperchica.blogspot.com/2011/01/make-it-stop-already.html

Common first name + common last name @ Gmail = lots of people who think they're emailing someone else but I receive their messages.  I was first, people!  First on claiming the gmail!  Sometimes I think I'd like to meet all of these senders and supposed receivers.  It'd be a trip.

Here we go.....

Maybe I should've just accepted his request to see if he'd realize some stranger knows exactly where he is all the time.

Okay - it's funny that I now have a Speed Dating account, but the name on it says Scott?  Wack.  Though now that my email address is associated, I can reset the password and make up someone else's email address so they can get all this crap.

A few times  now I have been mistaken for a casting agent or theater director.  Um....nope.  Definitely  not me.

Nope, definitely not me moving to Atlanta either.

Both my grandmas use email (one's on Facebook!) but they at least get my email address correct. I never did see the video from grammy.

This Mary Jane lady has emailed me more times than I can count.  And despite me politely emailing her back and asking her to update her address book or call her daughter and get the correct email address, nope. She keeps sending messages into my black hole.

Same with this guy in Texas.  I got a lot of email from him about family matters, even though this one is old.  I still get them.

Make It Stop, Already!

At first, it was kinda fun.

Then it became really funny.

And now, it's gone too far.

It's annoying.

I have received multiple emails in the last week from:
The Best Western Conference Center
Multiple photographers
Chair/Table/Silverware/Glasses/Linen Rentals
Caterers
Some venue with "Fountains"
Cakes and more
DJs
Bridal Party Gifts

Cause someone who can't write clearly or doesn't know their email address attended a bridal fair in Colorado last weekend and wrote down my email address instead.

Not. Funny.

Especially when some of these people don't use professional email software with an 'unsubscribe' option.

Other recent mistaken additions to my inbox include:

• Kathy at All-Star Dodge, who is the internet fleet manager who's giving me price quotes that I requested.
• I am representative of the National Black Graduate Student Association in the Southeast states and am copied on lots of emails about "mixers" and other events. 
• The lead singer of The Awake band is asking to set up an interview and promotion with their upcoming concerts (I'm a reporter?)
• Raintree Animal Hospital appreciates my resume but doesn't have any openings at this time. 
• Somebody at a children's shelter sent me this: "I’m soooooooooo sorry to hear of your accident. Glad you didn’t get hurt! Sorry about the inconvenience of not having a car!! I understand where you’re at!! Praying for you!! God’s gonna bless you with good transportation soon!! Stay encouraged!! Hope all is well with your mom and dad also. You know you are missed; you are a part of Newhouse!! We love you. Have a good day!"
• Mark wants to share his location on Google Latitude.  Creepy!
• I could write for Snob Global!  "Obviously you're a top contender. Hang tight. Meanwhile, must warn you-- blogging does not pay well.  We pay $15 an entry for minimum of 150 words.  Our writers can write 2-3 entries an hour so it does add up. However, benefits of writing for Snob Global is of course the exposure you'll receive.  Let's talk later today, what's your number?"
• Some guy named George is called I called today; it was nice to hear my voice.  And he has wi-fi now in the SB house. 
• Charlotte wants to know how me and the baby are doing!  And her mortgage company is getting on her nerves.  
• Diana is so sweet! "Hey – JD is at your front door. It’s 12:05. He brought over a casserole that I made for you. No one is answering but your cars are there. I tried calling your home phone but it goes straight to voicemail. I apologize if we woke y’all. Give me a call when you feel up to it. Love - Diana"
• This guy has emailed me soooo many times, even though I told him I'm the wrong person.  "Hi Guys, Mom told me something she REALLY wants for her birthday...for ALL of us to finish that driving course.  I'm going to try to finish my by Wed.  Can you guys do yours too?  Love...pop"

It will never end!!  Maybe I should get married so I can change my name/email address?

Sorry, You've Got the Wrong Person....AGAIN

One of the best things about having a common name AND snagging that as my email address on Google means I get a lot of email for other people with my name.

Like LOTS of it.

I mean, enough that it has to be directed to at least 25 different people with my name. This is a constant source of entertainment, and I occasionally like to share on this blog. I’ve previously posted about it here.  I almost think I should try and get national recognition and track down all the intended email recipients and bring us together on Oprah or something.  That could be my 15 minutes of fame.  Just a thought.....

Upon receiving such email in error, I usually respond to the originator politely, like ‘Hey! You’ve reached the wrong person, wanted to let you know!” Most of the time I get nothing in response, sometimes I get an “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry” and on a rare occasion I’ll start a dialogue with strangers on the internet. Right up my alley.

Twice I’d have to make phone calls explaining this (mostly due to library cards and renewal notices).

 
Some recent emails of amusement:

• She looks beeeautiful! Apparently I helped a youth pastor at Cornerstone Community church redecorate the youth room.


• Bonnie wants to know if I’m becoming a real estate agent


• Whitney sent me 5 pictures of her and her boo from her Picasa account, complete with the backwards cap and dreadlocks


• I’m staying at the Four Seasons, Las Vegas soon! And I ordered a balloon bouquet with a message “Happy Birthday Stud!” and a Pink Pig Staff Animal attached.


• Austin sent me some photos that he took on his first day of work as a newspaper staffer (see below)


• Desiree is a little pissed at me: “I need to submit my other payroll numbers now. I waited to hear from you all day and have been hung up on, or disconnected, and have not got a return call from you so the best I can do now is assume on what you would like. I have also emailed you 3 times.”


• I went to the Ravenscroft school.


• I also went to the University of Georgia


• The Kalamazoo MI public library has my email on file for one of their patrons. I get renewal notices. I had a lovely phone conversation with a woman at the circulation desk when I called.  She perfectly understood the situation and was able to get my email address out of their database.  Now, when the same thing happened with a DC public library, no disrespect to my former home, but I KNEW I'd have a problem.  Sho' 'nuff, when I called, the employee was confused beyond measure and had no idea what on earth she could do to help me cause she can't do nothin' cause I'm not the account holder.  


• I signed up for Emerson Ecologics??


• A dude named Buell Fogg from Union College is going to help me with the FAFSA.

• Will thinks I’m an agent – see headshot below. We exchanged a few pleasantries. I told him I sent his headshot and resume to friends. I hope he thought that was funny.

• Charles in DC emailed me the weekend plans for the wine tasting tour. Turns out he lives a couple blocks from my old place – we chatted briefly and he issued a real invitation for the weekend!


• I’m also booked at a resort in Anguilla. Lovely place, lovely place.


• Hello Daughter, The reason I need you to come back, well, let's just say that we (your mother) screwed up. Instead of just putting or keeping you myself and travis on the lease, she also signed tutor and the baby. (that you should have known) But she was still on kisha's lease as well. The management people informed kisha that as of 1/31/08 her rent was now 1,500. a month. You know kisha had a cow, (as she was supposed too). Long story short, a new lease has to be drafted and signed again. Dad
  

Sorry, Think You've Got the Wrong One....

I have a fairly common name, I suppose. Last name is very common, first name is top 40 for my year of birth, according to the Social Security Administration. My email address (or one of them, I should say) is first name.last name at gmail. I get LOTS of email for other people with my name. Does this happen to anyone else? Some recent samplings:

• A Hallmark card from "my mom" who is "thinking of me" and wishing she could hug me through the computer screen. She hopes I have a good trip to DC this weekend, and wants me to know that the hot water heater died so she's using the motor home to shower.
• Aparna wants me to know that priceline booked her flight a week early, and they won't change it and it's gonna cost 1300 so she can't come see me. She's really upset, but sends xoxo.
• Karen sent me her strategy paper for a class. Too bad I'm not actually in her group; marketing is my field!
• Keli filled out one of those "How well do you know me?" quizzes that she wants me to fill out and return. Somehow I don't think she'd know any of the facts I'd send back.
• Brandon and Krystal included me on an Evite to their wedding! Congrats, I suppose.
• Liz needs to reschedule our Friday meeting.
• Kathryn picked out some headphones that might work with my new iBook.
• Keli (same one as above) sent me my Feng Shui horoscope. Apparently I love kisses and affection, my love life will soon blossom, I like adventure (because I chose CA over FL), and I like to please people. Huh.
• Dr. Harber sent me notes from his lecture in the class I'm taking on human genetics.
• Anna thinks I want to be a panelist for the SWE overnight in Rochester. Weird....
• Scott congratulated me on my promotion with an Apple ecard.
• "Mom" sent me an Italy vacation itinerary. Wish I could've taken her up on that!
• Lisa wants to go out for drinks, wants to attend law school since she liked the Law and Order marathon, and has some wacky stories about Charity to share.