Thursday, March 27, 2008
Mystery Mail
When I moved from Washington, DC to the Boston area for law school in the fall of 2002, I didn't forget my friends. Often, when I went on the T (the Boston subway), I would see advertisements for some trade school or small-fry college in the area that had a pack of Please-Send-Me-More-Information cards you could rip off and mail in for free. I would always take a card, fill out the name and contact information of my former roommate B, and send it in. I thought it was even more funny because B has about three graduate degrees already to go with his bachelor's. But I never knew what he thought about getting all that information about dentistry school in Boston.
Well, a couple of things have happened that make me wonder if B is getting his revenge, though he's got an awful nice way of going about it (that frankly is totally uncharacteristic of him, so I bet it's someone else).
Someone, somewhere has signed me up as a member of the BYU Cougar Club and subscribed me to Men's Health magazine.
It all started last fall at the beginning of the football season. I received a package in the mail that included the BYU football media guide as well as a "plaque" (really just a framed 8.5 x 11" card) proclaiming my loyalty to the Cougars. I started getting emails letting me know the details of the next Cougar Club tailgate party or an event where basketball coach Dave Rose is speaking.
After checking with my dad, who is the only person I could think of who might sign me up for the Cougar Club, I decided to respectfully withdraw my membership, seeing has how I haven't paid the $100 dues. I responded to one of their emails, saying that although I love the Cougars, I haven't paid the dues. There must be some mistake. But the emails kept coming, and although I wrote to them a second time, I eventually got the basketball media guide, too (though I didn't find it as interesting). Now I just accept it and pretend I'm a full-fledged blue-blooded Cougar Club member.
About that same time, last fall, we had a lot of magazine subscriptions (to fun publications like Wired, the Atlantic, and Metropolitan Home (the magazine that is 30% content and 70% ads)) that we'd acquired free in a special deal that were expiring. I had kind of enjoyed the past year of magazines that I enjoyed reading but would never actually pay for, and I was going to miss them.
When what shows up in my mailbox one day, but Men's Health magazine, addressed to me. (At least it wasn't addressed to Shelly!) I thought it odd, but proceeded to read it. The next month another issue showed up. I've now gotten to the point where I actually expect it each month. But once again, I haven't paid for the subscription (or signed up for a free subscription in a special deal), and have no idea why I'm getting the magazine. But in the meantime, I'm getting a lot of great tips on how to build my muscles, what to eat, what to wear, and how to make Shelly happy.
I don't know who my secret benefactor is. So let this be a public thank you. I'm always a fan of free stuff, and this free stuff actually makes me a little bit happy (although it would be better if I could use my gift to get a great deal on season tickets).
Well, a couple of things have happened that make me wonder if B is getting his revenge, though he's got an awful nice way of going about it (that frankly is totally uncharacteristic of him, so I bet it's someone else).
Someone, somewhere has signed me up as a member of the BYU Cougar Club and subscribed me to Men's Health magazine.
It all started last fall at the beginning of the football season. I received a package in the mail that included the BYU football media guide as well as a "plaque" (really just a framed 8.5 x 11" card) proclaiming my loyalty to the Cougars. I started getting emails letting me know the details of the next Cougar Club tailgate party or an event where basketball coach Dave Rose is speaking.
After checking with my dad, who is the only person I could think of who might sign me up for the Cougar Club, I decided to respectfully withdraw my membership, seeing has how I haven't paid the $100 dues. I responded to one of their emails, saying that although I love the Cougars, I haven't paid the dues. There must be some mistake. But the emails kept coming, and although I wrote to them a second time, I eventually got the basketball media guide, too (though I didn't find it as interesting). Now I just accept it and pretend I'm a full-fledged blue-blooded Cougar Club member.
About that same time, last fall, we had a lot of magazine subscriptions (to fun publications like Wired, the Atlantic, and Metropolitan Home (the magazine that is 30% content and 70% ads)) that we'd acquired free in a special deal that were expiring. I had kind of enjoyed the past year of magazines that I enjoyed reading but would never actually pay for, and I was going to miss them.
When what shows up in my mailbox one day, but Men's Health magazine, addressed to me. (At least it wasn't addressed to Shelly!) I thought it odd, but proceeded to read it. The next month another issue showed up. I've now gotten to the point where I actually expect it each month. But once again, I haven't paid for the subscription (or signed up for a free subscription in a special deal), and have no idea why I'm getting the magazine. But in the meantime, I'm getting a lot of great tips on how to build my muscles, what to eat, what to wear, and how to make Shelly happy.
I don't know who my secret benefactor is. So let this be a public thank you. I'm always a fan of free stuff, and this free stuff actually makes me a little bit happy (although it would be better if I could use my gift to get a great deal on season tickets).
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