Madrid?!!!?
It HAS been forever since I’ve done a post for this blog hasn’t it? I’m so terrible… and it’s not even like I’m ‘busy’ or anything!
Maybe I’m in a ‘rut’ (temporary, of course), or maybe I have a lot on my mind.. But whatever the EXCUSE (cuz I’m pretty sure I have no good reason), I think it’s definitely time to get back to my rants, my moments of joy & my random ramblings.
Now, back to the ‘subject’ at hand.
HUNDREDS of friends, family, acquaintances and business associates were in a frenzy on September 28, as news reached them that I was in Madrid, Spain – frantic, desperate and in need of cash. The funny thing is, I’d say about 60% of them (the friends and family, of course) had to do a double-take at the e-mail, since it’s really not unlikely that I could be in Madrid though they know my last whereabouts. I’ve been known to make spur-of-the-moment trips to explore the architecture, history, art, food of… wherever.
I received concerned telephone calls, text messages and BBMs, not to mention posts on Twitter and Facebook from people trying to verify whether it was in fact me, who had sent this e-mail. Some knew better… but you know, just to be on the safe side…
It was of course a hacker, who had gained access to my e-mail account; who changed my password, security question and sent out a mass e-mail to ALL my contacts, all in one swoop. Oh, and did I mention he gained access to my Facebook as well? Within minutes I felt as if I was in a dream – upon hearing, I instantly became worried, anxious, annoyed and angry. This was simply not the time for something like this to take place. If I could put my hands through the computer screen, I would wring the neck of this hacker who felt I was SO IMPORTANT that he had to choose me to fuck with… pardon my French.
I moved as fast as I could. Already my ex-co-workers were sending me messages from my former boss, asking if they knew where I was. This, a mere 2 minutes after hearing from my sister this disastrous ordeal.
Now, if you know me, I’m extremely computer illiterate. It is only by Good’s grace that I’m able to even maintain this blog… and to be honest, I’m not too sure I’m doing too well with THAT! Give thanks for the likes of Kim… my beloved baby’s momma, who walked me through step by step and kept me calm when all I wanted to do was cuss some BUMBOCLAAT!!
Looking back though, it seems so trivial that in my head I created this big to-do about regaining control of my Gmail account. But, it opened my eyes to the dangers of the WWW, my carelessness and carefree approach to using it, AND showed me the need for security when using this medium… something which many users take for granted. Hacking takes place ALL the time, but when it happened to me, I saw where the possibility existed that my reputation could be compromised, all because I overlooked precautionary measures to secure my account and my computer, and took it for granted that these ‘things’ only happen to other people.
Things are now more or less back to normal. And for those who are still a little worried about me and want to send me some money, feel free. Just be sure it’s sent to my address in Houston! 
Dutty tief dem trying to get $$ using ur name e??? Dem neva kno that they cud propose the bizniz venture and maybe WE cuda give dem a cut outa it?? dem try go roun di ting. smdh
Its one of those really annoying things about the internet and computers. Madrid is probably pretty awful at this time of the year.
Aww honey… *hugs* anything for you. Nice to have you back ranting and raving, been too long