Roughly 700 people received an email saying that I was “Searching” for them from reunion.com. I was fiddling with the site today to upload a “Then” and “Now” photo, mainly to assure the world that I no longer had orange, double-processed hair and massive amounts of fatty layers embedded on my face.
I mean, LOOK AT ME:
See?
If YOU looked like this on Senior photo day, you would want a public record that you no longer resemble an obese version of that squeaking muppet, Beeker, too!
Then, the satanic site reunion.com asked me if I wanted to check my email account to see if I had any friends registered. Stupidly, and with the decision making process of a three-toed sloth, I thought, “Sure! Why not?!”, and I allowed it to upload my account.
You know how the process normally goes, right? You can do this pretty easily at Facebook and Myspace and the like. You import your email contacts and it allows you to see who has an account, then you can mark them as a friend or not and ignore the message that says, “Invite your other contacts to blah.com” because you would NEVER send unsolicited invites to people about that sort of thing.
No harm, no foul, right?
Wrong, wrong, WRONGITY-WRONG!!!!!
I had a million things going on this afternoon, and I am to blame for not paying closer attention, but not only did reunion.com upload my entire contacts but it AUTOMATICALLY EMAILED EVERY FREAKING ONE OF THEM saying that I was basically stalking them on the internet.
Anyone here use Gmail?
You do?
Then you know that Gmail automatically saves every.single.email.you.receive to your account.
Like, EVER.
That would include not only people that you know and email but it also includes all the people listed on things like forwards and mailing lists, so you have people you don’t even know stored in your contacts list.
So?
I ended up sending this crap to former professors, almost everyone I have ever worked with on my parent organization, The National Enquirer (You know, from that time I sold them photos off of this blog),extended family I have never met, the co-founder of BlogHer, former co-works, bosses, ex-boyfriends, and most wonderful of all–relatives of ex-boyfriends who consider me a stalking psychopath ANYWAY. (Not that this would add fuel to THAT fire or anything, right?)
I bumbled out a rambling blanket apology to all 700 people saying how sorry and embarrassed I am and that I am basically thinking of spending the rest of my days hiding in a burka and living in the Australian outback, but the fun doesn’t end there. Apparently because of said apology sending I am now LOCKED OUT OF MY DAMN GMAIL ACCOUNT FOR SENDING TOO MUCH EMAIL!
It’s so grand that Gmail thinks I’m a spammer. I am also having such fun with the tons of bounced email messages that my account is wracking up.
Happy, happy, joy, joy.
(Oh, and apparently I also might cause all of you to be on vast lists of spam because I suck further for not BCC’ing and provided a juicy spam list to the masses. GAH!)
What a headache this has all been.
I loathe you, reunion.com.
I really do.
If anyone needs me, I will be curled in the fetal position in my bed with an entire tub of chocolate chip cookie dough and a couple of Velveeta cheese slices. (And a Diet Coke chaser or four.)
Ug.
Since you’re locked out of your gmail account, you probably didn’t see my reply to your apology email. See it below. It’s so witty, I just felt you HAD to see it.
Oh, crap! Now I’m going to have to tell Annie I really DON’T have a
stalker. Which, for a moment, felt kinda neat – and besides, I
figured it might make Annie jealous. Lord only knows she’s been too
blase lately.
No problem, sweetheart. No problem, at all.
Lou
lceel ‘Uncle Lou”s last blog post..Bardsville on Avon
Suck. One time I meant to send an emial to my boyfriend but sent it to everyone on my list. It included boyfriendy stuff and info about a surprise gift I was making for a friend (who the email got sent to). I sent out a blanket apology, but most people read the email and responded to it anyway.
Not trying to steal your thunder or anything, because you clearly win.
Amanda’s last blog post..Thumb Thucker
Awww..well. You’re still awesome. :)
kelli’s last blog post..A Little Jar of Green Gold
Ha ha ha, you got owned.
700 people, thats a sh!t load of people. I don’t think I’ve sent out 700 emails in the last 5 years. I’ve also only texted twice before in my life (yes I’m very anti-texting).
Well I hope none of this leads to any restraining orders.
My day was nearly made when I thought you were my stalker. Darn it all, you aren’t. Too bad- you’re pretty hot, so I’d totally let you and make you cookies for when you worked up some serious hunger from all that stalking…
Charli’s last blog post..The Day is Just Not For Parents of Young Children
bwahaha, i thought the not bcc’ing was the best bit, but I wasn’t going to mention it, I thought maybe the gods would smile on you and just let you not realise that bit. But they didn’t. and you did. So, suck a duck then huh?
At least tomorrow has just GOT to be better, right?
sarah bean’s last blog post..On getting paid to write
I figured it was some freaky thing like that. I think that it sucks that gmail locked you out, but I think it’s even worse that these social networking places attempt to get at your entire address book. Too much potential for crap like this to happen.
Jill – GlossyVeneer’s last blog post..Relay 2008
I had to laugh when reading this. It totally sucks, but I hope that most people will be understanding and know that it was a total mistake. Your email was very gracious and kind.
That’s crazy that g-mail saves every single email address. That’s just a little too creepy for me.
Sharon’s last blog post..A new adventure
Someone hacked into my hotmail account and sent a spam address to everyone in it. I was so panicked I didn’t BCC when I sent to all and said DO NOT CLICK ON THAT LINK.
Then everyone thought I must have a virus.
Changing my password cured the problem. You’re not alone.
And I never forward jokes or stuff. I think I’m way too cool for that. HAH!
witchypoo’s last blog post..Boobies for Skinny Bitch
This totally blows. I’m totally sorry you have to deal with all the suck. ((hugs!))
SparklieSunShine’s last blog post..Going on Again
No worries…
Once, when I worked in an office – a guy accidentally hit ‘corporate’ thereby sending it to all of corporate – it was a steamy email exchange with not-his-wife…
Gretchen’s last blog post..Earth Day Giveaway
I’m sorry. I was laughing at this post.
Even when you’re mad you’re funny. I just LOVE you to bits. No worries. And don’t worry about more spam. They’d find me anyway even without your help. xxoo
Well….. I don’t think I can be friends with you after this. I mean, who would do such a thing?!!!!! This is about the lowest you’ve ever gone, Loralee! Really! I will pray for your soul.
Erin Evans Taylor’s last blog post..Mother’s Day Gift Idea
Thanks a lot. I have one thing to say:
I DON’T LIKE SPAM!
Spam spam spam spam. Spammity spam, spammity spam!
BTW, that’s a sweet do you were rockin’. You’re no longer known as Kojak. I christen thee, Pumpkinhead.
Adam’s last blog post..I’m a moron
Well, I’d like to thank you, you gave me a good laugh when I really needed one!!
I did something very similar, but to CLIENTS. It was lots of fun explaining to the owner of my company why facebook spammed all our clients on my behalf!
Heather’s last blog post..Hospital Couture
I thought it was really, really funny – I got a kick out of it. laughing with you.. you know.
I’m sure this is going straight to freaking spam. dammit.
hollibobolli’s last blog post..Self Portrait Challenge: Absurd 4
well, since you probably didn’t see my response it was:
best.email.ever.
That was to your apology. Not to the og emails, which were certainly not the best email ever. But I found your apology hilarious.
Oh, I replied to that email, too. Here’s what it said:
“Dang it, Loralee…and I was feeling pretty flattered you thought to look me up. Not that I would have accepted the invite, because I don’t WANT people from high school finding me now…but I did think it was sweet of you to offer. Oh, well.”
Something along those lines.
Nice pic, by the way. Beaker. That’s hilarious. I had such a chubby face that looking at junior year photos reminds me (tragically) of Tinky-Winkie or Po.
Camille’s last blog post..My Best Friend’s Uterus Has a Split Personality
heh heh heh, no harm no foul my dear. since it was you i did actually consider replying to reunion.com but thankfully got your other email first. they are bastards, and will not succeed because of it. i hope.
and i love that pic of you! of course, i’m someone who uses my senior picture as his facebook profile pic. can’t beat that hair!!
hope you are well, and come leave a comment sometime soon. xo
willie’s last blog post..Happy birthday Trixie!!
I was just totally impressed that you had over 700 people in your contacts!
No harm, no foul.
In the Trenches of Mommyhood’s last blog post..Bride Wars–Coming to a Theatre Near You in ’09
Oh Loralee, I love you! Don’t feel bad – at least you did not get your Facebook account disabled for sending too many messages! Yes, they kicked me off of Facebook yesterday because I sent the same messages to several people too quickly. I feel like a loser! LOL. I will come and join you in the fetal position (I’ll even bring a case of Diet Coke with me).
Julie’s last blog post..Making a mess
and here i thought i was special because you were looking me up, only to find out i was one of 700 other non-special people being mass spammed…
my fragile ego can’t take it!
hahahaha, who cares…don’t sweat it
Jonathan Merchant’s last blog post..The Stand – Stephen King (book review)
Loved your blanket apology. It was perfect for the occasion!
And really, don’t worry about this. I know right now it’s not funny AT ALL, but it has the potential to get funnier as the days pass. :o)
Oh, I felt so bad for you yesterday.
Listen, it could have been so much worse. Just be glad the e-mail didn’t involve slander, nudie pics, bosses, or some terrible combination of the three.
Melanie at Beanpate’s last blog post..Yankee Doodle Dirrrr-tay
I just deleted the first one. No biggie. But then I had to read the apology email you sent out because that is SO something I would do. I bet no one cared and if they did, they should get a life. ;)
Ha, Ha. That’s for the story, not the picture.
Melly’s last blog post..Wonderful World of Woot
I’m sure after seeing your apology email, people won’t freak too bad unless they’re just “bastard people.” And we don’t care about them anyway. “Corky, we love you!”
Rachel (Louisiana)’s last blog post..Correction
It will be FINE!
Mwah!
Angella’s last blog post..Hair Wednesday: Through The Ages
I accidentally did the same thing with Facebook, you know… the site that has a very obvious way of avoiding this sort of thing.
Whenever I get suspicious spams from people I know, I just assume that their email address is being spoofed and delete the message.
I know this seems horribly embarrassing, but I’m sure people see things like this all the time. The good news is the people you actually talk to on your email list will forgive you, and as for everyone else, you don’t have to see them again anyway.
So I wouldn’t worry too much.
Sra’s last blog post..Worst Feelings in the World
It’s a great story to tell the grandkids one day…
which btw was something that ALMOST happened to me last week–luckily I signed out BEFORE the whole upload your address book thing took place!
former professors? ex boyfriends? co founder of BlogHer?? OH Wow. You win. I soo love you to to death!!
Your comments are hilarious today! I love reading everyone’s email faux pas.
I was just excited to see two emails from you this morning. I wanted to be stalked!
Megan’s last blog post..A Bubbling Whine.
Oh no! OH NOOOOOOOO!!!
AMomTwoBoys’s last blog post..It’s Your Lucky Day!
On the upside, at least half the people were probably never the wiser, thanks to spam filters. And at least half the rest were probably incredibly flattered. Who cares about the rest? :)
Summer’s last blog post..Nonprofit Technology Management Guide
I’m terribly disappointed that I never received the stalking email. Blast those spam filters!! But I totally appreciated your apology email. :-)
Don’t worry, you are charming even in the depths of embarrassment.
Yeah… I totally did the SAME FREAKIN’ THING. Well, mostly. I got your email and thought, “huh, maybe I should sign up too” and so I did and when it asked “look for other contacts?” I thought, Why not? Three toed sloth in full force here, folks! Of course, then I realized what happened and saw your email and… I chose to completely ignore what I had just done. So far it’s been working out great for me. Head in the sand, like a good ostrich!
Marilyn’s last blog post..Is it time to stop slacking yet?
That totally blows! if it weren’t for this comment at the end of your post
“If anyone needs me, I will be curled in the fetal position in my bed with an entire tub of chocolate chip cookie dough and a couple of Velveeta cheese slices. (And a Diet Coke chaser or four.)”
I can not but fall off my chair laughing really really really really hard.
te he he he and I am not sorry for it either…. (I hope you don’t mind)
Toni’s last blog post..Link Loves and upcoming events
You know, no matter what, we all still love you!
I got an email the other day that someone had a crush on me. Was that you? ;)
rima’s last blog post..Objects in Rearview are RELATED TO ME
I got the e-mail twice and it made me laugh. Poor Loralee, I hope you can get back into your e-mail soon.
Holly’s last blog post..I Am Loved!
Thanks for the heads-up, Loralee. I keep getting messages from that site. Now I know I won’t respond.
Oh that really sucks!
Mrs. Schmitty’s last blog post..I’m Starting To Feel Like Charlie Brown
Many years ago I once made the mistake of making a comment about a company policy via email.
Why was it a mistake? Because I accidentally clicked reply-all and sent it out to the entire company.
Jack’s last blog post..Rediscovering What Was Lost- Two Kinds of Pain Revisited
Hilarious & a great public service announcement!
Mrs. Fussypants’s last blog post..Fight the Frump -Long Live the Capri
Thankfully, this happened to Jennifer at Thursday Drive instead of me. I am so laughing at the two of you because it so easily could have been me…so sorry!
HRH’s last blog post..Alltop Potluck: In search of my A game…
Stuff like that has def happened to me too. I am sure most everyone has been through it, and therefore know that you werent actually searching for them.
Maya’s last blog post..March of Dimes Walk
That photo is fantastic! And it wasn’t even the 70′s (red/orange tinted photo)! I don’t like reunion.com either. It bothers me that they disclose who you look up.
180/360′s last blog post..Grounded by the big, blue sky
I was just surfing the net…..THIS WAS FUNNY AS HELL…..lol!
Just surfing also, ur too cute, I hope you’ve put up the chocolate chip cookie dough, don’t worry the entire population is aware, by now, of this darn internet and the things that go on behind the scenes –hope you are doing better these days,,,keep smiling and going hummmmmm, hummmm, it didn’t happen (in a zen-like fashion of course)–too funny!
I was just surfing (actually looking for other people who think Reunion.com SUCKS!) and happen across your story.. LOL! Glad I did because it makes me realize we are all just human and sometimes do goofy things totally by accident. The important thing is you realized what piece of crap Reunion is. I ALMOST did the same thing as you.. I was kind of breezing thru the account start-up steps so I could search for an old friend and stopped just in time to realize that with the next “click” Reunion was going to INVITE everybody in the whole wide world per my request. Trust me, they make it way too easy for what happened to you to happen to anyone!
Good luck and loved your post!
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