A Simple Way To Go Faster Than Light That Does Not Work

Here's a letter I just sent to ephotodiscounters.com, reprinted for your amusement. I did not P.S. this xkcd, but now wish that I had.

Howdy,

I just received a green screen and lighting kit that I purchased from your store via eBay. First of all, it seems great so far, so thanks for your prompt shipment!

I have a suggestion, however. I see some potential danger in the spring-loaded telescoping rods that make up the frame's side-stands. When I first unpacked one of these, I took it to be an ordinary telescoping rod. So I was quite surprised when I flipped down one of its fastening levers, and suddenly the inner rod - tipped with a thin metal screw - shot upwards rather dramatically.

Because I was standing to one side of the device, I simply jumped a little, and then laughed about it. But then I thought: oh boy, with a clumsier person, this could be a lawsuit waiting to happen. And so, to you, I might advise including a note or sticker with this frame that mentions these springs, and advises caution when loosening the levers.

That is all. Thanks!

Because YOU asked for it (assuming you are toonhead_npl or aspartaimee) here is my ebay selling page.

It does not terribly surprise me that I so far have bids only on the game that came out a couple of weeks ago. If the PS2 titles don't sell I'll try again by packing them all into one lot, I guess.

I also wanna sell "Return of the King" and "Twisted Metal Black" but they have stickers covering their UPCs and I am very very lazy.

All LLC-creation paperwork filed, and pound of flesh paid. (And I'm not convinced I'm done yet; the state can basically charge whenever they want for however much they want, like the completely unexplained $20 "expedited service fee" that attached itself to the base $500 filing fee. Man, I hate these guys.) Now I guess I just wait for a response.

I guess in the interim I could start thinking about what else I want to accomplish this month besides filling in paperwork and writing painful checks.

---

Andy Looney sold a single friggin Magic card for $519 [eBay link will die in a few days]. And that's just one of a bunch of cards he's been selling, one by one, for months. I can't believe I let my whole collection go four years ago for $100 or something, and it had some beauts in it. (Shivan dragon, sigh.) I guess I needed the money then, but... if I had known that I could peel 'em off one at a time just a few years later to help fund my own startup? Man. Good for Andy & Looney Labs, though.