Cruising...Chapter 6 - Credit Cards and other miscellaneous...

I was so excited today to get off the boat in Long Beach and see some very needed familiar faces. Two of my closest (Joe and Lindsay) came from San Diego to see and spend some time with me. And seeing them was spectacular.

Unfortunately, right at the beginning of my day in port, I checked my yahoo account.

Usually, this is a pleasurable experience. However today it was not so. I had two emails from my bank telling me that my account was overdrawn.

(Mind you, i had more than enough money in my account to get me though at least a month or so of financial issues.)
SO, when i got these 'overdraft emails' i was perturbed to say the least.

Turns out, while in ensenada, my credit card was stealthily stolen from under my nose and charged with over the amount that i even had available in my account.

OY.

There are logistics and details, and when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, i will get my money back and everything will be fine.

It's a shame, however, that i'm not even concerned with the nitty-gritty.

I am concerned with the mind power/soul power/stamina/smarts/intelligence that was lacking in the entire situation.

I left the boat in Ensenada to have lunch with one of my friends. When we finished lunch, I wanted to check my email. I didn't have any cash on me, so we made the detremental decision to stop by the ATM.
Two men were standing about it and although i felt awkward about their presence, i decided to use it anyway. 

Bad idea #1.

While trying to figure out this very complicated ATM (which happened to be in spanish) one of the gentlemen intergected and said "here, let me help." He grabbed my card and stuck it in the ATM for me.
Now, mind you, i was flustered and confused that a stranger should have such a privileged attitude that he could come and grab a strangers debit card so freely, but, stupidly, i let it happen thinking "okay, Allegra, don't freak out. This is just someone trying to help you out."

Then the card fell on the floor in the fluster of hand grabbing...
And i finally said, in quite a distinctive tone, "thank you, i'm okay!"
I grabbed my card back, tried it one more time. It didn't work, i felt uncomfortable and my friend and i left.

On the way back to the ship, i looked back and said to my friend "I don't like this. I don't like what i'm feeling about this situation."

Denying my instincts and thinking that i was overreacting, we went back to the ship, boarded and forgot about the ordeal.

Today, in Long Beach was when i got the emails.
I was stunned, turned pale, started sweatin' and immediately called my bank. While on the phone, the claims department asked me if i physically had my card. I said yes, and went to reach for it and give her the number.

The chase card i had was not mine. In fact, the name on it was "Homberto Gonzalez"...

I was had.
Duped.
Taken.

Unfortunately I had more confidence in my own stamina to believe I couldn't ever let something like this happen to me.
But it did, and so here i am.

I did contact the bank in due time. I will get my money back. I will not be in serious debt for an extended amount of time.
However...
it totally sucks.
It sucks to be violated.

Have you been violated? If you have, I really feel for you.
And as a human being, creative, understanding, compassionate, realistic...i know it will get better.
It will get better. It will always get better.
Thank god i've got friends and family to turn to when things go south (namely to Ensenada)
...
There's that. It's my newest and most detailed (i think) blog i've written.

Think on it.
Follow your instincts. Follow your heart.
Usually when something seems really wrong, it's really wrong.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, I'm okay. I wasn't hurt. I get to perform still. I still get to do what I came here for. I get to play and effect people and sing and laugh and enjoy my life.
When it comes down to it, it's only money.
I know that I'm smart. I know I'm streetwise. I know that i've got talent and stamina and a good head on my shoulders.

ONE MISTAKE IN JUDGEMENT DOESN'T MAKE ME STUPID.

Don't ever judge yourself too harshly.  That helps noone. Give yourself some slack.
Take it easy on you, because you're your own worst critic.

Take that from the biggest critic there is.

Peace and have a lovely day!
Allegrasings