Someone didn't do their research...

I've said it before in my blog posts, and I'll say it again: Although I'm sitting here writing an opinion of what I'm done or am currently looking at, I always do my research. I implore who ever reads my blog to do their own search as well, so that they may gain knowledge about whatever the topic at hand is.

Case in point:

Yesterday (while at work and on a 10 minute down time), I received a phone call. I typically don't answer my phone while at work, nor do I answer if I don't know the number. Seeing how the caller ID read out the phone number and location (San Diego, California), I gave it a shot and answered it.

I did not get the name of the person, as they immediately started running off the name of a book. The book sounds like some twisted version of a conspiracy theory's next door neighbor, and the name of the author doesn't ring a bell. The caller was looking for "Destroyer of Man by the author Dominic Owen Mallary". I asked the person to repeat themselves because the voice sounded like your typical chilled Californian, on top of the fact this call was unexpected - do I look like a book seller? Did I answer my phone saying "Thank you for calling Amy's Books"? No. Again, the unknown caller states they are looking for "Destroyer of Man by author Dominic Owen Mallary" and asked if I were Dominic. I asked what it was in reference of (because you know when you get these crazy calls, especially from someone in the US, you have to keep them on for a few minutes to see where it goes), they said they are from some publishing agency and would like to talk to Dominic. Am I Dominic, or do I know how to get in touch with Dominic? I said "I can not confirm nor deny who I am", and they responded that they need to know in order to complete the conversation and not further waste anyone's time. As much as I would have loved to keep the conversation going, again, I was at work. So I hung up.

My coworker heard my end of the conversation as she was sitting next to me. She heard bits of what the caller was saying as well, and all she could do was laugh. We both did. It was the most random phone call I've gotten in months, and the ridiculous part was how I kept the person on the phone for 5 minutes without stating my identity (and they stating theirs, except for the name of the publishing company).

Since I had a few minutes still, I did some Internet trolling. I found the book on Amazon (as I've linked), and pages of search engine results on the kid being dead. Honest truth - search this kid and you'll see he died a decade ago. My co worker asked if it's possible I have his number. I said "it's not. I've had this cell phone number since 1999. Long before he decided to off himself". Just because Worcester is in the same 508 area code as my cell phone, doesn't mean I job share with a metalhead (seriously... look this guy up. My co worker and I both agreed he looks like a creep, but he's a "gothic punk").

I don't know why I got the call or what the person was looking for, but when you ask for the person or if the receiving party knows the person, you obviously didn't do your research. The fact that the caller immediately said "I am looking for Destroyer... by the author Dominic..." means they just know of the title and not that he's no longer coming down for breakfast. The person was most likely looking to gain some sort of publishing rights to the book as they were so adamant on speaking to the guy. They could have very easily said "My name is such and such, and I'm with such and such publishing. I'm looking to speak with Dominic in regards to a previously published book", and go forth with the conversation. But that's also providing this person did their research because then they'd know the guy is pushing up daisies in North Cemetery, Berlin (Worcester County), Massachusetts.

It might be a case of miscalling a similar number, but who knows. All I know is what I've been saying for a couple years: Do your research and figure out what you need to do in order to complete what you want. I can't forward the call to Dominic - I don't know who he is, except that he was an Emerson College graduate, into punk and screamer rock, and a year younger than me. As well as he grew up in Worcester. I had to Google him to find this information, plus some. Maybe everyone should do some (even) basic searching, and they can get a multitude of answers... you never know until you look!

Take care of whatever you do and watch what you do - it may be the last time you do your routine...


Cheers;