Return to Log - Domain Name/eBay/Spiritual Affirmations

Hello Mr. Journal...

I haven't seen or talked to you in a while, but I'm sure this will be a great experience for both of us.

So, it turns out that I have been SUPER busy these last few weeks.  Working primarily on eBay, to promote and sell from my eBay User ID, "sdlogamesngear".  Also, I have been working hard to keep the creative juices flowing with Ableton and on my Yamaha keyboard.  (Mainly, figuring out how to play all of the parts of my Ableton tunes on the piano).  I also put together some roughly "completed tracks".  

In other news, I now have a domain name for StepDown/LiftOff.  The title of my website and my eBay company, "sdlogamesngear" is an allusion to the humbling process of being a recovering addict and having to start over again, and "lifting off" into a new realm of success.  

The sales have been good and so has my communication skills for the most part.  I had a lot of people say a lot of very nice things about my service, and I try to be equally kind to others that provide customer service to me.  

I had one customer, who's name I will not mention for privacy purposes, who bought a Playstation game from me.  She was somewhat rude and said that the game I sent her didn't match the description I had written.  I tried to be very nice to her and work something out, but she ignored my messages and left me harsh and negative feedback.  I found it to be rather malicious.  It hurt my feelings because I really truly do work very hard to satisfy all of my customers.

The silver lining of the situation is a lesson for the future.  I will, of course, be very clear in my descriptions (althought the game in question was "flawless" in my opinion).  The situation with the customer also inspired lyrics for a song that I've been working on recently.  So, thank you to that unnamed customer.  Even though your words initally hurt my feelings, I have learned a valuable lesson.  I appreciate your business and am sorry that you were unable to communicate effectively with me.

Soooo. What's next?  

The money coming in from the eBay project has been helping a lot to get my debts paid down and in building up my sales inventory.  I haven't really used any of the profit to buy myself anything (other than the games that returning customers have requested, which I will play and then sell).  

The goal though, is to purhcase a new (to me) car or new studio equipment.

I also want to talk about my experience in Easton, PA over this last weekend.  I met a man named "Angel" who works at "The Game Gallery" in Easton, PA.  His store is very much aking to the dream I have for my future business goals.  He was a very kind and helped mentor me in a lot of ways.  He was also so kind to listen to a short audio CD that I had recorded earlier that day, calling it "pretty legit"

I look at things like people's names and who they are as a "universal affirmation" or the "world telling me which direction to go".  I am very grateful for opportunities like that in my life.

Also, I want to note something really cool that happened.  I bought a Sega Dreamcast from the Game Gallery, and the very next day, my favorite, SUPER-RARE game "Shenmue II" suddenly came into stock at the Play-N-Trade a few blocks from my house.  I was also able to pick up some rare BRADYGames Strategy Guides while I was there.  I am reselling them on eBay too!

EDIT - 3/1/2013:  I actually obtained another copy of Shenmue II for the Dreamcast.  I will be listing one of the two copies on eBay so others will get to play this great game!

Another note about my eBay dealings:  I am starting to do a donation with 'eBay Giving Works" to the Nirvana Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center in Central California.  It is a nonprofit organization.  If it weren't for organizations like this, I could be dead instead of writing these words right now.  I have close friends who have died from these matters.  I was lucky enough to not die, so it's important that I pay my respects and dues to centers such as these.  It's not a lot of money, but every dollar counts and I'm happy to do it.

I'm continuing my play-through of "Castlevania Chronicles".  It is a very difficult, but entirely fun game.  

Bye for now!