Yesterday afternoon I got home from grocery shopping and I noticed that there was a message on the ansering machine. I was particularly excited because I haven't been in very much contact with my friends because I've been working a lot. I walked up to the answering machine and press play, and I am greeted by man named Tommy. Tommy is a telemarketer. When did telemarketers start leaving messages on people's answering machines? He started his conversation by saying that he hopes I didn't mind that he is leaving a message. Well, I did mind. I didn't want to hear about the free satelite system I'd won. Unfortunately I had no choice, because when I tried to delete it my answering machine told me that I needed to listen to all messages in full before deleting them. So as to not leave you out of all of the excitement, here is a transcription of the message:

Hey guys, this is Tommy. I'm going to leave you a message; I hope that's ok. Give me a call back at 1-877-***-***. That's toll free. I'm calling to let you know that I have good news. You have been selected to win a full satelite TV system in your home for free. I'm going to give you America's top premier channels, all of your local channels, and free movie channels, all for less than fourty two dollars a month. Again my name's Tommy, call me here at 1-877-***-***. Hey, and if you do call me back within 48 hours I'm going to give you a free TiVo receiver in your home, and that will allow you to rwind live TV, rewind live TV, fast forward live TV, anything you want - It's really exciting. Again my name's Tommy, give me a call back at 1-877-***-***. Thanks for your interest guys.

I'm sure you can all see my excitement. One thing from his little spiel did intrigue me. He said that I can use TiVo to fast forward live TV. This means that I can use it to see things that will happen in the future. Unless he is lying to me (which I'm sure he isn't, he seemed really excited), I think I need to get one of these TiVo things.

I am confident that if this message is played backwards you will hear "I am the devil, sell me your soul". So, if you ever get a call from Tommy, and are fortunate enough to talk with him, tell him that you don't want to sell your soul, you are completely satisfied with your cable TV, and that you would appreciate it if he would stop leaving messages on people's answer machines.