Ever done something really bad that got out of hand and possibly ruined your life?

[Vicky]

[SIZE=1][B]Yes, what the title says. I made this thread after I got an e-mail about a poem I wrote, saying I won $20,000. Problem is... there is a dark sercret to it.

Anyway, have you ever done something you didn't want to, but did it and got yourself in a much bigger mess? I've got myself in a massive mess now, two, really. This might just ruin my life, and I don't have the guts to tell them about what I did. I was 7, you can't blame me! It's gone way to far what happened, now I've been invited to stay in Orlando and get a lot of money and show my poem to poets from around the world... there is no way... I could never do it because someone would figure me out... I was 7, so I didn't know any better. I'm not saying anymore because I can't even say it here. The e-mail I got sounded like they had no idea what I did with my poem, and plus, it's in dollors, if it was in pounds then I would reply, but I know it's a wrong doer...

So.. have you ever got yourself in a little mess, then forgot about it, then it haunts you again and again, until it might even ruin your life?

I have to words about my life now:

I'M DONE FOR!!![/SIZE][/B]

[Heaven's Cloud]

[color=indigo]Well, my first guess is that you entered another person?s poem into a contest under your own name. At least that is what I have concluded since you don?t seem to express your self in a manner that would suggest you are capable of writing a twenty-thousand dollar poem yourself. If you were seven at the time you really have no need to worry, no court in the world is going to arrest a person that was seven at time they copied something.

I suggest that you simply email the organization back telling them that you sent them a work that wasn?t your own and you cannot possibly take credit for it. Then apologize and explain that you were only seven at the time. If your email is anything like your first post in this thread, the organization will probably just laugh and wonder why nobody recognized the poem.

As far as this incident ruining your life, it won?t. Life is always what you make of it, and there are very few things that a person can do that will lead to their livelihood?s damnation. [/color]

[Vicky]

[B][SIZE=1]That's my problem, I just can't tell someone I lied... oh well... might as well try. It kinda ruined my life because it makes me feel that no one could believe anything I do anymore. Well... the poem was part of a song really... maybe I might do that, but the way I feel, no one should trust me anymore. Oh well...[/SIZE][/B]

[Heaven's Cloud]

[color=indigo]That is because you are young and you are overreacting. I did it when I was younger, and I am sure when I am thirty I will look back at my life and think that I overreacted about quite a bit when I was twenty-three. It is just a part of growing up.

If you write the company and tell them the truth I guarantee that you will instantly feel better. But even if you don?t, do you think this will still bother you in a month? Will you be laughing about this incident with friends a year or two from now? In ten years will you even remember the incident? The truth of the matter is that your problem isn?t at all important in the grand scheme of your life.[/color]

[Angelus_Necare]

Vicky I know exactly how you feel because I did the same thing. And now when I look back on it it embarasses me to think that I would do something like that for attention.

It's good that you're somewhat getting it out, it feels better that way I think.

About your situation though, I know it may be hard but you might want to fess up, that is if the e-mail is persistent.

you might just want to explain that you were young and not thinking correctly, write out an appology, something! Just so long as whatever you do makes your conscience lighter.

[SasukeUchiha]

You were7, that should be all that has to be said. At 7 most people do not even have a concept of plagerism. You make mistakes in your youth, it happens. You know what your abilites are, and as long as you have faith in those abilities, you should hav eno problem with people because if you are capable in your talents, that will shine through anything you do. People make mistakes, contact the people who run the contest and say that you cannot accept the award due to circumstances that you have realized with your poem, thank them for choosing you, and apologize.

Thats just my view.

[Transtic Nerve]

Um... so you entered a poem when you wre 7 into some contest and now you just got an e-mail, some... well I'm guessing you're older than 7.... probably several years older.... its takes these people years to respond to a contest entry?

I'm confused, you're leaving alot of details out. You're giving to vague a discription of what was done. I think you need to tell the whole story, you're holding something back.

[Vicky]

[SIZE=1][B]I'm not sure though, if the e-mail will work that is. To be honest though, I wish it was a different poem, but I would have still won second prize. Yep, it's the way I work. The stupid e-mail never said which poem it was, because I've won loads of competions. This confuses me though, this was in it:

[I]Ladies and gentlemen, and fellow poets . . . It's now time to declare the winner of the largest cash prize ever awarded to an amateur poet . . . Our Poet of the Year for 2004 . . . and Grand Prize winner of $20,000 is . . .

Vicky Sherratt!

We're familiar with your work, Vicky, and you know . .
it could happen just that way![/I]

Amateur poet... right, either that means children or something, because... it sounds weird, plus I don't live anywhere where money is $'s.

[I]P.S. I'm sending you this reminder since you previously requested to be notified of poetry news by e-mail. If you no longer wish us to notify you of poetic events that we believe may be of interest to you.[/I]

Hang on... when did I get an e-mail from this? Oh, I remeber I had one before, but I deleted it, I never wanted anymore, so I unsubscirbed... weird.

Now, this is where I get confused. I shouldn't be getting anymore e-mails, but I am. I was never notifed abotu this before, and just now? No, no, no... I'm thinking they either mean a poem I did by myself, or the one I didn't do. But, surely they would know it was part of a song? That song... what was it called? That said: [I]I had a dream... across the steam...[/I] Oh, that one... surely they would know?

Confusing, but still makes me feel... like a lier, which I am, because I have one other dark thing about myself. So it confuses me also, they where just late in replying, I think... because I did get an e-mail a few years ago... I think it was a few years ago. I might leave it this time, and if I get another e-mail, I'll just say it wasn't mine.[/B][/SIZE]

[Semjaza]

Maybe it's just me, but that e-mail comes off [i]anything[/i] but professional or official. I doubt an organization that prides itself on choosing poets would have something like this written that ineloquently.

[satan665]

It does sound like a scam, and if it is then you would seem to be in the clear.

[Vicky]

Hang on, maybe it might be, but I don't think so. I'm ok with you guys thinking it might be a scam, but read the whole e-mail, then tell me what you think:

[B][SIZE=1]Ladies and gentlemen, and fellow poets . . . It's now time to declare the winner of the largest cash prize ever awarded to an amateur poet . . . Our Poet of the Year for 2004 . . . and Grand Prize winner of $20,000 is . . .

Vicky Sherratt!

We're familiar with your work, Vicky, and you know . .
it could happen just that way!

Dear Vicky,

I would like to inform you of your nomination as Poet of the Year for 2004, and to personally invite you to read your poetry at the single largest gathering of poets in history, where you will be formally inducted as an International Poet of Merit and Honored Member of our Society for 2004.

Your induction will take place Friday evening, March 5th, at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, during the International Society of Poets Spring 2004 Convention and Symposium.

You will also be honored with two separate and very special awards for your poetic achievement at special ceremonies throughout the weekend.

First, to honor and commemorate your poetic accomplishments, after you present your poetry in front of fellow poets from around the world, amidst the applause from the audience, you will be presented with your Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Silver Award Cup. The Award is a magnificent work of art in itself ($200.00 value), uniquely engraved and mounted on a cherry-wood base (see it here). This incomparable award is so large and heavy, you may need an extra suitcase just to carry it home!

And Vicky . . . there's much more . . .

In recognition of your poetry presentation at this prestigious International Symposium, we will also create and present to you a beautiful and colorful Commemorative Award Medallion to honor your poetic dedication and achievements.

36 POETS WILL SHARE $74,000.00 TOTAL IN PRIZES--INCLUDING
THE SINGLE LARGEST POETRY CASH PRIZE EVER AWARDED--$20,000.00!

And don't forget the most lucrative amateur poetry contest ever! Your contest entry poem can be written in any style, on any subject . . . and can be up to 40 lines long.

Just think . . . for this poem alone, you will have the opportunity to win one of 36 cash and gift prizes to be awarded at the Symposium . . including a Grand Prize of $20,000.00--the largest cash prize ever awarded in an amateur poetry competition. There's also a Second Prize of $5,000.00, two Third Prizes of all-expenses paid vacations for two, including a Caribbean cruise and a trip to Cancun, Mexico, a Fourth Prize of $1,000.00, and six other cash prizes of $500.00 each. World-renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, W.D.Snodgrass, and Academy of American Poets Chancellor, David Wagoner, will be with us to congratulate poets and present the Grand Prize.

Your society is also encouraging today's youth to develop and utilize their poetic talents in a positive manner. This year we will award five $1,000.00 cash scholarships to talented young poets attending the Symposium.

Our editors and professors will also be searching for new poetic talent. Twenty poets will be "discovered" in the contest reading sessions. These winners will be awarded publishing or recording contracts that will generate international exposure for their poetic artistry.

In all, $74,000.00 in cash and prizes will be awarded at this single event!

LIGHTS . . . CAMERA . . . ACTION!

And that's still just the beginning . . . we've got three very special days planned for you . . . ones you'll never forget!

**You will be officially inducted as an honorary "International Poet of Merit" for 2004.

**You and your poetic achievements will be honored at two Gala Banquets and Award Ceremonies.

**You will enjoy dazzling entertainment shows created especially for you featuring famous doo-wop girl band, The Shangri-Las, legendary Motown singing group, the Marvelettes, plus other special surprise entertainers. These special command performances will thrill and delight you. There will also be lots of other entertainment, including Midnight Dance Parties on both Friday and Saturday nights!

**Our own "Poetry for Prizes" show will be hosted by Bob Eubanks. For four decades, Bob Eubanks wrote television history as host of the incredibly successful The Newlywed Game. Along with The Newlywed Game, Bob has served as the genial host for game shows on all three networks. Currently Bob can be seen four times a day on Sony's Game Show Network.

**You will learn more about your craft in seminars, reading rooms, rap sessions, and workshops, where you can read and discuss your poetry in informal settings with other poets from all over the world. Back by popular demand are the ISP rap rooms, our famous sunrise poetry readings, the ISP Coffee House, the ISP Open Microphone Rooms, and workshops on how to fine-tune your poetic talents.

**You will have the rare opportunity to get up-close and personal with the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.D. Snodgrass, Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin, and Dr. Len Roberts, who will also be reading their own work.

**You will participate in a fantastic international poetry competition featuring 36 prizes totaling $74,000.00. A Grand Prize of $20,000.00, two all-expenses paid vacations for two, including a Caribbean cruise and a trip to Cancun, Mexico, 8 other cash prizes totaling $9,000.00, 10 poetry recording contracts, 10 book publishing contracts, and 5 $1,000.00 Young Poets Scholarship prizes will be awarded at this single event.

**You and your guests will also be eligible to win one of many door prizes, valued at over $6,000.00.

**You will make friendships that will last a lifetime and will return home with wonderful memories, your Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Silver Award Cup, your Commemorative Award Medallion, and lots of other special gifts.

DON'T BE LEFT OUT

Don't miss this opportunity. Space is limited, and our Conventions routinely sell out. Plan to join your fellow poets at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, March 5-7, 2004, for the poetic event of the year! I am also looking forward to meeting you and celebrating the power and beauty of poets and poetry!

Sincerely,
Steve Michaels
International Society of Poets
Convention Chairperson

Click here for more information.

Click here to Register Now, or go to
[url]https://www.poetry.com/poetscorner/register.asp?VIP=P5502953&SC=T135[/url]

P.S. I'm sending you this reminder since you previously requested to be notified of poetry news by e-mail. If you no longer wish us to notify you of poetic events that we believe may be of interest to you, please click here, or go to [url]http://www.poetry.com/nl/stopemail.asp.[/url]

poetry.com * One Poetry Plaza * Owings Mills, MD 21117[/SIZE][/B]

I think that was all, do you think it might be a scam?

[Semjaza]

Well, I was referring to this, which was in one of your earlier posts.

[quote]Ladies and gentlemen, and fellow poets . . . It's now time to declare the winner of the largest cash prize ever awarded to an amateur poet . . . Our Poet of the Year for 2004 . . . and Grand Prize winner of $20,000 is . . .

Vicky Sherratt!

We're familiar with your work, Vicky, and you know . .
it could happen just that way!

Amateur poet... right, either that means children or something, because... it sounds weird, plus I don't live anywhere where money is $'s.

P.S. I'm sending you this reminder since you previously requested to be notified of poetry news by e-mail. If you no longer wish us to notify you of poetic events that we believe may be of interest to you.[/quote]

This second one you just posted seems more legit heh.

[Vicky]

[SIZE=1]Yeah, it's because I missed out half of it in the first post and was saying about the money and stuff. Hopefully... if I leave it for awhile they won't bother... HOPEfully... *gulps*[/SIZE][/B]

[XeEmO]

I assume this is from poetry.com? Anyone who submits any poem gets an e-mail like that.

[Vicky]

[B][SIZE=1]Are you sure? Honestly? So I'm off the hook and I'm not the real... trouble maker here? Well... how I see it, I'm okay if I'm not winning prizes for someone else's work.

So... I think the question is kinda answered then, if you are sure, right? Anyway...

I'd also like to know if anyone had anything that got out of hand too, like a little joke that went too far. I have something big, which even you guys wouldn't like.

So... every been in a situation where everything got out of hand and you even lost the guts to tell the truth?[/SIZE][/B]

[Heaven's Cloud]

[color=indigo]It doesn't really matter for two reasons. The first being that the second email says that you will be competeing for $20,000. Which means you haven't won anything, despite the initial wording of the email. It is probably similar to a time share, you pay to go to stay at the hotel the seminar is in but you have the chance to win money. You should have figured that out when you read-- "We're familiar with your work, Vicky, and you know . .
it [b]could happen just that way[/b]!"

You recieved this because you have submitted entries and subscribed to news for poetry.com.

The second reason is that if you didn't realize this email was a solicitation immediatly then I don't think you have quite a good enough grasp on the English language to write a poem worth $20,000...[/color]

[satan665]

Once when I was a kid (this is so dumb of me), me and my brother tossed one of my friends (MIke) nintendo games down the stairs a bunch of times. It was Zelda, and we chipped off a bunch of the gold paint in doing so. So when he came back over, we told him that it was this other kid who did it, Adam. Then, as revenge we went with the kid with Mike and broke into Adams house and stole a couple of his games. (The door was unlocked, but it was still breaking and entering) So we wrecked the games and got found out for it somehow I don't remember. The Cops came to my house one day and just me and my brother were home alone so we peeked to see who it was but just didn't answer the door. Turns out the cops never came back, but my friend Mike got busted and had to repay him for half the $.

I basically played my friends against each other for something Me and my bro did senslessly. I told my parents and all, but its embarrassingly stupid.

[Roxie Faye]

[color=#9933ff]Vicky, it was probably a scam. And if they e-mail you again, just tell 'em to eff-off. Or stop sending you e-mails. That would work, too. And if they dont' stop coming, you can always block the e-mail addresses (I don't know if you can do that in yahoo or hotmail, though...)

I've done stupid things that made me look like a total idiot for weeks, in which I thought the world was oging to come to a crashing halt. So many oldies here can attest to to that! *laughs* Whatever happens, I guess you should always maintain a clear head, and not be a crazy loon like me. Things always get better, if you let them (i.e.: don't be a pessimist). Trust me. I'm the master of disaster, and things always get better (to some extent). It'll be alright.

~Roxie, sometimes it seems like the World's on Fire (c) 'Ness[/color]

[Terpischore]

[color=blue][size=1]Vicky, I got the same letter/e-mail. It's because you submitted a poem onto poetry.com and entered their contest, or somebody else did in your name, but you should have received a letter before stating that you had been accepted into the preliminaries. I'm not sure if it's a scam, my mother said it was (encouraging for an aspiring poet, to have your mother tell you that the one person that actually accepted your work wasn't real..) but don't panic. Don't go to the seminar. I'm not going - it costs $75 just to go. But they needn't know that you stole the poem, because it doesn't matter, so just don't reply back to the mail. They can't do anything if you haven't signed anything.[/color][/size]

[Fall]

I've done a few things that if taken far enough, could have ruined my life, made it alot worse than what it is now.

Only one of those things I've taken beyond the limit. And you have no idea how much I'm happy to have done so. I got what I wanted. I may have lost alot of my life, may-aswell say everything. But in return I got what I wanted, I had done what I had wanted to do for two years. It may have done more damage to me and my life than to anyone else, but there's one person, who was a friend, that I know would have felt that pain as much as me.

I can't say what it was that I done, I can't stand talking 'bout it.

Now I know that if I hadn't taken that chance, I wouldn't be where I am today.

[center]___[/center]
[size=1]On a side note... if you ask me it's probably a scam that poetry thing, one out of two things like that are ********. :)[/size]

[Guest cloricus]

This [b]stinks[/b] of 401 spammers. (Eg Nigerian Spammers.)

People, [size=4][b][i][u]YOU DO NOT GET SOMETHING FOR NOTHING IN REAL LIFE WHY IS THE NET ANY DIFFERENT[/u][/i][/b][/size], and until people realise this very simple fact spam will be a way of life for the rest of us.

You should be able to pick from real emails from spam/scams; basically a real email is from some one you know or in some way associated with you and a scam one is anything to do with giving money/wanting your address (or details)/taking money.

I always think it's funny and sad that people are sucked into giving money to people they don't know or giving some thing to some one in that way when they don?t know what the other persons intensions are. (Well they should, all spammers have the same intensions.)

Block any addresses that send you people this sort of crap other wise YOU are the reason every one else gets flooded with spam. [spoiler]Not sorry for being blunt.[/spoiler]

[TheShinje]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by cloricus [/i]
[B]Block any addresses that send you people this sort of crap [/B][/QUOTE]

Most spammers do not use legit e-mails. And I think it's been concluded that it's just a generic e-mail from poetry.com, and not a scam.

I've done some pretty stupid things, but never anything that stood out as something which could ruin my life forever heh.

My multiple personalities here on OB is one of them. well, as a recovering "name-a-holic," I'm proud to say, that since Nov 2002 I've kept the same account ^_^