always double check your work

some of you may know that i have recently starting courting a part-time job with this online service provider. i am currently in the training stages. here is the rundown of how it works:

-as a guide, i choose categories of interest to me to add to my profile. (these categories link me to searches so that people who are searching for information can use me to help them find it.)

-i have to be certified in each category before i can move on to the next level (the "job" part.)

-i chose the following introductory categories:
-80's music
-ncaa basketball
-films

now, i should explain to you how you come to choose a category. you do one of two things. you a) browse through the lists and lists of general categories and narrow down until you find the one you like. or b) type a keyword into the database and it brings up a list of recent searches and you narrow it down through sub-categories until you have the one you want. for some odd reason, i couldn't find the ones i wanted in "a" so i chose "b".

to date, i have had 14 training searches for "80's music," 8 for "ncaa basketball," and 0 for "films." this struck me as weird and a little annoying since i can't move on until i get a certain number in all three categories.

this morning i got my first training search for "films." it was an eye-opening experience. the chat went something like this:

(keep in mind that while i am training, the "seekers" are other guides who are acting as the general public...)

(italics denote my internal monologue)

ME: hello, i will be helping you with your search today. what can i find for you?
SEEKER: um, yeah. i was wondering about snuff films
ME: (what the hell?) ok, what would you like to know about snuff films?
SEEKER: aren't they like underground XXX movies?
ME: i think so, i know that they have to deal with real deaths. not sure about the XXX part. would you like me to find out for you?
SEEKER: can i ask you a question?
ME: (where is this going? it must be a test to see if i report the seeker or not. ok. prepare.) sure.
SEEKER: what made you choose this? are you like really interested in it or something?
ME: (wtf?) in snuff films?
SEEKER: yeah. i mean it's cool if you are, it's just a little strange for a keyword.
ME: is THAT what my keyword showed up as? here it is just "films."
SEEKER: no. it says "snuff films."
ME: (are you frickin' kidding me?!) hmmm. i was wondering why i hadn't gotten any searches.
SEEKER: so you thought it was just "films."
ME: yep. that's what it says here.
SEEKER: lol!
ME: wow, i guess i need to go change that, huh?
SEEKER: that is hysterical.
ME: well, is there anything ELSE i can help you find while you're here?
SEEKER: um, how about the films from sundance.
ME: ok, give me a minute.
SEEKER: dude, i hope i didn't come across as a perve, but i really thought you were one. lol.
ME: ha! no worries here.
SEEKER: i am laughing so hard right now.
ME: me too. i guess this is one i will remember for a while.
SEEKER: i know. i will NEVER forget it...or your name.
ME: oh great, now i'm gonna be the new "perve" on the block.
SEEKER: wow!
ME: well, i should go change my keyword...as much fun as this has been.
SEEKER: ok. you have a good day.
ME: you too. thanks.

so now, my keywords read as follows:
-80's music
-ncaa basketball
-ebay

always check your work, kids. you never know when it may turn you into a pervert.