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My favorite email of the week started like this:
Dear Mr/Mrs Richards.
Um, how is Mary a gender confusing name? I can understand Pat, Kim, Logan, Chris, Dana, Jamie -- but MARY?
The only thing I can think of is that he was responding to one of my stories online, didn't see the part on the top where it says "By Mary Richards" and instead just clicked on the email address at the bottom, mrichards@ksl.com. To him I could be Marty, Mark, Michael or Merridoc.
Another favorite email I received this week came from a smoker mad about the story I did that Governor Huntsman is considering proposing the tax on cigarettes go up to three dollars a pack. Here is his/her email to me, titled "what":
--What, are you out of your mind! If Utahans want to smoke, that there own body. Why should we need to pay more? There expensive anyway. --
Loved it. I'm posting it at my desk.
More inbox fun came this morning. Within minutes of my story being posted this morning about how airlines are slashing fares out of Salt Lake City, my inbox filled with emails from people wanting to know how to get those deals. Due to a mistake I made in the first version I sent to the web team, people thought the cheap flights were all on Delta and couldn't find the fares. I crafted a response to each person about where I got the information and how they might find airline fares online, then sent the web team a clarification for my story.
Finally, I have to share another recent Deal or No Deal inquiry. Readers of this blog know ever since I did a story about the show's auditions here in SLC last spring, intelligent people hoping to make millions on the show are googling "Deal or No Deal auditions." My story comes up third or fourth, and people just see my email address and write to me thinking I'm the actual casting director.
This one is from a "Mr Cory" (not Mrs).
--Will there be any more open auditions in south Florida? I play online all the time and hit the million about 12 times and probably will go all the way until the last case. I am a teacher and my kids are trying to get me on the show. My last 3 and a half years have been hell (explanation given if needed) and they would love to see me on the show. Can you help?--
