I just got back from the Religious Book Trade Exibit where Michael Trueman and I were signing copies of Surprised by Canon Law for Servant Books. Both Mike and I had a wonderful time and we met up with Amy Welborn and Michael Dubreil (who were signing books for OSV) among a host of other cool people.
On another note, I've decided to shut down my account with Wachovia after they wanted to charge me $75 to make a deposit into my bank account. Yep, you heard that right! $75 to DEPOSIT a check into my bank account. Not withdraw, wire transfer, or some other specialized service, but to deposit money into the account. At first they simply told me there would be a fee without telling me how much (or providing me with a phone number or contact person whom I could ask -- I had to look this up myself on the internet), and they hung up on me when I asked. I had to call back.
When they told me the fee was $75, I responded that charging a customer $75 for a deposit was outrageous and morally reprehensible -- especially when I had made similar types of deposit in the past without incurring a fee, have never overdrawn, etc... The individual insisted it wasn't a fee for making a deposit, but because I didn't have enough money in my account to cover the amount of the deposit (Duh! That's why I was trying to deposit more money into the account) and that I might be tempted to withdraw the money before the check cleared (well then freeze the funds or don't post the deposit until the check clears!)
They then tried to talk me into keeping the account open, but they couldn't waive the fees. I was like no thanks, this is completely and utterly disgusting, and I have no intention of bringing Wachovia any more business.
Pete --
join a Credit Union! They're much better than banks.
Another point to remember, Wachovia is a big contributo to Planned Parenthood.
Hopefully, PP banks at Wachovia, too -- less money for their "services."