Um...I'm not so sure that's a good idea....

This morning, our Sunday tranquility was interrupted by Mother-in-Law calling us to ask where she might be able to send a fax at 10:00 am on a Sunday morning.



"Why?" my wife asked, with a tinge of nervousness in her voice.



Apparently, Mother-in-law was getting ready to fax a copy of her credit card and driver's license to a hotel in Laughlin, Nevada. Why, you might ask? Well, let's get to that.

This story kind of starts with brother-in-law. Just when you get the idea his life is finally (finally) on an upswing, something totally crazy happens to make you change your mind. Brother-in-law decided to enter a Karaoke singing contest at a local bar in Salt Lake. In this case, it seems like he has been doing quite well. So well, in fact, that he actually won the darn thing and was invited to the final competition in Laughlin, NV.

So, off he goes to Laughlin, NV...down by Bullhead City...which is right next to...well...nothing. However, once he got there to check into the hotel room, the desk clerk asked for a credit card...you know, to cover any "expenses" like damage to the room, missing hotel towels, adult entertainment on TV, or drinks from the mini-bar.

Unfortunately for brother-in-law, he doesn't actually have a credit card...nor does his 47 year-old girlfriend who has a 22-year old son. (RIIIGGGHHT...No one has a debit card or a credit card...uh huh). So, he frantically calls mother-in-law and convinces her to fax a copy of her credit card and photo ID to an obscure hotel. Um, I'm not so sure that's a good idea.

Personally, I've got to believe that this whole Karaoke contest is some elaborate plot to get people to drive 518 miles from Salt Lake to spent time and money in Laughlin, Nevada. Why am I so sure? Well, the grand prize of landing in the Laughlin NV finals didn't actually pay anything, although one "sponsor" did offer a $40 gas card...so all was not lost...but then again, this sponsor backed out at the last minute, so I guess all was lost. What better group to invite to Laughlin than a bunch of drunk Karaoke "contestants" who think it's fun to sing Achy Breaky Heart or a positively rocking rendition of Sweet Home Alabama to a room full of other drunk people...and as winners, they get to pay their own way and all expenses in Laughlin, NV. It takes a special kind of person who thinks that winning the Karaoke contest in Laughlin, NV is just one more small step to on the way to stardom. Next stop: American Idol. After that: red carpet at the American Music Awards, I'm sure. It's a brilliant move for the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, but personally, I think it's a sham.

Anyway, back to the point. Faxing credit card numbers and drivers licenses to complete strangers is definitely not a good idea...ever! Perhaps I should forward mother-in-law that e-mail I just received from the orphaned Nigerian Prince who "needs my helping to transfer huge sums of fortune onto American bank accounts." I'm sure I could get her to fax her checking account number to Nigeria too.