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First, we closed on the sale of our first home yesterday.
Second, I spent the last 24 hours doing something I hadn't expected to be doing.
See, my domain was up for renewal, and I have it set up to automatically renew but my credit card on file had expired. I received an email notice to update my info in the midst of selling and buying a house. I called and couldn't remember my pin so I couldn't pay. Weeks later, yesterday, I phoned Caleb at Go Daddy who kindly helped me on the phone for hours, found my pin and then told me my domain was inaccessible to everyone until the next morning when it would probably go up for auction.
I was bummed and frustrated but also thought who would want my domain?! Little did I know. I have since learned all about domain squatters. My site was purchased before I could say dig. Or any other single syllable words that come to mind...
Now. Early this morning, after having a little (or big) but that's so unfair! fit I took a big breath in my small apartment and made myself pay attention. Because, whether I wanted it to be or not, this is now part of my path. So, what next? I opened myself up, really wanting to settle into it. That moment, Margot started singing a piece of a song, on repeat, that she heard at a Cinderella play last month. At first the high pitch and repetition was irritating. Then I realized what she was singing.
If you believe in kindness you'll be free!
If you believe in kindness you'll be free!
If you believe in kindness you'll be free!
If you believe in kindness you'll be free!
I got the info of the person who bought it. He lived in Illinois. I emailed him. I phoned him. He answered. Just a dude who was all hello? like I was calling to ask him out for a beer.
Me: Um, hi. My name is Nici. Did you buy my domain this morning?
Squatter: What?!!!
Me: I have a website, and I think you bought my url? I am just really confus...
Squatter: I can't talk to you right now! I don't know anything.
Me: Well, I really don't want to let you off the phone just yet. I would like...
Squatter: I don't know anything!! You need to send an email. I don't even know what you are talking about.
Me: I have a general question. I...
Squatter: I DON'T...
Me: Please, give me just one moment. I am so bummed about this and really need to figure it out. Please help me. Do you buy up domains that accidentally expire and try to sell them back for lots of money? Because, I can tell you right now I am not a contender. Do you...
Squatter: Nothing like that. Send an email and someone will be in touch in two hours.
Me: What is your name, please?
Squatter: {very long pause} Chris.
And then he hung up on me. I did get an email from them and they said, "You can just send us your ABSOLUTE BEST AND HIGHEST OFFER in this email and then we will either accept it or reject it."
I wrote back. I am proud of my email. It was kind and fair. And then I let it go. No more power or energy going to Chris. I might get my domain back, I might not. If I don't get it back, it will be an opportunity for something else. I don't know what yet and, yes, it is very disheartening and upsetting, but I do trust it will lead me somewhere else or into something else that is better.
In the meantime! Will you help me? I have a whole lot of readers who don't know the new url, and I don't have any way to direct them here. Dig This Chick's new url: www.digthischick.net. To make my new address pop up in search engines instead of the old, I need to get my traffic back. Google 'dig this chick' and only click on the new url, not the old. Within one day of your efforts, the new url is already the first hit! Additionally, you can click through a link on facebook. You don't have to be on facebook to see my wall. Or etsy. Or instagram (@nicirae). Or twitter. If you see the old url somewhere, will you let me know? Also, change your
