text:
MR. BINU VARGHESE - scammer
GLEN COXWELL - scamalicious lawyer
JAMES ANDERSON - director of operations
SIR MARK TIME - Mining Magnate Extraordinaire!
LEO LIABILITY - Sir Mark's legal advisor :)
BROTHER HENRY O'CTOPUS - Senior Pastor
From: firstname.lastname@example.com [mailto:email@example.com]
Sent: September 23, 2004 5:33 PM
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED
Received: ([1895.2299.2907.194] PALM V SONY. REG: JN 34l89FG)
From: "B.VARGHESE.REG RT344/65LG
Date:-.- 2004. 05:53:19
I am really sorry if this mail gets to you without any notice.
As a matter of urgency, I want you to advice me on what investment opportunities you can assist me on. It has become really difficult to get a reliable investor to assist me because of the rate of scams that I hear about.
First I will introduce myself, i am Mr. Binu Varghese , a geologist for Amedeo International.
I am an Indian citizen and I have my passport for identification if there is a need to confirm my identity.
I am a contract worker heading the accounts department of the crude oil and drill section of the North coast of Brunei, sultanate on the Gulf Island.
I will save your time by not amplifying my history.
The reason why I got your contact from an internet directory was that during the controversial dispute that erupted between Prince Williams Fayed Bolkiah and his step brother,the sultan of Brunei Sheik Muda Hassanal Bolkiah.
As you may know from the international media, the sultan had accused Prince Williams Fayed Bolkiah of financial mismanagement and impropriety of Billions of dollars. This was as a result of the Asian financial crisis that made Prince William Fayed Bolkiah's company Amedeo Development Company and government owned Brunei Investment Company to be declared bankrupt during his tenure in office.
However Prince William Fayed Bolkiah is still kept under house arrest, his bank accounts and private properties including the crude oil export refinery were I worked has been confisticated by the sultanate.
These are links to news paper reveiws:http://www.malaysia.net/lists/sangkancil/2000- 05/msg00188.html
Furthermore, during this unfortunate period, I was advised to evacuate the sultanate to avoid further prosecution from the sultan and his security operatives, but before I could do that I was placed under house arrest by the Sultan and I have no access to a phone but I have a Palm V hand-held computer from which I am sending you this mail.
Before Prince Williams Fayed Bolkiah's incarceration, I went ahead to dispatch a sum in cash payment under special arrangement in the custody of a Private security and Trustee company safe in France. I entrusted the deposit certificate to my solictor who resides in Paris-France.
I am taking the risk of keeping this funds without his knowledge or even my family and friends Hence I seek your good assistance to collect the deposit and invest these funds into profitable investments to facilitate my future survival, for they do not intend to release me soon because of the fact that I am the head of accounts and that I also work for the prince.
I have decided to offer a reasonable percentage of these funds to you as compensation for your cooperation.
Please I count on your absolute confidentiality, transparency and trust while looking forward to your prompt reply: email@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com towards a swift conclusion.
I remain yours sincerely
Mr. Binu Varghese
OK...Readers will recognise this letter before, but let's see if I can string this one out for longer than my first effort.
A fellow member of the Croseus Club informs me that you have a possible business opportunity and are seeking assistance from a suitably qualified partner. My interest is piqued - how may I be able to assist? Send some documentaty proof to me ASAP so that we can get the ball rolling.
Sir Mark Time
Blue Sky Mines NL
Tel: 1-206-984-2993
Fax: 1-206-984-2993
Sure enough, the lad replies. I need to make sure that I don't try to be too clever too quickly. A quick check on the IP shows:
Location = (Nigeria)
lat/lon = 6.27n, 3.28e
source = NET whois.ripe.net
type = guess
place-key = ng [capital city]
geo-key = ng-lagos -> .\data\geo.vdb
Gee...Lagos and Brunei are sooooo close together, right?
Dear mark,
Thanks for your mail. I am summoned by the sultan, i will write in detail when am back to my apartment.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Mr. Binu
So he's being summoned by the sultan. Is that the sultan of swing, perhaps? Because it's not the Sulta of Brunei, that's for sure :P
Mr. Binu,
Please write back when you return from your appointment with the Sultan. You may be surprised to know that my company has had dealings with Brunei so perhaps I might be able to assist you in leaving the country without having to resort to any illegal activities.
Give my regards to the Sultan,
Sir Mark Time
Blue Sky Mines NL
Tel: 1-206-984-2993
Fax: 1-206-984-2993
And so the lad seems convinced he has me firmly on his hook. I must admit his English is certainly much better than some of the other lads around, but that will probably change once I start to make him panic. OK - so his "pleads" were not granted. Seems I won't be getting a pic from him unless he wants to go against his tale.
Dear Mark,
Thanks so much for your mails. I am delighted on your positive disposition to assist me in getting my mission actualized. I met with the Sultan for a release, but my pleads were not granted. I would appreciate if you can assist me to get the funds released and transferred to a favorable economic setting in the shortest possible time.
As indicated to you earlier, I dont have any other medium of communication if not my palm V, so, I cant communicate with phone as I dont have it.
All I needed from you is your assurance not to betray me or abscond with the fund, then I will forward the contact of my attorney in London who has the documents of the deposit. He will release the documents to you for you to contact the security company in France for the release of the deposit for onward lodgmentto a safe account. But before then, I really need to know you better. [aww...quite touching, really!] What is your age and profession? If you can send me a scan copy of your passport or drivers license, it will be welcome for a good beginning.
I wait for your response.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Mr. Binu Varghese
Sorry, Binu. No passport to be had. Time for a trip down make believe lane for Sir Mark.
Mr. Varghese,
How wonderful to hear back from you so promptly! I confirm receipt of your mail. Unfortunately, I don't have a scanned copy of my passport, but please find attached a copy of my driver's licence. [and WHAT a licence it is, too! Check out the mullet!]
It's a pity you can't call, but no doubt I'll be able to receive faxes from your lawyer. You may rest assure that I won't be absconding with the funds. [True, but then again, there aren't any funds anyway] After all, I think it's important to be open and honest and trustworthy. Please don't forget to refer to me by my proper title - SIR Mark time. After all, what's the point in having a knighthood if people don't call me by my proper title.
I await contact from your lawyer,
Sir Mark Time
Blue Sky Mines NL
Tel: 1-206-984-2993
Fax: 1-206-984-2993
I sent the lad a nicely doctored licence photo. Surely he won't buy it - or will he? (photo to be sent separately)
PART 2 - ENTER THE LAWYER (COMPLETE WITH THE CRAPPIEST LAD FORGERY YET)Note the change in type face. Not the first time we'll see it, but still no caps, thank goodness. Dear readers, meet Glen Coxwell!
Dear Glen Coxwell,
I write in respect of my deposit documents in your possession. I will appreciate if such will be handed over to my partner Sir. Mark Time who is presently in US. Your legal assistance is also needed in providing all other documents leading to the execution of the release of the deposit in Paris France.
The above task will be executed in collaboration with Sir. Mark Time. His contact will be provided to you shortly.
Based on my status, I don't have access to telephone or any other communication system, but can communicte via my palm V. Please, urgently instruct on how the aforementioned will be carried out.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Mr. Binu Varghese.
[the reader will grasp that Mr. Binu is copying Sir Mark on correspondence with Binu's crony, er, 'lawyer', Glen]
Dear Sir Mark Time,
I earlier sent you a copy of my mail to my attorney in London. I will get back to you as soon as I hear from him.
Thanks and keep intouch.
Mr. Binu Varghese
At least the lad read my earlier email. Can't have him getting too matey just yet. I haven't had a chance to disappoint! I might bring old Leo Liability into the picture. Let's see whose imaginary legal adviser wins the day!
Thankyou for keeping me informed with the status of this venture. I'm sure that I'll no doubt hear from your legal chappie shortly. Seeing as I'm a busy man, I might have to ask my corporate counsel, Leo Liability to deal with your lawyer. Please note, I haven't spoken to anyone else about this transaction, and Leo is a man I have worked with for the last 20 years. I trust him completely, and he has definitely been of great assistance in the past.
Sir Mark Time
I'll hold off with Leo. The lad isn't sure about this even though we seem to be getting on like a house on fire. I can almost hear him thinking "No, Sir Mark! Trust my 'lawyer'!"
Dear Sir Mark Time,
Thanks so much on your idea for your attorney to work with mine in legal matters for the success of this project. Lets wait to hear frommy lawyer first and we shall know the best thing to do ok.
My Palm V battery is down and I need to recharge. [He's still working the old Palm V angle. At least he's consistent]
I will contact you as soon as I hear from him, meanwhile, what areas of investment do you have in mind for the funds?
Thanks and remain blessed.
Mr. Binu
I didn't get a pic from my first outing so let's see how we go this time. I'm going to try to work the Church of the Stroked Banana into this bait. I've had enough time to think about how I'm going to do this so let's see if it works. Remember the story about preparing to float the company. This will make a reappearance later on.
Very well. I'll await contact from your lawyer, and we'll see what he has to say. As for investment opportunities, I would suggest you consider investing in my company, Blue Sky Mines. Although it isn't listed on the stock exchange yet, we are hoping to have a large enough turnover to qualify for listing in the near future.
Blue Sky Mines has a number of mining projects. Our most encouraging one to date is the Nutbaggia Valley Project. Geological surveys indicate that there is a large deposit of uranium, and we are planning on exporting it to electricity utilities in the US, Japan and Europe. Because we aren't listed on the stock exchange, there are only a small number of investors in the company, and it means that if you invested now, you'd almost certainly be sitting on a sizable gain in 2 or 3 years.
Please excuse the brief reply, but I must head off to church. Are you a religious man? I myself am a member of the Church of the Stroked Banana. In this country the expression "stroke my banana" means "let us shake hands". We're always looking to recruit new members into the church. It would set my mind at ease knowing I was dealing with a devout man.
After all the effort I went into in creating the licence, the lad doesn't bother to read it! Well, maybe that's a good thing!
Dear Sir Mark Time,
I appreciate your mail. I am also a Christian. I am a Methodist.
I would prefer to invest in your company. On that note, I will know better the US business terrain.
Lets pray to God that everything works out for good.
I will update you as soon as I hear from my attorney.
Thanks and remain blessed. Binu
So you're a Methodist, eh? Fancy that! So is the church of the stroked banana!
[NO we don't have anything against Methodists! or Bananists either. This is entirely Sir Mark's religious issue.]
You may not be aware that the Church of the Stroked Banana is in fact part of the Methodist faith. I would be delighted to invite you to be a member of our Church, but wecan discuss this at a later time. I'll make sure that we pray for you and that you'resoon freed from house arrest.
Be strong in your faith,
Sir Mark Time
Finally...Here's the lawyer. I'm pretty sure it's just the lad's alter-ego, but he's doing a good job of pretending to be someone else. A pity his IP address (220.127.116.11) has given him away. Ripe entry tells me:
inetnum: 22.214.171.124 - 188.8.131.52
netname: SKANNET
descr: ISP in Nigeria
country: NG
admin-c: AA276-RIPE
tech-c: SF1122-RIPE
status: ASSIGNED PA
notify: email@example.com
mnt-by: SKANNET-MNT
changed: firstname.lastname@example.com 20030110
source: RIPE
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 17:45:11 +1200
Subject: RESPONSE TO YOUR ENQUIRY
Please do understand my inability to respond to your mail of inquiry earlier than now. First there is every need for me to check out your identity and due to certain precautions needed to undergo, it took quite some uneasy time to accomplish.
Indeed, the said documents for your deposits with the security Vault in Paris has been handed over to the Security and Trust companys headquarters in Madrid Spain together with the deposited valuables. This is for its perfect security and to avoid any setback from my end, as I will be away for months. Below is the contact of the security company in Spain, if you wish to have your deposit released now, write to enable me prepare a power of attorney to recognize you/PARTNER as my client and rightful owner of the documents and deposit. This is the term of the releasing injunction and instruction earlier agreed upon between me, and the company.
EMAIL: firstname.lastname@example.com
Contact Person: James Anderson
[the reader will easily grasp that "lawyer" Glen is pretending to copy Sir Mark on an e-mail to his "client" Binu.]
What's interesting here is that the lawyer might be away for months. This is almost too easy! Somehow I doubt I'll be dealing with him much anyway. Anyway, time for another change in type face :P
Dear Sir Mark Time,
I have earlier forwarded the response from my attorney. Please confirm its receipt.
On what I understand from it, the money has been lifted to the security companys office in Spain alongside with the documents of the deposits and with the power of attorney that he will give us, the deposit will be released to us.
I will need to hear from you before I reply him. My intention is to ask him to prepare the power of attorney with your name so that on its presentation to the security company, the deposit will be released to you on demand.
I wait to hear from you.
Thanks and remain blessed.
I confirm receipt of the mail from your attorney. Please contact him on my behalf so that we can get the ball rolling.
Yours in God,
Sir Mark Time
Glen Coxwell returns to send what can only be described as the crappiest document I've seen from the lads to date. My brother and his girlfriend were down for my birthday at this point in time, and when I showed her the power of attorney form, she lost it completely! For some damn reason the lawyer changed to a yahoo mail. Buggered if I know why, but perhaps that will be clear later on.
Attn Binu Varghese/ Sir Mark Time.
Attached is a legally processed power of attorney, on its presentation by your partner to the company, the documents and deposit will be released to him
Dont hesitate to contact me on advice wherever things seem complicated for you to handle.
Glen Coxwell Esq.
(I'll send the power of attorney form separately. It truly is crap-tacular!)
I confirm receipt of the power of attorney form.I do havetwo questions, however.
1. Can you advise how much is actually sitting at the Security Company in Spain?
2. Will I have to travel to Spain to present the Power of Attorney form, or can I e-mail it to the Security Company?
If I have to travel to Spain, I'll start making arrangements. But otherwise, please let me know if this isn't required just yet.
Sir Mark Time
I just remembered that the lad hadn't told me how much money was up for grabs. I decided to check with Binu/the lawyer to see whether I'd get 2 differing figures. Sadly, only Binu replied.
Today I received a copy of the power of attorney form from Glen Coxwall. I trust you were able to contact him regarding this. Given that you're still under house arrest, we can't be too careful with security. In fact, I propose that we start each email with the standard greeting of the Church of the Stroked Banana. Have you considered joining our church? You would be most welcome, I assure you!
Anyway, I have contacted Glen and confirmed receipt of the power of attorney form.
Can you please let me know the value of the funds deposited with the Security Company? That way I can be certain that nobody is trying to defraud you of what should be yours.
Yours in God,
Sir Mark Time
Now the lad's getting a tad toey. It seems the scam's taking longer than he had expected. He wants me in Spain, but that ain't gonna happen just yet. Not until I get my picture of a lad with a sign that reads "Stroke my Banana". Amazingly, nobody has asked for money!
[not yet]
Dear Sir Mark Time,
A very good day to you and to your family. I just received the power of attorney from Mr. Glen and am happy that you have confirmed its receipt to him.
As requested in your last email, I have to be honest with you. The total amount in the consignment is USD13,500,000.00 [Thirteen Million, five hundred Thousand United States Dollars] My attorney and the Security company is not quite aware of the real content of the consignment.
Please Mark, you have to make arrangement to be in Spain in the shortest possible time to get the money released and deposited to a safe account for our investment. But I would appreciate if you can keep intouch with the company in Spain by fax, phone and email before you proceed to Spain. When you get there and after the release of my deposit, you can then open an account in a reliable bank through which the funds will be transferred to your account in US.
I wait to hear from you.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Mr. Binu
I trust you're in good health today.
I contacted Glen after receiving the copy of the power of attorney form to determine what the next step should be. No doubt I'll hear from the security company shortly, but I'm very busy right now with work. You see, we're looking at listing on the Stock Exchange, and there are rules that must be obeyed. So I'm spending lots of time with merchant bankers and accountants and so on taking them to the mine and letting them see our operations. You'll be pleased to know that we won't float on the stock exchange until our private business is completed so if you decide to invest in Blue Sky Mines, your stock will almost certainly be worth much more.
As I understand the procedure, all I need to do is present the power of attorney form to the Security Company in Spain, collect the money and make sure it's transferred into a secure account prior to being invested. Am I to be compensated or remunerated for my participation in this activity? My only reason for asking this is that I may be away from my desk during a crucial moment in the pre-stock market float, and I don't want to do anything that will upset our investors or Board of Directors.
Do either you or Glen have an email address for the Security Company? Glen did mention the particulars of the Security Company, but I can't remember whether he provided email addresses. To be honest, I'd prefer to be in touch via email to ensure that security is maintained. Once I'm certain that this isn't all some elaborate set-up designed to rob you of your funds, I'll then head over there and collect the funds.
Yours in God,
Sir Mark Time
Anyway, for some damn reason the lad re-sent the email from the lawyer claiming he'll be away for "months". I suspect he was getting mixed up with another scam, but I decided to let it slide. After all, it's more fun to disappoint the lad when he thinks I'm his best buddy :P
PART 3 - AIRSHIPS, SECURITY COMPANIES AND A "HOW TO" LESSON FOR THE LADS ON MAKING UP DOCUMENTSAll right. Time to make things interesting. Let's give the Security Company lad a poke to see what's going on over there.
It has come to my attention that there are several boxes being stored by your Security Company to which I am rightly etitled to take possession. Please contact me as soon as possible so that I may arrange their collection.
Sir Mark Time
Blue Sky Mines NL
Tel: 1-206-984-2993
Fax: 1-206-984-2993
This arrived on my birthday. Seems the lad doesn't like it when Sir Mark goes quiet. Gee...Can't I have a day off from the lads? And nothing from scamorama staff either for my birthday! Boo hoo! :P
[If we'd only known! Happy Birthday Sir Mark, and many happy returns!
Dear Mark,
I have not heard from you today. Please, write me on the posistion of things.
Mr. Binu
Time to see if the lad's paying attention. I won't use the thylacine angle this time. Might save that for one of the other lads. For Mr Binu I think I'll introduce my pride and joy - the Hindenburgen! Let's hope he doesn't spot the US Navy writing on the side of it :P
As I mentioned in my previous email, I have been quite busy with our planned float on the Stock Exchange. Bankers and Accountants were determined to see the Nutbaggia Valley Project so I took them on a tour using our company's airship. We purchased it second-hand and managed to save quite a bit of money that way. I'll enclose a picture of my pride and joy - the Hindenburgen. Unlike the old fashioned airships, this one is filled with methane because it's cheaper than other lighter-than-air gasses. [Note to readers. It probably isn't, but the lad doesn't know that]
I did send a brief email to the security company yesterday outlining my intentions, but I haven't heard back from them yet.
And one to the lawyer too. Gotta make sure he's awake.
FYI. I have contacted the Security Company regarding the boxes in storage. So far nothing in reply, and I'm not about to head off to Spain until I am certain that all is in readiness.
Nearly forgot this. Time to see whether I can get the lad interested in the Church of the Stroked Banana. After all, I won't be doing busiess with non-members. This could be the only fictiional church with a non human priest. Take a look at http://www.thewiggles.com.au/about/friends/henry.html and you'll see why!
I'll send this to your other mailbox just in case you didn't receive the earlier message. Things are still busy here, and I've had Brother Henry O'Ctopus (it's pronounced oh-topus...It's an old Gaelic name or so I'm told) praying for the mine and the success of the company. Are you a religious man by any chance? Have you considered joining our church - the church of the Stroked Banana?
Note: forwarded message attached.
Sir Mark Time
Binu's getting anxious - what's with the delay? Alas, I won't be calling. Too busy to call, my lad.
Dear Mark Time,
Thanks for the update. I quite understand your tight schedule, notwithstanding, you can as well attend to our affairs.I suggest that you contact the company by phone since they have not responded to your email to know the situation of things.
Please call them and update me on the outcome of your discussion with them.
Thanks and remain blessed
Mr. Binu
Woohoo! Time to get cranky at the Security Company. This is going to be like shooting fish in a barrell!
What the devil is going on, man? I've been waiting for a reply concerning items stored with your company, but I haven't heard a peep from you at all! I don't quite know what it's like in Europe, but in this country, silence definitely ISN'T golden.
I'm prepared to travel to conclude this business, but I need to know more information before I hop on a plane, willy-nilly only to find you're not prepared!
I await your reply,
Sir Mark Time
Bugger. No progress on the Church of the Stroked Banana front. Might keep trying though. I suspect the lad in Spain will be my most likely target.
Dear Mark Time,
I was off the Internet zone, which made me unable to communicate with you and your partner.
I passed both the fax, phone and email contacts of the company in Spain to you, if they have not responded to your email, you can either call or fax them a letter.
Glen Coxwell Esq.
I was actually pretty pleased with this next attachment. I've deliberately made it a pdf so that the lads might hopefully be a little more impressed. I'll try to throw in the tried and tested "we need a password so I know it's really you" routine. Let's see if that wastes more lad time.
I'll see if I can call the company today. The stock analysts have been extremely enthusastic about the future prospects for Blue Sky Mines. Once the company goes public, there'll be no stopping us! I only hope that we can conclude this business so that you can invest in us and reap the benefits!
On a positive note, I enclose a copy of this article that will appear in the next International Mining Journal. It's a newsletter that's circulated among mining companies around the world. Not many people know of it outside the mining industry. Please let me know what you think!
I think that security is to be of utmost importance now. I propose that we adopt a secret phrase so that we can be confident that one party isn't an impostor trying to trip the other up. How about "Stroke my Banana" - the motto of my church?
Yours in Christ, (Stroke my Banana)
Sir Mark Time
Sir Mark baulks at calling Spain. Can't they contact me first?
I confirm receipt of your email. I will attempt to call the Security Company, but the head of security here at Blue Sky Mines is a naturally suspicious gent and has recommended that I establish e-mail contact with the first to try to sort out the modalities.
I'm sure I've asked you this before, but I didn't get a clear answer. Are you a religious man by any chance? IT would set my mind at ease if I knew I was dealing with a fellow Christian. Brother Henry O'Ctopus from the Church of the Stroked Banana has been praying for me over the last week or so. It's nice to be in someone's prayers.
Sir Mark Time
Finally, after a week or so of general matey-ness and testing the waters, the lads feel ready to start with the scam. About bloody time! Still, this lot seems very, very well organised. A check of James Anderson's IP (126.96.36.199) reveals:
Location = Madrid, Spain
lat/lon = 40.25n, 3.43w
source = .\data\geo.vdb:rima-tde.net.txt
type = authoritative
place-key = es-madrid
geo-key = es-madrid -> .\data\geo.vdb
Equity Trust Inc.
Campo De Las Naciones,
28042 Madrid, Spain.
Tel: 0034 61 95 34 905
Fax: 0034 91 61 97 007
Attn: Mr. Mark Time
Dear Sir,
We write to notify and confirm to you that we have receiveda consignment fromAfrica in your favour tagged diplomatic items of high values and have also received instructions from your partner/depositor for the release of the consignment to you as the new beneficiary and owner of consignment.
We advice you to travel down to Madrid-Spain to sign the consignment release order that would facilitate the release of your consignment to you as the actual beneficiary and owner.
You will be required to travel with the following:
1. A copy of your passport for identification proof.
2. A copy of the certificate of deposit and power of Attorney.
3. The custom duties, Administrative/Handling charges amount toEight ThousandFive Hundred and Fifty Euros (8,550.00euros), payable in cash only.
We hereby inform you that an appointment has been scheduled for you fornext week, we also advice you to inform this officeof your travelling date and time, to enable the protocol officer meet with you at the airport and bring you down to the venue of the meeting.
For further clarifications, please contact the undersigned on his 24hrs service line 0034 65 95 00 555, for more enquiries and information. You can count on our professional assistance always.
We thank you for using our service and we are looking forward to serving you better as a client.
Best regards,
James Anderson
(Director of Operations)
Hmm...The consignment's from AFRICA? I thought it was from Brunei! Huzzah! An inconsistency to point out to Binu and waste more time! But 8,550 Euros seems a lot to lug around in cash. I can almost hear the lads thinking "must scam white man...must scam white man" Looks like James is the man whose pic I'll be grabbing. Not quite the leading character I wanted, but still, beggars can't be choosers :P
I confirm receipt of your instructions regarding the consignment. I will make the necessary arrangements to collect it in Spain as soon as possible. How is the weather in Spain this time of year? I do have a couple of questions to raise concerning your instructions.
1. I am required to travel with a copy of the certificate of deposit and Power of Attorney forms. I do have a copy of the Power of Attorney form, but as yet I do not have a copy of the certificate of deposit. Where might I be able to obtain one?
2. You make mention of custom duties, Administrative/Handling charges of 8,550 Euros. Can you be a little more specific and provide more information on this? How much of this payment is in relation to customs duties, and how much is pertaining to Administrative and handling charges? What exactly are these charges anyway?
I'm a little nervous about carrying a large amount of cash with me so I will be escorted by my head of security. This is just to ensure that I'm not mugged or robbed before I meet you.
Finally, I've mentioned this to my partner and his attorney. I'd be much more comfortable knowing I was dealing with someone who was a religious man. Have you considered joining my church, the Church of the Stroked Banana? You would be made most welcome, and I'm sure the pastor, Brother Henry O'Ctopus (pronouced oh-topus) would be delighted to hear from you. I haven't mentioned this to him yet, but I would be willing to make the introductions if you are interested in joining our order.
Sir Mark Time
At this point in time I haven't received a copy of the deposit certificate. Yet more time wasting! Laissez les bons temps rouler! Time to express my shock and dismay at the extortion from the Security Company.
Stroke my Banana
I have just received word from the Security Company, and I'm a bit worried, my friend. I fear they may be trying to deceive you! James Anderson informs me he has a consignment from Africa, but I was under the impression that you had managed to send it from Brunei before being placed under house arrest by the Sultan!
Next, he's claiming I need to take 8,550 Euros in cash when I head to Spain to collect the boxes! I've asked why I should take such a large amount of cash, but all I have been told is it's for "custom duties and administrative/handling charges!"
Finally, he's mentioned a certificate of deposit, but I don't have any such thing! Did you manage to send it to your lawyer? If so, now would be the time for him to send it to me. Otherwise I fear any trip to Spain will be in vain!
My friend, I fear the Security Company is trying to take advantage of us. I'll bring my lawyer, Leo Liability in on this to sort things out, but if James were a member of the Church of the Stroked Banana, that would be a differet situation altogether. After all, I trust only you and my fellow church members.
Write back as soon as possible,
Remain blessed in Christ,
Sir Mark Time
Stay tuned for more. There's plenty more suspense waiting down the Blue Sky Mine!
PART 4 - THE FIRST LET DOWNHere's where I'll really start to throw spanner after spanner in the works. At present the lads think I'm in transit from Frankfurt to Madrid, but won't they be in for a surprise!
Equity Trust Inc.
Attn: Mr. Mark Time
Dear Sir,
With reference to your email dated Thursday 30th September 2004, we wish to inform you that we need the copy of certificate of deposit to check with the original copy we are having in our file, and we would advice you to contact your partner and secure the copy of certificate of deposit.
However, be informed that the Custom Duties, Administrative/Handling Charges is for the release of your consignment an it has to be paid to the appropriate offices before your consignment can be release to you in Madrid. The custom charges is 3,450.00euros and the Administrative/Handling Charges is 5100.00euros payable in cash before the release of your consignment. Be informed that our company provide maximum security for our clientsand we advice you to drop the idea of coming with a security to avoid been mugged or robbed, we guarantee your safety in Madrid. We can always assure you of your safety and our professional assistance.
Also, we informed you that an appointment for the signing and release of your consignment has been fixed for you for next week Tuesday 5th October 2004 and meeting hour is 12noon. We advice you to meet up with the meeting appointment and timeto avoid any delay.
We are looking forward to meeting you in Madrid next week.
Best regards,
James Anderson
(Director of Operations)
Still no luck with getting any pics from the lads, but I'm determined to get a trophy by hook or crook! At this point in time I decided to apply the brakes a little to try to make it more believable.
I will see whether I can obtain the copy as per your request.
Thankyou for providing additional information concerning the 8,550 euro payment that is required to complete this transaction. However, I'm still a little unsure why the administrative and handling charges are 5,100 euros. Exactly what is this for? If it's for stationery, office overheads and so on, that's fine. But I should warn you that I am a devout member of the Church of the Stroked Banana, and if I find out that it's for booze and nudie bars, I'll be most disappointed.
I thank you for the offer of security upon my arrival at the airport in Madrid. Am I to assume that you will be greeting me in person? To put my mind at ease, I would prefer it if I could see a picture of you with a sign that states the motto of our church: "Stroke my Banana". In this country, "stroke my banana" means "shake my hand". Please make sure that this picture is sent prior to my departure. I'll advise when I plan to head to Madrid.
Sir Mark Time
Dear Mark,
I appreciate your update on your communication with the Security and finance company so far.
I have contacted my attorney to verify the details he left with the security company as regard to the deposits. This is in respect of Mr. James statement on consignment from Africa. I am yet to hear from him, but from my understanding, Mr. James is trying to know if you are the real person that has to come for that consignment. It is left for you to correct that by informing him that you are the rightful beneficiary to the consignment. This has to be done by letting him know that he made a mistake and that the consignment is from Brunei ok
Please Mark, email him now that the consignment was moved from Brunei and not Africa.
Being a businessman, you should now that the period that the consignment has stayed in their custody must have accrued some charges and I hope that is why they are charging such huge amount of cash.
As earlier informed you Mark, the documents as relates to the deposit were handed over to my attorney who gave it to the Security Company before his traveling. That was why Mr. Glen Coxwell prepared the power of attorney, which will identify you as the beneficiary to the deposit. Now Mark, contact James and get him informed that the deposit certificate and every other documents as relates to the deposit were handed over to them my our attorney Mr. Glen Coxwell prior to his traveling. Also inform him that he gave you power of attorney that will identify you as the beneficiary to the consignment. You can as well forward or fax the power of attorney to him.
You dont have to suspect anybody until you get to Spain. All you have to do at this point is to make a solid arrangement to get all their requirements ready and head to Spain to conclude this affair.
Please Mark, tell me when you will be moving to Spain.
I wait to hear from you.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Mr. Binu
I'm glad he pointed out I didn't have to suspect anyone UNTIL I arrived in Spain. So does that mean I distrust everyone on sight? Time to get paranoid...
Now that we are approaching the most important part of this exercise, I feel it is VITAL that we maintain proper precautions to ensure that neither party is being deceived. Therefore, it is CRITICAL that we adopt a phrase that only the two of us know when corresponding with each other. I suggest we use "Stroke my Banana".
I'll contact Glen to see if I can obtain a copy of the certificate of deposit. I hope you trust my business instincts when I tell you that there's something that seems a little odd with the Security Company. I have a sneaking suspicion that they are trying to deceive and defraud you, my brother.
I am making arrangements to fly to Spain as soon as possible. I will contact the Security Company with the arrangements. I do feel, however, that I can reduce the fees.
Sir Mark Time
I'm in the process of making arrangements to head to Spain in the middle of October. I will be in New York on business and will fly to Madrid from there.
However, there are some additional queries I would like answered before I progress any further.
1. You mentioned that you had received a consignment from Africa, but I am unsure if this is the same consignment as the one I am to collect. I was under the impression that it had been shipped from Brunei. Can you please clarify this for me?
2. My attorney, Glen Coxwell, should have provided you with a copy of the deposit certificate. I will contact him separately, but if you do indeed already have this document, why should I provide you with something that you already have?
3. I can forward a copy of the power of attorney form to you should you require proof of my bona fides, but I am not going to make any concrete plans for travel to Spain until these questions are answered.
Finally, I have yet to receive a picture you holding the greeting sign as agreed. Please send a picture of you holding a sign that reads "Stroke my Banana". That way I will be reassured that I am being met by the appropriate party.
My tentative flight details are as follows:
Oct 11: Singapore Airlines New York - Frankfurt (flight SQ25)
Oct 12: Iberia Airlines Frankfurt - Madrid (flight IB3507) arriving 15:00.
Sir Mark Time
Of course, if I don't get my pic, how will I know what the lads look like? Not that I'll be in Madrid, but the lads don't know this!
Glen, I have received correspondence from the Security Company concerning a deposit certificate. At present I do not have a copy of this document, and without it, I cannot head off to Spain to collect the consignment on behalf of Binu. These delays are starting to concern me. Please either email a copy of the certificate of deposit or alternatively fax it to me on 1-206-983-2993. If you're busy with other clients, please let me know, and I will arrange for my corporate counsel, Leo Liability to contact the security company and arrange a copy of the certificate to be sent to me.
Sir Mark Time
Binu's starting to get anxious again. He didn't quite get the code phrase right, but rather than spook him I decided to let this lapse slide.
The Stroked Banana
Dear Mark
I appreciate the security measure quoted on this project, I will always attach such in all my mails to you.
Mark, if you have carefullygone through the first mail from Mr. Glen, WHICH I FORWARDED TO YOU IT stated that he has personally handed over to the company all the documents as regards to my deposit and that was why he prepared the power of attorney that has to be presented to the Security company for them to officially identify you as the beneficiary to the deposit. I have equally asked you to contact the Security Company with a copy of the Letter Of Power Of Attorney, informing them that our attorney named Glen Coxwell has sent the deposit documents to them.
The security company has a laid down procedures of releasing any consignment on their custody and am quite sure that that is what they trying to carry out. Done suspect any body ok. What you have to think most is on how to work towards releasing the consignment.
When are you moving to Spain for the completion of this affair?
Please, email me in the shortest possible time on your arrangement to get to Spain and have this consignment released and deposited in your account for our investment in Blue Sky Mines.
The batter to my Palm V is down, and needed to be recharged.
I wait to urgently hear from you.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Mr. Binu.
Attn: Mark Time The deposit certificate to your consignment has been submitted to the customer service of Equity Trust Incoporated Spain. With the power of attorney already sent to you, you will be legally recognised as the lawful beneficiary to the cosignment. Kindly forward or fax the power of attorney to the company in Spain and head for its release. Forward a copy of this mail to the Security company. Keep in contact for advice on this project.
Sincerely, Glen Coxwell Esq.
Seems the lads have their stories slightly mixed. I could have continued to argue over this, but I'd already agreed to head to Spain on the 12th, and I feared that had I spent too much time messing around with details, the lads may have lost interest in the scam. Finally the lads in Madrid start to stick to sing from the same hymn book as Binu and the "lawyer".
Equity Trust Inc.
Attn: Mr. Mark Time
Dear Sir,
With reference to your email, we inform you that theres a typing error with the information provided to you and we are very sorry for the mistakes. Be informed that your consignment was received from Brunei not Africa. Also, we informed you that we are in receipt of all necessary papers of release, the certificate of deposit and power of attorney and its not mandatory to come along or present copys of the documents. However, be informed that nothing has been agreed regarding your request to send you a picture holding your church sign, we are sorry to inform you that we cannot provide you with such picture or information.
We are looking forward to meeting you in Madrid.
Best regards,
James Anderson
(Director of Operations)
Sir Mark stalls for time. Not going anywhere without answers to questions, my lad!
Thankyou for clarifying the origin of the consignment.
There is one additional point I'd like cleared up, however. Please note that while it may seem pedantic of me to be asking such questions, in my experience it's better to get all these issues resolved before I head over to Spain only to find out that there was something left undone that could potentially delay the transaction.
You mentioned earlier that I needed to contact my partner to secure a copy of the certificate of deposit, yet you mention that you are already in receipt of all the papers necessary for the release of the consignments.
I still intend to follow the flight itinerary as specified to you earlier, and the request for a picture of you holding the greeting sign is to ensure that I am met by the appropriate representatives from your company. I have had a number of instances where anti-mining protestors have sought to disrupt my business dealings so I tend to be quite security conscious as you can appreciate.
Sir Mark Time
Time to go silent for a couple of days. This should do the trick nicely.
Stroke my banana
I have made arrangements to be in Spain on October 12th. I will be in New York on business later this week and will travel to Madrid from there.
Please note that I need to make sure that everything is in readiness so that I don't waste time only to find that I've made a trip over there for no reward.
Be patient, and you'll seen get your reward.
Sir Mark Time
Dear Sir Mark,
Thanks so much on your assurance to work towards the release of the deposit. You need not to border on any thing. I have been assured equally by my lawyer Mr. Glen Coxwell that all has been set for the release of the consignment on your arrival in Spain.
With my status here in Brunei, I will appreciate that you think mostly on resolving my problem before any other business. This transaction are of mutual stand and will be lucrative to the Blue Sky Mines. 12th of this month is just a week from now, the Sultan and his security operatives are carrying out much investigation on finding out funds looted by the Prince, I wouldn't want then to dictate my deposit in Spain and this is why I plead for you to make arrangements to be in Spain before your stipulated date. If the bill from the Security company might be the cost of the delay, I will appreciate if you can contact the security company and reach an agreement on fee waiver which will allow you pay the minimal administrative and handling charges to the deposited consignment.
Bye and large, try to put your self on my shoe. The funds in question is my only hope for my future survival and this is why you must make efforts to be in Spain this week and get the funds released and transferred to a more favourable economic settings.
Please Mark, tell me which day of this week you moving to spain?
Eager to hear from you.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Mr. Binu
At least the lad's getting the pass phrase right. I'm amazed he hasn't suspected I'm taking the mickey out of him. He must be under prerssure from his boss though. It's a rare day when a lad is prepared to lower the amount of the initial scam, but maybe I'm wrong.
Equity Trust Inc.
Attn: Mark Time
Dear Sir,
With reference to your email, we inform you that sending you a picture is out of our professional undertaken. However, we can assure and guarantee you of a safe and secure business transaction in your trip to Madrid and you can count on our professional assistance always.
We are looking forward to serving you better as a client.
Best regards,
James Anderson
(Director of Operations)
Damn. Still no trophy pic. But this is only the 2nd week, and I have a lot in store for these lads.
Dear Mark,
I still wait to hear on your arrangements to be in Spain in the shortest possible time.
Please, do email me soonest.
Thanks and remain blessed.
I bet he is waiting! Will I be the gullible fool he thinks I am and pony up the cash as required? Of course not! Time to check on accommodation for my no-show in Spain.
I confirm receipt of your reply pertaining to the reasons for not sending a picture. I had merely requested one to assist with identification when I arrive at the airport on October 12th. Can you please advise whether you have arranged accommodation or whether I should make my own booking when in Madrid?
Sir Mark Time
Stroke my Banana
Binu, Unfortunately, my schedule of appointments is such that October 12th is the earliest point in time. I'll be heading to New York to conduct business and will head to Spain from there via Frankfurt. I have contacted the Security Company to determine whether I should arrange accommodation for my stay there or whether they'll do so for me.
Sir Mark Time
Equity Trust Inc.
Attn: Mark Time
Dear Sir,
In light to your email dated Wednesday 6th October 2004, we inform and advice you to make arrangement for your hotel accomodation upon your arrival in Madrid.
We are looking forward to serving you better asa client.
Best regards,
James Anderson
(Director of Operations)
Time to find a nice hotel. Only the best for Sir Mark! The Royal Suite at the Ritz is 4,500 Euro per night ;)
At this point in time it is my intention to make a reservation in the Royal Suite at the Hotel Ritz in Madrid. I trust this will be easily accessible to you should you fail to spot me at the airport on the 12th of this month.
Sir Mark Time
Stroke my Banana
Dear Mark,
Thanks so much on your response. Try to be in touch with the Security company to finalise on your accomodation prior to your arrival in Spain.
Do keep me posted.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Mr. Binu
Equity Trust Inc.
Attn: Mr. Mark Time
Dear Sir,
Regards to your email, we inform you that we would be glad to receive you in Madrid on the 12th October 2004 and we inform to come along with the necessary fees to avoid any delay from our end.
We are looking forward to meeting you in Madrid.
Best regards,
James Anderson
(Director of Operations)
It's almost time to detonate the first stick of dynamite. While the lads were busy finalising their plans to relieve me of my non-existent cash, I was working on my International Mining Journal article that would explain Sir Mark's absense from Spain. Meanwhile Glen Coxwell returns to send another top-notch document. Really, they're just not trying these days!
Attn: Mark Time,
For perfect identification with the Security Company, fax the attached document with the power of attorney on your possession to Equity Trust Inc.
Do not hesitate to contact me for advice on this transaction.
Glen Coxwell Esq.
Stroke my Banana,
Just to let you know that I'll be in Frankfurt today and then on to Madrid to meet the Security Company represenatatives. I'll keep in touch in Spain.
Sir Mark Time
Gotta keep up the illusion for the lads.
Stroke my Banana,
Dear Sir Mark Time,
Thanks so much on the update. I will keep praying for the success of this transaction and your safety while in Spain.
The Almighty God will see you through.
Email me as soon as you arrive in Spain.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Nearly forgot Henry O'Ctopus' role in this drama. I'll send this so the Lad's realise that he really does 'exist'.
Greetings all,
I just wanted to send a quick e-mail to all members and associates of the Church of the Stroked Banana. As you may be aware, Sir Mark Time, one of our major contributors, will be in Europe for a few days on business. Please join me in placing a bunch of fresh prayer bananas in the prayer bowl and stroking them as you enter and leave the church.
Yours in God,
Brother Henry O'Ctopus
Senior Pastor
Church of the Stroked Banana
Nutbaggia Waters
Stroke my Banana
Dear Mark Time,
I am yet to hear from you, please email me on the position of things.
Have you arrived Spain?
I wait to hear from you.
Thanks and remain blessed.
So now Binu's starting to wonder when he'll get his cut from the first amount scammed from me. Time to disappoint!
Sir Mark provided your contact details and instructed me to contact you in case he needed to be contacted urgently. I don't know if you have met him at Madrid yet, but I need him to contact me immediately. There has been a terrible tragedy at the mine, and I feel he should return immediately.
Thanking you in advance,
Leo Liability LLB
Corporate Counsel
Blue Sky Mines NL
Time to send a couple of emails between Sir Mark and Leo. Must make this seem real.
Just checked my messages tonight. What's happening? I've received a very brief message mentioning something about a "tragedy". Is everything all right there? Don't tell me the analysts have issued a negative opinion about the company!
Sir Mark Time
Sir Mark!
Thank God you replied! The Hindenburgen went down last night in flames. Both crew were killed. The media are asking all kinds of questions! Can you get back here as quickly as possible?
Leo Liability LLB
And now I'll send the "article" of the Hindenburgen's crash separately. I hope the lads don't lose interest, because I'm only a third of the way through my script! More to follow!
PART 5 - THE DISAPPOINTMENT CONTINUES!Seems that the crash of the Hindenburgen has rattled Binu. Leo Liability received this twice!
From: "BINU VARGHESE" <email@example.com>
To: "Leo Liability"
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 12:35:11 -0500
Subject: Re: Please have Sir Mark contact me immediately
I quite believe that you should have Mark's contact. I have not heard from him and please, do always contact him and ask him to call Mr. James Anderson on phone now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
From: "Equity Trust Inc." <firstname.lastname@example.com>
To: "Leo Liability"
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 13:30:15 -0500
Subject: Your Request
Dear Sir,
We inform you that we haven't meet with Mr. Mark in Madrid, he also sent the same message you sent to him to our office and notify that he will be travelling back to the States immediately.
Best regards,
James Anderson
(Director of Operations)
The lads in Madrid seem far more composed, however. Maybe they suspect something's afoot? Time to go on the attack!
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 02:48:49 -0700 (PDT)
To: "Equity Trust Inc."
What the hell happened in Madrid? I'll tell you - exactly the one thing I had feared. I had no idea who was to meet me, and I waited around like a fool for an hour or so before making my way to my suite in the Ritz. If you made it there, you certainly didn't try to contact me, and with the current situation back at the mine, it may be a little while before I can re-schedule another appointment.
Suffice it to say, I'm extremely disappointed with what happened. If this is your idea of a joke, then I'm certainly not laughing. Hopefully, the next time I'm at the airport, you'll understand how having a photo to help me identify who I'm dealing with will smooth things out.
You claim you're a professional - start acting like one!
Sir Mark Time
Blue Sky Mines NL
Tel: 1-206-984-2993
Fax: 1-206-984-2993
And of course, I'll have Leo play the good cop here, smoothing things over.
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 03:08:35 -0700 (PDT)
To: "Equity Trust Inc."
I believe Sir Mark has contacted you regarding the Spain incident. Please excuse any brusque tones he may have used as he's under a lot of stress currently.
Leo Liability LLB
Corporate Counsel
Blue Sky Mines NL
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 03:02:31 -0700 (PDT)
To: "BINU VARGHESE"
I have spoken briefly with Sir Mark today, but he's tired and extremely upset. I understand he may have contacted Mr Anderson by email, but the nature of his communication is unknown to me.
If he seems somewhat brusque, I do apologise. He's under a lot of strain right now, but give him a few days, and he'll be as right as rain.
I enclose a copy of an article prepared by the International Mining Journal concerning recent events.
Yours always,
Leo Liability LLB
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 03:14:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Prayer for deceased Blue Sky Mines employees
Greetings, all!
As you are no doubt aware, Sir Mark has lost two valuable employees this week. I ask all members and friends of the Church of the Stroked Banana to pray for the families of Patrick McLanahan and Henry Cobb. Any donations for their families will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and Stroke your Bananas,
Brother Henry O'Ctopus
Senior Pastor
Church of the Stroked Banana
Nutbaggia Waters
To: Henry O'Ctopus, Sir Mark, Leo Liability
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 09:39:44 -0500
Subject: MARK
How would you want me to believe that you got to Madrid without being able to contact Mr. James on phone? You have his number and why didn't you call him on your arrival before checking into a hotel or after checking into a hotel? I can see that you are not serious with this project ok. There are millions of people that would be happy to partake on the agreed percentage, but I decided to do it with you being a Christian.
Why is your lawyer, your Church Pastor and your company operate with a free email?
[now that's nerve - coming from email@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com, and email@example.com]
Please, let me have more inf about blue sky mines. Give me their website as well.
Mark, contact Mr. James Anderson on phone today to arrange on next appointment.
Uh-oh. Could this be the end of the adventure? I need to see whether I can salvage it. But I'm not going to be creating fake company websites and so on. Let's see if the lad will believe this excuse. After all, he's swallowed everything else to date.
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 14:07:35 -0700 (PDT)
Stroke my Banana,
I have indeed been serious with this venture. I should let you know that I have forgone other more lucrative propositions in order to try to bring this to completion, but even had I contacted James Anderson by telephone as you suggest, that still would not have provided me with an easy way of identifying himself. It's a simple request that I have had honoured in the past. Regrettably, my doctor has informed me that I have come down with laryngitis, possibly due to all the stress that I am under. I don't know why you want to know more about the company apart from what I have already told you. You must understand that mining is an expensive propsotion, and if I can save overheads by avoiding the cost of a flashy web page and fancy corporate e-mail system, I'll save what I can so that we can focus on mining and exploration. I should remind you that I haven't heard from James Anderson since returning from Spain. I suspect that he's a crook and has been trying to defraud you of your funds. In all my career I have never seen such exorbitant fees and charges for the contents of the boxes. Can you find another Security Company to store the boxes? I await your reply.
Sir Mark Time
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 07:45:54 -0500
I am quite sure that Mr. James Anderson is working with Equity Trust Inc and the fees must be accrued dumurrages by the deposits. From the sounds of his email, the fees are to be paid to their office and not to his personal account, why then should you regard him as a crook? Like I said earlier, if you can't afford the fees, it is better you openly inform me than claiming that you travelled to Madrid ok.
I am quite sure that taking pictures by a staff of a company just for the client to identify him is out of his professional under-taking. He can meet with you if you calls him and give him your hotel room and name.
Please Mark, when are you going to Spain??
I wait to hear from you.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Seems he still wants to keep playing! Let's see whether I can appeal to their greed. At this stage I was also busy "unsubscribing" Binu and James Anderson to every spam email I received at work each morning. That'll give them something to do in their spare time! And Binu is adamant there'll be no pics in this bait, but I think I have a couple of aces up my sleeve still.i
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 14:45:01 -0700 (PDT)
Stroke my Banana,
I will endeavour to return to Madrid as early as possible. As you can appreciate, I have a few regrettable details to attend to regarding the death of the two airship crew members. I'll be attending a memorial service tomorrow, and I should be able to make plans for returning to Spain.
I should add that I had purchased a couple of rolex watches last week as a momento of completing this transaction. Hopefully when this is over, I'd be able to send one to you as a token of your release from house arrest.
I will contact the Security Company shortly. While I appreciate James Anderson's reluctance to provide a picture to assist identification, it would certainly avoid any confusion in the future. All in all, I cannot see how it is an unreasonable request.
I will advise my travel details when they are confirmed.
I await your reply,
Sir Mark Time
Seems Binu isn't interested in a Rolex watch, even if it is only in my imagination. James Anderson, however, can smell an easy chance to score big time.
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 21:36:39 -0500
Mark, I understand your status in regards to the tragedy in the minning company, notwithstanding, I would appreciate if you think more on how to be in Spain in the shortest possible time for the completion of this project.
I would loved to talk with you over the phone, but I only use my Palm V hand-head computer. Please, contact Mr. James Anderson by phone today on your arrangement to be in Madrid soonest.
I wait to hear from you.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Nice to see Binu keeping focused on the scam despite the tragedy that's befallen Sir Mark's company. It'd be laughable if it wasn't so sickening. Wait - it's both!
Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2004 13:49:34 -0700 (PDT)
Stroke my Banana,
I can understand your concern regarding the consignment in Spain, and I assure you I'll make sure I can get to it as soon as possible. I will contact James Anderson and re-schedule an appointment in Madrid. I'll keep you posted.
Sir Mark Time
Time to re-visit the trophy pic idea again.
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 06:06:29 -0700 (PDT)
To: "Equity Trust Inc."
Now that I have managed to finally clear my desk again after the terrible events of the last few days, I am willing to re-schedule an appointment in Madrid. However, to ensure that we don't end up with the mix-up that occurred the last time, I propose the following.
1. I will travel under an assumed name for the purposes of additional security. The name I will adopt is that of my cousin, Dr. Hugh G. Rection. Having someone with a sign at the airport that reads "Hugh G Rection" should make identification easier. Of course, sending a photo of your staff holding the sign prior to my return to Madrid would assist. I could be quite jet-lagged and unsure of who will greet me. It's just good service, in my opinion.
2. Alternatively, a piture of one of your staff with a sign that has the motto of my Church "Stroke my Banana" would also help. Only members of the Church of the Stroked Banana would recognise such a sign.
Finally, I should advise you that it's customary for me to bring tokens of appreciation for your assistance in this affair. Please take a look at the attached pictures and inform me which one you would like. I'll make sure I take it with me. I await your reply,
Sir Mark Time
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 12:56:50 -0500
Equity Trust Inc.
Attn: Mr. Mark Time
Dear Sir,
With regards to your email, we apologise for the inconvenience and please accept our condolence regarding the dealth of your workers at the mine. May their soul rest in perfect peace.
However, we inform you that to avoid any complication again, we would advice you to check into your hotel upon your arrival in Madrid, and telephone our number: 0034 619 53 49 05 or 0034 659 50 05 55, to enable us pick you up directly at your hotel to for more security.
Also, i thank you for the pictures of the wristwatches but i would prefer the silver watch and i look forward to receive and meet you in Madrid for the completion of this transaction.
Best regards,
James Anderson
(Director of Operations)
James likes the silver rolex - all is forgiven, it seems! (Or so he thinks...) And it's good to see he has offered condolences for the "dealth" of my workers!
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 03:23:58 -0500
Dear Mark,
Thanks for your email. Please contact Anderson and keep me posted.
Binu's getting sloppy with his replies. Maybe he's losing interest in the scam, but I sense his heart's just not in it. I wasn't sure what my next plan of attack would be in order to slow things down again, but then I read in the newspaper that there have been arrests of suspected terrorists in Spain and particularly in Madrid. This should do quite nicely.
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 04:42:27 -0700 (PDT)
To: "Equity Trust Inc."
I understand that sometimes we all make mistakes. I did read in the newspaper today (with a little alarm, I might add) that there have been a few arrests of terrorists in Madrid and other parts of Spain. Given that I am a Christian, I am somewhat concerned about kidnapping and execution of westerner "infidels" by Islamic extremists. It is with that concern in mind that I have been re-evaluating my request for photographic identification of your staff. This small gesture would set put my mind at ease, and I'd be able to expedite my planned trip to Madrid.
I await your reply,
Sir Mark Time
To cut down on repitition, I decided to BCC Binu in on my replies to James Anderson. I'm still "unsubscribing" them from spam as well.
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 05:13:15 -0500
Dear Mark,
I received a copy of what you sent to Mr. James Anderson. Please, do update me as soon as you hear from him.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 20:27:28 -0700 (PDT)
To: "Equity Trust Inc."
I was touched by your sincere wishes of condolences for the loss of my employees last week. I have been finalising the insurance claim following the loss of the company's airship, and this should be completed today. Once this is done, I will be able to schedule a flight to Madrid. On a more sobering note, I have read disturbing news reports of terrorst activities in and around Madrid. Specifically, this article was brought to my attention:
This is a most disturbing development, and I'm filled with both trepidation and anticipation. I now will insist on photographic proof of the identity of your protocol officer or other employees who will be meeting me in my hotel. Remember, I will be travelling under the assumed name of "Hugh G Rection" so you can either send a picture of your staff with a sign that reads "Hugh G Rection", "Stroke my Banana" or a combination of the two "Stroke my Banana - Hugh G Rection"
Our government is advising against any non-essential travel given these arrrests, and if you are unable to comply with this simple (and given the possibility of kidnapping by Islamic extremists, quite reasonable) request, I will have to find another way of sending the processing and administrative charges.
I await your reply,
Sir Mark Time
The newspaper article was genuine - no need to fake that, sadly. It's a pity that extremists are still planning to blow things up, but this is a digression from the fun and games. I decided to get an ipkall phone no and link it to my freeworlddialup service. I have a feeling that the lads will tire with leaving voice mails and may actually want to speak to me. Now I'm not going to pay for the calls. THEY can do that!
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2004 06:00:18 -0500
Attn: Mark Time
Dear Sir,
Subject to your email, i wish to confirm and assure you that i will personally come to your hotel and pick you up and i will identify myself with my Norway passport with my name James Anderson. We want you to understand that we are always efficient and due to our obligations, we cannot provide you with any picture stating the name you mentioned, we are a cooperate office and not a terrorrist and we can always assure you of your safety.
Best regards,
James Anderson
(Director of Operations)
To his credit, James is still refusing to provide me with my trophy pic. Here is where I'll dig my heels in, and this will be the make or break element of the bait. In the meantime, I'm hoping I can locate someone in Madrid who will be willing to help me out with the next phase of my plan, but if I can't, I have a fall-back approach.Meanwhile, Binu tries to get me to focus on the scam at hand. After a month of my wasting his time, he finally hits on the idea of Western Union. Bright lad, this!
Dear Mark Time,
I appreciate to have a copy of what you sent to Equity Trust Inc. Please Mark, if Mr. James is still reluctant in sending the picture as demanded, then send him the fees through Western Union and advise for the delivery of the consignment deposit to your door step in United States. I beleive that they do operate with a sister courier agents who can lift the consignment to any part of the world under a special arrangements.
Please, do contact them via phone to avoid the waste of time while waiting for their response.
Thanks and remain blessed.
I'll let them stew for a few days. Got too many other baits on the go ;) Of course, I still want my trophy pic so I need to let them think I'm still working the Madrid angle.
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 01:28:58 -0700 (PDT)
I'll try to meet Mr. Anderson in Madrid once more. If that's unsuccessful, then I'll make arrangements for the consignment to be sent to the US as per your suggestion. As a precaution, can you advise the name and contact details of the security company in the US?
I await your reply,
Sir Mark Time
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 01:40:42 -0700 (PDT)
To: "Equity Trust Inc."
While I'm sure neither you nor your staff are affiliated with any terrorist organisations, I am afraid I must insist on this simple request. In today's climate of uncertainty, one can never be too careful. I have had other business associated accommodate this request in the past so I can't see it being a problem.
Once I receive the picture as outlined, then I'll be in a position to head to Madrid and complete this business. The success of this venture is now in your hands. I trust you'll be able to maintain your excellent level of service as before.
I await your picture(s) so that we can complete this transaction.
Let's see James try to worm his way out of this. If he wants to play at being the businessman, I'm quite happy at playing the role of the lucrative yet difficult customer. Now all I need to do is see who blinks first! It seems that my decision to change phone numbers has worked - kind of. I woke on Monday to find a voicemail from James Anderson waiting for me. Seems I missed him by about an hour. What a convo that would have been! Time to remind them who's really running this show. It's my way or the highway, boys.
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 15:13:39 -0700 (PDT)
To: "Equity Trust Inc."
I trust you have had no problems with arranging the pictures as I have requested? Remember, once this simple request is met, then I'll be in a position to conclude this business.
I await your reply,
Sir Mark Time
Hopefully I'll have my first trophy pic. 90 emails exchanged so far. 5 weeks spent wasting the lads' time. No money scammed. What fun!


text:
PESHAWAR, March 15: Exhorting tribesmen to expel foreign militants from tribal regions, President Gen Pervez Musharraf warned on Monday that failure to do so could entail serious repercussions for Pakistan.
The president told a grand tribal Jirga at the sprawling lawns of the Governor's House here that the ongoing operation in South Waziristan must produce results at all costs.
"Repercussions will be very serious for the country if operation fails in Wana," he said, stressing that the tribesmen would have to cooperate with the government in this regard.
"We have confirmed that 500 to 600 foreign suspects have been sheltered in the South Waziristan region. But we don't want they get weapons and training from here and create disturbance across the western border," he said.
He urged tribal elders to expel foreign suspects and their local sympathizers from the region. He reiterated an earlier offer that foreign militants who surrendered would not be handed over to any foreign country.
President Musharraf's warning to the gathering of over 500 tribal elders and parliamentarians came two days ahead of a visit to Islamabad by US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, Water and Power Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, Commander 11th Corps Lt-Gen Safdar Hussain, and senior officials were present on the occasion.
The president assured that foreign troops, including Americans, would not be allowed to carry out any operation in tribal areas. Only Pakistan troops would conduct operations against the wanted people, he said.
"I assure you that US troops would not be engaged in the South Waziristan's operation. I can quit (my office), but will not compromise on vital national interest," he said.
He, however, acknowledged that some Americans were operating in the area to gather intelligence on foreign militants. "It is true that over two dozens Americans are operating in the area who are sharing intelligence with the administration," he admitted.
Appreciating tribesmen's role in the operation against Al Qaeda, Gen Musharraf said tribal volunteers had started action against extremists and were dismantling their hideouts in Wana, but that was not enough.
He said that foreign elements, including Uzbek and Tajiks, were being sheltered in this part of the country and they should be removed. Expressing concern over the recent killing of 13 civilians in Wana, he said investigations were under way and action would be taken against responsible officials. He said such misunderstandings would not be repeated in future.
The president said it was encouraging that tribesmen were giving positive response to the government's efforts in removing extremism from the country. But the government would do more to improve the image of Pakistan in the international community, he added.
Showing a copy of an international magazine, Gen Musharraf pointed out that foreign media had reported that suspects sneaked into Afghan territory from the tribal area and attacked allied forces and that Pakistan was not cooperating in the war against terrorism.
He said that extremists had badly damaged the image of Islam and Muslims were being projected as ignorant, militant and suicide bombers. He said the West did not know that Muslims believed in peace and brotherhood.
Gen Musharraf said the world community continued to blame Pakistan for the prevailing insecurity in Afghanistan, disturbances in the Indian-held Kashmir and nuclear proliferation and accused it of promoting extremism across the world.
He said: "We are not living in space and Pakistan is part of the integrated world." Extremists were trying to marginalize Pakistan, but their designs would be foiled, he added.
The president said he feared that if peace efforts failed in Afghanistan, Pakistan would again face a huge influx of millions of refugees. Peace in Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan.
He reiterated that Pakistan would not roll back its nuclear programme and had recently test-fired the ballistic Shaheen-II missile and would continue the programme.
DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE: Gen Musharraf said the government was committed to continue development activities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. He said the ongoing development schemes would change socio-economic environment of the area.
He assured the Jirga that the proposed Rs7 billion development package would be released soon to expedite development activities in the region. The president said that work on the Torkham-Jalalabad road and Peshawar-Torkham Expressway would be started soon, while construction of the Thall-Parachinar and Bannu-Ghulam Khan highways was under consideration.
He said that Pakistan had an important geo-strategic location in the region and could act as a bridge between the land-locked Central Asian Republics and the South Asian region by developing land routes.
'Libyan militant tried to kill me'
PESHAWAR: The president accused a Libyan Al Qaeda militant of trying to kill him in December. "We have identified a network. They belong to Al Qaeda. One Libyan was involved in the attacks on me," Gen Musharraf said during a visit to Peshawar. -APP

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Train Your Receptionist Team
In any organisation, the role of receptionist is key to smooth day to day operations. It's a role that requires a specific skillset, incorporating strong organisation and communication skills.
We offer a tailored, in-company (on-site) Receptionist Skills workshop for companies of all sizes in Dublin. In-company training is an excellent, cost-effective option for companies of all sizes.
Find Out More
You can find out more about our Receptionist Skills courses by clicking below to visit the course webpage, or download a brochure.


text:
Sunday, 3 January 2016
A mother of two..
Can't be, i said. I am only 31 (plus 3) weeks! I can't be deliveing now! Oh, forgot to mention the amiotic (no spell check her so please forgive my teribble spelling..) fluid. Baby A had too much while baby B had too litle, so 2 days before giving birth they drained some amiotic fluid from baby a hoping it would help.
Anyway very soon after Ofir was born (21:27). She was born vaginaly, and at 1.008 kg, what a big difference from Butterfly's birth! I still had that breaking point where i cried that i can't, but still tchnically it was a very easy birth.
I did not see her after birth. I was at peace with myself and no need of seeing her. I believe she had a reason for being, for coming to live in me for a brif time. I am thankful for her for making me a mother of twins but mostly for not dying inside me rather dying soon after birth. I believe she chose it was time for her to go. I wonder if she and Rainbow had some goodbye kicking between them (i would like to believe tha yes, she did say goodbye to her twin).
All this time, i was shaking terribly. I was scared and i was freezing cold. So when the doctor pushed his hand in and said twinB is breeched so c-section, as much as i hated the idea of an operation etc, i was so scared and cold that i actually welcomed the oppertunity of being sedated.
Rainbow was born 10 minutes later, weighing 1.328 kg. He is doing fine, hopefully will be able to come home soon.
I'll finish with some pics.. (Ok, can't pn this devise, so when o come home and have my good old computer..
8 comments:
- Kimmyann said...
Congratulations on the birth of your twins. I am sorry that you lost one but she will forever be in your heart. Best wishes for your new son.
- 8 January 2016 at 06:29
- miss x said...
Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing some pictures and hear about how you are settling into mothering 2 children.
So sorry for the loss of Ofir.
- 9 January 2016 at 20:15
- tireegal68 said...
This is just so incredible. I can't imagine what you are going through but it must be tough and sweet all at once. Wow, you got your second and third child. Sorry for the loss of your boy and hoping Rainbow girl does well and thrives. Hugs!
- 11 January 2016 at 07:07
- miss x said...
I hope baby rainbow is doing well.
- 19 January 2016 at 04:14
- miss x said...
How are you? How's Baby Rainbow?
- 27 January 2016 at 23:55
- Billy said...
Thanks miss x. I really should post some pictures and an update..
He's doing fine, at home already. Unfortunately he is not yet breastfeeding, but I am working on it.
How about you? How are you doing? [I can't find the shortcut I had for your blog (and I remember I could never get it on my reader), could you please send it to me?]
- 29 January 2016 at 01:05
- Miss X said...
I'm good. I shut my blog down. I've thought about starting it up again. We'll see.
I'm glad he's home already!
- 29 January 2016 at 01:50
- Navigating The Rapids said...
Congratulations on you son and I am so sorry to hear about your twin daughter.
- 6 February 2016 at 23:13


text:
Editor's note: The views expressed in this devotional are those of the author and may not reflect the views of Inside The Pew staff.
By Phyllis Byrd Jenkins
Special to Inside The Pew
The cliché, "It is what it is" has been spoken millions of times by millions of people. It was even voted by USA Today as the
No. 1 cliché of 2004. Yes, this cliché has been around for a while. Although, we hear it almost daily, I personally cringe when I hear those five words. Why? Because to me, it symbolizes hopelessness, a state of giving up or simply tossing the white flag in the air and surrendering to the situation. But as a follow of Christ, I choose to believe that "All things are possible to those who believe" (Matthew 19:26, Mark 9:23). As a follower of Christ, I choose to believe that, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). What if Moses had said, "It is what it is"? Could he have led the Israelites through the plagues, across the Red Sea and through the wilderness? What if Hannah had said, "It is what it is"? Would she have persevered in prayer and given birth to Samuel? What if David had looked at Goliath and accepted defeat by saying, "It is what it is"? Would the Israelites have defeated the Philistines? What if you keep the faith and proclaim the promises of God instead of saying, "It is what it is"? Remember, God is still in control! It is What He Says It Is!
Over-comer, Believer, Dreamer, & Encourager are just a few words that describe Phyllis Jenkins. She is the founder and president of the Powerful Journey Organization, where she empowers women to live a balanced life by helping them: Find their Passion- Focus on What Matters Most and Flourish in their Calling. Phyllis is also the publisher of the Powerful Journey, an online magazine. She inspires, equips and enlightens audiences of all ages through her practical and powerful presentations. With her captivating energy, she offers strategies which will fuel your Journey with Purpose, Preparation and Perseverance. She is a featured author in the Allen Public Library 2009 and 2010 'Write-On' Literary books. Her first children's book (co-authored by her 6-year-old grandson) will be in bookstores soon.
Phyllis is confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV). Contact her firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Tree Service in Carrollton
Every property has different needs when it comes to proper care for their trees in Carrollton, TX. With a goal of providing the highest quality of customer service, we make sure your trees continue to benefit your landscape. We can handle any sized project and offer the best value from routine tree trimming to stump and tree removal with our innovative and advanced line of equipment.
We strive to continuously provide all of our clients in the Carrollton, TX, area with the best tree service to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the property. Whether a residential or commercial landscape, our tree service and tree pruning encourages healthy flowering and control its growth. Make sure your trees remain an appealing feature of your property and continue to benefit and protect your investment. Our tree service in the Lewisville, TX, area will exceed all of your expectation with prompt and professional service.
Whether your property requires cabling, emergency services, stump removal, thinning or tree pruning in Carrollton, TX, you can count on our crew of certified and experienced arborists to provide you with the most comprehensive tree service to enhance the beauty of your property. Let us help your trees develop a longer lifespan to increase the overall value of your property with unmatched tree service in Flower Mound, TX.
Tree Removal
Monster Tree Service performs their quality and safe tree removal with industry experts. We are well equipped to handle all of your requirements and provide efficient solutions to protect the health of your Carrollton, TX, property.
Our equipment includes log trucks, bucket trucks, rigging gear, grinders, cranes, and more. We make sure to utilize the proper equipment for each project we complete to ensure the maximum safety and best care during the tree removal process. Through our extensive tree service and tree removal in Grapevine, TX, you will see the appeal of your property enhanced.
Even if you take great care of your landscape through regular tree service in Coppell, TX, there comes a time when the plants on your property will experience damage from storms, normal aging, or diseases. During the analysis, we can find that your trees are decaying or there is an infestation of insects in your trees, and we'll provide efficient tree removal.
Whether you require tree trimming or complete tree removal in Irving, TX, we have the most affordable pricing models in the area. Utilize the expertise of our certified and trained crew, and get your free estimate by contacting us as soon as possible.


text:
Most popular apps used by iBoostUp users.
Latest apps added by iBoostUp users.
GraboidVideoMac (com.fusenet.graboid) is a Mac OS X software application that has been discovered and submitted by users of iBoostUp.
The latest version that our iBoostUp users have reported seeing on their systems is GraboidVideoMac 3.1.
For more infomation on GraboidVideoMac please click here, or to find updates and downloads of GraboidVideoMac please click here.
Share this page:


text:
This project describes the design of a very low budget 3D Printer that is mainly built out of recycled electronic components. The result is a small format printer for less than 100$.
First of all, we learn how a generic CNC system works (by assembling and calibrating bearings, guides and threads) and then teach the machine to respond to g-code instructions. After that, we add a small plastic extruder and give an overview on plastic extrusion calibration, driver power tuning and other few operations that will bring the printer to live. Following this instructions you will get a small footprint 3D Printer that is built with about an 80% of recycled components, which gives it a great potential and helps to reduce the cost significantly.
On one side you get an introduction to machine building and digital fabrication and on the other side you get a small 3D Printer built out of reused electronic parts. This should help us to be more conscious about the big problems related with e-waste generation.
Step 1: Step 1: X, Y and Z axes
Needed components:
2 standard CD/DVD drives from an old PC.
1 Floppy disc drive.
We can get this components at no cost in a waste station in our neibourhood. We want to make sure that the motors we get from the Floppy disc drives are stepper motors and not DC motors.
For more detail: EWaste 60$ 3DPrinter


text:
At this time, information about COVID-19 is rapidly evolving as new details are confirmed and new questions emerge. In the event of an outbreak in your community, as a parent/caregiver, your first concern is about how to protect and take care of your children and family. Knowing important information about the outbreak and learning how to be prepared can reduce your stress and help calm likely anxieties. This resource will help you think about how an infectious disease outbreak might affect your family—both physically and emotionally—and what you can do to help your family cope.NCTSN-Coronavirus-Info-Sheet
You are here: Home / NCTSN Parent/Caregiver Guide


text:
How to make Guacamole: A Step by Step Guide
Webster's Definition of Guacamole: A popular Mexican specialty of mashed avocado mixed with lemon or time juice and various seasonings (usually chili powder and red pepper) Sometimes finely chopped tomato, green onion and cilantro are added. Guacamole can be used as a dip, sauce, topping or side dish. It must be covered closely and tightly to prevent discoloration.
My definition: Yummy – when made right.
This past weekend, since I had an extra day, I made sure to do as much cooking as the time would allow me to do. On Saturday I decided to put together some guacamole and then nachos for dinner. Not exactly gourmet food, but tasty and satisfying nonetheless.
- 3-4 Large Haas Avocados (or 5-6 small) – Make sure they are ripe
- 1 medium red onion
- 2 limes
- 2-3 Fresh Jalapenos
- Salt (I used coarse kosher)
- Pepper (fresh ground)
Also, I had originally planned on adding some fresh chopped cilantro, but the wife picked up parsley instead. Recipe turned out fine without it, but you can make it either way.
Slice your avocado lengthwise, and then twist to separate the two sides.
Carefully, cut your avocado (still in skin) crosswise into small cubes.
Now, using a spoon, you can easily scoop out the cubes from the avocado. This really helps speed up the process and it's a snap to do.
Step 2: Chopping the Onion & Jalapeno
Chop your onion and seeded jalapenos finely.
Step 3: Putting it together
I didn't get a photo of one step. Prior to adding all the ingredients together, you need to mash the avocados with a potato masher, but not too much, as you will do some additional mashing when you add in the other ingredients.
In this step, add all the onions, jalapenos, salt & pepper, as well as the juice of one lime. Mix well.
Step 4: Guacamole
Now, since I hate tomatoes, I made my batch without. But if you like them, then mix in some fresh chopped tomatoes last. You don't want them watering down the guacamole too much.
Below are the Nachos I made, topped with the Guacamole from above.


text:
Jon Miller drops out, so who's getting the top online gig at Microsoft?
Former AOL CEO Jon Miller, reportedly Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's favorite to lead the company's new online division, withdrew his name from consideration yesterday because he'll soon be joining Yahoo's board. So if not Miller, who's going to take on the task of saving Microsoft by building its presence on the Web? The top names under consideration:
Candidates for the job who currently work at Microsoft include SVP Yusuf Mehdi, once Microsoft's online chief; Brian McAndrews, the former CEO of Microsoft-acquired aQuantive; SVP Satya Nadella, who runs search engineering, among other responsibilities; and Bill Gates's replacement as chief software architect, Ray Ozzie.
"Yusuf is not an operator and Satya is a possibility but would be a stretch," a source tell us. "I would bet on Brian McAndrews. But McAndrews might not want it as he made serious bank with the sale of aQuantive and may not want to do more than he has to finish his earn out. I mean, what's the marginal upside for him?"
As for Ozzie, Kara Swisher quotes all kinds of Microsoft developers who hope he'd take the job,but another source tells us: "I think he's got the gig he wants: basically, being a visionary. And he's great at it."
One problem with Ozzie, says our source: "Only thing I've heard so far is [the candidates are] not internal." So scratch Ozzie and the rest off the list!
"My guess is they'd want to poach from Google, for appearance's sake," says our source. He suggested we take a look at ex-Microsoft employee, Mark Lucovsky — head of Google's search APIs. The problem with Lucovsky is that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer might not want to take him back — he reportedly threw a chair when he heard Lucovsky was leaving Microsoft for Google in 2005.
Swisher's Microsoft sources also nominated former Yahoo COO Dan Rosensweig for the job, but a source says: "Dan would never do it given loyalty to Yahoo."
So who's it going to be? The people we talked to gave us the usual boring non-answers — "I imagine Microsoft might take a little time to really look around. There is no massive rush." So we'll suggest another scenario: Why doesn't Microsoft pull a Sandberg?
Sheryl Sandberg was a relatively obscure VP at Google, but she had an important job — overseeing the automated systems that pulled in Google's billions of dollars in advertising revenues.
Our guess: Someone from AOL, possibly Lynda Clarizio, boss of AOL's Platform-A advertising division. Microsoft seems eager to buy AOL —AOL dealmakers met with Microsoft in Seattle last week, and yesterday, AOL started cutting costs in an effort to pretty itself up for a sale — and Clarizio would probably be the top executive to come over in the deal.
AOL CEO Randy Falco wants to get a Hollywood job at Time Warner after putting in his time at AOL. His henchman, Ron Grant, has lost favor of late. Is Clarizio too salesy for the top online job at Microsoft? Probably, but then, there is evidence Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer might not mind.


text:
aaannnddd…yet another party. i have to admit, i am a bit partied out. and yet, i have to go do another in san diego friday night. don't get me wrong, it is great fun! especially the end result. it has been such a busy summer and i am looking forward to doing some of my own personal projects again! but here is the story of baby rose's baby shower.
there were 5 of us that all pitched in. i have to admit, i was a little worried how it would all come together with 5 different "visions", and mostly because i am a control freak, but it totally worked and was a hit! i was proud of all of us. my friend kristin and i came up with different ideas and delegated tasks while giving freedom to create from those perimeters. i called it ponies and pigtails, however that never quite made it anywhere else past the invitation. thought it was a good name though! wink wink!
i took on the food and some decorations. for the menu, i wanted to keep it simple and on the cheaper side. what's more simple and better than tacos? plus, we live in LA, so, tacos are like what wheaties were in the 80's to every american household, a staple. i wanted to make it as authentic and fun as possible. we know good mexican here and i have never found it as authentic anywhere else in the country…period. you can't really argue that one… we practically are in mexico. okay, maybe in texas. i hit the mexican bakery around the corner from my house and bought some of their homemade red and green salsa, stocked up on corn tortillas, cotija, and creme mexicana. i pickled some red onions. chopped up cilantro, white onion, and radish. made guac and pico de gallo. as well as homemade chipotle chicken, rajas poblanas, and shredded pot roast beef. click on the link for recipes!
we rented a few tables as i had this vision of one long table with jars down the center filled with simple flowers, not bouquets. i bought some fabric downtown and cut the pieces into squares layering them on all the tables to bring everything together. hannah, went to the flower mart and picked out an abundance of beautiful flowers and arranged them ever so lovely in the jars. she also added some roses in honor of baby rose and other bouquets for the other tables. i ideally wanted to keep the "baby" decorations to a minimum. after all, this was a co-ed baby shower. the boys were great and took it all on, but i figured best to not drive em too crazy. the only real baby thing we had was the clothesline of baby clothes. the idea was that we would all bring clothes to hang on the line for baby rose to then keep. we were getting down to the wire and was worried we wouldn't get it up and wasn't sure where to place it. i hadn't envisioned that far ahead yet. bree chimed in and found the perfect spot right above the tables from one tree to another. it was the best spot and looked so sweet. love this kind of team work!
i had a few of the giant balloons leftover from another party. although, one popped they were a special extra to the backyard! it happened to work out that my chalkboard menu went along with the small chalkboards bree brought for the drink table!
bree took on the beer tasting and added in a rose`, again in honor of baby rose! the party was from 3-6, therefore we decided we didn't need to get everyone wasted. so, light drinks were served. i thought it turned out really quite cute! hannah made a rose water lemonade and cucumber/mint water. there was also a bucket of tecate to go with the good old mexican food!
kristin put together a candy table and ice cream bar! she filled apothecary jars with sweet treats from our childhood and supplied bags for people to take it all home as a favor. she was so excited when she found the giant sugar daddy's as kmart while we were working on a job. her enthusiasm is contagious!
the ice cream was a nice treat on a super hot day! so, many good toppings too! she got all the good stuff: chocolate and carmel sauce, whip cream, cherries, crushed candy bars, sprinkles! yum! i want an ice cream sundae right now! i love the ice cream cones in the giant glass bowl.
matt took on the story book. i love decorating onesies, but i wanted to try something different. matt found a blank book and supplied the markers and pencils. the idea was to create a story for baby rose, each guest taking a page and continuing the story with their own creativity and humor. i was worried people wouldn't get into it, but by the end of the party people were gathered around reading it out loud and coming up with new ideas. beth even took the time to make a cover! baby rose might not be able to read it until she is in her 20's, but rebecca and greg can get a big kick out of it!
the boys were such troopers and most of them even sat through the presents being opened. all in all it was a sweet little shower. baby rose slept through the whole thing, but made out like a bandit. she will be the most stylish girl out there. lots of her mommie's friends are wardrobe stylists!
a special special thanks to kristin, bree, hannah, matt, and of course alex for doing those odds and ends!


text:
Outstanding people are always different from their peers, the best compliment you can be given is when others say to you that you are different – only those who are different are going to make a difference. I am not saying be weird, but be different and stand out!
John Mason put it so well "You're born an original, don't die a copy", believe me we are so conditioned by our surroundings, that if we do not choose to be different we will be nothing but copies.
Think different, be different and stand out.
I have always been moved by the 'Think Different' Apple computer poster advert and the original version had the following words:
"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore. They create. They inspire. They push the human race forward. Maybe they have to be crazy. How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written? Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels? We make tools for these kinds of people. While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."