Tuesday, November 27, 2007

My Nerd Type

What Be Your Nerd Type?
Your Result: Science/Math Nerd
 

(Absolute Insane Laughter as you pour toxic chemicals into a foaming tub of death!)

Well, maybe you aren't this extreme, but you're in league with the crazy scientists/mathmeticians of today. Very few people have the talent of math and science is something takes a lot of brains as well. Thank whosever God you worship, or don't worship, so thank no deity whatsoever in your case, for you people! Most of us would have died off without your help.

Literature Nerd
 
Social Nerd
 
Drama Nerd
 
Gamer/Computer Nerd
 
Artistic Nerd
 
Anime Nerd
 
Musician
 
What Be Your Nerd Type?
Quizzes for MySpace

Monday, November 26, 2007

Not Even Tempting

You know, I thought the days of the crude phishing scheme were over. Boy was I wrong. Today I got the following email:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salam alaikum,

I am pleased to introduce a business opportunity to transfer to your overseas account the sum of($8.4USD) United States Dollars from one of the Prime Banks here in Dakar Senegal.

I am Mr Ousman Diop(Bsc,Msc)the Auditor General of one of the prime banks here in Dakar Senegal,during the course of our auditing,I discovered a dormant account opened in our bank since 1999 and till date no body has operated on the account and after going through old files in the records,I discovered that the owner of the account died long ago in a plane crash along with his family without leaving a[His/WILL],hence the account remain dormant and if fund is not transfered urgently, it will be confisticated and return to the bank's or government treasury.

Therefore,with a personal conviction of trust and confidence,I wish to contact you as a foreigner,to stand as a relative because you share the same surname with the decease's,thus I can work out the release of the funds.No other person in the office knows about the account, please be assured of the risk free,I'm the one that will work it out,all I need is your cooperation because the account content can not be approved to an indigen here as his next of kin.

At the conclusion of this project, I propose a joint investment of an equal partnership to you or we may share it in a ratio of 45% for you and 55% for myself.One more thing please, don't consider this against moral justification,there are many other aspects of life we may contribute with this funds to help the less privileged and the needy in a society than having it shared as an unclaimed bill among Government PLEASE.

I look forward to your earliest response.

Yours Truly,

Mr Ousman Diop.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now you know, the biggest problem I have with this is that this Mr Ousman Diop didn't even read his phishing letter. I mean, if he offered say, $10,000,000 USD it would provide SOME incentive, but does he really think that $8.4USD would tempt me to do something immoral as to claim money that wasn't mine?! And given the cut it would mean I would be selling out for $3.78! The nerve! :-)

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Writer's Block

Sorry, been quiet for a while. Lots of things have been happening but I can't quite yet see the pattern. Hopefully a little down time tomorrow will unblock the stream of consciousness that tends to fuel my muse.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Putting My Life Back Together

Saturday was a big event for me. Not in terms of an earthshaking activity but something of great importance. It was the first time since the separation that I have had people to the house without Aleks by my side. It wasn't huge or elaborate, but it was something I did all my own. On Saturday I had guests over for a home cooked meal. Mr. Beau, Elbert and his partner Cory came to my house and we spent several hours eating, talking, drinking and just socializing. It felt good to finally get back into the kitchen. The menu, as prepared with my own little hands, was:

  • Beef tenderloin steaks with a balsamic Vinaigrette reduction

  • Roasted potatoes with bleu cheese and chives

  • Green beans lightly salted and sauteed with gralic

  • Sauteed mushrooms

  • French bread (the only thing I didn't make)

  • Pumpkin cheese cake on a gingersnap crust


  • The main wine was Penfold's Bin 389 followed by Curtis Heritage CuvĂ©e. The cheese cake was served with a nice Guwerztraminer. We also opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate good news from both Mr. Beau and Elbert.

    It was fun, from staying up until almost 1am the night before making the cheese cake after a software release to even doing the dishes on Sunday. Do I still miss Aleks? Absolutely. The difference between six months ago and now is that I can see my life continuing.

    It Obviously Runs In The Family

    My youngest nephew is smart, polite, a great young man, and devilishly handsome just like his old Uncle Mike. Now he shares the same honor I did of winning the spot of Prince at the school's yearbook coronation:

    Saturday, November 10, 2007

    Renfaire

    Last Saturday Mr. Beau and I went to what is affectionately known as Fall Escondido. For some of you who read this blog these pictures may be too nerdy, but for the rest of you just relax and enjoy the show.

    The faire had been moved back a week due to the fires. When Mr. Beau and I arrived there are a good crowd who had gathered to see men in tights and ladies in dresses running around acting as if they had come from another era (me, I go for the food and the shopping and a few of the shows). After a quick surveillance of the merchant stalls (and my purchase of a leather wrist band) Mr. Beau and I hit the beer tent, then back out again to look around. Soon we were greeted by a "walking billboard" for an act called "The Bawdy Juggler":



    As the stage was near the beer tent we decided we would go back and await the arrival of my friend Sarah (you can find a link to her Livejournal site on the right of the main page):



    The juggler was pretty good and his schtick was fun. Not terribly bawdy but just enough without being gross:



    Next up was a great musical act, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Very talented young ladies, if you get the chance and you like folk and Celtic music you should give them a listening to:



    Of course, the big show is court. When I was "doing faire" I was a member... first as household and then as Dr. Dee, the Queen's advisor. Court at Escondido is done by St. Elizabeth's Guild. Here's a quick shot of court during the Queen's prayer for the people of Escondido after the fires



    After court it was more wandering and shopping. What else did I buy? Well, with some prompting from Sarah and Mr. Beau here is what I wound up looking like:

    I didn't select a hat but the coat did come home with me.

    Hard to believe that THIS was a date. He didn't run off screaming... that's definitely a good sign.