Fire Aftermath...

I don't even know what to say. It's horrible.
Los Angeles Times - Photography:Devastating wildfires destroy hundreds of homes

I am speechless, and grateful to the firefighters and police.

Fire

I'm watching the news almost OBSESSIVLY this weekend.  Again, we have fires in SoCal "Sayer" and Orange County, and bad.

No matter what, folk are going to lose precious items,  memories, things that cannot be replaced.  And there are the pets.  You know that not everyone can get their companion out... and I don't think the firefighters stand much of a chance, given the size of this disaster.  (Please prove me wrong... it will make my day/week/month).  I hope...

And, lest we forget, all these wildlands held animal life.  They (if lucky?) are going to flee the fire and later starve; or more likely get caught in the 35 mile per hour firestorm that has been reported.  No matter what, they're screwed.

But then again, I'm a pessimest.

"Where is god... where is God today?" (lyric)

Not here apparently.

Again with the ghosts...

So I have this stalker-person.  

She's elected herself judge, jury and executioner.  She's claiming all sorts of bad things about me, and it seems to come and go (with her medications?).  It's also a shame, since she's got so many details of my life wrong... I haven't been able to shift her one bit from her allegations; and she ranges from 30 seconds of cordial to vehemently hostile... especially at 2 am (when she likes to call).  

I haven't been able to figure out who she is...   even through the miracles of technology (Caller-ID), I know "who" the phone calls are coming from.   I don't recognize the name displayed, it's not  anyone I know.  I figure she must have been in the group of folk I knew 13-15 years ago, but haven't a clue...

Did you know that Vonage won't let you block a particular number?, just anonymous calls...  It's not in the feature set.

Hope springs eternal in the Scammer's breast (update)

I don't do the nigerian scam.  

They REPLY!  You're kidding right...?

---

From: christana bally [mailto:christanabally@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 11:36 AM
To: Edmund
Subject: PAYMENT DETAILS/////////////////: room with house privs (Chatsworth) (map)

Thanks for everything and am so happy to hear about  the place cos I can wait in meeting you all in litle I have heard from you it so cool,and am happy I will be renting from you.its been really hard for me getting a place since am not home and I cant receive calls nor make call due to research work location ok.but thanks to you for helping me in everything I needed to be satisfied in the place .My dad would have emailed but he has been so busy ,but nevertheless,I will like you to send me your full information your............ full name ....and your full...... address and your...... zip code........your phone number .......as well, so that he will issue out the payment for the place as soon as possible,with that you can hold on the place for me till I come. I will be looking forward to your email soonest.
Thanks and have a nice day

===================================================================

-----Original Message-----

From: Edmund [mailto:aedmunde@gmail.com] 

Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 10:11 AM

To: 'christana bally'

Subject: RE: LITTLE ABOUT ME/////////////////: room with house privs (Chatsworth) (map)

A few of the key points:

(a) Americans who are studying a masters program, generally speak the language fluently.  Especially one studying in France taking Microbiology.  

(b) an "American" studying abroad and cannot talk on the telephone. (trademark)

(c) a single (presumably hot) female. (trademark)

(d) really interested in renting from me, but have no details about the room.

(e) Cats are mentioned, but you "like dogs".

(f) already asked for "all details about the room" in the previous email, was answered and responded back with this same question rephrased.

(g) And the final touch...  your "dad" will be taking care of the financial arraingments.  So I presume that the fake bank draft, counterfit check or other "instrument" will be larger than the deposit, and you will wish a refund.  The draft or check will bounce, and I will be out the money.  

 

Best of luck though.

It must still work with some,  or you folk wouldn't do it...

Next contestant...

-----Original Message-----

From: christana bally [mailto:christanabally@gmail.com] 

Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 4:12 AM

To: Edmund

Subject: LITTLE ABOUT ME/////////////////: room with house privs (Chatsworth) (map)

Well a bit about myself.am Christana, 25 yrs old , a non-smoker, don't do drugs, not a drinker, and drama free.  I myself like to be home and on occasions sign up for classes.  I graduated last year , I am single and have no children. However, I dont have dogs..am coming back home (U.S.A ) for my masters degree in any university i want. I was born in Michinga.my dad is from there too but my mum is from London Uk.Am on research work at Paris (France), am almost done.with that bcos its part of my prerequisite for my masters in Microbiology . I would have loved to call you but I cant get thru bcos I believe its the long distance call  issue.Am really interested in renting from you and will really want to know everything about the place .I do really love pets but i don't have any at the moment. I would have loved to see it but am very far,but with pictures,I am glad. I will also like you to tell me more about you and if you have pets. i don't smoke.pls let me know the total payment of the place and more over,I  will send your email to my dad for him to email you later bcos he is the one that will be paying the bills. I will wait for your email to know if the place is still very much available bcos i want to make a complete arrangement and want to also have your words that you will have it reserved for me bcos i will be coming soon take care and write me soonest.

Christana.

 

-----Original Message-----

From: Edmund 

Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008 12:05 AM

To: 'christana bally'

Subject: RE: room with house privs (Chatsworth) (map)

Rent $600 / month (includs utilities upto a reasonable amount).

from previous advert:

Great 12x10 bedroom with adjoining stall shower bath in huge 1960 square foot townhouse. The security complex is small and very quiet. There is a pool and spa that is rarely used by the tenants who are mostly owner occupied. Utilities include high speed internet, (basic)cable TV, gas, electric, water and refuse. Use of washer, dryer and kitchen. Cats are already in residence. If you don't like cats... you'll not enjoy the atmosphere. Non smokers please. 

First and security deposit.

Close to CSUN, shopping, 118 freeway, and restaurants. Available Now! 

available now.   

==============

-e

Edmund 

-----Original Message-----

From: christana bally [mailto:christanabally6@gmail.com]

Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 11:40 PM

To: hous-910363285@craigslist.org

Subject: room with house privs (Chatsworth) (map)

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY

** Avoid:  wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home

** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping

** More Info:  http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

--

I goodday,

I am Interested in your place,please let me know if it still available for rent...i will be glad if you can send me pics and details of the place including the time frame when it will be available.

Christana

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Thanks GW! (article in the LATimes)

Unemployment rate hits 6.5%, a 14-year high - article at Los Angeles Times
More big job losses in October paint a picture of recession.
By Maura Reynolds November 8, 2008

• 

  Jobless woes

• 

  Unemployment rate

• Video: U.S. unemployment rises to 6.5%

• Chart: Jobless

• Jobless? Tips for survival

And I'm still looking for work!

The true Genius of America, that it can change (from LAT)

Barack Obama wins presidency, making history I'm too wound up to go to sleep. ELECTION 2008 has come and gone, and we now see what we have voted.  

I started out this campaign, not liking either candidate; either because of the tone or the position; and frankly (in spite of my usually better nature) because I listened to some of the less polite attributions made about our first ever female vp candidate...  In the end, although I disagree with her politics; I cannot say she's stupid and not a fast study.  

So, I didn't really like any of them (excepting perhaps Biden).  It seemed to be politics as usual, like the jibjab spoof...

What set the final scene apart for me, was watching John McCain be gracious and concilatory... a return the anchors said to a better man that they had not seen much of in recent days.

I hope...  I guess I'm becoming an optimist.  

Nah, but if the glass is half-full, maybe I can put some more in it?