Traffic-Mr. Fantasy, James Carter-Present Tense, Joan as Police Woman-To Survive

OK well I wrote back to Anna (with pic):

Anna,

So glad to get another letter from you. You asked me some questions and here are my answers!

I live in Milwaukee. I rent a room above the garage of a very nice family, the Cunninghams.

I teach shop at a high school.

I like to hang out at the local diner (Arnold's) and listen to music.

I hate nerds.

I like fruit, my favorite fruit is grapes. Do they have grapes in Russia?

I do like strong drinks, but I rarely if ever get too drunk and i am never rude to women!

I have some questions about you I would like to know the answers to:

1. You say you exercise, what kind of exercises do you do? In Russia is there a gym? I saw once in the movie Rocky 4 that Rocky just ran up and down a mountain with an old wooden wheel tied to his back when he was exercising in Russia, I hope they do not make you do that!

2. Does the Internet Cafe you are using serve coffee? If so what is your favorite coffee drink? I like a cinnamon mocha with non-fat milk served over ice.

3. What kind of clubs do you got to?

4. What is your favorite pet? (I hate cats, but maybe we can work that out)

5. Finally you never told me if you like borscht.

I have attached a picture of myself after a workout!

And she wrote back twice. First this:

Hello my dear Murray DavidI am so glad to see your letter again,I think I am a lucky girl to meet such man and I will do my best to meet you in real life! you know I can work in any city of your area because it is free choice and agency only helps me to get only travel documents and ticket, and I do hope that we will like each other and now I have the destination.The agency will also suggest some places to work in. I do hope I have met my right man!you know I have told you before one of my friend worked abroad last year and have met right man,now they live there and they are going tomarry. by the way now they are arranging the trip to Russia,(he wants to meet her parents and friends) I think if I feel that you are my dream and you have the same feelings we could think about our future together. if not I will just work and return back when the time to travel back. you know I am new here and I am afraid to make any mistake. I have one great lack,I am very impatient sometimes I can act without thinking. Sometimes I think that my dream is getting for real and it is so bad to be disappointed later. I want you to know all small things about me because it shouldn't be any misunderstandings between us.I want you to know that I am not angel and sometimes I can show my character.And I don't wait that you to be angel too, I just want to meet a kind man .I am very kind and I can forgive almost all I can't forgive if my man sleep with different woman, I don't know many nessesary words in english.I hope you can read between lines. A little more about myself!my favorite activity is fitness. I wanted to be as fitness trainer but I finished The Irkutsk State Univercity, trainers faculty as fitnesstrainer but I don't work on my profession because there are no good fintess clubs in my city, I used to sit at home and to do all housework,helping my mom. I would like to have good job, I may work dancing teacher, or trainer of fitness,you know I have a certificate. I worked as a trainer a year ago . and I would like to do it again .you know how many more younger girls want to get this job too!Alot of competition here. I want to tell you about things I like: I like to make barbecue and I so much want to have my own home with fireplace. usually I make very tasty ones and in principle I like to cook and it is not problem for me to cook something tasty and I don't like to visit cafes and restaurants,at first usually they can't cook weel(maybe only here) and second too high price.I like warm weather. and my great dream is to live somewhere on tropical island. Also I want to tell you about my dislikes: I hate our long winters it seems to me they will never end. I hate lies and unfaithfulness. I hate evil people and politicans I think they like to play wars, I hate any ars.What I like in a man: faithfulness, honesty. He has to be open- minded and open-hearted, also easy-going. and much more important he is kind,kindness makes our world! Are you kind and gentle man ?????I think my man should be kind ,it is great feeling after love,only kind person may be happy, all rude people are unhappy.or must be. A few questions yet, agency tells that I will have a room in nearest hotel near my future work but if we like each other may be is it possible to live together?I think we will enjoy life together. do you have your car?animals? I can't drive and I do hope you give me a few lessons, to be fair I have so many plans .I will find out all travel details about my flight this week. I will leave my town today in a two hours and i think I will be not able to write to you today or so.When I am in Moscow I will send you short letter to let you know that I am all right and they tell that it takes about two days toget all nesseary papers, please confirm your phone number and international airport, I want to be sure I have all your details and Please don't look at different girls. I am the best(joke). Well, I will close this letter I think I am bore today,and please feelfree to ask. See you soon!I can't believe everything is for real. to be fair I am lost and my head is like any big station with a lot of voice!KISS and LOVE Anna!P.S. I love borscht ))

And the this:

My honey ! it is me,can you believe I am in Moscow. I can't believe ,it was wonderful flight and they gave red vine in plane, wow,I have never triedsuch tasty one!!!!! I went the bus up to the Subway from the airport .In Subway long went, it was so is delightfulI was in travel agency today, but my documents are not ready yet, it will be ready tomorrow. I will go to travel agency again to get all info about my trip. And of course, when I will get it - I will send it to you!It is such great city and it takes a few hours to travel from one end to other.I rented the flat for few days.People said to me some nice places in Moscow while he wasSuch a great city it is. I have no words to explain. you can't imagine how great Moscow is,to be fair I wouldn't like to live here,a lot of cars,people , voice and pollution.Ugly traffic and people with crazy eyes.When I get off plane in airport Moscow policeman asked about passport and he looked at me like I am any enemy,I think all people here are a little crazy at terrorism.Life here in Moscow is expensive. I was going through some shops todayand it is much more expensive than in our town. Food and all the general things. It is the same country but different prices, what a great change.I think people living in Moscow are very cautious ,I think so. But I think that I have done my choice and to be fair I don't want to live here,it is not the city of my dreams. you know I am not coward I am not afraid I know it is my chance to meet kind man .I do hope I am right. and I think you are too kind to make any bad things I feel it.Well,I will close this letter ,please write as soon as possible!seeyou soon! KISS . Great kiss from moscow!!!!!!!!! Anna

This is all moving so fast! and I barely have time to blog about the albums. Traffic was better than I expect, James Carter was jazz and enjoyed it, Joan as Police Woman was OK. 7, 8 and 6 (out of 10)

I think Anna Really Likes Me!

I got two emails from Anna today (with more pictures). When I searched for some of the text from the email on google a bunch of stuff came up, so my new goal is to make her write me a custom letter. I will respond later. First this one:

Hello my dear Murray David,thank you for your answer!At first I think I have to say that I am new in internet and I have only good intentions. you should know that I am not very good writer in english, please be patient to read my messages and see many mistakes. to be fair I don't know what you want to know about me,in principle I am usual girl.I think I should tell you about me, my interests,tastes and hobbies.I think I will tell you about things I want to know about you and you will know my future questions.I am 25 years old,my birthday is October, 18, 1982. I so much don't want to get older ,when I can see old women I amgetting crazy to think that it is my future .I do all the best to keep my youth and I keep my body well.In spite of all difficultes here I am trying to be in good condition and I do a lot of exercises to be in good shape!I am about 172 cm tall (5.6) and my weight is about 56 kg. I've been told I look well enough ,and I think that all women have own beaty. I have never been married and I don`t have children.I have one youngest sisters and it is great problem for us because we have only two rooms flat.you can't imagine what does it mean to be born in small town in Russia,there are not any chances to live well,to get a good job.All young people leave towns to search great luck in big cities but nobody waits for them there. I want to leave Russia,I know it sounds ugly but I know that I will be lost here like many young girls before me. It is not place to grow children and have stable future.I want to meet my right man .I think in future I can work as fitness trainer I have a certificate. My mother is my great problem too,she has a great dream to see me married and she wants to make me happy but I think it is only my business I am not a little child. She tells me every day that I should get married very soon... To be fair I am not sure I am able to explain all in first message I want to say so much! I just want you to know that I am not afraid to work,I am fairly goal oriented and I am sure you will be not disappoined to meet me in real life.I am going to spend three monthsabroad to work in any good place,agency promises to help me because it is only the way I can leave Russia.I will have all documents to travel in a few days and i will travel to moscow then,from moscow I will travel to you and they ask me about name of the city i am going to work,if you don't mind to meet me please tell me the name of your city and nearest international airport! I will book my flight from moscow!I think it would be so great to meet my love and stay there forever.I know that it is not so easy like I think but I think it is possible that I meat my real love.I want to love and to be loved I want to build our own happiness,only me and my man there. I don't smoke,I tried to smoke when I was younger.I may have a glass of red dry vine,sometimes it helps to relax. I try to take care of my body and face. I know it is all I have.My soul may have any itnterst for you later, I thinkso.I am not a little girl and I know that at first almost all men look at body ,legs and face.God created males such persons. Well,I think I am lost in my letter,I am not sure you understand my goals,please feel free to ask. I live in Russia,town Shelekhov, Sedova street 5,flat 7,it is near big city Irkutsk.My town is rather far from Moscow. Moscow is a capital of my country. I want you to reply if you understand my mind,my intentions,my soul,if not please reply too, I will continue my searching. Well, I will close this letter,I think you are tired to read it.and If you think that I should write shorter letters please tell me. I write from internet cafe in Irkutsk because there are not cafes and possibility to use internet in my small town,we have 4 digital phone number and we can't call abroad.Even to call in any big town here in Russia I have to order the call in advance.and I would like to say please don't worry if I keep silence sometimes I have no time to travel ,it is about 25 minutes by bus from my town till IrkutskPlease tell me more about you,your tastes,likes and dislikes .also I have a few impotant questions do youlike strong drinks too much?can you be very drunk?very ofthen?can you be rude with women?Well,I have to stop or I will write without ending.Kiss you !see you later. In my next e-mail I will write you more things about myself and more details about my trip and work. I will miss you, your Anna

Then this one:

I have decided to return to the Internet-cafe and to write to you a little more))I very well understand people and I think that you very good person:)I wish to send you an air kiss and to wish good day!!!

Anna

Solomon Burke-Like A Fire

Well first of all the Nigerians are still trying to get money from me, but I have gotten bored of talking to them, so I have not been responding. I may pick that up again next week. But remember this email:

Hi stranger,

My name is SUSAN and i'm 27

I just got into town, looking to meet some new people

We can chat if you want, you can reply if you want

foot back

To which I responded:

Hello is this Susan Vanderwall for East Lansing? How are you doing? What are you doing in town? I can't believe you are 27 already, it seems like just yesterday we were playing doctor in Hoffman's garage.

Murray David Murgason

Well I finall heard Back (two emails with pictures!)

Hello!!! It AnnaUnfortunately I had some problems with sending and reception of mailPlease write to me. You received my letter? I send you it once again!!With impatience I shall wait from you the letter!========================================================================================================Hi my new friend Im glad to see that you have decided to reply,I see it is very short letter.It is all right because you are astonished to get my letter.I want you to know that I have only good intentions and I have not any secrets.The thing is that I will work in your country for three months or so andI would like to meet a nice man to fall in love or just be closest friends. I don't want to live in Russia because I have not any chances here,it is hardly possible to explain from first time but I want you to know my plans.I will work in any shop, bar or restaurant the agency that i am going through will suggest me some locations.It will be my choice in the end as to what option to go for.So I will have a simple work till I improve my English. And I can choose anytown of your area,agency will only help me to get a visa and all travel documents + some suggested placed to work in.My best friend last year met the man from the USA when she worked there for three months, too. She had two jobs. From morning till 4 pm she worked in amusement park and after it she worked as a waitress in some bar till midnight. She was very tired of course but made very good money there. It is special programm for young people who wants to work abroad and I think it is the right way for me ,I am lost here,and I think that I look pretty enough to find a better place .I want to repeat the same way,it isonly my chance to meet a nice man.I want to work in USA or in Europe or anynice country. I am full of plans and different dreams and I want to share mylife with good man because I'm also full of love and tenderness,I know thatI am not so beautiful like Hollywood Princess but I do hope to meet my Prince andI am sure he will be not be disappoined to meet me in the real life! This is why I am going to go through the same way.Well,I will close this letter and I do hope to get your reply.I will leave russia in two weeks or so (I can't tell you everything exactlyright now) and I would like tobe sure that I have the man who waits for me there. I will work all day and I want to find a man to spend all free timetogether to get to know each other better.if you have any interest to meet me I will be more than happy to meet you too.I will tell you all details about me and my life if you like my pictures andwant to meet me! please send picture of you too!!!I write to you with my new mailbox please writeletters now only on this mailbox.I will wait your next letter. Kiss you , Anna (this is my name)!

and this:

Hello it again I!I wont send you a little more my pictures
I hope to you my pictures will like
Kiss Anna

To which I responded:

Anna,

So you are not Susan Vanderwall? Strange that you are Susan and Anna, but perhaps in your country people have nicknames like we do here. As you know my name is Murray David Murgason, but people call me Fonzie (or Arthur Fonzerelli). You can call me The Fonz if you wish. I can see by your pictures that you are indeed beautiful. You may not be as beautiful and an American Hollywood Princess, but lucky for you we have no actual princesses in this country and actually in countries where they do have princesses some of them are not attractive at all! If you are looking for work here in America I have some suggestion. Have you thought of dog grooming? My cousin Chachi has a business where he grooms dogs to look like pieces of furniture. He made a Doberman look exactly like a mahogany armoire! Chachi makes excellent money and only works 13 hours a day. Please tell me more about you life in Russia . Do you eat Borscht?

Yours Truly
Murray David Murgason AKA The Fonz

P.S. I have included a picture of myself so you know what I look like.

We shall see what happens.

Did not like this album at all. The man has left his chair.

Martha Wainwright-I Know You're Married But I've Got a Feeling, Jackie DeShannon-Jackie

Well we went to Philadelphia this past weekend to watch my sister compete in a sprint triathlon. She did great! Finished near the top 100 for all the women in the race, and really just finished is what is important. She has been training for this for quite a while and all of us are really proud of her. Go Jessica! We also saw the Liberty Bell and ate Cheesestakes (well mine had no cheese). Now back to work...
Martha Wainwright's album was highly recommended on Rhapsody, but I did not like it much at all. Jackie Deshannon was really good. I wasn't sure while listening to it if it was classic or retro, turns out it is classic! 2 and 3 1/2 stars (out of four).

Tom Waits-Bone Machine, Steely Dan-Countdown to Ecstasy

I went to my friends Andrea and Phil's engagement party the other night, and my bag ended up sitting in a puddle of old beer. Now my bag smells like a nightclub in the morning. It is kind of eerie because every time I open my bag I get memories of the early 1990s. Speaking of memories of the early 90s I also watched Swingtown last night, which is set in the 70s which has nothing to do with the 90s, but still and all there has got to be some sort of connection there to justify this segue. Anyhow it wasn't very good. Oh, here you go, Grant Show from Melrose Place has one of the leads, and that show was on in the 90s. I did also want to mention "sweet salt" which is the new name for sugar. Pretty soon people wont know what you mean when you ask for sugar, so you better get used to asking for sweet salt now.
The Tom Waits album was pretty good, but to be honest I can't really tell the difference between on Tom Waits album or another. Steely Dan was chore. Too many horns, too much keyboard action. 7 and 4 out of ten.

Donovan-Barbajagal

Well I am really tired today. I went to the Brooklyn Cyclones game last night, and the to a bar to watch the Celtics. That is a little too much too late for me. Sadly for all of you, my loyal readers, it means the blog is going to suffer.
The first song on this Donovan album is really, really great. Right up there with Season of the Witch for Donovan songs. The rest of the album was big let down after the one great song. 6.5 stars.

Death Cab For Cutie-Narrow Stairs

I saw a really interesting documentary last night on HBO. It was called "Resolved" and it was about high school debating. As a movie it had some flaws, specifically it had two interesting stories that never really connected. But the two stories were very interesting. Especially the story about two African American students from and Los Angeles public school who shake up the debate world. I did not know that debating is not really what most people think of as debating anymore. Basically there is a new style of speaking where you spit out as many facts as you can in the time allotted. It sounds a little like the FedEx guy. Well these kids from LA start out debating like that, and they become state champs. But the next year they decide that the whole structure of debating in inherently racist because of the type of education it promotes, and a whole bunch of things. So they stop using the crazy style of talking and they hijack every debate to become a debate about debating itself. It is pretty cool to see them do that, and to turn the who process back into an actual debate. I definitely recommend this movie if you get a chance to check it out.

I can't really say the same for Death Cab For Cutie. I found this album pretty boring. 2 Stars.

Ladytron-Velocifero, The Turtles-It Ain't Me Babe

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. 2 stars and 3 stars.

Sloan-Parallel Play, Disturbed-Indestructable, Sean Prince-Monkey Barz

Well they are really pressuring me to give them some confirmation of my Western Union shipment. Please if you know the format of Western Union wire transfer please let me know so I can give them some phony information. See below for the latest round of correspondence.

First I sent this (fake Western Union number I tried to find the format on the internet and this is all I could find):

Rev. John Vicar,

The money has been sent. I will say it was not easy to find to the Western Union office. It turns out the office in Pottersville is closed, so I had to go all the way to Metropolis to find a Western Union. The man there was very nice an helpful and he wore a cross, so I know the money will reach soon. Please confirm when you have received it. The Western Union confirmation number is 0005894644. Please also quickly send the DHL package. I will wait at home until it arrives. If I need anything my neighbor, Richard Manderstasten will go get it for me. He has a little trouble getting around since his hip replacement, but I sure he will not mind if I share with him only a small part of my winnings. I don't expect I will need much, just a few things from the grocery store, and perhaps a new Jumble book, as I have almost finished mine. I am thinking of trying Suduku but every time I am about to buy a Suduku book, I end up putting back and buying a jumble at the last minute. Maybe if Richard goes he will actually get the Suduku book for me.

God Bless You

Murray David Murgason

Then they responded twice, first this...

Attention, Attention
Murray David Murgason
Please I would advice that you do not take this with levity because I have so much to attend to pls.it is just to inform you that you have sent nothing to that information provided as it does not contain western union. kindly be informed now that you are to be given full information of receiver, text question and answer including the destination control and the amount sent.

Rev Victor John

Then this...

Hello.


Murray David Murgason


Our accountant said that he needs the receipt of the copy of the western union Payment, in order for the Total Verification of the payment.


Pls do that fast so that your payment can be confirm, so that your Draft can be deliver to you by Monday.


Thanks


Await your fastest response soonest.


Kind Regards.

Rev Victor John

and my last email to them:

Rev John Victor

My apologies. I though the Western Union confirmation number (0005894644) would suffice. I know I have the confirmation paperwork somewhere. I think it is probably in my car. I stopped at Burger King on my home (I was hungry after all that driving!) and had a Whopper and fries. In America Burger King flam broils it's burgers! Do they do that in your country? I think it is the most delicious burger in the whole country. Anyhow I think when I put the empty bag in the back of my car I must have put the receipt from Western Union there too. My wife took the car to Deluth yesterday, so I will try and call her to see if she can find the receipt. I will be back in touch shortly!

Murray David Murgason

Sloan I think was on the OC or something, or maybe not. I guess probably not, but the name sure sounds like a band on the OC. They were pretty decent pop/rock music. Disturbed has the number 1 album in the country now. They are your basic Heavy Metal band, they are pretty decent as well, no great shakes, but I did recognize one of the live tracks as being in Guitar Hero III. Sean Prince is a rapper who is, believe it or not, pretty decent, but probably like the other two albums mentioned today will not stay on my ipod too long. They all get a man sitting attentively in his chair.

Benny Sings-Benny ...at home

Wow, so much has happened today. Most of it is too confidential to mention here, but some is for the public. I got an email from Rev. Victor John:

REV. VICTOR JOHN, IS WAITIN YOUR CALL

Hello
Murray D. Murgason,

What happened to your mobile phone? I was calling your phone to talk to you concerning the transfer, but your mobile phone didn't connect, so I wish you could call me on my own phone; + (234)-8074-143081, you have to do everything quickly because we have already arrange your packages over here.

I think maybe you have network problem or you haven't put your zip code?

Here is our payment information

Receivers Name…… ALAO OLUMIDE JAMES,
Country ……………NIGERIA
Receiver Address……SURULERE, LAGOS, 23401, NIGERIA.
Test Question ……… WHO
Answer ……............. MURRAY D. MURGASON

Mr. Alao Olumide James, is the account officer of our office and he is the one you will make this payment to. Note: As soon as this payment is made a copy of the Insurance paper would be issued to you which is what you would have to present to the delivery man before he could hand you your bank draft
Yours in service.
Rev John Victor

DHL Courier Service Manage Director
'
To Which I responded:

Rev. Victor John

Hello. As I said yesterday I have been unable to connect to your phone as well. I called again today and it rang 8 times (that ring really is quite unusual). It does seem like an awful lot of numbers, so maybe our system here just can't accept so many numbers. How can I send you the money? When I buy items on eBay (I recently got some beautiful hummel figurines) I use PayPal. Do you have a PayPal account? If not perhaps I can borrow my stepsisters car to go to the Western Union in Pottersville. I am not sure exactly how to get there, I think if I take highway 16 to the underscramble interchange and then get on Telly Savalis highway that will take me right to Stewart Lane. Anyhow I am sure I will be able to get there today before closing. Where shall I send the money? Do I send the whole $750 to one place, or $350 to one place and $400 to another? Please let me kno soon as I am eager to collect my winnings.

Murray David Murgason

To which he responded:

PAYMENT BY WESTERN UNION

Hello

Murray D. Murgason,

Well you go to Western Union bank and make the payment?
yes the $750 you will pay it in one place?

and forward the information to my E-mail, and pls you have to let Mr.Ben, know that you have already make the payment?

Yours in service.
Rev John Victor,
DHL Courier Service Manage Director

Also I got this email today:

Hi stranger,

My name is SUSAN and i'm 27I just got into town, looking to meet some new people
We can chat if you want, you can reply if you want

foot back

To Which I responded:

Hello is this Susan Vanderwall for East Lansing? How are you doing? What are you doing in town? I can't believe you are 27 already, it seems like just yesterday we were playing doctor in Hoffman's garage.

Murray David Murgason

Benny Sings kind of reminded of Jamarquoi (sp?). Not exactly the same, but still retro smooth groove of some sort. I enjoyed it but I am not sure it will hold up to multiple listenings. 2.5 stars.

The Cool Kids-The Bake Sale

OK so now I have responded to both Moregan Ben and the Rev. John Victor. I am hoping they leave me a voicemail message which I can then somehow post to this site. Also see below for the promised album review.

To Rev. John Victor,

How are you? I hope you are well and all is well at DHL. I am glad to being doing business with you rather than Federal Express. I don't know if you Mr. Moregan Ben explained my problems with Federal Express, but lets just say I DO NOT TRUST THEM because the can't seem to deliver packages to the proper address. I know my church uses DHL and I believe God helps you deliver packages to the proper addresses all the time. Mr. Ben mentioned that he hopes that I could have my bank draft this weekend, which is great news! What is the standard shipping times from your country to the United States? Do you know how long it will take for the check to clear once it arrives? I would like to send you and Mr. Ben a small token of my appreciation for you help on this matter once it is settled. You did not include any contact information in this email, so I tried calling the number Mr. Ben gave me previously, but the phone rang six times without an answer (BTW perhaps when we have more time you can explain to me why the ring sounds so unusual. Do you have cats as pets in your country? When I step on my cat by accident, it sound much like the ring in your country!). Please call me at 206-206-4288 so we can arrange the transfer of funds.

P.S. I see this email came from Adrian Dalsey, is that your assistants email address? Perhaps I can contact him?

The Cool Kids are retro rap, and they are really awesome. They sound like a mix between the Beastie Boys and BDP or something like that, and they capture the spirit of old school rap while sounding very current. Anyhow I really like them. 5 stars, top rated.

I Lied

No album review yet. I got another email from Moregen Ben:

DELIVER BY (DHL) PLS YOU HAVE TO BE FASTER

Dear Murray D. Murgason,

How are you and your family?

I am very happy that nothing happened, because I was looking to hear from you quickly as soon as possible, so that the transaction will be done before weekend.

I was thinking that is your mum sickness was the problem, but I can see that she is ok

However I told you on my last mail that I went to (DHL) office and spook with they Manage Director Rev Victor John himself told me that you’re into to pay $750usd before they could deliver your bank draft over there in your country.

$400 is for security peeking fees in (DHL) Courier Company, why the $350 is delivery to you in the country, Rev Victor John, also told me that its will takes them 48hours to deliver in your country.

So my brother you do something faster to have your draft before weekend I wish your bank draft could deliver to you let us be honest and trust in this transaction if this go through I promise to been dealing with you because I have another one to do?

Best Regards

Mr. Moregan Ben

I Respond to Moregen Ben

My next post will include my response to DHL and my review (of a really good album BTW) but here is my reponse to Moregen Ben:

Mr. Moregan Ben,

So sorry to not respond sooner, but it was Redd Foxx day on Monday so I took the family on a trip to Benihana to celebrate! Unfortunately my son Morey accidentally touched the hot grill and we had to rush him to the emergency room. The burns were not too severe and he should be out of bandages within 3 months (thank god!) so all is well that ends well. Do you have Benihana in your country? If so I highly recommend the Blue Moon Masaka! I also received an email from Rev. Victor John from the DHL company. Thank you so much for switching shippers, God will be happy that we are not using Federal Express. I tried calling Rev. Victor John this morning, but I could not seem to get through. Does the phone ring differently in your country? Normally when I call long distance (usually my friend Howard in San Antonio, Texas) the ring sounds the same as here, sort of like a bicycle bell hidden under a pillow, but when I called Rev. Victor John the ring sounded almost like a cat being squeezed. Maybe I dialed wrong, but after about 6 "rings" I couldn't take the sound any longer and I had to hang up. The good news is that I got a new phone (a Motorola, which my friend Robert tells me are the best, and he should know, his son works a Circuit City!) so perhaps Rev. Victor John could call me? My new number is 206-203-4288. I look forward to resolving this issue as quickly as possible.

Murray David Murgason

DHL Is Waiting to Hear From Me

I got this email this morning. I will try and respond to both emails today, and of course I will post my responses.

Mr. Murray D. Murgason,

We are much concerned about your requires from our office (DHL) Courier Service.

we are notified concerned a bank draft contain 2.500,000 00usd written on your names (Murray David Murgason) ever since we can't receive any information on bank draft from the couple of days. This is main reason we are sending you're a reminder concerning these draft.

These are our delivery charges fee to your respective address; you are paying the total sum of $750.

Which you are charging $450 for security weeping fees in DHL office and $300 for delivery to you in your country,

All your address was forwarded to us here in our office by Mr.Moregan Ben,
Who said that two of you have transaction, so you're into to pay $750 as soon as you make the payment your bank draft could deliver to you in next 48hours of the day?

I hope to hear from you shortly.

Yours in service

Rev John Victor
DHL Courier Service Manage Director

Bo Diddley-Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger, Everlery Brother-Songs Our Daddy Tought Us, Barenaked Ladies-Snacktime

Mr. Moregan Ben got back to me. It appears DHL will cost more than FedEx. I am going to respond this week, but I am going to let him wait first... See Moregan's email below:

DELIVERY UP TO (DHL) GET BACK TO ME
Dear Murray David Murgason,How are you and your family? Hope all is ok.What happened? Our mail last time is very happy and honesty trust, however I went the (DHL) Office like you said, they told me that if is wish to deposit your bank draft in there office that you have to pay 750$ before deliver to you in your country in next 48hours, when the payment is made, they told me that you have to pay 350$ for security keeping fees in they office, why 400$ is for delivery to you in your country with out any mistake.I have already forward all of your information to them Your full name Your home address But they requested you telephone number so that they could call you on phone and hear more from you before truncation will be on?Here is (DHL) Contact telephone number for you to call them, Manage Director, Rev. Victor John. +(234) 806-520-9723Best Regards Mr. Moregan Ben

Does anybody know how to get a voicemail # for cheap? Oh never mind I just got a free voicemail, so now I can tell them how to call me. I will send them an email tomorrow.

This weekend I listened to some oldies and some kids music. They were all good, for what they were. No surprises, nothing mindblowing. If you like Bo Diddley I think this album is probably a good one, but seeing how it is the first full Bo Diddley album I have ever heard I can't recommend it over any other, but he is dead, so maybe you should listen. I am not sure if the Everly Brothers are alive or not, so listening to this one is optional until I hear anything further. The Barenaked Ladies made a kids album, which I think is pretty standard these days for indie bands, ever since Dan Zanes made a bizillion dollars doing it. I thought it was OK, but my daughter was not really interested. All of them get a man sitting at attention in his chair.

Jewel-Perfectly Clear

No news on the recasting front today, if I don't hear back with the DHL charges soon I will email back. I don't think I ever written about racism in sports coverage. It is something you will see in most American sports coverage, and it can be summed up with the fact that white athletes are scrappy, hard working and intelligent, while black athletes are raw talents, athletic, gifted, etc.. If you aware of this racism you can't help but see/hear it all the time. It is one of things that to me makes it really clear how much racism there still is in this country. I know it is only sports, but it basically an accepted view that white athletes are more intelligent, and the black athletes are more naturally gifted. Don't you think that view carries over to the rest of life? It really becomes apparent in mediocre players. Mediocre white players are gamers, who give maximum effort and will themselves onto the big state, while mediocre black players are not fulfilling the potential they have. Anyhow if you happen to watch any sports, especially baseball or basketball, listen to the announcers and I would predict you will hear these types of characterization at least once game.

I am not a huge Jewel fan, I thought she was cute when she first moved out of her station wagon and became a pop star, but her music never really did it for me. BUT this COUNTRY album she has released is really pretty great. Another happy surprise! 3.5 Hats!

The Story Continues!

I heard back from my Phisher:

Dear David Murgason

I am so sorry to hear that from you, pleas believe in God nothing can happened to your family and your mother, my (REGARDS) to your mum and dad tell them that I said nothing will happen to anyone in your family.

Baize on my mail, yes I have the (DHL) over here in Nigeria, could I go to there and deposits that your bank draft likes you wish but you know that I don’t know how much they charging in their office over there, but however I will go there and ask them as soon as tomorrow morning?

Best Regards Mr. Moregan Ben

Weezer-The Red Album

My response to the Phisher:

Mr. .Moregan Ben

Thank you for asking after my family. They are doing well, although my Aunt Hester has recently been having a lot of problems with her arthritis. It has gotten to point now where she can't cook her own meals. This means that me or my wife has to go to her house every evening and make her food for the following day. BUT we can't put it in Tupperware, because she can't open Tupperware becaus of her arthritis, which as I am sure you can imagine is problematic. We usually just use Saran brand cellophane wrap to keep things fresh, but Hester complains that the wrap does not cling, and her refrigerator is not as fresh smelling as she likes. This is exacerbated by the fact that Hester eats mostly whitefish sandwiches, which I am sure you know has a very "distinct" odor, to put it lightly.

So the total cost is $550, one payment of $250 and another of $300, this seems very reasonable considering the total value of my winnings! I hope you do not insist on using FedEx, because as you know I have a history with them (don't get me started!). I do have great trust in God, but even my church does not use FedEx anymore, they use DHL, so my feeling is God uses DHL as well. I can ask my pastor about this if you wish. Do you have DHL in your country?

My Full Name: Murray David Murgason
My Home Address: 527 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
My Phone Number and Fax Number: My phone number is 917-941-6585 BUT I recently lost my phone, or should I say somebody STOLE my phone while I was on line at Wendy's. They took it right out of my pocket! I am waiting for a new phone to arrive, so if you call me in the next day or too you may actually speak to the person who stole my phone. If that is the case please let them know my address, and let them know the can return my phone NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Once my new phone arrives (or my old phone is returned!) I will let you know.

Is there a way to carry on with this transaction before my new phone arrives? I am very eager to collect my winnings and would hate for the phone thieves to get in the way (they have done enough harm already, don't you think?). Please let me know ASAP how we can proceed.

Thank You and God Bless You AND YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!
Murray David Murgason

Weezer is pretty good. I don't consider myself a Weezer fan, but I haven't really ever found anything not to like about them. This is there latest album and it is fun, with good pop hooks and generally good music. I give two thumbs up.

Recasting Success!!!!

I got a response from my latest email! I will let you know my response tomorrow. Here is the email.

Dear Mr. David Murgason

How are you and your family, I hope all is fine.

I received your email, I am very glad to hear that you said you don’t want to send the money through FedEx Courier Service. Well you have to pay the security keeping fees in the Courier Company that is 250$ and 300 you could pay to FedEx that is for delivery in your country in the next 72hours when the payment is made. All you have to pay is 550u.s dollars

Your full name.
Your home address
Your telephone & fax number

I believe that to deliver your bank draft through FedEx is the good way, to deliver in your country to avoid any mistake in delivery that is my promise, I believe in God that nothing will happen to your draft if you don’t wish that FedEx can do that for you tell me as soon as you get my mail, once again I told you that I wish to deliver your draft through FedEx is trust just believe in God, like me but if you can provide any one to deliver to you let me know ok

Regards

Mr. .Moregan Ben

Babyshambles-Down in Albion

No response to my last recast (my new name for phishing responses) but I sent another today.

Here is the email I received:

Attention' Attention''Attention'

NOTIFICATION.This is to notify you that your parcel is still in our possession, this parcel contained an International Cashier Bank Draft/Cheque worth the sum of $2.5 Million dollars only and it is ready for delivery to your door step. Meanwhile, before the delivery or shipment will take place,you are advice to send to us the following datas mention below: 1.Your Name 2.Address 3.TelephoneThe above requested informations will enable us deliver your parcel correctly without any mistake or delivering your parcel to a wrong person. Furthermore,you might be asking yourself how comes this email,cheque or draft, Anyway,your cheque was brought to this office by a Lottery Fudiciary Agent Or Claim Agent, signifying thatyou are a rightfull winner to their Lottery Award selected randomly from 10 lucky email addresses which your email address is one of the lucky email address. FedEx courier service company mailing you as per your parcel that was brought to this company to be delivered to you by lottery groups, along the delivery process that brought a misunderstanding between you and the lottey claim agent and in regards of their request as per their insurance certificate cost and tax fee which happened to be the course of your parcel being pending for the past months/one year. Meanwhile we are hereby happy to inform you that the FedEx Company has finalized everything with the nicon insurance company of Nigeria� and the internal revenue office as the company organization has also listed 24 valuable parcel�s to be intact in their office after the released of the parcel�s from the nicon insurance company and internal revenue office. We are happy to inform you once again that your parcel that contains the sum of $ 2.5 million dollars is among the 24 parcel�s listed which is now in our office and also with your name as the receiver despise that we lost your private residential address�s, which is an indication that you can now re-send your residential address,telephone as stated above back to the FedEx company where your parcel can be delivered to you without hesitation with this e-mail

Meanwhile remember that the sender of this parcel to you thats the fudiciary agent still ownes this company the sum of $250 before incident occurs Note this fee is not just for delivery but with the stam duty, this company has spend out of their incomes in the process by recovery back your parcel�so dear customer we once again appreciate your patronage in our favour. Without hesitations you are to pay for just the balance left by your sender since we have lost his contact. this payment have to be via western union money transfer with the below payment information so that your parcel can be delivered to your residential address before it accumulate a demurrage after one week only,as you know your parcel is not just an ordinary parcel but with a huge amount and I think you understand wath I mean by accumulating a demurrage? Which you will not allow to happen to your recovery parcel that almost gone if not for the love that the good god have for you by favoring you with his favour because it was god who did it not by your power but by the spirit say the lord.

We assure you that your parcel will arrive at your country in two days time and it will get to your door step the third day as soon as this company receive the balance left by your sender�and the tracking number of your parcel will be sent to you via e-mail immediately so that you can track it yourself to see your parcel coming on the way and you will also know when it will arrive at your country because we operate in trust and loyalty in your favour. And also the FedEx Courier Service Company is hereby to inform all their customers by eradicating all their communication with the scam mails that are going all-over the world be careful with their e-mails so that your parcel will not be in danger with their evil planes. FedEx provides access to a growing global market place through a network of supply chain, transportation, business and related information services.

HERE IS OUR DELIVERY INFORMATION
SENDERS NAME------- MR. MOREGAN BEN
RECIEVERS NAME------YOUR NAME
SENDERS COUNTRY----- MR. MOREGAN
ADDRESS: 109 FUNSO WILLIAMS AVENUE 23401 LAGOS, NIGERIA
RECIEVERS COUNTRY----YOUR COUNTRY
TEXT QUESTION------------WHOS YOUR FATHER
TEXT ANSWER---------------.YOUR NAME
AMOUNT TO BE PAID---------$5,50
AMOUT OF THE DRAFT--------$2,500.000.00MTCN NUMBER......................


AM SORRY FOR HAVE'NT GIVEN YOU THE TRACKING NUMBER WHICH YOU WILL USE AND CASH THE DRAFT, YOU KNOW LIKE I TOLD YOU BEFORE THAT THE PAYMENT WILL BE DONE BEFORE WE COULD SEND THE TRACK NUMBER IN NEXT 72HOUR, YES ITS WILL TAKES 72HOUR BEFORE ITS COULD DELIVER IN YOUR COUNTRY. WE ALSO WANT TO SHOW YOU THE COPY OF THE DRAFT IF YOU WICH THAT?Please you ahve to send the full payment information including the MTCN Number for we to fully proceed on your delivery you can also contact Mr Moregan Ben on his E-mail address when you have got your bank draft or you could hear more about the draft, moreganben@yahoo.com FedEx is one of the world's great success stories, the start-up that revolutionized the delivery of packages and information. In the past 30 years, we've grown up and grown into a diverse family of companies -a FedEx that's bigger, stronger, better than ever. Call me: TEL:.+234-8074-143-081 WAITING TO READ YOUR E-MAIL. YOURS AFFECTIONATLY. Mr. PAUL NELSON,TEL:+234-8074-143-081FEDEX COURIER MANAGING DIRECTOR..

And here is my response:

Mr Moregan Ben

I just received the exciting news regarding my winnings in the international lottery! The $2.5 Million dollars will be very useful in my upcoming business venture. As you may know I am currently building the world’s largest toaster, which I plan to keep right here in the Wisconsin Dells, and which I expect will become our greatest tourist attraction. Unfortuneately the current “World’s Largest Toaster” (only 20 feet high, Hah!) has been spreading lies about my toaster, saying it does not actually toast! This has required me to make a substantially greater investment that I had originally planned. I now also need to make the World’s Largest Outlet, and the World’s Largest Slices of Bread. With these winnings I can most certainly move on with my project and it may even allow me to invest in the World’s Largest Butter Pat and the World’s Largest Butter Knife!

How exactly did FedEx lose my name anyways? You know I once shipped a package with FedEx to my friend Louise Danderduff in York , South Carolina , but they ended up sending it to Louis Dantonhuff in York , Pennsylvania ! After that I swore off FedEx. Is there a way I can send you the $250 fee instead of sending it directly to FedEx? I promised Ralph Johnson, the Customer Service Rep in Dayton , Ohio that I would never give FedEx my business again, and I am a man of my word! Perhaps the package could be shipped by UPS? Or DHL? I am eager to claim my winnings before too much demurrage are accumulated. Please contact me ASAP with alternate payment information.

Thank You
Murray David Murgason

Babyshambles is the band with the guy who dates the junkie model, and he is a junkie too. Anyhow it was better than i expected. Basic modern brit rock, but not bad really. 3 stars.

Alison Krauss-New Favorite

Still no response for the Phisher, but I got another phishing email! See the email and response below.

From: mrs tina sunday Standard Chartered BankKoforidua BranchTel +233249102291

My Good Friend, My name is mrs tina sunday I am the regional manager of Standard Chartered Bank Koforidua branch Ghana. I got your information on a recent evromiental conference with other West African countries held in Lome the capital city of Togo in West Africa. I write you this proposal in good faith; I am 42 years old married with two lovely kids. I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit you and I, as the regional manager of the Standard Chartered Bank it is my duty to send in a financial report to my head office in the capital city Accra at the end of each business year. On the course of the last year 2007 business report, I discovered that my branch in which I am the manager made Five million seven hundred and twenty thousand united state dollars($5,720,000.00) which my head office are not aware of and will never be aware of. I have placed this funds on what we call escrow call account with no beneficiary. As an officer of this bank I cannot be directly connected to this money, so my aim of contacting you is to assist me receive this money in your bank account and get 30% of the total funds as commission. There are practically no risks involved, it will be a bank to bank transfer, and all I need from you is to stand claim as the original depositor of these funds who made the deposit with my branch so that my head office can order the transfer to your designated bank account.If you accept to work with me I will appreciate it very much. My private phone number is above, call me if you think we can work together so that we can go over the details. Thank you in advance and May god bless you and your family.

Yours truly,mrs tina sunday

And my response...

Mrs. Sunday,

What a blessing it is to hear from you! In my faith Sunday is the day of worship and so it is fitting that my prayers have been answered by you, Mrs. Sunday. (Does your faith also worship on Sunday?) Just this past week I was praying for help in starting my new business. I have saved a considerable amount of money ($300,000) in hopes of buying an ice cream boat. In our country ice cream trucks travel around the roads and sell ice cream to children. I have always dreamed of building an ice cream boat and traveling along the shores of our great Mississippi river selling ice cream in different ports of call, as well as pulling up along the tourist riverboats and selling ice cream to the passengers. I soon realized that if I did not monopolize the market other people would quickly STEAL my idea. So I need much more capital. You seem to be providing the answer! Also when this transaction is complete, if you would be interested in a franchise (Perhaps to sell ice cream on the Oti River!) I would like to share this great idea with you. Do your people enjoy ice cream? What are the most popular flavors? In America Vanilla and Chocolate are the most popular, although I quite enjoy Rocky Road. I am sorry I have not been able to call you directly, but the "2" button on my phone is stuck and that has made dialing out very difficult. I think perhaps some marshmallow has seeped between the buttons and that has rendered my phone unusable. Please email me back with details on how I can help you and your two lovely children. God Bless you and your family!

We will see if anything happens.

Ever since that Robert Plant and Alison Krauss album came out I have been kind of interested in Alison Krauss. I think her collaboration with Robert Plant help push her to a little bit harder sound that is a big improvement over this album, not that this album is terrible, it has its moments, but it is not Great. 2.5 stars.

Air-Talkie Walkie, Andrew Bird-And the Mysterious Production of Eggs, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson-Poncho and Lefty

Well I didn’t get any response from my phishing response. I am a little surprised no one got back to me. I will keep my eyes open for more phishing emails and keep responding until somebody responds. So I heard that the 17 year cycle of cicadas was coming around in Brooklyn, and then other night when I got home I saw a bunch walking around on my front yard. BUT I have not seen them since, so I am beginning to wonder if they were something else (hallucination, cockroach invasion). Anything other than cicadas is worrisome. Also saw another little person, this time he was waiting in a beat up old Toyota Celica and looked pretty tough. I think that puts the LPM at 5. The graphic is coming I promise! Also I had another though RE the supermarket, which is why do they ask you credit or debit? Does it make difference to people with debit cards? Does it cost the supermarket more one way or the other?

I hadn’t heard a new Air album in while, and I am a big fan of the 3 Air albums I had, but I found this one to be a bit lackluster. I don’t know if it was me or the album and perhaps I will give another go. I have never heard of Andrew Bird and I don’t know why I chose to listen to his album. I did read on his wikipedia page that he was trained in the Suzuki method. I don’t know if you remember the days when there were tons of five year old kids running around playing amazing violin, but that was thanks to the Suzuki method. The album was not that great though. Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard together, what can be better than that? Not much really. 6, 4 and 8 out of 10.