Trapped Like a Rat

The following message arrived in my e-mail's inbox tonight. At first I thought it was a real problem, but they gave themselves away when they mentioned my web camera (I don't have one), and my flogging the bishop in front of the screen, which I've never done, I knew it was crap. Good day, my victim. I know your password - xxxxxxx That is my last warning. I write you inasmuch as I set a trojan online site with pornography that you have visited. My trojan grabbed all your personal data and switched on your web cam which caught the process of your masturbation. Just after that trojan stored your contact list. I will remove the compromising video and all the information if you pay me 600 USD in bitcoin. That is wallet address for payment : 1HqUTGvbvDWCSTFDdYtPVviPW2iF8HsNUc (you can google on "how to buy bitcoin") I give you 24 hours when you view my message for making the payment. When you see the email I'll know it right away. It's not necessary to inform me that you have sent money to me. That address is linked to you, my script will remove every thing immediately after payment confirmation. You can visit the authorities but no body can not help you. In the event that you attempt to cheat me, I'll notice it straight away! I do not live in your country. So nobody can not monitor my location even for 9 months. Don't neglect the disgrace. Your life can be ruined.

I'm Rich!

I just got this e-mail. Hot dog! I wonder what the poor people are doing today, heh-heh-heh? United Nations Liaison Office Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva Switzerland Email: info.un@swissmail.com +41 22 987 12 30 Attn! Our 2018 Beneficiary The United Nations in cooperation with World Bank have agreed to compensate you with the sum of One Million Two Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($1.2M) after your name and email was submitted by the Internet International Monitoring Group during the UNCC Conference Meeting which was held this 20/08/2018 edition with UN Secretary General António Guterres in Geneva Switzerland. This payment Program is organized for charity organization/Scam victims and development. Your name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive the sum of $1.2USD, Credited to Online Bank ATM Card account that was set up for you in the Bank and it has been approved for immediate delivery to you. Your urgent response to this email will help facilitate the onward delivery of your ATM card to you, Contact Delivery officer Mr. Larry Wayne E-mail ( wayne.larry396@gmail.com ) Phone +229-6318-7920. Send to Him Your Full Name, Address, Tel:No, And A scan Copy Of Your Identification Thanks, Sgt, Sherri GALLAGHER For United Nations Liaison Office

Kristine Sings (or sang. This is from about 10 years ago.)

CONGRATULATIONS

Congrats to my mother, Gloria Newsome, who turned 95 today (Feb 24).

Farewell, Bill

     This is most of the final e-mail I got from Bill Crider, whose memorial service is today. It's more serious than most. Even the salutation, which is usually "Hey, Cap'n" assumes a more somber tone. 

Hi, Bob.

I'm a much worse correspondent than anybody.  You've read the latest update on the chemo.  I wish it were doing a better job on the PSA.  I need to get this thing kicked, and nothing seems to be working.  Naturally.  It's never easy when it's me.

I told the doctor about some pain I was having, and she said, "That's not cancer-related. Sometimes people of your age . . . ."  That's when I quit listening. I hate it when they start sentences like that.  But in the case of your knee pain, well, . . . .

Dan Rhodes doesn't live in the real present or he'd be a lot more upset about the world than he is.  I can't believe what's happened to this country, which was the greatest in the world at one time. I don't think that's true now, and I really resent it that I'm going to die in a country that's going downhill so fast. I don't know how many years I have left, but even it's ten or fifteen, I can't see us recovering.  I try not to think too much about it for fear of falling into despair.

I like not getting invited to things. I'd rather curl up with a good book than go to a reception or a wedding or anything else.  I'm a homebody.  Your daughters will get over it soon, I hope.  You'll just have to pour oil on troubled waters, or whatever it takes.  I like to keep out of stuff like that if I can.

Thanks for that review on Amazon.  I can use all the help I can get.  I don't know if I'll be writing another Rhodes book after the one I'm working on. St. Martin's doesn't seem interested. Maybe my agent can talk them into it, though.  I'll figure out how to get Boss Napier into the plot if I do.

I'm keeping the sunny side up as best I can.  What else can I do? 

Best,

Bill

Bill Crider

Our cherished friend Bill Crider died today. Words are inadequate. He'll be missed by family, friends, and fans alike. The world is poorer for his loss. My heart is heavy.

Goodbye, old pard. It was a great ride.

We Lost Two More

Today I learned that former Mouseketeer Doreen Tracey and Sportscaster Keith Jackson have died. I'm not feeling all that chipper myself, but I'm not close to the grave yet. I'm just tired of all these damn deaths.