Aural Wanderings at the Parade of Lost Souls on Commercial Drive, Vancouver

Wandering around enjoying community entertainment along Commercial Drive during the Parade of Lost Souls festival during the pagan Halloween in Vancouver, BC, Oct. 2007. Features drums, fireworks, mariachis and conversation snippets.

Follow along on Aural Wanderings at the Parade of Lost Souls (.mp3, 30MB, 37:35)

Photo by Ianiv & Arieanna

Sugar Bolt Tunnel in Mt. Seymour Conservation District

Formats available: Microsoft Video (.avi), Flash Video (.flv), MPEG-4 Video (.m4v)

Emma from Africa wants to sell me weed - advice?

I remember my first 419 scam letter (named for the Nigerian criminal code number for this type for Internet/social/phone fraud) in about 1997 - touting millions from a dictator in exile was amazed by the quality of the writing and “over the top”-ness of the story.  I printed out the first one i received so amused by the audacity and shared it with the fellas at the ISP i worked at.

I knew it was a scam and thought no one would ever fall for some nonsense.  Over the years though, being a fan of urban myths and pranks, I’ve followed many stories of corporate and public officials embezzling money from others’ coffers to try to get their mitts on filthy lucre from mysterious oil fortune or diamond smuggling scam gone horribly wrong. I’ve even thought about a screen play idea about 419 scammers but … who’s got the time?

As years have gone on, the pervasiveness of the schemes diluted becoming just annoying (and bewildering as still people fell for it). However, the continued deluge of money-order fraud invitations have kept the 419 baiters pranking the would-be thieves as scambaiters.  The immaculate detail and inventive hi-jinks they come up with is astounding and you can explore detailed accounts of the crazy hi-jinks they put these goofballs up to.

Anyhow, i thought i’d seen all the pitches ~ from deposed generals to valuable patents or mineral rights ~ til this one popped up on the Choogle on (my cannabis inspired podcast) offering a big deal of the best weed for me complete with phone number.  As per her request i am linking her up with other people that have interest. Enjoy.

Do you have the intention of buying Marijuana of the highest quantity and quality from me. I am a big time cultivator of marijuana in Africa. If you do not have interest please link me up with some other people that have interest. My GSM phone number is 2348034940332.

Regards,

Emma.

Incidentally, the US Government Consulate in Cote d’Ivoire has some info on the 419 Advance Fee scams:

WEST AFRICAN ADVANCE FEE SCAMS

The US Embassy is not able to assist victims of so-called 419 scams.

The Embassy does not have the resources, manpower, or assets to investigate these scams.

The person at the other end of the computer usually isn’t who they say they are when they’re asking for your money (Graphic: US Embassy Cote d’Ivoire

The Standard Scam:

Send me money, so that I can give you millions in return. This is an old con known as the “advance fee scam” and it dates back to the early 1900’s through the United States Postal Service. The principal lure is that someone has a large sum of money hidden somewhere (a secret bank account, a trunk held in storage house or in a foreign customs) and that they cannot get the money out of the country safely. However, if you provide them some small “advance fee”, the “attorney” will arrange to transfer a percentage of the money (usually in the millions of US dollars) to you if you pay certain “advance” fees to cover the expenses.

The American Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire receives many inquiries a week about such scams.  These victims have wired large sums of money to these “fraud baiters” posing as heirs (usually widows or orphaned children) to some lost fortune, whom they corresponded with through an unsolicited e-mail. The “orphaned children” will soon start to call victims “Uncle” or “Aunt”, and then soon move up to calling them “Dady” or “Momy” in an attempt to create an emotional bond to use the “adoption” or “marriage” ruse to lure you into their web with the promise of this hidden money.

Exploring the Vancouver Polar Bear Swin at English Bay

Each year, folks plunge into the frigid salty brine at English Bay, some lingering for seconds while others hunker down in a quest to outlast eveyone. Follow along as Dave walks towards the spectacle and meanders through the crowd and observes a nut-shrinking showdown between a drunken Romanian viking with a horn and a couple of other goofballs.

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov), MPEG-4 Video (.m4v), Flash Video (.flv)

Tags: vancouver, polarbear, english bay, polar bear swin, new years day, newyears, festival, out n about