Hiya

I haven’t shaved for 11 days now and my beard is beginning to look dirty. Since my hair is thick and lacks any sort of curl, my stubble has began to sprout out like a porcupine quills. Also, I’m well overdue for a haircut. So why am I not doing anything about it? Simple, I am in a mere protest against my skin’s complexion. I’ve had problems with it this year and I’ve simply had enough. I cover it with a beard until further notice. It’s a bit hard to get used to, however it gives me this odd sense of protection. Oh, I am sure it’ll probably be gone in the next couple of days along with a haircut, so anti-beard people can relax and get back to their twitter updating lives.

I was nearly in a state of awe when I was given a chance to try out a 55-200MM lens with my Nikon. At that instant, I fell in love with photography again. I am even considering going back to school (be it night school, a class, or college) to study photography. I’ve been a big fan of manual SLRs (film cameras) all my life and only last year did I decide to try out digital – parting ways with my beloved Ricoh SLR. I had to learn all over again, but I am glad I made the switch. The quality of digital SLRs is just stunning. So, next order of business, I want to pick up a kickass zoom lens and get into portrait photography and maybe dabble with some motion as well.

Nothing else is really new. Heard the new Weezer album and for the third straight album, I am quite torn, disappointed, yet hopeful (if that makes any sense). The album has flashes of Blue Album & Pinkerton – hook wise, but the lyrics and just embarrassing and awful. Sounds like Rivers Cuomo is smack dab in the middle of his mid-life crisis. Songs about junior high and hanging out in the mall, come on guys you have WAY more potential than this. LISTEN TO YOUR FANS.

I used to post about old posts. I believe I called them “flashback posts”. It was really a way to make it look like I was updating my blog, when in fact I was copy and pasting my old ones. Yeah, I am not doing that anymore, but I will leave you a link to a post written six years ago tomorrow. I found it mind blowing that I have been blogging this long – and how god damn angsty I was.

http://www.blurty.com/users/lastsiteonearth/day/2003/11/11

How to Deal with the Craigslist/Kijiji Scammer

VAL & MY RESPONSE:

Re:re: $700 1 Bedroom
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Wow, this sounds great doesn’t it Val?

I would like to talk about it further with you if that is okay. We can talk about the LEGAL specifics and to make sure that this isn’t a scam at all. I mean, you seem like a very very honest person and not a liar. Cause God is very important to all three of us, and we know God damns ALL liars.

You my friend seem like a very caring individual and Val and I are in tears because of your generous offer and personality.

I’ve had to deal with a lot of craigslist/kijiji ads that use the same email structure in their scams, but reading your email over and over, it seems to be alright…

I mean, if you were a scammer, you would just tell us to send you money before we have access to the house. But you wouldn’t do that would you? I mean sending a ton of money without a key is just silly!

As for the key and document, no worries at all! It just happens that Val and I are on vacation in Texas! So, how about we come to your house, meet you, sign the document, and you can give us the key. You know, just to make sure again that you are 100% genuine. Of course we would get all your information (driver’s license, birth certificate) just in case this is a scam that we could simply report to the police.

But you seems like a wonderful man/woman of God, so we expect you to stand to your word.

So yes, I hope you don’t mind us coming by, maybe spend a couple days at your house, get to know you, then we can be on our merry way, back to the apartment and enjoy life for 1-2 years in your late father’s beautiful property. Everything will be special and happy.

Thank you for this, we are quite excited.

love,

Ryan & Val

P.S. here is the information you requested:

Full Name: Ryan Mills & Valerie Conforzi
Your Full Address: 56 Maitland Street., Unit 1233
How old are you?: 26 & 23
Are you married?: Not yet (LOL!)
Do you have a pet?: I consider Val my pet wink wink
Do you have a car?: Yes, but hoping to add another three in the next couple years.
Occupation?: Adult Entertainment Distributor
How many months contract will you Deposit?: As many as needed, money isn’t an issue
*********** When will you Move in?: Whenever is available
************ When will you Move Out?: Whenever you need it back

The picture of the Tenant Renting the house? (If available): Below

Email Scam on Craigslist & Kijiji

Just to note, I’ve had this same email sent to me over three times in the past regarding apartments. So it’s for sure a scam, so I decided to have a little fun this time…

HIS EMAIL TO VAL:

Re: $700 1 Bedroom
–
Hello Valerie,

Thanks for your response of willing to rent the apartment, the House is still available for rent. The House is 1 Bedroom seperate bathroom and toilet apartment. storage, fridge,stove + laundry hookup. Parking included. Central, quiet, close to the downtown, walk by the river, shopping and restaurants. Buses: 3,4,5,7 To Downtown & slate floors with modern colors. This open concept unit comes fully furnished with top of the line stainless steal appliances and new furniture and granite counter tops!! The striking executively styled suite contains beautiful concrete natural gas fireplace, large natural gas range stove and natural gas bbq hookup; natural gas included in rent. Elegantly styled ready to live in with large LCD flat screen TV in the Sitting room!!

Equipment/Services Included: Water, Parking, Alarm system, External facing, Steel, Aluminium Siding, Restrictions, No Smoking, Floor coverings, Laminate, Linoleum, Carpet, Heating source, Electric, Kitchen, Melamine cupboards, Stove, Fridge

Why am renting the apartment out is that am presently with my Company HSBC in Texas,United States of America to work With Government mission on Market Analyst & Consumer Research Global Brands HSBC, I will be here for about 1 to 2 Years. I just need someone (Students or Anybody working in a reputable organisation to rent the rooms) with an open heart,love and clean to occupy the apartment and put all my worries off concerning the maintenance of the house, Since i am not residing there for now. I left behind some Facilities and electonics and a sony DVD player, air conditioning,alarm system. The kitchen is fully equipped with all necessary cooking utensils, a refrigerator-freezer, four-hob and oven, microwave,dishwasher and washing machine, My ComputerConnected with Internet Acess Also the keys to the Apt are right here with me, and the lease document. Which i can send to you after all necessary agreement has be accepted. Also i will like you to know that the rent charges is not really the issue, but your absolute maintenance of my apartment, because that is the only valuable property my late Father left behind, and it also took him so much time and money to put all those facilities in place.

So if you are interested in the House you get back to me by filling me with below details.

Your Full Name, Your Full Address, How old are you? Are you married? Do you have a pet? Do you have a car? Occupation? The picture of the Tenant Renting the house? (If available):
How many months contract will you Deposit? When will you Move in? When will you Move Out?

Looking forward to hear from you with all this details so that i can have it in my file incase of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you. Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the document and the key to you, please we are giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stand to your words, you know that, we do not see yet and only putting everything into Gods hand, so please do not let me down on this property and God bless you more as you do this.

Best Regards.

Thanks

My Heart Songs

Even though Weezer has gone from an influential genius pop band to a a mere jingle generator, I do however take a strong liking to their song “Heart Songs” which lists a bunch of songs that have made them happy over the years. The following songs hold dear memories to me.

Mew Louise Louisa – This is the closing track to my favourite album of all time, also my favourite song of all time. Never has a song provoked such an emotional feeling in me. I really enjoyed listening to this song in the dark – taking in every note.

Arcade Fire Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) – My friend Kevin Dowse introduced me to these guys. This was the first song I had ever heard. To me, the song marked a new direction in my life – emotionally and musically. I was in my second year of college in a very mentally abusive relationship. Soon after I managed to end it and get on with my life. This song reminds me of the strength I had to overcome an obstacle in my life.

Beck Golden Age – Probably Beck’s best album and this was my favourite song off of it. It made me explorer the folkier side of music. It reminds me of warm Spring mornings in 2003 when nothing seemed to matter.

Beruit Elephant Gun – Another song that came along during a big and positive change in my life. It was the Summer of 2007 when I first heard it. It seemed to match exactly how I was feeling at the time – bright and sunny.

Bon Iver Blood Bank – A very soft and brooding song that also took place during a huge mental change in my life. It reminds me of last years’ cold and dark winter. During those time, this song seemed to provoke a warm and comforting feeling in me.

Clint Mansell – Last Man – I have never been a huge fan of intrumental and/or soundtrack music. But I was introduced this last year. It is from the soundtrack of the excellent movie The Fountain. The song relaxed me no matter how I was feeling. I particularly enjoyed listening to this song along with the rest of the soundtrack when I was going to sleep.

Coldplay Politik – Reminds me of hanging with my friend Steve Uger back in 2002 when the album first came out. Before we all headed off to school, we had a lot of free time. So him and I used to go for hikes up at Greenwood conservation area and would often listen to this track on the way up there. Every time I hear this album, I get this amazing nostalgia from my hangouts with my buddy Steve.

The Dears Expect The Worst/Cos She’s A Tourist – This song was prevalent during my first year of college. I remember I had a small little 1988 Mazda 323 that I drove to and from Durham College. The stereo speakers didn’t work, so I had giant stereo speakers hooked up in my trunk. I would blast this song every time I was in it while opening my little sunroof (the handle would break off every time I did). I ended up with a 93% average that year and met some amazing people who influenced me and gave me confidence.

Death Cab For Cutie Transatlanticism – As emo as this song may be, I remember listening to it when I suffered from a social phobia in my second year of college. I’d often be in my room listening to it. Though it was a bad time, I believe music like this helped me get over these small issues.

Matthew Good Avalanche – Probably my favourite Matt Good song ever. I remember hearing it shortly after a breakup in 2003. It was a song I could easily find comfort in. I loved hearing this song in the winter when it was really cold.

Mew Am I Wry? No – I accidentally heard this song when I was visiting my friend Kayla at her place near Brock University. She picked a random CD to review in an article she was writing for the Brock Press. As soon as I heard the song I loved it. I had a really fun time there and hearing this song makes me think of those really fun and simple times. Plus anyone I meet who have heard the song, seem to have the same reaction of awe.

Muse Map Of The Problematique – I was entering my final year of college after a whole Summer of big decisions. June was conceived and I had to decide to finish school or get a job. I made the right choice and managed to finish my final year which got me this good job. I remember listening to the song with roommates at our really cool, but temporary residence. It was the end of 2006, and very exciting things came in the following months.

Iron And Wine Flightless Bird, American Mouth – As much as Twilight killed the credibility of this song, I’ve loved it for a couple of years now. Val and I like this song a lot. We’d put it on while I’d be getting ready for bed, and I could hear her singing along to it – which is beautiful.

Same Page

Astro and I are on the same page quite a bit.

Spooky Work Email Signature

June FTW

Little Human…

I Don’t Get It

I was browsing Reddit and came across THIS

I understand photography is a means to express yourself visually and artistically, but put some fucking originality into it. These pouty-lip, often ironic, and melancholy photographs are becoming really tiring now a days – and as an observer, they just come off as narcissistic, painfully predictable, and common in female photographers. Tell me, what’s so appealing about posing as though you’re too wounded internally to care about your picture being taken?

…or is it just me?

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Song of the Day: Great Whales Of The Sea – Matthew Goods

Strange Dream #2

I have a very odd fear of stick insects. Though grasshoppers aren’t considered stick insects, their not so-distant cousin the preying mantis is. So they still freak me out. Last night, I had a dream that there was a giant green grasshopper sitting in front of me, eying a baby grasshopper as a meal. As it approached, I grabbed the grasshopper, lifted it (I could feel its weight *shudder*

…it then jumped right at my face.

I woke up swatting at nothing. I startled Val.

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Song of the Day: The Wolves (Act I & II) – Bon Iver