A quick clip of some the ruins in Ayutaya, Thailand. I took the video this past June.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Toolbar from Hell
Just had a client complain that their internet was acting up. I open Internet Explorer and this what I see....think this might be part of the problem?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Scambaiting: A past and future hobby
I was digging through my online photo albums and came across my collection of scambaiting trophies. I thought I would share a few of them with you. I've forgotten the back story to most of them. When I was in my scambaiting prime I would have dozens of these guys on the line. Before sharing the pictures, I should probably explain what scambaiting is and why it is done.
Scambaiting is essentially using the methods and tactics of scammers to turn the tables on them for humorous results. As you know the internet is full of frauds, crooks, and scam artists of all shapes. My hobby particularly focused on advance fee scams. For instance the e-mail youall get from some lone Nigerian (other locations are used as well) business who desperately needs your help to move millions of
dollars out of the country. The scams typically reply on the greed and gullibility of the victim, though not always. I always liked to take on the ones who were using the sympathy of a victim in order to scam. Often they would claim to be handicapped or from an orphanage. I've even received scans of x-rays of god knows what to prove their injured status.
I enjoyed exposing these bastards for the scumbags they are. They take great pride in ripping off people. check out www.419eater.com for a good site that has some funny stories and picture, plus a good look at how these guys operate. Now for a few of the ones I managed to capture.
This is Ollie (holding the chain) and his buddy. They were using their access to an entertainment group in order to scam people into sending them cash to support "the arts". We know he was a scammer because he was using a flagged e-mail list that we seeded into the scammers e-mail chain. These lists are highly guarded in scammer circles and are handed around or sold to other scammers who needs fresh lists of e-mail addresses to spam. The only way for him to obtain this list was be in that circle. He sent e-mails to several other baiters on the list also. He was very prolific e-mailer and not shy of the camera. My baiter name was "Maxx"
This is also Ollie and my prize jewel trophy he delivered to me. How I convinced him to do this is a trade secret..lol
Meet Fateu. He was a Nigerian furniture maker by day and a e-mail scammer by night. This was my first trophy. Fateu was in the bible selling business. For small $500 fee he would make sure that he bought $500 in bibles to distribute to the needy children...unfortunately for him he e-mailed the wrong individual and all he got to do was wish the largest anti 419 fraud site a happy birthday.
Scambaiting is essentially using the methods and tactics of scammers to turn the tables on them for humorous results. As you know the internet is full of frauds, crooks, and scam artists of all shapes. My hobby particularly focused on advance fee scams. For instance the e-mail youall get from some lone Nigerian (other locations are used as well) business who desperately needs your help to move millions of
dollars out of the country. The scams typically reply on the greed and gullibility of the victim, though not always. I always liked to take on the ones who were using the sympathy of a victim in order to scam. Often they would claim to be handicapped or from an orphanage. I've even received scans of x-rays of god knows what to prove their injured status.
I enjoyed exposing these bastards for the scumbags they are. They take great pride in ripping off people. check out www.419eater.com for a good site that has some funny stories and picture, plus a good look at how these guys operate. Now for a few of the ones I managed to capture.
This is Ollie (holding the chain) and his buddy. They were using their access to an entertainment group in order to scam people into sending them cash to support "the arts". We know he was a scammer because he was using a flagged e-mail list that we seeded into the scammers e-mail chain. These lists are highly guarded in scammer circles and are handed around or sold to other scammers who needs fresh lists of e-mail addresses to spam. The only way for him to obtain this list was be in that circle. He sent e-mails to several other baiters on the list also. He was very prolific e-mailer and not shy of the camera. My baiter name was "Maxx"
 |
| From Scam Baiting Trophies |
This is also Ollie and my prize jewel trophy he delivered to me. How I convinced him to do this is a trade secret..lol
 |
| From Scam Baiting Trophies |
Meet Fateu. He was a Nigerian furniture maker by day and a e-mail scammer by night. This was my first trophy. Fateu was in the bible selling business. For small $500 fee he would make sure that he bought $500 in bibles to distribute to the needy children...unfortunately for him he e-mailed the wrong individual and all he got to do was wish the largest anti 419 fraud site a happy birthday.
 |
| From Scam Baiting Trophies |
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Pad Thai Tips
I can't share our entire recipe, since I'd likely be murdered in my sleep. I can however give you a few tips to ensure your pad thai is tasty. One thing to keep in mind is that every Pad Thai is almost always different. Every Thai restaurant claims theirs is the best. A lot of Thai restaurants add red food coloring and vinegar to it, those are usually the bad ones. Bean sprouts should be fresh and not overwhelmingly numbered in the dish. I never understood why some restaurants mound up the sprouts. In our experience noodles are cheaper than sprouts...maybe they used canned. The most important part of Pad Thai is the base you use.
I recommend the Por Kwan brand of pad thai sauce
The noodles are also important. We use a few different brands. Usually the more simple the lable the better the noodle..lol. The best ones are typical in plain clear packages written in Vietnamese and Thai. Most asian groceries have couple good brands. Avoid any name brand with expensive packaging that you might find at a regular grocery.
Keep in mind also is Pad Thai is supposed to be a little sweet. So add some ground peanuts and a few pinches of sugar. Enjoy! If you decide to make some, leave me a comment and send me some pictures to let me know how it turned out.
I recommend the Por Kwan brand of pad thai sauce
The noodles are also important. We use a few different brands. Usually the more simple the lable the better the noodle..lol. The best ones are typical in plain clear packages written in Vietnamese and Thai. Most asian groceries have couple good brands. Avoid any name brand with expensive packaging that you might find at a regular grocery.
Keep in mind also is Pad Thai is supposed to be a little sweet. So add some ground peanuts and a few pinches of sugar. Enjoy! If you decide to make some, leave me a comment and send me some pictures to let me know how it turned out.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Book Review: Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera #1) by Jim Butcher
I read this book after I ran out of Dresden Files. I read it sometime ago, but thought I'd post my review since the newest in the series (and the last) is coming this November. Jim's little blurb at the end of his books had convinced me to give it a whirl. Let it be known, this is not to the caliber of The Dresden Files. It is a good book none the less. The story follows several characters in the world of Alera, who find themselves intertwined together in a land on the brink of war. This is a book of themes. Bravery, honor, love, family and sacrifice are all themes predominately displayed through out the story. Alera itself is not described in much detail, and the reader is left mostly to context to piece together what the world is like. The main characters are likable, but not easy to identify with. What I liked most about the book is its simple yet engaging storyline. It's essentially good vs evil. I'm sucker for a story where the good guys wins, and heroes get the girls...or guys. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys classic fantasy story telling. I do however caution Dresden fans, this is not Dresden Files, or even Dresden files like. This is the start of an epic fantasy that Jim has often talked about wanting to write. A very good start so far.
Clip of the day: Chatuchak Weekend Market - Bangkok Thailand
A little clip form my trip to Thailand this past June.
Barnes and Nobles Not so Great Deals: A Visual Guide
From my previous you know that I'm frustrated by Barnes and Noble's lackluster coupon deals. They're not good. Thought I would share this weeks coupons from the two biggest book selling companies
LAME...might as well have a "pay no sales tax" sale at B&N. Looks like I'll be making a trip to Borders this evening.
40% off anything you friggin want. If it's in the store, you want it? Bring this coupon and Borders will take 40% off. Now that's a coupon
LAME...might as well have a "pay no sales tax" sale at B&N. Looks like I'll be making a trip to Borders this evening.
40% off anything you friggin want. If it's in the store, you want it? Bring this coupon and Borders will take 40% off. Now that's a coupon
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Pic of the Day: Prepay in Advance
sooo...I should pay you now for gas I get tomorrow? Should I phone it in first? I'm not sure.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Book Review: Deathlands: Pilgrimage to Hell by Jack Adrian (Christopher Lowder and Laurence James)
This is the first book in a long running series called Deathlands. The series is written by several authors writing under the pen name James Axler. This is the one that started it all, and I've waited a long time to be able to read it. I enjoy a good literary art piece as much as the next book nerd, but sometimes the old gray matter needs a break...well here it is. I've been looking for a good action Mad Max esque post-apocalyptic book for quite some time. A literary masterpiece this most certainly isn't. It is exactly as one would expect it to be.
Life as we know it was obliterated in a nuclear apocalypse in 2001. Pilgrimage is set several generations after the nuke. Ryan Cowdar and Krysty Wroth are the main protagonists with an array of supporting characters. Ryan is a mysterious bad ass with an eye patch, Krysty is a tall big boobed combat trained red headed beauty. Together with their team of warrior merchants they take on the ruthless baron of a "Plague Pit" town. There is lots of bloody action, over the top characters, with a bawdy and macabre humor tossed in. If there were a template to be made for "Books for Dudes" this would be the mold to start with. The men are manly, the women are beautiful. Sex is brief and very "Dude-centric". It was the first time I'd seen the word "pumping" used to describe the act of intercourse. Mutants (Muties) and Cannibals (Cannies) are the common foe in the Deathlands. This book is awesome for the very same reasons Chuck Norris, Rambo, and demolition derby's are awesome.
SWEEPSTAKES OVER; FEDOR SIGNS WITH STRIKEFORCE - MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more
- SWEEPSTAKES OVER; FEDOR SIGNS WITH STRIKEFORCE - MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more
This sucks. I've been a huge fan of Fedor since his early Pride days, and this is a huge blow to me. My first question is why? In my wildest imagination I cannot imagine how strikeforce would be a better option for Fedor over the UFC, unless of course it's the fear of competition. Who will he fight in strikeforce? Verdum? Overeem? Who cares about either of those? I want Fedor int he UFC, I want him to pummel Lesner or battle Cotoure...none of that can happen now. I lost a lot of respect for The Emperor due this move. I think we've just witnessed the end of the greatest fighter in MMA. Fedor's career has jumped the shark, well before it was due.
This sucks. I've been a huge fan of Fedor since his early Pride days, and this is a huge blow to me. My first question is why? In my wildest imagination I cannot imagine how strikeforce would be a better option for Fedor over the UFC, unless of course it's the fear of competition. Who will he fight in strikeforce? Verdum? Overeem? Who cares about either of those? I want Fedor int he UFC, I want him to pummel Lesner or battle Cotoure...none of that can happen now. I lost a lot of respect for The Emperor due this move. I think we've just witnessed the end of the greatest fighter in MMA. Fedor's career has jumped the shark, well before it was due.
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