Well, it’s been two days since I last heard from my Nigerian pen pal. I fear that he has left this cruel, cruel world for a far better place – or, at the very least, a more gullible and less loquacious patsy. And it was while I was mourning the loss of dear old Ali (Sure he may have been trying to scam me for my banking information, but he did provide us with days of entertaining reading), that I received yet another highly suspicious yet delightfully inelegant business proposal.
The email, titled “PLEASE HELP ME AND MY MUM” was from a Michael Ansah, address unknown, who, like Ali, has had life (and, coincidentally, the Nigerian oil business) deal him a rough hand: father poisoned by business associate, discovery of hidden banking information, $14.8 million in trust, red tape, need foreign partner, cut me in for 30%, living with an old lady named Mrs. Caroline Kwesi who works as a gardener. Them’s the short, sad strokes. And so, touched by his tale of woe and in response to his request for my mobile number which he could use to contact me, I wrote back:
“Dear Michael,
Talk about perfect timing! My business partner and I are in the process of getting to work on a project specifically tailored to meet the needs of individuals like you. Ali is a cautious fellow as he has been burned by fate and Nigerian militants alike, but he has enormous wealth in search of a good cause. He may be reluctant to get involved at first, but he has a big heart and all he needs is some gentle but sustained encouragement. Don’t take no for answer and you will be richly rewarded. I know was. Feel free to contact him, Al Abbas, at…(and I included the mobile number Ali sent me in one of his later emails).
Sincerely,
Aloysius P. Hazzencockle”
I really hope it works out for those two.
A wind-down day for me. Highlights included: going over the script one more time before sending it off, heading back to Fuel for their chorizo sandwich and red onion rings, and reading half of Reaper Man out in the backyard with the dogs and getting a sunburn. With a little over a week to go before I head back to the office, I can finally relax. Or, I can get to work on those short stories I’ve been thinking about.
Today’s pics: Another set of highlights – these from our recent visit to the Sha Lin Noodle House – pork and chive dumplings and the dragging curry noodles.
On to the mailbag –
Flying Fig writes: “So, did you (or do you plan to see) the movie Transformers?”
Answer: Not dying to see it.
Bugguy writes: “Have you ever seen or watched ReGenesis?”
Answer: Nope.
David Gian-Cursio writes: “You only just saw Blade: Trinity now?”
Answer: Ever since I had the home theater installed, I do all of my movie-watching at home. I DVR’d Trinity because it was on the dish and because I think David S. Goyer is a very talented guy.
Crh writes: “Is there any “low-brow” food that you would consider a guilty pleasure to be eaten only under the cover of darkness?”
Answer: Ribs, wings, and a deep-fried Mars bars.
Mackenziesmomma writes: “What are you MOST looking forward to after hiatus?”
Answer: The winter hiatus.
Prior of the Ori writes: “Will Carter get a face to face encounter with a Wraith in the new season?”
Answer: She will.
Johnny E! writes: “You got some reading recomendations for my wife?”
Wanna B e writes: “Would your recommendations for a Sci-Fi novice reader change if I asked you specifically for books with strong characterization?”
Answer: For solid scifi with a great female protagonist, might I suggest City of Pearl by Nancy Traviss. Iain M. Banks’s Consider Phlebas is also an outstanding read.
Anonymous #2 writes: “ How have you been? I haven’t been doing so well this week…been kinda sad.”
Answer: Cheer up! Summer’s here and the season four premiere of Atlantis fast approaches.
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