Scene: I put an ad on Craig’s List to sell a baby walker.
I allowed my cell phone number to be listed. A short time later I receive a text message…
U (unknown texter): Is the item for sale still available?
M (me) Yes.
U: I want it, but I want to verify that you are real. I will send you a Google voice code which you can return to me; then I will call you.
M: OK
U: He sends a numerical code number and asks that I return it, but his phone number is different from the first and is from Minnesota.
M: I suspect fraud, so I don’t respond
U: I really want the item; please send me the code
M: I don’t respond
U: I want it, I want it, I want it
U: ???
U: ???
U:???
I’m done…
This scam uses your phone number to get the scammer a Google phone number, but he needs that code returned to make the theft work. He then uses that new Google phone number to commit on-line crimes. Don’t ever return a code as part of a process that you did not initiate.
Some of you are familiar with code-backs as part of your bank’s extra layer of security. For example, when I want to sign onto Wells Fargo online banking, I first put in my user name and password. Then I get to request the code. When it comes, I send it back to the bank so I can gain entry into my account. When Wells sends the code, it comes with a message, “We will not call or text you for this code.”
Be careful, thieves can get into your bank account and remove cash. Change your passwords regularly.
I had a photography teacher who, in a course called “Finding Your Visual Voice,” told the class that if you look through your finder and see an image that you have done before, just walk away and find something else. But he was wrong. Many artists paint or photograph the same scene or model over and over again, because it is never the same.
There are certain places I like to photograph in all seasons, all year. One is the Faith Baptist Church on Wickipecko Road. For the last year there was a car parked in the lot, and it spoiled the view for me, but now the car is gone, and I look at that place every day to see if it feels just right for a photograph.
Another such place is the Deal Lake branch, also on Wickipecko Road where Ocean Township and Asbury Park meet. It is especially beautiful in the fall. Here are two views from two days ago, one above and one below.
In February 1969, New York City was hit by a major snowstorm. That month the Vietnam War was still raging, and the North Vietnamese army was attacking in the south. Pres. Nixon ordered the first of many troop withdrawals. The peace movement was strong in the city.
I went out to take some photos and found this message on the Upper East Side, near Fifth Avenue. The snow was still fresh, clean and beautiful. The fence surrounded a private park—it’s a very fancy neighborhood.
“Blowin’ in the Wind:” Written in 1962 by Bob Dylan when he was 21 years old. It was the most famous of the 1960’s protest songs. It was the title song for Peter, Paul and Mary’s 3rd album, and it was the most successful version—even more so than Dylan’s.
All police officers, members of the governing body, planning board and board of adjustment take an oath of office to “faithfully” uphold the local, county, state and federal laws.
The word “faithfully” was added to the oath of office by President James Madison to remind all public officials that all laws apply to everyone equally, and not on an ad-hoc basis.
There are two separate legal issues regarding locking the gates: safety and parking.
——— a. The Neptune Governing Body and their Police Dept. acted properly to protect the safety of OG residents.
———b. As to parking, both governing bodies acted improperly by allowing development approvals in both towns without the required amount of parking spaces, and both are guilty of not working together to correct the parking problems they both created.
From the Editorial Department at Blogfinger: Below is a song dedicated to those Asburians and now the OG Home Groaners who have been bombarding the Grove with mindless propaganda re: BRIDGEGATE.
The OG Home Groaners are agitating for trouble by urging Grovers to cause tension at the next Committee meeting. Blogfinger officially awards them the SCREAMING MIMI AWARD for 2019.
