Hi, my name is Rick.

Circa 1999.

Getting ready to pop smoke.  If you know what that means then great; if not, standby for future updates in the very near future.

I flew to Adder a week ago in a Blackhawk.  As we banked into a 75 or so degree turn, I looked out the window which made the marsh below appear much like a giant wall mural.  I saw a man pushing himself along with a large stick in a small wooden canoe.  The canoe was full of harvested reeds.  I couldn’t help but be struck by the disparity between us in the helicopter and him in the canoe.  Just a thought.

Rick

After the following email, Michael Collins never wrote back.  I think I might have taken it too far.

From: Rick
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:22:30 -0700
Subject: Re: Identification: You yell “Ooyester”
To: Michael Collins <jdcertifiedconsultant@gmail.com>

“Michael,

I thanks to you.  This is an excitement time for us!  How much money we will make together!  Yahoo!

Thank you for your information to me, thank you.  I am so excited to hear of the “accumulated interest” for the past years.  I don’t even remember that I made an investment but if the interest is due to me then how excellent!  I am lucky you found me on the internets!  There are so many internets and you found me on the one I use.  What luck!  Please use the address on the ID I provided to further process the informations with the law attorney.  Unfortunately my official goverment job is of so secret a level that I can’t have a phone.  I hope we can continue with the investements of opportunity by working on the email on this internets.  Please advice!

Please, if it is not too much to ask, can we begin using code names for our emailing?  I am starting to get nervous about spies.  I will begin using the name “Meredith the Lionheart”.  Please advice me what code name you will use.

If I send you more money, will you be able to invest it for the 30% you said I can get with the investment stock return money option?  Please!  I like to strike while the kettle is black.

Thank you again.

My favorite quote is: “This is the most fun, the most glory, the most of everything.  Now pass me the wine you toad fingered shallot.  I will drink it to you, and me.  And poetry too!”  – Shake Spear

Thank you,
Meredith the Lionheart”

The picture today is one that my civilian friends and family will think is quite cool, but one which my Army friends and co-workers will make fun of me to no end for posting.  So be it.  It’s of me near the Iraqi Department Of Border Enforcement border fort of Al Hwuza about 15 or so km from the Iranian border.  I went to the border fort to inspect some work which the contractor had “completed.”  You have not seen shoddy work until you’ve seen contracted Iraqi work.

Iraq, Leonardo Matilda Shukran, Rick

The internet on FOB Hunter stopped working all together.  So I left.  Now I’m on COB Adder with Eva and I’ll be here until I leave Iraq.  I’ll try to update more frequently, but I am still working so we’ll see.  Please enjoy Episode 3… bear in mind that this guy I was writing is dead serious.  What’s crazy is that there are people who are really as stupid as he thought I was.  Bummer.

From: Rick
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:11:16 +0300
Subject: Re: Get back to Me Leo
To: Michael Collins <jdcertifiedconsultant@gmail.com>

“My Dearest Freind Michael,

Thank you very much for the persistint email.  You have passed my test!  I wanted to make sure that you were interested in the business oportunity and since you have emailed me again I know that you are interested and want to make this an official business!  I am interested in stocks too.  Also investing.

Please, Michael, I needs you to understand me.  I am a very high influential, person.  I am not comfortable giving you too much information before I know more about you.  To make it evenly, I am including a high quality digital image computer techno scan of my identification.  I’m sure you have the MYA2FI system to verify the credentials which this ID contains.  With your level of investment expertness I would be very surprised if you did not!  Please let me know if the ID processing meets your initial requirements.  I thank you.  Thanks.

Now, about you.  Please answer these questions for me so I can documentary your data for my own investment portfolio information system.  First, the important business questions:

What Is Your Favorite Company?
Do You Invest?
How Much Money Can I Make Working With You?

Now, more personal questions so I can get to no you better as a person and freind:

How Old Are You?
Are You With Childrens?
Do You Like Art Or Music Better?
Have You Traveled To Asia?
How Are You?

Please, Michael, please, I am interested in the oportunities with you and your company and business.  I hope to hear back from you soon.

Thank you again very much my good freind.
Leonardo”

This is the ID I sent him which he bought hook, line and sinker.  What a dum dum.

On 2/18/10, Michael Collins <jdcertifiedconsultant@gmail.com> wrote:

“My Good Friend Leo,

Your detailed email was received with thanks and all the contents is well understood.

Firstly, I must commend you for your efforts and your advice too, because I think stocks is also very good investment so to say.

Secondly, I now understand why you are not comfortable in releasing your informations; knowing how influential you are.  “I’m assuring you that every information MUST be kept top secret/confidential” as far as this opportunity is concerned.

What Is Your Favorite Company? “British Government (Immigration Dept.)”
Do You Invest? “Not really”
How Much Money Can I Make Working With You? 30%
How Old Are You? “53 yrs” by “20/11/2010”
Are You With Childrens? “(2) a girl and a boy”
Do You Like Art Or Music Better? Music better
Have You Traveled To Asia? “No”
How Are You? Am Fine.

According to the attorney’s briefing, he said that the bank has confirmed that the “accumulated interest” for the past years, which means apart from US$15,381,000 Million + (interest) should be paid in your favour; But, due to the fact that we have not furnish them with the full information, he was unable to ascertain the actual amount. If you give me the authority to use the address in your id, maybe by tomorrow the attorney will conclude all the documentations.  Please, answer this question asap because tomorrow is Friday, so that he will conclude tomorrow.

With all due respect sir, which address should we use in the form; your id address or should you provide your residential address?  Also, I understand your status, but you need a telephone number which you can be contacted with, incase the bank want to call you or me.  Am working on the telephone which you can reach me with, so you must have to arrange yours also.

However, According to the attorney, everything is almost ready, he said that as soon as he submit the forms/documents (from the court), then we will know what is the next action.

Finally, he advice that you endeavour to make available the remaining information so that he will conclude his legal representation with us.  Leo my friend, I am looking forward is meeting with you as soon as possible.  Have a wonderful day!  Are you married too?

Thank you once again.
Michael.”

Here’s a picture of beautiful Iraq for you to enjoy.  After you look at this you’ll probably wonder why I want to leave at all.

Iraq, Leonardo Matilda Shukran

The Michael Collins saga continues.  In Episode 2, Michael tries to get more personal information about Leonardo.  He succeeds… in Episode 3.  Stay tuned.

From: Michael Collins
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:51:13 +0100
Subject: Confirm Receipt
To: Rick

“Dear Leonardo,

I appreciate your wonderful mail to me. I read your mail and all the contents is well noted.

With all due respect sir, i would love you to give me more information about your humble self, knowing fully well that any information pertaining to you MUST be kept secret. Let me know more about you, your business (”finding me and my business”). Are you married, all that i suppose to know? I would want you to tell/advice me in which direction you deem necessary we are going to make this investment.

Moreso, i will need the following informations, before i will commence in any documentation am going to do on your behalf.

1. Full Name (confirmed)
2. Residential address
3. Telephone for easy communication
4. Id. (Driver’s License or International passport).

Sequel to the above, i cannot apply to the authorities, parastatals and the bank without your full informations. please note that all these are very important information for the good start of this business; also it will boost more trust, knowing fully well what it takes to enturst on Mr. Leonardo Matilda Shukran and you entrust on Michael Collins. Also, Mr. Joseph Yohanna Hoponu also ENTRUST on both of us to actualize his dream.

Finally, i await your response so that we will commence. Attached herewith is the identification of my client for your perusal. Endeavour to confirm receipt.

Respectfully,
Michael.”

From: Michael Collins
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010
Subject: Confirm Receipt
To: Rick

“Dear Leo,

I am still expecting to hear from you regarding the information we to commence in the claims. Your urgent response will be highly appreciated in other to commence.

Regards,
Michael.”

To please those of you uninterested in the Michael Collins saga, I am posting a completely unrelated picture.  This is a panoramic shot of my side of the room here on lovely COS Hunter.  I auto-stitched it in Photoshop from 12 source images.  This is a compressed version of the image… the original is 51MB.

Iraq, Leonardo Matilda Shukran