Lily Burk

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-lily-burk28-2009jul28,0,977135.story?page=1&track=ntothtml

Because of my academic interest in Los Angeles-based crime, I often read about random killings but this one has really touched me.

Maybe it's because when I look at Lily, I can see the potential she had.

Maybe it is because of the immediate and comprehensive media coverage this case received.

Maybe it is because they swiftly arrested a suspect.

Or maybe it is guilt for all the African American and Hispanic people who get murdered and only receive a couple of lines in the LA Times before being relegated to history.

I'll never forget, even if most other people do.

Didn't faint this time

Got my 5th gold tooth fitted today. The anaesthetic gave me palpitations again but at least I didn't hit the floor. My dentist said I could keep the cast of my teeth as it was one of the biggest holes he has seen (that hasn't abscessed) in a long time. It's now on my desk as a curio. My sister is jealous that she was never given her cast when she had her gold tooth fitted. What can I say...

I don't usually blog about makeup...

But I'm in love.

I got an email late last week about Urban Decay's new Ink For Eyes and immediately ordered Zero from the US (it has not yet been released in the UK).

Wow.

How have I lived my life without this?

It goes on neatly (unlike liquid) and easily (unlike pencil). It has amazing staying power and is so easy to work with that I can actually be versatile with my makeup style now (or at least more versatile as I'm hardly boring with the ol' eyeliner as it is).

I've just ordered two more (Loaded and Binge) and am waiting for the other two from the set to become available (Pyrotechnics - this will be my favourite - and Demolition which will be my every day work wear one).

Best thing?

Vegan.

RIP Benny

My sister's dog died today. He was such a lovely old hound. He was always glad to see me but he just got old :(

Looney goons on Freecycle!

So I've previously told the story of the woman who repeatedly arranged collection on some books and then didn't show. On the 4th of July, I offered some fitness equipment and the same woman requested it. I sent a simple response at 18:29:45 -

"I admire your nerve to request items from me after you previously asked for an item and then failed to show up for collection THREE TIMES. Don't contact me again".

I then set up a divert to send all of this person's emails to the trash. Well... today I was bored and decided to have a look in my trash folder to see if my crap filter actually works.

I had a little surprise...

(For legal reasons, I wont post this person's emails but I will give you the gist).

18:34:50 - "Never! I have your address here from last time and I'm coming round your house. But I'll deny that I messed you around and inconvenienced you. Oh and I'm gonna tell on you too to the admin because I'm that much of a childish bitch".

I'm actually giving the nutjob too much credit here because she has no concept of grammar and it was just one long tirade without punctuation. And even I know how to use a spellchecker...

18:53:58 - (all capitals) "I'M SITTING HERE HAVING NO LIFE WAITING FOR YOU TO ACKNOWLEDGE ME AND IF YOU DON'T RESPOND BY 8PM I WILL MAKE UP LIES ABOUT YOU AND REPORT YOU TO THE MODERATOR OF CARDIFF FREECYCLE WHO WILL SO BELIEVE ME OVER YOU BECAUSE YOU GIVE AWAY LOADS OF STUFF AND I AM JUST A FREELOADER GRABBING EVERYTHING I CAN AND GIVING NOTHING BACK!"

21:35:11 - "Come on! I've been sitting at my computer for hours waiting for you to indulge me with a response and I'm about to cry because I'm such a sociopath and have no life whatsoever and I think I just wet myself too".

10:22:55 (05/07/09) - "You still haven't sunk to my level and acknowledged me and I've lost sleep because normally everyone is intimidated by me being a total arse online".

So I decided to indulge the crazy lady and send a response -

15:35:21 (11/07/09) - "I had diverted your emails straight to my trash and this is the first time I had bothered to look. Obviously I am much more important to you than you are to me.

"You requested a crate of books from me. You didn't show up and also didn't bother to email. I contacted you and you told some story about a badly behaved child. You then arranged collection for the following afternoon. Again you didn't show and again didn't contact me so I AGAIN emailed you. You made some other excuse about not having time but would come that weekend. I waited in all day and guess what! You didn't appear! I emailed you again and then someone claiming to be your husband emailed to say you had issues and that's why you were not collecting.

"So you can threaten me all you want. I've already reported YOU to the mods for your rudeness and now your series or emails will be forwarded to the police as harassing someone in the way you have is really quite silly.

"You may think you are tough behind your computer but your threats are just getting yourself into trouble. I am not intimidated by you but I do enjoy seeing people get what they deserve so I will be taking matters further (ie, police and civil action for the threats).

"I also find it funny that you went from being all nice and friendly to totally psychotic in the space of two emails.

"Try googling yourself sometime. It will be a good experience for you.

"Oh and the trash divert is going back on so save your abuse for someone who cares. I'll make sure everyone on freecycle knows how your greed has made you crazy".

I'm actually leaving Freecycle now. Fuck Shojin, Fuck Yelp, and now Fuck Freecycle and these people that profit from the generosity of others.

May karma kick them in the testicles repeatedly.

Tomorrow I'll tell the story of the psychic who has threatened to put a curse on me...