December. Yeah.

Well, with a few days to go before I officially call it quits for another year, what have we learned this time around?

Not a lot, really. 

2014 hasn't been an exactly 'outstanding' year as far as I've been concerned. More of the same best sums it up. Kind of hoping the same won't be said this time next year, but who really can tell?

Not I.

Anyway, just a couple of updates on several previously mentioned posts:

1. Awaiting confirmation to go serve documents on the property of FOTLer Matt, of the House of Thompson. The bank, apparantly, is checking that the faxed nonlegal bollocks from Matt doesn't constitute a Trespass Notice (it doesn't, but they want to be sure). 
   
   However, it clearly won't be happening until January 2015 if it does go ahead.
      
   
2. I couldn't get out of Jury Service, but not through lack of trying. Since my letter requesting to be excused was declined from the Registrar in Capital City, the local Court was unable to countermand their decision. The only recourse was to show up on the Monday and, if called, make an appeal to the Judge. Well, I wasn't called on the Monday but then had to check in every afternoon to find out if I might be required to attend the following day. On Thursday I was officially discharged and will not be called again within the following two years.  

There have been a few other things happening to occupy me this past month. Nothing particularly exciting, however. Maybe a couple of cases regarding insurance fraud investigations worth writing up but probably best to leave it a while.

If I don't post again this year, have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year.

I guess someone has to.  

Nothing to see here

You had me at "betray your country", Anna

Seems former Russian spy, Anna Chapman, had recently made the news after her July 03 tweet "Snowden, will you marry me?!" to which there has been no response.

Chapman refused to be drawn into an explanation with NBC reporter Michael Engel and promptly terminated the interview.

You're a lucky man, Engel, she might just have terminated you instead.

However, if the position is still open, I would just like to state that I would willingly betray any national secrets I may, or may not, possess. 

Surely that has to count for something?

Just sayin'.

Threats, paranoia, and sartorial style

This morning I received a call from Tony*, a client for whom I have done a few jobs previously. You can read about the first time here, which should give you some kind of indication as to the problems Tony has been having.

Tony has a small contracting company, TWA*. Given the nature of the industry, finding suitable employees has been a bit of a challenge for Tony, and some of his hiring decisions made have come back to haunt him - particularly when his erstwhile employees have been stealing from the company or the clients.

Just the day before I had backed Tony up in a carpark meeting with another recently-fired employee. Tony said he wanted me there to 'document the proceedings' but I think he really wanted me there if the proverbial shit hit that fan since there had been threats.

It didn't. At least not right then.

So then I received that phone call from Tony, clearly nervous...

Nothing To See Here: The One-Time Pad

Today, Tovarich, we are going to learn how to use a One-Time Pad (or OTP) to encrypt, or decrypt, secret communications. This system is essentially unbreakable so long as it is only used ONCE - hence the name.

While not exactly part of a regular PI's toolbox, it may be of possible interest to budding spies.

You will need:

1. Some paper
2. A pencil
3. State secrets

Nothing to see here...

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