What's In a Number?

My car conked out on me yesterday, so I was forced to take the train to work. Don’t get me wrong. I’m used to taking the train or bus to work. I even relish riding them since I get to chat with some of the passengers.

I usually have this weird urge to talk to strangers, especially those that I sit with on the bus or train. Yesterday was different though, as I was busy going over the files that I have to re-write for an important presentation scheduled in the afternoon.

As I was browsing through my planner, I noticed that the lady beside me was going through with some of the details of her notebook as well. It was an improvised planner. It was colorful and cute, unlike mine which is black and dull.

The first page contained her name, address, and telephone number. What surprised me though, was that her social security number was also written on it.

It’s very dangerous to just write your SSN anywhere. People could track you down through a people search based on your SSN, or even steal your identity if they can access your social security records. I would’ve wanted to give her this piece of advice. However, she was wearing a serious frown that day. I just thought that the last thing she might’ve needed that time was an unsolicited advice from a stranger.

Searching In Vain?

A friend of mine has introduced me to a former U.N. aid worker who has extensive knowledge on people search techniques. She has been working with orphans from war-torn countries, helping them find their missing parents and relatives.

How is it like to be an orphan? I guess I’ll never know. My parents have been at my side for the longest time, and I really can’t imagine life without them.

I wonder how those children lost their parents. Were they abandoned, or were they orphaned by war? For those didn’t even get the chance to see or know them, do they ever wonder how their parents were like when they were still alive?

I was able to watch a documentary about the plight of refugees a few months ago. I learned that many African and South American children end up getting separated from their parents whenever they try to smuggle their way in the United States and in other countries. Many were reunited with their parents. However, there were some who were not as fortunate. I hope that the missionaries or the organizations that took care of them conducted a thorough people search on their parents before giving them up for adoption.

Craig... Daniel Craig

Bond is at it again, and this time he’s fallible.

The latest Bond flick takes 007 back to his roots. Sure, he’s still the slick spy who gets everything that he wants. However, Ian Fleming’s most famous creation in Casino Royale is somewhat unrefined compared to the previous Bonds that graced the screen.

I was quite skeptical as to how the new Bond movie would fair. Critics have doubted if Daniel Craig can match up to Pierce Brosnan in playing England’s most popular secret agent. They were proven wrong.

I was one of those who doubted Craig. He was virtually an unknown in the industry (or maybe I haven’t been watching too many movies lately). I didn’t even give the man the benefit of the doubt.

Craig’s performance was commendable. The movie was great, too. However, I still keep wondering as to why the villains continuously fail to track down Bond, especially since he’s quite too visible for a spy. With all the latest gadgets that Bond movies introduce, it’s quite surprising that the writers have failed to equip 007’s enemies with an excellent means or device with which they could conduct a people search on him. Well, maybe if the writers did, then Bond would’ve died as early as the movie’s first installment.

A Friend in Need

I received an extremely depressing news a few months ago that a very dear Jesuit friend of mine is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. I don’t know why I didn’t visit him immediately. I guess my procrastination got the better of me.

There’s no excuse for abandoning a friend, especially during his time of need. I really would’ve visited him sooner had I known his exact whereabouts back then. I know that’s not an excuse. I could’ve just conducted a quick people search on him on the Internet, or I could’ve gone to his last address which is just an hour from my place.

I’ll be visiting him this weekend. I don’t know if he’ll still be able to remember me. My former high school classmates who also know him said that he hardly remembers anything at all. I know that what he got is basically irreversible or incurable, but I am still hoping for a miracle.

Crank Yankers

Prank calls were quite rampant before phone companies started offering caller ID features. There was even a time during the summer of 87 where we got pranks twice a day on the average.

The telephone was the perfect way of getting in touch with somebody without exposing yourself too much back in the 80s. Although James Bond movies have already shown that wires could be tapped or that calls can be traced, many believed back then that they can pull of nasty phone stunts with impunity.

The present generation of prank callers would definitely think twice or thrice before pulling such a stunt. Many of telephone units being distributed to households today are equipped with caller IDs. Gone are the days when only the CIA or FBI can trace phone calls. Many reverse phone searches are Web-based, so this mode of people search is easily accessible to many.

I wonder what I would’ve done had I found out the name and address of that prank caller who had the audacity to wake us up at 5am. Maybe if we had a caller ID back then, I would've returned the favor by acting as his 3am alarm clock.

God Bless Iraq

Iraq never fails to make it to the evening news or at every newspaper’s headline. Although I wouldn’t dare think that God has forsaken that part of the world, people are usually tempted to make such a conclusion every time they hear that another spate of bombing or kidnapping has again plagued that country.

As Thanksgiving Day draws near, I can’t help but wonder if Iraqi families would be able to have such a happy and solemn gathering between friends and relatives anytime soon. Hundreds or thousands of people in Iraq are still missing. Some say that they were abducted by American soldiers. Others blame sectarian violence for the kidnappings.

I grieve for the families who would never be complete again because of the disappearance of a member. It’s not as if that they could easily conduct a people search on their missing loved ones. Habeas Corpus petitions are also virtually useless as the Iraqi government has not been successful in maintaining peace and order between the warring factions.

I hope that all this misery would soon end.

Looking for My Snowman

One of the things that I like about the Yuletide season is that I get to decorate our porch and lawn. Reindeers usually litter our driveway, while countless Christmas lights illuminate our roof.

The only Christmas decoration that I can’t seem to make is a snowman. While neighbors envied the lights and the figurines that adorn our home, I secretly wished that I could exchange decors with them. Many of my neighbors seem to be skilled in the art of inviting Mr. Snowman into their front yard.

I got my wish last Christmas when a son of one of our neighbors offered to make me one. It took him 5 hours to build one. His creation wasn’t that great, but it’s definitely better than the one I could’ve done had I dared make one.

That neighbor of ours has already moved to another village. I would’ve wanted to ask their son if he could make me another one next month. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get his new contact details. There are times when I even want to conduct a people search on them in order to be able to have my snowman. Quite absurd huh?

Where is Elvis?

I find it quite amusing whenever people ask if Elvis is really dead. I guess die-hard fans just can’t accept the fact that the singing and movie icon has already passed away.

Some people really do believe though that Elvis is still alive and is just hiding from the public. Some even claim to have found documents showing that Presley’s death has been faked. I haven’t seen the said evidence yet, but I doubt if they are genuine.

I wonder if people search agencies or services will entertain any request to look for Elvis. If ever they do entertain one, could they possibly end up going home with an autographed cassette tape?

Maybe no fan has attempted to conduct a serious people search on him for fear of being led to a dead end, or worse, to an epitaph in a cemetery.

As much as I would like to join the others in formulating conjectures about Elvis’ possible whereabouts, I think that this issue should already be laid to rest along with its subject.

The Trusted Nanny

Walter (a childhood friend) used to have a nanny that was very protective. She was also a bit of a kill joy since she would always dissuade us from playing on the streets. Looking back, she was definitely justified in prohibiting us from doing some of the things that we liked. It’s hard to find a nanny like her nowadays.

Walter recently became a dad. He and his wife work in the same advertising company. Her maternity leave is about to expire and they were really in dire need of a nanny who could take care of their first born.

Some have already approached them for the job. However, Walter didn't think that they can be trusted alone with his child. “How about your former nanny?” I asked. At the very least she can come up with great recommendations.

He said that she doesn’t live in her former apartment anymore. I told him to conduct a people search on her. He thought that it was a great idea. Now, let's see if he finds her. Stay tuned!

The Prodigal Son

The story about the prodigal son never fails to touch me. It shows how great the love of a father can be towards his children. It is a very inspiring and humbling story that should be read and told to every parent and child.

I’m sure that many families have similar “prodigal son” tales. Some really end up like the one told in the Bible. However, there are some children who leave their parents and never return.

Don’t wait for your prodigal child to come back to you. The story might not always end as told in the Bible. I think life has already told as much about the regrettable consequences of inaction. Who knows, he might have gotten into a lot of trouble which makes it difficult for him to return. Don’t let pride get in the way, either. Conduct a people search on him. You might find out that he needs help and wants to go back home.

Did He Really Go Away?

Stalkers give me the chills. I haven’t been the object of one though, and I certainly do not want to be the apple of a pair of prying eyes (unless they are owned by a supermodel or a former crush).

Kidding aside, I’m sure that being the prey of a stalker can be very traumatic. It’s difficult to get rid of such a person. You may confront him with strong words, or even have him arrested, but you can be sure that he’ll be back again acting as your shadow.

There are times though, when a stalker may be talked out of his disturbing deeds. The confrontation is usually serious but amicable. Of course, this mode or manner of settling the problem is favorable for both parties since the stalker doesn’t get arrested while you get your privacy back. But how sure are you that you won’t be followed again?

There’s a way of knowing if that person has really moved out of your life. Ironically, it requires a little bit of “stalking” yourself. Don’t worry though, since you’ll only be following him through the computer. Try to conduct a people search on your psychotic admirer and see if he really has moved far away from you as agreed upon. You could even check him out for yourself once you get his address. Just make sure that you’ll not be seen. Otherwise, he might think that you’re stalking him.

Yearbook

Have you ever wondered what happened to your former classmates? I’m sure you haven’t seen most of your high school or college friends after graduation.

I like it when the yearbook lists the addresses of the students. Phone numbers are a bonus. My high school yearbook doesn’t have both, so I have to rely on my own personal phonebook whenever I feel like inviting some old friends for lunch or dinner. Unfortunately though, many have already moved out of their former addresses. That’s only natural, considering that most of them have their own families by now.

Reminiscing is sweet. However, it is sometimes very frustrating especially if you don’t have a high school buddy with you to help you remember. Whenever I feel nostalgic, I open up my yearbook and pick two classmates on the list. I then conduct a people search on them. I have been successful most of the time. However, a stubborn search two years ago spiked up my phone bill (*&^*!). It’s a good thing that most databases list their e-mail addresses already and not just their phone numbers.