Yep. The Bandit. It’s been a few weeks, but he struck again today.

I find it strangely comforting now when we find the can on the lawn. It’s as if everything is in its place, and there’s harmony in the world.

I think he may be back for good.

I’ve had several requests for an update to the Trash Can Bandit situation. Catch up on the original story here and here.

I am sad to report that since the day I caught the guy on the webcam, the can has not been moved. I was starting to worry that perhaps the fellow had gotten wind of his internet celebrity and I was feeling a little guilty that maybe I hurt his feelings. I mean, I didn’t *mind* that he was moving the can, I just wondered who it was and why. And frankly, the “why” became less important after I saw the “who”.

So I felt bad. I was thinking of posting an entry here called “Come back, trash can-movin’ old guy”.

Until yesterday.

We left the house at 3pm and the can was still in the street. We returned at 4:30pm…

…and the can was in the driveway.

Welcome back, Trash Can Bandit. I kind of missed you.

The mystery is solved.

Sort of.

The camera caught this kindly old fella moving my can.

Arlo and I both recognize the culprit. He’s “that old guy” we see walking around a lot. He’s friendly but we’ve never exchanged more than a hello.

So now we know who, but we still don’t know why.

I went out into the yard to see if any other cans on the block had been moved, but as usual, it’s just mine.

Here are two views from my driveway.

To the left
Note how both of the cans in view are still in the street.

And to the right.
That’s my can on the grass, but the two houses past mine have cans in the street.

I have to admit, I’m even more puzzled than before.

What gives, trashcan-movin’ old guy???

Trash Can Watch 2005, week two.

I rolled out of bed at 6:45am and fired up the cam.

Latest Konfabulator Widget can be downloaded here, but it still may have some problems for some people. If it’s not updating, try going into the Preferences and UNCHECKING Use Safe Images Only. If all else fails, use the web page.

I woke up with a horrible sore throat and it’s waaaay too early for me, so I may go back to sleep. Let me know if you see anything happen, will you?

Don’t miss it. It’s sure to be exciting.

Or not.

We’ll see.

We are supposed to put the cans in the street, against the curb.

Each Wednesday, sometime shortly after the trash is picked up, someone moves the trash can onto our lawn. Not onto the sidewalk, no, they put it all the way onto our grass. What the hell?

Here’s what it looked like last week. Sometimes it’s even closer to the house, in the middle of the lawn.

If it’s a recycling/yard clippings day, they move the regular trash can into the yard, but not the other two cans. Those they leave in the street.

It’s bizarre. Truly. It doesn’t seem to be the trash collectors, because one guy puts the can on the automated thingy on the truck, the truck lifts it, and then the guy puts it right back where it was. And the mysterious trash can mover doesn’t move anyone else’s trash can. All the neighbors on either side still have their cans in the street, and yet ours ends up sitting on our lawn.

Is someone trying to be helpful? If so, how is that helping? I just don’t get it. The whole thing is just odd.

So this week I set up a webcam.

Trash Can Watch ‘05

Arlo wrote a special Trash Can Widget for Konfabulator for the occasion.

I even convinced a huge group of people on an internet forum I frequent to watch with me for hours.

Nothing happened.

The recycling guys came and went. The regular trash guys came and went, leaving the can in the street. The mailman came and went. Joggers. People with strollers. Nothin’.

There was a flurry of excitement when the gardener from next door made a surprise appearance in the bushes.

Oh, and a DHL truck stopped outside the house, but didn’t deliver anything.

I’m trying again next week.