Where would Christmas be with our good friend gluttony! It is so true.
We never seem to know how to moderate during the holiday season. By the way, congrats to those smart enough to know when to stop and I hate you! I kid I kid.
Our company pot luck on the last day of the week before Christmas. Everyone brings something and lots of it. There are a wide range of ethnic foods represented and everything is so good. Just one more piece. Hey I didn't try that! Add it to the poor innocent foam plate straining to hold its integrity under the mountain of goodies you have piled on it. So much food, must try everything.
What is wrong with us? I am sitting in the aftermath of what can only be described as a ridiculous amount of food. UGH! I can hardly move my fingers to type. It's nuts! I look around now and see the same look on everyone's face, I need to lie down! Gluttony has struck again.
Merry Christmas and like I say, what is Christmas without a little gluttony!
My Two Cents
Jamie
Friday, December 21, 2007
So A Couple Friends Showed Up The Other Day
My battered spirit took an unexpected turn yesterday evening.
There I was elbow deep in ground beef and pork rolling up a bunch of meatballs for the annual work pot-luck shin dig the next day, when the door bell rang.
Two very good friends popped in unannounced and they were bearing gifts. We had not discussed gift giving or anything of that nature, so we were confused. We, of course, welcomed them in; begged them to forgive the cyclone that had hit the kitchen a mere hours before they arrived. I had to continue attending to my meatballs and sauce, however, I could hear some lowered voices whispering in the other room. I am wondering what's up?
It turns out that these two friends actually heard about the events I spoke of in earlier blogs. And because they KNOW me, they have been concerned all week. They stopped by to see if everything was okay. I explained how things went down, as I witnessed them, because they didn't have all the details. It was a nice feeling and a good visit. I felt I wasn't completely crazy and it was nice to know that when people really know me, they know how things are truly effecting me, rather than try and lump me into a mold, based on some psycho babble they may have read some where.
Once again I am reminded of my Blessings and thankful for all the good people in my life. I have an open door and welcome anyone into my heart and home. Welcome one and all. I want to know you and I want you to know me. The real me. I have a rough, thick skin that can be very hard to get through, but it is worth getting through.
Take Care
My Two Cents
Jamie
There I was elbow deep in ground beef and pork rolling up a bunch of meatballs for the annual work pot-luck shin dig the next day, when the door bell rang.
Two very good friends popped in unannounced and they were bearing gifts. We had not discussed gift giving or anything of that nature, so we were confused. We, of course, welcomed them in; begged them to forgive the cyclone that had hit the kitchen a mere hours before they arrived. I had to continue attending to my meatballs and sauce, however, I could hear some lowered voices whispering in the other room. I am wondering what's up?
It turns out that these two friends actually heard about the events I spoke of in earlier blogs. And because they KNOW me, they have been concerned all week. They stopped by to see if everything was okay. I explained how things went down, as I witnessed them, because they didn't have all the details. It was a nice feeling and a good visit. I felt I wasn't completely crazy and it was nice to know that when people really know me, they know how things are truly effecting me, rather than try and lump me into a mold, based on some psycho babble they may have read some where.
Once again I am reminded of my Blessings and thankful for all the good people in my life. I have an open door and welcome anyone into my heart and home. Welcome one and all. I want to know you and I want you to know me. The real me. I have a rough, thick skin that can be very hard to get through, but it is worth getting through.
Take Care
My Two Cents
Jamie
Thursday, December 20, 2007
On My Merry Way
My last Blog took aim at some disturbing patterns I have come to notice. The concept of passing judgment, no wait, acting on a judgment without knowing all the facts about a person.
This has sucked the energy right out of me. I am at a loss for how to get through this. My mind continues to circle back to the events and how they unfolded. I can't seem to get past how incredibly short sighted people can be. I am trying to hold on to the notion that the actions were not an intent to be cruel and unusual, based on the idea that it stems from a misguided opinion that was never confirmed. Which is the point......
When you are faced with a choice (back to this topic, amazing how it surfaces so often, powerful stuff), shouldn't part of that process be due diligence?? I mean, let's be honest, not everyone is going to get along with everyone, but shouldn't everyone be given a certain level of respect and caring until they otherwise PROVE they are undeserving? I think so!!
I know you are sitting wondering, "what is this lunatic talking about??".
Well, it is quite simple really...if you are at all human and have even an ounce of caring in your soul, then you MUST understand you are part of something much bigger than yourself. You have a DIRECT and profound impact on everyone you meet. Whether you have known them for 20 years or 20 days, you have a powerful position in their World. Neither one of you may truly understand it, but it is there regardless.
So all I am trying to impress upon anyone who cares, is always take time to find out what is happening inside a person's head and/or heart. You will be a better person for it, and you will touch more people's lives in the process. You may not know how or when specifically, but you will have impact.
I am reminded of yesterday morning....a co-worker came to me to ask me if I would be willing to supply her with transportation to our company Christmas lunch. My immediate response was "Yes", was there another option? I was confused by the nature and delivery of the question quite frankly. You see, she is an older lady (retiring at the end of this year), I don't believe she has ever been married and has no kids. She is friends with our payroll officer and she was already riding with me. They way she approached me was strange, almost sheepish, like she was asking me for a loan or something. It turns out she had asked another fellow employee if he could give her a ride and he was slow to respond and finally said "I guess I can clean a seat off for you". Which I think was his attempt at humour. So when I was quick to agree to provide a ride she made a direct trip to our payroll officer's office to exclaim "Wow, what a difference!". She was referring to my response to her request for a ride.
The point is this...without knowingly or deliberately trying I had an impact on her morning. She felt a dramatic difference in responses to her request and thus felt a dramatic upswing in your morning attitude. The littlest choices are the ones that often have the most profound impact. Anyone who says "I am only one person, what kind of difference can I make?" is a short-sighted fool. EVERYONE has an enormous impact the minute you begin interacting with fellow human beings.
Get to know people, ask questions, CARE about the answers. It will serve you very, very well in all avenues of your life. "In likeness of Him"
In case I am not back, go am make an impact! Smile at someone today.
My Two Cents
Have a an incredible holiday season. Merry Christmas and may the peace of Christ be surround you and your family.
God Bless,
Jamie
This has sucked the energy right out of me. I am at a loss for how to get through this. My mind continues to circle back to the events and how they unfolded. I can't seem to get past how incredibly short sighted people can be. I am trying to hold on to the notion that the actions were not an intent to be cruel and unusual, based on the idea that it stems from a misguided opinion that was never confirmed. Which is the point......
When you are faced with a choice (back to this topic, amazing how it surfaces so often, powerful stuff), shouldn't part of that process be due diligence?? I mean, let's be honest, not everyone is going to get along with everyone, but shouldn't everyone be given a certain level of respect and caring until they otherwise PROVE they are undeserving? I think so!!
I know you are sitting wondering, "what is this lunatic talking about??".
Well, it is quite simple really...if you are at all human and have even an ounce of caring in your soul, then you MUST understand you are part of something much bigger than yourself. You have a DIRECT and profound impact on everyone you meet. Whether you have known them for 20 years or 20 days, you have a powerful position in their World. Neither one of you may truly understand it, but it is there regardless.
So all I am trying to impress upon anyone who cares, is always take time to find out what is happening inside a person's head and/or heart. You will be a better person for it, and you will touch more people's lives in the process. You may not know how or when specifically, but you will have impact.
I am reminded of yesterday morning....a co-worker came to me to ask me if I would be willing to supply her with transportation to our company Christmas lunch. My immediate response was "Yes", was there another option? I was confused by the nature and delivery of the question quite frankly. You see, she is an older lady (retiring at the end of this year), I don't believe she has ever been married and has no kids. She is friends with our payroll officer and she was already riding with me. They way she approached me was strange, almost sheepish, like she was asking me for a loan or something. It turns out she had asked another fellow employee if he could give her a ride and he was slow to respond and finally said "I guess I can clean a seat off for you". Which I think was his attempt at humour. So when I was quick to agree to provide a ride she made a direct trip to our payroll officer's office to exclaim "Wow, what a difference!". She was referring to my response to her request for a ride.
The point is this...without knowingly or deliberately trying I had an impact on her morning. She felt a dramatic difference in responses to her request and thus felt a dramatic upswing in your morning attitude. The littlest choices are the ones that often have the most profound impact. Anyone who says "I am only one person, what kind of difference can I make?" is a short-sighted fool. EVERYONE has an enormous impact the minute you begin interacting with fellow human beings.
Get to know people, ask questions, CARE about the answers. It will serve you very, very well in all avenues of your life. "In likeness of Him"
In case I am not back, go am make an impact! Smile at someone today.
My Two Cents
Have a an incredible holiday season. Merry Christmas and may the peace of Christ be surround you and your family.
God Bless,
Jamie
Monday, December 17, 2007
The World is a Funny Place
Just when I think I am pretty sure I understand the World around me...I am proven how wrong I am.
I am struggling to understand why people won't communicate with one another. Isn't communication the cornerstone of how the World works? Yet time and time again we are reminded that people will make decisions about other people without actually ever communicating with! How can you 'decide' what type of person someone is without talking to them? Can you make a fair assessment of someone without speaking to them?
I think we should all step back for a moment and re-evaluate our approach to new people, myself included. We all need to be more understanding and tolerate. We need to make every possible effort to know someone before we make a decision about them. It is unfortunate that too many of us make decisions about others without knowing them. We pass judgement that is not based on fact, instead we pass judgement based on our ill-informed opinions.
During this holiday season please take some time for personal reflection. Be sure you are not unecessarily hurting someone without knowing them well enough to understand what their are about.
The Lord teaches us compassion, forgiveness, and to not judge.
My Two Cents
God Bless
Jamie
I am struggling to understand why people won't communicate with one another. Isn't communication the cornerstone of how the World works? Yet time and time again we are reminded that people will make decisions about other people without actually ever communicating with! How can you 'decide' what type of person someone is without talking to them? Can you make a fair assessment of someone without speaking to them?
I think we should all step back for a moment and re-evaluate our approach to new people, myself included. We all need to be more understanding and tolerate. We need to make every possible effort to know someone before we make a decision about them. It is unfortunate that too many of us make decisions about others without knowing them. We pass judgement that is not based on fact, instead we pass judgement based on our ill-informed opinions.
During this holiday season please take some time for personal reflection. Be sure you are not unecessarily hurting someone without knowing them well enough to understand what their are about.
The Lord teaches us compassion, forgiveness, and to not judge.
My Two Cents
God Bless
Jamie
Thursday, December 13, 2007
12 more sleeps......
Christmas is just around the corner. Hope everyone is ready! We are basically done shopping, just need a couple things, which are already picked out.
So today was a decent day at work. Busy but not overly. Lots of projects on the go and manage all at once, but we chip away at it. The Christmas food is beginning to show up in the office these days. Man, it is hard to resist. I try to balance the idea of eating healthy (avoiding sugars) and a social amount of food to interact with fellow office staff. But when you are walking around the office working on computer issues and every corner you turn down, more food.
I do try and avoid the seconds and thirds.....I skip straight to FOURTHS!!!!
The big race to cram everything in to a few short days is nearly upon us. Why do rush so much? It is exhausting! I am hoping to come away from this Christmas season feeling relaxed and renewed. Too often the holidays drain us. My family dinner is a huge production, but it's tradition. Christmas Eve with the Cinq-Mars family, for as long as I can remember. Dad cooking enough food to feed his entire city block, the tiny little tree that is swamped by gifts (too many, if my opinion counts) and everyone seeing how long the kids can wait before they explode!!
Recently we have adjusted things slightly to ensure we all get a piece of tradition on Christmas Eve. Dad starts cooking in the morning, when he is feeling his best and we eat by 3 PM. This allows time for us to eat at normal speed and give plenty of time to open gifts after supper. This helps keep Dad from getting overly tired from the hectic pace. He can unwind nicely and enjoy the family time. That night we make our way from the Cinq-Mars homestead to Lundar, MB to spend some of Christmas Eve with the Foster family.
Time to sign off. Take some time to appreciate your families this holiday season. Count your Blessings daily and smile.
My Two Cents
Jamie
So today was a decent day at work. Busy but not overly. Lots of projects on the go and manage all at once, but we chip away at it. The Christmas food is beginning to show up in the office these days. Man, it is hard to resist. I try to balance the idea of eating healthy (avoiding sugars) and a social amount of food to interact with fellow office staff. But when you are walking around the office working on computer issues and every corner you turn down, more food.
I do try and avoid the seconds and thirds.....I skip straight to FOURTHS!!!!
The big race to cram everything in to a few short days is nearly upon us. Why do rush so much? It is exhausting! I am hoping to come away from this Christmas season feeling relaxed and renewed. Too often the holidays drain us. My family dinner is a huge production, but it's tradition. Christmas Eve with the Cinq-Mars family, for as long as I can remember. Dad cooking enough food to feed his entire city block, the tiny little tree that is swamped by gifts (too many, if my opinion counts) and everyone seeing how long the kids can wait before they explode!!
Recently we have adjusted things slightly to ensure we all get a piece of tradition on Christmas Eve. Dad starts cooking in the morning, when he is feeling his best and we eat by 3 PM. This allows time for us to eat at normal speed and give plenty of time to open gifts after supper. This helps keep Dad from getting overly tired from the hectic pace. He can unwind nicely and enjoy the family time. That night we make our way from the Cinq-Mars homestead to Lundar, MB to spend some of Christmas Eve with the Foster family.
Time to sign off. Take some time to appreciate your families this holiday season. Count your Blessings daily and smile.
My Two Cents
Jamie
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Getting Out Of Bed.....It's A Choice
Recently I read a quote that got me thinking. The quote was referencing personal choice and its impact on the World.
By making the simple choice of getting out of bed in the morning (and it is a choice) you impact everyone you come in contact with that day. That is a very powerful concept, if you truly think about it. Every single person you interact with during each day has an impact. The concept of choice is a snowball effect. As you make your way out of bed and into your day you are faced with choices every second of the day. Think about this....a simple choice like the coffee shop, which ever one you choose to stop at changes the entire dynamic of everyone else there at the time you arrive and for an extended period of time after you leave. Your choice made the line one person longer, which may translate into the difference between someone behind you in line being late or on time. Had you chose a different coffee shop or to not stop at all you have an equally distinct impact on the people at that coffee shop. The power of choice is fantastically amazing. Even choosing NOT to do something you still have an impact. Powerful stuff.
What I find interesting is how this gift given to us by God has been the World’s greatest ally and the World's greatest defeat. All other animals live and react to its surroundings based on instinct. We as humans live and react based on choice. The ability to choose sets us apart from all others of God’s creations. We can choose to react a certain way to a situation. Naturally over time learned behavior becomes routine and is accredited to an involuntary reaction (habit), yet it began as a choice. It is this choice that has created such division is the World. The mass differences in the religions of the World. I don't think God intended there to be such a huge downside to giving us the gift of choice. Because He works from the position of good and believed people would choose good versus bad, right versus wrong, He bestowed upon us a powerful gift. In essence God’s greatest accomplishment was also His greatest failure. Adam chose to eat the apple. When He was shown even Adam could not resist the enticing encouragement of the Devil; the Lord knew His creation of man in likeness of Himself could not handle the responsibility of the gift called choice. I suppose that is why He sent us His only Son. God could see the gift of choice would not be handled as well as He hoped. He assumed the gift would be used for good. Sadly we now face a World where people don't believe (by choice) and for those of us who do we have to work hard to defend our right to choose belief. I choose to allow Him to work through me in any way He needs to get His message out. He even wants work to be done on behalf of non-believers, because He will believe in man long after they CHOOSE to give up on Him. Because choice is so powerful He believes all His children can choose to come back to Him and invite Him to live in their heart and do His work through them. All He wants to is help His children be happy, but because they have choice in their lives He cannot do anything more than be a guide, without an invitation and faith He is unable to help in His fullest capacity.
What I hope you take from this is not a message about God and becoming a believer, but rather a message about the importance of the choices you make EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF EVERY SINGLE DAY and their impact on the World around you. Every smile you share you make the World a better place, at least for a short time. It is hard work hard to make choices that make your World a better place (sounds funny, but it seems do much easier to be a grouch). If everyone worked at making their immediate World a better place then eventually all the good being done would start overlapping and create more happiness. Be positive and understand the POWER you possess with each and every choice you make everyday. Remember I am not talking about the big major choices, like whether to give a homeless guy food, I am talking about the little choices you make each and every day, like whether or not you smile at one another or how you answer the question "How are you?" or how you react to a frustrating event. Your reaction to any one event is a choice. Try choosing best possible path each time you make a choice. Understand that your mood and attitude are also a choice. You choose how you are going to face each and every day. It is up to you. What is your choice today?
God Bless,
Jamie Cinq-Mars
By making the simple choice of getting out of bed in the morning (and it is a choice) you impact everyone you come in contact with that day. That is a very powerful concept, if you truly think about it. Every single person you interact with during each day has an impact. The concept of choice is a snowball effect. As you make your way out of bed and into your day you are faced with choices every second of the day. Think about this....a simple choice like the coffee shop, which ever one you choose to stop at changes the entire dynamic of everyone else there at the time you arrive and for an extended period of time after you leave. Your choice made the line one person longer, which may translate into the difference between someone behind you in line being late or on time. Had you chose a different coffee shop or to not stop at all you have an equally distinct impact on the people at that coffee shop. The power of choice is fantastically amazing. Even choosing NOT to do something you still have an impact. Powerful stuff.
What I find interesting is how this gift given to us by God has been the World’s greatest ally and the World's greatest defeat. All other animals live and react to its surroundings based on instinct. We as humans live and react based on choice. The ability to choose sets us apart from all others of God’s creations. We can choose to react a certain way to a situation. Naturally over time learned behavior becomes routine and is accredited to an involuntary reaction (habit), yet it began as a choice. It is this choice that has created such division is the World. The mass differences in the religions of the World. I don't think God intended there to be such a huge downside to giving us the gift of choice. Because He works from the position of good and believed people would choose good versus bad, right versus wrong, He bestowed upon us a powerful gift. In essence God’s greatest accomplishment was also His greatest failure. Adam chose to eat the apple. When He was shown even Adam could not resist the enticing encouragement of the Devil; the Lord knew His creation of man in likeness of Himself could not handle the responsibility of the gift called choice. I suppose that is why He sent us His only Son. God could see the gift of choice would not be handled as well as He hoped. He assumed the gift would be used for good. Sadly we now face a World where people don't believe (by choice) and for those of us who do we have to work hard to defend our right to choose belief. I choose to allow Him to work through me in any way He needs to get His message out. He even wants work to be done on behalf of non-believers, because He will believe in man long after they CHOOSE to give up on Him. Because choice is so powerful He believes all His children can choose to come back to Him and invite Him to live in their heart and do His work through them. All He wants to is help His children be happy, but because they have choice in their lives He cannot do anything more than be a guide, without an invitation and faith He is unable to help in His fullest capacity.
What I hope you take from this is not a message about God and becoming a believer, but rather a message about the importance of the choices you make EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF EVERY SINGLE DAY and their impact on the World around you. Every smile you share you make the World a better place, at least for a short time. It is hard work hard to make choices that make your World a better place (sounds funny, but it seems do much easier to be a grouch). If everyone worked at making their immediate World a better place then eventually all the good being done would start overlapping and create more happiness. Be positive and understand the POWER you possess with each and every choice you make everyday. Remember I am not talking about the big major choices, like whether to give a homeless guy food, I am talking about the little choices you make each and every day, like whether or not you smile at one another or how you answer the question "How are you?" or how you react to a frustrating event. Your reaction to any one event is a choice. Try choosing best possible path each time you make a choice. Understand that your mood and attitude are also a choice. You choose how you are going to face each and every day. It is up to you. What is your choice today?
God Bless,
Jamie Cinq-Mars
Sunday, December 09, 2007
In a True Seinfeld Moment
In good Seinfeld tradition I need to label some individuals for their (in my opinion) upsetting behavior!
The BATHROOM TALKERS!!!!
These are those people who insist on striking up a conversation while in a public bathroom. Most noticeable in the work environment. The bathroom is a private place to "do your business", wash up and leave. It is not a social hang out to share stories or catch up on old times.
Excuse ME, if I do not want to talk to you while you touch yourself! I am there to use the facilities, wash up and leave. We can talk in the hallway. I do not like talking to anyone while in a public bathroom. It is unnerving. That is private time between my bladder and I. No one wants to talk about the weather or about this mornings boring presentation or do we want to know how your day is going while you both stand there holding your penis in one hand. It is not an acceptable place to catch up on a lost conversation from earlier in the day.
So for all you bathroom talkers out there.....SHUT UP!
Anyway, that is my Seinfeld moment.
My Two Cents
Jamie
The BATHROOM TALKERS!!!!
These are those people who insist on striking up a conversation while in a public bathroom. Most noticeable in the work environment. The bathroom is a private place to "do your business", wash up and leave. It is not a social hang out to share stories or catch up on old times.
Excuse ME, if I do not want to talk to you while you touch yourself! I am there to use the facilities, wash up and leave. We can talk in the hallway. I do not like talking to anyone while in a public bathroom. It is unnerving. That is private time between my bladder and I. No one wants to talk about the weather or about this mornings boring presentation or do we want to know how your day is going while you both stand there holding your penis in one hand. It is not an acceptable place to catch up on a lost conversation from earlier in the day.
So for all you bathroom talkers out there.....SHUT UP!
Anyway, that is my Seinfeld moment.
My Two Cents
Jamie
Friday, December 07, 2007
Spam Makes Me Want To Kill.....
I guess it isn't the Spam per say, but the end users who CONTINUOUSLY complain about it!
Is it really that hard to click delete? I get Spam on a daily basis, loads of it, but I never feel any sense of anger towards Spam. Furthermore, doesn't anybody get it!?! Spam is a business just like any other, you advertise, people buy stuff, you make profit. Then if you are smart at peak times of the year, you increase the advertising and reap the financial rewards.
Think of it like this, every year starting in October the weekly flyers you receive in your mailbox at home sky rocket, until you are receiving enough flyers to wallpaper every room in your home with them. THIS IS SPAM PEOPLE!!! Think about it...did you request it? Are you being asked to buy something? Do you sometimes react by going somewhere to buy an advertised product? Are we seeing the parallels here??
Spam is nothing more than advertising a product through the Internet instead the regular mail system. Sure they are trying to sell Viagra and stocks, but it is still the same. Can you truly blame the Spammers, aside from the obvious ethical issues? Think about it...
Spammers have a room of computers that send out thousands of emails a minute at a fraction of the cost traditional mailing would cost. Advertising without paper on the Internet (email) costs pennies. Let's break down the numbers. Let's aim low
One computer sends out 100 emails an hour...NOTE: After initial setup the Spammer does very little in the way of work; the computer is doing the work. So, the computer pumps 100 emails/hour; that equals 2400 emails a day and roughly 30 days in a month equaling 72,000 emails a month.
The statistics on unsolicted advertising and purchase rates is about 2%. This means up to 2% of all people who receive the unsolicited emails will actually buy something. Which may not seem like much, but read on. So in our example we'll use 1%, which equals 720 sales per month. Most products being sold in this fashion are generally lost cost/high profit items, but for our example we will aim low. If the profit on the product is $5, the Spammer makes $3600 profit a month on the products. Minus monthly expenses for an Internet connection, software and buying an email list (if they aren't generating their own lists)...let's just say the Spammer clears $2500/monthly. Not bad for having the computer do all of work while they sit back in their big-ass recliners watching the money roll in.
But wait there is more. If one computer can crank out $2500 of profit monthly then why wouldn't you buy 10 computers and make $25,000 monthly!! The amount of hours doesn't really change because the emails are all the same and software does all the work. But you can reach the World.
Powerful stuff. I know some of you don't think this is possible but really it is happening. So, why don't we all do it? Because it is not the right thing to do.
The bottom line is Spam is not going anywhere and stopping it ALL is impossible. Spammers buy the latest software to test their new Spam emails trying to find ones that slip through. Then stock pile those emails until the best advertising times and fire them off.
Companies fight daily with the issue of blocking of Spam from reaching the end user. It is estimated that 80% -90% of all email received by a company is Spam! That is a staggering number.
The frustrating part isn't the Spam it is the end users who keep complaining like they are such victims and like we are doing nothing. Deal with it and delete. If you are an end user in the company you work for, please do not badger the IT staff about YOUR "Spam problem", they are working on it. Trust me. I suggest IT departments try shutting off the current Spam filters and see how happy end users will be.
Now go and find an IT guy and give him a hug!
That is my two cents
Is it really that hard to click delete? I get Spam on a daily basis, loads of it, but I never feel any sense of anger towards Spam. Furthermore, doesn't anybody get it!?! Spam is a business just like any other, you advertise, people buy stuff, you make profit. Then if you are smart at peak times of the year, you increase the advertising and reap the financial rewards.
Think of it like this, every year starting in October the weekly flyers you receive in your mailbox at home sky rocket, until you are receiving enough flyers to wallpaper every room in your home with them. THIS IS SPAM PEOPLE!!! Think about it...did you request it? Are you being asked to buy something? Do you sometimes react by going somewhere to buy an advertised product? Are we seeing the parallels here??
Spam is nothing more than advertising a product through the Internet instead the regular mail system. Sure they are trying to sell Viagra and stocks, but it is still the same. Can you truly blame the Spammers, aside from the obvious ethical issues? Think about it...
Spammers have a room of computers that send out thousands of emails a minute at a fraction of the cost traditional mailing would cost. Advertising without paper on the Internet (email) costs pennies. Let's break down the numbers. Let's aim low
One computer sends out 100 emails an hour...NOTE: After initial setup the Spammer does very little in the way of work; the computer is doing the work. So, the computer pumps 100 emails/hour; that equals 2400 emails a day and roughly 30 days in a month equaling 72,000 emails a month.
The statistics on unsolicted advertising and purchase rates is about 2%. This means up to 2% of all people who receive the unsolicited emails will actually buy something. Which may not seem like much, but read on. So in our example we'll use 1%, which equals 720 sales per month. Most products being sold in this fashion are generally lost cost/high profit items, but for our example we will aim low. If the profit on the product is $5, the Spammer makes $3600 profit a month on the products. Minus monthly expenses for an Internet connection, software and buying an email list (if they aren't generating their own lists)...let's just say the Spammer clears $2500/monthly. Not bad for having the computer do all of work while they sit back in their big-ass recliners watching the money roll in.
But wait there is more. If one computer can crank out $2500 of profit monthly then why wouldn't you buy 10 computers and make $25,000 monthly!! The amount of hours doesn't really change because the emails are all the same and software does all the work. But you can reach the World.
Powerful stuff. I know some of you don't think this is possible but really it is happening. So, why don't we all do it? Because it is not the right thing to do.
The bottom line is Spam is not going anywhere and stopping it ALL is impossible. Spammers buy the latest software to test their new Spam emails trying to find ones that slip through. Then stock pile those emails until the best advertising times and fire them off.
Companies fight daily with the issue of blocking of Spam from reaching the end user. It is estimated that 80% -90% of all email received by a company is Spam! That is a staggering number.
The frustrating part isn't the Spam it is the end users who keep complaining like they are such victims and like we are doing nothing. Deal with it and delete. If you are an end user in the company you work for, please do not badger the IT staff about YOUR "Spam problem", they are working on it. Trust me. I suggest IT departments try shutting off the current Spam filters and see how happy end users will be.
Now go and find an IT guy and give him a hug!
That is my two cents
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Facebook Is Laced With Cocaine
December 6, 2007
I am back to Blog once again. In the past I blogged about Facebook being no big deal. I couldn't understand the hype. Basically I was not clear on what the big Facebook deal is. Well I am still not sure, but it appears I am hooked on Facebook. Why? I can't clearly answer that question.
I am going to with a popular reason, one only and 'true' Urban Myth can be made of, DRUGS!!! Facebook is laced with addicting drugs that seeps through your mouse and into your hand. It then enters the blood stream where it is carried to the brain! Then BLAMO you cannot stop yourself from going back every spare moment you have! Before you know it you are resenting your companies IT Department for blocking YOUR ACCESS to Facebook while at work! "How am I supposed to keep up with my social networking if I am blocked at work! I am far to busy to communicate with people in the evenings!"
Sadly Facebook is a powerful social networking tool that has had an incredible run. I think what amazes me the most is how people refer to the hundreds of people they are connected with as "friends". C'mon people! I'll admit I have people on my list that have no business being on my list. Why? Because I got asked and if you say no you are 'hurting someone". Give me a break! If you would not personally call someone about an important event in your life then they should NOT be in your Facebook list. I personally have deleted people.....WHAT.....SAY IT AIN'T SO! How could you?? Yes this is some of the reaction I have faced when I mention my deletion of people. I plan to delete more. I just can't have people on there that I would never consider seeing face to face on a semi regular basis. I know there are people on my list who could care less about my kids latest accomplishments or pictures of them. So shouldn't I delete them? I am not going to kid myself into believing that everyone I have ever met in my life cares about me to the point of wanting to be a part of everything in my life.
Having said that. I do get the actual benefits of Facebook. I have reconnected with a very long time friend who meant the World to me before she moved away. We lost touch. Now we can talk more often. Catch up with pictures of her kids and mine. I still know her parents really well and see them from time to time, so that has been nice. I also have a HUGE family on my mother's side. We have been able to communicate as a group on important topics. Most recently to share prayer for my Aunt who went through Breast Cancer surgery. Also to ensure everyone knows when the next gather of family is scheduled and where. So yes I can see the benefits and certainly utilize them.
I simply think everyone simply evaluate the list of people they call 'friends'. Do you truly believe these people go on Facebook and click on your page to see what is new with you? I know I only click on a few people's pages to keep up with their lives. Aside from the bonus of better family communication I think Facebook can be crutch for people and may set up some people for a harsh dose of reality when someone they thought was their 'friend' turns out to be just someone they know.
My two cents,
God Bless,
Jamie
I am back to Blog once again. In the past I blogged about Facebook being no big deal. I couldn't understand the hype. Basically I was not clear on what the big Facebook deal is. Well I am still not sure, but it appears I am hooked on Facebook. Why? I can't clearly answer that question.
I am going to with a popular reason, one only and 'true' Urban Myth can be made of, DRUGS!!! Facebook is laced with addicting drugs that seeps through your mouse and into your hand. It then enters the blood stream where it is carried to the brain! Then BLAMO you cannot stop yourself from going back every spare moment you have! Before you know it you are resenting your companies IT Department for blocking YOUR ACCESS to Facebook while at work! "How am I supposed to keep up with my social networking if I am blocked at work! I am far to busy to communicate with people in the evenings!"
Sadly Facebook is a powerful social networking tool that has had an incredible run. I think what amazes me the most is how people refer to the hundreds of people they are connected with as "friends". C'mon people! I'll admit I have people on my list that have no business being on my list. Why? Because I got asked and if you say no you are 'hurting someone". Give me a break! If you would not personally call someone about an important event in your life then they should NOT be in your Facebook list. I personally have deleted people.....WHAT.....SAY IT AIN'T SO! How could you?? Yes this is some of the reaction I have faced when I mention my deletion of people. I plan to delete more. I just can't have people on there that I would never consider seeing face to face on a semi regular basis. I know there are people on my list who could care less about my kids latest accomplishments or pictures of them. So shouldn't I delete them? I am not going to kid myself into believing that everyone I have ever met in my life cares about me to the point of wanting to be a part of everything in my life.
Having said that. I do get the actual benefits of Facebook. I have reconnected with a very long time friend who meant the World to me before she moved away. We lost touch. Now we can talk more often. Catch up with pictures of her kids and mine. I still know her parents really well and see them from time to time, so that has been nice. I also have a HUGE family on my mother's side. We have been able to communicate as a group on important topics. Most recently to share prayer for my Aunt who went through Breast Cancer surgery. Also to ensure everyone knows when the next gather of family is scheduled and where. So yes I can see the benefits and certainly utilize them.
I simply think everyone simply evaluate the list of people they call 'friends'. Do you truly believe these people go on Facebook and click on your page to see what is new with you? I know I only click on a few people's pages to keep up with their lives. Aside from the bonus of better family communication I think Facebook can be crutch for people and may set up some people for a harsh dose of reality when someone they thought was their 'friend' turns out to be just someone they know.
My two cents,
God Bless,
Jamie
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