Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Happy Thanksgiving...



Everyone Have A Safe And Great Holiday!!!

As we all prepare to travel or stay home to give thanks to the Lord, I just wanted to type this brief blog entry a little early to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday!!!

Attention: Jury Duty Identity Theft Scam...



Beware of the Newest Identity Theft Scheme

Scam artists are getting so ridiculous these days. Unfortunately, they think of everything. This morning as I was getting ready for work, I heard about a new scam. It involves jury duty. Many of us are law abidding citizens and take our responsibilities seriously. So, if someone claiming to work for a municipal court calls, most people expect for the call to be legitimate. In this day of caller ID, most folks don't expect to receive a bold phone call from a crook.

Well, that wasn't the case for a lady I heard about on the news. Someone called her house asking for her and her husband's SSN and other personal information in order to mail her jury duty summons to them. Unfortunately, the scam artist caught her off-guard and she provided that person with the information. After not receiving the summons after a certain amount of time, she called the court. An court official revealed to her that they never called her and wouldn't ask for personal identification information over the phone. She then realized that she had been duped. No telling who has her and her husband's information. And there's telling what they will do with the information. It's just so disturbing that crooks actually have the nerve to call people with the intent to commit fraudulent acts. Crooks have no right to anything, but to be locked up in jail. So beware of this new scam. Let friends and family also know to never reveal personal information to someone calling them on the phone. Instead, offer to call the court yourself or to show up at the court to inquire about your phone call. For more information, read on here. ==> Jury Duty Identity Theft Scam

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

The Definition of an Old Maid...



Single Ladies, Is this How You Define Yourself?

Old Maid n (ca. 1530) 1: Spinster; an unmarried woman and esp. one past the common age for marrying; a woman who seems unlikely to marry. 2: a prim, fussy person. 3: a simple card game in which cards are matched in pairs and the player holding the unmatched card at the end loses.


Well, well, well, who would have known that we were going to play real life musical chairs as adults? I remember playing the game in school and at birthday parties as a kid. You remember? When the music is playing you walk around a cirlce of chairs, but when the music stops, everyone scrambles for a chair. Then one person will be left without a chair. Hmmm. It seems like the real life card game of Old Maid works the same way. The music has stopped, and some of us are left without a husband. WHERE'S MY CHAIR? WHERE'S MY HUSBAND? That's what society has brainwashed us to think.

Now that the holiday season is about to roll around, watch and see how many folks ask you why you are still single and never have been married or never have been engaged for that matter. Be prepared for the inquisition/interrogation. Folks will demand answers from you, especially if you plan to spend your holidays in your hometown where you no longer live. That's the case for me. I hail from a few places (via college campus to college campus during my childhood), however, the place I consider my hometown happens to be a gossipy little town in North Carolina. Nobody, DO YOU HEAR ME???, nobody is nosier than old ladies (old bats) from the south. They are professional athletes. They train year-round. In fact, they're prepared to swim deep and long into your personal business as if it was an Olympic pool. So be prepared for the professionals.

My family and close family are excluded from the lynch mob (inquisition/interrogation board). They already know why I have "chosen" not to marry yet. I'm not against the idea of marriage, I just haven't met the one. I happen to think that love is a beautiful thing. So, we don't engage in long, tiresome conversations about my prospects. I've already told them when God sends me the right one, I'll let them know when to call the bakery. (side note: I love cake!!!) They are satisfied with my answer. But the Inquisition/Interrogation League of Noses will be in full swing during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. They will first ask things like they are so innocent when they can see that a ring isn't on your finger. Then they will ask why a pretty girl like you hasn't been snatched up. Then they'll ask, perhaps, whether you are too independent with your little college degree, car, home, and hoity toity job. Then they'll say how sad it is that you haven't birthed any children, and basically how your whole existence is such a waste pretty similar to a crumpled up piece of paper, which has no future other than ending up in a dumpster.

Well, next week I'll be ready for the Society Noses. Here's an announcement. ==> I ain't no punk, or wimp, or chump!!! I know how to handle the nosey society ladies. *hee hee* It's just a matter of conservational manipulation. There's a way to get the upper hand. Watch me:
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Scene: **Zee At The Grocery Store Minding Her Business**

Mrs. Old Hag: Well, Hello, Aziza. I see that you're here from Maryland. Oh. I saw your new car. It's looks like you're doing well.

Zee: Hello, Mrs. Old Hag. Yes, I'm here for the holidays. I just thought I'd pick up a couple of things at the store to bake a pecan pie and a coconut cake.

Mrs. Old Hag: Umm. Aziza, how's your love life? Have you been keeping company with a young man? Aren't you concerned about nature's clock? You young gals act like you all don't need a man. You all are just too independent. Perhaps, you should have waited to buy your first place after you married. What can a man do for you now, since you got everything? If you go to grad school, you surely won't find a man. Too much education could scare the prospects away. You really should have married a nice fellow from your college classes in the past. My son and and daughter-in-law have a beautiful home. They have a couple of kids and are doing really, really well. My son is looking at becoming partner at his firm. *brag* *brag* *brag* *blah blah* *blah blah* *blah blah* *blubber* *gum smacking* *gibberish*

Zee: *Instead of frowning, Zee smiles.* I'm doing well...I'm fine.... *Zee selectively ignores questions.*

Zee: Oh, by the way, how is your other son doing? *Zee knows that Mrs. Old Hag's 30-Something year old, non-working, lazy son lives with her and plays computer games all daylong* -- *See how I turned that conversation around? *Hmph*

Mrs. Old Hag: *Clears Her Throat And Looks Away.* Umm. Son of Hag is doing well. Well, Aziza, it was nice seeing you. Take care. And tell your family that I said Hello.

Zee: Will Do. Happy Thanksgiving!!!! *Zee Cops A Meow Mix Chessy Cat Smile*

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Now don't get me wrong. All folks aren't like old hags. There are a few other well meaning folks. There are some nice old ladies with nice, intelligent, handsome, employed, unmarried, straight, God-fearing sons. If they ask me if I'm not married, they may be asking to get me in contact with their sons. That's cool. I might even enjoy that.

Aside from all of this, single sisters shouldn't feel bad about their marital status (or the lack there of). There's nothing to be ashamed of. Therefore, there is no reason to stay home during the holidays trying to hide from the world. Please don't sit around reminiscing about failed relationships and missed opportunities. Get that hair done, dress up, and enjoy yourself at the holiday parties. Don't worry about finding a husband, because God is in control and knows what we need. Besides how can you meet Mr. Right, if you don't get out? That's what some folks told me. *wink*

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Tech Tuesday: Your S.ony/B.MG Music CDs



Here's something that you might want to read about. Last week, a co-worker and friend of mine forwarded an article to me about S.ony/BMG's music CDs. Apparently, in an effort to prevent people from illegally mass producing and selling the work of S.ony/C.olumbia artists, the company didn't tell music buyers that their CDs placed possibly harmful software on their computers that would open them up to hackers. S.ony didn't actually apologize for not telling customers that they held their computer's in harms way, but provided instructions on how to remove the software from their computers. They only took action after computer security experts got on their case. If you are concerned about this issue, please read on for more specifics==> S.ony/B.MG CDs and Unmentioned Software

When I read this article, I thought about how many S.ony/C.olumbia CDs that I bought this year. Just a few, but enough to do damage to my computer. Two in particular led to me to think that this happened to me. I usually buy most of my music in the middle of my workday at lunch time. Music is what keeps me calm at work and does a great job of focusing me on the task at hand. Once I remember trying to play a CD, but I was prevented from doing so. I was thinking, "Hmm. Did I just purchase a defective CD or was the computer set up (firewalls) at my job the reason for the CD not playing?" I took it home later that day, but I first had to go through some steps, before it would let me play it. I went ahead with S.ony/B.MG's instructions, because they claimed that the CD had some bonus hidden tracks and videos. I wonder could this possibly be what the articles are talking about. I guess I'll have to think twice before buying certain CDs.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Reporting From Cubicle Office 8-4



Co-Worker Workplace Violations...Drats!!!


I fully understand that I must work for for a living. As adults, that's just our lot in life. Fine. But why should the working experience be made so miserable by a few annoying, busybody co-workers? Let me hurry up and type this post, before one of them runs up on me during my break time. The violations are as following:

Personal Space Violators:

I don't know whether this has anything to do with the new perfume I've been wearing or what. But at least 3 co-workers have been violating my personal space, which annoys me to the highest degree. When I can see up their nose, and smell their breath, I think that's just too close up. I just can't understand why they feel they need to get up on me like that. And no matter how much I step back from them, they step forward to me....Touchy Feely Folks (TFFs) also fall into this category. They just can't hold a conversation unless they are touching or rubbing up on you. Enough already with the police pat downs and frisks. STOP IT!!!!!!*Adding HR & EEO Numbers To the Speed Dialing List*

Office Busybodies:

Office Busybodies are those co-workers who listen to your telephone calls, peak over your shoulder to see what is on your computer screen, ask you what time you came to work, inquire whether you were away from the office on a particular day, keep track of your lunchtime (and what you ate), ask you how much money you make, try to find out what kind of car you drive, ask you where you live, ask how much you pay for your rent/mortgage, ask about your personal life (boyfriend), poke around your cubicle when you walk away, and so on and so forth. I kid you not. Everything that I've listed has happened in my office.

Overly Competitive Co-Workers:

I know that many of us are striving to provide excellent work, however, is it really necessary for some to step on the heads of others to elevate themselves? A few weeks ago, a co-worker of mine took a project from me without telling me, because I sided with our attorneys. He didn't give me the courtesy of asking me whether I would mind trading projects with him. I very well would have given it to him. I started to fire off an email to him telling him how I didn't appreciate his lowdown, insincere tactics . But I decided against the email, and let it slide. Nevertheless, what's done is done. I keep reminding myself that I can't and shouldn't fight every battle that finds its way to me. Besides, I need to concentrate on determining how I will fit my new graduate school classes into my schedule.

Non-Handwashers:

Didn't we learn how to wash our hands as little kids? Apparently, some folks missed that all so important lesson from the looks of things in my office. There have been times when I have witnessed some female co-workers walk straight from the ladies' room stall out of the restroom altogether without putting any water and soap on their hands. Ladies aren't the only ones. Some male friends have told me that other men pee and go as well. And guess what? These are the same folks who just love having pot luck parties at work. They are forever bringing food to work. One old chick had the nerve to bring in strawberries that she dipped in chocolate. Now you know good and well that I didn't partake any of that. Besides, I didn't feel like testing my gag reflex. Shux, who are these people? *Good Grief*

Romantic Date Hunters/Stalkers:

These are the absolute worst. My motto at work is ==> Don't Bother Me!!! I'm really not mean at all by default. I was raised in the South. So, I will engage in light conversation to be polite.

A few years ago, an old (50-something year old) Puerto Rican co-worker couldn't seem to leave me the heck alone. I have to admit that to be nice I speak to all of the people who have cubicles near mine. The conversation usually relates to news, the weather, and other non-specific type of crap. However, Mr. D took things differently. Since I really have a hard time coming into work early, I end up spending late evenings in the office. He did too. But I would be working and minding my own business. When everybody else on the early schedule would leave, he would come to my office and chat about everything under the sun. He insisted that we Blacks and Hispanics should stick together. Many times, I would have to sneak away from the office before he made his way to me. He demanded that we spoke everyday.

Then one day lo and behold he struck the wrong chord with MISS ZEE. He let me know that he regularly listened to my phone calls, and other co-workers told me that they noticed him watching me. And another time, he tried to fill me out by asking what he could do to become appealing to the women, and whether he was too old for me. I ignored him, and went about my way. Besides, I don't get down with the elderly. But he got more forceful and annoying. While I was in the cafeteria waiting for my food, he came up behind me in line and said that he missed our conversations in front of the cafeteria lady serving the food. You should have seen the look on her face. Mr. D made things sound like we had a little something going on. Not! I didn't dignify him and walked off. Things never got better. He still stares, but I ended up moving my office to another cubicle to get away from him. Why can't folks just take the hint, and blast off? Hit the road, Jack!

I think that I've covered the most common violators in my office, and sincerely hope that you don't have to endure this kind of mess at your job. Hmm. Maybe I need to find a new office.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Does Mr. Biggs Have An Appointment With The Big House???



And Could the Caped Crusader's Musical Sidekick, R. Kelly, Join Him In The Big House Playing The Role of Robin?

Oh my. Say it ain't so. The ever-young, so-called ladies' man, dapper dan is in big, big trouble. The news wires have reported that 64-year old Ronald Isley aka Mr. Biggs has been recently convicted on multiple counts of tax evasion. It appears that Mr. Biggs didn't pay his taxes from 1997-2002 on his performance fees. The court also claims that he put property and a yacht in the names of his former wife and corporations, while also collecting royalty money due to his deceased brother's estate. I really don't understand why so many celebrities fall victim to their taxes, because although they have attorneys and accountants, they themselves the stars will have to serve time in jail for not taking personal responsibility. Mr. Biggs may give the impression of an old, old pimp in the music industry, but can he really hang in the confines of jail? He could face 26 years in the slammer. *Oh Snap* For more specifics, read the following: Mr. Biggs' Taxing Problem

With Martha Stewart just finishing her time, Lil' Kim currently doing her time, and the court estimating Ron Isley's, it appears that they may not be alone. Last week, it was reported that R. Kelly's legal case (involving illegal videotape dealings with underage girls) will continue and will not be thrown out as requested by his lawyers. For more information, read the following: R.Kelly's Not Off The Hook