Square Zebra

Commercial...

Funny little commercial from Centry21

A professional dressed, petite, blond woman is talking with a male real estate representative in his office:

Man: Shouldn’t we wait till your husband gets here?

Woman: I’m not married.

Man snickers

White text on black screen: “Not getting the most out of your real estate agent?”

Man: How about a nice townhouse? Girls love those!”

:)

Good Girl...

I'll be the first to admit that I like hearing that phrase. "Good girl, Danielle." But apparently that is not the most empowering phrase out there.

As a child I would silently beg for those words and as an adult I have found I still silently beg for the 'job well done' phrase. Is there anything wrong with wanting praise? No, I don't believe so. It's value statement to who we are. Proving we are likable. I think the trick is comparing the level of praise for the level of self-esteem. Especially within the work environment.

If we judge ourselves by a standard of our own worth rather then the standard set up by others (be that a boss, co-worker, employee) we have more confidence to push our boundaries to their fullest extent.

In Dr. Lois P. Frankel book "Nice Girls don't get the Corner Office,” she states in mistake 19

"Likeability is a critical factor in your success. People get promoted, demoted, hired, and fired based on how likable they are. There's a little girl in all of us who wants to be liked - and there's nothing wrong with that. It's when the needs of the little girl overshadows the rational, adult woman when we get into trouble." - p56

One tip Dr. Lois P. Frankel gives when confronting issues that we would normally back down from in order to be 'liked' is: "When people get angry or annoyed with us, its' often for the purpose of getting us to do what they want. Don't fall for the ploy."

Cat Training...

So this afternoon, I'm in the kitchen doing the last of some dishes and I hear this weird noise in the bathroom. Curious, and slightly freaked out someone might be in my apartment, I wiped my hands on the back of my skirt and cautiously walked over to the bathroom. And guess what I saw......

My cat!
In the bathtub!
His haunches next to the drain!
Doing his biz'ness!

I don't know if I should be happy that Cosmo knows to do it next to the drain, freaked out over how many times this has happened in the past, or thankful that he isn’t doing 'it' on my couch!

There's always an adventure in my home.

How much does IT really cost?

I was flipping through an old Fortune Magazine today while sitting in a waiting room when I ran across an ad from IBM. The first line stated "IT maintenance counts for 80% of your total costs."

Now even if it is only ... say, 60% it gives way to really think how much your network is really costing you. Most small businesses think that getting a computer and all is fixed for the next 10 years. Not so. Actually your hardware might be the cheapest part of your IT budget. Maintaining your networks is important. Especially as threats become more and more popular. **I have a theory that as Linux becomes more popular the need for secure networks/firewalls will grow for the home/small office user.**

Just my little reality check towards your IT costs via an IBM ad. :)

New Windows Update:

If you haven't heard - Windows Service Pack 2 is going to be released in about a month. Be pre-warned many programs you have running might not adapt so easily to the update. And this is a good thing!

Most of my first time clients have no idea how susceptible to virus attacks they are. Or even hackers. The SP2 will automatically find weak points in your network and close them down. Which means the days of jimmy-rigged routers are about to end.

The new system bolsters security on Windows, its built-in Internet Explorer browser and Outlook Express e-mail. Among the changes, a Windows Firewall will automatically be turned on, helping to guard against attack. The browser has been fortified, and a new attachment manager will offer tougher policing against e-mail-borne attacks.

The changes in the way Windows polices itself -- particularly the newly strengthened firewall -- could cause troubles for applications that are used to working with Windows' old ways. Some say that's particularly true of applications that regularly interact online, such as gaming programs or music services. - Article

When SP2 comes out be sure you are updated on all your software and hardware applications for a stress-free migration to a more secured network. :)

Hello:

I'm back! Again! Kind of! .... maybe?

Now I know you can't see it but I actually have code in this webpage that states "Free Newsletter, type email here" With a blank spot to put in your email address. - And even though I'm not a moron with even the most basic code, I still can't seem to get it to show up on the front end. Hence,

Anyone that wants to be added pass me an email at either [email protected] or [email protected] In the mean time I have stuck an expert on the code to find my missing period or < or = or some such.

Not the wittiest of entries I know but spending a lot of time white paper writing and all my brain power is in that direction right now. :) Either that or I'm watcing way to much Stewie on the Family Guy.... Stewie Stoned

Sleep:

I don't think I have slept in 3 days. And as I head out the door to go to help a friend and her overwhelming spam invasion... I think...

Wow... I LOVE what I do. :) Even if there is no sleep.