MSN Careers – 15 Weirdest Work Stories of 2007 – Career Advice Article

This from MSN Careers web pages. Have a weird work story? Share it with us here at TalkingPoints4Now.
I have to admit work can make for some bizzare situations sometimes.
MSN Careers – 15 Weirdest Work Stories of 2007 – Career Advice Article: “15 Weirdest Work Stories of 2007″

You’re Eating From A Lot of Places

Frozen catfish from China, beans from Belgium, jalapenos from Peru, blackberries from Guatemala, baked goods from Canada, India and the Philippines. About 150 countries, from Canada to Cambodia to China, export FDA-regulated goods to the USA. That’s a lot of “chefs” in the kitchen and no one can validate if they consistently turn out safe products. We’re literally getting our food from all over the globe and from countless suppliers.This globalization of American food with loose inspection procedures creates a theater for risk.- I will submit this, take control measures to insure safe imported food, and health care cost in the US will decline dramatically. Now lets throw in pot the fact that the average American eats about 260 pounds of imported foods, including processed, ready-to-eat products and single ingredients. Imports account for about 13 percent of the annual diet. Sooner than later under the existing system somebody is going to get something bad.

Consider this list of Chinese products detained by the FDA in March 2007: frozen catfish tainted with illegal veterinary drugs, fresh ginger polluted with pesticides, melon seeds contaminated with a cancer-causing toxin and filthy dried dates. From – http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18132087/ Why we are importing catfish from China I’ll never know. Anyway this is the short list real short list

With the latest meat recalls I’ve have found myself skeptical about consumption. I’m not about to convert to a total vegetable diet, but I do wonder if one day it’ll be the only solution to a safe meal. You see the thing about most food recalls is they do nothing if you’ve already consumed the recalled product. Sure it eliminates some percentage of future consumption. But lets be real. There are always those that miss the recall announcements, there are the mom and pop side road cafes that are unaware that they may be serving bad product, and going out on a limb here, there are probably shady, under the health department radar establishments that would rather not know about recalls. Add in the fact, there is no way every pound of contaminated product shipped could be accounted for any way.

Point is, the FDA and USDA has to come up with a better solution to stop tainted food from ever leaving the processing premises. They have to come up with the staff, plans and tools to address this as the import industry is continuing to grow. This results in more food not being inspected increasing the risk of consumption of contaminated food. This should be some politican’s #1 priority. For us, we should keep it on the radar.
That’s the memo. Comments???


Interesting Reads
The Carnivore Project: “A USA Today analysis of USDA recall data has turned up two pieces of surprising news. First, that USA Today does ‘analysis’, and secondly that the majority of recalled meat is never actually returned. For the 73 meat recalls over the past two years, recovery rates have only averaged around 44%. For five recalls, the recovery rate was blow 20%A USA Today analysis of USDA recall data has turned up two pieces of surprising news. First, that USA Today does ‘analysis’, and secondly that the majority of recalled meat is never actually returned. For the 73 meat recalls over the past two years, recovery rates have only averaged around 44%. For five recalls, the recovery rate was blow 20%”

Bandit’s Corner – Self Worth

Wow!
My buddy got flooded with emails regarding the book ” The Bandit Theory” and upcoming excerpts. So much so we decided to go ahead and share excerpt # 1. Enjoy.

Bandit on “Self Worth”

What’s all this standing outside of stores and begging for loose change about? As a matter of a fact just what is loose change? All change is loose. Do these people really think my owner is going to give them all his change? Loose change spare????? change really what is this about?

And you can see the beg coming, these people get real courteous, speaking to my owner like they were high school pals, smiling like they are about to take a photo, petting me on my head and all. Probably don’t even like dogs.

Well, even I know, nothing comes for free, and people work too hard to give their money away to the same person everyday. You’d think the ones with their hands out leaning on the wall would know that.

What they need to know is ,you do what you need to do to legally and respectfully support yourself , it’s as simple as that.

In my case…….
I need food and water, I have to earn it. So I do some tricks, watch the house, provide some companionship, fetch something ( I think the Humane Society might be interested in this beer fetching out of the fridge) but point being, you have to offer some sort of value if you want people to invest in you, even if it’s loose change.

Now if I can figure that out, you would think all humans would…………but some people call me dumb. That’s the memo! Feel free to elaborate.

From Bandit’s Corner

Hi I’m Bandit
Sort of the editor and chief of security here at Talkingpoints4now, as well as the subject of some upcoming topics. My sidekick, caretaker, and all around shotgun buddy is the author of this blog. He is currently working on a book as well as this blog and a full time job (I eat a lot) entitled “The Bandit Theory” life’s lessons and wisdom from the mind of a Rat Terrier (me). I’ve convinced him to share excerpts from the book here from time to time to sort of give our devoted readers a preview. I’ll see if I can get you a discount on the book when it’s published too
So look for my picture in upcoming posts signaling an excerpt from the book.
Well, gotta go, paws getting tired from typing.
See Ya!

Have Good Weekends Instead of a Couple of Days Off

For those of the working population fortunate enough to have the traditional weekend days off after five days of work, kids, commutes, bills, and depressing TV news, you should take a different approach to the two days that bring closure to the week gone by.

I feel safe in saying a large number of the worldly population has sort of fallen into the routine of letting the weekends come and go for the most part. Yes, it’s a geared down transition from the preceding week for most and we get a chance to maybe catch a few breaths and spend a little more time with family and friends. But are we really making the most of this time?

If the mindset is “it’s a couple of days off” you’re probably not getting the best return on these two days because you investment is minimum. Here is what I propose………….

• Plan an unusual activity for say, Saturday, something you wouldn’t normally do, something different. Step away from the norm for a change. Early morning Bread & Breakfast with the significant other, take the kids on a mid day tour someplace interesting, or treat yourself to a spa pampering, or helicopter (yes) ride. Have coffee at a quaint out of the way small subtly lit coffee shop with just coffee, newspaper, and a small notebook.
• Get out of the house and away from anything work related ( leave the Blackberry /Treo devices at home). You’ll be amazed at how liberating it feels to be without them for a day. I’ve always said, if someone is managing or running a company or business that cannot survive without contacting them for one day, well it’s not being ran very well.
• Give yourself a break from the home chores. Attempt to get them done if possible during the work week for a change by using clever cleaning schedules, and downward delegation to other members of the household and pets ( yes get the pets in on it, they should at least pick up their toys) I wouldn’t look forward to time off either if in reality I still have to work.
• See a play instead of a movie (you’re going to buy the DVD anyway. And take a cab, let someone else drive you for a change. Watch a live band perform. Go to a college or high school sports activity, it’s amazing the passion people that aren’t getting millions to play put into a game or contest.

Where this is going is start enjoying your time away from work by breaking out your “routine” I’m not advocating abandoning your basic responsibilities and commitments but I am suggesting spicing up your free time with different activities. You’ll advance socially, learn something new, and approach Monday morning with a brand new attitude.

Sidewalk Congestion Rivals Traffic Jams

On the sidewalks of New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Miami, and just about every major metropolitan city there are walkers, runners, standing and gazing in awe tourist, squatters tying walking shoes, readers and texters, groups creeping at a snails pace, impaired staggers, the occasional toddler stumbling. Then there are some that’s just sitting, or laying whatever their preference or state of mind demands at the moment.

Hundreds of different people traveling the same real estate without the aid of signs and traffic control. It can get messy frustrating, and at times downright frustrating. Road rage has nothing on some incidents of sidewalk rage when the to many bumps, grinds, stepped on heels, creeping groups blocking any forward progress reaches the boiling point.

Here is a wonderful article published in 2002 By Marc Santora that give a delightful yet beneficial quick course on navigating city sidewalks a little bearable for all. If you live in or will be visiting or moving to a major metropolitan city you will find this a good read………

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9403E4D71739F935A25754C0A9649C8B63

Gift Cards – Could Offend

“‘When you give someone a gift card, you’re saying ” I’m giving you money as a gift but I want you to spend it here” Also you only have a certain amount of time to spend it.

Sounds sort of callous and thoughtless.

Back in the day it was considered thoughtless to throw money at people as gifts as opposed to putting the thought and effort into acquiring a gift that had meaning, substance, and sustainability. I think most people want their gift to be around and be useful for a while after it is given. Don’t think so? Why do you think women love a beautiful piece of jewelry? Men a nice big screen TV? Try giving someone the value of a beautiful diamond ring in the form of a coffee shop gift card and brace yourself for the reaction. Or on the eve of an engagement give the lady a gift card to the jewelry store.

Gifts are received and retained because the giver thought enough to search and ponder for something suitable for the personality and possible desire of the person they are giving to. Gift Cards in our fast paced environment seem almost a common mainstay as takeout food. However, that doesn’t fly either. We have a resource at our disposal that we didn’t have back in the day that leaves no out for finding that perfect gift It’s called online shopping. No crowds, no sales pressure, no gas consumption, and literally hundreds of competitors to compare prices. You can take your time when you want and come up with a gift surely to be embraced and treasured.

Gift card to me says you didn’t even think about what the recipient would like. “Let’s just get em some gift cards and they can get what they want” Really? What confirms the thinking that I want coffee for a gift from the coffee shop I buy it at everyday? What makes you think I would want an everyday common staple as a gift?

Yeah, he likes coffee, but if I’ve paid for it up to this point I probably can keep doing it. Besides the coffee is my choice, a gift should be the giver’s choice not influenced necessarily by a habit of the receiver.

I think we should return to investing a little more into those that matter enough to invest in a gift for…….like our time and touch in selecting a gift that will be remembered as opposed to “spent” Try it, you won’t regret it. The reciepient sure won’t.

8 Lessons I Learned From The Cheapest Family In The Nation

Are you looking to crack down and save some money for the upcoming new year? Some thing out there you been trying to acquire but just never seem to have the funds? Or maybe you are finally admitting you’re throwing a lot of money to the wind when you dont have to. Take some tips from this family of family of seven living on $35,000 a year after taxes. It will take some sacrificing and discipline but if you inventory your lifestyle, I’ll bet you find there is a whole lot of areas you could trim, and then most importantly put the savings away.
8 Lessons I Learned From The Cheapest Family In The Nation

What say you?

Holiday Shopping Awareness

With the holidays among us it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of shopping, giving and receiving and drop our awareness of what’s going on around us.

Be cognisant of your surroundings when out and about, especially when shopping.
I urge daytime shopping if at all possible if you are having to go at it alone. Go early in the morning or even better mid-day during mid-week when most everyone else is at work.

When using garages or lots at night, always park in a well lit area, that has substantial human traffic. Never leave packages in plain view in a vehicle, SUV owners make sure the cargo area is concealed. Tint your cargo windows, get a pit bull for the back, but don’t leave a shopping extravaganza in full view. Always lock your vehicle and inspect the interior before entering when returning from your shopping excursions. Try to avoid parking next to closed in vans and trucks whenever possible, and when approaching your vehicle look underneath as well.

When juggling small children and packages and returning to a vehicle parked in the rear of a mall lot during night hours, request a security escort. If that is not possible have your keys ready and walk directly and determined to the location of your vehicle. The most vunerable person for a shopping related robbery is one that has small children and packages with them.

Unloading at home. I try to be as discreet as possible when taking packages inside, I do it quickly, and quietly. Trust me, there are individuals quite content with letting you do their Christmas shopping for them, and picking up the goods while you’re at work or out. Depending upon the effectiveness of your neighborhood watch, or resident canine, displaying wrapped packages under a Christmas tree in an open window may or may not be a good idea. Be careful with this. Frankly for me my resident canine takes care of any peeping toms turned cat burglars.

And plastic payment seems the currency of choice during the holiday season. Check this story http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/21/60minutes/main3530302.shtml that aired on CBS 60 minutes Sunday, November 25th, 2007 regarding brick and mortar security breeches relating to credit card and other personal information. Be careful who you hand your plastic payment to and watch the process through from beginning to end, and always get a receipt for the authorized card charges as well as the purchases. Use trusted sites when shopping online, and ignore these scams requesting you help the widow of some honorable dignitary get money out of a bank in some third world cave.

Enjoy your holiday, be safe and cautious about the season. Comments and tips? Feel free!

Gas Prices & Spikes Memo

Gas prices seem to rise and fall at the drop of a hat ( or foreign conflict) these days. I’m suspect to to some of the reasons behind the spikes.
Consider :
Typically, the demand for gas spikes during the summer, when lots of people go on vacation. Holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July create logjams of tourist traffic during the summer. This high demand usually translates into higher gasoline prices, although that’s not always the case. For instance, while gas prices soared 31 cents in April and early May of 2001, reaching $1.71 per gallon (which now seems inexpensive compared to today’s prices), prices actually declined during the 2001 summer.

In 2004, prices continued to rise past the end of the summer travel season for a variety of reasons, including hurricanes and an increase in the price of crude oil. And in 2005, Hurricane Katrina (along with a sizeable increase in crude oil prices) pushed prices to $3.07 per gallon on September 5, 2005. Prices settled down somewhat in November and December of 2005. But now the numbers are climbing again, with an average price for regular unleaded gas at $3.26 right now (May 21, 2007), an all-time high.

Price increases generally occur when the world crude-oil market tightens and lowers inventories. Go here http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx for a view of gas prices around the country.

One effective response to spikes is to make sure your vehicle is top operating condition giving you the most mileage per gallon you can possibly obtain. And shop and compare before purchasing.
As long as there are politicians and natural disasters as well as Middle East Concerns, expect the see sawing of gas prices to continue to. Thoughts?