WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
My office is a mess. I consider it my den, or it may also be considered my “Man Cave”. I use the office for several different things. I, of course, prepare my column here; I also handle a lot of Lions Club business, do a quarterly high school class newsletter, and have recently taken over preparing the monthly Lions Club newsletter. This was previously handled by Lion Bruce Snook, so I have some very big shoes to fill. Back to the topic of this paragraph. Over the years, I have accumulated a lot of stuff. I’m a bit of a pack rat, and it’s very difficult for me to throw stuff away. The late George Carlin did a bit on “stuff”, and he really made some valid points. I have more than I need of paper with printing on one side. I use this for printing things that will not be shared with anyone else. I also have quite a few perfectly good items that I don’t really have a use for right now, but the minute I get rid of an item, I’ll discover a need for it. I realize that I’m not the only one with this characteristic, or problem, but I am trying to do something about it.
I’m very fortunate to have some very nice friends. I’ve mentioned Anna before, and she is really well organized. I asked her to stop by and possibly give me some advice. I even offered to buy her a cup of coffee. She did stop by, and after I helped her back to her feet, she agreed that I suffered from “Packratidness”. She offered some very helpful hints, and I’m trying my best to follow through on the free advice. I’m expecting a very large dumpster to arrive within the next couple of days. If you’d like to meet Anna, let me know.
This is one of the favorite seasons for the bad guys. Quite a few of you have already started your holiday shopping. Once again, I’d like to share some tips that might save you a lot of money, not to mention your reputation. Here are three things you’ll want to remember about identity theft:
Goofy can acquire your data without breaking into your home. He is watching you as you punch in your credit card number, and he has a very good memory.
Goofy loves to “dumpster dive”. Make sure your credit card and bank statements are shredded, rather than just thrown out in the trash. Your social security number is a hot item.
Watch what information you put in your computer profile. Your full name, date of birth, home town, relationship status, school locations, and even graduation dates are valuable to Goofy. Goofy also loves to know when you’ll be away on vacation.
With Thanksgiving next week, you’ve probably already done your grocery shopping for that annual feast. Did you remember to pick up a few extra items for that neighbor who might need some help? Are you going away for Thanksgiving, or are you planning to have family and friends gather at your home? If the latter is true, perhaps you might set an extra place setting for the elderly lady next door. The local senior citizen facilities will prepare a fine meal, I’m sure, but if you have a chance, you might consider visiting one of these homes and spending a few minutes just talking with several of the residents. Your kind deed would not go unnoticed.
Not everyone has Thanksgiving Day off. Your Public Safety personnel work 24/7. Instead of saving those leftovers for yourself, wrap up some turkey and dressing and take them down to the fire department. There are always at least four guys at Station Two who would be very appreciative.
A final word this time about Thanksgiving. If your garbage is normally picked up on Thursday, it will be picked up on Friday next week. Friday’s trash will be taken away on Saturday. Even your Sanitation Engineer gets a day off now and then.
I will now try to get Out and About to the post office, if I can find my way to the door of my office. It was there when I came in.
See you Out and About!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman
