BREAKING NEWS: ALL Legally Married Same Sex Couples

Great news! 

After months of urging by HRC, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have just announced a ruling that ensures all legally-married same-sex couples, regardless of where they live, will be recognized for federal tax purposes.

This is a huge victory in the fight for full equality for same-sex couples, and we want everyone to have this information as soon as possible. 

Will you take a quick moment to spread the word about this exciting news by sharing the image below with your friends on Facebook and other on line Social Networks?

Thank You!

Make Over Edition of Today's Woman is OUT!!!

woo hooo!  Loved what they had me wearing! It was so beautiful.  The photographs don't do them justice!  Loving my new do too!


Click HERE to be transported to the online copy of Today's Woman or just copy & paste the URL below!

http://issuu.com/todayswoman.com/docs/twseptember2013?e=1956771/4711992

E-cigarette Health Risks

E-cigarette health risks could potentially outweigh the risks of smoking regular cigarettes. The levels of nicotine in e-cigarettes can kill a child, its carcinogens can cause cancer in adults, and the unknown chemicals added to the nicotine-laced liquid solution are kept hidden from the consumer. Because of the e-cigarette health risks, “the French government has already vowed to extend existing legislation controlling the sale and consumption of tobacco to cover e-cigarettes,” reported EuroNews on Aug. 27, 2013.

The e-cigarette health risk warning has been issued after a French study discovered that e-cigarettes are not as harmless and without health risks as many e-cigarette smokers are led to believe.

“The vapours can contain almost the same amounts of the carcinogenic compound formaldehyde as in a conventional cigarette.”

*~*~*~*~*

Concerns about the health effects of e-cigarettes have prompted a California town to consider a moratorium on new shops hoping to sell them.

"The city [of Seal Beach, Calif.] wants more time to explore the health effects and any time you have a smoke related business you want to take careful consideration and figure out how it impacts the community," Seal Beach Community Development Director, Jim Basham, told My Fox LA.

*~*~*

Because they contain no tobacco, e-cigarettes aren't subject to U.S. tobacco laws, which means they can be purchased without proof of age, especially online. This raises concerns that e-cigs may be particularly appealing to kids and may encourage nicotine addiction among young people. And while manufacturers of the e-cigarette claim that it's the cigarette you can "smoke" anywhere, regulatory agencies around the world are taking a close look at these gadgets and instituting a range of restrictions on their use.

Sources:

Examiner.com:
http://www.examiner.com/article/e-cigarettes-health-france-fda-warns-of-health-risks-posed-by-e-cigarettes

UPI:
http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/08/27/E-cigarettes-still-contain-carcinogens-pose-health-risks-study-says/1981377654212/


Health: How Stuff Works

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/smoking-cessation/10-facts-about-e-cigarettes.htm

Take Special Care of Pets During The Long Hot Days *PLEASE SHARE*

We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger, warn ASPCA experts. 

"Even the healthiest pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat," says Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, "and heat stroke can be fatal if not treated promptly."

Take these simple precautions, provided by ASPCA experts, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately.

READ MORE

SOURCE:  http://pets.webmd.com

P.S. 

Don't forget the neighborhood strays and our feathered friends!

Set out some water for them too!  

PLEASE SHARE!

Honest Teens in New Jersey!

Now for some Great News involving teenagers!  I love posting this kind of stuff!  Renews my hope for the future!



From Wayne, NJ:

 A broken lock led several young men to believe a store they were entering was open on a Sunday morning in New Jersey, but Buddy's Small Lots was supposed to be closed.


Surveillance cameras catch the men doing their shopping and then searching for a clerk.
They call out for someone to ring up their purchases, but they don't know the store is actually closed.



The men end up leaving their money on the counter, take their merchandise, and leave.


Click  HERE to read entire story!

Source: CBS New York

 http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/08/27/honest-shoppers-mistakenly-break-into-n-j-store-pay-for-goods/

Free Sergio and Julio: Our innocent sons jailed in Mexico

Hi!

I just signed the petition "Free Sergio and Julio: Our innocent sons jailed in Mexico" on Change.org.

It's important. Will you sign it too?  

Click HERE to sign the petition 

OR 

copy & paste the URL to your browser.

 Here's the link:

http://www.change.org/petitions/free-sergio-and-julio-our-innocent-sons-jailed-in-mexico?share_id=RhbfRyUMUT&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition

Thanks!

Sean Le Vegan's 35 Days In A Kennel To Raise Awareness About Shelter Dogs

A British animal activist is prepared to spend more than one month behind kennel bars in order to raise awareness about shelter dogs.

Sean Le Vegan, a web designer, will live in a kennel for 35 days starting Oct. 5 at Manchester Dogs Home, where he is a volunteer, the Manchester Evening News reports. The shelter, which was established 100 years ago, takes in around 4,000 dogs each year -- a mere 34 percent of the strays it finds. Thirty-five days is the average time a pup stays at the pound.

“It’s going to be really tough, but I didn’t want to dress up in a pickle suit or run 26 miles or any of the usual things," he told the publication. "I want to really show people what stray dogs go through, and experience it for myself.”

Read Article In It's Entirety HERE

OR copy & paste URL:

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/15/sean-le-vegan-kennel_n_3598822.html?utm_hp_ref=good-news&ir=Good%20News

Known as The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape, Julia has made it her personal mission to put Reality back into Spirituality™. Julia sets out to assist people in expanding their conscious awareness through her rather unique and personal take on the human experience. 

In the style of Erma Bombeck, Julia utilizes her own brand of humor and down to earth demeanor to get her messages across in an all so delightful way. 

Julia is  currently  with the Louisville Metro Police Department Major Crimes Unit  and is presently pursuing a degree in psychology specializing in Criminal profiling. 

PLEASE NOTE:  All artwork, unless otherwise specified, are the property of the individual artists themselves. The author of these blogs claims no ownership of the original artwork, but only of the sig tags created using said artwork. Each sig tag shown on these blogs include the appropriate copyright information of the Artists and the unique licensure for use.

Reproduction and copying of said work without proper authority is strictly prohibited




Unless otherwise specified, ALL articles on this Blogger are the property of Julia K. Cole.  The ZEN of Duct Tape™, it's name, teachings, modalities, and all excerpts; the nicknames The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape™,  The Duct Tape Diva™; Putting Reality Back Into Spirituality™, Reality back into Spirituality™ are the property and trade marks of Julia K. Cole and are protected under Copy Right Laws both here in the USA and Around The World.  

All Rights Reserved©™

Can Your Diet Help Relieve Rheumatoid Arthritis?

As someone who lives with rheumatoid arthritis, I'm always looking for ways of getting the most out of my life.  Preferably with as little pain as possible.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, like me and millions of others,  you may have heard that a specific diet or certain foods can ease your pain, stiffness, and fatigue. 

Eating certain foods or avoiding certain foods may help your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. But the Arthritis Foundation says there is no specific "arthritis diet."

Read the Article In it's Entirety by Clicking HERE

Source: Web MD http://www.webmd.com/




Known as The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape, Julia has made it her personal mission to put Reality back into Spirituality™. Julia sets out to assist people in expanding their conscious awareness through her rather unique and personal take on the human experience. 

In the style of Erma Bombeck, Julia utilizes her own brand of humor and down to earth demeanor to get her messages across in an all so delightful way. 

Julia is  currently  with the Louisville Metro Police Department Major Crimes Unit  and is presently pursuing a degree in psychology specializing in Criminal profiling. 

PLEASE NOTE:  All artwork, unless otherwise specified, are the property of the individual artists themselves. The author of these blogs claims no ownership of the original artwork, but only of the sig tags created using said artwork. Each sig tag shown on these blogs include the appropriate copyright information of the Artists and the unique licensure for use.

Reproduction and copying of said work without proper authority is strictly prohibited



Unless otherwise specified, ALL articles on this Blogger are the property of Julia K. Cole.  The ZEN of Duct Tape™, it's name, teachings, modalities, and all excerpts; the nicknames The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape™,  The Duct Tape Diva™; Putting Reality Back Into Spirituality™, Reality back into Spirituality™ are the property and trade marks of Julia K. Cole and are protected under Copy Right Laws both here in the USA and Around The World.  

All Rights Reserved©™

From The WTF????!!!! Files (An Editorial)

"May you live in interesting times."     

Though it's unclear where that saying really came from, it packs a bit of a wallop just the same.  Because we are definitely (more so than ever before) living in "interesting times!"

More gruesome than any slasher/sci fi film, the daily news is a cesspool of horrific acts committed by individuals in the most god awful manner, for the most sickening lame ass reasons.

Boredom or Just Being a Fuck Tard?

The latest string of fucktard activity comes from Oklahoma and Indiana.  Both involving "bored teens."  Seriously?  You're bored so you go out and kill an innocent person and/or animal? WTF?!

And you wanna know what's really bad about their excuse?  Sadly and sickeningly enough saying you're bored only ranks a close second to shrugging your shoulders and muttering I dunno.  Remember that excuse?  Anyone?  Anyone?

So to ease your boredom you go out and kill innocents?   Well, guess what?  I hear there's a lot of BORED in-mates there in prison.  And I'll give ya three guesses what they do to ease their boredom!    And yours to boot!  

Bored teens kill Australian baseball player.  OMG!  This is just too much!

Read story HERE


And in other news...yet another bored teen goes out and hunts down little kittens with a bow & arrow.  And then post pictures of his kill on Face Book.  Big Bwana out wits kittens in alley!  Oh you're such a mighty mighty hunter aren't ya?   Asshole!  

Read story HERE



Cure for Boredom???

Back when they were teenagers, my boys told me only once  they were bored.   Only once you say?  Ohhhh yea!   You see, I did what MY parents did to me when I slipped up and said I was bored, I put'em to work cleaning the house, the yard, and a wild assortment of other chores.  Naturally I had to stand over them, supervising them and reminding them that boredom is a symptom of laziness and stupidity.  Hard work is the cure!    And yes!  I sincerely believe that.  It kept my boys (and a few of their friends) from going out and doing some fucktard thing like killing a person or animals. Not to mention, my house and yard looked FABULOUS for a good long time!  

In all honesty, I say it's long past due to  lay down the law the old fashioned way.  Put them brats to work!  Let doing a good job, experienced gained,  a hot meal (or two) be their reward!  It'll look great on a resume!  And...EVERYONE will benefit!

There is plenty of litter on the streets that need to be picked up!  There's lots of graffiti needing to be cleaned off buildings, under-passes and the like.    Put their bored asses on a farm and let them work there for their room and meals.   I promise you, by the time they get finished, they'll be too pooped to be bored.  And even if they still managed to find an ounce of energy to be bored, they'll be too tired to do anything about it!  

I am serious as a heart attack people!    These work initiatives need to be implemented in every city, town, burb in every state across this Nation.  NOW! 

Work their little bored asses into the ground and you'll cut down on this freeze dried bullshit big time!

Known as The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape, Julia has made it her personal mission to put Reality back into Spirituality™. Julia sets out to assist people in expanding their conscious awareness through her rather unique and personal take on the human experience. 

In the style of Erma Bombeck, Julia utilizes her own brand of humor and down to earth demeanor to get her messages across in an all so delightful way. 

PLEASE NOTE:  All artwork, unless otherwise specified, are the property of the individual artists themselves. The author of these blogs claims no ownership of the original artwork, but only of the sig tags created using said artwork. Each sig tag shown on these blogs include the appropriate copyright information of the Artists and the unique licensure for use.

Reproduction and copying of said work without proper authority is strictly prohibited



Unless otherwise specified, ALL articles on this Blogger are the property of Julia K. Cole.  The ZEN of Duct Tape™, it's name, teachings, modalities, and all excerpts; the nicknames The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape™,  The Duct Tape Diva™; Putting Reality Back Into Spirituality™, Reality back into Spirituality™ are the property and trade marks of Julia K. Cole and are protected under Copy Right Laws both here in the USA and Around The World.  

All Rights Reserved©™

Take Part: Helping protect our Animals World Wide!

Be part of a growing community of individuals advocating for the protection of animals by joining Take Part Wildlife.

Stay up to date about  about wildlife issues and ways you can make a difference by getting on their email list.. 

Click HERE to be transported to the TakePart WILDLIFE website.  

Or copy and paste URL below
http://www.takepart.com/wildlife?cmpid=tpanimals-eml-welcome

PLEASE SHARE ON ALL YOUR 

ON LINE SOCIAL NETWORKS!

THANKS!

My Sacred Script: Excerpt from The ZEN of Duct Tape™©

My Sacred Script

As I sit here and ponder My Sacred Script, it appears that another layer of my old self is being stripped away. 

And just like the other layers that were removed prior to this, I am experiencing a certain pain on this day.    This pain can be liken to the labor pains of a pregnant woman ... as I know I am about to give birth to a stronger and more improved being.

A Being that has stood the test of time and endured all trials and tribulations written out in My Sacred Script.   Challenges faced and overcome in order to obtain a higher status on a spiritual level.

My prize is one of Honor and of strength.   Honor in knowing I did the best I could, and for the most part, all with good intentions.  Strength gained by overcoming adversity.  All of which was written in My Sacred Script.  And through agreements made so long ago I have become wiser; and yes, stronger.

I hold no ill will towards any being who took part in plotting my destruction or who took part in trying to prevent me from moving forward.  I know that these beings were instrumental in my growth process.  They are, were, and continue to be, without a shadow of a doubt, the most important players on this journey.

For I now see through the eyes of my Higher Self that they hold an honorable position.  They who chose and agreed to play the part of being despised and hated for their seemingly wrong doing.  Now I can see no evil they did.  Through the eyes of my Higher Self I see a truly loving entity who took on the burden to assist me in becoming a stronger being.  They honored their agreement with me in acting the part of the 'villain' as was written so long ago in My Sacred Script.   

Then there are the Dark Ones who have crossed my path time and again, those entities who have no light in their lives.  Those creatures who maliciously, and with forethought and ill intent sought out and continue to seek the destruction of any Light Being.  I know now, and see clearly, that they too were written in My Sacred Script in order to prove not just to myself, but to any and all onlookers, that the bright shining light of Love cannot be extinguished.  And it does indeed conquer all!

Now as I sit and ponder these things in My Sacred Script I can see how very far I have traveled.  I can now see clearly through the eyes of my Higher Self how very far I have come.   Though there are those who would look at my journey and see defeat, I have had many victories.     Because I know that in My Sacred Script, failure is not nor has it ever been possible.

As I turn the next page of My Sacred Script, I see how far I yet to go on this journey before I finally make it home.  I turn the page knowing that  I am what I am because of  what I have learned.   And through my learning I have become stronger ... and will continue doing ... and yes ... growing ... by those things written in My Sacred Script.

For As It Was written...

So Shall It Be Done!

©All Rights Reserved

Do Not Use Without Explicit Written Permission From Author

Excerpt from:  The ZEN of Duct Tape™

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PLEASE READ

Known as The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape, Julia has made it her personal mission to put Reality back into Spirituality™. Julia sets out to assist people in expanding their conscious awareness through her rather unique and personal take on the human experience. 

In the style of Erma Bombeck, Julia utilizes her own brand of humor and down to earth demeanor to get her messages across in an all so delightful way. 

PLEASE NOTE:  All artwork, unless otherwise specified, are the property of the individual artists themselves. The author of these blogs claims no ownership of the original artwork, but only of the sig tags created using said artwork. Each sig tag shown on these blogs include the appropriate copyright information of the Artists and the unique licensure for use.

Reproduction and copying of said work without proper authority is strictly prohibited

Unless otherwise specified, ALL articles on this Blogger are the property of Julia K. Cole.  The ZEN of Duct Tape™, it's name, teachings, modalities, and all excerpts; the nicknames The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape™,  The Duct Tape Diva™; Putting Reality Back Into Spirituality™, Reality back into Spirituality™ are the property and trade marks of Julia K. Cole and are protected under Copy Right Laws both here in the USA and Around The World.  

All Rights Reserved©™

Gilda's Club

Cancer affects everyone.  This is a sad but very true fact of life for many.   

Gilda’s Club creates welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer – men, women, teens and children – along with their families and friends. Our innovative program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, lectures and social activities, all free of charge.

Below is a little information on how the Club itself came about.

If you are interested in learning more about Gilda's Club or wish to be a member, please GOOGLE Gilda's Club for a location nearest you!

And please be sure to post on all your Social Networks!  Thanks!


About Gilda's Club:

Gilda Radner was an American comedian and actress, best known for her five years as part of the original cast of Saturday Night Live.    At the age of 42 Ms. Radner became an icon for public awareness of both detection and treatment of ovarian cancer.  A disease she herself succumbed to in late May of 1989. 

It was Ms. Radner's dying wish to create a place where people with cancer could go to receive support. Through the efforts of  Gene Wilder (Gilda's husband) and Joanna Bull (Gilda's therapist), the first Gilda's Club was opened in New York City in 1995.

History of Gilda’s Club Worldwide:  

Gilda’s Club was founded in 1991 by Joanna Bull, Gilda Radner’s cancer psychotherapist, together with Gilda’s husband, Gene Wilder, with the help of film critic Joel Siegel, actor/singer Mandy Patinkin and several of Gilda’s other friends.

The first Gilda’s Club, including a world wide training center, opened its signature red door in New York City in 1995. 

The relationship between Gilda’s Club Worldwide and its affiliates is close but flexible.

            -No annual dues are paid to Gilda’s Club Worldwide

            -Money that is raised locally stays local

            -Training is provided at the Gilda’s Club Worldwide Training Center 

            -Gilda’s Club Worldwide hosts an annual Affiliates Conference for networking and education.

*~*~*~*~*~*

For more information or to find a Gilda's Club near you, please Google Gilda's Club.

For those in the Louisville Metro area:

Click HERE to be transported to the Gilda's Club Louisville website.

Or just copy & paste the URL below

http://www.gildasclublouisville.org/

Please share this information on 

ALL your online Social Networks!  

Thanks!

 Source:  http://www.gildasclublouisville.org/

Keystone XL = 37.7 Million Additional Cars on the Road **PLEASE SHARE**

MESSAGE FROM TOM STEYER: Soon President Obama will make a decision on expanding the Keystone XL pipeline. Here are some facts: It will transport more than 800,000 barrels of oil every day and emit 181 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. In spite of those facts, TransCanada is hitting us with a barrage of ads saying one thing:  The Keystone XL pipeline won't do any harm. If that sounds impossible, it's because it is. Building the pipeline would be the equivalent of adding 37.7 million new cars on the road every day. And I want to be clear about something: There is no way to adequately offset that damage. Anyone who tells you otherwise is spinning fairy tales. With so much misinformation on the airwaves,  it's up to us to get the truth out -- share this infographic on Facebook  and tell your friends just what is on the line: http://action.nextgenclimate.org/37-million-cars There's no scenario in which an expanded Keystone XL pipeline does less than irrevocable damage to our country's breathable air, environments from north to south, and nearby ecosystems like the Alberta Boreal forest.  Building the pipeline would be like firing up 51 new coal power plants, and there's no magic button we can press to undo that damage. Canada's plans for oil sand production would make adequate offsets impossible, but since a lot of people stand to make a lot of money off of the Keystone XL pipeline, they're trying to sell us a fairy tale in which our actions have no consequences, pollution has no impact on our environment, and they get to rake in a ton of cash while we sit back and let them. This isn't a fairy tale, this is serious. And we can't let them get away with it. Share this graphic on Facebook today: http://action.nextgenclimate.org/37-million-cars We can prevent the Keystone XL pipeline from expanding. But you and I can't do it alone -- and that's why it's so important to tell others. By the time President Obama makes his decision, our Facebook friends should be sick of hearing from us on Keystone. What's important is that they know the facts. Thanks for spreading the word,

Important Information for Bloggers

Some very important information bloggers need to have on hand.  And some really great reviews on movies and TV shows as well.

Click HERE to review the information or just copy and paste the URL below

http://from-the-sidelines.blogspot.com/2013/06/ohbelog-referral-spam.html

Known as The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape, Julia has made it her personal mission to put Reality back into Spirituality™. Julia sets out to assist people in expanding their conscious awareness through her rather unique and personal take on the human experience. 

In the style of Erma Bombeck, Julia utilizes her own brand of humor and down to earth demeanor to get her messages across in an all so delightful way. 

PLEASE NOTE:  All artwork, unless otherwise specified, are the property of the individual artists themselves. The author of these blogs claims no ownership of the original artwork, but only of the sig tags created using said artwork. Each sig tag shown on these blogs include the appropriate copyright information of the Artists and the unique licensure for use.

Reproduction and copying of said work without proper authority is strictly prohibited




Unless otherwise specified, ALL articles on this Blogger are the property of Julia K. Cole.  The ZEN of Duct Tape™, it's name, teachings, modalities, and all excerpts; the nicknames The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape™,  The Duct Tape Diva™; Putting Reality Back Into Spirituality™, Reality back into Spirituality™ are the property and trade marks of Julia K. Cole and are protected under Copy Right Laws both here in the USA and Around The World.  

All Rights Reserved©™

Beekeeping Industry Sues EPA for Approval of Bee-Killing Pesticide

 National Beekeeping organizations along with the National Honey Bee Advisory Board have come together in an attempt to protect the bee industry by an appeal against EPA for its approval of the pesticide Sulfoxaflor, shown to be "highly toxic" to honey bees, and other insect pollinators. Sulfoxaflor is a new chemistry, and the first of a newly assigned sub-class of pesticides in the "neonicotinoid" class of pesticides, which some scientists across the globe have linked as a potential factor to widespread and massive bee colony collapse. The case is filed as the beekeeping industry across the country struggles for survival, and faces the costly effects of pesticides upon their businesses. 

The National Pollinator Defense Fund, American Honey Producers Association, National Honey Bee Advisory Board, the American Beekeeping Federation, and beekeepers Bret Adee, Jeff Anderson and Thomas R. Smith have filed an appeal against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, requesting changes needed in the Sulfoxaflor label, the Biological Economic Assessment Division (BEAD) assessment of the value of pollinators and their established habits, and the EPA's Risk Assessment Process. These changes would acknowledge pollinator's critical role in the U.S. food supply, and ensure that decisions regarding new pesticides comply with applicable laws.



Click HERE to read this article in it's entirty.  

Or copy and paste URL below:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_27866.cfm



Source:  http://www.organicconsumers.org

Selling Out or Just Marketing Part 1 Scammers, Spammers, Trappers and Gleaners. Oh My!

For us, the human experiencers,  obtaining and maintaining financial security is very important.   After all, it's money that pays for our utilities, water, food, clothing and shelter.   Among other things.   

In this day and age, working with integrity seems to have fallen into some idiotic gray area. As far as I  know gray areas are something my hair dresser fixes when I go in for my 90 day spruce up.  Thank you very much!   Seriously though,  these days integrity appears to be  going by way of it's long time companions good sense, logic and courtesy.  All of which rode off on a horse with no name into the sunset never to be seen or heard from again!    Since the day the Internet became available to everyone and their proverbial brother honesty and integrity have really been put to the test.    Scam artists and everyone looking to make a fast buck or find that next get rich & famous quick have nearly quadrupled over the last 10 years alone.  

What's truly amazing is the growing number of people who get scammed.   With all the information readily available these days, one would think people would be less likely to get burned by some flim-flam scheme.  Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth!

People are still falling for the same cons over and over and over again.  It's tragic, but at the same time, disgusting to know that there are  still that many ignorant people in the world!  

The Internet continues to prove true that old saying "there's a sucker born every minute!"     And as a result, keeping the doors wide open for the...

Scammers, Trappers, Spammers and Gleaners.  (Oh My!)

The Scammers.    These are the assholes who are cons, grifters and professional liars seeking out individuals to steal money and/or identities.  

One of the most infamous email scams, dubbed The Nigerian Bank scam, has bilked a few thousands since it's creation.  Unfortunately, the various "new and not so improved" mutated versions of the Nigerian Bank scam are still making the rounds. 

And as sick to my stomach as it makes me to have to say this...there are still dumb asses out there still buying into these ridiculously transparent cons!   

Scammers' primary objective is your money.  And in some situations your identity as well.  They will use many ploys to obtain them.  From telling you a sob story to brow beating you into believing their product is something you cannot possibly live without to you got a curse and you need to give them X amount of money to remove it.  These  few examples of the cons Scammers use and still get away with are continuing to  spread world-wide on the world wide web.  

~BEFORE BELIEVING ANY SCAMS

ALWAYS CHECK WITH SNOPES ~

The Trappers are those annoying websites that lock you in--Trap you into staying against your will.  You know the ones I'm talking about.   Those websites where you literally have to X out of your browser and come back.    They're also the ones that will ping you with that uber annoying little pop up begging you to stay, promising you this that and the other thing.  GADS!  How I hate those rat bastards!

And the ones who use this audio recording to tell you all about their product only to spend 99.9% telling you a bunch of bullshit before ACTUALLY getting to the product and point!  They are really good at using those little annoying windows that trap you.  

Word of Advice: STOP DOING THAT!  Nobody Likes IT!!!  And it just makes me NOT want to buy anything you are selling.

Speaking of pop ups.  I just have to say this...Since the invention of the pop up blocker, we really have no need to even go there.  But I will state for the record...ASS HOLES!  Nuff Said!

The Spammers. As if scammers weren't bad enough you have the incredibly pushy ass people known as spammers.   Penis enlargement anyone?   Spammers are usually little bots who grabbed your information while you were visiting an unsecured site.   But there are other type of Spammers who go that extra mile.  They are what I endearingly refer to as (drum roll please)...

The Gleaners.   Ahhh yes!   The Gleaners!  These are spammers who are actual "humans" that put forth a little effort.   The Gleaners are the ones who glean your information through befriending you on various social networks.  Primarily Face Book and/or through personal contact.   

SPECIAL NOTE:  You may also want to take extra care when signing on to any internet radio websites.   I know one person in particular who uses this little scheme to add folks to her newsletter contact list.  

Just a little FYI for those who make practice of  this particular "trick":   many of the internet newsletter generators strictly prohibit such tactics.  

READ THE FINE PRINT!

*~*~*~*~*

No matter how they obtain your information, all Gleaners take your information and add you to their newsletter contact list and then blow up your email account, Face Book wall, Twitter and so on with their endless crapola. 

 They do this under the misguided belief of building clientele.   

Again, for emphasis, Gleaners are  the dumb asses and  ass-wipes who think it's perfectly okay to inundate you with advertisements for their products, endless workshops, webinars, newsletters and "deals."     You know the ones I'm talking about.   And too (even though they say they don't) they also give and/or sell your information to their buddies so they too can add you to their lists!!!!  

Gleaners are under the mistaken belief that because you are "friends" it's perfectly okay to spam you.  WRONG!

Spamming, Scamming, Gleaning and Trapping 

of any kind, no matter your intention

 IS NOT MARKETING!

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Some of you no doubt are wondering what my qualifications with respect to marketing may be.   Do I hold some fancy schmancy degree in Marketing and such?    No.   I just rely on my life experiences.  And of course, my long-time buddies good sense, logic, courtesy and integrity.   (Thankfully I have their private number!)  

My experiences have taught me what  True Marketing  really and truly is. 

Be it a product, a job,  yourself or all three, you are in the business of marketing.  And marketing whatever "it" is takes a great deal of work.   There are no short-cuts or easy ways out. 

True Marketing is not invasive or over bearing.    In fact, True Marketing leaves the client,  and potential client, with a good feeling overall.   

That's your main objective! Leave'em feeling good to have met you! 

Your Second objective?  "Always leave them wanting more!"  Give them something to remember and consider in the future.   And you do this by exercising your Third objective:   Showing genuine and sincere interest in your clients by being a good listener!  

While they may not buy the product right then and there, they will certainly keep you in mind  in the future.  And too, they will refer you to someone.  That's how True Marketing works folks!

You don't have to have a degree to know, understand and comprehend all that.  You just have to be paying attention, exercise some brain matter, and be willing to roll up your sleeves and actually work it!!!

Known as The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape, Julia has made it her personal mission to put Reality back into Spirituality™. 

Julia sets out to assist people in expanding their conscious awareness through her rather unique and personal take on the human experience.    In the style comparable to Erma Bombeck, Julia utilizes her own brand of humor and down to earth demeanor to get her messages across in an all so delightful way.  

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This article and all  articles  that  follow, and unless otherwise stated, are owned by me--Julia K. Cole.  

If you wish to share any of the information, please feel free.  Keeping in mind, that this Blogger is protected by both the USA and International Copy Right Laws, it is very important that you  give me the proper credit; and too, that a link to this blog is visible in the credits.      

I have no issue in you sharing the link to my Blogger on your Social Networks.  In fact, I highly recommend it, sincerely encourage it and deeply appreciate it!

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Reproduction and copying of said work without proper authority is strictly prohibited.

All Rights Reserved©


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Unless otherwise specified, ALL articles on this Blogger are the property of Julia K. Cole.  The ZEN of Duct Tape™, it's name, teachings, modalities, and all excerpts; the nicknames The Empress of the Known & Unknown Universes™ and The Diva of Duct Tape™,  The Duct Tape Diva™; Putting Reality Back Into Spirituality™, Reality back into Spirituality™ are the property and trade marks of Julia K. Cole and are protected under Copy Right Laws both here in the USA and Around The World.  

All Rights Reserved©™