IT specialist job description

Dec. 22, 2019 IT specialist job description: This is from my old links from 2012.  I'm reading it now:


Most businesses rely on computers to handle payroll, inventory and a host of other responsibilities. When your computers don’t work, you don’t work. That’s where IT specialists come in. Information technology specialists rescue you when your computers freeze and work behind the scenes to prevent problems before they crop up. You’ll succeed as an IT specialist if you’re dependable, patient and technically savvy.

Are You Wired For It?

IT specialists need a mathematical and technical aptitude to diagnose and solve computer problems, but they also need to be able to relate to people so they can cut through a user’s frustration to figure out how to rectify his or her problem. You need to be a good listener and you need to work fast to get your users back online so they can resume their duties. You need persistence to try different fixes until you find one that works, and you need to be able to handle stress because your users are depending on you. of under tight deadlines.

Plugging In

You'll spend your days overseeing computer systems, making sure they run as efficiently as possible, and addressing problems as they crop up from users. You’ll be responsible for maintaining anti-virus controls and warning users about potential virus pitfalls. You need to log the complaints you receive and how you addressed them. You'll refer serious hardware problems to more specialized technicians. You'll help develop computer policies and procedures for users and update manuals as well as teach new employees how to use your company’s computers. You also might weigh in on what new computers and systems your company should purchase.

On a Nanosecond's Notice

Because companies depend so heavily on computers, IT specialists are on call 24 hours a day. Some system overhauls are completed overnight so as not to disrupt workers during business hours. You will find IT specialists in a variety of industries, from technology to finance to education to health care. You’ll be asked to uphold ethical standards. For example, if you’re working on payroll software you can’t share company salary information with others in the organization. It’s also your obligation to keep up with changes and trends in the computer industry.

Get Integrated

Information technology specialists are among the top 100 jobs in America, according to CNN Money. About a quarter of U.S. IT specialists have a bachelor’s degree, and an additional 40 percent have an associate degree or some college experience, according to O_Net OnLine. The job paid about $46,620 a year in 2013, according to O_Net. Opportunities were expected to grow 17 percent from 2012 to 2022. IT specialists can network and train through the Association of Information Technology Professionals, a trade organization based in Mount Laurel, N.J., among other institutions.

2016 Salary Information for Computer Support Specialists

Computer support specialists earned a median annual salary of $52,550 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, computer support specialists earned a 25th percentile salary of $40,120, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $68,210, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 835,400 people were employed in the U.S. as computer support specialists.

purchase.

Information technology, or IT, specialists are computer systems experts who help people solve computer-related problems. Many IT specialists work primarily over the phone, instructing people on how to solve issues by giving them step-by-step instructions. Other IT specialists work as on-call repairmen who will come to your house to fix your computer in person, while others work primarily in office buildings repairing computers for companies. IT specialists are highly knowledgeable about computers and must meet certain education and training requirements to be successful.

Formal Education

IT specialists usually need some formal education beyond high school to get hired. While some employers will hire IT specialists with only an associate’s degree, many jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. Candidates should take courses in computer science, computer engineering and PC support, as well as mathematics, physics, statistics and other related courses. Courses in communications and psychology are also useful in for this career, as great customer service is at the core of an IT specialist's work.

Knowledge

IT specialists need to be extremely knowledgeable about computers in general, though many specialize in a particular software, operating system or other niche. They should have expert knowledge of computer hardware, software, circuit boards, chips, processors and electronic equipment. Mathematical knowledge is also important for this career, and IT specialists should be familiar with the principles of calculus, geometry, statistics and algebra. IT specialists also need to know about telecommunications systems and should understand the principles of things like broadcasting, control and switching.

Skills and Personal Qualities

IT specialists must be very efficient to be able to finish the job quickly and thoroughly; certain skills and personal qualities make the process easier and contribute to an IT specialist’s success. Being a good listener is extremely important for this career, as IT specialists are constantly listening to clients describing their computer problems. They need to know how to interpret this information, even when the client is not very knowledgeable about computers. IT specialists are analytical, detail-minded individuals who are good at solving problems both big and small. They also need excellent verbal and written communications skills to be able to instruct clients on how to solve computer issues.

Certifications

There are hundreds of different certifications available to IT specialists these days that qualify them to work with certain programs, operating systems and hardware. Obtaining a certificate shows that you are an expert in a specific niche. Big computer tech companies like Microsoft and Apple train and certify IT specialists to work with certain systems, and many types of certifications can be obtained in just a few months or even weeks. Having certificates can really boost your earning potential and open doors to new job opportunities.

Corporate employees would have difficulty sending e-mails to coworkers or getting on the Internet without IT, or information technology, professionals. They connect employees' computers to area-wide networks and resolve technical problems when necessary. They also keep apprised of new computer technologies and install software programs on workers' computers. If you are proficient with computers and have good interpersonal skills, a job as an IT specialist might be the perfect career choice. You must, however, fulfill certain requirements first.

Education

Many IT specialists have bachelor's degrees in computer or information science. Others earn degrees in systems analysis or management information systems. An associate's degree may also be enough to qualify you for some IT specialist jobs. The essence of your IT career is learning how to work with different operating systems, such as Windows, UNIX and Mac OS X, and being able to install hardware, such as modems and hard drives. Learning to troubleshoot software and hardware problems is also crucial to your success.

Training

IT specialists usually train for about three months after they are hired, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, year-long training might be required in companies with larger and more complex computer systems. Your training might be conducted in both classrooms and computer labs, so you gain both theoretical and practical experience. In this field, you are also expected to continually attend workshops and seminars to stay current with new software and hardware systems.

Certification and Advancement

While certification as an IT specialist is usually not required, some companies prefer it. Certification can also increase your employment opportunities. It may also help you advance into higher-level positions, such as a computer systems administrator, who oversees all IT functions and company servers, or as a software developer, who creates software programs for various applications, including database management and payroll systems. Apple, Hewlett Packard and the Institute for Configuration Management are just a few of many companies and organizations that certify IT professionals. If you aspire to advance into higher management or executive positions some day, a master's degree in business, or MBA, is beneficial.

Skills

Problem-solving skills are essential to IT specialists. You must know how to diagnose technical problems and develop solutions for them. In some cases, for example, you might decide to install a newer software system to alleviate problems caused by company growth. However, you would need to evaluate whether the extra cost is within your company's budget parameters. IT specialists must have listening and speaking skills. They must listen carefully to problems employees are experiencing so they can quickly resolve them. And, you need speaking skills to explain complex problems in layman's terms, and teach people how to correct smaller problems on their own.

Computer technicians typically work in support positions, taking care of users’ computer problems. They work anywhere from the backroom of a large corporation to the front help lines for computer manufacturers and software companies. Every industry needs computer techs in some capacity. In 2010, they made a median income of $46,260, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Maintain Skills

You may not need a degree to land a computer technician job, although some companies may require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or at least network certifications. One of your primary duties however, is to keep up with changes that affect your company’s IT systems. You’ll be involved in everything from installing new systems to troubleshooting and repairing existing networks. Ongoing training may occur at work, through the network provider, or at off-site seminars and workshops.

Install

A big part of your job is to install new hardware and software. In addition to working for an IT department in one company under the supervision of the network administrator, you also could find work with a sub-contractor who installs and troubleshoots network systems for small businesses. Computer techs also work independently, since many small business owners and individuals need assistance installing and setting up new computer systems.

On Call

In a big company, the IT department is on call for a wide range of issues that employees have with their computers. While you may be able to analyze those issues from your own computer with network access, you may have to interact with other users throughout the company on a regular basis. The job calls for a significant amount of patience with users who don’t understand the technology the company employs, but who do rely on that technology every day to do their jobs. Similarly, as a freelancer or outside contractor, you can expect to be on call for your clients.

Advise

When you work as a computer tech on a help line, you have to listen to your callers’ issues and try to figure out how to solve their problems. You may have to prompt callers with the appropriate questions to get to the bottom of their problems. At other times, you may find yourself on the line with a frustrated and angry customer. It’s your job to remain polite and turn the call over to a supervisor if you can’t calm the caller down. Once you’ve figured out the problem, then it’s your duty to walk the caller through the procedures he needs to perform to solve his problem.

2016 Salary Information for Computer Support Specialists

Computer support specialists earned a median annual salary of $52,550 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, computer support specialists earned a 25th percentile salary of $40,120, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $68,210, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 835,400 people were employed in the U.S. as computer support specialists.

With many organizations increasing consumption of information technology products and services, more positions are being created for IT professionals. Configuration specialists are responsible for readying computer software, applications and systems for use. They also participate in the manufacture of software, where they help to ensure development of products that meet user needs. Although most configuration specialists work for software publishers, others find jobs as in-house specialists in business entities, educational institutions and government agencies.

Doing the Work

Configuration specialists working in the IT departments of various organizations configure software so it works efficiently. For example, when a business wants to install a new filing software, the configuration specialist helps to set up the program in several computers. If some workers require training on using the software, the specialist conducts the training and provides any additional support they may require. In software development, configuration specialists communicate customer-specific preferences to the software designers and engineers. After the software is ready, the specialist may conduct configuration tests to verify it executes the required functions.

Getting There

To get started as a configuration specialist, you need to obtain a bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science or a closely related field. Employers also prefer applicants with excellent planning, analytical, communication, technical and problem-solving skills. Although not an essential employment requirement, having configuration management experience can improve your prospects. To improve your competence and career progression prospects, you can earn professional certifications offered by the Institute of Configuration Management. You could also pursue a master's degree in project management to become an IT project manager.

Telecommunications is an ever-changing industry, and to meet customer demands, telephone companies now extend their services beyond the “basics.” No longer will you find them offering just telephone service, but also Internet, cable and wireless capabilities. So, telephone technicians have become telecommunication technicians, installing, repairing and troubleshooting a wide array of products, such as modems, routers, switchboards, network applications and other equipment that transmits signals and information.

https://careertrend.com/average-salary-entrylevel-telephone-technicians-15452.html

My opinion: This career seems to be hard because you have to get a bachelor's degree in computer science.  It seems like tech support and not that interesting to me.

Careers in Insurance/ Crius Financial Services

May 23, 2019 Careers in Insurance: I found this old brochure by Career Connections.  It could be from 2011-2012.  It's good to research careers.  I always thought insurance is boring.  

Insurance brokers:

First Steps

Your First Steps to a Challenging and Rewarding Future

The First Steps to becoming an insurance broker are important. After all, it’s not always easy to know how to put the investment you’ve made in your education to the best use. These days it’s harder than ever to know what you’re best suited for and what will provide you with a satisfying and rewarding career over time. 

Perhaps you’ve already started down a particular career path, but have a sneaky feeling that it’s not what you were looking for?

If you are enthusiastic, outgoing, self-confident, disciplined, hard-working and able to communicate effectively, then becoming an insurance broker could be the key to a challenging and rewarding future. A future that not only offers financial reward but the personal satisfaction of business management, customer service and community involvement.

Thinking About Becoming an Insurance Broker?

There are no hard and fast rules for entry.

Though brokerages prefer to hire people with post-secondary education, many will hire high-school graduates who demonstrate potential. For those considering taking post-secondary courses, classes in finance, accounting, economics, business law, business administration and public speaking will be beneficial to you in an insurance career. In fact, credits earned could be recognized for certain professional insurance designations.

Working as an insurance broker can offer you multiple career path options. There are actually many different careers within the insurance brokerage field, meaning you can likely find a position that suits your particular likes, strengths and ambitions — from part-time customer-service positions to determined commercial producers. Some typical positions in the industry include:

Entry-Level Customer Service Representative: 

Processes basic insurance transactions and auto insurance policies.

Personal Lines Representative: 

Processes more intricate insurance contracts for clients related to residential homes and personal belongings, supervised by a more senior broker. 

These contracts often include items such as residential and recreational property, automobiles and motorcycles, boats and other personal pleasure craft, collections, musical instruments and jewelry.

Commercial Lines Representative: 

Processes and manages accounts for both business and commercial property lines, operating with less supervision both in the office and at the place of their client’s business. 

These brokers deal with such insurance coverage needs such as theft, damage, equipment protection, liability issues and business interruption.

Producer:

Like commercial lines representatives, producers also process and manage coverage for both business and commercial property lines, focusing more on new business acquisition and larger accounts. 

They tend to work mostly outside of the office, often completing their transactions at their client’s place of business.

Account Executive: 

Sells commercial lines insurance and manages relationships with large accounts. Most of their work is performed in the office. Branch office manager: 

Manages all activities conducted within a branch including operations, marketing, sales and administration.

http://www.ibac.ca/Become-A-Broker/Professional-Development/First-Steps.aspx

Feb. 9, 2020 Crius Financial Services: I was wishing one of my friends/ old co-worker a happy birthday.  She says she works here:

Corporate Profile

Crius, can be pronounced as: "CREATE-US", is a financial services corporation in Canada. Our goal is to provide every client with the excellence of our products and services through innovation to meet each individual's financial needs. Because of this belief, over the years, our clients have given us many opportunities to prove our sincerity and professionalism. 

Meanwhile, Crius provides an excellent professional platform to create desirable job opportunities and the most comprehensive training experience so that our elites can fully demonstrate their entrepreneurial talent. It is the combination of clients' continuous support and our advisors' contributions that have made today's Crius Financial Services Corporation. 

Crius Financial Services Corporation was established in 2005. We are located at Metrotown in Burnaby in Metro Vancouver. In 2014, we expanded our business to Markham, Ontario, in the Greater Toronto area.

 In 2015, we expanded our business to Regina, Saskatchewan. In 2017, we expanded our business to Edmonton, Albert. In 2018, we expanded our business to Calgary, Alberta. In 2019, we expanded our business to Surrey, BC. 

Crius focuses on life insurance, health insurance, and long term investments including RESP & RRSP. We offer professional advice and outstanding products in the market and provide excellent services to our clients. Every advisor in the company is well trained and would love to help you in finding a suitable solution to your financial needs. 

Over the years, we have established solid relationships with many of the largest financial provider companies such as Knowledge First Financial, iA Financial Group, Canada Life, Equitable Life, Manulife, etc.

Crius Vision

To become the best financial services company in the industry.

Crius Mission

To create wealth for every Canadian family. To create real business for every Crius advisor.

Why Choose Us

Our integrity is not only reflected by our company's management and training system, but also by our total devotion to help and service our guests. Our management system follows excellent, practical and professional procedures. 

We serve our customers with our humility and we always set our clients' financial needs and interests as our top priority. We not only focus on the completion of each planning session, but we also pay tremendous attention to long-term cooperation with our customers. 

Customer satisfaction and interests are our first priority. It is our philosophy, our vision, our purpose, our responsibility, and our input that created us, Crius Financial Services Corporation. Crius and every one of our professional colleagues are determined to deliver this commitment to each and every one of our customers.

Careers at Crius

Thank you for your interests in Crius.

Do you genuinely like "going the extra" mile to build professional career? 

Are you a person of passion, intelligence and integrity? 

If you look at difficult situations as opportunities then you're just the type of person we'd like to have, join our team! 

Our values and culture set us apart from our competitors and create a positive team. These Leadership Best Practices are the guiding principles we use when working with each other, our team member, our customers and providers. 

Understanding and applying these values in every moment, in everything we do, make working at Crius fun and rewarding!

What makes Crius different?

We have a group of experience people to give our sales representatives the best support. Also, we provide a lot of trainings for our new members. These trainings are well-organized and specially- designed. 

These training programs have been proved very useful to help our members to be successful in this industry. 

All programs are combined with academic financial knowledge and real practice so we can help you to find out your own strength, characteristics and see if you are suitable working in this area. With our help, you will be successful in this high rewards area in a short period.

Our Benefits

With accessible leadership that supports sales representatives well being, we fortify our culture with benefits that seem to just keep on coming. We work hard to support the professional and personal growth of our people and recognize performance with a comprehensive package of rewards. 

We respect the personal goals and differing needs of our sales representatives and provide a flexible work environment to accommodate this. Our sales representatives enjoy flexible work schedules and arrangements to help them achieve a balanced and rewarding work life.

If you are interested in a career at Crius, mail, fax, or e-mail your resume to:

Crius Financial Services Corp.
1288 - 4720 Kingsway, Metrotower II
Burnaby, BC. V5H 4N2

Fax: 604-438-3690
E-mail: info@crius.ca

https://crius.ca/en/corporate/index.html

"The new rules of engagement"/ "Valentine's day by the numbers"

Jan. 17, 2017 "The new rules of engagement": Today I found this article by India Sturgis in the Edmonton Journal:

The new year is one of the most popular times to contemplate the big, meaningful questions in life — namely, will you marry me?

Between December and February, it’s open season for engagements (with Valentine’s Day being a last-chance cut off for those wanting a summer wedding). According to one survey of 10,000 Britons, 40 per cent of single men popped the question over the holidays, with a further 47 per cent planning to do so by Feb. 14.

But for those expecting a traditional proposal, with a round-cut solitaire white-gold diamond ring, the odds are stacked against you. The rules for choosing, offering and then wearing an engagement ring have never been more complex.

Engagement code used to dictate that rings were restricted to the left hand, fourth finger — so chosen because Ancient Romans believed a vein (the vena amoris, or “vein of love”) ran through this finger, leading directly to the heart.

Tell that to Serena Williams. Newly engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, she was recently spotted wearing her white-gold band on both her left and — shock horror — her right hand during training. Recently, the TV series Sherlock reminded us that some widows switch their ring to a different finger after a spouse’s death.

Mariah Carey also tore up the rule-book by continuing to wear her US$9.85-million rock for weeks after she split from her billionaire fiancé, James Packer.

It’s not just about which finger you wear your ring on; fast gaining traction in the U.S. are so-called midi rings, worn below the knuckle, in between the two finger joints.

“Holding ” bands are increasingly popular with would-be grooms who feel they dare not buy the full engagement ring without their partner’s approval. However, actress Mila Kunis went one better: Rather than wear the Tiffany engagement ring given to her by her husband, Ashton Kutcher, she bought another one herself — for US$90, from craft website Etsy.

Emelie Tyler, managing director of Purely Diamonds, says that money is no longer key when it comes to an engagement ring — and rather than the groom spending three months’ salary on their sparkler, many brides are happy with as little as a week’s worth.

“People are typically paying much less,” she says. “For those looking to cut costs, we have a range made from palladium, a cheaper version of platinum.”

She puts the reason for scrimping on the engagement ring down to inflated wedding costs — the average wedding is now close to US$31,000 — and couples hoping to get a foot on the property ladder. 

“A lot of girls will say to the guys that they don’t want them to spend a huge amount of money, because they know how much harder it is to buy a home.”

Women are the driving force behind the subtle changes to wedding traditions. Whereas a bride previously cooed over whatever she was given, nowadays she knows what she wants.

“And insists on getting it,” adds Daisy Amodio, founder of The Proposers, a service that plans bespoke engagements. She has orchestrated more than 1,000 proposals in the past four years, including flash mobs in Times Square and events in the Swiss Alps.

“Those men who are too nervous to buy an engagement ring will just buy the diamond, then go with their partner to choose the bespoke setting together. I’ve heard of some going down on one knee with a box containing a necklace, earrings or bracelet — even an IOU.”

For those with cash, high settings — such as Pippa Middleton’s three carat Art Deco-style ring, estimated to have cost US$308,000 — are fast becoming more popular, driven no doubt by social-media-inspired engagement selfies, where big is best. 

Designed to allow as much light into the ring as possible, with the stone held up “prouder and higher” for optimum exposure, according to Tyler, they are owned by celebrities such as Hilary Swank, Amal Clooney and the late Grace Kelly.

“It is down to personal preference, but a high setting is definitely more showy — and increases the chance the stone will be knocked about,” Tyler says.

Having gone to so much effort (or not) to choose the perfect semi-precious orb, it’s important to capture the moment it’s presented. 

For that, enter RingCam, a tiny HD camera hidden in a ring box, designed by a US company to record your loved one’s reaction.

Clearly, it’s a Wild West out there so, in the words of John Travolta in Grease, probably best to remember: “The rules are, there ain’t no rules.”

https://www.pressreader.com/canada/windsor-star/20170114/282054801727098

Feb. 10, 2017 "Valentine's day by the numbers": Today I found this article by Rita Demontis in the Edmonton Journal:

We are a nation that, well, loves. A recent Leger survey by eBay Canada revealed that Canadians are a nation of traditional romantics:

About 71 per cent of Canadians consider themselves romantic and 56 per cent plan on celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Of those planning to celebrate, 11 per cent don’t have a significant other.

Millennials shine in the romance category. They are the most likely of all adult age groups to celebrate Valentine’s Day and are one of the most likely to consider themselves romantic. 

Seniors are the most likely to consider themselves romantics.

There is an East Coast/West Coast correlation for celebrating the designated day of romance. While the Atlantic region and Quebec are most likely to celebrate Valentine’s Day, those from British Columbia and Alberta are the least likely.

Canucks are traditional romantics.

For Canadians celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, the most common type of gift they’ll purchase is a typically romantic one — 32 per cent are planning to buy things such as jewelry, flowers and chocolate.

Women have a good sense of humour when it comes to romance. Those celebrating Valentine’s Day are more likely than men to buy funny, quirky gifts, while men celebrating the occasion are twice as more likely to buy romantic gifts.

As for shopping on this special day, Canadians as a whole are getting spicy. While the Leger survey revealed that traditional romantic gifts are the most popular, eBay sees Canadians being a little more adventurous with their Valentine’s gift giving.

In fact, 65 per cent of gift items being purchased on eBay are “spicy gifts” (women’s lingerie topped the list), while 24 per cent were “next level gifts” (serious jewelry that takes a relationship to the next level), and only 10 per cent of gifts being traditionally romantic.

Spicy gifts are the most popular in the Yukon, while they are the least popular in Ontario.

An Agent Provocateur silk kimono dressing gown for approximately $640 CAD (purchased in B.C.)

Wedding bells are ringing in Ontario. In the month leading up to Valentine’s Day, Ontarians were purchasing the most wedding and engagement items. Also, in the past year, someone from Ontario purchased the most expensive engagement ring — a platinum fourcarat diamond ring for more than $100,000 CAD.

https://www.pressreader.com/canada/windsor-star/20170209/282248075304823

My week:

Feb. 14, 2020 Valentine's Day speed dating: I attended an event and met and dated 10 guys in one night.  There was the Centre of Spiritual Living Potluck night that comes every 2nd Fri. of the month, but I couldn't attend it because of speed dating.

I'm looking to be in a relationship, and I'm taking aligned action by going to speed dating events (and Meetups).  The term "aligned action" is from those self- development telesummits I listen to.

Feb. 16, 2020 A taxi driver prevents a old woman from getting scammed:

A California cab driver knew something sounded fishy when his elderly passenger said she needed a ride to the bank to withdraw $25,000.

Rajbir Singh picked up a 92-year-old woman in Roseville, California, two weeks ago. When he started chatting with her, Singh said she told him she was about to withdraw the money to settle a debt with the IRS.

He pleaded with the woman to reconsider, saying he thought this could be a scam. Singh even detoured to a police station to help convince his passenger not to withdraw her money.

"I am an honest guy, and these are old people. They need help," Singh, the owner of Roseville Cab, told CNN on Thursday. "It just made sense."

As Singh talked to the woman, she told him that someone had called her and asked for the money. When he asked if it was a family member, the woman grew silent.

Singh said the woman agreed to let him call the number to the person who was posing as an IRS employee.

"We called this number again and I asked the man, 'Do you know this lady?' He said no," Singh said. "I knew something was wrong."

When Singh pressed the man, saying the woman was 92 years old and she was nervous, the man hung up on him. After repeated calls back, Singh said the number blocked them.

Despite that, Singh said the woman still didn't believe him, so he came up with another idea.

"Raj pleaded with the woman to reconsider so they agreed to stop by the Roseville Police Station to ask an officer," the police department said in a post on Facebook.

Singh spoke with an officer in the station, who then spoke with the woman, police said.

The conversation with the officer worked, and the woman believed she was being scammed.

"We love this story because several times throughout, Raj could have just taken his customer to her stop and not worried about her wellbeing," Roseville police said in the Facebook post. "He took time from his day and had the great forethought to bring the almost-victim to the police station for an official response."

Roseville police said Singh deserved a "great citizen award" in a statement.

"His quick thinking saved a senior citizen $25,000 and for that, we greatly appreciate his efforts," police said.

Singh took his passenger home, her bank account saved. A week after the potential scam was thwarted, Singh said he got a call asking him to come back to the station.

Officers gave Singh a $50 gift card to thank him for what he did.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/a-taxi-driver-realized-an-elderly-woman-was-getting-scammed-so-he-kept-her-from-losing-dollar25000/ar-BB103pzU?ocid=spartanntp

Pier 1 closing down: I found this on the Globe and Mail:

Home goods retailer Pier 1 Imports Inc. says it has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States and plans to close all Canadian stores as part of its restructuring process.

The Texas-based company has been struggling with increased competition from budget-friendly online retailers such as Wayfair.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/international-business/us-business/article-furniture-retailer-pier-1-imports-files-for-bankruptcy-protection/

15 hours ago

Please, let's remember the outrageous rents these strip mall retailers pay to their corporate landlords. The only way to pay the rent and stay alive as a retailer these days is to pay minimum wages and typically sell lower quality, chinese made objects. It always ironic to me that the landlords are the last to lower costs for retailers - there is a reason that malls in many cities are converting retail space to housing projects or mixed use. 

The landlords - like the insurance companies and pension funds, invested in retail 60 years ago when it seemed a safe, long-term plan to give returns that the banks stopped paying on deposits years ago. You will see a lot of money pouring into housing, people have to have someplace to live - maybe Amazon will become a leader in housing next?
My retail store pays 33% above minimum wage to it's staff and we do not sell a lot of Chinese products, we provide exceptional service and support and are passionate about what we sell. This is how we are still in business.

Feb. 18, 2020 "Toddler's reaction to Target in-store ad goes viral":

PHOENIX – A shopping trip to Target in Peoria, Arizona, a couple of weeks ago was fairly routine for Oliver Garza-Pena, who is nearly 2 years old, and his mom. 

But when the pair entered the boy's clothing department, something unexpected happened. 

Oliver whipped his wheelchair around to stare in awe at an ad above a clothing rack. In it was a boy like him: smiling while sitting in a wheelchair.

"He couldn't stop looking at it," Oliver's mom, Demi Garza-Pena, told The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, via Facebook. 

"I could immediately see that he knew he had just seen a boy like himself. Something he has never seen before," she said of the ad. 

Garza-Pena snapped a photo of the moment and shared it on Facebook. She has a page for Oliver called "Ollie's World."

The photo was shared more than 33,000 times by Sunday afternoon.

"It made me realize that he needs to see more of this," Garza-Pena said.

Connecting with the boy in the ad

Garza-Pena's photo made its way through social media to Massachusetts, where Colton Robinson, 10, the boy featured in the Target ad, lives with his family.

His mom, Ashley, told the Republic they were pleasantly surprised to learn of Oliver's reaction to the ad. 

"You could tell he was really connecting with it, which really means a lot to us that my son can, you know, be like a role model to him," she said. "Colton thought it was adorable to have a little kid looking up to him ... he's never really had that before."

Garza-Pena and Ashley Robinson connected on Facebook.

https://ca.yahoo.com/style/toddlers-reaction-target-ad-boy-204113675.html

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  • Tmf 1 day ago
    My cousin has been in a wheelchair his entire life, at school he was different and was made fun of, one year they moved, his new school had 2 other kids in wheelchairs, his new school changed everything for him, my aunt and uncle to this day said it was one of the biggest things that happened to him, the new school people accepted him for being like the other two students... today my cousin is a junior executive for a National health insurance company.
    
    

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  • Barry 1 day ago
    What a photo! That young kid lives the life of a wheelchair bound youngster and apparently didn't know there were others like him. This brought tears to my eyes for this young man. I hope his mom starts taking him to events for people like him. It's really important for someone like himself not to feel alone.

My opinion: Aww... that's so sweet.  I usually read news artilces about TV and movies about women, or people of colour on screen and it's good to see ethnic and gender diversity.  This is different with an ad and a little kid.

Feb. 20, 2020 The New York Times Style magazine: The customer Gregory gave me this magazine because he reads the NYT.  I was reading this to and from work on the bus.  This issue was on Nov. 19, 2019.

The cover says: "A speck of Earth all my own."  There is art, fashion, food, and travel.  The pictures are beautiful.  The writing is good.  There are some advetorials. 

"Full-time job losses keep unemployment high": Today I found this article by Jeff Labine in the Edmonton Examiner:

“Broadly speaking, we have noted the labour market in Edmonton has been showing signs of stress, particularly in the second half of 2019,” she said. “For the balance of this year though, we’re expecting a modest recovery. Last year as a whole, annual employment growth was 1.1 per cent, we’re forecasting growth at 1.1 per cent as a 2020 average.”

Mutheardy said most of the job losses were full-time jobs, which has been consistent in Edmonton year-over-year. Mutheardy noted part-time job growth has been helping to keep the city’s employment numbers up.

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/edmonton-unemployment-rate-remains-high-among-canadian-cities-latest-job-numbers-show

My opinion: I was looking for a job on Kijiji a bit, and there aren't a lot of new ads being posted.  However, this is one website.

"LGBTQ gym to permanently close months after online harassment campaign": Today I found this article by Moira Wyton in the Edmonton Examiner:

Edmonton’s first LGBTQ gym is permanently closing at the end of February, months after it was targeted by an online campaign that publicly released the names and addresses of its leadership team.

Queerflex board members said the temporary closure after the September incident caused the gym to lose revenue as it looked into increased security options in light of the threats. It has not been fully operational since.

“Despite all our best efforts as a volunteer-run board, the lack of revenue from the cancellation of our group classes and memberships in September ultimately challenged the financial sustainability of our organization,” said the board in a Tuesday statement posted to the gym’s Instagram account.

She hopes the announcement will cause local gym owners and organizations to look at how they can remove barriers to LGBTQ individuals at their own facilities.

“(Queerflex) was able to raise awareness for the need for these spaces.”

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/lgbtq-gym-to-permanently-close-months-after-online-harassment-campaign

Work: When I worked at the 1st restaurant job on Sun., it was very busy.

When I worked at my 2nd restaurant job, it was quiet all week.

The Enneagram: Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life: This book is by Helen Palmer.  My dad bought this on discount and it took awhile for me to read.  It's self- help/ psychology.  I remember reading about the Enneagram a couple of times in those teen magazine quizzes.  I am #5 The Observer.

https://www.amazon.ca/Enneagram-Helen-Palmer/dp/0062506838/ref=asc_df_0062506838/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292969433943&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11674874234198621141&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061281&hvtargid=pla-319141257076&psc=1

Here you can take a free quiz and how much you agree or disagree to these statements.  I got #5.

https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test