Greed, Fear, Curiosity and Scams

My email spam filter picks up at least one "attempt" my email scammers to relieve me of my money each day.  I'm sure most of you find the same thing happening at least once and a while.  These scammers play on three powerful human emotions, Greed, Fear and Curiosity.

In the Greed category the most common attempts either involve winning a bazillion dollars in a lottery that I've never entered or helping a Nigerian businessman set up shop in my country by helping him bring in his gazillion dollars in exchange for a bazillion dollars.  All I need to do to claim my fortune is send money and all my banking information, including password.

In the Fear category, you have the phone call from a Microsoft "technician" telling you that your computer is "infected" and sent them a warning.  Of course they can help you out and fix the problem but they need information to "verify" who you are.  Of course that information involved either banking or credit card information.  There's also a "fee" for their service.  Personally I love to talk to these characters as I own an Apple Mac and they get quite frustrated and occasionally angry when I attempt to convince them that I don't have Windows.  Waisting their time is the best best payback.

Another Fear related one involves a phone call or email from your countries tax agency telling you that either you or your legal representative must call immediately or they will begin some form of legal action.   In this case you own taxes and must pay immediately to avoid legal action.

Both of the above are happening more all the time as they have a good chance of success.  The typical person really doesn't understand how computers and the net work and have a fear of being "hacked".  Most of us also have a fear of the "Tax Man" the legal system and will do almost anything to avoid both.

In the Curiosity category, which is relatively new as scams go, you'll receive an email informing you that FedEx or UPS attempted to deliver a package and that it will be sent back unless you set up a delivery time.  Information on your package can be found in the attachment included in the email.  Well you have a package and it's a mystery because you weren't expecting a package so the urge to click on the attachment to find out what it is strong.  Unfortunately the attachment is usually a malicious program designed to take your computer "hostage", including all you data, and it will be released for a fee.  Simple, subtle and unfortunately effective.

One of my favorite scams actually happened to me this week.  At least the attempt was made.  I recently listed one of my motorcycles for sale on a Canada wide listing website and the next morning I received a text form someone wondering if it was still available.  They wanted to buy it "immediately" if it still was and the included their email.  Red Flag #1.

I noticed the area code of the text was unfamiliar and a quick search indicated that it likely originated from the Boston area, a different country and on the other side of the continent.  Red Flag #2.

I did reply to his email address and told him my motorcycle was still available and that I was aware he wasn't from British Columbia.  He replied with an offer that was $800.00 more then what I was asking and that one of his "agents" would be arranging shipping and payment. Red Flag #3.

In this type of scam, the offer of more money is the "hook" and if you take the hook you'll either lose your item or be asked to pay for shipping up front and what you pay will be added to the sale price of the item.  Either way you'll lose something.  My reply to his offer was "That's an interesting offer.  I'm surprised you've not been able to find a similar motorcycle near you for a similar price."  So far I've not received another email.

I still have it and my money.  By the way it's still for sale...

The "moral" here is to be curious about everything and avoid giving in to Greed, Fear and in the case of Curiosity be aware and avoid being "played".

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

"Perfect" Kills Adventure - And Other Things

Wanting things to be "Perfect" is really a fear of failing. 

You can either play it safe and do nothing...

or take a chance and find something unexpected.

A few years ago I asked a friend if they could go anywhere they wished for a vacation and do anything they wanted, where would it be and what would they do?

My friend gave me an answer that went something like this.  "I'm unable to answer that because I need to know what the weather would be, how much it would cost and if the activities I want to do are even available when I'm there."

So I added another "parameter" to my question in that "Let's assume that the weather would be to your liking, money isn't an issue and what you want to do is available."

My friends response was "you can't guarantee that things will be perfect so why bother."

I one respect my friend was right, if you're trying to find the "perfect" time to do something or waiting for the "perfect" weather to go somewhere or any other stipulations that must be "perfect", I can guarantee that will never happen.

"Perfect" is a concept that kills dreams, plans and adventures.  Our society has drilled into us that there's no point in doing something if something bad may happen or unless there is a guarantee of success.  This has happened because failure in anything is looked on as a bad thing.  This is one BIG reason why so few people achieve the goals and dreams they had when they were young.

Without getting too caught up in issues of society, the best way to break out of the need for something to be "perfect" is to simply get on with it.  Pick something you want to do, something you want to learn or some place you want to go and do it!

• Start - make a basic plan and get going.
• You will have setbacks - learn from them.
• You may have to "sacrifice" to make it happen - it'll be worth it.
• Your plan may have to be altered along the way - that's were the real fun takes place.
• At the end you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment - the unexpected is better then perfection.

Forget "Perfect" and get on with life!

Plans that take an unexpected change of direction are often the most memorable

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Time Is Short So Get On Living!

Last week I received news that a friend from my youth had passed away after a 2 year battle with cancer.  We'd not seen each other since college days, more then 30 years, and yet through the power of letters and Facebook we kept in touch.  We connected with each other more after her diagnosis and I got a small glimps into her vallient fight.

In the past two years I've lost no less then 4 friends due to either heart attack or cancer and each time it jolts me into the reality that I need to get on with living and doing the things that are important instead of things that are "easy".  

In other words, it's time to get on finishing the "bucket list" and stay connected with family and friends on a regular basis.

Rest In Peace Marci and my God give your family, especially your sons, comfort and peace.

Gerald Trees

Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Can't!

A testament to those who chose to avoid using or hearing "Can't"

The words "can't" and "cannot" are powerful and deceiving.  Personally, I've been working on eliminating them from my daily use and It's been impressive what a difference that makes.

"Can't" and "cannot" are often code words for "I don't want to", "I don't believe I can", "I'm unable to so how can you possibly do it", or any other combination of barrier settings that the brain hears and immediately begins to construct walls to block out any chance of change.

By eliminating the words "can't" and "cannot", or at least by working on it, I'm discovering that if a truly don't want to do something and coming out and saying "I don't want to", my stress level has gone down.  By replacing "can't" or "cannot" with I can for things I want to do, even though I'm unsure of my ability to do it, I'm finding success.  It's still a work in progress.

Along with the success, I've found that I need to be aware of what I'm saying, especially to myself, and this has helped me reduce other forms of negative "self talk" along the way.

The best advice I can give is to watch carefully what you say to yourself and to others.  "Casual" words are powerful so pay attention.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Lessons From a Toddler

I'm loving being a grandparent and I've found hanging out with my grandson to be relaxing (most of the time) and a learning experience.  So far, this is what I've discovered.

1. Birds are fascinating and can be watched for a long time without being bored.
2. The feeling of a light wind on your face is good.  Stop and enjoy it.
3. If you're not making progress, move on to something else.
4. Water is fascinating, especially when you pour it on yourself.
5. Everyone is a potential friend if you smile and wave at them.
6. Eating dry Cheerios out of a cup while swinging on a porch swing is a good thing to do.
7. Throwing things feels good.
8. Grass feels good on your feet.
9. Hands on learning is fun.
10. Naps are important.

More lessons to come.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Unique

Why is it that some people say humans are unique individuals and yet are hell bent on insisting others be like them?

Times Square, New York City

People from all over the world visit Times Square and you'll observe many unique people, local and visitors, here.  Many are willing to stop and talk, if you have the courage to start a conversation.

Exploring who we are as an individual and wanting to know more about someone else, accepting them as a unique individual, is perhaps the greatest adventure one can take.  This adventure requires us to be open, vulnerable, trusting and being willing to set aside our preconceived ideas of the person we're getting to know.

Perhaps if more people took on this adventure, we'd be able to work together for a better and stronger society that seems to be eluding us today.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Adventure Close To Home

We often think that to have an adventure or do something exciting we must travel to a far away place and spend a lot of money.  Of course planning must take place too.  Time off work, travel arrangements, what should I bring...  The planning list can be an adventure in itself.

I'm here to tell you that adventure can be found close to where you live.

I'm sure some of you are already saying "I live in a boring place" or "I've done all there is to do" and you may be right, however I'll be bold enough to say "probably not".

I've lived in the town below where I took this photo for 26 years and didn't know this spot existed until yesterday.

Here are some ideas that may help.

1. Look up the tourist information on your area.  I've found more places to visit and things to do that I was unaware of by doing this.
2. Visit a local museum.  Even small communities have them and the exhibits are always changing and may even provide insight into where you live that you never knew about.
3. Go for a walk in a different area or neighbourhood.
4. Be a "tourist" in the town closest to yours.
5. Take a drive down a road you've never been down before.  You never know what you'll find until you go.
6. Do something you've never done before.

Another local gem that I didn't know about until a friend mentioned it.

Local adventure is fun and can be had every weekend.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker