Virtual Views - The View From Here : January 2010

Fruit with your Friday Funnies !

                                                        SOME LINES MIGHT MAKE YOU SMILE

1..Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.

2..I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.

3..Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.

4..I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

5..Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.

6..You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me

7..Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

8..Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.

9..I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are just missing.

10..I smile because I don't know what the hell is going on. 

11..NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck-is-the-room-spinning 
       medicine.

12..God must love stupid people; He made so many.

13..The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

14..Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.

15..Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

16..Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!

17..Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.

18..Procrastinate Now!

19..I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?

20..A hangover is the wrath of grapes.

21..A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.

22.. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!

23..They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.

24..The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson. 

25..A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three
      thousand times the memory.

26..Ham and eggs...A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment
      for a pig. 

HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!


                                             

Videos aren't all about what you see.  With the popularity of video positively exploding in the last few years, people tend to focus only on the visual aspect of the video and almost completely forget about the audio part.  This is funny, considering the bulk of information provided on a video is through what you hear, not what you see.  If what is being said can't clearly be understood, what is the point of making the video, right?  Following a few basic rules will help you make a more professional sounding video and make sure that your message gets across clearly and concisely.

1. Don't rely on the built-in microphone on your camera for your sound.  This basic microphone is not meant for higher-quality sound.  Instead, look for a camcorder that includes a jack for an external microphone.  Most of the more professional cameras have an XLR connector while others utilize 1/8" or mini-jacks for their external microphone feeds.
2. Cheaper isn't better when it comes to sound.  While you don't have to spend thousands on a high end external mic, don't go for the $35 low end either.  They aren't much better than your built-in camera microphones and will usually pick up all the sound around you, drowning out whatever you are trying to say.  Lavalier mics (similar to the small mics used on the lapels of newscasters) are excellent so long as you place them near the face (on the lapel or collar of a shirt) and away from anything that can rub up against it, causing disruption in the audio.  If there will be several people being recorded on camera, you may want to consider several microphones with a mixer or a boom mic.
3. Make sure the high or low impedence of whichever microphone you choose matches the technical aspects of your camera to avoid feedback.
4. Use headphones to monitor audio sounds when recording.  These will help pick up any outside noises that you may not be able to hear while you are videotaping but sounds that the microphone will pick up easily, such as traffic, phones, etc.
5. Monitor your video in real time.  This will allow you to see exactly what the camera is seeing and avoid costly retakes when possible.
6. Check the microphone levels.  If the level is too high, it can create distortion.  If the level is too low, you may not be able to hear what is being said.
7. If necessary, rent professional equipment.  If you find that you will only need the higher end camera and audio equipment once or twice, it is more cost effective to rent the equipment.  However, if you are looking to make professional style videos more often, it is well worth making the investment.

If you plan on creating and utilizing videos for your online marketing, you need to remember that videos aren't all about what you see.  Invest in proper audio equipment so that your message can be heard.

Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Feeling a little stressed?  Who isn't?

Today has been one of those days - the Internet was out, the phone lines were down and I was just fed up.

A very good friend of mine, Billy Ethridge, emailed the following YouTube video.  I was instantly transformed.  I think you will be, too.

Whether you're having a stressful day or not, please do yourself a favor and take a listen.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Wondering what's for lunch?

According to the National Restaurant Association, here's some interesting statistics about how we eat lunch:

• Over 27 percent of full-time employees frequently spend their lunch break doing things other than eating.
• 45 percent of employed adults feel that they have less time for lunch than they used to.
• In a typical week, 29 percent of male workers eat in a sit-down restaurant at least once; 26 percent of women do.
• Almost 65 percent of employed workers eat a meal that can be held in the hand, such as a burger or sandwich.
• 50 percent of working adults bring lunch to work at least one time per week.
  

Where do you fall in these statistics?

Please share any statistics you know of.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Is linking considered a copyright infringement?  Some news organizations want you to think so.  Now, to be clear, I am not talking about plagiarism or using copyrighted photos as your own.  I'm actually talking about simply linking to an outside source, whether on your site, in a blog post or even through an email.  News Corp, one of the largest media corporations in the world, is considering blocking search engines and feeds from utilizing its content.  It considers all of its content copyrighted intellectual property, including links.  While the content itself is, indeed, the property of the person who originally wrote it (and rightfully so), why would they consider a simple link to the article an infringement on their copyright?  And why would they want to block their content from being linked?

As you know, SEO is partly dependent on good links.  Linking to a good site, article, etc. that carries weight in the search engine algorithms can help increase the weight of your site, bringing your site up in the rankings.  If search engines don't have access to these reputable sites, will that have an affect on your site?  It might.

Some people who are against News Corp's stance (primarily journalists) say that this is a way to control what people read instead of allowing freedom to see differing viewpoints.  They believe that this opens the door for online news media to negotiate with corporate search engines, giving them "exclusive" access to only their online media that includes only their opinions and blocking out others that don't agree.  Since journalists are relying more and more on digital media for source material, limiting access to information hurts them.  Other opponents believe that, if the information in question is freely available to some members of the public, it should be available to all.

Not all news organizations agree with News Corp's argument, however.  Many media companies understand that links drive traffic to their sites, increasing their audience and adding value to their contributors and content.  And, the whole point of creating online content is to drive traffic to your business, isn't it?  So, do you consider linking to be a copyright infringement?  Please let me know.  I'm very curious to see what you think.

Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Breadsticks for Two sounds perfect! Since our kids all grown up and have families of their own, it's sometimes difficult to find recipes that are suitable for two people. It's okay to freeze the extra but somehow it doesn't always taste as good. So, here's the perfect recipe that serves two and can always be eaten in one sitting.

Breadsticks for Two

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 egg white

1 teaspoon water

4 frozen bread dough dinner rolls, thawed

1. In a shallow bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, basil and garlic powder. In another bowl, whisk egg white and water. Roll each dough ball into an 8" rope. Dip in egg white mixture, then roll in cheese mixture. Twist each rope three or four times.

2. Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-16 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

By the way. . . I think heaven must smell like fresh baked bread.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Martin Luther King Day is a wonderful time to reflect upon the changes that have occurred as a result of it's namesake's dedication and service.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Since January is National Get Organized Month, I found a great way to get organized online with OfficeZilla.  OfficeZilla provides a private and secure online area for your company or organization to share files, calendars, forums, tasks, phone messages and more absolutely free.  The unlimited space allows for any sized files that you need to be shared amongst as many people as you choose to have access.  You can even assign people to "groups".  Only the people assigned to the group you create can have access to the information in the group.  This information is not shared to any outside source anywhere else.  Also, you are in control of everything: what is seen by whom, giving permissions, etc.

Why should you use OfficeZilla?  With more and more people and businesses communicating via technology: email, faxes, phone, teleconferences, etc., it can be difficult keeping up with changes to important projects or information being passed around.  OfficeZilla provides a place to store all up-to-date information for any project, discussion, etc. and keep all involved parties "in the loop" at all times.

No matter how many members, no matter how large the size of the file, OfficeZilla is the perfect way to keep yourself, your staff and your company on track.  Get organized online with OfficeZilla today.

Pamela Cendejas, your Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

I've taken several years off from making home-cooked meals. However, since I recently moved out of the city and into the county, I don't have the luxury of running to the store at a moment's notice or picking something up at a fast food joint.

Trips to town take a little more planning. As a result, I have become a Food Network Channel junkie. My latest "fix" airs every Sunday evening at 8:00pm (AZ). It's called, "The Worst Cooks in America".

Why would you care? Here's why:

• It will make you feel better about your own culinary skills
  
• It's highly entertaining
  
• It actually teaches you something
  
• One of the contestants is a REALTOR(R)
  

She's Rebecca Hooper of Sandy, Utah. I don't know her; but I love her!

She has already taught me a few things:

• Even if you're bad at it, you can improve
  
• Face your fears - what's the worst that can happen?
  
• You failed this time - Learn from it and try again
  
• Learn what you don't know from an expert
  
• Practice, practice, practice
  
• Give it all you've got
  

Rebecca Hooper may have been voted Worst Cook in America by her friends and family; but I vote Rebecca the most likely to succeed. With the qualities she's exhibited on TV, I'm sure she's an awesome REALTOR(R).

You go, Rebecca!

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

The Realtor Pledge, Code of Ethics and the Golden Rule.

Did you know the Golden Rule was in the Realtor Pledge? 

The simple concepts expressed in this document just plain make good ethical sense on every point!

I AM A REALTOR^®

I Pledge Myself...

• To protect the individual right of real estate ownership and widen the opportunity to enjoy it;
• To be honorable and honest in all dealings;
• To seek better to represent my clients by building my knowledge and competence;
• To act fairly towards all in the spirit of the Golden Rule;
• To serve well my community, and through it my country;
• To observe the REALTORS^® Code of Ethics and conform my conduct to its lofty ideals.

The Golden Rule is embraced by almost every faith group, world wide in differeing ways, however the meaning is the same. "Treat others they way you would want to be treated."

I currently live in the State of Arizona and I am proud to say that we are a "Golden Rule State." The senate passed a Resolution in May of 2003 declaring the State of Arizona a Golden Rule State.

The State of Arizona sells Golden Rule License plates.   Part of the funds from the license plate sales go to educate the community about the Golden Rule.  There is a beautiful video going at the movies in Flagstaff, Arizona about living the Golden Rule with children from all over the world talking about their culture and the Golden Rule.                            

The city of Flagstaff, Arizona passed a resolution making Flagstaff a Golden Rule City in the Golden Rule State of Arizona in November of 2008.

The Realtor Pledge incorporates the Golden Rule and so does the Code of Ethics shouing the value placed on this ethical behavior.

Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ^®
Duties to Clients and Customers
Duties to the Public
Duties to REALTORS®

Where the word REALTORS^® is used in this Code and Preamble, it shall be deemed to include REALTOR-ASSOCIATE^®s.

While the Code of Ethics establishes obligations that may be higher than those mandated by law, in any instance where the Code of Ethics and the law conflict, the obligations of the law must take precedence.

Preamble
Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS^® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership...........

In the interpretation of this obligation, REALTORS^® can take no safer guide than that which has been handed down through the centuries, embodied in the Golden Rule, "Whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them."

Accepting this standard as their own, REALTORS^® pledge to observe its spirit in all of their activities whether conducted personally, through associates or others, or via technological means, and to conduct their business in accordance with the tenets set forth below. (Amended 1/07)

In this time of economic change there seems to be an opportunity to help live the Golden Rule.

A friend of mine recently moved from Tuscon, Arizona to Ft. Myers, Florida and she is there helping the homeless and the women veterans from Iraq with a group called Sisters of Service.  She is also helping the community with a Golden Rule website www.GoldenRuleFtMyers.com  This website is the 21st century way of helping mankind.  Anyone interested in READING about the needs of the Ft. Myers, Florida community can subscribe by being a "helper" to get a weekly e-mail list of needs that have been gathered throughout the week. After reading the list of needs and deciding the "helper" can offer assistance, the helper contacts the coordinator via e-mail and sets a time to connect. Some of the needs which have been filled in the past were requests for: crutches, shower curtains, bike lights, tents, computers, furniture and the list goes on with very easy needs to fill. A "Helper" may have the items needed by an individual in their garage, basement or spare room so helping someone can be as easy as reading an e-mail and responding.

Living the Golden Rule in 2010 is easy by helping when you can with small steps of kindness.

If you are in the Ft. Myers, Florida area and are willing to help with the Golden Rule project you             can e-mail  and let the group coordinator know! There are also beta test programs in Colorado, Arizona and Hawaii if you would like to help or get information about setting up a Golden Rule program in your area.

As the new year gets underway and the planning for helping others unfolds it is great to remember the Golden Rule and the ethic of Reciprocity in all actions.  The CRS twitter page @crsconnect  had a great link to Golden Rule actions in Social Media.

Revisiting 10 Golden Rules of Social media 

Make 2010 the year of living the Golden Rule who knows, it could help with world peace!