Ian's Messy Desk » The Simple Life

Christmas Carols Song Lyrics With Guitar Chords

Ian McKenzie — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:57:33 +0000

Image by volvidejapon via Flickr

A few years ago, I compiled a list of links to Christmas carols and song lyrics with guitar chords. Since that time, these lists have proven to be popular posts during the holiday season. I know it’s off-topic for a productivity/personal development blog, but because of it’s popularity, I like to refresh the list each year to keep it active.

If you stop and think about it, carol singing with a guitar is an inexpensive and easy way to enjoy the holiday season. The guitar is probably one of the most popular musical instruments around and in any group of people, there will be someone who can play.

If you’re looking for a simple way to spread Christmas cheer, grab some guitar-playing friends and:

Have a carol sing in someone’s home
Go caroling in the neighbourhood
Visit care homes and have a carol sing with the residents
Get the kids away from the Wii and sing some carols

If you’re planning a holiday sing-along, here’s a good collection of Christmas carols and songs to get you going:

Recommended: The Zen Habits Handbook for Life!

Top Ten Ways Your Privacy is Threatened

Ian McKenzie — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:46:53 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Yesterday was Data Privacy Day. Don’t bother looking for Hallmark cards, it’s not that kind of day. Canada, the United States and 27 European countries, mark this occasion as a means of raising awareness and generating discussion about data privacy practices and rights.

Most people aren’t aware such a day exists. This probably speaks to the fact that too few people realize they are leaving an trail of data behind them for others to collect, merge, analyze, massage and sell, often without their knowledge or consent. Furthermore, on any given day, millions of people will send sensitive personal information over the Internet; thousands will likely be affected by a data breach, and hundreds will probably fall victim to identity theft.

To commemorate Data Privacy Day, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada offered up these 10 ways your privacy is threatened:

10. Surveillance cameras, swipe cards, Internet searches – as you go about your daily routine you actually leave a trail of data behind you for others to collect, merge, analyze and even sell, often without your knowledge or consent.

9. New and exciting technologies are emerging daily; but often your personal information is the cost of admission. Think about the information you have surrendered just to play online games, join virtual worlds, or even shop online.

8. Millions of people post all sorts of personal information about themselves, their family and their friends on social networking sites without reviewing the privacy policies, modifying the privacy settings, or considering how this information can be used or misused by others.

7. Governments are indiscriminately collecting mountains of personal data in the name of national security and public safety.

6. Businesses are collecting more and more information about an ever-greater number of people, often without having appropriate means to protect the information or dispose of it.

5. Data breaches happen every day in both the public and private sectors. Recent incidents have exposed the personal information of millions of people. In fact, you could already have been one of those people, but due to the lack of mandatory breach reporting laws in Canada, you may never even be informed.

4. Fraudsters have become extremely devious and technologically savvy. From the other side of the planet, they can steal your personal information. These days, you need to shred documents, protect your computer, watch out for fraudulent e-mails, be on guard against pretexting and much more.

3. Identity theft, which is fuelled by excessive personal information collection and failure to protect it, is rampant – and it is becoming a very lucrative business for criminals.

2. We live in a global society where information flows freely around the world – from person to person; jurisdiction to jurisdiction; public sector to private sector – and all privacy protection laws are not created equal.

1. The notion that “if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear”. Privacy is an essential freedom that shapes our society; an internationally recognized human right; and the foundation of modern democracy – but if we don’t value our privacy or stand up for it as our right, it will be eroded over time.

If you want more information on protecting your privacy—at least, from a Canadian perspective—here are a handful of fact sheets in PDF format:

Privacy, please (ycorpblog.com)
Happy Data Privacy Day! We Didn’t Get You Anything (montysmegamarketing.com)
Stealing ID more profitable than selling drugs: Privacy commissioner (canada.com)
Data Privacy Day spotlights online risks (canada.com)
Raising data privacy awareness (googleblog.blogspot.com)
Mac 101: 7 tips for Data Privacy Day 2009 (tuaw.com)

Recommended: The Zen Habits Handbook for Life!

End Christmas Slowly

Ian McKenzie — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:19:29 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Posted in The Simple Life

You spend weeks planning, shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating, caroling and much more. Suddenly, on December 25th, it seems to end in a flash. Sometimes we’re so worn out from the preparation, we’re glad to see the end of all the activity.

However, just as you can use Advent celebrations to focus your preparations for Christmas, you can use the 12 Days of Christmas as a time to emphasize values beyond ripping open the gifts and gobbling down the turkey.

Instead, try these:

Traditionally, Boxing day is a day to share Christmas bounty with the less fortunate. Instead of boxing up your leftovers, prepare meals to be delivered to people who are unable to get out and about.
Schedule seasonal socializing for the period immediately after Christmas, rather than trying to jam in one more party before Christmas Day.
Plan a New Year’s Eve party. Invite people over to see in the New Year.
Use New Year’s Day as a family time to review the past 12 months and set goals for the year to come.
Leave your decorations up until Old Christmas Day and then have an un-decorating party. Create a family tradition out of that activity.
Get out one evening and see the lights and decorations that will be up for a few more days.
Research the customs of those who celebrate Old Christmas Day and try some of them with family and friends.

Take time both before and after Christmas day to enjoy the celebration.

Recommended: The Zen Habits Handbook for Life!

How to Connect to the Spirit of the Holiday Season

Ian McKenzie — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:17:54 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Posted in The Simple Life

The pages of the calendar fly off the wall and your holiday to-do list only seems to grow longer. Suddenly, the spirit of the season starts to disappear in all the errand-running, crowd-battling and fatigue of the season. Before you find yourself muttering “bah humbug,” try these tips for rediscovering the joy of the holidays.

Get outside.

Don’t let the beauty of this time of year go unnoticed. Snowy days, icicles dangling from the eaves, crisp air, and outdoor activities like tobogganing, skiing or ice skating are all reminders of the enchantment of the season. Take some time to get outside and reconnect with your surroundings.

Take care of your health.

The holiday season can create stress on your mind and body. Ensure you get the sleep and exercise you need to make it to the New Year. Don’t skip meals; eat a balanced diet. Remember: it’s easier to get into a festive mood when you’re well-rested and not under the weather.

Get together.

Unless you’re absolutely relishing the idea of spending the holidays alone, it’s good to get out and socialize at this time of year. The flurry of activity around mixing and mingling can take your mind off the shorter days, colder temperatures and stresses of life. Accept invitations from friends and family. If none are offered, consider extending a few of your own.

Scale back.

Sometimes doing less can give you more time to focus on the things that really matter. If it’s your seasonal tradition to decorate, for example, consider scaling back this year – a wreath and a few strings of lights can lift your spirits just as much as week-long decorating extravaganza.

Control the credit crunch.

Overextending your budget by putting holiday purchases on credit now will make for stress later. When you pay for items with cash, you’ll see how much you’re spending, will be less inclined to spend more than you can afford and avoid a January holiday budget hangover.

Give with care.

It is the heart of the giver that makes the gift precious. Though you might like to believe you can find the perfect gift at the last minute, great gift ideas come to those who plan. Keep your eyes and ears open to your recipients’ wishes throughout the year. And don’t hesitate to ask the recipient’s friends and family members for advice.

Appreciate the good things in life.

Though during busy times you may wonder what the effort is for; every now and then it’s important to sit down, put aside the difficulties and stresses of life and reflect on the things you do have. By focusing on the good things, you not only gain an important bit of perspective, but will draw more positive energy toward you.

Give of yourself.

Volunteering to serve meals to the homeless or collecting food and presents for families in need can do wonders to take your mind off your own problems, set a great example for co-workers and relatives and help you really appreciate your own good fortune.

Dealing with the many stresses of the holiday season can be a challenge. By taking time to simplify and enjoy the most meaningful parts of the holidays, relish the company of family and friends, and reflect on all you do have, you’re not only more likely to minimize the demands on your pocket and time, but also re-inject your world with the true spirit of the holiday season.

with material from Shepell-fgi

Recommended: The Zen Habits Handbook for Life!

Video: Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Ian McKenzie — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:05:42 +0000

Every minute someone in North America is a victim of identity theft. Whether it’s a dishonest employee using a bogus machine, someone hacking into your computer, or someone stealing your mail, identity theft can happen quickly and leave a trail of devastation.

The Canadian Consumer Information Gateway has put together a short video with information and tips on protecting your identity. Click this link to watch the video: Identification Theft

Recommended: The Zen Habits Handbook for Life!

Christmas Carols to Keep Your Spending in Check

Ian McKenzie — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:14:31 +0000

Posted in The Simple Life

Here are a number of Christmas songs to help you get in the mood for a simple Christmas. They’re written and submitted by a variety of individuals and groups and compiled on the New American Dream web-site.

Some of the merchandising products in the lyrics are a bit dated, but the focus is still the same. If you feel your Christmas spending habits are out of control, sing a couple of these to get things in perspective.

Buy and Sell
(tune of: Silver Bells)
(words by Erica Avery)
City Sidewalks busy sidewalks
lined with advertising
It’s the big retail season of Christmas
Children begging for each new thing
toys for mile after mile
and the mood of the season is clear

Buy and Sell (Buy and Sell)
Buy and Sell (Buy and Sell)
It’s Christmas time for consumers
Ching-a-ching (Ching-a-ching)
Cash registers ring (Cash registers ring)
Must we spend Christmas this way?

Maxing credit, running debits
buying things we don’t need
with money we don’t really have
Children crying, parents sighing
no time for family
and the reason behind it is clear

Buy and Sell (Buy and Sell)
Buy and Sell (Buy and Sell)
It’s Christmas time for consumers
Ching-a-ching (Ching-a-ching)
Cash registers ring (Cash registers ring)

Must we spend Christmas this way?

Consumer Wonderland
(tune of: Winter Wonderland)
(words by Erica Avery)
The TV’s on / are you watching?
Another product / that they’re hawking
one more thing you need
to make life complete
Welcome to Consumer Wonderland

In the stores / you will hear it
“Pricey gifts / show holiday spirit”
That’s what they call it
to get to your wallet
Welcome to Consumer Wonderland

At the mall we can go out shopping
and buy lots of stuff we can’t afford
we’ll have lots of fun with our new toys
until we realize that we’re still bored

When you shop / ain’t it thrilling
until / you get the billing
the money you still owe the stuff broke long ago
Welcome to Consumer Wonderland

Carol of the Toys
(tune of: Carol of the bells)
(words by Erica Avery)
High voices: Barbie Dream House Mi-ickey Mouse Beanie Babies Tamagotchis

Low Voices: Too Much stu- -uff

High voices: Cabbage Patch Dolls Ninja Turtles Super Nintendo Tickle-me-Elmo

Low voices: Too much Stu -uff

Repeat, changing key each time

HARK! THE NINJA TURTLES SING!

Hark the Ninja Turtles sing
Kid-dy marketing is king.
Fun to watch, expertly styled
To manipulate my child.

Garfield, Bettlejuice ‘n Tickle-me Elmo,
Ma I need it, ‘every child wails
Care Bears, Super Mario
Brainwashed, but they’ll never know

Hark the Ninja Turtles sing
Thriving thanks to your offspring

Hark the New Kids On The Block
Making millions ’round the clock
Ten year olds they hypnotize
Into needing merchandise

Time that should be spent on telling
Christmas truths instead of selling
Muppet Babies, Kid ‘n Play
Barbie for the holiday

“Hark,” commercialism sings
“Watch our programs and buy our things.”‘

UH OH WE’RE IN THE RED, DEAR
(Sung to the tune of Rudolph the red-nose reindeer)
Uh oh we’re in the red, dear
On our credit card it shows
Christmas is almost over
But the debit line still grows
Shopping like Santa’s zombies
Sent our budget down in flames
But all our Christmas spirit
Helped the giant retail chains

I’m so foggy Christmas Eve
Wondering how we’ll pay
Christmas doesn’t seem so bright
When our finances are tight

So here’s a plan for next year
Let’s forget the shopping spree
Let’s give a gift of love, so
All our Christmas gifts are free

JINGLE ALL THE WAY
Chorus: Profits here, profits there,
profits everywhere
Christmas time is funny,
we smell money in the air
Advertise, glamorize,
fool you with a flair.
Let’s make sure that Christmas
is a businesslike affair.

You’re eating up our lies and dashing to the stores Then all our prices rise and how the money pours
If we don’t keep you drugged and watching your TV You might see the hypocrisy then where would business be?

Chorus

We’ll tell you how to think and tell you what to try
What to eat and drink and how to live and die
And if our plan succeeds, when Christmas-time is nigh
Instead of seeking love and peace you’ll hunt for gifts to buy

Chorus

GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN
Slow down ye frantic shoppers for there’s something we must say
If you would spare a moment all the stores would go away
Big business has been telling us what Christmas means today

Now it’s time we decided for ourselves, for ourselves
Yes it’s time we decided for ourselves.

To some folks Christmas means a time for gathering with friends
And enemies might take it as a time to make amends
But TV says it’s time for pricey gifts and selfish ends

Now it’s time we decided for ourselves, for ourselves
Yes it’s time we decided for ourselves.

Some people feel that Christmas is when Jesus makes a call
For others it’s a time to stress good will and peace to all
But advertisers tell us it means Santa’s at the mall

Now it’s time we decided for ourselves, for ourselves
Yes it’s time we decided for ourselves.

Recommended: The Zen Habits Handbook for Life!

How to Send Free Text Messages to Canadian Cell Phones

Ian McKenzie — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:44:52 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

I read the Smart Canucks blog to find out about freebies, sales and deals from Canadian retailers. Periodically, they post a more general money-saving tip.

Today they posted a couple of ways to send a free SMS text message to cell phones from Canadian carriers. You should note: some cell-service providers charge users for incoming text messages. These text messages may be free to send, but could cost the recipient on the other end.

Method 1: From the wireless carrier’s website

Each wireless company has a website from which you can send free Text Messages:

Free text messages to Rogers Wireless cell phones

Free text messages to FIDO cell phones

Free text messages to Telus cell phones

Free text messages to BELL Mobility cell phones

Method 2: By email.

You can easily send emails to your friends’ cell phones directly from your email. You need to know the number and the carrier of the recipient to e-mail messages to their cell phone. Here is a list of the emails of different carriers. You need to replace the part before the “@” with recipient’s number.

Rogers Wireless: [10-digit phone number]@pcs.rogers.com

Fido: [10-digit phone number]@fido.ca

Telus: [10-digit phone number]@msg.telus.com

Bell Mobility: [10-digit phone number]@txt.bell.ca

Kudo Mobile: [10-digit phone number]@msg.koodomobile.com

MTS: [10-digit phone number]@text.mtsmobility.com

President’s Choice: [10-digit phone number]@txt.bell.ca

Sasktel: [10-digit phone number]@sms.sasktel.com

Solo: [10-digit phone number]@txt.bell.ca

Virgin: [10-digit phone number]@vmobile.ca

You need to replace the [10-digit phone number] with your friend’s number. For example, If your friend’s number was 613-123-4567 and their carrier was Rogers, you’d send an email to 6131234567@pcs.rogers.com

How to send Free Text Messages to Rogers, Fido, Telus, Bell & Virgin Canada Cell Phones at Canadian Freebies, Coupons, Contests, Shopping Deals & Free Stuff Canada

Recommended: The Zen Habits Handbook for Life!

Online Shopping Safety Guide

Ian McKenzie — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:47:16 +0000

Visa has a few more tips for protecting your identity while shopping on-line.

Do not share your user names or passwords.
Use only secure Internet browsers that allow secure transmission of data -look for the closed padlock symbol in the bottom right corner of your screen and the ‘https’ prefix in the website address line.
Only give your credit card details when you initiate a purchase.
Keep a record of your transactions, either by keeping your email confirmations or by writing down the confirmation numbers provided by the merchant.
Carefully check each of your monthly credit card and bank statements and look for unauthorized purchases and withdrawals.
Confirm the retailer’s delivery and return policies before you make a purchase.
Never respond to an unsolicited email request for personal or account information, even if it appears to be from a trusted source.
Never send payment information, including credit card numbers or bank account information by email.
Enroll in the Verified by Visa (VbV) service. VbV helps ensure purchases made online at participating merchants such as Air Canada, Future Shop, Birks, La Senza, Dell Canada and Best Buy, are made by the actual cardholder through the use of a personal password.
Educate yourself about online shopping and safety at http://www.visa.ca/en/personal/securewithvisa/shoppingtips.cfm.
Choose difficult passwords. Avoid using ones that are easy to guess such as your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, or telephone number.

- News Canada

Recommended: The Zen Habits Handbook for Life!

The 12 Privacy Tips of Christmas

Ian McKenzie — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:52:07 +0000

Image by d70focus via Flickr

Posted in The Simple Life

On the first day of Christmas, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner gave to me… 12 tips for protecting privacy. Six of the tips are for consumers and the other six for merchants. With increased commercial activity during the holiday season of the year, it is a good idea to be extra careful to guard againstidentity theft.

Six points for consumers:

Ask how personal information (eg. name, address, phone number) will be used. Determine whether it will be shared with others.
Minimize the number of identification and credit cards carried.
Tear/shred receipts, copies of credit applications, other documentation containing personal information, don’t just throw it in the garbage.
Do not provide a Social Insurance Number unless absolutely necessary. Ask to use other forms of identification.
Remove mail from mailboxes as soon as possible after delivery. Follow up with creditors if bills don’t arrive on time.
Refuse to give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or you know who you’re communicating with.

Six points for merchants:

Make protection of personal information a company priority; designate someone in your business to coordinate privacy policies and practices.
Make your staff aware of privacy and security obligations; all employees must follow good practices in their everyday transactions with customers.
Protect personal information in your custody – keep records under lock and key, make sure credit card slips are out of reach to the public, not beside the till. Information on your computers should be password protected with adequate safeguards.
Reduce the amount of customer information you collect; if you don’t need certain information for a transaction, don’t collect it. For example, Social Insurance Numbers are rarely needed for retail transactions.
Shred or securely dispose of all customer information once it is no longer needed. Make sure copies of receipts and return slips are safe.
Obscure credit card numbers on customer receipts. Thieves are looking for receipts that contain all the information needed to misuse a credit card; name, credit card number and expiry date.

Recommended: The Zen Habits Handbook for Life!

Help Me Fill A Salvation Army iKettle

Ian McKenzie — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:52:18 +0000

As I have done for the past couple of years, I am once again hosting an on-line kettle for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal. You will soon see the familiar Salvation Army kettle (or bubble) on street corners and in shopping locations. Now there is also the option of making a donation on-line.

Please help fill the kettle I’m hosting by making a secure online donation using your credit card. Click on the link to donate: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2024031

Thank you

Recommended: The Zen Habits Handbook for Life!

Ian's Messy Desk » The Simple Life

Christmas Carols Song Lyrics With Guitar Chords

Top Ten Ways Your Privacy is Threatened

Related articles by Zemanta

End Christmas Slowly

Related articles by Zemanta

How to Connect to the Spirit of the Holiday Season

Related articles by Zemanta

Video: Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Christmas Carols to Keep Your Spending in Check

How to Send Free Text Messages to Canadian Cell Phones

Online Shopping Safety Guide

The 12 Privacy Tips of Christmas

Help Me Fill A Salvation Army iKettle