This time last year I was in the throws of creating Cafe Yogi – a Community for Bikram Hot Yoga Enthusiasts, which included a blog and message board.

I admit, I bit off more than I could chew by trying to tackle a second community – while also nurturing Tazzu – an IT/Business Community that I co-founded several years ago with my business partner Rastin Mehr of rmdStudio.

Long story short, I did not have the time to nurture the yoga community as it needed, and was only able to commit to sporadic blog posts & forum posts, which is unfair to the members.

So, rather than let it die a slow and painful death, I’ve packed it up.

Before letting it go, I did however back up the site (Joomla, phpBB3, and WordPress) and databases. With some interest shown in purchasing it, someone might yet pick it up and revive it.

It’s been wonderful getting to know the very enthusiastic, caring and supportive Bikram Hot Yoga Community. You will still be able to read posts about my Bikram Hot Yoga journey on my Facebook page!

See you there, I wish you all well.

Namaste!

Technorati Tags: Bikram, Bikram Hot Yoga, Hot Yoga, Yoga, Cafe Yogi, jentekk

I had to think about this a moment. I’d never looked at the resolutions made in January as a way of punishing ourselves.

For me, the new year brings a clean slate, freshness, new beginnings and hope!

Of course we could look at each month/week/day/minute as a new beginning, but it seems that in January I like to take inventory of the previous year, and do more of what brings me satisfaction and less of what didn’t feel so good.

So, what are my ‘resolutions’?

PERSONAL
Live in the moment, spend more time with family & friends. Laugh as much as possible. Reward my body with delicious healthy food, and good exercise.

WORK
Be pickier about my clients and really enjoy the ones I have. Great clients make life a dream – one bad client can ruin all the fun!

SPIRITUAL
Pray lots, make more room in my life for God, love & acceptance, patience, grace, forgiveness and charity. Count my blessings everyday… the glass is always completely full!

I LOVE January!

How do you feel about making resolutions in the New Year? Make ‘em? Fake ‘em? or Bake ‘em?

Technorati Tags: resolutions, new year, jentekk

On behalf of JenTekk Web Solutions and Associates, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

May it be full of joy, laughter and much love!

Look closer… much closer! If it looks too good to be true, it is! Scams are everywhere, and unless people blow the horn on them, they will continue to take advantage of unsuspecting people.

Today I received the following (read below) money transfer scam email in my company inbox.

It is much like the “Mystery Shopper Scam” that I received and blogged about a while back, in that you are told you will receive payment (money orders/checks) to be cashed at your Bank, you deduct 10%, which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed and then forward the balance via Western Union Money Transfer according to the instructions.

What happens in reality is this… you forward money from your bank account to these crooks, and when you find out that the cheques/money orders are fraud your money is gone, and there’s no way of getting it back.

Does this sound familiar? It’s the Mystery Shopper Scam all over again, only now posing simply as an emailed “Job Offer”.

Read the email for yourself and be warned!

=========================

Good tidings to you as you read.

Please permit me to write you irrespective of the fact we have not met before. I got your contact through network online hence I decided to write you. I would be very interested in offering you a part-time paying job in which you could earn up to $7,000 a month as extra income. opening an account would have been my best choice if I was not working on a deadline that must meet a 24 hour turn around time, other options are not on my side due to time, money, and requirements. This is why I am offering a part time opportunity to someone responsible who can supply prompt assistant and service.

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Work as my payment assistant in charge of collecting and processing the payments from the associates.

1. Receive payment (inform of money orders/checks) from my Clients/Associates.

2. Cash the Payments at your Bank

3. Deduct 10%, which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed.

4. You will then forward the balance via Western Union Money Transfer according to my instruction.

REQUIREMENT:
18 years or older.
Responsible,
Reliable and Trustworthy Available to work a minimum 3-4 hours per week.Able to check and respond to emails often. Easy telephone access.

IS THIS LEGAL? YES It is very legal,

Doing this job is 100% safe and legal.

I would be glad if you accept my proposal for an opportunity to make up 10% of each transaction completed. Please reply via email with complete information as requested:

A. NAME,
B. STREET ADDRESS (NOT P.O BOX),
C. CITY:
D. STATE:
E. ZIP CODE
F. COUNTRY
G. MOBILE NUMBER,
H. AGE,
I. SEX,
J. OCCUPATION
K. E MAIL

Regards,
Smith Parker

=========================

While the internet is an amazing technological accomplishment, it also brings with it the dark side. Let’s get the word out, and get educated.

Technorati Tags: money scam, smith parker, western union, money transfer scam, job offer, email scam

JenTekk is proud to sponsor Rebecca Bollwitt aka Miss 604 in Blogathon Vancouver.

About Rebecca
Rebecca has been blogging about Vancouver since 2004 and podcasting with her husband since 2005.

In love with all things West Coast and the Canucks, Rebecca produces live blogs for clients and conferences, and is a co-host of both RadioZoom and The Crazy Canucks podcasts.

Known as “Podcaster, hyper-local blogger, new media outreach wiz, mainstream media pundit ~ Vancouver’s new ‘blogebrity,’…” [Vancouver Tech Women to Watch in 2008] Rebecca is no stranger to supporting local community causes. You can see some of her causes at Blogging for a Cause.

Union Gospel Mission
Bollwitt’s cause for Blogathon Vancouver this year (like last year) is the Union Gospel Mission located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

“The Union Gospel Mission is a non-profit urban relief organization serving Metro Vancouver and the City of Mission, providing hope for the hungry, hurting and homeless since 1940. If you find yourself without shelter, without food or without hope, UGM can help.”

On a personal note: I have a soft spot for the UGM. I sang there years ago for the people coming through to eat, volunteered as a food server, and know a wonderful gal that works there.

When I received Rebecca’s email regarding her raising money for this cause I knew right away that I had to jump on board!

Thank you!
Thanks Rebecca for the opportunity, for all your contributions, and the difference you make in the lives of our wonderful community… I am a fan!

~

Technorati Tags: miss 604, rebecca bollwitt, blogathon vancouver 09, blogathon, union gospel mission, ugm, jentekk

I don’t know about you, but that has got to be the most tiresome resolution on the face of the planet!

Note: Its not that I’m against losing weight… I’m just wearied by the way I’ve been trying to do this for what feels like forever!

Typically, my ‘new’ workout routine and diet will last about 2 weeks into the new year, and then blah blah blah… gone the way of every new years resolution before it – history!

Well, that is not going to be my resolution this year.

Perhaps I’ve matured some (cough yeah right) over the past year, or perhaps I’ve failed enough times to know that THAT resolution is a waste of time… OR maybe its because I’ve had some kind of priority shift(s).

I’ve not only reflected on the past year to see what worked and didn’t work, but over life in general.

My conclusion:

#1) People and relationships are more important to me than anything else
#2) Health is not about how much I weigh, but about how I view myself, and ultimately how I approach life
#3) Money is fun… but does not bring happiness (see #1)

In a nutshell, I guess you can say I’m going to start looking more people in the eye, and offer them a huge, honest and caring smile. I’m going to continue to love myself, and let that expression extend to others. I’m going make money to pay my bills and enjoy my sushi, but not expect it to bring me any security… that I receive from my faith in God.

2009 or bust… I’m ready to live like never before!

Have you made any resolutions, or had any priority changes that will affect the way you live in ’09?

I would enjoy to hearing from you.

I love Christmas time. Its a great opportunity to connect with people you haven’t connected with for quite some time. Let them know you think about them, value them and love them. Also, to share laughs, memories and lots of food with those close to you.

For many, Christmas is a stressful or even sad time.

It can be full of expectations not met, memories of loved ones who’ve passed on, the financial burden of expenses you have no money for, and the frustration of not being able to find that perfect gift for the special people in your life. I fall into these category far too often.

Today, during a season typically full of anxiety, disappointment and exhaustion; the simplicity of the Christmas message brings love, joy and stillness to my heart.

So, for me this year… something different. There will be no long Christmas gift lists, no Christmas card mail-outs, or cookie baking. Rather, I commit myself daily to being more generous with compassion, understanding, patience, love and of course smiles to everyone I meet.

To everyone, my loving family, precious friends (old and new), and wonderful business associates and loyal clients, I wish you all a peaceful and joyful Christmas with all my heart. May it be spent with the people you truly cherish, full of moments to be remembered as blessings, and overflowing with love and quietness of spirit. Emmanuel, God is with us.

~

Technorati Tags: Christmas, Emmanuel, God