Proposed EI for the Entrepreneur

Being an entrepreneur myself, I am pleased to see the government taking another look at employment insurance benefits for the self employed. However, it is not all a bed of roses.

This is my personal blog that I enjoy sharing with you, and it truly is a joy. My business website is at http://corpsecrets.ca/. I offer consulting services to firms' Administrative teams, and provide a number of services such as research, word processing, competitive intelligence, to name just a few. Please do visit my site and read some of my motivational articles, career advice, and computer tips and tricks you may find useful.

The most recent article that I have read with respect to the proposed EI benefits states that the self employed would receive 'parental sickness and compassionate-care benefits' as early as January 2011. The proviso is that you must pay into this plan for one full year, and have earned a minimum of $6,000 in that year to be eligible.

Unfortunately, the plan 'appears' to exclude those that are 'single' with no dependants, such as myself. Also, since the plan is 'voluntary', that suggests that out of approximately 2.6 million self employed in Canada, not 'all' owners will contribute and/or participate in the plan, which is of concern with respect to 'available funds.'

If the plan is approved, plan payments could begin as early as January 1, 2010 for those business owners that wish to take advantage of this new benefit that most certainly has reached its time to come to fruition.

You can read the canada.com reference article here:

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=9f7f2adc-b287-4e51-9d09-62e06e105931&k=40363

Are you on Disability? Be Careful on Social Networks!

I read this article regarding a Canadian woman who was legitimately on disability as she suffers from depression, like so many others all over the world.

To be on an antidepressent has become equal to, or perhaps has even surpassed, those that need to take a sleep medication in order to get their proper rest. In other words, it has become a common practice all over the world.

Following her Doctor's advice, she went on a little trip, celebrating her birthday, and this is where the 'fight' begins for her continued 'disability' coverage!

Unfortunately, she posted a few pictures on 'Facebook', which was a huge mistake! Her insurance agent happened to see the photos, assuming that she was indeed certainly 'not showing any signs of 'depression' in her 'holiday' pictures, and could in fact return to 'work.' Poof, no more disability benefits!!

Not having any source of income is certainly going to 'help' the person in this position now, don't you agree? Depression, worry, anxiety, feelings of helplessness, frustration, sadness, will all disappear, and she can bounce back into work like 'everything is everything!'

Give me a break! I find this article insulting, and will follow it to see what the ultimate outcome by the Superior Court is in December.

To me, that is like saying, if you suffer from depression, or any other illness for that matter, you should just roll up into a ball and hide somewhere, out of sight, and out of the minds of others.

You must keep a very 'disturbingly sad expression' on your face at all times, and show absolutely no signs of life, and you dare not make any effort of trying to help yourself 'get better.'!

I guess that means when I was off on disability, 'totally legitimate' as well I might add, I should not have smiled, or laughed, or cracked a joke! Heaven forbid my 'insurance agent' had 'caught me' yuckin' it up!

Oh yeah, having an illness is so much fun! Feeling totally disengaged from everything, and not having the distraction of going to work everyday and feeling useful and productive, is just great, party time for sure! Just stay rolled up in that ball, and 'out of every one's way, because no one wants to really deal with you! God!

This woman was following the advice of her Doctor and took a wee trip to try to feel better, not rip off her firm, or the insurance company.

You can read the full article below. Personally, in case you can not tell, it makes me sick, and I can not wait to see the results in December. Guess who I'm rooting for!

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/hotsites/2009-11-23-facebook-insurance-claim_N.htm?csp=34&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-TechTopStories+%28Tech+-+Top+Stories%29

Surprise! TransLink Is Raising Fares - Again!

With the Olympics rapidly approaching, it will be nearly impossible to manoeuvre your way around this city, even as a pedestrian, never mind as a driver.

This insane road traffic will be made even worse by the additional buses planned for our roads at this time. The good news is that, at least in the short-term, some of the unemployed will get a chance to earn a decent wage as bus drivers, and hopefully at least a small percentage of them will be kept on full-time.

In their usual 'timely' fashion, our local transit authority is seeking approval to increase fares April 1, 2010 on Faresaver ticket books by $4. Cash fares and single ticket purchases will not be affected.

This increase is in addition to hitting airport customers using the Canada Line between Bridgeport and Templeton stations and YVR with another $2.50 increase effective January 1, 2010. Just in time to take advantage of the influx of ‘tourists’ coming to our fair city to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience.

Full article details can be found at this Vancouver Sun link:

http://www.vancouversun.com/TransLink+hopes+raise+FareSavers/2212526/story.html

The Big 'O'

Well, the eagle has landed. Oprah gave her tear-filled speech this afternoon, and I am sure millions upon millions watched, boxes of Kleenex close at hand. I was a little choked up watching it myself. I have great admiration and respect for this beautiful woman. Oprah gives her all with any and every project she chooses to take on.

While we still have the luxury of enjoying Oprah over the next 18 months or so, I cannot actually believe that will be it. An 'Icon', the 'Queen of Talk', leaving her stage for the last time, at 56 years old, on September 9, 2011. Twenty-five years of blood, sweat and tears, as well as joy!

Oprah is a very shrewd businesswoman, and I think she must have at least a few cards up her sleeve, or maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Although I was not a daily viewer, I caught Oprah as often as possible, and laughed and cried with her many times over the years. The news mentioned 3 or 4 women that are suspect as the 'replacement' for Oprah's timeslot, like a 'replacement' could possibly exist. I am wondering about Ellen, who was not mentioned or pictured as a prospect in the news story by the way.

Oprah is brilliant, and made very wise investments aside from her own operations of course, which includes the Harpo Production Company, her publishing house, her own new cable show, and a radio station, to name just a few.

Oprah attended a 'secret' meeting of the world's richest philanthropists in May this year and I believe she is also the most influential and wealthiest african american in history. Oprah is also the world's only black billionnaire! WOW! What an incredible accomplishment from her very hard and humble beginnings!!

I am sure most of you witnessed, or at least heard about her speech and departure, so I will not bore you with a lot of detail. I just felt this wonderful 'lady' deserved a 'heartfelt mention.'

If, and when I grow up, I would be proud and fortunate to be much like her.......God Bless Oprah

Dollar Stores Are Cool!

I love my dollar stores! LOL! Some of the items are so neat, and you just can't get them anywhere else. For instance, I buy these little personal fans, yes, I need it! LOL! Anyway, they are like $2.00 plus some batteries, and really work well. Not only are they useful and cute, they are great conversation starters! Just like some of the funky lighters and other things I have bought in these stores.

Dollar stores are great for things like tape and pet supplies, kitchen stuff, etc. We all shop at them so I won't go on! They are all franchises and thus, the difference in price,which I find rather annoying just the same. There are two very close to me and I go to my fave to get something that's out of stock, so walk a few yards up to the other and there it is, but it's anywhere from .10 to .60 more. It's the principal of the thing. If I were running one of them, you can bet I would know what was in the competing store and what their prices were, just seems like common sense to me...

Anyway, I just think they are so neat! Great place for nice gift bags and ribbons, something a little different that doesn't fall apart on you, and the prices can't be beat. I've noticed over the last few Christmas' those stores have been ridiculously busy, so that says it all, doesn't it?! LOL!

The year before last I bought the most gorgeous wall decorations for Christmas that are so beautiful I wish I could keep them up all year long! Everyone wanted them! LOL! Like, no way, sorry....

So, if by chance you have never gone into one of these dollar stores, by all means, do give it a shot. You won't be disappointed, but prepare to be in there for a while as stock is everywhere and there is so much to look at. Don't worry, it's not that hard to get around and see what you're after, or even what you're not! Have fun!!

Stop Anyway! Intersections & Alleys

Alright, we all know drivers can sometimes be crazy and there are many out there who shouldn't even have a license to get behind the wheel! But this is getting ridiculous....

I live on a street, close to the corner, that does not ' display' a Stop sign, but obviously, being a 4- way-stop, requires the necessary courtesy - yeah right! It is literally dangerous on this corner!

I've heard of 'selective hearing', but 'selective sight' is something else! What, you missed that lady in bright red and neon yellow or lime crossing the street? The drivers around here couldn't care less!

There are an easy 60% of drivers that 'selectively' choose to believe that, since there isn't a big red stop sign, they can just sail right through the four-way stop, while one of the first things you learn is that, as a written rule of driving, you are suppose to 'stop or at least yield' to the pedestrian. Thank God for the 40% of drivers who are courteous and know the law of the road!

Last time I checked, which was within the last year, the 'pedestrian' still has the 'right-of-way', not the vehicular traffic.

Last year, walking home from the office, this huge van came tearing up the alley and came very close to hitting me! They laughed, called 'me' names, and told me to take a flying leap! LOL! Far too close for comfort for me, thanks! They were less than 4" away from me! My heart was leaping out of my coat! LOL! I laugh now, but it sure wasn't funny then believe me.

Drivers that would prefer to keep their license, and not have points against their drivers license would be wise to slow down and pay attention, because we aren't going to continue to put up with the crap! As a matter of fact, I will purposely walk out, in other words, I won't stop for you! I have the right-of-way, NOT you, so you better watch yourselves or you'll end up in court, like it or not!

Grab a brain, re-read your drivers book, and maybe this time around, the one lonely little marble you have for a brain, will pick up some speed and get the momentum to actually 'grasp' something of what you are reading! Far too many innocent people have died already, and you can bet, I do NOT plan on being the next in the long line, so get with it or get off the damn roads!....yada yada.....LOL!

Life Happens

I am sitting here and wondering how much longer I will have this apartment. I have been in this building for 16 years, and soon MAY be asked to leave. New owners are taking it over as of December 1st and they have a 'rep' for evicting and heavy re-construction to encourage people to leave!

This is not a pleasant thought at the best of times, but for me, it totally sucks! Being unemployed at the moment is enough to deal with, thanks. Losing my home, and my baby girl is just too big of a pill to swallow right now. My baby girl is my female calico, Kayla.

Rents are absolutely outrageously high, and the ball is in the owner's court, definitely not the renter that pays their way for their travels and fancy cars, etc. Do I sound jealous? No, I don't think so. It's not a job I would want to do. I certainly would not enjoy evicting people or giving them rent increases that are way over the limit, and impossible to come up with!

Let's face it, most apartment managers and owners aren't too popular with their tenants. It's a treat when you get good ones, so we are spoiled in this building.

Yes, life happens and some things really are beyond our control, which also sucks! I like to be in control of my life, not bend to someone else's beliefs. However, we all have to do what we have to do, yada yada...

Sorry, not exactly an uplifting post today! However, I still prefer to think positive and try to see the bright side of things. So, have to think positive and not dwell on something beyond my control. Everything happens for a reason......look for the silver lining, walk on the 'sunny' side of the street, what a bunch of bull! LOL!