Monday Morning – Watch Where You Click

It looks like the identity thieves have a new angle in their relentless pursuit of you bank account.  I don't often post these sorts of notices, but occassionally it is worthwhile to share an especially insidious scam going around.  This one first came to my attention Saturday morning when the following email popped up in my mailbox:

I am always keenly alert to pledges of financial windfalls and promises of good fortune and this one, you will agree, really smells.  First of all, I have never heard of Direct Logistics, a supposed delivery service.  And secondly, I haven't ordered anything lately that hasn't already been delivered.  And further, it is not normal for any delivery service to send such an email anyway.

So without clicking on it, I scrolled my mouse over the TRACK NOW link and read the URL that it leads to and saw that it comes from Australia.  Yeah, right.  Suspicions confirmed.  So my next stop was to enter Direct Logistics in a search engine to see what comes up and lo and behold, a whole big bunch of postings in forums from people who did click the link and learned that it asks for you bank account login number and similar intrusive data. 

If you become one of the chosen few to get this promise of good fortune, just remember… forewarned is forearmed, as they say.

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This was a sad weekend for the baseball community as two of the genuine legends of the game passed away.  Late Friday we learned that Hall of Fame former manager of the Baltimore Orioles Earl Weaver died from a sudden illness while on an Orioles-related sea cruise in the Caribbean.  The beloved "Earl of Bawlmer" was one of the more successful managers in the game's modern era amassing a .583 winning percentage over 17 seasons.  He will always be remembered for his feistiness and temper that led to frequent confrontations with the umpires over their calls.

Adult-language warning!

After an especially-heated argument he would often get thrown out of the game, but getting in the last "word" he would kick dirt on the umpire's shoes before heading off the field.  I believe he is the only manager in the game's history – maybe even the only player – to have been thrown out of both games of a double-header.  His constant feuding with his top pitcher Jim Palmer is one of the game's legends.  He leaves behind a lot of memories and fan fondness along with a statue in front of Orioles Park.  He was age 82.

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It was early the next day on Sunday that we learned that one of the true greats of the game, Stan "the Man" Musial passed away the previous evening at age 92.  The legendary slugger for the St. Louis Cardinals spent his entire 22-year career with the team and collected 7 National League batting titles, won three World Series championships, and was selected for the All-Star Game 24 times.

"Stan the Man" Musial

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While there's timeout on the field, let's get started on the equipment check.  I see that there is a need to replenish the coffee supply, so I'll tag up at the Bunn-O-Matic before we run to the day room.  See you there.

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