Leopards Don’t Change Their Spots
I’ve just had some spam, trying to get me to sign up to Coral Bookmakers.
As I have a betting shop near me and an on-line account, I don’t need another.
So who is the Chief Executive of Coral? None other than Andy Hornby, who is one of the HBOS Three.
Some people never learn, how to run a business!
The Things I Forgot To Bring
I didn’t bring everything I needed on the cruise.
The main omission on my part, was not to bring a thick coat and plenty of cold weather clothing. But at least the jacket I did bring was very waterproof.
I also forgot my temperature and humidity meter from Maplin. It would have enabled me to do some experiments to find the atmosphere that is best for my health.
I also forgot to bring a pack of cards, which I was able to borrow on board. So I spent the last day at sea, playing Canfield.
Playing Canfield
And as always, I beat the bank. But then Mr. Canfield in Saratoga Springs made a fortune, as there were more mugs than people like me.
Incidentally, the rules I use, were from an old edition of Hoyle’s Games given to me at about eleven and are tougher than those generally used or indeed given in Wikipedia.
So this might be why, Mr. Canfield made a fortune.
I don’t gamble on cards, but if any casino decided to allow punters to play Canfield, I’d certainly check them out!
I think the only other thing I forgot was a shoehorn.
Should We Have A Benefits Cash Card?
It has been proposed by a thinktank, that those on benefit should get a cash card, that they can only spend on approved purchases, that would not include alcohol, cigarettes, Sky television, gambling and other things that the great and good felt were not necessary.
It’s one of these issues like capital punishment, that if went to a referendum, the general public would vote for.
I wouldn’t, as it is just against my beliefs.
We need to cut down the drinking of alcohol and the smoking of tobacco, but this doesn’t just apply to those on benefit.
But the biggest fault in the proposal is the practicalities.
I am a coeliac and if someone like me was on a benefits cash card, would they be restricted from buying good quality food. After all the gluten-free food you get on prescription is generally crap.
And let’s say you are careful and always shop in the local market, where good food is often cheaper. Is every market stall going to have the expense of accepting the cards, when cash is the best method of payment. So will the cards be able to withdraw cash.
I’ve had times in my life, when I wasn’t very well off and I always resort to cash, as I then know how much I’ve got left.
Is This Proof That The Lottery Is A Tax On The Stupid?
This story from the BBC says it all. Someone bought a lottery ticket and then failed to claim a multi-million prize.
That makes them doubly stupid in my book.
All the lottery does is encourages more people to waste money they don’t have.
If you want to give a little to charity through the lottery, you are probably better to give it directly to a suitable charity.
I do gamble occasionally, but only where some degree of knowledge or mental skill is involved.
The Gambling Spam Keeps Coming
I’m still getting the gambling spam, I reported about here.
I have only been counting since the 19th July, and as of this morning, I’ve received over 680 in a month.
This must rate installation in the Guinness Book of Records.
There is an iunsubscribe link on the e-mails. But it either doesn’t work or Outlook and my anti-spam system, doesn’t allow it to be used. I of course pass the link to my test machine, which means if it gets infected by a virus, I just delete everything.
Did Betfair Lay Down The Model For Social Lenders?
Zopa, Funding Circle and Ratesetter, think they are unique, but did they just borrow the principle from the betting exchange, Betfair.
In all four, you can play both sides against each other, although the purpose of Betfair is different.
The same principles could also be applied to an energy exchange. Let’s say a town or an area got together and pooled their energy needs and say they wanted a particular price, which the energy suppliers could then bid for.
I don’t see too much difference.
A Country I’ll Never Visit!
I’ve enjoyed the Czech Republic in the past, but I doubt I’ll be going to the neighbouring country, Slovakia, despite this enticing poster.
A Country I’ll Never Visit!
It’s all because I get around thirty spam messages a day promoting dodgy gambling sites, from a site with connections to the country. Here’s an extract from the domain registration.
fname: Dobran
lname: Sulaj
address: Letaliska 101
city: Kidricevo
pcode: 2325
country: SI
phone: +486-40-167802
email: support@dlypromos.com
Get your act together Slovakia!
Facebook Tries The Gambling Route
Facebook has decided that the way to salvation is to take the gambling route. They’re starting with bingo according to the Daily Telegraph.
That’s all parents want isn’t it! – Kids addicted to bingo on the Internet.
The Rise of Gambling Spam
I’ve had the impression for a week or so now, that the amount of spam I’m getting from dodgy gambling sites has been grown somewhat.
On the 1st, to the 7th of August, I’ve received 26, 32, 25, 21, 35, 24 and 29 messages respectively. A few months ago, they were quite rare.
They are ideal practice for using the Delete key on your computer.
I must admit I do like the odd small bet, but then only when I have inside information about the nag involved.
The only thing I do with Spam is occasionally eat it, as I’m a coeliac and it’s gluten-free.
I have now found that most of this spam comes from a website called http://www.promotion-rewards.com,which is registered with a Slovenia address.
It Must Be The Silly Season!
I’m getting masses of spam, trying to get me to join casinos. I haven’t seen it at this level for a couple of years.
They say there’s one born every minute, but it would appear that most of them are promoting on-line casinos. I suppose it could be due to a large number of unemployed kids, who’ve just left university and this is the only job they can get.
It’s so sad really.
The Anonymous Widower 