Sometimes our secure server goes out due to any number of malicious viruses, gravitational vortex anomalies, disturbances in the force, intergalactic flesh eating worms, evil spam attacks or... what ever, and we are left twiddling our thumbs for a few hours. (sometimes I just make up stuff).

But, as luck would have it I am very resourceful and have come up with a few ideas about how to pass the time. Now, you could call your clients, organize your files, engage in some face-to-face interaction but that's just in theory. For those of us who need something a little more stimulating here is what I propose for those lost hours.

1. Draw a cartoon of the last appraiser who caused your deal to crater OR saved your deal (it does work both ways) and post it on ActiveRain at http://activerain.com/groups/appraisers  
2. Count your freckles, multiple by 27 and divide by 6.3 to calculate the number of times you will log onto Twitter in any given year only to encounter the fail whale and then post your answer here http://activerain.com/groups/twitter
3. Take 497 pictures of yourself and post them all in the comments section of Craig Rutman's blogs. He wont notice since he hasn't posted a blog SINCE 06/03/2009!!!!http://activerain.com/blogs/craigrutman
4. Buy a bag of Hershey Kisses, unwrap each one and carve your phone number in each one with a tooth pick and hand deliver to Realtors in your area. Post results here... http://activerain.com/groups/box
5. Find all Loan Officers in your area...call them and say "What is your rate today?"...HAHAHAHAHA!!!! When they say...."Is this Melissa again?" just hang up.
6. Send a loan application to all people who want to be your friend on FaceBook along with a note saying..."I hope we can be long time FB friends, share mutual networking ideas, and help one another to grow...I will let you know just as soon as I pull your credit." 
7. Tell your mother that all you want for Christmas is hand written testimonials about your loan services to post on your website, blog and FB page...ask her to include the request in the annual "Christmas Letter" sent to your 900 extended family and friends. Provide "samples" for them to copy if necessary. You should end up with 5-10 good testimonials for marketing purposes. Remind her that only first names will be used to protect their privacy. ;)  
8. Change your FB status to "single" if married or to "married" if dating someone with comitment issues and see what happens...post results here... http://activerain.com/groups/facebooktips  
9. Post this comment on Kevin Breeland's blog every day..."I can not believe this isn't a featured post! I'm flagging this for a feature now." http://activerain.com/blogs/kbreeland

Oh, sorry..e-mail is back up..gotta go!