Goal Setting: Keep Trying – You Will Get There!

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I was recently contracted by Celebrity Cruise lines to serve as a speaker on their newly launched Silhouette ship destined for the Caribbean. Little did I know that the journey would require five flights and a number of delays just to get to Port Liberty in order to sail.

My first airplane ride took me to Calgary where I had been booked by US and Canada Customs for an interview to secure a NEXUS card. I had figured that having this would streamline the security process for me. What I didn’t know was that you can’t actually use the system, even if you are approved, until you receive the physical card which arrives in the mail about four weeks after the interview. Oh, well!

Next I was off to Saskatoon. My luggage went to Vancouver! I told the airline that there wasn’t really any point in sending it to my son’s house that evening as my next flight was departing at 7:30 am.

My son and I arrived at the airport bright and early. We were eager to reach our New Jersey destination. We didn’t know that we would be landing in Regina on the commuter flight to pick up passengers or that we would be delayed in Customs in Chicago so long that we would miss our next flight. This resulted in an extra five-hour delay!

We finally made it to New Jersey and quickly booked a tour of New York City for the following day. When the bus driver dropped us off at the ferry that would take us to Liberty and Ellis Islands he stressed that we needed to be on the return ferry no later than 4:45 pm.

It was a beautiful day and we greatly enjoyed walking around the historic sites. When the time neared for us to head for the ferry’s dock, my son indicated that he needed a bathroom. So, I stood at the dock and watched the ferry arrive – and then leave again. Where was my son? It turned out that he had been stopped by Security and had to show the receipts for his purchases because there had been some shoplifters in the gift store.

The next ferry arrived and we quickly found a seat and purchased a lovely pretzel to share during the ride. But something just wasn’t right. My son decided to ask some questions of the crew and we soon realized that we were headed for New York instead of New Jersey! Wrong ferry! It took a few telephone calls to the tour company to gather information so that we could take a taxi from the landing dock across dozens of blocks in order to meet the tour bus again.

The next day we were determined to leave for our ship early enough to allow for any other unusual circumstances that might occur. Lucky we did! The cab driver missed the turn! After what we suspected was some swearing in a language neither of us understood, he said “Driver sleeping” followed by some frantic and illegal turns and twists.

We made it to the ship and I arrived on time to do the television interview with the Cruise Director – but my luggage didn’t make it on time for that – so I just carried on in what I was wearing for a broadcast that was replayed repeatedly over the next twelve days.

In a matter of four days, my luggage had been misdirected twice and we had missed an opportunity to streamline security, a flight, a ferry, a bus and the turn that would take us to our ship!

Sometimes life is like that. We set goals, make plans and begin the adventure with excitement. But then things can get in the way, delay us or just steal our motivation.

When life’s troubles happen, we have a choice of crying or laughing. My son and I chose to laugh! And continue moving towards the goal.

As you stand at the start of a new year, my hope is that you will have a destination in mind, determination to succeed and a willingness to laugh at the things that will happen along the way!

Happy New Year!

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

Crime Victim Traps

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Like many predatory animals, criminals will set up different baited traps to draw their prey into the positioning stage. Many of the traps mentioned are geared towards the most innocent of victims: children. But they also apply to teenagers and adults.

AFFECTION PLOY

The molester uses attention and faked concern to gain a child’s trust. Eventually there is a “return” demanded for this affection. In a prison interview, a convicted molester, Allan X, discussed his strategy of getting children to “open up” to him and to share secrets. After gaining some of the child’s confidence, this molester would test out the child to keep a secret. For instance, the molester might swear in front of the child and ask the child not to say anything about it. Then the predator waits and sees if the child says anything over the course of a week. If the child kept a secret, then the molester would eventually attempt play out some sick act. However, if the child did not keep the secret, then the molester would find another target.

ASSISTANCE PLOY

The criminal asks for help for directions or help in finding lost animals. This “finding a puppy” ruse was used repeatedly by child molester John Oughton, who was known as The Paper Bag Rapist. Operating near Vancouver, B.C., this molester would lure children close to wooded areas, in parks, by asking for help to find his lost puppy. Once in the bushes, the rapist would put a paper bag over the head of his victims. Ted Bundy used the assistance lure by wearing a fake arm or leg cast.

I once interviewed a waiter who fell for this tactic. He was walking home from work at 4 a.m. and was asked for directions by a big guy in a car. The big guy had a map on his lap. When the off-duty waiter reached through the window to point on the map, the big guy grabbed him, jumped out of the car and tried to molest the waiter. Right there, on the street, under the street lights.

The waiter broke free and ran. Later, when I contacted him, he was still so shaken that it was like pulling teeth to get an interview with him. After urging from his girlfriend, he finally agreed to an interview in hoping that it would help other people.

The other side of the Assistance Ploy, is the predator who positions themselves so that they can offer assistance and gain trust of their targets. In an interview, lawyer Andrew Vachss mentions a nine year old criminal, named Adam, who used to dress up in a sailor’s suit and wait outside of mall washrooms. Eventually, a mother with a young boy would appear. If the mother looked distressed over taking her son into the women’s washroom, Adam would offer to take the son into the men’s room, explaining that he often did it for his own baby brother. After an unusually long wait, the mother would get help or enter the washroom to find her son beaten up and clothes scattered. There would be an open window where Adam made his exit. (After his arrest, Adam felt no remorse as no one felt sorry for him when he was being beaten and abused.)

FAKE AUTHORITY

Criminals, like molesters, will use phony badges and other symbols of authority to gain control of a child or adult. They will usually attempt to intimidate juveniles who are shoplifting, smoking or loitering. The biggest tip off to a phony authority figure, be it a teacher or a police, is when they order the person into a vehicle or outside of the immediate area such as a mall. Sometimes the criminal will use an authoritative title on the telephone to get information or even set the listener up for an obscene telephone call.

BRIBERY

“Don’t take candy from strangers” is the old stand by used for decades. Nowadays, the bribes can be CDs, toys, videos and universal item, money. Bribery also buys off secrecy. Unfortunately, it works with adults and children alike. Some bribes can be subtle pay offs for remaining silent. People often feel that they owe the briber something. (I once heard a fitness spa manager describe how buying someone lunch will make them feel obligated to buy from you. Even a thousand dollar membership) Also, once you start taking bribes, like stolen goods, you set yourself up for manipulation.

EGO/FAME PLOY

Fame is a strong lure. Acting and modeling hopefuls are duped into performing for free or worse, pornography for hopes of future stardom. (Even actor Sylvester Stallone performed in a porn movie). A case example was when Toronto track star, 11 year old Alison Parrott was approached by a man claiming to be a photographer with a local newspaper. Alison’s mother gave the girl permission to meet this photographer at Toronto’s Varsity stadium. Alison was found violated and strangled two days later.

The lure to be in movies is strong amongst younger people. In an interview, child abuse lawyer Andrew Vachss comments:

“I’m telling you that there are cases in which crimes have been orchestrated

so they can be filmed. And I’m also telling you the public has no clue that’s actually happening. But the real one to me is the extent to which everyone is saying, ‘Oh, children are so vulnerable to the Internet.’ But where they’re really vulnerable is movies. I could, with no more of a costume than a T-shirt, go into any big city, and I could have thirteen-year-olds taking off their clothes in an hour. As long as I had a camera and said I was making a movie. And I’m not talking about wannabe Rita Hayworths. I’m talking about, you tell teenagers, ‘This is going to be a slasher movie, okay, and your role is you’re going to get to be raped and then stabbed to death.’ And some of these teenagers might answer you, ‘Cool. ‘”

THE EMERGENCY

This lie is to confuse the child and act impulsively. A typical approach may be to use the child’s name and tell them that there has been an accident with a parent. Eg. “Micheal, your dad just had a heart attack and your teacher, Mrs. Bloggins sent me to take you to the hospital.” Again, the biggest tip off, is ordering the child into a vehicle.

Protection Strategy: Develop a code word or name for the child, so if a stranger approaches them using their parent’s name, the child can ask for the code word. A child can also use a phony street name. They use a different name on the street so they cannot be traced to their home. The same goes for a dog’s name. If a stranger does not know a dog’s real name, there is less of a chance of them using it to get past the dog, in the owner’s home.

FUN AND GAMES

This is where a game progresses into fondling, robbery or assault. One approach is “hide the quarter” where the quarter is hidden somewhere obvious like under a watch band, then it progresses to areas like pant pockets. Tickle games will progress from tickling stomachs and under arms with the molester challenging the child that he could make the child giggle. From there, the molester will convince the child to allow greater and greater groping.

Kids often used tying up in games like Cowboys and Indians or Cops and Robbers. Fun is fun, but when wire, fishing line or hand cuffs come out, one really has to wonder what is on the menu.

Some adults still like playing and even bragging about tie up games. If they want to explain to their friends, family and police how they ended up tied, marked up, walked on with spiked boots and robbed, that is their business.

HEROES

Children, like other people, admire someone. This gives high profile predators considerable influence over their victims. The victim will endure repeated abuse to keep the “friendship.” This is typical of the local tough guy who younger males may look up to.

Even real celebrities, like Eric Rosser, the pianist (formerly from John Mellancamp’s band) have used their status to assault young teens and children. Eric Rosser has raped several children in Thailand. Teen groupies are also especially vulnerable to celebrities or gang members.

JOB OFFER

The predatory criminal will often use phony ads or flyers to schedule interviews with young people. A typical tactic was a “Wine Tasting Job” in where several women were interviewed in Toronto. A 19 and 21 year old woman were set up for a secondary interview which included the wine tasting. During the secondary interview, they were assaulted.

This job offer ploy used by the serial killer John Wayne Gacy. If young men approached Gacy with parents, Gacy would say that the positions were closed. Those young men who showed up by themselves often never left.

When people get desperate for money they tend to ignore their built-in danger signals.

COMBINATIONS

Clifford Robert Olsen, who sexually assaulted and killed dozens of teens and children (including one from my mother’s neighborhood), used a combination of lures. He would often pick up hitchhikers or offer teenagers jobs and ply them with beer. He would take them somewhere isolated and kill them. This monster was a known informant to the Canadian police and would hunt for young victims immediately after leaving the police station as an informant.

Doug Setter holds a Bachelor’s of Human Ecology. He has served as a paratrooper and U.N. Peacekeeper, completed 5 full marathons, climbed Mt. Rainier and is the author of Stomach Flattening and One Less Victim. He instructs fitness, muscle-gain, weight-loss, “stomach flattening” and kick-boxing. He can be reached at: http://www.2ndwindbodyscience.com

A Day in the Life of a Private Investigator

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Books and movies portray private investigators as sleuth individuals who will lie, cheat, or steal in order to get the bottom of a crime. These peoples always find themselves in the line of fire in the most critical moments. Characters like James Bond or James Patterson’s Alex Cross often come to mind when considering a day in the life of a private investigator.

In reality, PI’s have a sophisticated body of work that includes research and field work. The work incorporates several types of surveillance methods through the use of phones, computers, microphones, cameras, and more recently, email and internet searches. Their job usually begins with gathering records and learning background information on each particular case. In the case of a missing person, the PI might visit the person’s family, neighbors, and friends to gain a sense of who this person is. In the case of the cheating wife or husband, the investigator may spend his entire day trailing the alleged adulterer, following from a far enough distance where the suspect can’t see him. PIs may follow their target into a place as formal as an office building or as crude as a local watering hole. Each particular case requires a certain level of stealth action in order for the private investigator to solve the mystery.

An investigators workload can include a vast variety of cases, some of which include:

o Providing security for celebrities

o Assistance in personal injury, child custody, civil liability and divorce cases

o Finding key witnesses

o Catching shoplifters in retail stores

o Acting as detectives for large hotels

o Doing a background check for companies hiring new employees

o Working for insurance companies and searching for fraudulent claims

Most PI’s have worked as police officers or security guards before becoming an investigator. Some have licenses to carry guns, and virtually all have a college background in criminal justice or police science. However, corporate investigators may have a law degree, MBA, or CPA to help them become specialized in certain fields.

From insurance fraud to figuring out, private investigators live life in the fast lane. It’s a job that combines hours of surveillance with hours behind a computer screen. Yet, no matter how they get there, in most cases, hiring a PI will result in finding a conclusion to your problem.

Eat, Shop, And Be Merry?

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Early on in my study of consumer behavior, I attended a national conference on eating disorders. Catherine Steiner-Adair, one of the keynote speakers, asked the audience what we thought were the two major activities traditionally pursued by women to deal with life’s ups and downs. The silence was palpable. She then answered her own question: “Dieting and shopping.” Her statement was instantly acknowledged throughout the room, first by a saddened hush, then with murmurs of agreement all around. That was 1991. In the intervening twenty years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the intricate and complex relationship between shopping and eating, weight and wealth, being rich and being thin.

Diane Barth has explored the subtlety of the relationship. In “When Eating and Shopping Are Companion Disorders” (Benson, 2000), she observes that although “every therapist who works with eating disorders can provide anecdotal reports of binge eaters who binge-shop, anorexics who shoplift, bulimics who compulsively buy items they never use,” less expected combinations are also abundant. One anorexic “may also severely limit herself in regard to all purchases… while another shoplifts regularly and… a third goes on frequent shopping sprees.” Barth sees shopping and eating as two entirely normal ways to regulate and manage moods and feelings; they can soothe us when we feel “hurt, lonely, angry, or disappointed,” relax us when we feel “tense, overwhelmed, or over-stimulated,” or energize us when we feel sad or tired. They are connected, in other words, by their similar function in coping with affects. When people can’t regulate or tolerate their feelings, however, shopping and/or eating can become “repetitive, compulsive, and undifferentiated responses to a wide variety of emotions and experiences.”

Barth notes that people with shopping and eating disorders often have little sense of their own inner processes, little ability “to conceptualize emotional cause and effect.” They lack, she finds, “the ability to use words symbolically to help metabolize emotions.” So even when they can articulate what are apparently clear symbolic connections between their eating and shopping behaviors and, say, their childhood experiences, their symptoms don’t change.

A case in point: now that Jennifer Hudson’s weight loss has brought her from a size 16 to a 6, the singer admits to being addicted to shopping. Since she began enjoying her new body, Hudson has bought a lot of new clothes. “It got to a point where I could barely get in my bedroom,” she told InStyle magazine. When did she realize she had a problem? “Well, my bed is a canopy. I had nowhere else to throw the clothes. So I threw them on top of the canopy!” Hudson continues to shop whenever she travels. “Each city we go to, my suitcase won’t hold my new clothes, so we have to box them up and ship them home. Then I get back and want to try on everything I bought, so clothes are just everywhere.” Hudson seems at ease with the problem. Her shopping may not stop, she says, but her weight loss will: “you’re never going to see me skinny.”

In a recent piece for American Express Open Forum, Jean Chatzky cites research showing that “your health and your wealth are inextricably linked,” including a recent German study demonstrating that “serious debt makes you twice as likely to be overweight or obese.” For people with both shopping and eating problems, she offers this six-step plan:

-Start with one thing first.

It’s not easy to tackle two daunting tasks at once. And dieting-whether with your stomach or your wallet-can be incredibly daunting. So pick either your weight or your money as your first focus.

-Deal with feelings of deprivation.

When you start reining in your spending so you have money to pay down your debt, you might actually gain a few pounds at first. Be on the lookout for your impulses to transfer from shopping to eating. When you’re trimming your spending, if it feels like deprivation, you’re going to try to fill yourself up in another way. Eating is the commonest other way. To minimize the chances of this happening, give yourself small manageable goals. Save $10 to put toward your debt this week, or drink water instead of soda. Next week, you can aim to save $15 or start taking a walk on your lunch break. If even that seems like too much, alternate so you focus on your weight one week and your debt the next.

-Once you’re feeling in control, layer.

You’ve dropped a few pounds or paid down a few hundred in debt and now you’re feeling pretty good, right? In fact, what you’ve learned is impulse control. You’ve given your willpower a workout. Now it’s time to add on the second half of the equation. You’ll see that the challenge you’ve already conquered will help you. When you get a grip on your finances and live in the black instead of in the red, you’ll be less stressed out, which helps reduce stress eating. In the short term, losing weight increases your self-esteem, which could make you less prone to emotional eating and shopping. However, it could go the other way, like it did for Jennifer Hudson, so be on the lookout for rewarding yourself for losing weight by overshopping.

-Pick a new distraction.

If you substitute eating for shopping, or shopping for eating, you’re right back to where you started. Instead, try to figure out what will meet your needs and not erode your life in the way that turning to food and to stuff does. Call up a friend and see if she can get together for coffee, take a long walk, go on a run, or organize a space in your home that has gotten out of control. All of these things can help quell the feelings that might drive you to shop and eat.

-Reward yourself.

We all need something to look forward to, and often, it’s easier to meet goals if we make them tangible. Give yourself milestones, and when you reach them, have a mini-celebration: join a friend for a drink, get a manicure, have that cookie (just one) you’ve been wanting. To keep yourself on track, think about what reaching your goals will mean. If you pay off debt, you might have an extra $300 to put toward something you want, like the payment on a new car or a trip to the beach next summer. And if you shed the extra weight, you can wear a bikini on that trip with confidence, or play with your kids without getting winded.

-Finally (and this is not so much a step as a long-term change), delve deeper.

Once you’ve seen some early progress, it’s time to figure out why you’re overspending and why you’re overeating. Often, it’s about loneliness. When you’re at the mall, you’re surrounded by people, and the sales clerks all want to make you happy. Another common root is low self-esteem. You already feel bad about how you look, so you figure one donut won’t make a difference. You need a boost, so you head to your favorite store, where you can try on a new outfit and everyone will tell you how amazing it looks on you. Or maybe it’s plain old boredom. You have too much downtime, at work or at home, so you’re constantly snacking and shopping online. Whether you’re shopping or staring into the fridge, ask yourself a few simple questions: Why are you here? How do you feel? Do you need this? Keep in mind this mantra for overshoppers and overeaters: “you can never get enough of what you don’t really need.” Eating and shopping often spiral out of control because we’re trying to fill a void, but going about it in the wrong way. Once you’ve pinpointed what really drives you to the store and the fridge-and often, it’s the same thing-you can start dealing with it in a constructive, lasting way.

April Lane Benson, PhD., is a nationally known psychologist who specializes in the treatment of compulsive buying disorder. She has been in private practice in New York City for over 30 years.

Dr. Benson is the founder of Stopping Overshopping, LLC, and creator of Stopping Overshopping, a comprehensive program to help eliminate compulsive buying.

She is the editor of I Shop, Therefore I Am: Compulsive Buying and the Search for Self, and she is the author To Buy Or Not To Buy?: Why We Overshop and How to Stop. Stopping Overshopping, LLC maintains an informative website at http://www.stoppingovershopping.com.

Private Investigation – Protection Is Actually What They Really Do Best

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Film stars depict private investigation protection as something, which is actually enjoyable and simple. The simple truth is that the idea is actually less simple as it appears. With regard to beginners, each and every situation differs. Individuals employ personal detectives daily for a number of factors.

That’s the reason personal researchers possess their very own area of knowledge. In order to focus on the specific requirements of individuals requiring protection, researchers are usually educated specifically for their own area of support.

What exactly are several of the products and services in which personal researchers perform upon?

1. Protection with regard to well-known individuals.

Well-known individuals such as political figures, millionaires as well as celebrities employ personal researchers for protection reasons.

Regarding political figures, it really is obvious that these people have opponents that could wish to damage their own well-being. The actual function associated with personal detective would be to safeguard these people towards these types of foes.

They additionally are the kinds these types of political figures depend on when they would like info concerning individuals, locations or even occasions that may perform a significant part in their own professions.

Millionaires as well as celebrities possess property to safeguard. Without having protection, these people usually concern that their own existence might be at risk due to people who wish to make the most of these people or even the ones that turn out to be enthusiastic about the things they’re doing.

2. Protection away from scams.

Banking institutions are right now cautious concerning individuals they perform business venture with. Personal researchers are usually employed by insurance providers to discover details about customers who desire to declare financial loans or even obtain claims.

The reason being there are currently lots of instances concerning scams as well as identification robbery. Through the years, increasingly more instances such as these haven’t been captured. Also it appears that clever methods are now being produced to ensure that individuals could possibly get out with these types of offences.

In retaliation, businesses employ private investigators before these people practice a particular deal. This is actually their guarantee that they will certainly not end up being cheated.

3. Event planning.

Regulation establishments employ personal researchers in order to assist these people collect evidences or even find witnesses when preparing for their situation. Secret researchers are additionally the types accountable for safeguarding individuals that possess substantial part in the actual situation.

For any situation to be prosperous, all of the perspectives as well as occasions ought to be regarded. Along with the support of personal researchers, attorneys can develop and succeed their own situation.

4. Protection from fraud.

Retails shops along with other company institutions obtain the products and services of personal researchers to avoid robbery, pilferage or even shoplifting. More often than not, these types of researchers conceal themselves so they will certainly mix in along with the clients.

Big establishments are not any longer happy with protection or even monitoring digital cameras. These people choose getting personal researchers around to enable them to behave instantly anytime difficulties occur.

5. Inside as well as exterior analysis.

Large companies who would like to possess first-hand details about their workers ask personal researchers. This particular is actually really essential for people who wish to preserve the security as well as efficiency of their labor force.

These types of researchers carry out considerable analysis concerning the topic prior to confirming just about all them to the individual in control. These people are usually effective at searching up previous information that goes long ago previously.

These are simply a few of the types of exactly what private detectives can handle. They are additionally in a position to perform additional types associated with personal analysis as well as protection based on what is actually requested of these people.

Simply provide them with all of the essential details and they will certainly get your own situation very quickly.

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Why An Imitation Security Camera Is So Effective

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What does an imitation security camera have in common with a small town sheriff? An obvious answer might be – nothing at all. But what if the small town sheriff was not a real sheriff? If we ask the same question, but call our sheriff an imitation sheriff, the two definitely have something in common.

The Need For Inexpensive Law Enforcement – One comes down a rather steep hill when entering our little town from the south. Drivers, especially those from out of the area or out of state, are not in the habit of slowing down at upon entering the town, whereas most of the locals seem to know better. This obviously creates a safety issue in a town not noted for stoplights, and having only a single crosswalk. The solution? The town hired Omar. Omar sits in a marked highway patrol car. He wears a cowboy hat and sunglasses. From a distance he looks like someone you wouldn’t want to fool with, and someone who would be all to happy to give you a speeding ticket. Sometimes Omar is parked at the south edge of the town, sometimes at the north edge, and sometimes outside of the post office in the middle of town. Omar more often than not has a cup of coffee sitting on the dashboard. He is very good about getting drivers to stay within the speed limit. Tourists tend to hit the brakes at the bottom of the hill when they first spot Omar.

There was recently a celebration honoring Omar’s first anniversary as the town’s sheriff. Omar didn’t say too much during the celebration. In fact, Omar didn’t say anything. Omar is a dummy. Every day, his owner drives him in the police car to a particular spot, sits him behind the wheel, adjusts his cowboy hat, and on some days, places a coffee cup on the dashboard.

Fooling The Would-be Thief – What does all this have to do with an imitation security camera? You’ve probably guessed that already. An imitation security camera is definitely a crime deterrent, just as an imitation cop can cut down on speeders. Installing such a camera, indoors or outdoors, or at your home or business, can definitely minimize vandalism, theft, or other criminal or mischievous activity. For one thing, it looks like the real thing. Most of these cameras use the same housings that regular security cameras use. You just don’t have to pay for the camera itself and all of the associated equipment. An imitation camera doesn’t have to be tied into a building’s wiring system, and there is little or no maintenance required. Some cameras are battery powered, some are solar powered, and some are simply empty shells. Some models come with a motion detector and a blinking LED light, giving anyone near the device the feeling they are being watched.

Criminals still rob businesses. They wear ski masks, or at least the more intelligent ones do, knowing their actions are likely being recorded by a security camera. Imitation cameras won’t put a halt to this kind of activity although their presence may make the would be robber think twice. They are most effective when it comes to cutting down on shoplifting in a business or discouraging a prowler around a business site or a private residence. They are not expensive, and definitely worth the cost. In a high crime area or in a business where shoplifting is a problem, an imitation security camera can pay for itself in no time at all.

An inexpensive imitation security camera can pay for itself in a very short time, being an effective deterrent to mischievous or criminal activity.

James Mayo

info@security2020.com
http://www.security2020.com
800-366-7235

Security2020.com markets over 300 security related products for your home and business. We have live customer service representatives ready to take your call and to help you find a security device to fit your specific need.

Please do not hesitate to call or email us. We offer a 5% discount if you mention EzineArticles when you call or email.

Mother’s Day in Jail – Charleston, SC

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The banging doesn’t stop. The talking does not cease. The noise levels are deafening. Night and day make no difference in this place, except in the amplification of noise.

The androgynously masculine guards joke and guffaw, inmates the brunt of their jokes. If they ever knew what it was like to be thoughtful or considerate, they do not show it. Several hundred female inmates attempt to sleep behind locked doors in the cacophony of harsh sounds. Sacred space is not to be found here. As they joke and swear, telling stories in deep voices, the sounds bounce off the cinderblocks, reverberating through the walls.

Under normal circumstances, these are people to I would avoid when walking down a darkened street, the last group I would turn to for help. They are the heyenas of this jungle, keeping everyone in line by pouncing on weakness. Their callousness leads me to wonder to the time in their lives when someone treated them with such distain and shame that they would enjoy this kind of job. The cycle of pain continues here, metered out with a different kind of victim.

It’s 4:00 AM on Mother’s Day and as this particular holiday goes, it’s the last place I ever expected to spend it. As far as surprises go, this one is a doozy; far above and beyond anything my children could have envisioned for their Momma.

I’ve just arrived. Tired, and in shock over the chain of events that led here. For the first time in five hours, I’m able to rest and contemplate.

I daydream of previous Mother’s Days, each one different and yet the same. Of two cherubic cheeked, blue eyed little boys proudly bringing breakfast to their Momma in bed, accented with freshly picked wild flowers. There is no breakfast in this particularly confining resort, no chocolate French toast with whipped cream, no orange juice on today’s menu. Remove generosity or acknowledgement for the hardworking, sometimes exasperated young mother that I was. No praise for the mother of two self-propelled boys that I am today. None of that found in this particularly confining resort.

Surrounded by cold cement walls, only a thin sliver of 3 inch wide window gives any indication of a world outside. Two inches of stiff vinyl-covered ‘mattress’ separates my sore body from the cement floor. Ignoring the pain shooting through my limbs, I lay on the mattress in the only way possible, counting the dozen inches between my feet and the open commode. Although my preference would normally be to lie where I can see outside, the close proximity to the toilet intervenes. For now I prefer to face the steel orifice, my head 3 inches from one of two permanently placed steel stools. The irony is not lost here. My life is in the toilet.

The bedding ensemble is as harsh, perhaps left over from the Civil War. A dark scratchy gray blanket absent of flowers, fluffiness, or softness is my covering. A small hand towel rolled up under my neck serves as a pillow, the cement wall behind me supports my back. I lay sideways, close my eyes and rest in an attempt to acclimate to this environment and sleep in such a place. A thin gray blanket, and a sewn together sheet resembling a huge pillow case completes the ensemble in this bare place. The comfortable nest I normally sleep in is far away from here, yet I too far to climb into. Instead, I bring it to mind, sinking down into soft pillows, the sound of the ocean and sleep.

To drown out the deafening noise, I let my dreaming take me to previously happy Mother’s Days. Longing for home, my imagination takes me to a bathtub filled with hot water, Epsom salts and essential oils. My children are respectful, quiet, tiptoeing around the house as I sit in my womb-like room. Candles burn, instrumental music plays. I savor this, knowing that at any moment a dimpled little hand will knock lightly on the door, and a sweet baby boy voice will say, “Mommy, breakfast is almost ready!” Closing my eyes, gratitude for sweet moments as these begins to flow and I am able to doze.

Other Mother’s Days flood my memory. I savor the sweetness of golden moments held forever in time. My mind sifts through each one like a lost treasure. I smile, remembering my first, the joy of knowing a belly full of new life, fluttering about like a lost bumblebee in my womb. The sweet moments when tiny hands reached for my face, laughing blue eyes reaching into my heart while a rosy mouth pulled the milk from my breast. Of misshaped pancakes made by busy little hands, fresh picked wild flowers adorning a tray brought to the bedside. Of awkwardly wrapped presents and lovingly scribbled cards scrawl-signed in bright crayon. Of the most recent, when my grown boys/men drove two hours alone to award me with the gift of time out of busy school schedules to present me with an inflatable raft. None of us had a clue that the journey I would take would bring me to this place.

At 6:30 am, the noise levels increase markedly. Dawn in jail is not celebrated with a quiet change from dark to light, only by an amplification of noise. My cellmates sigh and toss in their beds, getting ready to rise. Mary heaves herself down from the top steel bunk, scratches, stretches and peers eagerly out the window of the closed door. In white boxer shorts and sports bra sans underwire, her femininity is about gone. It’s hard to be polite first thing in the morning, but she is. She both introduces herself and excuses herself for having to use the commode. As she lowers herself to the seatless commode, she nods at me, sizing me up in two words, “First time?”

I nod, looking away to give her a semblance of privacy. “What are you in for?” she asks. “Suspended license.” “How’d they get you?” “I didn’t use my turn signal on Sullivan’s Island.” I reply. Incredulous, she counters with, “Vultures.” I am relieved that she is as bewildered as I am. She informs me that breakfast will be soon. Moments later, the buzzer sounds, doors unlatch and swing out as women begin lining the halls waiting their turn.

Mary cranes to see out the door what today’s breakfast is. “Looks like oatmeal today,” she says just before leaving the cell. Both cellmates leave the cell, and I take advantage of the moment of privacy to use the commode before venturing out to see what lies in store.

The line of women forms around the top floor and weaves down the stairs. Like a flock of gray, weary geese, they move forward toward breakfast, plastic shower shoes shuffling on the concrete floor. Talking in low voices, some of the women at the back of the line nod to me briefly, without pausing their conversations. Social moments are precious here, so I observe in silence. I want to remember this long enough to write about it later.

The brief moment of privacy has cost me, for I am last in line as it snakes down the stairs. I take a moment to absorb the surroundings, noting the less hardened faces, the wan smiles among the bunch. Some look as if the life has been drained from them; others wipe sleep from their eyes. A few hardened ones appear to be in their natural environment. Again, I retreat to my imagination, pretending we are in a spa dressed in fluffy, soft white robes, sipping mimosas, waiting for breakfast and coffee. Instead, we are lined up like grey geese, waiting for our share. Finally it’s my turn to accept a tray, and begin the search for a table. Most are filled. This is worse than high school.

The food is as appetizing as dog vomit. Whatever smell it may have begun with, now is gone. I wouldn’t give this stuff to anyone, but then I’m a raw foods connoisseur who associates serving a great meal with loving those it’s served to. Anything cooked in my book is devoid of nutrient value, but this stuff is truly awful. Mushy, without form or texture, it can only be eaten with a spoon. “Breakfast” is oatmeal and something that seems like ground mystery meat, served with potato chunks swimming in lukewarm water. Maybe it’s an attempt at hash browns, but it looks more like congealed potato glop. Doughy, dense cake/bread and milk are the remaining components of the meal. All jokes aside, there is not a single school cafeteria lunch that could ever be this bad. The employee rejects from the cafeteria must work in the jailhouse kitchen. It’s so far from my usual diet of yogurt, granola and fruit – also food that can be eaten with a spoon – yet light years ahead in nourishment value than what I’m faced with eating now.

Hot coffee is noticeably absent, although the guards all have a huge cup. They know the aroma taunts us. Perhaps the really good cooks here can make the coffee taste something close to the real thing, but I’m comforted by the fact that they probably don’t make the coffee any better than the rest of the meal. I picture my plastic, 6 ounce cup of water as a steaming cup of hazelnut coffee with the perfect blend of hazelnut cinnamon creamer and a dash of sugar. I have a great imagination, but this leaves a lot to be desired. Jesus turned water into wine. I was really hoping to make that work with water into coffee.

As I take my tray to the table, the other women are shoveling this stuff into their mouths as fast as possible. There are 10 minutes to complete the process of standing in a long line, finding a table and eating Stomach growling, I push food around on the thick plastic tray. I wonder how many people have been forced to eat this pitiful excuse for a meal. The digestive consequences of eating this glop will far outweigh the short term hunger of the moment, so I decline to eat most of the meal. Two bites of doughy cake and a sip of water is all I can stand. I can’t seem to stomach the idea of it. Just as I work up the courage to take a bite, the 20 something girl looks right at me and asks if I’m going to eat what’s on my tray. I am relieved to let her have my share. I hand her my tray, but another girl cautions me to just spoon mine out into hers, for if the guards notice the absent tray, its back to the cell early for my generosity.

Heaven forbid I have to return to the cot on the cement floor for even one minute longer than absolutely necessary.

The 20 something girl has finished eating my oatmeal. She thanks me, mouth brimming full of it. I want to throw up at the way these women are reduced to less than animals in this place.

I watch the other women and find myself filled with gratitude for my ability to choose fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. My active imagination kicks in, taking me from women shoveling gruel into their mouths to the finest ladies enjoying high tea. I listen to women around the table and glean their stories. One by one, I make eye contact, break the rules and ask their names. They are helpful, matter of fact, and full of information as to what to expect. We have 10 minutes to shovel this slop into our mouths, stand in line at the water fountain to refill our plastic coke bottles and get back to our cells. As we line up at the water fountain, the androgynous guards yell at us to hurry up. Evidently, their joking is important, and we’re interfering. It’s acutely clear that if we don’t hurry and get into our ‘rooms’, there will be trouble.

We line up, taking the trays back, and filling up water bottles at the fountain. Any dawdling or talking or social activity is seen as misbehavior. A woman coughs violently as she holds herself over the trash can; her meal coming up with flem. A guard berates her for not making it to the toilet in her cell. She coughs with the deep hacking of someone with pneumonia. There is no compassion from the 300lb guard, only ferocity and hate. I wonder what cruelty s/he endured as a child to bring job satisfaction in this moment.

I don’t belong here, yet here I am. Thanks to a lack of providing a turn signal.

After breakfast, we talk in the cell. My cellmates are confident that I’ll be released today or tomorrow. I notice a Bible in Mary’s stash, and ask for pen and paper. A golf pencil is removed from a hidden compartment in a deodorant container. I write, so I can remember this later.

“Mary” begins by telling her story, one that has been told repeatedly. My curiosity is growing by the minute about these women I’m confined with. What I discovered is that there is more kindness in jail between inmates than there ever is coming from those in the jail’s employ. The ones who are locked up are the ones who are the most polite and considerate. Imagine that.

Mary ends with a vehement vow to never return to the Holy City. Her bitter perspective is a reflection of her experience in the system. She mentions that more women are in South Carolina jails for Domestic Violence, Mental Illness, and Substance Abuse than for anything else. The combination of all three is her downfall. Mental illness is tough enough to deal with (depression), combined with alcohol (a depressant) and a man with a penchant for communicating with his fists rather than his words. She has been her 20 times in 22 years. According to her statistics, when she calls the police for domestic violence, both parties are always arrested, because she no longer allows him to wail on her. She fights back.

Her cell mate, Vanessa, age 21, is here for leaving her 8 month old son in the car while she paid for gasoline on a 50 degree overcast day. I’ve done that with my own kids without needing jail time. In fact, my oldest son was accidentally locked in our running van at the post office for an hour on a 40 degree day in Atlanta. I shudder to think what could have happened if there weren’t people to assist me with breaking back into my own van. Perhaps she is in need of a parenting mentor instead of jail time away from her baby on her first Mother’s Day. Her eyes speak of longing for her baby, a precious little bundle of energy and joy who undoubtedly wonders where his mother has been for the last two months.

As for my reasons for spending time in the jailhouse spa, surely you’re wondering. It’s like this: Unbeknownst to me, I was driving with a suspended driver’s license. It was suspended as of 6 days prior to the date of the arrest. I had no idea that it was even in jeopardy of being suspended. This harkened back to a speeding ticket (10 miles over) in Wahalla, SC on a trip from Dahlonega to Flat Rock, NC. The state doesn’t give a damn if you can pay the fine or not.

So after the bluegrass gig on Sullivan’s Island, the vultures with badges were waiting. I was unclear on which direction home was when the blue lights came on. Failing to use a turn signal, is what started this whole mess. When Officer Mast ran my license and discovered the suspension six days prior, I had no clue how much trouble that meant.

Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to tickets. I’ve not received a speeding ticket in 15 years, so the chain of events that spawned this reality was a rude awakening. Never in a million years did I imagine spending Mother’s Day in jail, but here I sit.

The moment an officer pulls you over, he is checking the list in his head of all the possible things that you are already doing wrong. It’s his job to cast the widest possible net so he can bring you in.

Reading Orwell and experiencing it in the flesh are two different things. Technology is keeping tabs on us, yet modern day technology does not come with this attitude. You are a non-person the moment you are in handcuffs. Finding you at fault is their job.

When the officer asked for my license and registration, he was as nice as could be. When he asked me to step out of my car, he was any Southern gentleman, opening the door for a lady. That was the end of it however, because the moment the handcuffs were on, in his mind I was guilty. They did not rough me up, but they did not want to hear anything out of me, either. When my legs wobbled, and I stumbled, standing against the car, I was gently escorted to the back seat of a cruiser. It was that simple, and that fast.

I have spent the last seven years healing from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. My body is in constant pain all the time, and that level of pain increases markedly in stressful situations. If being arrested isn’t the most stressful situation I’ve been in, I don’t remember what was. I’d spent the last seven years of my life on disability, making ends meet with selling art.

I’d spent the better part of nine months traveling between Gainesville and Asheville, staying with friends or house sitting to regain my financial balance. The ticket in Wahalla, SC for 10 mph over the speed limit was a foreshadowing of what was to come.

That’s what brought me to the back seat of the cruiser. There I was, shutting down in the officer’s car. My mind is focused on attempting to meditate and relax the muscles that are crying out for relief from this stuck position with my arms handcuffed behind me. The banjo picker knows my physical dilemma and pleads with the officers to allow me to be re-handcuffed from the front. His request is ignored. They say to hang on, we’ll be there soon enough. And take an eternity to get through the paperwork.

There is no one in Charleston that I know to call to help me. My cell phone is in the car. I am so out of luck here. Unless I can remember at least one person’s phone number, it’s likely that I’ll be in jail awhile.

My car is loaded with inventory, art and CD’s of my online radio show. A week prior, I’d just made the trip back to Georgia in to restock inventory to sell it at the City Market. Friday night’s sales netted exactly $10. Not enough to pay for the $12 booth. But I digress. To say I was in the hole financially would be an understatement.

At this point, my inventory is being sniffed over and walked upon by a German Shepherd, who is not leaving any nooks or crannies uninvestigated. He steps on all the paper art, putting weight on things that are supposed to stay protected in plastic containers in the car. These cops have turned a simple thing into a complete circus, at the expense of my livelihood. The inspirational cards I create are being trampled by the dog, his handler, and the other over zealous cops that surround us. Instead of protesting, I make myself small and still in the back seat of the police cruiser.

One of the officers asks his captain over the radio, “Aaaah, Sir? How are we going to inventory this?” Inside, I am frustrated about their total ignorance of how to handle art, and crying over my misfortune simultaneously. My hand made cards are being destroyed here and now, because these guys are bored. I want to scream with frustration at their flagrant violence of my sacred space, and my livelihood. I am humiliated, in pain, and now a good portion of my worldly possessions and means of income are being destroyed by a police dog. He’s in places that Cisco has never been allowed to be in, for his place is only in the front seat, away from paper that can be crushed or stepped on and ruined.

Welcome to Sullivan’s Island. Boredom must be high here in the Sullivan’s Island PD. I learn that they are in position by 10:00 pm, lying in wait like hyenas on the hunt for weaker target. I’m determined to never return to this place except on official business.

A trip across the Ravenel Bridge, brings us to Leeds Avenue. New to Charleston, I’m normally eager to look out the window when crossing this beautiful work of architectural wonder, especially at night. Tonight is a different story. Bent forward, I attempt to ignore the bumps in the road and the pain shooting up my arms, shoulders, and back. I’m imagining being on a sailboat, free, off the proverbial grid of the watchful eye of Big Brother. I’m not a criminal; I just enjoy the freedom of privacy. It has been violated in every way imaginable on this night.

Privacy is not something one has in jail. At best, when you are handed a ‘new’ set of clothes, and a few moments and a small space to change, with someone watching at all times. The toilets are never behind a wall – only open, with no seat or paper to speak of. It’s either get familiar with the porcelain, or hang low. I suppose in the sewn up sleeping sheets, one could have privacy, you could wiggle a toe without anyone knowing. But for someone who relishes sacred space and respect of others, this is quite a rude awakening.

I can’t remember how many times I’ve told a domestic partner, “Look, no matter how bad it is, I will never ‘go’ in front of you.” Even with a history of kidney stones, I keep my dignity and privacy there. In jail, this rule goes out the window. The privacy I get is while my other two inmates have gone outside the cell for breakfast; sacrificed for a long wait in line for blended slop.

For someone with a heart for those in prison, it’s most ironic to find myself here. A few inmates in Gainesville, GA considered Tribal Vibe (my radio show) the best spiritual food available. Now I know why they liked it so much, and it was not because of my midnight radio voice, although I’m sure in this rough place, any softness or kindness is appreciated. I can only imagine how it must be for the men if the women are treated this way.

Actually, I’ve never wanted to hear my own radio show so much myself. I am thankful for this experience, for it gives me a glimpse of what they live in on a daily basis. Most of the listeners are in for DUI related crimes, and I wonder how much recovery can actually occur in this place. How many people actually belong here? How many were contributing members of society, working for their families? How many lives were put on hold to come to this place? Jail is not a place for recovery, of that I am now certain.

At lunch, it’s the same routine of grey geese lining up to see what’s on the tray. Good nutrition is just not here. I take my tray and sit beside a woman who is eating a vegetarian meal. When I ask how she got it, she says, you have to be here 36 hours to place an order for it. She shares her navy beans with me, and we talk. She is an artist too, a painter. While she waits for her trial, her husband is at home doing the work of two parents and supporting the family at the same time. It may arrive in 3 months or 6, she does not know. Her children are not making a pancake breakfast for their mommy today, either.

At 1:00 pm, “Bell” comes clanging through the speakers. “Go see the guard,” Mary says. An officer is here to take me to a bond hearing. Shaking with cold in the over sized gray garb, my silk slip is the only thing that helps me stay warm. I am to be taken to the hearing. At least this guard is a true male, and he is actually showing signs of humanity as we walk down the hall. Still, I must walk quietly on one side of an orange painted line. I am so sore it is difficult to walk, like trudging through 10 foot high dunes of sand, yet I know that each step brings with it a possibility of freedom.

Others wait in the hearing room. It’s a video hearing, with the judge in another place. Smart man, as this jail is most depressing. Anyone who would be here on purpose must have questionable sanity. My name is called, and I step up to the camera. The judge is kind. He releases me on my own recognizance, and sets a hearing date. I am to report to court on Sullivan’s Island.

As I wait back in my seat for the guard to drum up paperwork I hear the stories of other women as they talk with the judge. One is here for shoplifting peanut butter, presumably to feed her children. Another is here for crack cocaine, still another for domestic violence. She has no one to call, she was totally dependent on her boyfriend when she chose to fight back. She will stay in jail awhile, as will the others. I feel lucky to have been let go.

The stories are all similar, despair bringing people to do things they otherwise would not do. I’m the only one here that is different, or so it seems, yet I am human as they are.

An hour later I’m riding in a cab. Heading to a party on John’s Island, held by the backers of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. The less than private jail shower at 4 am had to serve as preparation, for there is no time to change or prepare for meeting the highest class of Charleston society. They don’t seem to notice, for they welcome me with open arms, offer a glass of chardonnay and show me a fabulous Low Country boil buffet.

This is more like it for Mother’s Day. My children are still miles away, but at least there is good food to be had and a party atmosphere. Sunshine and blue sky with a hint of thunderstorm on the horizon, I’m in a beautiful garden on a lovely John’s Island estate. I marvel at the ability to see all this beauty, to breathe fresh air, to inhale the scent of flowers and delight in the blooms. I am grateful for my release and appreciative of the simplest things as never before.

As I shoot photos of the event, I do my best to blend in. Forever changed after this experience, I am never to be the same. I am free, and wondering about how to make payment of $924 bail. Perhaps my articles will sell, or my art. According to the paperwork from the jail, my hearing is set for August 14, at 5:30 pm, so there may be time amid day to day survival to create the income. I am a survivor, learning more about my own ability the longer I stay in this state. Now I leave behind a sorority of women who are doing their best to survive and keep their dignity in a place where there is none. The best I can do is write about it, write to encourage my former cell mates and pray they are released soon.

I’ve only spent one Mother’s Day away from my children, and that was my choice. I’ll never knowingly spend it without them again. Last year, the boys gave me a raft, a yellow and blue, sunshine and blue water boat, an indicator and foreshadowing of the journey I was about to undertake for the next year.

Next Mother’s Day, I plan to be on a sailboat. My kids will have to come visit me wherever I’m anchored. Secretly I’ll delight in their presence, and make up for time lost. We’ll have chocolate pancakes and OJ for breakfast, and go snorkeling afterwards.

For hundreds of women behind bars, there won’t be a Mother’s Day. Only more of the same life with no hope, no way of getting out, no chance to see sparkling baby blue eyes and dimpled cheeks, no honoring the tireless job of mommies all over the world. I will not forget these women, for spending Mother’s Day with them has been an experience I will remember forever.

[http://www.blulakestudios.com]

http://tribalvibe.podomatic.com

http://ljaye.shutterbugstorefront.com

Jobs at a Private Investigator Agency

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Work as a private investigator is not easy. This is because the methods used each time are different. When approached by a client, majority of the employees will conduct surveillance and other forms of information gathering that will be used to solve the case.

Private investigators such as lawyer specialize in certain fields. Here are some of assignments that an agency can work on.

1. Celebrities such as actors and singers usually hire agents as part of the security detail. There may not be any information gathering here but the duty is still to protect the client from harm.

2. A retail store may also hire a private investigator to combat shoplifting or pilferage. This shows that surveillance cameras and security machines stationed in various areas of the establishment are not yet sufficient to handle this task alone.

3. Insurance companies and banks also use the services of the private investigator before processing a loan or approving the claims. This is because there are a lot of incidents of identity theft and fraud, which can cost the firm millions of dollars.

The unique thing of being an investigator in this line of work is that many are certified public accountants so these people know what happens when dealing with numbers.

4. Law firms also use the services of a private investigator. These people help prepare in gathering evidence, locating witnesses, serving documents, interview police officers and witnesses in preparation for a case.

5. Corporate investigators on the other hand can conduct a background check before the applicant is hired for the job. These individuals may also conduct internal and external investigations about drug use in the workplace, information leakage, theft and fraudulent billing of products from suppliers.

The different jobs being a private investigator has widened the functions of anyone who wants to pursue this as a profession. Though the agent may be trained in physical surveillance, there is more to do now aside from following the subject around or watching at a distance from another building or vehicle.

The agent must now be good with a computer and other high tech equipment from having a still or video camera, a pair of binoculars, a cell phone and a note pad to report everything that transpired.

Those who used to work in law enforcement have an edge than those who don’t but want to join the service. This can be balanced by enrolling in program to teach everything there is to know about being a private investigator.

Low Jeremy maintains http://www.private-investigator.articlesforreprint.com This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

Circle and Dot Training – A Treatise of Circle Theology

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Humor me for a moment by taking a piece of paper and pen, then draw a circle the size of a quarter, and place a dot or period next to it. When you examine these two symbols what are their key features? Pause and reflect for a moment, then create a list of your own impressions. Here are mine:

A dot:

• denotes a small and closed system.

• is too small to absorb the circle.

• is limited in scope and function.

A circle:

• denotes a larger system.

• covers more space than the dot.

• can absorb the dot, many of them at one time.

A circle and a dot are symbols, which represent the way you and I think, act and perform at our workplace. Allow me to elaborate further. The dot represents a person who operates with no awareness of the impact they have on their peers and organization. These people merely put in their time to earn a paycheck but do not seem to add anything of great value to the organization. They cannot seem to think or act “out of the box” of their normal job duties. When you cannot think and operate outside of your normal job duties, you are limited in your awareness and actions necessary to lead yourself, others and the organization. If you are unable to build awareness then you are unable to add value.

On the other hand, a circle represents a person’s level of awareness and willingness to learn and expand their capacity as a leader. A person who thinks and acts like a circle adds value by:

• being actively engaged in their jobs.

• highly interacting with coworkers and supervisors.

• seeking innovative ways to improve the organization’s effectiveness.

• becoming an intentional leader determined to fill in the gaps when needed.

A person with a circle mentality is constantly growing, expanding, and enlarging their learning capacity. If you were to put a dot in the middle of the circle how much of the circle would that dot occupy? Not much! A circle, however, can absorb the dot; many of them at one time. A circle, like a leader, can absorb more responsibilities and supervise more people. So how large is your circle of influence, skills, knowledge, and competence? What are you doing about transforming yourself from a dot into a circle? Do you attempt to learn something new everyday to expand your awareness?

Think Like a Circle and Become One

We tend to conform ourselves to our experience rather than stretching ourselves to think and do things differently. What is the first thing that happens when we get a job? The first thing we learn to do is to function within the parameters set in our job description. Although a job description is important to know when operating in your new job it can be very restrictive with no potential of growth or challenge. You have heard of the following phrases – “Think outside the box” or “Color outside the lines.” In other words, if you are willing to expand your awareness zone think like a circle.

For example, during a recent trip to Los Angeles I witnessed an example of a “dot” in action. I had just stopped at a nationally known coffee house and instead of going through the drive-thru I decided to stretch out my legs a little and went inside. As I walked across the parking lot I noticed an employee sitting outside perhaps on his fifteen-minute break. Next to him I noticed two garbage cans filled beyond their capacity and overflowing with garbage. The area around him was littered with trash. It was so bad that I had to step around, and over some of the garbage to get into the store. I almost said something to him about the litter around him but instead I kept it to myself, only to see what he would do. I wanted to see what type of employee he was; a dot or circle. I purchased my drink and sat down keeping my eye on that employee until he finished his break. After his break he got up and went to the counter to assist the customers waiting in line. Now, that is commendable. I give him kudos for following company protocol, which probably states something like, “After your break you must go back to work.” After my brief rest, on my way out, I made a comment about the garbage overflowing outside and continued on my journey. My point about this story is that the employee was totally oblivious to the garbage scattered all around him. I thought to myself, “Now there’s a dot!” Someone who does only what is required of him in his job description instead of going above and beyond the call of duty is a “dot”. He was totally unaware of his surroundings or was he? If your supervisor has to point out things to you most of the time, then you are still a dot. Those who require minimal supervision are known as circles.

A Bourne Example

A great example of a circle is found in the movie Bourne Identity starring actor Matt

Damon. In it CIA agent Jason Bourne is very much aware of his surroundings. He was trained to “think and act” like a circle during his initial training as a CIA agent. There is a part in this movie where he is sitting in a restaurant with his gypsy female counterpart trying to make sense of his life after having a lapse of memory during a secret mission. At the restaurant he is somewhat confused and does not seem to remember who he is at the moment, but somehow he is extremely aware of his surroundings. His awareness level was extremely high, and he seemed to know:

• The license numbers of all six cars parked outside the café.

• That the waitress is left handed.

• The guy sitting at the counter weighs 215 lbs. and knows how to handle himself.

• That the potential of a gun exists in the cab of the grey truck parked car outside the restaurant.

• And, that he could run for so many miles in the high, cold altitude before his hands started to shake.

At the moment he seems confused and doesn’t seem to know why he knows these things. What he does not know at the moment is his training as a CIA agent made it possible to possess such extreme awareness. In essence he is operating like a circle – he is aware of certain things in his environment the common person would not know or care knowing about.

Watch and Learn

I first learned to think like a circle in a part time job that I held during my college years as a Loss Prevention Agent for a large merchandise chain. This occurred before retail stores installed the cameras you see in many stores today. In this job I learned to develop and use my skills of observation, discernment, and follow-through. During my training I learned to read my environment and look for certain traits typical with a shoplifter. Over time when I gained more experience I learned to discern with a high level of accuracy a shoplifter’s personality and shopping behavior. I learned the way of a circle and how to expand my knowledge and awareness zones. I got so good at detecting shoplifters that I started to locate professional shoplifters. These professional shoplifters were really crafty. They are swift and make themselves undetectable by dressing, acting and blending in as clean cut citizens. They think and act very much like a circle. This is why they get away with so much merchandise because they take the time to study and observe their environment. They will often come in and scope out an area of the store and actually buy something at a low price. During this time they are checking out the weak areas of the system, and examining employee patterns, mainly those who think and act like dots. Professional shoplifters will also attempt to find, yes, those undercover security agents. Many agents make themselves detectable even by the common, everyday shopper. After the experienced shoplifter has scoped out the land he or she will return within a few days. When they return they know exactly what they want ahead of time (they are not impulse shoplifters). They have a plan and execute it very well, right up until they meet someone who is thinks like a circle.

Many years after working in Loss Prevention I was at a nationally recognized bookstore sipping on some coffee and enjoying a conversation with my friends. As we sat at the coffee shop I noticed a young man at the magazine rack. He looked suspicious so I kept a watchful eye on him without alerting any of my friends. All of the sudden he turned his back toward the coffee shop where I was sitting. He looked around to see if anyone was watching, and stuffed a magazine down the front of his pants and covered the merchandise over with his shirt. Since he was already near the exit door it took him a few steps out the door. I told my friends what just happened, and asked one of them to accompany me outside. Once outside I called out to the young man and asked him to give me the magazine that he had hidden underneath his shirt and pants. At first he denied it but when I told him that I was just interested in retrieving the magazine he relented, and took the concealed item in his clothing and handed it to me. As an experienced Loss Prevention Agent I was trained to look beyond my immediate surroundings to the larger area around me (circle thinking). I was trained to think and act like a circle and therefore I became one, and still possess skills of awareness. Just how do these skills translate into the marketplace? Those involved in the marketplace are always thinking of ways to expand and occupy more territory. Successful marketplace entrepreneurs think and act like “circles” all the time; they are constantly thinking about how they can expand themselves and their business enterprise.

In conclusion, during a trip to Laguna Beach during the forth of July celebration I set up camp next to the lifeguard watchtower. As my wife and I sat there we overheard what seemed to be a very experienced lifeguard who was mentoring new recruits. On many occasions I overheard the trainer say things like:

• You see that lady over there in the blue bathing suit the tide will take her out if…

• Those kids are playing too close to those huge waves crashing into the shore.

• Do you see that older man (pointing) body surfing over there; he is going to hurt himself. The incoming waves are too strong for him.

The trainer kept sending these new recruits out into the water over and over again. It was so evident to anyone listening to these exchanges that the trainer was a circle. The new recruits, well, let just say they were a little wet behind the ears. The new recruits simply had no clue (experience and exposure) about what to look for. They were dots in training. Circles eventually get promoted or become the trainers because they have mastered the “circle” way of life. Many of these employees start their own consulting businesses because they have mastered a level of competence that no one can match.

Go to blog: http://latinotownhall.wordpress.com/

Joel Garcia
Latino Townhall
President and Founder

Latino Townhall exists to empower Latinos through education, leadership development and civic engagement to permeate, influence and transform the 7 Communities of Culture. The 7 Communities of Culture include Arts & Entertainment, Business & Commerce, Education, the Faith Community, the Family, Government & Law and the Media. Those occupying positions of leadership in these 7 Communities of Culture tend to influence, impact and shape our culture in positive or negative ways. It is our desire to develop all around leaders with the upmost character, integrity and leadership competencies capable of permeating and transforming culture.

CCTV Security Cameras to Curb Home Theft and Store Shoplifting

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Stores of all sizes are targeted by shoplifters or have inventory stolen by employees. Almost everybody knows somebody who knows somebody who can get you a DVD player or laptop “straight off the back of the truck”, meaning the employees are deleting inventory entries and taking the units to the trunks of their cars instead. Security cameras are now widespread and necessary so store owners can deal with retail shrinkage from both the public and their employees. Security systems cost money as well but even marginally profitable stores find them a vital part of staying in business. As a side note, the CCTV cameras are a good protection against lawsuits regarding injuries from falls on the property.

Theft of merchandise is not an occasional problem; the rate of loss is measured monthly as a fairly steady statistics. When discussing numbers that have been compiled through surveys it’s shocking to realize that Canada has similar stats to those surveyed in the U.S. even though Americans have double the unemployment rate, more crime, and far more poor neighborhoods than Canada. This indicates that not all shoplifters are motivated by desperate poverty; there are other issues related to factors such as adolescent rebellion, thrill-seeking, social pressure to provide Christmas gifts (December is the heaviest shoplifting month), drug addiction, homelessness, and psychological problems related to gaining attention, self-hatred, and anger over perceived persecution by the powers that be – real or imagined.

It’s estimated that 1% to 2% of all shoppers enter a store with the intention of stealing something. Shoplifting is Canada’s number one property crime and 1 in 10 people are shoplifters – most are opportunists rather than professionals, known as “boosters”. There are several different categories of shoplifters and they can be broken down into five types: professionals, amateurs, addicts, kleptomaniacs, and vagrants. Although people of all ages have been caught in the act, nine out of ten shoplifters are under the age of thirty.

Vagrants and addicts steal to support liquor and drug habits and of course kleptomaniacs are compelled to steal psychologically even if they are wealthy – even people with celebrity status such Winona Ryder, Caroline Giuliani, Shannon Marketic (Miss USA 1992), Britney Spears, tennis star Jennifer Capriati, and Farrah Fawcett have all made news with their inexplicable behavior. The items are often cosmetics and designer clothes that these ladies could easily afford. Research doesn’t turn up any male celebrity shoplifters, likely due to the relative value placed on money that someone has worked for.

Amateurs are classified as opportunistic in nature; they might be shoppers who have gotten away with leaving a changing room with extra clothes underneath or slipping something in their pockets a few times and found that it cuts costs to lift a few items. They are often employees who have figured out a scam that can give them an extra income by way of their access to the store’s goods. Amateur shoplifters going through the store are usually nervous and visibly self-conscious, especially now that virtually all stores have video surveillance.

Professionals on the other hand know exactly what they’re doing and remain smooth and cool as they take items that can be sold to a fence or returned to the store for cash. They gravitate towards target items that are small and easy to sell. Booster rings have crews that carry “booster bags” lined with aluminum foil to block the scanners and then head for racks of items like razor blades, scooping them into the bag and leaving the store to a waiting car before security measures can catch them. Even a live security guard wouldn’t be fast enough to catch them. More enterprising souls, sometimes a couple, will visit stores that sell expensive jewelry and ask to see some items below the glass, then create a small distraction as one of them blocks the salesperson’s view as the partner palms an item into a coat sleeve or pocket.

Professional boosters generally have long arrest records; it’s the type of crime that will be caught every so often. The shoplifters know they can expect to get arrested regularly, but the penalties are light since it’s a non-violent crime. The damage to the store owner is no laughing matter though. They lose customers by having floor staff shadowing you as you shop, asking “May I help you?” and following you around. Many shoppers get uncomfortable and leave the store without buying anything. The store owner usually has to sell 20 or 30 of the item stolen in order to make back his investment so some stores have undoubtedly been put out of business by experiencing heavy losses at the critically busy shopping period of Christmas when everything is riding on a successful 60 days of shopping.

Pat Boardman is an SEO consultant writing in respect to security cameras company Viewtech, suppliers of cctv cameras to commercial and consumer customers in Toronto and Vancouver.