Cameras Everywhere

WHEN WILL PEOPLE SEE CAMERAS?

     I am continually amazed by stories in the press by people who think they can get away with crimes; especially when several time stamped camera shots have proven that person was the one who most likely 'did it'.

     Whereas motive might be hard to prove...photographic and sound evidence is now allowed in most court cases across the USA. 

     In fact it is not uncommon for a lot of robbery cases to be totally determined by such digital evidence.

     See---we had cameras at the early CNN in 1988 posted on every wall.  This was because it made for a great 'bump' shot without disturbing the perpetually crazed group of writers.

     But the staff was aware of the cameras.  Some of us would go charging through the newsroom just to '...make the bump-in/out'. 

     This also gave the impression someone was rushing to update a story during a commercial break (back then---infomercials of Zamfir and the pan flute! )

     But one guy...a producer who knew better: was escorted out of the building one weekend for watching pornography on a company computer.

    Even stranger?  CNN Security (better than most police departments in the USA) had been watching him masturbate in the office for months! 

     It must have been a nightly show in the home office?

     This guilty manager was an absolute brain, a man who I respected.  Weeks afterwards I was still
puzzled.

     The truth is most of us go about our days without ever noticing that camera which just caught us leaving the grocery store, pumping gas or buying a meat sandwich.

     Speaking of which, a very kind employee at Arby's  told me that I had given her a counterfeit $20 bill the other day.  It was given to me by my own bank, next door.

     The bank cleared it up, but I quickly learned how to assure myself that the bills people give me are not fakes!

     Cameras---AND crime---are everywhere.  Be aware and act square?

---Ray Macon

 

An officer monitors many streets in London ( Courtesy ABC News )

 

 

SEOs Explained

QUESTION: What are S.E.O.s?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is---not surprisingly---best explained in a cartoon.

The great staff at Red Revolution  created 'SEO MAN' to help average web crawlers understand the science of getting noticed on the web.

Go to this link and enjoy the show:  ' SEO MAN EXPLAINS S.E.O. '

For companies seeking a large ad agency, here are some useful numbers.

     Red Revolution

• Aberdeen
• 01224 443551
• aberdeen@redevolution.com

• Birmingham
• 0121 268 0383
• birmingham@redevolution.com

• Edinburgh
• 0131 461 3536
• edinburgh@redevolution.com

This is an awesome company and I found their website very helpful.

---Ray Macon

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Editor's Note: As articles load, they are spaced correctly, which can take some time.  Also they are inserted chronologically.

For more updated articles, mail me: raymacon@gmail.com

My current stories include: Murder on Cheshire Bridge Road, Homeless Camps in the Morningside Nature Preserve and an exclusive peek into the Andrew Young Foundation.

CHANGE ADVOCATE: 'PEACE, EMMA'

INSIDER SPEAKS FOR HOMELESS CITIZENS

     She signs her name with the phrase ‘Peace, Emma’.

     Since I am not showing her photograph; just imagine a charismatic woman---once lost---humbled by circumstance.

     With a little help, she endured. Meet a woman who has lived in a shelter for 4 years, but is now a prominent voice within her community.

     “Last month, on Labor Day, I was particularly conscious of how the Open Door Community has provided me with good, meaningful work to do,” said Emma. She laughs. “On that day my work was hosting a cookout in our backyard for about 400 people.”

     The people she speaks about are homeless. Emma calls them neighbors. She was a greeter at the event, but to hear her describe it smacks of some yesteryear disappointment.

     “That day my work was resisting this soul-killing capitalism in the USA which says there is not enough and it is necessary that some people go without,” she said.  Then she smiles. “That day my work was soul-restoring hospitality."

      Emma just represents one of hundreds of people who come through the programs at the Open Door Community. There; to be saved is to experience a bit of faith and diversity.

     But to people who have given up on life based on an infinite number of reasons, hope is an easy sell. So is getting along with others, no matter what race. And it seems to work.

     “I grew up in Cabot, Arkansas,” Emma said “…a location of privilege that made it impossible to understand both the gospels and the civil rights movement. That’s why I wanted to be here.”

     If you think 29-year old Emma sounds a lot like Mark Twain, you would have to know Samuel Langhorne Clemens took his travel memories and turned them into gold by writing The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County when he was her age.  ( Info for the yearly Frogtown event. )

     Emma still has her own novel to write. Credit her for having seen a lot in four years and not walking away from people that are in need. She says that when good things happen to people, everyone wins.

     Open Door serves breakfasts, soup-kitchen lunches, provide showers and changes of clothes.

     They staff a free medical clinic, conduct worship services, hold meetings for the clarification of thought and provide a prison ministry.

     “We all benefit when someone allows a thirsty person to fill a bottle at their spigots,” Emma said. “We all benefit when anyone with hurting feet gets fresh socks and shoes that fit.”

     Some call it paying it forward and others jab that it doesn’t calculate into anything but trickle-down charity.   For those involved, it is making a difference.

---Ray Macon

 

AN AMERICAN CRAFTSMAN

ANSLEY’S VLAD DJOURAEV     

     “I approach every person as a friend not a customer,” said a smiling Vlad Djouraev, owner of Ansley Shoe Repair.

     That qualifies him as a friend to locals and celebrities galore. (Psst, a famous person cannot walk in broken heels, either.)

     On the walls of this cobbler’s shop there are photographs to prove he’s gotten close-up and personal with the shoes, handbags, luggage, and saddles to some legitimately big celebrities.

     “Dolly Parton, Def Leopard, Lady Antebellum,” a new customer was speaking aloud the names while looking at the framed pics. “Beyoncé, Charles Barkley, Gene Simmons…I’m impressed.”

     The shop has also done repairs for some of the biggest movie producers, artists, and business leaders. There is another roll call of politicians that trust him. 

     Vlad makes some small talk and thanks the customer. He treats the new client as if he had
 known him forever. 

     As the man leaves, a bell jingles at the entrance. “I always look at a problem from a customer's perspective,” said Vlad. “Honesty is crucial for repeat business.”
 
     That is sound advice that was passed along in a life-long apprenticeship. Ansley Shoe Repair is about to celebrate their 15th year in business. Vlad’s father Sam Djouraev held the laces to the shop back then.

     But they both learned the skill from Sam’s beloved father in Russia.  One of Vlad's uncles has been working on the large family tree, a rich story of courage which winds through Europe.

     “We moved here because it is a terrific place to raise a family,” said Vlad. “Atlanta is a great city all around.”

     Now that he’s holder of the leather hole punch, Vlad is concentrating on his business model... which includes smiling a lot.

     “People appreciate my work and that is priceless,” he said. “I like what I do, I like working with people, and a little humor goes a long way.”   

     Ansley Shoe Repair specializes in leather goods, and Vlad loves a challenge. Stop-in today and meet him at Ansley Mall 404-885-1171 or email ansleyshoe@hotmail.com

-- -Ray Macon