Confessions of a Corporate Security Guard - By Richard Todd Aguayo, Posted Jul 22nd 2010 @ 12:00PM
It's 3AM, Do You Know Who's Watching Your Stuff?
security guardAs the sun goes down and the magnetic doors clamp closed, a band of brothers (and sisters) begin their day so you can sleep well at night. The security guard is one of the most common sights in today's corporate culture -- but other than a quick wave or the head nod or the "Have a nice day" that you exchange with your local security professional, how well do you know them, and what they do when you are gone?
Well, it's time to find out.
I have been working security for over six years. I've worked for several companies and have worked at many different kinds of accounts -- but there has always been one consistent theme regardless of my assigned location: Nobody has ever asked what my name is. Other than the people I work with, or my immediate supervisor or manager, I've never had someone ask me my name. That's OK, because knowing my name shouldn't be your main concern. What I do inside your office when your gone, should be.
Keeping your secrets
Take a minute to think about what you leave behind when your day is over and you head home for the night. Your laptop? Your bills with account numbers and other personal information on them? Your prescriptions? Yes, I have access to all of it. But it's OK, you can relax. I'm not going to tell anyone you take medicine for shingles. Just make sure you put the bottle in your desk drawer next time, and not leave it on the edge of your desk so it can fall off and have someone like me come along and pick it up. Although, the truth of the matter is you want me to find your medicine. And I'll tell you why:
There are two types of security guards. The kind that care, and the kind that would rather stick a fork in their eye than guard your things. Fortunately for you, I'm the caring type. Unfortunately, I'm in the minority. (What do you expect for $9 an hour? There's a reason they say "You get what you pay for.")
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, security guards held approximately 1.1 million jobs in 2008. Employment opportunities for security guards are expected to grow faster than average through 2018.
Well it all starts with showing up on time -- which also isn't always assured. Many guards work security as a second job. Single mothers are common, as are college students. Which means other matters can take precedent over being at work on time. Making sure the baby sitter shows up or a classroom lab exam ends as scheduled, can put a dent in the "on-time" performance. But no matter, most supervisors and managers are unsympathetic and routinely write up and fire folks without blinking an eye. This is why turnover is so prevalent in the profession, and one of the root causes for the less-than-stellar job performance of most security outfits. But, I digress.
After a guard arrives, he or she takes stock of what the previous shift has encountered. Broken door locks, water leaks, malfunctioning alarm systems, intruders, unexplained odors, and all other relevant information is "passed on" to the arriving shift. And then the work begins: watching static video monitors that rarely reveal anything and walking around the property for the next eight hours. As I mentioned, I'm one of the kind of security guards that care. So, I do my appointed rounds. I check to make sure doors are locked. I check to make sure the lights are out. And I check to make sure your coffee warmer or space heater is turned off. (Which is why I found your medicine on the floor.) I've encountered homeless people in hallways, and raccoons in stairwells. I've been spit at, threatened, and chased. I've also helped lost people find their car and kept drunk people from getting in their car. I have found and returned wallets, paychecks, and cell phones.
Enjoying the "down" time
But, there's one thing I enjoy most of all:
The quiet. Working from 11PM to 7AM may be isolated and lonely, but that's exactly why I do it. In between making my rounds and checking the video monitors, I write. I write blogs, short stories, screenplays, and yes, articles. As a matter of fact, I'm at work right now. Which is why I have to end this, because I have to go on another patrol.
But please do me a favor:
Along with making sure you turn off your office lights and unplug your space heater, and keeping your prescriptions in your desk, take a moment to truly say "hello" to your security guards and go ahead and ask them their name. It may make the difference in having them actually want to watch your stuff or not... at 3AM or otherwise.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
A Cosmopolitan Conversation - An Excerpt
A Cosmopolitan Conversation on digital and print media with Evan Osnos
The New Yorker's China correspondent Evan Osnos discusses print versus digital media, middle-class politics, but won't be drawn on his favorite Chinese food, ahead of his public talk with Jeffery Wasserstrom
By Jessica Beaton 20 July, 2010
The prize-winning China correspondent for The New Yorker, Evan Osnos, joins the "Cosmopolitan Conversations" with Jeffery Wasserstrom at Glamour Bar to talk about writing versus new media reporting in China. Both speakers write for both print and online media, making them keenly aware of the different channels for covering China -- and where they intersect.
CNNGo grabbed a few minutes with Osnos to get a preview of what’s going to be discussed.
CNNGo: You’ve covered everything from war zones and the Middle East to the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Why move to China now? Is something going to happen here that we don’t know about?
Evan Osnos:
To me, China is the most interesting story on the planet. It was also luck, in a sense, that it also happened to be the place that I started studying in college and had always intended to work. The Middle East was a fascinating detour, but not the destination.
Get your pinyin correct or people will write to you.
— Evan Osnos
CNNGo: Everyone has been talking about the shift to online media and its effects on print media. Since you write for both media, how do you see this balance?
Evan Osnos:
What I write exclusively for the web is a snack; what I write for the magazine is the meal -- but I don't see the distinction as being between the web and print, but, rather, between short and long, or quick reporting versus deep reporting.
The printed page is not the issue; I read many magazines now on my Kindle or iPhone.
I think people should be paid for their work, so I'm all in favor of the pay wall. Readers, it turns out, will pay for things that they can't get elsewhere. At The New Yorker, much of the long writing every week is behind a pay wall, and is the only way to ensure that this work gets done.
CNNGo: In your experience, does China face the same print versus digital media issues that we see in the United States and Europe?
Evan Osnos:
No, at least not yet. The media business is at a different stage of development, but the same pressures are inevitable. But, for the same reasons, they will be manageable.
CNNGo: This topic of your talk with Professor and blogger Jeffery Wasserstrom is looking at the “different channels for covering China, and where they intersect.” So, where do they intersect?
Evan Osnos:
Without spilling all the beans, I can say that there are stories that benefit from -- and, indeed, require -- both quick reporting and deep reporting. Often, I find myself writing a long profile of an interesting person, then returning to the subject online in the weeks and months that follow as the story develops.
CNNGo: What lessons have you learned about blogging in China?
To me, China is the most interesting story on the planet ... The Middle East was a fascinating detour, but not the destination.
— Evan Osnos
Evan Osnos:
Get your pinyin correct or people will write to you.
CNNGo: Which China blogs do you read regularly?
Evan Osnos:
I always avoid making lists because I'm sure to forget some I respect, but it's safe to say that the world of English and Chinese-language blogging on China is terrific, and I wouldn't be able to do much of my job without them.
CNNGo: A lot of people talk about the “Chinese Internet” and the “English Internet” as two separate places. What’s your view on this?
Evan Osnos:
I can see why some people might bridle at the idea of a distinction, and, indeed, more sites are popping up that try to speak to both audiences. But, on a literal level, the Chinese and English Internet spaces have not only their own language-based audiences, but also different mores and tribes.
Some of the subcultures that exist on the Chinese web -- whether it's the 50-cent party or "the elites" (a codeword, usually, for liberal voices) -- they don't have as much resonance on the "English Internet."
CNNGo: What’s the most interesting “China story” to you in the news in the moment?
Evan Osnos:
I'm interested in the degree to which the Chinese middle class and intellectual class chooses to engage or not engage with politics.
CNNGo: Now the most important question: as someone who has lived in China so a number of years, if you could only eat one Chinese dish for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
Evan Osnos:
[Laughs] No way am I picking a fight on this one!
The New Yorker's China correspondent Evan Osnos discusses print versus digital media, middle-class politics, but won't be drawn on his favorite Chinese food, ahead of his public talk with Jeffery Wasserstrom
By Jessica Beaton 20 July, 2010
The prize-winning China correspondent for The New Yorker, Evan Osnos, joins the "Cosmopolitan Conversations" with Jeffery Wasserstrom at Glamour Bar to talk about writing versus new media reporting in China. Both speakers write for both print and online media, making them keenly aware of the different channels for covering China -- and where they intersect.
CNNGo grabbed a few minutes with Osnos to get a preview of what’s going to be discussed.
CNNGo: You’ve covered everything from war zones and the Middle East to the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Why move to China now? Is something going to happen here that we don’t know about?
Evan Osnos:
To me, China is the most interesting story on the planet. It was also luck, in a sense, that it also happened to be the place that I started studying in college and had always intended to work. The Middle East was a fascinating detour, but not the destination.
Get your pinyin correct or people will write to you.
— Evan Osnos
CNNGo: Everyone has been talking about the shift to online media and its effects on print media. Since you write for both media, how do you see this balance?
Evan Osnos:
What I write exclusively for the web is a snack; what I write for the magazine is the meal -- but I don't see the distinction as being between the web and print, but, rather, between short and long, or quick reporting versus deep reporting.
The printed page is not the issue; I read many magazines now on my Kindle or iPhone.
I think people should be paid for their work, so I'm all in favor of the pay wall. Readers, it turns out, will pay for things that they can't get elsewhere. At The New Yorker, much of the long writing every week is behind a pay wall, and is the only way to ensure that this work gets done.
CNNGo: In your experience, does China face the same print versus digital media issues that we see in the United States and Europe?
Evan Osnos:
No, at least not yet. The media business is at a different stage of development, but the same pressures are inevitable. But, for the same reasons, they will be manageable.
CNNGo: This topic of your talk with Professor and blogger Jeffery Wasserstrom is looking at the “different channels for covering China, and where they intersect.” So, where do they intersect?
Evan Osnos:
Without spilling all the beans, I can say that there are stories that benefit from -- and, indeed, require -- both quick reporting and deep reporting. Often, I find myself writing a long profile of an interesting person, then returning to the subject online in the weeks and months that follow as the story develops.
CNNGo: What lessons have you learned about blogging in China?
To me, China is the most interesting story on the planet ... The Middle East was a fascinating detour, but not the destination.
— Evan Osnos
Evan Osnos:
Get your pinyin correct or people will write to you.
CNNGo: Which China blogs do you read regularly?
Evan Osnos:
I always avoid making lists because I'm sure to forget some I respect, but it's safe to say that the world of English and Chinese-language blogging on China is terrific, and I wouldn't be able to do much of my job without them.
CNNGo: A lot of people talk about the “Chinese Internet” and the “English Internet” as two separate places. What’s your view on this?
Evan Osnos:
I can see why some people might bridle at the idea of a distinction, and, indeed, more sites are popping up that try to speak to both audiences. But, on a literal level, the Chinese and English Internet spaces have not only their own language-based audiences, but also different mores and tribes.
Some of the subcultures that exist on the Chinese web -- whether it's the 50-cent party or "the elites" (a codeword, usually, for liberal voices) -- they don't have as much resonance on the "English Internet."
CNNGo: What’s the most interesting “China story” to you in the news in the moment?
Evan Osnos:
I'm interested in the degree to which the Chinese middle class and intellectual class chooses to engage or not engage with politics.
CNNGo: Now the most important question: as someone who has lived in China so a number of years, if you could only eat one Chinese dish for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
Evan Osnos:
[Laughs] No way am I picking a fight on this one!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
World Cup Final 2010: Spain vs Netherlands Pre-Game Match Preview - An Excerpt
World Cup Final 2010: Spain vs Netherlands Pre-Game Match Preview
Written by David Delano on Sunday, July 11th, 2010
World Cup Final 2010: Netherlands 1974 and 1978 – Netherlands vs Spain might just defy Paul the Octopus and eventually be the long awaited World Cup Championship for the Netherlands.
In 1974, Netherlands faced West Germany. The team back then was composed of the best of Ajax, the inventors of Total Football and the Holland National Football Team.
During the 1974 World Cup finals, West Germany was led by Franz Beckenbauer and Netherlands has Johan Cruijff. The Dutch carried out their Total Football which had stunned both the fans and their opponents.The Netherlands opened the scoring via a Johan Neeskens penalty in the second minute, only for Paul Breitner to equalise with another penalty in the 25th minute before Gerd Müller scored the winning goal in the 43rd minute, claiming West Germany’s secondWorld Cup.
It was a devastating defeat for the Dutch but they never lost hope. They have trained and refined their skills and made improvements to Total Football/ Then, in the 1978World Cup in Argentina they are in the finals once more. This time they are up against Argentina and the match was one of the most controversial in the World Cup.
During the 1978 World Cup Finals, the Netherlands lost again to the host team, 3-1. The game started late as the host team came late and then questioned the legality of a plaster cast on René van de Kerkhof’s wrist, which the Dutch claimed allowed tension to build in front of a hostile Buenos Aires crowd.The Netherlands refused to attend the post-match ceremonies after the match ended.
Argentina won in extra time as the match ended 1-1 during the 90-minute regulation time. Mario Kempes, who finished as the tournament’s top scorer, was named the man of the match.
Today at 14:30 EDT, Holland will once again have the opportunity to win the World Cup championship. Will they be able to win it? Watch and take your seat on your television sets or online through available Netherlands vs Spain live stream.
This is judgement day!
________________________________________________________
FIFA confirm Howard Webb to referee Spain vs Netherlands World Cup 2010 final
By Matt Monaghan 8 Jul 2010 16:47:00
English referee Howard Webb will take charge of Sunday's World Cup 2010 final between Spain and the Netherlands, FIFA have announced.
Webb, 38, will form a team with assistants Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey for the showpiece clash. After missing out on the quarter and semi-finals, the Rotherham-born official will become the first Englishman since Jack Taylor in 1974 to be handed the prestigious post.
The former police officer and his partners had been widely praised for their handling of the Brazil vs Chile second round and Slovakia vs Italy group stage matches. Webb also officiated Inter's Champions League final victory against Bayern Munich in May, despite experiencing criticism in some quarters for a sub-par domestic campaign.
Written by David Delano on Sunday, July 11th, 2010
World Cup Final 2010: Netherlands 1974 and 1978 – Netherlands vs Spain might just defy Paul the Octopus and eventually be the long awaited World Cup Championship for the Netherlands.
In 1974, Netherlands faced West Germany. The team back then was composed of the best of Ajax, the inventors of Total Football and the Holland National Football Team.
During the 1974 World Cup finals, West Germany was led by Franz Beckenbauer and Netherlands has Johan Cruijff. The Dutch carried out their Total Football which had stunned both the fans and their opponents.The Netherlands opened the scoring via a Johan Neeskens penalty in the second minute, only for Paul Breitner to equalise with another penalty in the 25th minute before Gerd Müller scored the winning goal in the 43rd minute, claiming West Germany’s secondWorld Cup.
It was a devastating defeat for the Dutch but they never lost hope. They have trained and refined their skills and made improvements to Total Football/ Then, in the 1978World Cup in Argentina they are in the finals once more. This time they are up against Argentina and the match was one of the most controversial in the World Cup.
During the 1978 World Cup Finals, the Netherlands lost again to the host team, 3-1. The game started late as the host team came late and then questioned the legality of a plaster cast on René van de Kerkhof’s wrist, which the Dutch claimed allowed tension to build in front of a hostile Buenos Aires crowd.The Netherlands refused to attend the post-match ceremonies after the match ended.
Argentina won in extra time as the match ended 1-1 during the 90-minute regulation time. Mario Kempes, who finished as the tournament’s top scorer, was named the man of the match.
Today at 14:30 EDT, Holland will once again have the opportunity to win the World Cup championship. Will they be able to win it? Watch and take your seat on your television sets or online through available Netherlands vs Spain live stream.
This is judgement day!
________________________________________________________
FIFA confirm Howard Webb to referee Spain vs Netherlands World Cup 2010 final
By Matt Monaghan 8 Jul 2010 16:47:00
English referee Howard Webb will take charge of Sunday's World Cup 2010 final between Spain and the Netherlands, FIFA have announced.
Webb, 38, will form a team with assistants Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey for the showpiece clash. After missing out on the quarter and semi-finals, the Rotherham-born official will become the first Englishman since Jack Taylor in 1974 to be handed the prestigious post.
The former police officer and his partners had been widely praised for their handling of the Brazil vs Chile second round and Slovakia vs Italy group stage matches. Webb also officiated Inter's Champions League final victory against Bayern Munich in May, despite experiencing criticism in some quarters for a sub-par domestic campaign.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Jakarta Residents To Continue Facing Flood Problem - An Excerpt
July 05, 2010 23:12 PM
Jakarta Residents To Continue Facing Flood Problem
JAKARTA, July 5 (Bernama) -- Jakarta residents will continue to be plagued by the flood problem as 40 per cent of the city area near the Java Sea is below sea level.
Jakarta governor Fauzi Bowo, who promised that Jakarta would be free from flooding during the governors' elections three years ago, is resigned to the fact that the problem cannot be solved altogether and is instead targeting to reduce it by 40 per cent by 2011 and 75 per cent by 2016.
Jakarta, the world's third most polluted city, is surrounded by 13 rivers and has several areas which are densely populated and flood-prone.
The big flood, when it came every five years, had inundated the city's main government administrative area and major commercial centres like in Jalan Thamrin right up to where the Presidential Palace is located.
Fauzi Bowo said the flood management programme was a priority in the Jakarta Middle-Term Development Plan, with the flood mitigation projects costing Rp22 trillion jointly funded by the central and provincial governments.
When launching the white paper on the flood management programme for Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo outlined several factors which contributed to the flood problem such as heavy rain, rise in sea level and climate change, as well as development in the Bogor highlands nearby.
He said to overcome the problem, the city government built a horseshoe-shaped water channel around Jakarta and flowing towards the sea. The project comprises the West Flood Canal, which is completed, and the East Flood Canal, which is under construction.
Besides that, dredging out of silt and mud from rivers is also being carried out. This has not been done in the last 30 years.
"Infrastructure projects alone are not enough to prevent flooding as the effort must be comprehensive, including a change in the people's attitude and habits," said Fauzi Bowo.
"During the big flood in 2007, the government had to spend a lot of money, time and effort to collect 15 truckloads of garbage from Ciliwung River in the Kalibata area and 90 truckloads from the river in the Manggarai district alone."
Jakarta has a population of 8.5 million with an annual population growth rate of 1.06 per cent.
Jakarta Residents To Continue Facing Flood Problem
JAKARTA, July 5 (Bernama) -- Jakarta residents will continue to be plagued by the flood problem as 40 per cent of the city area near the Java Sea is below sea level.
Jakarta governor Fauzi Bowo, who promised that Jakarta would be free from flooding during the governors' elections three years ago, is resigned to the fact that the problem cannot be solved altogether and is instead targeting to reduce it by 40 per cent by 2011 and 75 per cent by 2016.
Jakarta, the world's third most polluted city, is surrounded by 13 rivers and has several areas which are densely populated and flood-prone.
The big flood, when it came every five years, had inundated the city's main government administrative area and major commercial centres like in Jalan Thamrin right up to where the Presidential Palace is located.
Fauzi Bowo said the flood management programme was a priority in the Jakarta Middle-Term Development Plan, with the flood mitigation projects costing Rp22 trillion jointly funded by the central and provincial governments.
When launching the white paper on the flood management programme for Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo outlined several factors which contributed to the flood problem such as heavy rain, rise in sea level and climate change, as well as development in the Bogor highlands nearby.
He said to overcome the problem, the city government built a horseshoe-shaped water channel around Jakarta and flowing towards the sea. The project comprises the West Flood Canal, which is completed, and the East Flood Canal, which is under construction.
Besides that, dredging out of silt and mud from rivers is also being carried out. This has not been done in the last 30 years.
"Infrastructure projects alone are not enough to prevent flooding as the effort must be comprehensive, including a change in the people's attitude and habits," said Fauzi Bowo.
"During the big flood in 2007, the government had to spend a lot of money, time and effort to collect 15 truckloads of garbage from Ciliwung River in the Kalibata area and 90 truckloads from the river in the Manggarai district alone."
Jakarta has a population of 8.5 million with an annual population growth rate of 1.06 per cent.
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