Amber Alert info

In a previous post I shared how to have your cell phone help you (Have you got an ICE?), this post I want to share how to have your cell phone help others.

 

Unless you have been hiding under a rock since before 2002, I would think you are already aware of the AMBER Alert system.  Please read this entire post, or at least jump to the bottom for IMPORTANT info.

 

From www.AmberAlert.gov:

Where and why did AMBER Alert first start?
The AMBER Alert System began in 1996 when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed with local police to develop an early warning system to help find abducted children. AMBER stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response and was created as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas, and then brutally murdered.

 

How does it work?
Once law enforcement has determined that a child has been abducted and the abduction meets AMBER Alert criteria, law enforcement notifies broadcasters and state transportation officials.

 

How effective has it been?
AMBER Alert has been very effective. AMBER Alert programs have helped save the lives of over 200 children nationwide.
Over 84 percent of those recoveries have occurred since October 2002 when President Bush called for the appointment of an AMBER Alert Coordinator at the first-ever White House Conference on Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children

 

What are the criteria for issuing AMBER Alerts?
Each state AMBER Alert plan has its own criteria for issuing AMBER Alerts. The PROTECT Act, passed in 2003, which established the role of AMBER Alert Coordinator within the Department of Justice, calls for the Department of Justice to issue minimum standards or guidelines for AMBER Alerts that states can adopt voluntarily. The Department's Guidance on Criteria for Issuing AMBER Alerts follows:

• Law enforcement must confirm that an abduction has taken place
• The child is at risk of serious injury or death
• There is sufficient descriptive information of child, captor or captor's vehicle to issue an Alert
• The child must be 17-years-old or younger
• It is recommended that immediate entry of AMBER Alert data be entered into the FBI's National Crime Information Center. Text information describing the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the child should be entered, and the case flagged as Child Abduction.

Will my carrier charge me for receiving Wireless AMBER Alerts?

No. The carriers who are participating in the Wireless AMBER Alerts Initiative have entered into an agreement with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children that requires them to provide these alerts at no additional cost to consumers. Your wireless phone must be capable of receiving text messages (virtually all recent models qualify) and your service plan must include basic message receipt capability. If you have any questions, you should contact your wireless carrier.

 

IMPORTANT Info:

How can your cell phone help others?

Please visit www.wirelessamberalerts.org to sign up for free notifications of Amber Alerts in your area. 

 

When you input your cell phone number, you will be taken to signup page specifically for your cellular service provider.  You are only signing up for Wireless Amber Alerts, your number will not be shared with any third party or used for other purposes.

 

You can see how the system works here

 

If your loved one was abducted, wouldn't you want to know that thousands of individuals in your specific area are alerted about it?

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'tis a fine tide fer scuttlin' documents

Yo-ho, today`s test o' th' Document Imagin' system recovery o' deleted items be a complete success. After scuttlin' a wee number o' parchments from th' system, I enlisted th' help o' a salty sea-dog and a JimLad to help me recover them from Davy Jones` locker.

 

If you are wondering what the above said, here it is in today's english:

Today's test of the Document Imaging system recovery of deleted items was a complete success.  After deleting a few documents from the system, I asked a couple of other IT members to help me recover them from the back-up tapes.

 

Today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day (Sept 19 each year)

 

For some more fun, you can read several previous TGP blog entries that have been translated into "pirate speak" here: TGP - Talk Like A Pirate version.

 

For help in talking like a pirate, visit these links:

Video - How to talk like a pirate

Pirate Speak

Pirate translation page

My pirate name is:

Shark Tooth Brody

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. I, though, more than just a little bit. Two things complete my pirate persona: style and swagger. Maybe a little too much swagger sometimes -- but who really cares? Arr!

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Live or Memorex ...

....quotes from the past that ring true today!

I didn't check these quotes at Snopes for accuracy, because I really don't care. I agree with the sentiment of the thoughts:

***********************************************
It appears we have appointed our worst generals to command forces, and our most gifted and brilliant to edit newspapers. In fact, I discovered by reading newspapers that these editor/geniuses plainly saw all my strategic defects from the start, yet failed to inform me until it was too late.

Accordingly, I am readily willing to yield my command to these obviously superior intellects, and I will, in turn, do my best for the Cause by writing editorials - after the fact."

- Robert E. Lee, 1863

***********************************************
"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale, and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged."

- President Abraham Lincoln


Sent via my Windows Mobile device
(which may explain why it was short)
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Pop quiz time!

OK faithful readers, I've decided to spring a pop quiz on you.  It is an "open internet" test, so Google and Wikipedia are allowed as reference material.

 

One single question:

What fun thing is scheduled for next Wednesday, Sept 19?

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Attention!!!

Aliens are coming to abduct all the good looking & sexy people.
You will be safe, I'm just leaving this quick post to say goodbye!
 
Sent via my Windows Mobile device
(which may explain why it was short)
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From Spam to Scam

The previous post indicated I ended up assisting with the spamming of those in my address book by a phishing attempt by a new networking website.  Now I would like to share about another internet user that wasn't sucked into a scam that would have cost him a G4 Powerbook.

 

MyNameIsJeff had offered up a 19 day old G4 Powerbook on EBay which attracted the attention of scammer Scont06.  MyNameIsJeff recognized the scam and proceeded to pull a reverse-scam on Scont06.

 

Long story short: Scont06 shelled out considerable amount of $$$ thinking he was getting this:                                 When he actually got this:

 

Long story long:

If you would like to read about the entire process, you can follow these links:

     Building the P-P-P-Powerbook

     Sending if off

     Getting through customs

     The scammer responds

         Complete story in single PDF file

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I didn't mean to spam you...

Quechup.com - See below why this text isn't linked to the website

 

I've been on the Internet for a dozen yers and have very rarely been taken in by phishing schemes, but this site's deceptive practices were too good. It spammed everybody in my address book after telling me it would just look for people who had already signed up. Nowhere in the fine print does it say it will do this. This site deserves to wither and die.

 

Most social network sites have some sort of address book lookup feature. However, reputable ones report back who is and isn't on the service, and then give you the choice to email some, all, or none of the contacts that aren't. Quechup saves you time by skipping that bothersome "obtaining consent" step.

 

Some of the bloggers who have written about this have had commenters respond that there is a disclaimer about the invitations. A quick review of the privacy policy and terms of service make no mention of this practice. Below is the actual text you receive before beginning the address-book search:

Congratulations! Welcome to Quechup. Find out which of your friends are already members. Choose the address book with the most contacts and we'll search for matches so you can add them to your friends network and invite non Quechup members to join you. By inviting contacts you confirm you have consent from them to send an invitation. We will not spam or sell addresses from your contacts. See our privacy policy.

 

In the strictest possible interpretation, yes, it does say they will invite non-members. Anybody who has used address book search on another social network, though, will be expecting the opportunity to select which addresses are invited. The only way to prevent someone from receiving a message from Quechup is to remove them from your address book before starting the search: That just isn't acceptable, as far as I'm concerned.

 

As evidenced by the large number of intelligent individuals currently issuing apologies for accidentally spamming everyone they've ever known, I'm going to declare this one a deceptive practice. The average user - indeed, even the above average user - is unlikely to interpret the "warning" to mean "We will send an invitation to everyone in your address book without any further action on your part." It's deceptive, it takes advantage of users' good faith, and it's creating a lot of headaches.

 

If you were one of the many individuals in my address book who received spam from Quechup.com using my address book .... I am extremely sorry!

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You might have a problem if...

... you need to sue a police department to get your porn collection back!

 

A man recently convicted of secretly videotaping a woman and a teenage girl sued the investigating police department for the return of a huge porn collection taken during the investigation.

 

His lawyer has described the collection as unrelated to the peeping case, and as such should be returned to him.  "There's absolutely no legal foundation for them withholding perfectly legal adult-oriented material," attorney Jon Rankin said. Rankin also advised the video colection alone is likely worth $10,000.

 

Link to news story

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Lifehouse Everything Skit

This was sent to Renee via email...

She shared with me...

I'm sharing with you...

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Put Michael Vick in the past

Ok, ok ... what Michael Vick did was bad and I'm not condoning his actions whatsoever. But it was dogs that he was mistreating. Where is all the outrage and disgust when children are neglected, abused or killed? Or is the fact that abuse against women and children happens so much that we are just immune to the action and let it go by unnoticed?

Let M.Vick have some jail time (and fine and suspension from NFL and etc), but as a society, we need to make sure the ones who are ding the same type of actions against other people get extended lodging at the cross-bar motel as well!
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Caption Winner

I listen to 89.7 The House radio station and they have a run a "write a caption for this picture" contest.  When going reviewing some of the previous winners, I found this one and had to pass it on to my faithful readers:

 

In this 1973 photo, the rock band "The Marshmallows" plays their hit single "Your Fire Melts My Heart". After the performance, the crowd threw graham crackers and Hershey's candy bars at the stage, shouting "we want s'more!"

 

One of the runners-up (Honorable Mention) in the contest entered with:

The next Cingular commercial rehearsal:
"More bars in more places. CUT CUT! Who put Short Bobby on the left?!?

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Babs and AD, sitting in a tree..

Yep, you know the rest of that:
K ... I ... S ... S ... I ... N ... G

Here I am going through my RSS reader and find that AD (Ambulance Driver) has a posting with title of Boy Meets Girl (guess who is boy). After reading his post, I saw that Babs (Just Me, Just Peachy, or whatever name she is using currently) posted this response.

Ain't that sweet?

I like to follow AD's blog because of the medically related stories he shares. Renee has asked me several times that if I could have a "do over" on my career of choice, what would I pick. I normally response EMS/Ambulance. Being an ex-cop, I know what they do and I highly respect the profession, and think I would excel in the job.

AD has another blog, which is actually a blog-based novel he is writing titled Star of Life which I am following closely (and wishing a few more chapters would get posted - hint hint). If you can get past the numerous f-bombs, it is really a fantastic story. AD has another book out, which I have requested via inner-library loan and am currently waiting on to get here.

Note: If you got to read the Star of Life novel, remember it is blog based, so use the blog archive options on the left to start in July to read the "Prologue" and work your way up toward "A Brief Respite"
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One week without a cell phone or other electronic device

Sprint challenged several of their employees to give up their phone, handheld device and broadband card for a week...

 

Could you survive? (I'm not sure I could)

 

During the week the employees blogged their experiences and it makes for some interesting reading. Check out all the details HERE

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I wish I could make some some endusers do this.....

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New adventure

I was asked to be the manager of a small 15 unit apartment complex here in the great metropolis of Stillwater, America.  After determining that there is an on-site maintenance (jack of all trades) resident, I accepted the position.  It shouldn't take a large number of hours each month, but will be a nice little addition to the bank account.  My primary duties are to collect rent and late fees (mailed to a central PO box), ensure minor maintenance issues are resolved, coordinate major maintenance issues (serious issues for the professionals) and "be there" for the residents. 

 

I spent a good number of hours this weekend straightening up the lease contract (since most tenants have been staying on a month-to-month basis due to previous leases being expired) as well as creating addendums for Pets and Parking, as well as other various forms and spreadsheets.  I also met with the maintenance guy to discuss a new Maintenance Request Form that would have a a tear-off section to be left behind in the apartment when the work is completed.

 

This evening, I went around with the current manager and introduced myself to all the tenants that were home.  I was able to share how some things won't change (still mail your check to the PO box), but other things will:

-- Email receipt of rent payment to be sent

-- New maintenance schedule (air filter each qtr & smoke detector batteries twice a year)

-- New maintenance form, with better communication method

-- More interaction between management and tenants, especially via email.

 

Now that I look back on this weekend, I have put in a good amount of work, and I don't officially start until Sept 01.  It should make for an interesting year!

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Where have I been?

The last couple of posts have shared a little about my last two weeks.  I will try to share a little more here, and then try to return to my "usual jovial self" next week.

 

As many of my regular followers (all three of ya ...hahaha) know, I am an amputee, with the lower half of my right leg missing.  I went through 2.5 painful years between the initial accident (June 2001) and the final surgical procedure of amputation (Dec 2003).  One of the good things to happen during this time was recognizing a possible reason for me to go through all this:  help others when it happens to them!  That has been a major piece of the previous two weeks.

 

Time travel back about 8 weeks:  I am the webmaster of ErtlReconstruction.com.  As such, I receive emails on a weekly, if not daily basis, from amputees, potential amputees and/or the family of both groups.  I normally reply with the info I can, forward the message to one of my surgeon contacts and work as the middle-man during initial communications.  I got an email from MJ (name withheld for privacy reasons) about his accident, how he is looking into the possibility of needing to have his leg amputated and was wanting to contact a particular surgeon.  I got an additional message about MJ from a prosthetist friend of his as well.  Something about MJ's situation made my ears perk up much more than they normally do (divine intervention). 

 

Unknown to me at the time was the fact that surgeon was getting ready to go off the grid for several weeks on a much-needed family vacation.  Long story short: I got MJ in contact with my surgeon in OKC and we got everything scheduled for his amputation in a very timely (and surprising) manner.

 

In the weeks since our first contact, MJ and I had numerous conversations on the phone to discuss issues such as the pros and cons of amputation, mentally preparing for the procedure, possible levels of pain during recovery, changes to daily activities and items to get for the house to assist in daily activities, etc.  Renee even offered to talk with MJ's wife to share the "spouse's side" for the change.  That offer was accepted, with an almost 2 hour conversation as a result (those two can talk non-stop).

 

Without getting into all the travel-troubles they had, MJ and his wife 'flew into' OKC on Monday, 06 Aug.  Renee and I already had plans to be in the area of OKC since Sarah was flying out the next day to see a friend, so we stopped by and introduced ourselves in person (finally) at their hotel.  While there was tension in the air due to a pending surgery in the morning, the visit was one that I will always remember.  MJ and his wife are absolutely GREAT people.  After talking about his visit with my surgeon earlier in the day, and showing off my prosthetic leg and how it works, he called his mom to come down to the room, as his parents had travel to OKC to be with him during this time.  I can see how MJ turned out to be such a great guy, as he had great examples in both his mom and dad!

 

Tuesday rolled around and MJ's first operation was done (for various medical reasons, the amputation was staged between two surgeries).  Renee and I stayed with the family all day and made sure MJ was squared away in his room before we left. I knew he would be without his foot when I walked into his room, but now I know a little of how Renee must have felt when she first saw me in that condition. We returned on Wednesday, and then was there all day long on Thursday, when the 'big surgery' happened.  All that time, I was the one being asked tons of questions about pain, procedures, expectations, etc.

 

MJ and his wife left for their home on the west coast Wednesday evening (this week).  Renee and I were with them to help get packed, etc.  When they drove off, it was a very sad moment, as we have been drawn together through a very tough, but compassionate, situation.  I have mentored/counseled dozens of amputees over the years, but haven't been with one completely through the process (in person).  It brought back a lot of feelings, many of which I really need to deal with as I continue to make myself available to other amputees.

 

I mentioned how great both MJ and his wife are, and I want to show just a little of that.  When they were sending their email updates to their family and friends, they included the following (shared to show their graciousness, not blowing my own horn):

 

...and a tremendous couple from Oklahoma, Ron and Renee King, who have been helping MJ with this entire process over the last couple of months.  Ron is also an amputee, and he has been guiding and mentoring MJ via phone calls and email.  Ron and Renee spent time with us on Monday night at our hotel to help us out, and they also came to the hospital this morning and stayed with us through MJ's entire recovery, making sure we had everything we needed and that MJ was receiving the best care possible.  They have been amazing.  They have provided as much support and comfort to me as they have to MJ, and I just can't thank them enough.

 

Ron and Renee King, our wonderful friends out here, got to the hospital at 9am and didn't leave our side until MJ was settled back in his room at 6pm.  They kept MJ's mother and I occupied with wonderful conversation and company all day.  Renee loves to talk as much as I do, and she is so gentle, compassionate, and strong...so I have developed a very special love for her (and Ron of course!).

 

Renee and I both agreed about one thing: While our amputation ordeal was difficult, being there with MJ and his wife was just as difficult, but for different reasons.  It probably boils down to the fact it is hard to accept that others have to deal with this type of situation.  But that isn't going to slow me (or Renee) down in being there to provide support for others as needed!

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Back, but only for a short while

Following up on the "Off the Grid" message:

 

1. Annual Leave: much enjoyed, very busy and extremely too short

2. Sarah flying off:  Still gone, gets back Wednesday evening (Yep, I miss her)

3. Spending time with a new amputee: He, and his family, appear to be doing well

4. Wireless connection toast: Found a work-around (I'm very happy about that!)

 

Taking a few more days of annual leave this week (Tuesday- Birthday & Wednesday- Sarah returns!)

 

Time to apply nose to grindstone......

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"Off the grid" for a short while...

Due to a few reasons:
1. Annual leave...
2. Sarah flying off to see a friend...
3. Spending some time w/ a new amputee...
4. McAfee's update on 30 July which toasted my wireless connection...
I won't be posting for a while.

I will be at work a few days between A/L sessions, but I will probably be required to actually work (go figure). I am keeping a list of posts going, be they original content or links to other great posts I have found lately.

I will be using my trusty Windows Mobile device to stay up-to-date with my normal blog I follow....

TTFN!

Sent via my Windows Mobile device
(which may explain why it was short)
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DIY: Add a counter to your blog

I received a cry for help about adding a site counter on a blog from one of my 'faithful readers'.  This blogger was able to follow the instructions and add a counter (with a link for guest viewing of the stats).  After visiting their blog and seeing that they received a request for instructions to do the same thing, I thought I would share the instructions here:

 

   1. Sign up with StatCounter.com (that is the one I use for all my projects)

   2. Configure the counter the way you want
           (There is an option for an invisible counter, which I use)

   3. Get the code for the counter (copy it)

   4. Log into blogger.com (if not u

   5. From the dashboard, click on the Template link for your blog

   6. Paste it where you want the counter to be displayed

       (mine is just before the </body> text at the end of the template

   7. Preview to see how it looks (if not using an invisible counter)

   8. Save Template Changes

 

If you don't use Blogspot.com for blogging, you are on yor own from step 4 to the end.

 

Bonus Link: Here is an interesting spin on Tetris:  Statetris

                 'Assemble' the United States .... Tetris style (three levels of difficulty)

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For my RSS followers

If you read my blog with a full web browser, you don't need to read this posting if you don't want.

 

One of the primary ways I follow most blogs is via an RSS reader on my Windows Mobile device (Opera Mini), but I try to visit each in a real browser at least once a month to see if there are any template changes or new links in their sidebars.  I recently added a few blogs to my Blogroll account and didn't want any of you to overlook them, so here is my complete list (with Mingle2 ratings).

 

In alphabetical order:

     Ability Trek Tracker - G

     Ability Trek Blog - G

     All I want is a good night's sleep - G

     Ambulance Driver - NC-17

     Behind the Times - R (been a long time since you posted, Kevin)

     Better and Better - NC-17

     China Girl - G (welcome back Estee!)

     Cop the Truth - R

     LAPD Blog - G

     Law & Disorder (blog formerly known as Cop Talk) - G

     Mr. Police Man - G

     My 5150 World - PG

     Negative, Ghostrider - R

     Our 5150 Life - PG (no relation to 5150 World)

     The Internet Ate My Homework - G (the blog that got me started)

     The Johnny Law Chronicles - R

     The Life I Lead - PG-13

     WWdN: In Exile - PG-13

 

There is a mixture of friends, law enforcement, medical, military and anything else that tends to catch my attention. I normally find new blogs by following sidebar links from blogs I like, or by visiting the blogs of people who leave comments at the blogs I already follow.

 

Note: I didn't list the various technology related blogs that I follow to keep apprised of work related issues.

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