Tag Archives: security

My, How Hospitals Have Changed!

I can’t remember the last time I was in a hospital — maybe it was back in 2001, the summer that both my grandmother and grandfather passed away. If I’ve been in a hospital room since then, it’s lost in memory. But I was in a hospital room today — some very good friends of mine welcomed twins into the world. After I stopped being distracted by holding the tiny babies, I started looking around. Things certainly have changed! Probably the most impressive thing (at least to me) was the wristbands. Mom, Dad, and twins all had barcoded wristbands. This … Continue reading →

Vet Offices and Surveillance Cameras

I got to thinking about something I haven’t seen in any vet offices since we moved from Phoenix: surveillance cameras. Observations on Vet Offices I specifically got to thinking about it last Thursday when I took Murph to the specialist for a consult on his paw. I had never been to this particular veterinary practice. I’ve really only been to two other vet offices since we moved to Nashville: Southside Animal Hospital and Banfield in Petsmart when I found Tabby. This new-to-us office was much like any other vet practice. There was a reception desk and a waiting room, and … Continue reading →

Miko’s Job: Security Guard

Courtney wrote recently about all the different types of jobs that dogs can have. It got me thinking about my dogs, and the work they do for me. Moose is Chief Executive in Charge of Cuddling and Lally is my Morale Officer with her squeaky ball antics. The dog I had before I adopted Moose and Lally was the one who had a real job. Miko was my security guard. When I got my first full-time radio job and moved to Vermont, there was no question that he was moving with me. One of my tasks at the new job … Continue reading →

Identity Theft Threat to iTunes Users

Users of the popular Apple iTunes online music store may find themselves the victim of stolen identity theft. That is because a new crop of thieves are out to target iTunes users, and so far have had some limited success. The identity theft threat to iTunes users comes in the form of “Phishing,” a technique that has long been seen connected to online banking, PayPal, Ebay and mainstream retail stores. Until now, no one seems to have dared to touch Apple, but recently, however, that has changed. Phishing is a term used to describe the strategy that crooks use to … Continue reading →

Celebrities Tightening Security

How much does it cost to erect a giant fence around your home or to live in a gated community? Given the amount of large fences surrounding the homes I live near I can’t imagine the price would bankrupt the average Hollywood celebrity, which is why I have a hard time comprehending how 80s pop star Debbie Gibson got herself in the following situation. According to news reports, the “Shake Your Love” singer recently filed a restraining order against an alleged stalker who showed up at her house on more than one occasion. Police say Spaniard Bassas Jorge Puigdollers has … Continue reading →

Ask the Blogger: Magnets and Computers

I recently received the following question from a reader. “I want to dispose of my computer, but I am worried that someone might be able to find my personal information on the computer if I donate it or throw it out. I heard that sticking a magnet on the hard drive will erase any data. Is this true?” Dear Reader, While it is true that magnets can be used to erase a hard drive, just any old household magnet won’t do the job. The only magnets that are powerful enough for such a task as usually found in laboratories or … Continue reading →

Why You Should Never Pack Unused Film in Your Suitcase

It’s a lesson I almost found out the hard way. Yes, the rule is posted in bold letters on the security placards to the right of the airline’s check-in desks, but I don’t typically travel with film (you might not either if you shoot with a digital camera). However, during my most recent trip home to Hawaii I brought along my favorite camera and had a few spare rolls of film packed in my suitcase. That’s a major no-no, according to the TSA agent who was in the process of lifting my checked bag onto the x-ray machine when she … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: February 18 – 24

Another week has zipped right by, and I can’t believe how fast time is moving. I’ve always heard that as you get older time goes by faster, so if it’s whipping by like this, I must be getting really old… Here are this week’s articles at a glance, in case time went by a little too quick for you this week as well, and you didn’t have a chance to check them out: Of House and Home There is a big difference between a house (or any living structure) and a home. This is even more clear when people are … Continue reading →

Warmth and Security of Home

Do you remember that old television prompt: “It’s 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?” It was a public service announcement before we even ever heard of public service announcements. It was a way of reminding parents that it was late and their children should be home. I have been thinking about this lately, how home is a place of security and family and warmth. But I wonder if we are traveling away from that with our current homes. There is a reason that there is something magical about a seeing the warm glow of lights through a … Continue reading →

Where is your security?

When things go wrong in your life, where do you turn? To a friend, husband, wife, parent? Or do you turn to some activity to try and help you forget for a while what is happening? Many women have experienced the fear of finding a lump in their breast. I’ve known it myself. It my case it was a cyst and easily dealt with. For others the prognosis is not so good. Breast cancer – even the words can strike fear into a woman’s heart. Yesterday a dear friend and I went along to ‘Wade in the Water’ a function … Continue reading →