I doubt if the inventor of digital video ever realized how powerful a moral tool he or she had created.?ÿ If the inventor had been particularly religious one might think that something Divine might be afoot.?ÿ Let me give you an example..
There's a large elm tree in my neighbor's yard that blocks the streetlight from my side yard at night.?ÿ The tree occupies a rental and the owner isn't interested in doing anything with the tree except making an insurance claim should some thunderstorm come along.?ÿ My selfish desire would be to use some potent herbicide to permanently reduce its foliage and return from the dark my yard's security.
And is it my bright moral compass that keeps me from poisoning the tree??ÿ Not at all.?ÿ It's merely a fear of being recorded by some device of whose existence I'm unaware.?ÿ
I even wonder if this sort of thing has ever come up in the confession booth at the local parish.?ÿ Something like, "It's good my son that His Spirit has moved your conscience and lead you to confess your sins.."?ÿ
"That's not it at all Father.?ÿ My neighbor has a recording doorbell and I'm just trying to get ahead of the scandal".
The implications of 'someone' seeing someone doing something they shouldn't is powerful enough.?ÿ But being able to prove it over and over again is exponentially greater.
Especially on the evening national news... 😮 ?ÿ
Put a black sweatsuit and hoodie on. Solved! ?????ÿ
I started playing with WiFi security cameras when they first arrived several years ago. Now I have more than enough on two different home networks. It??s gotten out of hand because I love gadgets. A low flying bird will be recorded as well as squirrels, armadillos, raccoons, occasional bear, and about every five years a pink and green elephant. ?????ÿ
I refuse to give video of my property to some soulless corporation for their own profit. And they expect me to buy their recording device.
I wish I could reduce the number of constant-on lights in my neighborhood/ town. imo, the world would, in part, be a better place if folks trust themselves and learn where they fit into the dark.?ÿ
The video thing is way crazy to me. If today's kids do a quarter of the stuff we did, I don't think anyone would survive without a formal 'jacket'. Understand, not one person was hurt with our antics and I don't condone lawlessness. However, what kind of adult is forged from a completely 'obedient' childhood?
1984
In conjunction with a remodel we completed last year I planned to install 3 cameras on my house, but using an independent system rather than Ring or the like.?ÿ I bought the cameras, but ran out of money before I could buy the management system, so it's still a work in progress.
The value of these things is kind of limited, as the local police won't review video unless a crime actually occurs -- scenes of a creepy guy rattling the door handles in your fenced backyard don't make it past the receptionist.?ÿ And even with a break-in,?ÿ there has to be a substantial loss or they won't bother with your video evidence, because they don't have the time to go looking for every tweaker who steals a bike from your garage.
Several years ago a house was broken into and the residents tied up while the thieves took in excess of $30,000 that the guy was known to keep at home instead of at his business.?ÿ More than a mile from that house to any other neighbor's house.?ÿ They had parked on the far side of the section, walked over and walked back, leaving the residents tied up.?ÿ Masks, etc. to prevent recognition.?ÿ Of course, they didn't wear the masks on the stroll from vehicle to the house and back.?ÿ Turns out there were several critter cameras in the tree area they went through to hide from anyone who happened to drive down a nearby road.?ÿ Gotcha!
I'm probably out there on "da web" in multiple places displaying my talents at adding liquid nutrients to the flora.
The first time I knew I was on Candid Camera was in February 2000 when I heard a little click that made no sense.?ÿ Stopped looked around and finally saw the trail camera that had just snapped my photo.?ÿ We were working on a survey......in the section across the road. 😯 😯 ?ÿ
Shade is a very precious commodity in Oklahoma. Low voltage lighting is much easier to acquire.
I'm probably out there on "da web" in multiple places displaying my talents at adding liquid nutrients to the flora.
One day I was idly perusing Nextdoor when I saw this:
?ÿ
I was looking for a friend's house (hadn't seen him in a few years and he'd moved since I last saw him) to pick up some stuff (casters, if you must know, but it's a long story) I arranged for him to leave out for me.?ÿ The place turned out to be a duplex, but there weren't any address numbers that I could see, so I nosed around to see if I could find the box, and started my nosing at the wrong half of the building.?ÿ I had no idea I had been photographed until I saw myself on the web.
P.S.?ÿ I'm not that tall, nor that heavy, nor that young, nor do I wear a goatee.?ÿ And my hair is only part gray.?ÿ He got my race and sex right, anyway.
For a time my family owned a Subway store. We resisted installing surveillance cameras for as long as we could, but eventually we realized it was absolutely necessary. After that, there was no place in the store outside of the washrooms that were not on camera. Including one camera that looked directly down on the cash register and its drawer, when open. These cameras were all readily apparent, no secret about them. In fact, we wanted everyone, staff, customers, and local thieves to know about them. The idea was deterrence, after all.
Long story short - we caught a staff member pocketing 20 dollar bills out of the cash drawer.?ÿ What was embarrassing was how long it took us to figure it out. Once we found the relevant moments it was all there in vivid detail, but who has time to go through hours of recordings??ÿ If this person had done it only once or twice a week we probably would not gone to the effort. Her problem was that she got greedy, and careless.?ÿ?ÿ
?ÿ ?ÿ?ÿ
One day while starting to relieve myself I was accosted by someone who I didn't see or hear snuck up behind me and asked,?ÿ "Are you going to pee there?"?ÿ?ÿ With my left arm outstretched I pointed to a spot way out in front of me and said, "No, I'm going to pee way over there."
Hitting that point gets tougher every year. Come to think of it, so does stretching my arm out.
We got a RING. It's how I figured out who was stealing stuff off of my porch, destroying my leaves on my hostas, etc...
Turns out it's a POSSUM who visits often!! Thief. ????ÿ
I didn't then, but I sure do now. 3 months + without one.
Strategic tree locations keep my place in the dark when there are no house lights on to cast light on the outside area.
That is the way I like it so anyone snooping around will have to use a flashlight or be stumbling over things they can not see and wake up the local dogs who will alert the neighborhood if anyone is lurking about.
I have outdoor lightning that will shine enough light to maneuver around the house when I have need for light.
I simply like it pitch dark outside to enjoy the stars up above.
I'm right there with you. We can schedule a barber's appointment now but I figure they are swamped with those whose occupation pretty much dictates a certain look at all times. I am certain one chair is unused as the owner himself has gone through cancer treatment and is VERY careful anyway.
@flga
You found her! 
😉
thank god!!! She’s on Everglades Airplane and Yugo Repair Airlines, Flight 217 and will arrive at SEA-TAC Sunday evening @ 21:00 PST Gate 34 Terminal 6B. You will be able to smell her.
Thank you!
ps: she is in desperate need of a manicure, and you may consider having her teeth removed.
