"El Lay" Lesson: Drug Addiction

Drugs can have long lasting effects on your body and your mind. Using drugs on a day to day basis will compromise a persons judgement and affect their physical abilities. Drugs make a person unable to perform in a variety of ways, your capability to accomplish your everyday tasks will suffer in the following areas:

Employment
Decision Making
Operating a Vehicle
Social Affairs

Drug use also diminishes your physical appearance. It lowers your motivation and impairs your comprehension, leading to risky decisions and behavior. Drug use also directly reduces your sexual and intellectual performance in many areas. A person who uses drugs increases their chance of experiencing any, or all, of the following:

Legal Problems
Involvement in a traffic accident
Risky Sexual Behavior
Work Related Injuries
Addiction
Debt

Persons who use drugs usually do it to mask their problems. They have difficulty with managing their stress, have a hard time resolving conflicts, also often do not have any goals set for themselves. These individuals feel that drug usage will make their short comings wither away. Drugs negatively affect cohesiveness in a family setting and will cause the following effects on the moral of his or her family:

Lack of thought
Lack of Concentration
Lack of Commitment
Lack of Trust
Lack of Faith

If a person’s performance is weak because of drug use, that person will have to live knowing that he or she has disappointed their family. Given the serious risks of drug use, why would anyone even attempt to go through these after effects at all? All they have to do is see how it has affected their favorite athlete, movie star, rock star, and that should give any individual with half a brain enough of a reason not to use drugs.
Until the next lesson, “Stay Down”
Author: OG Dude

"El Lay" Lesson: "Where you from?"

The most lamented and dreaded question that any Angeleno hates to hear, “Where are you from?” This is a question that has no definitive answer. It is an apparent “Catch-22″: Damned if you don’t answer and damned if you do. Too many Los Angeles area residents have lost their lives or have been seriously injured because they have failed to respond or responded with the wrong answer. This is why you have to be aware of your surroundings and be well versed as to what a proper response to this question can be. If you get “hit up” by a gang member it is only because he thinks you look like one or are one. This is why, as described in Lesson One, you should not be a poser. You will only be jeopardizing yourself. Why would any fool try to look hard and be a “Buster” when everybody knows that idiot could not hang with anyone, let alone gang-bangers. Once you get “hit up,” you better react quickly and tell them that you are from a city in another state. This answer will have them scratching their heads because gang members are stupid and do not know their geography. Their rationale is that if they never heard of that area, they will most likely leave you alone because they have no beef with that area. If you do not give them an answer, they will view that as disrespectful and they will attempt to injure you. You have to remember gang members only have their point of view and do not give a shit what you think. So think about that when traveling through Los Angeles.
Until the next Lesson, “Stay Down.”
Written and Reported by: OG DUDE

"El Lay" Lesson:Ways of Identifying the Theft of Identity

In the previous lesson, The Three D’s ( Deter, Detect, Defend) were discussed on what to do when identity theft occurs. This quick lesson will give you the 5 popular methods that thieves utilize to get your personal information in order to wreak havoc on your identity. The time and effort you have to put in to correct the theft of your identity is time consuming to say the least. Paying attention to these methods of theft will educate you on being more careful.
Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal your personal information. The OG Dude will provide you with the five most common ways these thieves attempt to gain personal information access.
1.) Dumpster Diving: The thief or thieves rummage through trash looking for bills or other paperwork with your personal information on it.
2.) Skimming: The thieves steal credit card and debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
3.) Slamming: They pretend to be financial institutions and send spam or pop up messages to get a sucker like you to reveal your personal info online.
4.) Jamming: They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form.
5.) Old School Stealing: They steal wallets and purses, laptops, mail that includes bank and credit cards, pre-approved credit offers, checking account checks, and tax information. They also steal records from their employees or bribe employees that have access to these records.
I hope this information is useful and remember to be careful.
Until the next lesson, “Stay Down.”
Article written by: OG DUDE

How to Prevent Your Identity From Being Stolen

Ever since those neophytes at the OG Dude HQ caved in to my salary demands they have asked me to continue writing more articles. They have told me I would have to earn my keep. The L.A. Lessons series has become a fan favorite, therefore, it will go uninterrupted.
The following lesson will be on how to avoid Identity Theft. When you bring up this subject, always remember the Three D’s: Deter, Detect and Defend. The OG Dude will explain these concepts to you and how to implement them into your daily life.
DETER: Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your name. You can deter identity theft by safeguarding your personal information.
A.) Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal info before you discard them.
B.) Protect your social security number. Do not carry your social security card in your wallet or write the number on checks. Give it out only if you absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
C.) Do not give out personal info over the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you know who you are dealing with. Also do not click on links sent in unsolicited emails, instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect your home computer and keep them up to date.
D.) Never use an obvious password like your birthday, mother’s maiden name, your favorite hooker’s measurements, or the last four digits of your social security number.
E.) Keep personal info in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, ex-wives, employment side help or are having work done on your house.
DETECT: Suspicious activity can be routinely monitored by reviewing your financial accounts and billing statements. Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
A.) Bills that do not arrive as expected.
B.) Unexpected credit cards or account statements.
C.) Denials of credit for no apparent reason.
D.) Calls or letters about purchases you did not make.
DEFEND: Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports and review the reports carefully as soon as you suspect identity theft. The alert will tell creditors to follow certain procedures before they open a new account in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open and debts on your accounts that cannot be explained.
A.) Close accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently. Call the security or fraud department of each company where an account was opened or changed without your ok.
B.) File a police report. This can help you with creditors who may want proof of a crime. You can also report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. They can be reached at 877-438-4338 or online at ftc.gov/idtheft.
After this information has set in you should not have a reason to encounter this type of crime.
Until the next lesson, “Stay Down.”
All L.A. Lessons Written by: OG DUDE.

Preventing Criminal Activity in El Lay

Let the OG Dude be your guide in helping you deter crime while in Los Angeles. If you do the following you will drastically decrease the theft of your car from occurring. You will also decrease the chances of thieves stealing from your vehicle.
The 3 Elements needed to commit a crime are desire, ability and opportunity. Buffoonery creates opportunity and ability. Act smart, be smart and eliminate the desire for a stranger to rob you or your property.
The following suggestions are brought to you for your reading pleasure. Remember these are part of your “Los Angeles Lessons“:
Step 1: Lock your car. An unlocked car is an open invitation to a car thief. Lock up whenever you leave your car. Do not forget to take your keys with you.
Step 2: Close all windows. Car thieves have tools that help unlock cars through a minimum of open space.
Step 3: Be sure Vent, Wind-Wing windows, and sunroofs are shut tight and locked. These are favorite means of entry for thieves.
Step 4: Do not leave items such as your wallet, purse, cell phone, or blackberry in your car. Take these items with you. Be aware that someone else may be watching as you hide them under your car seat.
Step 5: Buy an alarm system and use it. Many car owners believe that car alarms no longer make a difference however they do remain effective deterrent to burglars. As stated in the earlier lessons criminals will choose the easiest target. If they have two cars to choose from, the one without the alarm will be the choice.
Step 6: Park in well-lighted areas.
Step 7: Avoid alleys and check to see if your parking choice is visible to pedestrain and vehicular traffic. Criminals usually avoid heavy traffic areas.
Step 8: While at your hotel or home park in the garage and lock your car!

Another concept you will have to consider is that car burglary can lead to residental burglary. Garage door openers, house keys, mail and vehicule registrations left in your car can be used for both indentity theft and residental burglary. That concept will be will be covered in another “L.A. Lesson.”
Always remember, if you are driving a “rental“, remove the agencies bumper stickers. This is a dead giveaway that says “Steal Me.” Until the next lesson-“Stay Down!”
Another provocative article written by: OG DUDE.

OG REMIX: Local L.A. Customs

I will change it a bit for this lesson. I have been told by the Powers to be here at The Daily Gangsta that my lessons have made many tourists and visitors to doubt themselves of picking Los Angeles as their destination of choice. These articles were meant to give folks a taste of the real Los Angeles and not to cause disharmony.
There are other reasons and tribulations to love the City of Angels. After all we have beautiful people, beautiful beaches, wonderful mountains, swarming deserts, never ending entertainment venues, and no football team. As we experienced the other day, Los Angeles also has earthquakes, fires, floods, riots, traffic jams and plenty of jobs. A lot of these things do not get Angelenos very much perturbed. In fact, ask any native and they will tell you that the last earthquake was very mild to what they are accustomed to. The locals take everything in stride and unlike those arrogant Easterners, we do not move like we have consumed 8 cups of coffee. Another trait that is customary to “El Lay” is the avoidance of saying “Hello” to everybody you come across. If you do this you will be viewed as a strange individual. You just don’t come up to people and say “Hi, my name is Rothschild. What’s your name?” Folks here will think you are propositioning them and you will get yourself in a trick bag. You just don’t do that! Another issue that will get you knocked out is the constant staring at people. You can do this back in Jersey but here it is considered “mad dogging.” If you do this, just take a picture it will last longer and will get you cleared of being accused of being gay or just plain stupid. The locals are used to seeing all the “stars” so to them it is no big deal. In fact, this behavior is irritating and do not be surprised if they cuss you out or you get threatened.
Come to Los Angeles, stay quiet, enjoy the scenes and party. That is all you have to do. You will not get yourself in dire straits if you do these things.
Until the next lesson, “Stay Down.”
Article, Advice and Opinions by L.A. Local: OG DUDE

Monthly Billing Statements

Yes, folks, there IS that time of the season when the bills start to arrive. When they do arrive, do not be surprised with sticker shock! Apparently, there are those people who ignored my article on holiday spending and did just that. You went out of your way just to get that shiny plastic card and started to charge everything for your holiday gift giving rampage. What you failed to acknowledge was that you will be eventually paying for all this. Those gifts you gave were probably nice, but guess who got stuck with the bill? Sure. It was great to buy all these things, but did you have too?! Now you will be paying the price for all your foolishness. You failed to stop at those low-end, affordable stores (99cents store, Wal-Mart, etc). Instead, you went to a fancy shmancy department store. Oh my, what idiocy!
You know that the folks who got the gifts are not responsible for the payment. YOU ARE! With that said, all you have to do now is cut back on using your card and pay with only cash. When you pay with the plastic, money is no object, but when you pay with cash, it is an object... A HUGE ONE! When you run out of cash, put a lid on it. Whatever you do, do NOT go back and use your credit card. I suggest you use scissors and cut it up. Rip the thing apart, anything, just make sure that it's broken enough for nobody to use.
With high interest rates and never-ending payments, why do you even use it? Let the credit card companies go bankrupt, not you.

Until the next lesson, Stay Down.