How a Photo & Memory Led to a Twitter Hiatus

Not too many people know this unless you follow me on Twitter or we’re friends on Facebook (maybe not even then)… but …

I went on a trip to New Jersey at the end of June. Some, by now are probably so very tired of hearing about it. Some were tired of hearing about it BEFORE I left.

Knowing that, why am I bringing it up, and blogging about it? 

Like normal – the result of an incident or issue on Twitter. This time, it was the result of the “COVER” picture on my Twitter profile page, which has been there since around the time of the trip (June 26^th to June 29^th).

[A "replica" license plate to a "special" car]

I’m not sure when exactly I chose it, though I do believe it was about the time it was taken (6/26), so it was up on Twitter for approximately 40 days when someone, who wasn’t even a follower, posted this tweet to me:

[Tweet I got; out of the blue; from a "concerned" person]

Before I tell you how much that shocked me, if you don’t know about the history of the license plate, I need to take a few moments to explain it, and how special it is to me. Sorry for the long story ...

I was lucky enough to have been born in April 1976, so by the second season of “Starsky & Hutch”, I was about 5/6 months old. My mom had me in something like this (it didn’t even have a patterned seat; it was VERY basic):

[Courtesy of Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/352758583284550627/ again, this was the 70's so it is SEVERELY out of date ... the walker that is]

So, during the show (which she’d began watching just after she got pregnant with me), I’d roll up … kiss my guy and stand in front of the T.V. Believe it or not, I knew which one of the two was mine (no, I am not telling who it was), and when he’d drive off or be “off-camera”, I’d roll off. Of course, I knew his car and his voice and I’d come back. Or, my mom would call to me that he was back and I’d come back, smiling.

After a few episodes of this, my mom decided it was a great way to keep me busy so she could tidy up or crochet. She never left me alone. I was always within her eyesight (and because I’d roll off, I was always near her), but she gave up trying to watch the show. It became my show instead.

Some people will scream about the violence. Me? I was a baby! I couldn’t care less. I was only watching for two reasons: my guy and his car (which looked really good during those chases). End of story.

I didn’t have nightmares, I didn’t suffer intellectually (well, according to my 3.5-3.8 college GPA I didn’t), and I know fantasy from reality. I’m also a writer. I’ve held down jobs, don’t smoke, drink maybe a glass of wine a month (maybe less), and I haven’t had any run-ins with law enforcement. I don’t think I suffered too much as a result.

When I could walk? I’d run over to the T.V.

This routine of me and my adoration of “Starsky & Hutch” continued until the series went off in May 1979, after I turned three (3).

But, for many years, it remained on syndication. However, I was a bit too old to run over to the screen and “kiss” someone. Not only that, my grandma would have frowned up that despite it not being her T.V. She wouldn’t have understood that relationship.

Anyway …

I never lost sight of the show, or how special it was to me. I’d write my own episodes (fan-fiction) by creating crimes for the guys to solve, and yet have a romance – or two. I’d have my own “written” seasons planned out (funny how I never got back to doing those).

I owned the COLUMBIA HOUSE RE-TV VHS tapes (still have them, just no VCR), and I got the DVDs just last year (September/October 2013). I got a die-cast Torino and the books for Christmas (2013). All of that set in motion what happened in June, which set in motion my choice of the picture as my Twitter cover picture. 

I had always hoped to meet David Soul (Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson) and Paul Michael Glaser (David Starsky). I also wanted a bright red, Ford Gran Torino, with a bright white “vector” stripe (still do). Even seeing one in person was a dream. I honestly never thought I’d ever see, let alone touch one. If someone had told me that last year (2013) I would … I would have wondered about their sanity or perception of reality.

It was because of that renewed interest that I turned to the internet. I was looking to see what they were up to (as I didn’t have T.V. service) and found out about a “fan gathering”. I had read about SurCon (tribute event to David & Paul) which was started as a result of a story surrounding David’s copy of the “Survival” script (episode he directed). I missed SurCon 2013 in California (rats). But, when I found out there would be one in New Jersey for 2014, I couldn’t wait to go. It posed a few problems though:

How the hell was I going to get there?

What the hell am I thinking in going there?

Part of the draw was just doing it! So … I did. The whole story behind it will be another blog (which I need to get drafted and working on). But, back to the topic here (which is best at this point) …

I not only got to meet these two WONDERFUL actors/directors. But, I got to see the ORIGINAL Gran Torino from seasons 2, 3, and 4! I saw it in the hotel and on the streets when they gave some lucky fans (auction winners) some rides in it. Seeing them in it again, and hearing it roar down the road? There was nothing that could compare to it. And, as a NASCAR fan … it even beat out going to my first race.

Being a photographer … seeing is believing, as is touching. When you’re only used to seeing it on the T.V. in the little tube, it becomes a surreal experience. You want to not only film it (which I did film parts of the journey, the guys and the car), but photograph it. And, sometimes? You want to touch it.

So … I did!

Being as proud of myself for quelling my plane phobia (there is an inside joke to this), traveling for the first time alone, and for getting the courage to meet these two … yeah, I wanted to brag a bit.

As part of those “bragging” rights, I snapped a picture of the ICONIC license plate of the “striped tomato” (which I touched because I still couldn’t believe I was seeing it).  I also had to do it to prove to a few friends (and myself) I had really done this. I also took quite a few photos that weekend as there were other sights and memories that needed to be preserved.

Getting back to the license plate photo …

1.) It is a REPLICA of a real plate (which I am assuming is on a Torino somewhere)

2.) This REPLICA lists SEP 1976 (beginning of second season) as the expiration date

3.) The “picture” was taken on a carpeted surface (showing inside a building)

4.) This picture was used in a collage for 6/26, which shows it inside a hotel:

[Awesome collage I put together for my Project: 365 daily picture. This is the Gran Torino from the series "Starsky & Hutch" sitting near the ballrooms of the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott June 26, 2014]

When I got the tweet I did, I was a bit … perplexed. For the reasons stated above.  

In addition, the mention of “police” and “military” got me to thinking … “surely, this person can’t believe this is the license plate to a REAL police car. Where would they get that idea”.

I looked at my Twitter avatar/picture, which used to be my Facebook cover page. There I am, sitting in a replica Torino with an OLD police light (which I am certain they don’t use any more).

[Me sitting in a 1974 Ford Gran Torino. Belonged to a fan who had driven the car to New Jersey from Connecticut. Taken at Liberty State Park, New Jersey – June 27, 2014]

We’ve got a few problems with this person thinking that license is to a real police car:

1.) License plate is EXPIRED (hate to re-state this obvious fact)

2.) Pretty sure law enforcement doesn’t use those lights anymore (red bubble)

3.) Pretty damn sure law enforcement wouldn’t let a detective have that high profile of a car (bright red with a HUGE white stripe); it was on television and a crappy re-make movie (my blog, my opinion, just making a statement that was even supported by the original S & H people).

After exchanging tweets, it was obvious – the person had never seen the awful, wretched movie let alone the series (which is what this was from). And, the person is 4-5 years older than I am. Maybe their parents wouldn’t have let them seen it, but there are re-runs. In addition, let’s remember … the registration is technically EXPIRED, so that brings it to “non-issue” status. Hate to again repeat the obvious, but it is quite clear. Why the person had to mention it is beyond me. I’m still (even now) trying to reconcile that.

But, that incident was the latest in some “social media” drama. I got burnt out. I said I was thinking about leaving Twitter, and I’ve only interacted partially since that tweet exchange. I haven’t posted any more pictures or updated people on how I’ve been doing or what is going on. As I told one person, I got tired of explaining. While she brought up a good point of not doing it, still … the stuff wears you down. You hope to engage people to enlighten you (or them). You certainly hope the people who engage you do the same for you.

Anyway ...

While this story could be humorous … it also shows how social media gives us too much instant gratification and the ability to say things before thinking them through. An innocent remark/concern could come off wrong to the receiver. Even if you delete it, someone can do what I did … take a screen capture of it. Once it’s out there – it is out there. There is no going back.

Going back to the tweet …

“for safety reasons you shouldn’t show a license number on here”

I spent 20 minutes going over my account wondering what they were referring to. As you can see, I asked for clarification as I was stumped. What license info did I post? I wasted those 20 minutes, which is about the time it takes me to drive to/from my mom’s work place – for perspective on how much that 20 minutes is in our household. True, I was online chatting with some long-distance friends, working on a trip related photo project, organizing photos, and writing … still, that 20 minutes to search for what was going on … was a waste of time.

Why did I search? I didn’t want to unknowingly put someone’s information out there. Perhaps it was an auto-tweet for something charitable, perhaps I was hacked. I wanted to find the tweet and/or picture and delete it immediately.

That would be the right thing to do.  

Then the person said “just trying to help”. Again, I spent some time pondering this. Help? Why do I need help? What help do I need? I get well-meaning folks, but given the facts surrounding the plate (namely the “expired” part of it) … it seemed a bit “petty”.  

After all, a lot of people put their “license” info on Twitter. I’ve done it with my Cobalt, and I’ve seen friends do it with their own vehicles. When you have personalized/vanity plates, hard to hide them. And, when you drive out in public, it is hard to hide them as well. Also, some “show” cars are registered at car shows.

Because of what I’ve previously been through with certain things, and not knowing this person (who incidentally was not a follower) … it could have turned ugly.

Some people might argue the person was curious. After all, once they were told and apologized, they quickly focused on pushing their “webcast” and recruit technique on me. 

[Hate to break it to ya ... replica of a real plate, and FYI ... it expired back in September 1976 ... the "tag" that is]

["Sorry I didn't understand ... hey, check out my webcast. I'm also looking for bloggers to help." ... right, after I recover those 20 minutes I lost.]

Great marketing technique (**rolling my eyes**). I think if I were curious about something, I would have actually “perused” photos/videos (for those who don’t know Twitter … it does give you a link to see the media the person has posted), and then open a dialogue by asking …

“Why do you have a license plate as your cover photo?” 

That might have solved it in two steps. They’d have gotten positive attention and eased some curiosity. They might have learned something as well. With what they originally said (trying to be helpful or not), it came off the wrong way. Maybe in perusing my photos they would have seen the collage and figured out it was a “show”/“display” car, so there wouldn’t be an issue with the plate.

I’m not silly enough to think that everyone would know the plate (I’m a sucker for details about things I am VERY interested in).

After all, it isn’t like “Knight Rider” and KNIGHT or KARR (and I suspect some people may not know those either). But, I certainly hope anyone would see it is expired and perhaps no longer valid, thus it is a “non issue” (sorry again for mentioning the obvious, still trying to reconcile what triggered the tweet) … so, why would I have it as a cover photo and what is the significance? Why not ask?

My mom and some of my friends (either on Twitter or Facebook) ask “why do people feel the need to say something” or “why are they saying something about [insert issue]”.

I’ve long ago stopped asking “why” people say the things they do or ask why they have the problems they do in relation to those things. Given the increase of it, I am of the opinion that social media and etiquette surrounding it needs to be taught and not just in schools – to adults as well. There are better ways of interacting or started a conversation. Social media has seemingly ended the long standing tradition of “etiquette”, “good manners”, and “decency”.

After all, many of us have enough drama in real life, we don’t need it online. Some of us have limited time due to work, school, family, religious, and other social obligations. As a result, when things like this happen, we tend to withdraw away from social media since others cannot be responsible. I’ve said it a few times on Twitter, yet, well meaning friends always seem to convince me to come back. I’ve completely left Google +(G+) and I left MySpace YEARS ago.

One of my friends is taking a Facebook hiatus, and I am HIGHLY considering taking a very long Twitter hiatus.

I would turn my tweets private, but I don’t want the headache of worrying about missing out on “RT this to win” or “reply back with answer to win”. I’ve gotten some great stuff doing that. I don’t plan to miss out on that at all.

I’ve heard that if people aren’t following you they can’t see your tweets, and other things. With the rules changing every day (or so it seems), I’d rather opt for a hiatus – reply or tweet only when necessary or interesting.

As far as sharing my pictures there …

I gave up sharing a majority of my pictures, though post-trip, I had wanted to share more of them. But, I am stumped. Since my mom is there, I’m sure she’d like a back-up in case Facebook fails (or goes down like it recently did). So, it isn’t right to her to miss out. There are also people who are taking a Facebook hiatus or opted to close their accounts in favor of Twitter. They would miss out as well.

So, how do I balance it?

It isn’t easy. Even close to five years later (on Twitter that is), I am still learning. I basically watch my favorite celebs to see what they do (learn by example; they’re the most criticized ones). I watch how the NASCAR drivers handle private and family tweets. Many are wide open while some are only here or there. And, after what I’ve been through? I don’t wonder and can’t blame them.

Will I go back to Twitter? I’m still evaluating that. It’s not at the top of my priorities though.

I like the positive interaction, sharing photos, and even the rare times I win something. But, I don’t like the unnecessary drama – such as the issue of my profile photo or my cover photo. Unless it is something entirely inappropriate: nudity, abuse, supporting violence, etc … I don’t see why people can’t “let it go”. Find another way of starting a conversation if that is the intent. If not … let it go.

I’ve been replying to people, just haven’t posted much personally. Still undecided as to how I want to proceed. And, with the last few days being so “sad” in the news, I’m thinking I want to just limit the interaction there.

Oh, and if you figured out how the crush and license plate are connected … I do have the right to remain silent. Sounds good, doesn’t it?