“High Flight” – The Challenger, Pepcon, Myself, and a Rocket

[Collage photo of my "rocket" from 8th grade. Photos taken by me, and collage made by me] 

Talk about a #ThrowbackThursday!

Challenger – 30 Years Later

I can’t even begin to imagine this day, all those years ago. And, all the days that followed. I’m trying to piece it together – and I still can’t.

From a young age, racing and story-telling were not my only interests. I loved the idea of going out and exploring the universe as well. Which was why my first science project involved the solar system, it was later discarded as “trash” which really hurt, and also made me despise doing projects. Why do them when they could be thrown away and discarded?

But, after Challenger – something changed. I don’t know why. My lack of interest in science was noted in school records. Though I got good grades, my “lack of interest” bothered my teachers.

While I knew the day would get here, something about those “milestone” anniversaries get to me. The 28^th is much overlooked, but when it hits 30^th, it’s pretty much “hard to believe”.

So too is today.

Today, for those who weren’t around (or paying attention) is the 30^th anniversary of the Challenger accident/disaster.

By saying “accident” it diminishes what truly was a historic and yet so preventable incident for NASA. Calling it a disaster, when compared to other things, seems wrong too. But, it was – for the time (and now) an accident/disaster. That disaster would lead to another a few years later near Las Vegas near the end of sixth (6^th) grade.

What’s life been like in the past 30 years? Interesting, scary, and definitely memorable.

January 28, 1986

The day began like any other – that’s about all I know. I was in fourth (4^th) grade at Robert E. Lake elementary and liking “breaking in” a new teacher. Which, we’d end up going through 4-6 of them that year.

I remember my grandma telling me about it after she picked me up from school. The teachers, as I recall, the teachers didn’t want to tell us – it was too upsetting.

I get it. But, at age nine (9) – I was already used to death. Sad, but I was.

I know there were a lot of emotions centering around it. My mother and grandmother protected me.

Was that a good thing? I don’t know …

What I didn’t know (or anyone else) was that an unintended consequence was brewing from Challenger.

May 4, 1988 – PEPCON

Flash forward now two grades, and nearly two and a half (2 ½) years later – 6^th grade. May 4, 1988.

Because of the “suspension” of the space program, the Pepcon (Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada) plant in Henderson, Nevada stored the excess rocket fuel or ammonium perchlorate as they were instructed to by the government.

“Ammonium perchlorate is a powerful oxidizer which is mixed with combustible materials to produce rocket fuels”. (Routely, 1988).

“4,500 tons of the sugar like ammonium perchlorate sat at the plant May 4, 1988, the day of the explosions. Much of it was in drums and containers, ready for delivery”. (Rogers, 1998).

According to the Routely FEMA report, the fire is believed to have begun in a “drying process structure” between 11:30am and 11:40 am (Pacific Time). Because of a windstorm, the steel frame with fiberglass walls had been damaged. A welding torch was being used for repairs. Naturally, the fire spread rapidly in the fiberglass material, accelerated by ammonium perchlorate residue in the area. The flames spread to 55-gallon plastic drums containing the AP in a storage area.

“The time between ignition and the first explosion has not been determined exactly; it was estimated at l0-20 minutes”. (Routely, 1988).

The team at Pepcon abandoned fire control efforts and began evacuating. Two people died. One stayed behind to call the fire department, and another was a wheelchair bound employee who couldn’t leave. The first of the two explosions were in a drum storage area. The second explosion was the largest one – and was the one I likely saw from where I was – which was at school.

“In addition to the chemicals at the plant, a 16-inch, high-pressure (300 psi) natural gas transmission line ran underneath the plant and also supplied the plant through a pressure reducing assembly”. (Routely, 1988). The gas line wasn’t turned off until 12:59pm according to the report.

“All told, seven explosions occurred involving various containers of ammonium perchlorate, with the two largest occurring in the plastic drums and then the aluminum containers. These two explosions were measured at 3.0 and 3.5 on the Richter scale at an observatory in California! Over eight million pounds of the product were consumed in the fire and explosions. A crater estimated at 15 feet deep and over 200 feet long was left in the storage area”. (Routely, 1988).

Not even the Clark County firefighters could get near it.

“Both the PEPCON facility and the neighboring marshmallow plant had been destroyed in the explosions prior to their arrival. The magnitude of the fire in the PEPCON facility was beyond any fire suppression capability, and flames also were visible in the rubble of the marshmallow plant. The only hydrants were in the immediate area of the two involved plants, but there was no water supply due to the loss of electrical power to the pumps. Recognizing the danger and futility of operations, no attempt was made to approach or to fight the fire”. (Routely, 1988).

Other than the two people died that day, over 300 were injured (including fifteen firefighters), and Boulder Highway looked like a war zone. Some cars, according to Routely’s report had been blown off the road.

“Witnesses reported that this explosion created a visible shock wave coming toward them across the ground”. (Routely, 1988).

The incident, according to the report, cost close to $100 million in damages. A lot of us kids were taken out of school early – including myself.

“Investigation into the event found that the destructive energy from the larger explosion was roughly equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT or one kiloton, approximately the same yield of a tactical nuclear weapon”. (Bellows, 2008).

That “blast” was another “fall-out” from the Challenger disaster.

The Pepcon site is now, according to Paul Szydelko of VegasSeven, Wigwam Parkway and Gibson Road a place I routinely pass five (5) to (6) times per week. I’m only about three (3) miles north of the site.

[I claim no ownership to this. This was taken by a repair crew from Black Mountain in Henderson, NV May 4, 1988]

[I do not own this image. I found it from an article on Vegas Seven's website]

High Flight and a Rocket –

In 8^th grade (1989-1990) some 3-4 years after the Challenger “accident” (and 1-2 years after Pepcon) – a science teacher gave me a poster with the poem “High Flight” on it. It was the poem etched into the Challenger memorial where some of the astronauts are interred.

[Poor quality. This was a picture my mom took in 1989-1990 of me holding the poster my 8th grade science teacher gave me]

[The poem on the Challenger memorial. I do not own this image. I found it online.]

[Front of the memorial. Again, I do not own this image. I found it online.]

Incidentally, it was at that time that I started really getting into my writing. I’d spend my lunch time in the library, on the computer typing away. The stories would become “practice” and eventually shredded, but it was the start of something.

Anyway ...

The teacher wanted to give me hope (about the space program) as I was no longer interested in science anymore (which was one of my “aptitudes”). Despite having “promise” in science, I just wanted to walk away from all things “science” and “space” related.

We also had a great thing going on that year. The “Rocket Program”. We were given (or my mom might have bought it through the school) a rocket to paint/design and on “launch day”, we’d get either the high-powered engine (less chance of rocket retrieval, potential destruction), or lower powered engine to launch the rocket (greater chance of rocket retrieval), which would then cause the nosecone to pop off (it was held together by a rubber connector called a shock cord) and the parachute would guide it back to us.  

[Not a picture I own. Got this image from the Estes website. This is identical to the rocket I got in 1989-1990]

[Got this image from the Estes website. This is identical to the rocket I got in 1989-1990]

[Got this image from the Estes website. These are the "engines" for the rockets like what I built. They're sold on their website.]

[Various "student" rockets. Photo found on the Texas A&M University - Central Texas website] 

[Scanned image from PDF "hand-out" on the model rocket flight profile]

Or we could opt out … which I did … at first. I had no interest in it. My mom wouldn’t give up – and I don’t think my teacher wanted to either. She certainly didn’t want to see me opt out.

I was, silly as it seemed, afraid of a disaster. Yes, while small – the rocket engines could cause a disaster. But, my mother and teacher both knew there was something in me that still wanted that “flight”. Yet, I shied away.

I don’t remember if the poster caused me to go through with it, or I did it and the teacher gave me the poster.

All I know was the program was about to be scuttled because of the kids who wanted the “A” rockets and something else was going on at the time. I was mad at them. But, not for myself. For the others who were truly excited about it.

I reluctantly painted that brown and red rocket in two colors: pink and purple, and added glitter to it – either for launch or just to have as a souvenir. It was simple, for me. As the day neared and the “hub-bub” settled – we were confirmed for “launch”.

I was lucky enough to get the high powered” rocket.

Launch day came and for the first time, I was really excited – again. I got to launch the rocket. No disaster – rocket retrieved and safely back in my hands. I realized that I had to participate – if only in memory of the Challenger crew.

After the Rocket and Today –

For almost 27 years that rocket has been at times babied, lost, forgotten, in danger of a trash can (mostly because of my grandmother), bent, misplaced – but always somewhere that it could pop out and say “hi, I’m here”.

A few years ago, I found it in some storage stuff and sat it in a basket. Today, thirty (30) years after Challenger, I brought it inside the house. 

I finally took the time to look at it and remember what Ronald Regan said 30 years ago after the disaster: “The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave”. 

And, it brought me back to something else: “our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”.

That “rocket” reminds me of where I came from (no, not Krypton, lol). And, also what I’ve been through and who I am. So, it seems fitting that it serves as today’s #TBT picture.

That rocket won’t see flight again. It’s not “flight worthy”, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t sit here, look at it, and remember to “dream” when I look at the stars.

Today, my dreams no longer center on space or exploration. They center on something closer to home: writing and telling a story (no not about space or exploration of it). Another dream is to one day see one of my stories on a movie or even a TV screen.

But, I learned that we can’t realize those dreams without getting back up after falling, reaching up, and giving it another “go”.

Here is the poem:

“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds -

and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of -

wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence.

Hovering there I've chased the shouting wind along

and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long delirious burning blue

I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,

where never lark, or even eagle, flew;

and, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod

the high untrespassed sanctity of space,

put out my hand and touched the face of God.”

John Gillespie Magee,  Jr.

References:

Bellows, A. (2008, September 10). Damn Interesting » The PEPCON Disaster. Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://web.archive.org/web/20090217113239/http://www.damninteresting.com//?p=800

Business Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2016, from https://www.tamuct.edu/departments/aviation/studentactivities.php

Clark County. (n.d.). Pepcon Explosion. Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/fire/Pages/PepconExplosion.aspx

Estes Rockets. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://www.estesrockets.com/

Moyer, J. (2016, January 28). Exactly the right words, exactly the right way: Reagan’s amazing Challenger disaster speech. Retrieved January 28, 2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/01/28/how-ronald-reagan-explained-the-challenger-disaster-to-the-world-its-all-part-of-taking-a-chance

One killed, three injured in southern Utah plant explosion. (1997, July 30). Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/jul/30/one-killed-three-injured-in-southern-utah-plant-ex/

Routely, J. (1988). Fire and Explosions at Rocket Fuel Plant Henderson, Nevada. Federal Emergency Management Agency United States Fire Administration National Fire Data Center. Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://www.interfire.org/res_file/pdf/Tr-021.pdf and https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-021.pdf

Szydelko, P. (2015, November 19). Remembering the Pepcon Disaster - Vegas Seven. Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://vegasseven.com/2015/11/19/remembering-pepcon-disaster/

Reflections: February 18th

It’s hard knowing where to put this blog … so, I think “Snapshots and Project 365” is the best place for it.

[My Project: 365 picture. Remembering Dale]

Today is the 14^th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt’s death. Today would have been my grandma’s 98^th birthday (a grandmother I was named after). She died November 2002, a year and nine months after Dale. So today, there is a bit of sadness. 

Fourteen (14) years ago, she had NO idea who I was. She was in the late stages of Alzheimer’s. So, I decided to watch the race here and there … except for the last few laps. I had a lot to do, and I was a bit emotional. Though nothing like I would be later that night. 

Later that night, as I told my mom goodnight, I learned that Dale Earnhardt had died. He was my racing hero – he made the impossible seem possible.

A lot has changed in those fourteen (14) years. I’ve attended ten (10), going on eleven (11) races at Las Vegas Motorspeedway. Speaking of that ... NASCAR will here in 15 days. I’ll watch Jeff Gordon race one last time here. I’ve seen a lot of my favorite drivers race here one last time, and I’ve seen people race here for the first time. 

I’ve seen the Busch series race, the Nationwide, and soon the Xfinity Series. I’ve seen Nextel and Sprint. I’ve seen a lot of changes in the sport.

But that isn’t all. In the past fourteen (14) years I’ve personally changed in so many ways that I hardly recognize myself. I hardly resemble the young girl (24/25 year old) that heard that devastating announcement. I definitely am nowhere near the same post-9/11 person I was. 

I’ve had extremely low points (9/11 was the “hit rock bottom” part), and I’ve “soared among the clouds” for the high points. 

And, I mean that quite literally. Last June I faced a demon – I flew from my home in Las Vegas to Newark, NJ. One of the hijacked flights flew out of Newark, so that was definitely staring the devil down. I flew in that airport and out of it. I actually boarded a total of four (4) aircraft to take a remarkable journey. 

["D" gate at McCarran International just before boarding my Delta flight to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport; first of two for the trip back to New Jersey.]

[A bit delayed leaving Atlanta for Newark due to a patch of bad weather. Checking for flight arrival information. I'd land in time to check in to my hotel. Check-in was 4pm]

[Making the descent into Newark, NJ. Seeing toll booths for the first time. We really weren't that late as it turned out. Both flights were awesome. Scary, but awesome.]

I got to see (from Liberty State Park) the World Trade Center and Statue of Liberty: 

[One of my FAVORITE pictures of the World Trade Center. Taken June 28, 2014]

[My view of the Statue of Liberty. Taken June 28, 2014]

Today, I realize how many blessings I really have. I’ve been able to experience things I never thought possible. Today I realize how much of Dale’s “never give up” spirit is still inspiring me. I’ve met wonderful people, met my childhood heroes, met people who’ve inspired me. I’ve been to some remarkable places and done remarkable things (even gone to concerts):

[Met Gary Sinise at the CSI: Experience. November 2011]

[Attended a Lt. Dan Band concert at the Mandalay Bay. November 2011. One of many "free" free concerts I've been to.]

[Saw the original "Starsky" Ford Gran Torino from Seasons 2-4. Newark, NJ June 26, 2014]

[Met and had dinner with David Soul (Hutch) and Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky). I was part of a select few who did. Newark, NJ June 26-28 2014]

I’ve reconnected with my family, and those bonds are stronger than they were. I’ve reconnected with some friends, lost touch with others, lost some entirely, and made some new friends. But, life goes on. And, I learned the importance of this message:

[Inspirational card I made to remind myself to "keep going". Made through my Heritage Makers business]

I can see why Dale was so tenacious on the track, it is a trait of those born under the Taurus the Bull sign – I know, I was born on the same day. Once I rose up, I never stopped. I kept going. Much like Dale (and like another person I admire and was lucky to meet) … you just keep going. 

Today, I miss Dale. I’m sad; I can’t say I’m not. But, like his son Dale Jr. stated on Twitter … I’m glad he lived:

[Dale Jr's tweet]

I don’t think I’ll ever stop wondering “what if”, but I’m not so bogged down in the “what if”  that I can’t see the “what can be” in front of me.

“I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Livin’ might mean taking chances, but they’re worth takin’

Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth makin’

Don’t let some hell bent heart leave you bitter

When you come close to sittin’ out, reconsider

Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance …

I hope you dance … ”

That song always seems to play at the right time. Do I cry? Sometimes. But, through those tears, I still smile. Why? Because, I know exactly what give the heavens above more than just a passing glance  really means:

[My view as I head home to Las Vegas from Detroit. Delta Airlines Flight 1917; DTW to LAS; June 2014]

[In case anyone needed to see this to believe it. Yes, I still have all my boarding passes from that trip.]

Changing of the Guard (more specifically – Hello to a New Camera, Goodbye to the Old) …

Okay, this might seem silly … but I’m almost heart-broken over the fact I have to replace my Sony Cybershot (point & shoot) camera.

You might begin laughing, but realize this … I am sad, teary-eyed, and crying. It wasn’t just an ordinary camera – it has been my best friend for the last five years.

** We’ve been through quite a few NASCAR races (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014) together    

** We’ve been through several birthdays (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014) together 

** We’ve been through several Christmases (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014) together 

We’ve been through quite a bit it seems … 

We’ve taken two road trips to California (2011 and 2012), and together we also went on the “trip of a lifetime” to capture memories that I can only share with my photos (and some videos)   

I know … not THAT again!!! But, it is part of the camera’s history. Part of why I am crying. This camera and I made a remarkable history together – we even boarded four (4) airplane rides together. Not as checked baggage, but … in my pocket, on my lap, and looking out the window (something I thought I'd NEVER do).

It was the camera that someone used to capture an epic picture of me and my favorite actor/director (and of course the owner of a Torino used it for another epic picture, check my Twitter avatar for that one). So, it’s a bit hard to pull it out of the purse for the last time to photograph its replacement.   

Now, as we enter into the last NASCAR race mom and I are attending together (though down the road I might go to one by myself) … I’m reminded of how truly special that little pink Cybershot really is. It likely won’t visit this race. Then again its predecessors attended only one (1) or three (3) of the races.

That little one? It did quite a bit of the load! I am not kidding you. It was definitely worth every penny   

I know my mom will take care of it, and I can visit everyday … but, there is something inside that really hurts as I take the last few pictures off of that blasted-ass PRO MEMORY DUO STICK THAT NEVER FIT MY COMPUTER’S PORT!! At least the new camera uses the SD memory card!! 

[The box of the NEW camera. It is a 2012 model though]

 

[Should always get a second battery. I had one with the old camera and was grateful as most of them only last so long. During a NASCAR race? Two batteries are essential. Also, a new memory card was a MUST for this camera. I've previously used FUJI-xD and the Sony Pro-Duo Memory Stick. Now this memory card can fit in my laptop]

[Always cool to explore a new toy. This is a purple/violet one, and the camera uses a USB cable/adapter to charge the batteries]

I initially had a hard time getting the laptop (which is purple too) to read the camera card … arrrgh!!! But, installed a patch and so far, so good.

The new camera has a few cool features:

** 16.2 MEGA PIXELS (I remember getting excited about a 12mp)

** 3” (inch) display

** Touch-screen Menu Display

** Full HD 1080i

** 3D still image and 3D Sweep Panorama mode3

** Intelligent Sweep Panorama HR mode

** Background Defocus

** Face Detection

** Smile Stutter and Anti-Blink

** Natural Flash

And so much more!!

You can read about it here:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B006K5548M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

While it is a great camera (and comes in the color I LOVE … VIOLET/PURPLE), I can’t help but think of that little pink camera that will sit in a drawer until my mother uses it to practice with.

My mom has NEVER owned a digital camera, and she’s hesitant as she honestly doesn’t know how to use them (wait until she gets a Samsung GS-4 phone in a few weeks; should be fun).

While she’ll care for it lovingly … that pink camera has been part of my life for five (5) years.  I can’t help but feel like I’m abandoning it. Still, I know … in its current condition, retirement is a kind thing for it. It’s been through enough.

[Pink camera has been in a "bad state" for a while. This was late last year -- 2014]

[Here it sits ... waiting for retirement. Picture was taken with new camera]

I just didn’t realize that saying goodbye to a camera was this hard … just wait until I have kids and they go off to college. I can home school them only so far … 

Hiding on Twitter … Private vs Public Profiles

[Various Social Media Logos]

How I’d LOVE to hide on Twitter.

Before you ask why (or what) … I’ll ask (and answer):

“What does this have to do with snapshots or Project: 365” … quite a bit if you’ve read the last few blogs:

Unwanted Attention – Privacy, Special Photos, and Social Media

[http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2015/01/unwanted-attention-privacy-special.html]

That’s where I presented the pitfalls of having a profile picture of myself and an actor and how it led to a bit of a misunderstanding with me and another one of his fans. She was a French speaking fan, and I had to use Google Translate, and a slight language barrier.  

While it turned out with a positive ending (she blocked me when I replied to her in response to her messages to me), it was a wake-up call.  

Project: 365 – Privacy and Social Media

[http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2015/01/project-365-privacy-and-social-media.html]

This blog is where I stated why I preferred using Facebook over Twitter to share pictures on – highlighting the privacy settings of Facebook, and how I may not continue the project on Twitter in light of certain events related to “photo stealing”.

Social Media and Intellectual Property Theft

[http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2015/01/social-media-and-intellectual-property.html]

This is where I discussed the severity of something that happened in December 2014, and why it was a bigger issue than some people thought.

In this research, it led me to an incident in New Mexico where a woman is suing artist Anne Taintor for using an old high school photograph with a snarky message on a flask.

One of the many articles I referenced:

“NM woman sues over yearbook photo, novelty flask”

[http://www.koat.com/news/nm-woman-sues-over-yearbook-photo-novelty-flask/30548270]

And, how we can set about changing the “sign of the times … this will never change” mindset by awareness, education, vigilance, and privacy.

Finally … the one that started it:

Online Privacy and Fake Memories

[http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2014/12/online-privacy-and-fake-memories.html]

This is where I discussed how the discovery of a modern digital photo was used to represent kids from “long ago” (circa 1970’s) and one of the people mentioned in it commented on it to perpetuate the “fake profile” theory.

However, the blog highlighted bigger problems than someone using it to validate another fake profile.

I mentioned how a friend’s Facebook post about the photo highlighted the complacency a few friends took with regard to online safety and being aware that some people are not at all who they seem.

In addition, it highlighted the need for perhaps making profiles more private, and watching what we share and WHO we share that information with.

This is where this blog is heading … 

I never give out personal information to people I don’t know. I certainly don’t post my address online, my telephone numbers, my email addresses. I try not to show too many family photos (unless the family is deceased) on Twitter. I try to keep it for public use – things I don’t mind letting out because they might come out any way or would be out as a result of being in a public place such as a theme park, racetrack, mall, etc.

My primary profile is on there to interact on a personal level with friends and some businesses, etc. With businesses I share good experiences, compliment service, and sometimes complaints.

I do have a secondary account which is a business account. I haven’t been using too much here lately. I’m hoping to begin focusing on that in the near future.

I save Facebook for family and VERY close friends – sometimes it is family only depending on the content I am sharing.  

On Facebook and Twitter … I also like to post my “picture of the day” or rather “Project: 365” photo.

Given what I learned in December, I’m hesitant about sharing my photos on Twitter. On Facebook, I have greater privacy controls for the reasons stated here and in the blogs too.

With Twitter my profile choices are either:

PRIVATE

PUBLIC

I’d like to be to select the “PRIVATE” option as Twitter doesn’t have detailed options, nor a “share direct” feature like Instagram does.

 I run into certain problems if I choose a “PRIVATE” profile:

1.) Unless people are following me, there’s a good chance they won’t see my tweets if I were to tweet a reply to them or a general “hi, great service” kind of tweet

2.) I can’t interact for the purposes of giveaways (yes, I enjoy those)

3.) People who want to follow are often turned off by the “PRIVATE, PROTECTED TWEETS” status– I’ve been blocked as well during the short time I had a “PRIVATE” account – the only reason? PRIVATE account.

Some celebrities have even taken issue with those who have “PRIVATE PROFILES” when you follow them. This I know firsthand from reading a particular celebrity’s tweets, and no I am not going to name them. They, like most of us, have their reasons.

As I stated in one of the blogs …

“that doesn’t sit well with some potential followers, even famous people. Some have openly expressed the fact they feel that by asking to follow someone on Twitter it is an audition of sorts and one stated “why be private if you’re going to be online”. They feel you have something to hide …”

Of course I have something to hide (like others) – but not for the wrong reasons.

Some people are “PRIVATE” on Twitter because:

1.) Perhaps they don’t want to share their life or memories for someone else to steal them (as what I have shown in previous blogs and mentioned here)

2.) Maybe they have a stalker (or someone who is bullying them) and don’t want them to know where they live or what is going on. After all, they shouldn’t have to give up living their life in order to accommodate a stalker or bully, that’d be re-victimizing them over and over.

3.) Perhaps it is a military family member who is keeping in contact with their family/friends back home; or the other way around (OpSec and all)

4.) It might be a teen’s account and being private is part of an agreement between parent and child in order to have the account – usually the account is for interaction with long-distance family and friends; family-friendly accounts/content; etc.

With that said, celebrities should know #2 more than anyone. They can always elect to block the “private” person or simply ask “why do you have a private profile” before blocking. I’d have no problem explaining why, as most honest people likely would. It is their choice overall – just something to consider.

They should also understand #3 as well – after all the good guys aren’t the only ones who use Twitter or social media. Don’t we all know about “loose lips sink ships” – Operational Security (OpSec)?

Number four (4) could be viewed as responsible parenting and responsible use of social media. It should be applauded as a way to keep kids safe while learning about the “online world”.

Personally, I would like a feature that Facebook offers: being able to create lists of who to post what content to. That’d make Twitter better and safer as well. But, I get the point. Some people are just leery of those who want to be private. I get it, but there are cases as to why private profiles exist. 

As I also said in my other blogs, I get that each social network wants to be different (it’s why some users favor one over the other). When it comes to privacy, that’s where you can’t have just two choices, it’s not feasible. Even Google + (G+) has “circles” you could create to post specific content to – if the person wasn’t in the circle, they didn’t see the content.

In an age where we’re trying to be so connected, we end up connecting with the wrong people. In some respect we’re all bullied near daily – whether it be on a Facebook post about our reaction to a devastating and somewhat personal event, or something we might feel strongly about … each day someone will get bullied. Privacy settings help us stay connected to those we want to and stay away from those we don’t. They are essential to controlling the way we interact and protect ourselves – even how we protect our family.

Facebook has greater privacy control than Twitter.  Even Instagram has better privacy control options (at least on the phone app).

For our safety, we’re told to lock down our social media, but yet we’re ostracized for doing so or made to feel bad for doing so. As an adult, that is confusing. To a child? I can’t even imagine where their level of confusion would be with “lock down your social media, what are you hiding for, why are you being private while online?” I’m confused. But, I’ve read it. On one hand people tell you to watch what you post on social media, but they ask why you’re being so secretive.

That makes NO sense to me. Those who know me will tell you – I’m pretty darn smart (even my college transcripts indicate that), and I catch on quickly.

I’ve had protected accounts follow me; usually there isn’t a problem when I ask to follow them. Most people approve it within 24 hours. If I send a request and they accept, fine it’s all good. After all, I can always block them if I don’t like their content. If they don’t approve my request in a timely manner, I will block them – haven’t had to do that too often though.

Here’s how I look at it on Twitter … unless you’re comfortable with me following you back, don’t follow me. I don’t mind asking to follow someone with protected tweets. It isn’t an audition – it is in most cases for their safety and security – and I respect that – just as I would expect my privacy, safety, and security respected as well.  

So, the next time someone asks any of those questions on Twitter (“why do you have a private profile”, etc.) … I might just direct them to this blog as it’d take far too many tweets to explain it.

And, when someone suggests I protect my tweets, I’ll also direct them here – sometimes it isn’t as easy to explain as it seems.  

Project: 365 – Privacy and Social Media

[Photo I took at a park close to where I live in Nevada]

Last year, before Christmas … this happened: (if you haven’t read that blog … please, do so now) …

“Online Privacy and Fake Memories” [http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2014/12/online-privacy-and-fake-memories.html]

To keep this introduction rather short, that blog was about a friend (“Li”) discovering that a friend of hers was lying. It started as a lie about Li’s friend being sick and culminated with the discovery of multiple accounts used to perpetuate the scam.

A picture was shared on one of the “fake” profiles and was supposed to be that of three children in obviously around 1976-1980 (given the birthdates of the people connected). One of the problems was that the photo was apparently stolen from a parent’s blog. I later found another picture of those same three kids, however posing with their parents (I am assuming). And, the kids were in those same clothes from the kids of “long ago”. That information is at the bottom of that blog.

It was that “photo stealing” incident that made me realize that sharing even a seemingly innocent picture online can soon become someone else’s memories, as the previous blog talks about. It can become someone else’s story, history, and life.

It makes people (like me) hesitant to share those precious memories – even if it’s a visit at a theme park that millions visit. I know for certain I wouldn’t want people using pictures of my family (or myself) to represent their “fake” family or themselves. I wouldn’t want someone else sharing my “great vacation” as theirs.

Sorry, but I find that just CREEPY! I wonder if someone else is using my pictures and I’m their daughter, wife, sister … or them. Yes, you can almost scare yourself into insomnia.

As a result of the incident in December, I concluded 2014’s “Project: 365”on Twitter on December 31^st. And, I am a bit concerned about sharing “2015” on there. Even sharing my NASCAR photos or Bellagio Conservatory photos is “iffy” – especially considering that some don’t feel that it is a “big issue”.

As far as “personal” photos (me, my family, or people I’m with …) – I’m extremely leery, if not terrified to share them on Twitter where there are only two options for tweets:

PUBLIC

PROTECTED

While people might say “protect your tweets”, that doesn’t sit well with some potential followers, even famous people. Some have openly expressed the fact they feel that by asking to follow someone it’s an audition of sorts and one stated “why be private if you’re going to be online”. They feel you have something to hide. That is something I’ll address in another blog …

Anyway …

I started the 2015 edition of “Project: 365” on Facebook where I have greater control and privacy settings. Despite all the fun people want to poke at Facebook, it allows greater privacy for photos and posts – and that is something I am looking for.

I have created lists of people I “allow” to view my photos and certain posts. I can select just family, close friends, or everyone. I can mix and match per post or album. That is a better control than what Twitter gives me. I can have my connections without losing my privacy.

In light of all this stuff, I’d like to suggest that Twitter get on that bandwagon – and fast. Let us create lists of followers we want to broadcast to while still maintaining a public profile.

While each social network wants to be different – sometimes it isn’t always possible. Nor is it a good idea.

For right now, I’m going to take a “one day at a time” approach when it comes to sharing photos on Twitter. I might only post “non-descript” photos such as a movie DVD, ticket stub, flower, etc … and skip days with “personal” photos. I’m still undecided, however, I will continue to “watermark” my photos though. And, it is something I highly recommend.

The reason I started “water-marking” photos was because of a friend who shared a picture I’d taken before asking me if it was okay to do so. Memes and those images, I get sharing without permission – especially when they’re shared by public accounts or companies for that purpose.

This particular photo in question was one I’d taken of something I’d seen at a grocery store. It was one of my own photos – my own intellectual property, after all since I photographed it – I owned the copyright to it.

The photo was shared before I even got home – without asking permission, without a comment, without attribution to me. This friend went and shared it. They never apologized, but I have since taken corrective actions to ensure it doesn’t happen again. And, that is why I prefer Facebook when sharing photos – I have those privacy options to choose from.

I am leery about continuing to share my work. It’s not that I don’t want to share, but I want to do so responsibly and safely. I also want to keep my work as mine.

I also don’t want to be on a flask for someone else’s monetary gain either.

And, I’d recommend reading another blog here (where that is mentioned):

“Social Media and Intellectual Property Theft” [http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2015/01/social-media-and-intellectual-property.html]