Snapshots and Project 365: Project: 365

Showing posts with label Project: 365. Show all posts

Friday, May 13, 2016

Online Safety with Kids and Digital Kidnapping

[Social Media Logos. Image found on Internet]

Back in December 2014, I wrote a blog titled: “Online Privacy and Fake Memories” [http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2014/12/online-privacy-and-fake-memories.html].

It was due to the fact that in December 2014; a friend (L) had called out someone about a photo, supposedly back from the late70’s/early 80’s – which you can read about on the above referenced blog. Turns out the kids photo was STOLEN from a November 2014 blog. Even though the photo was backdated to 2008, on Facebook … anyone can do that with their feature.

A mutual friend (R) stated: “wrong, but not really a big issue to worry about” in regards to the other friend’s concern about the misuse of someone else’s photos.

Unfortunately, as we saw in the case of the kids skiing photo, it didn’t stop there and was not a victimless crime. It never really is; and it isn’t stopping either. As “L” said – there are children involved in this that have no say.

It’s called “Digital Kidnapping” or “Cyber Kidnapping”. Unfortunately it is a grey (gray) area for law enforcement. Many of the laws on the books haven’t kept up with the technology advances. Nevada just recently passed a specific law on “squatting” (you can either research it or I will talk about it later).

As I stated in the above blog, under an update, this was mentioned on the Today show on 2/27/2015 [http://www.today.com/video/today/57041622#57041622]. It was even mentioned in a news article: http://www.fox8live.com/story/28189979/digital-kidnapping-a-growing-trend

Here is an April 2015 WHNT 19 (Huntsville, AL) news article excerpt:

“A disturbing new trend is spreading across social media. People on social media are stealing photos of other people’s children. It's called "digital kidnapping."

The term "digital kidnapping" may seem embellished to some, but the victims who have pictures of their children stolen are left wondering why someone would do this -- and what else are they capable of?” (Riopka, 2015). You can read more here: “Digital Kidnapping: Madison family finds their child targeted by online photo thief” [http://whnt.com/2015/04/27/digital-kidnapping-madison-family-finds-their-child-targeted-by-online-photo-thief/].

Still not convinced enough?

Yesterday (May 12^th, 2016), part two of a Dr. Phil episode featured a family confronting the “digital kidnapper”. Warning … it is QUITE disturbing.

Here’s the synopsis:

“Did a Stranger ‘Cyber Hijack’ a Couple’s Twins? A Side-By-Side Photo Comparison.

April and Nathan claim a total stranger has been stealing photos of their 4-year-old daughters and posting them as their own on social media.

In fact, they claim a woman named Ashley has stolen hundreds of photos of the girls since they were born and has reposted them as if she were their own mother.” (link will be at the bottom of the blog).

Scary, isn’t it?

I’ll post links to the Dr. Phil videos. But, I do urge EVERYONE to read my previous blog on it and WATCH the videos that I’ll link to later on.

In another blog … “Social Media and Intellectual Property Theft” [http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2015/01/social-media-and-intellectual-property.html] I stated the following: “Another point that was made was that the person who shared a photo that wasn’t theirs – they weren’t the first or last person to do it, that it is a sign of the times and it won’t change.”

As a friend and I discussed, unless it happens to those kinds of people … they don’t seemingly care. That’s the attitude that is going to keep it going and keep it being “no big deal”.

There is something emotionally disturbing about people who want to “steal” someone else’s life or kids for an online profile. What’s worse is when they’re confronted … they first continue the lie, perpetuate the lie, then without emotion say “I didn’t mean you any harm” – as if that’s supposed to give the victim the warm, fuzzy feeling. As if the victim is expected to say “oh, you poor thing”.

In the Dr. Phil case, the digital kidnapper (Ashley) is not really remorseful (her lack of a real apology is apparent) and tries to keep the charade going. She was asked by the real father of the kids (Nathan) to delete the photos some three years ago – Ashley kept going on, even up to April 1^st of this year.

Then, on Dr. Phil, her attitude reflects that she is supposed to be forgiven and “doesn’t know why” she printed the photos and continued the charade. Watch the videos.

If you (the reader) want to know how serious this is (and can be), picture this scenario … if you will:

Doris is a lovely, but lonely 56 year old lady. But, very lonely. She (in order to combat the loneliness) makes up a story (after seeing a happy couple with two kids) that she has custody of her two grandkids because their parents died in a car crash.

She shares pictures of her two grandkids (Janie and James) online and talks about them constantly. As to why she isn’t in the picture with them? She says “oh, I don’t take pictures of myself, they’re far more important to me after everything they’ve been through”.

Her online friend Mary sees Janie and James with another couple (at Disneyland). Mary calls the cops because Doris is their grandma and their parents died … so this couple must’ve kidnapped them, right? What is this couple doing with Doris’ grandkids? She didn’t say anything about the trip. After all the kids have been through, why would Doris not take them herself?

Well … what if Doris has been lying? What if she, like Ashley did, digitally kidnapped Janie and James by stealing pictures from their parents’ social media pages and reposted them as her grandkids?

And, what would happen to Doris, Mary, the parents, and the kids when this is uncovered?

See what kind of trouble that can cause? Any wonder that back in December 2014 I posted two blogs on the seriousness of this?

Now, some might argue that perhaps Doris’ family might speak out. What if she has no family to speak of, or is using an alias herself? How would we really know?

Here’s the set of videos from the Dr. Phil episodes. They are in order according to the website and “article”.

PART ONE: “I Believe A Stranger Is Obsessed With My Beautiful Twin Daughters and Has ‘Cyber Hijacked’ Them!” [http://www.drphil.com/shows/i-believe-a-stranger-is-obsessed-with-my-beautiful-twin-daughters-and-has-cyber-hijacked-them/; May 11, 2016]:

“Mother Accuses Stranger Of ‘Digitally Kidnapping’ Her 4-Year-Old Twin Daughters”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/mother-accuses-stranger-of-digitally-kidnapping-her-4-year-old-twin-daughters/

“Did a Stranger ‘Cyber Hijack’ A Couple’s Twins? A Side-By-Side Photo Comparison”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/did-a-stranger-cyber-hijack-a-couples-twins-a-side-by-side-photo-comparison/

“Woman Responds To Allegations She Digitally Stole Photos Of Couple’s Twins & Posted Them As If They Were Her Own Children”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/woman-responds-to-allegations-she-digitally-stole-photos-of-couples-twins-posted-them-as-if-they-were-her-own-children/

“Parents Confront Woman Accused Of ‘Cyber Hijacking’ Their 4-Year-Old Twins”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/parents-confront-woman-accused-of-cyber-hijacking-their-4-year-old-twins/

PART TWO: “Will Ashley Confess”

“Parents Question How Framed Photos Of Their Daughters Wound Up In Stranger’s Home”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/parents-question-how-framed-photos-of-their-daughters-wound-up-in-strangers-home/

“Woman Apologizes For ‘Digitally Kidnapping’ Couple’s Twin Girls: ‘I Really Don’t Mean You Guys Any Harm’”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/woman-apologizes-for-digitally-kidnapping-couples-twin-girls-i-really-dont-mean-you-guys-any-harm/

“How a Woman Used Social Media And Her Deceased Mother To Perpetuate A Story About Having Twins”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/how-a-woman-used-social-media-and-her-deceased-mother-to-perpetuate-a-story-about-having-twins/

I apologize if this blog is almost like a newspaper (or magazine) to read. I urge everyone to watch the videos above and follow basic steps for protecting one’s family. What do I do?

1.) I don’t allow many people access to my account. Not because I don’t have several requests – I don’t know some of these people. I am not going for a “most friends of all time” award. I want to know and interact with REAL people. If they’re not someone I know (either we have a mutual friend; I’ve really met them; or I can vet them) – I say “NO” to that friend request.

2.) I am not comfortable allowing people to know where I live – after all, I don’t know some of these people. I keep my Facebook LOCKED down by posting all “sensitive” stuff to only those who have my address or who I’d let know where I live (family, close friends).

3.) I am not about to let strangers know when I am not going to be at home. So, I keep that only for family (cousins, uncle, and my mom) and a few friends (who are just as close as my family). That’s who I’m going to also show my vacation posts to and pictures of my kids to. It also cuts down on potential suspects.

4.) Watermark photos with something. Keep the originals in a safe place other than a computer (flash drive works well and if you can on DVD, holds more than a CD). Try to be accurate with the file dates.

5.) Watch out for groups on Facebook. Predators can lurk here – which is obviously what happened to the Willis family.

6.) Never refer to kids by full name in a public post. Use Twin/Triplet #1; Daughter #1; DD (dear daughter) #1; kid#1 (if family has multiple boys and girls). Things like that. Also don’t reveal real birthdays.

7.) Watch the frequency and type of postings.

I said the following in another blog, but true here …

8.) Don’t be available in search on Facebook

9.) Set “friend requests” to “Friends of Friends”

10.) Maintain the strictest possible privacy on Facebook and Twitter

A.) Don’t be afraid to have lists on Facebook

B.) Don’t be afraid to de-friend or block on Facebook

C.) Don’t be afraid to contact authorities either

D.) Don’t be afraid to have one public Twitter and one “family only” account. FYI: I think Twitter needs to have a family only list or option.

11.) If anything seems suspicious – REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY!!! Don’t forget to do your homework, take screenshots, keep emails.

As I said in a previous blog:

“Just because something has been done (and repeatedly) doesn’t mean we should allow it to continue. We can take precautions by limiting what we do online to impact that privacy. We can make reports against people as well.

I don’t think we can stop it entirely, but there is nothing wrong with being vigilant about it and educating our friends to being a bit more cautious online.”

But, we should encourage legislators to pass stricter laws and penalties. Laws are useless without enforcement.

I do urge people to exercise as much caution as possible. And, as I also said:

This is not just a "minor" matter. This crime has a name. And, there are victims. And, those victims may be too young to speak for themselves.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

“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/

Monday, December 7, 2015

31 Days of Cheer (Now 24 left)

Sometimes during the holidays (or any other time of year) … there seems to be “photo” challenges. Some I like, some I don’t. I do the #TBT (Throwback Thursday) ones, and sometimes #WBW (Way Back Wednesday) or #FBF (Flashback Friday).

However on the last day of the month I usually do the “gas prices”.

This year, the city I live in decided to do #31DaysofVegasCheer. I of course, living in a suburb, and wanting to spread the cheer all over, decided to shorten it to #31DaysofCheer.

Here’s the idea – take a picture each day and post it to Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook with the tags #31DaysofCheer and the item or “idea” for the day:

[Photo is property of City of Las Vegas, Nevada]

The last time I did something like this was in 2012, which you can read about it here:

“Christmas Photo Challenge”

http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-photo-challenge.html

I started on day #2 as on the first day I had another more important picture. However, since then I have been able to keep up with the “challenge”.

This fits quite well into my “Project: 365” daily photo challenge. I’m using Fotor to add borders and filters to the challenge photos to bring a unique quality to them.

They can be items in your home, decorating the tree, things like that. They don’t have to reveal locations or family information.

Here are a few examples from 2012 and this year:

[Photo belongs to me. This was December 4th – #ChristmasDecor #ChristmasPhotoChallenge. This was used with an Instagram filter]

[Photo belongs to me. This is December 7th – #31DaysofCheer #WrappingPaper. Used a Fotor filter]

Since I use a planner, I went and wrote in what I needed so I didn’t have to keep looking at the photo. And, I use the planner to record the photos and sometimes the file number …

So, from today to the 31^st, here are the “ideas”:

December 7th – #31DaysofCheer #WrappingPaper (completed)

December 8th – #31DaysofCheer #Green (completed)

December 9th – #31DaysofCheer #Family (completed)

December 10th – #31DaysofCheer #Presents (completed)

December 11th – #31DaysofCheer #Stocking (completed)

December 12th – #31DaysofCheer #CandyCane (completed)

December 13th – #31DaysofCheer #Tree (completed)

December 14th – #31DaysofCheer #Santa (completed)

December 15th – #31DaysofCheer #BeautifulSight (completed)

December 16th –#31DaysofCheer #FavoriteHolidaySong (completed)

December 17th – #31DaysofCheer #Peace (completed)

December 18th – #31DaysofCheer #MerryandBright (completed)

December 19th – #31DaysofCheer #Tradition (completed)

December 20th –#31DaysofCheer #Tree (this is a repeat, so if you want to vary it with say a tree cookie, tree ornament, or a different tree, go ahead) (completed)

December 21st – #31DaysofCheer #Joy (completed)

December 22nd – #31DaysofCheer #BrightLights (completed)

December 23rd – #31DaysofCheer #Candles (completed)

December 24th – #31DaysofCheer #HolidayGreetings (completed)

December 25th – #31DaysofCheer #ReasonforSeason (completed)

December 26th – #31DaysofCheer #Sparkly (completed)

December 27th – #31DaysofCheer #FavoriteThing (completed)

December 28th – #31DaysofCheer #BlackandWhite

December 29th – #31DaysofCheer #HolidaySplurge

December 30th – #31DaysofCheer #Reflection

December 31st – #31DaysofCheer #Celebrate

Just putting this out here for a way to spread Christmas joy and cheer. We seem to need a little more this year!

You can see my photos on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarieEdwards429

I don’t share very many photos there, but since it is the holiday season ... I think it's a great idea! And, if you have one ... you can try it with your Elf on the Shelf.

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, and Happy New Year!

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Photos and Facebook

[June 2015. This greeted us while boarding the Mickey and Friends tram to the Disney Parks. First time here since 1996. Obviously a lot has changed, including the "parking lots".]

“Pictures or it didn’t happen” …

I’ve heard it, I’ve said it. And … I mean it.

I love looking at pictures from my family and friends’ adventures and vacations. And, I like to post my own photos of my adventures and vacations.

As someone who takes a LOT of pictures throughout the year (NASCAR, Bellagio Conservatory, Project: 365, etc.) – picking out the “best” ones to share is a challenging task. As I am proud of most of the pictures I take (90%) – I want to share them all. That’s not realistic. So, I do have to narrow it down a bit. And, let’s not forget the day shot, night shot, side shot, front … the list is endless.

I leave out something, I know I left it out, and I feel lazy for leaving it out. Then, there’s someone asking “didn’t you take a picture of [blank]” – so I go find it, and post it. So, rather than to risk it, I find about 75% of the best pictures to share or something like that … just to make sure I’ve covered EVERYTHING! And, from all angles and lighting perspectives. That really adds up over time. I know because I’ve printed some that I’ve posted – I know there are a LOT of photos! I’ve easily surpassed a print count of 500 very easily.

And, it takes some time to get them sorted and uploaded to Facebook. I have to “watermark” them because of something a former friend did years ago.

To just explain that as quickly as possible: I was out shopping and I saw something rather cute. So, since I had a really great Smartphone (and a decent camera) – I snapped a picture of it. It was a “picture of the day” deal.

When I got home and signed in to Facebook, I learned the “friend” had shared (without attribution) my photo from my “personal” gallery. It wasn’t like it was an internet meme – it was a photo I personally took! And, she shared it before I got home.

She didn’t ask permission, and she didn’t even credit me. It wouldn’t have been so irritating if her friends hadn’t thought “her” photo was so cute. While it seems petty – that is a crime. It is intellectual theft. It’s looked down on by the FBI. I immediately (to sort the confusion) thanked the people posting for praising my photos and give them the story behind it. They deleted their comments and I chose to start “watermarking” my photos with the copyright (©) symbol (see photo above), the year, and my name. She didn’t even apologize for sharing the picture when I made the comments I did. Nor did she comment that “oh, it’s her photo, I thought it was cute so I shared it”. Nope. Nothing.

That is one of the reasons I don’t share photos very much or I’m selective on who I share them to. After all once bitten – twice shy.

Once I get the photos “ready”, it’s hard knowing who to share to. You think it’d be an easy choice – it isn’t. It’s not as simple as some might think. And, yes I might over think it – but the last thing I want to do is to have some kind of “drama” over pictures from an event, vacation, or … something!

Family is usually a safe bet – after all, you’ve known them their or your own entire lives. That’s the downside too. Perhaps they’re having a bad time and you don’t want to go “see what I did” and make things worse for them (or rub their nose in it). Not that I do it in that manner. But, it can unintentionally feel like that. Sometimes actions do speak louder than words. And, pictures speak volumes!

For me, a vacation is an oddity. Back in the 1980’s we went on very few vacations. In the 1990’s we went to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm in April 1992; twice in 1993, and the last time being 1996.

I haven’t had a good out-of-state vacation since November 2005 (that was with my mom). The June 2014 trip … that was a bit different – it was just me and it was more or less a “fan experience”.

For me, posting pictures isn’t really bragging. I’m usually excited and I want my family and friends to live my journey with me since we’ve never done anything like that together (believe it or not, my vacations have only consisted of me and my mom). I live through their vacations (and pictures), so I post mine to say “thank you for sharing your life with me, here’s my life”. But, I don’t want to compound anyone else’s problems by “bragging” either.

As far as friends – that gets touchy as well. In fact, that’s dangerous territory right there!

Some friends really want to see the photos and the more the merrier. After all, some live vicariously through us. Others? After about 10-20 photos they get … well … “twitchy”. Like “how many pictures do you really need to remind you? You went on vacay … la-di-dah! My goodness! It’s not that big of a deal!”

Or, they tend to defriend you (if not block entirely).

Thankfully no one has really said that, but we all know the type. And, like family – they too could be going through bad times. But, having pictures to remind someone of what they can’t do or are missing – that’s really crappy, if not inconsiderate. And, some are all too vocal about it. Others “vague-book” it – “oh yes, you went on vacay, nice … ever think some of us can’t? Ugh! Selfish entitled brats!”

I saw that on Twitter last year. Someone actually took my advice and unfollowed me. She was quite “vocal” about it, in a direct message that is. Though I did tell her that I used Twitter as a back-up for Facebook. And, that for some people who lose loved ones – those social media accounts are the last memories they’ll have of that person.

Puts it into perspective doesn’t it? It should. Sometimes it doesn’t.

Anyway …

If you don’t know the people that well – you’re opening yourself up for more trouble than it’s worth – regardless of intent.

Though in all fairness – one should be able to post their pictures to Facebook without the fear or stress of offending people. That is unless the photos are truly obscene. But, we all know the “griefer”. They can’t help but make a production of their “miserable lives”.

And, then there are the “souvenir” photos. There are those (family and friends) who want to see what you got – after all, it’s a bit of Christmas Day only more socially acceptable. But, some people are not so curious. After all, it’s a form of bragging – not only did you have a good vacation, but you got the “spoils of war” from it. Then there is the “why do you need pictures of stuff you got” … yeah, I know … “those people”.

So, that’s perhaps why I’ve been holding off sharing my photos – the fear of the backlash from it.

It’s not an easy choice.

Nearly two (2) months later, I haven’t made a decision as to whether I want to post the photos or not.

Even as my orders of prints arrive (right now I’m about halfway on getting them all printed) … I’m still debating on posting.

It’s not like I don’t want to share. I just don’t want the grief from sharing.

I shouldn’t have to feel like that – however that is the downside to social media and “sharing”.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Throwback Thursday

As you know, I haven’t featured a “Jeff Gordon” TBT picture in about a month or so. It isn’t like I’ve forgotten. It’s just that recent events necessitated a pause or change in the direction of the project – mainly to clear my mind and focus. To try to find some “sanity” in the ensuing insanity – that hasn’t worked out too well at times.

This is a blog (and as of warning … quite a long one) that I have struggled with since this issue began last month when a tragic act occurred that seemed to spawn a lot of knee-jerk decisions (and reactions) – including the ceased licensing of “The Dukes of Hazzard” merchandise and TVLand’s decision to remove the re-runs because they were deemed “controversial”. The only reason? A decoration on a car. The roof, not the hood as many are mistakenly stating.

Just so you know, recently at a car show in Pennsylvania (the weekend of July 10^th), Tom Wopat (Luke Duke) appeared with the car. And, yes, it had the flag (http://www.wgal.com/news/dukes-of-hazzard-car-keep-on-display-in-carlisle/34104356). He was simple and direct when addressing the issue: “it’s just a decoration on a car”. He also added the history was complicated and that it meant different things to different people.

Anyway …

This project was started back in January, when Jeff Gordon announced his decision to retire. I decided to dedicate #TBT (Throwback Thursday) photos to items from his career: novelties, die-cast, trading cards, hero cards to celebrate that career. Items I had collected over the years and were proud of (still am).

I proudly waved my flag-towel on lap #24 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to celebrate his final race here. And, at the time I was quite sad about it. It seemed like it was too soon for him to retire.

However, since mid to late June, I find myself at confusing moment with this project – and I’m at a cross roads with it to be quite honest. I have a decision to make – continue or stop.

Why?

The controversy over the “flag” as well as the “General Lee”, a car no longer welcome at race tracks. A car; that two good old boys used to right wrongs and do for others in.

Getting back to Jeff Gordon and this “stance” …

Let me state this right off –

I respect his right to his opinion. I respect him for stating how he feels. I wouldn’t want anyone to step on my right to do so. He has to do what he feels right in doing.

I would also like to state that, I do not stand for hatred, oppression, discrimination, or slavery. Being overweight, I have had to deal with my share of hatred, oppression, and discrimination – so I get that. Some will say you can’t compare the two.

They’d be right …

To a point …

They’re similar in that the attitudes and opinions that spawn hateful actions are ingrained in the hearts and minds of people – so it doesn’t matter what the hate is a result of … it’s there.

Judging someone on their looks or anything other than character is wrong – period. That’s it. End of the story. Moving on …

This attitude toward the “flag” …

It seems that anything with it is free game. That even includes a beloved TV show: “The Dukes of Hazzard”. They were top 10 in the ratings for seasons two, three, and four. In season three (1980-1981), they were #2 – first was “Dallas”! Quite a feat for the show even a CBS official didn’t like.

Then again, shows are not for the executives – they’re for the people. And, between 18-21 million people tuned in every week for the show. That was between 1979-1983, before the “Coy and Vance” debacle. But, today, the show still lives in the hearts of the people that grew up with it, their children, and in some cases their grand-children. Just check out Cooter’s Place on Facebook if you are so inclined.

At the end of June, in the wake of the tragedy, Warner Brothers announced they were no longer going to license toys or merchandise with the General Lee because of … the flag. And, TV Land followed with pulling the re-runs of the show stating “controversy” over “the flag” (TV Land Pulls 'Dukes of Hazzard' Reruns

Jul 1, 2015; ABC News).

According to the article, re-runs were still being aired on CMT and online though. However, as of this blog, it looks like they are no longer on CMT either, making Amazon the only outlet for DVDs (which are in short supply) or online viewing.

Other than that “flaw in the slaw” (the flag) – there were no issues with the show or any racist comments, tones, or attitudes.

That wasn’t enough – Barnes and Noble, Target, and Walmart do not have the toy cars or the DVDs for sale. Amazon is the only one selling the series – but it is in limited supply (that should speak to its current popularity – obviously still in demand).

Amazon stats on the DVD sets as of 7/13/2015 @10pm Pacific Time:

Season One: NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL

(Six from other sellers, from $38.99 to $64.99)

Season Two: TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK

(Five from other sellers, from $22.49 to $59.69)

Season Three: TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK

(Seven from other sellers, from $22.48 to $59.69)

Season Four: TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK

(Two from other sellers, from $22.27 to $59.69)

Season Five: TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK

(Five from other sellers, from $22.49 to $79.98)

Season Six: TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK

(Four from other sellers, from $22.49 to $49.69)

Season Seven: TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK

(NONE AVAILABLE FROM OTHER SELLERS)

Reunion Movie Set:TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK

(Available from other sellers at higher prices)

Now, if you go through Warner Brothers’ website, you just might be able to get them … here’s the stats as of 2:48am –July 18^th:

Season One: BACKORDERED