Do You Know Who Has Photos of You?

This blog has been a learning experience for me.

I've reconnected with friends.
It allows me to write every day.
I get feedback and I love the good and the bad. I also know who the wimps are that send me an email instead of posting a comment.

Once I started posting a few photos, it became an obsession. I've ripped up tons of albums and I've only just begun. I have boxes and boxes. I love this information age.

Here's a terrifying thought: People let me know that they have photos of my youth and college days. Bad hair days. Cigarette in hand. Me draping myself over other people.

Employers now routinely search Google and MySpace. Jobs have been lost and careers sunk due to some bad choices.

My little blog is not likely to wreck anyone's career. But, I am extremely careful to ask permission before I post a photo. I also try to let someone know if I've floated one out there. I've never had anyone ask me to remove a photo.

My mother used to tell me that a lady does not allow herself to be photographed with a drink or a cigarette in her hand. Ooops!

But, I can say with confidence that no one has photos of me nude. No one has photos of me doing anything illegal.

Sometimes boring pays off.

Comments

I've been overwhelmed with comments. So many people are living with versions of this situation.

The positive include: "funny," "honest," and "thought-provoking."
The negative include: "disrespectful, "bitter" and "sad."

My personal favorite comes from Sarah Crossman Sullivan, attorney and consultant. (In the interest of full disclosure, she's also my cousin.)

Be proud of the fact that you have chosen this life and this
time. You could've walked away at any moment and rightfully said, "I'm
done. These are not my parents." Instead you are choosing to fight
and figure out what's best. In these choices, you are doing God's
work.