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A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

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A social media grows — how do you protect yourself?

October 20, 2015

The social media world — how do you handle it?

When I was a youngster, social media wasn’t even thought about.

During the day, you’d go outside and play. You’d run around, breathe in the fresh air and be carefree. If it wasn’t a school night, the basic premise used to be that you headed home when the street lights came on.

Fellow parents knew where the group of kids were. They’d peek and watch out, but wouldn’t helicopter.

social_media

Social media is running the world, it seems.

We could scrape knees (ouch!) and get dirty without having to report everything to parents. It could also be done without people threatening to sue somebody else.

But we live in a new age.

All the bad things we see out there in the media happened way back when. It’s a sad state, for sure. But they happened. Kids were kidnapped, there were people killing others and violence.

The big difference was the reporting of it.

If, for example, something happened in Oregon, we didn’t always hear about it in New York.

Now there’s the Internet, of course, and with that comes social media.

Ignore everything I said above. This isn’t about society, per say, with social media. This is more on a smaller scale. This is about you or me or people we know.

And I’m curious — how free are you with your social media?

The other night, after attending an event, I posted, on Facebook, a photo I took of a friend. I tagged him in it and that was it.

The next day, I had two friend requests from people I had never met and, as far as I know, never spoke with them.

And it was connected to said photo.

I didn’t accept and left it at that. But it got me thinking … how free are you with things like this?

I’m very protective of my private life. Though my job doesn’t put me in the “public eye” per say, I have a public job … so it’s pretty open. My private life is just that — my private life and I like to keep it that way.

I have a few rules, when it comes to my personal Facebook account:

  • I have to know you (and usually in real life — it’s rare for me to friend somebody I only know through the online world, but there are exceptions);
  • I can’t work with you (again, a few exceptions to the rule have and will happen);
  • Don’t post about things like politics and religion, and stay away from posts that do (and the same goes for my blog).

It’s that simple.

I also like to keep my list to fewer than 250 people … and even that is way too many in my eyes. But I’ve connected with family and older friends, so I figure it’s all good in the end.

Every 6-8 months, I’ll go through the list and weed some out. Mostly it’s people I haven’t kept in contact with and such. It’s just part of life.

But I’m not free with the Facebook world, that’s for sure. My settings are private etc. as I want to keep it that way.

I’m a little more open and free with things like Twitter and Instagram, but I don’t look at that as I do the ‘Book. Instagram is more of a photo documentary of things that I see. And Twitter … I don’t use it as much as I used to, but have been trying to do a little more with it. Though I keep those pretty open, I still try and make sure there’s nothing too crazy on them. Though I dabble in other social media, there would be the big three.

So how about all of you?

How do you deal with social media and how much do you let others into it? Discuss below as I’d love to see what you all think!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: My world, Social media Tagged With: facebook, instagram, media, privacy, social media, social media privacy, social media protection, twitter

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2014 in Review: The photos

December 28, 2014

I’ll admit that I was pretty bad in regard to taking photos this year.

Well, at least with my regular DSLR.

2014_YearinReview_logo

What I did this year was rely heavily on my iPhone, which is fine in certain aspects, but not so much in others. Part of the issue was taking photos as part of work, the other was because my camera has been slowly going down. And hey, it’s understandable — it’s nearly five years old with many images snapped.

I am going to hopefully change that in 2015.

But, for now, we’re dealing with 2014.

Last year, I started doing something as part of the Year in Review with making a video of images. I split it into a few videos, but this year, it’s all in one. And, for the most part, it’s iPhone images. And, also for the most part, the photos are in order of when they were taken from January through December.

It is fun to look back at everything from the year in photos, especially iPhone ones where I captured many of them on the go. Alas, I will be leaning way more heavily on the regular camera in 2015, and learning the new one that I just got.

For now, enjoy the video below!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: blogging, My world, Photography, Year in Review Tagged With: 2014, 2014 in review, 2014 year in review, a lil hoohaa, a lil hoohaa year in review, images, instagram, iphone photos, photo, photo year in review, photos, video, year in review

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Instagram: A snapshot of life brings back memories

October 7, 2014

The other day, I looked through my Instagram feed.

I have more than 1,600 images I’ve taken on the social media application. But what really amazed me is how much of a snapshot it is of my life since the time I started.

Instagram has been a way for me to snapshot life.

Instagram has been a way for me to snapshot life.

Most of the images are ones I took with my iPhone. Some are ones I have taken with my camera and then sent to my phone, just because I wanted to share them. But no matter what, it shows pieces of my life.

I know many people use Facebook to update their lives. Whether it be something major, something to complain about or just an update about being bored or going to the store, people utilize Facebook for many different reasons.

Honestly, I use Facebook as a place to note I have a new blog post or share photos.

Instagram, on the other hand, is that snapshot of life. It’s there where you can see many things I have done over the past few years. The minimal things are even there, too. OK, maybe there’s no photo of the store when I had to go there, but there might be something I saw on the inside.

As somebody who dislikes a lot of those silly Facebook updates (seriously, if you’re bored … go find something to do. If you’re hungry, eat. If the state you should live in is North Dakota, move there. You get the idea.) , I truly like seeing visuals. And Instagram provides that.

A quick look through my Instagram feed features many of the following items:

  • Geocaching
  • My nephew Cameron
  • Family
  • Food
  • The cruise I went on
  • Baseball trips
  • Disc golf
  • Pets (mine and others)
  • Travel
  • Nature
  • Covered bridges
  • Waterfalls
  • Friends
  • Weather
  • Pro wrestling
  • Home brewing
  • Letter boxing
  • Cemeteries
  • Sports
  • Hiking
  • Signs

And, obviously, there’s so much more.

But the one thing I realized as I went through it was how many items triggered a memory from the day etc. It’s cool to be able to think back, even if it’s not a great memory per say (such as the images that are connected to my foot saga).

It's been fun to take quirky photos, too.

It’s been fun to take quirky photos, too.

There are also some videos up on my feed, mainly fireworks, but a few other things as well. It’s the neat thing about Instagram (well, the video is newer than the app), outside the fact that it’s capped at like 15-16 seconds.

I think, for the most part, anybody reading this post is going to know what Instagram is. But, for the sake of possibly finding somebody who might not, allow me to explain.

Instagram is a social media application for use on phones. It allows people to snap photos or videos and share them with the world. They can be private or public and have many friends or not too many. It’s like any other social media site out there. One can also share the images, which can be doctored up with a series of filters, on other social media sites. The application/service was started in 2010 and purchased by Facebook two years later for about $1 billion.

Can you imagine?

I know people speak about the evils of social media, and when used in the wrong way, it can be bad. Unfortunately, that can be said about many things.

But for me, Instagram has been an important part of life. I like being able to look back, to see what I’ve done and see where I’ve been. And I look forward to adding to this feed in the coming years.

For those reading, do you have Instagram? If so, leave your name or follow me (my name on there is in the images posted here) so I can check out your feed!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: My world, Photography, Social media Tagged With: instagram, instagram app, photo, photo app, photography, photography app, social media

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2013 in Review: Images on the go paint a picture of my year

December 27, 2013

Despite knowing I’ll be changing the dates a bit because of previous blogging commitments, today starts my look back at 2013.

This year really had its ups and downs. Between probably reaching one of the lowest points in my life, it’s ending on a super high note — one in which I’ve really been waiting to have happen.

Still, even knowing what I have been through, photography has been a big part of my life this year. Whether with my phone (often) or my regular DSLR, I captured a lot of things I’ll remember fondly.

This first installment is a video. It’s about 16:30 long, and features hundreds of images I took this year with my iPhone. Many are “Instagram” images, others are not really processed at all. These images really paint a picture of my year, which is what I was trying to capture.

The video has a soundtrack, too, of songs I kind of got into this year and I tried to make them pretty upbeat and such for the video.

I hope you have the time to sit back, watch the video and enjoy. I’ll have the rest of the series starting Jan. 1 (as it looks now, anyway).

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: blogging, My world, Photography Tagged With: 2013, 2013 year in review, a lil hoohaa, a lil hoohaa year in review, images, instagram, iphone photos, photo, photo year in review, photos, video, year in review

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You’re posting what on your social network feeds?

November 14, 2012

When I was a kid, there was no such thing as a social network.

There were no digital cameras. No iPods. No iPhones. No laptop computers or XBox 360s. Playstation 3? Ha!

Nothing of the sort.

If we were going out to play baseball or ride bikes, we didn’t text somebody or tweet them — we called (via a land line phone — gasp!) or knocked on their door.

That’s technology when I was a kid! (photo by mr_write at MorgueFile).

If we needed talk to our parents or something, we’d go home or call on a pay phone (yes, back then, they were easy to find).

Now, to be fair, when I went to school, I didn’t walk up hill, both ways, in snow. And I didn’t fight off bears with a loose-leaf binder! Close enough though.

This isn’t a post about the boom of technology or my childhood compared to these days, though. I love technology. And, I won’t yap here about kids worrying more about texting and playing on Facebook rather than going out and jumping bikes in an old park.

It’s how this technology and social networks are used.

I use many of the bigger social networks out there. I tweet. I have Facebook. I love using Instagram. I’m active on Flickr. And I mess around with other social and popular sites because they are fun to use.

But I also watch what I post.

I’ve seen an alarming number of people who are not so careful. Heck, some of them aren’t even the younger generation. Some are people my age and older.

The things they post! Sheesh!

The reason this post has come about is because of an alarming number of things I see on photo sites, such as Instagram. I can’t fully comment on Facebook (though I’m sure the same things happens as many people post their Instagram photos to Facebook) as I keep my profile and everything else extremely private.

It’s one thing to post a picture of yourself being scantily clad.I don’t think it’s smart, especially for younger ladies — but at least they have some clothes on. Do I condone? No. But there are far worse things.

Such as posting illegal activities.

I’m starting to notice more and more people who are posting things like this, such as images of marijuana. No matter where you stand on the fence when it comes to legalizing this substance, as of right now it’s illegal on the federal level, which trumps states.

The people who post these images get creative, too. Such as posting a photo of their bag o’ weed. Or the buds all spread out. Or their bowl all packed with the herb.

They even hashtag these posts with things such as “#weed,” “#420,” #marijuana,” “#pot,” and other things that allows users to find these photos.

Seriously?

I just went on Instagram and did a few quick hashtag searches. When I typed in #420, it came back with 1,259,245 photos. #pot came back with 382,399 photos. #marijuana came back with 817,032 photos — but there were also offshoots of that term that had many more hits.

Some of the photos I saw? Marijuana plants. Bags of pot. People smoking. Pictures of paraphernalia. Scales of people measuring out pot. People — this is illegal! Why would you post such things?

People, let’s think about this for a reason.

You’re on a social network that can be seen by millions and millions of people. Your image of your pot might get 150 likes, but who are these people liking it?

Something tells me, in most cases, it’s not somebody who is going to rush and give you a job offer!

In this day and age when jobs are becoming harder and harder to find (I can testify to that!), why would you ever put something out there that can be searched and used against you?

With the Internet growing every day, more and more personal information can be out there. And once it’s out there, it’s out there.

I realize many of the people I see posting these sort of images are college-age people. And they are living life and living it large. But there can be repercussions to things like this. What happens when potential employers stumble upon your feeds? If you haven’t made them private, they are there for the world to see.

So a potential employer stumbles upon your page and sees images with weed and things like that.

What’s wrong with posting simple photos to Instagram or other social networks?

Next!

It doesn’t matter if you are the best candidate or not — if you are flaunting an illegal activity, why take a chance?

It’s not even just jobs. It could be your friends. Or family members. Or kids. Anybody can see this stuff. I have relatives who are just reaching or barely in their teens who are on Instagram. Though their profiles might be private (which is a good thing), they can still see other people’s feeds and photos.

Having them see images of people all high or of pot isn’t something I would want them to look at.

And though I’m not sure cops would go after somebody posting a picture of them smoking a joint, I’m sure it’s possible they could. How would you like to have that knock at the door and get ticketed or arrested for posting a picture of you smoking weed? Or packaging it as it looks like intent to sell?

All I’m saying is be smart.

As time continues on and technology continues to grow, more and more apps and things will show up to make the social media market that much bigger and stronger. It gives more options for people to put things out there that can be incriminating.

Hey, I understand it. I’m out there. I blog. I use the social networks. I used to work for a newspaper. So I’m searchable. But I’m also careful. I have privacy settings to the max at some places (such as Facebook) and wherever else I feel it necessary. Not because I’m trying to hide anything but because I don’t want my whole life out there and searchable.

Be smart and think about possible outcomes.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: My world, Social media Tagged With: facebook, instagram, photography, photos, social media, social network posting, social networks, technology

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She was so still for this photo. Make sure you f She was so still for this photo. 

Make sure you follow her on Instagram at: @harper_dublin !

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun
Life is good. #goldenretriever #dog #bestfriend Life is good. 

#goldenretriever #dog #bestfriend #dogsofinstagram #selfie #lifeisgood #enjoylife #instagood #iphonephotography #photography
After a nice snowy walk! ❄️❄️❄️ #gold After a nice snowy walk! ❄️❄️❄️

#goldenretriever #snow #winter #dog #dogsofinstagram #photography #photooftheday #ınstagood
Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! You know, Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! 

You know, of course, Santa Paws travels with Santa Clause, making sure to find treats and toys for all the good little doggies! (We know they are all deserving, right?) So, Harper put out some milk for the big guy, carrots for Rudolph and the reindeer, and special cookies for Santa Paws! She is ready! 

#SantaPaws #Christmas2022 #HarperChristmas #MyDogHarper #GoldenRetriever #DogsofInstagram #PhotoOfTheDay #Photography #Christmas #IPhoneography
One of the best parts about having Harper as my be One of the best parts about having Harper as my best friend… ❤️
Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to sna Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to snap this shot. The colors in the sky were fantastic and the scene was nice looking (though, to be fair, I drove by what I think would have been a better scene -- the valley and hills full of snow etc.)

#Snow #Winter #Sky #Color #InstaLove #photooftheday #picoftheday #iPhoneography #nature #love #instalove #photography #happy #smile #photo
The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪 The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪
Just a break on our morning walk … #goldenretri Just a break on our morning walk …

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #mydogharper
Tired. Tired.
Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! 

#phillies #ringthebell #baseball #dog #goldenretriever
I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I have her. It’s been a year and four months and she makes me smile and laugh more each day. It’s amazing how much a dog changes your look on life, and how much joy they can bring. 

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta
I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to post here, as well as on Harper’s (@harper_dublin) account). So, as I start to transfer photos, I’ll try and catch up. So photos coming could be from all seasons and who knows when. 🤣

This one is recent from the courthouse square in Delhi. We had some pretty good fall colors this year. 

#fall #delhiny #seasons #iphoneonly #love #photography #photooftheday #instagood #happy #picoftheday
From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper t From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper to put her paws on the bridge and looked out, but she was more content jumping on me and looking up. I do love the way she seems to be looking at me.
Instagram post 17992900117561614 Instagram post 17992900117561614
Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with t Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with the fog and frost settled in. 

Hamden Covered Bridge 

#coveredbridge #coveredbridges #bridge #fog #frost #nature #upstatenewyork
Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend! #g Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend!

#goldenretriever #dogsofinstagram #dog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #harper_dublin #akc #photography #photooftheday #love #mydogharper #harperdublin #instagood #happy #picoftheday #fun #iphoneology #retrieveroftheday #ilovemygolden #dogstagram #dailygolden #dogsofinsta #outside #sunshine #friends
So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t have @mallons_homemade_sticky_buns.
This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this on me morning walk Friday with Harper. Likely some college kids, but also as chance at local hooligans. I had Harper so not a lot I could do, but I managed to get the cart off the chair. (See second photo) This was in a local park.
Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 1 Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 15! @chuckitfetchgames 

Should be fun! @discgolfdarren @harmm23
Starting to feel like fall! #fall #nature #autum Starting to feel like fall! 

#fall #nature #autumn #colors #foliage #instagood #seasonchange #leaves #leaves🍁
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P.J. Harmer

P.J. Harmer
A video looking at my first year and a half of owning a golden retriever, my first dog. It's had its ups and downs, but I've truly loved the ride and look forward to the future. 

Music: Happy before we get old by Michael Shynes via Artlist. 

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Thank you for watching. :)
When these boxes come, there usually some excitement. But this one ... is the ultimate unboxing! 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week5 #weeklychallenge

Music: Happy to be Happy (Dapun)

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I hate being in front of the camera, but also realize sometimes it's not the worst thing in the world. So, I'm getting better with it. Week 4's theme was all about us and having us in front of the camera, so I tried to come up with a creative way to do it. 

#cielovideo52 #52weekchallenge #week4 #weeklychallenge

Music: Infinite Wonder (Ben Fox)

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