Kindle

OK, this doubling up on blogs is tough!

Before I know it, I have one post elsewhere and then a neglect here. This is my apology to the friends of  A ‘lil HooHaa. As I get everything built up over at the disc golf blog I’ve created, I have made this one almost second in comparison.

It won’t always be that way.

But I have been working on getting that other site running and moving. Starting a new blog for a niche such as disc golf takes some patience because you have to line things up, get topics and ideas and line up a few extra writers.

We’ve done much of that thus far, but we have a long way to go.

And for neglecting here a little, my apologies. It won’t be a full-time neglect, I can assure you.

I’ve had some version of A ‘lil HooHaa since July of 2005 and I don’t plan on having it end here. Not because of another blog, anyway.

So fear not, I’m here. And I plan on being so for a long time. I just might miss here and there because of some other commitments. It’s my hope to build up a queue of stories, too, that I can post as needed.

But I have some other things in my noodle at this time, too.

While you are at it, however, if you like or are interested in disc golf — check out the new blog at RattlingChains.com.

***

I read a story today that talked about potential employers asking people during an interview for their Facebook password.

Seriously.

This person, apparently, has their Facebook stuff set to private (which is a smart thing. I do the same. Privacy, folks, is an important thing). During the interview, the interviewer turned and looked up said person and asked for his password to be able to look at his Facebook.

Say what? Talk about an invasion of privacy!

This gentleman promptly refused and withdrew himself from consideration for the position.

Look, I don’t use my Facebook to badmouth any employee — past, present or future. I don’t do it on the blog. I don’t do it. Why? Because burning bridges isn’t a smart thing to do. Especially in a public forum. No matter how something ended, whether bitter or not, there’s always something good to take away from the experience. It also gives you something to work for in the future, maybe as an improvement or something else.

Not to mention it’s public. Why would you want to blast someone where potential future employers would see it.

That still doesn’t give someone a right to ask me for my personal passwords and such to snoop around my Facebook, see my friends and all that. I have personal things on my Facebook — nothing major, but family things etc., — and the reason I keep things private is because I don’t want people to see these things. Well, outside my small group of Facebook friends.

Could you imagine being asked to fork over this stuff at an interview?

The story also notes that the city of Bozeman, Montana, until recently, asked for passwords and accounts for things like Facebook AND your e-mail!

I really would like to move on in my employment hunt. But if things like this are a requirement, is it worth working for a company like that? I’ve always liked to separate work and private life. I’m not going to let a potential employer — or anyone else for that matter — rifle through my personal e-mail.

Not a chance.

I realize it’s a buyers market out there for people looking for work, but that doesn’t give someone the right to play big brother to me. If someone wanted to see my Facebook, I have nothing to hide. I’d gladly show it. With me in control of things. There’s no need to surf my friends and such. You want to see my posts? Fine. Photos? Sure.

But e-mail? Never. There’s private things between friends and family and me. I’m not letting someone know every bit about my life. Unless said interviewer is willing to part with all their private info, I’m not doing it, either. That’s just wrong and a total invasion of privacy.

Has anyone had this happen to them? How did you react?

***

I don’t know about where you are, but the weather we are getting in my area is insane.

At one point when I was out and about today, it was 78.

In March.

In Upstate New York.

That’s just crazy. To think area high schools might get to play baseball and softball this year before April comes is even more crazy. I realize March games are usually on the schedule, but it’s rare for them to actually be played.

This years might prove it different.

Some cooler weather is coming in the coming week or so as things are supposed to dip into the 50s — which is my kind of weather. I’m hoping to get out and do a few things as well to break up the job hunt a little. Hopefully I’ll be employed soon enough, so then when getting out of work, I’ll appreciate the weather a bit more!

But high 70s in March. I can’t believe it!

***

I’ve been working on a story that will be partially on this blog sometime in April.

But the story, which involved professional wrestling, is really captivating and I think I can make it more in-depth and more detailed. Far more than for a blog because of it’s possible size.

So I’m looking to maybe try and get an Amazon Kindle Single.

The Singles are really nice reading. They range from 5,000-30,000 words and are quite in-depth reports or short fiction. The story I am working on, which I obviously won’t want to give away ahead of time, is compelling. I thought it was going to be pro wrestling and it goes way beyond that. I think it’s going to be some really good reading.

And, remember, to read a Kindle single, you won’t necessarily need to own a Kindle. You can get the free app to read things on smart phones, computers, iPads etc. They usually range in price from $1-$4. But the acceptance rate is different. They need to approve it, which I think is great because it makes you really write some of your best.

I’m hoping, when all is said and done, they’ll like my piece and want it as a Single.

And hopefully, people will buy it. I know most of what I do out here is free, but I assure you if it gets accepted, it’s one heck of a story. Plus, you’ll be helping an unemployed dude make a few cents!

More on this as it gets closer.

***

In closing, I’m going to get more on track here. Stick with me. I won’t be giving this up. I just need to get things on schedule on the other blog and get some things in my life taken care of. So I may miss a day or two here, but understand that I won’t be going anywhere. I love this blog. I really do. And I plan on doing it for a long time.

And please consider giving to my Relay for Life fundraising attempt. Remember, you can win a homemade quilted scarf. Details in my tag below!