No.. This is not bribery or a blackmail threat.
It just sounded like a funny title!!
But, it got me to thinking....
Now that so many of the people from our past are beginning to reappear, by way of Facebook (or F/B)--it stands to reason that some pretty scary images from those eras are floating around. Big hair, really bad perms, fashion faux-pas, etc.
So what if they do get published on F/B?
It's not as if the majority of the users (under the age of 20) here aren't having their lives exposed in this manner; or worse, look at Michael Phelps. Almost real-time images and escapades are being publicized and the fall-out is generally over within a week. A part of the maturation process includes making dumb mistakes, dealing with the consequences, picking ones' self up and making a different (hopefully, better) choice for the next challenge. In many instances- two years worth of smart decisions can override the dumb ones; and certainly in five years (provided the really stupid acts aren't serial incidents or unlawful) the past can be forgiven.
But... what about us? The 39+ population?
The supposedly "responsible" parents, some of us even grandparents? Are all of our indiscretions from those teen-aged and immature 20'ish years going to come back to haunt us?
We made those irrational choices over 15 or more years ago. We've screwed up and, hopefully, matured some. Had babies and made more mistakes. Raised kids and dealt with our kids knowing our own personal foibles and recognized when they were nearing the same pitfalls; guided them through it and forgiven ourselves (or not) for our own pasts. It's all part of life.
Since many of us are nearing reunion time and have sought out electronic means to reconnect to our pasts- it makes me contemplate.
Is it fair to have to endure these horrible images from our pasts all over again? Especially in light of the fact that we ourselves have finally gotten over these scars??
What if our kids should see these? Will it scar them for life? Worse- will it cause them to disrespect us because we succumbed to some horrendous fashion fads? and what about co-workers and friends that we greatly esteem? When our son saw a photo of his father in a PINK shirt, his approval rating sunk lower than Geo. (43) Bush's.
I don't know. Just forgive me, ok? Consider yourself forewarned.
P.S. Byron doesn't want me to edit or "photoshop" the less than pristine portions. I could have changed that pink shirt of his... but I adhered to his policy, ROFL!!
** For those of you readers not on Facebook-- you have NO idea what you are missing!!
That photo up there is not Byron. It's an old friend, Mark. And, no- I never inhaled that cigar.
