Hello, glad to be here...

Okay, so I made a commitment to a friend -- and to myself -- that I would start a blog. I used to say I wouldn't start a blog because I thought it would be something akin to speaking just to hear my own voice. But I began to see merit in it as a mechanism to force me to keep up the practice of writing, a mechanism to make me more accountable for a variety of behaviors (diet, exercise, parenting, etc.), and a way to get exposure for some of my writing and perhaps at some point be published (in the traditional sense, not just by way of vanity publishing in this format). I also see this as a way of joining and encouraging dialogue on a variety of issues important to me and perhaps to others.

And I'll try to have a little fun along the way, too. I plan on injecting a little of three of my loves into every post: music, cooking and movies. I'll make some recommendations, share some recipes and hopefully learn a little myself.

I'm in communications. I'm sure we'll have ample opportunity here over time to chat about my resume and experience, but suffice to say I've had some years of experience in several communications disciplines and like to keep abreast of best practices and issues across the board. We'll address those topics here, too. I won't be commenting on my job or issues related to my specific job or company, but I will talk about communications, public relations, online communications, marketing, employee communications and communications strategy.

Sharing Time

I follow a few key blogs and podcasts, including a shel of my former self by Shel Holtz and his podcast with Neville Hobson, For Immediate Release (Neville, I'm sorry to say I've only read a few of your blog posts at nevillehobson.com, but I intend to correct that). I highly recommend all three.

And for gaining invaluable communications counsel while peeing your pants, you can't beat Corporate Hallucinations, blog by Steve Crescenzo, or Shades of Gray, blog by David Murray.

That friend to whom I made this commitment is Omar Mills, about as good a man you can encounter. He is a coworker and colleague, and a friend. He is a wise man who can talk to you about the Bible in a way that will make you see it isn't just a book written a couple thousand years ago, and about God in a way that will make you see He isn't just some lightning-throwing scary guy from a Monty Python movie who we're all supposed to cower in fear of, but rather a loving father. Omar is also a great musician and videographer and you can check all of his talent on his YouTube channel. Some great thought-provoking stuff and some incredible laughs, including his song "Consistently", his video "The Visitation", and his rumination "Cussin'."

I also read as religiously as I can More With Les, a blog written by someone I am pleased to count as both friend and mentor. Not that I am unique in that. You see, Les Potter is well known and loved in communications, in particular by his students at Towson University. I also highly recommend anyone interested in communications, journalism, or PR, whether at the beginning of your career or well into it, become a devotee of Les' blog.

And I thought there's no better place to start the conversation in my own blog than as a reaction to Les' most recent post, "Legal and ethical issues when employers check applicants' social networking sites."

I won't go over the whole post -- please go and read it -- but I will make some observations. First, Les is addressing a great subject for a portion of his readership (those being his students). As mature as they believe they are now, many still aren't making the connection that their actions now in college will impact their future, more so than ever and certainly more than in my college days. The kinds of photos, videos and posts many high school and college kids, as well as recent grads, put up on social media sites shows either a lot of ignorance about whether potential employers and others will actually find that information, or an incredible lack of care. They somehow still believe they are insulated from their seniors. I know...I was one once, too.

Okay, so we know this, and the advice given there by Les and several commenters is good. Students with Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, blog and website channels of their own, be careful what you put up, and go back and edit what you have already put up to date. It may suck that you can't put that cool stuff up there, but it'll suck more that you can't get that job, or worse.

Couple of other points to make on the subject. Following up on Daniel Patrylak's comment, if you doubt there are really that many "devious and bigotted employers" who would use that information against you, consider that the recruiters and potential hirers may not be overtly devious or bigotted at all. First impressions are everything, and if a recruiter's first impression of you is a picture of you passed out at a party, doing bong hits, or running naked through the dorm halls, no matter how good your resume and recommendations are, that person will have some doubts about the good judgment of bringing you on board.

Also, if you think that you're safe because you can always delete what you want when you think you need to, try a visit to the Wayback Machine. Type in the address to your Facebook page, MySpace page, blog, or website and check a past date. See if all the information you deleted doesn't magically reappear.

Daniel and others are right. It's just common sense, don't put anything up in social media that you wouldn't want Grandma to see. But then college was never about common sense, was it?

More Sharing Time

I try to do something with my kids every night at dinner. I ask each in turn to tell me something they learned that day that they didn't know before. Doesn't matter whether it's a school day or not, or where they learned it or how big or important the item is. Then I ask each in turn to tell me something they're proud of, and it doesn't matter whether it's something they're proud of themselves for or proud of their siblings or friends for, or how big or important the thing is. Then I ask each in turn to tell me a happy moment in the day. It's amazing how often lunch and recess make appearances in this last item. And my wife and I each answer each question ourselves as well.

Some great answers come along from this and I'll share some from time to time. Like my one daughter's response that she learned that "Lincoln was a prestadent and he died."

More More Sharing Time

Recent favorite tunes on my iPod include The Waifs "Bridal Train" for cool Australian folk music, and Afro Celt Sound System featuring Peter Gabriel "When You're Falling" for cool...well, afro celt music. You'll see what I mean if you check out more of their music.

Secret to making great French fries: wash the cut potatoes several times in cold water, til the water runs clear, then fry them for 4-5 minutes in 325 degree oil, take em out and drain on paper towel and refry 1-2 minutes til golden in 370 degree oil. As good as Five Guys!

Great movie: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Look for a great Oscar-nominated performance by Casey Affleck, but don't look for Brad Pitt. Brad's not there, for once, it's Jesse. This isn't really a Brad Pitt vehicle, and I'm surprised that Casey Affleck's nod was as supporting actor, because his was the main character. But be prepared to sit a while...it's 2 hours and 20 minutes. Great cinematography as well. Look for bit parts by Sam Shepard, Mary Louise Parker and James Carville, believe it or not!

Next Time

I'm planning on addressing gas prices, seeing as they're slated to go over $4.00 this summer. I personally think it's criminal, and I don't buy the gas companies' claim they're not responsible. I'd love to hear what others know and understand and think about how gas prices are determined. I'll share my experience responding to Congress' brief flirtation with the idea of rebating every American $100 after prices first went over $3.00 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.