What's in a picture? Well for one... it seems a black suit should be!

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

I found this email in my inbox from a good friend a couple of days ago,

"Meant to share this earlier, and apologies in advance if I already have. For those relying on online profile photos for job hunt, client hunt, etc hunt - the website www.photofeeler.com provides a free tool for the evaluation of your mug. Just submit your profile photo, evaluate a handful of other submissions, and receive your unbiased feedback. Don't like the feedback - change the photo. Give it a try."

So I did.

As I got into PhotoFeeler I found that a "quick evaluation" was available for free, but like so many things of this ilk, you can use cold hard cash to upgrade and get more feedback. The categories for photo evaluation are Business, Social and Dating and each category has three characteristics that people rate you on; for example, with the Business category people rate your picture on "Competency", Likability, and "Influence".

I have a standard business photograph that I use on my website and various social media sites including beBee. It made sense to start with this, and this was the feedback:

Not bad... really high in the areas of "Competence" and "Influence" and just the right level of "Likability"; what I mean by this is if you are too likable people will think you can't make the tough decisions. That's true isn't it?

Since I'm a curious fellow and do like my data, I couldn't help but try out the other two categories. I started with the Social category; with that I determined I needed a new photograph because Social is different than Business - Isn't it?

Well this isn't exactly what I expected. I'm good with the confidence, but what's with "Authentic" and "Fun" being less than 60%?

I think I'm pretty true to myself, and after a martini or two I'm a bunch of fun... this is disappointing!

As the saying goes, "In for a penny, in for a pound", so it's a new photograph and onto the "Dating" category; after setting some parameters regarding age and orientation, I submit and waited patiently.

"WTF!"

So it seems a shiny penny is brighter than I am, that you probably can't trust me as far as you can throw me, and as looks go, it has been suggested that I've been beaten quite liberally with an ugly stick.

There had to be something wrong!

Something just had to be done. This had to be fixed!

I knew what I would do! The black suit to the rescue.

Now, that response is much better!

I can live with 86 % attractive... after all, I am no Brad Pitt.

But now what?

Well, after burning up twenty minutes of my life that I will never get back, I suppose it may be worth looking at what I've learned from my efforts... 

1. This was fun. Yes, I have added more pictures onto the web that people with "facial recognition software" can exploit but hey, that's the way of the world and we have to learn to live with it.
2. 10 votes is probably not statistically relevant so all of this data is suspect. PhotoFeeler offers the ability to gather more data, so depending on your goals and how you want to use your image, it may be very helpful.
3. With consideration to point number two, there is some indication that having a black suit may offer some advantages for presenting a positive image. With this said, it may also suggest that wearing sunglasses offers up a negative one ... my guess is people want to see your eyes.
4. Data is just data... you can't say it's good when you like it and bad when you don't. The question to ask is, "What are you going to do with the data to help meet your goals?"
5. Like it or not, people will judge you.
6. People will make interpretations based on your photograph, so choose wisely regarding the image you want to portrait.

In all of these photographs I am the same person (with all the same strengths and weaknesses of the human condition), and because of this twenty minute exercise I ultimately asked myself the simple question, "Am I pleased with who I am?" And although I am still a work in progress, the answer was "Yes".

In the end, using the appropriate photograph is just an exercise in good "Marketing". 

iamgpe

PS: I have no association with PhotoFeeler whatsoever. 

Five good friends and Mary Margaret Edwards.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

Behind the curtain and under the harsh fluorescent lighting I heard my mother had had a heart attack; a clot had also formed in her heart, went to her brain, and caused a stroke, and for good measure fluid was building up in her lungs and she had slight pneumonia. We all agreed Mary Margaret Edwards was having a very bad day. 

We held whispered conversations in dull tones as medicine was translated into layman terms, the situation clarified for understanding, and philosophies bigger than ourselves discussed; all the while hoping (and praying) Mary Margaret Edwards could not hear the conspiracy that was unfolding. 

The late summer night air was unusually hot and heavy, and as we quietly walked to the car, we were left with our thoughts and the culpability of the decision to offer no further intervention, and let nature take its course.

Mary Margaret Edwards
(March 2, 1933 - September 13, 2016)

Mary Margaret Edwards passed peacefully September 13, 2016. 

Stoically, Mary took life on the chin, and true to her character, has asked not to be a bother or inconvenience anyone. Her only request was the reading of the 23rd Psalm. 

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 
He leadeth me beside the still waters. 
He restoreth my soul: 
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me; 
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; 
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. 

Mary will be cremated and there will be a private family ceremony. 

Mary Margaret Edwards now dwells in the house of the Lord forever, along with her daughter: Angels both. 

Death is a surprisingly administrative enterprise as you work through a person's last will and testament, consolidate things, distribute memories, remove a person's name from the ledgers of everyday life, and leave a marker behind to battle with the passage of time.

Shortly after Mary Margaret's death an invitation came my way to join friends at a cottage and take advantage of the last breath of summer; at this time of year, the air is cool, the sunshine is warm, and surprisingly, the water is warm enough for a mid day swim. I immediately said yes.

Five good friends were able to make it; two of them I have known since grade school. As we greeted each other with hands extended, one of my oldest friends hugged us all instead. It was a recognition and reminder that our friendships deserved more than just a simple handshake... at least this was how I interpreted this simple act as I hugged him back with the greatest of appreciation.

There was some talk of Mary Margaret Edwards but much of the weekend consisted of sharing the current events in our lives, laughter, the odd swim, prideful stories of our children, and the memories that come with a lifetime of friendship. It was a very good weekend by all measures and ended with hugs all around as we went our separate ways.

Mary Margaret Edwards will rest in peace and our friendships will continue.

Life goes on, as it should.

iamgpe

The last day before school starts ... a familiar and comfortable sensation.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

We always have these conversations no matter how many decades have gone by or where we find ourselves; it seems Labour Day encourages them. They are the conversations and memories of the last day before school starts, and although not technically the last day of summer, those memories as well.

For some of my friends the memories of getting ready for school, the new set of school clothes, and the anticipation of the first day are vivid; for others, myself included, the memories are faint. No matter the quality of these memories though , there is always a familiar and comfortable sensation that something is about to change that keeps them company.

With my school years a ghost of a memory, and my parental obligations to get my daughter off to school in the latest fashion behind me, all that remains is this familiar and comfortable sensation that something is about to change; it is the anticipation of change, the excitement of something new, and the desire to search this out that captivates me.

Soon to be over, this summer has been one of friendship; a celebration of relationships that have spanned decades where we raised a glass to say both hello and goodbye to the people who have touched our lives. A wonderful time where I raised my face to the sun, and enjoyed the world and people around me. But these lazy days of summer are almost over, and that familiar and comfortable sensation that something is about to change is settling in.

Change, excitement and autumn await me... such a grand sensation.

iamgpe.