Proof Why to Never Upload a Compromising Image

I use Google / Picasa to publish the photos you see here. I upload them to my Google+ account, then copy the embed code here.

Recently, Google came out with a new feature, “Auto Backup” – on its own, it animates some of my photos, and on the weekend, Google made me this animated gif of my year in photos.

Here’s the problem.

I have my Google+ account organized into months, plus one private folder called, “Holding Tank”.

Days ahead of blogging, I filter photos and upload them to ‘Holding Tank’ until they’re ready to be moved to a public folder.

(the red smudge is masking the authentication key for the private folder.)

Bottom row, second from the left – that’s a private photo.

This one:

So accidentally, a private photo was published.

Proof that the only safe way to keep something protected, is not to upload it at all.

This isn’t dire, that’s me at a Canadian Tire winter tire event I haven’t blogged yet.

I’d guess  Google’s response would be that the animated gif wasn’t public until I made it so, but, if that one photo was at all compromising, I couldn’t use this .gif.

I didn’t even catch this mistake until the day after I’d blogged the gif.

 

 

Winter Tires Go On at 7ºC

It has nothing to do with snow, it’s temperature – at 7ºC rubber hardens, loses its grip.

What’s happening: a plastic runway is hosed down, to simulate a sheet of ice. Drive onto it at 35 km/h, pull the handbrake to initiate a skid, test the tires.

They’re counter-intuitive movements, but if you start to skid: steer into the skid, and don’t hit the brakes.

Don’t cheap out on the only part of your car that touches the road.

Calmly sliding along.

My column from last year, “Get Winter Tires” [and ‘ice rink driving’ video].

These are  Michelin X-Ice Xi3.  About $150 / corner, $600-ish for the car. 

Sometimes you can find a discount when you buy 4.  You must put 4 winter tires on, buying just 2 doesn’t work, it makes it worse on 3 levels.

Canadian Tire usually has good deals, and as of this season, will now store your summer tires.

 

 

All Over and Also Not

I’m all over town this week, plus have a ton of auto articles due so it’s also opposite, heads down pounding my keyboard (this week’s column – bragging about Canada/ians in the auto industry).

Still overwhelmed.  To produce this life, then find the time to document it, ideally in video, oh guys it’s 10:45 and I just sat down for the first time today.

Where is my assistant omg… hey why not, let’s see what happens, I’ll write a wanted ad…

Seeking an Assistant: You can video edit, blog, and you “get” the internet. You can speak on the phone, and present well both online and IRL. This is not your first job. I am a benevolent dictator, and the job will be fun, rewarding + travel. Pay to start sucks, gobs of money to follow. Please apply within.

Below are some recent things, many coming soon in full posts, and I’ve got to get to bed, it’s another 16 hour day out tomorrow and OH am I ever excited about my morning meeting. Waiting to say where until I have an acconomyonpying photo, for maximum impact obviously.

Night

Nice to be getting back online.

My all-new Nissan Rogue review prints next week (liked it).

Went to Canadian Tire’s annual Winter Driving event today. Remember last year, when I drove on a hockey rink?

This year was about the science. You change your tires at 7ºC – it’s about temperature, not snow.

Ran into these hooligans.

L – R:  Mike Schlee of AutoGuide; David Miller of The Driver; Mark Stevenson of Autos.ca

Stopped by eBay tonight, where Project Runway’s season 2 winner Sunny Wong was debuting his holiday collection.

That dress is being auctioned off for Kids Help Phone, bidding starts at $0.99, check #VAWK4eBay for details.

Classy, elegant and well made; making that sharp V with sheer panels is impossible.

Went to Canada’s oldest & largest Classic Car auction.

Those photos will make a blog beautfiul.

Hi hi 7 Jeans party.

About 70% of all the stuff I’ve posted since 2007, has been in 7s, love ’em. Okay, it’s all the same pair. I had to relegate them to only fancy events, it’s become a bit like wearing tissue paper.

And this string of bad luck is trying so hard to hang ON omfg, look where I am.

Threw my back out, and was at an emergency physio appointment this morning.  You know it’s bad if I went to a doctor. Getting old is garbage.

So ya, I’ve fallen into old habits.

kk night for real.

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & Viddy still on skeleton staff  TTYS

 

It Just Keeps Going

It’s been exactly one year sitting 3 levels underground, it was never started once.

Replaced the battery, oil change, I turned the key and amazing.

If you see Mario at the Willowdale Canadian Tire say hi for me, nicest guy.

I picked up the keys, climbed inside and from the parking lot called CAA… “so I’m covered when we hang up?” Yes. Turn key.

We’re back in business.

I’d forgotten what is was like to drive something I’m so familiar with, knowing the nuances.

Below is the sum total of everything that glows inside my car.

So little compared to cars today, eh.  The stereo has been broken for years, no music at all.

172,280 miles* = 277,257 km

Now that we’re flying around again, I’m all conflicted about crushing it.  I think I can eek out a little more from it, use it as a drop car till the spring, and crush it then.  I am having serious attachment issues with this thing, so dumb, it’s worth nothing.

* the Canadian Explorer drove an American car