Pay no attention to the guy behind the curtain ... or the gate

I don't know if you know this about me, but sometimes I gets me pirate dander up.

Even so, higher-than-usual dudgeon was attained earlier this week when I was challenged in a way most bizarre by the good folks at Find A Grave.

If you've been paying attention, you know I'm an enthusiastic supporter of this unique site that features millions of grave records and memorials contributed by volunteers.

Membership is free but you have the option of paying a mere five dollars to "sponsor" the page of a friend or loved one -- or even a total stranger -- so that aggravating pop-up ads disappear from said page right into perpetuity.

So far I've sponsored eight memorial pages. I plan to sponsor more as funds allow.

I've also fulfilled thirteen requests for photographs of graves in the Midlands of South Carolina, where I live. In the eight months and seventeen days I've been a member of Find A Grave, I've created sixty-three memorials and added two hundred and fifty-three pictures.

Put another way, I have what Chairman Maobama likes to call "skin in the game."

On Find A Grave (or FAG for short) there are countless cemeteries represented, from all around the world. Each cemetery has its own page from which you can search for someone you have reason to believe might be interred there.

Most of these pages feature a picture of the cemetery or at least its entrance, whether it be a gate or a sign or what have you.

When I visit a cemetery, I often take a picture of the gate if it looks interesting to me. The more ornate and impressive, the better.

The materials used and the design of the gates themselves often hint at the gravity of what lies beyond.

What lies beyond the gate, I mean.

(What can I say? I'm a sucker for wrought iron as a portal to the afterlife.)

Such was the case last weekend when TG took me graving at Centerville Cemetery in Ridgeway, South Carolina.

The cemetery turned out to be a charming and well-cared-for place pretty much out in the middle of nowhere. 

And the gate! It was a real beauty. I got several shots before moving on to the immaculately manicured graves.

On Monday I decided to submit a picture of the gate to FAG for inclusion on the Centerville Cemetery page. These types of photos have to be approved.

This is the part where I got irked. You won't believe this but my photo was declined and the reason given was that some viewers might find it "disturbing."

Specifically, "parents and schoolteachers" had asked FAG to omit "images such as this."

I might've freaked out a little bit. Just being honest here.

First of all, try as I might, I couldn't understand why parents and schoolteachers as people groups would be disturbed by anything they might see on FAG.

I mean, hello ... if you don't like pictures of graves and cemeteries, you may want to avoid this particular site.

And even if they do find some images disturbing, why would FAG cave in to demands -- or even suggestions -- to remove or disinclude photos deemed offensive by a few select people?

So since neither of the above scenarios made a lick of sense, I assumed that the parents and schoolteachers -- they who apparently wield great influence with the powers-that-be at FAG -- objected to some photos because they might be disturbing to children.

Which made no sense either.

While I am sad to report that FAG features thousands of children -- all of them deceased -- it is unlikely to be construed in any context as a site geared toward children.

Even if it were, it's fairly ludicrous that a picture of a cemetery gate could be disturbing to a generation that cut its teeth on the likes of the Harry Potter and Twilight franchises.

Not to mention the veritable religion most parents and schoolteachers have made -- especially in recent years -- of the "holiday" we know as Halloween.

But before analyzing the situation any further, I decided to find out who might have designed the stunning gothic gate at tiny Centerville Cemetery in diminutive Ridgeway.

One phone call and I had a name: Becky T., who happens to be President of the Ridgeway Cemetery Association.

And an active member of FAG.

I gave Becky a buzz and told her why I was calling. I asked if she knew who designed the gorgeous gate.

"I designed it," she said.

Oh boy. I thought that was some news the folks at FAG could use.

So, you know me ... I favored AJ with a reply that might have been a teensy bit -- ahem -- detailed.

You might say I left no headstone unturned. When all was said and done, he couldn't have had the slightest doubt as to how I felt about the rejection of my photo of Becky's gate.

Plain talk is easily understood, I always say.

I got an immediate reply. Oh, it was all a mistake! He claimed. He clicked when he should've clacked, zigged when he meant to zag, and I received the disturbing "auto-email" in error.

(I had visions of the great and awesome Wizard of Oz, sequestered behind his drapery, obscured by fog, pulling levers and pushing buttons.)

AJ elaborated that instead, I should have gotten an automatically-generated form email enlightening me that my picture was declined because it had a border around it.

???????????

I was not offered an explanation as to who might be disturbed by a border. Illegal aliens, perhaps?

One can only speculate.

The subject picture is at the top of this post.

And if you believe AJ's excuse, I have an underwater cemetery plot I'd like to sell you.

(He's actually a very nice guy, like everyone at FAG. I don't mean to be snarky. Much.)

I danced to FAG's tune and removed the offending border. My picture was added to the Centerville Cemetery page. All's well that ends well.

Bygones.

If you're interested, you may see my downright macabre picture in its proper context -- appropriately borderless -- here.

Comments

[Debbie]

Well you are right, that makes no sense at all for the teachers. I cannot understand. Think about all the video games they play, the stuff they see on FaceBook, movies, etc.

You say: (What can I say? I'm a sucker for wrought iron as a portal to the afterlife.)

That is a very true statement about you, you are a very special person. Love the images as always.

[irene]

Oh Jenny: You are special. I'm so amazed at your sticktoitivness you go girl. What amazes me the most is that your hubby accompanies you on these adventures.

[Mari]

Now that is one frightening border and I am really glad it was declined for fear of the children it may frighten!
Craziness!
I like your picture~!

[Kim,USA]

You are truly right, the games ,the movies that children watch and play now a days is more frightening than your border line hahaha. I don't understand some people are weird with their reasoning don't you think? -sorry- ^_^ Happy weekend!
Full Moon

[TimTipper]

I saw the gate and thought....."fun park! Children at Play! Cool!" But then I realized in shocked (and deeply scarring) horror that it was the portal to the realm of the dead.
Rest assured Jennifer, the FAGs will be hearing from me!!! >:(

JK Thanks for another fine read. ;-)

['Aunt Amelia']

I really want you to bug this guy! To explain just what was "disturbing." I mean it. Why let "Those Wizards Behind Their Curtains," get away with their slight-of-hand 2nd replies?

-pout-

[Donna M.]

How silly! I guess they didn't like the white vignette because it might be too "sppoky" - hahahaha!!!!!!! Yeah, with Harry Potter & vampire movies being all the rage, some kids might get really freaked out by your cloud-like border! NOT!!!

[Audrey]

"I was not offered an explanation as to who might be disturbed by a border. Illegal aliens, perhaps?"

LOL! Great line. Way to set 'em straight over at ole FAG.

[dapoppins]

so, preschoolers are researching their dead relatives now? Hehehehe...