Folks, I am asking for your help. Our 12yo brought something to our attention last night. A boy in her class has been texting girls in the school for inappropriate photos and wanted to know what she should do about it. Beyond our explanation of what is right and what is not for kids, we also explained to her that once that image is sent it can't be reeled back in. And once it is on the innerwebs it's in an uncontrollable freefall forever. As an experiment for her to follow, I'm asking you all to spread this post far and wide so she can understand just how out of control these situations can be and how fact it can spin pout of control. So much pressure can be put on our young by outside forces to send such images, we have to make sure they know they have recourse.

The tolling for kid images, as if that wasn't bad enough, has turned into sextortion a term I didn't even know about until about 6 months ago and kids are killing themselves over it. As I have told both my kids, should they find themselves in this kind of situation let us know. I will gladly serve my time with a smile on my face knowing some POS is off the streets to never do this shit again.

Queens New York Nicknames

One of my old Army buddies from Queens NY is always using these neighborhood nicknames for the "guys". Tommy "3 toes" Robustelli, Davide "All thumbs" Bonaccorso, Enzo "The Russian" Eoppolo, I always ask why they have the nickname and it is always some dumb crap they did as a kid or some inside joke they all have because of some physical feature or injury. Today, he calls me with a story from a pub in Queens, as he often does. He always starts the same way, "Hey Richie, I'm sitting here at Maloney's (He always tell me the bars names like it's going to mean something to me in Nevada.) and you'll never guess who walked in, Oisin ((Uh-Sheen) "Six fingers" O’Mahony, like I know who the hell that is. Séan will go into a 5 minuet bought of pleasantries and catching up before getting back to me. At this point I will always ask how did so and so get his nickname, and I'll always guess. Tonight, I guessed that like the six fingered man, he had six fingers. As I said, so very often these "nicknames" have a connection to some physical trait or injury, not tonight. Oisin "Six Fingers" O'Mahony formerly known as Oisin "Six Fingers, Neat" O'Mahony always orders a single glass of Redbreast, 6 fingers deep. The "Neat" was dropped when he started getting it with one cube of ice. Out here we just call people Bubba or Cletus. The other side of these conversations is he'll tell me generations of Queen's history and I have learned so much street level history of Queens. Quite fascinating stuff from who lives on this block or that, when this building was made, it's all cool to me. I'll often be following along doing internet searches and reading more in-depth stuff. Being a history nerd it's cool getting it from a guy who traces his families roots in New York to 1699.

And you're working for no one but me 'Cause I'm the taxman Yeah, I'm the taxman

[Verse 1] Let me tell you how it will be There's one for you, nineteen for me

I was not a fan of the first part of this but now that CP30 realizes it's Snyderin' time, I'm sure it will be a much better movie.

This was my home for 4 months though a Texas Summer. Every time someone bitches about how bad they have it I remember August in that van. I spent all the money I had to buy it, I could not afford to register it, insure it or drive it. It sat parked, but it was my home until I got back on my feet. Thank you old Austin Airport shuttle van for being there when no one else was.

It is my (R)ight to roll my own ammo and make my own firearms. I do both, you should do both.

I love when those "If no one was there to see it no one would believe it" moments.

Today, my 16yo son and I were at Costco and I told the lady (She's Asian, it's important to the story, you'll understand in a moment.) that was checking the receipt before we left that I loved her hair. She has such great hair and it is always in such nice braids. She said thank you but as we were walking away she says "Me love you long time!" My son and I stepped around the corner and just lost it. I guess she's a Stanley Kubrick fan.

My son looks me in the eyes and says "Dad, if two guys jump out and steal my camera (He had his camera bag with him.) I'm just tapping out right here."

The strangest shit happens to me.

I have an admission to make.

I still like Disco and I love the hybrid Disco synth pop full of heavy synthesizers of the early and mid 80's. Give me that Earth Wind and Fire, pump up that Dr. Hook, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Sister Sledge and some Kool & The Gang.

There I said it.

Now hit me with some Naked Eyes – Always Something There to Remind Me, New Order – Blue Monday, Gary Numan – Cars, Ultravox – Dancing with Tears in My Eyes, Arcadia (Duran Duran light) – Election Day, Thompson Twins – Lay Your Hands on Me and just about anything by the Eurythmics.