Online Safety with Kids and Digital Kidnapping

[Social Media Logos. Image found on Internet]

Back in December 2014, I wrote a blog titled: “Online Privacy and Fake Memories” [http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2014/12/online-privacy-and-fake-memories.html].

It was due to the fact that in December 2014; a friend (L) had called out someone about a photo, supposedly back from the late70’s/early 80’s – which you can read about on the above referenced blog. Turns out the kids photo was STOLEN from a November 2014 blog. Even though the photo was backdated to 2008, on Facebook … anyone can do that with their feature.

A mutual friend (R) stated: “wrong, but not really a big issue to worry about” in regards to the other friend’s concern about the misuse of someone else’s photos.

Unfortunately, as we saw in the case of the kids skiing photo, it didn’t stop there and was not a victimless crime. It never really is; and it isn’t stopping either. As “L” said – there are children involved in this that have no say.  

It’s called “Digital Kidnapping” or “Cyber Kidnapping”. Unfortunately it is a grey (gray) area for law enforcement. Many of the laws on the books haven’t kept up with the technology advances. Nevada just recently passed a specific law on “squatting” (you can either research it or I will talk about it later).

As I stated in the above blog, under an update, this was mentioned on the Today show on 2/27/2015 [http://www.today.com/video/today/57041622#57041622]. It was even mentioned in a news article: http://www.fox8live.com/story/28189979/digital-kidnapping-a-growing-trend

Here is an April 2015 WHNT 19 (Huntsville, AL) news article excerpt:

“A disturbing new trend is spreading across social media. People on social media are stealing photos of other people’s children. It's called "digital kidnapping."

The term "digital kidnapping" may seem embellished to some, but the victims who have pictures of their children stolen are left wondering why someone would do this -- and what else are they capable of?” (Riopka, 2015). You can read more here: “Digital Kidnapping: Madison family finds their child targeted by online photo thief” [http://whnt.com/2015/04/27/digital-kidnapping-madison-family-finds-their-child-targeted-by-online-photo-thief/].

Still not convinced enough?  

Yesterday (May 12^th, 2016), part two of a Dr. Phil episode featured a family confronting the “digital kidnapper”. Warning … it is QUITE disturbing.

Here’s the synopsis:

“Did a Stranger ‘Cyber Hijack’ a Couple’s Twins? A Side-By-Side Photo Comparison.

April and Nathan claim a total stranger has been stealing photos of their 4-year-old daughters and posting them as their own on social media.

In fact, they claim a woman named Ashley has stolen hundreds of photos of the girls since they were born and has reposted them as if she were their own mother.” (link will be at the bottom of the blog).

Scary, isn’t it?

I’ll post links to the Dr. Phil videos. But, I do urge EVERYONE to read my previous blog on it and WATCH the videos that I’ll link to later on.

In another blog … “Social Media and Intellectual Property Theft” [http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2015/01/social-media-and-intellectual-property.html] I stated the following: “Another point that was made was that the person who shared a photo that wasn’t theirs – they weren’t the first or last person to do it, that it is a sign of the times and it won’t change.”

As a friend and I discussed, unless it happens to those kinds of people … they don’t seemingly care. That’s the attitude that is going to keep it going and keep it being “no big deal”.  

There is something emotionally disturbing about people who want to “steal” someone else’s life or kids for an online profile. What’s worse is when they’re confronted … they first continue the lie, perpetuate the lie, then without emotion say “I didn’t mean you any harm” – as if that’s supposed to give the victim the warm, fuzzy feeling. As if the victim is expected to say “oh, you poor thing”.  

In the Dr. Phil case, the digital kidnapper (Ashley) is not really remorseful (her lack of a real apology is apparent) and tries to keep the charade going. She was asked by the real father of the kids (Nathan) to delete the photos some three years ago – Ashley kept going on, even up to April 1^st of this year.

Then, on Dr. Phil, her attitude reflects that she is supposed to be forgiven and “doesn’t know why” she printed the photos and continued the charade. Watch the videos.

If you (the reader) want to know how serious this is (and can be), picture this scenario … if you will:

Doris is a lovely, but lonely 56 year old lady. But, very lonely. She (in order to combat the loneliness) makes up a story (after seeing a happy couple with two kids) that she has custody of her two grandkids because their parents died in a car crash.

She shares pictures of her two grandkids (Janie and James) online and talks about them constantly. As to why she isn’t in the picture with them? She says “oh, I don’t take pictures of myself, they’re far more important to me after everything they’ve been through”.

Her online friend Mary sees Janie and James with another couple (at Disneyland). Mary calls the cops because Doris is their grandma and their parents died … so this couple must’ve kidnapped them, right? What is this couple doing with Doris’ grandkids? She didn’t say anything about the trip. After all the kids have been through, why would Doris not take them herself?

Well … what if Doris has been lying? What if she, like Ashley did, digitally kidnapped Janie and James by stealing pictures from their parents’ social media pages and reposted them as her grandkids?

And, what would happen to Doris, Mary, the parents, and the kids when this is uncovered?

See what kind of trouble that can cause? Any wonder that back in December 2014 I posted two blogs on the seriousness of this?

Now, some might argue that perhaps Doris’ family might speak out. What if she has no family to speak of, or is using an alias herself? How would we really know?

Here’s the set of videos from the Dr. Phil episodes. They are in order according to the website and “article”.

PART ONE: “I Believe A Stranger Is Obsessed With My Beautiful Twin Daughters and Has ‘Cyber Hijacked’ Them!” [http://www.drphil.com/shows/i-believe-a-stranger-is-obsessed-with-my-beautiful-twin-daughters-and-has-cyber-hijacked-them/; May 11, 2016]:

“Mother Accuses Stranger Of ‘Digitally Kidnapping’ Her 4-Year-Old Twin Daughters”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/mother-accuses-stranger-of-digitally-kidnapping-her-4-year-old-twin-daughters/

 “Did a Stranger ‘Cyber Hijack’ A Couple’s Twins? A Side-By-Side Photo Comparison”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/did-a-stranger-cyber-hijack-a-couples-twins-a-side-by-side-photo-comparison/

“Woman Responds To Allegations She Digitally Stole Photos Of Couple’s Twins & Posted Them As If They Were Her Own Children”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/woman-responds-to-allegations-she-digitally-stole-photos-of-couples-twins-posted-them-as-if-they-were-her-own-children/

“Parents Confront Woman Accused Of ‘Cyber Hijacking’ Their 4-Year-Old Twins”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/parents-confront-woman-accused-of-cyber-hijacking-their-4-year-old-twins/

PART TWO: “Will Ashley Confess”

“Parents Question How Framed Photos Of Their Daughters Wound Up In Stranger’s Home”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/parents-question-how-framed-photos-of-their-daughters-wound-up-in-strangers-home/

“Woman Apologizes For ‘Digitally Kidnapping’ Couple’s Twin Girls: ‘I Really Don’t Mean You Guys Any Harm’”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/woman-apologizes-for-digitally-kidnapping-couples-twin-girls-i-really-dont-mean-you-guys-any-harm/

 “How a Woman Used Social Media And Her Deceased Mother To Perpetuate A Story About Having Twins”

http://www.drphil.com/videos/how-a-woman-used-social-media-and-her-deceased-mother-to-perpetuate-a-story-about-having-twins/

I apologize if this blog is almost like a newspaper (or magazine) to read. I urge everyone to watch the videos above and follow basic steps for protecting one’s family. What do I do?

1.) I don’t allow many people access to my account. Not because I don’t have several requests – I don’t know some of these people. I am not going for a “most friends of all time” award. I want to know and interact with REAL people. If they’re not someone I know (either we have a mutual friend; I’ve really met them; or I can vet them) – I say “NO” to that friend request.

2.) I am not comfortable allowing people to know where I live – after all, I don’t know some of these people. I keep my Facebook LOCKED down by posting all “sensitive” stuff to only those who have my address or who I’d let know where I live (family, close friends).

3.) I am not about to let strangers know when I am not going to be at home. So, I keep that only for family (cousins, uncle, and my mom) and a few friends (who are just as close as my family). That’s who I’m going to also show my vacation posts to and pictures of my kids to. It also cuts down on potential suspects.

4.) Watermark photos with something. Keep the originals in a safe place other than a computer (flash drive works well and if you can on DVD, holds more than a CD). Try to be accurate with the file dates.

5.) Watch out for groups on Facebook. Predators can lurk here – which is obviously what happened to the Willis family.

6.) Never refer to kids by full name in a public post. Use Twin/Triplet #1; Daughter #1; DD (dear daughter) #1; kid#1 (if family has multiple boys and girls). Things like that. Also don’t reveal real birthdays.

7.) Watch the frequency and type of postings.

I said the following in another blog, but true here …

8.) Don’t be available in search on Facebook

9.) Set “friend requests” to “Friends of Friends”

10.) Maintain the strictest possible privacy on Facebook and Twitter

          A.) Don’t be afraid to have lists on Facebook

          B.) Don’t be afraid to de-friend or block on Facebook

          C.) Don’t be afraid to contact authorities either

          D.) Don’t be afraid to have one public Twitter and one “family only” account. FYI: I think Twitter needs to have a family only list or option.

11.) If anything seems suspicious – REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY!!! Don’t forget to do your homework, take screenshots, keep emails.

As I said in a previous blog:

“Just because something has been done (and repeatedly) doesn’t mean we should allow it to continue. We can take precautions by limiting what we do online to impact that privacy. We can make reports against people as well.

I don’t think we can stop it entirely, but there is nothing wrong with being vigilant about it and educating our friends to being a bit more cautious online.”

But, we should encourage legislators to pass stricter laws and penalties. Laws are useless without enforcement.

I do urge people to exercise as much caution as possible. And, as I also said:

This is not just a "minor" matter. This crime has a name. And, there are victims. And, those victims may be too young to speak for themselves.  

“High Flight” – The Challenger, Pepcon, Myself, and a Rocket

[Collage photo of my "rocket" from 8th grade. Photos taken by me, and collage made by me] 

Talk about a #ThrowbackThursday!

Challenger – 30 Years Later

I can’t even begin to imagine this day, all those years ago. And, all the days that followed. I’m trying to piece it together – and I still can’t.

From a young age, racing and story-telling were not my only interests. I loved the idea of going out and exploring the universe as well. Which was why my first science project involved the solar system, it was later discarded as “trash” which really hurt, and also made me despise doing projects. Why do them when they could be thrown away and discarded?

But, after Challenger – something changed. I don’t know why. My lack of interest in science was noted in school records. Though I got good grades, my “lack of interest” bothered my teachers.

While I knew the day would get here, something about those “milestone” anniversaries get to me. The 28^th is much overlooked, but when it hits 30^th, it’s pretty much “hard to believe”.

So too is today.

Today, for those who weren’t around (or paying attention) is the 30^th anniversary of the Challenger accident/disaster.

By saying “accident” it diminishes what truly was a historic and yet so preventable incident for NASA. Calling it a disaster, when compared to other things, seems wrong too. But, it was – for the time (and now) an accident/disaster. That disaster would lead to another a few years later near Las Vegas near the end of sixth (6^th) grade.

What’s life been like in the past 30 years? Interesting, scary, and definitely memorable.

January 28, 1986

The day began like any other – that’s about all I know. I was in fourth (4^th) grade at Robert E. Lake elementary and liking “breaking in” a new teacher. Which, we’d end up going through 4-6 of them that year.

I remember my grandma telling me about it after she picked me up from school. The teachers, as I recall, the teachers didn’t want to tell us – it was too upsetting.

I get it. But, at age nine (9) – I was already used to death. Sad, but I was.

I know there were a lot of emotions centering around it. My mother and grandmother protected me.

Was that a good thing? I don’t know …

What I didn’t know (or anyone else) was that an unintended consequence was brewing from Challenger.

May 4, 1988 – PEPCON

Flash forward now two grades, and nearly two and a half (2 ½) years later – 6^th grade. May 4, 1988.

Because of the “suspension” of the space program, the Pepcon (Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada) plant in Henderson, Nevada stored the excess rocket fuel or ammonium perchlorate as they were instructed to by the government.

“Ammonium perchlorate is a powerful oxidizer which is mixed with combustible materials to produce rocket fuels”. (Routely, 1988).

“4,500 tons of the sugar like ammonium perchlorate sat at the plant May 4, 1988, the day of the explosions. Much of it was in drums and containers, ready for delivery”. (Rogers, 1998).

According to the Routely FEMA report, the fire is believed to have begun in a “drying process structure” between 11:30am and 11:40 am (Pacific Time). Because of a windstorm, the steel frame with fiberglass walls had been damaged. A welding torch was being used for repairs. Naturally, the fire spread rapidly in the fiberglass material, accelerated by ammonium perchlorate residue in the area. The flames spread to 55-gallon plastic drums containing the AP in a storage area.

“The time between ignition and the first explosion has not been determined exactly; it was estimated at l0-20 minutes”. (Routely, 1988).

The team at Pepcon abandoned fire control efforts and began evacuating. Two people died. One stayed behind to call the fire department, and another was a wheelchair bound employee who couldn’t leave. The first of the two explosions were in a drum storage area. The second explosion was the largest one – and was the one I likely saw from where I was – which was at school.

“In addition to the chemicals at the plant, a 16-inch, high-pressure (300 psi) natural gas transmission line ran underneath the plant and also supplied the plant through a pressure reducing assembly”. (Routely, 1988). The gas line wasn’t turned off until 12:59pm according to the report.

“All told, seven explosions occurred involving various containers of ammonium perchlorate, with the two largest occurring in the plastic drums and then the aluminum containers. These two explosions were measured at 3.0 and 3.5 on the Richter scale at an observatory in California! Over eight million pounds of the product were consumed in the fire and explosions. A crater estimated at 15 feet deep and over 200 feet long was left in the storage area”. (Routely, 1988).

Not even the Clark County firefighters could get near it.

“Both the PEPCON facility and the neighboring marshmallow plant had been destroyed in the explosions prior to their arrival. The magnitude of the fire in the PEPCON facility was beyond any fire suppression capability, and flames also were visible in the rubble of the marshmallow plant. The only hydrants were in the immediate area of the two involved plants, but there was no water supply due to the loss of electrical power to the pumps. Recognizing the danger and futility of operations, no attempt was made to approach or to fight the fire”. (Routely, 1988).

Other than the two people died that day, over 300 were injured (including fifteen firefighters), and Boulder Highway looked like a war zone. Some cars, according to Routely’s report had been blown off the road.

“Witnesses reported that this explosion created a visible shock wave coming toward them across the ground”. (Routely, 1988).

The incident, according to the report, cost close to $100 million in damages. A lot of us kids were taken out of school early – including myself.

“Investigation into the event found that the destructive energy from the larger explosion was roughly equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT or one kiloton, approximately the same yield of a tactical nuclear weapon”. (Bellows, 2008).

That “blast” was another “fall-out” from the Challenger disaster.

The Pepcon site is now, according to Paul Szydelko of VegasSeven, Wigwam Parkway and Gibson Road a place I routinely pass five (5) to (6) times per week. I’m only about three (3) miles north of the site.

[I claim no ownership to this. This was taken by a repair crew from Black Mountain in Henderson, NV May 4, 1988]

[I do not own this image. I found it from an article on Vegas Seven's website]

High Flight and a Rocket –

In 8^th grade (1989-1990) some 3-4 years after the Challenger “accident” (and 1-2 years after Pepcon) – a science teacher gave me a poster with the poem “High Flight” on it. It was the poem etched into the Challenger memorial where some of the astronauts are interred.

[Poor quality. This was a picture my mom took in 1989-1990 of me holding the poster my 8th grade science teacher gave me]

[The poem on the Challenger memorial. I do not own this image. I found it online.]

[Front of the memorial. Again, I do not own this image. I found it online.]

Incidentally, it was at that time that I started really getting into my writing. I’d spend my lunch time in the library, on the computer typing away. The stories would become “practice” and eventually shredded, but it was the start of something.

Anyway ...

The teacher wanted to give me hope (about the space program) as I was no longer interested in science anymore (which was one of my “aptitudes”). Despite having “promise” in science, I just wanted to walk away from all things “science” and “space” related.

We also had a great thing going on that year. The “Rocket Program”. We were given (or my mom might have bought it through the school) a rocket to paint/design and on “launch day”, we’d get either the high-powered engine (less chance of rocket retrieval, potential destruction), or lower powered engine to launch the rocket (greater chance of rocket retrieval), which would then cause the nosecone to pop off (it was held together by a rubber connector called a shock cord) and the parachute would guide it back to us.  

[Not a picture I own. Got this image from the Estes website. This is identical to the rocket I got in 1989-1990]

[Got this image from the Estes website. This is identical to the rocket I got in 1989-1990]

[Got this image from the Estes website. These are the "engines" for the rockets like what I built. They're sold on their website.]

[Various "student" rockets. Photo found on the Texas A&M University - Central Texas website] 

[Scanned image from PDF "hand-out" on the model rocket flight profile]

Or we could opt out … which I did … at first. I had no interest in it. My mom wouldn’t give up – and I don’t think my teacher wanted to either. She certainly didn’t want to see me opt out.

I was, silly as it seemed, afraid of a disaster. Yes, while small – the rocket engines could cause a disaster. But, my mother and teacher both knew there was something in me that still wanted that “flight”. Yet, I shied away.

I don’t remember if the poster caused me to go through with it, or I did it and the teacher gave me the poster.

All I know was the program was about to be scuttled because of the kids who wanted the “A” rockets and something else was going on at the time. I was mad at them. But, not for myself. For the others who were truly excited about it.

I reluctantly painted that brown and red rocket in two colors: pink and purple, and added glitter to it – either for launch or just to have as a souvenir. It was simple, for me. As the day neared and the “hub-bub” settled – we were confirmed for “launch”.

I was lucky enough to get the high powered” rocket.

Launch day came and for the first time, I was really excited – again. I got to launch the rocket. No disaster – rocket retrieved and safely back in my hands. I realized that I had to participate – if only in memory of the Challenger crew.

After the Rocket and Today –

For almost 27 years that rocket has been at times babied, lost, forgotten, in danger of a trash can (mostly because of my grandmother), bent, misplaced – but always somewhere that it could pop out and say “hi, I’m here”.

A few years ago, I found it in some storage stuff and sat it in a basket. Today, thirty (30) years after Challenger, I brought it inside the house. 

I finally took the time to look at it and remember what Ronald Regan said 30 years ago after the disaster: “The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave”. 

And, it brought me back to something else: “our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”.

That “rocket” reminds me of where I came from (no, not Krypton, lol). And, also what I’ve been through and who I am. So, it seems fitting that it serves as today’s #TBT picture.

That rocket won’t see flight again. It’s not “flight worthy”, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t sit here, look at it, and remember to “dream” when I look at the stars.

Today, my dreams no longer center on space or exploration. They center on something closer to home: writing and telling a story (no not about space or exploration of it). Another dream is to one day see one of my stories on a movie or even a TV screen.

But, I learned that we can’t realize those dreams without getting back up after falling, reaching up, and giving it another “go”.

Here is the poem:

“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds -

and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of -

wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence.

Hovering there I've chased the shouting wind along

and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long delirious burning blue

I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,

where never lark, or even eagle, flew;

and, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod

the high untrespassed sanctity of space,

put out my hand and touched the face of God.”

John Gillespie Magee,  Jr.

References:

Bellows, A. (2008, September 10). Damn Interesting » The PEPCON Disaster. Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://web.archive.org/web/20090217113239/http://www.damninteresting.com//?p=800

Business Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2016, from https://www.tamuct.edu/departments/aviation/studentactivities.php

Clark County. (n.d.). Pepcon Explosion. Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/fire/Pages/PepconExplosion.aspx

Estes Rockets. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://www.estesrockets.com/

Moyer, J. (2016, January 28). Exactly the right words, exactly the right way: Reagan’s amazing Challenger disaster speech. Retrieved January 28, 2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/01/28/how-ronald-reagan-explained-the-challenger-disaster-to-the-world-its-all-part-of-taking-a-chance

One killed, three injured in southern Utah plant explosion. (1997, July 30). Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/jul/30/one-killed-three-injured-in-southern-utah-plant-ex/

Routely, J. (1988). Fire and Explosions at Rocket Fuel Plant Henderson, Nevada. Federal Emergency Management Agency United States Fire Administration National Fire Data Center. Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://www.interfire.org/res_file/pdf/Tr-021.pdf and https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-021.pdf

Szydelko, P. (2015, November 19). Remembering the Pepcon Disaster - Vegas Seven. Retrieved January 28, 2016, from http://vegasseven.com/2015/11/19/remembering-pepcon-disaster/

31 Days of Cheer (Now 24 left)

Sometimes during the holidays (or any other time of year) … there seems to be “photo” challenges. Some I like, some I don’t. I do the #TBT (Throwback Thursday) ones, and sometimes #WBW (Way Back Wednesday) or #FBF (Flashback Friday).

However on the last day of the month I usually do the “gas prices”.

This year, the city I live in decided to do #31DaysofVegasCheer. I of course, living in a suburb, and wanting to spread the cheer all over, decided to shorten it to #31DaysofCheer.

Here’s the idea – take a picture each day and post it to Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook with the tags #31DaysofCheer and the item or “idea” for the day:

[Photo is property of City of Las Vegas, Nevada]

The last time I did something like this was in 2012, which you can read about it here:

“Christmas Photo Challenge”

http://snapshotsandproject365.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-photo-challenge.html

I started on day #2 as on the first day I had another more important picture. However, since then I have been able to keep up with the “challenge”.

This fits quite well into my “Project: 365” daily photo challenge. I’m using Fotor to add borders and filters to the challenge photos to bring a unique quality to them.

They can be items in your home, decorating the tree, things like that. They don’t have to reveal locations or family information.

Here are a few examples from 2012 and this year:

[Photo belongs to me. This was December 4th – #ChristmasDecor #ChristmasPhotoChallenge. This was used with an Instagram filter]

[Photo belongs to me. This is December 7th – #31DaysofCheer #WrappingPaper. Used a Fotor filter]

Since I use a planner, I went and wrote in what I needed so I didn’t have to keep looking at the photo. And, I use the planner to record the photos and sometimes the file number …

So, from today to the 31^st, here are the “ideas”:

December 7th – #31DaysofCheer  #WrappingPaper (completed)

 December 8th – #31DaysofCheer #Green (completed)

 December 9th – #31DaysofCheer #Family (completed)

 December 10th – #31DaysofCheer #Presents (completed)

 December 11th – #31DaysofCheer #Stocking (completed)

 December 12th – #31DaysofCheer #CandyCane (completed)

 December 13th – #31DaysofCheer #Tree (completed)

 December 14th – #31DaysofCheer #Santa (completed)

 December 15th – #31DaysofCheer #BeautifulSight (completed)

 December 16th –#31DaysofCheer #FavoriteHolidaySong (completed)

 December 17th – #31DaysofCheer #Peace (completed)

 December 18th – #31DaysofCheer #MerryandBright (completed)

 December 19th – #31DaysofCheer #Tradition (completed)

 December 20th –#31DaysofCheer #Tree (this is a repeat, so if you want to vary it with say a tree cookie, tree ornament, or a different tree, go ahead) (completed)

 December 21st – #31DaysofCheer #Joy (completed)

 December 22nd – #31DaysofCheer #BrightLights (completed)

 December 23rd – #31DaysofCheer #Candles (completed)

 December 24th – #31DaysofCheer #HolidayGreetings (completed)

 December 25th – #31DaysofCheer #ReasonforSeason (completed)

 December 26th – #31DaysofCheer #Sparkly (completed)

 December 27th – #31DaysofCheer #FavoriteThing (completed)

 December 28th – #31DaysofCheer #BlackandWhite

 December 29th – #31DaysofCheer #HolidaySplurge

 December 30th – #31DaysofCheer #Reflection

 December 31st – #31DaysofCheer #Celebrate

Just putting this out here for a way to spread Christmas joy and cheer. We seem to need a little more this year! 

You can see my photos on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarieEdwards429

I don’t share very many photos there, but since it is the holiday season ... I think it's a great idea! And, if you have one ... you can try it with your Elf on the Shelf. 

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, and Happy New Year! 

Torino Day

Not everyday you see this: 

[Thankfully I went in the back of the strip mall and not the front.]

As some may not know, “Car Stars” is going to be the weekend of May 14^th to May 16^th. It’ll feature a lot of the cars from movies and TV shows.

What was interesting is I was on the fence about going. But … it took a little convincing today, and I feel compelled to go downtown to see the cars.

Why?

Well … I had some unintended errands today (May 14^th).

On Monday (5/11), I put my car in for a few repairs and maintenance work. One of which was to replace my faulty hazard light switch. It stuck and I couldn’t use it. Either it wouldn’t turn on, or once on … it wouldn’t turn off. So, I bought one and asked the dealership to put it on while they were doing everything else (hoses, spark plugs, radiator flush, oil change, brake cleaning and adjustment).

Got my car home Tuesday, and Wednesday decided to use it and park my rental (which I was going to have for a week). Well, Wednesday night, I engaged the hazard lights to check on something. Disengaged and this happened:

[Obviously there is something wrong here ... my original one lasted for seven (7) years and didn't do this]

[There's something amiss here ...]

Yeah … where’d it go?

So, I parked it, grabbed my rental and left to get my mom from work. Now, this story takes a stranger turn before I get to today …

I also put in a laptop for an LCD screen replacement and to replace the hard drive which had been buzzing and crackling on Monday. It was ready on Wednesday as well. But … the USB ports? Couldn’t use them. Before the service, they were okay. Now? Nope … they don’t work.

[This is not good ... ]

Okay, so that has to go back as well. And, here I was hoping to have one day where I could stay at home and do nothing.

Today …

I get my mom to work and my car to the dealership. And, I get a ride home via the courtesy shuttle. Of course there are three drop-offs before me. Finally got home about 12:30pm.  Get my stuff in my rental and head over to the computer repair place. I decided to take the back way in through Sunset Station. And, was I glad I did …

[At first I thought I was drunk, then I remembered the last alcohol I had was 3oz of beer a week ago]

[The one on the left is registered in Nevada. That was the car that was being shot at when Stiller/Starsky said "stop shooting at my car". The one on the right is registered in Louisiana and was crashed closer to the end of the movie.]

Yup! Those are “Starsky and Hutch” Ford Gran Torino cars. One is registered here in Nevada, and the other is registered in Louisiana. I stopped to take a few pictures and went to drop off my laptop.

At first it was a simple issue – then nope … might take longer. So, I decided to leave the laptop and head home to get my memory card (which I left in my other laptop). But, I encountered the owners of the cars. That wasn’t the only person. There was a guy by the name of Steve who had the car in New Jersey (where he lives). His was the TV series car that Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky) drove in seasons 2-4.

These Torinos were from the 2004 Ben Stiller (Starsky) and Owen Wilson (Hutch) movie. And, this was the first time the cars were reunited since then. That movie was released in 2004, so that was 11-12 years ago.

Since the guys were about to leave I decided to grab my phone and use it. Steve said it was a good camera and I was praying he was right. And, he was. I didn’t have to ask for a picture by the car he offered. I looked terrible, but I did it anyway. And, I am not posting it. But, here are a few photos: 

[Owen Wilson (Hutch) autograph on the trunk of the Louisiana Torino]

[Ben Stiller (Starsky) autograph on the trunk of the Louisiana Torino. He is right, it is the best car ever!]

[From left to right: Antonio Fargas (TV series Huggy Bear); Fred Williamson (2004 movie Captain Doby); and David Soul (TV series Hutch) autographs]

[Better view of Antonio Fargas' autograph]

[Paul Michael Glaser (TV series Starsky) autograph]

[Fuel door. Nevada license plate is ZEBRA3; which was Starsky & Hutch's call signal]

[Curve of the stripe]

[Point of the stripe and the GRAN TORINO badging]

[Front end of the Torino. Very impressive in person. Gorgeous car.]

I was asked by Steve and the owner of the Louisiana Torino if I was going to be at “Car Stars”, and I honestly replied “I don’t know”. They both insisted I had to come down there tomorrow and the owner of the Louisiana Torino added “please”. How can I refuse that?

Anyway …

The owner of the Louisiana Torino was a great guy and he showed me the engine (351 Windsor) and told me the stories of both cars. 

[351 Windsor engine on the Louisiana Torino. 460 was too heavy for the stunts. The current owner bought this from someone who had bought it from Steve. This car originally had a V6, not a V8.]

I couldn’t ask to meet such wonderful people. And, this was something I hadn’t planned on. In fact, I was a bit miffed at having to return my car and computer back to get repaired … again.

Had those events not happened … this day would have turned out a bit different – so, that is something I’ve come to realize – things happen for a reason. We can’t question them. It’s a higher purpose. If y’all don’t believe, that’s fine – don’t bash those who do. 

But, I learned so much about the cars. As much as I don’t like the movie, I had to respect the cars and their history. I feel blessed to have had a “private” lesson in that history. And, I got to be a part of that moment.

I apologized for taking so many photos, but Steve said it was cool and the owner of the Louisiana Torino said “that’s why we have them here. Most of the time they’re in the garage”. I don’t doubt it. They’re special cars. So, they were appreciative that I stopped and was interested in the cars and took my time to photograph them and listen to the stories.

And, that is why I carry my camera at all times. It’s also why something like “Project: 365” is SO important – life happens.  Memories happen, we need to take the short time we’re given to enjoy the moment we’re living in – it won’t happen again.