security!

While I was on a mini-vacay this weekend, my dear friend Maria was hacked. And not just the "I'm gonna send out Viagra Spam" kinda hacked. No. She was maliciously violated. And it was really uncool because if there is anyone in this world who doesn't deserve to be the target of such a spiteful act, it's Maria.

So, let me use this awful, awful event to remind you all. Change your damn passwords. Make them safe. The longer, the better (10+ in length = 10+ in strength). Include numbers, letters, symbols...and be smart about it. Don't do like I used to do and make it your puppy's name or your kid's name. Or worse yet, abc123.

And just in case you think you have a decent password but wanna verify it? Make sure it didn't make the list of 500 worst passwords of all time...

This has been a public service announcement. The more you know...

Cut Footloose

I was never at a prom. I was one of the nerdy people who got very academic at a young age. My life was consumed with finishing school, finishing more school, and finishing more school. When other people were picking out prom dresses, I was buried to the eyebrows in some obscure text at the Boston Public Library.

Yes, I do believe that's why I'm weird. I did have some friends who went, of course.

I believe that's why they are weird. I also believe the theme was "Footloose." Um. Yeah, don't look at me.

Anyway, I did come to genuinely enjoy watching the pomp, circumstance, and madness of prom when I was a teacher. Sometimes I set kids up on dates when they bemoaned their lack. One of my match-ups eventually married. Take that, sceptics!

I actually think the way my town is doing it these days-- in the gym, on the cheap, and with a lock-down-- is the way to go. Their theme this year is "Midnight Sky."

If you know what the heck that means, I'd love to be in on it.

So as we head into prom season, here's hoping everyone is safe, careful, and responsible... but also free to cut FOOTLOOSE.