Socially Awkward

The communication revolution in the last few years has been remarkable. With just a phone in my hand, I can now chat text and twitter around the world.

I have especially enjoyed Twitter. I have been able to expand both my knowledge and social base. I have made a few friends and gotten in touch with overseas relatives. Feel free to follow me at #skellykptr.

One of the people I followed was a guy who was going through some tough times with the death of his dad. Very good writer and sports journalist. Why he even quoted my tweet on the death of his Dad.

Hadn't seen or heard anything from him in a few weeks on his Twitter feed. So I decided today to check up on him. And then I found out the reason why I hadn't, I was blocked!!

Now in all fairness, this has happened once before. And it was a friend of this guy.

What I was more surprised at was my reaction!! I was mad!! How dare he!! It was like not being picked for a kickball team in second grade.

Now being upset at being blocked on a twitter feed by a guy who lives 6000 miles away and who you will never meet may seem ridiculous. It is. So I did the only mature thing I could. I blocked him. That will show him!! Yeah right.

Happy Birthday America

Today is our country's 237th birthday. Lots of people will be at backyard parties or swimming or having fun. I plan on being one of them.

The history of America is long and complex. There are many problems such as racism and other issues we face that are a residue of our past.

But these pale in comparison to the great things our forefathers left us. That one being all the freedoms we enjoy. The right to speak and all the other freedoms.

Patriotism is not a political party or movement, it is something all Americans should practice. And things will get better. That just happens in America. Happy 4th.

Up In Smoke

More debate continues in our Valley over medical pot and whether it can sold or taxed.

Tonight the Palm Springs City Council will debate whether or not to put a proposed tax on sales of over 100 dollars. The tax would be 15%.

In Cathedral City last night, the city council heard from attorneys about whether or not they can join Palm Springs in being the only city in the county which dispenses legal pot. The discussion was put on hold till August.

The medical pot debate in California has become more and more ridiculous as time goes on. The real issue is whether or not small quantities of pot should be legalized and if so how. The collectives and dispensaries have failed on a number of levels. The prescription of medical pot for almost any and all ailments has marginalized any serious arguments from a purely medical standpoint.

It is time to have a proper discussion on legalization.

Having A Blast To See The Pope

Every year we here in the Valley have a debate about some towns selling fireworks to raise money for non-profits. Due to extreme heat and fire conditions, it may not be an example of clear thinking. Never the less in my town of Cathedral City, this year a whole new twist may be in play.

At the corner of Ramon Road and Cathedral Canyon Way, representatives of St Louis Catholic Church are selling fireworks. Last year they raised about 22 grand according to published reports. Money raised goes to the church's youth program. Part of the money will be to send kids to World Youth Day to be held this year in Brazil.

Headlining World Youth Day will be His Holiness Pope Francis I. So the church is selling fireworks to raise money to possibly see the Pope!!!

All I can say is that at my old Catholic school, St. Joseph's School for Boys in Oradell, N.J., something like this would have been frowned upon. Our 4th grade field trip was a 2 mile walk to the local Water Company. Boy I could used some fireworks then.