Tyler Colins's Blog, page 6

SCAMMERS & SCHEMERS: PART 2

A week’s passed since I’ve been hacked. Initially, I was both humiliated and mortified (never mind stressed/distressed). Now, I’m getting back to “normal”, whatever that is. Mind you, I’m still p’o’d—at myself for being a dumbass and at the hackers for being so brazen.

Hackers are slick, I’ll give them that. Kudos to them for their suaveness and ingenuity.

It’s unfortunate the world is filled with schemers and scammers—felonious smooth-talking folks—who’ll attempt to get the better of you. Always refining stratagems and approaches, they’re wily and so very (!) determined. Everything stated and referenced can appear quite valid; they know their stuff.

Despite this incident (and major inconvenience), I still believe there are more good [honest] individuals than there are criminal ones. That provides solace and hope.

Once bitten, tenfold shy. And another [major] lesson learned. Moving onwards and upwards [a wee bit wiser].

SCHEMERS & SCAMMERS: PART 1

Having been hacked recently (watch for Part 2)—mea culpa—I’m so very leery now of comments, messages, and emails. It’s stressing, distressing, and even frightening when you get caught blindsided.

This morning, a received this from “Luke Spiller” (frontman for my favorite band, The Struts). Yeah, like he’s got nothing better to do. And like maybe Elon Musk and Paul McCartney, who followed me some time ago, will do the same and tell me how their day is going.

Technology is a great thing, but man, does it have its pitfalls. You truly do have to be ever vigilant. If you think it can never happen to you, my friends, think again.

So, on that note, this “beautiful fan” will go and see if Elon or Paul’s invited to fly me over for coffee—at my expense.

Oldies but [Still] Goodies

As mentioned in an earlier post, I’d made a new [concert] buddy at the Struts’ show last month. That was my first and far-from-last Struts concert … and my first concert in too many years to count (or want to admit).

The Cult is playing at History tonight and yep, we’re going. I’ve always enjoyed their music, so it seems as good as any reason to go. Ian Astbury’s aged a bit, but don’t things—like wine and cheese—get better with age? I know I have.

“THE CULT holds a significant place in musical history due to its pioneering use of post-punk, hard rock, and experimentalism, pushing boundaries and influencing countless bands across multiple genres. With their musical prowess, uncompromising attitude and captivating stage presence, they forged a distinct identity while charting new territory for bands to explore. From Duffy‘s formative, and influential, years in the Manchester underground, to Astbury‘s groundbreaking “Gathering Of The Tribes”, the duo has left an indelible mark on modern music, shaping its trajectory in profound ways.” (BLABBERMOUTH.NET – July 7 2024)

For those not in the know, The Cult originally hailed from England, though Ian A lives in LA now (the City of Angels seems to have a migratory pull when it comes to UK musicians).

Take a gander at YouTube; there’s a sundry of vids that span 40 years. A few months back, they played an all-time, early-on favorite “She Sells Sanctuary” on Howard Stern. Sounded pretty damn good. No question. They still have it.

Should be a rockin’ fun time.

An Ode to the Beauty of Nothingness

Nothing wrong with nothingness. Sometimes, it’s truly worth embracing. As I’m doing today.

Nothing is popping into my time-to-create-Saturday-post mind. No woolgathering. No plans. No tasks or intentions. It’s a blank canvas. The only word fluttering like a banner on a windswept catamaran? Yep. NOTHING.

When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. When in-house gray matter percolates yet provides nothing but residual residue, you go with what you’ve got: an ode to nil, nada, nix, zilch, naught.

That’s not to say that my nothing is of no value or importance. Au contraire. It lends itself to the realization that though there may be several nothings comprising this particular day, it’s in fact chockablock with goodness.

There are no issues to deal with. No whinging coworkers to appease. No stress flipflopping like flapjacks in my belly. No hiccups. No … nothing.

And that, my friends, is a breath of [welcome] fresh air.

Fandomness in all its Fantasticness

The concept of “fandomness” popped into my head as I was marveling at the number of Struts fans on the fan site. It’s mindboggling how many devotees post and comment, and so regularly/frequently. Such adoration comes to a select few. I’m sure the boys recognize and embrace that for the blessing it is.

{I confess, I feel a touch envious. Wish it were me. Jesting aside (well kinda—hopefully, my new books in the coming months will garner a few fans/followers),}

As a neophyte fan, it’s a pleasurable pastime to read said comments and chuckle at some of the repartee (yours truly isn’t ready to engage in any of that yet). I’m not adverse, however, to providing a like or haha—often. But I’m rather proud to share that my previous post did prompt a reader to listen to The Struts, never having heard of them previously, and … ta-da … she’s hooked. How cool is that?

As cool as making a new [concert] buddy at the Struts’ Toronto show. 

Upload Virgin

In a never-ending quest to learn and grow, I’ve decided it’s time—yep—to fully embrace social media. (I suspected I would at some point, anyway; there are projects to undertake at the end of the year, but sometimes sooner than later is truly the way to go.)

So, pat on back. I learned how to edit a vid (okay, done amateurishly, but kudos to self anyway). Got it saved and downloaded to Adobe. Got a link, and woo-hoo, it can be opened on FB. But dang, it’s teenier than a cube of Dentyne. Also learned how to upload a YouTube vid. Tried to apply that newfound knowledge. Alas, no success. Boo-hoo.

It can’t be that difficult … and some twelve-year-old would surely snicker and say “duh, lady, no, it’s not”.

With many things in life, you sometimes have to take baby steps—they do get you where you want to go. Eventually. So, I’ll simply take a few more. (I figure, by the time the Struts return to Toronto, I’ll have managed to post my vid of “Put Your Money on Me”.  ) 

Struttin’ Solo

Given my blog is so not focused on the writing/editing realm these days, let’s aim for another personal post.

Yours truly is attending her first rock concert in years (!) … yep. Taking my wee l’il ol’ self to see the Struts tomorrow at History. Truth told, I’m a bit nervous, but a lot excited.

I only discovered them a year ago—at the gym. The place plays vids of bands from various eras … and way too many young female singers [often boob/booty-showcased] who all sound the same, thus not garnering my attention. While staring absently with half-glazed eyes at the elliptical monitor, my ears perked upon hearing a very cool voice and song.

“Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh / Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh / Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh / Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh / You be my Alice / And I’ll be your Mad Hatter / We can live in a palace / Nothing too amateur / Are you fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa fallin’ for me?”

They caught my [full] attention at the sixth “oh”. The eyes un-glazed. Loved the sound, loved the song. (And the guys were pretty easy on the eyes, too.)

The Struts, huh? Had to check them out. Really?! Who knew they’d been around over a decade? Successfully so—just look at their amazing repertoire and fan base.

Music’s part of my life again (care obligations had removed it previously). It’s great to once again be dancin’ and singin’ … and doing some struttin’.

You Don’t Have to Show Me Yours … I’ll Show You Mine

Re last week’s blog post (You Show Me Yours, I’ll show You Mine) and a week of soul-searching and struggling with “should I or shouldn’t I?”, I went with … … I should!

It’s a yeah-I’m-okay-with-who-and-what-I’ve-thus-far-accomplished moment. I’ve had amazing jobs, met some great people, and done things many people can only dream of. There’ve been numerous trials (and a couple have been brutal), but I’ve battled through and persevered. There’ve been things I’ve done that I’m not proud of, yet ones I can also pat myself on the back for. Regrets? They make for fab song lyrics. Not for harboring or lamenting.

The next chapter in this vast volume entitled Life begins soon. As such, I’m embracing all that is me, including sensuality and sexuality and that ever-challenging sense of self.

I am who and what I am. And I’m damn proud of that. So, having borne a bit of my soul, I’ll all for showing you a little more of “mine”.

You Show Me Yours, I’ll Show You Mine

Ah … and what might that be? For now, my new mid-size rucksack. Cute, ain’t it? (Some are into shoes; I’m into bags.)  [image error]

Partially clad [young] beauties roll into my FB page on a regular basis. Some are friends of friends (hmmm, maybe some housecleaning’s in order). Super nice bods. Worthy-of-envy bods.

I’m not sure I get the need to regularly bare [almost] all, but hey, if ya got it, flaunt it (or something like that).

That got me to thinking about l’il ol’ me … whose happily still l’il but gaining on the ‘ol. While I’ll share the odd personal post, I do draw the line at revealing too much. Emphasis on the “revealing”.

I may have issues with my age (given a number of years were surrendered to mom-care), but I don’t re my bod. It’s as good  (!) as any of those belonging to the aforementioned beauties. So, I’m thinkin’, ya know, maybe I’ll do a bod shot—in red lace. Or blue. Ooh, maybe tiger-print!

I’m not scared to bare my soul; I shouldn’t be scared to bare my bod (tastefully, of course). Let me digest that a wee while. … Yeah, I may just show you mine.

Hey, Worth Mentionin’ Again

I don’t normally post twice and certainly not the same thing (at least not within a twelve-month timeframe) but what the heck.

Two crazy cases flummox JJ, Rey, and Linda—the Hawaiian-based private eyes—in Triple Threat Mysteries – Books 4-5 … which as an FYI, has reached a high sales rank in various stores.

At Kobo, for example, it’s:

#16 in Fiction & Literature, Humorous#19 in Mystery & Suspense, Women Sleuths#109 in Mystery & Suspense

Not too shabby.    I’ll take it.

If you’re curious, please check out Triple Threat Mysteries – Books 4-5 at this universal link:

https://books2read.com/u/bQAK0D