John Burkholder

 A few days ago, T-Mobile announced a data breach consisting of Social Security numbers, drivers license information, and credit cards for over 40 million people. I was a Sprint member until T-Mobile purchased Sprint and all of my customer information was assimilated into their terrible data protection system. No, this is not the first time T-Mobile had a breach and you'd think they would buckle down and strengthen their network to avoid such things. This is not the first time my data has been breached. Equifax, Target, and smaller company like the parking app used around Chicago. This begs me to ask, when are we going to fix this? First, we need to take data protection and privacy seriously. The social security number you have was not intended for credit reporting. There aren't enough safeguards in the system to protect the money you have invested in social security once a person has your number, and all of the items found on your drivers license.  Your drivers license and ide

  I rarely make mistakes. I am one of those people who checks out every move, option or path before committing to a decision. As my wife puts it, "It isn't often you make a mistake, but when you do, it is epic." My wife had been writing letters to my adult children for a few months. I'm more of a texting dad but decided it was time to give my wife a run for her Parent of the Year trophy. I planned everything out so perfectly, it was going to be heartfelt, memories, they would keep with them for all time...because my competitive nature with my wife runs deep. During lunch one day, I decided to walk over the the Art Institute of Chicago to get some ideas for my artsy children. I walked through each gallery looking at the paintings, taking some photos, and reading each plaque explain who the artist was and if there was some sort of story involved. Many of them didn't match the personality for each. Portraits were just dead people on canvas, the sculptures (although i

 Even the most experienced house remodeler can be surprised by what the world has to provide it. Tearing apart the 1990s version of a kitchen was more work than she expected. The cabinets were screwed directly into the studs and the electrical was placed in locations that didn't make any sense for the modern kitchen. So instead of just replacing the cabinets, Alex demolished to the studs. That is when Alex noticed the envelope. An unmarked stationery sealed with a gold sticker on the back. Even though it sat in the wall for decades, it appears to be in good condition and oddly enough, waiting for someone to find and open it. As she reached down to pull the envelope, she also noticed a small wristlet hanging from a nail next to the envelope. Walking back to her couch, Alex grabs a wine goblet and the bottle of Merlot to sit down and open the envelope. After pouring herself a healthy glass, she peals back the sticker and opens the envelope. Taking another sip, she unfolds the letter.