Net Crimes & Misdemeanors

that some organizations would want to keep me as a member. I called two organizations, one a political one and the other the NRA to let them know Chris had died and to see if they could put my name on the membership. Both said they couldn't do it. The political one said it was for "legal" reasons, even though Chris was a sustaining member and I argued that we filed joint tax returns, so what did it matter? I was disgusted and told them I would be switching political parties. I haven't decided if I'm a Libertarian or an Independent now. I'm thinking of starting a new party called the NoParty party. Wanna join? The NRA really surprised me. Chris was a Life Member and had only $125 left to pay it in full. They said the membership was non-refundable and not transferable. I said they should make an exception in the case of an unexpected death (especially since Chris shot himself). Chris and I both took the NRA gun safety course together, were actively involved in s...

WHOA Newsletter November 27, 2006 I couldn't make this up if I tried. . .At least I know who to call if I need one World's biggest rubber band ball http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2087940.html?menu=news.quirkies A US man has made the world's biggest rubber band ball. Steve Milton, of Eugene, Oregon, created the ball out of more than 175,000 rubber bands. Guinness accepted it as a record breaker after it tipped the scales at 4,594lbs at a Chicago weigh-in. The mammoth ball, which has a circumference of 19ft, broke the former record set by John Bain, whose ball weighed in at 3,120lbs. The 26-year-old started his ball in November 2005 with just a few small rubberbands. "It was just a great project with me and my kids," said Mr Milton, who worked on the ball with his six-year-old son, Bryce Milton, and his fiancee's son, Austin Johnson, 7. "We did a little bit of research on how big rubber band balls are, and realised there was one out there that was 3,1...

I've spent the past couple of weeks making phone calls to cancel Chris' credit cards, car and motorcycle insurance, health insurance, AAA, memberships. . .the list goes on and on. I am really mad at United Airlines. My stepmother had called them the day after Chris died to cancel my trip to Kansas on November 8th, which I could not do for very obvious reasons. She asked them if they needed a copy of the death certificate to refund my money and they said no. So I checked my United Mileage Plus account online and found that the ticket had indeed been canceled, but the ticket cost had NOT been refunded. So I called United. The guy I got was in India at one of the call centers and although very nice, basically told me I would have to drive to Boston (the airport I was supposed to fly out of), go to the United ticket counter, show them the death certificate and then get my refund. I was in tears and thank God my friend Vivi was here. She took over and was on the phone for three frel...

WHOA Newsletter November 20, 2006 In memory of William E. Hitchcock 1928-2006 (http://www.legacy.com/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=19877213) and Christopher Hitchcock 1966-2006 (http://www.legacy.com/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=19884265) www.hitchcockmodels.com I believe the world has lost two true artists A Da Vinci, a Michelangelo, a Mozart And I fear that the world will never know it I’ll bet more people could tell you the last five finalists of American Idol Than could tell you who painted the Sistine Chapel And that is so sad ----------------------------- I couldn't make this up if I tried. . .I saw this on the news. Really. Eatery's uniforms anger nurses groups http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/nation/16046055.htm The specialty at the Heart Attack Grill in Tempe, Ariz., is a quadruple bypass burger stacked high with four half-pound beef patties, cheddar cheese, red onions, bacon, lettuce, tomato and a special sauce. But it's not the fat conte...

Can anyone tell me the "correct" way to grieve? I have had a few friends say to me that they are surprised I am not upset and can actually laugh and joke. Huh? Am I supposed to curl up in a ball and cry 24-7? Believe me, I have my moments when I burst into tears. Family and friends who have been with me since Chris died can attest to this. It doesn't take a memory or anything associated with Chris to trigger this. Sometimes I just cry. And sometimes I don't. When the friends who are shocked when they call me that I am not blubbering, I tell them they caught me at a good time. And I mean that. Is there an etiquette book on the right way to deal with two deaths in one week? I don't think so. Everyone grieves in their own way. Some people *do* curl up in balls. I just can't do that. Now that I am on my own, I have to deal with everyday mundane things like paying the bill, letting the dogs out, getting the mail, calling the chimney guy to come clean the chimney, g...

I wanted to let everyone know I am back in the house, as of this past Monday. I was staying at my dad's all last week and glad I did. The support of family and friends during that time kept me from going crazy. The funeral was hard. The ceremony was well done and touching, but I couldn't stop shaking throughout it. One of Chris' Marine friends, Jamie, flew up from Virginia. Many of his musician friends were there as well, especially Dick and Bill, who have know Chris for well over 30 years. Plus other friends and family, too numerous to mention. The funeral home staff was impeccable, compassionate and patient. I do not know how they do their work every day without breaking down. I am taking the rest of the month off to deal with legal issues and begin cleaning out drawers and closets. Friends have been staying overnight with me and helping me during the day. I am going back to work in December, for two speaking engagements. I need to get back to as normal as possible as soo...

I am posting this for Jayne - she is staying at her parent's house. Her husband, Christopher, died on Monday, November 6th, the day after his father died. A link to the obituary is at http://www.legacy.com/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=19884265 If you live in the Dover, NH, the funeral is tomorrow and information is in the obituary description above or call the funeral home at 603-742-4961 Cards can be sent to Jayne at PO Box 782 York, Maine 03909

Saw him last night, kissed him on the forehead and told him I loved him. Saw Chris' sisters, too. They were to fly home early this morning. Last night, as I lay in bed, I thought in my head: "Dad, you don't have to stay. Let go. Go to the light. Go to your mother, your father, your sister. Your family. We'll see you again. Just go." Bandit woke us up at around 6 am howling. I thought he had to go out. Talked with Mom an hour or so later. She'd given Dad his meds a little before 6 am. At 11 am, Mom called. She thought Dad was gone. We rushed over and she was right. Sometime between when she gave him his meds and 11 am he died. When we got there, I burst into tears and held her tight. Then I went in to see Dad. He was so still. I kissed him again on the forehead and let him go. Chris talked with the hospice lady, then Mike, one of the visiting nurses, stopped by. Mom and I cried and cried. I called my Mom and cried with her. Don't know when the funeral is, b...

I have two media opportunities: 1) David Goldstein from KCBS/KCAL TV in Los Angeles is looking for a cyberstalking victim, male or female, from southern California (LA to San Diego). You can remain anonymous if you wish. If you are interested, email me ASAP or reply to this message and I will email you. 2) ABC News in Miami/Ft.Lauderdale area and NBC News in Jacksonville, FL are interested in doing a story on Safe Chat, and they need to do a “video shoot” of actual family who is using Safe Chat for their kids. The folks at Safe Chat are willing to give away a free copy of their software (see safechat.org for more info). If you livein the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale or Jacksonville, Florida area, are a family and would be willing to try out Safe Chat and be filmed by a TV crew using it, please either email me ASAP or reply to this message and I will email you. Jayne A. Hitchcock President, WHOA-KTD whoa@haltabuse.org