From 67 to Rizz: A Parent’s Totally Wrong Guide to TikTok Slang

Earlier this year, I accidentally became an internet linguistics professor when my post about the mysterious “67” on TikTok took off. Suddenly, I was the guy people trusted to decode teen slang, despite my main qualifications being:

  1. I’m ancient according to my kids.
  2. I once owned a yellow Sony sports Walkman.
  3. I had to Google what “finsta” meant, twice.

But since web traffic has spoken, I am clearly the definitive authority on all things Gen Z (and Gen Alpha). So let’s dive into some of the latest TikTok sayings. Spoiler: I don’t really understand them, but that’s never stopped me before. Let the cringe begin.

New TV Shows Premiering in October 2025

When I was younger, the week after the Emmys was the greatest time for a TV fan. All of the new shows were back in full force, and the summer rerun season was over. Kids today have no idea what it was like, seeing repeat episodes for basically four months. Well, the Emmys are over, and look at that, many big-time shows are hitting the schedule in October. It’s time to cook a turkey and get cozy. From gritty thrillers to feel-good comedies, slick spy games to spooky atmospheres, this month’s premieres are here to keep you glued to the screen. Whether you’re bingeing or pacing yourself week by week, there’s something new every kind of viewer will want in their queue.

I Made My Own Primanti Bros. Sandwiches

In the spring of 2024, the family needed to get out of Toronto and experience something different for a change. We narrowed it down to somewhere we could drive to in under five hours. Detroit, Montreal, and Cleveland were all in play, but they did not check the box for the other reason for the trip. To see a Major League baseball game. Thankfully, the Pirates had a home stand, and our road trip to Pittsburgh was born.

If you’ve never been to Pittsburgh, one of the first things you will learn about the city is the Primanti Bros. sandwich. These legendary sandwiches, piled high with meat, cheese, coleslaw, and french fries right between the bread, have been a Pittsburgh institution since the 1930s. Originally, they were a quick, hearty meal for dock workers and truckers who wanted all their lunch components in one hand-held package. Today, they’re iconic, so much so that now they seem to pop up everywhere on TV.

My Favourite Alex Cross Books

I’ve been reading James Patterson books for years, and the Alex Cross series has always been my go-to thriller. There’s something about a detective who’s smart, resourceful, and endlessly determined that just hooks me (I still picture Morgan Freeman). These Alex Cross books combine suspense, twisted villains, and edge-of-your-seat action that keeps me turning pages late into the night—even when I really should be asleep. Here are my favourite entries in the series, ranked with their creep factor so you know which ones might make you check over your shoulder.

ChatGPT and Parenting: What AI Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Family

Parenting in the digital age comes with its own unique set of challenges. From managing homework and extracurricular schedules to meal planning, managing household chores, and even keeping kids entertained, it can sometimes feel like there are not enough hours in the day. Enter ChatGPT and other AI tools, these digital assistants promise to make life easier, but what can they realistically do for parents? Let’s be honest: a lot of what’s being hyped as “AI magic” often ends up being slightly helpful at best and, in some cases, just a fancy version of what we could already do ourselves.

The AI Cheat Sheet for Parents Who Don’t Speak Tech

A practical guide for parents who want to keep up with their kids without having to learn Python overnight.

Confession: I’m not a tech person

Let’s get this out of the way — I couldn’t code my way out of a paper bag. I don’t know Python, JavaScript, or whether “machine learning” involves actual machines. But lately, I’ve been diving into the world of generative AI (things like ChatGPT, DALL·E, Claude, etc.), and I’ve realized something:
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to understand enough about AI to keep up with your kids.

And you should keep up — because they’re already using it.

AI and Teen Privacy: What Every Parent Should Know (Without Freaking Out)

Alright, parents, it’s time for a real talk. If you thought the hardest part about raising teens was surviving the teenage attitude or keeping up with their music tastes, think again. Now you’re dealing with AI — yes, artificial intelligence, creeping into your kid’s life faster than an eye roll after you suggest something logical.

Your teen is almost certainly using AI tools like ChatGPT, Snapchat’s My AI, or god-knows-what else, probably better than you. They’re asking it for homework help, writing poems, or just having weird conversations with bots. But here’s the kicker: AI isn’t just a fancy calculator. It’s collecting data, it’s listening, it’s learning about them, and frankly, about you too. And if you don’t get ahead of this privacy stuff, you’re basically letting your kid hand over their digital keys without a second thought.

So what should you know about AI and teen privacy? How do you keep your family safe without turning into the ‘AI police’ and killing the fun? I have thoughts, so let’s break it down.