Aussies shorten or lengthen everything. You give your child a name you think can't possibly be shortened into anything eg Sean. We will call him 'Seany' or 'Seanmiester' or 'Seaninator' or something equally as ridiculous. Or they'll call him 'S'. And sometimes, they do both

*refuses to disclose her lengthened high school nick name although the shortened name is obvious*

Is Texas a dry heat? I think it's a tropical thing. Humidity related. We get that awful wet heat summer here where you are soaked with sweat all day and never dry off. *shudders at imminent hot weather*