If you missed yesterday’s post, I finished writing a book this weekend. No, not a sequel to my Parasitic Twin novella, but a collection of short stories. As I warned I might do, the title has already been changed to “Beyond: Tales of the Afterlife.” But there were other milestones reached this past weekend.
Author: Jim Flanigan
Weekend Milestones – Part 1
I finished my book of 18 short stories after just a bit over a year and a half of writing work. But I didn’t view it as work, because I enjoyed it immensely. I did hit a snag 2 weeks ago when I finished the last story. Then the daunting tasks of compiling the stories into one document, creating a table of contents with links, doing a final edit, and choosing a title stared me in the face. Ugh! I love the creative process and hate the tedious details. But I hunkered down and finished the work this weekend.
The tentative working title (subject to change based on my whims) is “Beyond Life: Tales of the Afterlife.” Here’s a brief tease about what each of the 18 stories is about.
Mite Be Funny #181 – Farewell to TikTok
My Pool, Me, & OCD
I am of the belief that we all have some mental illness of some sort. Think about it. What mental illness affects you? Depression? Mood swings? An unhealthy obsession with the lady next door that looks like a young Audrey Hepburn?
For me, it’s OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I’ve never blogged about it. I am only starting to discuss it with family and friends, because it turns out they find it charming, quirky, and fascinating. Okay, so they also find it somewhat disturbing. But I can live with that as long as it makes me appear more interesting. Hmm, I may need to add narcissism to my list.
My OCD really came into focus when I messed up my pool liner order, and had to reduce my pool from 16 feet across to 15.
I guess the picture doesn’t really help you understand my OCD. I’ll try to explain.
BREAKING NEWS: Donald Trump announces plans for a second rally in Tulsa to commemorate the life of former presidential candidate Herman Cain who caught COVID-19 coronavirus at the first Trump Tulsa rally and passed away.
Flies On Washington Walls #176
Park that Ford on the Bench
About a year and a half ago, I named my all-President basketball team. My line-up:
- Barack Obama at point guard
- Dwight Eisenhower at shooting guard
- George H.W. Bush at small forward
- Gerald Ford at power forward
- Abraham Lincoln at center
But then I saw this new painting that some pro-Trump painter is currently hawking online.
Gross. I have so many questions …
Last night, a real “batten down the hatches” storm blew through the area. Unfortunately, I never learned to batten, and I have no idea where our hatches are.
Mite Be Funny #180 – A Double Panel Philosophical Discussion
I was so laser-focused, task-oriented, and productive yesterday. It was hard for me to believe how much I was able to accomplish. I not only trimmed my fingernails but also my toenails. #NextSteveJobs #NextBillGates
Good Brains!
I saw on Twitter a lot of this page from the mental health acuity test that Donald Trump is claiming he “aced.”
I figured that was just one of many pages of this test. Trump explained to Fox’s Chris Wallace that the last five questions were particularly difficult. But I was shocked when I looked closer at that one page.
Slowing My Roll to a Stroll
Shortly after I was crowing in a post about losing weight through diet & exercise (who knew that would work?), I encountered a setback this weekend. While taking a stupid walk, my stupid dog lunged at at a stupid chunk of asphalt in the stupid road that she mistook for a stupid animal, unexpectedly jerking the stupid leash that I stupidly held, and my stupid knee was reinjured. Back to the knee brace for me …
I’m not happy about it, and my knee brace also looked displeased …
I haven’t stopped exercising, but my walks have become strolls, and my bike rides have become leisurely sightseeing excursions. That does have some advantages. Just this morning, I encountered this photogenic family while biking …
Spam Much?
I signed-up for Trump’s NH rally that was ultimately canceled. I didn’t plan to go, but I wanted to see what they would do with my email. Spam bomb time and all very grifty. This is a perfect example …
Hmmm, for $20 I get a FREE yard sign. I don’t think they understand how FREE works.
But what if you have more money to spend on FREE merchandise and want to be more welcoming to other Trump supporters? Then this next offer is for you, but act quickly.
Mite Be Funny #179 – Special Portland Protests Multi-Panel Edition
My COVID Diet
I’ve delayed writing this post for a month now. I know what you’re thinking … I should have made it 2 months. But I finally feel comfortable writing it now for reasons I will soon disclose.
But first, even though most of my blog posts are considered uproariously hilarious by the general public, and members of General Public, I want to make it perfectly clear that I take the COVID-19 coronavirus seriously. I got tested after participating in BLM marches. I social distance. I WEAR A FREAKIN’ MASK. You should, too. COVID-19 goes hand-in-hand with Donald Trump as the scourge of my lifetime.
But thanks to COVID-19, I have lost weight. I’ll explain …
Disturbing Stats
I have found that the most popular blog posts I write involve food, travel, health & exercise. Everyone (including me!) is tired of political posts. We all know Trump is awful, and while you’ve been reading this sentence, he’s now done another terrible thing which is blah, blah, blah. I find that I need to write some political posts for personal cathartic reasons, and they barely get noticed … except for my post titled “It All Adds Up to the Mark of the Beast.” If you don’t recall it (And why would you? It was eminently forgettable), go ahead, click the link, and take a look. It’s number rubbish, because I’m a math geek, but I happened to notice a disturbing trend for that months-old post …
Unfair Government Control!
No, I’m not talking about the government-ordered shutdown of businesses. I miss going to concerts and sports this year, but come on, let’s flatten the COVID-19 coronavirus curve.
No, I’m not talking about government-mandated mask wearing. If you don’t wear a mask, you’re an idiot. Hmm, let me restate that so you idiots will understand better. If you don’t wear a mask, your an idiot. Subtle, but appropriate difference.
No, I’m not talking about the government planning to inject us with tracking microchips included with the new COVID-19 vaccine. I’m ready for that.
The government won’t let me have any of this …
Questioning QAnon
I’m confused, as regular readers of this blog already know. Here’s what currently has my head spinning.
- The QAnon conspiracy folks love Trump.
- The QAnon conspiracy folks think the COVID-19 coronavirus is a hoax.
- The QAnon conspiracy folks think the COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine will inject tracking microchips into us. They are definitely anti-vax for COVID-19.
- Donald Trump keeps promising (likely lying) that a COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine will be available by the end of the year.
- The QAnon conspiracy folks continue to love Trump.
My head hurts. Please explain.
Another Edition of … Am I a Bad Guy?
A neighbor and I both walk in the mornings. I met him coming back home as I headed out yesterday. I couldn’t help but notice that he was saying the rosary as he walked. When I walk, I forage for wild berries and look for loose change on the ground.
Am I a bad guy?
Will your opinion change if I promise to donate the penny I found yesterday to the poor?
Jim Flanigan Looks at the World 