The US Senate voted yesterday on whether or not to allow sanctions against Russia to be lifted. All Democratic Senators voted to retain the sanctions. I was pleased to see these Republican Senators vote with the Democrats to retain the sanctions:
Author: Jim Flanigan
Brush Off
I know I’m supposed to brush my teeth after every meal, but I always regret it. Invariably, I start brushing and then dislodge a piece of food that was stuck in my teeth. At that point, I face quite the conundrum. Aw shoot, I never know what to do.
Show Me The Money!
Some bloggers make money off their blogs. I don’t know how to do that.
I see other blogs selling products. I don’t know how to do that.
I see other blogs plastered with advertising. I don’t know how to do that.
I see other blogs with affiliate links. I don’t know how to do that, and on top of that, I don’t know what affiliate links are. If they are anything like sausage links, I am willing to learn about them.
Despite my general lack of knowledge about blogging and specific lack of knowledge about making money off blogging, I have decided to monetize this blog in the only way I know how. I’ll take a hundred bucks to make this my last blog post ever. You know you want to be the one to shut this down. Make me an offer before I post again.
Mite Be Funny #100
Blog Shutdown
Due to the continuing US government shutdown, this blog (deemed as non-essential by the Trump Administration) will not be posting for a few days. Finally, you can be grateful to Donald Trump for something. Any posts that may occur will likely be lacking humor. I hope you will be able to tell the difference.
Thanks to a generous grant from CACA (Corporation Advancing Cartoon Arachnids), Mite Be Funny has been fully funded through tomorrow, and Mite Be Funny #100 will post tomorrow as scheduled. We are seeking further funding from organizations like FFF (Foundation For Flies) to continue to bring you such regular features like Flies On Washington Walls cartoons. Don’t hold your breath.
Immigration Explained
Now that I am an ordained minister, I feel it is incumbent upon me to explain and sermonize about humanitarian issues like immigration. I can easily explain the basics of immigration thanks to this drawing I found on Twitter.
But there is so much more. For example, this picture doesn’t even begin to address the use of “unbelievable vehicles” by the Mexican drug cartels.
Another Blogging Secret Revealed
I’m not sure what this says about me or this blog, but I tend to add more followers on the days I don’t post.
Your Salvation is in my Hands
In yesterday’s post, I waxed philosophical about religion. Later that day, I waxed my back & shoulders. I’ll blog about that hair-raising experience another day. Today, I will tell you what I am doing about the whole religion issue.
I’m not one to sit back and do nothing, unless it is the weekend and effort is required on my part. I think religion has gone off course, especially with so-called evangelical Christians supporting hedonistic pagan Donald Trump. I don’t want to crucify or even cross those Christians. They don’t need my persecution. I think they need salvation.
With that in mind, I acquired this yesterday …
Religion, Wishes, Life & Death
I wish religious people would spend less time worrying about their life after death.
I wish religious people would spend more time worrying about the quality of the lives of the living.
Then religious people wouldn’t have to worry about their life after death.
Shhhh!
A dear friend, who is also a follower of this blog, just came back from a silent weekend retreat. I’m anxious to hear how it was, assuming he can speak now. If he tries to be a tough cookie, we have ways to make him talk.
Why, oh why, do I love those bad jokes? I initially thought I would never do a silent retreat. Then I got to thinking of some of the benefits …
Mite Be Funny #99
New Music for Old Rockers – Matt Maeson Edition
I warned you. In a recent music-related post, I teased a possible recurring feature for this blog. You did not heed the warning. You are back and reading about who or what I am listening to this week that I find to be auralicious.
That is new artist Matt Maeson with his song ‘Cringe’ off of his Who Killed Matt Maeson debut EP from 2017 that is getting airplay now. The music biz sure takes its sweet time to reveal talent. Take a listen.
Continue reading “New Music for Old Rockers – Matt Maeson Edition”
A Weight Has Been Lifted
My life has been decidedly different the past two months. Sure, the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays have played a role in changing my life as I have been selling my blood plasma weekly in order to pay for holiday entertaining and presents. Do you know how hard it is to type when you’re woozy from being a pint low? But that’s not the real change. I’m talking about shedding a weight that has rested heavy on my shoulders the past two years. I know, I know, I should also shed some weight around my mid-section. But that weight on my shoulders was formidable, and now it is almost completely gone, lifting itself from my shoulders pound by pound daily over the past two months. And it has definitely changed this blog. Thank God something has. I’ll explain.
Send in the Clones
Not sure what was up with the four bald dudes (bad name for a barbershop quartet) with Trump at yesterday’s press briefing on border security.
And did they miss a major portion of Trump’s head & face with the orange make-up or tanning cream or Cheeto dust or whatever he uses to get that unnatural burnt orange hue?
Maybe we should demand he get his make-up correct before we consider giving him 5 billion dollars for a border wall.
Radio > Streaming
My oldest son thinks I’m crazy, but not for the many legitimate reasons that exist that can be used to make a solid case to question my sanity. He thinks I’m crazy because he can’t understand why I enjoy radio more than just streaming songs off a playlist. This post is for him (and maybe a set-up for a new recurring blog feature in 2019), so I hope you will enjoy it, too. We have lots of words and clickable links to come.
I love music. It has been an important part of my life since I was little. I’m not sure how that happened. I have almost zero musical talent and I swear my guitar winces whenever I pick it up. As for my voice, I regretfully admit that I have a voice made for pantomime. Regardless, I have written and arranged songs over the decades. These days I wisely stick to writing lyrics, although I always seem to have opinions about the arrangements. Here’s a favorite song of mine that I released with friends in 2017, and more info about our music is available at www.sunsetsrising.com. Looks like we’ll be releasing some new songs in 2019.
I think streaming is fine. When my son gets into my car, he’ll plug his phone in and stream new music for me that he thinks I may like. Sometimes he’s correct, and I do my best to forgive his grievous breach of automobile etiquette that clearly decrees that whoever drives controls the radio. It is the law.
I streamed (music, in case you were wondering) when we had a houseful of guests for Christmas Eve. I like my quirky Christmas songs, so I made sure my playlist had these holiday classics:
Thoughts on God
If we are all made in God’s image, does that mean God farts?
If God farts, do the farts smell?
If God’s farts smell, do they smell bad?
I have a hard time believing that the Bible is the definitive word of God when questions like those are not answered therein.
Resolute Resolutions
As I scrambled to come up with New Year’s resolutions that did not involve watching more television shows, napping, or eating more food, I referred to folk singer and activist Woody Guthrie’s 1943 New Year’s resolutions for inspiration. Take a look … Continue reading “Resolute Resolutions”
Foment the Ferment
My oldest daughter always tries to get me meaningful Christmas gifts. For example, last year she knew I was trying to eat healthy, so she bought me an herb garden. I still haven’t used it. I just haven’t had the thyme, but I hope to soon.
Wow, what a way to start the New Year, with a bad dad joke. But murder is no joking matter. This Christmas, my first-born bought me this gift which had me convinced that she may be trying to murder me.
Reflections
As I look back at all the celebrities who died in 2018, I have mixed feelings about my own lot in life. I would certainly like to be a beloved celebrity that people would miss. However, that dying part is a big stumbling block for me.
2018 Follower of the Year Award
I’m used to seeing the featured image on today’s blog, except normally with one less finger on each hand extended. But it is that time of the year to cross your fingers and hope to be the lucky one to be chosen the 2018 Jim Flanigan Looks at the World Follower of the Year. As I mentioned in a recent blog post, the 2017 winner went on to snare a high paying job in 2018. This could be you in 2019!
No, not a crossing guard, but undercover law enforcement or a drug kingpin in a speeding getaway car. Regardless of whether or not you score a high-paying job, you’ll always be the 2018 Jim Flanigan Looks at the World Follower of the Year. So, without further ado … oh, wait. We need a drumroll befitting this award.
Perfect. The 2018 Jim Flanigan Looks at the World Follower of the Year is …
Jim Flanigan Looks at the World 