Tag: chicago

Is This Really an Edible Thing?

~ Jim Flanigan

As I traveled through central America on business this past week, I encountered a strange food choice. No, not roasted tarantula.

tarantula

I wasn’t in Central America, but central America. Yes, St Louis again. Sigh! I was at the counter of a Jack in the Box fast food restaurant. Although that is a misnomer as I have found that fast food outside of greater Chicagoland is not really fast. In Chicago, we expect someone to be holding our bag of food next to the counter person BEFORE we even place our order. Once I get outside the greater Chicago area, life slows down a bit and I have gotten used to waiting for my “fast” food.

And wait I did at this Jack in the Box. All hell was breaking loose as I waited for my fish sandwich with about 15 other people waiting for their food. At one point, the counter dude yelled out “Who’s angry and wants a refund?” While I waited bemusedly, my eagle eyes spotted this sign about 10 feet directly in front of me at the counter …

Continue reading “Is This Really an Edible Thing?” →

Marching with Women

~ Jim Flanigan

I would be remiss if I didn’t blog about my experiences at the Women’s March in Chicago yesterday where I, my wife, two of my daughters, some dear friends and about 300,000 other people rallied and marched. Last year was incredibly warm with a temperature at 60F degrees and drew 250,000 to Chicago. This year, it was still unseasonably warm, getting close to 50F, and 300,000 came. I love Chicago and the spirit of the people of Chicago. It is truly one of the great cities of the world. But before marching, the most important thing I had to do was to  fix my hat.

Continue reading “Marching with Women” →

I Finished a Marathon!

~ Jim Flanigan ~ 2 Comments

This weekend, I finished a marathon. In fact, I went beyond the traditional 26.2 mile marathon distance and did 27.5 miles. Now you may not believe me since in May I was proudly blogging about walking 2 miles. But I have proof! Take a look …

Continue reading “I Finished a Marathon!” →

How I Spent My Summer Vacation & Other Musings Upon My Wife’s Return

~ Jim Flanigan

My wife and youngest daughter just spent a week in Denver visiting family and hiking in the mountains as a summer vacation. I spent a week home alone with my 2 college-age children and 2 geriatric dogs as my summer vacation. Guess who drew the short straw on that one? But I tried to make the best of it, and although I am not sure if I made the “best” of it, I think I at least made the “better” of it. Here’s how …

Continue reading “How I Spent My Summer Vacation & Other Musings Upon My Wife’s Return” →

Bigly Remarks

~ Jim Flanigan

Obama speaks chicago

Another Edition of “Am I a Bad Guy?”

~ Jim Flanigan

I play the “Am I a Bad Guy?” game a lot.

  • Am I a bad guy for taking the last of the (insert favorite food here) from the pantry or refrigerator?

  • Am I a bad guy for not paying my car insurance bills on time, waiting until I get a “last notice before cancellation” letter in the mail simply because I think rates are too high?

  • Part 1: Am I a bad guy for yelling at the dog who dropped a load in the house even though I know I should have taken him out hours ago? Part 2: Am I a bad guy for moving to another room in the house, pretending I don’t see the load, hoping my wife will see it and take care of it?

  • Am I a bad guy for not raking leaves in the fall and hoping a windy day will blow my yard’s leaves into a neighbor’s yard?

Sadly, I could go on and on with examples of this game I play. I’m now playing the game again, but this time YOUR life could depend upon my answer.

Continue reading “Another Edition of “Am I a Bad Guy?”” →

Chicago Proud Today

~ Jim Flanigan

Let me see if I have this straight. Donald Trump mocked Bernie Sanders when protesters interrupted campaign appearances of Sanders last summer.

Continue reading “Chicago Proud Today” →

Autumn is a “Fall”se Prophet

~ Jim Flanigan ~ 2 Comments

Sweat shirt & sweater weather! Football & the World Series! Pumpkin pie & apple cider! Halloween & Thanksgiving! Doesn’t autumn sound wonderful?

Autumn
Autumn. Great, huh?

Continue reading “Autumn is a “Fall”se Prophet” →