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Chuck Searches Long and Hard for Silver (or Gold) Lining

Darn, I hate pressure.

Dang it, Kevin Buddaeus. I write my style of writing because I can’t write to structure or direction, like a prompt. Definitely NOT a Silver Lining.

Now, I literally have to, like, THINK about my writing, instead of writing what pops into my tiny brain. NOT a Silver Lining. Well, maybe some of you are happy about that, KEVIN! (think Mom yelling “Kevin” in Home Alone).

Finding and watching that video, now THAT was a Silver Lining.

First, let me tag someone, for her incredibly inquisitive mind. Hopefully Holly Jahangiri hasn’t already written about this. Tag, you’re it. Bwa-ha-ha!

Without the pandemic, I never would have joined Illumination and met my new friend, Kevin Buddaeus, with whom I regularly joust (and lose)on social media (I’m a little disappointed by Doc encouraging Kevin and not me, tho. . .what’s up, Doc? Tee, hee.). . . and whose writing inspires me, and who lives in Japan, and has a lovely family, and, well, Kevin is a Silver Lining in all this.

Speaking of Illumination, the Doc and all of my fellow (is it misogynistic to include the Lay-Deez in “fellow?”) writers, readers, followers, new social media experiences, exposure to new stories, and written shows of affection in my comment sections. . .more Silver Linings. No, let’s call those GOLD Linings.

Oh, and let’s not forget the “mandatory” 50 claps per article, without which I would never have reached over a thousand claps (1.6k as of this writing)for the first time. It happened in my nationally acclaimed and soon to be a motion picture blockbuster, Captain’s Log, Crew Member Roast Reporting! Silver Lining, indeed!

Hey, Doc. You know I’m teasing about the clap-thing. Oops! I know you told me about that in confidence. Are those pills working?

Sheesh! I can’t get through one article without making a stupid, juvenile joke! Silver Lining? You tell me.

But, Doc, you’re also a Silver Lining, nope, make that Gold. How you do what you do, with the time it takes, the positivity and encouragement. . .I like it. And I feel no pressure from you. I only feel loved and nurtured. . .(Doc, is that enough praise to get featured in your next story? I feel like I might be overdoing it, this time. But, I’m still keeping the secret to getting featured.)

Unfortunately, I have a little difficulty with coming up with more Silver Linings. I know I have them. . .

I mean, I was trying to sell my house when the housing market literally stopped dead due to the pandemic. But it did give us more time to prep the house. . .hmmm? Bronze Lining.

Then, the stock market crashed wiping out a lot of my retirement accounts, probably like a lot of you. But it is slowly coming back. So far, Bronze Lining. I mean, this is supposed to be about positivity, after all.

My new stage of life has been delayed, which has tempered my excitement for the future I thought i would soon be starting.

But, even with all of those considerations, I haven’t taken up public drunkenness, though public nudity isn’t off the table. Silver lining? Eh, I guess it depends on your perspective of super hot Dad-Bods like mine. Might be a Gold Lining (when you see me naked, being arrested on the news, you’ll see why it’s a Gold Lining!)

Oh, jeez. Another juvenile joke.

I get to go to work, so I am not isolated. That’s a Silver Lining. Well, maybe a Bronze lining. I’d kinda like to be self-isolated by myself, instead of “feeling” isolated with my family. Call it another Bronze Lining. But that’s a topic for another story.

But having a job I like to go to, I am not taking for granted because so many of you have been forced out and have to stay home. So, I am thankful for that.

Learning to notice and enjoy the things that have passed by unnoticed in the past, thanks to the perspective and wonderfulicious writing of Julia E Hubbel.

Then there was Sherry McGuinn “veer(ing) from her dark side” to write about her silver linings, like cleaning the toilet without caring whether she chipped her nails. Don’t stay too long away from the dark side, Master!

Oh! Oh! And getting to do my VERY FIRST AND PROBABLY ONLY EVER Podcast interview. Yep, you heard right! I have been invited by Kristi Keller to be a guest of her new podcast, Wild Minds,

I have a couple guests lined up already, one of which will be Charles Roast. You may know him from his Dad Bods publication.

He’s a top writer in Satire. How can things go wrong?

Having said that, I want to keep my podcast schedule very regular so I’m looking for guests. IF you’re interested in being on the show please let me know. I plan to begin recording my first couple episodes this weekend.

The podcast is called Wild Minds and the feel of it is entertaining, amusing, and fun. I’m not looking for dull. We get enough of that on Medium. I’m also allowing self-promotion in my episodes so whatever you have to promote — even if it’s your own presidency — I’ll allow it.

I’m sorry, not sorry. Is that a shameless plug and self-promotion? YES! YES, IT IS! WOO-HOO!

Well, stand by. I’ll let you know when it’s done and posted. . .maybe. I’m kinda shy.

Okay, I just counted my words. That’s like, 25 minutes I’ll never get back again. There HAS to be an easier way.

I have reached around 900 (I kept losing count).

Wrap up-

Life is GOOD! Things are changing, new discoveries into our way of life will hopefully make things better in the future. We have more appreciation for our time and want to use it more personally productively. That’s a GOLD STANDARD and I hope to keep it that way.

Now, I realize I probably screwed up the whole idea of this challenge or prompt thingy, but hey, that’s what you get when you “Roast” Chuck!

Write On!

Chuck Roast is a humorist for the publication Illumination, a Top Writer in Satire, and owner/editor/writer of his own Publication, Dad-Bods, which is currently sitting idle while he develops his social media skills and gains more exposure through manipulation of said social media. Here are the links to his accounts, LinkedIn, Twitter. Now, please read the story again, only much more slowly this time. It’s how he makes his money til the strip clubs open up again. Yes, he is a male stripper, too. Thanks. Oh, and he loves comments. Please feel free to leave one, but only non-critical ones. Chuck is also very sensitive.