John the Gnerphk

I've heard a few people mocking the new X Money feature. A couple actually complained about having been given a free $15. So give it to me as a tip. Why not? Mind you, the big complaint about the $15 is they're not allowed to withdraw it. I admit, that's mildly irritating. But on the other hand, whaddaya want for nothing — your money back? I like the idea of X having an integrated money app for a very good reason: Tips. Tips for creators. Remember those? PayPal, Stripe, BuyMeACoffee, all those places charge hefty fees for the privilege of sending money to a creator. It's profiteering, and it's a lousy thing to do. X Money will do it for free, plus they'll pay you interest on any sums you transfer. And THAT money you can withdraw again. I know, times are tough and money is tight. That's why it's more important than ever that you tip your favorite creators. There are fewer and fewer of us out there. Who can afford to invest the time these days? Gotta work two jobs just to pay the rent, plus I've got chronic illnesses, so when can I write? Which is my problem. Yours is that, if you like my stories, I've got less free time than I used to. If you like my jokes and funny signs, honest to Betsy it's tough to keep up, and I do that for fun. So if nobody sends tips and Elon doesn't suddenly gift me some sort of income stream (my numbers are NOT that good), I've got to cut back. I'm not resentful. My point here is, X Money could be exactly what all the artists who fled this site once the blue bird went away really need. Lord knows I can use it. Incidentally: My parents raised me never to ask for money. It was a taboo subject, somehow immoral to admit you're poor. I'm trying to break that early conditioning, but this was tough for me.

Drive safe out there tonight.

Enjoy.

I'm on my way to a barbecue place and I can't eat most of the food. How's your day going?

Happy Hallowe'en!

Beware. She comes!

It's time.

I know it's too soon. But he had one heck of a sense of humor. He'd have appreciated this.

It's somewhere in West Virginia, and I want to visit.

The leaves were so pretty on the trees, all yellows and reds and oranges. But then they fell and turned brown. Now ICE is detaining them. (Sorry. I know. Political. But I couldn't resist.)

THIS is why I grow out my beard.

They published my new story today. Comment after you've read it. I want to ask a question. scifishorts.co/f/0C5-JZ5N

Ah, yes. Dylan Thomas actually improves this sign. I had not thought it possible.

oooooooo ooooOOOOoooooOOOOOOoooooo

Of course you know what it is that ghost hunters wear around their legs. It's nothing special, just a paranormal pants.

When life gives you revenants...