It’s a 21st-century, cyber-world phenomenon, and it has reached pandemic proportions. Nearly everyone I know — with the exception of a few people who refuse or can’t bear to follow the daily news — is suffering from it. In text-speak, on a more personal level, it’s called “TMI”: Too Much Information. For news junkies like myself, I call it “IO”: Information Overload.

Much of my online doodling consists of my personal reactions to, and commentaries on, the day’s events. I’ve gotten into the habit of scanning the headlines for interesting items two or three times a day, in addition to checking out the little news flashes that pop up on my screen with disturbing regularity. And, depending on what I find and what mood I happen to be in that day, I begin writing my next day’s articles.

It is now 9:15 p.m. on Monday, August 25th, and I have compiled a list of five newsworthy events that have caused me enough concern, or simply pissed me off sufficiently, to inspire a response. Their headlines are:

> “How Russia is trying to win over the world beyond the West.” (BBC)

> “[Supreme Court Justices] Gorsuch and Kavanaugh warn lower court judges in Trump cases.” (CNN)

> “Trump signs executive order establishing ‘specialized’ National Guard units to address crime in cities.” (CNN)

> “Kilmar Abrego Garcia sues to fight deportation to Uganda after being detained by ICE.” (CNN)

> “Trump orders removal of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook.” (BBC)

I tried the “eenie-meenie-miney-mo” approach to choosing the most important subjects, but it didn’t work. They’re all vital; they’re all infuriating; and taken together, they’re too much.

So I had decided to wait until midnight, file this list as my first post of the day, and not deal with any of it until morning when hopefully I would be in a better mood. And then this alert popped up on my phone:

> “The Plan to Make Hooters ‘Delightfully Tacky’ Again.” (Wall Street Journal)

Okay, it’s not earthshaking news. But it’s somewhat enticing, it’s fun, and it took my mind — even momentarily — off of the bad stuff. So I’m still going to call it an early day; but at least I now know what my next topic will be. It won’t be about wars, or Donald Trump, or Vladimir Putin, or any of the world’s other current madness. It will be about these . . . er, sorry . . . this:

And if that doesn’t make you smile . . . well, all I can offer you is my sympathy; you may be even more depressed than I am.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
8/26/25 (12:01 a.m.)