On Writer’s Block Buster

Boys,

Every so often, I have a hard time figuring out what to write to you. I am approaching 100 posts, and I have a post for that one. But I’m having a hard time getting there because I just can’t seem to find anything worthwhile to say to you. Most writers experience this from time to time.

So, to bust this writer’s block, I am going to do a little writing experiment. As of 2025, when you use the URL search bar as a google search, it will try to “guess” what it is you are going to ask it. It probably has something to do with AI and/or “the algorithm” or some combination of the two. I was writing another post when I started to search for something. I typed in, “what’s it called when” and below is what my laptop thought I was going to search for…

Those are nine very different things (none of which, by the way, were anywhere close to what I was going to actually search for). So, for a fun writing and thought experiment, I’m going to Power Rank those nine prompts in the order in which I would least likely to most likely actually search for that phrase.

9. What’s it called when the air bubbles in a whirlpool

This is the most off-base because even if there was a discussion amongst friends and someone said, “hey what’s it called when the air bubbles in a whirlpool?” I think my mind would start to wonder about my golf swing takeaway or what the price of Bitcoin is currently. To me, the question is the answer. The air bubbles in a whirlpool are air bubbles in a whirlpool. No need to involved google in that one.

8. What’s it called when you don’t eat

Full disclosure, I’m dabbling in some once-per-week fasting, so I’m not shocked this one popped up. That said, it’s called fasting. I wouldn’t google search “what’s 4 + 6” because I already know the answer.

7. What’s it called when you talk to yourself

We all do it. Does it have a name? Maybe. Worth checking to see if there is a name for it? Maybe. Could I see myself doing it? Maybe. I kind of feel like I’m talking to myself right now, actually. But like the bubbles in the whirlpool, it’s not really something I think about or would feel the need to assign a name to. I don’t think, “hey, Jacob sure does talk to himself a lot. What’s that called?” I’d probably just say the first part and shrug it off. Jacob gonna do Jacob sometimes and we’ll leave it at that.

6. What’s it called when you can’t sleep

I could see myself searching for this — it’s like you know the word but you’re drawing a blank. Like, you have a hard time falling asleep. You’re tired, but you can’t shut it down completely. In… Insommeleir? No. Screw it I’ll just google it.

5. What’s it called when god comes back

Where did this conversation start? That is the more interesting thing. Are we talking about the rapture? Was I in some kind of conversation where someone convinced me that god left? Seems abstract, but color me intrigued. Here is what ChatGPT came up with when I asked it to generate a picture with that prompt:

4. What’s it called when you like pain

I’m putting this one at four because if I put it any higher, I feel like I’d get some comments from some people close to me and some looks from people outside that inner-circle of friends. Be that as it may, this seems like a logical question and maybe I’m writing something where I need to reference a certain subset of people, okay? Did you ever think about that? Get off my back, geez.

3. What’s it called when cancer comes back

Well, is there a name for it? This one is a little dark, but after my last post, I can see why google would think this is something I might search for. Now, it’s not something I like to think about often, but I talk to a lot of sick people at work and it’s something very relevant to our neighborhood. So I can see the why, even if I don’t like it.

2. What’s it called when you sweat a lot

Listen, have I dabbled in some clinical strength deodorant in the past? Yes. Do I get nervous during certain conversations and sweat a little more than I usually do? Maybe. Did your mom ask me why I was sweating so much when I got knocked out of the poker tournament a week ago, and was it in front of a few people? And did she then rub my forehead like I was a child with a runny nose and then make a comment about how “oily” I was only to have me acknowledge I was sweaty and then have to answer as to why I was sweaty, to which I replied because I made an aggressive play in the tournament and when I got called, it’s like getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar and maybe I sweated a little bit because of it and let’s move on and talk about something else….no. That scene definitely didn’t play out in that way at all.

1. What’s it called when you can’t feel pain

Now we’re cooking with gas. What is it called? Do people really not feel pain? If they don’t feel pain, do they feel exhaustion? Does it make you a superhero? Or, are you more vulnerable to attacks because you might be hurt and not even know it? Do you use anesthesia during an operation? Would you accept it just for the fun of it or tell them you don’t feel pain? Is there a procedure to correct this lack of feeling and would you do it if you were given the choice? This type of questions really stirs the soul and I’m here for it. Well done, google. Well done.

Anyway, not all posts are meant to be serious and not all posts are meant to teach you something or give you much insight into me. Sometimes, you just have to go down a path you know doesn’t lead you anywhere just to see what you’ll discover along the way. Anyway, if nothing else, maybe something in here made you smile and that is good enough for me.

Love,

Dad

PS – it’s called “analgesia.”