Category Archives: Idle Ruminations

A bite of the Big Apple

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Jim

I renewed my love/hate relationship with New York City last weekend when I flew in for a two-day nonprofit board meeting. Even though I spent about as much time on American Airlines’ flying cattle cars as in the meeting, I … Continue reading →

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Being an author

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Jim

I’ve been writing for money since I was 19 but officially became an author last year when my neighbor and I published a book. Always thought it would be cool to be an author… I smoke a pipe and everything. … Continue reading →

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Cinco de Mayo on the Old Town Plaza

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Jim

I spent a pleasant Cinco de Mayo afternoon pretending to sell books on Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza. The plaza, traditional center of every Hispanic town, is one of my favorite places. For those of you in Anglo territory, picture a … Continue reading →

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Theocracy and marshmallow Peeps

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Jim

I spent Easter listening to Handel’s Messiah, eating marshmallow Peeps and watching the world celebrate the Resurrection (except for the folks at Google who resurrected Cesar Chavez instead). I wound up scratching my head about the way religion keeps popping … Continue reading →

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It doesn’t have to make sense (corporate edition)

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Jim

My experience in the Navy was good preparation for a career in a giant corporation. That’s because both government and corporate bureaucracies do well-intentioned things that turn out to be idiotic and comical. The Dilbert comic strip has a big … Continue reading →

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Eating my way through Chicago

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Jim

I just returned from a visit to my hometown of Chicago. I get back to Chicago about once a year to reconnect with friends and relations and, on this trip, spend Thanksgiving with my kids. My secondary agenda, however, is … Continue reading →

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A lawn grows in the desert

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Jim

I bought a rain gauge for my garden a month ago and finally got enough rain to measure: almost two-tenths of an inch. That’s a big deal because Albuquerque averages only 9.4 inches of precipitation a year – compared to … Continue reading →

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God save the Queen (and her grandkids, too)

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Jim

At the risk of visualizing the Founding Fathers rotating in their hallowed graves, I’ve been enjoying the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. Just as everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, even the most patriotic Americans can get sentimental when … Continue reading →

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Thank you for your service

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Jim

Being a veteran is trendy in New Mexico. When I wear my U.S. Navy Retired ballcap, people walk up to me on the street and thank me for my service. That surprises me every time because veterans of my generation … Continue reading →

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A walk on the handicapped side

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Jim

The Boomer generation is destined to be the handicapped parking generation. I got my handicapped parking pass sooner than expected. Happily, it’s temporary. The blue placard with the wheelchair logo is the result of my first snowshoe hike in the … Continue reading →

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