JimFormation · I’ve Been Thinking …

Albums and Records

Today my wife said, “Dave Matthews is going to release a new album, no CD, no album, no CD! Never mind. I never know what to call it anymore.”

As far as I’m concerned, he’s releasing an album on compact disc and there’s probably going to be a single or two. No 45’s though. No B-Side either.

Of Boys, Swords, and Balloon Animals

Men are messed up. It starts early.

25 Random Things

This was written in response to two posts at websites that I frequent: Deb Smouse and a big victory. It’s a couple of dozen things that just slipped out of my brain and onto the page.

I wrote it because no one read my jiu-jitsu post.

It’s Not Jiu-Jitsu (A Eulogy)

I’ve began studying Brazilian Jiu-jitsu after an 18 year lay-off.

What I’m learning now and what I was being taught then are not the same thing. It’s not the fault of my new instructor (he is an excellent man and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner); and it’s not Helio’s fault. There is no fault. Things evolve. The Laws of Unintended Consequences always apply.

The day after Helio Gracie’s death, I wrote this essay.

My Sister-In-Law’s Boobs

Kids are insatiably curious. My little nephew was curious about surgery. Little did he realize his questions would run headlong into his mom’s boobs.

If I Had a Million Dollars

I’ve talked about this before. I’ve even used the same introduction (I only have so many stories). But I take this in a different direction. What would you do for a million dollars? I just read in the paper today that Andy Pettitte wouldn’t pitch for the Yankees for that, but he would for $5.5 million plus incentives!

Abortions. Naturally.

This is my spin on abortion. I’m telling you up front, I come to no conclusions and don’t feel compelled to do so.

I have concluded, though, that many anti-abortion-types are just as nuts as many of the pro-abortion-types.

Key Lime Cookies, Pop Tarts, and Iraq

Most of us know at least one person has served in Iraq or Afghanistan. What we don’t always take into account is the private and personal struggles that each person serving goes through. Maybe this opens the door a little and shines a crack of light on what it must be like.

While in Iraq, my bro-in-law’s best friend died.

The Joke

I love a bad joke. I really do. But I hate that I tell jokes poorly. My timing is awful. I rush to the punchline and then stammer when I get there.

This is the story of me telling a joke. As usual, it didn’t go well.

Ten Rules of Parenting

At best, children are messy guests that never leave; at worst, they are enemy combatants armed with dirty bombs that infiltrate your household with subterfuge and diversion. Even at that, we love them and we have to care for them. These are some of my rules for caring.