About James Chandler

Since childhood in Minnesota, I've always been a keen observer of life. I like to capture natural beauty of granite mountains or a coastal shoreline with a camera. For the beauty of interpersonal exchanges, I use crafted words to capture the sweetness, nuance, irony, and humor of our existence. Yet I have procrastinated in creating stories behind the observations I see. First it was the need of a typewriter, or a computer, or a means of publishing, or just the race of providing for family through a corporate job. Now it is time to take what I capture, give it form and purpose, and publish it here for many to share and hopefully enjoy.

Favorite Still Each Day

Clouds circle, overcasting our minds Lives do not follow the direction of our dreams Worries, like cracks in metal, weaken our resolve Desired destinations slip out of sight.   And still, there is each day – Today! Filled with brilliance, wonders myriad to be discovered If but freed from yesterday’s … … more …

Behavioral Reinforcement

Five years. That’s how long I’ve been “training” my dog. We’re talking simple things here, like: “Come.” “Heal,” when constrained by a leash; and “Sit” he’s finally got down. But if there is any potential distraction – another dog or person in the visual vicinity – he’s gone. “Come” is … … more …

Favorite Putin’s New Groove

  Putin Resigns Presidency, Adopts New Title JC Wire, Moscow In a stunning press release today, Vladimir Putin announced his abandonment of the title of President, replacing it with that of Tsar of All Russia. Western governments responded with alarm. “The Russian people look to our head of state to … … more …

Memo to Google: Hire Life Experience

Google called me up the other day. Having sent many emails and job applications into that black hole, I was surprised. They were inviting me to participate as a handyman vendor in their upcoming roll-out of Helpouts, a call-for-advise service. The pitch would be followed by lunch and a tour … … more …

Oligarchy Achieved

Tea Party Celebrates Victory JCwire: Washington At closed door sessions in Washington and open celebrations throughout the country, the Tea Party faithful celebrated their successful transition of American Democracy to Republican Oligarchy. Effectively fulfilling their strategy of 2010 to restore minority rule, this small band of conservative outliers expressed jubilation … … more …

Favorite Put Down the Phone and Look Up!

Reality App Debuts; Getting Back to Life 1.0 JCwire: San Francisco The latest app in the smartphone wars emerged today, ironically urging users to abandon their love of the small screen in favor of a 360º view of what’s actually happening around them. “With a million apps available for each … … more …

Favorite New Teaching Mandate for Elected Officials

Teaching Mandate for Elected Officials Constitutional Change Required JCwire: Washington Momentum for a change to the U.S. Constitution gained ground today as legislators pitched their plan for a new requirement to elected office: teaching in K-12 classrooms. Supporters claimed that the skills required to broker debate and maintain order in … … more …

Favorite Supreme Court’s Assetless Ruling

Rights Revoked for Low Asset Classes JCwire, Washington In a surprise announcement today, the US Supreme Court issued it’s ruling in the Halves vs. Nada case regarding curtailment of rights to those of limited socioeconomic status. Reading for the 5-4 majority, Justice John G. Roberts stated that “the Founding Fathers … … more …

Low Tax Rates Threaten US Economy,
Global Competitiveness

Princeton, JC Wire A study released today prophesied declining managerial productivity as American executives cash in their gains from the recent recovery and retire in droves.  The Princeton Economic Review Council heralded the calamity that will soon impact GNP and US competitiveness.  Alston Freeride, group chairman, summarized the dilemma: “In … … more …

EN-CHANCING TRANSMEDIA

Skipping down the escalator at Montgomery BART station, I saw people below moving toward the siding. The train must be already there. I descended even faster, catching the train in partial view to my left. A door was open. Touching down on the platform, I turned immediately left and went … … more …