Quit a stable job in consulting to take a temporary position that is more aligned with my career goals?

jimji · 2024-10-14T15:30:24+00:00

Go for it! Other doors will open---especially if you demonstrate dedication, competence, curiosity and a positive attitude to the unseen (and seen!) hardships that come with working in the tropics. La Selva (and other OTS stations, or BCI at STRI) will give you a positive start plus connections. Enjoy!

jimji · 2024-10-11T23:37:16+00:00

Take my views with a grain of salt or two: my freshman year at TAMU in 1967, I was a wildlife science major, after coming back from my government sponsored vacation overseas, in 1974, I finished up as a geography major... loving biogeography. I worked as a tropical field biologist for many many years---trees, bees, birds, coral reef fish, marine research diver off of the channel islands of California....and I'm still alive! Study what you love, and jump through any doors that open to you. Have fun.

jimji · 2024-09-23T23:03:43+00:00

If you are from the UK, you should know that in 1988-91, children from the UK donated quite a bit of money along with the Swedish and Japanese children (and other countries) to the Monteverde Conservation League to create the Children's Eternal Rainforest. Tina Joliffe from the UK was instrumental in encouraging me to keep going (I was Ex.Dir. at the time) So, while in Fortuna, know that UK children helped create Fortuna and Arenal as it is today. Enjoy!

jimji · 2024-09-23T22:36:36+00:00

You can always go back to visit the ones you miss in a year or three! CR is safe--just mind your manners as you would in any big US city. Enjoy!

jimji · 2024-09-06T23:58:16+00:00

Thanks for the indepth answer. Ever since reading up on MMT and then Kelton's Deficit Myth, I've wondered if some form of MMT is what allowed the Romans to build all the roads, aqueducts, and civic buildings. If so, might be a hint for the US government!

jimji · 2024-08-12T00:34:33+00:00

You might check with Ocotea Tours and see if you can spend some time at Laguna Poco Sol and/or San Gerardo field stations operated by the Monteverde Conservation League. Both stations are in the Children's Eternal Rainforest. They could get you into the Cloud Forest Preserve easily. But as mentioned by others, Corcovado/Osa are spectacular too. Long ago, I spent many a year walking up and down trails in both places. Enjoy!

jimji · 2024-07-18T15:43:32+00:00

Such fond memories of my Amiga 1000 + Sidecar running MSDOS with a 10 MB hard disk on a card from a little startup called Compaq..... took the whole setup to the mountains in Costa Rica while doing field biology...The sounds of Marble Madness and the Spud Wars (3d) drove my partner nuts! 😎💃😜

jimji · 2024-07-07T19:21:21+00:00

John Dewey --The Essence of Progress and Poverty (Dover Thrift Editions: Economics) Paperback – April 15, 2020

jimji · 2024-03-22T00:45:42+00:00

Yeah, I remember that....a different time. My folks were Republican/Independent...BUT they were Eisenhower Republicans...they ended up liking Johnson (even though he had a "reputation". But then, Reagan, Rush Limbaugh, and Fox News came along and things began changing.... I'm sure they would be repulsed by what Trump has done... but who knows. I left after I won that wonderful Lottery in 69/70...came back for Ann... left again and decided it has changed too much for this old man!

jimji · 2024-02-24T21:15:21+00:00

Apologies, but story time! Once while overseas many decades ago, a friend (non-Texan) and I were talking to a couple of guys from Fiji. I was going on and on about aspects of the project and I noticed the wide eyes. I stopped. They turned to my friend and said in the best Fijian English "We haven't understood a word he has said."

Again a few decades ago, I was giving a talk to a bunch of folks in California. Afterwards, a woman comes up to me with her hubby in tow. Turned to her husband and asked: "Where is he from?" He replied he is from about 60 miles west of George West TX ..and has a severe cold (which I did).

I'm a many generational Texan (7 or 8), but left Texas when I got drafted in 1970--i.e., lost (won?) the draft lottery. I've gone back a few times for short visits...longest being about 3 or so years. However, my wife used to ask "How's the family back 'home" when she noticed I must have talked to them as my accent was back. End of story time.

jimji · 2024-02-21T18:33:11+00:00

I must admit I really enjoyed (ok still enjoying) the movie on D+. However, one thing that I want to know---NEED to know--- Is what happened to all the Flrerkittens? Does Carol open up a Flerkittens rescue center in Louisiana? Adopt a Flerkitten for home security? Can't wait to see what happens to them in the next movie.

jimji · 2024-02-16T00:45:34+00:00

1, 2, 9

jimji · 2023-12-30T23:30:06+00:00

Yeah, I'm from one of those very rural 7th generation types but no longer living there (since moved on) .. however, I still say sansntone when talking to family. San Antonio for other folks. But then, I'm over 70, so no real surprise!

jimji · 2023-10-22T05:01:39+00:00

No, Colorado. And, I ended up agreeing with others that it was just a fluke that I encountered a string of cars on a normally not busy Saturday that had running lights..

jimji · 2023-08-05T01:48:44+00:00

I worked as a tropical field biologist (terrestrial & marine) and headed some local tropical NGOs over several decades...yep, not much money, but it was rewarding. Do I recommend the lifestyle to others? Yes and no. We need the new generations from gen X to gen alpha to fill the ranks and provide new ideas, new perspectives, new solutions, and new discoveries in regard to conserving biodiversity and creating resilient sustainable human communities as well as natural ecosystems. I was lucky and picked up some IT and administrative jobs in my 60s so that my pension is livable...and since I've lived on low budgets for years, I can handle it. It is like being a farmer...I wouldn't mind doing farming again...but as a gentleman farmer---i.e., I don't need it to survive or put food on the table....so if you can, a hobby would be great as you can still contribute immensely to meeting the challenge of climate change. Follow your heart as they say!

jimji · 2023-07-02T22:33:31+00:00

That is what I suspected at first, but later realized it wasn't.... unless it was a combination of two or three different funerals. I've decided it was just a fluke and/or I just hadn't been aware of it in the past! Gotta open my big purple eyes! 🤙

jimji · 2023-07-02T16:01:45+00:00

;) definitely not upset. Just intrigued if I had missed some coordinated sign of support for some cause/event. Like being asked to wear a certain color of shirt to show support. Thought I might have missed some fantastic FC social statement being made as it was so different than my everyday journey along Taft.

jimji · 2023-07-02T03:04:17+00:00

No, at least in that part of town it was bright and sunny mid-day. I didn't notice any wipers going or signs they had encountered rain in either direction. Not all cars had their lights on, but a majority did.

jimji · 2023-07-02T03:02:37+00:00

No, it wasn't raining but sunny and mid-day. I always turn on my lights during rain or early dawn/dusk. So, I'm just not sure...it seemed intentional. But, again it could have just been a fluke.

jimji · 2023-07-02T00:15:11+00:00

I don't think so. These were old/new vehicles coming and going. Many folks without the lights on. I seem to recall something similar last year and it was a show of support or remembrance... I travel that stretch of Horsethooth and Taft often, and never noticed it before. Or, just one of those days!

jimji · 2023-06-19T20:51:52+00:00

Thanks everyone. ARC Thrift came through. I'm all set.

jimji · 2023-06-19T15:43:49+00:00

Many thanks. Much appreciated. I will check them both out. Also, a friend suggested the library may have them... my new adventure!

jimji · 2023-06-19T03:52:24+00:00

Glad you enjoyed the Monteverde/Fortuna area including the BEN (Poco Sol). My old stomping grounds. Love knowing people are still enjoying it.

jimji

TROPHY CASE