Good to be just inquisitive enough

There’s of course more involved, but two of the most important qualities for a journalist to have go hand in hand.

One is to be as inquisitive as possible about anything and everything. The other is to know a little bit about anything and everything.

The former has led to some of my favorite stories. I once asked a college volleyball player how she got all the way across the country to play in New Mexico. Short answer: Her sister got sick. Long answer: She and her sister played on the same high school team in California, and a junior college coach interested in her sister came to watch a match. Her sister was too sick to play, so she filled in. The coach was impressed enough to offer two scholarships to New Mexico Military Institute, and she took one of them before she ended up transferring to Eastern New Mexico University.

Of course, I’ve gotten much less interesting answers too. I forget the exact situation, but I asked the city attorney if a scenario was possible. He responded with, “That’s the biggest journalist question I’ve ever heard in my life. You know that’s never going to happen, but the answer is yes.”

I got a little inquisitive while waiting for a few people to show up to Thursday’s Clovis city commission meeting. Mayor David Lansford and Mayor Pro Tem Juan Garza had not yet arrived. In Clovis’ commission structure, the mayor runs the meeting with the mayor pro tem as backup. Well, what if neither one makes it? Do we go by length of commission service? Go alphabetically? The crisis was averted as both Lansford and Garza arrived; Garza said it would be up to whatever commissioners were at the meeting.

I know how annoying my inquisitive nature can be, because I’ve seen the looks on people’s faces when I’m inquisitive in my daily life. When I’m asking about city policy, I can say I’m doing my job. But I don’t have that excuse in my daily life.

The last three-plus months have seen me make a commitment to visiting the gym every day. I haven’t noticed much difference on the scale, but I also consider Cocoa Puffs to be a food group.

Most people are more than willing to explain an exercise, or what gear they like, or what that supplement is they’re drinking. And the front desk workers have to explain stuff.

Me: “So when I check in with my card, how much information is in there?”

Front Desk: “It just tracks how often you’ve been here.”

Me: “OK, how far back does it go? Would it know I’ve made it here 94 of the last 95 days?”

FD: “Not on the main screen, but we could look that up.”

Me: “OK, so if I was a suspect in a homicide investigation, and the crime was determined to be committed at the same time I was working out on, say, June 26, that information would be available.”

FD: “It would take a little bit of checking, but yes.”

Long pause.

Me: “For the record, I’m not anticipating needing an alibi ... well, see ya later.”

I don’t know how many questions makes one inquisitive. But it’s always one less than it takes for a situation to become awkward.

Kevin Wilson is editor of The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact him at:

[email protected]