56 hours later. Oh, and google?

So, as of last night, I have worked at Journal Communications 56 hours. That’s some kind of milestone. Really, because it’s 7 days.

Today, I have spent my time balancing business and people’s feelings, and wishing that the two never became entwined because it would honestly make life easier. Let’s be honest. Some people are better at some things than others. Case in point: I would be a horrible accounting person. There’s a reason that I avoided those classes in college… and only showed up for half of Accounting 202 (thank God there was no attendance policy.)  Am I ok with being accounting-challenged? Sure. Totally fine with it. Do I understand that the accounting people have policies in place to make their lives (and ours) easier even though it may seem like it’s more difficult in my head? Yes.

Anyway… I don’t want to get into any specific discussion, because, again… I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings… but sometimes, we all need to remember (myself included) that it’s just business and after 5 o’clock, technically,  we should drop it and enjoy the time that God has given us away from our place of employment.

My new GOOGLE theory: Basically… Google used to serve an awesome purpose. It helped you find what you needed pronto. That was before everyone had a web site, blog, profile, etc. Now, I search for vacation and everything from hotels to the making of a shrimp captain pops up in the results. Is there anyway to google  my google?

The little girl who changed her world.

Audrey Caroline Smith

I couldn’t even begin to tell the story of Audrey. Her mom and dad do an amazing job.

Visit “Bring The Rain.” http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

Grab a box of tissues. I promise you won’t be the same.

Smoothie King and Velvet Elvis

Two Things:

1. I love Smoothie King. It makes me so happy that I just want to tell everyone to go and I would love to buy stock in it. That’s all about that.

2. Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell – We are reading this in my small group. I read it everyday on my lunch break, and today I opened it up, and Rob Bell said,

This community was exploding with creativity and life – it was like people woke up on Sunday morning and asked themselves, “What would I like to do today more than anything else? How about going to a church service?”

I could not get my mind around this at first.

This concept was so new and fresh – people who gathered because they wanted to.

There wasn’t a race of empty ritual or obligation anywhere in the place. I felt like I was going to see my favorite band. The anticipation. The fact that I would do whatever it took to get there. It didn’t matter how far away I had to park. The bond I had with the other people in the room.

Not “I have to” but “I get to.”

Not obligation but celebration.

Not duty but desire.

It’s crazy to me that someone can be feeling the same way about their church as I feel about mine. I find it encouraging to know that true community is happening everywhere. People gathering out of love for one another – to share in each other’s pain and happiness – to worship – to pray – to have joy – to help – to know what it is to be loved by my Jesus.

I am so thankful for my family at Cross Point. I am so glad that we can come together out of desire. I am so glad that there is no pressure to be a certain way or any need to argue about the things that God doesn’t want us to argue about. I am so glad that Cross Point is about community and about doing and not just saying.

I am not writing this blog to brag about my church, although, I think it’s pretty great. I am writing this to say that there’s a place for you. There’s a family for you, that wants to love you and care about what you are doing and what you think. And, if you don’t have that yet, you are more than welcome to join mine.

Happy Friday!

Tulips, The Decor Police, and Prayer.

As everyone knows by now, rarely do I blog without going off on a random tangent. The first tangent being: I love blogging, but don’t know how to fit in into my schedule without cutting into the five hours of sleep that I  struggle to get every night… which would be why I guess I only blog once a week… so the record says. Bleck. I want to change that.

Second Tangent, Point A: I started my new job this week… and it’s been bittersweet, happy-sad. What does that mean? Well, my new boss did leave me tulips on my desk. She’s sweet. Tulips are my favorite flower. She didn’t know that, but kudos to her for choosing so well. So… that’s the sweet-happy. What else does it mean? I miss my Word Family. A lot. I caught myself emailing my old boss yesterday… like four times. Shaun, Lisa, Jeremy, Jordan, Ruthie… the people that I saw daily… I took their friendships for granted and it made me cry last night. Croc tears. It’s not to say that I won’t end up building those same relationships here… it’s just bitter-sad. Second Tanget, Point B: My new office is amazingly beautiful. It looks like an office that you’d see in a movie… kinda like where Mel Gibson works in “What Women Want”… NOT like in “Office Space.” It’s very contemporary and it makes me feel like a grown up. The only drawback–there’s the Decor  Police. That’s not really what they are called… but it’s a group of people making sure you don’t clutter your desk. You can’t have funky picture frames, or weird lamps, or lanterns hanging from the ceiling like I did at Warner. It’s an adjustment for sure. Makes me miss Lady J…

Third Tangent: I go through seasons of struggling to pray… Which is frustrating because I REALLY want to… I just sometimes don’t even know where to start or what to say. Last night, my best reminded me that God hears my heart… that I can just say that exact thing to him… like, God, I don’t even know why I am upset or what’s frustrating me… but you know my heart and only You can bring me peace. Do you ever feel like that? Do you ever want to talk to God but aren’t even sure what to talk about?

Overrated or not?

As overrated as everyone says that indie rock is… I can’t seem to help but like it. There, I am fessing up. Maybe it just reminds me of good times with crazy people. Maybe it’s because it reminds me of summer, warm breezes, late nights, and lots of patio sitting. I can’t really put my finger on it… but it makes me happy, if only for a moment.

Local Nashville People to listen to:

Tommy and The Whale

Ricky Young

Pico vs. Island Trees

Eric Wilson

Love it or hate it… it put me in a good mood today. Maybe it’s because I work for a label and sometimes (not for all of us) I think that we forget that it’s just music. I love music… but it gets complicated and that makes it hard to really enjoy and that frustrates me. So, back to complex simplicity.

I also decided today that I was boycotting the stupid chilly silliness that we have been experiencing. As girly as this my sound, I want to wear cute spring dresses and sandals. Problem: When it climbs above 50 degrees outside, Warner decides to set the air inside at 15 below… making dresses and sandals unbearable. Solution: Cute sweater, space heater, and fleece blanket. You think that I am kidding? I wore a jacket over my dress, turned my space heater up to 80 degrees on high to warm up my sandaled-feet, and brought a light blue fleece blanket to cover up my sundress-exposed legs. Yep. Luckily, the blanket matches my shoes.

I worked out this morning. Yay.

It’s sunny outside. Smiles.

I am cleaning out my desk and realized how much work we really did do this past year. Rewarding and sad at the same time.

I have a new phrase that you will probably hear me use: “Tossed Together Terrificness.” How’s that for alliteration? You can thank Ms. Esch for that.

It’s almost COB (Jeremy Holley-coined-term) Wednesday. Sigh.

I like the whole idea of being “captivated.” It just seems so whimsical and happy and peaceful and exciting. I know that I sound like I am speaking to a class on philosophy. Listen to Shawn McDonald’s song, “Captivated,” and then tell me if you get what I’m saying. I love it. It’s freeing and amazing and joyous. Happy sigh.

I am excited for summertime and all that it brings like warmth, sunshine, cookouts, running outside, late sunsets, happiness, greenery, and fun late nights out on the town… why is it easier to do that in the summer than in the winter? Staying out until 2 am and having to wake up in the summer is 100 times easier than doing the same thing in the middle of January. Is it because we were trained that way by our parents when we were living at home and in school?

Wow. Random today.

Enjoy the sunshine…

Calling all artists looking for management…

Really… how does that not appeal to everyone? And, could I make that title any longer?

Lisa Milone

Artist Manager

Blank Slate Entertainment

p: 615.419.5139 aim: leesuh1234

e: lisa@blankslateentertainment.com

This girl is amazing.

There’s my tip for the day

Letter to Mary M. Manager

Well… what to say about Tuesday… I am not letting myself be negative for the sake of myself and others… SO… here goes:

• It’s not Monday.
• It’s one day closer to Friday.
• Tomorrow is the middle of the week.
• Technically, it’s half-over.
• It’s Sunny outside… and not literally freezing.
• I have made it through the day without coffee… which is not helping the non-debbie-downer attitude solely because I feel like I need a nap.
• It’s a spring-time Tuesday. I am not very good at this, am I???

Well… let’s move on, then… major life changes for Rachel.

• I am now an employee of American Eagle. Random, I know.
• I am leaving my job at Warner… which is happy and sad and scary and raises a million questions about my sanity…
• I am now an employee of Journal Communications.
• I have fun things planned for Thursday and it’s getting me through my week. I don’t know if this necessarily constitutes a major life change…
• I have a letter to uptight bosses everywhere (and no, not mine…seriously)
• Dear Mary Manager,

As much as you think that this issue is what makes the world rotate on its axis, I unfortunately have to inform you that it doesn’t. I know it’s shocking. I know. Please take a minute to take in what I just told you. It has come to my attention that there’s a need for an intervention, and I have taken it upon myself to give you one… basically because you can’t fire me, but can fire my dear friend in need of expressing these sentiments. Let’s go over the basics:

1. Yelling at a machine recording your voice prior to discussing previous events leading up to the irrational anger will not boost employee morale. Nope. Sorry. No arguments. This is management 101. Let’s learn to keep our tempers at a reasonable level shall we? Talking through the situation and applying logic and reason through amicable communication may be more successful, and shall I dare say, motivating and encouraging?

2. Credit cards will not save the clothing industry. Side note: Let’s take a trip back to the basic research principles of marketing. To whom are we selling? What are we selling? Where are we selling? What are our price points? Who are our competitors in the immediate surrounding areas? What does it take to obtain a credit card? Who is the typical credit card holder? Ok. Let’s dig a little deeper… more theoretical: What does the American economy currently look like? Is obtaining credit currently an issue? Yes. That’s what I thought. I shall say no more about this topic.

3. You will only earn the respect of your employees… from managers to the peon clothing folders… if you respect them. Everyone has a job. Everyone’s job is important. Step down off the throne for a minute and remember how hard it was to be that person trying to sell $300 of clothing to a 13 year old with a grumpy mother. Take a deep breath. Are your employees trying? Does everyone have a rough week now and again? Are your employees trying to do five jobs at once while now walking on hot coals because you breathed fire all over the place? I thought so.

4. Doing a good job under reasonable pressure is acceptable, and I would venture to even say healthy. Doing a good job while avoiding the flames of your wrath probably has employees more concerned about staying out of your way instead of thinking of ways to improve their performance.

This is just bringing things to light, Mary Manager. This is not intended to insult you, your management skills, or the “way you do things.” This is just flipping the switch and shining light upon the numerous ways that you may improve communication with your fellow employees–meant to be helpful and not hurtful.

Best Regards,

Compassionate Friend refusing to sign her real name for fear that you would poke holes in my new t-shirt I bought using the credit card you made me apply for.

Weekend Highlights.

Here are the highlights of the weekend:

Friday: My evening’s plans fell through, so I spent some time by myself. I know it sounds depressing… it’s not, really. Sometimes, especially after a long week, I need a night to wind down and chill. SO… I painted my toe nails, drank fantabulous (made up word, I know) coffee, read a magazine, and watched a movie before hitting the sack early.

Saturday: My super-talented friend did my hair. Then, we went birthday present shopping, house hunting, and when those two things started to go haywire, we went down to the honky tonks. Now, don’t go making assumptions just yet. We went to purchase some boot scootin’ boots… and did we ever… three pairs later… Quick letter to landlords everywhere:

Dear Landlord,

While I know that you are going to be exclusive in who you choose to allow rent your available residences, please understand that for those of us out of college, not in a fraternity, hard-working, responsible people, we would like to live somewhere reasonably priced, clean, and safe. By reasonably priced, I don’t mean cheap, nor do I mean expensive… I mean an appropriate rent for the space in which you are renting.

Please allow me to tell you what would be a bad first impression: If I show up with my future roommate to view said property, I would expect it to be in at least a fair condition and expect you to be coherent and knowledgeable and friendly. The following things do NOT constitute a good visit:

• Showing the property while so intoxicated that 1. you are slurring your words 2. you cannot walk through the property without tripping and 3. smelling so much like vodka and jack that when you breathe, you are liable to knock me over.
• Being able to see the actual dirt foundation under said property.
• Having four men undress my roommate and I with their eyes while working on their pick-up in the front yard.
• Mumbling every time either potential renter asks you any valid question.
• Exposed 2×4’s
• Mousetraps
• Shredded drapes
• Sagging floorboards.

Now, I am quite positive that people would love to live in the area in which your house sits. However, you are asking too much. You may be better off paying them to help you out.

Best Regards,

me.

Anyway… continuing with Saturday: After the rewarding purchases in Tourist-Nashville, it was time for the “One and Only’s” birthday. Let me tell you, Miss Anna knows how to plan a throw-down. Her party was the most fun I have had in months. I met some fun new friends and got to know acquaintances much better, and got to wear my boots!

Sunday: Three hours sleep on Saturday night made caffeine necessary Sunday morning. I went to church, cried through the saddest, most moving video that I have ever seen, cried through a convicting message, then ventured back out to find the perfect present. Sometimes, I am ok with gift cards… not this time. After finding it (and trying to get a Popsicle from the closed Popsicle shop), I headed off to my Ellie’s Run meeting. Trust me, you’ll hear more about this soon… Then, back to church… and home to bed.

I don’t know why I felt the need to share every detail… but, there you have it.

me.

Understanding “TGIF”

When I was in elementary school there was this Friday night TV series of shows/segment/2 hours of TV titled, “TGIF.” I don’t ever think of the restaurant, only the TV series… which honestly probably hasn’t been around for 10 years. Anyway… as I have grown up and gotten old, I guess that I know why people are so excited for weekends. I am going to stop there. I have set a goal for myself to stop complaining when 1) things don’t go my way, 2) I can’t fix what happens to be broken because a) it’s not mine to fix and/or b) it’s out of my control. How’s that for organization/positive thinking?

Milestones this week/thus far in my life… why not?

* My car hit 97,000 miles. Wow and crud and better start saving… ha.

* I realized that EVERYWHERE I have been has totally had a purpose/part in getting me where I am now. EVEN my high school calculus class… thank you Mr. McCloskey… I had to use a formula I learned in high school this week at work. Seriously, though, it’s like God flipped a switch in my head this week and I was able to see things from his point of view for a few minutes. Comforting. Amazing. Refreshing. Peace-bringing.

*Nashville set a world record for the most rain ever in one week. I opened up the Good Book to see if there were detailed instructions on how to build the ark… This may be going overboard (HA… no pun intended) BUT it seems like it has been raining forever.

*I really really really love the people that God has placed in my life. EVEN when we don’t see eye to eye, all I want for them to know is that I love them and that I want them happy.

*I love having a quiet moment every once and awhile.

*I have met some incredibly wise people this week. Have you ever sat in the presence of someone that doesn’t say much, but that radiates wisdom? Happened to me on Thursday morning. It’s like I wanted to sit there for hours so that it would somehow make me the same way. I love it.

*Life is too short to be ungrateful. I have learned this. I have had to fight bad attitudes… believe me… and sometimes its hard… but I love having joy…

*It’s all going to work out. God is taking care of it.

*I have worked out everyday this week… and let’s talk about energy (and sore muscles.) Typically, I will just run 4-5 miles 4-5 times a week and be ok with it. This week… I kickboxed, ran, weight-lifted, etc. Wow. IBProfin please. I have also made myself eat extremely healthy. AKA… no carbonated anything or processed sugars. WHILE it was kinda miserable for a couple of days… I have WAY more energy, and feel much better.

*I love my dog almost ridiculously. He got sick at the beginning of the week and I pretty much had a melt-down/panic attack. Luckily, he’s fine and we’re ok. (see picture of the Palminator… or Palmer)

*I can’t wait.

T.G.I.F.

Real or Not… still a cool concept.

APPARENTLY…Read the paragraph below before you watch the video.
Amazing!

This is almost unbelievable… See how all of the balls wind up in catcher cones. This incredible machine was built as a collaborative effort between The Robert M. Trammell Music Conservatory and the Sharon Wick School of Engineering at the University of Iowa. Amazingly, 97% of the machines components came from John Deere Industries and Irrigation Equipment of Bancroft, Iowa, yes farm equipment! It took the team a combined 13,029 hours of set-up, alignment, calibration, and tuning before filming this video but as you can see it was well worth the effort. It is now on display in the Matthew Gerhard Alumni Hall at the University and is already slated to be donated to the Smithsonian.