Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Journal.
The Death of Common Courtesy
Click for AUDIO version. The other day we had a new FedEx driver make a delivery at our office in Palm Harbor. Since I happened to be by the front door, I opened it and watched him approach. He wore a scowl on his face as if he had been having a bad day. I opened the door, greeted him warmly, shook his hand and asked how his day was going. As I signed for the delivery, the driver looked at me strangely. I asked him if there was a problem. He said, no, it was just that I was the first person that day to be friendly to him and actually ask how he was doing. He said in most companies he visits he's pretty much taken for granted and treated rudely.
- Top Story - July 2017
To Be a Leader
To be a leader is not to put the world on your shoulders alone, but to trust enough that others will be able to carry the burden with you. To be a leader is not to bark at others and give orders, but to bend your back with them and show them the way. You will know that you are a righteous and humble leader when nobody realizes that you have been leading them.
Jeniah ClarkePublished 7 years ago in Journal Parenting Management
“Most children are raised by amateurs, not professionals.” - Bryce’s Law Want to know what to expect of the work force in the years ahead? Look no farther than our schools or homes. Let me preface my remarks by saying that in addition to all of my other responsibilities, I was very active in my local Little League for a number of years where I served as coach, umpire, and on the local board of directors. Further, I have been very active locally in offering Masonic scholarships to High School students. In addition, my wife has been active in the local school system for the last ten years at the elementary, middle, and high school levels (this also included PTA and SAC). Although we probably won’t win an award as the world’s best parents, we made a point of becoming an important and influential part of our children’s lives. We didn’t take any special courses in parenting, we just got involved. But we are the exceptions as opposed to the rule.
On My Way (Working for Duncan Disposal)
I haven't had many jobs in my life; I'm pretty diligent when it comes to working to make a name, and then keeping it stable. When things get old, and or are just tiring to a point where it's not worth it to me anymore, I move on. That's what brought me to work at Duncan Disposal. I was a garbage man, and at first, I thought, "Well, fuck it, I'll be making a lot more than I do now" (Working at Jimmy Johns at the time). But then it got to "God damn it, another 70hr work week and I got shit to show for it." Along the way, I gathered a few good stories, and I worked with more than a few interesting people. Doing routes all over the place. Some days I would be gone from 5 am, till 8 pm... Sometimes I would get off work around 12 pm. It all depended on the route I was doing, and if any other trucks needed a loader to fill in. I was a loader if you hadn't guessed. On the bright side to all of the shitty work I had to do, I got pretty built. I went from an easy 135lb, to about 150, and all that I had gained was straight muscle mass. I felt great, smoked a lot, but ultimately, I was always in a good way... right up until pay day. It was a fixed rate, so no matter how many hours you worked, you got the same paycheck week after week. At least I got to see some really cool places all over the state. I don't recall a good few of the EXACT locations of where I worked at, but I can describe the places pretty well. It's funny though cause one of the most gorgeous places I went through was Hell, Michigan. Gorgeous landscaping, lake side views, and there was this really cool little storefront that was kind of like a landmark to the city. We would stop in there every time we were out that way. Some really gross people out there too though, here's a good one for that line though.
Zachery LeePublished 7 years ago in JournalOn An Envelope
After the extinction of wooly mammoths but before the invention of smartphones, my third-grade class did a unit on the United States Postal Service. Thirty of us eight-year-old students practiced addressing letters to our classmates until we had learned to include all the relevant information in all of the right places. Some of us forged elaborate "stamps" in crayon in the upper right-hand corners of our envelopes. Some of us even did it all in cursive.
Do You Understand?
They say if you're great at something NEVER do it for free. Well actually Joker said that in Dark Knight. But still, a great “mo” to stand by and force people to respect. But make sure you're really good otherwise, it won’t work.
Can I Blog? Yes I Can!
I have to admit that I really didn't know what 'blogging' or to write blogs was all about. As much as I like to read and follow celebrity based blogs I never really put much thought into their foundation or what they represented. As far as I was concerned, they were just sites I visited to keep up on celebrity business and as much as I love reading them I never thought of blogging myself. Not long after I got my websites, I started doing author/artist interviews/spotlights and for a long time I thought that was blogging...until someone politely let me know that it wasn't. Deep inside, I was feeling like 'dang, really? That's not blogging?' but at the same time happy that the person didn't straight out laugh at me for being so naive. It wasn't until I was asked by Vocal to be a blogger for their platforms that allowed me to see the big picture in blogging. Right then and there, my mind opened and visions of different avenues, side streets and highways were in front of me; I absolutely was ready for the ride.
The Price of Education and Teaching: Part IX
Because I really had no 'resources,' I went back to my husband's apartment but started looking for a place to rent close to work. It took me about a month, so I lived a month of almost complete silence and took my daughter out in her stroller so we could spend time together away from our hell; it was interesting that his side of the family never came around during this time, and not even before. I have a feeling my husband still hadn't told his family what was going on; it would've been too humiliating for him.
Martina R. GallegosPublished 7 years ago in JournalMy Adventures as a Pizza Delivery Driver
Before becoming a pizza delivery driver, I really had no idea what went on, business wise at the store. I really did not know where that I would be going, how many pizzas, two liter sodas, twenty ounce sodas, or water, that I could also be taking to any of my many customers. Our Store also offers extras like plates, napkins, drinking cups, multiple pizza dipping sauce cups, banana peppers and jalapeno peppers.
Rhonda FarleyPublished 7 years ago in JournalThe Joy of Buying Art Supplies as an Artist
Where do I even begin? Buying art supplies for a new project or just to restock on your collection can become very addicting so beware!
Kelsie TylerPublished 7 years ago in JournalOn My Way (Work at Erwin's Orchard)
I was 18 when I got my first job. My friend Amber (mini munch) was working at Erwin's Orchard as a seasonal monster for when they did the corn maze and haunted house. I dig the blood, guts and gore, and the money would be kind of sweet so, I jumped on it the first chance I got. It was actually a pretty sweet gig, I got to work with my munchkin and my buddy Nate. I got my face painted up every weekend to go stand in the strobe lights in the middle of a maze, lurking through the corn and sneaking up on people from a distance. I made 3 people piss their pants, and old woman shit herself, I also almost got jumped by a group of drunk Mexicans who were carrying bottles through the course. Best. Job. EVER.
Zachery LeePublished 7 years ago in Journal2 Big Don'ts and 1 Huge Do During a PR Blunder
It is an inevitable fact of business, especially in this day and age. Company scandals and bad PR moments are bound to happen. We business owners can’t control everything that goes on within or outside the confines of our businesses. We rely on tens, hundreds and sometimes thousands of employees. We are dealing with hundreds if not millions of consumers on a daily basis. This means controlling what goes on is nearly impossible.