Know Your Business

I just started a new contract with another group of owners who think that they know how to run a nightclub.
This means that I have too take up a lot of time re-working their concept, staff, advertising and philosophy.

I go out ... A LOT.
But I don't go out to have fun so much as I'm always on the look out for new talent.
The bartender who can attract women, doesn't steal, works hard and provides good service,
The cocktail waitress who can work a crowd, get orders out quickly and correctly while providing good service,
The door guy who can end a problem before it starts, who shows up on time and can provide professional service to sometimes angry customers,
The DJ who plays what the crowd wants to hear not just what he/she wants to hear...
I'm always looking.

Club owners always assume that they are in the wrong business.
"Why should people come here?", I always ask first.
"We have a nice decor", some say.
"But if people want to look at art they'll go to a museum or gallery", I reply.
"We have cheap drinks. We make our money on people buying drinks.", is also a common answer.
"If people just want a drink it's cheaper for them to just buy a bottle and sit at home and get drunk.", I tell them.
"A strong and good one-hitta'-quitta' $8 drink will bring more return business than will a weak $4 drink, It's not the actual cost but the perceived value that matters most.", I continue.
"We have a good DJ.", some say.
"If people just want to hear music they can just watch YouTube to listen to their favorites in the order they prefer... for free.", I say.
"Look, a good DJ is like a good actor - you don't notice it. But a bad DJ is like a bad actor - each can make the experience unbearable.", I continue.

So, people don't go to clubs for the music, for the decor, or for the drinks.
What does get people to come back and bring more people?
Service.
People like to feel as though they are special and that cover charge and the cost of each drink affords them that privilege for the three to five hours one spends in a night club.
The best employees know how to make this happen.
The best employees can create an addictive environment - an environment which allows small people to be the big shot.
Good nightclub workers are good hosts.
They may be the best at what they do but the patron should still be made to feel as though he/she is the most important person in the building.
The best workers are able to put aside their egos in order to do the job.

People get addicted to the status associated with being the big man/big woman at the club and they will pay to get that high even if they have to spend their rent money to do it.
This is where VIP cards and free drinks come in.
The people who get these perks boast of them and come back in order to do so - and those who don't enjoy these perks come back to work their way up to becoming a member of the 'in group'.

In all honesty - the situation is laughable.
Who cares about such things if ones kids can't get his needs met?
But like those addicted to narcotics, the call of a rented status is just too strong and they will feel as though they missed something if they fail to come back on a good night.
They will look for the same high they got when they first felt special.
I still don't enjoy working at nightclubs but the pay and bonuses are just too good to pass up.
I can't wait for the days when I will once again be able to go out without having to be on the lookout for the perfect employee for the perfect place.
I can't wait until going out fails to be work.

Germans

 Well... They do make great cars.

While watching George Kranz's Din Daa Daa video on YouTube, "Damn, This video sucks", is what I thought.
George Kranz, Kraftwerk, Nena, Falco (Okay, he's Austrian but after watching the Van Trapp family and their dealings with the Nazis in The Sound of Music - it's close enough.) all had nice pop songs but their videos could use a director.
Din Daa Daa? Yeah you know, that song from Ginuine's None of Your Business interlude, from the X-Box Jump-In commercial, from the Jabbawakees performance on ABDC - you know...
And don't get me started on Kraftwork providing the beat for Afrika Bambaataa tunes.
Germans had some good songs - just skip the videos.

Fame (I'm Not Mad)

 Since The New Girl has to stay in Ohio to take care of her mother during her treatment - it's just best that we take a break.
(There is no benefit to settling for visits every two weeks or so for the next who-knows-how-many years.)
I'm now in the process of interviewing prospective New-New Girls.
One prospect commented that I always look serious.
But I never noticed this, it's just that I always have a lot on my mind.
She (as well as I) cannot understand how I can still manage to be popular even though I'm not necessarily 'nice'.
When she asked people about me, "Everyone loves John", is what she says people say.
"How are you so popular?", she asked.

But one thing I never understood or desired was popularity - and as far as "Fame", oh hell no.
Yeah... I can easily come across as being popular in most situations - but I just don't know 'Why?".
And the thing is, I'm never really popular - I just seem as though I am.
(Just like I'm not realy good-looking - I just look like I am.)

 Since I was a kid I've always favored the anonymous guy who swoops in, solves the problem and then leaves.
My first mental image of someone like this was the Silver Surfer.
When the surfer rebelled against his creator - I could relate.
When the Surfer was then deemed to be reprobate - I could also relate.
But the Surfer still did that which he believed was right.
While acting as the herald to the destroyer, the Surfer was seen as a 'Bad Guy' but the Surfer still strove to do good.

 Later in life, the Biblical and mythical Magi became my mentors.
Their spirituality and knowledge of the sciences allowed them to move freely (to an extent) where others feared to go.
Their abilities were so misunderstood that they were thought to be greater than the common man.
(Which is odd because 'humilty' is a trait often associated with the Magi.)
In the Biblical context, the Magi were seen as the 'Good Guys'.

 Still later in life, the Seraphim played a part in modeling my behaviors.
Neither good nor bad - A Seraph just did that which needed to be done.

But then The Matrix movies just solidified this model.
I just liked Seraph's cool and deliberate fighting style.
He was never excited or angry - he was just doing his job.
(The part was initially offered to Michelle Yeoh and then to Jet Li. Either could have played the part well as each also has an aggressive yet elegant and controlled style of fighting.)
The 'Kung Fu' angle stuck home because it refers to a skill acquired through long and hard work.
Most people think of being prosperous as living a life of relaxation and ease - but this is not the case.
Biblical stories tell of heaven being filled with people having specific 'jobs', of the rich man seeing that his barns were full and deciding to relax only die soon after and/or telling of future heroes being discovered while doing their daily chores.

Popularity, fame, status...?
You can have them - I've got other things to worry about.

The Things One Learns

We weren't bad kids - we were just kids.
But one thing we learned was how to break into those little security bars people put on their windows and doors.
As one of my cousins locked herself out of her house - this skill could be put to good use.
The trick is for a kid to hug two bars until they are slightly bent.
The next step is to grab one of the bent bars with both hands and begin to wiggle it until friction causes the weld to heat and then break,
If one repeats this, he is able to make a large enough hole for him to climb through.
After about half an hour, my cousin's son could crawl through the open window and unlock the front door.
I guess she doesn't feel as safe in her home now that she knows that even a kid can break through those security bars and gain access to her home in no time at all.

The Link Between Obesity and Breast Cancer

To a woman, no two words bring more fear and uncertainty than Breast Cancer. According to the American Cancer Society there were about 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women in 2010. They estimate the chance of a woman getting breast cancer sometime in her life is around 1 in 8 and death rate is around 1 in 35.

Some people think that those risks sound low and that could never happen to them. While others go out of their way to avoid any risks that could increase the chances of breast cancer. Regardless of which category you may fall into, there is some news that everyone might want to hear - especially if you (or someone you care about) needs motivation to lower your Body Mass Index (BMI). Researchers have now found a link between obesity and the increased risk of triple-negative breast cancer. While that type of breast cancer is rare, it is often more deadly because it is difficult to treat.

The study conducted on patients in the Women’s Health Initiative found that women with the highest BMI had a 35 percent increased risk of the triple-negative breast cancers. These women were also found to have a 39 percent increased risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers.

While these findings may sound scary, the good news is that there is still something you can do about it! Start working your way towards a healthier you today - Don’t become just another one of these statistics! Here at Aesthetic Enhancements, our goal is to help you look and feel your very best.  We recommend two personal trainers, Sage Hansen and Amie Russell, that can help you reach your fitness goals, call 407.218.4550 for more information.

In-n-Out

Maybe our food tastes too good.
Maybe it's too easy to consume.
Maybe we should have listened to our grandmothers when they told us to chew each bite twenty times before swallowing.

When we fail to properly chew our food we don't allow the enzymes found in our saliva to break down the starches, fats and proteins we consume. Our bodies know that they need these nutrients and if it takes three times the food to get the required nourishment, the brain may be telling the body to continue to consume until the required nutrient level is met.
Sure, the ratio of calories acquired to those burned has a lot to do with weight gain - but maybe the way we eat (or 'chew') our food is just as important.

Ecclesiates 1:2

40 Billionaires have pledged to give away half their wealth. I guess only a few understand the concept of "winning".

Are We 'There' Yet?

Similar to the story lines in video games or to the books of Homer or from the Bible - the Hero must defeat sub-bosses before he meets the penultimate boss.

The only tough people are those who've overcome tough situations - I've yet to meet a tough person who was raised being pampered.

One problem is that as ones abilities improve, so does his level of competition.

Just when he gains newer and better abilities and weapons and he overcomes one seemingly impossible task or opponent,  he is then thrust into a new arena with even fiercer opponents.

Many times, the choices and sacrifices one makes early in the game will be either a blessing or a curse.

Shortcuts taken will limit ones level of preparedness and hinder ones ability to advance further in the game.

Time and effort spent honing ones skills early in the game (even though there is no readily apparent reason as to 'why' this may be of benefit) often comes to ones rescue when all hope is lost.

(How many times have you been saved by knowing, doing or having access to something you forgot that you even knew about?)

The ultimate boss or adversary is often oneself, or ones ego.

Who has sought to do good only to be destroyed by his own greed, desires or vanity?

Who can put aside his ego and do what needs to be done in order to accomplish his ultimate goal?

Who can leave his life's work (and the rewards thereof) to the betterment of others?

Who can gain all only to give it all away?

(The man who can do all this is the only one who actually ever wins the game.)

Keep It Moving

Let's say that something is said to be impossible but highly desirable.
Now let's say that we have one million people looking at the same problem. (1,000,000)
Ninety percent of these will determine that gaining a desirable outcome is impossible and will not even look at the problem. (100,000)
Ninety percent of these will look at the problem and determine that it is just not worth the time, resources and effort. (10,000)
Ninety percent of these will grow weary and give up. (1,000)
Ninety percent of these will not be prepared to deal the problem. (100)
Ninety percent of these will get close to solving the problem and settle for just being close. (10)
Ninety percent of these will become distracted by the rewards gained by just getting close and will turn their attention towards status and popularity. (1).

It is often said that one has to be one in a million to succeed.
But the trick is to focus on the goal and everyone else will simply fall away leaving only yourself.
Being the 'one in a million' is not that hard - just as long as you keep working towards your intended goal.
(And if you fail? Who hasn't? If you have never failed you probably aren't trying hard enough to be great. Just try again. You're probably only competing against yourself anyway.)

It's The Food

Or what's in it.
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/treatments/a/WeightGain.htm

When asked whether food allergies could be what is causing more people to become fat, (blogger) DMG said that such thinking was ignorant on my part.
That food intolerance would cause one to lose weight.

But DMG is a surgeon.
He fixes problems after the fact.
Apparently there is a connection between food allergies and weight gain.
And with 'newer and better' food products being introduced into our diets everyday - maybe the bodies of many people are just trying to fight back.
Maybe the increased rate of obesity is just a natural reaction to the unnatural steroids, antibiotics and hormones being used in our food.

In A Ghetto Kind of Way

 While reading the comments section of a post from another blogger (DeeVee), I came across one reaction from a women who took offense that someone said that Meagan Good was, "Hot is a 'ghetto kind of way'".
The woman did not like that Ms Good was described as being 'ghetto'.

This wasn't a racist comment so much as it referenced the characters she often portrays.
It's like saying that Jamie Pressley is hot in a 'trailer park type of way' (read: sleazy).

"I'm Not Ghetto But..."

"I gotta pee.", a woman said as she squatted between two cars to relieve herself in the parking lot at WalMart.
A quick primer in ghetto euphemisms:
"Not Ghetto" - Ghetto
"Classy" - Tacky
"Grown and Sexy" - Immature and Insecure
Apparently, it makes more sense to say the opposite of what is meant.

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Joe Slaughter

Slaughter Joe aka Joe Foster (born Joseph James Foster) is a musical artist, record producer, historian, and former child actor. Along with Alan McGee and Dick Green, he had formed Creation Records in 1983. He set up the Kaleidoscope Sound label in the mid 1980s, and Creation's subsidiary label Rev-Ola Records in the early 1990s. McGee, Foster and Green were also in the band Biff Bang Pow. Along with school friends Edward Ball, Dan Treacy, and John and Gerard Bennett, Foster was a founding member of The Television Personalities. He went on to play in Biff Bang Pow, and in numerous other bands. As Slaughter Joe and the Modern Folk Quintet, he released All Around My Hobby Horse's Head in 1986 on Kaleidoscope Sound. In 1990, saw the release Pied Piper of Feedback on Creation Records. In 2003, he put out Zé Do Caixão which is a compilation of his past work on Rev-Ola featuring Dave Musker (ex-Television Personalities and The Jasmine Minks), Tony Barber (ex-Buzzcocks) and Francis Sweeney (from The June Brides). Foster is noted for producing the The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream', and My Bloody Valentine . He also produced records for many others, including the X-Men, The Jasmine Minks, The Loft, Felt, The Sea Urchins, The Bounty Hunters, Dave Kusworth, 18 Wheeler, Razorcuts, I, Ludicrous, Captain Soul, and The Creation among others.Foster formed Rev-Ola Records, which primarily re-issues cult records by the likes of Fred Neil and Yma Sumac. He continues to run the label, which is currently a part of the PoppyDisc group. He has recently worked with and has released records by Eugene Kelly, BMX Bandits, Norman Blake, The Fine Arts Showcase, Zoe, Control Freak, The Cake, Roger Nicholls and a Small Circle of Friends, Evie Sands, The Wondermints, The Ecstasy of St. Theresa, The Telescopes and The Brian Jonestown Massacre and Richard Olsen. Foster's latest venture is the PoppyDisc label out of Glasgow, with artists including The BMX Bandits, St. Deluxe, Eugene Kelly, Jowe Head, Sean Jackson, Norman Blake and others. In addition, RevOla is now a subsidiary of PoppyDisc, bringing its expertise on catalogue and marketing on board. Distribution both physical and digital of the PoppyDisc group is by Virtual in the US and Shellshock outside the US.

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O' Bama?

The IRA, Bobby Sands, Thin Lizzy, U2, Boomtown Rats, Sinead O'Connor, Gingerism, Civil Rights, The Troubles... and now Barack O'Bama.
If any European country can identify with the struggles of Black people in America it has to be Ireland.

WTF?

 What?
Women hate it when their bra may be a size too small and their breasts seem to be popping out of the top of it?
I don't know about other guys but I see no need for a perfect fitting bra which perfectly covers and supports a woman's breasts for a more natural look.
I'm more fond of the old push-up bra.

 Women also seem to favor things like blue eye shadow.
"Do you like my makeup. I went to the spa for the day!", a woman said as she approached me at her birthday party.
To me, the woman looked like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show.
"Hey... it matches your dress!", I said with a smile as I gave her a kiss on the cheek.
I guess she heard what she wanted to hear and accepted my comment as a compliment - but I hate blue eye shadow.

 The hottest women are those who look good without all the other help.
A woman in a baseball cap is hot.

A woman doing work is even more hot.
"Are you watching your 'porn'?", the New Girl asked when she called recently.
She knows that I like DIY's Rehab Addict.
I don't know why but I like the host.
She's not the best looking, doesn't have the best body but I think a woman doing work is just sexy.
A UCLA study suggests as much.
It seems that men's stress levels drop when their partners are doing housework.
(And women's stress levels drop when their men are helping.)

Maybe I'm just sexist or old fashioned but a good looking woman wearing a baseball cap with a push-up bra and only light makeup while building a new deck is my idea of the ideal woman.

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