Servant Leader

I was called a "servant leader" last week.

From wikipedia (what a terrible thing to do, Mr. Librarian): "Servant leadership is both a leadership philosophy and set of leadership practices. Traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid.” By comparison, the servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible."

You know who else has been called a servant leader?  Jesus.

I'm not Jesus, and I'm definitely not Christ-like, as another person soon commented.  I do want the best for my staff, and I want them to succeed.  I also step in wherever needed so that the job gets done.  Lately, it just seems like our staff has gotten smaller and smaller, and the only way for us to tread water is for me to step in, which I don't mind doing at all.  I've been doing this a lot.  I even missed some deadlines (oops).  I want my staff performing well and doing good work.  The behind-the-scenes work is important, but it's secondary to the service we provide, and it should always be that way.  Maybe that's surprising to some people?

Call me Jesus; call me Your Lordship; call me Al.  Whatever.  Actually, don't.  Just call me Dan, or something along those lines.  Give me a normal name to counteract the weirdness in which I bask constantly.

Johnny Dare's not all About Strippers...

Granted, they do talk about strippers a lot.  There are other things that they do, though.  For example, they have the "Hope for the Holidays" where they have people who need help just getting by.  They're not down and out, but they're one speed bump away from losing everything.  They push that to the listeners and people give money to the families in need.  The show also supported Don Post, winner of the NASCAR humanitarian award this year.

Tinder (sizzling)

Why do I bring Johnny Dare up?  I was listening yesterday and they had one of the co-creators of the tinder app, a new type of dating app.  A lot of people on the app focus on extreme short-term dating (hook-ups).  They were talking about the dynamics of the app and why it's so appealing.  During this discussion, a line was uttered that really made me think: "People like waking up knowing that someone likes them."  Obviously, this doesn't mean that people like you, it's in the sense that someone is interested in you.  Johnny's right; that's a great feeling!  It's the kind of thing that help you get through a strenuous work week.  It's the type of thing that makes summer days sunnier.  Heck, it makes winter days sunnier, too.  It makes you feel a little bit special.  It also makes bad things fade away, if only momentarily.

For all of the terrible things that have happened in February for me, this February has been pretty good so far.  3 more days, right?

Oh, and don't worry, Johnny Dare & Co. definitely talked about strippers et al. during the tender tinder talk.  I love words.

Vampires, Werewolves, and Dreams

It was just an ordinary day.  I was hanging out at home when a man approaches me.
"I need your help!" he said.
"What is it?"
"The vampires are after me!  We need to use your powder in our blessed cup so that we can outlive them!"

Uh, what?  This guy proceeds to tell me that he is, in fact, a werewolf, and that they need my special powder to be placed in this cup of immortality.  For some reason, if the werewolves use the powder in their cup, vampires will die.  If the vampires use the powder in their own cup, the werewolves will die.  Crazy, I know, but don't worry, I said yes (obviously).

I grab my powder and we head out to their "lair."  Oh, that's weird; the werewolves lair is a house, and it's right next door to the vampires'.  A battle ensues: werewolves vs. vampires!  Throughout the battle, I find ways out of the violence and talk with members of each group.  These characters become my mentors and educators of the old world.  They explain the timeless battle and how each group strives to fight the other for utter domination of the human world.  One of the vampires looks oddly like Mekhi Phifer; he was my favorite.  The battle rages on, and I finally find both cups.  The powder must be placed in the cup on the appropriate group's owned land.  I have to be careful though.  There are supernatural storms occurring throughout each house.  If the powder falls into either cup from my hand, one of the clans will disappear from the annals of history.  I try to make my way out of the stormy houses and outside.  For some reason, I knew it's where I needed to go.

They refuse to attack me; I am their savior.  I am the only one who can use the powder because it is mine, and the old world has a thing for ownership.  I have both cups and the powder.  I go to the back yard and suddenly, I am in a courtyard with stadium seating.  There are two altars in the middle where the cups should be placed (one for the lycanthropes and one for the bloodthirsty).  Which do I choose?

Then, I remembered the tales of the old world.  I remember that each group strives and has yearned to fight in order to assert dominance.  I place both cups on the altars (within reaching distance).  I grab some powder.  I put some in each hand, and carefully add it simultaneously to both cups.  There are gasps and cheers throughout the courtyard.  Then they attack.

Stupid alarm woke me up.  I saved all of their lives, and then had to go to work.  Scumbag brain...

Facebook User

Sometimes, I like to be snarky.  It's alright to be childish on rare occasion.  So, just let it out.

Happy Birthday, Facebook User.  That's so odd.  I was going to wish you a happy birthday, as people do, and I found out that I can't respond to our message thread!  That was weird.  Then I just glanced at the name, or lack thereof: Facebook User.  Well, I've been blocked!  It's not the first time that it has happened, but this is the first time where I didn't cause it.  I guess it didn't help when I vaguestagrammed...

It's so nice to have you back! Found this in the mail today (the person who had it wasn't brave enough to speak to me)! #peanuts #CharlieBrown #Snoopy

I know... a little childish and vague.  But seriously, I told her that I couldn't find the DVD and almost immediately, a mutual friend asked for my address.  Instead of responding to me, she was a coward and did it that way.  Well, it was seen, and I guess that they acted on it.  So while we're here, have a meme or three.

If they say they don't, they're lying and you've already lost

The worst part? There was absolutely nothing I could do.

Man, losing friends sucks.

Forgive my short relapse into high school.  I don't know if I hope things are better.  I actually don't care anymore.  Yes, I know... she was married (maybe still is?), and that's on me.  There are things you don't tell a person if you are planning to cast them aside.  I've got better people in my life, and you're right, I AM SPECIAL.  I am a better person than you.  Now you're just somebody that I used to know.  My rant is over.

There's someone else celebrating a birthday this week, and it's going to be fantastic.  They matter more anyway.  I swear, my next post will be back to the regularly scheduled programming.

Education for the Chamber of Commerce

This past year, I was encouraged to chair the Education Committee for the Parkville Area Chamber of Commerce.  I was also told that I was chosen for my position because I was an idea man.  I do have ideas, and I like testing them, but I'm not 100% sure on the outcomes.  Anyway, they asked me to bring ideas for the committee, but I had no idea what to do because I wasn't exactly sure on where the committee was/is headed.  I hosted the meeting today anyway (as you do).

Wow.  In 1 hour, we formulated 4 educational events with 3 community partners, and even talked about co-hosting some legislative events.  They are already on the calendar through October!  The best part?  The first educational event is a library showcase IN THE LIBRARY.  I'm still surprised at how many people don't know what libraries have to offer.  I'm going to change that in April.  Hosted with a lunch, the event is going to be open for the Chamber members and the public.  They asked if I could have something ready by then.  Of course!  I can whip out library presentations faster than anything.  It helps that I love libraries so much.

For the next meeting, they asked for me to come up with a vision of the education committee and where I thought it should go.  I can't wait to see what this adventure has in store for me.  Let the juggling act begin!

Friends

A wise man once told me that a true friend is one who will help you move.  I later heard it again from a wise lady.  It seems to be pretty true.  I just moved (obviously), and I had 4 people help.  Two of them were last minute additions, and I took them away from their date night.  Well, they offered, but I still felt like I took them away.  It's just amazing to me how there are a lot of people who will offer to help you move and then flake out.  Yesterday was a bad day for me.  I even lifted some things I shouldn't have, but Dr. Zac was not mad about it; he just cracked my back and zapped me with some electricity.  I'm moved now, and I'm looking forward to this new adventure.

The other day, I made a comment that I felt like I lost a friend, but, as I said then, I didn't.  They walked out of my life.  I had a movie/book quote thrown at me, too!  "I just want you to know that you're special in case no one has ever told you."  I didn't notice it at first, but I was searching through Perks of Being a Wallflower because a good friend threw a quote at me.  It figures that aspects of my life would play out this way.  So, a message to you, if you are reading this: Go ahead and walk out of my life.  That is your choice.  If you ever want to speak to me again, as you said you did, I'll be here, but I can't guarantee in what capacity/interest level.

I am grateful to those friends who helped me move for they are true friends, and I am indifferent about the one(s) who walked out of my life.  Cherish your friends, but remember that ultimately you are still only half of the relationship.  Sometimes we can't prevent people from walking out on us; all we can do is be the best person we can be and hope that the right people appreciate us.  Be awesome.

We accept the love we think we deserve.

I deserve better.

MLA/KLA Planning

Again, I find myself surrounded by people with great ideas.  Today was the second meeting of the 2015 steering committee, and to celebrate, we toured the facility.  I have to say that we will have one of the best views in Kansas City for this conference!  Looking out over the Kauffman Center will be amazing.  There are colored lights that change in sequence too, making our events even snappier!  After the tour, we talked about our reactions and more ideas.  Like I said after our first meeting, it was hard enough for me to keep up with everyone.  I'm honored to be a cat wrangler for this team.  That's the term they used to describe Kelly and me.  We'll see how the cats behave themselves as we move forward, heh.

Put it on your calendar now because you won't want to miss it!  September 30th - October 2, 2015 for the Joint Conference of MLA and KLA.  BOOM

Being Sick Without the Facebook

So, today I have been at home, sick.  I haven't logged into facebook at all, and I have to say that it feels pretty good.  Instead of social media whoring, I decided to pack and think (which almost always go hand in hand).  I took a break to slay dragons obviously, but for the most part, it was a packing/sleeping day.  I logged onto twitter and checked out some updates about the rioting in the Ukraine; I even brought up a live feed of some of them.  WOW.  Here's a couple of links for you:

http://www.vice.com/read/live-streaming-the-ukrainian-revolt

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aronets

The prime minister has "resigned" to try to quell the rioters.  There's a laundry list of why people are rioting, and the last straw?  A LAW THAT OUTLAWS PROTEST.

 

In conclusion, read up on the riots.  Being sick sucks.  I only connected today to find news.

Plaza III

Nothing happened on Friday besides a brief message on the Facebook. Oh, and the second best meal I've had in my life!

For restaurant week, Erin and I wanted to try Plaza III.  We got dressed up, like you do, and started our culinary adventure.  Before I get to the food, can I just say that some people don't have class.  There were guys wearing hats in the restaurant!  Also, you would not believe how many people were wearig jeans!  It's ridiculous.  You don't have to dress super fancy, but I feel like you should dress nicer than jeans and a trucker hat.  And, like, don't get me started on the girls next to us who were, like, totally confused by meringue!

As soon as we sat down, we were greeted with a bowl filled with ice with carrots, celery, and radishes in it. THAT'S how you start a meal! I started with the steak soup. It was creamy, soupy, and delicious. The flavors were perfect, and I wanted to curl up inside of it and live there. Erin had the garden salad, which wasn't awesome, but it was still really good. It wasn't anything like the salad we had at Maker's Mark: it had mint, chocolate covered raisins, and some other things that tasted terrible alone but awesome together. Plaza III's was a traditional salad which was fine. Then the magic happened. Erin got the prime rib; I got the filet. The prime rib was great, and the filet was "how a steak should be." A perfect wearing on the outside while the juices stayed all cozy inside. Neither was under or over cooked; they were perfect. How do you finish this meal? With chocolate truffle cake and key lime pie! Both were really good, though I'm not sure that the key lime pie actuay had key limes in it. Oh well; it was fantastic. Then we had coffee to finish it off.

What does one drink with a meal so tasty? A crown and ginger ale and a house Cabernet which was one of the best Cabernets I've had. Jealous?

I went home, took off my pants, and crashed.

Another Daily Entry

Thursday was an interesting day.  It started off with a meeting that I hated.  I hate regurgitating information.  Before the meeting on Wednesday, there wasn't a lot to talk about.  But, as it does, all of the information rolled downhill and it was whelming.  I was looking forward to another meeting with an outreach partnership opportunity, but that turned out to be just a way for them to make money.  That doesn't fly with me.  You want to partner with a library and offer services to people who can't afford them and charge them? You outcho damn mind.

Then I weeded.  I FUCKING LOVE WEEDING.  I got rid of some nasty books and some multiples.  Besides that, it opened up so much room in Adult Fiction!

After work, I had a night out that included a buffet with sushi and American Hustle.  You know, I didn't care for American Hustle.  I liked the way it played out, but I just couldn't get into it.  I guess I'm just a rom-com kinda guy.  I'm sure that's no surprise to anyone out there.  I really thought I would enjoy it more though.

A New Work Week and a New Hope?

Yeah!  Let's go to work and get things done!

On day 6 of the blackout, I forgot my laptop at home.  So, I sent emails from my phone.
The laptop was kind of necessary for me to have at my branch business plan meeting.  I left for lunch early and grabbed it.  The meeting went went; I'm excited.  Had a "date;" it was cancelled.  Instead, I got drinks with a good friend.

On the seventh day of my blackout, I woke up in an incredible mood!  I was ready to start the day!  I decided it would be a good idea to log back into facebook, just to check how others were doing.  Well, I thought wrong.  It was a terrible idea, and I logged back out.  Bitches.
I worked until 9, and hosted a program for no one.  After I got a special delivery, I went home and slept early.  After careful consideration, I should have stopped the delivery person and talked for some catharsis.  Oh well, maybe next time.

Maybe let's not get things done? -_-

Gone black for MLK, Jr Day

I was still in social media blackout for the holiday weekend.

On Sunday...

Disc golf.  More fun and less pain than I expected.  Dehydrated, so I chugged water. Grabbed this shot, though:

And Monday...

Lunch at a new place.  Tried Brazilian cheese bread-- AMAZING.  Watched Wolf of Wall Street, a 3 hour movie.  Got a large drink.  Peed.  A LOT.  Talked for an hour.

Food and movies are valid distractions but not social media?

Days 2 & 3

Friday

Mentally absent at work.
Made an important call.
Felt alone.
Thankful for friends, not "friends".

Saturday

Rescued for breakfast and coffee.  Hopped around town exploring other coffee shops.  Found an organic place... Got judging looks.  Tried an almond milk shake; wasn't terrible.  Hung out at the City Market; got a new hat!!! Went to a friend's work party and was apparently a hit, also Elton John (briefly).  Got home late and crashed.

Blackout

Have you noticed that I haven't been on any social media lately?  I turned it off; too many distractions.  There were also posts that I got tired of seeing.  I'm sure I'll go back, but, if nothing else, this is a fun experiment.  I'll go through the days as they pass on here, highlighting some things.

Day 1 (Thursday):

Feigned joy at an event I would otherwise enjoy.

Made a sideways comment about not inviting someone to my housewarming. Though they thought I was joking, I wasn't so sure.

Cried (long story)

Ok

I Now Know That Feel, 2013

2013 was one of those years that I will remember for quite a while. With everyone reflecting on the past and looking to the future, it seems like I'm jumping on the nostalgia bandwagon. Back in August, though, I already had a feeling that 2013 was going to be a great year so I was in a pre-nostalgic mood. As it turns out, it was a great year (besides the very last day). Also, because 2014 has started off so shittily, I actually can't talk about all of the great things that happened. I can say that I had a great time at conferences, went to Chicago, and went to Phoenix. We'll leave the rest off for now. Who knew that the year after the Mayan calendar ended would be so great? Through this past year, I have come to appreciate my friendships and appreciate how much I've grown since moving to Kansas City, and since losing Mom and Dad.

Side note: did You know that, Years ago, the English Language capitalized every Noun? Funny, eh?

Another funny thing? "I know that feel"
It's a new way (though it's already got dust on it) to say, "I understand that feeling" or "I empathize with that." I've said it before, and up until recently, it was a straight lie. I haven't really had the capacity to fully feel feelings or express them for quite some time. Back when I was seeing a therapist (WUT?), he had told me that, because of the timing of my parents' deaths, my brain's development was slightly stunted, impairing more complex processes such as feeling, understanding, and expressing emotions. I'm not sorry if this comes as a shock to you; it's not something I've openly discussed. Who wants to talk to a guy with his own plane of checked baggage?

So, yes, I finally know that feel. What's even better is that I can express how I feel. Pssh, I'm just a guy; I have no feelings. Well, if you think that way, we're probably not friends. I feel like a complete person now. I know who I am; I know what I want, and I'll be damned if I don't get it. Now that I've come so far, though, my emotions have been tested. I have a lot of stuff going on, and I know I have the support of the right people.

I cherish my friendships, as long as the other parties cherish them, too. It's hard to have a friendship when there is no communication. Plus, if you have been a part of my life during the past year or so, you have experienced me while I've probably been at my best. Do you know that feel? Because I sure as hell do.

*e-fistbump*

I'd love to tell you more about my year in person; I think I did ok. I mean, I didn't do Jared Balfort well, but I made it through. Maybe I'll post some pictures from Phoenix/Chicago later. I hope everyone's 2013 was as good as mine. Cheers!