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Do you even listen when I talk?

I'm asking because I'm shocked that you're even surprised by this. You should've seen it coming. I mean, we have had this conversation before. You know where I want to be. You know where I stand.

Maybe if you didn't have your auto-filter on all the time, you would hear everything I say... not just everything you want to hear.

It it was all up to me...

If I were the boss here...

I'd say "hello/good morning" to my employees every day when I come in, and "bye/goodnight" every night before I leave.

I would make an effort to say "Thank you" to each employee at least once a month.

I would make it mandatory for me to show gratitude for anyone working some extra hours.

I'd buy lunch for any one working an extra day.

I will ask my employees before scheduling them overtime.

All Fridays would be casual- along with holidays.

I'd schedule myself to work their shift at least once a month to remind me why I do my job.

Acknowledging my employees' family members passing by would be a must because I'd like to show them respect.

Firm respect-filled handshakes will be given at least once a month to every employee.

Social gatherings would happen at least once every two months, I'd help plan them too.

I'd have each employee fill out a performance review for me as I would for them... and I'd even let it be anonymous.

ice-breakers and getting-to-know-you exercises/games would take place once a month.

I would make an effort to get to know my employees outside of work, and not in an awkward way at all.

I'd celebrate all accomplishments big and small... like getting through a busy week while being short-staffed.

I'd smile more.

I would give everyone a chance to be heard.

I'd pay very close attention to my employees emotions and respond to them accordingly.

No one would have an employee number because thats what names are for.

My employees lifelines would be the priority over the bottom lines.

Responding to e-mails from my subordinates would be at the top of my to-do list.

Every employee would get a holiday gift from me.

I'd get a cake for everyone's birthday.

anyone leaving the department or the company would b required to write me one paragraph of constructive criticism.

... that's only if I were in charge here.

"Every day your company's greatest asset walks out the door, but what brings them back the next day?"

Bread...

The world is your oven and we're just trying to bake some bread. The temperature's increasing... but don't let the heat get to your head.

All the kneading and the rising, the dough staples a feast. It's a meal for the ages... just to say the least.

NO SMOKING

I feel very strongly about smoking. I am totally against it.

I mean, smoking goes against all that is RENELLE.

It is an artificial NEED... which makes it a WANT. If this WANT takes over your life, it becomes other people's problem too. That is just unfair.

My dad smokes. Not as much as he did before, but he does. I don't like that about him. But he doesn't make it anyone else's problem. He never smokes at home (not even outside the house anymore). He doesn't spend an excessive amount of money on cigarettes. He keeps it to himself.

But there are some people out there who do make it other people's problem. Like taking way too many smoke breaks at work, making your co-workers irritated. Or contaminating the air and making others suffer from secondhand smoke. Or even wasting much of your hard-earned money on boxes and boxes of cigarettes and lighters/matches.

Going on break to eat or go to the bathroom- thats all biological needs, you will be in pain if you don't do so.But smoking is an artificial need that is created by oneself... therefore I don't feel bad at all if you NEED a smoke. I'd rather see them in their fake sufferage than to let them waste my time with a cigarette.

My family watched my grandmother, the matriarch of our family, die from lung cancer- rooted in secondhand smoke. We saw her health deteriorate. We remember all the hospital scares. When we lost her... I told myself I would never smoke. Sure, I tried it once... but it was the dumbest thing I've ever done. I didn't understand the stress-relief... and the guilt was overwhelming.

That it why I hate the idea of smoking... just sayin.

Get that shit outta here!

Music=Life explained.

One time I heard a song and it was catchy and fun to sing along to. The lyrics, a bit confusing and aimless, didn't really matter. A few years later I listened to the same song again and was amazed at how profound the lyrics were. They were provocative and really touched me. It was as if the musician knew what I was thinking and found a different, sometimes more precise, way of expressing those thoughts. Or sometimes I'll hear a song and I will put a certain meaning to it. Then later down the road, the song meaning will vastly transform for me. Taking on a whole new face with a different story. I think I could say that I had experienced more in life, therefore had more to relate the music to.

Then it happened with some other songs... and more and more.

Life experiences define your music.

Snapshot.

A quick glimpse at my life right now:

1. I live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
2. My family is very supportive of whatever I choose to do.
3. UNR is one of the top-ranked Journalism schools in the nation.
4. I'm proud to say that I LOVE MY JOB.
5. My friends never cease to amaze me.
6. I met someone special.
7. Playing guitar never gets old.
8. I'm getting back in touch with poetry.
9. My co-workers keep me grounded.
10. I've reached the first goal in my 3 year plan (ahead of schedule!)

Uncharted Territory

Where communication once cycled, now will only collide
the entrapment displays opportunity and
the borders misalign and subside.

The challenge now unveils its face
I see the engagement of everything I wanted
where commitment sets its pace.

So ensure the foundation is sturdy before I blaze trails
through missteps and misunderstandings.
Bridges carry you forward when all else fails.