Undercover Owl

Recently CBS came out with a reality show called, Undercover Boss. The idea is that the CEOs of major corporations would visit and work with their employees in order to see what the work-flow was really like and to see if there might be improvements necessary for their company to succeed in the economic downturn. The show that I was most interested in and the only one I've watched was Hooters. Why? Well, the brand has a significant reputation in our society- and the brand, some despise, some love and most are rather indifferent, like myself. Either way: I was curious to see what kind of CEO runs the company anyway?

Coby Brooks, the son of founder, Robert Brooks actually never had any intention of taking over his father's business but it fell into his lap after his father's retirement in 2003. Needless to say: Brooks noted that he was more than willing to step down for a week and check out several of his stores and their success or failures that he might make the company better...or at least as good as his father had once done.

Brooks worked hard over the course of the week. One manager said he would have fired him, another, a female manager told him (thinking he was working on a documentary about entry level jobs and workplaces) that she thought female mangers might have a better grip than male managers at Hooters. She had been a hooters girl at one time and now older and with a daughter, carried the same "motherly status," with the girls and could better help them and assist them as they needed in their life. She was also willing to get dirty. And still there was a male manager in Texas, that Brooks encountered, who exploited the girls for his own enjoyment, making them play "games" that were derogatory (including them bending over a table and eating beans w/o hands in order to go home even making one girl miss a class for school).

Brooks noted how uncomfortable he was with the latter manager's style and was set for disciplinary action when he revealed who he was. But this is where my disappointment comes in: rather than firing "Jimbo"- he gave him speech about apologizing. Questionable behavior, of that extremity, in my mind, should have terminated him.

However, the one redeeming note for Brooks was that he rewarded the female manager w/ and all expenses vacation for her and her little girl and donated money to a military npo in the name of the manager who would have "fired" him (previously a marine). He went back to his board with his notes on how to make the company more personal and felt that maybe he really did need to get back in touch with his employees, something he said his father had done and had made it a better environment to work in.

He also promoted two waitresses to help with marketing - an area obviously controversial but perhaps, much needed.

Do I care any more about the company than I did before? Nah. But it was interesting and good to see CEO willing to step down and find out what his people really think, see and hear around them...something that is very rare.

waves in sunrise

as i stepped out onto the sand, i couldn't take my eyes off of the glistening waves. the morning sun was perched softly over the water and my toes dug deep into the cold sand as if it was the most natural thing to do. i took a deep breath and moved closer. a little prayer. complete admiration. i sighed with relief. i was at peace. it had been too long. i was so grateful for it's presence, almost as if it had been waiting there just for me.

reflections of winter still lingered. i couldn't help but smirk when i saw large blocks of ice floating to the shore. but when i slipped my feet beneath the ocean, it wasn't cold....or at least not that cold. spring was here. it was a warm beautiful day with a slight refreshing breeze to start a perfect morning.

i snapped a few pictures and stood for awhile, clear of all unnecessary thoughts.

the rest of that day would prove to be resourceful, energetic and fulfilling. day three, opening weekend of the thorn. i was thrilled to be part of something, even if only in a small capacity, something that would change a life.

Rock Star....and a Piano

He's a rock star in his own right. His talent precedes him (as do his giggling-groupies -and their single green glow stick- with their wavy hands.). Dressed in his hipster sweater and nerdy glasses, Ben Folds put on the best one-man show I've seen. After a short half-hour struggling set by local musician Zach Williams, Folds strutted out in style and redeemed the crowd. His loose humor and opening jokes about coming to Georgia with a welcome sign that looked like a "big ass" (aka, the Georgia peach) made the audience feel comfortable. In fact, the entire night was engaged with humor-filled lyrics and stories.

But two things stood out the most: his energetic ability to move his fingers up and down the piano effortlessly with skill (and even passion) and his belief that people who came to his shows "must have better pitch."

Rather than the classical piano bench, Folds had a stool. But for the majority of the night, he either balanced the stool on one leg or didn't sit down at all. He stood over the piano, feet apart, like a mad scientist in anticipation of an explosive substance. His fingers struck the keys with fervor, playing lydian blues that made me feel like I was drinking a pint and sitting with friends at a pub (the song, Piano Man, comes to mind). He played "some old shit" and some "new shit" and jumped around to songs that were hits across the board. He even pulled out two new songs from a collaboration album with fictional author, Nick Hornby. A song called "Levi Johnston's Blues," produced the most hilarity of note. The lyrics take a look at Bristol Palin's former (and political) fiance, Levi Johnston and the challenge he may have experienced being thrust into an unwanted lime-light. Whether he was pounding melodious keys on the piano, shaking a maraca against the microphone or improving wry ridiculous lyrics- Ben Folds showcased his plethora of talent as a musician.

What's more- is how he got the audience engaged. At several points during the concert; he played a series of notes in 3 and 4-part harmonies instructing the crowd to sing. Having grown up participating in choirs, the sound was immaculate. He would often stop in the middle or at the end of a song and conduct the crowd accordingly....mostly for fun and partly to add to the very essence of the song's intended sound.

The night was a success, for the musician and his fans. And in my expert opinion Ben Folds...and A Piano was insanely brilliant!

He's on a Horse...

Let's start the month off right, with a little humor and the probably the best commercial out there right now-