I've got a question....why is it so important to avoid titles in the workplace these days? This isn't a completely recent trend, but it sure is ridiculous. There is the fear that titles can be divisive.....duh. What exactly is so wrong with that? How about some synonyms: organizing, arranging, systemizing, sorting. Those kinds of things are what makes the big companies so productive and successful. I guess, though, that small businesses like to see themselves "thinking outside the box," creating ridiculous euphamisms or eliminating titles all together. This is the kind of stuff that confuses customers and workers alike (although I don't think people are called "workers" anymore either....that may well be appropriate).

Titles are a big part of what defines who we are in society. Boy or girl....people always like to know which one they're talking to, because it helps structure appropriate conversation. Miss or Mrs. works in the same way. Doctor, lawyer, EMT....these people actually take pride in their titles, as they should. Master and Apprentice (Star Wars Episde III is awesome.....go see it).

Seriously, people ask me all the time what I do at my job, and I almost never explain it without a sort of blank stare in return, as if to say, "okay....whatever you just said makes no sense, so let's just change the subject." And that's usually what happens. You see, I don't have a job title myself, though I've tried to just fit everything I do under "Editor." Some of the folks I work with think that sounds too official. I guess I could just change my title to "Guy Who Does Everything," but they may take offense to that (just kidding fellas...). Plus, we have editors who work under me, or I guess you could say I supervise them and review their work. Mainly, they just help me do my job effectively by spreading out the tasks. However, no one liked calling them "Assistant Editors" because that sounded like they didn't do anything important, or that they were less important than other people here. Ah, in come the euphamisms......

As a side.....I do a little bit of everything, and all of a couple of things, so it is hard to pinpoint it. Do I care? No, not at all...I'd rather take on a title that most defines what I do here, and just deal with the fact that some people may not be aware of the small things.

If you have no heirarchy, then who is in charge? Who sets standards? Who puts new ideas into motion and sees a project through? Who is responsible for what decisions? Who is liable for errors? Who answers to whom? How about the film/video industry as an example....where would it be without the 700 some-odd titles we see rolling in the credits? Executive Producer, Producer, Director, Assitant Director, Production Assistant....those titles have specific purposes and duties are assigned according to the definition of the job. If your employment has no definition, how would you go about sorting through all the things that need to be done, while minimizing lost time due to the inevitable confusion of everyone involved? How would anyone know who to talk to when a certain kind of problem needs to be solved, or when a new idea needs to be developed? I guess you could just start asking people in the hallway until you find the right answer.

I'm a fan of focus....if you want something done, divide the tasks according to who is most appropriate for the job. If you already have your workforce organized, you are about to save a lot of time. Congratulations. If not, well...hey, let's look again at the production industry. Would you give the audio work to the animator for completion? If you did, you'd be sorry, even if you were able to save some bucks. Your best bet is to find someone whose expertise is audio (probably someone with the title "Audio Engineer" or similar).

Obviously, smaller operations have fewer options available, so the animator sometimes really is the sound guy. Or your salespeople might also be your accountants. However, if you're trying to eventually grow into a major operation, regardless of your industry, don't try to reinvent the wheel. There's almost always a big company that you can mimic, and there's nothing illegal or immoral about that.

I can't believe it's already June.

I know, literally just finished a post seconds ago, but I felt it only fair to compose a separate message for this subject (it's cool, not very long).

I've been listening to the new Reel Big Fish album "We're Not Happy Til You're Not Happy" for the last 2 weeks (or 3 weeks?) almost solid...serious. It's not the best album they've ever done, but it is a good sound. It's a little more roots than their previous stuff. It's still rock/ska, heavy guitars and all. The lyrics are hilarious...no, wait, I mean HILARIOUS. One of the good lines from "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" goes like this:

We hate it when our friends become successful
and if it's No Doubt
then it's even worse

Now THAT is bold...and funny.

Even funnier still though is "Don't Start a Band," which more or less outlines a handful of reasons why it's usually best to stay at home and play guitar alone instead of trying to get your friends together, write songs, get on stage, get booed off stage, and then cry for hours until you get dehydrated and pass out. Something like that. I think that's basically what they're saying.

Also a good cover of "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" on the album. Might be my favorite song...although the first track, "The Fire," is right up there tying it.

I'd tell you to buy it, right now...especially if you liked anything else RBF has done. I'm probably gonna have to buy it again after the CD player burns it out. Awesome.

Don't you know, talkin' bout a revolution sounds like a whisper

I just want to say a quick "goodbye" to Tyrone, Georgia.

You see, I've passed through Tyrone on my way to and from Your Favorite Town for years. I never had any thought for the place, good or bad, until I turned 16. At that point, I quickly became aware firsthand of the truths that I'd been told for years: Tyrone Police need your money, and they are willing to work for it night and day. I think the first time I was pulled over was on the way home from a Toasters concert in Atlanta. I was told that it was way past my bedtime, and that my parents would probably be very upset if they knew I had been in Atlanta. Since I didn't feel like making 10 minutes out of 5 on the side of the road, I decided NOT to say:

"Actually, my parents know exactly where I am. Serious....call them. They trust me. I'm a good boy. Call them and find out....I'll wait here."

I didn't get a ticket, just a wagging finger. So, then I got pulled over a second time on the way home from Alabama with Mike and Eric in the car late at night after a failed SCAP show. This time it was my fault, but it literally wasn't anything dangerous, like speeding or DUI (I'm not gonna say what it was....it was too dumb. And very funny....all I'll say is this: "Doh, sorry occifer" (Eric, Mike, you know what I mean).

So, a good and a bad on my record. Nonetheless, I knew where I was - Tyrone. I knew that they'd be looking for me (and anyone else in a car) whenever I went there. Lo and behold, I'm going home for a funeral, Hilary and Jingles in the car with me. I see a cop go by in the other direction, decide to check my speed (too late of course, but anyways)...okay, cool, I'm going a few miles over, but nothing more. 5 miles down the road, the cop comes flashing up on me. Seems I was going 15 mph over. Funny, if only he knew my wife. If I ever go that much over, she lets me know in so many words. I guess me disagreeing with him (yeah, I told him) didn't matter, what he says sticks. He checked his radar and said it was correct (as if there really is a way for me to know if he's telling the truth there either). Long story short(er), I'm gonna go fight it. He probably won't show to court (can't afford to stay off the streets too long, money just keeps driving on by), so maybe I stand a chance contesting it. If not, oh well, it's been over 5 years since I was cited for anything, so it shouldn't affect my record....still, I'll just consider that as my contribution to law enforcement for the year (I usually contribute to FOP or other local causes). Blah.

Well, that was weeks ago, but I've been wanting to get it out.

Yesterday I cut the grass. It didn't "need" it, but it looks a lot nicer now. Today we bought a trimmer and edger to clean up the look a little more. I don't particularly like spending money on lawn maintenance....I'd much rather have trip to the beach or something. But it is nice, and doing the actual labor is enjoyable mostly....get to be outside, making the place look nice and all. We're trying to figure out when to throw a party or something, since we haven't done so since we moved in. Hopefully we'll put it all together soon and get the buds out here for some sloshin' good times. Maybe SCAP will play my party!

I'm gonna take my Adobe Premiere Pro ACE certification next month, so that'll be good. I feel comfortable enough really to go do it now, but I'll just study more to be certain I nail the sucker.

Had an AWESOME time and my friends Jules' and David's wedding. Met some cool folks, got some (hopefully) good footage of the events (I say hopefully because I haven't reviewed it yet....waiting for the newlyweds to sit down and go over it when they get back and settle in). Eric helped me with footage, and he shared a hotel with Hilary and I. We met a friend of the bride that Eric ended up hitting it off with, so that's also quite rockin'. Stopped at Mercer on the way back to say hey to my bro-in-law Blake (Hil's bro). He's finishing up with exams now, so good luck to him (man, I hated exams).

Stay back 100 feet...not responsible for objects thrown from vehicle.