Author: Kevin Carver

Last Day of Work: Unemployment Eve

photoIt’s scary to leave a job. Even if you hate the job, it’s still scary. There’s the one or two days of “freedom.” You call your friends, maybe text, “hey, I’m free!” Then, after the smug clears, you realize there is no source of income. And all those people you complained about everyday, well you miss them.

I didn’t hate my job. I actually quite liked it. There were times where I did hate it, but that’s inevitable. Every job has its ups and downs; the real trick is to be able to see them through and laugh with your boss the next day.

Today is my last shift of a three year stint at Pilgrim’s Market in Coeur d’Alene, ID. My wife and I are moving to San Luis Obispo, CA on the first of the year for an internship.

Pilgrims is an entry level job. The second I announced my leaving, plans were made to replace me, and like that, I was replaced. Life goes on. Sometimes we like to pretend that our legacy is bigger than that. I don’t know. It’s a produce job.

I’d like to pretend I’m leaving behind some sort of void. I guess I’m narcissistic that way.

The other day, I overheard a new hire and the manager talking about what shifts she would take. “Well, after Kevin’s gone, Wednesday and Thursday will open”…

This must be how grandparents feel on their deathbed: lousy relatives rummaging through their things, claiming knick knacks before they’ve even seen the light.

“I can still hear you” I yelled.

It’s good to quit a job every now and then. It’ll test you, force you to do bigger and better things. We’ve done everything right: planned it, saved money, lined up future jobs, graduated schools…

It still seems shaky at best. It may just be that after all these years of entry level jobs, I’ve convinced myself that it’s where I belong. That maybe, I can’t do much better. I remember having the same nervousness the day I graduated high school. I forgot my sunscreen that day.

Here’s to three happy years at Pilgrim’s Market. A great job with incredible people. A place where I learned patience, kindness, and the difference between a turnip and a rutabaga. I will truly miss it.

Best of 2012: Books. Movies. Musics.

Another year. Yayyyyy. I’ll think I ‘ll just get to it.

Movies:

For the record, I don’t see a lot of movies. At least when they come out. Either way, here are some I really liked.

MV5BMTc3MjI0MjM0NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTYxMTQ1OA@@._V1._SY317_CR0,0,214,317_Argo

It’s insane. Ben Affleck is one of the best directors in Hollywood. Who’da thunk it?

This movie wasn’t perfect but it was still pretty close. John Goodman and Alan Arkin were enough to make the movie for me. The last hour left me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

MV5BMjM1MzMzOTA3MV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTE3NzA1OA@@._V1._SY317_Skyfall

Is there anything worth saying that hasn’t been said? Probably not.

My personal favorite aspects of this film though? There was too much to like: The skyscraper assassination/fight, Javier Bardem’s introduction monologue, Q, and of course the 1965 Aston Martin DB5.

Still, what was up with that scorpion scene?

imagesSafety Not Guaranteed 

This movie really flew under the radar. I absolutely loved it. It may even go as far as being my “favorite of the year” (Though I’m a sucker for 007).

Mark Duplass and Aubrey Plaza are absolutely incredible in this film. The “campfire-song” scene between the two of them is beautifully shot, not to mention the song itself was quite impressive. If you haven’t, go see this film now!

MV5BMTM3MDUzMDQwNF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMDk1NjM4OA@@._V1._SY317_Sleepwalk With Me

This fun little film was produced by the This American Life crew, and was written, directed, and starred by Mike Birbiglia, who inspired the true events in the movie.

It’s not exactly a “pro-marriage” movie, but I don’t think it’s necessarily “anti” either. Just be aware that it paints marriage in a funny light. (I wrote a blog on this type of thing already here)

Despite my reservations on that topic, it is still a film worth viewing. It’s quite hilarious and very heart-warming.

MV5BMTk4ODQzNDY3Ml5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwODA0NTM4Nw@@._V1._SY317_The Dark Knight Rises

Any body who doesn’t have this movie in their end of year favorites is just lying to themselves. Get over your expectations! This movie rocked. Was it the best in the trilogy? No. Does that make it a bad movie? Of course not.

Christopher Nolan delivered just enough to cement his trilogy among the greats. With that being said, I do hope that Nolan returns to a smaller scope in whatever his next film is. The grand scale moments of TDKR are definitely enticing, I can’t help but enjoy the more human aspects of all his films a bit more.

Still, that airplane scene at the beginning? The Bane-Batman fight sequence? The cat burglar? That Ending? Too good.

Music

51kdATs+Y7L._SL500_AA280_Matthew Perryman Jones- Land of the Living

This is such a great record. For a full review, check out American Songwriters take on the album here.

It’s dark, swoony (is that a word?), uplifting, deep, and poetic. Stones From The Riverbed is probably my favorite; his eerie chanting of “the stones from the city wall are pulled from the riverbed,” give me chills every time. Waking Up The Dead is worth mentioning as well. It PUMPS ME UP MAN.

51uehPYp-eL._SL500_AA280_Dirty Projectors- Swing Lo Magellan

It took me a little while to jump on the Dirty Projectors band wagon. But once I did, I was curious as to what took me so long. This album is absolutely wonderful. It’s surprisingly catchy and could be easily categorized as a pop record; though I would never fully agree.

The hooks are unmistakable and the lyrics are positively thought-engaging. Sometimes the production work is a bit too “purposely messy” for me, and I could use a bit more main vocals from the female side of the group. Still, it’s great. The title track is wonderful, Impregnable Question is probably better, and The Socialites is my favorite. The album closer, Irresponsible Tune, feels like it comes straight out of John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band. 

51uCk8LoGtL._SL500_AA300_The Gaslight Anthem- Handwritten 

This was a Spotify favorite for me, and then I finally gave in and bought it. In the midst of indie mania (I’m not excluding myself on this i.e. Dr. Dog & Dirty Projectors) it’s hard to find bands that can still simply just… you know… rock?

Gaslight can rock and they do it well. Frontman Brain Fallon’s songwriting is just getting better on each record. You can almost sense the confidence he has in his craft. I’m sure records like this aren’t for everyone these days, but man, if you need something to keep you awake on a long drive, plug in Gaslight and turn it up. My favorites: Here Comes My Man, Too Much Blood, National Anthem. 

51o+P0uSdfL._SL500_AA300_Dr. Dog- Be The Void

I love this record for the same reason I love the Dirty Projectors: every song offers a unique sound and each sound holds it’s own weight.

Sadly, Void was my first real introduction into Dr. Dog. I tend to get turned off by some indie people you find on “best-of” lists year after year. Finally I put my guard down and picked up this record after a close friend recommended it.

Get it now! It’s one of the few records that literally get better as each song plays. As soon as you think it can’t get better, it does. It was hard to pick favorites, but I did. Check out: Big Girl, Vampires, Warrior Man. 

51waS91VgdL._SL500_AA280_Lovedrug- Wild Blood

Wild Blood was a great turn around After Lovedrug’s last weeiiird album. There were a couple other records I wanted to mention here, but I thought I’d end with Lovedrug since they probably wont get a lot of love on other lists.

Yes, the Lovedrug guy is in love. At some points, this record is almost too cute. As a Lovedrug fan, I never thought I’d say that. Still, it’s a great album and a very worthy mention. Check out: Wild Blood, Dinosaur, Anodyne.

Books

Love_Does2Love Does- Bob Goff 

Yes, it’s a Christian book. Turns out, it’s a really good Christian book. I love the emphasis: “be available.” The stories in this book make you laugh, tear up, and shake your head. In terms of conventional faith books, it’ll take you outside your comfort zone.

There is no formula, no big plan. Goff just says that love does things. It’s available. It’s Jesus.

232324Platform- Michael Hyatt

It’s exactly what the cover says. A step-by-step guide on creating on online platform. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to start a blog, launch a product, or simply find out more about social media.

Obviously, it hasn’t turned me into an online success, but that’s ok, there’s always next year. (I’m still working on that whole ‘be consistent’ thing)

Once you read the book, plug in to his podcast This Is Your Life. It’s a good way to keep motivated and inspired on the ever present empty page.

9780307888907_custom-566a7991b87d68a3881514af980c49cca6095091-s6-c10The Start Up of You- Reid Hoffman & Ben Casnocha

I actually just finished it today. Not just for those with an entrepreneurial mindset, but also for those curious on how to cultivate a career in today’s ever changing market. The main idea? Treat your life and career as a start up venture. It’s actually a cool concept.

Hoffman is the guy who co-founded LinkedIN, so a lot of the advice is to go on to LinkedIN. Nonetheless, there are nuggets of wisdom in here I wouldn’t have found anywhere else that made it worth the read.

If you’re not into these business books, I can’t guarantee you’ll like it. Though I do think the idea of “personal beta” is a concept everyone could use to better their lives. Check it out!

781998The Screwtape Letters- C.S. Lewis (1942)

I didn’t read as many new books as I was hoping to this year (thank you Calculus) so I thought I mention an older one.

This is a classic. It took me a few chapters to buy into the story (demons writing letters to each other) but eventually, like all of Lewis’ work, I fell in. I don’t necessarily agree with everything in the book. For instance, I’m not sure if demons write letters…. but there are ideas that can and should change your life.

My greatest takeaway? Don’t miss the present. It’s God’s gift to us and we are all prone to miss it. Some focus on the past, others (like myself) worry too much of the future. Today, this moment, is a gift.

Communication Not Required

“Let me tell you something about management Kevin,” she takes a breath, “you can tell people, write it down, scream at them all you want…” she then makes the in one ear out the other pantomime.

“It’s like pounding your fist against a wall,” she again makes a gesture and finally adds, “they just wont do it!”

This came as a response to a suggestion I gave her about her staff; we work together and I noticed a couple problems worth mentioning.

“That sucks.” I add.

“Later,” she walks away as I remember a previous conversation about her college experience.

She’s a communications major.

I’m not sure what I’m suppose to take away from this. Maybe just that, more often than not, your boss is probably cluess. So give them a break once in a while. It’s like finding your dad on the kitchen floor, drunk and asleep with a cigerette in his mouth.

I guess dad isn’t Superman. Kick his leg and let it go.

Since it’s Finals week, I thought I’d reblog some of my favorites. Here is one from a little while back. It was a special time.

Kevin Carver's avatarThe Number Kevin

I went fly fishing today, my first time—accomplished fly fishermen are potentially already laughing. In my defense, I’m currently taking a Summer course at the college. I’ve been practicing.

We cast on the soccer field, people walk by and snicker. It’s mildly humiliating.

So I finally ventured out today on my own with a tackle-box full of brand-new flies, tippets and leader lines. I caught so much stuff!

First, I caught my hat. Then after catching the bushes behind me a few times, I lost my fly in the water. After replacing the fly, I caught the tree above my head and lost yet another fly.

After twenty minutes of this business, a fisherman trolled by and asked how I was doing. I tried to play it off fancy, but my reel popped off the rod and dropped in the water (still don’t know how this happened). Red in the face…

View original post 196 more words

Little Wins

I’m working in the produce department and this lady comes up to me. She gives me the I’m potentially angry eyes.

“Can I buy just two leaves of cilantro?” she says, “That’s all I need.”

I’ve had this dilemma before. I’m making something that only needs a little bit of fresh cilantro. Unfortunately, fresh cilantro is sold in bunches. No body wants to get stuck with buckets of cilantro. It grows like delicious wild-fire. The farmers get rid of it so the distributor can get rid of it, and inevitably gets to the store, where, well, we sell it in bunches so we don’t get stuck with it. The 99% gets screwed once again.

“I’m sorry,” I said, “It only comes in bunches.”

“But I wont use it all.”

“Yeah…”

“I still have to buy a whole bunch?”

“Yeah…”

Her eyes change from potentially angry to positively angry. She walks away. At this point, I’m thinking I could just give her two leaves of cilantro. We throw them away all the time. There’s probably 10 loose leaves in the box.

As I’m about to, she grabs a bunch of cilantro and sticks it in her cart. She turns my way and I pretend I wasn’t watching and start wiping off a clean counter. On the inside though, I smile.

It’s these little wins that remind me I should probably be doing something else with my life.

[This post was inspired by a co-worker, he writes a very funny blog about life, work, and people he runs in to. Check out Wild Magik 2 here]

Retail Christmas Music: 3 Survival Tips
Photo by tmorkemo via Flickr 'Creative Commons'

Photo by tmorkemo via Flickr ‘Creative Commons’

Retail has been my life for many years. Currently, I work at a small Natural Foods store in Coeur d’Alene. Before that, it was mostly gas stations. You would think that retail Christmas music is exclusive to clothing stores, but no, it’s everywhere. Like Adele, you can’t escape it.

Ever since that report came out, you know, the one that says people will buy more if there is Christmas music playing, shop owners have been taking advantage and employees have been going mad. I sometimes wonder if the two cancel each other out: more sales from christmas music, less sales from annoyed employees who are rude to customers.

Anyways, yesterday I came to work and there it was. Christmas music. Loud. Obnoxious. Repetitive. Sorcerous.

It’s not that I hate Christmas music. I don’t. I just hate any form of music that is unnecessarily repetitive and forced on to my ears. Yesterday “White Christmas” played three times in a row. Thank you Pandora Radio. Thank you.

Eventually, you’ll block it out. At least I do. The first week is the worst. After years in retail, here are 3 quick tips on surviving retail Christmas music for the worker.

Stay busy. If I stand around and think about the music, it tends to get worse. Rather, if I find things to do, my mind gets off of the music and on to the task. This isn’t always easy and results can vary depending on the store and situation. My mind tends to focus on whatever I’m doing. Yesterday, I started cleaning anything I could find. Before I knew it, I was on a quest to genocide dust from my department. Christmas music was the least of my worries.

Talk to customers. Some jobs may require you to converse with customers. Others don’t. My job is optional since I am not always on the floor. Yesterday, I realized that when I talked to customers, I wasn’t thinking about the music, but them. Instead of leaving customer conversations on the surface level, I probed further. It ended up increasing customer service (and sales) on quite a few occasions.

Parody. In any retail job, customers come in waves. Sometimes they just disappear. If you’ve cleaned, rearranged, and stocked just about everything, then there is nothing left to do but endure the pain. What now? I once worked with a guy who would change the lyrics to about every song and sing with it. It was incredibly fun and quite hilarious. My favorite of his was “Feliz Navidad,” or rather “Police got mi Dad.”

Am I alone on this view of working retail during the Holidays? Any tips you might give?