Lessons learned

[zowie]

Thursday I received a forwarded/not forwarded notification from Taxi that made me very angry.The details on this situation are not important and they are not why I am writing this post.Anyway,the first thing I did was get on the phone and call Taxi.A young woman answered and was rewarded to one of my classic angry Shakespearian rants.Despite my lunatic ravings,the woman remained cool,clear headed,professional and friendly,and basically helped me not only to "focus"on the details of my call,but gave me instructions on how to work with Taxi to try and solve my "problem"(and no,it wasn't a bad review,it was practically"glowing").I was still miffed,but I was so blown away by her attitude that I called back,found out who her supervisor was,and sent her "boss" a short e-mail telling her aboutthe exchange.I just got an e-mail from the "big boss" Michael Laskow.He thanked me for letting then know about "the girl's"professionalism and also mentioned that "the girl" had only been working at Taxi for two weeks!(she sounded like a music biz' pro,...but maybe she's just very experienced dealing with crazy people )Anyway,here are the "lessons learned".1.Freaking out solves nothing.2.Taxi isn't lying when they say they care,they are going to look into my "problem",and I'm shure it will be resolved fairly.3.Letting "management" know about the great job "labor" does is a good idea,whether it's Taxi, or Mc Donalds.Work can suck.Doing things like this can make it suck less.I don't think the people on this board need lessons in being clear headed or polite, but I did.P.s.I'm not mentioning "the girls" name because I don't want her to be singled out as the "problem solver" for anyone with a gripe.My particular problem seems unusual even for Taxi.(I think).Be Good,Zowie

[nomiyah]

Cool story. In general, it's always been better for me to not be angry with people. I appreciate the reminder and wishfully hopeful that when we are peaceful amongst ourselves, it will spread globally and help end war. Thanks for mentioning supporting workers.

[johnnydean1]

Quote:Thursday I received a forwarded/not forwarded notification from Taxi that made me very angry.The details on this situation are not important and they are not why I am writing this post.Anyway,the first thing I did was get on the phone and call Taxi.A young woman answered and was rewarded to one of my classic angry Shakespearian rants.Despite my lunatic ravings,the woman remained cool,clear headed,professional and friendly,and basically helped me not only to "focus"on the details of my call,but gave me instructions on how to work with Taxi to try and solve my "problem"(and no,it wasn't a bad review,it was practically"glowing").I was still miffed,but I was so blown away by her attitude that I called back,found out who her supervisor was,and sent her "boss" a short e-mail telling her aboutthe exchange.I just got an e-mail from the "big boss" Michael Laskow.He thanked me for letting then know about "the girl's"professionalism and also mentioned that "the girl" had only been working at Taxi for two weeks!(she sounded like a music biz' pro,...but maybe she's just very experienced dealing with crazy people )Anyway,here are the "lessons learned".1.Freaking out solves nothing.2.Taxi isn't lying when they say they care,they are going to look into my "problem",and I'm shure it will be resolved fairly.3.Letting "management" know about the great job "labor" does is a good idea,whether it's Taxi, or Mc Donalds.Work can suck.Doing things like this can make it suck less.I don't think the people on this board need lessons in being clear headed or polite, but I did.P.s.I'm not mentioning "the girls" name because I don't want her to be singled out as the "problem solver" for anyone with a gripe.My particular problem seems unusual even for Taxi.(I think).Be Good,ZowieI agree Zowie,"freaking out" solves nothing!You wouldn't believe the amount of people that "freak out" at me for no good reason.I am tolerant,kind,sensitive and polite and like you, I am on a mission to make this world a better place.I have to disaggree with you that nobody on this board need's lessons in being polite.The vast majority of them (no names) would benefit from some kind of people skills/diplomacy tuition,however it's not my place to say,so I will keep quiet.Keep up the good work.J.

[zowie]

Thanks Johnnydean1,but I wouldn't call myself tolerant,sensitive or kind.As a matter of fact,I'm paid to be the exact opposite,and I'm afraid ,sometimes my "work" attitude creeps into my "real" life.You see my day job is running inmate labor crews on outside work details,(a.k.a.a chain gang) and being "tolerant" could lead to all kinds of trouble.The closest I'm allowed to be "human"is firm fair,and consistent.(actual post orders).Anyway I think my real problem is due to my weird music "career".It boils down to this,I've had a ton of critical success without even trying to be serious or working at it.For example,in the 90's,as a "joke"two friends and I started a "band"and made a pathetic sounding e.p.Four weeks later we were signed to a major indie label,and I just found out that our third album is included in a book called "Lost in the Grooves".This book is about bands and records that are amazing but,but few people know about.Outside of the cover songs the bass player/guitarist did,I wrote all the songs.The reviewer called it "better than Nirvana"s "Nevermind".I STRONGLY DISAGREE, but you see my point.I have had so much attention an praise from various people in the music industry ever since (again without seeking it out or trying) that I've begun to believe "their" hype.I think this has created a sense of "entitlement" in me that,now that I'm actually sending out my music to be heard,freaks me out when someone doesn't immediately praise my "genius" and roll out the red carpet.Zowie

[johnnydean1]

Quote:Thanks Johnnydean1,but I wouldn't call myself tolerant,sensitive or kind.As a matter of fact,I'm paid to be the exact opposite,and I'm afraid ,sometimes my "work" attitude creeps into my "real" life.You see my day job is running inmate labor crews on outside work details,(a.k.a.a chain gang) and being "tolerant" could lead to all kinds of trouble.The closest I'm allowed to be "human"is firm fair,and consistent.(actual post orders).Anyway I think my real problem is due to my weird music "career".It boils down to this,I've had a ton of critical success without even trying to be serious or working at it.For example,in the 90's,as a "joke"two friends and I started a "band"and made a pathetic sounding e.p.Four weeks later we were signed to a major indie label,and I just found out that our third album is included in a book called "Lost in the Grooves".This book is about bands and records that are amazing but,but few people know about.Outside of the cover songs the bass player/guitarist did,I wrote all the songs.The reviewer called it "better than Nirvana"s "Nevermind".I STRONGLY DISAGREE, but you see my point.I have had so much attention an praise from various people in the music industry ever since (again without seeking it out or trying) that I've begun to believe "their" hype.I think this has created a sense of "entitlement" in me that,now that I'm actually sending out my music to be heard,freaks me out when someone doesn't immediately praise my "genius" and roll out the red carpet.ZowieThanks for being so candid Zowie.You seem to be at the opposite end of the spectrum to most musicians I know,myself included.I/we have worked extremely hard at our musical skills and still strive to get better.If I do get praise,I can't accept it,I assume the people who give the praise don't know what they are talking about.If I get criticism,I automatically think the people who give the criticism are absolutely right,though in truth they probably don't have a clue.The only thing I can suggest which might help, is if you post something for the people here to listen to.I could almost guarantee you will get,honest and unbiased opinions on your music and possibly your potential.Johnny.

[zowie]

Johnny,Two problems with posting my songs.1.I don't know how2.My home recordings are amateurish at best.I am currently having my stuff professionally recorded and so far it sounds great.I should be done with this around October,and I will find someone to help me with the confusing computer stuff and post it.Until then if you would like a good laugh,I know a way you can listen to short examples of my songs that where supposedly "better than Nirvana".Go to Amazon.com and search for an album that rhymes with "Astronaut" but instead of "Astro",type "Blastro".Why the cryptic word games?I'll tell you.I don't want to run the possibility of one of my former "band mates" Googleing the band or album name and winding up finding this board.They are A-holes.And after we started getting praise for this stupid noise,they forgot that it was supposed to be a joke and reveled in their "street cred".I was never even allowed to be interviewed because they where afraid I'd spill the beans.And two years ago,when a friend of mine who owns a rock club in Atlanta formed a back up band and begged me to perform my songs from this album at his place,my former "band mate" called the club repeatedly,screaming that he was going to sue the club,all this for me SINGING THE SONGS THAT I WROTE!!!!So please,if you check it out,DON'T come back and post the band name,album name, or "my" last name,as in Zowie "..........."Believe me, you don't want this delusional idiot finding this place.Speaking of delusional idiots,"better than Nevermind" it aint.At best it's a goofy glam/punk mix with some interesting moments.I wrote the album in one night,finished lyrics the next few days.The name of "the band" is "THE "guy who killed John Kennedy" BAND.

[johnnydean1]

Quote:Johnny,Two problems with posting my songs.1.I don't know how2.My home recordings are amateurish at best.I am currently having my stuff professionally recorded and so far it sounds great.I should be done with this around October,and I will find someone to help me with the confusing computer stuff and post it.Until then if you would like a good laugh,I know a way you can listen to short examples of my songs that where supposedly "better than Nirvana".Go to Amazon.com and search for an album that rhymes with "Astronaut" but instead of "Astro",type "Blastro".Why the cryptic word games?I'll tell you.I don't want to run the possibility of one of my former "band mates" Googleing the band or album name and winding up finding this board.They are A-holes.And after we started getting praise for this stupid noise,they forgot that it was supposed to be a joke and reveled in their "street cred".I was never even allowed to be interviewed because they where afraid I'd spill the beans.And two years ago,when a friend of mine who owns a rock club in Atlanta formed a back up band and begged me to perform my songs from this album at his place,my former "band mate" called the club repeatedly,screaming that he was going to sue the club,all this for me SINGING THE SONGS THAT I WROTE!!!!So please,if you check it out,DON'T come back and post the band name,album name, or "my" last name,as in Zowie "..........."Believe me, you don't want this delusional idiot finding this place.Speaking of delusional idiots,"better than Nevermind" it aint.At best it's a goofy glam/punk mix with some interesting moments.I wrote the album in one night,finished lyrics the next few days.The name of "the band" is "THE "guy who killed John Kennedy" BAND.Well Zowie,I wasn't sure if I had the right band on Amazon until I read the last line of your post.I think you have very right to have Great Expectations to quote a well known English Novelist.I think the band is/was great and the songs are great so anything you come up with solo should be brilliant.It won't have done you any harm to have had your dreams shattered once or twice it will just make you more prepared for success when it comes.Roll out the red carpet!Johnny.

[zowie]

Thanks Johnny,My current stuff makes this stuff sound like rancid poop.Be Good.Zowie