Weekend Workers

Automaton worker, New Ulm Glockenspiel outside my radio station where I work

I am a weekend worker.

Professional radio announcer Amy Zents

Casual dress is OK when you don’t see anyone else but the radio DJ who worked a shift before you.

Today I am at my radio station doing my Sunday afternoon shift at knuj.net.

https://knuj.net/2022/05/29/music-from-germany-may-29/

I would probably not come out on a nice day if I didn’t love my work.

Yesterday I worked from 130pm until 7pm.

It was girl’s softball on the FM all afternoon yesterday.

As I wheeled into the downtown area where my station is located on a glorious Saturday afternoon, I thought of the many storeclerks, volunteers and other workers who had to be indoors on such a spectacular day.

My boss would call it a Play Hooky Day.

Cheers to all the weekend workers again! You are all amazing! 👏

A Tantalizing World

Fresh delicious Apple Pie

Everywhere we look, people look for happiness.

They seek it online and in person. They are full of dissatisfaction.

They can’t get very much done because they are distracted.

Life is meant to be fun.

Life is meant to be enjoyed.

Here is a story I never heard of before, but it is the origin of the word tantalize.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantalus

If you ever feel like you are missing out on all the fun, you are not alone.

Most people feel that way and that’s why many seek temptations and escape from the drudge of work.

Nevertheless, if you want to be a better person, the key is to plan your work and work your plan. The joys are hidden behind and in between your efforts in the daily service of others.

Yet, you need to also take time for yourself and live with balance and gratitude.

Dwarf Lilac trees

Old dwarf lilac treess trimmed

Today we had our dwarf lilacs trees trimmed and more.

The men came early this morning to fix our overgrown trees.

They worked quickly and efficiently.

A truck filled with branches from our little trees

I am thankful for the local landscaping company, Rivercreek Nursery, for their hard teamwork.

Due to the cold weather this Spring, they are 3 weeks behind. Let’s hope they can catch-up on their projects.

The sun is out and today is a beautiful day! Let’s hope it that better days are on the way!🌞

Studying Commitment

Bookish

I have a lot of books. Many times I scoop them up at library book sales, or just aquire them at book stalls.

Later on I discover them in the house, sometimes many years after I brought them home.

Sometimes the books are found not so neatly on a bookshelf, and sometimes I find them in a bag or a box stacked on a table or the floor.

I’ve started studying a book I found in a bag underneath a desk. It’s called “Commit to win,” by Heidi Reeder, PhD.

Get committed

It’s about how to harness the four elements of commitment to reach your goals.

She elaborates on the 4 areas of commitment that I never heard of.

They are: treasures, troubles, contributions and choices. Basically the 4 ingredients that go into any commitment.

It’s food for thought if you plan on making a commitment and plan on succeeding in fulfilling it.

I have 3 areas I am trying to get committed to doing.

I. I need to drop some excess fat; 35 lbs. exactly.

2. I need to get rid of a lot of old junk in my living space, so as to upgrade my style and feel happier at home. Yes, I have a lot of stuff.

3. Lastly, I need to get my music business organized.

That means finding, labeling, and organizing eveything from books to instruments, to recording units, and sound equipment not just for insurance purposes either.

There are also the intangibles of my band Molly and Sonny Boy that need attention like websites and digital photos, contacts and financial files

I would like to get all 3 commitments fulfilled in the next 5 months. However, there is a difference between deciding to do something and actually getting started. I will keep you posted!

My job

I am a radio dj

I am working today at the radio station 🚉

You can hear my show here

My perch

I’ve been in radio since 1993. It’s a job match made in heaven.

I have the gift of gab and my degree is in music!

Cool radio dj

Our minds, hearts, and homes

Whatever happened to honor and respect? 
Some people don’t care what they say, what they look like, or even live like, much less do they care if it offends you!

You may call it freedom, but it comes with a high price.

I understand some people have real mental issues. There are people​ who have real problems dealing with their issues, and would like to let everybody know it.

On a different note, many have been enticed into believing the world owes them a living, and they whine to everybody who will listen to garner pity for their feelings, or else make major excuses to justify themselves.

No matter how you slice it, most people have lost touch with two basic human values, honor and respect.

It is evident everywhere you look.

So what’s to be done about it?

The underlying principle is always the same. It boils down to personal responsibility.

And the question to ask is always the same. 

Who or what do you want to be? 

You decide to be the person who shows honor and respect because your attitude affects everybody in one way or another, including you.

It’s time for an honor and respect wake-up call.

Start with yourself and you are guaranteed you will make your life easier, better and more valuable.
If you show honor and respect for yourself in everything you do and say, others will respond in a very good way. 

Don’t tear yourself down, and don’t beat yourself up. Be the change you want to see in the world. 

After that, show respect and honor to your family. Show respect and honor with people at work and at play.

I don’t wish to lecture anyone, but I believe the lack of honor and respect is at the core of society’s​ problems.

Things won’t get better until a sacred sense of honor and respect pervades all the spaces in our minds, hearts and homes. 

Amy Zents dishes on Uni

Did you take a double major like me? You may have thought you wanted to become a Superstar multi-billionaire too by going through music, art and English classes. 

College professors don’t tell you how slim the chances are out there for budding wannabe movie stars.

Well I do not begrudge an education for you, just remember there’s those student loan bills that show up on a constant basis without guarantee of employment.
​I think you are wise to do what you are drawn to rather than what you are forced to do out of necessity. 

I was one of the fortunate few who did exactly what I wanted to do. I took over 500 credits in my college career. I had a very strong thirst for knowledge, and I took a variety of classes from nursing to the art of the science fiction novel.

It took me 14 years to graduate because I quit part way and then returned to finish up. Also, I kept changing my mind and my career focus.

I did walk away with a beautiful career as a radio announcer, but I had been doing that prior to college and I did not need a degree for that. With a college degree, I was able to add another couple of jobs to my resume, that of being a professional music instructor and singer-actress.

In planning your success route you need to keep in mind that being able to communicate is one of the highest qualities a person can possess. 

I was happy to learn to communicate and to create meaning in my life through my college degree and college education, but I knew what I was searching for once I found it.

It’s a pity that a lot of people go into writing, music and the arts with very little to say. They usually wind up working in a furniture store miserable and bitter. 

Mind you, there’s nothing wrong with working in a furniture store. It’s just the part of being miserable and bitter that is the problem.

Nevertheless, the world needs people who can clearly communicate information, inspiration, mind-opening ideas, along with entertainment to enliven and inspire others. 

You actually do not need a college degree to do any of those things if you were born with the gift of gab and a great curiosity and interest in others. Talent surely helps, and a college degree doesn’t hurt.

If you feel that you qualify to be an expert on something, it helps to be able to write or create in a way that you feel will benefit others. Giving is living.

But if you choose to quit trying and lie around all day doing nothing but drink beer and smoke pot thinking you’re an artist, a writer or a musician you’ve got another thing coming.

If you are so young you feel you haven’t really lived or if you feel you have nothing important or interesting to say, perhaps you would be better off forgetting that career in the Arts and becoming a young professional in a high-paying job, and not waste your productive years lying around or working on trifling low-paying unrelated and uninspiring work. 

Why not get a career that will benefit you financially? Decide what you want and go for it.

Then you might earn more money now instead of waiting for that magic opportunity that might never come. 

With your income you might also afford to take specialized classes in future days that will allow you to learn to better appreciate life, music, and the arts.

And with your specialized knowledge you might be able to communicate in a way that is just as beneficial or even more valuable than somebody who just decides to write or create without any purpose, outside of a desire for fame and self-aggrandizement.

The grass may always seems greener on the other side, but I always think you should bloom where you’re planted.

Keep Climbing No Matter What

Keep Climbing!

Every time we try to do something, there’s always a chance something might happen that we don’t like.
Similarly, in most climates, sometimes the sun shines and sometimes we get rain. If it’s only sunny all the time, you are living in a dry desert.

The same pattern holds true when it comes to your projects. 

There are some projects that are hard to do by yourself. Especially if it is something to do with special knowledge such as carpentry, mountain climbing or medicine.

Occasionally, other people are necessary for your progress. But other people are not perfect, unfortunately. They do make mistakes whether you like it or not.

In order not to freak out when things go awry, a certain attitude has to be adopted. Keep on track. Don’t get sidelined by trouble.

If the apple cart is upset, all you can do is pick up the apples and put them back on the cart. You don’t start flinging apples. It’s just a waste of energy!

Perfectionism is a stupid goal. It will the thwart your progress.

Perfectionism, not apples, needs to be thrown out the window, unless you desire a nervous breakdown.

I’m learning about the risk-reward ratio in life. Little improvements do add up over time.

You need to be patient with other people, but mainly you must be patient with yourself.

Every little progress also deserves a little reward. Persistence demands it.

Don’t forget to reward yourself when you find yourself doing what you know you should do.

Don’t freak out when things aren’t as perfect as you wish.

If you stay on the path towards progress, the desired outcome will be there waiting for you. No excuses, keep climbing until congratulations are in order!🌹

Musically yours,

Amy Zents 

Rigors of Living

Plan your work and work your plan!

They often say the best laid plans of mice and men go awry.

Sometimes it’s better not to have plans, and do what you know you should do, and do what you say you will do.

Part of growing up is becoming disciplined. To discipline yourself is the hardest thing to do.

Did you know you can become a life coach without any degree? To become a life coach you don’t even have to join their organisation and get on their mailing list either.

Why do so many people hire life coaches? 

I think people like to have a life coach, although it costs them a lot of money.The fact is people are unable to kick their own butts, they prefer somebody else whip them in line. 

The reality is you probably do not need anyone to tell you what to do. You know what to do. You may not want to do it. However, the ultimate decision is up to you whether or not you do it.

The truth is revealed in the movie The Wizard of Oz. You have the power within you and you’ve always had it.

One of the nice things about the digital Revolution, is that we can set up our schedule on our smartphone, and use the timer and the calendar, and it’s all paper free. 

When it comes to time management, you have to be the one to manage yourself in time. Go for it! You can do it! I believe in you! 

You don’t need me as your life coach, you need yourself to be on your side, to stand up for your truth, and your goals and dreams!

Tired and disgusted

Normally in November the weather is gray and yucky like this picture

I should be very happy. The weather today was not all gray and depressing as it normally is in November. In fact, it got up to 72 degrees, or  22.222 degrees Celsius.

Seeing a hearse outside Domino’s Pizza Parlor just makes me wonder about being overworked

But when you burn the candle at both ends, it doesn’t take a mighty straw to break the camel’s back.

I have so many balls in the air lately, sleep is just an interruption. When I really find myself fast asleep, then it’s time to get up and take care of the diabetic Pomeranian, and take the dogs out to wee.

Not only that, the two dogs have taken it upon themselves to be my alarm clock x 2. They bark their heads off when they want me to get out of bed on their timetable.

I have dyspraxia so it’s hard enough to finally go to sleep at night, and then to have to get up prematurely, it’s really awful.

One of the dogs loves to jump on the bed and jump on me. He tries to get me to get up by jumping up and down and barking on me. The other dog, who is visually challenged, just barks and barks to get me up.

The weird thing is that they go to bed when I go to bed, but they’re up before the dawn ready to go and run. So lately my life has just been so sleep-deprived. Tonight I’m going to try to go to bed a little sooner. Yet because of my  projects and work, no housework  has been done and yet it’s really piling up like crazy.

It’s awful when there’s no food in the fridge, dirty dishes in the sink and no one to do all the work except yourself.

I’m seriously considering hiring some help. But I hate it when people come over and see the mess, and also people seem to intrude in my life when I don’t want them here. I need to just develop some really good habits which I plan to do, so I can just do it all myself.

Everybody seems to be working very hard lately. It’s like when it rains it pours.

Then again there’s other people that just don’t want to have to work so they just don’t come in or they call in sick and then someone else has to carry the extra load.

You can be tired in many different ways, and usually all those ways at one time.

I’m trying to look at the bright side of things right now. There are good things coming. I know. I will just try to gather my strength, any way I can. I will try and get more sleep, not do anything tonight, except close my eyes and go to bed. If I can’t sleep, then I will get up and do some cleaning. But I think I know I’ll be able to sleep because sleeping is better and easier than having to face a sink full of dirty dishes. Nevertheless, my truck is full of groceries, I just got back from the store, now I have to put everything away and take care of my diabetic Pomeranian. The Merry-Go-Round doesn’t quit.

 I will find the strength, now that I have unloaded on my blog. It’s better to be too busy than bored. I’m no longer bored, just tired.

This diabetic Pomeranian is very feisty in the early morning hours