You Can Make All the Difference

Did you know that a single word can change the course of someone's day? YOU can choose whether that word will be kind or a weapon. We all make choices. Every day, 100s and sometimes even thousands of choices. We are in control of what we do. We are not controlled by circumstance. I have been observing some behaviour lately and it's made me think quite a lot. There is a man who owns a local shop. He is a VERY cranky and disrespectful individual. Each time I have visited his establishment he is screaming at his staff and using words that really should be kept behind closed doors and NOT for customers ears. I recently spoke with one of his employees and asked her why he is always freaking out and putting down his employees. He calls them, "stupid ignorant good for nothing deadbeat losers".  She shook her head and told me  "Oh, he's like that because he had a rough childhood"
My jaw pretty much dropped. I was flabbergasted. I looked at her for what felt like 10 minutes but was probably all of 10 seconds. I just sort of nodded and said, "Really?  So you are giving someone permission to treat you with disrespect because he had a rough childhood?"
She nodded and didn't really say much else. I am sure she stifled it due to fear of his repercussion. I finished my business there and left. I sat in my car for a few minutes reflecting on what I had just experienced.

REALLY?? A ROUGH CHILDHOOD?

 LOTS OF US HAD ROUGH CHILDHOODS!

holy shit.

Are you KIDDING ME?

So just because you had a rough childhood gives YOU permission to treat everyone around you like dog shit?
NO. It DOES NOT.

It most definitely DOES NOT.

It's time to grow UP, Mr. Shop Owner. 

Be a respectful member of the community. 

People are loyal to YOUR establishment and we definitely do not want to be assaulted by your vulgar words and disrespectful actions towards your employees and customers.

Next time, instead of screaming profanities at your employees and calling them worthless, why don't you think about how YOUR business would run if they QUIT. They SHOULD quit! You do not deserve their loyalty. Quite frankly I am disgusted by you and from now on, I will be traveling the 19 miles to another establishment that offers the same services as yours. I have given you more than enough chances. At first I simply thought that you may just be having a hellacious day. But you have been running your foul mouth and attitude every single time that I enter your shop and I am finished. 

Yes. I left this letter in his mailbox. (Everything from the Bold type and below) He deserves to see what his customers are seeing. He's a foul, disgusting, bitter, nasty, ungrateful man. I hope this opens his eyes. I cannot see how his business will thrive if this continues to happen. 

He needs to make the CHOICE to seek help for his anger issues.
He needs to make the CHOICE to be mindful of his words and actions.

He needs to make the CHOICE to respect his employees and customers.

He needs to make the CHOICE to change before he ruins his business.

CHOICES. WE are in charge of our choices!
CHOOSE WISELY!

When you're on a roll...

When you are on a roll, don't take it for granted. ALL good things come to an end.

World Ambassador

I like to think of Peter Facinelli as an ambassador of sorts. He's brought many people of many nations together in friendship. In a way, he's made the world a little bit smaller. With each place he travels, he brings with him a smile, a handshake and a hug. He brings a little piece of each fan with him around the world. Some places he'll forever remember, some may be forgettable but what I hope he'll take away from ALL of this, some day, is the knowledge that he is the reason for so many friendships, so many smiles, so many bonds.

Peter will always be popular and remembered because of how he has chosen to connect with his fans. He is one of the most  approachable celebrities in the world. This is not an opinion, it's a fact. He makes time for his fans by spending his time at Alex's Lemonade Meet & Greets,  doing autographs and taking photos with fans. A lot of the money raised by these meet and greets is donated to Alex's Lemonade. Not only is he connecting with fans but also doing a great service towards helping to fund research for childhood cancer.

I've been fortunate to meet with Peter at Creation events and Alex's Lemonade meet and greets more than 10 times since 2009. He is a genuine, down to earth, caring individual. What you see is what you get. He's quirky, witty and a whole lot of fun. Most of all, he cares. He cares enough to give of himself when he truly doesn't have to. He cares enough to go out of his way to give someone a hug. He cares enough to make time to give back to the community. 

Sadly all good things come to an end but with an end there is always a new beginning. The end of the Twilight Saga movies & books does not mean the end of all the friendships that were forged by it all. Peter has continued on with some amazing projects, Loosies, Nurse Jackie, Gallows Hill, and several others which are in the works. He will continue to bring us together as long as we continue to support and follow him and his career.

Impact

I've spoken a lot over the past couple of years about this topic and decided to write about it. I'm tired of excuses and nonsense. Professionalism and tact are two key ingredients to being a good employee. A good employee should, first and foremost, give a damn about the company or employer whom they represent. The employee is often that company's first impression and therefore makes a lasting impression on those who come into contact with or who are using the service that employee is providing for said company.

Let me ask you two things.

Should employees sit behind the scenes or in plain sight and speak badly with intent to misrepresent you and your establishment? 

Should employees talk down to those who have come to respect and admire you and your establishment with the intent to turn them away? 

The answer to both of those questions are obvious. No.

Employees like that are detrimental  to your up and coming establishment. Promises of updates and exciting things have been made and no acts, what-so-ever, have been made towards fulfilling those promises. It's obvious, and not to just myself, but to a whole LOT of others that this 'employee' is full of empty promises and has his/her mind elsewhere with other people and what she feels are more important projects. Not cool.

It's time for a change, my friend.

A lil Smashbook Fun!
Did this crammed 2 page spread featuring pics and 'stuff' I collected when I went to see the premiere of "Loosies" - Peter Facinelli's  indi film. It was awesome fun!

Ellie misses you!

I went to the scrapbook store to get some things I needed to scrap a few photos. I'm terribly behind with my scrapping (see my scrapbooking blog here---goingforgreatness.blogspot.com)
I found some amazing paper that will compliment the photos, one of which you see here. Ellie was sitting beside me and took the photograph and was holding it for quite a while just sitting quietly. She then turned to me and said, "When are we going to see Peter
Again? I made him a cake (Cake Doodle app on ipad) at the last meet & greet & he forgot to "eat" it. I saved it in the "fridge" for him." (there's a "fridge" to save your "cakes" in on the Cake Doodle app)
She put the photograph down and got up and said, "I miss him."

Here's the cake she made. I hope it gives him a smile.

Loosies Premier - 1/11/2012 - IFC Center NYC

Julia in front of the IFC Marquis!

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the premier of "Loosies" at the IFC Center in NYC last night. The movie was really well done and even though I had seen it several times on Demand, there is no magic like the magic of the big screen.

We arrived to the IFC Center early and were surprised at how intimate the theatre was. It's tiny! Loosies was showing in theatre 2 which was upstairs next to the "Lounge". We hung out there for a bit and slowly a few more fans trickled in. We were permitted to go sit in the theatre and since we were there early, we got to see the theatre empty. Theatre 2 seats 114 people and it wasn't even completely full.

Julia & I sat and waited a while being ridiculous and just having fun. I cannot be held responsible for the ridiculousness that is to follow:

Before the movie started, Peter Facinelli & Jaimie Alexander were introduced and came to the front of the theatre and 'launched' the premier. It was really fun to see the movie with the Producer, Chad Verdi and his family along with Peter Facinelli & his family and those who were part of the movie. I'd venture to guess that there were probably 20 'regular people' (Fans) who attended. It was very intimate and one of the most amazing experiences. If you ever have the opportunity to attend an IFC premier... I suggest you do. There's nothing like watching the movie with the people who created it!

Chad Verdi: Loosies Producer

Julia, Mr. Facinelli (Peter's Father) & Me!

Being a movie theatre, it was dark so the photos aren't the best quality :/

Meeting some of Peter's family was a real treat. They are so proud of him and they were all very nice to share him with a few fans at the premier. I had a blast! Peter's dad is very charismatic and extremely proud of his son. Such a beautiful family he has.

Had a blast talking with Rob DeFranco a few times over the course of the evening. He had a small part in the film and said he had a great time !

The Question and Answer session following the premier was really nice. We were sitting in the front row which allowed for some good photos.... well.. for someone who has a nice camera I suppose! HAHA All I had with me is my iPhone 4 - The lighting in the theatre was dim so my photos are all a bit grainy & dark. I don't mind.. I have everything on video so and it's crisp and nice! Here's a great shot of Peter sitting listening to Jaimie answer a question.

Jaimie seemed very shy and reserved and honestly freaked out by the whole thing. I don't know if the IFC Premier is the 'run of the mill' way that most Premiers go or if this was an unique experience for her. She was either not wanting to be there or she was shy. I'm hoping it was the latter of the 2. ;)

A huge thanks to Chad Verdi and Peter Facinelli for including the fans in this amazing event!!