Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Journal.
Y'all Come Back, Now!
My wife and I were sipping morning coffee today and she commented on how the level of customer service in restaurants has changed here in the South. Not for the better, mind you. To be transparent, we are formerly Yanks who moved to Atlanta back in the late eighties, so we know a thing or two about Boston etiquette. One of the first things we learned to appreciate in Dixie was the real-deal southern hospitality. It was everywhere. True appreciation for the customer. There could not be more “thank you’s” and smiling faces, not to mention the ever-present “y’all come back now!” well wishes.
By Glenn Harriman8 years ago in Journal
10 Steps to Writing a Novel
Everyone knows that writing is easy... right? WRONG!!! Writing is one of the hardest things you will ever attempt in your life! You might be good with words, and able to string together some sentences that sound good, but a novel is another ball game.
By Angi Bartlett8 years ago in Journal
Tree Planting: The Hardest, but Most Rewarding Job in North America
Tree planting is hands down the most difficult job in North America, but it is also the best experience you will ever have. It will help you find yourself, develop confidence, and create life long memories and friends. It's a unique experience that tests your limits, pushes your boundaries, and changes your perspective.
By Adventure Junkie8 years ago in Journal
Lessons from Project Management
Before the housing market crash of 2008, I thrived in a small kitchen & bath retail store and cabinet shop. I was the project and business manager. This path taught me a lot about builders, owners, sales, product information, and of course customers. In 4 short years of being in this shop, I pretty much did everything the owner did. Our slogan was from conception to completion we will make your dream come true. I worked with every kind of builder, contractor, and customers that would come through our doors. Most were nice and friendly people that were excited to have their dream kitchen or bath that they’ve always wanted. Others had to rebuild from a fire or damage and needed to work within a budget usually dictated by insurance companies.
By Shawn C Mace8 years ago in Journal
What Retirement Fund?
I'm not alone when it comes to worrying about my retirement accounts. Unlike many people in their 20s, I actually did begin saving for retirement at a young age. I didn't do so well with it in my early 30s, but rebounded around age 35. I had a nice nest egg—a good start that I could continue to add to until I needed to begin withdrawing it.
By Dan McGinnis8 years ago in Journal
The Fear Caused by Unemployment
After my high school graduation, the first thing on my mind was, WHAT NOW? I didn’t have any plans as for college because I was leaving the country, so my dreams of going were crashed by my reality and economic status, so I knew that I was gonna focus on getting over my depression and get a job as soon as possible to start saving for college. Everyone else knew what college they were going to, what career they were gonna study, and had their minds on the game, meanwhile I was hyperventilating since I was a fish that was changed out of his tank and moved to another one—bigger—where the language and the culture was different, and another whole way of how being an adult works.
By Sunshine Queen YG8 years ago in Journal
Working for Massage Envy
I worked at Massage Envy for six weeks. By week two I discovered that my receptionist position was actually more of a salesman job. Selling hundred dollar products, spa treatment upgrades, membership agreements, etc.… I’m not a salesman. Receptionist work vs salesman work is quite different. I'm a great receptionist—appointment setting, answering calls, greeting clients with a smile. Selling overpriced and unnecessary product is not really my skillset.
By Stephanie Harper8 years ago in Journal
The Weird and Wonderful World of the Office
In recent years I have become fascinated with the approach to work in the office environment and how we look at it differently to the shopfloor. Having worked on the shopfloor in a manufacturing environment and transferred to the other side, it strikes me there are some stark differences that don't make sense.
By Mike Scruton8 years ago in Journal
I'm a Time Traveller
“I’m a time traveller.” Well, at least that is what I told the child who asked me why I was wearing medieval clothing when I was waiting for a fellow re-enactor to pick me up for an event. The child then ran off excitedly to his mother, who in turn gave me a funny look, something I have grown used to and on some levels enjoy. I am not entirely certain why I chose that to be my way of explaining myself, especially since “I’m a re-enactor” is far more plausible, but the more I think on it, the more I feel I would not change the remark. After all, as living historians, we are the closest thing there is. For instance, the person who first engaged my interest in re-enactment when I was in my mid-teens had stormed the beaches of Normandy, drank the Spanish Main dry, pillaged monasteries, and both fought for and against the Roman Empire all while onlookers cheered and applauded as they enjoyed their educational day out. Although that is not exactly going from one timeline to another, it is close enough.
By Badger Hill8 years ago in Journal
How to Succeed in an Unpaid Internship
There’s been a lot of debate lately as to whether unpaid internships are fair, and it’s safe to say it’s definitely not. In the UK the cost to the individual for an unpaid internship is around £1,000 a month in London. I’ve done my fair share of unpaid internships, and I’m going to help you get the best out of your time, and your savings account.
By Jane O'Leary8 years ago in Journal
