N. Jordan's Open Salon Blog

#234 "Antz".... colonies are just like corporations

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 09:09:07 -0400

"I was not cut out to be a worker, I'll tell you right now. I feel physically inadequate. I,I... My whole life, I've never... I've NEVER been able to lift more than ten times my body weight."

-Z

Antz

1998

The first ten minutes of this movie is like watching reality corporate television. Well, I don't think that is really a concept yet, but, I am thinking about branding it. Anyways, Antz is a cartoon, but is its a rhetorical masterpiece. I love the idea that colony in an antz world, is similar to the word corporation in the business world.

Are individual contributors invincible?

The greatest thing about this opening scene is it starts with Z the ant on a therapist chair. He's talking about his childhood, his insignificance in the workplace and his separation from the other antz in the colony. Z is a distraught employee. Unsatisfied, overzealous and charming. Z is just like many in corporations today; just a number.

As the camera angle shifts to the view of the colony the production line is visible, the job descriptions are identified, the system is in fact a machine. Before a machine based on talent and now a machine based on numbers and coverage. It is fascinating.

As Z is handpicked into a role of "ball roller", he jumps on board with a gazillion of his colleagues and creates this large demolition ball using their ant bodies as the vice. As Z's job is to hold on to the string that is actually him holding the ball, he lets go and states... "Yes, yes, I understand, I dropped the ball".

I never thought a film with ants or even animation can take me to a different understanding of the business world; but it did. Reward and praise is few short in some businesses, replacability and specialization is more realistic.

You are an individual, you can be replaced.

So what makes an employee valuable? Is it their diversity? Is it their experience? Perhaps it is their drive or their ability to take risks. Either way, one mistake and you become the corporations nightmare. Each time I look at myself and my job performance I measure it as if it were my own business. I might be the rare few that take my job to that extreme, but, I am always trying to be that ideal employee.

The question is... is it being noticed?

"I'm supposed to do everything for the colony. What about my needs?" -Z

Many times employees feel like statistics. The top of the scale is outweighed by the star performers and the bottom of the scale is those who are waiting to be let go or reassigned to another role. Knowing that each corporation has a different hierarchy of decision making, makes it relevant that each individual should have their own hierarchy of job commitment.

Jobs are rarely tangible. Jobs are necessary for ones life to flourish and maintain a lifestyle. However, is job satisfaction ranked higher than customer satisfaction these days? Are people afraid to say they are unhappy in the workplace?

Like an ant, the order and command is similar in many corporations. You are in a task orientated role. Maybe one that wasn't necessarily the one you signed up for, but, perhaps the one you were placed into. You can either make the best of it, or you can simply wait for the decision to let you go to make the worst of you.

You may feel outnumbered in your job, you may feel exceptionally needed in your job, but for those who don't know the difference just yet, and those that will continue to shape the corporations, make it a point to know your employees. Spending that extra time each day might teach you something new about them. It might improve how you operate your business with others.

Management has taken a new role these days. The concept of wearing "multiple hats" has also taking a new turn. But, what scares me is the less face to face interaction. With everything automated, from email, to IM, to facebook and twitter and podcasts, have we become a less social society?

I guess in a few years talking to someone face to face might actually be the new way to study communication.

#233 "he's just not that into you"... really!?!

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 17:09:17 -0400

he's just not that into you

2009

"If a guy doesn't call you, he doesn't want to call you."

-Alex

Oh yes... the turmoil of dating. Well first of all.... thank goodness I am not in the dating pool. Second of all.. thank goodness I am not in the dating pool. Yes, I said it twice. Yes, I am talking out loud. I actually really liked this movie. It was so funny to be able to relate to something so many years out of the the dating game.

As a woman, once a girl, I did all the classic things this movie talks about. I over analyzed, over criticized and over thought every move my lust to be took. I followed it up with the daydreaming, the wondering, and of course the singing of songs with my name and his in one sentence. I even started to sign my name with his last name. Yes, many of you might relate.

However, this movie's title says it all.. yet, still over the years and through friendships and repeated first loves, girlfriends try to tell one another that he will call. When in actuality, if he wanted to call he probably would have already.

This movie had some big names in the cast. Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johannson, Ginnifer Goodwin, Bradley Cooper, Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Connelly. It was entertaining and of course easy to watch.

I came away with a thought after watching the movie. That the secret to dating for women is supposed to be a secret. True love is sometimes hidden. I've always thought the secret to seeing if a guy liked you was to pretend you weren't into them. Yet, in reality maybe that's what the problem. There is all these games.

Sometimes the hunt for Prince Charming is too tough to endure. Women, girls, and even their girlfriends tell one another that Prince Charming will come around. If not in this guy, maybe in the next. The secret to knowing true love or even knowing if the guy is into you may be just that... a SECRET and finding Prince Charming only happens in fairytales.

So as I watched this film, I laughed, I shook my head in agreement. I smirked and held back my tears as I knew I was a victim of these pathetic exercises of over-analysis and debate. But, to my dismay... we can only blame ourselves and yes, our girlfriends for encouraging us to be stalker-like and un-human in our attempt to gain approval and reciprocation in a guy.

Perhaps the reason guys are from Mars and women are from Venus is just that their is no other cosmic way to know if you are liked or loathed unless you give into the game. We are universally different.

My question to you... is love a game? Is it a "tag, you are it" sort of deal? Is it a "I ignored you for three days, now lets see if you will respond to my call?" Or is it simply "I'm not into you really, I just want to see if you think I am, because it feels great to be liked?"

Either way... dating is a mystery, love is an enigma... but, falling in love at a young age; well... its just indescribable. Having to re-fall into love... well that is another posting. Sometimes the hardest thing about falling in love is accepting rejection. The easiest thing about feeling love, leads to the hardest part about getting over it.

But, as you always hear.. its better to have loved then to have never loved. Even though the goal is getting that love to call you back ;-)

I have to say cheers to the dating scene.. I don't miss you, but boy was it fun.

#232 "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".... or do they?

Sun, 5 Sep 2010 11:09:00 -0400

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

1953

"Don't you know that a man being rich is like a girl being pretty? You wouldn't marry a girl just because she's pretty, but my goodness, doesn't it help?"

Lorelei Lee

Another film of the 1950s so bear with me, but honestly, these are great classics. I watched, On the Waterfront, Rear Window, Touch of Evil, An Affair to Remember, Shadows, The Searchers, Rebel Without A Cause, Anatomy of A Murder, Sunset Boulevard, Imitation of Life, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes this past summer session of college. It was a great experience, one I will always remember. But, aside from the introduction to many film techniques and camera angles in this class, I want introduce you to Ms. Marilyn Monroe.

She was definitely not as naive as she may have assumed as appeared on screen. Marilyn was smart, poignant and actually funny. The roles Marilyn played in her career sort of imitated her life. She drew a lot of attention for her golden locks, her pouty lips and her full hips. But, Marilyn showed us a different side to her wit and charm in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, she was indeed the man magnet, but more so the diamond temptress.

What I adored about this film was the concept around blondes versus brunettes. Do blondes have more fun? Do they get attention? Or does the attention come naturally?

I think diamonds and love were more of the film's theme. It just seemed as if Marilyn's character had a love affair with diamonds. She was blind to the attention she drew from the men, but more so with a passion to wear those gems. But Marilyn was smart and careful, she knew what she wanted, and she went after it.

So, there was this discussion about Jane Russell's role after wards. Jane has great scene presence as well. Tall and slender, great voice, and charisma. But, was she ignored by men, was she less preferred?

The interesting thing about these two characters is that Jane's character was seeking love, and Marilyn's character was seeking diamonds. Jane had sexuality, she wanted to expose it. Marilyn more subtle but armed with charm when appropriate. Jane's character finds love, and pushes it away, but Marilyn's character finds a diamond and pursues it.

I used to think that appearances were important just in the beginning, but, I also realized that appearances were only a slight glimpse into someones soul.

Blonde or Brunette? Does it really matter? After awhile Marilyn is right; you don't marry a girl just because she is pretty, but because it does help. Attraction has many different facets, love has horizontal and vertical wavelengths. When one can love beyond appearances, love can set sail.

I never found out if gentlemen really do prefer blondes until the final scene where Jane becomes blonde in the courtroom. Men might have a slight tendency to side with the blonde, but, ultimately who's the fool when the blonde is just playing you?

Enjoy.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PluRW3_FEt0

#231 "Rebel Without A Cause"... for you James Dean

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 19:09:22 -0400

Rebel Without A Cause

1955

"I don't think I want anything, I'm nervous."

-Jim Stark

As a tribute to Mr. James Dean, and of course my past summer watching films of the 1950s, I give you my take on Rebel Without A Cause. I knew that James Dean passed away early in his life from a car accident. He actually passed away the week this film came out in 1955. Going into this film with the knowledge of his death gave me a close understanding of the realities to teen angst and peer pressure. I truly believe James Dean thought he was invincible as a person, but vividly alive as the role of Jim Stark. I think at times we all feel invincible, but, still accountable.

As topics some 65 years its tenure house commonalities with teens today, it is interesting to know that today's kids are just as vulnerable as kids of the past to be so lost. Even more so, kids are just as influenced by choices that have preceded them.

This film, known for its cinematography and James Dean's bouncy figure behavior and antics, allowed the audience to look at why teens years can be so troublesome. Why the teen years are a nervous period in time. Beyond the hormonal changes, the puberty driven desires and even the hunt for meaning in ones own purpose, teenagers are seeking to belong if not to one another, but to themselves.

Sometimes I think that the pressure to belong often outweighs the pressure to conform and rational thinking is mistaken.

This film had a subvert take on homosexuality. Yet, it never addressed it first hand. It often toyed with the idea about sexuality but, never made it overtly exposed.

Natalie Wood, Dennis Hopper and Sal Mineo starred alongside James Dean. The four of them built with star potential and poise had great onscreen chemistry and off screen connectivity. I was fascinated with the dish on Natalie Wood and the director, Nicholas Ray. Plus, how critical Dennis Hopper was in Nicholas Ray's career after this film. Even more so that out of this film more tragedy ensued after James Dean was prominent. Natalie Wood drowning off a yacht off Catalina Island in the 1980s and Sal Mineo stabbed outside his apartment in the 1960s.

It appeared to me that Rebel Without A Cause spoke to many people, mostly teens growing up in middle class America and the retraction of parental influence.

So I love this quote from the film, "I don't think I want anything, I'm nervous". Isn't it just the case sometimes?

Jim Stark's character (James Dean) is starting a new school and his mother is trying to push breakfast down him. He politely says no, but she is just so confused. I guess I can relate because isn't it true that we really don't know too much about people's struggles unless they tell us? We can watch the body language and facial expressions, but literally we really don't know what the heck is going on in someones mind because we have our own agenda's about them.

I think often that people are brought together by coincidence, by commonality, and by circumstance. It makes one believe that if people were as intertwined as they appear by these three Cs, would there be this huge question mark on people's faces when we initially meet them?

Rebel Without A Cause was about peer pressure. It was about being the new guy at a new school. It was about teens who felt their parents didn't understand them. It was about fitting in and having to fit into a clique of established peers even though the peers were somewhat lost themselves.

The fascinating thing is that I ended up doing my film analysis paper on The Breakfast Club which I found purely coincidental because I drew similarities to the film Rebel Without A Cause. I could not believe the similarities honestly, except The Breakfast Club didn't have car chases and knife fights. I couldn't believe how similar these plot lines were though. I didn't realize that there is real no answer for teens with regards to fitting in.

As I wrap up this take on Rebel, I embrace the teenage years I had. I look at them as a stepping stone to the mold I created for myself today. I look towards that foundation of movie and film history because it has shared with us many messages we maybe didn't know we already felt. James Dean will always be an icon, he will be someone who gave this film deeper meaning than its intention, it gave teens exposure.

#230 "The Bucket List".... time to fulfill it

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 12:09:23 -0400

The Bucket List

2007

"You measure yourself by the people who measure themselves by you."

-Carter Chambers

When I first think of a bucket list I think of those things I have always wanted to do, experience and enjoy before I die. I think of the cliches about buying a corvette and driving it over 160mph. I think about places many would travel, or experiences so fantasy like that inevitably may not be obtainable.

However, when I had to sit down and think of the 100 things I want to do before I die... I wanted to add 100 more.

Life is broken apart in stages. Birth, adolescence, teenage years, twenties, the rolling thirties, parenting, career, grand parenting and retirement. Well... at least that is my interpretation. So.. through it all, are we given chances to follow these dreams and goals as we age? Or are we asked to develop this list and accomplish it right before we die?

The question of death is something hard to understand as a child. A few parents know just exactly what to say to encourage life and death's revolving door for their children. For me, death is an anamoly to life. I guess I just don't want to think about it. But, I have had to the urge to travel the world and I guess the first step is to write it down and see what possibilities I have to endure.

I know there is supposed to be an extensive list to reach bucket list status, but, here's my top 20.

1. Go to Boston and watch a New England Patriots game

2. Ride the elevator to the top of the Empire State Building

3. Write and publish a book

4. Have pizza in Italy... Margherita with real buffalo mozzarella

5. Eat crab on the East Coast

6. Take a culinary class

7. Audition for a role on a television show or movie

8. Write a screenplay for a film

9. See all the movies on the AFI's Top 100 list (I've seen about 50 of them)

10. Write for a magazine and be the featured article

11. Horseback ride beach side

12. Go to all the islands of Hawaii (I've been to 2)

13. Be in the audience for a live taping of Saturday Night Live in New York City

14. Stay in a cabana on the beach for 4 days

15. See a Broadway play

16. Go to Smithsonian Museum of American History

17. Go indoor rock climbing

18. Have a Halloween costume party

19. Watch an old film on a projector screen outside under the stars

20. Own a piece of clothing from a famous designer

So I do leave you with these two final questions....

"Have you found joy in your life? Has your life brought joy to others?"

- Carter Chambers