Presence

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

I’m in an excellent mood and unsure why my brain feels happier than usual. Maybe it’s to offset inner anxiety because I anticipate finding myself in trouble when I arrive at work this afternoon. Yesterday evening, while closing my department, I didn’t take care of two routines. The evening had been quiet, so my slips weren’t critical, but I am charged to do them always.

I must be authentic in considering all this, as brains don’t technically “feel” emotions like humans do. Some physical and social activities can release certain chemicals that induce the brain states we associate with happiness. Some factors that contribute to a “happier” brain are exercise, social connections, sleep, and purpose. Some or all might be fueling my brain with “happiness” chemicals (e.g., dopamine) in these moments.

Physical components are also involved. Exercise, sunlight, and gratitude are some of the things that might be helping to fuel today’s “high.” My exercise routines still aren’t enough, but are happening. The days are abundantly sunlit. I have worked on focusing, being aware, and expressing gratitude for some time.

Why do I feel happy today despite anticipating worrisome workplace problems? Well, complex brain chemistry forced me to do some research. Now I understand, that even in the face of impending problems, a brain can release neurotransmitters (like dopamine or endorphins) that lend temporary feelings of happiness. Maybe those are why I’m feeling happier today, with an upped willingness to go to work and face the music.

Everyone experiences emotions differently. Although feeling happy in the face of problems might be a healthy coping mechanism for me, that’s unlikely to be the same for everybody. I am accustomed to working at recognizing and comprehending my emotions, but often, that means wading in deep and complicated waters.

Dear Friends: Focusing on the present moment can increase happiness. Diana

A Stone Diary

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

My short time working in jewelry sales has awakened my desire to learn more about the technical aspects of jewelry art. Understanding the properties of different metals, alloys, and gemstones requires knowing how various basic materials interact in a complex combination of chemistry and physics.

There’s much to know about jewel-making. The artists work with earth materials and have analytical minds. They have dived deeply into geology and have a scientific perspective. They can identify future jewels by knowing why a stone’s “growing environment” creates unique optical properties. They can assess a raw stone’s potential for cutting and shaping and estimate its future value.

A stone’s potential value involves another complex dive, into the “commercial world” of appeal. Consumers assess their wishes for apparel items against complicated innate desires, involving self-expression, status, cultural influence, passion, and investment worthiness.

While selling a jewelry piece, I am aware of how long a potential buyer views an object. I watch for body language clues and listen for verbal cues. To encourage a customer’s interest, I ask open-ended questions and do my best to teach by providing technical information.

Falling short in teaching drives a desire to learn. I want to understand the elements involved in identifying a raw stone’s potential and the ways artists transform found raw earth objects into desirable jewels.

Dear Friends: This is unlocking a door to endless possibilities. Diana

Compliant

Monday, June 24, 2024

Today, I must be super early to work—a whole hour before the store opens. That will allow me to fulfill the annual compliance training before handling the pre-opening routines for Fine Jewelry.

This morning, I’m mentally rearranging my early tasks. That interrupts my simultaneous stabs at thinking quickly and creating a blog. I’m sorry, but today can’t offer a story or blog.

May your day be enjoyable, and I’ll “see you” again tomorrow.

Dear Friends: I feel less of a stranger now in the unique jewelry arena. Diana

The Visit

Sunday, June 23, 2024

The very warm weather yesterday nearly overpowered both inside and outside. After having long waited for the natural warmth, I didn’t much mind, wasn’t about to complain, and instead said, “Bring more on!”

The aging large structure where I work part-time has inadequate air conditioning. My role in Fine Jewelry sales has a “dress code.” It requires wearing a jacket. This hot weather will have me challenging that current-day bit of meaninglessness.

I won’t do anything but follow every single rule before next week when a Very Big Gun visits our store. Yes, this relatively small store will soon host a major executive. On that day of brief examination, we will be mindful of keeping our areas tidy and being on our toes. Of course, we do those anyway, but to us, that visit represents a semi-grand “pomp and circumstances” event. We will be in a collective “steriod-like” attentiveness; I’ll wear an extra-special jacket.

Thankfully, pomp and circumstance occur often. They are important to keeping our store viable. Special occasions like business meetings, weddings, dances, graduations, and so on, are formal commitments. They encourage “the committed” to shop at our store which carries occasion-appropriate clothing and accessories.

We can see all around that the retail business is changing rapidly. Especially, we see retail moving away from brick-and-mortar stores and focusing more on selling online. This change is called “the Amazon effect.” (Amazon’s popularity, ease, and profitability are impacting all of retail, and much of the computer world [e.g., AI’s seemingly unlimited possibilities]).

As usual, I digress. Little telling how “liking heat and disliking jackets” guided me to Amazon.

Dear Friends: My thoughts often take unexpected turns. Diana

On Display

Saturday, June 22, 2024

I recently began selling jewelry in the department store where I work part-time. Yesterday, I discovered that coworkers had placed bets on how long it would be before I purchased a piece of jewelry. They were laughing while I was settling a deal for my shiny new ring.

I gain new intentions upon learning, and to me, quality becomes irresistible. Although I needed a ring like a hole in my head, I felt that my finger, flashing quality, could enhance my jewelry sales role (or some such rationale).

All logical rationale aside, jewelry simply attracts attention and admiration, especially pieces that host superior craftsmanship, intricate designs, precious metals, and gemstones. Attraction to high-quality jewelry varies among individuals. Some people become attracted by aesthetic appeal, others by investment potential, and for most, by fine jewelry’s emotional triggerings.

My jewelry choices reflect elements of personal style, taste, and creativity. For example, my new ring is conservative, high-quality, has good gemstones, and its design reflects my preferences. Eventually, I might wish for a more prominent ring. That could happen after I understand more about gemstones—their sparkle, shine, precious metals, and “sensing qualities” of feel and aesthetic appeal.

Dear Friends: The allure of high-quality jewelry extends beyond mere aesthetics. Diana

A “Strawberry” Team

Friday, June 21, 2024

Yesterday was the Summer Solstice, the year’s longest day when twenty-four hours split to share equally the daylight and darkness. It marks the end of slowly increasing daylight and starts us anticipating a dark season’s gradual arrival.

The evening light lingered and illuminated us Moon-Chasers. We donned our uniforms, took a camera, and headed to an appropriate place near the airport on the city’s east side. We intended to capture this month’s almost full “Strawberry” Moon. We were going for that “nearly full” moon because commitments prevented us from chasing June’s fullest moon, happening tonight.

In lots of lingering daylight, we watched the rising moon. At first, it appeared very dimly, hovering almost invisibly over the tall trees and ridge of peaks that were our horizon. The barely visible Strawberry made us unsure we could capture it adequately, but in elevating the moon became clearer and eventually very beautiful.

Photos of that moon capture the eastern countryside’s dark sky. The darkness was a significant contrast to a lighter sky west and toward the city.

Susie and I did lots of moon and airspace shooting. We quickly recognized that we were in an area that invited playing, and we did that, too.

We love our Team Uniform!

Dear Friends: Ode to an interlude of beauty, fun, and friendship. Diana

Chinatown

Thursday, June 20, 2024

On this date in 1974, Paramount Pictures released its movie, “Chinatown.” The screenplay was inspired by early Twentieth-Century California water wars and the Los Angeles interest in securing water rights in California’s Owens Valley. At the 1975 Academy Awards, Chinatown was nominated for eleven awards, receiving only one for Robert Towne’s screenplay.

Many rank Chinatown as one of the greatest films ever. It’s the last picture Roman Polanski directed in America and features many elements of film noir. The multi-layered story is part mystery and part psychological drama, perfectly interpreted by superb actors.

In 1975, Chinatown’s Oscar competition, The Godfather Part II, won for Best Picture and Best Director. Since then, I’ve wondered why Godfather won over Chinatown. Certainly, both films have had a lasting impact.

I think the Godfather’s wins were related to cultural impact. Audiences found its story easier to absorb than Chinatown’s.

Back then, The Godfather saga’s exploration of the American immigrant experience and the dark side of the American Dream probably resonated more deeply with audiences and critics. That suggests “cultural relevance” was significant in the Academy’s decision.

Today, deciding which film is best might have a different outcome. It’s important to remember that awards are subjective; contemporary choices are influenced by various factors, e.g., personal preferences, industry trends, and campaign strategies.

To me, “Chinatown” is a masterpiece of filmmaking. It forces viewers to explore some innermost and perhaps conflicting perceptions. Unquestionably, “The Godfather Part II” is also a fine movie, with similar storytelling ambition, technical excellence, and powerful performances.

Differences in perceiving them means thinking back to the 19970s. Godfather’s resonance was easier to comprehend and more comfortably relatable. Today’s populations are better informed, generally wiser about psychology, and often consider Chinatown the best picture.

Dear Friends: This anniversary of that excellent film’s debut is a cause for celebration. Diana

Profound Connections

Wednesday, June 18, 2024

Happy Juneteenth!

In today’s header photo, my fifteen-year-old hen, Welsummer, is attentive to something. There’s no telling what because her eyesight is seriously failing. She’s no longer able to judge distance, is having trouble finding her food, and more than ever she settles into a “resting state.”

When I started noticing all that, my impulse was to begin feeding her by hand. After crushing the yellow of a boiled egg and diluting it with warm water, I filled a chicken syringe. I had to hold Welsummer while trying to open her beak to insert nourishment. She wasn’t cooperative but did enjoy the few drops I got into her beak. I often tried that way of feeding, hoping she’d learn, but the process never enough improved.

The feeding failures became frustrating, and I began questioning all the worrying and struggling against losing a very old hen. One reality is my fondness for her; another is that she’s seriously failing from natural causes.

Years ago, I worked hard to keep a failing hen alive. That bird was much younger than Welsummer is now. A veterinarian had said her condition couldn’t be improved. However, she was receptive to syringe-feeding, and for weeks it seemed she was improving. However, that wasn’t so; she quit accepting nutrition, the inevitable happened.

Losing that hen saddened me and illustrated that when a “chicken’s time” arrives, there’s likely little chance of successfully reversing the reality. These days, with Welsummer, I am thinking about my earlier experience and learning.

Here’s the upshot: Welsummer is healthy but old and failing from natural causes introduced to me by her eyesight loss. Syringe feeding wouldn’t help enough. She might learn to accept a syringe but will pass in her own time. I must work at rearranging my thinking and be willing for reality simply to happen.

Dear Friends: The deeper the bonds with pets, the deeper the grief of losing them. Diana

Stretching

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

I have two days off! I don’t see tree limbs blowing outside, so the weather might be lovely. I’m so ready for warm and windless days. Get this: Two evenings ago, before going outside to feed my horses, I selected from my closet a long woolen coat to wear against the insistent, freezing winds. It’s mid-June!” Although the summer solstice is around the corner, I still am using inside space heaters.

Today, my first obligation is handling some waiting chores. Then I might take the dogs to the Badlands and give them a good run. That’ll also get me hiking, much needed after a couple of learning days of learning in a new workspace.

By the way, my learning there, so far, is less about selling jewelry than about handling department-critical routines in the openings and closings. Some tasks are physical and require lifting and bending that my back resists. Thankfully, my friend Susie recently demonstrated some stretching routines, which I’ve begun using. I hope stretching will increase my overall flexibility, and meanwhile, it’s boosting my self-confidence; I’m more willing to take on physical tasks.

Selling jewelry is a different animal. Selling an expensive luxury item requires technical knowledge about its design, structure, and worthiness. A jewelry seller starts by articulating specifics that address an item’s value while teaching a consumer. I’ve been listening as my mentor Marie sells. She has fantastic product knowledge and is highly sensitive to customers. I understand now that ahead my path is very challenging. While learning how to sell jewelry, I must also be searching to find my footing in that complex role.

Dear Friends: I enjoy learning challenges, and now, I’ve found a doozy. Diana

Bejeweled

Monday, June 17, 2024

After my first day in Jewelry, Wow! There were, and still are, many elements to learn about working in a fine jewelry department. A primary responsibility is keeping an ongoing accurate count of items for sale and unarguable accounting for everything on record. One carries keys and opens display cases holding jewelry, one at a time, and relocks a case immediately after showing an object. Then, there are safes with absolute procedures for what goes in and out and when.

That’s not all. There are iPads and internet searches, training materials, record-keeping, lists of customers for each salesperson, and, at the end of each day, protecting jewelry by hefting a series of awkward Kevlar coverings onto display cases.

With much more ahead to learn and remember, oy vey.

In retrospect, while not as romantic as becoming surrounded by jewelry, my former role of rehanging dresses and putting away bras was way less stressful.

During a pause, Marie (my trainer in Jewelry) spoke of her history as a jewel creator, adding that she used to operate her own shop in town. Listening as she explained her background and stone sourcing, it struck me suddenly that Marie and I had met many years ago.

I was a newcomer to town; I spotted a sign for her shop and stopped in. My curiosity turned into interest as she described her stones, their sources, and those she chose to design and craft into jewelry. Captured by her story and sensing its reality, I purchased a ring of her design and creation.

The ring highlights an emerald (my birthstone). Marie explained finding that stone in Brazil and considering it special. She had lived in Brazil as a fully Certified Gemologist and there had discovered unique gemstones. She could visualize a raw stone as being cut, could do the cutting herself, and craft cut pieces into fine jewels. She sold her creations worldwide.

I’ve not been much of “a jewelry person” and rarely have worn the lovely emerald. Today I’ll take “Marie’s ring” to work for her to see and recall.

Dear Friends: It’s said, “What goes around comes around,” and often that’s so. Diana