Keys Bartender Anti-maga Podcast

Jim has a wine tasting to attend at his place of work. So what does a bartender who doesn't drink do at a wine tasting. A In this episode we get a brief description of wine varieties, the most popular varieties, and how to choose them. Jim has his wife do all the tastings.

A Norwegian group of tourist drink as if Valhalla were the next stop. After a daytrip to Marathon in the Keys Jim ponders how good life is. Comparatively most peoples lives are much more comfortable than just 100 years ago.  So why are there so many people unhappy with their life situations. 

A patron at Jim's Bar asks for the impossible. Several interactions at the bar brings the relationship between cognition and perception into todays thoughts. Are all blind in our interactions with people? Can knowing we don't know help? 

We talk about comedy and ethics. Jim gets a phone call at work by someone who is literally living in the past. Speculations abound on what happened to the caller as Jim fears getting caught in a temporal phenomena. Spoiler alert we talk about Apple TV's series 5 Days at Memorial and give away the plot. The show is held up as an example of ethics in action.

A locals Bar in Philadelphia closes after 93 years of business and head shaving. With very few tourist in town Jim sees more locals in the Supermarket making it take as long to get in and out as when it is busy. Jim tries multiple solutions to solve his sleep problems. Finally with the labor shortages in the service industry how does an employer think they can get away with increasing wage deducti...

Jim likes to lighten his mood with consuming sitcoms after watching the news. Some people have a desire for attention others not so much. Birthdays are a great way to show appreciation for those who feel unnoticed or under appreciated. Finally a butt cheek deodorant commercial catches Jim's attention and leads him to ponder who had the idea first, does it matter who came up with the idea first..

There can be different people inside each of us. The angry, joyful, lonely, sociable, adventurous, lustful, confident, anxious, charitable, attention seeking etc. any of these aspects can assume control of our person. We can accept the possibility and become aware of these manifestations. In respect to those personae lets stop giving fuel to the negative and nurture the positive.

What role does Confirmation Bias have in everyday life? Life does not just have to happen to you. Jim discovers that stress and anxiety can be alleviated by a change in perspective. Stress can be a motivator and anxiety can be an opportunity for growth.

Not the Whitney Houston song, still a good song. The greatest gift for Jim this birthday coming up is the change he has experienced the last 15 years. You can keep your birthday cake and presents the greatest gift is the opportunity he has had to change. 

A comment by several of Jim's spin class attendees lead him to question who he really is. How important is it to acknowledge perceptions others have of you? It is easier to understand how we reject critiques than how we equivocate compliments.  Perhaps the behavior says more about us than the compliment.

Jim finds himself thinking he is in a rut, ruminating on stagnation and possible depression. The best thing he can imagine is at the core of his belief, that hope and motivation come from within. These thoughts drive out the other thoughts. Thank you listeners, please be kind to yourselves and be your own cheerleader.

Abby and Jim go to a restaurant in Islamorada, FL. The bartender is a competent young fellow who gets to talking to Jim about training an experienced (older) and how difficult it can be. It is tough to train a new employee who think they are in no need of supervision or instruction. You know what is worlds better than a highly skilled and experienced new hire? A new hire who is competent ,reliable...

Jim recounts his history of relationship development over his life. The journey was circuitous to the present. Ultimately it was a desire for a romantic connection. *Listener note Don Knotts was an actor whose characters displayed very little romantic relational skills.

 A trip to the beach in Marathon causes Jim to ponder the the reliability of fast impressions. Real reasons for why people act are hidden to us so why attribute blame. We have more important issues in our life. 

Its the end of Lobster Mini Season in the Florida Keys but the season for scammers is always going strong. Jim gives a summary of more recent scamming techniques of the 21st century. We end with a retelling of a new texting to the wrong number scam. Jim has fun with a scammer who texts him about a "Golf Course BBQ Party"

Its Lobster Mini-season in Florida. Jim recognizes his competitive nature distracts him from any task at hand. Realizing that he does not have to be the best in some fields of endeavors gives him an opportunity to grow.

Jim has a junk food problem. He  loves to eat the things that are unhealthy, duh. This descends into a conversation about how immediate gratification and long-term goals are in opposition many times.

Jim attempts to acquire audio editing skills reaffirming the adage about old dogs. After renewing his license in about 12 minutes at the local DMV.......jealous...... his license photo becomes another reminder of the universality of aging.

A rumination on the summer heat brings Jim to discuss technological change. The progression of discovery, introduction, and widespread use is similar in most forms of the inventions that have changed the way we live. The only thing we can take for granted is change will occur and in many cases it will be positive. Don't fear the change.

Jim finds it difficult to mask his feelings with end of the day patrons. Old ways of dealing with work are changing, and that has accelerated over the past few years. We end with the a call to feel extraordinary.

Abby and Jim avoid being run over by an aggressive Pick-up driver. Weird sh*t happens at night everywhere. Knowing the difference between a want and a need can help you through economic insecurity. Want to motivate, support, or console  yourself try talking to yourself using "you" instead of "I".

Fourth of July maybe Jim's favorite holiday. It has the perfect mix of dehydration and minimally safe pyrotechnical displays. A party host inadvertently makes Jim unsure of his podcasting skills. A look at the "Sangria Method" to diffuse awkward situations. Jim talks about his awareness of his social skills or lack of skills. Everything you do actually changes the world.  P.S. Not in the show- At...

The Fourth of July brings the whole of South Florida to the Keys. Jim ruminates about a story told to him by his sister of which he has no recollection. the fact he was very young does not stop him from comparing it to later in life blackouts. It is a strange thing to get second hand reports of interesting or significant events.

Staying positive is a job Jim has a habit. When he is asked for an opinion he takes a more serious approach than the asker had. There are things to consider

The problem with charter schools in the Keys. A tv show gets lazy with geography, like mentioning a beach in Key Largo. How much content is needed for all the Cable, Satellite, and Streaming Channels. Can it all be good.