New stuff in the New Year

      Happy New Year..Once again a lengthy time between posts. I will use the excuse that I've been enjoying a busy season of life after sitting on the sidelines for 9 months in 2012. Believe it or not I've not shown my Golf clubs any love other than to move them to the basement corner in 5 months now. What is up you ask? I've always wanted to obtain my Real Estate license- check. Considering my 20+ years in media, and marketing I wanted to start my own marketing company and start giving back and helping small business' compete-check! 

       I'm currently affiliated with a commercial real estate company- Sperry Van Ness in Lexington since late September and love every minute of it. My team is incredibly talented and has experienced every facet of CRE with well over 100 years combined experience. John Bronaugh, my Principal Broker is like family and I even thought he was my Uncle for many years growing up, has welcomed me into their office and taken me under their wing to teach me this incredible business. 

      My marketing company (NOT agency-no 15% here) is called Fab 5 Marketing after our family nickname Metcalfe Fab 5 that my wife coined a couple of years ago that includes our Dog Otis. I still just have 2 daughters, Mayson (8), Emma (6). My business plan is to not only broker commercial real estate deals, but broker media for clients that for instance don't have a full time marketing director, need a plan created, evaluate and or improve their current plan and then partner with my former media and creative contacts to make those plans happen. A concierge if you will. You can contact me @fab5mkt on Twitter or fab5mkt@gmail.com. A website is in the works with Clay Duerson @creativecaddie that I'm excited to launch in March hopefully at fab5marketing.com.

      I've also had the pleasure to be a part of a wkly discipleship group of guys via Crossroads Christian Church this past year that have now become 8 brothers for me to encourage and be encouraged by what God was doing in my life. So much to be thankful to God for right now. An amazing, supportive wife, Christy. Healthy, rambunctious girls and I'm learning to abide and conquer what he has planned for me. Enough bragging and updating that should catch you up.. Blessings to all. 

- Neal Posted using BlogPress from iPad

Who's the Man?

So I found myself captivated and mouth hanging wide open at times watching the circus media discuss the debate last night. This is not must see TV. I know it is sad that these are the best 2 people we have to choose from to elect for President. But, thanks to us, this it people. CNN is here to help though. They had "alleged educated" people telling us eye blinks, posture and gestures determined who won a debate. Indirectly telling us who not to vote for. Wink Wink err blink blink. Seriously?

      But, politicians are not really at fault. Stay with me. They are all just players in the same game I've seen for the near 25 years that I could vote. The rules don't seem to apply to them after they get a taste or view from the high horse. I hate to be cynical, but as far as I can see it doesn't matter about one's affiliation, left, right, conservative, liberal it's sadly all about power and lying to yourself (and others occasionally) you are doing what's right for the country. Then you are assimilated by the system. Systems of government are broken and it's always going to be the next generation to fix it, or on the next guys watch.

We are not easy people to govern either. We don't want to be disciplined anymore. Never mind being told the hard truth. We love to be led. Just look at the marketing we are constantly exposed to. We need it all (cars, drugs, homes, bling, tech, spend it) to be better people. Buy this, buy that, why should we expect our leaders to be less American? I'm not exempt, I've craved (crave) what "The Jones" had, drove, where they lived, vacationed, dined, wore and what they did for a living, schools, to get ahead and be successful. Win win win. Never being satisfied. 

      If you want to make a difference this election (truth be told the powers that be hope otherwise) get out and vote. Even if your guy doesn't win, you win. We have more freedoms in this country because young men fight and die or have died for those rights. Freedom that other countries would kill for and have killed to prevent. But, Our country barely averages much over 30% voter turnout. That always chaps me a bit. Plus, you can bet that smart mouth at your office didn't even know where they were supposed to go vote or says "what does it matter, nothing is going to change?" Or when they bandwagon bash the candidates and our country. Please vote and if you don't, keep your pie hole shut. #savebigbird #elmorocks

       I'm circling back to my point..hang in there. What we have become in this culture when an election comes around seems childish in my mind. Embarrassing. The fit throwing, mud slinging is usually to cover the weak ideas and policies a candidate has to attempt to be elected. Or just the opposite. A new common sense ideas and personal discipline touting candidates are shot down by lobbyists for corporations who's stock price will decline if they get into power. Or they seem too wholesome and TMZ camps out and destroys them.

       We have totally forgotten in many cases the one man that can help us all and wants to freely. He makes the impossible, possible.You know who it is. No it's not Donald Trump. If you don't know him I'd like to tell you about him sometime. He has been shunned, made fun of and is the one leader that deserves your allegiance. I'm learning to let him lead and guide my life more. I may not always like it, but not abiding only causes havoc in my life. I'd love to see us shift our mindset and that 30% ask what does God want us to do? Because in the end that is "the man" that matters in this and every race. If we treated others the way he told us to, what kind of country would we have then? Vote for God..This message was paid for by the Cross.

Chicken Fried Kids

I haven't blogged in forever..shame shame I know. I just finished vacuuming the dust from the key board. I just had to post my 2 cents (MY OPINION, and Observation) regarding "Chick-en-gate". How embarrassing it would be to explain this anger and hate from both sides to children in the History books. It sounds like we're not far from rioting, sit ins, and molitov cocktails. Seriously? Have we not learned anything from the past? The people on both sides of this are doing the exact thing they accuse the other of doing. Judging. Last time I checked, there is only going to be one doing the judging in the end, regardless of your religious affiliation or how you interpret the bible with how you live. It's going to happen whether you want it to or not. As a Christian I am striving to Love "as I go" and not "Judge as I go".

An interesting observation regarding the Christian "sit in" for Chicken yesterday.
http://thefatherbrown.wordpress.com/2012/07/31/chick-fil-a-and-my-sanctification/

I'm not perfect and never will be. But, I'd like to say;  For those who aren't Christians and see this behavior or receive this judgemental anger? I can see why there is such a disconnect from religion or Christianity. My apologies for the venom you have received. It's not supposed to be that way. I'd welcome you pulling up a chair next to me at services this week or anytime.

ON A REFRESHING SIDE NOTE:
I am proud to know one lucky 8 yr.old. A fellow student of my daughters Mayson and Emma at Breckinridge Elementary deserves to have her light shine brightly for such a wonderful honor. I am so excited  for her and her family! This was posted today on the Fayette County Schools' Facebook page. Of course in the spirit of Hate these days, the first response on the site criticized FCPS for posting anything about Michelle Obama. Ahh..breath in, breath out..Showing Love...woosah...woosah..
You may not know her, but you are probably parents', teachers, or can at least remember being 8 years old and what this experience would have meant to you. YEAH MYKA. Have a great time!

Myka Smith-Jackson, a rising third-grader at Breckinridge Elementary, who is one of 54 children first lady Michelle Obama will congratulate on their creative recipes in the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. As Kentucky’s representative, 8-year-old Myka is invited to tour the White House vegetable garden Aug. 20 and 

attend a Kids’ State Dinner, where some of the winning recipes will be served. Myka’s contest entry was a curry chicken salad wrap with a fruit smoothie and strawberries on the side. Other top recipes included a teriyaki salmon wrap, a garden chicken pizza and vegan Sloppy Joes. More than 1,200 children ages 8 to 12 entered the contest, which sought nutritious dishes covering each of the four food groups. In late August, the recipes will be posted as a free downloadable cookbook with nutritional analyses, photos and drawings. It will be available at letsmove.gov, USDA.gov and Ed.gov.

Stuff I've been up to lately

My last post related to a current status of "being out of the media". I've been off the radar since before Christmas in the media business. I left LEX18 after 7+ years in August to go to work for a local Digital agency in town. We parted ways after a little over 100 days. So I've had some time to kill thanks to contractual obligations shall we say. Plus, I'm seriously entertaining staying out of the media world as a vocation in the next half of my life. I'm enjoying being Mr. Mom to Mayson (7) and Emma (6) and working on projects around the house. It's keeping me busy, the wife very happy and have found some skills that have surprised me. My Grandfather, Joe Metcalfe is a carpenter by trade, and has built everything I can think of. Even worked on construction of Cinderella's castle at Disney World. So as my Dad has indicated I may have inherited some of these genes. I am also going to get my Real Estate license this year as well. I love to help people, that's the part of the Media world I miss. Being a resource or partner with my clients and seeing their plans and business' become more successful. I have always enjoyed Houses. Their construction, design, old historic homes, new ones, architecture and so on. I may even want to build one myself one day. I wanted to share some of my projects on this post and will likely be adding an ETSY store in the near future. So if you see anything you like, or need a project completed let me know at 859-312-8069 or nealmetcalfe@gmail.com.

9'x9' Book case I custom built in 3' sections and assembled in my garage. Constructed of MDF, Beadboard backing and trimmed with 3" Crown and Base cap. Cost for custom build will depend on materials, finish, size and my availability. $15 per hour plus materials cost.

These are Wood Planter boxes. They are designed to place a plastic planter or liner in them. Spruce or Whitewood material and trimmed with 2.5" trim at the top and 1.5" on the bottom. I've made over a dozen of these in White and Black. The emblem is a stock birch wood emblem from Lowe's or Home Depot and can be customized. (1 emblem per box). 

-I can do a 12"x12" $45 each

or the pair pictured below are 16"x16" $55 each. 

Tufted Ottoman. 40"x36" wood frame and Fabric /upholstery/Tufting

done by my wife Christy. We can build if you provide the upholstery.

Starting at $195 and up depending on extra materials needed and feet desired. 

Workbenches for my shop. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted so I made some simple tables for the space.. All made from Oak plywood (finished the tops with Mission stain), 1/2" plywood, 1"x3" boards, and 2"x4"'s and added a drawer & casters for easy moving. I also made them to suit my height (6') (higher than counter height) for ease of use. 

A deck coffee table. Similar to teak slat type of table. The 36"x 24" table is made from reclaimed wood I found and finished with black enamel paint and sanded to look old. 

The Deck boxes are simple deck boards cut to size and screwed to the deck. They have plastic liners to hold the potting mix and flowers soon with holes drilled for draining.

Lots of new things going on in my life so far in 2012..Where to begin...I'm officially out of the media business for the first time since 1988. My last venture wasn't a good fit, and decided that I take some time to do some other things I've always wanted to do; spend more time with my kids, carpentry work (look for my work on ETSY, and Pinterest very soon) and obtaining my real estate license soon. We have officially adopted Emma. She is a 6 year old that has been with us since December of 2009. We are very blessed to be her forever family. Mayson loves being a big sister and being the only one allowed to pick on her!! I'm officially getting paid back in spades and my Mom and Dad just chuckle at all the stories I pass along. I never knew 2 girls could be so messy and downright gross. Christy and I are going on our first mission trip together to visit Bolivia via our church; Crossroads Christian Church this month. We sponsor two kids there (since last year)  through Compassion International and will hopefully get to visit with them. Prayers go out to all of you and if you can't get your wife, husband or significant other to build your project contact me!

Moving on -a retrospective LP version

When you spend a significant amount of time at your job-career-something to do to pay the bills- it's a bonus if you really like what you are doing. I've had the fortune to enjoy the Media Business for 23 years as a vocation. I was a fan as a wee lad (don't think I wee'd all that much?) listening to AM stars on my Dad's radio like Gary Burbank, Wayne Perky and the stars of Chicago, and Atlanta markets late at night standing on my bed with coat hangers angled over to the window in attempt to improve the signal. I never missed a Sunday AM with Casey Kasem and Rick Dee's. I remember being mesmerized at their talent and the music I stole each week. Learning to start a cassette recorder at just the right moment to steal music was an art (This was Old school Napster). I was destined to be in this business, I always got in trouble for talking ever since 1st grade. My first radio job was at 1380 WHRS-AM in Winchester in the Fall of 1988 pushing buttons, doing the weather, swap shop shows, on a Big Band station. My great aunt loved the format. I ruled the 70+ demo in Birch! The sister station was the highly popular FM Radio station WFMI- later WLFX in Winchester. My first shift on the FM station- was A Sunday night overnight. I had made it, a DJ at last! It was great until 3am came. That's when your body feels like a train hit you and your mind starts imagining things like "was that a camel that just walked by?" Put the needle on the record! Then at 6am -The Skip Grinn and Ty Barrett morning show rolled in. I would then get in my car and nearly crash all the way home for many weekends after that until I got my own night time show, 10p-2a as Nasty (yeah right) Neal Thomas. But, I was living the dream. I went to work at a station in Glasgow (Owned by Steve Newberry- Former Mayor Jim's brother) right after college for about a year or so. I returned to Lexington to work for Ralph Hacker's Bluegrass Broadcasting Group based in the Central Bank building in 1994. I got 20 hours or so a week via Robert DoubleU Lindsey at the mighty 590 and worked at the Transmitter, where the blowtorch K-93 studios were located. I ascended to producing UK games, became PD at Arrow 101.5 the Rock station with Kruser and Missy Ward, then moved to the Heritage station K93 fulltime as Midday host thanks to Matt (Shuff) Austin, I maintained one of the last 20 plus shares in this market on K93. After Matt left, I got the chance to be PD at K93. But, under Cumulus it was a joke, as PD's now a days can attest. But, I have to say my biggest thrill in Radio was working on VLK AM in the Afternoon Drive opposite Jack Pattie. I guess mainly because he was the most popular radio personality in the market, my Dad knew who he was, and I grew up on AM radio. Jack is the best and will always be one of my favorite people in this business-a hero I got to work with.
I got married about this time, and you start to realize the importance of weekends, so I investigated getting into sales. I had seen Lee Harper in action on a Sales Call and said if he can mumble "you need to buy this" for an order for $25,000, imagine what could I accomplish-I'm going to be rich! I enlisted Harold Browning, Alan Stein and Terry Barton as my key mentors (swallowing hard), with help from Sallie Slone, Shari Paris to keep me honest and nearly raise me as their own. Connie Joiner and Rick Shaw gave me the shot to move in to sales in 1998 and I've never looked back. After the Cumulus boys came to town and bought out Ralph and others, the UK Broadcasting contract was lost to Jacor who begat Clear Channel or is that vice versa? I went across town to work for Keith Yarber, Gene Hardy, and Brad Hogan. I felt like it was time to move on after a couple of years there, radio wasn't what it used to be, corporations, daily reports, stockholders and commodity trading wasn't for me. I wanted to get into TV and work with the best and there was only one place on my mind. WLEX. They had the MaxTrack doppler so they had to be the best. Unfortunately, the good ol' Non compete signed in blood with Clear Channel prohibited that from happening until nearly a year later. But, In 2004 Mary West and Andrew Shenkhan gave me a shot of selling with pictures and I've been here ever since. Due to the shift in technology, need from the clients I work with I recently moved into the Digital side of the business within the company on Kristy Lowery's team in late January of this year. It's been a fun ride, (shorter upon reflection) with incredible people, characters and clients, and can't thank everyone in this unfortunately, the band is starting to play, and the light is flipping on and off but you may make the book! It's time to move on again and try to make a difference somewhere else. I've been offered a position with WebMedley, a Lexington based, Digital marketing company (Account managment, consulting, agency work so to speak), and it's a new challenge that I'm anxious to start on August 15th. But, this will be the first time in nearly 23 years that I won't have call letters next to my name. But, I will still be doing my favorite thing, working with clients and giving them solutions to their problems. You can find me everywhere;  nmetcalfe@webmedley.com or FB, Foursquare, Google+, Twitter @nealmetcalfe, I also answer to Dad, Honey or the old fashioned form of communication, call me 859-312-8069.

Rainconvenience

Change brings about all kinds of emotion. But so does LACK of change. The squishy weather patterns in my neck of the woods are making the natives restless. Plus, keeping the Weathermen and Ladies jacked up on RedBull for these sleepless nights. Bill Meck's pre game routine includes everything but Eye Black for the show down with the MaxTrack. Think of all those kids who won't make it to the majors because they can't start Baseball season yet, No Soccer (do you really want to go to that?) Mowing the yard, er..rather bushhogging it in mid May has a ring to it. We always have something to complain about and less to be grateful for. The devastation in Alabama and the continued flooding across the south today should be enough of a sobering reminder of just how blessed most of us are. I would agree that bottling some of this liquid sunshine for my turf management in July and August would be more ideal. But, for the sun deprevation we are experiencing now it's just a Rainconvenience. Like the word? I just made it up. Maybe it's time the good Lord wants us to spend together slowing down perhaps? I am grateful that the Mrs. got a rental car and was able to find a hotel room before dark in suburban ATL tonight. What are you grateful for these days?