A few years ago, while celebrating an unnamed mid-20’s birthday, I began to think about what I can do each year on my birthday to really make an impact on the next year of my life.

I wanted to give myself a stamp of some sort – a crest to live by – for that following year.  I read a few blogs, looked through some good books I had marked in, sorted through magazines, and finally decided that one of the most powerful things I could attach a year of my life to – was words. Simple words, but SO powerful. Words.

And thus it began. Each year since then, I’ve gone through a process of brainstorming, reading, writing, and then narrowing down to 1 or 2 words that I want to live my life around for the following year.  And honestly, it’s been one of the most incredible things I’ve done for myself.

Think about it… there is nothing working against you. (And no one working against you either… Don’t share your word or words until after your next birthday). Ok, let’s just pretend that on your 32th birthday you chose the word “clarity.”  You memorize a personal definition of what clarity means, you write the word down in several visible key places, and on your birthday you say a prayer (to whoever you chose) for clarity throughout your 33rd year of life.

Then, as the year progresses, and you make tough decision, or face challenges head on, or experience great moments, you can always come back to that word. Clarity.

Here’s how it works.

YOU:  “I am so torn on which decision to make. I don’t know how I am going to decide what to do.”  You need clarity.  You know how good it feels to make a decision with it, and do what you know is right.  Get yourself there. It is in your hands. Gain clarity about your options, and the affects of both. Then, make your decision.

Or.

YOU:  “That was the most amazing weekend of my life! I can’t imagine someone more perfect for me.”  Coming back to your word, clarity, will keep you grounded and focused, even in times of complete happiness.

See? Not that hard. And im telling you, the amount you learn about yourself when coming back to one word throughout an entire year of growth is nothing short of enlightening.  And the best part – there is no right word, or wrong word.  In fact, each year, you begin thinking of next year’s word a little earlier.

Hence this blog. A 2-parter.

I am less than a month away from my 29th birthday, and embarking on my 30th year of life.  It’s time I start thinking of what next year’s word will be, but after my birthday has passed, id like to share with you my words of the past 4 years, including the one I am living right now and how important they’ve become.  I also ask that you suggest words that inspire you, encourage you, or keep you true to yourself, because although I’ve already started thinking about options for next year, it certainly doesn’t hurt to get some outside perspective.

So, what do you say? I know it’s a little bit of a personal stretch for our blogs, but it’s character defining in my opinion, and has set me up for (almost) 4 years of continuous growth & self realization in ways I can’t explain.

-Ape

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It’s now been more than a week and a half since we’ve returned home from Cayamo 2010, and we’re already itching to get back out there for Cayamo 2011.

How about you?  We thought today would be a great day to highlight some of the articles and blogs that have popped up around the net since our return, and then ask you to contribute your own stories or share links to your own blogs.  Sharing is caring, people!

From Paste Magazine: 7 Cayamo Artists Share Their Favorite Moments

From No Depression Magazine – “In all, to say I’d recommend springing for Cayamo next time it rolls around, would be an understatement.”  Here is their day-by-day recap:

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Cayamo Wrap-up

From Blurt Magazine: “While I’ve endeavored to describe Cayamo as best I can and in as much detail as possible for one who’s weird and wacky, in reality the only way to truly appreciate all it has to offer is to experience it for yourself.”  Here is their day-by-day recap:

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5

Have a story or two of your own from Cayamo 2010?  Add it to the comments or post a link to your own blog where you discuss your experiences.  We’d love to hear from you!

-Steve

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A few months ago we at Sixthman faced a couple of dilemmas:

• We love to thank our guests and the businesses we work with… we do little things here and there but we wanted to do something big. What could we do?
• Steve said it best so I have to give him credit: “We work for the coolest company in the world.” I hate to brag, but it’s true! So how do we show landlubbers what a great shindig we can put together without bringing everyone on a cruise?

Then we found one answer to both questions: let’s throw a party on solid ground, right here in our hometown!

On Friday, March 12 we are hosting an Open House at Sixthman Headquarters at 7 PM until we all get sleepy. Our address is 1040 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312. If you are in the area, please join us. I don’t want to give everything away, but there will be music (of course!), food, a giveaway, and I can promise we’ll show you a good time. Sixthman loves to host, and we want you to be our guests.

Bring your friends and family on down – see where the magic happens and meet the Sixthman team. It is by no means required, but if you know you want to come please RSVP (rsvp@sixthman.net) so we can make sure we don’t run out of munchies and elixirs.

We are decorating the office as I type this, and we cannot wait for next Friday. SEE YOU THERE! I mean… HERE!

-Becki

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By the time you’re reading this, I’ll be on my way to the Apple store, not to oggle the new iPad (what a terrible name, by the way), but to get my 3-month old MacBook fixed.

Last night the damn thing just stopped working.  Considering I spend probably 80% of my non-sleeping hours on this thing, I suddenly felt naked and alone.  Who would answer my emails?  How would I watch TV shows on Hulu.com?  I even have another computer upstairs (which I’m using to type this post), but this outdated hunk of junk is more than a year old (gasp), and it isn’t even an Apple!  Then it hit me: I need to get a grip.

I never thought it would come to this, but I’ve become such a spoiled technology brat that I can’t function properly without that glowing apple in front of me.  This needs to be fixed!  I started to think through all the things in life that technology has made easier but far more impersonal.  Let’s see, when was the last time you…

• Called your friend on his/her birthday rather than leaving a wall-post on their Facebook profile? I’m definitely guilty of this for a majority of my acquaintances, but I make sure I call my best friends on the phone.  Everybody gets one day a year that’s all about them – pick up the phone and call them.  They’ll appreciate it.
• Wrote an ACTUAL thank-note and stuck it in the mail rather than a thank-you email? I mailed my first thank-you note this past week for the first time in a long time…and it felt great.  Sure, this takes way more effort, finding an address, buying a stamp, getting some thank-you notes, but I guarantee the recipient will be far likely to actually feel your appreciation with this method.
• Mailed invitations for a party instead of using e-vite? Sure if it’s a weekend kegger to watch the Super Bowl I can see e-vites making sense.  However, if this is a legitimate party with a theme and all of that good stuff, why not send a kick-ass invitation?  And for you party-goers, when was the last time you actually picked up the phone to RSVP?  I’m the worst RSVP’er in history and I get yelled at for it.  I’ll try to be better.
• Asked somebody out on a date in person or over the phone instead of through Facebook/text/Twitter? Facebook has revolutionized the social scene for us young people, and not necessarily for the better.  These days, when you meet somebody you’re interested in, this is how it plays out: become a friend on Facebook, check their music preferences, scan every photo in their album, determine if you’re still interested, send a non-comittal message or wall post, then tell them via text you’ll be at so and so’s party on Friday and that they should swing by.  If you’re interested, just ask for a phone number, and call them!  Be honest, sincere, and take action.  You’ll save yourself weeks of time too.

These are just four examples that immediately come to mind. I know at Sixthman do our best to to balance online interaction with personal interaction.  The personal interaction certainly costs more, and we can’t necessarily quantify its benefits, be we recognize its importance, especially for new cruises where our new guests have no idea what to expect.

If you have a question or a problem with your cruise, call us at 877-749-8462, and you’ll talk to a real life Sixthman team member.  Ask them whatever the hell you want, they’ll probably come up with a quick and witty answer.

What did I miss? What are some other technological advancements that have taken away some personal interaction between friends and businesses?

-Steve

PS – Speaking of technological advancements, some of you might have noticed that we installed a new comment system on the blog.  This is a GOOD change.  Now we can respond individually to your comments, and you’re able to leave a comment via Twitter or Facebook.  We have big plans to make this blog far more personable as well.  This is just step one, so get ready!

Dear SSG Cruising Family,

Four words: MICHAEL FRANTI AND SPEARHEAD.

I had the pleasure of attending the John Mayer Battle Studies tour extravaganza on Saturday evening in beautiful Jacksonville, FL. After seeing and hearing John’s talents in various formats over the years, I was definitely excited to hear his new record come to life on stage Saturday… but 100% couldn’t wait to get a glimpse at Michael Franti and Spearhead’s set. Due to one of my best friend’s Todd’s musical taste, I had been exposed to their music and I had seen this group of amazing musicians once before in Phoenix, AZ opening for The Flaming Lips at a festival- but nothing could prepare me for what was about to go down in the arena on Saturday.

The daunting task of being the opening act is one that can either amp up the crowd and create an awesome atmosphere or set a tone that the headliner probably would never desire. Note to anyone wanting a tour opener that will kill it for you and make your audience want more: Book Michael Franti and Spearhead. Beach balls tossed around in the audience? Check. High energy that is absolutely contagious? Check. Catchy tunes that will continue to carry this band well into the new decade? Triple check.

Best of all, these folks GET IT. Michael jumped out into the crowd of more than 10,000 people multiple times during his set, encouraged people to dance and sing, had every person up on their feet, and my favorite? Brought a large group of fans up on stage during the band’s wildly popular single “Say Hey” to rock out with them. The song ended with two of the most adorable little girls I have ever seen singing the song instead of the band in front of all of these people that just had an hour of the time of their lives. They also put up a video blog everyday from the tour showing you all a behind the scenes look at what’s going on in the world of the band. I can honestly say I have never seen an opener be as loved in the matter of an hour as I did on Saturday. I got to meet Michael after the show and he is stoked to be a part of your upcoming experience in September.

I am so excited for all of you to become part of what Michael Franti and Spearhead have created. Prepare to get on Sailing Southern Ground with your worries checked at the door, a free and open mind, a spirit that is ready to rock a couple wonderful days out on the sea, and to embrace this newest member of the Sixthman artist family. I have a feeling we might have struck gold on this one, friends.

See you soon,
Tiff

Yesterday was Groundhog Day, and as a coworker pointed out, so what? There are always six more weeks of winter, and no one takes the day off or does any raucous celebrating. The only entertaining thing I personally associate with Groundhog Day is the brilliant Bill Murray movie. Sure, it’s aired constantly, but it never gets old for me, no matter how often it’s repeated – just like the day in the movie!

Luckily I never have to worry about repetitive days here at Sixthman HQ. My days are never exactly the same as any other… Heck, we don’t even sit at the same desk everyday anymore – it’s awesome! I know that not everyone is as lucky as us, though, and your work days may feel identical. You may feel like you’re in a rut or at a dead end. I’ve been there, I get it.

I don’t have any cool advice like Lisa did about making your job fun, but I can offer this: don’t get down! Life is always changing, and soon you’ll probably be on a sunny cruise ship listening to your favorite bands with the Sixthman staff looking after you.

So bundle up for the next six weeks of winter but think happy thoughts about the Caribbean and put on “Where The Boat Leaves From” (congrats to Zac Brown Band on their Grammy win!)… see you soon!

-Becki

Tiff Green here.

Yes, that same girl that was standing next to you at the David Ryan Harris show on board many a Rock Boat… or buying you a drink in the casino… or writing guest blogs onboard the Mayercraft Two. I somehow convinced Andy and crew that I would be a good fit on the Sixthman team- and bam. Here I am.

Blame Lauren Craig.

Working for Sixthman is like Christmas year round with a group of twenty-five Santas. I’ve always wondered what the people in the blue polos do behind the scenes to seamlessly create magical, unique situations- and now I know. I’m a Santa. I must say, even after my first cruise (interestingly enough, The Rock Boat) as a blue shirt, I still at some points stood in awe of what I now had a hand in creating. Seeing all the TRB guests stay in the Promenade until 4 am (or later, crazy kids), dancing like fools at the Gaelic Storm Lido Deck show, accepting shots from Scott Munns during Artist vs Artist trivia, joining together to act like a freak cold spell and high seas didn’t even matter on this floating party… all those moments are presents that have been unwrapped and enjoyed by thousands. Not so shabby.

I can’t say that I don’t miss the desert of Phoenix, many of the aspects of the job I had there (shout out to Live Nation Phoenix!), and my amazing friends that I think about daily who I left for this one-of-a-kind opportunity- but every day I become more and more validated in the fact that it was 100% worth it. And you, reader? You have a huge part in that. I’m thankful to go wrapping up gifts for you for your very own Christmas morning that happens multiple times a day… on a cruise ship. Pretty awesome.

It’s a great start to a wonderful journey. Rock Boaters, thanks for the warm welcome. Simple Man- your southern rock family reunion is on deck. Lets do this.

See you Thursday!

-Tiff

The Rock Boat is full of once in a lifetime moments.

These moments are unpredictable and unexplained, can last for a second or for hours, and will stay with you forever.  These are the moments you’ll look back upon next week when you go home and try to explain how great The Rock Boat is to your friends.  It’s these moment you’ll go to when sitting at your desk counting down the days to The Rock Boat 11.  It’s these moments that you’ll dream about for years, and it’s these moments that you’ll tell your grandkids about one day.

I had one of those moments while on The Rock Boat X, so I’d like to try and explain in words how incredible it was while it’s still fresh in my memory.  On the Rock Boat, we’re so used to things going wrong (weather, missed ports, etc.) that nothing surprises us any more.  We lost two whole days of Lido Deck shows due to weather, we had to cancel the beach party we had worked so hard to prepare, and practically every show on the last two days had to be rescheduled for a new time and location.  None of that is new.  What did surprise me was how many things went right on Friday night for Gaelic Storm’s St. Patty’s Day show up on the deck.

Although the weather gods generally frown upon The Rock Boat (it must be jealous), they did give us one single night of reprieve, where it wasn’t too cold, didn’t rain, and the ship was sailing through calm waters.  Because the weather held up, it seemed like all 2000 people on the ship were up on the deck wearing green and chomping at the bit to watch Gaelic Storm make their first official performance on TRBX.  Anticipation for this concert began WAY back in march, when Gaelic Storm swung by the Sixthman office to make a video announcing the theme night and threw their full support behind it.

Fast forward to Friday night, January 8th. The whole Sixthman team took the stage to raise a glass and “cheers” our hosts for that night.  We could have said anything into that microphone and the crowd would have still loved us – that’s how excited they were.  After we left the stage, Gaelic Storm walked out while their intro music played…I’m On A Boat.

Whenever an irish folk band walks onto the stage while a fake rap song is playing, you know you’re in for a treat.

What transpired over the next two hours was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever been a part of.  After everything had seemingly gone wrong in 2009 (the economy tanking, people losing jobs left and right), this show felt like a huge pressure release valve had been opened.  The crowd danced and sang at the top of their lungs, and Gaelic Storm fed off of this energy to give one of their most spirited performances in memory.  To borrow a quote from my favorite movie The Shawshank Redemption:

“I’d like to think they were singing about something so beautiful, it can’t be expressed in words, and makes your heart ache because of it. I tell you, those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made those walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man in Shawshank felt free.”

Sure we might not have been trapped in a prison like those guys in Shawshank, but we certainly allowed ourselves to feel free of any sorrows for those two hours.  There was a small contingent of us Sixthman employees standing way at the back of the deck, and after two days of unfortunate weather (plus the announcement that our beach party the next day would have to be canceled), we needed to blow off some steam.  We all began doing some variation of the Irish Jig and danced around in a tight little circle like little kids, laughing and smiling and taking a break from the pressure that comes with coordinating a 2000-person floating music festival.  As others walked by to see what all the commotion was, they saw how much fun we were having and decided to join us.  Within a few minutes, it seemed like half the deck had turned into a human-whirlpool of fancy footwork.  It was awesome.

I will never forget this night, and the way it made me feel.  If you were on the ship and at this show, you know what I’m talking about.  This was my favorite moment from any Sixthman cruise because so many things had to go right for it to happen the way it did.  It was a perfect (Gaelic) storm of weather, crowd interaction, performance, release, happiness, and enjoyment of life.

I want to know your “moment,” from TRB X or from ANY cruise you’ve been on.  When did time stand still for you?  What’s the memory you always go back to when you need a pick-me-up?

-Steve

Oh, and Simple Man Cruisers – I can’t wait for you all to have a “moment” coming up this weekend on SMC 2010!  See you soon.

Wow, what a whirlwind 2009 was! Good bad up down this and that. I do believe 2010 is going to be a stellar year. I can just feel it. Plus, it sounds good when you say it. Twenty. Ten. Concise. Even. Easy. It’s a marketer’s dream. “Hey, pass the 2010 would you?” “Dude, we’re going to 2010 tonight you should come!” “You like it? I got it at 2010!”

See how seamlessly it fits in? It just rolls off the tongue and somehow makes you feel good. That is a good quality in anything really. Just chant it over and over. 2010! 2010! 2010! Say it with me! And, now, you’re excited right? I think 2010 has a lot going for it and we’re not even there yet. The anticipation alone is enough to rev me up.

Let’s Go!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

–Carla

The day after Thanksgiving officially starts the holiday season for me!  And then it abruptly ends the day after New Years and I’m satisfied until the following year. However, during that 3-4 week period I’m about as “in the spirit” as you can get.   April and I decorated our office with icicle lights and are spinning through our 208 holiday song cd that a thoughtful Cayamo guest sent to the office.  We have our Sixthman holiday party on Friday and I’m already deep into Christmas gift planning.   I just spent an hour putting lights up on my ($100) Christmas tree and staring at three boxes of ornaments I need to somehow fit on to this 6ft plant in my living room.   I’m now listening to a new set of Christmas songs that were purchased off of iTunes for nearly $1 a piece and thinking about how I’ll get rid of this bellyache that I’ve earned from eating a bowl full of Christmas candy.

Within 24hrs, the power of the holiday marketing machine has turned me into a Christmas sap.

• I bought a silly amount of decorations
• I spent way too much on a tree to put in my house that is strikingly similar to the one growing in my front yard
• I can’t have enough holiday music
• I’ll make way too much food
• I’ll overspend on Christmas gifts and create a never ending list of people to buy for
• I’ll probably spend more on shipping these gifts home to NY then what they cost
• I’ll spend more time then necessary on holiday planning for it to all be over in a few weeks.

I know this isn’t a new phenomenon, and that I’m not the only person who makes holiday cookies just because I’m supposed to.  The whole season may be a bit indulgent and I’ll probably spend too much, eat too much and write my bank account IOUs but it’s one month out of the year where that just has to be ok.  We deserve to indulge in what feels good once in awhile.  Holiday marketers know this and know that when it comes to that holiday feeling there is no price tag.  I can’t call them Scrooge for taking advantage of the opportunity.  It’s really no different then a band setting up a merch table outside of a show.  You’re in the mood, in the spirit and you’re willing to spend what it takes to help keep that feeling going whether its a CD or a 3lb box of cherry cordials.

Do you have a similar weakness/indulgence that you graciously invite marketers to feed off of?

-Melissa