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For the past week or so, my host has been having a lot of problems with email. Last week I went two days without an inbound email and today the problem occurred again. It’s been incredibly annoying to not know who sent messages, how many were missed, when the messages finally will come in.

They were able to fix the problem last week and I did get most of my mail. Some even trickled in despite the problems. But today was an all out blackout. That is, until about 5pm. At 5pm the floodgates opened and all my email for the day arrived in my inbox.

And I was surprised at how much more enjoyable email was this way. Then I remembered GTD and how the system recommends for you to cut down on how often you read email. And I think I understand why. It might be time for me to read the book now. Ironically, I wrote this about a month ago about GTD:

I’m remarkably able to keep on top of things at work, only 12 emails in my inbox right now, but in my personal life, I’m a mess. Me with the 119 open tabs in Firefox, 168 unlistened to podcasts, 1000+ mailing list emails, and several long time voicemails not returned. And a pile of about 12-15 books I want to read. The good news: only 3 things on my DVR right now, but most of that is thanks to the summer TV schedule.

I did find an inspiring nugget recently. I’m reading The Dip by Seth Godin. It’s a tiny little book, but it contains a solid message. “Quit the wrong stuff. Stick with the right stuff. Have the guts to do one or the other.”

What I’m having a problem with is that I’m passionate about a lot of things, probably too many things. And I’m drowning in them. It’s a good drowning, I really love these things. But do I love one less than the others to quit? Time management appeals to me, but I’m just not about to focus on anything in the 4-Hour Work Week or GTD kind of way. They just seem so robotic and that’s just not me. One day I’m the UX guy, the next day a music guy, the next day a wine guy, and then a stock market guy. I float between these passions, fulfilling whatever part of me is most in need.

Ultimately, it doesn’t bother me all that much that those things are there and seemingly too large to tackle. But I’ve given up on trying to get there as a goal, it’s just too hard. Would I love to have fewer unlistened to podcasts in my iTunes? Sure i would, but then what would I listen to?

Twice in the past week, I’ve heard an employee ask this exact question. Once in the concessions line at AMC Theaters, and once in line at Panera. I eat at Panera a few times a month and I’ve never heard them call me a “guest” before. I’ve always been a “customer.” It’s interesting though that two different vendors are addressing their customers this way. And I find it a little odd.

Am I really their guest? In each instance, I’ve spent money to be on the premises. Not that there was a fee for entry, but nevertheless, I’m there not to be their guest, but to accomplish something else. At AMC, to enjoy a movie. At Panera, to get some lunch. I wonder if they believe that by calling me a guest vs. a customer, they are being more humane. That I might feel more welcome as a guest. That I’m privileged to be there. That they are my host. That’s an interesting thought. Being a host means being gracious, being hospitable, being generous, etc. And that’s where the guest treatment ends for me.

Panera’s always been a bit warmer environment than, say Burger King or McDonalds. It offers free wifi, a few cozy chairs. But it hasn’t really changed anything else. AMC still charges an obscene amount for soda and popcorn. And the floor is still sticky. And my chair still gets kicked by the person behind me.

Am I happy being their customer? I guess. But being their guest? Not unless they really mean it.

About a month ago, news came out that the latest posthumous album release by J-Dilla, Jay Love Japan, was going to be delayed indefinitely. While mine and many others order’s were canceled, I have seen copies of it floating around on eBay and on some Europe-based ecommerce sites. So clearly it was prepped for release, but then, pulled at the very last minute, just days before. With no explanation, other than this image:

Since word first came of this album after Dilla’s death, there really hasn’t been a whole lot of confirmed information about it. It was to be released on Operation Unknown, a relatively unknown (as the name attests) hip-hop label. Various sites mentioned the release and more questions were asked: what was Dilla’s intent for this album?; how much of it was completed before his death?; was it meant to be a beats-only album or to feature vocalists?; which vocalists worked with Dilla on the album?

Adding to the mystery was a promo that dropped last year. It had 10 tracks, nearly all with vocals. Operation Unknown then let us know that the promo was unofficial. It wasn’t as Dilla intended it. All but one or two tracks were to have vocalists, the rest beats. Who then, added the vocals? To date, nobody knows.

When will the album finally be released? From the onset, this has been shrouded in mystery. And this is not the only album of his that’s still awaiting release. His 2002-2003 solo album on MCA Records hasn’t seen the light of day either.

Record companies still have a lot to learn about how they communicate with their customers. Would a little openness and honesty hurt here? Especially to those interested in Dilla’s legacy, Those without patience to wait for the official release, have probably run to P2P networks or BitTorrent by now. There’s a huge opportunity here, in terms of promotion of albums and fostering relationships to fans. But as record stores keep closing and more and more artists move towards myspace and the like, I wonder if it’s too late to fix this. So long as they keep spending more time and energy on suing their customers and inventing new DRM solutions, their model, as they know it, is surely doomed.

RIP J Dilla - You are missed.

Update: It’s been a while since I posted this, but there is some new info out now. On dilla.biz I found this: “Jay Love Japan ANNOUNCEMENT: Jay Love Japan was delayed the very last minute due to legal matters beyond our control. The misunderstanding was straightened out, and all forms of this album will be released tentatively before the end of 2007. Due to the overwhelming demand and delay, the release of this album will include a special bonus CD + a special experience. Expect the Japanese version of this CD + VINYL.”