Week after week, the RLSG keeps striving to somehow, figure out a better, aesthetically pleasing, economically stress-free way to navigate the oh-so many issues that constantly keep knocking on our doorstep. We talk; we eat, drink, schmooze, laugh and occasionally shed a little tear, all in the name of finding some answers. In between recordings, Bruce and I keep trying to piece this puzzle together. We ask ourselves – “Is there any place in the New Haven that could aid us in our quest?
Ja! The answer came to me in a flash of light (the energy saving kind), in a slap to the forehead eureka moment. IKEA, of course!
Case in point:
IKEA’s mission statement: The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many.
Our mission statement: The Real Life Survival Guide is a series of conversations – on the radio and on the web – that seek solutions to the problems of modern living.
Hmmmm……Could there be a connection here?
So, imagine our absolute delight to learn that IKEA New Haven was more than happy to host us as a RLSG venue. And….as a result of the extraordinary hospitality of local marketing specialist Dale Lehman, we were able to “get a room” – and actually play house in one of IKEA’s many divine kitchen /dining/living spaces. What a fabulous recording experience! The good folks at IKEA really rolled out the red matta (that’s carpet in Swedish) for us. Not only was our team and guest editors (Paudi Barry, Suzi Craig, Brent Robertson , Harry Schwartz, and Doug Tenaglia) treated to a sensational Scandinavian smörgåsbord and souvenirs, but we were uniformly dazzled by the HUGE blue and white “IKEA Welcomes The Real Life Survival Guide” sign. We felt quite special, yet so completely at home in their beautifully furnished room display.
In a sense, this faux-IKEA world mirrored our authentic RLSG goals. Here was a tangible place where one could discover (and purchase) better ways to relax, work, cook, play, recycle, organize, and live. Mission just about accomplished – or, at least a few items on our checklist.
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