Jade 4U

I published this entry a year ago, but I realized I accidentally deleted it. Nonetheless, I am very grateful to bring it back, as I was able to recover it through a wonderful site called http://archive.org/web/. Thank you! =)


Jade 4U is probably the best known moniker of Belgian singer, lyricist and producer Nikkie Van Lierop. Born in Germany in March 7th, 1963, she started her career in the late 1980's when she met Maurice Engelen (Praga Khan), with whom she collaborated on his solo career and co-founded electronic music acts such as 101, Major Problem, Shakti, Lords of Acid, Digital Orgasm, Phantasia, and M.N.O. While her early stuff is tagged as new beat, she later transitioned into techno.

Indeed, it was her techno band Lords of Acid that gave her the biggest success and recognition. She was one of the writers and producers of all albums from the beginning until she quit in 1999. In addition, she sang lead vocals on the albums "Lust" (1991) and "Our Little Secret" (1997), and backing vocals in "Voodoo-U" (1994). Although being already out of the band, she still had some input in the 2000 album "Farstucker."

Moving On

Today is the last day of a stage that started almost 15 years ago here in Catalonia: you will always be in my heart. I am eternally grateful for the whole experience...

And the next stage takes place in the United States of America: my new home!

I am not alone this time. I am very lucky to have my husband, Edgar Amaya, by my side ;-)

Promoting Mediocrity

There is nothing wrong with being an average employee. Not everyone aspires to be in management for instance; there is, indeed, no room for everybody to climb the ladder.
So if people meet the requirements of their current jobs, they like the jobs and want no changes, it is perfectly fine. In fact, I could see why some people choose to remain like that. Suzanne Lucas explains it very well on her article "5 Reasons You Should Strive for Mediocrity," which I have summarized as it follows:

1. It decreases our risk of being fired:
   When we do exactly what the boss asks to do, when we do not question anything, when we just keep your head down and say yes to everything... we do not get a target placed on our backs.
2. We are not a threat to bad managers:
   Some managers cannot stand it when we are ambitious or smarter. They will do everything to cut us down and undermine us. By being mediocre, therefore, we do not threaten those managers, and our positions will be secure.
3. No risk of failure:
   If we are presenting new ideas and challenging old ones, we could fail. Failure is embarrassing and depressing. It stinks. However, by just being adequate, we will surely not fail and, consequently, we will not have to face any shame.
4. We can focus on our lives outside of work:
   If we want to spend more time with our families or on our hobbies, striving for mediocrity at work means we will surely have time for that. In doing this, we will not have to deal with late night phone calls, or weekends spent finishing up projects.

Some of us, however, want to do a better-than-average job and, if needed, be promoted accordingly. Even if that leads to change jobs several times in our lifetimes; even if that means we fail countless times in order to achieve our goals; even if we have less time to "enjoy life."
I have to say, though, that one will keep enjoying life to the fullest if the job is fulfilling. The most dangerous risk of all is, in fact, the risk of spending your life not doing what you want, on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.