...living a life that needs none." ~ MT and maybe somebody else, but that's who said it to me last year. Love that Kitten!

...Then no one is.

~ Andy Warhol

This is brilliant, and applicable to the performance art industry as well. PLEASE READ IT if you are a performer, party promotor, or aspiring to be either. And just in case you don't get this from the article, here's a paraphrase: It is not worth risking my life on stilts at your party full of drunk people spilling their drinks on the slippery floor and the costume I spent countless hours creating for free entry and a couple of drink tickets. And for those of you who think it is, stilters (and other performers) or party hosts, you're idiots. I don't care if you're just starting out or not. If you're stilting (or flying or doing acro), you're risking your life. No matter what you perform you are providing something that only someone with your hard earned skill and talent can provide. If you're throwing a party, you have a budget for entertainment.

PERIOD.

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This came from here:

sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/com...945.html

Every day, there are more and more Craigs List posts seeking “artists” for everything from auto graphics to comic books to corporate logo designs. More people are finding themselves in need of some form of illustrative service.

But what they’re NOT doing, unfortunately, is realizing how rare someone with these particular talents can be.

To those who are “seeking artists”, let me ask you; How many people do you know, personally, with the talent and skill to perform the services you need? A dozen? Five? One? …none?

More than likely, you don’t know any. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be posting on craigslist to find them.

And this is not really a surprise.

In this country, there are almost twice as many neurosurgeons as there are professional illustrators. There are eleven times as many certified mechanics. There are SEVENTY times as many people in the IT field.

So, given that they are less rare, and therefore less in demand, would it make sense to ask your mechanic to work on your car for free? Would you look him in the eye, with a straight face, and tell him that his compensation would be the ability to have his work shown to others as you drive down the street?

Would you offer a neurosurgeon the “opportunity” to add your name to his resume as payment for removing that pesky tumor? (Maybe you could offer him “a few bucks” for “materials”. What a deal!)

Would you be able to seriously even CONSIDER offering your web hosting service the chance to have people see their work, by viewing your website, as their payment for hosting you?

If you answered “yes” to ANY of the above, you’re obviously insane. If you answered “no”, then kudos to you for living in the real world.

But then tell me… why would you think it is okay to live out the same, delusional, ridiculous fantasy when seeking someone whose abilities are even less in supply than these folks?

Graphic artists, illustrators, painters, etc., are skilled tradesmen. As such, to consider them as, or deal with them as, anything less than professionals fully deserving of your respect is both insulting and a bad reflection on you as a sane, reasonable person. In short, it makes you look like a twit.

A few things you need to know;

1. It is not a “great opportunity” for an artist to have his work seen on your car/’zine/website/bedroom wall, etc. It IS a “great opportunity” for YOU to have their work there.

2. It is not clever to seek a “student” or “beginner” in an attempt to get work for free. It’s ignorant and insulting. They may be “students”, but that does not mean they don’t deserve to be paid for their hard work. You were a “student” once, too. Would you have taken that job at McDonalds with no pay, because you were learning essential job skills for the real world? Yes, your proposition it JUST as stupid.

3. The chance to have their name on something that is going to be seen by other people, whether it’s one or one million, is NOT a valid enticement. Neither is the right to add that work to their “portfolio”. They get to do those things ANYWAY, after being paid as they should. It’s not compensation. It’s their right, and it’s a given.

4. Stop thinking that you’re giving them some great chance to work. Once they skip over your silly ad, as they should, the next ad is usually for someone who lives in the real world, and as such, will pay them. There are far more jobs needing these skills than there are people who possess these skills.

5. Students DO need “experience”. But they do NOT need to get it by giving their work away. In fact, this does not even offer them the experience they need. Anyone who will not/can not pay them is obviously the type of person or business they should be ashamed to have on their resume anyway. Do you think professional contractors list the “experience” they got while nailing down a loose step at their grandmother’s house when they were seventeen?

If you your company or gig was worth listing as desired experience, it would be able to pay for the services it received. The only experience they will get doing free work for you is a lesson learned in what kinds of scrubs they should not lower themselves to deal with.

6. (This one is FOR the artists out there, please pay attention.) Some will ask you to “submit work for consideration”. They may even be posing as some sort of “contest”. These are almost always scams. They will take the work submitted by many artists seeking to win the “contest”, or be “chosen” for the gig, and find what they like most. They will then usually have someone who works for them, or someone who works incredibly cheap because they have no originality or talent of their own, reproduce that same work, or even just make slight modifications to it, and claim it as their own. You will NOT be paid, you will NOT win the contest. The only people who win, here, are the underhanded folks who run these ads. This is speculative, or “spec”, work. It’s risky at best, and a complete scam at worst. I urge you to avoid it, completely. For more information on this subject, please visit www.no-spec.com.

So to artists/designers/illustrators looking for work, do everyone a favor, ESPECIALLY yourselves, and avoid people who do not intend to pay you. Whether they are “spec” gigs, or just some guy who wants a free mural on his living room walls. They need you. You do NOT need them.

And for those who are looking for someone to do work for free… please wake up and join the real world. The only thing you’re accomplishing is to insult those with the skills you need. Get a clue.

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of [the Universe].

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of [the Universe] within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

~Marianne Williamson

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others; even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

DESIDERATA
MAX EHRMANN 1927

"By friendship you mean the greatest love, the greatest usefulness, the most open communication, the noblest sufferings, the severest truth, the heartiest counsel, and the greatest union of minds which brave men and women are capable."

The internet credits Jeremy Taylor, but years ago in the book I got this from it said "author unknown".

New Jersey. It has a bad reputation and I like it that way...keeps the stupid people out and gawd knows we have enough stupid people there... Below is a bunch of fun facts and hilarious notes about the state that produced the fabulous me!
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New Jersey is a peninsula.

Highlands, New Jersey has the highest elevation along the entire
eastern seaboard, from Maine to Florida.

New Jersey is the only state where all of its counties are
classified as metropolitan areas.

New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky.

New Jersey has more Cubans in Union City (1 sq mi.) than Havana,
Cuba.

New Jersey has the densest system of highways and railroads in
the US.

New Jersey has the highest cost of living.

New Jersey has the highest cost of auto insurance.

New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation.

New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is sometimes
referred to as the "Diner Capital of the World."

New Jersey is home to the original Mystery Pork Parts Club (no,
not Spam): Taylor Ham or Pork Roll.

Home to the less mysterious but the best Italian hot dogs and
Italian sausage w/peppers and onions.

North Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the
world, with seven major shopping malls in a 25 square mile
radius.

New Jersey is home to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

The Passaic River was the site of the first submarine ride by
inventor John P. Holland.

New Jersey has 50+ resort cities & towns; some of the nation's
most famous: Asbury Park, Wildwood, Atlantic City, Seaside
Heights, Long Branch, Cape May.

New Jersey has the most stringent testing along our coastline
for water quality control than any other seaboard state in the
entire country.

New Jersey is a leading technology & industrial state and is the
largest chemical producing state in the nation when you include
pharmaceuticals.

Jersey tomatoes are known the world over as being the best you
can buy.

New Jersey is the world leader in blueberry and cranberry
production (and here you thought Massachusetts?)

Here's to New Jersey - the toast of the country! In 1642, the
first brewery in America, opened in Hoboken.

New Jersey rocks! The famous Les Paul invented the first solid
body electric guitar in Mahwah, in 1940.

New Jersey is a major seaport state with the largest seaport in
the US, located in Elizabeth. Nearly 80 percent of what our
nation imports comes through Elizabeth Seaport first.

New Jersey is home to one of the nation's busiest airports (in
Newark), Liberty International.

George Washington slept here. Several important Revolutionary
War battles were fought on New Jersey soil, led by General
George Washington.

The light bulb, phonograph (record player), and motion picture
projector, were invented by Thomas Edison in his Menlo Park, NJ,
laboratory.

We also boast the first town ever lit by incandescent bulbs.

The first seaplane was built in Keyport , NJ.

The first airmail (to Chicago) was started from Keyport,NJ.

The first phonograph records were made in Camden,NJ.

New Jersey was home to the Miss America Pageant held in Atlantic
City.

The game Monopoly, played all over the world, named the streets
on its playing board after the actual streets in Atlantic City.

And, Atlantic City has the longest boardwalk in the world, not
to mention salt water taffy.

New Jersey has the largest petroleum containment area outside of
the Middle East countries.

The first Indian reservation was in New Jersey, in the Watchung
Mountains.

New Jersey has the tallest water-tower in the world. (Union,
NJ!!!)

New Jersey had the first medical center, in Jersey City.

The Pulaski SkyWay, from Jersey City to Newark, was the first
skyway highway.

NJ built the first tunnel under a river, the Hudson(Holland
Tunnel).

The first baseball game was played in Hoboken,NJ, which is also
the birthplace of Frank Sinatra.

The first intercollegiate football game was played in New
Brunswick in 1889 (Rutgers College played Princeton).

The first drive-in movie theater was opened in Camden, NJ, (but
they're all gone now!).

New Jersey is home to both of "NEW YORK'S" pro football teams!

The first radio station and broadcast was in Paterson, NJ.

The first FM radio broadcast was made from Alpine, NJ, by Maj.
Thomas Armstrong.

All New Jersey natives: Sal Martorano, Jack Nicholson, Bruce
Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Jason Alexander, Queen Latifah, Susan
Sarandon, Connie Francis, Shaq, Judy Blume, Aaron Burr, Joan
Robertson, Ken Kross, Dionne Warwick, Sarah Vaughn, Budd Abbott,
Lou Costello, Alan Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, Marilynn McCoo, Flip
Wilson, Alexander Hamilton, Whitney Houston, Eddie Money, Linda
McElroy, Eileen Donnel! ly, Gro ver Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson,
Walt Whitman, Jerry Lewis, Tom Cruise, Joyce Kilmer, Bruce
Willis, Caesar Romero, Lauryn Hill, Ice-T, Nick Adams, Nathan
Lane, Sandra Dee, Danny DeVito, Richard Conti, Joe Pesci, Joe
Piscopo, Robert Blake, John Forsythe, Meryl Streep, Loretta
Swit, Norman Lloyd, Paul Simon, Jerry Herman, Gorden McCrae,
Kevin Spacey, John Travolta, Phyllis Newman, Anne Morrow
Lindbergh, Eva Marie Saint, Elisabeth Shue, Zebulon Pike, James
Fennimore Cooper, Admiral Wm.Halsey,Jr., Dave Thomas (Wendy's),
William Carlos Williams, Ray Liotta, Robert Wuhl, Bob Reyers,
Paul Robeson, Ernie Kovacs, Joseph Macchia, Kelly Ripa, and, of
course, Franc! is Albe rt Sinatra and "Uncle Floyd" Vivino.

Bob Meade adds: The Great Falls in Paterson, on the Passaic
River, is the second highest waterfall on the East Coast of the
US.

You know you're from Jersey when . .

You don't think of fruit when people mention "The Oranges."

You know that it's called Great Adventure, not Six Flags.

A good, quick breakfast is a hard roll with butter.

You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven.

You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3
A.M.

You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery.

At least three people in your family still love Bruce
Springsteen, and you know the town Jon Bon Jovi is from.

You know what a "jug handle" is.

You know that WaWa is a convenience store.

You know that the state isn't all farmland.

You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey--there's the
shore--and you don't go "to the shore," you go "down the shore."
And when you are there, you're not "at the shore"; you are "down
the shore."

You know how to properly negotiate a circle.

You knew that the last sentence had to do with driving.

You know that this is the only "New" state that doesn't require
"New" to identify it (try . . . Mexico . . . York ..! . .
Hampshire-- doesn't work, does it?).

You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food
chain AND a fast food sandwich.

You consider putting mayo on a corned beef sandwich a sacrilege.

You don't think "What exit?" is very funny.

You know that people from the 609 area code are "a little
different."aEUR|. Yes they are!

You know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to
Princeton--that's for out-of-staters.

The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local
bar.

You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls.

You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.

Every year you have at least one kid in your class named Tony.

You know the location of every clip shown in the Sopranos
opening credits.

You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of the
mall.

You know that people from North Jersey go to Seaside Heights,
and people from Central Jersey go to Belmar, and people from
South Jersey go to Wildwood. It can be no other way.

You weren't raised in New Jersey--you were raised in either
North Jersey, Central Jersey or South Jersey.

You don't consider Newark or Camden to actually be part of the
state.

You remember the stores Korvette's, Two Guys, Rickel's, Channel,
Bamberger's and Orbach's.

You also remember Palisades Amusement Park.

You've had a boardwalk cheese steak and vinegar fries.

You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.

And finally . . .

You've NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER pumped your own gas.