Postal Spy Box

A digital camera inside a parcel looks out through a small hole and captures images of its journey through the postal system. The Spy Box was sent from artist Tim Knowles’ studio to the gallery taking an image every 10 seconds recording a total of 6994 images that were then edited together to create an animated slideshow. link

The Home Office

I spent the last 19 years working really, really hard for other people and organizations. About two years ago it dawned on me that maybe it was time to take my kick ass skills and try to do something on my own. It helped a lot that my job was unbelievably bad, my partner was very encouraging, and I had a promise of some freelance work right away. It’s been over two years now. So let me warn you about setting out on your own; YOU WILL NEVER WANT TO GO BACK

Here are the some reasons why I love working for myself

• The Schedule – sure you’ve got deadlines to meet, and I find myself to be very busy, but if at anytime I want to take a nap or go somewhere – I can do it. If I feel like working at 3AM, no problem. This is probably the main cause of most of my previous job stress, the lack of flexibility.

• You can say “No”- Calling the shots on a project is the best way to build your self-confidence I can think of. There is no one to blame but yourself if you don’t like a job and you learn quickly how to deal with this.

• You can say “Yes” – This is the amazing, creative part where you get to try lots of different things.

• Personal Development – 19 years as a theater production worker, sure, I kick ass at production. Two years as an entrepreneur – Every day I am learning new skills. Really learning NEW skills.

• Building network of like minded individuals – This is how the Masonic society secretly infiltrated the top tiers of power in America. Go have coffee with other small business owners and plan how to rule the world.

Next post will be about the downside of self-employment. Like when my friend comes over at 5Pm after work and I am still in my pajamas.

Welcome to the world of problem free shipping

OK, so maybe not live animals.

But I will gladly navigate the treacherous waters of the US Postal Service, UPS, Fed EX or DHL to put your merchandise safely and quickly into your customers’ hands. Back in the day when I worked for a variety of non-profit arts organizations I often was the one mailing the grant materials on the day they were due, at the last possible minute, the fate of the organization riding on this potential foundation money to keep it afloat one more year- you could feel the anxiety around the office, everyone freaking out that I might not make it it time to have it properly posted by the deadline….After a few harrowing deadlines, I developed a strategy – I had a notebook with the address and closing time of every post office within a 50 mile radius of the arts center and home, as well as UPS, FedEx etc…The grant writer and I used to joke about starting a service for non-profits called the “Funding Fairies” – we would have really fast motorcycles and drive around to all the non-profits on grant deadline day, collecting everyone’s grant proposals and getting them mailed in time… So, knowing where the super secret post office is that stays open till 9 PM even on a Saturday gives me that edge to get the job done well.