Every year I am fully committed to my work on the carousel at the Henry Ford for the entire month of March. Sometimes the weather is good enough I can start in Jan, or February, but that's rare. Most years I work through March, and into April, especially if I am asked to paint a piece of farm equipment in addition to my work on the carousel. So I never schedule anything else for March, and tell callers that I will contact them mid April, once I wrap up at the musuem. I do all my carousel work in an unheated building, so you can understand why weather play such a big role in my scheduling. In spring and summer and fall I do all my pinstriping work outside in full sunlight - the best light!- and again, weather plays a crucial role in my scheduling. I simply can't schedule a pinstripe job one or two months out, since I have no way to precict what the weather will be like. I generally look at the forecast for the week, and schedule for a sunny day, leaving the next open just in case of unexpected rain. a Rain day.
What's all this have to do with the c-o-v word you ask? Let me tell you.
I got a call from a guy back in late February to put some pinstripes on his car. I told him "mid April" He got impatient. Nothing that out of the ordinary. Yet. He called roughly once a week, and emailed, asking for me to "schedule him", even though it was still *March*. He didn't listen. Again, nothing new there, either, sadly. Many of my clients are not the best listeners. I'm used to it by now. What sets this guy apart was when he started making threats. Sending pictures of guns. Over *pinstripes*. He was very, very angry and resorted to bullying and threats and insults trying to get me to drop the museum work to accomodate his "dire need". Clearly he's not well in his mind. Which makes him scary since no one can predict what a crazy person will do. Again, how does this tie into that "just a cold" you ask. Well, that teeny tiny virus causes brain damage, specifically to the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that control emotions like anger. This guy is ANGRY.
I'm sure by now you've read about people "seeing demons" and attacking others. It's a growing problem that's not going to go away anytime soon. I got a small taste of it with the guy who thinks he needs pinstripes badly enough to make not so subtle threats against me. I suspect he's got brain damage, too.
I hope the scientists can find a cure or treatment for this, because I just want to paint and make people happy, not get threatening emails for days over something as unimportant and trivial as a painted line down the side of an old car. Someone's health, now that is important. Flourishes on a vehicle pale in comparison. It pays many of my bills, I like to think I'm good at it, I've won several awards doing it. I take what I do seriously, but all I can say about the cray cray and anger is WTF.
When we write online, it's important to remember there's an actual person on the other end, and treat them kindly. Every time. Anger is merely a defense of our own frail egoes after all. Anger is our own reflection. Think first how you want to see yourself.
I hope I am viewed as a decent human. Art is what I do, it's what I am, but I'm just a person with feelings, same as you.
I hope you have a great weekend, stay safe out there! Remember, it's easier to de-escalate and safer than being "right" just to prove a point to someone who isn't going to care. Be well my lovelies!
What's all this have to do with the c-o-v word you ask? Let me tell you.
I got a call from a guy back in late February to put some pinstripes on his car. I told him "mid April" He got impatient. Nothing that out of the ordinary. Yet. He called roughly once a week, and emailed, asking for me to "schedule him", even though it was still *March*. He didn't listen. Again, nothing new there, either, sadly. Many of my clients are not the best listeners. I'm used to it by now. What sets this guy apart was when he started making threats. Sending pictures of guns. Over *pinstripes*. He was very, very angry and resorted to bullying and threats and insults trying to get me to drop the museum work to accomodate his "dire need". Clearly he's not well in his mind. Which makes him scary since no one can predict what a crazy person will do. Again, how does this tie into that "just a cold" you ask. Well, that teeny tiny virus causes brain damage, specifically to the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that control emotions like anger. This guy is ANGRY.
I'm sure by now you've read about people "seeing demons" and attacking others. It's a growing problem that's not going to go away anytime soon. I got a small taste of it with the guy who thinks he needs pinstripes badly enough to make not so subtle threats against me. I suspect he's got brain damage, too.
I hope the scientists can find a cure or treatment for this, because I just want to paint and make people happy, not get threatening emails for days over something as unimportant and trivial as a painted line down the side of an old car. Someone's health, now that is important. Flourishes on a vehicle pale in comparison. It pays many of my bills, I like to think I'm good at it, I've won several awards doing it. I take what I do seriously, but all I can say about the cray cray and anger is WTF.
When we write online, it's important to remember there's an actual person on the other end, and treat them kindly. Every time. Anger is merely a defense of our own frail egoes after all. Anger is our own reflection. Think first how you want to see yourself.
I hope I am viewed as a decent human. Art is what I do, it's what I am, but I'm just a person with feelings, same as you.
I hope you have a great weekend, stay safe out there! Remember, it's easier to de-escalate and safer than being "right" just to prove a point to someone who isn't going to care. Be well my lovelies!
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