Ever since the Carphone Warehouse started giving away free laptops with their home broadband (back in the days when companies were worried that consumers would never switch from dial-up internet access) companies have used free computers to entice new customers to use their services.
Since those first offers home broadband providers have moved away from this marketing trick.
However, there are now a wealth of broadband deals from mobile broadband providers offering the same thing.
There is much talk that free laptops with mobile broadband are never a good deal. They're certainly not always a good broadband deals and they've never completely completely free but it's a falsehood that they're always bad for three reasons.
First, many people who protest that 'free' laptops are not free at all fail to take into account the cost of a mobile broadband contract. These often cost as much as £5-7 for 1GB of data a month.
By buying mobile broadband in a bundle with a laptop consumers can often make significant savings on these costs overall.
For example, any decent Samsung R530 review would point out that it's actually around £150 cheaper to get the laptop in a mobile broadband deal than to buy the laptop and mobile broadband as separate products.
Second, mobile broadband with free laptop deals allow consumers to spread the cost of a large purchase in a much more effective way than borrowing the money and having to pay it back.
If the alternative to the lump-sum payment of buying a laptop is borrowing a high interest rate then a free laptop deal is a much better idea.
Of course, the ideal would be to do neither and save up the money so a free laptop deal is really more of a halfway house.
The third reason, is exclusive deals. Sometime broadband companies that do free laptop deals get hold of computers that no other company is stocking.
Free laptop deals are therefore sometimes the only way to pick up a laptop which could be the best for deal for the consumer.
The Asus 100HGO netbook is a good recent example of this trend. It's currently only available from Orange.
These examples show that although the free laptop is as elusive as the free lunch it certainly does exist and offers a good deal for many consumers.
Unfortunately, the high costs of many laptop deals - coupled with poor customer support - have given them a bad reputation in the past, one which is not entirely unjustified even to this day.
Wine Bar
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
WEBUY How It Works
How WEBUY (www.webuy.com.my) brings you the most exclusive and best deals in town via collective buying power.
Hand Mixer
Hand Mixer
Friday, January 21, 2011
Chevi's Warehouse Household DEALS!
Great person with Great deals. As seen on TV deals TV's Air conditioners household goods appliances. Exercise machines
Remote Controls Shoe Horn Dewalt Belt Sander
Remote Controls Shoe Horn Dewalt Belt Sander
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Coach Handbags at Warehouse Prices
Coach handbags are among the most sought after designer handbags available today. They appeal to a group of women that are both trendy and sophisticated. Although Coach handbags do not cost quite as much as other comparable handbags, this does not mean that their quality is any less impressive.
Coach handbags are created with the finest materials available and Coach stands behind every handbag that they produce. Coach will repair any authentic Coach handbag that has fallen into disrepair for whatever reason. This is a promise that many companies simply cannot compete with as cheaper handbags are not created with the same level of quality or durability.
Among Coach handbag fans you will find it to be a loyal crowd. Most are so impressed with the quality and style of their handbag that many own more than one. Coach sells its handbags through a network of stores around the world at regular retail prices which can be quite high. With their relatively high price and popularity, this had lead many to find alternative locations to purchase authentic coach handbags. Some stores claim to be warehouse or outlet stores but many of these stores sell only fake coach handbags.
One of the best places online to find coach handbags is on eBay. Not only are you protected through eBay's buyer protection programs but you may be able to find some exceptional deals. If you don't mind a gently used handbag, you may even be able to pick one up for less than $100 if you're lucky.
Buying online has become the new norm for many items including Coach handbags. If you purchase online from a respected seller, you can be assured that your purchase is authentic and a fair price. Never pay retail prices again; Coach handbags at warehouse prices are no longer just a dream!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Enjoy Benefits of Climate Controlled Warehouse Space and Approachable Office Space
It is a hard fact that increasing demand for space, both for the office premises and warehouse, has become a major challenge for most businesses in the current times. This scarcity of warehouse space becomes an even bigger issue if the storage spaces used for business are not well suited for storing several kinds of products. Their cleanliness and the uncontrolled effect of the climate also become major concern when your products are sensitive and are prone to damage due to climate. Such issues become a constant reason for worry for many business owners.
Of course, climate controlled storage spaces with fully air conditioned premises are also available, but at very high prices. The high prices and increasing scarcity of such climate controlled storage spaces makes it difficult for many business owners to run their business with the utmost smoothness. Also, the distance of these warehouse spaces from the main office spaces make it much more unmanageable for the new business starters. Taking care of all the aspects of business at the same time becomes difficult in such circumstances. It eventually leads to troubles and reduced productivity, which has its own negative impact on the overall profitability of the business.
It could be better if the warehouse space and the office space, both are located in the same city. For instance, if you have your office space in Irvine and warehouse space in Irvine too, it would be much easier for you to manage your business effectively without having to skip your meetings to take care of storage of products in the warehouse space in Irvine.
For addressing such issues, there are executive suites and warehouse spaces available in Irvine. These office spaces in Irvine and storage space in Irvine are located in the same buildings and approachability related concerns are well taken care of. In addition, these storage space in Irvine are well suited for most products since they are climate controlled, air conditioned and clean. Their affordability also makes them a very attractive choice for the most business owners.
Shoe Horn Dewalt Belt Sander Gel Pens
Of course, climate controlled storage spaces with fully air conditioned premises are also available, but at very high prices. The high prices and increasing scarcity of such climate controlled storage spaces makes it difficult for many business owners to run their business with the utmost smoothness. Also, the distance of these warehouse spaces from the main office spaces make it much more unmanageable for the new business starters. Taking care of all the aspects of business at the same time becomes difficult in such circumstances. It eventually leads to troubles and reduced productivity, which has its own negative impact on the overall profitability of the business.
It could be better if the warehouse space and the office space, both are located in the same city. For instance, if you have your office space in Irvine and warehouse space in Irvine too, it would be much easier for you to manage your business effectively without having to skip your meetings to take care of storage of products in the warehouse space in Irvine.
For addressing such issues, there are executive suites and warehouse spaces available in Irvine. These office spaces in Irvine and storage space in Irvine are located in the same buildings and approachability related concerns are well taken care of. In addition, these storage space in Irvine are well suited for most products since they are climate controlled, air conditioned and clean. Their affordability also makes them a very attractive choice for the most business owners.
Shoe Horn Dewalt Belt Sander Gel Pens
Monday, January 17, 2011
Concrete Slab Cracks - Don't Go Crackers
People believe that cracks in concrete slabs, such as basement floors and driveways, are construction defects. It is wisely written that there are two types of concrete slabs: those that are already cracked and those that going to crack. Armed with this bit of wisdom, you can develop realistic expectations about slab cracks. The following discussion deals primarily with new home construction; however, if you use good judgment, this information applies to slabs found in most homes and light commercial buildings.
Experts will tell you that slabs may not crack if you follow proper procedures. Proper procedures include: preparing and compacting the supporting material under the slab, using the correct concrete mix, delivering the mix promptly to the job site, prompt and professional laying and finishing at the job site, and curing at the correct temperature and moisture. If even one of these procedures is not followed to near perfection, slab cracks can result.
It is reasonable to spend the time and money required to lay concrete by the book in commercial construction (with large budgets). In residential construction, one must balance the cost required to follow proper procedures against the benefit of having crack-free slabs. Because most slab cracks are cosmetic, the cost often exceeds the benefit; thus, it's common and reasonable to see minor cracks in residential slabs.
One usually asks three questions when evaluating cracks in residential concrete slabs:
where is the crack?
how big is the crack, both vertically and horizontally?
how active is the crack?
Answers to these questions will help determine how to deal with the crack.
Crack location is important because different locations have different intended uses. Cracks in areas intended for vinyl, tile, or wood floor coverings might adversely affect the cosmetic and functional performance of these materials. Vinyl can reveal very small cracks. Cracks with vertical displacement can cause cracks in tile and grout and squeaks in wood floors. Cracks that run through stem walls and footings can be more serious than other cracks because cracks in structural components may adversely affect structural integrity.
Size matters when evaluating concrete cracks. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) standard for cracks in interior slabs requires repairing cracks exceeding 3/16 inch wide, or high (vertical displacement). State regulators may have different standards. Smaller cracks may be patched, but this is usually not a good solution because the patch may be more noticeable than the original crack and because the patching material may crack or become dislodged. It is often best to leave hairline cracks alone.
Cracks with vertical displacement in driveways, walkways, and patios can create a trip hazard. Generally accepted rules for these cracks in older construction are less clear. Displacement of 1/4 inch or more can present a trip hazard, but some inspectors will not call out a crack under ½ inch displacement, particularly in older homes. Extra care should be taken if children or those with reduced mobility regularly use concrete slabs with greater than ¼ inch vertical displacement.
Evidence of continuing crack activity is the most difficult question to answer and can have the greatest impact on how best to deal with a crack. Evaluating continuing activity is a matter of judgment and experience. For example, cracks where prior repairs have been attempted can be a sign of continuing activity. It can also be a sign of a poor repair job or the normal aging of the repair material. Crack monitoring devices exist, but they often are not practical on slab cracks and they usually require monitoring over a long period of time.
You should not be concerned about cracks in most residential concrete slabs. Wide cracks and those with vertical displacement should be brought to the attention of a qualified professional for evaluation and recommendation
Shoe Horn
Experts will tell you that slabs may not crack if you follow proper procedures. Proper procedures include: preparing and compacting the supporting material under the slab, using the correct concrete mix, delivering the mix promptly to the job site, prompt and professional laying and finishing at the job site, and curing at the correct temperature and moisture. If even one of these procedures is not followed to near perfection, slab cracks can result.
It is reasonable to spend the time and money required to lay concrete by the book in commercial construction (with large budgets). In residential construction, one must balance the cost required to follow proper procedures against the benefit of having crack-free slabs. Because most slab cracks are cosmetic, the cost often exceeds the benefit; thus, it's common and reasonable to see minor cracks in residential slabs.
One usually asks three questions when evaluating cracks in residential concrete slabs:
where is the crack?
how big is the crack, both vertically and horizontally?
how active is the crack?
Answers to these questions will help determine how to deal with the crack.
Crack location is important because different locations have different intended uses. Cracks in areas intended for vinyl, tile, or wood floor coverings might adversely affect the cosmetic and functional performance of these materials. Vinyl can reveal very small cracks. Cracks with vertical displacement can cause cracks in tile and grout and squeaks in wood floors. Cracks that run through stem walls and footings can be more serious than other cracks because cracks in structural components may adversely affect structural integrity.
Size matters when evaluating concrete cracks. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) standard for cracks in interior slabs requires repairing cracks exceeding 3/16 inch wide, or high (vertical displacement). State regulators may have different standards. Smaller cracks may be patched, but this is usually not a good solution because the patch may be more noticeable than the original crack and because the patching material may crack or become dislodged. It is often best to leave hairline cracks alone.
Cracks with vertical displacement in driveways, walkways, and patios can create a trip hazard. Generally accepted rules for these cracks in older construction are less clear. Displacement of 1/4 inch or more can present a trip hazard, but some inspectors will not call out a crack under ½ inch displacement, particularly in older homes. Extra care should be taken if children or those with reduced mobility regularly use concrete slabs with greater than ¼ inch vertical displacement.
Evidence of continuing crack activity is the most difficult question to answer and can have the greatest impact on how best to deal with a crack. Evaluating continuing activity is a matter of judgment and experience. For example, cracks where prior repairs have been attempted can be a sign of continuing activity. It can also be a sign of a poor repair job or the normal aging of the repair material. Crack monitoring devices exist, but they often are not practical on slab cracks and they usually require monitoring over a long period of time.
You should not be concerned about cracks in most residential concrete slabs. Wide cracks and those with vertical displacement should be brought to the attention of a qualified professional for evaluation and recommendation
Shoe Horn
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Frankie D'Souza Crozes-Hermitage Madh Baker Nutos He98He filmbay iq
Ashistórias mais lidas atual dos compradores de cinema, vÃdeo e usuários compradores ao redor do mundo estão no Filmbay.com (!) Estes são os artigos mais lidos em um filme independente. Este é um olhar para o que nossos usuários achei mais interessante. e os artigos mais populares. Filmbay fornece websites usuários uma alternativa Search Engine e Web Directory. Filmbay é a solução definitiva para o cinema independente, conteúdos e música. Ele também é o site de compras mais superior para indies. 8pe. videos podcast filmbay public transport Avoid letting others see where you keep your money - be as inconspicuous as filmfestival filmbay 2011 Designer Fashion Brands Small Parts Tools, Parts & Materials Warehouse Deals Stacey Alden Raven Alexander Rosemary
Shoe Horn Bassinets
Shoe Horn Bassinets
Friday, January 14, 2011
Bird Control in Food Warehouses
A grocery warehouse ships food to grocery stores on a daily basis. Hundreds of trucks come and go every day. These large warehouses have huge bay doors that are left open most of the day to move trucks and products in and out. The problem is, that without an effective means of bird control, pest birds can easily sneak in to feast on food inside.
Pigeons often boldly enter buildings in search of food. They will gather just about anywhere they feel safe around a grocery warehouse. On the roof, one stacks of wood pallets, even on the lids of dipsy-dumpsters.
Spilled grain dust and flour in and around a warehouse will attract birds, and spilled grain on a regular basis may result in birds nesting and roosting at that location. Even insects drawn to left-over remnants of grain or food will attract birds. Bird control measures must be implemented at the earliest signs of bird infestation.
Outside of the breeding season, pigeons will travel up to 40 miles each day from evening roost sites to daytime feeding areas. The birds are very clever and will usually post "sentries," who alert any birds that may be feeding of approaching danger. Adult Pigeons have few predators-these being eagles, hawks, owls, and humans. All the more reason to implement bird control.
Once attracted to a building, pigeons quickly learn how to enter. And once they enter, you've got a whole set of problems to deal with, including:
If they settle on top of food stacks, they'll peck holes in the canvas, burlap or cardboard containers. They can spill out the contents and may even collapse the entire stack.
Screen doors and windows are often damaged as pest birds work their way inside a warehouse.
Pest birds will build nests in rain gutters and down pipes, blocking them and causing water overflows and flooding that can ruin foods and packaging.
Lice and mites attach themselves to pest birds. These insects carry diseases, which can find their way into food.
Bird droppings, feathers and decaying bodies often contaminate food, packaging and handling facilities. This debris can carry bacteria like salmonella, histoplasmosis, cryptociccosis and aspergillosis.
Maintenance costs go up when bird droppings and nests must be removed.
One of the best bird control measures found to be effective against pigeons in food warehouses is heavy duty polyethylene bird netting. It's the physical barrier that blocks birds from entering unwanted areas. The best netting is made from a U.V. stabilized mesh that's rot and water proof, and is "sub-zero" stable and non-conductive. The netting is available in various stock sizes and custom cuts. The 2-inch mesh netting is best for deterring most pigeons. Before installing bird netting, it's best to seek the advice of a bird control professional.
Bassinets Shoe Horn Wine Bar
Pigeons often boldly enter buildings in search of food. They will gather just about anywhere they feel safe around a grocery warehouse. On the roof, one stacks of wood pallets, even on the lids of dipsy-dumpsters.
Spilled grain dust and flour in and around a warehouse will attract birds, and spilled grain on a regular basis may result in birds nesting and roosting at that location. Even insects drawn to left-over remnants of grain or food will attract birds. Bird control measures must be implemented at the earliest signs of bird infestation.
Outside of the breeding season, pigeons will travel up to 40 miles each day from evening roost sites to daytime feeding areas. The birds are very clever and will usually post "sentries," who alert any birds that may be feeding of approaching danger. Adult Pigeons have few predators-these being eagles, hawks, owls, and humans. All the more reason to implement bird control.
Once attracted to a building, pigeons quickly learn how to enter. And once they enter, you've got a whole set of problems to deal with, including:
If they settle on top of food stacks, they'll peck holes in the canvas, burlap or cardboard containers. They can spill out the contents and may even collapse the entire stack.
Screen doors and windows are often damaged as pest birds work their way inside a warehouse.
Pest birds will build nests in rain gutters and down pipes, blocking them and causing water overflows and flooding that can ruin foods and packaging.
Lice and mites attach themselves to pest birds. These insects carry diseases, which can find their way into food.
Bird droppings, feathers and decaying bodies often contaminate food, packaging and handling facilities. This debris can carry bacteria like salmonella, histoplasmosis, cryptociccosis and aspergillosis.
Maintenance costs go up when bird droppings and nests must be removed.
One of the best bird control measures found to be effective against pigeons in food warehouses is heavy duty polyethylene bird netting. It's the physical barrier that blocks birds from entering unwanted areas. The best netting is made from a U.V. stabilized mesh that's rot and water proof, and is "sub-zero" stable and non-conductive. The netting is available in various stock sizes and custom cuts. The 2-inch mesh netting is best for deterring most pigeons. Before installing bird netting, it's best to seek the advice of a bird control professional.
Bassinets Shoe Horn Wine Bar
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Best Ebay Reselling Directory | Receive Special Closeout Deals
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Wednesday, January 12, 2011
2010 Dodge Ram Sumner WA
We areproud to present this 2010 Dodge Ram. Please visit our website at www.enumclawcjd.com and if you have any questions you can always call us at (888) 776-2470. We've been honored to serve the Enumclaw WA area, we promise that your experience at our dealership will exceed your expectations! Year 2010 Make: Dodge Model: Ram Engine: 3.7L V6 Trans.: Automatic Exterior: Mineral Gray Miles: 25 Interior: Slate Enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge (888) 776-2470 www.enumclawcjd.com 726 Highway 410 Enumclaw, WA 98022 Enumclaw Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge is a Dealership Warehouse offering warehouse pricing on more than $10 million dollars in inventory! When you visit our dealership, you won't find a brand new expensive showroom. Our dealership has low overhead meaning you will make that up in savings on your new or pre-owned vehicle purchase. With warehouse pricing on all of our new and pre-owned inventory in stock, Enumclaw Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge is sure to beat any big city price, in fact, We Clobber any big city price! It's definitely worth the drive to take advantage of giant selection, savings and hometown deals sealed with a handshake. Enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge is a certified DaimlerChrysler Five Star dealership with a huge inventory of high quality new and pre-owned vehicles. Our team at Enumclaw believes that customer service means making your vehicle buying experience an enjoyable one. 2010 Dodge Ram Enumclaw WA
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Commercial Mortgages - Pros and Cons Compared With Renting
Financing a commercial property purchase, such as a shop, warehouse, office or factory, will involve a good deal of planning. If you are running a small business then it is likely that you will need a commercial mortgage to make such a purchase, and this will usually require a lot of research before you decide which mortgage deal is best for your circumstances.
You will need to compare commercial mortgage deals across a range of lenders, but before you do so, consider these pros and cons of purchasing using a commercial mortgage deal rather than renting a property.
Pros for buying with a commercial mortgage instead of renting:
1. Using a commercial mortgage means you can purchase a property with fairly low costs at the outset
2. You will be able to be flexible in creating a repayment plan to suit the needs of your particular business
3. The interest payments on commercial mortgage deals are tax-deductible
4. The ongoing mortgage payments may well be very similar to the rental payments you would otherwise have to make
5. The property itself will be an asset for you company, and if it increases in value your business capital will increase along with it
Cons for commercial mortgage deals:
1. Unlike when you are renting a property, a purchase means you will have to organise any maintenance needed and pay in full
2. If the property you have purchased goes down in value, your business capital will go down with it
3. If you run into financial trouble and have to default on mortgage payments, the property may be repossessed by the lender
4. Purchasing a property tends to be a long-term commitment, with repayments running for 15 years or more, so it may not be ideal if you need to change your business premises or location at short notice
5. Depending on the capital you have available, it may be tricky to come up with the necessary deposit, which normally has to be about 20-30% of the total value of the property.
Also: you will need to provide evidence of your business' profitability and longevity
The evidence asked for by the lender will often include a range of specific documents. These can include a detailed business plan outlining how you intend to repay the mortgage and how the purchase may affect your business' cash flow. They may also ask for projections for the next few years and audited accounts for the last two years, as well as a review of your current business performance. Lenders will often also ask for the personal details of key stakeholders for credit checking.
Making the decision
If you have decided to go for a commercial mortgage deal, it is vital to get all the information you can before choosing which deal to opt for. Financial and legal advice is usually a key part to getting the correct mortgage deal for your business' circumstances, so is comparing mortgages deals across a range of lenders and across different types of mortgage deal. Then you can make an informed decision, based on all the facts.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
2010 Dodge Journey Issaquah WA
We areproud to present this 2010 Dodge Journey. Please visit our website at www.enumclawcjd.com and if you have any questions you can always call us at (888) 776-2470. We've been honored to serve the Enumclaw WA area, we promise that your experience at our dealership will exceed your expectations! Year 2010 Make: Dodge Model: Journey Engine: 3.5L V6 Trans.: Automatic Exterior: Deep Water Blue Miles: 25 Interior: Slate Enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge (888) 776-2470 www.enumclawcjd.com 726 Highway 410 Enumclaw, WA 98022 Enumclaw Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge is a Dealership Warehouse offering warehouse pricing on more than $10 million dollars in inventory! When you visit our dealership, you won't find a brand new expensive showroom. Our dealership has low overhead meaning you will make that up in savings on your new or pre-owned vehicle purchase. With warehouse pricing on all of our new and pre-owned inventory in stock, Enumclaw Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge is sure to beat any big city price, in fact, We Clobber any big city price! It's definitely worth the drive to take advantage of giant selection, savings and hometown deals sealed with a handshake. Enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge is a certified DaimlerChrysler Five Star dealership with a huge inventory of high quality new and pre-owned vehicles. Our team at Enumclaw believes that customer service means making your vehicle buying experience an enjoyable one. 2010 Dodge Journey Enumclaw WA
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Benefits of Data Warehousing
By using a data warehouse you are in effect providing a common data model for all data that is of interest without having to be concerned about the origin of the source. This ability makes it far easier to compile a report and analyze all available information than it would be if you had to retrieve information, invoices, ledgers, orders and so on from a multitude of data models.
Before the data is loaded into the database it has to be cleansed, in effect this involves identifying and resolving all the dirty/inconsistent data. By doing this before the data is loaded into the database the actions of reporting and analyzing data are greatly simplified.
Once it has been loaded into the data warehouse the information is under the control of the user. This allows for the information in the warehouse to be stored safely for extended periods of time, even if the source system data is purged over time,
Another great advantage of using a data warehouse is that they are separate from any operational systems. This means that they can perform retrieval of data operation without interfering with any operational requirement of the system.
Data warehouses is also able to work in conjunction with, and by doing so enhance the value of, operational business applications, the most notable of which being customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
Data warehouses are generally used to facilitate applications associated within the decision support system. These applications will deal with reports concerning trends, for example what was item had the best sales in what area over the last year, exception reports, and reports that show actual performance versus goals.
The ability of data warehousing to compile, analyze and report information from different sources to give valuable information quickly rather than trawl through information from different sources in different formats is priceless in this age of instant decision making.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Pre-Owned 2008 Dodge Ram Sumner WA
We areproud to present this 2008 Dodge Ram. Please visit our website at www.enumclawcjd.com and if you have any questions you can always call us at (888) 776-2470. We've been honored to serve the Enumclaw WA area, we promise that your experience at our dealership will exceed your expectations! Year 2008 Make: Dodge Model: Ram Engine: 5.7L V8 SFI Hemi Trans.: Automatic Exterior: White Miles: 46825 Interior: Beige Enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge (888) 776-2470 www.enumclawcjd.com 726 Highway 410 Enumclaw, WA 98022 Enumclaw Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge is a Dealership Warehouse offering warehouse pricing on more than $10 million dollars in inventory! When you visit our dealership, you won't find a brand new expensive showroom. Our dealership has low overhead meaning you will make that up in savings on your new or pre-owned vehicle purchase. With warehouse pricing on all of our new and pre-owned inventory in stock, Enumclaw Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge is sure to beat any big city price, in fact, We Clobber any big city price! It's definitely worth the drive to take advantage of giant selection, savings and hometown deals sealed with a handshake. Enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge is a certified DaimlerChrysler Five Star dealership with a huge inventory of high quality new and pre-owned vehicles. Our team at Enumclaw believes that customer service means making your vehicle buying experience an enjoyable one. Preowned 2008 Dodge Ram Enumclaw WA
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Warehouse Artist Studios
An artist/bohemian type working for themselves is perceived in a variety of ways by the general public. A lot of the perception has to do with a combination of the artist's cashflow and apparel strategy, as opposed to the stirrings of their soul. Strangely, as a young man, people often saw me as a responsible, solid guy. Ha!
In the early eighties I ran my screen printing operation out of a funky old warehouse by the railroad tracks in Eugene, Oregon. Enormous pastry and coffee in hand, I'd get to my shop a bit past nine and dig in for the day. Usually I'd run out of work between 1:00 and 3:00 pm, leaving the rest of the day to run, draw comics and hang out.
Being that the economy had had the shit kicked out of it just then, I was moderately proud that I'd been able to scape up enough business to keep a roof over my head... ultimately I turned enough of a profit to embark on my checkered career publishing my own wacky comic books, but that's not the subject of this rant.
Warehouse Artists Studios was the literal name of the co-op warehouse wherein I rented space. The studio took up the second floor of a truly dilapidated old funkster warehouse that had most recently been used to store spices. Add to that the gay girls who lived illegally in the space next to mine, burning patchouli oil night and day. This place had a certain bouquet!
I'd been printing T-Shirt jobs out of my flat, and it was getting a bit ridiculous. At an opening in a local gallery, I saw a flyer for "Warehouse Artist Studios", a 5000 square foot space that magically divided up the floor into 170 square foot units that rented for forty bucks a month. I went down the next day and rented two adjacent spaces, which apparently I'd be paying $75 or $80 a month for. A slight, nervous man named Lynn rented my space to me. He was the manager, he had a chair upholstering business in the studio. Straight away, I could see 'ol Lynn was a duck seriously out of water.
This impression was dramatically confirmed like three days later when Lynn informed me that the Warehouse was failing economically, and that he was resigning as manager. He handed me the studio ledger and checkbook saying "you seem like an astute fellow, why don't you manage this dump?".
I was rather taken aback at this, but sure enough at the next meeting of the co-op, the members all but begged me to save their studio. I had my serious doubts, but figured there wasn't much to lose, so why not? It wasn't lost on me either that as manager my rent for my 340 square foot space dipped to $35.00 per month!
The co-op had about 12 members. We were several hundred dollars in the hole. We could pay rent, but couldn't pay the heating bill. We were required to carry basic liability insurance, which had gone unpaid and lapsed, for starters. I sat down and did a bit of math. I figured if we raised the rent on the basic space about $10.00 a month for five months, and attracted a couple new members, we'd squeak by and could continue renting the dump.
The measure passed at the next meeting. At least with the eight or nine people who decided to stick it out, as a couple members dropped out with the news of the temporary rent increase; we did indeed need to attract new members straight away. We papered the town with flyers for the warehouse, and got free listings in any newspaper we could. Miraculously, the plan worked. We lowered the basic rent back to $40.00 per month ahead of schedule and got an infusion of fresh blood. I can't take too much credit for it, as the place snapped to with an esprit de corps I've rarely encountered... I'd say it was goddamn grassroots socialism is action, almost.
Now here comes the fun part, the personalities that made the place click, the swashbucklers, crackpots, con men, assholes, and outright brilliant geniuses I encountered in my stint at Warehouse Artist Studios. First comes a woman named Kathy Caprario. She was a dramatic beauty from New York of Italian descent, the best known painter in Eugene, an "older woman" to me of maybe 33-35 years (I was all of 24 at the time). Kathy is the person who was singlehandedly most responsible for the survival of Warehouse Artist Studios at the time of the financial crises. To say she was resourceful and a bit of an aggressive shark is an understatement. For starters, she marched me down to see the owner of the owner of the building when the lease came up. The guy was a real estate money grubbing slum lord type, who claimed an artistic background. Right. Our rent was $650.00 per month. Kathy figured that Jeff, the slum lord, was lucky that anyone at all was renting this dump in a crappy ecomomy. She advises me to offer the guy $450.00 per month. No problem! It was an invaluable early lesson in having brass balls.
So we're in this real estate lizard's office, and I make the rent offer. Jeff, the lizard in question, completely ignores me and starts this serious, near lecherous flirt with Kathy. She plays this guy like a fiddle, and we walk out of there with a lease for the next year of $550.00 per month, a hundred bucks per month rent reduction. Yes folks, in 1982 in Eugene, you could rent a 5000 square foot studio for that low price. I should mention too, the year after that, Kathy had moved on to a private studio space, but I'd learned well and got that damn rent down to $475.00 per month!
Kathy also had us apply for City of Eugene room tax grants. Turns out there was actual civic support for the arts afoot! We hastily threw together grant applications to run a gallery in our common space, such as it was, and to offer figure drawing sessions to the public. Given the level of initial interest in these projects, we all saw it as a way to get the city to help pay our rent with minimal execution of said projects.
But who knew! The figure drawing sessions maintained a core of attendance for a couple years. The gallery stared off as nothing--an unrented space was hung with art. But before long, a 22 year old painter of promise named Mike Perkin rented a space and started doing some pretty cool work in his cubicle. He tried his best to ape Francis Bacon, but the works looked a bit like Francis was a werewolf Mexican wrestler or something.
When it came Mike's turn to show his work, he turned a critical eye at the tiny room where I asked him to hang his paintings. He asked me if I had the studio checkbook. What do you have in mind, Mike? He directed me to the Eugene Planing Mill, a massive lumber yard across the street from us. "Let's stud up couple walls so I can hang my big paintings". Outragous! Here's this wild kid, plays the same tapes over and over (Scarey Monsters by Bowie, anything by Lou Reed) and yells at his paintings. At the drop of a hat, we get some lumber and flail away for a couple hours with hammers. Before you know it, instant gallery! We build some pretty decent walls in a jiffy (other studio members drifted in a pitched in) and whitewashed them.
Mike's paintings for that show were terrific. They were done in ruddy reds, earthtones and orangey yellows, with wood and burlap assemblage fastened to the canvases. The average size was maybe 3' across by almost 5' tall. My favorite was called "The Inside of Lou Reed's Stomach". If I wasn't blowing every cent on publishing comic books, I woulda bought it. The opening was a revelation. Mike's family showed up, and they were the most amazing bunch of open minded art, theatre, film and literature lovers you could imagine. A lotta beer went down. I remember late at night, Mike's mom was wrestling on the studio floor with one of her four sons. From there on in, our little gallery stood a few decent shows, and even better parties. And through it all, the city kept the checks coming!
Keith the retired Air Force colonel is next in our cast of characters. Bald, prim, post heart attack, gentle former Texan Keith. A late life painter, an ultra practical man. Ruled by logic on the outside, soft as a grape inside, he had a good heart even if it was failing him, he did his share to keep the warehouse afloat. He painted small landscapes that revealed a luminous take on Oregon's rainy colors. Nothin' amazing, but nice. Fluid, painterly, sea foam light permeating the canvas with a bit of warm ochre and alizarin crimson, tacking it to the surface of the earth.
Keith enjoyed regaling the Warehouse crew over beers with stories of flying B-52's through mushroom clouds after bomb tests in the Pacific, back in the day. Knowing that I was involved in the anti-nuke movement of the day, he teased me "I did H-Bomb tests all day long, and I'm not glowing yet".
Although he had a son who was around forty, Keith took a fatherly interest in me, and used to take me to lunch in his enourmous four door GM pickup truck (with one of those worthless diesel engines they tried to manufacture for a couple years). He'd take us to the local Lions clubhouse. The food sucked. He'd insist we have a beer with lunch, which I didn't like as I usually would go for a run later in the day. Hell Steve, have a beer, indulge the old boy! Unbidden, he told me his life story. Before retirement, had risen as an assistant to one of the joint cheifs of staff. After retiring from the military, he'd been a ROTC instructor on the University of Oregon campus in the sixties. He'd have run ins with various rag-tag groups of pseudo Maoist college kids. Then one summer, Keith and his wife were vacationing in the Cascade mountains east of Eugene. Hiking in the foothills, they came upon an encampment where some of these same youths were enacting a military training drill with assault rifles! They were indeed serious about the revolution bit. After a tense momentary face off with no word exchanged, Keith and his wife turned on their heel and hiked out. "I felt like I had a target on my back", he said, adding that he never saw those kids again.
There was another older painter at the studio, one Nick Nickolds. He was maybe 60-65 at the time. He was the real deal, a life long bohemian, painter and philosopher dedicated to the pursuit of his art. He'd been an orphan from Denver who lived the middle decades of his life in Mexico. Nick scored the studio to the right at the top of the stairs. It was the best studio there, as it had a separate private entrance.
Nick Nickolds painted in a style that at once reminded me of William Blake and Titian. His color was rich, saturated and full of light, yet he built up layers of delicate glazes that gave body and air to his figures. He was painting the figure, faces, and the natural world, yet it was semi abstract. It was as if Blake had decided to lapse into abstraction and gotten about 73% there before deciding he still had to have a face here, an eye or a breast there.
This work was technically masterful and evoked images and emotion like a skeleton key. It alluded to everything while putting it's finger on nothing, like a Robert Hunter lyric. Nick was so consistently true, dignified and full of heart that you had to love him. He was a slightly rotund, dapper little man with ample sparkle in his eye.
Once, Nick showed me a vial full of crystalline dust, claiming that it was a sort of emulsified, crystal LSD. He stuck a pin in it, putting a miniscule amount on the head of the pin. "That's enough", he said. He claimed he'd had the vial for years, had been in San Francisco in the sixties with it (it was full back then). He asserted he'd provided hundreds and hundreds of trips from his little vial. Today, I almost wonder if I made that part of the story up! It just sounds too good to be true.
Nick was a guy who was always fascinating, who revealed himself to me a little bit at a time as we became friends. He approved of my comic books, and my attempts to explain the nature of reality, time, the singularity of the eternal now in cartoon form, and all that jazz. Nick told me I was on the right track as an artist. "All you have to do is be careful about the beer", he advised me, and boy was he right, as I developed enough of a drinking habit that I ultimately had to stop altogether for my own good. Nick eventually moved back into what he considered the morass of Marin County, as he had money connections down in California. I never saw him again, don't know if he's still around or not. I often reflect on what Nick taught me about maintaining integrity as an artist, and about having respect for every human being regardless of anything. I consider it immense good fortune to have known Nick and been his friend, albeit for only a couple of years.
P.S. Nick is indeed still around, at http://www.nicknickolds.com
Freak Magnet!
If you manage to set yourself up as a successful Boho freelancer/self employed artist, you will attract an amazing array of people from all walks of life to bask in your glory. Say what? Take my word for it, people will be attracted to your good thang, offering everything from sublime lessons in human dignity, to blatantly vampiric attempts to hi-jack your time and energy.
With a bit of practice, it becomes easy to recognize the latter--within minutes of meeting the vampiric leach, they attempt to wrangle the discourse to a place where you are somehow in the position of owing them something; most often a deep discount on your product or service. You'll see a red flag, and you will get rid of them asap. Try adding a 50% "asshole fee" to your usual rate. When they get ugly, be sweet as pie but stick to your guns. And remember, you don't owe them a thing.
The other sort, offering the sublime lesson, a peek into the bottomless well of the beauty of the human spirit, can be a real pleasure. They will probably try your patience a bit too, but it's worth it. My rule of thumb is to attempt to offer the same basic respect to any person I come across in the course of my business. Easier said than done, but something to aim for.
As a self employed freak magnet, it's been my great pleasure to encounter quite an array of swashbucklers. How about the charismatic actor who financed his theater company (and his t-shirts) with a successful drug dealing operation? He did quite well with it, but I guess his success was tempered by the little fact that he was a junkie...
One of my favorite encounters with an unusual person came early in my "career", when I maintained a screen printing operation at Warehouse Artist Studios in Eugene, Oregon in the early '80s. One fine rainy morning, when nothing much was going on, a slightly bellicose balding guy named Abner Burnett stepped through the door and asked how much I would charge to print one t-shirt. Sorry, minimum order is two dozen. OK, how much for two dozen?
Abner ends up ordering something like 2 shirts. He understands that the economies of scale are not working for him, that with set up charges, these will be very expensive shirts, but he doesn't seem to mind. I wish I could remember what the design was--it may have had something to do with his beloved Chevy Vega (those were great cars, right up there with the Ford Pinto!). As Abner cuts me a downpayment check, he notes that he lives off a trust fund, and is bored, and is really glad he met me. Great.
When will the shirts be done? I can print them on Tuesday, I'll call you when they are done.
Arriving at the warehouse on Tuesday morning, I am less than thrilled to find Abner at the door waiting for me with a curious half smile on his face. This is the first time I think, "axe murderer". Turns out Abner wants to watch me print his shirts. He wants to learn about screen printing. Usually, it unnerves me to have a customer watch a production run, but hey, it's only two shirts. And, Abner said he wants to learn about screen printing. He said the magic words. I love teaching people how to screen print. I figure it's like teaching a poor man to fish. Or, it's like giving someone a lesson in a tool that can be used to exercise your first amendment rights. So I am into it.
As I set up and print his job, Abner opines, "Mr. Lafler, I can tell that you are independently wealthy". I bark out such a hearty laugh that I almost botch a print. "What makes you say that, Abner?"
"Well, you just leisurely hang out at your studio every day, doing just what you want."
The fact is, Mr. Burnett, I am here in the studio to try to scrape together a couple bucks, with which to buy some burritos, beer and a can of food for Ed, my cat. If I make some extra cash, maybe I'll publish a comic book or two, but independently wealthy? Ha!
Abner pays for his shirts, and he's gone. I enjoyed the encounter, but I also was happy that it's over. Or so I thought. Abner started showing up at my studio almost daily, to "learn screen printing". He would stand there, half glassy eyed, issuing a series of loosely related comments that weren't quite non sequiturs. One day I tried to leave, just to shake him. "Where you going?", Abner wants to know. "I'm going to get some screen printing supplies", I say. Abner wants to drive. Oh hell, why not? I don't have a car.
Although I didn't exactly like Abner, I was just a bit fascinated by him. What the hell was he up to? What was his story? He kinda gave me the creeps, but he exuded a thickly benign sense of serenity.
The jig was up one day when he came in, affable yet strangely agitated at the same time. What's up, Abner? "Mr. Lafler, I'm a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic, and I didn't take my medication today".
Okay. That explained a lot. Abner came around a few more times, then I guess he lost interest. As mentioned, he made me rather nervous, yet I was curious enough about him to indulge his presence. I like to think he was just another manifestation of Buddha nature, come to teach me a lesson, or something like that.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
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Sunday, January 2, 2011
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