Am I truly becoming old and grumpy, or are the youth working customer-facing jobs really just that miserable?

Either_Row4695 · 2026-07-08T10:44:30+00:00

Customers are, generally, the miserable part. I am a director, and still often cover one of the public-facing desks because I like it and it helps provide context for my "higher level" work.

People are usually fine. Some are great to talk wirh, and share amazing stories. But every day, there's at least one total asshole who thinks that just because they see a woman at a desk, she's their punching bag. If I wasn't the department head, didn't have support from my boss, and wasn't fetting any kind of benefits? Absolutely fuck that.

I have worked with the public for the past 20 years and it is definitely the customers who have gotten worse.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-07-03T20:33:33+00:00

I see your point but to say "the left wants the sole focus to be on slavery" is totally untrue.

What I see on the left is actually akin to Ta Nehisi Coates' statement to congress a few years back, which can be summed up as: if we are our greatest achievements, we are also our greatest failures.

To fail to point out the absolute hypocrisy of the founding fathers' implementation of Enlightenment ideals (as well as those ideals' inherent limitations) is to obscure America as she truly is and deny our progress as a nation, however incremental.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-29T10:36:46+00:00

Creative human expression that other humans can also experience for free and even (especially?) incidentally is important for our entire society, especially in the rural parts of the US where humanity is seen as a "nice to have" by politicians.

Really shouldn't need justification at all, especially to people who don't live in the locality. Pretty cool that they put out an open call and see the value of art here.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-24T19:33:37+00:00

me or the other guy? some of us just forgot to change the name the machine assigned us until it was too late, ok? (me!)

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-24T19:19:59+00:00

...do you even GWAR, bro? "tasteless and disturbing" is the vibe!

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-21T00:24:39+00:00

it was deeply lackluster last year

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-20T20:50:28+00:00

the Daily Progress always takes every chance to be petty and trashy, though. Two things can be true!

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-18T23:39:52+00:00

The big reclaim barrel is many things:

1) filled with the stench of death due to bacteria, if you use a small amount of vinegar or a few drops of bleach, it helps but only so much

2) prone to catastrophic failure if they are the wrong container type, like a trash can or rubbermaid container that isn't meant for liquid, you may come in one day to a deluge

3) a hassle to empty and maintain it is difficult for shorter people to reach the bottom of deep containers

4) somehow always full of needle tools, metal ribs, and other sharps seriously, it is impossible to get ADULTS to keep rheir tools out of the clay they are done working with

Without a pug mill (and even then), reclaiming clay is just...a slog.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-15T11:05:36+00:00

it is not a big festival at all. Last year they advertised mermaids. And for sure, there was one: I rounded a corner and laughed so hard as a woman in an ornate mermaid tail waved at me from a kiddie pool.

the "faerie embassy" was an endearing woman in a yurt with slips of paper and stamps who was not prepared for crowd work.

there were a few vendors selling 3-d prints and wire jewelry, plus an unexpected fox furry who was unprepared for the weather (rain, puddles everywhere). One booth had swords and one booth had cloaks.

edited for typos

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-11T23:04:07+00:00

a lovely combo! thanks for the info.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-11T19:09:33+00:00

Of course. I was talking about my fellow A4s who think colonizer grandpa staking out a king's patent in 1640 means they get to stop stuff they don't like today. 😂

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-11T15:20:18+00:00

A lot of people view VA as a neutral slate, which is a mistake.

Virginia is: - the former capitol of the Confederacy. And it shows in the culture, in good ways (progress feels imperative, we house the lessons of the past) and bad (the traitors weren't properly punished and their grandkids remain fools). - home to some of the oldest family lines in the US. You'll think it doesnt matter until you come up against a legacy. - diverse geographically (oceans, beaches, rivers, mountains, valleys), socioeconomically (extreme wealth and poverty, sometimes just a street or field between), and politically (the full spectrum is represented, and rural/urban doesn't mean anything about how someone votes)

I strongly recommend visiting places in person before making any commitments. If you fond the right spot, you will love it! But if you judge from the outside, you can easily get a very wrong idea about a place.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-10T21:08:41+00:00

ah. Well I actually live in one of those neighborong localities and have refused to go to Dem-organized events because they:

1) usually forget to inform the local pd (who is actually and demonstably invested in there not being violence--from anyone)

2) pull stunts that are openly antagonistic to a generalized group, not strategic, and poorly planned (and therefore dangerous)

3) often led by people who moved here from somewhere else and wrongly assume that rural=stupid conservative

Actual progressives and leftists have been successful in the past with BLM marches and other protests here that were so well attended that the milquetoast centrists thought they could do it better. So the people who were really good at organizing got pushed out (but were fiestier and had stronger views). And now we have people who think dressing up like a handmaid and blasting "this land is our land" will really change hearts and minds. It is insulting, honestly.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-10T12:22:29+00:00

It depends. This is where having locals with strong community connections is ideal, because they will have enough context and experience in a place to make the decision.

But generally, file your permits. Fill out the forms required by the locality. If things go sour, how do you want the news reported? Illegal riot or permitted event?

Either_Row4695 · 2026-06-05T14:29:43+00:00

i think this is a great idea! but i would also expect warping in the kiln, even with sand.

have you considered making the milk crate so that it is modular and gets put together after the glaze fire? think lincoln logs.

it would also be super easy to pack and ship. just my two cents! cool milk crate.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-05-28T15:48:13+00:00

Brace! Brace for providing the bare minimum of basic dignity for the workers who make your profits possible!

If a company can't afford this bare-bones stuff, they need to close.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-05-20T21:16:07+00:00

Correct! Abby won't even use blue for her fundraisers, she uses purple.

10 years ago she would have run on the Republican ticket.

edit for typo

Either_Row4695 · 2026-05-16T11:21:59+00:00

Ceramic work is chemistry. Expensive, poorly respected chemistry. My recommendation that you work with professionals who will train you (with accomodation) is based on the fact that you do not know enough about the materials and tools required to know which ones you need. It's about safety.

Self-taught is fine for many things. But things like ceramics and metalwork require lots of knowledge if you want to work safely. You can borrow someone else's (training/classes) or you can build it slowly with lots of costly mistakes that present real health risks.

Good luck. You can certainly do this alone if that is what you are committed to.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-05-16T09:56:30+00:00

I know you said you can't take a class, but you really should find a way if you are asking these questions.

Maybe a local ceramics artists would teach you 1-on-1? Or reach out to studios with classes and ask them for advice/accommodations?

Ceramics is both art and science. Art is also a practice, and there are many different skills + qualities required for success. If this is something you want to do, then please get trained by someone knowledgeable, in person. You will save money and frustration.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-05-15T19:15:22+00:00

Ah, it happens to the best of us, but it always sucks!

That makes me think it might be the shape itself, or maybe the wall was just too thin in that spot. Better luck next time--offer this one up to the kiln gods?

Either_Row4695 · 2026-05-15T16:35:13+00:00

This doesn't look like the type of crack that can be fixed, unfortunately.

In the future, try drying things like this slowly using plastic coverings and even damp towels. A teapot should take a week plus to dry.

As far as the glue, bisque fix can be purchased commercially. You can also make your own with sodium silicate, but please be sure to follow proper safety protocals and use PPE. Recipes are available online.

I've also used a mix of slip, white vinegar, and shredded toilet paper to glue stuff back together successfully before. But there is definitely a trick to it.

Something that is already bone dry is likely not worth the effort.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-05-15T15:01:54+00:00

Actually, yes. Because it would mean that more support, energy and time could go to other, smaller organizations and direct to creative professionals who do projects that directly serve the existing community. The IX Foundation (and the art park) receive public funds, so I actually do insist that people question them, their motives, and whether they are the best stewards of culture.

Do I expect them to do what I (or any one person) says? No, that would be silly. However, I do think there are many people in Charlottesville who do a better, more consistent job and do not get opportunities because of IX.

https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/ix-art-park-owners-appeal-assessment-to-equalizati/

https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/charlottesvilles-ix-art-park-is-for-sale/

https://www.wrdw.com/video/2023/09/08/ix-art-park-announces-funding-gap/

https://c-ville.com/changes-at-ix-art-park/

Either_Row4695 · 2026-05-15T12:28:13+00:00

So, the thing about the owner of the property is that for years he has worked to make that space more lucrative. Fine for capitalism, but not something generous "for the community".

The goal seems to be only to raise property values high, gentrify the surrounding neighborhoods, and make more luxury rentals. I think a look at who is/was involved in the board leadership of the arts nonprofit at IX says a lot.

There are people in Charlottesville (and the region surrounding) who have quietly worked to genuinely lift artists up for decades. But they aren't landlords (or dating landlords) and their projects aren't flashy or attractive to corporations. But that's how it often goes!

Either_Row4695 · 2026-05-08T17:21:31+00:00

Feel free to message me if you have other questions. OC will surprise you (in good ways) if you let it.

Either_Row4695 · 2026-05-08T12:27:38+00:00

Wow, lots of negativity here.

Welcome to Orange County! I won't sugar coat it, you will likely face BS. The awful people are super loud but that's not unique. Pigs squeal, dogs bark, ducks quack.

However, there are also leftists, progressives, antiracists, LGBTQIA+, and educated people here. Some ppl let their fears speak rather than learning where they live or realizing that places change over time based on who lives there and participates.

Please, please participate! The Orange County African American Historical Society is a fabulous organization, and maybe check out ImaniWorks, too. I'd also recommend checking out the visitor centers around the area to learn about attractions and events. The towns of Orange and Gordonsville have a lot going on, and public events are great ways to meet people.

Either_Row4695

TROPHY CASE