The High Cost of Flaking Out
Most of you who know me know I’m not one to complain. And I’m also not one to indulge that much negativity. I have a negativity ceiling. That said, I also have a bullshit ceiling, and, hey—when was the last time you were in a room with two ceilings?
Anyhoo, a while back I put up a survey over on Facebook to see who might be interested in purchasing a Camarojuana T-shirt.
If you’re not in-the-know, then you aren’t in the wrong. Camarojuana is and/or was a rock band I was/am in. Before I joined the band, they had a really cool T-shirt design that was very well received, but printed in low quantity. It featured a great illustration, excellent typography, and the damn thing glowed-in-the-dark.
Once I posted the survey, I was really pleased to find that 19 people had expressed interest in getting one. So, I got a bunch printed via the level-25 Customer Service Wizards at Seatthole—strongly recommended. My order including some extra shirts and a few hoodies printed for the band members. It cost me $354, not a staggering sum and totally fair for the quantity—but not really chump change, either.
Shortly after, on Aug. 6, I let everyone who was interested in the shirts know that I was coming to Bellingham and I got a piss poor response. Like, nearly zip, and I sold 3 shirts. I’ve returned home from the trip and have a huge box of shirts people said they wanted and don’t, and it cost me a lot of money.
Look, I get it. We’re aren’t 23 anymore and our mortgages and spouses have out-prioritized our enthusiasm for rock band stuff 100-fold. And if our bands aren’t so important anymore, than the rock band’s T-shirts are likely a lot less important than even that. And that’s fine. However, another part of being older now than 17 means being held accountable for your words in situations that affect other people’s money. Perhaps you’re thinking “maybe this 35-year-old guy whining that his rock band isn’t popular and never was shouldn’t be lecturing me on adulthood.”
That irony isn’t lost on me. Fact is, this admittedly youth-focused culture is where my heart is, likely for life, and that doesn’t change the fact that folks should put their money where their mouths are. Giving mere lip-service to supporting the arts of your peers is lame. Actually being supportive is the way to go. Going forward, please know that I will thank people to refrain from implying that they are interested in this sort of thing when they are not, as there is a tangible, financial consequence. Thanks!
If you juana get a shirt still, hit me up. $15. I have plenty.