February 3, 2003
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Well, the 2003 Willow Winter Carnival is history , and I am happy to say that the universe came through after all, just like I told it to. That is, a week or so ago, I told the universe that I chose to gross at least $500 for the event. Since the first three day’s sales ranged from disappointing to dismal, I knew what I had to do. I slashed prices–some of my best knives were going for 50% off, jewelry 66% off. I did extra CNS stimulants so I could maintain the high energy level needed to sell, sell, sell. I has signs posted prominantly–ASK ME ABOUT MY SPECIALS, and KIDS; KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF THE KNIVES. (Thanks to SuSu for doing the signs.) And I was much more aggressive–EVERYONE who came by , or even slowed down, got my sales pitch, which started with a sincere smile and “I’m not going to burden you with a big sales pitch, but. . . .” And then give them the pitch. And it worked. In one 45-minute period alone, I took in over $100. Of course, it wasn’t all me.
There was a bigger crowd there than usual–everyone who had just heard about it after the first weekend was there. The drawing for the snowmachine was that day, so everyone who had bought raffle tickets was there. And they had money. To raise funds for the community center, they had a pie and cake auction–one confection went for $100! I plotzed! And several of the pies that looked good but hardly spectacular drew $50. Boy. Anyone who can drop $50 for a pie must not be missing many meals, or anything else for that matter. But I digress.
The bottom line is that I went into it wanting to make enough money so we can go to town and get a month’s worth of food for us without having to borrow any money, and in that I succeeded.
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.Notes on ilustrations: The dog pull pictured has a mere 350 pounds–a healthy St Bernard can pull over 1000! The chainsawing is sort of an action shot–the slab is in mid-air. The cross-cut saw here is the type that old-timers call a misery whip. Even when it works properly, it is grueling and about as ergonomic as a brick mattress–when things go wrong, the saw goes Spriong! and your back goes out. I can’t think of anything to say about the one-dog sled, except that it looks like fun. Credits: I don’t know who took the pics, they are from the 2001 carnival and they were being given away. Many thanks to SuSu for scanning them and walking me through the process of making them appear here.
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Comments (4)
It’s good to know that the Universe came through for you Greyfox.
Good job on getting the pics up. I always have a hard time with that for some reason. Only after multiple tries do I manage to get it right.
Angie
dogs and chainsaws! it don’t get no better than that!?
I read a pome you wrote the other day, and was curious about the man who wrote it. Happy to make your aquaitness. You have a great site and a lot to say, and very interesting stuff. Glad to meet you
Marvin
God, that looks like so much fun…..
hope you’re doing well!!!