Life through a different lens

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

CRAIGSLIST EXPOSED 6

At the offices of ADNW, we are a bit embarrassed to admit a recent fixation on Craigslist. But, it’s not what you think. Craigslist is a fascinating world, where the veil of anonymity allows people to say and ask for all kinds of crazy crap. The grammar is rarely eloquent and the verbiage is frequently cryptic. But you’re in luck, our team at ADNW has cracked the craigslist code. This series is a sampling of a few favorites, accompanied by our official ADNW translation. Names and places have been changed or deleted to protect the not so innocent.

Random crap in my neighbors yard. Take anything. Please!

BIKINI CAR WASH AUG 21,2010

Hello Ladies,

Were looking for very shapely, attractive ladies. You must be shape to wear a bikini or a midriff top and leggins. This event is a bkini car wash so you will be getting wet and washing cars. The company is a well known company in the Urban Communities, so this will be an excellent exposure event.

You must do your own hair and make-up.

Please send 3 pics, dosen't have to be professional pic, a headshot (close up of face), a full bodyshot or sideshot and last A BACKSHOT.

PLEASE ALL PICS MUST BE VERY CLEAR

18 AND OLDER

YOU MUST BE AVAILBLE THE ENTIRE TIME AND TIME WILL BE ANNOUNCED

TRANSLATION

Yeah, there’s no bikini car wash. What I do have is a website, and I would love to repost your pictures. The nastier the better! So, like I said – lots and lots of exposure. Hope your Dad doesn’t surf a lot of porn. Thanks in advance for the freebies!

Free stuff salvation army didn't take

I have some christmas stuff and one larger speaker and two bags of hanger and a set of bed rails if any one's interested they are on my lawn at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

salvation army didn't want to take them

TRANSLATION

Yep – I just got garbage. I’d much appreciate it if you would be kind enough to overlook the fact that the stuff is crap and just take it off my hands. The neighbors are kind of getting pissed off. Thanks in advance for getting overly excited about the word “free.”

Free TV

I have an old tv that is in decent working order. It's about a 26" tv (I think), color, good working order, Zenith. It's bulky but who cares if it is free and works. If I wasn't moving to another state I would probably keep it until it dies on me.

JUST THE TV. Not the cable boxes, dvd player or shark. You need to pick this up by next week and you need to bring someone to help you if you can't carry it yourself.

*UPDATE* Since I've already gotten some choice emails (what more could I expect from people on Craig's List), let me put some more updates here. The items are FREE. Meaning you either want it or don't. FREE meaning that they probably aren't worth trying to sell. FREE meaning that they are not perfect. But if I say they are decent then they are decent. If you don't have a car or any mode of transportation, or anyone who can drive you, I don't know why you would bother to respond to me on picking up these items. And I deal with enough crazy so I don't want to deal with Craig's List crazies. So only somewhat normal people need reply.

TRANSLATION

Everything shown in the picture is included, and yes, I’m happy to deliver it.

Photographer

I'm looking for a photographer who is looking to build their portfolio. I want to get a few shots done for my birthday, don't need prints, just digital copies. In exchange you get to build your portfolio.
Looking for around labor day timeframe.

TRANSLATION

I don’t own a camera, and I heard from a friend that there are idiots on craigslist that might actually do this kind of shit for free. Any takers?

Re: Photographer (Free-ville)

Would somebody please answer my question? Why on Earth do people pick on photographers, videographers, artists, etc., for free services? WE need to make money too, just like you!!!! Do you earn a paycheck? Does your boss earn a paycheck? Sure you both do!
What makes you think, that shooting your photos, will allow me to get more "paying" work? Suppose the last person I shot photos for said the same thing? Or perhaps the next one says it as well? Because I can tell you, that they will or already do!

Everyone who wants free services, hide behind the idea that by shooting for them for free, we all will improve our portfolios! Great!
But, I don't need my portfolio improved any! A portfolio cannot pay any bills! Only money can do that! Would you ask the manager at a gas station to give you free gas? Do you walk into a grocery store asking for free food? I don't think so! Why? I can tell you why.
You know as well as the next guy, that you would not get away with it! Why do you think, that people who devote long hours honing their skills, spend money on expensive gear would just spend time, expense and travel on giving you free services??? You have got to have quite a brass set to ask that!!!

I BEG ALL ARTISTS OUT THERE...PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT WORK LIKE THIS!!! DO NOT DO ANYTHING FOR FREE!!!! YOUR TIME IS WORTH
SOMETHING!!!!! BY GIVING IN TO THIS CRAP, YOU ARE LOWERING THE VALUE OF THE SERVICE FOR ALL ARTISTS EVERYWHERE!!!
DON'T THINK FOR ONE MINUTE THAT BY DOING SOMETHING "TO EXPAND YOUR PORTFOLIO" WILL REALLY HELP YOU ANY!! THE NEXT PERSON
WILL SAY THE SAME THING TO YOU!!!!

The Artists Avenger

Say no to low/no pay!! Support indie film in xxxxxxx!

TRANSLATION

Here’s the thing - I bought a buttload of really expensive equipment. Consequently, I don’t have a real job to pay my bills. Now, I have nothing but time to sift through craigslist adds and repost bitchy replies.

P.S. - I’d appreciate it if you refer to me as an “artist.” My mom won’t stop giving me shit.