A Potbelly's Experience You Wish You Had

A few weeks ago I sent in an online application for Potbelly's Inc. for a design position in one of their headquarter buildings in Chicago.
 Potbelly's, you know, the place that charges $7 for a peanut butter & jelly sandwich? And is closely resembles the interior decor of a Bennigin's? Yep, them.

With every chain store, be it Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King, Borders, etc, etc, on their applications they have several odd questions like "Have you ever visited company X? If so, explain your experience.
I'd grown weary with the stale, hum-drum answers that point out the high caliber friendly staff, my order being filled in a timely manner; Not to mention trying to creatively highlight my attention to detail, my work ethic, and qualifications.

What follows is the actual questionnaire I submitted to Potbelly's Inc. along with my resume.

Have you ever visited a Potbelly location? Where? Describe your experience.
Oak Lawn, Illinois. On a cool spring evening, a friend and I decided to stop in for a quick dinner. As we entered, we were both surprised to find an acoustic guitarist perched on a platform above us, plucking constant out-of-tune, yet oddly soothing background music during our time there. The menu had a vast array of goodness to select from, and the gentleman who took our order was extremely polite in announcing to the staff, and other patrons, and anyone within a 3 mile radius, my friend’s extremely particular/ peculiar ordering habits. Thankfully, he has since toned down his antics and will now remove lettuce and tomato himself.
Also, after a long 13 hour day displaying in an art show at the Merchandise Mart, in downtown Chicago, Potbelly’s was the only shop still up & running. They comforted me with a fantastically hot soup, and refreshing sandwich, along with a quiet atmosphere where I was able to get away from the days chaos, even if it was only for 15 minutes.

What do you like about Potbelly?
I find myself oddly drawn to the copious amounts of signage that guide me through the building. Whether it be a hand directing me to the menu, vintage wall décor, or a sign stating that Potbelly’s PB&J is in fact better than the one’s my mother use to make. (which I disagree with, however, I don’t feel the need to bring it up with staff or management)

Why would you like to work for Potbelly Sandwich Shop?
I’m a big fan of the free smiles. If that attitude carries over into the ‘behind the scenes’ element of Potbelly’s, I’d enjoy coming into work each day.
Or the possibility of .99 cent pickles daily would also do the same.

Describe a specific situation where you have provided excellent customer service.
There is no particular story of heroic customer service that I can think of, however, I have assisted many clients and customers with a gentle yet reassuringly firm hand hold, from the very beginnings of a project through it’s completion. As well as the occasional check-up to make sure everything is still going smoothly.


They never called back for a follow-up...

Be good. As always, more to come...
--Nick

Thank yous

 just want to send a thank you to everybody who showed up at the Beverly Art Center Photography opening reception. Thanks for braving the stale stagnant heat inside the main gallery.
It was an honor to show next to some really amazing photographers.
The show is up until July 3 if you still want to check it out.

If you're interested in purchasing a piece, my prices are low (affordable for any persons income; as art should be), the art is all original and hand crafted by yours truly, and there are many different styles to choose from.
Starting at $10 and up.

On a side note, one of my biggest heroes and inspirations, musician Jason Newsted (formerly of Metallica, EchoBrain, IR8, & Papa Wheelie) has taken to painting and has his first solo show in the Micaela gallery in San Fransisco. (to have your first show be a solo show is ... huge, to say the least.)
Personally, I think his art is honestly amazing. And, while I'm crushed I can't find a flight to SF for under $1200, I'm glad I can see some work online. (read his bio, he's got a work routine & ethic similar to mine.)
If you're in that area, GO SEE THAT SHOW.

As always, Ladies & Gents, there is still more to come. I'll keep you posted.
Until then, check out the site, email me about a piece, or pass my name onto someone that needs to jazz up their walls.

Thanks.
--Nick

Come out, say hi, have a drink, and see some great photography by some great artists.
Should be a good time.
See ya there!.
--Nick

Photo Overload

**UPDATE**
This post was written the 8th of May but for several reasons it never was published.
Now, oddly enough, is the perfect time to post this. (the entry below talks about my photography habits, etc.)
It is NOW appropriate because I have been accepted as an exhibiting artist in the Beverly Art Center's 3rd annual Photography Exhibit.
The details for the show are as followed:
Beverly Art Center Digital Photo Exhibit
June 4 - July 3
Opening reception is Friday, June 11, from 7:30 to 9:30pm
I will be showing a large version of one of the very popular paornoramic-esqe type photo compositions.
Stop by, say hello, drink some sparkling grape juice or wine, vote for me as 'viewers choice', and see some really nice work by some very talented photographers. It should be a good time.
--Nick
**END UPDATE**
If you've met me for more than 10 minutes, you know that 99% of the time, I've got my camera on me.
Now, I've never taken a photo class, I just snap shots that catch my eye. Or things that I might be able to reference in a piece of art later. (I've got a lot of those)

But in 2004, while in the middle of a semester at Trinity Christian College while snapping photos for a graphic design class I had, I randomly, and with no real reason (at the time) decided that every shot that I snapped would be saved.
If it's an out of focus or blurry photo, an accidental shot, too dark, too light, and anything else ... it was all staying, no deletes allowed.

So since that day, yes, every picture I've ever taken is saved. Dozens of CD's and hard drives hold all these memories. Precious or not. It's there. It's become almost a documentary of sorts. All the everyday places I've gone, things I've seen, people I've met, good times, bad times, it's all there.

Eventually it'll be organized, and turned into a flip book or picture mosaic or timeline or something.

While art is in the process of being made, I figure I'll share a few shots I got recently.
Take care, Everybody!

--Nick

An Intro To ...

Hey all.
Nothing really new. I've got a lot of things that I'm categorizing as 'potential happenings' right now, so things are brewing, but not quite ready yet.
I'll have a piece on display at the Galaxie gallery's Square Foot show. Starting May 15th. Directions here.


I'm working on a few new projects, hopefully for a group show before the end of the year.

Today I'll introduce you to a very good friend of mine. Former professor, mentor, and friend Tom McDonald.
His work can be seen at the Packer/Schopf gallery in Chicago's gallery district, or at packergallery.com.

Also. Check out the name Reggie Watts. Musician, comedian, spoken word artist, and an incredibly unique guy. No one does what he's doing. See him now before he blows up huge!

I saw him in March, and it was easily one of the BEST concerts I've ever seen. But sadly, he can't be summed up in words. Words do no justice to this guys talent. You need to see him if he comes around your place.

Til next time.
Thanks everybody.
--Nick

Bleeding Blue - A Cub -ism

“Not that I condone fascism, or any -ism for that matter. -Ism's in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon, "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me." Good point there. After all, he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. I'd still have to bum rides off people. “
Above is a quote from 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off (I take no ownership of the above clip, it is the property of its owner(s) blahbitty blah blah blah)

I've had this post on my mind for a long time. Long before I started this blog in March.

You know that letter, that conversation, or that speech that you plan in your head for the longest time? The one you write & scribble out dozens of times in your brain? The outpouring of feelings, the piece of your mind that's intended for that girl you like, for your jerk of a boss, or the kiss-up co-worker?

That is what this post is. It's a scribbled, scratched out wrinkled up, un-wrinkled, flattened out piece of me that's finally seeing the light of day. It's about -isms.

Racism, Sexism, Classism, etc. etc.

Everyone knows I've been doing freelance graphic design work as well as freelance art for a while. So everyday, I read the Sun-times, picking out names of companies in a story, searching the 'want' ads, etc. looking in to companies that peak my interest.

 Every day, I come upon Richard Roeper's column.

 He’s a great writer who “tells-it-like-it-is”, often serving up a smack to the back of the head to stupid celebrities, and others more famous than I.

Roeper’s a dedicated White Sox fan. Good for him.

However.

Every year that the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox play each other, the next day, Roeper will talk about all the ‘idiots’ and ‘drunks’ at Wrigley, poking jabs at the Cubs fan in front of him in line for a hot dog with something like “Man, this line’s about as long as … the 100 years since your team won a World Series!” (I then picture him high-fiving the nearest sox fan within 3 feet, so as not to step out of the hot dog line.)

Now, I was born and raised a Cubs fan. And yes, I heart my Cubbies every season no matter what. Losses suck, but wins are great. That pretty much is the standard in … life.

I was fortunate enough, in 2008 to be at the Sept. 20th game where the Cub’s clinched the division. I also was grateful that I could share that moment with my family. (Dad, mom &  sister)

It was great to see 41 thousand+ people on their fee for over an hour, still inside Wrigley Field, dancing, singing, and loving the stranger next to them in a fan type fashion. Then seeing and being part of the (at least) 42 thousand people taking up (and shutting down) all of Clark & Addison for another hour or two, snapping pictures, buying hats, basking in a great moment.

It’s a great memory that I’ll have forever. (even hearing that, after a trip to Al’s beef, that 3 hours after the official game had ended there were still fans inside Wrigley taking in the moment, celebrating w/ players who had come back on the field w/ champagne bottles in hand) (and before a smarmy comment pops up, beer was cut off in the 7th inning, just like every other game. They didn't make extra trips around

to celebrate.)

So I tell you that story, to tell you this story.

At the end of 2009, everyone was doing the ‘best and worst of the decade’.

Richard Roeper was no different, writing 10 best & 10 worst things of the decade. (in general, not solely sports centric) The column consisted of 3 or 4 White Sox moments in the ‘best’ category (out of 10); The World Series in 05, the perfect game, and … something about Ozzie probably.

Good for him.

But then I got to the ‘worst’ section.

Eight.

Eight out of ten of his ‘worst’ column in the 2000’s consisted of Cubs related happenings.

Read that again, because it bears repeating. (yes, it’s bears not bares, not to tie another Chicago sports team into this story)

Now, in my time, I’ve learned that hate is a stupid emotion and a waste of time, simply because it does no one any good. (I’m not saying I haven’t hated things before, but I try extremely hard not to. Cause it’s dumb.)

That being said, I don’t HATE Sox fans. Good, I’m glad you are able to follow something important to you. Yahoo for you.

But the outpouring of White Sox fans that HATE Cubs fans is absolutely overwhelming.

Roeper is one of those people.

 Constantly bringing up the 100 year ‘drought’, the fact that the President is a White Sox fan, the fact that Wrigley is near ‘boys town’, the billygoat curse, and Steve Bartman. (leave that poor guy alone, please)

Now, I’m not singling Roeper out, he’s just the one with the nationally read column.

So here’s where everything ties together.

When I go to a Cubs game, I don’t go to get blitzed by inning 3 and blacking out the rest of the game.

I go because I bleed blue. Because inside Wrigley Field there is a buzz, a collective connection between fans and players, and a love & devotion to the entire history of the team. (Ranging from the kids with mitts on to the old ladies with 600 pins in their floppy hat)

Listen to Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, Andre Dawson, or Greg Maddux talk about playing as a Cub.

What you’ll hear is passion and love combined with a lump in their throats for a team, a city, fans, and friends that they have connected with in a way that is unable to be expressed in this text.

One of my favorites, is Andre Dawson signing a BLANK contract, just so he could play for the Chicago Cubs. Meaning, he didn’t care what he got paid, he just wanted to play baseball for this team.

Dawson said: "If I had to do it all over again, I probably would do it the same way. It was just a matter, for me, of going somewhere that I knew I would enjoy the game… I couldn't have picked a better place. I always loved daytime baseball and I always enjoyed playing in Wrigley Field."

So, to Roeper, and everyone else who says that they HATE the Cubs (without any real rhyme or rational reasoning behind it)

If you’re going to judge me, think different of me, categorize me, or hold something against me based on the pigment of my hat … my friend, you need to take a look in the mirror, cause there is a problem staring back at you that you need to address.

So let me drink my Old Style, let me sing the 7th inning stretch, let me wear my hat proudly, let me have a good time, and let me cheer on my team without your judgment.

There are bigger problems in the world, or even your neighborhood, that don’t involve the logo on my hat.

Hello again everybody!!

--Nick

Turnaround

I am continually amazed at how one song can flip a crappy day into a feeling of 'ok'-ness with the world.

--Nick