The drop box is absolutely brimming with plant matter. It took all weekend. My lower back is petrified and my knees have just informed me they’ve gone on strike for the remainder of June. I’m lucky to be alive really. If someone was to make a safety film about how not to use a ladder, they would have found ample footage starring ME this past weekend.
There’s a fine line between Cirque De Sole and America’s Funniest Home Videos.
Saturday morning before the yard work began, I helped my friend Dirk move an enormous Sun Ra powered vintage Organ out of his grandparent’s old house. His grandfather spent the better part of his life as an powerhouse insurance salesman for State Farm Insurance. He had boxes and boxes of old swag from the company along with sales award trophies he had won along the way. One of things I picked up was this 45 rpm record that State Farm Insurance recorded as part of a campaign to motivate their salesman. The idea was to gear up the sales force so that 1967 would be a breakout year. This whole inspired campaign made selling insurance sexy by empowering the sales team to be “SPECIAL AGENTS”. The Special Agent ’67 logo is fantastic. On the cover of the record sleeve is a blue and red target with a blue silhouette face. Underneath the graphic is says: “Target: Mr. Big”. I’m not sure what to make of that actually. Target the big accounts?
On the inside flap of the record opposite another spy-mod graphic there is a letter from the father of the Personal Development Industry, Earl Nightingale. Below is the text of that letter:
Dear Special Agent ’67:
I like to think that you an I are old friends by now. I know that attending your convention this past year was certainly a high point for me. Getting to know the men and women of your great companies left no doubt in my mind as to how you’ve managed to set the records you have.
I like to think, too, that the short messages contained on the enclosed recording will prove to be of some value to you in making 1967 the greatest year of your career to date. You have an unprecedented market in the most affluent society the world has ever known. Now – here’s your opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to this society and, at the same time, contribute substantially to your own affluence.
Good luck on the special assignment
Warmest personal regards,
Earl Nightingale