August 20, 2008
We Take Plastic
This is probably not too exciting to anybody else, but I am pretty psyched to report that I now accept credit cards for payment of materials. I’ve used PayPal for credit card transactions for years, but a lot of schools won’t go through PayPal for whatever reason. Most schools, though, have department credit cards. Taking a credit card for payment usually means a whole lot less paperwork to deal with than payment with a check, as a check payment typically requires becoming a “vendor” for the school.
So — no more PayPal. Now, people can just call or email me credit card info, I type in the info, and the payment goes through. It shows up on the buyer’s credit card bill as a transaction with “OstiMusic.” Cool. It’s fast, easy, and it makes the whole thing feel a lot more professional.
So if you want to order something — or you just feel like giving me money with your credit card — have at it!
August 17, 2008
Can’t spell Studio without Stud
I think we finally have my studio in order here at the new house in Austin. I wanted a room that felt warm — and not too “workplace-like.” I didn’t know what that necessarily meant, but AEJ did. The result is a large steel McDowell & Craig office desk — enameled in a cream color — and a gynormous metal computer monitor, but combined with floor-to-ceiling velvet drapes and a totally bad-ass vintage chandelier from the early 1970s.
For comparison, here is what the room looked like when we bought the house:
And here it is now:
This is what it looks like at night:
Here is one of the accessories the previous owners had in this room. AEJ’s brother referred to as something like “angel with a patriotic erection.”
My replacement accessory: The Tube Lamp. (Next to it is the Waterphone.)
And the most dramatic change… The former light fixture:
And the new light fixture – Liberace-style.
The studio looks sweet — and thanks to all of these yards upon yards of velvet, plus the black cowhide rug on the floor, the sound in here is great (although lacking massive low-end, as the subwoofer is currently in the family room).
Now I really don’t have any excuse… I kind of need to start writing Asphalt Cocktail.
View Comments
Comments
Reminds me of my dinning room. Expect there isn't a computer, keyboard, or waterphone in there.
I had thought at first that the first picture was your studio as it currently is and that you were renting it out to wayward babies. I was thinking "ah...John...they're gonna be a distraction..."
FABULOUS studio. I think even I could compose in that space! What I think is really cool, though, is how the waterphone disappears at night. Spooooooky.
That is one pimp chandelier.
-Travis-
Awesome workspace. I think that chandelier will inspire all sorts of creative pieces in the years to come.
By the way, my daughter Sami said that Longhorn Band is doing a "Texas Composers" show this fall. She couldn't remember any of the composers' names, but I was wondering: since you now live in Texas, do you think you made it into the show?
Actually, I believe you need to start writing my cello/piano piece.
But you know, I wouldn't mind if you called it "Asphalt Cocktail". I think that would make a great title for a cello/piano piece....
Just a thought....
Add comment
August 14, 2008
Take that, BoingBoing
There’s an entry on BoingBoing this week, called “Found photo of woman posing next to her portrait.” Here’s the photo:
Well, I can top that, BoingBoing. I give you “Found photo of Loki posing next to portrait of Loki.”
Cat trumps oldie-time lady any day.
View Comments
Comments
I bet Loki would get along with my Kitten Grátur Minningar; I'm going to have to get a portait of Grátur now.
And that woman just looks creepy.
-Travis-
ZOMG Angela Lansbury, I love you!
hmmm. Maybe if I stood by a painting of me I could go somewhere...
View Comments
Comments
Nikk says
Congrats! I've thought about doing this for drill design or marching band arrangements in the past, as some of the schools I wrote for have asked.
Did they charge you a one-time fee, or is it a per-transaction fee, or something else?
P.S. When ya coming back to Athens? This place has more bars per capita than any other city I've ever seen!
John says
Nikk --
There's a subscription fee of around $18/month. Then the fee for each charge, since I'm doing everything without a swiping machine, is 2.15%. I charged two orders today within three hours of being "set up," so it's already paid for itself, and I just received two more orders offering to use a credit card. This is definitely the way to go, provided you charge at least one thing a month.
In fact, according to Forbes, with data from the Centers for Disease Control, Austin is the "Drunkest City" in the US.
Kevin Howlett says
"Take a swig from the elixir of life, have a drink of booze. Have a drink...of...booze."
Sponsored by the American Council on Booze Consumption...ment.
Montoya says
So does that mean if they pay by CC you are adding the costs on top of that?
And schools have CC's? Wow. Usually I get booster and/or district checks. But this may cause me to think about this...
John says
I don't charge extra if they use a credit card -- I just make 2% less, but it's worth it to avoid the hassle of the paperwork, plus receive the money immediately (or within a few days, after it automatically transfers to my bank account).
And yes, a lot of schools have credit cards -- particularly at the college level.
Add comment