So lately, I have been working a lot not as a grip and I have had a chance to spout off many of th tried and true Grip Sayings that I have been accumulating over the years. 

“Cut towards your buddy, not your body.” I can’t tell you how many times I have seen people cutting something right at their own torso. But also, your buddy should always be watching out for your knife. This saying reminds them. 

“Measure twice, cut once.”  Unfortunately, this is almost always said when you have done something twice or three times. 

“Why carry an hammer, you have a radio.” or “Every tool on your bel can be used as a hammer, except a screwdriver, that’s a chisel.” Bryan yesterday called it tool improv. It’s the habit of using what you have on your person in a pinch rather than get up and get something else.  It should be noted that this is almost never as good as the right tool. 

“It’s a grip’s job to save time, not tape.” While the tape we use is expensive ($27+ for a roll of gaffer tape) the time of the whole job is more important.  This can be applied to all extendibles (things that are used to get the shot and are bought for each job. These are not considered rental gear. 

“Show concern, take no action.” One of the all time greats. This one has informed my life greatly. Often someone just wants to be heard. There is no need for you to get involved or it is not your job. Often people expressing their concerns about a job are doing exactly the same thing. But if you seem concerned about something,  they will stop worrying. Obviously if it is a real safety concern, you will do something. Your way. 

“Can’t tie a knot? Tie a lot!” This one drives me nuts. I don’t claim to be a master knotsmith, but I can tie a few solid knots and I hate trying to dismantle someone’s rope art.  You tie knots as much for the untieing as for the hold. Okay, somewhat. 

“It’s a dolly, not a deli.” This is usually directed at the camera guy riding on your dolly and packing it with food and drink. You can tell how boring a day s by the amount of snacks piled up on the machine. 

“Hot Points!” or “Free Dental Work!” or Shins and eyeballs, watch your shins and eyeballs!” Called out when you are carrying something long and pointy and or heavy and going around a corner or into a group of unwary clients or deaf PAs. Heavy pointy things like a ladder, or a 20′ steel pole, or a jagged piece of wood. 

There are more, but I gotta get to work. 

What do you get when you cross a Grip with a chimpanzee? A really dumb chimp.

It’s the first Labor Day that I have spent not leaving Black Rock City with a few thousand of my closest friends trapped in our car for Exodous. Man, Exodous always sucks. The entire population of BRC compresses to a single lane and heads out into the desert. 

It’s an interesting holiday, Labor Day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day It Celebrates the spirt of the worker and how awesome Americans are at working.  But, as I have spent more time in the workforce and specifically this week working directly with union labor organizations, I can’t help but think that the American workforce is a little bit broken. I personally have tried to get my days to be in the Grip Local Union for the last 5 years, and there has been no access. While I can respect that generally if someone is in the union they do have a basic modicum of expertise, It is no guarantee of excellence. 

I can’t say that I am all that into working as something to celebrate. Instead, lets celebrate self expression, or health, or love? Is that so much to ask? At this point I am completely uninterested in working at anything other than something that gives me great joy and has me surrounded by people I love. Working hard is no problem, when it’s surrounded by your people. It becomes easy and fun. It is a bold thing to require. But I deserve it. 

But taken to an extreme, what would our world look like if everyone worked their passion? What if everyone was having fun and loved their life?  Well, now that I think about it, it would look a lot like Black Rock City. 

Just don’t wear white after Labor Day, I’m just saying.