First, I would like to apologize about my absence. I (like fellow author Samuel Venuti) am no longer gainfully employed. But this was a choice I have made on my own. You see… I am a graphic designer.

I have just left my job of a year and some months to set up my own studio with my wife, called Tomorrow. This is the first week of me setting up shop here at Space 1026, where I used to spend a large chunk of my life before my 9-6 job I recently departed (often it was more like 9 - 2am… but that happens.) Oddly (or sadly) I haven’t been here at 1026 for more then 15 minuets at a time since I started said job, usually for meetings or to drop off some crap that didn’t fit in my house. I have missed everyone here and I was not proud of what I was while living the agency life. The people there at my former place of employment are all wonderful and I miss them… it was just not what I was looking for. I’m glad I can call Space 1026, a place that basically bleeds inspiration, my home. It took a year of doing exactly what I didn’t want to do, to learn what I actually do want to do. Basically… its good to be back, even if really, all I have been doing this week is just cleaning and reclaiming my quadrant of my studio.

I’m sure you’re all saying… who cares about you. Give me something interesting. Well… here it comes. On my last day, a friend and fellow employee of the company I was leaving, sent me a part of a lecture that Milton Glaser gave on November 22nd, 2001 in London. The title is “Ten Things I Have Learned” and it is just that. Ten life lessons that Mr. Glaser has picked up along his long journey as a graphic artist.

For the next few several days I am going to post one lesson. Sometimes they will be lessons that hit home to me that day… sometimes I will just post one because I want to post one till they are done. I hope you enjoy them as much as me. I have been finding them quite useful.

Today’s lesson: (pretend this is Milton speaking… not me anymore.)

1.) IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE NEVER HAVE A JOB.

One night I was sitting in my car outside Columbia University where my wife Shirley was studying Anthropology. While I was waiting I was listening to the radio and heard an interviewer ask ‘Now that you have reached 75 have you any advice for our audience about how to prepare for your old age?’ An irritated voice said ‘Why is everyone asking me about old age these days?’ I recognised the voice as John Cage. I am sure that many of you know who he was – the composer and philosopher who influenced people like Jasper Johns and Merce Cunningham as well as the music world in general. I knew him slightly and admired his contribution to our times. ‘You know, I do know how to prepare for old age’ he said. ‘Never have a job, because if you have a job someday someone will take it away from you and then you will be unprepared for your old age. For me, it has always been the same every since the age of 12. I wake up in the morning and I try to figure out how am I going to put bread on the table today? It is the same at 75, I wake up every morning and I think how am I going to put bread on the table today? I am exceedingly well prepared for my old age’ he said.