A Picture is Worth

Y's daughter is graduating from high school and sits for graduation pictures.

Order form comes.

Smallest package available is $270. Includes four wallet size and an 8x10.

Y figures that after all the time and effort (and cash) they have put into getting daughter this far, what's another 270 bucks. Plus there are grandparents each with a gaping hole in their wallets just waiting for this photo.

Package arrives.

Pics are blurry.

You're kidding.

(This is probably how phones with cameras got invented. A mom was so frustrated shelling out hundreds for school photos she probably figured it would be cheaper to create a smartphone and take the pics herself.)

Y does not want to accept mediocre photographs especially at highway robbery those prices.

Calls place.

Customer Service says: What Can I Do For You.

Y says: Blah blah daughter, blah blah pictures, Can you see the pictures from there?

Customer Service says: Wait a minute, I just have to load em up, my computer is so slow today - hold on - yes - 

Y says:  Well can you please look at the photographs and tell me - do they look blurry to you? I mean, you do this all day and you're the expert, I just wanted to get your opinion?

Customer Service says: Yeah, actually. They do look kind of blurry. We can absolutely sharpen the image from here and send them out.

Y: Oh, thank you so much, that's terrific.

Customer: Also, I noticed a little pimple on your daughter's chin and we can zap that right out and send these off to you today.

Lessons Learned

1. Rely on the expertise of those around you.
2. Everyone likes to be the hero, even Customer Service 
3. It seemed like a big ask - how would Customer Service be able to check if the photos Y received were blurry, and how would they be able to fix the problem remotely, but in the end it worked out better than Y ever dreamed.
4. Customer Service and estheticians have more in common than you would think.

Things People Have Said To Me On The Book Tour So Far

1. I think you can read less from the book at your events.
2. I think you could read more from the book at your events.
3. You look way better in person. I had seen your pictures and I wasn't expecting you to look so - alive.
4. I'm also going to write a book. 
5. Everyone tells me I should write a book.
6. I ordered your book off amazon and it didn't come yet. Can you call them and get the book for me.
7. I didn't realize you were so good at public speaking.
8. You told me you were good at public speaking but I didn't believe you.
9. You missed your calling. You should be a professional public speaker.
10. Did you take a course on public speaking? Or did you read a book on how to do it?
11. I think you are better with a small crowd, more intimate.
12. I like your energy better with a big crowd, more fiery.
13. I didn't buy your book, I didn't feel like waiting in line.
14. How much money are you making for doing this?
15. You're not getting the money? Then who is?