By Jim Berg

I need a job. Since January, when the first issue came out, I have been able to eke out a starving artist’s living from the magazine. Don’t ask me how. All I know is that I haven’t been evicted (yet) and I have been able to feed myself. But I haven’t been able to pay for parking tickets and the registration on my car (’71 VW camper van), which brings me to my current crisis.

After spending a beautiful day in Topanga Canyon, enjoying a wonderful production of Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen from Verona at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum (rave! rave! rave! a must see this summer!), my van got impounded. A sheriff’s deputy who was obviously possessed by an evil demon seized my harmless, innocent hippie vehicle that is the epitome of non-violence. A vehicle who’s very presence in the world maintains a calm that prevents the universe from imploding on itself. A vehicle that is incapable of exceeding the speed limit that has “state of mind” inscribed on the back to give pause to BMWs and Porsches that really ought to slow down and smell the flowers.

It was a message from God. That’s how God works, you know. He occasionally unleashes the devil to give us a message, like he did to Job, or Jesus in the desert. God had a message for me, so he let the Devil send a demon into that deputy to take my car. When the Devil is delivering a message from God, you know it’s serious, and you better listen up.

I think the message from God (funny how messages from God are open to interpretation) is that it’s time to put my financial house in order. Despite appearances, this magazine doesn’t have a million dollars behind it. In fact I’m kind of proud that it’s still going, considering that I only started with a good idea and bad credit. But my landlord and the DMV won’t accept a complimentary subscription in lieu of payment.

Which brings me back to where I started — I need a job. I’m educated (B.A. in Socio-Economics plus 1 year of graduate school in Communication), hard working, and personable. I communicate well, which is how I got this magazine started. I know Microsoft Word, Pagemaker, Microsoft Excel, type about 40 wpm and can learn any software or computer system. I’d probably be very 1 good in advertising or public relations. I have high standards, which can be problematic. I don’t like being the smartest or most talented in the room. But, of course, I can adapt. Working in development for a film production company would be cool. I have good story sense and an eye for talent, which is honed by the theatre criticism that I do for this magazine.

For further into. contact me directly, my address and phone number is on the masthead. While I’m being completely self serving, I may as well add that I’m single, 28 years old, enjoy the arts, stimulating conversation and long walks in the setting sun. Looking for a generous woman who thinks it’s O.K. to pick up the tab.

P.S. Don’t worry, my personal difficulties don’t jeopardize the magazine. But any and all support is greatly appreciated, be it subscription, advertising, or just showing the magazine to a friend.