Tee-Shirt Project FAQs
Q-Why haven’t you updated today?
A-I probably will soon. It’s possible that I’m having some issues with Tumblr and I can’t access my dashboard. That said, they’ve been very good about fixing what’s broke. If it is a Tumblr issue, you can see current shirts on Facebook and possibly Twitter (@oegarden).
Q-How do I vote?
A-A simple “keep” or “toss” is good, preferably in the answers, but possibly in the comments, if the answers aren’t working. You can add some commentary after that, but for the purposes of tallying the votes quickly, please start with your vote. And remember it’s absolute and binary; no “Keep…for cleaning your toilets!” (that’s not keeping it for the intended purpose or covering my torso) or “Toss, unless there’s something awesome on the back” (that requires my subjective opinion, which defeats the whole purpose of having people vote on my shirts).
Q-I counted the votes, and you listed way more votes than there are here. Is this on the level?
A-The tally won’t sync up because I also run this on Facebook, where my friends and family and Facebook acquaintances can vote. Usually, this accounts for around 45-50 votes. Twitter, too, but that only accounts for five votes at most.
Q-Can I vote more than once?
A-I prefer you don’t, but I lack the time necessary to investigate allegations of voter fraud.
Q-Can I vote on the older shirts?
A-Sure! But those votes won’t be counted retroactively, and you’re just wasting your time.. If you’re compelled to say something snarky, just come right out and say it. I can take it.
Q-How many shirts do you have?
A-I haven’t counted, but I began at the end of June 2010, and I am estimating that I will not have to wear the same shirt again until January of 2011
Q-Why don’t you smile?
A-The short answer is that I will smile when I’m done. The long answer is that in some of the early photos, I am smiling. However, I don’t want to unduly influence the vote with body language or facial expression. The closest I’ll come is a nervous half-smile if I’m inconveniencing the photographer.
Q-What happens to the shirts?
A-Some I turn to rags. Some I give to interested parties. Some I may donate to charity.
Q-MAY give to charity? Are you some kind of monster?
A-I am not a monster. Thrift stores aren’t usually short on tee-shirts. And the problem is that donated clothes often get bundled and shipped to third-world countries, where they put local clothing manufacturers out of business. For more information, check this out. http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/tshirttravels/film.html
Q-Why don’t you make a quilt out of the shirts?
A-My goal is to get rid of shirts, not to keep them around until I have enough for a quilt. If there’s one that I have a particular affinity for, I’ll re-purpose it somehow. Cut out the design, give it to someone I know will appreciate it, whatever. But I really want to get the old ones out of the house.
Q-Are you really getting rid of the shirts?
A-Yes. In one way or another, I promise that once a shirt is voted down, I will never wear it again. This is, in some cases, heartbreaking.
Q-Can I have your shirt?
A-Yes, probably. It’s first-come, first-serve. If you want a shirt, just say “Toss, and give it to me!” before anyone else does. It will be like $5 for me to package and mail it (unless you live outside the United States), AND you have to promise to take a picture of yourself wearing the shirt in the same arms-at-side-blank-faced expression that I have on this blog.
Q-Can I send you a shirt?
A-I’ve thought about this a lot, and the answer is sure. However, I won’t wear it until the very end, and it will be identified as a new shirt that was sent to me. If you can handle the potential for rejection, then by all means, send it.
