The following correspondence is from a manuscript of emails titled “Letters of Interest,” by Fred Sasaki. Subjects arise from spam and angst, anger and absurdity, frustration and fuckall—Eros and Thanatos from inbox to inbox. Enter to witness non-consensual collaborative narrative.
[We have left the following emails unedited in the interest of full disclosure and larfs—Ed.]
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Sierra Club Initiative
20 messages
________________________
From: Fred Sasaki
To: Johanna OKelley
Date: Mon, Apr 30, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Subject: Sierra Club Initiative
Hi Johanna O’Kelley,
Amie from Member services put us in touch about the Sierra Club’s forthcoming Global Experience Initiative to raise awareness. I’m excited to be along for the ride! You, too!
We are about to embark on the campaign: The First Ever Run Around the World. The idea is simple, emotional, and very exciting. It is also perfect for “Earth” Days and Green Knowledge.
People have flown around the world in an airplane, balloon, and spaceship, but no one has ever run around the world. With the current global climate, the internet, and popularity of marathons and races, this is a perfect storm.
I am the lead runner for the event. We will have slogans like “Running the World!” Lots of potential here I think you’ll agree. It will take a while, but if we want the world to last a long time, we better run it right a long time too! The world needs us running it. We need to keep coming up with saying like that. We’ll run a circle around you. Like that.
Sierra Club is in the running for lead visibility here, but I can’t promise you anything. I am however happy to work out a deal that you can be satisfied with. Ready (set, go! LOL!)?
Thank you,
Fred
________________________
From: Johanna OKelley
To: Fred Sasaki
Date: Mon, Apr 30, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Subject: Out of Office until May 1, 2012 Re: Sierra Club Initiative
Hi,
I will be out of the office until Tuesday, May 1. If you need to contact me and/or need immediate assistance, please contact Kelly Kirchner at kelly.kirchner@sierraclub.org.
________________________
From: Fred Sasaki
To: Johanna OKelley
Date: Wed, May 2, 2012 at 9:39 AM
Hi Johanna,
I got your out of office invitation. Thanks. Are you ready to start the running for the GEI?
Thanks,
Fred
________________________
From: Johanna OKelley
To: Fred Sasaki
Date: Wed, May 2, 2012 at 3:42 PM
Hi Fred,
So this is a Sierra Club event? I’m a little confused.
It might be better to talk on the phone.
Thanks,
Johanna
ph. 415-977-5631.
—
Johanna O’Kelley
Director of Licensing & Membership Marketing
Sierra Club | 85 2nd Street | San Francisco, CA 94105
ph. 415-977-5631
________________________
From: Fred Sasaki
To: Johanna OKelley
Date: Thu, May 3, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Hi Johanna,
Yes, it is. Let’s get to steppin’ as they say. By that I mean runnin’ LOL!
One of the slogans that came up in this morning’s meeting is: “Run the World: Sierra the World.” The idea being that if you run around the world, you will see the world. Seeing is believing. We will raise so much awareness with this race. Not to mention racism. Another slogan that someone wrote on the board is “The Race to Raise Race Awareness.” That has a ring to it. The idea being, if you run around the world, all the different colored faces will be the same, just in different colors!
The passion for this is magnificent. I’m currently on the run no pun intended, but we can hash out preliminary details in the meantime. Have you covered any ground with logo design or T-shirts? I am told that you are a wonder for special marketing projects and I am excited to be working with you. By that I mean running!
Thanks,
Fred
________________________
From: Johanna OKelley
To: Fred Sasaki
Cc: Shawna Hershfield , Kelly Kirchner
Date: Thu, May 3, 2012 at 2:06 PM
Hi Fred,
I am passing this over to Kelly Kirchner who worked with me, but maybe Shawna and her team should be on this?
Anyway, I am copying them both to see where this might lie. Kelly is a tee shirt resource as well.
When do you need the slogan and design for the tees.
Johanna
________________________
From: Fred Sasaki
To: Johanna OKelley
Cc: Shawna Hershfield , Kelly Kirchner
Date: Thu, May 3, 2012 at 2:36 PM
Hi All,
Thanks everyone. I’m glad about this team. I am pleased and honored.
We needed the T-shirt/logo design last week LOL! But we actually have a lot more time than you think. So no need to rush the designer. Let’s not compromise our actions. That said, the mission sheet for design direction seems to have gone missing. I can refurbish the specs below:
The logo should have the world in/on it, runners and running, or just running shoes. There should be lots of colors and potentially a rainbow so long as it is not confused with Rainbow Push or the Gay Rainbow. We want them part of it, but not to be confused as the sponsoring party. Smiling faces of different colors is good, even a few sweat drops if it’s not gross. You know what I mean LOL! And if possible the designer should put all sorts of weather into the picture: rain, snow, sunshine, clouds, and here is where the rainbow can debut. Since this will be happening around the world, there will be all sorts of weather. Global cuisine is good too, but we probably won’t have time for that. Basically keep it really simple.
Also which slogan are we running with? “Run the World”? Or “Running the World”? “Run the World” is a better companion to “Sierra the World.”
Best,
Fred
________________________
From: Shawna Hershfield
To: Fred Sasaki
Cc: Johanna OKelley , Kelly Kirchner
Date: Thu, May 3, 2012 at 2:43 PM
Hi Fred,
I’m not the right staffer for this, but maybe Kelly is. Kelly?
Shawna
—
Shawna Hershfield
Director of Advancement Communications
Sierra Club
85 Second Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-3459
T: 415.977.5730
C: 971.344.8639
________________________
From: Kelly Kirchner
To: Shawna Hershfield
Cc: Fred Sasaki , Johanna OKelley
Date: Thu, May 3, 2012 at 3:27 PM
Hi Fred,
I’m happy to help if I can – but I would like to talk first. You can give me a call at 415-977-5635. Who are you working with at the Club on the event? Perhaps I can touch base with them and get a better idea of how we can help.
Thank you,
Kelly
—
Kelly Kirchner
Assistant Director, Licensing
Sierra Club I 85 2nd Street I San Francisco, CA 94105
p. 415-977-5635
________________________
From: Fred Sasaki
To: Kelly Kirchner
Cc: Shawna Hershfield , Johanna OKelley
Date: Thu, May 3, 2012 at 3:42 PM
Hi Kelly,
Glad to hear it. I’m mobile right now, running from here to there for the next several days. Then I’m training, which we should talk about when we talk.
Amie set the whole thing up. She seemed to think Johanna has the mission packet, which again looks to have been lost. Not sure how that happened. (Don’t let this leak! How can we “Run the World” if we can even run “Run the World” LOL!)
Next week is pretty free. I’d like to review design elements at that time. Maybe you can start on that before our telephone meeting and I can consult once we recommute by the phone.
Did you decide on the slogan then? “Run the World”?
Also, Amie said you should have stats on previous runs around the world. As far as my search team confirmed there has never been a running race around the world ever before. Before we can commit that stat to public transmit, we need 100% confirmation. Research and Ed should have that by now. We submitted it several weeks ago. Any word?
Thanks,
Fred
________________________
From: Johanna OKelley
To: Fred Sasaki
Cc: Kelly Kirchner , Shawna Hershfield
Date: Thu, May 3, 2012 at 6:26 PM
Hi Fred,
This seems to be a part of another organization’s “run”.
Also, we really do not offer design services. We aren’t staffed adequately to do this and the organizer of an event, such as yourself, would need to get someone to volunteer to do this. Or the other option is for your group to pay a designer. We can help you source your tee-shirts if you are going to buy 300-500 pieces minimum. Otherwise, it might be helpful for you to go to a tee-shirt print shop (silk screening, etc.) locally to see if they can help with design if you buy the tee shirts from them.
Or maybe your staff or committee contacts have other suggestions for you?
I’m so sorry we cannot help you on this very exciting project.
Thanks,
Johanna
________________________
From: Fred Sasaki
To: Johanna OKelley
Cc: Kelly Kirchner , Shawna Hershfield
Date: Thu, May 3, 2012 at 8:58 PM
Hi Johanna,
I am turned around here. Sorry, totally confused. This is a Sierra mission as per the packet. Sierra Club is supposed to design T-shits and the logo. First the logo, then the T-shirts. I am also the lead runner not organizer. You must have been confused by the “running” part. That is part of the clever slogan marketing.
Also, we’re going to need a lot more T-shirts than that. Do you have any idea how many people there are in the world? We’re going to see (Sierra) a lot of them. I don’t mind your shopping this out of house, and I appreciate your offer to do so, but you will save a lot of money if you just do this internally. Either way is fine by me. No need to involve me in the hiring process. I trust your design sense.
Also glad you’re excited about the run. Me, too. But at this point I am very concerned about your lack or organization for the project. Let’s either get back on track or we should consult your supervisor who will surely want to know what’s happening. This is a worldwide experience initiative and we will raise lots and lots of awareness.
Thanks,
Fred
P.S. I’m still on the clock going to L.A. (Los Angeles) today. The time change gives me more time to work so don’t be surprised on the invoice.
________________________
From: Fred Sasaki
To: Johanna OKelley
Cc: Kelly Kirchner , Shawna Hershfield
Date: Fri, May 4, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Hi All,
I’m still in L.A. but woke up on N.Y. (New York) time and have been working since. I’m flying back east tonight probably on L.A. time and will have put away a long dog day. Not sure how much I’ll be able to work on “Run the World” between here and there. Just FYI.
Speaking of which, and I’m currently worried since because of the T-shirt situation, who should I be invoicing?
Meetings yesterday with Dick’s Sporting Goods was good no pun intended. They agreed to supply runners with a deep discount on running shoes, athletic shorts, and socks if we add messaging to our messaging. They want “I’m wearing Dick’s” on the rear of the running shorts which I said was OK. Let me know if you had saved that space for something else.
Today, meetings with runtheplanet.com. I’m not too happy about how close their name is to ours but there is nothing I can do about that. Especially because I think “planet” is more eco-friendly than “world.” “Earth” might be the most eco-friendly but that is not as dynamic. They want your e-mail list, so send that ASAPlease.
More soon,
Thanks,
Fred
________________________
From: Johanna OKelley
To: Fred Sasaki
Cc: Johanna O’Kelley
Date: Fri, May 4, 2012 at 1:09 PM
Hi Fred,
Who is your staff contact at Sierra Club?
Thanks,
Johanna
***
From: Fred Sasaki
To: Johanna OKelley
Date: Fri, May 4, 2012 at 1:35 PM
??
What on earth do you mean no pun intended?? My delivered numbers one, two, and three are yourself (Johanna O’Kelley), Kelly Kirchner, and Shawna Hershfield, and of course Amie Conklin-Rauch (four). I believe this was originally a commission idea by Susana Reyes but I may be mistaken. Lead chapter is Loma Prieta. I’m sorry, what is going on over there? I’m severely disjointed by this stopgap. Who is your supervisor?
I’m about to break for L.A. lunch and will be gone before N.Y. dinner, so I’ll have some catching up to do.
Thanks,
Fred
________________________
From: Johanna OKelley
To: Fred Sasaki
Date: Fri, May 4, 2012 at 4:25 PM
Hi Fred,
Are you a member of Sierra Club? What name would you be listed under if your Chapter is Loma Prieta? I spoke with member services, as well as the Loma Prieta Chapter and they do not have you in their member database in CA, nor has the Loma Prieta Chapter heard of their participation in any races. In fact, they reminded me that Sierra Club cannot be involved in any races currently. So our name cannot be used in any way.
Maybe we could talk on the phone? If you send me your phone number, I am happy to call you so you won’t incur any phone charges.
Take care,
Johanna
________________________
From: Fred Sasaki
To: Johanna OKelley
Date: Fri, May 4, 2012 at 5:33 PM
OK Johanna, I think I see what’s going on here. You see a good idea and you take it to cut me out completely. You want to steal the race? Fine. What next, world something?! What did you erase my membership? Nice. Really.
Next you say I am some kind of cheapskate? You don’t think I can pay for a phone call like this is prison?! I don’t know if you can tell but I am infurious. Let’s call this the end of our marriage. Your loss. You’re bad. You pay me what I am owed and then that’s that. The end. Finish. Over. Game over. It’s done. No more. That’s it. That’s all. Finis. Fin. End game. End of the race.
I’ll take $750 plus travel. My travel assistant will invoice the tickets to you. Simply unbelievable. Simply. Tell me what else you need to pay me what I am owed.
Please return my packet thank you.
Fred Sasaki
________________________
From: Fred Sasaki
To: Johanna OKelley
Date: Mon, May 7, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Johanna,
Attached is my invoice for work served. Please pay me via Paypal. This will close the books on our dealings together. I wash my hands.
Fred Sasaki
INVOICE_SASAKI.pdf
53K
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INVOICE
To: Johanna O’Kelley
Director of Licensing & Membership Marketing
Sierra Club
85 2nd Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 977-5631
From:
Fred Sasaki
fredsasaki@gmail.com
Date: April 24, 2012
Service: Licensing & Marketing of Global Experience Initiative (GEI) “Run the World” WorldWide Campaign to Raise Awareness. Pay via PayPal.
Total Due: $750.00
Signed,
Fred Sasaki
________________________
From: Johanna OKelley
To: Fred Sasaki
Date: Mon, May 7, 2012 at 2:00 PM
??
________________________
From: Fred Sasaki
To: Johanna OKelley
Date: Mon, May 7, 2012 at 2:19 PM
?!
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