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  • 16-OCT-2024 | Excerpt from Tom Sachs’ “How to Sweep”

16-OCT-2024 | Excerpt from Tom Sachs’ “How to Sweep”

Author

Dan Bogachek
October 16, 2024

When sweeping a surface — any surface — mentally divide the space into sections. Begin by sweeping one section.

Concentrate on each broom stroke. Continuously refine your technique. Each broom stroke should be more effective than the stroke that came before it. When you have swept a pile approximately one half of the volume of your dustpan, carefully sweep the pile to the back of the pan. Pay particular attention to the seam between the dustpan and the swept surface. To maximize your dominion over this transition, you may need to implement a more precise broom — such as a foxtail. Properly manipulating the dustpan helps account for contour irregularities in the swept surface.

Use care when disposing debris.

Move your operation to the next unswept section. 🏁

Mind, all written in “you.”

If it wasn’t an ode to sweeping, this would have probably been written in a more technical manner, and in the 3rd person. But the direct language gives it a one-of-a-kind vibe, some sort of blend of precision and personality.

Very Tom Sachs-ian.

You glance at your watch.

It’s 6:28. You’ve been at it since 3.
Crap. Your hot date is at 7. Running late. Sink shower it is.
Nowhere close to done editing…

“…at least all the ideas are laid out, so there’s that. Did I miss anything? I don’t think so? Ok, but how do I make it flow? I need to get the final draft to Stacey for design asap, team cutoff is at noon Thursday…”

You’ve spent dinner completely distracted. Your date just took off. You go home exhausted, plod to your desk, and crack open the laptop.

Or… it could go like this:

5:41 — you’re out of the shower and lip-syncing.
6:17 — dressed to the nines and zenned out.
7:03 — the sunset glints off your aviators as you smile hello.
8:36 — it actually feels like you’re hitting it off. Not just hot, funny to boot.
Next morning, 10:27 — polished draft ready in your inbox.
10:31 — Stacey messages back, “thanks, looks good!”

The difference?

You had Copygloss handle it yesterday afternoon.

For help with editing, email Dan:
[email protected].