Canvas Corporation/iCandy/Mark Sarnoff owes me money

In November of 2010, I began working at the Prudential Center for a company that uses the name CanvasCorporation and also uses the name iCandy. The boss of this company is a man named Mark Sarnoff. My job was selling refreshments (water, soda, popcorn, CrackerJacks, cany, etc) in the stands. That's right, I was the guy yelling "Popcorn! Cracker Jack! Water! Soda!" in the stands. I actually kind of liked the job. I got to see lots of NJ Devils and Nets games, as well as concerts by Usher, Lady Gaga, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and events of the UFC, WWE, and the Harlem Globetrotters.. I even sold coffee and refreshments to the hopefuls standing in line waiting to audition for the X Factor.

I made friends with most everyone, and became a fan favorite by yelling things like "Sugar! Caffeine! Carbohydrates! Salt! Carbonation! Hyration! Caffination! Sugaration! Pepsi Nation!"I would say hello to the cheerleaders every day and generally had a good time while getting lots of exercise carrying heavy buckets of product up and down the stairs for three hours. I was frequently the first person on the floor and almost always was one of the top 5 sellers of the day.

this is not to say that the job was all wonderful. Those buckets were heavy, occasionally people would complain about the prices or refuse a sale when they learned they could not keep the cap with the bottle (stadium policy). There was one day that I was called in to work the night before and was sent out into the cold March air to try to sell to at the poorly-attended NCAA fan fest in Championship Plaza. After 90 minutes of no success, I went home empty-handed.

Then there was the time we were flown to Las Vegas to sell beer at a NASCAR event. That was such a big cock-up it deserves a whole separate entry.

And then there was the money. At first I got paid more-or-less regularly, more-or-less the amount of commission that I had earned, although I never got a check for the first day I worked. As time went on the checks came in shorter and shorter, some days not being paid for at all.

After a misunderstanding on a particularly hectic and chaotic day (May 25, 2011, a day that deserves another whole entry), I was fired and told that I would get the last of my commissions in a few weeks. I have not received any money from CanvasCorporation since then.

 Here is a rundown of all the days I worked, how much I sold, and the commission I should have earned.

Ø      On November 24, I worked the Devils-Flames game, sold $219 worth of drinks. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $28.47.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On Nov. 27 I worked the Devils-Flyers game. I don’t know how much I sold, but was paid $35.04.

Ø      On Nov. 28 I worked the Nets –Portland game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $36.36.

Ø      On Dec. 1 I worked the Nets-Oklahoma City game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $47.99

Ø      I may have worked Dec. 2 Devils-Canadiens game and the Dec. 5 Nets Celtics game, but I don’t remember, and I didn’t write it down.

Ø      On Dec. 10 I worked the Usher concert. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $50.30

Ø      On Dec. 11 I worked the Devils-Red Wings game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $30.78.

Ø      On Dec. 12 I worked the Nets-L.A. Lakers game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $63.91.

Ø      On Dec. 14 I worked the Nets-Philadelphia game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $41.98.

Ø      On Dec. 15 I worked the Devils-Coyotes game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $28.14.

Ø      On Dec. 16 I worked the Nets-Washington game. I sold $448.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $58.305.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On Dec. 17 I worked the Devils-Predators game. I sold $302.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $39.325.  I got paid $34.90.

Ø      On Dec. 18 I worked the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. I sold at least $500 at the first show and at least $300 at the second show. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $104.  I got paid $26.43.

Ø      On Dec. 23 I worked the Devils-Islanders game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $38.48.

Ø      On Dec. 28 I worked the Seton Hall-South Florida game. I sold $213. I was told we would be paid a 15% commission for that day, which means I should have been paid $58.305.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On Dec. 29 I worked the Devils-Rangers game. I sold $416. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.08.  I got paid $55.72.

Ø      On Dec. 30 I worked the Harlem Globetrotters games. I sold $219 the first game and over $500 the second game. I was told we would be paid an 18% commission for that day, which means I should have been paid at least $105.42.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On Dec. 31 I worked the Devils-Thrashers game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was told we would be paid an 20% commission for that day. I was paid $63.46.

Ø      On Jan 4, 2011, I worked the Devils-Wild game. I sold over $250. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $32.50.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On Jan 5, I worked the Nets-Chicago game. I sold $531. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $69.03.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On Jan 7, I‘m not sure what event I worked, but it was not a Nets, Devils, or Seton Hall game. I sold $250. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $32.5.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On Jan 8, I worked the Nets-Milwaukee game. I sold $420. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.60.  I got paid $53.20.

Ø      On Jan 18, I worked the Seton Hall-Georgetown game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $13.43

Ø      On Jan 20, I worked the Devils Penguins game. I sold $240. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $31.20.  I got paid $30.56.

Ø      On Jan 21, I worked the Nets-Detroit game. I sold $423.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $55.055.  I got paid $44.77.

Ø      On Jan 22, I worked the Seton Hall-Rutgers and Nets-Dallas games. I sold $129 at the Seton Hall game and $432 at the Nets game. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $72.93.  I got paid $68.16.

Ø      On Jan 23, I worked the Devils-Panthers game. I sold $415.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.015.  I got paid $50.48.

Ø      On Jan 24, I worked the Nets-Cleveland game. I sold $323. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $41.99.  I got paid $39.52.

Ø      On Jan 30, I worked the Seton Hall-Providence game. I sold $392. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $50.96.  I got paid $45.95.

Ø      On Jan 31, I worked the Nets-Denver game. I sold $454.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $59.085.  I got paid $55.22.

Ø      On Feb 1, I worked the Devils-Senators game. I sold $133.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $17.3875.  I got paid $16.25.

Ø      On Feb 4, I worked the Devils-Panthers game. I sold $330.25. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $42.9325.  I got paid $42.03.

Ø      On Feb 5, I worked the Seton Hall-Connecticut game. I sold $368.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $47.905.  I got paid $39.14.

Ø      On Feb 6, I worked the Nets-Indiana game. I sold $612.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $79.6575.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On Feb 8, I worked the Devils-Hurricanes game. I sold $249. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $32.37.  I got paid $31.71.

Ø      On Feb 12, I worked the Nets-Knicks game. I sold $709. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $92.17.  I got paid $96.10.

Ø      On Feb 13, I’m not sure what event I worked, it was not Devils, Nets, or Seton Hall. I sold $344. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $44.72.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On Feb 18, I worked the Devils-Rangers game. I sold $356.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $46.28.  I got paid $41.70.

Ø      On Feb 28, I worked the Nets-Phoenix game. I sold $520.25. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $67.6325.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On March 4, 5, 6, I worked the NASCAR event at Las Vegas Speedway. I sold $3040. I was told we would be paid a 12% commission. I should have been paid $364.8.  I got paid $277.

Ø      On March 8, I worked the Devils-Hurricanes game. I sold $422.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.9575.  I got paid $50.67.

Ø      On March 17, I worked the Nets-Chicago game. I sold $440.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $57.2975.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On March 19, I worked the UFC event. I sold $1089.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $141.635.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On March 20, I worked the WWE Smackdown event. I sold approximately $980. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid approximately $127.40.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On March 21, I worked the Nets-Indiana game. I sold $522.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $67.925.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On March 25, I worked the NCAA playoff game. I sold $622.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $80.9575.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On March 27, I worked the NCAA playoff game. I sold $473. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $61.49.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On April 2, I worked the Devils-Canadiens game. I sold $492.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $64.0575.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On April 2, I worked the Devils-Maple Leafs game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On April 8, I worked the Nets-Knicks game. I sold over $500. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $65.  I got paid nothing*.

Ø      On April 9, I worked the boxing event. I sold $437.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $56.9075.  I got paid an uncertain amount**.

Ø      On April 10, I worked the Devils-Bruins game. I sold over $300. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $39.  I got paid nothing.

Ø      On April 11, I worked the Nets Charlotte game. I sold $462.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $60.125.  I got paid an uncertain amount***

Ø      On April 14, I worked the X-Factor event. I sold $1243. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $161.59.  I got paid nothing.

Ø      On April 22, I worked the Lady Gaga concert. I sold $504. I was told I f there were no complaints we would get 17% commission. There were no complaints. At a 17% commission, I should have been paid $85.765.  I got paid an uncertain amount**.

Ø      On May 7, I worked the Usher concert. I sold $323.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $42.055.  I got paid nothing.

Ø      On May 25, I got called after 9 PM the night before to work the Liberty pre-season game. I sold $662.5. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $86.125.  I got paid nothing.

*A paycheck dated 4/10/2011 came in with no work dates on it in the amount of $631.49

**A paycheck dated 4/29/2011 came in with the work dates of 4/5,6,9,11,22 without the per-day payments itemized, for $64.57

The total of all my paychecks was $1979.54

Total commissions calculated as earned: $3082.158

The amount I was paid on those days that I don’t know what I earned: $453.87

• On Feb 28, the manager, Scott, failed to write down $100 that I had turned in during the game, and did not believe me when I told him I had.. He insisted that I cover the missing $100 with whatever money I had (tips and whatever I had in my pocket when I came in that day). After all the other vendors had turned in their sales and inventory was taken, it was discovered that I was right and he was wrong, but they only had $80 in cash to pay me back. Therefore I am owed $20 for that day.
• On March 24, I was called at the night before to work the NCAA fan fest in Championship Plaza. I sold nothing for 90 minutes in the cold at this poorly attended event at which there were other food vendors. I was told by the manager Bruce Herzog that what I did helped the company. I told him I wanted $20 for my time. He said to tell Mark and I would be “taken care of better than that.” I never got the chance to tell Mark, and I have been paid nothing. I will accept my original request of $20 for that day.
• After one game, late in the season (I can’t remember which game) the manager, Dave, failed to account for $108 in candy that I had sold when it was time for me to turn in the money. I waited and let him check over his figures several times, and encouraged him to do so, as I thought that it was an unusually large amount for me to have left over. He could not find anything wrong with his figures then so I left. About an hour later, when I was already halfway home, he called me to inform me of his mistake. I asked him to please take it out of my next paycheck. So that is $108 to me in addition to what I have been paid.

Total of commissions earned, both estimated and actual, plus monies owed for miscellaneous reasons, and including the amounts paid on days in which I do not have records: $3561.598 (the actual total should be higher due to estimations)

Total paid to me in commissions, plus the $108 mentioned above: $2180.92

Estimated total of unpaid commissions and other monies owed by Canvas Corp to me: $1380.678

The actual total should be higher due to estimations.

My checks never had my correct nbame spelled on them. Some of them were made out to "Zohrac Lequidire," some to "Zorich Lequidre." I did not get a 1099 for 2010, and the 1099 for 2011 was made out to "Zohrac Lequidre" and was for an amount that was less than I earned in total, and less than I earned under the name that was closest to, "Zohrac Lequidire."

Repeated calls and e-mails to Mark and other contact people who were supposed to be working for him have not gotten me any money. Mark has texted me saying that he has already paid me what he owes me and accused me of stealing, something I would never do.

I just wanted to put this out there. Mark, if you are listening, it's time to pay up.

Final report from Battle of the Nations

Polish TV and a local documentary crew interviewed me. I tried to give them the best answers I could regarding why I am doing this, what I thought about the fights, how I would compare SCA combat with this full-contact fighting, if my BJJ experience helped me at all, etc.

Here's the TV show that interviewed me. The segment on the Battle of the Nations starts at 5:10...

Interestingly, it seemed that every interviewer asked why Americans would do this when the United States has no medieval heritage. The stock answer for this is that the majority of Americans come from Europe, and thus do have a medieval heritage. I would also add that Asian-, African-, and even Native American-descended Americans also have some sort of chivalric warrior heritage. There is a sort of universality to the concept of the "warrior elite," just as there is a universally to the hero myth. Medieval entertainments have been very popular in America for decades, as has physically challenging contact sports and martial arts. The Battle of the Nations is a challenging combination of these things, and Americans don't like to back down from a challenge!

My lady joined me in Warsaw the day before the competition began. She helped the team greatly with water bearing and fighter support and helped me by holding the camera to shoot video. She had been unsure about coming to this event. She had wanted to go to Italy, and there was thought that we might do both. But the seriousness of the Battle of the Nations preparations started to make it look like that plan would be unlikely. However, she was won over by the passion and the adventure of this endeavor, and by the end was extremely happy she came.

The team was likewise glad to have her. Her help enabled the fighters to concentrate on their fighting without having to worry about hydration, nutrition, and other aspects of staying alive at an event like this.

Many people on the team told me that I had done very well over the course of the week. In fact, several times I was told that I was awesome, a superhero, and had a pair of brass ones the size of (fill in the blank). That made me feel really good about myself, that this trip, and all the effort was worth it. Here were these guys, most of whom were bigger or stronger or more skilled or tougher or had more badass cred than I, and they were accepting me as one of their own, simply because I was doing what I wanted to do. I wanted to fight. I wanted to fight and not give up. I wanted to have a good time fighting. I wanted to have a good time fighting in front of a lot of people and cameras, and I wanted to have as much fun as possible during this trip, to make people laugh, to entertain them. I wanted to make history. And I wanted to be accepted. I have two words for the result: Mission accomplished.

This was the first time that Americans had competed in an international medieval armored combat competition of this scale. We came as a team and every man fought to their utmost. We all sweated and bled out there, and we came together as a team of Americans. I have never been prouder to be part of something. This is something no one can take way from us.