This morning I find myself looking for the opinions of my LJ friends... especially those of you who sew and/or own your own businesses.

The story:

Over a month ago I contacted an acquaintance of mine (I'm calling her an acquaintance because we have hung out socially a couple of times but we certainly do not know each other well enough for a "friend" title) who is a seamstress about commissioning a Regency Period outfit for me specifically with a Halloween party in mind.  She expressed her interest and we made plans to meet.

When we got together about a week or so later (still about a month ago) she took my measurements, I showed her the crazy amount of research I had done regarding material choices, style ideas, etc. and, at the end of the day I commissioned her to build a waistcoat, shirt, cravat, knee breeches, and coat.  She indicated to me that this would not be a problem at all and that she would have fabric samples sent to me in the near future.  She had brought some samples with her, however, I had asked her to find a pin stripe for the waistcoat, and, I asked her to see if she could find some "richer" looking fabrics to really dress up the garment.

This past Sunday, she and I got together with the intention of doing a fitting based on mockups she was supposed to have created and that she would be sewing the final pieces on.  What she did instead (which I thought was rather clever) was purchase a cheap jacket and pants at a Goodwill and pin to those.  This would save her the work of doing the mockups and still provide her with the correct proportions for my garments.  The downside is that I would not be able to get an idea of what the finished pieces would look like on me...  On Sunday I was also informed that if she pushed it, the outfit would be completed by Tuesday.  If Tuesday didn't happen, Wednesday definitely would.  This would give her time to do fine tuning if necessary after trying the completed pieces on.  -Oh!  I should not that a seemstress/interior designer "could not find" a pin stripe or any of the "richer" looking fabrics I was looking for nor did she bring any suggestions.

On Tuesday I was informed that neither Tuesday nor Wednesday would work since she forgot that she made other commitments.  She told me that everything would be ready on Thursday and that she would bring it all down then.

On Thursday I was informed that the coat was not finished and that she was working furiously to get it done and that it ABSOLUTELY would be finished in time for Halloween.

This morning I was informed that the coat would not be finished until Tuesday at the earliest and that she was paying a friend to deliver my outfit to my office today.

The extenuating circumstances:

1.  Every single meeting we have scheduled to work on this has been postponed for one reason or another and it has been postponed by a day or two at least.
2.  Every commitment she has made was broken.
3.  This girl has either had the most horrible string of bad luck imaginable, or, (what I think is more likely) some bad luck combined with her poor organization and lack of planning to make this outfit a collosal debacle.  She has a)had her car break down b) had conflicting commitments c) had to move d) gotten sick e) had materials backordered d) couldn't find replacements for those materials locally... it really goes on and on
4.  She had the nerve to be frustrated with me on the phone  because I was asking her when she would arrive on Thursday.  As if I was being overbearing by asking when to expect her at my house.
5.  I paid her up front for materials which she estimated to be about $100.  I also gave her 9 yards of $18/yd suit wool in trade for some of the work she was doing.

The present situation:

I'm waiting on a phone call from her so that I can give her friend directions to my office.  Granted, I told her that sometime between 8am-12n would be the best delivery time and, if she leaves Columbus now she be here at 12:30pm at the earliest. 

I have not seen the finished pieces (even pictures) nor have I tried them on.

The question:  What to do?

Obviously, if the garments do not fit, or, if they do not look good I think I'm well within my rights to go ape shit and demand some kind of refund.  Even if everything else is perfect, the coat is not done and will not be done on time, and this entire situation has been frustrating as hell. 

I'm looking for thoughts and opinions here.  I have friends who sew and who sew as a primary source of income (and those who don't are at the very least reasonably intelligent human beings, so, I want your take too) and I'd like your thoughts about a fair course of action here.  Obviously if you have more questions, I'd be more than happy to elaborate.

I realize that not all of my Facebook "friends" really care who they accept at "friends" but, when FB starts recommending my adulterous ex-wife and the fuck-wit who married, impregnated, and divorced her after me as "friends," Facebook ceases to be fun.  It just pisses me the fuck off.

I care about who I associate with and I do believe that some "history/mistakes/etc." are telling about a person's real character... the parts of them that aren't likely to change.

I don't forget.  I don't forgive.  I either get the fuck over it, or, cease to associate with certain people. 

And yeah, it has been years and I should be "over it" by now but, as Audra pointed out to me, I hold grudges.  Jessica hurt me, betrayed me, and did it with a person who has hurt and betrayed some of the people who have "friended" her!  I don't fucking get it.  How do you ignore all of that and just "click to add"?

Current Mood: angry

My sister, Lindsay, is going to be exhibiting her photography for the first time at oneloveonelight's husband's art gallery, Pop Revolution.  It should be a good time.  Come out and see the exhibit!

I was inspired by my friend oneloveonelight to come up with a S&M playlist for her since apparently the Rescue Me theme song made her think S&M.  So... as opposed to limiting the playlist I put together to just my thoughts, I thought I'd start a thread on the topic and get your favorite S&M songs added to the list for consideration.  :)

You know... for those of you still paying attention... oneloveonelight is a bit of a hornball, so, we could expand the selection to sex songs... the kinkier the better. ;)

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41180

Let the fan hate begin.

( Cut for the Sensitive: )

Strip Poker followed immediately by Poker for Sexual Favors (custom rules) = a good time had by all.

A-Z Meme stolen from oneloveonelight behind the ( Cut: )

Stolen from marquisdesable because, well, it's just too funny not to share!

Discovered by dexceus

http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/tauntaun.html

A friggin' Tauntaun sleeping bag!  And the picture of the kid in it is ADORABLE!

Well... the past couple of weeks have been quite tumultuous.  The run down:

1.  I decided to quit WoW.  Reality is that it will probably only be a hiatus, but, when you've had the same hobby for the past 3+ years, even a hiatus can feel pretty huge.  The story, for those taking notes, is that my play style and that of some of my other friends is too different.  The result is that the last couple weeks of playing was the most fun I have had playing WoW in months, however, it was still incrediby frustrating.  If my hobby/fun/leisure time is spent being frustrated, something's gotta give. 

2.  Aikido.  Yesterday, after work, I went to Aikido of Cincinnati and sat through both a kid's class and an intermediate adult's class.  I'm stoked and will be joining up.  Looks like a great workout and a really beautiful martial art.  In addition to Aikido they have MJER Iaido on Tuesday nights which I'm all about!  Non profit organization, great atmosphere, huge dojo, been around for 40+ years  -sounds fantastic! 

3.  Motorcycle:  This afternoon I'll be heading up to Centerville Ohio (near dayton) to check out a motorcycle for sale.  1998 Ducati Monster M750.  8k miles, well maintained and clean for less than $3k.  The color is the only downside (Canary Yellow), but, I can't imagine that painting a motorcycle a simple color would be too difficult (for the DIYer) or too expensive.  Regardless, If the bike is everything it's supposed to be, I'll come home with it this evening!  Here's an idea of what the bike looks like now:  http://www.sportriders.com/members/members_pics/paul.jpg   Now imagine it in black!  :)  So stoked!

4.  Guitar:  I'm trying to get in touch with my buddy Krumme for some guitar lessons.  The offer is on the table, but, we haven't been able to touch base quite yet.  I've wanted to learn for forever now... I think that would make a great secondary/tertiary hobby.  :)

In all likelihood, one of these things won't happen, or happen for too long.  I'm just kinda stoked to have so much on my plate right now! 

So... I'm listening to the new TTV album, Another Day Down, this morning and I get an IM from shadowblasko informing me of this tasty little tid bit:



It could be said that we're fans.  :)

Credit is due to shadowblasko for the photo of the insert.  The album is great by the way.  Go to isotank.com for a copy.  /end plug

1. Reply to this post and I'll assign you a letter.
2. List (and upload, if you feel like it) 5 songs that start with that letter.
3. Post them to your journal with these instructions.

shadowblasko selected D for me ... A surprising number of choices here... it's almost a shame that I only have 5 to share.

Damage I've Done - The Heads
Darkness - Tangerine Dream (Legend soundtrack)
Darling Nikki - Prince
Dracula Gary - The Centimeters
Desire - Gene Loves Jezebel

Relationship Meme stolen from oneloveonelight

( Behind the CUT )

Gah!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WE44ZG?ie=UTF8&tag=aintitcooln0b-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000WE44ZG

For victorianrose23 , oneloveonelight , and my other friends with kids

Hi All,

While I was in New Orleans this past week I came upon a great store called Kulture Vulture.  The best thing about the store, imo, is just how many great band t-shirts they sell... I was in little kitten heaven until I realized that I'm too f'in fat for most of the sizes they carry.  Anyway, Audra and i walked next door and discovered something amazing... Kulture Vulture Kids!

Bowie, VNV Nation, Johnny Cash, The Ramones... t-shirts, shoes, onesies, etc. etc. all for kids!  It was great.  It appears that Kulture Vulture's website is down and Kulture Vulture Kids only has myspace, but, they may take orders, so, I thought I'd share!  http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=131299280

So... I went over to my parents' place for dinner tonight to discover that I was being given my 30th birthday present a little early.

Round Trip tickets to New Orleans, and hotel stay, from Wednesday until Sunday morning!

I'm a little shell-shocked at the moment, but, if any of you fine people would like to give a guy some suggestions as far as places to go, eat, etc. etc. please let me know. I have two days to get everything packed and prepared. Gah!

For shigella and any other Knitters

http://www.questionablecontent.net/ For 11/5/08

So... yeah.  I'm in need of some good mojo for my Dad.

Apparently a week or so ago, doctors discovered a lump on my Dad's lung.  Since then, he's had some MRIs, a PET scan as well as some other tests to see if they can tell a) whether there's cancer and b) whether it has already metastacized.  Dad has a minor surgery tomorrow where his lymph nodes are being probed and, if all goes well, the lump is being removed next friday, the 24th.

Obviously Mom and Dad are pretty well freaking out and trying to put on a brave face.

So, if you have mojo to spare, we could really use it. 

Stolen from 6sin6kitten6

Conversation starter ( behind the cut. )