Decorating Diaries - At Least They're Funny

I started the morning off a little tense as the contractors didn't get here until quarter of eleven.  AND, the owner made no acknowledgement or mention of the no-show on Sunday.  I know apologizing is never fun (I did it once, and I remember) but I do think it was called for.  But fine, they're here, whatever.

 So the tile guy calls me downstairs a few minutes ago to look at the layout of the tile and ask a question about the pattern and where it falls with the air register.  He gave me a few options to chose from, all of which sounded fine to me. "You pick," I told him. "I trust you. You've been doing this a lot longer than me."

"Actually, I just watched a video," he said without blinking an eye. There was a brief pause then we all burst out laughing.

"Great," I said.  "So okay, I'm going to go start drinking now."

"Oh man, we started hours  ago," he said, waving his hands in the air.

At least they're funny. 

Decorating Diaries - &*%*#%^ Contractors!

See the blood gushing down my forehead?  That comes from beating my head against a wall, trying to remain sane in the insane and utterly illogical world of contractors.

I was hot yesterday.  We've hired one bath design company from whom we've ordered our flooring, shower tile, tub basin, cabinets, etc.  The owner was at our home on Friday, roughing in the shower in preparation for the tile man, who he said would be here on Tuesday.  As he was leaving Friday, he said, "Will you be around on Sunday?  We really need to send someone out to finish this job so we can be ready for the tile on Tuesday."

I assured him someone would be here all day.  So of course, Sunday came and went with no one showing up and--what really made my blood boil--no phone call.  Are these people's  fingers broke? How hard it is to dial a phone? It infuriates me beyond all rational thought.  We arrange our schedule to suit them and they can't be bothered to call.  Makes me want to go buy an Uzi off the street and do something with it.

So 8 AM yesterday, I place a call to this company and get their voicemail.  I left a message that, well, let's say expressed my displeasure at the no show and no phone call and let them know in no uncertain terms I want this bathroom done, I want to know when they're showing up, I want phone calls, and I am through being nice about it.

So all day yesterday, I hear nothing from them.  My anger is on a high simmer at this point.  "Fine, don't call me back today," I'm thinking.  "But you'll have to call sooner or later and you will rue the day you blew me off.  " 

Finally, at 5:30, I get a phone call.  Very apologetic, and before I could say anything, she was reassuring me the owner and the tile guy would be here this morning and the tile guy was ours all week until the job got done and the minute the floor was set, they would move the cabinets in.  "Fine," I said.  "That's what I wanted to hear."  And I dropped it and now (for the moment) I'm being nice again.

But that's what irritates me above all.  I have to be a b---- in order to get things done by these people?  I don't like that.  But I'm not allowing any leeway at this point.  One no-show or delay and I'm going to be all over their ass.  Apparently being nice doesn't pay off in the misaligned world of contractors.

Deciding What to Say "Yes" or "No" To

I made a decision the middle of last week that I'm dropping the News & Record auto column assignments.  I was asked by the paper in October to write two weekly columns for their Saturday auto page.  One is called "Tire Tracks" and profiles people who have unique, interesting or unusual cars. The other is "At Your Service" and for that I go into dealerships for employee profiles.  Both pieces are very brief - no more than 150 words and a photo--and the pay is good for the work involved.  But it's been bothering me more and more lately that I find myself spending time on assignments and projects I don't enjoy and that aren't enhancing my career.  So I'm looking for ways to cut back and the auto columns were the first to fall under the ax.

I'd been thinking about leaving for a while, but got tied up in the money aspect.  Why give up a sure paycheck? But I'm more resentful every time I find myself begging family and friends to let me know if they hear of anyone with a cool car, or walking into a dealership after I've made an appointment and finding they either forgot and aren't prepared for me or look at me like they have no idea what I'm talking about in being there.  This happened last Wednesday and I just decided, "enough."  The money doesn't make it worthwhile for me.  I'm fortunate enough to be able to select work I enjoy and I'm going to use and appreciate that.

Luckily, my editors have been extremely supportive and even asked if I would still consider freelancing for the News & Record in other areas, which I'm more than happy to do. 

Blair is as always a rock of support.  I've never met someone as unselfish as him.  He just wants me to be happy.  (Although he was teasing me--rightfully so--about regressing again.  We have a running joke that every time I get an advanced degree, a salary increase, or anything beneficial to our household income, I decide "Eh, I don't want to do that.")

Panthers play tonight.  I'm excited about that but more excited because I spent an hour this morning with Melody who got me back on track with my knitting, showing me how to cast on and making me do it over and over until we were both sure I had it down.  So I'm going to get some rows in on the purple practice scarf while the game is on. Meanwhile, I continue to recruit friends for the "Hot Women Who Knit" club that I am intent on forming. So far, I have about 5 takers.  Although maybe I need a club name with a better acronym. HWWK sounds like the hacking sound you make at the back of the throat when preparing to cough up a lugey.  Not really the image I'm looking for for the club.  Have to think on that one. 

Cruisin' in a '72 Pontiac Sports Lemans

I write a weekly featurette called "Tire Tracks" for the Greensboro paper where I profile people who have unique, interesting, or unusual cars.  I met yesterday with the owner of this cool cruisin' mobile and couldn't resist when he offered me a ride around the block. (That "thwunk" sound you just heard was my mom falling dead of a heart attack).  But the guy was nice, we took pictures of the car in front of town hall and most people there knew him and were chatting with us and saw us drive off together, so I felt pretty safe.

Although I am not a car person by any stretch, it was fun riding in this thing.  Heads turned and we got several thumbs up.  We drove by a playground and a bunch of kids yelled, "Hey!  Give us a ride!"  Too bad he didn't offer to let me drive. ;)