And the whining continues unabated. Skip if you don't want to read about RL troubles.

[valis2]

I am feeling guilty about spamming everyone with whining, but I'm just a little unhappy and, well, if I can't whine in my own LJ...

Most of you know that I do shows. Art fairs, trade shows, etc. I do two different kinds of shows. I sell my crafted items at one kind of show, and I sell merchandise for another company at a different kind of show. I decided, after a considerable personal investment in a certain type of merchandise, to sell that merchandise for myself at a few local shows.

You've probably noticed that I haven't been quite so spammy this week, and I haven't been chatting almost at all, because I really put the elbow grease into prepping for an upcoming show that would be the first where I would sell this kind of merchandise for myself. Not only do I have a lot of money sunk into it, but I also have spent all week (and more) sorting and packaging merchandise for it and I haven't crafted a thing for my crafting business (which is bad because I have two art fairs coming up).

Long story short, the lady who runs the show called me, and says she already has vendors with this category of merchandise. I said, but mine is deeply discounted (and I mean deep! I'm the first bargain seller in this community, I think!) and that I have an incredible variety of merch. She did not sound convinced, and then she mentioned going to my website and not being able to see anything.

Which is because it isn't done yet. And I explained that the guy who was working on it would have it done by the time of the show on Saturday, but wow, I sounded so incredibly lame that I was cringing.

I pretty much pulled out all the stops to try to sound happy and together and totally professional and full of value...I even pretty much begged to get in the show...but I think I'm sunk.

I only have one option left to me, and it's a bad one. I could actually just bring everything and go anyway, hoping that someone doesn't show up. If it worked, I'd be happy as hell. If it didn't work, however, then I've spent another four days preparing for it, and not crafting items for the shows that I am definitely in.

Argh!

Yeah, pretty boring, and not much of an issue compared to real catastrophes, but still, I'm bummed out tonight and don't feel like doing anything.

Comments

[snapesforte.livejournal.com]

What sort of site is it? I design front-end sites (the one's that look pretty, and have no databases).

[valis2.livejournal.com]

It's not much of a site at the moment, but I've rung my guy and he promises to have a very basic page up at the end of the week. It's too late now, the damage has been done, I think, but hopefully she'll give me a chance.

And my guy should do a pretty good job, I think, he just has to get around to it.

[chrysantza.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. *hugs*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks. :) *hugs back*

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

Turn this around and look at it from another direction -

The lady who runs the show waited until *now* to contact you? Less than a week before the show and *now* she decides to tell you that your merchandise category is already full? Maybe, just maybe, good karma is trying to tell you that this show is potentially an ill-run mess that you really don't need to be stepping into the middle of. (At least that's the line of reasoning I use whenever similar bullshit happens to me...)

You have my sympathies. Meanwhile, I vote that you work on the products for the shows that you're certain you'll be attending. And if you can slide into that other show at the last minute, that's great. Otherwise, take a deep breath, try to remain philosophical about everything, and remember that there will be other shows down the road.

((( Hugs )))

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I haven't described the show situation well enough...I am only on the waiting list, y'see, and I was very glad that she called me, because she didn't have to.

I'm going to sacrifice tomorrow in hopes that I do get into the show this weekend.

Thank you so much for the sweet thoughts!

[privatemaladict.livejournal.com]

Small catastrophes are very frustrating, you've spent time and effort and money, and to be pulled out just like that really sucks. Small catastrophes are extra-frustrating, because there's a part of you that feels guilty whingeing about them!

I hope the other shows go well, at least. And that whatever you choose to do goes well for you.

*hugs*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks. I really was bummed out, but this morning, upon hearing the London news, I actually feel quite fortunate.

[privatemaladict.livejournal.com]

Nothing like a real catastrophe to put things in perspective, I suppose. :( God I hope everyone I know is OK...

[gillieweed.livejournal.com]

sylvadin has a good point--a couple of good points. Maybe you should hold off (I know, when money's involved...ow! but as you said it is an investment...) for the next show and get working on your "sure thing" crafting shows. It does sound a bit disorganized to me. You're talking about three different businesses now from what it sounds like to me, maybe this new one can wait for the next show and when your website's up and running smoothly.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the only problem is, the next show of this type isn't for a few months, and I have put so much money into this merchandise that I'm starting to get really, really worried. I think I'm going to show up anyway just in case someone drops out and I can take their place.

[avus.livejournal.com]

Allow yourself to feel bummed out. You've got a right to it. I'm also in business for myself, no one signing my checks. And when you put a lot of effort into something and it doesn't go, and that puts you behind on other things -- well, that gets me well & truly bummed, too.

I wish you better luck.

You're a good person. You deserve it.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Aw, you're so sweet! Thank you so much!

I have your magic entry bookmarked...it seems like a really thoughtful look at magic in the JKR world and I can't wait to read it.

[avus.livejournal.com]

Hope you enjoy it. It's rather off-the-cuff, but types of magic were what that chapter was about.

And congratulations on your multi-faceted award nomination!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[aerynstales.livejournal.com]

Aw Sweetie!!!

Whine away! Get that frustration out and such. I'm sending you huge amount of hugs and good vibes.

And just to cheer you up...

As Valis sank into her bath one night,
She soon had quite a fright.
For she wasn't alone
In her bed made of foam...
For beside her was a black-eyed wizard so right.

I'd do more, but my brain is sleepy...so I shall leave it in your capable imagination.

:D

[valis2.livejournal.com]

lol!! That was delicious. Now I'm having lots of wet!Snape thoughts...*giggle* You're so sweet to cheer me up!

[odddollsstories.livejournal.com]

You have every right to whine. If I'm on-line, get me on chat and whine away. Sometimes you have to hear that, yes, everything is awful right now, and you have a right to feel that way.

But it will get better. Good luck with the show, if you decide to show up.

M

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Whining is what I do best, though I do try to restrict it on my LJ, because it can get quite old quickly. ;)

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[superbunny3000.livejournal.com]

grrrr...i'm sorry! you'd think that the stupid woman would have gotten back to you before now to tell you this stuff, BEFORE you'd invested your time, energy and money into it. if she's jerking you around though, i'd have to say that its probably not worth it to work with her.

*huggles*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

*huggles in return*

I should have mentioned that I'm not actually in the show, I'm on the waiting list. The show is teeny, but I really hope I can get in somehow, though it doesn't sound like it.

[eloisasnape.livejournal.com]

Grrr...give me her number and I'll pay her a 'visit'.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Good to know that I have the Evil Dentist backing me up!

*hugs*

You are so much fun!

[iibnf.livejournal.com]

Sue her for loss of income.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately with shows, you usually sign a waiver saying you won't sue for any reason. Plus, there is always a chance you could go to a show and make $0, so there isn't any court that would award you money.

Plus, I'm not in the show, I'm on the waiting list, I'm such a dolt that I forgot to mention that relevant fact in the entry. *headdesk*

[elddonnemar.livejournal.com]

Have you considered an online store? I'm not sure if it's really an viable option in this case, but I'm personally interested in this category of merchandise that you don't seem to want to describe. I'm generally interested in hand crafted items in general.

Unless your website is suppose to be an online store instead of just a catalog. In which case, I will buy some, and I'm sure there many others who would as well.

Unless you don't want to mix your online persona in with your real life...

I'm curious as to what you craft, though.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

My website has a shopping cart system, and I will be selling my craft through it.

I don't usually like to reveal what I do, because the community is small, so it would give away my RL identity rather easily. :) I do like being anonymous online, at least a little bit.

Besides, I'd feel terribly guilty to "prey" on my flist. I like my LJ to be a nice, friendly, comfortable place, not a place to hawk.

[cantatrix05.livejournal.com]

Don't worry. I don't think this is a group that turns into 'prey' very easily! Sorry for your troubles. It does seem unfair even if, in the grander scale of things, the show director is within her rights.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm just going to show up tomorrow and hope for the best. *hopes*