I see this as potentially being a different issue. Is he failing to deliver on work he promised or otherwise being unprofessional in his work conduct? Or is it simply that the customers object to his professional opinion? It reads like the latter, in which case the issue is, as you said, the "stupid ass sense of entitlement" that keeps notalwaysright.com in business.

More they object to the bluntness of his professional opinion. Much like Jilli's cobbler.

Here: Kensington Cobblers on Yelp.

Much like Jilli's cobbler.

I thought no one was objecting to the bluntness of Jilli's cobbler, and that was the whole point. You don't have to be a dick, so why bother?

I hate the idea that "I'm an expert, I'm an artiste, I'm right, I'm clever, so I get a pass on being a decent human being" is somehow valid thinking. Being civil isn't just for losers. It's for us all.

Melville's 20 years in the customs house came after he had largely given up writing novels, discouraged by the public and critical reaction to his work. If he didn't want to have a plan B, he shouldn't have had four children.

James Dickey survived the indignities of teaching and writing ad copy. P.D. James worked as a civil servant for 40 years, supporting two daughters and a disabled husband. Toni Morrison's work doesn't seem to have been diminished by a plan B of an advanced degree and college teaching.

A friend of mine who had some minor success in the comic book field passed on this bit of wisdom about becoming a success: you have to have at least 2 of these three qualities: be good, be fast, be nice. In approximately that order of importance, and if you have all three you're golden.

I have lots of onerous tasks today. I have house guests coming to watch roller derby on Saturday and I have to actually prepare to bout, as well. Then there is end of school stuff and getting Minvan Morrison into the shop to get the A/C recharged.

Crap. I also have to box up our PS3 to send to Sony to figure out what is wrong with it. I'm going to lose all our movies and games because I didn't back up. Feh.

A friend of mine who had some minor success in the comic book field passed on this bit of wisdom about becoming a success: you have to have at least 2 of these three qualities: be good, be fast, be nice.

I have a similar theory about becoming a pop star or similar -- you need at least three of the following: talent, looks, determination, and luck.

If you don't want to have a plan B, fine. But then I really hope that no one else is depending on you, and that the only life you're gambling with is your own.

SERIOUSLY! I've been catching up and, really, Jilli (and a few others) pretty much says everything I think. Anyway, I admire people who take care of their business and manage to do their art much more than people who think their ART is so important that they don't have to TCB.

you need at least three of the following: talent, looks, determination, and luck.

I think you pretty much always need luck. Luck often meaning meeting the right people.

Absolutely -- you always need luck. But maybe not talent if you're determined enough!

I think you're right, Jesse!