soooo another photographer dogged me.

[larann78]

I am freaking pissed. Two years ago I opened a photography studio on Main street in a town of about 2500 people. Very small. There has been another photographer here for about 30 years. He is very very traditional and I am the complete opposite. He used to do everything concerning photography in this town and recently the school as well as families and senior have all been coming to me. He has already been freaking out to the superintendant of the school saying that there is not room enough for two of us and that he can't believe they aren't "grandfathering" him in. He's badmouthing me around town...And now I found out that the senior class had a can drive and he pulled one of the girls aside and told her that he would donate a large amount if she agreed to run my name down out at the highschool and try to convince members of the junior class into not coming to my studio anymore!!!!! Now... I have never said one word about this man, even when my clients bitch about his personality AND his work. I say, "He's good, he's just traditional." So, the only thing I have done to him is to take his business. Isn't it the clients choice WHO they come to? What should I do about this?

Well...it's a few days later and another photographer from 20 miles away just called me. He heard about it and said he was outraged by this man's behavior and was going to be calling him and telling him that he might as well sell all his equipment because he clearly has lost his professionalism and that he just blackballed himself by pulling that stunt. ahhhhh, sweet revenge that i didn't have to execute myself. :)

[DuaneJ]

Now... I have never said one word about this man, even when my clients bitch about his personality AND his work.

There you go. Looks like he'll take care of it for you.

[tracknut]

So, the only thing I have done to him is to take his business.

This is a pretty cold statement. I don't know either of you, of course, or whether my interpretation here is correct, but let me add on to that line, what you haven't written: " the only thing I have done to him is to take his business, his livelyhood, his income, food off his table, and potentially damaged his ability to retire comfortably."

Not that what you're doing isn't legal, by any means, but it doesn't seem like you may have an appreciation for what you've done to him, and what effect it may have on him?

Dave

[larann78]

I have a family too...what should I have done? Work at McDonalds until he decided to retire so that way I didn't hurt his feelings??? Maybe he should have stepped it up a notch instead of bitching about it.

[Zansho]

um... last I checked, the OP also has a right to establish a business of his own, regardless if there's other people in the same field. He should fold his business down because someone is whining that they're getting shafted by someone who may be providing a better product? My advice to the person who's backstabbing the OP - improve your business, do something to be able to better compete with your competition - he should know there will always be competition in every area of commerce. Both the OP and the competing photographer have families and bills to take care of, why should the OP put aside his needs for someone else's?

Seniority has nothing to do with this. People obviously like the OP's work. They want HIS eye, HIS creativity, HIS work! The customers go where they feel is a better product and better value, and that's just the nature of things.

[Zansho]

This is a pretty cold statement. I don't know either of you, of course, or whether my interpretation here is correct, but let me add on to that line, what you haven't written: " the only thing I have done to him is to take his business, his livelyhood, his income, food off his table, and potentially damaged his ability to retire comfortably."

Not that what you're doing isn't legal, by any means, but it doesn't seem like you may have an appreciation for what you've done to him, and what effect it may have on him?

Dave


How that man is handling the whole thing is hardly what I would call mature, much less professional.

[bobbyz]

Why you worry if your work is good. Let it speak for itself.

[cdifoto]

This is a pretty cold statement. I don't know either of you, of course, or whether my interpretation here is correct, but let me add on to that line, what you haven't written: " the only thing I have done to him is to take his business, his livelyhood, his income, food off his table, and potentially damaged his ability to retire comfortably."

Not that what you're doing isn't legal, by any means, but it doesn't seem like you may have an appreciation for what you've done to him, and what effect it may have on him?

Dave
Just because you're old and have been doing something forever doesn't mean the world owes you a comfortable living or retirement. If he's still putting out images that look like they were shot in the 80s, he needs to be the one adjusting or getting out of the business, not trying to shut everyone else down. Talk about trying to be a one-man Microsoft...

[tracknut]

I have a family too...what should I have done? Work at McDonalds until he decided to retire so that way I didn't hurt his feelings??? Maybe he should have stepped it up a notch instead of bitching about it.

All I suggested was that your comment in this post ("the only thing I've done is take his business") was rather cold. I said you didn't do anything wong, and that I don't know anything more about his or your personal situation.

Dave

[digirebelva]

Insecurity makes people do all kinds of stupid things that they may not otherwise do.
As far as taking his livelyhood, his income, food off his table, and potentially damaged his ability to retire comfortably, doesnt anybody that starts a business have the potential to do that..How many of you here have opened a shop in town even though 1 or more already existed..

[superdiver]

If your competition is complaining about you then you KNOW YOU ARE WINNING! You got him RIGHT where you want him. Now you have to learn to develope that killer instinct! To put your foot on his throat and make him beg for mercy!

How, but stepping up your creativity and being even nicer in what you say about him. That will really get him worked up!

And then, when he really lashes out at you, send him a nice letter stating that you are sooo busy you would like to maybe hire him to do some of your hum drum day to day stuff....lol



what can I say, I have a mean streak and am a little competative...lol

[slimninj4]

Poor guy is worried. Instead of evolving his business he trying to do the easy way and drive you out.

Time are tough. It seems you have more marketable reach than he does. Let skill do the work. Having a business is tough work in itself.

[ironchef31]

It seems that being the only photographer in town for 30 years has made him complacent. I bet all the wedding photos of the town folks all look the same. Same poses, just replace the heads.

People come to you because you have a product that people want. I guess if you are not actively poaching his clients, It's up to him to do what it takes to keep his clients.

[Zonieart]

I opened my business this year and forgot to check with other photographers in the area to see if it was okay. Dang, I'll have to send them a note to see if I have their permission.

[Stocky]

Well you could either try and be civil or make it a war.
1) I feel bad for the other guy's position. He had a good business going and you moved in on his area which apparently can't support two photographers very well. You could pick a niche and try to expand the overall market by targeting sports or photography on location / at events while letting him keep most of the studio market. You could even do this with out the overhead of a brick and mortar shop. This might even include talking to him at some point about how to split the local market.

2) I would throw out the option of being nice about the time I heard that he was offering to pay someone to undermine your business. The first step would probably be talking to the student and talking to the local police to find out if anyone would prosecute him soliciting a minor to conduct illegal activity (slander). At that point I might also work a little cheaper then I would otherwise to make sure I got contracts with the school for the school pictures and things of that nature.

I am one of the nicest guys I know, almost to a fault, but when someone makes it clear that they are playing stupid games then I have no problem going after that full force.

[seekphotography]

kick his ass, seabass!

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t189/Robinhuck/Seabass.jpg

keep doing your thing and eff the haters!

[Zansho]

lol.... that pic is just wrong, just wrong.

[totalphoto]

People are smart, they will see through him, he doing more damage to himself than you can do.
Like Stocky said-"I am one of the nicest guys I know, almost to a fault, but when someone makes it clear that they are playing stupid games then I have no problem going after that full force."

[vwschwartz]

i live in buffalo which is pretty small for larger cities... i would say with all the photographers here we all have our nitche and our own creativity... If i have a job come up that i dont think i would be best for i refer them to some one i know would do the best job at it... Honestly we have a group of about 20 photographers that are pretty decent friends. and we all either hang out together, work together, come up with ideas together or just help each other out.. we are all here to make money... but you go pissin down someones back and word gets around and you get a bad rep... your better off all co-existing and getting along... friends are better than enimes esp when you can actually profit from it, and have happy clients... example i have a mamiya digital, one friend needs it for somthing ... fine ... i get 2000 square foot studio to use if i need it... i dropped my 24-70L 2.8 2 days before a wedding... next day nock on my door i had a friend drop off a 24-70.... point is get along share and every one is better off, happier and u will make more money!!!!!

[Stickman]

I have a family too...what should I have done? Work at McDonalds until he decided to retire so that way I didn't hurt his feelings??? Maybe he should have stepped it up a notch instead of bitching about it.


You started after he did, did you work at McDonalds before? The same argument can be used against you.

There are obviously two sides, and I would bet that he has been hearing things about you as well.

If you can't ignore it, try establishing a dialog and talking to him about it. His point of view is very easy to understand, especially if you have been approaching people about business ideas that he has previously worked with.


You certainly have the legal right to start your own photography business, I don't think anyone here would question that, but it may be worth stopping to think about what things he has heard about you, or what you have been saying about him. Not what you are telling us, but think about what is filtering down to him.

[bieber]

This might even include talking to him at some point about how to split the local market.
You do realize how illegal and immoral this is, right?

[Layston]

I have a good friend who owns and runs a chain of music stores. The stores teach music lessons and sells: music books, guitars, keyboards, drums, and accessories. There is another store in the town that had been there for a long time. Strangely enough the owner of that store is the husband of a good friend of my mother. When the son of the other store owner took over, he started bad mouthing my friend. My friend took the higher road, he also refused to sell pianos and organs because the other store was known as "The Organ Center". To make a long story short, I knew BOTH sides of the story, my friend was also my guitar teacher, my boss (I worked there teaching guitar for almost 8 years) and the fellow who sung at my wedding. The other shop owner was a family friend as well. In the end, the high road worked - my friend is still in business and the other fellow is out of business.

It's never a fun situation but since:
a) you're already on the high road
b) you're already gaining momentum
c) your competition is clearly being deviant in order to gain business
I truly wouldn't worry about it. Stay on the track that you are on and be as exceedingly nice as you can towards your competitor. Even offer to do joint shoots where your two styles could complement each other. You'll never gain a customer by bad mouthing your competition, all you will get is a reputation that you don't want.

Best of luck!

[Mark1]

You do realize how illegal and immoral this is, right?



What?? How is it immoral or illegal to not shoot weddings and refer thepeople who want it to other people? ( 1 of many examples)

[Bob D.]

I have a family too...what should I have done? Work at McDonalds until he decided to retire so that way I didn't hurt his feelings??? Maybe he should have stepped it up a notch instead of bitching about it.

You did nothing wrong by my way of thinking if everything is as your say. If I was in his shoes I wouldn't be liking it either but I wouldn't pulling the sh*t he is.

Continue on as you have, don't jump in the gutter with him and start badmouthing him. People will (and already have) find out what he is all about and they'll be standing in line at your door. This person needs to wake up and revitalize his business if he wants to stay in business.


BTW: Excellent web site. Did you create it?

[ssim]

The problem with this saga is that we are only hearing from you. You feel slighted and probably rightly so. This is business and sometimes it can get very competitive to the point of being ugly and, imo, this is even more true in a small market.

Let your work stand for itself. There is little that you can do about what he says unless of course you can prove slander and then I'm not sure I would want to go there, again particularly in a small market.

I don't see anything wrong with him approaching the school in an attempt to secure that business ongoing. You may not agree with his methods but good business practices would dictate that any business would try to secure ongoing relationships.

If a business has had a lock on a market for an extended period of time they certainly can become complacent. It is sometimes hard for them to change and perhaps that is what he is struggling with.

If you are overly concerned that he is saying bad things about you in the community I would simply invite him to lunch and nice him to death.

[bieber]

What?? How is it immoral or illegal to not shoot weddings and refer thepeople who want it to other people? ( 1 of many examples)
That's not what he was talking about. He was talking about the two of them getting together and purposefully "dividing up the market" between them. If you don't shoot weddings, and I do, and you send people who want weddings my way while I send people looking for sports portraits your way, great. But if we're conflicting, and we get together and decide that you're going to handle all the area sports portraiture and I'm going to get all the weddings, that's illegal collusion, right up there with price fixing.

[T.Hogan]

This is a pretty cold statement. I don't know either of you, of course, or whether my interpretation here is correct, but let me add on to that line, what you haven't written: " the only thing I have done to him is to take his business, his livelyhood, his income, food off his table, and potentially damaged his ability to retire comfortably."

Not that what you're doing isn't legal, by any means, but it doesn't seem like you may have an appreciation for what you've done to him, and what effect it may have on him?

Dave
Good thing someone at Canon decided to make a better mousetrap. I believe the elder photographer needs to keep up and not bring someone ill feelings. If I handle my business and listen to the customers, I will probably keep both.

[DLInspire]

Buy more L lenses then him :lol:

[taquintana07]

As ive heard throughout the forums photography is 80% business and 20% photography. Dont worry if your taking his business and as respect to it being a cold statement....tough...thats the way business is you don't think all these millionaires said o im sorry im stepping on your business ill get off and allow you to continue, hell no they stomped on all the small companies and took over to create an empire.

[Stocky]

That's not what he was talking about. He was talking about the two of them getting together and purposefully "dividing up the market" between them. If you don't shoot weddings, and I do, and you send people who want weddings my way while I send people looking for sports portraits your way, great. But if we're conflicting, and we get together and decide that you're going to handle all the area sports portraiture and I'm going to get all the weddings, that's illegal collusion, right up there with price fixing.

You are right. I am certainly not a business major, and being that I work in a government sponsored monopoly I guess I don't consider things like that ;) Good catch keeping the OP out of trouble.

[butcha27]

I hope the young girl he made the offer to took the money and says nothing but the truth! Gee he must have had it easy running a monopoly for 30 yrs!!! Competition is supposed to produce better, more affordable results, maybe he feels he can't compete? What next? Will he burn down your studio?

The word immaturity came to mind when i read the story, he should realise that he is losing work for a reason and fix it.

I hope the thousands of photographers in my town don't have a problem with me!

[Col_M]

It's a dog eat dog world and it seems you have bigger teeth, if he's bad mouthing you run him into the ground.

You and your family always comes first, if that means legally taking his customers then so be it. I'm by no means saying you should do anything devious or nasty but if your serivce and products are better than his and his customers are flocking to you that's his problem not yours.
I'd be laughing all the way to the bank if I was you :D

By the way "dogging" means something cooooooompletely different back home in the UK lol :D

[aliflack]

If he is deliberately bad-mouthing you and that is having a negative impact on your business, you could pursue legal avenues (in the UK it would be slander). A quick letter from a lawyer explaining your rights might prompt the photog in question to reconsider their actions ;)

As for the dividing the market - that would be known as creating a cartel and tends to go hand in hand with price fixing. AKAIK that would be illegal!

Comments around taking away business and therefore depriving them of their income/food etc. are way off mark - that's business and is fair game. If you choose to modify your approach so that you don't impinge on their business, so be it. But you are under no obligation to do anything of the sort.

[Mark1]

I dont know why I did not think of this before. A long time ago a friend opened a recording studio in Colorado. The same thing happed to him. He is the same kind of guy that Stocky described. He will roll with anything, till you target him. He ended up taking the guy bad mouthing him to lunch one day. Basically told him."I have deep pockets, I'm prepared to give away my services till you have to close shop, unless you stop being an a$$". Looked at him for about 15 seconds and walked out, leaving him the bill. It worked for a while. But by the time the attitude returned his business had left. My friend was definatley NOT prepared to give anything away. But the guy did not know this. But it leveled the field log enuf to let the guy run himself out of business. My friend was good enuf to back it up though. He ended up touring as the engineer for Muddy Waters and a few other blues musicians.

[alduin]

The big thing here is to just keep a level head about it. We're only hearing one side of the story and the truth is always somewhere in the middle, but it sounds like you're taking the right approach so far.

If you can maintain your professionalism and quality of work, I'd expect that you'll do just fine. If he continues with the character assassinations and the ranting and raving that he should be entitled to certain work just because he's been around longer, people will see that he's not willing to work for the business.

On the other hand, if he steps up his game to try and compete, you'll just have more motivation to push yourself to be a better photographer/businessperson, and that can hardly hurt. =)

[ruchad1]

If your competition is complaining about you then you KNOW YOU ARE WINNING! You got him RIGHT where you want him. Now you have to learn to develope that killer instinct! To put your foot on his throat and make him beg for mercy!

How, but stepping up your creativity and being even nicer in what you say about him. That will really get him worked up!

And then, when he really lashes out at you, send him a nice letter stating that you are sooo busy you would like to maybe hire him to do some of your hum drum day to day stuff....lol



what can I say, I have a mean streak and am a little competative...lol

This is the best idea so far. I hate to lose as well:oops:

[tomd]

Like others have said, let your work speak for itself. Customers will see through competition speaking down about you. I don't even see a web site from the other photographer in town, so you are way ahead in marketing and customer contact.

Seniors talk and talk and talk some more. If they have a positive experience with you, they will tell their friends, and so it goes; business comes to you.

Don't bash the others, I'd just market yourself in a creative and expressive way; like you are already doing.
Well done, ignore what others say, turn this energy into even more positive motivation, it's a compliment!

These seniors will be getting married some day. Then maybe families, etc. The future for additional work is bright, keep it up and congratulations on a successful business.

[takeyourpic]

I had a similar situation where a local photographer met with a couple and asked who else they were meeting with about their wedding. He basically told them that the images on my website were not mine. They came to me after meeting with him and booked their wedding. It kind of made me laugh. I guess that was the best thing he could come up with to discredit my work. Oh well. I didn't lose any sleep over it. I think it is best to just ignore these types of photographers. I try to worry about my business...my work...and what I can improve on each time that I shoot. I guess I just don't have enough time to bad mouth my "competition."

[larann78]

You did nothing wrong by my way of thinking if everything is as your say. If I was in his shoes I wouldn't be liking it either but I wouldn't pulling the sh*t he is.

Continue on as you have, don't jump in the gutter with him and start badmouthing him. People will (and already have) find out what he is all about and they'll be standing in line at your door. This person needs to wake up and revitalize his business if he wants to stay in business.


BTW: Excellent web site. Did you create it?



I bought one from collages.net
Thanks tho!

[Nikolaos]

And now I found out that the senior class had a can drive and he pulled one of the girls aside and told her that he would donate a large amount if she agreed to run my name down out at the highschool and try to convince members of the junior class into not coming to my studio anymore!!!!!

If I heard that a competitor did as such, I would make my way over to the school, make a nice contribution of my own and simply wish the seniors "a successful can drive".

Nikos

[robgr85]

I have a family too...what should I have done? Work at McDonalds until he decided to retire so that way I didn't hurt his feelings??? Maybe he should have stepped it up a notch instead of bitching about it.

I would make some nice adverts/leaflets/posters/tickets etc and send it to the school, mention some discounts when coming with the /leaflet/ticket. Probably he would lost some clients because of it.

It is high time for him to go out from the business - there is not enough space for both of You in that city. Help him to retire by taking his clients! If You will do nothing, you can be sure that he will.

Cheers.
Robert

[neilwood32]

My opinion, for what its worth, is that all businesses (and owners) have to be willing to adapt to new situations or go under.

If he isnt willing to adapt, let him go under. Its not your fault that he cant change his habits/style. Definately dont sink to his level because he will probably then try to sue you for slander (or libel). Just go about business as normal and let the customers decide (which they obviously are cause they are coming to you!)

[ChrisRabior]

High school students talk. If you heard that this guy is making some pathetic attempt at screwing you over and cheating his clients out of the best images for their money (apparently your images), what do you think the kids are saying about this. They probably think this guy is even more of a joke and a flake than they did before. NOT the way to gain support. Parents probably aren't too thrilled about his methods either. If anything, this would give me more reason not to go to him if I was in the market.

Sure, you have a right to be PO'd about his methods, but when it all comes down to it, if he's not having any impact on your business, you don't have anything to worry about. Sucks that this is what he's resorting to, but as you said, you're essentially edging him out of business, whether intentionally or not. Hostile feelings? Well, that was to be expected.

Just keep doing what you're doing, take the high road (as was mentioned above), and sooner or later this guy is going to close up shop and find something else. Sure, sucks to put someone out of business, but that's life. Shame on everyone who thinks that you should bend and fold to accommodate the other guy at your own expense. There's a big difference between being nice/courteous/professional and keeping your business from getting off the ground (or staying afloat).

The business has changed. Gotta change with it, or you become obsolete.

[dannn]

dont worry
let your work do the talking

[Harm]

Question is, have you lost business, because of his ramblings? If not, and you say people do not like him or his work, he is a free advert for you to get more business. All you have to do is make your stuff better, and the rest will follow. If you are losing business because of him, you could advertise your work - and if is it really, really good - the customers will see that in no time.

[MikeMcL]

Run your business the best way you know how. Be aggressive, advertise alot, and treat your customers like royalty.

If you develop good relationships with the folks you do business with, word of mouth will set you free. If a person has dealt with you and likes you, a little badmouthing will be shrugged off... as said, many people will see right through it.

I would kill this guy with kindness. talk to him and interact with him AS IF YOU DID NOT KNOW what he had been saying. don't ever acknowledge that you are angry at him, or resort to calling him a name, etc...

I had a woman "mortal enemy" photog before. i actually sent her business. Whenever i dealt with someone that i thought would be a hassle for me, i would turn them onto her website.

I don't know why, but many photographers i have met have a very snooty, better-than-everyone-else attitude. they think they are soo much better than someone else because they have learned about f-stop and white balance. Give me a break.

Whatever the case, do not get into any "pissin match" or direct conflict with this guy. as my favorite rapper once said "A wise man told me never argue with fools, 'cuz people from a distance can't tell who is who".

best of luck, and enjoy your guilt-free success.

[Whitley]

I think in the long run your work will speak for itself. If people come to you and like your work better than his, then everyone will want the best they can get for their $$$ and come to you.

I would not let it ruin my day and just keep doing what you are doing since it is working. He will look like a "bitter betty" when he is running around town trying to drag you through the mud. People will pick up on that and stay clear of him if they are smart.

[BDM]

I am freaking pissed. Two years ago I opened a photography studio on Main street in a town of about 2500 people. Very small. There has been another photographer here for about 30 years. He is very very traditional and I am the complete opposite. He used to do everything concerning photography in this town and recently the school as well as families and senior have all been coming to me. He has already been freaking out to the superintendant of the school saying that there is not room enough for two of us and that he can't believe they aren't "grandfathering" him in. He's badmouthing me around town...And now I found out that the senior class had a can drive and he pulled one of the girls aside and told her that he would donate a large amount if she agreed to run my name down out at the highschool and try to convince members of the junior class into not coming to my studio anymore!!!!! Now... I have never said one word about this man, even when my clients bitch about his personality AND his work. I say, "He's good, he's just traditional." So, the only thing I have done to him is to take his business. Isn't it the clients choice WHO they come to? What should I do about this?

Well...it's a few days later and another photographer from 20 miles away just called me. He heard about it and said he was outraged by this man's behavior and was going to be calling him and telling him that he might as well sell all his equipment because he clearly has lost his professionalism and that he just blackballed himself by pulling that stunt. ahhhhh, sweet revenge that i didn't have to execute myself. :)

His conduct suggests he has little or no marketing skills and perhaps a talent withered by years of no competion. While I can understand his fear of an adverse change in his circumstances I also think the public is sophisticated enough to act in their own best interest. Quality and good business practices should win out. I also think he is probably right that the market is too small to support two photographers. It is probably only a matter of time before the situation will sort itself out. If you continue to take the high road and respond with genuine value to the customer, nature will take its logical course.

[rklepper]

This is a pretty cold statement. I don't know either of you, of course, or whether my interpretation here is correct, but let me add on to that line, what you haven't written: " the only thing I have done to him is to take his business, his livelyhood, his income, food off his table, and potentially damaged his ability to retire comfortably."

Not that what you're doing isn't legal, by any means, but it doesn't seem like you may have an appreciation for what you've done to him, and what effect it may have on him?

Dave

That is the joy of a free enterprise system. By losing his competetive edge he has done that to himself. The OP has done nothing wrong or unethical.

[Bosscat]

I don't know why, but many photographers i have met have a very snooty, better-than-everyone-else attitude. they think they are soo much better than someone else because they have learned about f-stop and white balance. Give me a break.

LMAO..........I have run acrossed the same thing myself.

Back to the original issue.

I had a fellow that also was shooting snowcross and I heard he made some comment while at dinner with one of my customers about not beng a snapshooter. He said she shot for big poster style shots. Well he did the awards photos for the banquet, and anyone who got them were not thrilled with the final product. They were soft and OoF an in one case he had the wrong racer in one of them.

Anyone who has seen my stuff as enlargements is blown away with the quality. I let the finished product do the talking.

Build it and they will come.

I actually take the time to educate people on the elements of what makes a good photo, and let them decide for themselves who they want to buy from.

[zacker]

This is a pretty cold statement. I don't know either of you, of course, or whether my interpretation here is correct, but let me add on to that line, what you haven't written: " the only thing I have done to him is to take his business, his livelyhood, his income, food off his table, and potentially damaged his ability to retire comfortably."

Not that what you're doing isn't legal, by any means, but it doesn't seem like you may have an appreciation for what you've done to him, and what effect it may have on him?

Dave



lol are you talking about Walmart? Home Depot? Lowes? lol

[Kiddo]

If your competition is complaining about you then you KNOW YOU ARE WINNING! You got him RIGHT where you want him. Now you have to learn to develope that killer instinct! To put your foot on his throat and make him beg for mercy!



I like that comment!!!

Something along the same lines happened to me here when I first started doing football photos for the teams in this area..... The other photographer who was doing them got really upset that the teams had chosen me over him and he started trashing me all over the city..... But when it was all said and done, he moved on and I kept the teams.

I have discovered that when others trash talk you, that they are scared cuz they know that you are way better than them at something. They just aren't adult enough to admit it and say good job.....

Hang in there, let your work speak for itself and you'll see that everything will work out in the end.....

[cdifoto]

There's a guy who stands in our post office lobby pretty much every day and rants about how the world is coming to an end. He wears a snorkel, orange cammo, and pees his pants.


The moral of the story?


No one believes a nut.

[Berlotti Photography]

There's a guy who stands in our post office lobby pretty much every day and rants about how the world is coming to an end. He wears a snorkel, orange cammo, and pees his pants.

Tell my Uncle Cletus I said hello.... kidding. But if thats true, its hilarious. And as for the OP, keep on doing what you are doing. If you need some "Italian Influance" give me a call... again, kidding people. :)