Author of The Starlight Series

Unique: being the only one; being without a like or equal; distinctively characteristic; peculiar; unusual.

These phrases are only part of Webster’s definitions of the word. If qualifying terms, such as “somewhat,” “rather,” “a bit,” etcetera, are used with it, they negate the very meaning.  A thing, person or situation is either unique, or it is not.

We admire artists, musicians, designers, architects, physicians, researchers and writers who are different from the norm, who try new techniques and methods.  However, being imperfect creatures, we tend to criticize or belittle those who look at the possibilities beyond the conventional.  Adulation and recognition often come many years after a unique, creative individual has followed his/her own dreams, sometimes dying in their attempts.

I like to paint…ummm…I LOVE to paint!  I have never fooled myself into thinking that I have an unusual talent with oils, brushes and canvas.  There are many contempory artists whose work I admire: Robert Woods, Andrew Wyeth, James Wyeth, Thomas Kinkade, Lena Liu, to name a few.   I think that the old masters, from hundreds of years ago, who mixed their own paints and built their own canvases, left a legacy that cannot be duplicated. I have never attempted to paint a subject in their style.

I have, however, undertaken some landscapes in the manner of Kinkade, with the soft skies, lamp-lit windows and dreamy ambiance of an era goneby. I like the results.  While the paintings are mine, they are not unique in style or composition.  They are, in essence, copies of another’s special creativity.  I can live with that, since I’m painting for my own enjoyment.

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Why is it that simple courtesy and cooperation so often disappear when a business/service provider and a dissatisfied client disagree?  It seems to me that the provider would wish to retain happy customers, repeat clients, people who would refer others back to them, even if said client wishes to terminate an agreement. especially if the agreement/contract is based upon a mistake.

Everyone makes mistakes, sometimes through ignorance or carelessness.  Heaven knows, I’ve made my share!  A mistake is not willful, although it can be made through lack of good judgment.  I’ve made that kind, too, one especially that I deeply regret, although the result was professionally and personally beneficial to the “wronged” party.

Last month I made a mistake through ignorance.  If I had left all the particulars in the hands of my capable web manager team, my web site/s would not be in the state they are now.  While in the process of trying to transfer my domain name from Domain Registry of America (based in Canada, I learned ), to another registrar, at a much lower rate for a longer period of time, I confused the host with the registrar. (Yeah, I’m one of those people computer nerds refer to as “computer illiterate.”)

So I ended up with two registrars: one from whom I wished to transfer and one who refused to allow the transfer…paid both of them!  When I realized what I had done, I contacted DROA and tried to cancel the transaction, within the hour.  A very unfriendly, unmovable “customer service person” refused to discuss it, said that cancellation was not an option…which I learned later was untrue.  So I contacted my credit card people and explained what had happened.  They put the charge in dispute.  Yesterday I was notified that the claim had been settled in my favor and the charge expunged from my credit card. (more…)