Interestingly enough, I just got the house painted.
Disturbingly enough, the work involved was not to the standards and practices specified in the contract, nor was it acceptable. Instead of pressure wash, sand and caulk and repair cracks, prime, paint, the procedure used was pressure wash, paint.
I have yet to hear from the company in question. If I cannot get in contact with them by end-of-day Thursday, I am considering pursuing a Small Claims Court case for the 1900$ I've paid.

I hope it doesn't go that far. I've got three venues to report on this company, and four venues to levy complaints (possibly five, if they piss me off enough (I'm easy to piss off), I'm considering taking out an opinion ad in the local paper).

Bleargh. I just wanted my damn house painted.
Any of you fine folks had positive or negative experiences with house painters?Wire Geek - Burning the weak and trampling the dead since 1979Wire Geek - Burning the weak and trampling the dead since 1979

Ah find it reprehensible -- reprehensible, sah! -- that one cannot reproduce mah likeness correctly. Ah expect it to be corrected forthwith, and until such time as Ah am satisfied, Ah refuse to put in an appearance. Good DAY, sah!
(Born of my frustration at trying to create a portly... no, that's not right... let's say well-rounded... ah, hell, let's go with chubby. My frustration at trying to create a chubby villain in the designer. Even with the sliders at max, he still looks like a GQ model. *sigh* I guess Colonel Slanders will have to wait.)
(Heh.)

--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs

A middle aged female, with a strong feline theme to her costume.
Codenamed "The Cougar" __________________
I bet that if you cooked an elephant, you'd have a lot of leftovers.
___________________________
"I've always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific." - George Carlin

This is a little something I just whipped up, now that I've got Peggy watching a certain anime with me. As far as I'm concerned right now, this is complete as it is. Enjoy.

I'll start:
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer... that way, you've got them surrounded.
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''

-- James Nicoll

Well, after a brief flirtation with Vanguard, and an even briefer one with D&D Online, I've come slinking back to COX like a... a... thing that comes slinking back!?
Unfortunatly, I couldn't find my COH CD's so I had to download the client, causing me to miss Double XP weekend, but oh well.
So keep an eye out for the Paladrone and Shining Kamen running around the town!--
La Krueze: I just want everyone in the universe to suffer. Is that so wrong?
--
If you become a monster to put down a monster you've still got a monster running around at the end of the day and have as such not really solved the whole monster problem at all. 

Here ya go. NOTE! I have a mod on my machine that changes teh "Badge" chest emblem to the one from Batman Beyond, and I can send that to you by email if you like, as well as the file structure to put in your data folder in your COH folder.
img.photobucket.com/album...tman01.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...tman02.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...tman03.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...tman04.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...tman05.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...tman06.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...tman07.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...tman08.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...tman09.jpg
img.photobucket.com/album...tman10.jpg-Logan
-----------------
"Wake up! Time for SCIENCE!"
-Adam Savage
-----------------

Taken from the sticky so it keeps random conversation out.

Quote:

---

Crystal Seattle? Whaddaya wanna bet that Shadowrun Fen have already infiltrated the place?

---

I was bouncing around Spacebattle's writing forum when I came across a mention of this picture.
-----------
img.photobucket.com/album...422031.jpg
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Hopefully the convert URL function will keep the address from giving away who is at the wheel.
HINT: I don't believe I've seen a post by him here in quite some time and lately I've notice his new site seems to be gone as well.
howard melton
God bless

Based on a few comments made by Foxboy on night.
Mechanon-01's dialog by Logan Darklighter
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PPD Special Investigations Division
Status Report
Officer: Heuristic Engramic Armoured
Tactical unit
Current Duty: Investigating the MacHine
kidnappings.
----------------------------------------
Status: While evidence suggests the
rash of kidnappings of MacHine family
members and their associates was
perpetrated by a faction operating out
of the Rogue Isles, it is not
conclusive as to the identities of the
perpetrators.
It is likely (78% certanty) that
members of the criminal organization
The Infamous were involved but we are
not prepared to confirm particular
identities.
We have determined that the victims
were transported out of Paragon City,
most probably (87% certanty) to the
Nerva Archipelago. The remaining
MacHines and their allies have
departed on a rescue mission.
See attachement 1 for detailed list of
all supporting evidence.
We are continuing our investigation to
determine answers for the following
questions:
- Are any residents of Paragon City
were complicit in these crimes?
- What is the purpose of the
kidnappings?
- What further actions might be taken
by the perpetrators?
----------------------------------------
The slow-moving submarine crept carefully along
between the rocks that made up the smallest of
the Nerva Archipelago's islands. The Longbow
officer in command breathed a sigh of relief as
his pilot eased the sub into its customary berth,
and turned to his guests.
"We've arrived, and we'll be on the surface in a
moment. Are you still certain you don't want
any help?"
Morgan MacHine shook his head in a curt gesture.
"No, Captain. We can handle this ourselves.
Besides we're not certain where in the Isles
we'll have to go and we wouldn't want to
jeopardize any of your long-term operations."
"Well, I've alerted our bases here, if you do run
into something big and nasty let us know. You've
got the comm codes?"
Morgan shook the captain's hand. "Thank you. We
do, and we will. I don't think it will be
necessary though."
With that Morgan made for the hatch, where the
others were waiting. While he and the captain
had been speaking the sub had reached the surface
and crewman was busy undogging the hatch. Bella
laid a hand on Morgan's arm as they watched the
others climb out.
"Don't worry so much, Querido. We'll get them
back."
He covered her hand with his and they waited for
their turn at the ladder.
A short while later the rescue party was hidden
amid the rocks, arguing over the best route to
take. They, and the sub's Longbow guards were
startled by a voice from above.
"I'd advise against the ferry. The Arbiter
drones they have guarding them are a nasty
handful and surprisingly perceptive."
They looked up to see Hexane perched on top of a
tall granite boulder.
"The pilots that run the helicopter line are much
more bribable anyway," she continued. "The
drones don't seem to understand the concept of
favours."
The villainess was about to go on when her lapels
were siezed by a pair of small, but surprisingly
strong hands, and she was yanked down slightly to
look into the eyes of a very angry Minuet
MacHine-Heisman.
"Where. Is. Oren'?" she ground out.
Hexane stared into Minuet's eyes for a long
moment, and then tried to staighten up. It did
not work, and Minuet's hands tightened their
grip.
"Yeesh, your hubby's fine. And so are the
others, since you asked so nicely. Now would you
ease up on the threads? I actually paid for this
jacket, you know."
Hexane straightened up again, this time
succeeding in pulling loose from Minuet. She took
a moment to fix her clothes while the heroes
glared at her.
"Like I said earlier, your best bet is the
helicopter line. Just be polite, the pilots are
Arachnos and it wouldn't take much to convince
them the bribe wasn't worth it."
Hexane stood and turned to leave, only to find
herself face to face with Bella Fuego. The
kunoichi blinked rapidly as the heat that
suddenly poured off of Bella started to dry out
her eyes.
"Amiga, you had better start explaining," she
said.
"What's to explain? I was paid to make sure that
they, and you, all ended up at the same place at
a certain time. A certain time which is nearly
here. So unless you want to be late, and I
wouldn't recommend that, you have a helicopter to
catch."
Hexane held up a shiny folded piece of paper, and
waved it in Bella's face. "This here is what we
call a map. It shows you where you have to go,
assuming you can read."
With that Hexane tossed the paper at Bella and
vanished into a cloud of ninja smoke.
----
Hexane handed the binoculars back to Mechanon-01
and pushed herself up off of the stone railing
above the canal.
"Well, they made it onboard the chopper. They
should be arriving just in time to get changed."
She began making her way to the nearby base portal.
Mechanon-01 followed her, tracking the Arachnos flier
as it lifted into the sky above Nerva. "OBSERVATION:
I still do not see what the point of this meatbag
ceremony is for." He paused for a moment, then
continued. "STATEMENT: But I am looking forward to
the close proximity of members of The Legendary to
members of this organization. I calculate a high
probability of unrestrained violence as a result of
this course of action."
Hexane grimaced, hearing this and slouched.
"Normally, you'd be right but Nogi' called in I don't
know what favours and some how got Ghost Widow to
shake loose a handful of Arbiter Drones to keep
things from getting too out of hand."
"And we're doing it because Nogi' is paying us very
well. Nogi's doing it, well let's just say it's part
of her core directives. I can't explain it to you
any better than that I don't think."
Mechanon-01 trailed behind, it dismissed the
vagaries of organics from its mind and began
running a simulation of the ceremony minus the
drones. Hopefully the casualty rate would be
high, even if it was only a simulation.
The villains arrived at the base portal's blue
pillar and stepped though. One gut-wrenching
movement later they were in the lobby of the
Infamous' base. The normally comfortable room
was somewhat crowded, with a large number of
minions and henchmen standing guard over Hexane's
guests.
"Alright, they've taken the bait. It's time to
go." Hexane crowed happily.
The minions shiffted and began hauling the
prisoners to their feet, herding them
towards the teleporters. Hexane was amused to
see the mixture of firm insistance and
politeness that Honest Gentleman was displaying
towards some of the female MacHines, and the
glares he got in return.
After a moment only Hexane, her retainers and one
final captive remained. Hexane crossed the floor
and crouched down in front of her. QB Kitsune
stared back at the kunoichi, straining against
the ropes and her gag.
"Now, now there's no need to be so angry with me.
I was completely honest when I said that the
letter wasn't bobby trapped, and all my men were
standing in the open, behind me. I also didn't
do anything to you... then. The fact that I was
distracting you so Misao-chan could slip up
behind you, well that's another matter entirely."
Hexane laughed again and took ahold off QB,
tipping QB forward and balancing the hero over
her shoulders. Hexane stood up and carried her
towards the teleporters.
"You should be grateful that you and Nogi' have
the same measurements. You didn't have to spend
all that time at Facemakers getting fitted
properly."
----
The drone of the Arachnos flier's engines
stuttered as the pilot dropped his craft down
behind a stack of cargo containers. He reached
for the radio. "Tower, this is flight 212 from
Nerva, declaring engine failure. I've lost
number two, and I'll be coming in low and hot."
He listened to the tower's response and,
apparently satisfied made his own reply. "Roger
that Tower, ETA three minutes."
Behind him Minuet MacHine steadied herself
against the hatch. He glanced back and scowled.
"We're here, all of you, get out." He pulled a
parchment envelope from his instrument panel and
handed it back to her. "I was told to give you
this. Now get out."
Min' accepted the envelope and hurried back into
the cargo section of the flier. The door was
open and the rescue party was dropping out under
the cover of the cargo containers. Min reached
the door and went through it even as the flier's
engines roared and pushed it back into the air.
It listed in an unhealthy manner, and accelerated
towards the nearby field.
Morgan watched it go. "Sabotaged their own
engine. Crazy bastards." He turned to his
sister. "What did they give you?"
Min' turned the envelope over in her hands. It
was sealed with wax, with a Japanese character
pressed into the center. She took a deap breath
and broke the seal. Inside was a single piece of
expensive paper covered in elegant caligraphy.
Min' pulled it out and read aloud. "You are
cordially invited to the wedding of Mace MacHine
and Chiyuki no Mori no Nogitsune..."
----
"Do you have any idea what this wedding, and its
smooth, proper unfolding mean to Nogi',
personally, culturally and mythically? I am
doing everything in my power to make certain it
all happens the way it is supposed to. I like
Nogi', I do, but she's not the easiest creature
to get along with at the best of times, and I
have no desire to deal with a pissed off, bridal
Nogi' much less a pissed off, honeymoon delayed
Nogi'."
"I'd rather slit my wrists than stick around for
what will happen if this turns out anything like
your wedding Mr. Heisman." Hexane glared up at
Wide Reciever. "I was at your wedding, if you
remember. With the exception of a frat-boy
kegger, no party that generates that many sirens
can be called a success."
The kunoichi paused and looked thoughtful. "At
least I think I was at your wedding. I seem to
recall an open bar, but not much else."
She shook her head and got back on track.
"Anyway, the point is you will go in there, sit
with your wife, and be damned polite and proper.
And you will not damage that tux. It cost too
damn much to rent as it is and I am not paying to
have it replaced. Now if you will excuse me, I
have to get changed."
So saying, Hexane dropped a small smoke bomb at
her feet causing Wide to step back, coughing.
When the smoke cleared, the young woman was
standing there in a traditional kimono,
appearance marred only by the mask that covered
the upper half of her face. She checked herself
over, and then seemed to realize Wide was still
there.
A folded fan was thrust into his face for
emphasis. "What are you still doing here? Get
going!" The fan was then smacked over his
helmet. "Go. And while you're in there, I
suggest you think about how to settle things with
Mayai. She is going to be seriously pissed with
what I had Chiyuki-kun do to keep her from
ruining this. Go! Go! Go!"
Each command was followed with a further blow
from the fan, and Wide wisely withdrew to find
Min'. Hexane watched him go and smoothed out her
kimono. Standing behind her, where they had been
watching the conversation were Bella and Morgan.
Satisfied with her appearance, Hexane grabbed
both of their arms and began shooing them towards
the wedding. Once they were moving she handed
Bella an envelope. It was unsealed, and full of
papers.
"What is this," demanded Morgan?
"Nothing much, just the reciepts for the wedding
presents you lot got Nogi' and Mace. Which I
expect you to repay me for, by the way. I'm not
even charging you a fee for services rendered, so
don't say anything about it."
Bella accepted the envelope and tucked it away.
"Should we double check to make certain this is
actually what we got them?"
"You do remember what I said about keeping Nogi'
happy, yes?" Hexane rolled her eyes and noticed
something up in the sky. "Ara, we're going to be
late. Get moving."
The kunoichi pulled a parasol out from somewhere
and opened it above her head as she hurried along
behind the heroes. A few light drops of rain
spattered off of it as she looked up one last
time at the rainbow overhead and the sunshower
that was moving across the island.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETA: Corrected Mechanon's behavior. That'll teach me to use a character when I don't have a handle on his personality.
--
50 Things Hexane has learned since joining the Infamous
#20. I may not sing 'The Song that Never Ends' in Obsolete's presence.