You call that last post about my cavalier attitude, an apology? Please. It was about as sincere as this one. We can agree though, it wont happen again. You blew me off, and still want to come away looking like the good guy. It seems you still are. All you really did was freely admit that you hung me out to dry on purpose. And based on some feedback I've had, it appears I am not the first person you have done this to.
Yes I explained to you Scott, that I wasn't into the upgrade thing. Fran is my friend, etc. That didnt mean I would only work with Fran, or that I turned you down. What I said was that if I was going to upgrade, it would be with Fran. So you did move away from the instructor hours conversation, the "broadening my horizons as a teacher" thing you deny calling about. You eventually did rephrase your question to "how would I like to work with you and Mark?" My answer was, "well, that's different." That implied you were willing to pay me something. And I was ready to go. I have to admit, I was looking forward to it.
If you weren't calling about the upgrade, why not offer a few bucks, or gas, or lunch at least? Its not as if it was a charity event. Working for anybody for 3 days for free would cost me money, I explained that to you. I would have volunteered for a day, but 3 days straight is a lot to ask. There's preparation involved, too. Haircut, clothing, car wash, material review. I would have to be prepared, organized. Time is money, money is time.
We never discussed financial details because you said you had to check your budget first. If you recall, I did say I would need "a little something." I never asked for any certain amount, and you never asked how little. When I said I don't work for free, I meant that. I am a professional instructor, I get paid just like you do. I was being honest with you Scott, not arrogant. I'm not sure what else I could say when you put me on the spot to either work free, or ask for compensation. What do you say to someone who asks you to do that? What would be the proper thing to say? I've never worked for free before, other than charity events. I sort of know you, but we have never met. Its not as if you were a friend calling to ask a favor.
And you expect me to think that since Finkelstein works for free, I should too? First, I doubt Mark worked for free. He's too good for that. But even if he did, it's no concern of mine. I guess I was out of line asking to be paid a little something for 3 days work. I didn't realize every instructor is to know they are supposed to work for the great and powerful, master Scott Lee for free. And all at a moments notice, my bad.
Regarding my being free that weekend, I did say I had no plans..... meaning I was available. I still had 10 days to figure something out, but should that really matter? It was a 3 day weekend, I could have planned something else. I also told you that in order for me to disappear for 3 days I would have to clear it with my wife. But you had no regard for that, did you? As you said, you “skipped it." I suppose in your mind, its ok to blow people off if they don't have any plans, or if they dare not work for free. My guess is, you found yourself an alternate free worker. Either that, or you just didn't get enough students to justify a third instructor.
I notice you don’t like it when people screw you around, but you seem to think its ok to do it to others. Scott, you have an over inflated sense of self worth.
Dave...You first turned me down, saying you were only interested in working with Fran (which is fine)...apparently because you thought I was fishing for doing your upgrade (which you approached me about years ago). I called you to tell you that was not the case. If all you wanted was gas money you should have made that clear...for the 100 miles total you would have driven for the entire three days. What you said was, "I don't work for free", which indicated something completely different to me. I already apologized for not calling you back. As far as "clearing your schedule", you told me on the phone that you had no plans for the weekend. In any case, I was wrong not to followup. It won't happen again.
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com