I MUST be crazy

[Bruce Wayne]

I ordered an Adventurebilt from Steve on April 16th of this year & recieved in at the beginning of July. It was a brown Crystal Skull. I just now ordered a brown Raiders-no turn. Should I have myself comitted or or will some tweaking of my meds solve this problem?

[BendingOak]

What's the problem?????

[jnicktem]

The problem is he only has one hat on order.

[A.J. Cairo]

I didn't realize steve's turn around is that quick! Maybe its time for me to follow your example!

[jnicktem]

I didn't realize steve's turn around is that quick! Maybe its time for me to follow your example!

Only with new orders. If you ordered a hat from Steve before the price bump you have a longer wait. If you ordered a hat from Steve after the price bump Steve will work on your hat on his day off to get it out to you faster.

[Fedora]

I didn't realize steve's turn around is that quick! Maybe its time for me to follow your example!

Only with new orders. If you ordered a hat from Steve before the price bump you have a longer wait. If you ordered a hat from Steve after the price bump Steve will work on your hat on his day off to get it out to you faster.

Yes, but only as long as this doesn't get out of hand. I have posted on my site, to check for availiability on the expedited delivery time. So far, with so few hats bought at those high prices, I occassionally work on my day off to just make that hat, but would rather have my day off, if you know what I mean. But not knowing for sure when Bernie would be placing an order, I had to up the price so the production company would be charged my much higher price. That is, I set my site up for Indy 5, as Bernie knows I charge my site price for any orders, including their order. Some vendors push up the price for films, but I have an understanding with Bernie that they will only pay my site price at the time of ordering. Hence the change in pricing, which also kills demand basically. And I needed to kill demand. So far, it works, and if it ever looks to get out of hand, I will just not offer any hats for sales until post Indy 5. So, checking with me first is essential, otherwise I would just have to refund your money the same day I get it from paypal, if my days off happen to be already booked up. But so far, the price keeps that in line, to where I still get some days off. And the extra money, the higher price for now is only for expedited orders, for those willing to pay the bucks for a fast hat. I should have went up to those prices right after Indy 4 was in the can, but stupidity disallowed for it, and I was still trying to give all the fans a huge bargain, which inevitably bit both you and me in the buttocks. But my intent was pure, just not very intelligent.

After Indy 5, if it even happens, I am gonna just offer say a couple hundred hats for one time sale, so the lead times will be short, and I won't get in over my head again. Then, I retire, but will still do reblocks on my own hats until I pass on, or get too unhealthy to do them. And I plan on traveling around, and will drag a new hat shop behind me, so I can meet and reblock my customers hats in my travels.

I have also had some serious health issues this last year, which hasn't helped, heart problems, blindness in my left eye, colon cancer, which is in remission now, and as of last week diabetes. The diabetes will finally force me to lose weight, thank goodness, due to the diet, although I took off quite a bit with the cancer treatment, but put it back on pretty fast since I drink 8 to 10 sugared cokes each day. So now, its diet drinks, although I can only stomach mountain dew diet soft drinks.

These health problems actually did hurt lead times on the backorders, in where I sold my film hats rather cheaply compared to say Nathaniel who made the digging for the truth hat for Josh. But, I work hard each day now that my strength is back in filling the backorders. For a couple months I could only struggle to make one hat per day, and was worn out after just one! But back to full steam again. The diabetes, which went untreated, as I did not know I had it, but did notice I was getting nerve damage in my feet, which prompted me to have it checked. I think I caught it early enough though. My younger brother has had it for years, as it runs in my family, type 2. My mom has it, too.

The health issues was why I had to stop doing Indy Mag's HJs as well. Although I still have quite a few HJs here, not yet sold. But once those are gone, no more ABMAGHJs will be generated from my shop. Getting old ain't what it is cracked up to be folks. At least for me it isn't. One day you just wake up to discover you are suffering from age related problems. And it shocks you. But considering the other alternitive, I will gladly live with the aches and pains that come from a too active life early on. Just glad to still be hanging around!

And please folks, no phone calls to where my mom answers. I am not gonna burden her with my health concerns, as I never fill her in on my health. She would worry herself to death since she is pushing 80. We have kept most of it from her, although not all. But, she still doesn't know the full extent of what I have gone through, or what I have. Only my two girls know of my health problems. And anyways, I have a very doting mom, who would literally worry me to death, and who would follow me around to make sure I made all of the dr. appointments. I don't want or need that! She thinks I am still 8 years old, I think, by the way she dotes over me and her other grown kids. And any additional worry on her part might not be good for her, and I am sure you understand.

But today, I feel great, back at this full force and once again enjoying the hatmaking. And I have been assured that my future looks good, once I take off bout 20 more pounds. So, I ain't planning on checking out anytime soon. But boy I sure miss my southern biscuits and my Italian foods! Always loved those carbs, and my sugar. I will now have to eat like a carnivore rabbit. Greens and meat only. And I won't lie, it is a difficult way to eat for a carb lover. But, I have no choice at this point.

And once again I want to thank my backorder customers for being so nice to me, and patient. I will never forget a single one of you guys. Most of you have made a stressful situation at least bearable for me. And at the end of the road, when you do finally get your CS fedora, at least you will own a clone of the original CS fedora, something that probably was never available in so far as Indy hats go, unless you got one from Swales right after a particular film was released, and then there is no gurantee it would be from the same factory that made the film hat, due to HJ changing suppliers so often in this era. Marc and I may be the only guys who could make you a real deal Indy film hat as was used in a film. I just hope that makes the wait less painful.

I have hesitated about relating my health problems here, but once I felt I was gonna survive, I felt it was the right thing to do, since customers are involved too. But even if I would have died, all monies would have been refunded from my estate, as that is specified in my will, so no one would have lost a penny. Just would have never got the hat is all. Regards to all. Fedora

[Michaelson]

And I plan on traveling around, and will drag a new hat shop behind me, so I can meet and reblock my customers hats in my travels.

If I can get the youngest daughter to get her dang Chevelle out of the way, your parking place is ready, and Tims Ford Lake is literally walking distance down the hill from the house. The croupie, bass and bluegill await!

Regards! Michaelson

[Tennessee Smith]

M, you could always take him fly-fishing off the Duck for some rainbow!!!



And Bruce, you are one lucky......

[binkmeisterRick]

Steve, I'd have a tailgate party with you on the back of your traveling shop!

[Mitch LaRue]

Somebody sizzle up a STEAK for this man!

[BendingOak]

The day you go on the road buddy. I would be overjoyed to go with ol' friend.

[BendingOak]

Beer and brats, sounds like a Sunday.

[binkmeisterRick]

I'll bring the lawn darts!

[KingHamlet]

Steve, were only a short distance awar, so if you're ever in Northwest Arkansas pay us a visit. I'll light up the smoker and make the best pulled pork you've ever had.

[BendingOak]

I think Steve will need an travel agent.

[Bemo]

You know, I can see the graphic now on the side of the trailer: The Amazing Steve Delk and his Traveling Hat Show. You could see this great country of ours, take in some hospitatility with the fine folks from the various forums, maybe see how many states you could catch a fish in... We have a couple nice places here in Idaho for fly fishing, maybe you've heard about Henry's fork or Silver Creek? You know Steve, when I do receive my CS from you, it will mean all the more to me after reading about your challenges and seeing how you've carried yourself with class and dignity.

[jlee562]

Delk Across America 2012(?)

[Indiana Jeff]

I written this before and it's selfish wishful thinking , but I'll say it again...

Rather than Steve going into full retirement (with the exception of reblocks) ; he could offer old school custom made hats by personally meeting with the customer, doing the head measurements himself and discussing block height/size and brim dimensions to suit the individual's face shape, etc. AND if he takes his act on the road, customers could schedule times to meet with him without necessarily having to go to MS.

What better way to order a hat than meeting Steve, getting measured and then spending the balance of the day fishing, having a few drinks, etc.?

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[BendingOak]

If he does this, he will need to really raise his prices.

[Indiana Jeff]

Sure, that goes without saying...which is why I didn't say it.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[BoilermakerJones]

Steve,

So sorry to hear of your health issues, but glad to hear you are on the mend. I hope the hat backlog has not caused or made any of this worse. I haven't posted for some time, but I have been reading regularly and with all the talk still being on November, I have worried (for you, not my hat order) that something might be wrong.

You are a class act and deserve whatever time you need to recuperate and recharge your batteries. I know I will receive that white box some day and if the wait is extended because you need any time away for any reason, I am fine with that. I would guess that most, of not all, of your friends here would agree.

Matt

[BendingOak]

Sure, that goes without saying...which is why I didn't say it.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

If not the road trip could kill him.


Please ol' friend, be good to yourself.

[Michaelson]

That's why I have a fishing pole ready.

[BendingOak]

I think that sounds like a good idea. Hey steve, would you like to take this city kid fishing with you.

[DR Ulloa]

Come to Miami and soak up the sun. I'll take you 'round town and get you some cigars rolled by Cubans and get some good Cuban cooking in your belly. Lots of meat there, my friend. Then, I'll be sure to book us at a nice guitar join so we can jam away with out ABs. How's that sound?

Dave

[Mitch LaRue]

Man!
Steve's got a lot of ni i i i ice sounding R&R time ahead of him... and it couldn't be more well-deserved, either.

[Michaelson]

I'll take you 'round town and get you some cigars rolled by Cubans and get some good Cuban cooking in your belly.

Dave

Been there, done that, HIGHLY recommend it!!!

Regards !Michaelson

[Bruce Wayne]

Does anyone else do this? I made a very special request with the latest hat that I ordered from Steve & I recieved an email from him the next morning. I find that nearly everytime that I log on to do anything online I have to read that email at least once. Does this make me even crazier?

Thanx!!!
Charlie

[Michaelson]

Uh..... ...maybe...

[Bruce Wayne]

Yeah - pretty much. But you're among friends.

Glad to hear it.

[DanielJones]

No crazier than the rest of us.

Cheers!

Dan