A nice experience, I thought, from a couple years back. Has a reputation for being tardy or simply not following through .... and I can now confirm it.

Tried to see her Saturday. Started with an e-mail the night before (promptly answered in the affirmative). My e-mail included unmistakable references to the circumstances of our previous meeting, in an attempt to increase her comfort level and let her know I was legit.

Then a phone call around noon to confirm for around 5 p.m., the time I had requested. Her noon answer was "OK, call me about an hour before." I did that, and her answer then was the routine "call when you get to such and such a location."

Did that right around 5 p.m. (technically a few minutes late, I guess, since the appointment time was supposed to be around 5 p.m.), near where she had requested, and where she said she had a location. No one picks up. Called again. And again. And again. And you know the drill. Left two messages. I don't have a cell phone but did give her my home phone in the e-mail, and called to check. No cancellation message (also she had my number on her own phone).

Drove around a while and back to the pay phone. Nada. An hour and two calls later and I'm done.

The complications and potential pitfalls of being a provider are numerous, no doubt. Which is why I tried to nurse this along in every way I could, and be as helpful as possible. Only at the VERY END does it go to hell. Oh well.

Much as I'd like to see China, there's no need to bother.