Excuses, Excuses, Excuses...

What are some of the more common reasons that designers, programmers, content editors, etc give people for being 'delayed'?

The ones i always seem to hear are 'ive been sick' or 'my internet went out'.

It seems almost every programmer or designer i have ever had work for me always seems to get ill or lose their web connection a few days before the promosied work deadline.

Im currently 45 days past due on a programming project that was supposed to be finished by the 8th May.

Why these people just cant say something like sorry i miscalculated how long it would take confuses me, id much rather hear that than excuse after excuse, especially when it is clear the reason for the delay is they underestimated how much work would actually be involved.

So whats the best excuse you have ever heard from a programmer, designers, etc, etc for not getting your proejct finished on time?

Regards,

Lee