The Michael Swayne Story V: King of his Castle

Yesterday's frustration was with Iris. When she stopped in to tell us what our daily goal was for the day, she said that she wanted $150 worth of ads on each page of the paper. Well, by the end of the workday, I had all the ads finished, but they didn't add up to what she wanted. When she called in the afternoon, she started talking to me as if I was stupid because I couldn't fulfill her goal. There wasn't enough ads sold to put $150 on each page. I can't put ads in that haven't been sold.

So she told me to make it a 6 or 4 page paper. You can't have a 6-page paper. The printing company doesn't do that. And I was told by the owner that if we print a 4-page paper, it would mean that we would close down. And her attitude was because she thought I was not able to understand what she said that morning.

The way she was coming across in our phone conversation was making me feel as if I was stupid. She even put what she wanted in "simpler terms" during the conversation, because she "felt I didn't understand". I understand perfectly. Though she is technically the "boss" at the office, any rulings by the owner supersede what Iris says. I was told that we close if a 4-page paper is printed.

But she didn't see until she came in this morning that there was no way what was already sold would fit in only four pages. I had my little pictures ready and waiting when she arrived this morning. I have taken to making a drawing of the ad placement for just such occasions. That way, when situations like this occur I am able to show them my work without having to change things over to pdf format every time someone asks.

And now today.

Iris apologized to me. She said that she didn't mean to talk to me as if I was stupid. When she saw that there was no way it would fit on four pages, and I told her how the printers have no way of printing a 6-page paper; she admitted defeat and started her own work.

The rest of the day went smoothly. I finished the paper, and got the inserts all ready for the delivering tomorrow. I didn't have time to start on next week's paper.

And then my good mood went sour when we received the Dairy Bar menus. Several of the ads turned out crappy. And I am probably going to catch heat for it. They didn't look like that when I trasferred them, and didn't look bad when I printed them out at home. I am thinking that there may have been a step missed when they were sent to the printing company. I have no clue on the process, because all I do is make them. Oh well. There's always next time.

Anyway, tomorrow's work is delivering newspapers. As far as I know (that dreaded phrase). I have the feeling I will be delayed a lot. There are four inserts that go with the papers. Also, it is supposed to rain. A lot. Maybe even storm. My plan is to somehow magic the papers to the house without getting them too wet. And if it's possible, I will attempt to cast Haste on myself so folding the papers will go quickly. The goal is to finish by 10am.

Some big news now. I was accepted to participate in a video game's beta test this weekend. What beta test, you ask? Why Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, inquisitive person. I have it downloading right now. I am not allowed to give out any details (their rules), but I think it is public knowledge that the test is this weekend. I have read it on a few sites. But yeah, I got back home and the Email was at the top of my Inbox. So, I am excited.

I have managed to read as little as possible about the game before today, because an online Final Fantasy game was never something that interested me. But now that I am going to be playing it (I mean, testing it), I want to know as much as possible. So from now until the beta test begins (5am Friday), I will be researching stuff. This is my first time playing an MMO game, so I have no idea what to do at all.

If anyone else is participating, let me know. I noticed on the beta test forum over at SE's site that there are already alliances and party's forming for missions and whatnot. As I said, I am new at the whole online multiplayer thing.

Well, that's about it for now. I think I will be moving over to the PS3 and trying to complete Taejin's Tower (I am at the Apex level, so I am almost done). And I am not tired yet, which isn't good because I will need my sleep for the route tomorrow.

Anyway, I hope to see you around the forums, and until then...

Later!

Michael

PS, in case you are wondering, I am me3lingual over at SE's forum for the test.